Chapter 11: The Lord of Longsang Island

The crisp chime of a bell echoed through the chamber just as Lu Sheng was receiving the legacy of the Hunyuan Treasure Orb's Spirit Refinement technique. This bell, installed in the secret room, served as a means of urgent communication with the outside world. Unless a matter was pressing, it would never ring unexpectedly, for the most taboo thing during seclusion was intrusion from others. Only the most significant affairs would warrant pulling the bell’s cord.

“It’s your Uncle Yanwu, he must have something urgent. Let me listen!” Upon hearing the sound, Lu Hai’s face changed. He spoke to the startled Lu Sheng. This bell had been specially arranged by him and Shi Yanwu, to transmit messages in emergencies. Given the distance, only those with a certain level of profound energy could operate it, and they had agreed upon a code to indicate the urgency of the matter, depending on the bell’s tone.

As Lu Hai’s words fell, the bell rang again, repeating several times. At last, his expression eased slightly. After responding, he said to Lu Sheng, “A Grandmaster from the northern Longmulberry Island has arrived—likely one of the two island lords. Your Uncle Yanwu fears he cannot handle it alone and wants me to go with him.”

Lu Hai had only posted the sign for ordinary seclusion this time, not the one forbidding interruption. If this had been an important retreat, such comings and goings would never have disturbed him; hence, his more relaxed demeanor now.

But upon hearing the words “Longmulberry Island,” Lu Sheng’s face darkened. “The lords of Longmulberry Island? Are they the ones who ruined my maternal grandfather’s family, causing my mother’s old wounds to recur and eventually leading to her death?”

Lu Sheng’s mother had hailed from Longmulberry Island, the daughter of the Sang Village chief there. Four years ago, two Grandmasters surnamed Ma had stormed the island, seized control of Longmulberry City, and proclaimed themselves the island lords, seeking to unite the whole island.

Such actions naturally provoked resistance. Lu Sheng’s grandfather, unwilling to submit, was beaten and gravely injured by the two lords, eager to establish their authority. Overcome with grief and anger, he soon passed away, followed swiftly by Lu Sheng’s grandmother. His mother, already frail, succumbed to sorrow upon hearing of her parents’ deaths; her old wounds flared up, and she wasted away.

Thus, Lu Sheng had always harbored ill feelings toward the two lords of Longmulberry Island, and the mere mention of the name stirred agitation in his heart.

“What do you mean, ruined your grandfather’s family? The second lord of Longmulberry Island is, technically speaking, your uncle by marriage!” Lu Hai replied, frowning.

Though Lu Hai himself felt deep dissatisfaction with the two island lords and nurtured hidden worries, he had no choice but to endure their ways, outmatched as he was. The martial strength of the two Grandmasters far exceeded that of Blackstone Island, especially since they seemed to possess formidable backgrounds.

“Uncle by marriage? Who knows if he even acknowledges it!” Lu Sheng muttered. His fourth aunt, Sang Fourth Lady, famed for her beauty and widowed young, had been taken as a concubine by Ma Buti, the second lord of Longmulberry Island. Thus, Lu Hai referred to Ma Buti as Lu Sheng’s uncle by marriage, but Lu Sheng, disdaining his aunt’s concubine status, did not accept the relationship.

“Regardless of acknowledgment, the connection exists,” Lu Hai said. He cautioned Lu Sheng, “The Sang family’s grievances must be borne by the Sang family. Your mother married into the Lu family and took our surname; she is one of us. By the rules of the martial world, unless the Sang family’s chief requests help, we cannot meddle in their affairs. To do so unbidden would only breed enmity between our families!”

“Sheng’er, you have now received the legacy and are the heir of the Lu clan of Bingzhou. Every action you take represents the whole family. We are still lying low; you must be cautious, never rashly involve yourself in martial world feuds or invite unnecessary trouble!”

“Yes, Father, I understand.” Lu Sheng calmed himself and replied. The rules of the martial world had endured for good reason. Not only did Lu Sheng have no intention of interfering in the Sang family’s vendetta, even if he wished to, he would abide by the rules, lest he unwittingly offend and invite needless consequences.

“That’s good,” Lu Hai nodded approvingly.

Still, Lu Hai worried that Lu Sheng might let his emotions get the better of him and cause trouble. So he instructed, “This business may be troublesome—otherwise, your Uncle Yanwu would not have asked me to leave seclusion. Stay home and continue receiving the legacy.”

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ve already memorized everything from the legacy stone. Besides, as heir to the Lu clan of Bingzhou, I won’t go looking for trouble,” Lu Sheng replied. When he first received the stone, he had his memory artifact record its contents, so he could truthfully say he had finished.

“Ha! You learn quickly!” Lu Hai said, pleasantly surprised.

He then considered that his son had grown more mature and was about to shoulder greater responsibilities. He ought to see more of the world. Thus, he instructed, “Don’t repeat these words outside. Later, go with Shi Qinhu and the others and observe how we receive guests. Remember the lesson from last time—always keep your wits, don’t invite trouble!”

“Yes, Father!” Lu Sheng responded. Together, they exited the secret chamber and hurried toward the dock.

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Blackstone Island lies upon the Eastern Sea, formed by volcanic eruptions, and named for the dark stones covering its terrain. The island is vast, spanning over fifteen hundred hectares, and once, thanks to the discovery of obsidian mines, boasted a population nearing ten thousand at its peak. A dock was established, and Blackstone Fortress rose upon its shore.

Yet the island’s resources are scant and life is inconvenient. Once the obsidian was exhausted, many returned to the mainland. Now, Blackstone Island’s population numbers barely two thousand, a mere speck among the islands of the Eastern Sea.

By contrast, Longmulberry Island is far more fortunate. Ages ago, a flood dragon scattered its blood upon the land, making the soil exceptionally fertile. Some species mutated, producing mulberry trees far superior to any elsewhere and a unique breed of mud dragon silkworms.

Thus, though Longmulberry Island is only five times larger than Blackstone Island, its population once soared past one hundred thousand at the height of its prosperity. It boasted more than a dozen villages and a walled city, standing as one of the most thriving islands in the Eastern Sea.

Now, the dragon’s blood has long faded, and mud dragon silkworms have been successfully bred on the mainland. The island’s former glory has waned. Yet thanks to generations of cultivation, its fields remain fertile, with sprawling mulberry groves and over a thousand hectares of farmland. These fields feed more than twenty thousand on Blackstone Island and supply dozens of neighboring islands with grain and vegetables. Blackstone Island, with its meager farmland, depends greatly on Longmulberry Island. Thus, the two islands often interact, with many intermarriages.

Today, Ma Buti, the second lord and Grandmaster of Longmulberry Island, has come to Blackstone Island by boat upon some matter.