Volume One: A Youth Enters the World Chapter Ninety-Eight: Setting Foot on the Island

Three days later, the spirit ships of the three islands gradually drew near to Golden Stone Island. In Fang Tian’s eyes, the island ahead slowly swelled from a mere speck into a full shape, its entire outline laid bare before him.

Unlike Greenwood Island, this island, when seen from afar, was nothing but a wash of gray. Not a trace of the verdant green of vegetation could be seen; it gave one the unmistakable impression of a stone island.

After taking in its appearance, Fang Tian thought to himself that it was no wonder the island bore the name Golden Stone. Just from the way it looked, the word stone in its name was thoroughly fitting. As for the gold, it likely referred to the ore buried deep within the island. Such things were immensely valuable, capable of bringing men wealth. Unfortunately, it had already been stripped bare by the Imperial Zhao Dynasty.

After a brief look, Fang Tian withdrew his gaze and turned toward the cabin. Since they were about to land, someone ought to explain the details of the operation now. If they waited until after disembarking, that would be rather inappropriate. It would not only waste time, but also allow the pirates to prepare in advance. By then, the cleanup would surely become a troublesome affair.

Not long after, just as Fang Tian had expected, Fu Cang emerged from the cabin and called everyone together. Then, after glancing around at the disciples of the Clear Stream Sect nearby, he said directly, “I imagine you all already know what I’m about to say. Just now, I’ve already used the communication device to discuss matters with Island Lord Huo Chen and the Grand Elder. Once we land, the people from our three islands will split into three groups and advance into the island from different directions. We will also leave part of our force behind to guard the spirit ships, in case those pirates try to evade us by circling back and fleeing aboard the vessels. As for who will stay behind, after much thought we have decided that Fang Tian will remain here to block the pirates’ retreat. After all, Fang Tian’s strength is plain for all to see. With him here, we can go ashore and wipe out the pirates in peace, without worrying that any of them will escape.”

“Fang Tian, what do you think of this arrangement?” Fu Cang looked toward him.

After listening to Fu Cang’s words, Fang Tian considered it for a moment before saying, “I have no objections. I’ll leave it to Uncle Master’s arrangements.”

Fu Cang nodded and continued, “In a moment, I’ll assign some people to remain here with Fang Tian to guard the spirit ships. Those who stay behind must obey Fang Tian’s orders. If I find out that anyone disobeys, I will show no mercy when we return to the Clear Stream Sect.”

“Yes!” the Clear Stream Sect disciples answered in unison.

“Good. But there is one thing you must remember. Once you land and encounter those pirates, put away your so-called compassion. Human hearts are hard to fathom. If your momentary softness allows them to turn on you, the loss will far outweigh any gain. So keep your guard up at all times, and strive not to leave your lives on this island. Do you understand?”

“Understood!”

“That is all I needed to say. While you still have time, think carefully about how you will act after landing.” Fu Cang waved his hand to dismiss them, but left Fang Tian behind.

After the others dispersed, Fu Cang took something from within his robe and said to Fang Tian, “This is a communication device. Keep it safe. If any urgent matter arises, it will allow you to contact us. It is very simple to use; you only need to infuse it with spiritual power.”

Fang Tian reached out and took the device, examining it closely. It looked like a rather ordinary stone, but tiny lines upon its surface flickered faintly. Perhaps those patterns were the reason this communication device could relay messages across vast distances.

After handing it over, Fu Cang raised his left hand and gave Fang Tian’s shoulder a heavy pat. “The rear will be in your hands.”

Fang Tian put away the device and nodded. “Rest assured, Uncle Master. Leave the rear to me.”

“Good. With those words, I’m at ease.”

Fu Cang smiled, withdrew his hand, and then returned to the cabin.

Fang Tian watched Fu Cang leave, standing where he was for a moment in thought. Then he turned to find Mu Qiaoqiao. He saw that she was sitting in a lonely corner, looking as though she was still angry.

He gave a faint smile to himself. Could it be that this girl was still upset?

Mu Qiaoqiao seemed to notice his gaze. She immediately looked up and glared at Fang Tian with her large eyes. Then, with a slight pout of her delicate lips, she turned her head away.

Fang Tian smiled as he walked over and sat beside her, looking at her exquisite profile. “What is it? Still angry?”

Mu Qiaoqiao turned back and shot him a sidelong glance. “No. Why would I be angry?”

She was clearly angry, yet still insisted she wasn’t. Women really were strange.

Seeing her like this, Fang Tian found himself with no good answer. He took something from his robe and placed it before her. “This is for you.”

Mu Qiaoqiao glanced at it and asked with some curiosity, “What is this?”

“A communication device.” Fang Tian spoke softly, lowering his voice a little.

“Hm? Isn’t this the one Uncle Master Fu Cang gave you? Why are you giving it to me?” Mu Qiaoqiao was somewhat puzzled. Yet upon noticing that Fang Tian had deliberately lowered his voice, she did not blurt it out as loudly as before.

Fang Tian explained patiently, “It’s different. This is my own. Take it. If you run into any danger on the island, I’ll be able to know in advance.”

Faced with such sudden concern, Mu Qiaoqiao became a little flustered. A faint blush quietly rose to her face, and even her tone turned somewhat shy.

“You’re worrying about me?” she asked softly.

“Yes, you could say that. In any case, just take it.”

Fang Tian directly placed the item into Mu Qiaoqiao’s hand. Inadvertently, his fingers brushed against her somewhat cool little hand, and Mu Qiaoqiao jumped in surprise, quickly pulling her hand back.

Fang Tian asked in confusion, “Why is your hand so cold?”

“It’s nothing.” Mu Qiaoqiao’s voice was very low. When Fang Tian’s hand touched hers just now, her heart had suddenly skipped a beat, as though she had been struck by lightning.

Fang Tian scratched his head, still a little puzzled. But since he had already given it to her, his purpose had been achieved. What remained was whether his own thoughts would come true.

“Do not let anyone know about the thing I gave you. Use it only if you truly encounter danger,” Fang Tian said, still somewhat uneasy, and added another reminder.

“Got it.” Seeing how serious Fang Tian was, Mu Qiaoqiao tucked away the communication device he had given her.

Seeing that she had put it away, Fang Tian felt reassured. That should settle it.

After taking care of this, he stood up and walked toward the bow. The island was now right before their eyes. Next would be the landing and the purge of the pirates, but for the moment, that had little to do with him.

The spirit ships were still moving. The vessels from the three islands, which had originally been rather far apart, were slowly drawing closer together as well. After about fifteen minutes, all the spirit ships had docked along the shore. Looking at the battered ships not far away, everyone assumed these must be the vessels the pirates used for their crimes at sea. Yet there seemed to be no one aboard. Presumably, upon seeing that they were being approached, the pirates had fled in advance to report the situation.

According to the intelligence they had received, the pirates possessed only three spirit ships in total. One had already been sunk by Fang Tian, so the two before them were likely the entirety of the pirates’ assets. As for how they had managed to dock so precisely beside the pirates’ vessels, it was simply because they had happened to spot them just as they drew near. Otherwise, they would likely have had to circle Golden Stone Island for a good long while.

They were not worried that the pirates would flee upon seeing them approach. At the speed of those pirate ships, there was no way they could outrun them.

After coming ashore, the people from the three islands disembarked and quickly gathered together. A neatly arranged crowd stood along the beach, waiting for the three leaders before them to issue their orders.

Fu Cang, Huo Chen, and the Grand Elder exchanged a glance. Then, with Huo Chen standing in the center, he said to everyone, “Move out.”

With that, the three of them each led a portion of the force and headed in three different directions. Huo Chen took the men through the center, while the other two split to either side, forming a lengthwise pincer formation that cut straight through the island while sweeping in from both flanks. This formation could maximize the use of their manpower and made the cleanup much more convenient. It seemed the three of them had already discussed the plan on the way here.

After some time, everyone taking part in the island purge had departed. Now, on the spirit ships, only Fang Tian and the men he led remained to guard the vessels. He stationed the others around the ships and instructed them to report immediately if anything happened.

Upon hearing his orders, they did not dare disobey. They each walked to the positions Fang Tian had assigned and stood watch there, not taking a single step away. Their eyes constantly swept over the surroundings, afraid of missing the slightest disturbance.

Once everything had been arranged, Fang Tian stood at the bow and looked at the rocks upon the island, observing the nearby terrain. He discovered that there truly was not a single plant growing here. All around were barren stone. He could not help wondering how the Zhao Dynasty had managed to survive on this island in the first place.

After some thought, Fang Tian concluded that perhaps it had only been an ancestor of the imperial Zhao clan who, while traveling by spirit ship, had discovered this island, then established a foothold here and began mining ore to sell. As for the necessities of daily life, they probably had been purchased from the outside world and brought back by ship.

Otherwise, transporting people here in successive batches by spirit ship would have required an enormous amount of wealth to sustain such expense. It made sense only if it had been for a small number of people.

Moreover, the island was not very large. Compared with Ice Spirit Island, it was more than ten times smaller. Even Greenwood Island might not have been bigger than Ice Spirit Island. The Zhao Dynasty had indeed chosen an excellent place. Most of the people on the island were likely those who had originally lived there. The Zhao Dynasty had merely migrated here later and then established its rule over the place.

After mulling over all this, Fang Tian cleared the clutter from his mind. Right now, he needed to focus on guarding the spirit ships, while also keeping an eye on any messages that might come through the communication device. He had a premonition that this purge might not proceed nearly as smoothly as hoped.