Stranger Danger

"Haha... you have a lot of confidence in us, don't you?"

Ye Qing chuckled. He wasn't surprised that Jin Wanliang found out about these details. He would not dare to seek them out if he wasn't at least that competent.

"Alright. Even if you are right, and the two fakes are no match for us, what makes you think that we are not interested in the wealth of Gold Island? Aren't you afraid that you are leading a wolf into your house?"

"This junior is not afraid. This junior believes in your character and integrity."

Jin Wanliang began lavishing praises on them. "Neither of you knew Fairy Hongluan until recently, and yet you are willing to help Floating Island during its time of crisis. You did not seek to improve your fame or glory, nor did you ask for anything in return. You are both true seniors whose compassion can encompass the entire world, and nobility outshines the sun itself..."

"Cut it out and tell us what you really think," Ye Qing interrupted him with a wave. He would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy Wan Jinliang's flattery, but it was embarrassing to an extent, not to mention that Qingyou was right beside him. He wasn'tthatshameless.

Of course, he did not think that Jin Wanliang had sought them out only because of what he said, not to mention divulging the entire truth of Gold Island before they even agreed to help him.

Sometimes, there was nothing more fickle and unreliable than the human heart.

"This junior swears that everything he said is the truth. May the heavens strike me down if I have spouted falsehoods."

Jin Wanliang swore an oath twice but received nothing but a meaningful look from Ye Qing. So, he added, "Besides that, I know that the two of you do not hail from these lands. You do not share any interest or ties with the Profound Alliance, so I can trust you not to act like them."

"Besides that, I have good reason to believe that you won't be staying here for long. Even if you were greedy, you would not occupy Gold Island, the root of the Jin Clan. So long as we still own Gold Island, it doesn't matter even if we lose everything. We can simply start over."

This was the true reason he dared to seek them out.

First, he had observed Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou in secret for the past couple days. He deduced from their conduct and behavior that they were no ruthless or vicious killer who would massacre an entire family just because they felt displeased. He believed that it was possible to interact and cooperate with them peacefully.

Second, it was as he said. They didn't belong to these lands, nor did they share any ties with the Profound Alliance. Looking at their age and strength, they had probably come here to broaden their horizons and improve themselves. Naturally, such people would not linger. Even if they grew greedy some time during their cooperation, the worst they could do was taking away all their wealth and accumulation. There was little to no chance that they would stay indefinitely on Gold Island, and so long as Gold Island was fine, they could always rise again.

Therefore, his action was riskless even though it seemed reckless at first glance.

"Hah. you really are a smart one." Ye Qing paid him a sincere compliment. Jin Wanliang's cunning and his ability to fathom another person really was impressive.

"Please, this junior came up with this plan only because nothing else would work. This junior humbly begs for your forgiveness if my recklessness has offended you in any way!"

Jin Wanliang apologized to them first before launching into a sincere plea, "I beg you, please save my parents. Please save Gold Island."

"If you help me save my parents and Gold Island from this crisis, this junior is willing to surrender all the wealth and treasures Gold Island has accumulated throughout the years and give them to you as thanks."

"Oh? Are you sure you can bear to part with them?"

Feng Qingyou teased him, "I heard that Gold Island is so wealthy that they can rival the wealth of another country. Their gold, silver and valuables pile up like mountains, their spirit herbs and precious materials can cover the entire forest floor, their martial arts manuals are endless, and their Strange Artifacts are innumerable..."

"With your intelligence and means, you are guaranteed to become the next island lord of Gold Island. In other words, you are giving away what will be yours in the future. Are you sure you can bear to part with them?"

"So what if I can't? It's not like I have another choice."

Jin Wanliang let out a bitter chuckle before adding, "Besides, I've already told you why. None of these items matter because they are not the foundation of Gold Island. So long as Gold Island remains in the Jin Clan's control, the Jin Clan can surrender anything."

Indeed, he did not have another choice. If he had, he would not have resorted to such drastic measures.

"You are a man who does big things, Scion Jin." Feng Qingyou smiled. "Your daring is commendable."

"Please, these are but petty ways compared to your superior strength," Jin Wanliang shook his head. This time though, he was speaking from the bottom of his heart. If he was a Sage or at least a Half-Sage on the same level as Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou, then he wouldn't need to search the world for a senior to save him. He could just kill those two fakes with one palm.

"So, may I hear your answer, seniors?"

Feng Qingyou and Ye Qing exchanged glances with each other. Then, Ye Qing spoke up. "It sounds like we have no reason to turn you down."

Overjoyed, Jin Wanliang hurriedly bowed and thanked them profusely, "Thank you, senior! Thank you for your benevolence and kindness! This junior will never forget this favor!"

"Don't thank us yet." Ye Qing said seriously, "Since we agreed to help you, we wouldn't try to cheat you. We promise you that we will do our best to save your parents and Gold Island."

"However, I must also inform you that we aren't omniscient or omnipotent. If an accident or something bad happens during the rescue process, I beseech you that you don't resent us for it."

There were two reasons they agreed to help Jin Wanliang. One, it was because they thought that Jin Wanliang was an impressive man deserving of their acquaintanceship. Two, it was because Jin Wanliang promised to reward them. Of course, Ye Qing wasn't all that interested in the mundane stuff such as gold and silver. What truly interested him was the martial arts manuals hoarded by Gold Island.

He was now a Half-Sage and only half a step away from the Sage-stage. However, this half a step wasn't something he could cross just by studying and practicing hard in his own room. Right now, he is at the stage where he must see more, hear more, and experience more of the world. He needed to see all the scenery that existed in this beautiful world, learn the arts of the many schools of thought, and feel the laws and ways of nature. Only when his accumulation had reached a certain point could he naturally become a Sage.

The Jin Clan had operated Gold Island for many years and accumulated an obscene amount of wealth across the generations. Therefore, the number of martial arts, Magia and more they hoarded in their vaults were not inferior to the likes of the Profound Moon Dynasty, Southern Sea Sword Sect and more in the slightest.

Yu Hongluan once told them that there existed four towers on Gold Island. They were called the Gold Tower, Treasure Tower, Medicine Tower, and Arts Tower.

Gold Tower was where they kept their money such as gold, silver and more. It was rumored that the mountains piled up like mountains, and the jewels and pearls covered the floor like the sea.

The Treasure Tower was where they kept all sorts of treasures, Strange Artifacts, items, equipment and more. It was rumored that the Strange Artifacts and treasures they kept in the vault were innumerable.

The Medicine Tower was, as its name implied, the place they kept all their herbs, pills, medicines and so on. It was rumored that they had miraculous medicine and herbs that could increase one's lifespan or cultivation level.

And finally, the Arts Tower was where they kept their martial arts manuals, secret arts, and Magia. It was rumored that there were tens of thousands of manuals in the Arts Tower, and some of them were Sage-stage manuals.

In fact, Ye Qing had wanted to pay the Four Towers and especially the Arts Tower a visit when he heard about them from Yu Hongluan. If he could study these martial arts, he was sure his martial horizons would be broadened, and his martial knowledge would grow significantly.

That said, he never thought that this opportunity would deliver itself to his doorsteps the second he left Floating Island.

Sometimes, it was all fate.

"Of course not." Jin Wanliang said sincerely, "I'm already beyond thankful that you are willing to help me. If something bad still happens, then it is fated so. I will never harbor any resentment toward you two."

"Okay then. Let's go."

Ye Qing nodded and stopped dilly-dallying. He put away the Cloud Boat and boarded the giant golden ship together with Feng Qingyou. Then, they departed for Gold Island.