Unparalleled Evildoer

Chapter 337: Going out to sea to search for medicine
The autumn wind never stops, the water is clear and the sky is blue. Hundreds of large and small ships are docked on the Wei River, with flags flying on the ships and sailors standing solemnly. Ying Zheng and all the civil and military officials in the court see Xu Shi off to sea. The scene is particularly spectacular.

Only faint cries could be heard from the crowd by the river. Perhaps their children were in the boat and would never come back.

After Li Si finished reading the imperial edict, Xu Shi brought Jiang Yuan, Long Quan and others to the bow of the ship, bowed and said goodbye to Ying Zheng, and the fleet slowly left.

Wuzhan looked at the crying people, sighed slightly, said goodbye to Ying Zheng and his ministers, boarded the ship with Miaoxin and several disciples, and followed the end of the fleet.

The luxury ship is divided into three floors, just the size of a guesthouse. Each disciple has a separate room, and there is also a training room for disciples to practice. A large amount of food is stored, enough to feed the people on the ship for at least three months.

The mountains on both sides of the river were all red, and sailing through them was like a painting. Three days later, the fleet sailed into the Yellow River. After another seven days, it passed through Julu. The weather turned cold, and they had to put on thick cloaks to keep warm.

During this period, Mayor Xu had not invited Wuzhan to be a guest on the main ship. However, Wuzhan knew that such an invitation was a matter of time, and perhaps the time had not yet come.

After Miaoxin followed Wuzhan this time, under Wuzhan's guidance, her cultivation had reached the peak of a wandering immortal and she could transcend the tribulation at any time. Jinxingzi and Lingkongzi also needed to transcend the tribulation to become true immortals.

Wuzhan decided to help the three of them overcome the tribulation after the ship entered the sea and left the mainland. As for Zhulang, his route was different from the previous three, and there was no process of overcoming the tribulation. Yunchu had just entered the realm of a wandering immortal, and although she had made rapid progress, it would still take some time for her to overcome the tribulation. However, she was very anxious, and the time she spent on cultivation was obviously longer than others. She even spent time on cultivation while cooking, and often forgot to add seasonings, resulting in the food being either too salty or too bland. Fortunately, Miaoxin learned to cook with her, which changed this situation.

As they were about to enter the sea, the fleet anchored in Haikou for a night to rest. Wuzhan put on his cloak and took his disciples off the boat to get some fresh air. This was a fishing village. What caught the eye were several old fishing boats docked on the beach. Occasionally, a few fishermen could be seen, who were over fifty years old. When they saw Wuzhan and others getting off the fleet, they ignored them and continued to weave their old nets. This was slightly different from the scene Wuzhan saw half a year ago.

Wuzhan walked up to a hunchbacked old man and asked, "Old man, may I ask why the fishing village is so deserted today?"

The hunchbacked old man looked up at Wuzhan and the others and sighed, "Seven days ago, a group of ferocious monsters and birds broke in from the sea. They either ate the adults and children in the village alive or took them away. Some died in the village, some escaped, and finally only a few of us who couldn't walk were left here to die."

Wuzhan asked, "Why don't you report this to the authorities?"

The hunchbacked old man looked at the fleet in the distance, and said with a helpless expression: "Aren't you also officials? What can you do even if you know? Who in this world would care about the lives of a few of us who are about to die? What's more, there are so many demons. Even if the soldiers come, they can only flee."

Wuzhan asked, "Do you have an estimate of the number?"

"He is at least fifty years old, and can speak human language. All those who were captured were taken to Dongyu Village, ten miles away."

Wuzhan looked towards the beach to the east, thought for a moment, did not ask any further questions, just said thank you and left.

Back on the boat, Yunchu joked to Jin Xingzi, "It seems like he is the same species as you?"

Jin Xingzi retorted, "How can I be the same as them? I have gone through a long period of cultivation to become a human. I am now a human, an upright person. How can I be compared with those barbaric monsters? Besides, monsters are also divided into different species."

Yunchu asked with a smile: "If humans and the monsters started fighting, who would you help?"

Jin Xingzi said: "I won't help anyone, I only follow the orders of my master."

"I didn't realize you could speak."

Miaoxin asked Wuzhan worriedly, "Sir, do you want to pay attention to this matter?" She knew the purpose of Wuzhan's trip. If they delayed here, Xu Shi would definitely take the opportunity to get rid of them. Moreover, fighting with so many monsters would be very dangerous for just a few of them.

Wuzhan said: "We must take care of this matter. I'm just afraid that we don't have enough manpower to repel those monsters?"

When Miao Xin heard this, all her worries disappeared, and she asked, "Should we ask Mayor Xu to send someone to help?"

Wuzhan said, "We still have to go through this process, but he will definitely not help us." He then turned to Lingkongzi and said, "Take my token to the county governor and ask him to send troops here to resist. Then send a pigeon to Xianyang to ask His Majesty to send a large army to reinforce us as soon as possible."

Lingkongzi took the audience order and flew out of the ship at dusk. Wuzhan left the ship with Miaoxin and Zhulang and came to the ship where Xu Shi was. He ordered someone to report to Xu Shi.

Soon, Xu Shi invited Wuzhan and the other two to the ship. Xu Shi's face was full of radiance, and he asked with a smile, "I wonder why you are so anxious to see me?"

After Wuzhan sat down, he told Mayor Xu everything he had heard and asked him to send people to fight the demons.

After hearing this, Mayor Xu said calmly, "Sir, you have found the wrong person. You and I both know the purpose of our trip. If we are delayed and miss the opportunity, I am afraid neither you nor I can bear the consequences."

"Of course I know this, but this concerns the safety of the people along the coast, the country and the people. As a subject of your majesty, since we have encountered it, we should do our part. I think as long as the national master is willing to take action, it will not take too long to defeat the demons overnight."

Xu Shi said: "Sir, you think too highly of me. Everyone knows that you are a man of both literary and military skills, wise and brave. I cannot do such a thing. Moreover, if any of my people were to suffer any mishap, I would not be able to bear it. I advise you to ignore it, so as not to bring yourself into trouble."

Wuzhan said: "Thank you for your kindness, Master. If you don't help me, I have my own plan. It's just that I may not be able to follow the fleet during this period of time. However, Master, don't worry, I will definitely catch up with you."

Xu Shi sighed, "I really don't understand why you must oppose me, sir. If we work together, won't the world be peaceful?"

Wuzhan smiled and said, "Everyone has their own aspirations. Although I don't know who the Imperial Master is doing this for, it's definitely not for the people of the world." Xu Shi said, "How do you know I'm not doing this for the people of the world?"

"If they were ordinary people, they would not bring so many children to look for medicine. What is the difference between their behavior and that of the monster?"

Xu Shi said: "If that's the case, why don't you say it to His Majesty in person?"

"I just want to tell the Imperial Master that it's difficult for me to cooperate with you."

Xu Shi said: "Any major event is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. You are outstanding, but don't think that you can overthrow me just because you are proud in front of His Majesty. Your power is only a matter of one thought. It is not a wise choice for you to go out to sea with me this time."

Wuzhan stood up and said, "Since the National Master can see everything clearly, why do you still say this? The reason why I dare to take this risk with the National Master is to see if the result the National Master wants can be achieved. After all, the National Master has spent hundreds of years on this."

Mayor Xu laughed and said, "I still advise you, sir, not to pay attention to the invasion of monsters, or you may not see the result I want."

Wuzhan smiled and said, "If I die for this, wouldn't that be exactly what the Imperial Master wants?"

"Sir, you should be aware that some things are still in your hands. How can I wish you to die young?"

"Since the Imperial Master is worried, he should send reinforcements. Otherwise, if I really die, those things will be gone forever."

Xu Shi said: "I am only reminding you, sir. As for you knowing that it is impossible but still doing it, I cannot stop you. However, I believe you will retreat when you see the difficulty."

Wuzhan bowed and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Imperial Master. Since Imperial Master is unwilling to help, I will have to find a solution myself. Goodbye."

Xu Shi said, "I'm sorry I can't see you off."

After Wuzhan and his two disciples left, Jiang Yuan asked, "Why didn't the Imperial Master capture him and torture him?"

Xu Shi said: "You underestimated him. Just imagine that he was able to escape from under the nose of the Golden Immortal. With his strength, even if I use all my strength, I may not be able to defeat him. Moreover, if we fight here, the news will soon spread to Xianyang."

"I can't see what he has accomplished."

Xu Shi said: "We can't see it, which means he is hiding very deeply, just like a golden immortal hiding his aura. Can you detect it with your cultivation?"

"I really can't imagine that the sickly boy three years ago has such strength now. Did he practice some secret method?"

Xu Shi laughed and said, "If you possessed the soul in his body, you would probably understand how stupid cultivation is. He can easily obtain it by just killing people."

Jiang Yuan asked in surprise: "What kind of soul is that?"

Xu Shi said: "You don't need to ask more about this. It will become clear in due time. Send the order to set sail immediately and stay away from this sea area."

Jiang Yuan asked in surprise: "Aren't we going to rest here tonight?"

Xu Shi said: "You need to know what he is capable of. If he leads those monsters to our place, it will be difficult for us not to take action."

Jiang Yuan praised: "The Imperial Master is wise and thoughtful."

……

As soon as Wuzhan got ashore, he heard the fleet's departure horn. Miaoxin asked, "Why are they setting sail at this time?"

Wuzhan said: "They are smart this time. They actually thought that I would lure the monsters to the fleet."

Miao Xin said, "It's really abominable. Not only did they not take action, but they were actually afraid of being implicated. Their minds are so narrow." Suddenly, she looked at Wuzhan in surprise, "Does the gentleman really want to do that?"

Wuzhan did not refute and sighed: "Originally this was the fastest way, but it seems that it won't work."

Miao Xin now understood why Xian Dao Yuan had to be extra careful and wary of the master, but in a flash, she began to worry about the group of monsters and asked, "Does the master have any other solutions?"

Wuzhan shook his head and said, "We can only go and find out first, and then make plans."

(End of this chapter)