The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 140. Change of strategy

Chapter 140: 140. Change of strategy

The wreckage of the enemy ship disappeared beneath the waves, swallowed by the merciless sea. Tyler White and Lily Gomes leaped from the sinking vessel, their forms cutting through the air with precision. Tyler held a battered man tightly in his grasp, his body limp and unresponsive. With a powerful thrust, they landed on their own ship’s deck, Tyler tossing the beaten pirate at their feet. The man groaned in pain, his bruised and bloodied face a testament to the fierce battle he had endured.

"This is the fourth one," Tyler remarked, his voice laced with frustration as he wiped the blood from his brow.

Around them, the crew bustled, the aftermath of the attack still fresh in their minds. The tension was palpable, each of them on edge, ready for the next assault.

Lily glanced at the subdued pirate, her mind working rapidly. "It must be that ’Manhunter’ tipped the pirates off," she guessed, her tone edged with suspicion.

Situ stepped forward, wordlessly dragging the prisoner away to the cells below deck. These pirates were no ordinary foes; they were marked men, each carrying a bounty that could fetch a small fortune.

Astrid, standing to the side, couldn’t hide the tears that welled in her eyes. She clenched her fists, guilt gnawing at her. "I’m so sorry. It’s all because of me," she choked out, her voice trembling.

Tyler turned to her, his expression softening as he waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault. They’re free Lydia knocking at our door," he said, his attempt at humour falling flat in the grim situation.

But beneath his calm exterior, Tyler’s mind raced. This couldn’t go on. They were being hunted, and it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out. "We can’t keep doing this," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Lily’s eyes narrowed, an idea forming in her mind. "I have an idea," she said, her voice low and calculating. "Let’s just give her to a pirate then."

The words hung in the air like a curse. Shock rippled through the crew, and the atmosphere grew tense. Tyler’s eyes, however, lit up with a spark of interest.

"No!" Mathilda, Silvia, and Mana cried out in unison, rushing to stand protectively around Astrid. Their expressions were fierce, unyielding, as if they would fight to the death to keep her safe.

Tyler raised a hand to calm them. "The fact that these girls are showing trust in you explains a lot about your character, Astrid," he began, his voice steady. "But don’t worry, Lily’s idea isn’t what it seems."

He paused, letting his words sink in. The crew’s tension eased, their defenses lowered as they nodded, slowly beginning to understand.

Astrid looked at Tyler, uncertainty clouding her features. "I’m not sure that it will work," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tyler stepped closer, his gaze locking with hers. "Well, are you ready to do it?" he asked, his tone gentle yet firm.

Astrid took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. She knew what was at stake, and despite her fear, she nodded. "I will," she said, her voice filled with determination.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

In the room, the ancient tea table was set up against the window. The flowers outside the window were red, swaying gently in the wind, as if trying to offer solace to the tense atmosphere within. The fragrance of the tea lingered from the cups on the table, but the serenity of the scene was deceptive. The air in the room felt heavy, oppressive even, as if a storm were brewing just beneath the surface.

The tea in the cups rippled ever so slightly, disturbed by an unseen force, as though it might spill at any moment. Elder Xie, a weathered figure of the Lao Lang Pai Sect, sat with a bitter expression on his face. He had lived a cautious life for so many years, navigating the treacherous waters of sect politics and external threats, but now, it seemed, all his efforts were crumbling around him. The Sect Master had been ambushed, leaving their once formidable sect vulnerable, a target for opportunists.

Some people had grown bolder, sensing weakness where strength once resided. The Xiang Hai Bang, or Infinite Sea Gang, was the worst of them. They had made things difficult for him, pushing the limits of what even they had once feared to do. Today, three of their thugs sat opposite him, their presence a dark cloud over his already troubled heart.

If he resisted, the consequences could be dire. If he agreed, he would be exploited, left with nothing. The brawny man before him, the leader of this trio, had made that much clear. They had offered to pay half the price for the precious tea leaves that had once commanded respect and wealth. But now, they intended to pay only fifty Lydia for tea that was worth five thousand. The loss would be staggering, a crippling blow to his already strained resources.

"Please, be reasonable," Elder Xie implored, his voice a thin thread of hope.

"Be reasonable?" The brawny man smirked, settling into his chair with a large blade resting casually across his lap. "We’re being reasonable. We’re here to do business, not to hurt you. Why would you say that, Elder Xie? If you say things like that, you’ll be insulting us."

He glanced back at his companions, who grinned and nodded in agreement. The brazenness of their actions was infuriating. In the past, no one would have dared to speak to him, to anyone from the Lao Lang Pai Sect, in such a manner. But with their Sect Master injured, the once-respected sect was now vulnerable, its power diminished.

As Elder Xie sat in silent contemplation of his dire situation, another presence was making its way toward the Lao Lang Pai Sect’s compound.

---

Wearing Phantom Masks, Tyler and Lily Gomes appeared at the outskirts of the Lao Lang Pai Sect Island. The island was modest, unassuming, with the sect’s compound nestled among the trees like a hidden gem. But the tension in the air was palpable, a sign of the troubles plaguing the sect.

Lily Gomes carried an unconscious Astrid in her arms, her expression as unreadable as the mask she wore. They moved swiftly, purposefully, until they reached the entrance of the sect’s compound.

"Senior, what can I do for you?" A young disciple, clearly anxious, greeted them at the gate.

Tyler, concealed behind the Phantom Mask, spoke with a voice that carried the weight of authority. "I heard that the tea leaves from Lao Lang Pai are unique. I am here to buy some."

The disciple hesitated, glancing nervously at the unconscious girl in Lily’s arms. "Our Grand Elder is the one who sells the tea, but..." Her voice trailed off, uncertainty in her eyes.

The girl hesitated, her voice trembling as she explained, "There are guests with Elder Xie right now..."

But Tyler, now a pirate accustomed to getting his way, wasn’t the type to wait for others. Ignoring her words, he strode confidently into the sect, his steps purposeful and unyielding. Lily followed closely behind, carrying the unconscious Astrid with a calm that belied the tension in the air.

As Tyler approached the hall, a harsh voice echoed through the corridor, dripping with mockery.

"Is there anything wrong with buying your Old Spice Tea for fifty Lydia? How can you say that’s not reasonable? How about this? You can search us. We’ll pay as much Lydia as you can find on us. Then, we can use that to buy your tea."

The door to the hall was ajar, allowing the cruel laughter of the men inside to spill into the hallway. The female disciple accompanying Tyler paled, realising the situation was even graver than she had feared.

Suddenly, a low chuckle cut through the tense atmosphere. Tyler’s voice, laced with sarcasm, rang out. "Fifty Lydia for Old Spice Tea? That’s so cheap. I’ll buy it for sixty instead."

The room fell silent as everyone turned to face the source of the voice. Standing in the doorway was a Masked man and Masked woman, who is carrying an unconscious beauty. Next to them is a female disciple of the sect.

The burly man at the head of the table sneered, clearly unimpressed by the new arrival. He looked Tyler up and down before addressing him with disdain. "Are you a bandit or something?"

Without waiting for a response, he turned to his companions. "Kill him!"

One of the thugs, a one-star Elite warrior, stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a sinister smile. "Bad luck for you to have met us," he taunted. "It’s time for you to die."

Elder Xie, desperate to avoid further bloodshed, tried to intervene. "Sir, there’s no need for that!" he pleaded, his voice strained with worry. He doesn’t know who the newcomer is, but he doesn’t want the stranger to die in his sect and bring more problems to the sect.

But the thug paid him no mind, already closing in on Tyler with malicious intent.

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