Chapter 370: Pingyang Island

Chapter 370: Pingyang Island

You can tell a master by their first move.

Ceng Chou had intended to throw his weight around as the boss in this tiny room with only three people.

Yet the moment he made his move, a single strike left half his body numb, paralyzing him where he stood.

However, he recognized the martial arts technique used against him and blurted out in astonishment:

"What is your relationship with the Canglan Divine Blade?"

The young man and woman locked eyes and sighed in unison.

The young man cupped his fists and said:

"I am Duan Renjie."

"Duan Renjie..."

Ceng Chou's face changed color. "You're the second direct disciple of the Canglan Divine Blade?"

At this, he couldn't help but glance at the woman:

"And you?"

"...Cheng Suying."

"So it really is you two?"

Reputation follows a person like a shadow follows a tree—both were names he'd heard before.

In their younger days, they'd carved out their reputations while wandering the Southern Seas, making waves among their generation.

Ceng Chou's attitude immediately shifted to deference as he cupped his fists in salute:

"My mistake for the disrespect earlier. I had no idea the two honored disciples of the Canglan Divine Blade were here. I offended you both...

"Yet you disappeared from the Southern Seas nearly a year ago.

"What brings you here?"

As he spoke, a realization dawned on him.

Rumors had long circulated that the Canglan Divine Blade dispatched his two disciples to the Eastern Wastes for training.

Truth of the rumors aside, if they had indeed gone east, and Su Mo's ship had come from that direction... didn't that add up?

"..."

Talk about hitting a nerve.

The senior sister and junior brother's faces fell, but now that they were Su Mo's captives, there was nothing left to hide.

So they told their story from beginning to end.

Here’s the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

how they ventured into Donghuang for training, how they saw the lively scene at the escort agency, how they witnessed Su Mo taking on disciples, and how they caught snippets of others' conversations.

In the end, Duan Renjie wouldn’t yield, and thus, he got subdued by Su Mo.

Their Donghuang expedition lasted only half a day, yet they’d been prisoners for over a year.

Once the story was laid out, Ceng Chou was stunned into silence.

After a pause, he finally murmured:

"First of Donghuang… the number one martial artist?

"Is… is this really not an exaggeration?

"Who in the jianghu dares claim to be the first? Who dares say they are undefeated?"

Duan Renjie and his senior sister traded looks and shook their heads solemnly:

"After observing this past year, we can confirm it’s no exaggeration.

"His reputation in the Donghuang martial world is truly sky-high.

"We’d sometimes catch the servants in his mansion chatting—either envoys from the East City Seven Sects came to visit, or some martial arts masters sought his guidance.

"Some even offered fortunes hoping to become his disciples.

"But he refused to meet any of them.

"Even crazier, some scrambled shamelessly just to become a guard of the Ziyang Escort Agency.

"Others kowtowed and groveled just to work as servants in his mansion.

"The extent of it all is downright mind-blowing."

"This…"

Ceng Chou fell silent at these words.

He couldn’t help but sigh deeply. "If that’s the case, then getting bested by someone like him today isn’t unjust."

"Exactly… Not just you. Mark my words, even if the Hall Master of the Dragon King Hall, the Alliance Leader of the South Sea Alliance, or the Island Master of Guixu Island came in person—if he said ‘jail,’ they’d be jailed.

"Just wait and see. No fake dragon would brave these waters.

"This journey of his won’t be a cakewalk. Soon enough, we’ll see just how many people can be packed into this shoebox of ours."

"…"

Ceng Chou was left speechless, thinking Duan Renjie must be pulling his leg.

First of Donghuang, but not the heavens’ chosen.

No matter who it was, once they hit South Sea turf, dealing with someone like him might be one thing—but if they dared challenge behemoths like the South Sea Alliance or the Dragon King Hall, they’d still get schooled.

Yet, as Ceng Chou reflected on Su Mo’s actions, he couldn’t pin down what he felt…

Just then, he noticed Duan Renjie suddenly growing excited as he said:

"Listen pal, you're new here and don't know the rules yet.

"Here's the deal—on this ship, we don't have much say.

"Meals come on schedule, and the food's decent.

"You won't go without clothes either—as the First of Donghuang, he's got some pride and won't mistreat us.

"But remember this: when you're in someone else's house, you bow your head.

"Su Mo's a real snake. Don't buy into his flashy rep—that's all for show.

"Step out of line, and he'll make you wish you were dead.

"And watch out—the nicer he acts, the shadier he is. So if you screw up, say sorry quick to dodge trouble..."

Duan Renjie went on and on, drilling survival tips into Ceng Chou.

Cheng Suying could only roll her eyes, sighing as she stared at the endless sea meeting the sky.

How much longer would this drag on?

……

The night was uneventful. Morning came without a sound.

Ceng Chou had braced for a long showdown with Su Mo aboard the Ziyang Escort's ship.

He figured he was safe for now.

But before noon the next day, they hauled him in—Su Mo wanted words.

Baffled, he saw a ship bobbing on the waves.

No need to look twice—it was his.

He raised a brow. So his crew hadn't abandoned him after all.

They'd come to spring him loose.

His heart raced with hope and dread—hope that his men still had his back, dread over Su Mo's next move.

Last night's talk with the Canglan Divine Blade's disciples had shown him how dangerous Su Mo really was.

The First of Donghuang? Unmatched in cunning, unstoppable in a fight.

Young face, cold heart.

If his crew gave Su Mo any excuse, none of them would make it out alive.

His mind racing, he faced Su Mo—whose expression was dark as thunder.

The man gave a curt nod:

"Zeng Lao-da, my condolences."

"???"

The words stunned Zeng Chou: "Did you... kill them?"

Did this First Master of Donghuang slaughter everyone on board when his men came searching for him?

Su Mo was equally shocked:

"Wasn't me."

Both immediately understood.

Zeng Chou's face fell instantly as he snapped his head toward his ship. Su Mo grabbed his shoulder and leaped onto the vessel.

Sure enough, blood still stained the deck.

Moving toward the cabins, they found bodies littered throughout.

Zeng Chou's face darkened like a thundercloud. He checked every room, searched every inch of the ship,

then stood rooted to the deck, speechless.

By then, Wang Chengying, Ding Luo, and others had boarded.

Seeing the scene,

the group went quiet.

Yet Wang Chengying couldn't help muttering:

"Zeng Lao-da, you're damn lucky."

"..."

Zeng Chou understood.

His crew's deaths matched exactly what he'd described yesterday—just like the Tearful Blood Sword's work.

If this killer truly struck, even the Hanhai Gang leader couldn't stop him. What chance did Zeng Chou have?

Had Su Mo not captured him, he'd just be another corpse here.

But seeing the pirate crew he'd built with years of effort reduced to lifeless bodies—how could he not feel sick?

After a moment, he took a sharp breath and suddenly faced Su Mo.

"Chief Escort Su, tell me—do you have a way to control people?"

The sudden question confused Su Mo.

Zeng Chou continued quietly:

"Whatever works...

"I don't know why you captured me. If you plan to kill me, do it now.

"But if you won't..."

"Then I cannot let you hold me back now.

"My men have all been killed unjustly, and I, Ceng Chou, will never let this matter go unchecked.

"I beg Chief Escort Su to go easy on me and let me investigate this!

"No matter what it takes, I will avenge them.

"Once this is over, regardless of the outcome, I, Ceng Chou, will come before Chief Escort Su to face death.

"If Chief Escort Su doesn't trust my word—if there's any poison or martial arts that can control others—

"then go ahead and use them on me."

"Oh?"

Su Mo looked Ceng Chou over, then suddenly smiled:

"Fine."

As he spoke, he took out a medicine bottle from his robe, opened it, poured out a pill, and handed it to Ceng Chou:

"This poison is called Three Days of Torment.

"After taking it, it flares up once every six months, causing unbearable agony.

"The suffering lasts three full days before fading.

"But so far, no one has endured until the end—they all die from the pain before then.

"Are you sure you want to take this?"

Ceng Chou barely hesitated before frowning and swallowing the poison, gritting his teeth.

Su Mo watched closely, satisfied he wasn't faking.

He nodded lightly:

"Good... It works the instant it touches your tongue. Let me show you what it feels like."

As he spoke, he casually brushed the edge of Ceng Chou’s palm.

White-hot pain instantly shot through his body.

Ceng Chou dropped like a stone.

This man who normally stood proud as an oak now lay writhing on the ground—a sight none had seen before.

Wang Chengying and the others looked at each other nervously, all thoroughly shaken.

Su Mo then took out another pill from his robe and forced it between Ceng Chou's lips.

Once swallowed, Su Mo brushed his palm again, and the pain disappeared instantly.

Ceng Chou stared at Su Mo, still trembling.

Then he heard Su Mo say:

"That was just a sample—I gave you the cure right away."

"But the effect only lasts half a year.

"If you don’t come to me in six months, or if I find out you’ve deceived me,

"then you’ll quietly endure those three days of pain when the time comes.

"Even if you survive it, the pain will strike twice a year—see how long you last."

Ceng Chou nodded at once. "Agreed. Thank you, Chief Su, for the medicine."

"Well..."

Su Mo paused briefly. "Then you may leave."

With that, Su Mo released his acupoints.

"I take my leave..."

Clasping his fists, Ceng Chou glanced at Wang Chengying and the others and sighed.

"The Bo Hai Association’s dead—I’ll make it right.

"But for now, I have pressing business. Once this matter is settled, I’ll come to Pingyang Island."

"Fine."

Wang Chengying also cupped his fists.

"Ceng Chou the Sea Snake—ruthless as he is—keeps his word.

"I’ll await your arrival on Pingyang Island."

"Until then."

Without another word, Ceng Chou turned and left.

Stuck at sea, his crew gone, he could only grab a skiff from the deck. With a heave, he launched it overboard before jumping in and rowing off.

Watching him depart, Su Mo drifted into thought.

Finding someone on the open ocean was no easy task.

If Ceng Chou the Sea Snake said he’d investigate, he must have ways of digging up leads.

Deep in thought, Su Mo heard an eagle’s cry overhead. It circled briefly before following Ceng Chou into the distance.

As for the original ship, they torched it—same as before.

Afterward, Su Mo, Wang Chengying, and the others returned to their ships and went on their way.

Yang Xiaoyun watched as Ceng Chou disappeared into the distance.

"That stuff you gave him—was it really poison?"

"Yes."

Su Mo nodded. "The 'Three-Day Pain' was just to scare him—to teach him a lesson."

Here’s the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"If he tries to find a cure for the poison, it’ll just throw him off track."

"What I gave him was actually the 'Yellow Spring Pill' that Little Situ Taoist once gave me."

"Six months from now, if the poison kicks in, he’ll die instantly, his guts bursting open."

"And the wrong treatment might make it kick in early."

Hearing this, Yang Xiaoyun finally smiled:

"That’s so like you."

With Ceng Chou, aka "Sea Snake," how could Su Mo believe he’d go all out for his men?

The memory of him cutting down the big guy in blue yesterday was still fresh in their minds.

So the little stunt they pulled on Xu Lu before had now become a nasty trick hiding real danger.

"In six months, I figure we’ll still be stuck in the South Sea."

"If he actually comes looking for us by then, we can just cure him."

"Otherwise..."

Su Mo shook his head lightly: "For now, we’ll play it by ear."

"Old Su, you’ve got all the angles covered." Wei Ziyi clasped her hands together eagerly.

"You got me beat."

"...Beat it."

"And go where, exactly? We're in the middle of the ocean!"

Wei Ziyi was being shameless as a hound.

Su Mo sighed, at a loss, and casually asked,

"Is Little Situ still out?"

"Not yet."

Yang Xiaoyun glanced at the sun high in the sky and chuckled,

"She can’t hold her liquor. After what you gave her last night, she even wanted more...

"And then she was totally wasted.

"Dongqing’s been chewing you out all morning, saying you shouldn’t have let their young lady drink."

"Yeah, that was dumb of me."

Su Mo smirked. "But I couldn’t just stand by and watch her choke to death, could I?"

While they bantered, Su Mo couldn’t help but glance at the pirate ship still billowing thick black smoke.

This made the second pirate ship they’d come across.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

---

The islands where the silkworm farmers lived, the pirate ships under the Tiger Cang Banner, and then the sea snake’s fleet.

The killer appeared to be traveling the same route as them.

But where *was* this person now?

At first, Su Mo wanted nothing to do with this person, but the words Zeng Chou spoke yesterday were downright chilling.

The *Blood-Weeping Sword Slave* was downright ruthless.

If left unchecked, countless innocents could die.

So now, Su Mo felt he *had* to step in.

But on the open sea, tracking one person down... was next to impossible.

The next few days passed without incident, the sea eerily calm.

No other pirates crossed their path.

With the Bohai Trading Company’s flagship at the helm, few would risk attacking them—unless they had a death wish.

The ship was guarded by pricey hired muscle—martial arts masters—and even a successful raid would mark them for death, hunted endlessly.

Some might *think* they could outlast the assassins, their reputations growing more fearsome.

But to others, it’d be suicide—plain and simple.

So Su Mo’s crew sailed on, undisturbed, until they reached Pingyang Island.

Pingyang Island was massive, home to the sprawling Pingyang City and its surrounding towns.

A far cry from those islands that were little more than a single village.

Today, though, Pingyang Island buzzed with unusual energy.

The docks were packed, ships crammed bow to stern.

Su Mo led Yang Xiaoyun, Wei Ziyi, Little Situ, and Fu Hanyuan ashore.

Only the white tiger remained, napping below deck, alongside Zhen Xiaoxiao—banned from gorging herself on who-knows-what.

Letting the tiger roam here’d scare the life out of a few locals, so it stayed behind as guard.

Su Mo scanned the crowd—plenty of rough-looking fighters murmuring or chatting.

Eavesdropping, Su Mo pieced it together fast.

His face twisted in disbelief, eyes flicking to Wang Chengying’s Bohai ship—

Then Little Situ cut in abruptly:

“Big Brother Su, we should hit the city first—get medicine for the kid.”

--- (Note: Epithets like *Blood-Weeping Sword Slave* are italicized for stylistic emphasis, and terms like "Tiger Cang Banner" are consistently capitalized.)

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Su Mo nodded immediately upon hearing this: "Alright, let's head out."

"Oh!"

Little Situ quickly said, "Young Master Wang hasn't come out yet, Eldest Brother Su. You guys should hang back here for our host. Buying medicine is such a small matter—I can go by myself."

As if to emphasize her point, she even thumped her chest firmly.

But she misjudged her strength and ended up coughing repeatedly from the impact.

Yang Xiaoyun hurriedly patted her back to help her catch her breath, said, both amused and exasperated:

"Alright, alright, go by yourself then. Fu, stay by Little Situ's side and escort her."

"Yes."

Little Situ looked at Fu Hanyuan and shook her head repeatedly:

"Don't bother, no need! We'll be right back."

With that, she had her four cardinal ladies—East, West, South, and North—carry her and bolted away.

Fu Hanyuan stood frozen, unsure whether to follow or not.

Finally, Yang Xiaoyun had to say:

"Follow them quietly." Fu Hanyuan nodded and followed after them.