Killing Dao Fruit
Chapter 203 - 200: Old Fox, Wooden Man

Chapter 203: Chapter 200: Old Fox, Wooden Man

The Great Yan Treasure Ship comprised five levels from the lower hold to the upper deck.

In the absence of distinguished guests, only those possessing a Jade Token had exclusive access to the topmost "Heaven Character" level, and generally, only those in the Yin God realm had the qualification to enter.

Although everyone knew that a third-realm Dao General, at the peak of his domain, could utilize his troops’ formation to launch the Ten Thousand Enemies Skill to slay someone in the Yin God realm,

such combat prowess was completely useless aboard the Great Yan Treasure Ship, which only recognized "money."

Therefore, the Dao General could only condescend to join those in the Red Seal Realm, including those of the Dharma Seal and True Qi realms, all of whom were assigned to the "Earth Character" level by the Treasure Ship.

The trusted guards brought by Zhou Jinhuan, already Non-Human Daoist Soldiers, were sent to the "Mystical Character" level.

The most numerous group, the ordinary shipworkers with the least wealth, were assigned to the "Yellow Character" level, where they could only encounter some relatively common ordinary goods.

Of course, the people on these lower floors already knew beforehand that they were aboard a "Deceit Ship."

Before boarding, they were ordered not to touch anything here, and it was best not even to move at all.

If they felt an increasing inability to control their desire to possess some treasure, they were to consume the prepared anesthetic pills to drug themselves into insensitivity.

After all, once the time was up, they would naturally be sent back to their original boarding positions.

"Maritime taboo: Greed and curiosity are the most vicious killers on these seas!"

Countless people at sea took this statement as a principle.

In land-based Human Clan settlements, safeguarded by the Dragon Qi Prohibition, the main body of the dynasty could always maintain normalcy.

But what kind of scene would it be in the deep sea, never settled by humans and continuously affected by the Killing Tree for thousands of years?

This could be seen from Wang Yuan’s case.

Mere over a hundred miles out to sea, mermaids, the Great Yan Treasure Ship, Shan Jun... the number and levels of the Weird he saw had already left the land far behind.

And only these men who drifted on the sea year-round knew the terrors within this vast ocean.

Naturally, they would not be dissatisfied with King Jing’s orders.

At this time, there were only three people in the "Earth Character" level, namely King Jing Zhou Jinhuan, Deputy General Tang He, and Great Sea Merchant Zheng Bangjie.

Zhou Jinhuan had long known that Zheng Bangjie was not a common man but a Red Seal Mage.

Or it could be said that if someone who had made a name for themselves on the dangerous seas was a mortal, that would truly be abnormal.

This was the case for the businessman Zheng Bangjie in front of him, as well as Mr. Wufeng Cui Zhi, who had been opposing the Great Yan Navy all this time.

Ding—!

Following a clear chime, layers of treasures unfolded before them.

Above them, the aura shimmered faintly, and auspicious qi spiraled endlessly, with each piece being extraordinary, catching their eyes.

"A Dayu Tripod cast in imitation of the long-lost Nine Cauldrons.

If used as a Suppressing Item in Dengzhou Prefecture’s Dragon Qi Prohibition center, the effect might rival the very best among other state cities beneath Yunjing City."

"Nine Dragons Crown, Nine Phoenix Crown, relics from Human Dao, if worn by someone of great merit, can forcibly command dragon energy within a certain area and deploy the Sacrificial Technique.

If worn by royal couples of emperor and empress status, as the combined Nine Dragon Nine Phoenix Crown, the effect is optimal!"

"Green jade incense burner with dragon patterns, which when used to burn incense, can soothe the mind and open one’s orbs without need for high-quality incense, aiding in cultivation."

"..."

After a period of surveying, Zhou Jinhuan quickly found his target, also one of the mystical treasures previously listed by Zheng Bangjie—the Deceit Object: Heavenly Mechanism Mirror!

Although its effect was singular, its capability was extremely powerful.

Ability: Able to break through all obstructions, realms—even the Thirty-Three Heavens, or the Yin Department Underworld—clearly revealing the location of the object one most desires in their heart.

The most crucial part is that it suggests methods to obtain that object!

[Unique Taboo: After achieving what one wishes, one will inevitably lose another extremely important thing.]

Even if a Mage’s Lifebound Magic Treasure were placed in front of Zhou Jinhuan, it could not compare to this Deceit Object.

Because even a Magician whose Daoist Skills are incompatible would entirely be unable to use another sect’s magical treasures, let alone a Dao General like himself who need not even consider it.

But the Deceit Object had no such restrictions; it could be regarded as a living independent entity, useful to anyone.

With this Treasure Mirror, he could locate his sister Yunhe and also find a way to save his mother, far surpassing all treasures and exotic treasures!

However.

Even at this stage, Zhou Jinhuan was very cautious, not choosing to directly make a move, but appearing to casually shift his gaze away.

Out of an instinct for those in high positions, he did not want anyone to know what he was eagerly desiring, as it would only become a vulnerable point for enemies to exploit.

Only after the "Taboo" was confirmed to be accurate and indeed safe,

would he order Tang He and Zheng Bangjie to select a few treasures together with him, imperceptibly mixing the Heavenly Mechanism Mirror among them.

Turning his head to signal with his eyes, the Sea Merchant Zheng Bangjie immediately understood the hint and stepped forward to bow and said,

"Prince Jing, your humble servant will personally purchase this ’Green Jade Dragon Pattern Incense Burner’ to demonstrate that my claim of not spending lifespan is not false."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jinhuan’s heart relaxed once more.

He of course knew that his Trial Stone had flaws, only detecting the truth or falsehood of words, thus indirectly discerning loyalty and betrayal, but unable to directly see through one’s heart.

This prince, having grown up among the deceitful imperial family, was all too familiar with how a series of truthful statements could fatally deceive a person.

However, even his most trusted Tang He was unaware of the existence of this "Deceit Object," not to mention Zheng Bangjie.

Since obtaining the "Trial Stone," all these years, no malicious schemer had ever deceived him without his knowledge.

"Mr. Zheng, please! I await with great interest," he said.

Without any hesitation, Zheng Bangjie stepped forward, reached out, and picked up the jade incense burner with cloud dragon patterns, gently touching it with his golden token.

The assets in the golden token instantly halved, but he remained completely unharmed.

As a Dao General at his peak, Zhou Jinhuan could clearly sense the changes in the Qi-blood of others.

He was absolutely certain that Zheng Bangjie was indeed unharmed.

’Haha, truly, heaven helps me too!

The materials brought in haste by just this one Great Yan Treasure Ship were limited; next time, I must bring more before others discover the flaw, and buy up all the treasures here!’ he thought.

Zhou Jinhuan suppressed the excitement in his heart, about to take action himself.

He failed to notice, however, the glint in Zheng Bangjie’s eyes, which were narrow like a fox’s.

In the depths of his pupils, there seemed to already be the smugness of a successful scheme.

There was no doubt, he was an elite assassin from the Killing Temple!

After accepting employment from the great pirate Mr. Wufeng, he was willing to abandon the long-established identity of "Zheng Bangjie," all to gain Zhou Jinhuan’s trust.

And to wait for the opportunity to assassinate him.

The "Heart Communication Conch" he held in his hand was used not only to eavesdrop on the Great Yan Treasure Ship’s inner thoughts but also on the "Trial Stone’s" inner thoughts.

From the beginning, Zheng Bangjie knew Zhou Jinhuan possessed this trump card.

And he easily broke through its most powerful aspect—its element of surprise.

For this old fox, deceiving a person to death without lying was all too simple.

Telling ninety-nine percent truth, just omitting the crucial point at the most critical moment was all it took.

While Zhou Jinhuan indeed knew all the "taboos" related to the Great Yan Treasure Ship, he was completely unaware of the private information in the "parentheses."

His tactics were indeed a play of "you think I don’t know you know I am lying," countered with a move of "I anticipated your anticipation."

However, just as Zhou Jinhuan was about to seize both the "Nine Dragons, Nine Phoenix Crown" and the "Heavenly Mechanism Mirror," suddenly,

a cluster of bright light burst forth outside the door, the piercing golden light forcing all three to involuntarily shield their eyes with their hands.

As a trusted general, Tang He immediately stepped forward and sternly asked,

"Who goes there?!"

But within that golden light, slowly appeared a palanquin carried by four beauties, with a handsome young man in green lounging on it, his legs crossed.

A woman in a green dress, resembling a maid, holding a "Money Box," accompanied him by his side.

And within the golden light over their heads, eight bold characters brightly shone:

"Distinguished guest arrives, bystanders retreat!"

Upon seeing the triumphantly smug expression on the young man’s face, it was almost as if the words "damn rich people" were written on his forehead.

At that moment,

both Zhou Jinhuan, a prince, and Zheng Bangjie, an assassin, felt as if their hearts had been cruelly jabbed.

"Everyone here is a guest on the same ship; why are only you so outstanding?"

Although Wang Yuan merely glanced with a quasi-smile, though not recognizing the fox spirit Xing’er, the identity of "Sea Merchant" Zheng Bangjie was undoubtedly exposed.

He then turned his head and scrutinized Zhou Jinhuan, the son of his cousin Huang Wu’s concubine Qingyan, and his future... ahem, well.

With a slight cough, he saluted and advised,

"I would advise you, sir, it’s best not to be greedy for petty gains."

Zhou Jinhuan, ever cautious in life, was not a man of impulsive nature. Noticing the anomaly of the newcomer, he didn’t get angry but only frowned and asked,

"This esteemed guest, what do you mean?"

Even Zhou Jinhuan was intimidated by Wang Yuan’s aura of wealth, inadvertently addressing him very politely.

"Hehe, it is merely..."

Just as Wang Yuan was about to expose Zheng Bangjie’s plot to sell a favor to Zhou Jinhuan and then swiftly inquire about the whereabouts of his own concubine,

he suddenly realized that the "Ghost Ears" he had planted throughout the ship had all lost contact at the same moment.

The last thing he faintly heard was a creepy ghostly child’s voice:

"One, two, three, wooden man...."

And then, once again, footsteps sounded from outside.

There were unexpectedly more uninvited guests arriving at the Treasure Ship!