Translator: CinderTL
"How enviable."
On the street, many onlookers watched as the black car drove away, their eyes filled with admiration. A young boy named Tulin was no exception, his gaze brimming with envy.
"Who is he?" Chen Feng inquired.
"He's the son of Duke Charles, the owner of the Sark Factory," the boy rattled off a list of titles reflexively. Chen Feng paid little attention, his eyes instead following the direction of the black car.
The black chimney continued to belch gray smoke, turning the sky into a dull canopy that seemed to sap the health of everyone beneath it. The thought flashed through his mind, but soon, a voice of surprise interrupted.
"Master Feng Chen!"
A burly man holding a little girl's hand emerged from the row of villas ahead. His voice was unmistakably familiar. His chest, covered in thick hair, peeked out from beneath his cloth shirt, and he wore a jacket over it. His face was framed by a beard, and his short, curly brown hair gave him the appearance of someone nearing forty, despite being only in his early thirties, likely due to years spent at sea.
"It's Master Lei Long!" Tulin exclaimed excitedly, finally catching Lei Long's attention.
Lei Long nodded slightly and quickly approached with the little girl in tow.
"Master Feng Chen, when did you arrive?"
Their last encounter had left him unsettled, and he couldn't help but feel that this man was shrouded in mystery, deserving of the utmost respect.
"I just arrived," Chen Feng replied with a smile, while Tulin beside him widened his eyes in shock.
Even Master Lei Long addresses him as "Master"? Then shouldn't I call him "Great Master"?
Unaware of the boy's thoughts, Lei Long quickly gestured for Chen Feng to rest at his home. At the same time, he introduced the little girl he was holding.
She had light yellow curly hair, fair skin, and wore a small white sweater. Her large, bright eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at Chen Feng, blinking repeatedly.
"Master Feng Chen, this is my daughter, Andi."
"Andi, say hello—" Lei Long paused, unsure of how to address Chen Feng.
"Uncle," the little girl named Andi whispered softly, her voice sweet and gentle.
Chen Feng smiled and nodded, accepting the title without objection.
As they were about to enter Lei Long's home, Chen Feng patted the boy beside him on the shoulder.
"This is Tulin. He was kind enough to guide me here."
Tulin trembled, his face flushing with excitement.
Lei Long, understanding the situation, reached into his pocket and pulled out some copper coins.
"No, I can't accept this!" Tulin stammered, overwhelmed by the gesture.
Lei Long chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair before stuffing more than a dozen copper coins into his pocket. Then, he led Chen Feng into the row of villas.
The iron fence separated the street from the property, with white-painted stone pillars slightly dusted with grime. The red brick walls enclosed a small garden, and a wooden staircase of four or five steps led to the front door.
Inside, a middle-aged woman with brown eyes and wearing a sweater greeted them. Her name was Susan, Lei Long's wife. There were also two middle-aged maids—one responsible for laundry and cleaning, and the other for taking care of little Andi.
Lei Long introduced them briefly and instructed the maids to prepare coffee. Then, he and Chen Feng made their way to the study.
"Master Feng Chen, you left so abruptly last time. I've kept this ring for you."
"It's time to return it to its rightful owner."
Lei Long closed the study door and retrieved a ring from the drawer. It bore a shark emblem, a trophy from the pirate Great White Shark - Tiger, whom Chen Feng had killed. The ring could be exchanged for a bounty of 35,000 gold coins in any city of the Steel Kingdom.
Chen Feng had almost forgotten about it, but he couldn't help but appreciate Lei Long's honesty.
He had a rough understanding of this world. 35,000 gold coins was a fortune. Even with years of sailing and his entire fleet, Lei Long's total assets might not amount to that much.
"You handle it for me," Chen Feng said, deciding to let Lei Long deal with the bounty.
After all, he wasn't familiar with the procedures in Banli Port.
"Ah?" Lei Long was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, feeling immensely honored.
This was the bounty of a fourth-tier pirate. If he claimed it, his reputation would soar.
However, a thought crossed his mind, and he hesitated.
"Speak," Chen Feng encouraged him.
"Master Feng Chen, could we delay claiming this bounty?"
"Oh?"
"I mean no disrespect. It's just that the Blood Sea Vice Admiral has been very active in the nearby waters recently. Duke Charles has sailed out several times but hasn't managed to repel him."
"I'm worried that if I claim this bounty now, the Blood Sea Vice Admiral's fleet might target me on my next voyage."
He voiced his concerns, and Chen Feng pondered for a moment before responding calmly.
"That's fine."
He wasn't in urgent need of this world's currency. Instead, he needed Lei Long to gather information for him and, in the future, help rescue a mermaid and return her to Merman Bay in exchange for Blue Heart Stone.
So, Lei Long's concerns were not unfounded.
"What about your crew?" Chen Feng asked curiously. He hadn't seen them around the port earlier.
"I've sent them home to rest for a while."
At this, Lei Long's tone turned serious. "Also, Master Feng Chen, rest assured, I've instructed them not to disclose anything about Merman Bay."
He was well aware that the fleet daring to hunt mermaids must have powerful backers—forces he couldn't afford to provoke.
"Hmm," Chen Feng nodded, slightly surprised.
He hadn't expected Lei Long, who appeared rough and rugged, to be so meticulous and cautious.
With that in mind, he decided to be upfront about his intentions.
After some pleasantries, Chen Feng stated his request.
"I need you to look into something for me."
"Master Feng Chen, please go ahead."
"The whereabouts of the Court Alchemy Master of the kingdom, Adler."
Lei Long's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this.
That was a fifth-tier Sequence user. What did Master Feng Chen intend to do?
After a moment of silence, seeing Chen Feng's calm demeanor, Lei Long sighed inwardly and finally agreed.
"There's one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Also, check if there are any mermaids in Banli Port."
Chen Feng's gaze shifted to the window, a glint in his eyes.
Finding the Star Soul Elixir was one goal, but obtaining as many Blue Heart Stones as possible to accelerate the growth of his Steel Bones was another.
Their conversation concluded, and Chen Feng was invited to stay at Lei Long's home.
Two days later.
Sunlight bathed the small garden where Chen Feng sat in a black trench coat. A small white table and a cup of warm coffee were placed before him. The flowers around him, clearly tended to by Lei Long's wife, swayed vibrantly in the breeze.
In a corner of the garden, the curly-haired Andi played with sand, accompanied by a middle-aged maid.
Lei Long, after all, was a well-known captain, and his income placed him among the upper class in Banli Port. His family lived comfortably.
Chen Feng's gaze shifted, eventually passing through the fence and the rows of villas to the distant factory.
The black chimney was no longer emitting smoke, which surprised him.
"Uncle, look!"
Andi ran over with a sand figure she had molded, the maid following closely behind.
"Do you want it, Uncle? I can give it to you."
Her eyes sparkled as she held the figure, her other hand hidden behind her back.
Chen Feng smiled and shook his head, playing along.
"Well, if you don't want the sand figure, how about this flower?"
She giggled happily, revealing a small white flower she had been hiding.
Lei Long's wife watched from inside, worried that this might upset Chen Feng, and hurried over.
She had been told by her husband how esteemed this man was.
But, to her surprise.
"Thank you," Chen Feng smiled and accepted the flower.
The higher his perception level, the more he could sense malice and complex intentions from others.
It had become instinctive, and over time, it was exhausting.
Now, the pure innocence of a child offered him a rare moment of relaxation.
"Hehe," Andi laughed happily, her teeth gleaming in the sunlight.
Lei Long's wife instinctively stopped, relieved.
This Master Feng Chen didn't seem as intimidating as her husband had described.
Tap, tap, tap.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Lei Long, who had gone out to gather information, returned. Dressed in a brown leather jacket, his bearded face was serious.
"Daddy!"
Andi ran over, and Lei Long's expression softened as he picked her up.
"Did you eat well today?"
"Yes! I drank a big glass of milk!"
Father and daughter exchanged a few words, and Chen Feng didn't interrupt.
"Alright, Daddy needs to talk to Uncle now. I'll play with you later, okay?"
"Okay!"
Their warm moment ended, and the maid took Andi away.
The garden fell silent again, and Lei Long quickly approached Chen Feng.
"Master, I have news."
"Master Adler is said to arrive in Banli Port in the next couple of days."
"Oh?" Chen Feng raised an eyebrow.
Wasn't he supposed to be in the capital of the Steel Kingdom?
"I heard it's because of the Blood Sea Vice Admiral. The king sent him out."
"Master Adler is a fifth-tier Scholar Sequence user, likely carrying many extraordinary items."
Lei Long explained, subtly hinting at Chen Feng.
He had a feeling that Chen Feng's intentions weren't entirely benign, and the best he could do was provide information.
"Do you know his route?" Chen Feng asked.
"I heard he's traveling by ship, taking the sea route. He left Os City to the northeast yesterday. If I'm not mistaken, since it's his first time in the East Sea, he'll likely pass near Eaglefall Island."
Lei Long shared his judgment based on his sailing experience.
Chen Feng mentally mapped out the details and nodded, then glanced at the sky outside.
He had about three or four days before he needed to return.
He didn't mind waiting for the rabbit.
Three days later.
A multi-masted ship appeared on the horizon.
The flag with a purple crystal emblem fluttered in the wind. On either side of the black cannons stood sailors and soldiers in court attire.
Among them, a figure in silver armor, carrying a heavy sword, stood guard near the deck.
The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
Many ships on the route quickly made way upon seeing it, while others stood on their decks, bowing respectfully.
They all knew this was the king's fleet, the true master of these seas.
However, the figures on the deck paid little attention.
"Teacher, wouldn't the Pearl Bay route be shorter? Why are we taking the longer path via Eaglefall Island?"
A young girl's voice, clear as a bird's, rang out. She wore a velvet coat for warmth, a gray cloak, and furry earmuffs as she gazed at the distant sea.
"Ah, you," the elderly man beside her shook his head, holding a blue crystal staff.
Dressed in a silk robe, wearing reading glasses, with a grayish-white goatee, he appeared to be in his fifties. His face bore wrinkles, and he was slightly plump, resembling a scholar.
"Didn't I just explain this to you recently?"
The young girl paused, then remembered.
"Oh, I see."
"The Scholar Sequence requires extensive knowledge to advance further. Eaglefall Island is said to have some mysterious aspects, which must be why you chose this route, right?"
Seeing her realization, the old man nodded with a kind smile.
Then, his gaze turned to the distance.
Ahead to the right was a small island.
It looked desolate, with sparse trees.
All the seagulls seemed to avoid flying over it, and the waves carried an unusual aura.
"Teacher, I heard from people in the capital that no creature can fly over Eaglefall Island—they all fall."
"Is that true?"
The young girl asked curiously, and the scholar-like old man nodded with a profound expression.
"Not just flying. The island has a force that suppresses anyone who steps foot on it."
"If it weren't for that, the kingdom wouldn't have abandoned the island."
"Force suppression?" The young girl hadn't heard of this before and looked puzzled.
The old man initially didn't plan to elaborate, but under her questioning, he explained.
"Legend has it that before the nine true gods fell into slumber, the Star Realm was much closer to us."
"A legendary Star Realm eagle once appeared here, wreaking havoc and causing chaos."
"Finally, an angel serving the Storm God personally intervened and killed it."
"Since then, the island has retained the residual power of the angel and the eagle, hence the name Eaglefall Island."
His gentle voice narrated the tale, and the young girl listened with wide-eyed wonder. The sailors and soldiers, including the silver-armored knight, all looked at him with admiration, thinking, "As expected of the knowledgeable Master Adler."
"Teacher, shall we go ashore later to take a look?"
"Sure."
Adler nodded with a smile.
Although the island had force suppression, the Storm Church had cleared most of the dangers years ago.
With his fifth-tier strength and the aid of extraordinary items, as long as they didn't act recklessly, it should be fine.
Whoosh!!!
A sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air, accompanied by a golden-white streak rapidly approaching.
A powerful aura swept over, causing exclamations.
"A fifth-tier Extraordinary One!"
"Wait, is that... a Star Realm creature?"
The atmosphere shifted abruptly. The lookout sailor was stunned, and the silver-armored knight tensed, ready for battle.
Adler frowned slightly, and the young girl behind him widened her eyes in shock.
The reason was that on the back of the massive, statue-like Star Realm creature stood a figure clad in golden armor.
He looked down indifferently and asked calmly.
"Are you Adler?"
(End of the Chapter)
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