Chapter 137 – Who Are They?

Chapter 137 - Who Are They?

He Zhiran and Mo Jiuya changed into their night attire and left the tent separately.

Without a specific target, Mo Jiuya carried He Zhiran around the area using his martial arts skills, moving effortlessly through the darkness.

After some time, both their gazes were drawn to a brightly lit pleasure boat on the lake.

From a distance, they could hear music and laughter emanating from the vessel.

The boat glided slowly across the water, seemingly a kilometer or more away from the shore.

To confirm if there were any significant figures they were curious about onboard, He Zhiran promptly purchased a night vision telescope.

It had to be said that this instrument of technology and ingenuity was truly impressive.

Scanning the boat casually, He Zhiran's eyes lingered on the second level, where two men were seated in the center.

One of them appeared to be in his early thirties, with fair skin and raised eyebrows, giving off an initial impression of being sharp-tongued.

Judging from his magnificent attire, this person was likely the important figure mentioned by the dock supervisor.

In his arms, he held a woman dressed provocatively, a wine cup in hand, his eyes lecherously fixated on the dancing courtesans.

Seated on the other side was a man with a thick beard covering most of his face, his slender frame accompanied by hair deliberately draped over his shoulders, obscuring half of his visage.

Through the telescope, He Zhiran could barely make out his features.

Both men were strangers to her.

Mo Jiuya inquired about the object in her hand, "What's this?"

Without hesitation, He Zhiran passed him the telescope.

"Align your eye here and give it a try."

She believed demonstrating its use would be more efficient than explaining, and it would also allow Mo Jiuya to see if he recognized either of the two individuals.

He Zhiran watched Mo Jiuya closely. His previously relaxed brows instantly knitted into a frown.

From Mo Jiuya's expression, it was clear that he either knew both individuals or at least one of them.

She pressed him eagerly for more information.

"Who are they?"

Instead of answering immediately, Mo Jiuya continued to observe them through the telescope for a while before putting it away.

"It's Nan Heng."

"Nan Heng?"

He Zhiran persisted, "And do you recognize the other person?"

Mo Jiuya furrowed his brows. "Their figure seems familiar, but I can't be certain right now."

Surveying their surroundings, He Zhiran whispered, "Shall we go aboard the pleasure boat for a better look?"

Even without her suggestion, Mo Jiuya had intended to do so.

Disregarding any connection Nan Heng might have with the Yan Gang, Mo Jiuya had no intention of letting him off easily just because he had sent so many assassins after him. Moreover, his words earlier had been ambiguous. Although he couldn't clearly see the bearded man's face, an inexplicable sense of familiarity stirred within him.

Regardless, he was determined to take the risk and investigate the pleasure boat today.

"On that pleasure boat, guards loyal to Nan Heng surround it. I'll swim over alone to check things out, and you can wait here for me."

He Zhiran understood that Mo Jiuya was concerned about her safety, but staying put for security wasn't her style.

"Take me along. We can buy a kayak on Taobao and paddle over. Then, we'll seize the opportunity to act. If we're discovered by those people, I can lead you into my space for temporary shelter. Besides, you know I can produce some useful items in emergencies."

Having gotten to know her over this period, Mo Jiuya was aware of her stubbornness. He couldn't stop her from doing anything she set her mind to.

"Stay close to me at all times. Don't leave my side."

"Relax, I will!"

As they conversed, they had already arrived by the lakeside.

He Zhiran once again surveyed her surroundings with heightened caution. Satisfied that everything seemed normal, she swiftly entered her spatial realm and purchased an inflatable kayak.

To ensure the kayak remained inconspicuous on the salt lake, she deliberately chose one in the color of midnight black.

He Zhiran swiftly inflated the kayak using a pump, then gently placed it onto the lake.

Mo Jiuya gently took her hand and they sat together on the seat.

To avoid alerting the enemy, neither of them dared to make too much movement in their rowing, for fear of creating ripples that might reveal their position.

When they were about a hundred meters away from the pleasure boat, Mo Jiuya picked up the telescope once more to inspect it closely.

Then, he passed the telescope to He Zhiran.

After He Zhiran had a look, she whispered, "Are you planning to shoot down the nearest guards and board the boat from here?"

Mo Jiuya nodded. "From where we can see at the stern, there are six guards in total. Their defense seems weaker compared to other areas on the boat."

"Very well, I'll take care of the three on the left."

As He Zhiran finished speaking, she and Mo Jiuya raised their arms in perfect synchronization. As the kayak approached the pleasure boat, their miniature crossbows were already aimed at the foreheads of two guards.

It was evident that the duo's teamwork was impeccable, and their arrows never missed their targets.

In a blink of an eye, after a few arrows were shot, the six visible guards crumpled to the ground.

Without any suspicion, Mo Jiuya scooped up He Zhiran and leaped onto the deck using his martial arts skills. At the same time, He Zhiran stowed away the kayak into her spatial dimension.

On the deck, the six guards were now completely silent.

Looking ahead, more guards were stationed there, and a group of mobile guards had just passed by.

He Zhiran whispered a suggestion, "For convenience, let's change into the guards' uniforms."

Mo Jiuya nodded. First, he stripped the clothes off a shorter guard and tossed them to He Zhiran, then found a set of garments that fit his own build.

Just as they finished dressing up, a patrol team of guards approached them head-on.

The guard, seeing only two individuals, inquired, "Where are the others?"

Mo Jiuya replied calmly, "A few of them must have eaten something that didn't agree with their stomachs; they've gone to the latrines."

The guard didn't entertain much suspicion and continued his routine patrol after passing by the duo.

Once the guards were out of sight, Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran ascended the stairs to the second floor of the pleasure boat, one following the other.

In contrast to the first floor, the second level was bustling with activity. Not only were there guards stationed about, but also numerous people dressed as commoners were seated at small tables, drinking and playing games of chance.

Mo Jiuya deduced that these ordinary-looking folk were likely members of the Salt Gang.

It was clear then that Nan Heng, whether he was the actual mastermind behind the Salt Gang or not, had some significant connection to them.

Moreover, from the way the Salt Gang members interacted, it was evident that Nan Heng was on familiar terms with them.

After observing for a moment, Mo Jiuya led He Zhiran in leaping onto the roof of the pleasure boat.

They sought out a spot relatively close to Nan Heng and peered down through a small hole.

At that moment, a small boat drifted into view not far from the pleasure boat, all under the glow of the moonlight. A figure, with hands clasped behind their back, stood at the bow of the vessel. Judging by the silhouette, it appeared to be a woman.

Soon, a guard approached to report.

"Your Highness Prince Heng, the Grand State Diviner has arrived."

Nan Heng gently pushed the woman in his embrace aside and rose to smooth out the wrinkles on his attire.

"Lead this prince personally to greet them."