Chapter 81: Island of Ghosts and Demons

Chapter 81: Isle of Ghostly Deceit

Pushed out of the cabin, Liang Zhen gently closed his eyes a few times before gradually adjusting to the surrounding brightness. Though it was night, the mere sight of flickering flames was a rare luxury compared to the pitch-black hold of the ship.

Scanning his surroundings slowly, he quickly deduced the answer. This was the lair of the remnants from the fallen dynasty, an island hidden deep within the treacherous waters that the Great Yan court had searched for years.

Three nights ago, just before the ship caught fire and sank, he leaped into the sea. Unluckily, he was swept away by a wave and later picked up by this pirate ship that had taken advantage of the chaos. It brought him here, a series of unfortunate coincidences.

The island was vast but exuded an eerie, oppressive silence. Fierce winds howled, and faint flames resembled ghostly lights. Scattered around were dwellings in the style of the former dynasty, clearly structured with hierarchy. The grandest mansion at the center, surrounded by others, was likely where the pirate lord resided, as they had mentioned.

Despite the nightfall, the shore was filled with kneeling people—elders, women, and children—tearfully pleading to the heavens. Upon spotting their arrival, someone in the crowd shouted, drawing everyone towards them, attempting to inquire about their missing loved ones.

Among the dozen or so survivors on the ship were also war-weary soldiers, unable to care for themselves, let alone others. The leader impatiently ordered his men to push aside the women and children blocking their path, hastily escorting Liang Zhen to the central mansion.

Amidst the storm outside, the mansion was still alive with music and revelry until Liang Zhen's arrival, when the drumming and music ceased. A young man, drunk, lounged on the main seat, amorously flirting with the beauty in his arms, reluctant to part. After two reminders from a servant, he seemed to come to his senses, his bleary eyes shifting to Liang Zhen.

As Liang Zhen observed him, the man did the same. This should be the infamous lord, a descendant of the fallen dynasty's last emperor, generations removed. He appeared to be a pleasure-seeker, cowardly and afraid of death. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left his subordinates to fight while he hid on this island, indulging in wine and merrymaking.

It was regrettable that the founding emperor of the former dynasty was a man of honor, once defeating the barbarians occupying Central China and establishing a glorious era. Now, his descendants had become pirates, reduced to such a state. It truly was a sorrowful tale.

The envoy who escorted Liang Zhen reported his identity. News of their defeat had already reached them via homing pigeons the previous day. Upon realizing that he was the one who had deceived them and collaborated with the court of Great Yan, the crowd, who had been in a daze, finally snapped back to reality, glaring at Liang Zhen with intense hatred, wishing to drink his blood and devour his flesh.

"I'll kill you!" Someone drew his sword and charged at Liang Zhen, determined to pierce him through. A middle-aged man intervened, the only one among the group who appeared calm and composed. He observed Liang Zhen with a critical eye, without the crazed malice that others displayed.

"Get out of my way! I want to kill this scoundrel!" The swordsman's eyes bulged with rage as he questioned the man blocking his path.

The other man replied coldly, "Why the rush? Has our Lord said to kill him?"

"What the hell! If not for him, we wouldn't have lost! Who else should I kill if not him?!"

"That man still has some use. If we kill him, we truly lose everything."

"What use could he possibly have?!"

"Quiet down, all of you! What's with all the noise?" The Lord, seated above, covered his splitting headache impatiently, cutting through their bickering. He glanced around at the people present, dazed, before waving his hand, gesturing towards the middle-aged man. "If you say he has a purpose, then take him away for disposal. Just leave me alone."

Thus, Liang Zhen was dragged back to the dungeon without a chance to speak. Before leaving, he exchanged a subtle glance with the composed middle-aged man, forming a silent plan in his mind.

As night fell, Zhu Yunxuan released his falcon into the sky. Leaning against the window, he felt somewhat disoriented. No matter how skilled his falcon might be, it couldn't fish someone out from the vast ocean. Yet, he refused to give up hope. Four days had passed, and whether alive or dead, he needed to see evidence of Liang Zhen.

Rong'er had been exceptionally well-behaved these past few days, probably sensing Zhu Yunxuan's unease. He clung to his father without causing any disturbance. Now, he pressed an intricately woven object made of bamboo leaves into Zhu Yunxuan's palm, "For Father."

Zhu Yunxuan lowered his head and gazed at the small trinket, recalling that it was a skill Liang Zhen had taught him on the island. A wave of bitterness and sorrow washed over him, making the corners of his eyes redden. He gently patted his son's head, "Good boy."

Gao An entered quietly to report that the Ninth Prince sought an audience. Hearing this, Zhu Yunxuan reined in his thoughts and furrowed his brow. Zhu Yunqiong had been bedridden for half a month after being kicked in the waist. Amidst preparations for the naval battle and recent preoccupations, he hadn't paid much attention to his younger brother since returning. Yet, here he was, seeking him out.

"Let him in. Take the Crown Prince to the inner chamber first."

"Understood."

Zhu Yunqiong stepped inside and promptly knelt on the floor. Seeing this, Zhu Yunxuan's brows knitted together, "What are you doing? Rise and speak."

The child shook his head, his voice tinged with sobs, "Emperor Brother, please sentence me to death. I am a criminal. If I die, the world will be at peace..."

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze darkened, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I do," Zhu Yunqiong choked out, "Yesterday, the Duke Ding's heir said that since I could finally get out of bed, he wanted to prevent my boredom by sneaking me to see the treasured sword Father Emperor bestowed upon Duke Ding. We secretly went to their chambers, but when Duke Ding and his spouse returned, we hid in a closet fearing discovery. I overheard their conversation... They said... that my grandmother was a traitor from the previous dynasty, and my blood carries the remnants of that regime. If I don't die, my identity will become a future threat to Great Yan. Emperor Brother, please sentence me to death, then you won't have to face a difficult choice..."

Zhu Yunxuan was momentarily speechless. Despite all precautions taken to keep scheming individuals away from Zhu Yunqiong, it was his own son who inadvertently uncovered his secret. "Do you truly wish to die?"

Zhu Yunqiong lowered his head, stubbornly wiping away the tears on his face with a look of acceptance: "I'm not afraid of death. As long as it can prevent Emperor brother from being troubled, then I'll die willingly."

He couldn't remember much about the days of luxury before he was three. He only vaguely knew that his mother didn't love him and often made him fall ill on purpose to win the favor of his imperial father. While in the cold palace, he had overheard the servants whispering that the throne should have been his, but his Fifth Brother had stolen it and executed their mother. He wasn't sure if it was true or false. The throne seemed too ephemeral to him, and his deceased mother hadn't left a deep impression on his heart. In the cold palace, he was hungry and cold, only hoping for a warm and filling meal. It was his Emperor brother who released him from the cold palace and gave him care and affection. Even though he could sense that Zhu Yunxuan had once harbored murderous intentions towards him, these past six months had been the happiest and most fulfilling days of his life.

But now, things were different. His blood still carried the vestiges of the fallen dynasty. Even if his Emperor brother temporarily softened his heart and spared him, he didn't want to put him in a difficult position. The Duke of Ding's heir had advised him to act as if he had heard nothing, but after much contemplation, he couldn't reconcile with his conscience. Thus, he decided to be honest with Zhu Yunxuan.

Zhu Yunxuan gazed deeply at him. A nine-year-old child hadn't yet mastered the art of disguise, and his genuine emotions were etched on his face. At least for now, this younger brother truly admired him and was even willing to die for him.

"Spare me the details. I'll pretend I never heard about it, and you never came to tell me. You can go back now."

Zhu Yunqiong lifted his head in disbelief: "Emperor brother..."

For a moment, Zhu Yunxuan's mind drifted. He sighed softly, "I don't wish to kill anyone right now, especially someone close to me. You're a good child. As long as you keep this sincerity, I won't harm you. Or, if you feel that returning to the capital might make you a pawn, I'll confer you an imperial title and grant you a fief. Let's settle on somewhere in Jiangnan. I'll choose a prosperous county near Jingzhou. The Grand Princess will spend her twilight years there. In the future, you can visit her occasionally and accompany her."

In Great Yan, the vassal kings had no military power, and their fiefs were relatively small. Even if Zhu Yunqiong someday turned against him, it would be challenging to cause any significant upheaval in such a prominent location like Jiangnan. With a little surveillance and the presence of the Grand Princess, Zhu Yunxuan was not worried at all.

Tears streaming down his face, Zhu Yunqiong stared blankly at Zhu Yunxuan, unsure whether to express gratitude and accept his kindness. After a long while, he stammered, "I know my health is poor, and my constitution is damaged. It's already difficult for me to have descendants. I promise, Emperor brother, I won't leave any heirs. Thank you, Emperor brother."

Zhu Yunxuan thought to himself that this child was indeed stubborn. Without saying more, he waved his hand, "I'm tired. You may rise and return to rest. Let's end this matter here."

Zhu Yunqiong wept in gratitude, wiped away her tears, and retreated from the room.

On the island's dungeon.

Hearing footsteps, Liang Zhen, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. The man standing before him was indeed the middle-aged one he had met the day before.

The man studied him for a moment, dismissed his attendants, and asked sternly, "Who exactly are you?"

Liang Zhen replied coolly, "My surname is Xiao, my given name is Nian. My father is Xiao Junbo. More than twenty years ago, he was sent by the Emperor of Great Yan to eliminate your people at sea. Later, our family ended up in the South Seas. Didn't you investigate us thoroughly? You already know that my father's subordinate, Rong Cheng, has been collaborating with you. So why bother asking again?"

"You know I'm not referring to that. You only arrived in the South Seas three years ago. If you're working for the court of Great Yan, you must hold a position there. What is your true identity?"

Liang Zhen raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so interested in my identity? Do you plan to use me as leverage against the Great Yan court? Forget it; judging by how they left their emperor at the mercy of a cannon, my identity won't make a difference. Or perhaps... you're considering surrendering to the Great Yan?"

A hint of discomfort flickered in the man's eyes, and he growled, "You're full of lies, not a single word of truth. I don't believe a word you say. In my opinion, the one pushed in front of the cannon wasn't the emperor of Great Yan at all. Both our men and those foreigners have been deceived by you."

Liang Zhen smiled wryly. "Whether it's true or not doesn't matter. If you want to exploit me, those are your only two options. Threatening the Great Yan court with me is pointless. I've only recently returned to Great Yan a few months ago. This battle was meant to improve relations with the emperor. If you were to sacrifice me, they would assume I've perished at sea and give me a grand burial. In the end, you'd gain nothing. Try it if you don't believe me."

Seeing the man staring at him intently without speaking, Liang Zhen scoffed and continued, "Wise men adapt to the times. You seem intelligent, unlike those empty vessels I encountered yesterday. That's why I'm kindly reminding you: how many ships do you have left? Besides those hiding in the Lord's mansion, the island is filled with unarmed elders, women, and children. With your current numbers, you won't be able to plunder anything in the future. How long can you hold out on this isolated island? Why waste your time waiting for death alongside your clueless lord when you could surrender to Great Yan and perhaps find a chance to survive?"

The man's expression darkened, and after a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and whispered, "My surname is Liu, and my given name is Geng."

Liang Zhen nodded indifferently. "Nice to meet you."

"I'll ask this— if I were to help you return, could you guarantee that the Emperor of Great Yan would spare my life and grant me an official title?"

Tsk, still thinking about promotions, Liang Zhen replied, "I can't promise that. As I said, I'm an insignificant figure in the court of Great Yan. Whether you live or die, or even gain favor with the emperor, depends on your sincerity."

The man frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Liang Zhen smiled. "From what I see, although your group is no longer capable of attacking Great Yan's borders, the emperor still wants to eliminate all of you, especially your leader. If you were to kill him and guide us back to exterminate the rest of the rebels on the island, the Emperor of Great Yan might look upon you more favorably."

"You... are you being sincere?"

"Believe it or not, that's up to you. If you truly think I'm a deceitful liar, then there's nothing to be done. We can all die together."

After a moment, the man clenched his fists tightly, said nothing more, and walked away with long strides.

Liang Zhen lay back down on the ground, closing his eyes with a smile.