C18 The Lesson Isn't Enough!

After clearing out those nuisances, Zhang Hai's face lit up with his usual radiant smile. "I'll head back and report to the young master first. You all carry on." With that, he swiftly vanished into the surroundings and soon made his way beneath the floating island. He transported both the people and the Refinement Crystals back. This haul had truly been a windfall.

At the port, the crowd once again split into two factions. "Hmph, Wong family. You've really outdone yourselves," one group sneered. "Indeed. This isn't over. We expect a reasonable explanation when the time comes," another added. "Let's go. We'll settle our scores with them later!" With that, the remaining people began to disperse. As for the island's affairs, now that the issue was resolved, it was no longer the Wong family's concern. It would be best to divide the spoils later.

Zhang Hai had spared their lives intentionally, just to spite the Wong family. He was curious to see just how capable they were. If they failed to repay their debts, it would be utterly contemptible. He loathed dealing with deadbeats.

Over the next few days, he familiarized himself with the capabilities of the Devil Hunting Warship and also researched the Assault Barbarian Blood Level. He found that in head-to-head combat, this warship was the most formidable among all the miniature warships. Whether against the Devil Hunting Warship or the Shuttle Warship, the Assault Barbarian Blood would overwhelmingly crush its opponents.

The Shuttle Warship, on the other hand, was much simpler. Aside from the recently discovered Silent Gravity Field, it was equipped with four Octopus-Torpedoes. Their combat method was straightforward: relentless torpedo barrages. There was also an Electric Shocking Horn, which he hadn't managed to acquire yet.

"Luo Qian, is the Electric Shocking Horn available for purchase in Free City?" Zhang Hai inquired. "No," Luo Qian replied curtly. "So, the Electric Shocking Horn is essentially the core combat component of the Shuttle Warship. Within thousands of miles, there are no more than ten. If one ever hits the market, it's snatched up immediately by the various families." Realizing the scarcity of the item, Zhang Hai understood that acquiring it would be no small feat.

Crossing his legs, he glanced at the two promissory notes in his hand. Although he already had over four hundred thousand Refinement Crystals, money, as they say, is always welcome. Especially when it's owed to you.

"Hey Luo, how much for a Magic Guiding Warship?"

"Well, a Magic Guiding Warship will set you back about two hundred thousand. That's just for the bare ship, not including any additional equipment. A fully outfitted one won't go for less than a million Refinement Crystals. Plus, they're pretty much priceless around here. Finding one to buy would be incredibly difficult."

"Damn, why is there nothing here? This is supposed to be a Free Port, isn't it? Feels more like a forgotten corner to me."

Luo Qian gave him a peculiar look, then pulled out a pen and paper and sketched out a large area.

"Captain, this is the whole Sea God Star."

"And this is where we are."

He watched as the middle-aged Luo marked a tiny dot in one corner of the Sea God Star map.

Compared to the whole world, it was like finding a sesame seed in a courtyard.

"Damn, that's tiny!"

"Yes, Captain. We're in the Desolate Sea Domain. It's probably the poorest place on the entire Sea God Star."

Zhang Hai fell silent, realizing he had indeed landed in quite the spot.

He couldn't help but grumble inwardly as the Phantom Warship, now in Shuttle Warship form, submerged and made its way to the Blue Flying Free Port area.

After a brief stop at the port to drop off two warriors, the ship vanished once again.

The warriors quickly located the Wong family estate but were barred from entering.

"Halt, this is the Wong family estate. You think you can just waltz in here like some kind of riffraff?"

The guard at the entrance stood in their way, eyeing them with disdain, as if they were no better than beggars.

Zhang Hai, after uploading the battle video to a top video-sharing website, projected his consciousness into one of the warriors and was greeted by the scene unfolding before him.

With a detached look, he produced two promissory notes.

"Take a good look, gatekeeper. These represent the thirty thousand Refinement Crystals the Wong family owes me. If you don't want trouble, go inside and report this. Otherwise, things could get messy."

Their gazes settled on the object, and their expressions grew complex.

They were uncertain of its authenticity, but the signature of the young miss was undeniably genuine.

Given the gravity of the situation, they couldn't simply dismiss the visitor on their own accord.

The Wong family of today was a far cry from its former glory.

"Wait here, I'll go in and report this."

One guard entered, leaving his companion to keep watch.

The guard soon hurried back out.

"Come with me."

They proceeded into the Wong family estate, one leading and the other following.

They were now in the front courtyard, where matters were typically resolved.

Beyond lay the inner courtyard, accessible only to true members of the Wong family.

But these were extraordinary times, and discontent with the Wong family was rampant. Inside the inner courtyard, a throng of people had gathered, voicing their protest against the family.

The real power within the Wong family now lay in the hands of Wong Yuvwei's mother, Woo Zhao.

Upon hearing her name, Zhang Hai's first thought was that Wu Zetian had somehow crossed over to this time.

It was only after Luo Qian's clarification that he realized his error; it was merely a homophone.

The one to greet Zhang Hai was none other than Wong Yuvwei, whom he had previously encountered.

The young man still sported his trademark arrogance.

This time, however, he dropped all pretense. Upon seeing Zhang Hai, he showed no sign of surprise.

"Kid, I'm surprised you had the nerve to come to the Wong family estate all by yourself. You've got some nerve. Did it not cross your mind that I might keep you here?"

Zhang Hai remained unfazed by the threat, casually finding a seat and making himself comfortable.

A playful smirk played across his face.

"Wong Yuvwei, isn't it? I'll cut to the chase. Bring out Wong Jiangxue. It's time to settle the debt of thirty thousand Refinement Crystals."

"Heh, and who do you think you are? On my Wong family's turf, do you really believe you're in any position to make demands?"

Zhang Hai's smile remained unaltered.

"So, the lesson you taught us on the floating island two days ago wasn't enough?"

"It seems I need to escalate this situation even further."

Wong Yuvwei's smug grin instantly stiffened.

His face looked like he wanted to rip him to shreds.

"You! It's actually you! You damn bastard! All the trouble the Wong family has been dragged into, and it's all your doing!"

"Guards! Seize him!"

"Yes, sir!"

Two guards approached Zhang Hai from either side, their curved blades pressed against his neck.

"Kid, come quietly and confess your crimes. Otherwise, you know what'll happen."

"Heh, your intelligence really worries me."

Wong Yuvwei's expression darkened, his tone hostile.

"What are you implying?"

Zhang Hai gave him a look as if he were an imbecile and nonchalantly knocked aside the blades at his throat.

"Do you really think they'll believe you if you drag me out now?"

"They're well aware that this issue has little to do with the Wong family. They're not fools."

"I simply provided them with an opportunity."