Chapter 426

Chapter 426: The Deal (4000 words)

Ming stared at the colossal heap of flesh before him.

With a mouthful of sharp teeth and an aura of oppression radiating from his surroundings, Ming immediately knew that this warden was no ordinary cultivator. At the very least, he was among the upper echelons of the fifth realm.

Indeed.

Managing such a horde of ferocious prisoners would be impossible without being at least in the upper realms of cultivation. A mere mid-tier cultivator wouldn’t stand a chance.

“The two of you, please follow me.”

The warden didn’t say much else, merely turning around and striding into the darkness.

With every step the warden took, Ming could feel the ground tremble beneath his feet.

Eventually, the warden led them to a stone cave sealed by a massive boulder.

“Ao Jin is inside. You may enter directly,” the warden informed them.

Little Blue bowed respectfully to Ming. “Lord Ming, there’s no time limit for your visit. There’s no need to rush. Whenever you wish to leave, I’ll be waiting right here outside the door. If you require assistance, simply crush this token.”

She then handed over a small badge from her waist to Ming.

Ming nodded, bowing in gratitude to both of them. “Thank you both. However, might I inquire if there’s any wine available? Could you spare me two jars?”

Little Blue glanced at the warden, who remained silent but soon disappeared and returned carrying two large jars of wine.

In the warden’s enormous hands, the jars looked like tiny teapots.

“Much appreciated, Warden.”

Ming grabbed one jar while the warden inserted his iron chain into a nearby crevice, causing the boulder blocking the entrance to shift aside.

A dim tunnel lay ahead, and Ming stepped inside, walking steadily forward.

The darkness enveloped Ming entirely, offering no hint of light. But as he ventured deeper, a sudden flash illuminated the path ahead.

Torches on either side of the cave wall ignited, lighting up the way forward.

At the end of the cavern stood a cell.

Inside, a man with disheveled hair knelt atop a pile of straw. His wrists and ankles were shackled, his tattered clothes bearing numerous scars from whip lashes.

Upon hearing footsteps, Ao Jin slowly opened his eyes, gazing at Ming approaching.

Seeing Ming for the first time, Ao Jin’s expression flickered with surprise, followed by deep confusion.

“It’s been a long time,” Ming began.

“Yes, indeed it has. Never thought the person visiting me would be you,” Ao Jin responded calmly. “How did you manage to get in here?”

“How else? With the Dragon Empress’ approval, of course.”

Ming chuckled, placing the wine near the cell bars before retrieving several cups from his storage pouch.

Pouring himself and Ao Jin a drink, Ming extended a cup through the bars. Without hesitation, Ao Jin took a sip.

“So it seems the Dragon Empress holds you in high regard, allowing you to see me even here.”

Ao Jin didn’t know the exact relationship between Ming and the Dragon Empress, but allowing him to visit a condemned prisoner like himself spoke volumes about the respect she had for Ming.

“She does seem quite fond of me,” Ming agreed with a nod.

“What’s the state of the outside world?”

After another drink, Ao Jin looked at Ming expectantly.

Instead of answering directly, Ming countered, “What do you think the state of the outside world is?”

Ao Jin frowned. “What else could it be? Since the Dragon Empress uncovered our plan involving the Eastern Sea and Zhongyan Shan, Long Wang Teng must have already fallen out of our control. By now, he’s likely in the Northern Sea preparing to hold my father accountable.”

Ming shook his head. “If things were truly as you say, this situation would be far easier to resolve. The Four Seas wouldn’t be in the mess they’re in now.”

Hearing this, Ao Jin’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Ming locked eyes with Ao Jin. “Exactly what I said. Care to guess what happens after your plan fails? What do you think will become of the Four Seas?”

Ao Jin hesitated before responding, “Our collaboration with Zhongyan Shan was all about securing Long Wang Teng. Now that he’s lost, he’ll surely return to the Northern Sea palace. Our failure means the Dragon Empress won’t let this go easily. The other sea lords will also demand answers from my father. But knowing my father’s alliance with Zhongyan Shan, they won’t sit idly by.”

“To tell you the truth, Long Wang Teng is shattered. Completely gone.”

Ao Jin stared incredulously at Ming. “What?! How could Long Wang Teng be destroyed? It’s an ancient treasure passed down since the dawn of time!”

Ming regarded Ao Jin with an amused expression.

“In this world, nothing is indestructible. Not even your Long Wang Teng. After your plan was exposed, the Dragon Empress tried turning it into her personal treasure, but Zhongyan Shan retaliated fiercely. Your father died at their hands, his heart torn out. Using some unknown magic, under the old man of Zhongyan’s command, Long Wang Teng was utterly annihilated. The destruction caused chaos in the abysses of the Four Seas. An ancient entity emerged from the Northern Sea’s depths but was suppressed by the Dragon Empress. She says the others should have little trouble controlling similar threats, though your Eastern Sea might face complications. With your father gone, your brothers are likely running things now.”

“My father is dead?! No! You must be lying!” Ao Jin glared fiercely at Ming.

Ming sighed. “Why would I lie? You’re destined to die anyway. What would I gain from deceiving you?”

Ao Jin’s gaze shifted nervously before finally accepting reality with a clenched fist pounding the ground. “How dare Zhongyan Shan betray us like this!”

“As Little Blue once put it, your alliance with Zhongyan Shan was akin to conspiring with a tiger. You thought they’d back you, but in their plans, you were expendable. Your father was sacrificed by Zhongyan Shan.”

Listening to Ming’s words, anger burned in Ao Jin’s eyes.

Raising his head, his eyes bloodshot, Ao Jin asked desperately, “What about my sister? Is she alright? She’s innocent; she knows nothing of these matters. All responsibility lies with me.”

“You only think of your sister now?” Ming sipped his wine.

Ao Jin fell silent.

Ming continued, “Even if your sister did nothing and knew nothing, she’s still from the Eastern Sea. Because of you, she’ll likely be confined in the Northern Sea for millennia. But as a friend, I’ve pleaded on her behalf. Fortunately, the Dragon Empress likes her and has agreed to release her soon.”

“Thank you…”

Relieved that his sister was safe, Ao Jin seemed to collapse inward. His eyes carried a sense of resignation.

“I’ve always wanted to ask you something,” Ming inquired curiously. “Your sister going to the mainland shouldn’t have been a big deal. Why were you so against it?”

Hearing this, Ao Jin sighed, shaking his head. “It’s because of her unique constitution. Only my father and I knew about it. Now that Long Wang Teng is gone, I might as well tell you. When my sister was born, the entire Eastern Sea felt a mysterious calling. Above our palace, the image of a true dragon swirled endlessly, the sun and moon blending together. On her birth, a sun-moon pattern appeared on her abdomen. According to our records, she possesses the rare Sea Spirit Body.

This body grants her immense affinity with the sea. As her cultivation progresses, this connection strengthens. Eventually, she’ll be able to command the sea creatures, with few able to resist her. The entire ocean will become her training ground.

However, before reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, she must never set foot on land. Otherwise, her Sea Spirit Body will weaken, affecting her path to enlightenment. Our original plan was to obtain Long Wang Teng, collaborate with Zhongyan Shan, and maneuver against the other seas. With its help, her cultivation would accelerate, allowing her to reach the Ascension Realm within a thousand years. At that point, she’d rival the Dragon Empress herself. Even the combined forces of the other three seas wouldn’t stand a chance against us. We aimed to rule all four seas.

But alas, fate had other plans.”

Ming remarked, “Seems like your Eastern Sea had grand ambitions.”

“Hahahaha.” Ao Jin laughed bitterly. “Not just us. Ask the other seas. Who doesn’t want to control Long Wang Teng and dominate the oceans?”

“But your failure has brought suffering to the Four Seas. You’ll forever be remembered as failures,” Ming stated.

“That’s true. Losers have no excuses,” Ao Jin admitted with a sigh.

“Thanks for protecting my sister, Lord Ming. With our Eastern Sea gone, many will covet her. If possible, take her to the mainland. Let her Sea Spirit Body fade, allowing her to live a peaceful life.”

“I’ll discuss it with her. Whether she agrees or not is her choice. But I’m here for more than catching up. Our friendship isn’t that deep. I’m here to offer you a deal. Accept, and you might live. Refuse, and you’ll certainly die.”

Ao Jin stared straight into Ming’s eyes. “What kind of deal?”

“You return to the Eastern Sea as its ruler, recognized by the Northern Sea. In exchange, you leave behind a fragment of your soul in the Northern Sea, lighting a life lamp. Essentially, you’ll be a dog of the Northern Sea, doing whatever they command. The Eastern Sea will become a vassal of the Northern Sea. Agree, and you live. Refuse, and you die.”

Ming spoke bluntly.

Such matters require directness to allow proper consideration and demonstrate sincerity. For some, survival outweighs pride, especially when it comes with power.

But dragons are different. They carry an innate pride, refusing humiliation.

Especially Ao Jin, chosen by the Eastern Sea Dragon King for this mission, clearly trusted and capable. His willingness to risk everything shows his pride.

Whether he accepts is up to him. Ming wasn’t obligated to persuade him. If he refused, so be it. If he accepted, the Eastern Sea would fall under the Northern Sea’s control, greatly strengthening its influence. This would benefit the Dragon Empress more than killing him outright.

“I accept.”

After careful consideration, Ao Jin met Ming’s gaze. “I’ll become a dog of the Northern Sea, making the Eastern Sea its subordinate. But I have one condition: revenge against Zhongyan Shan.”

“No need to ask. The Four Seas and Zhongyan Shan are already sworn enemies.”

Ming stood, heading towards the cave’s exit. “Enjoy the wine. Someone will come for you soon. Prepare your soul fragment. From today onward, your life belongs to the Northern Sea, not yourself.”