Chapter 189: Section 189: Zi Di on the Island


    “You can open your eyes now,” the sharp voice came.


    Zi Di slowly opened her eyes, finding herself not on the dock anymore, but in an alchemy factory.


    The alchemy factory was massive, the production lines were in operation, and numerous explosive dumbbells were being filled with a special liquid by the precise manipulation of robotic arms.


    Zhenjin led Zi Di on a tour for a while, then suddenly said, “The master has awakened, follow me.”


    Passing through a gate made from Legendary Level materials, Zi Di arrived at the core of the alchemy factory, where countless coffins left her astonished.


    On the first floor of the Central Tower, she met the War Merchant.


    ...


    This Legendary Level Mage, a peak Alchemy Grandmaster of the world, was emitting a somewhat weak Life Breath at that moment.


    Clearly, he had been injured.


    Three of his fingers were missing, and they were currently soaking in a Green Jade Gold Coffin.


    The coffin was filled with some kind of green liquid. The semi-translucent green fluid seemed to contain an extremely strong life force.


    A few breaths later, the War Merchant’s severed fingers regrew in the green liquid.


    He withdrew his hand, shook off the green liquid, moved it around for a bit, and then nodded in satisfaction.


    Then the War Merchant looked at Zi Di, “As you can see, studying alchemy comes at a cost.” Sёarch* The Novёl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zi Di, her face filled with astonishment, said, “Lord War Merchant, what exactly is this healing liquid? It can instantly heal Legendary Level limb injuries? Such potions, even if not sold in large quantities, would surely cause a sensation around the world!”


    “Ha ha ha,” the War Merchant laughed loudly, “You are like your father. The first time he came here, he was fascinated by the Alchemy Cannon. He suggested a price for the cannon and devised a sales plan within a few sentences.”


    “Though he was only Black Iron, he indeed possessed rare business talents! I have partnered with many merchants, but any goods that went to your father always had the highest sales.”


    “Thank you for your compliment, my lord,” Zi Di bowed again.


    The War Merchant nodded once more, his eyes expressing admiration, “You are bolder than your father, and your eloquence is outstanding. You persuaded the Hundred Needle Family all by yourself and facilitated this alliance. You chose your targets very wisely and appropriately.”


    Zi Di verbally expressed her gratitude, but her heart harbored a trace of darkness.


    The night she took over as the chairman of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce, she was attacked by Luo Shi. If it weren’t for her father’s plea for help, which brought the Golden Level Mage Zhenjin here to drive away Luo Shi, Zi Di would have died by now.


    Clearly, someone did not want to see a new, strong-willed chairman at the helm of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce.


    Zi Di did not know who the mastermind was, whether it was a powerful force or just one of the attendees at that day’s meeting.


    For her own protection, Zi Di needed the shelter of powerful protectors.


    Zhenjin and the War Merchant were obviously the best choices.


    Because they were criminals wanted by various continents, their stance was naturally clear. They needed Zi Di, while those noble forces had plenty of substitutes.


    Zhenjin proposed an alliance through marriage, only if Zi Di met the qualifications could she collaborate with Zhenjin and the War Merchant.


    The current state of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce was too weak compared to its former peak.


    Once, Zi Di had rejected the marriage alliance.


    But now, to protect herself, to seek revenge for her father, Zi Di had no choice but to accept the marriage.


    She succeeded.


    She reached a close alliance with the Hundred Needle Family and formed a marital bond with Zhenjin.


    Thanks to the Southern War, the severely weakened Hundred Needle Family also needed the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce now.


    The War Merchant continued, “This green liquid cannot be sold, the real healing power does not come from it, but from the Divine Artifact that is this Green Jade Gold Coffin.”


    Zi Di widened her eyes, “Is it that artifact rumored to be able to resurrect the Feathered Snake God?”


    The War Merchant nodded, then immediately shook his head, “It is indeed the Feathered Snake God’s artifact, but it is not complete. As you can see, this artifact is still missing a coffin lid.”


    “Besides, I am not a follower of the Feathered Snake God, I do not possess the necessary Divine Power.”


    “I used alchemy to steal some of the divine power of this artifact, but producing this green liquid is already the limit. Once it leaves the range of the alchemy array, the green liquid will immediately lose its effect. Even within the array, the green liquid is far from being able to resurrect life.”


    “So that’s how it is,” Zi Di sighed.


    “Your goods are all ready, they are already placed in the warehouse,” War Merchant called the Tower Spirit and opened the Teleportation Gate.


    Zi Di followed War Merchant and Zhenjin to the goods warehouse and saw the substitute.


    The substitute lay with closed eyes inside a wooden box. The box was labeled with the number EX—866.


    Seeing the appearance of the substitute, Zi Di was shocked; it bore an uncanny resemblance to Zhenjin.


    War Merchant laughed and said, “This is my proudest creation to date!”


    “Adjusting the appearance is just a minor detail.”


    “His original self was a Silver Knight. In order to perfectly replace Zhenjin, I successfully infused the bloodline of the Golden Bee Queen into his body.”


    Zi Di immediately changed her expression, showing shock.


    The Golden Bee Queen was a Legendary Magic Beast, the origin of the Hundred Needle Family’s bloodline.


    The Hundred Needle Family’s combat energy formulas, combat skills, secret skills, and so on, were all based on the bloodline; they had been created and refined over many years to reach the state they were in today.


    “Before instilling Zhenjin’s own memories, I had already begun by infusing the memories of a strong member of the Hundred Needle Family into him using a Memory Crystal.”


    “After a series of battles and training, his muscles have also been adjusted to perfectly match the combat techniques of the Hundred Needle Family.”


    “His memories have also been carefully filtered and modified, and they won’t lack common sense. Once he receives Zhenjin’s memories, they will match very well with his current physical state.”


    The more Zi Di listened, the more horrified she became.


    Having finished, War Merchant looked meaningfully at her, “Regarding the Golden Bee Queen’s bloodline, I spent a great deal of money to secretly purchase it from the Giant Mouth Hunting Group. Legendary-level blood… well, I must say, we’ve been very lucky.”


    Zi Di’s face turned completely pale.


    “Hehehe. It seems you’ve realized,” the smile on War Merchant’s face grew thicker.


    “Guide, I’ve told you, she is a clever little girl from the Human Race,” Zhenjin chimed in.


    Zi Di’s mouth was dry, and her heartbeat accelerated, “So, has the plan changed?”


    “Yes,” War Merchant gave her an appreciative look but did not elaborate; instead, he said to Zhenjin, “You explain the details to her.”


    Zhenjin explained, “Originally, we intended to support you, to provide you with protection so you could sell our weapons. Of course, as of now, the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce doesn’t qualify to work with us, but you accepted my suggestion, or rather, the test.”


    “You succeeded, you allied through marriage with the Hundred Needle Family. Once Zhenjin successfully competes for City Lord, your Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce will be able to establish itself firmly and sell our weapons extensively on the Wilderness Continent.”


    Whether it’s practicing magic or researching alchemy, both require extensive experimentation and consume massive amounts of resources.


    By selling weapons, the teacher-student duo of War Merchant and Zhenjin could acquire funds to invest in training and research.


    And the outcomes of their research and training would, in turn, enable them to produce more advanced weapons, earning more money.


    Over the years, War Merchant had been engaged in this kind of virtuous cycle.


    In recent years, he had even shifted his focus to the field of Life Alchemy and had made many achievements.


    “But recently…” Zhenjin continued, “our alchemy has had a significant breakthrough. We can now perfectly integrate Legendary-level bloodlines into living beings. Of course, it’s only a part of the bloodline, and the quality of this living being must also meet standards, at least Silver Level.”


    “Combined with the Memory Crystal, we can directly create a ‘Zhenjin,’ a perfect puppet under our control.”


    “Our luck has indeed been very good. By chance, the Giant Mouth Hunting Group had hunted down a Legendary-level Golden Bee Queen.”


    “We set up an ambush, and the direct line team that the Hundred Needle Family sent to Zhenjin was completely annihilated by us.”


    With breakthroughs in technology and increases in strength, WarMerchant and Zhenjin’s ambitions also swelled.


    They were no longer satisfied with just supporting Zi Di; they wanted to devour White Sand City and even begin to erode and control the Hundred Needle Family.


    “But I have a marriage arrangement; if I harm Zhenjin, I will suffer backlash,” Zi Di expressed her concerns.


    “Rest assured, next I will personally intervene to modify the magic contract on you,” War Merchant said with a smile.


    Zi Di felt a chill in her heart.


    She fully realized that cooperating with an existence like War Merchant was akin to making a deal with a tiger.


    She could barely accept the previous plan because she could use both War Merchant and the Hundred Needle Family to her advantage. She would voluntarily reveal her trade relations with War Merchant to the Hundred Needle Family, which would greatly enhance Zi Di’s value to them and ensure her freedom.


    But now things were different.


    Now, War Merchant and his associates wanted to go against Zhenjin and the Hundred Needle Family. Zi Di was too weak and could only be swept up in their schemes.


    Once exposed, for plotting against Zhenjin, the sole heir, Zi Di would become an enemy of the Hundred Needle Family and would also be despised by all the nobles of the Empire!


    The risks of the new plan were too high, but Zi Di had no power to refuse.


    “I am not cooperating with War Merchant, I am merely a pawn for them.”


    Her heart was filled with despair, but Zi Di nodded to the master and disciple before her and said with a heavy tone, “A great new plan.”


    Not long after, Zi Di staggered out of the magic array.


    War Merchant, truly a Mage of legendary level, personally intervened and successfully changed the magic contract on Zi Di.


    Having just finished the magic ritual, Zi Di was dizzy and her spirit was significantly damaged.


    But War Merchant was prepared and handed her a potion.


    Without hesitation, Zi Di drank it all and her condition quickly improved. Within a few breaths, the damage to her spirit was completely healed, and even slightly stronger than before.


    Her complexion subtly changed as her peak condition quickly made her aware of the magic contract.


    War Merchant smiled and said, “I merely modified it, transferring its original target to the substitute. In this way, this magic contract has also become a powerful piece of evidence for the substitute’s disguise.”


    “From now on, your life is linked with the substitute’s, sharing each other’s life.”


    “Of course, the highest authority is in my hands. With a mere thought, I can instantly turn this magic contract upside down and take both of your lives. Unless I die one day, this contract will accompany you for life, oh girl of the Human Race.”


    Zi Di’s complexion turned ghostly pale.


    War Merchant was extremely thorough in his dealings, giving neither Zi Di nor the substitute any room for rebellion.


    If nothing unexpected occurred, Zi Di could only be War Merchant’s pawn from now on!


    “Currently, what this substitute lacks are Zhenjin himself’s memories,” War Merchant remarked.


    “I will provide you with a set of memory-implanting crystal devices.”


    “Of course, I have tampered with it, so once Zhenjin uses this device, all his memories will be secretly copied into it.”


    “It’s best to let him volunteer to do it.”


    “Forcing him would cause flaws in the memory copying.”


    “As for how to make him volunteer, I believe you can definitely do it.”


    “I will do my utmost, and shall not fail War Merchant’s expectations!” Zi Di saluted, half-kneeling on the ground. This attitude pleased both War Merchant and the disciples greatly.


    Several days later…


    In a warehouse by the dock.


    “Lord, this is the substitute I have prepared for you,” said Zi Di with a smile beside him.


    “Incredible! This is truly unbelievable. How could such a perfect substitute be found!” Zhenjin exclaimed repeatedly.


    Zi Di wore a smile, yet her feelings were complex.


    Who could have imagined that Mysterious Monster Island was actually within this sea area?


    The trip to Mysterious Monster Island had a profoundly huge impact on her life.


    “From now on, is my life linked with yours?” Zi Di silently stared at the substitute.


    “I am in a marital alliance with Zi Di. I am a Holy Temple Knight and the sole heir to the Hundred Needle Family. They wouldn’t dare harm me.” Embracing these thoughts, Zhenjin trusted Zi Di deeply.


    Following Zi Di’s plan, Zhenjin created a Memory Crystal and disguised it as Hei Juan.


    “Hahaha.” He laughed heartily, “Then let’s get down to serious business. You must continue to strive if you want to become a noble’s wife. With your status and bloodline, it won’t be easy.”


    “I will certainly keep your words in my heart!” Zi Di responded.


    After the Pig Kiss had sailed for a while…


    Late at night, in the captain’s cabin.


    The captain fell limply to the ground, looking terrifiedly at Zi Di in front of him.


    “What’s going on?” he was paralyzed, unable to move, “I’ve been very careful, vigilant but discreet, constantly monitoring you all. How did you manage to poison me?”


    Zi Di smiled, glancing at the ink bottle on his desk.


    “Captain, you send letters to the Holy Temple Knight Fen Yi almost every three days, reporting on both Father Jia Sha and our intelligence.”


    “Do you find this expensive ink to your liking?”


    The captain stared at the ink: “Did you use it to poison me? Impossible, I’ve been using this ink for a while now, why am I only poisoned now?”


    Zi Di shook her head: “You don’t need to know more because it involves some herbal knowledge of the Barbarians. You can rest now.”


    “No, wait! I can join you, join the Hundred Needle Family. Don’t kill me, without a captain, how can you proceed safely to the Wilderness Continent? Without a captain, the Pig Kiss will be in grave danger!” the captain pleaded desperately.


    Zi Di drew the Stabbing Sword she had prepared earlier: “If you were just monitoring us, I might have let it go. Unfortunately, you intentionally slowed down the journey these past days, delaying us longer than favourable.”


    With that, the sword pierced effortlessly through the captain’s body, aided by magic.


    “You will regret… this.” the captain glared, his eyes fierce with the horror of approaching death and venomous vengeance.


    “Not good.” Zi Di instantly realized that the captain must have had some sort of countermeasure.


    Almost immediately, the Pig Kiss’s magic device activated, and the whole ship split in two.


    “Damn it!” Zi Di hurried out of the captain’s cabin.


    Using invisibility magic, she went unnoticed by the panicking crowd.


    However, as she rushed towards Zhenjin’s cabin, she suddenly halted, shocked into standing still.


    The magic contract had abruptly been terminated!


    The joke by the War Merchant replayed in Zi Di’s mind, making her realize an incredible fact—the War Merchant was dead!


    “This is impossible!”


    “But the magic contract has indeed been terminated, the War Merchant wouldn’t do this without a reason.”


    “He’s dead!”


    “What has happened on Mysterious Monster Island?”


    “I… must go see!”


    “I must find out. Something significant must have occurred on Mysterious Monster Island.”


    “If the War Merchant and Sharp Drill aren’t dead, they will surely find me again in the future. If they are barely alive, I will then decide whether to save or kill them on the spot!”


    “If they are both dead, doesn’t that mean I might take over the alchemy industry of Mysterious Monster Island?”


    “Yes, absolutely right.”


    “I need to get to the island.”


    “I still have Level 18 clearance, I must get to the island quickly!”