He spoke the truth this time.
Pugilistic world figures are as numerous as the sands of the river; to become famous, itâs not enough to just have a sharp knife and strong fists. Without anyone to support you, youâre doomed to obscurity.
However, Li Yan remained the same, holding his knife, expressionless, "Since Iâve accepted the task, I wonât renege. I will handle this matter!"
"Good!"
Several people in the Brotherhoodâs fleet shouted in approval.
In the pugilistic world, strength rules, yet principles are even more paramount. A man whose word is as binding as a nail is not to be underestimated anywhere.
"Alright, alright..."
Lu Jiu was immediately a bit exasperated, waved his fan twice, then snapped it shut suddenly, shouting loudly, "Listen to me, board the ship and capture him!"
"This kid is tough, but donât be afraid. In broad daylight, if he dares to kill someone, heâs finished."
"If anyone dies, the Salt Gang will take care of their entire family!"
Once these words were out, the Brotherhood people immediately started cursing.
"Lu Jiu, youâre playing dirty!"
"Youâve got no shame!"
The court has a set of rules. In the pugilistic world, private fights can go on, and no matter how many die, as long as the people donât make a fuss, the officials wonât investigate.
But if it affects ordinary people or someone kills in broad daylight, then the court is sure to act.
This is an unwritten rule.
Just like the Salt Gang and the Brotherhood fighting here; it may seem like theyâve been fighting for days, but at most, someone gets beaten half to death.
If someone dies, the other side will also have a person take the fall.
If itâs really a fight to the death, theyâd sign waivers and fight to the death in the ring.
In any case, one must consider the courtâs face.
And Lu Jiuâs actions clearly disregard pugilistic world rules, using human lives to drag Li Yan down. Even if he canât capture him, heâll have him wanted.
In Shu, the Chuanshu Salt Gang truly has such capabilities.
"Get him!"
Upon hearing this, many men from the Salt Gang immediately had bloodshot eyes.
Those making a living in the pugilistic world seek nothing but wealth.
They know the young man before them is surely a formidable character; otherwise, Lu Jiu wouldnât be so apprehensive.
But they also know if they succeed, they will rise to prominence. Even if they die, their families will be richly compensated.
Gambling addicts, disease-ridden, heavily in debtâout in the world, there are those who value money over life.
Immediately, several small boats charged forward. Some couldnât wait and put knives in their mouths, splashing into the water, swimming over.
"Playing dirty..."
Li Yan laughed, "Wu Ba, fetch my drum. Iâve long heard the Kui Gate is treacherous, just right for drumming excitement."
Hearing the commotion outside, Wu Ba and Sha Lifei had long since emerged from the hidden cabin, even Gu Sectâs Long Yanâer ran out, prepared to release Gu.
Wu Ba turned and leaped onto the boat tower.
Meanwhile, Sha Lifei pressed down on Long Yanâer, glaring, "Are you stupid, woman? The court expressly forbids the Witchcraft Technique, releasing Gu in broad daylight is like getting mud on your pants, you canât explain it."
"You... let go!"
Long Yanâerâs hands were grabbed, instantly vexed. She hurriedly pulled them away, then disdainfully wiped them on her clothes twice.
After all, she was once the Holy Daughter of the Gu Sect, pursued by countless people before she fell from grace.
All these years, it was the first time she had been grabbed by a man.
"Tch!"
Sha Lifei turned away disdainfully.
He had roamed the pugilistic world for years, seen and been with many women; no woman, however beautiful, was as appealing as shiny silver.
Moreover, this woman was someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong, and was somewhat odd, seemingly interested in them and always trying to get closer.
But Li Yan was ruthless, Wang Daoxuan was a gentleman, Lv San was taciturn, Wu Ba only focused on eating, so she constantly sought him out for conversation, and her words were often unpleasant to hear.
These small actions couldnât fool a group of experienced pugilistic world veterans, they just couldnât be bothered to speak about it.
Without mentioning their thoughts, Wu Ba had already rushed into the boat tower, carrying out the Cloud Thunder Divine Drum and placing it in front of Li Yan.
"Thanks."
Li Yan raised his hand, applied his energy, and gave it a gentle tap.
Faced with these ordinary people, there was no need for the Three Talents Demon Suppression Coin, just a Hidden Energy beat on the drum, Storing God driving, was enough.
Bang!
A thunderous boom echoed like a thunderbolt.
Visibly, ripples spread outwards.
A few men from the Salt Gang, having just climbed onto the boat, felt their ears ringing, minds buzzing, swaying left and right before falling back into the water.
Even on the nearby boats, many men covered their ears, grimaced with their teeth bared, feeling dizzy and disoriented.
"Sound Waves Technique?"
On the Brotherhoodâs ship, the elderly man seemed a bit puzzled.
In the pugilistic world, many possess such skills. The Evaluators, the Triad, the Modulators, and the Willow Sect all have similar magic methods passed down through time.
But having the skill to perform it is another matter.
Thud, thud, thud!
The drumbeats rumbled, and even with the smallest amount of force, Li Yan was enough to block these ordinary people.
However, this method had a drawback.
Sound waves diffuse but do not distinguish between people.
Even "Fast Ship Zhang" and his disciples on the ship were covering their ears, looking uncomfortable.
Yet Wu Ba and Lv San were unaffected. They tugged on the mastâs rope, and in an instant, the sails swelled, allowing the large ship to continue forward.
Boom!
The two small boats blocking the way were directly capsized.
"Hahaha..."
Li Yan laughed heartily and put away the Cloud Thunder Divine Drum.
The cargo ship broke through the blockade and continued forward.
Lu Jiu watched, his face full of anger.
Yet he remained expressionless as he glanced backward, not ordering to approach.
Five people sat in the rear cabin, including the purple-faced, white-bearded old Confucian Wang Mengsheng and his disciples, as well as the palace-attired lady who rode a white deer that day.
The other two each had their unique appearances.
They were the loose cultivators invited down from Wushan.
Above the cabin, a treasure bead hung impressively, the size of an egg, glowing with clarity like the bright moon, casting a cool aura over everyone.
It was exactly the "Ruyi Treasure Pearl," one of Tang Zhenguoâs thirteen treasures.
Because of this item, Li Yanâs Hook Paper had no response.
Lu Jiu dared to confront Li Yan, truly because these people gave him the confidence, but seeing the situation on Wushan, he likewise didnât dare let them appear.
As the cargo ship departed, Lu Jiu could no longer restrain himself and turned to enter the cabin, respectfully cupping his hands: "Gentlemen, those two young girls were specifically requested by the Prince, please, exalted immortals, make a move."
"Why so anxious?"
Wang Mengsheng glanced faintly, "What the Prince wants isnât those two girls, but something else."
Lu Jiu was slightly taken aback, tentatively asking: "The exalted immortal knows?"
This matter was very secret; he was only acting on the gang leaderâs orders but knew nothing of the underlying reasons and secrets.
"Whatâs so strange about it?"
The lady in palace attire sneered, "What the King Shu wants is the Divine Astral within the girl, using this to seek the immortality elixir of the Ancient Ten Witches."
"Itâs not that no one has attempted such a thing before, even the Emperor couldnât succeed, a minor vassal king, where does he get the courage?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiu let out a dry laugh.
Immortality elixir?
So all this effort was spent just to find this thing.
Of course, he didnât care what was being sought, only about his own prospects.
Thinking of this, Lu Jiu hurriedly cupped his hands: "Please, exalted immortals, guide me. If the item can be found, King Shu will surely spare no effort to secure a famous mountain for you all to cultivate."
Wang Mengsheng said indifferently: "The Divine Astral is not something only those two girls possess, I have a method, you just need to follow the plan."
Lu Jiu hesitated for a moment, "What about that kid Li Yan?"
Recalling Li Yanâs arrogant demeanor on Wushan, a hint of killing intent flashed in Wang Mengshengâs eyes, "That kid is arrogant, thinking he can act recklessly with the identity of a living Yin messenger and is seeking his own demise."
"First find a way to trap them in Wanzhou, then send people to Fengdu, just follow my plan, and you can kill two birds with one stone."
"You will get what you want."
"And that place will be his burial ground!"
Soon, several carrier pigeons flew into the sky, heading far away...
...
"Brother Yan, weâve passed Fengjie."
"Fast Ship Zhang" came inside the cabin and said in a deep voice: "In another hour, weâll reach Wanzhou."
"Originally, I planned to get some supplies at Wanzhou dock, but since we offended the Salt Gang, how about we find a place to stop and buy some from the local villagers?"
"Iâll go with the elderâs decision."
Li Yan nodded in agreement.
Before the words were finished, a fast ship appeared from behind.
"Donât attack, theyâre our own!"
Li Yan quickly waved, stopping the others from drawing their bows and nocking arrows.
On the deck of that fast ship was unexpectedly Tian Qianhu of the Captain Bureau...