Chapter 99: Two Paths
Translator: Panda_Penn Editor: Chrissy
“Soul Pond Realm, five of them!”
Lu Li secretly sensed the qi and energy of Xue Chou and the warriors surrounding him. He was a bit scared. There were so many powerful warriors on this small Blood Evil Island which was stronger that the Liu Family at its peak.
Yet Lu Li did not see a single Bloodline mark on those warriors’ neck. None of them was a Bloodline Warrior.
Xue Chou had brought more than a dozen people with him to welcome. It was quite a grand gesture on his part. Lu Li stayed at the back of the crowd and quietly observed. Soon, his attention was attracted by a young man as this young man kept staring at Liu Yi.
The young man was not standing too far away from Xue Chou. He was standing in the front row and wearing glamorous armors. He resembled the looks of Xue Chou, so he must be Xue Chou’s son.
The young man glanced over the crowd and had his eyes locked on Liu Yi instantly. Even though Liu Yi’s hair was messy and her clothes dirty, she was still the No. 1 Young Lady of the Liu Family. She had extraordinary temperament and excellent appearance. Because of the sea changes of the Liu Family, she had lost weight which incidentally made her more delicate and attractive.
Liu Yi noticed some sharp stares on her. She took a look and moved closer to Lu Li out of fear. She could tell that there was more than a hint of passion in that young man’s looks. There was something… obscene.
Liu Yi had experienced many men’s stares. Back in the Wu Ling County, nobody dared to touch her. But at this moment, she was about to lead a wandering life in poverty at the Thousand-island Lake so she felt insecure. Naturally, she wanted to be closer to Lu Li.
When they were trying to get into the Thousand-island Lake, Lu Li chopped that bald old man to death with one swing of his sword. Lu Li now had become one of the most powerful warriors in the Liu Family to Liu Yi. She felt safer being nearer to him.
Lu Li, on the other hand, felt the pressure was up because of Liu Yi getting closer. That young man looked at Lu Li with an eyesight like knives. Even though the young man retracted his looks quickly, Lu Li clearly felt killing intent.
“The Blood Evil Island is not an easy place to stay.”
Lu Li sighed secretly. He was not keeping a sharp lookout of the young man. When Lu Li saw that Xue Chou was extending his greetings to Patriarch Seven enthusiastically, he was a little bit relieved. Judging by the situation, at least Xue Chou still remembered Patriarch Seven’s life-saving grace. There shouldn’t be any problems in a short time.
Xue Chou went inside with Patriarch Seven arm in arm cordially. Warriors of the Blood Evil Island hailed everyone into the Island. There was a Patriarch of the Blood Evil Island explaining the situation to the Liu Family people.
Lu Li listened for a while and had some understanding of the Blood Evil Island. Blood Evil Island was a third-rank Island at the Thousand-island Lake. The Blood Evil Brotherhood could be regarded as a third-rank force.
With a radius of about 155 miles, the Blood Evil Island was not large, but it wasn’t small either. There were more than a dozen small islands scattered around. The Blood Evil Island was somewhat a reputable force in the northeast of the Thousand-island Lake.
Of the entire Blood Evil Island and the nearby small islands, the total population was 300,000. Among them, 5000 were Xuan Wu Realm warriors, more than 100 were warriors of the Spirit Sea Realm, and five were warriors of the Soul Pond Realm.
The Blood Evil Island was not afraid of any forces within a 3100-mile radius, except for the God-down Island. The God-down Island was occupied by a Fourth-rank Family, the Xu Family. The Blood Evil Island must hand in a certain amount of Xuan Crystals every year. So the Blood Evil Island, on some level, was an affiliation to the God-down Island.
“What is the relationship between God-down Island and the Sundown Island?”
Patriarch Nine asked out of curiosity. The Patriarch of the Blood Evil Island explained, “The Island Owner of the Sundown Island, Meng Sanduo, was the brother of the wife of the God-down Island owner, Xu Chen. The Sundown Island is also a Third-rank force. Relying on his relationship with Xu Chen, Meng Sanduo has been acting as a tyrant…”
They all understood. The Thousand-island Lake was not that different from the outside world. Small forces were affiliated to bigger ones, and big ones depended on super ones. The biggest force at the northeast of the Thousand-island Lake was the God-down Island. Below it was forces like Blood Evil Island. Then what came next were even smaller islands.
While chatting, all had gone into the depths of the island. The island was lush in trees and vegetation. Trees soaring to the sky were along the two sides of the road. The scenery was beautiful.
About 550 yards into the main road, it became spacious. There was a large valley in the front. Countless fortresses were standing in the valley. There seemed to be no end in sight. The Island was even more prosperous than the Wu Ling County.
The population on the Island was large indeed. People stood in the distance and dared not to get closer. When they looked at Xue Chou, awe and respect filled their eyes. So it seemed this Island Owner was quite prestigious.
All of them went into an impressive and dignified large stone fortress with many guardians outside. There were flocks of maids inside the fortress. Xue Chou’s life appeared to be quite comfortable.
Some maids showed the Liu Family people to the guest rooms to clean up and get changed. Xue Chou had a huge banquet prepared to give a reception in honor of guests from afar.
Lu Li changed into a new warrior robe and took off his armor after he cleaned up. He felt relaxed and comfortable.
He was shown to a big hall. Patriarch Seven and the rest also were sitting there after getting refreshed.
Only warriors of the Spirit Sea Realm were qualified to get into this hall. The Xuan Wu Realm warriors of the Liu Family were sent to other halls. There were people of the Blood Evil Island responsible of entertaining them.
Xue Chou was very mannerly. He kept toasting. Delicate fine dining was placed on all golden tables. The Patriarchs of the Blood Evil Island were warm as well as they showed Patriarch Seven enough respect.
Lu Li and Liu Yi were young but they had all made it to the Spirit Sea Realm. Naturally, they caught everyone’s eyes. Someone would come over and propose a toast every now and then. Lu Li was quiet and didn’t drink much.
Liu Yi got refreshed and changed into a light yellow dress, shining with dazzling brilliance. She was the young lady of the Liu Family, so there were a lot guys toasting to her. As of this moment, she was blushing and her eyes were misty.
“Lady Yi, come on, I, Bugui, will toast to you again.”
That young man was indeed Xue Chou’s son—the only son. His name was Xue Bugui. It was the fifth time he had proposed. Liu Yi felt like that she couldn’t refuse so she drank up again.
Xue Bugui was 24 years-old, tall and sturdy. He had a majestic look. He had reached the middle stage of the Spirit Sea Realm. The identity of a young Island Owner had bestowed him an extraordinary look. The only shame was his lascivious sights. Even though he had concealed it well, Lu Li had been on guard against him. Lu Li could tell that there was always something wrong with Xue Bugui’s way of looking at Liu Yi.
When all had filled and emptied their glasses three times, Xue Chou and Patriarch Seven had talked for a long time. Xue Chou now learned what happened to the Liu Family. He looked serious and said, “Brother Shanhe, dear brothers, Lady Yi and you, the young man, I have something to say.”
They all quieted down and looked at Xue Chou. Xue Chou glanced over to them, made a bow to Patriarch Seven with his hands cupped in front of his chest and said, “11 years ago, I encountered a difficulty. Thanks to the help from Brother Shanhe, I am lucky to remain alive. Today, my Brother Shanhe’s Family is suffering from difficulty. Brother Shanhe thinks so highly of me that you can seek shelter here at the Blood Evil Island. That being said… there is something I must make clear in order to avoid possible misunderstandings from my dear brothers which may induce ill feelings among us.”
Patriarch Seven nodded slightly and cupped his fists in front of chest. “Brother Xue, please.”
Xue Chou nodded and said, “If you are here to enjoy yourselves, I will entertain you the whole time and make sure that you return after you are thoroughly amazed. However, the Liu Family has run into mishaps and has come to us for help. There are some things I must enunciate.”
Xue Chou stood up and saluted with his hands folded. “If you are willing to join the Blood Evil Island, I will treat you as my brothers. Brother Shanhe will become the Associate Island Owner. All of you present here will become Patriarchs of the Blood Evil Brotherhood.”
Many Patriarchs of the Liu Family changed their expressions when they heard Xue Chou’s words, Liu Yi as well. Joining the Blood Evil Brotherhood, didn’t it mean merging with it? There would be no more Liu Family. The Liu Family with a history of more than 100 years would die in their hands.
Xue Chou said again before the others spoke, “Of course, if you don’t wish to join in, I will not force you. There are more than a dozen smaller islands near the Blood Evil Island. You pick one at will. I will grant that island to the Liu Family. You don’t need to pay any tribute. The Liu Family will develop on its own.”
“Of course, to the outside… the Liu Family is affiliated to the Blood Evil Island. The Blood Evil Brotherhood does not belong only to me. I have so many brothers, and I need to let them accept this. Brother Shanhe, what do you think?”
Patriarch Seven stood up and saluted with his hands folded. “Brother Xue has such an open heart. You are frank, forthright and kind. Thank you so much.”
The Liu Family warriors looked nicer. Xue Chou really was something. He had laid out everything on the table and hided no trickery in his sleeves.
The two paths had their own pros and cons. It all came down to how the Liu Family chose it.
