Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Fellow Daoist
Ji Yuan never forgot his promise with Qiu Qianhai.
Back when Qiu Qianhai left Qiuyu Island bearing responsibility, the two had agreed that when he returned, he would leave a shell at Ji Yuan’s doorstep.
Then they would meet at Qiuyu Island.
Since last autumn, ever since that day, Ji Yuan would always check if there was a shell at his doorstep whenever he came home.
Unfortunately, he had never seen one.
Now, having waited from last autumn until this spring, he finally saw a shell at his doorstep... Qiu Qianhai had returned.
Ji Yuan let out a long breath.
No matter what, it’s good that he’s back.
Before leaving, Ji Yuan opened the door and went inside, first inspecting the state of his home. Once he was sure everything was fine, he collected the Spirit Egg and Spiritual Soil accumulated over the last couple of days before departing.
The effect of the Pigsty was turned off by him.
He had no choice; the Blood Essence produced was too outrageous, and Ji Yuan dared not activate this building’s effect while he was away from home, but the Chicken Cage was much more manageable.
The Black Wind Boat broke through the water.
Ji Yuan only vaguely remembered the location of Qiuyu Island, but it didn’t matter; once he got there, he’d definitely find it.
Half a day later, after aimlessly wandering, Ji Yuan finally saw the familiar small island. He steered his boat close, and as he leapt ashore, he stored the Black Wind Boat in his Storage Bag.
Walking on the soft, fine sand on the shore, Ji Yuan cautiously surveyed his surroundings.
Because... he didn’t see any sign of Qiu Qianhai.
Something was off. If he was truly here, he should have come out to meet him by now.
Ji Yuan formed a seal with one hand and summoned the Dragon Armor Shield.
The Turtle Shell rotated around him, providing Ji Yuan with a fleeting sense of security as he slowly walked deeper into the island.
The surrounding reeds had sprouted fresh shoots, capable of easily concealing someone.
Once he stepped inside, he called out softly, "Old Hai?"
Calling out Qiu Qianhai was too obvious; if anyone else heard, it could cause trouble.
"Old Hai?"
Qiuyu Island was not big; Ji Yuan called out several times without a response and realized that Qiu Qianhai was no longer on the island... Could something have happened?
Ji Yuan quickened his pace, running from one end of the island to the other.
Sure enough, deep grooves were left in the sandy ground by the shore, filled with lake water.
Moreover, there was even a trace of fire on the nearby reeds.
There had been a Magical Combat here!
Ji Yuan carefully examined his surroundings; the traces of combat were relatively fresh, indicating that the fight hadn’t taken place too long ago.
Qiu Qianhai was here waiting for him, but was discovered and attacked?
This was Ji Yuan’s first thought.
So where was he now?
Unable to find anyone on the island, Ji Yuan launched the Black Wind Boat again, making several circles around Qiuyu Island. With nothing peculiar to be found, he drove his boat beneath the lake.
He searched meticulously multiple times but found nothing.
If that’s the case, then only one possibility remained.
Of the two parties involved in the skirmish, one had fled, and the other had gone in pursuit.
But where could they have escaped to?
Finding someone in the vast Cloud Rain Marsh was no different from finding a needle in a haystack.
Unable to find a trace of anyone, Ji Yuan decided not to leave but instead chose to wait overnight on a nearby small island, yielding no unusual findings.
Qiu Qianhai never returned, nor did anyone else come to Qiuyu Island.
Ji Yuan, left with no options, had no choice but to return to Zengtou City.
Previously, in Zengtou City, Qiu Qianhai had been a renowned figure, even earning the moniker "Han Feiyu II."
If he had returned and been spotted, someone in Zengtou City would start talking.
Ji Yuan, upon his return, didn’t even go home but directly headed into the city.
The streets were lined mostly with grass-covered shops selling Talismanic Elixirs or various sundries, and there were plenty of passing Fishermen.
Ji Yuan deliberately slowed his pace, listening to their conversations.
But unfortunately, after traversing two streets, he heard nothing about Qiu Qianhai.
Helpless, he wandered to a secluded courtyard and knocked on the door.
"Knock knock knock—"
After a moment, footsteps could be heard from within the yard, followed by the creak of the door, as a middle-aged man with gray hair and small eyes peeked out.
"Who are you looking for... come in."
Lame Li, as usual, thought to ask who he was looking for and then dismiss him. But upon seeing Ji Yuan’s appearance, he invited him inside and offered him tea.
The last time Ji Yuan visited, Lame Li noticed his Cultivation was only at the fourth level of Qi Cultivation.
But today, he’s already at the sixth level, the same as Lame Li.
The rapid progress in mere months... Lame Li couldn’t help but take it seriously.
"He’s back."
Ji Yuan didn’t touch the tea but went straight to the truth.
Lame Li was initially stunned and then hurriedly asked, "Where is he? How is he? Is he alright?"
Being his uncle, once he heard Qiu Qianhai had returned, Lame Li immediately lost his usual composure.
"I haven’t seen him."
Ji Yuan shook his head, contemplated for a moment, and then finally said, "Last year, we agreed on a place to meet when he returned. I went there and didn’t see him, but there were traces of Magical Combat left on the site."
Hearing this, Lame Li understood immediately and quickly said, "I’ll go out and find out."
"I’ll go too."
"You shouldn’t go. I’m his uncle, and the Qin Family over there knows me. I can inquire without arousing suspicion, but if you ask around, you might attract attention. Just wait here for me."
Lame Li calmly analyzed.
He then hurriedly left, moving swiftly without the slightest hint of his previous limp.
Seems like he’s a crafty one... Ji Yuan didn’t head out again. Instead, he took out a beginner-level book, "True Explanation of Alchemy Dao," and started reading it carefully.
It’s always good to have multiple skills when out and about.
Especially when buildings can be upgraded.
It was until midday when Lame Li returned, looking a bit grim, "I haven’t heard of anyone mentioning this, guessing he either killed the person or is still on the run."
"Go back and wait. If he returns, he won’t come to me, but he’ll definitely look for you."
"Alright."
At this point, Ji Yuan had no other choice but to comply.
"Uncle Li, if you have any news, please inform me as well."
Ji Yuan then gave his address to Lame Li before leaving.
Possibly due to his concern for Qiu Qianhai, Ji Yuan couldn’t calm down for Cultivation after returning home. Helpless, he tried to comprehend the second layer of the "Canglang Sword Technique" in the Enlightenment Room.
After all, the inherent effect of the Enlightenment Room is calming the mind and concentrating Qi.
Three days passed like this before Ji Yuan finally received a message from Lame Li, saying someone had seen Qiu Qianhai in Cloud Rain Marsh, but where exactly, or any more specific information, was absent.
Left with no other choice, Ji Yuan went into the city himself to gather information.
But the result he got was no different from what Lame Li had described.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to return, he unexpectedly encountered Lu Wan.
Compared to her former lively self, she now seemed exceptionally cold, merely giving a faint glance regardless of who she met.
Remembering what she had said last time, Ji Yuan didn’t greet her either.
The two merely nodded at each other from a distance, treating it as a greeting.
That night.
Lin Hu, returning from selling fish at the Fish Cage, knocked on Ji Yuan’s courtyard gate. Upon entering, he carefully pulled a letter from his pocket and lowered his voice to say:
"Brother Ji, this is from Lu Wan for you."