Chapter Twenty-Nine: Patriarch of the Pu Family—Kill That Boy for Me!

“Take you as my master?”

Wang Cheng’s eyes lit up.

He almost blurted out, “I’ve drifted half my life, always lamenting never meeting a true mentor. If you do not disdain me, I would gladly call you Master.”

Pu Shouying’s proposal not only resolved his most pressing predicament but also handed him a perfect chance for a counterattack.

The other party wished to infiltrate the Five Peaks Banner and the Mutual Market Faction by borrowing their shell; if he could likewise embed himself at Pu Shouying’s side, then at the critical moment, he could “borrow the borrowed shell”—wouldn’t that be delightful?

Indeed, the wheel of fortune turns; retribution is never missed!

Whether this would be considered a betrayal of his master, he could not say, but if the plan worked, this so-called “master” would certainly lose more than just his dignity.

Yet, when Wang Cheng caught sight of Pu Shouying’s kindly, smiling eyes, a chill ran down his spine, and all his schemes flew straight out of his mind.

“When the enemy is in the open and I am in the dark, I can afford to take risks. But I’ve foiled their plans twice already; I’m now a card clearly laid out on the table. Even if Pu Shouying doesn’t know I’m aware he’s a traitor, he likely sees me as a potential adversary and will never lower his guard. If I really dared follow him, I’d probably learn nothing and, in a few days, might just ‘accidentally’ drown or ‘misfire’… And no one would even suspect this ‘master’ was behind it.”

A wise man knows his own limits. Agreeing would mean putting his life squarely in another’s hands—too great a risk. Wang Cheng was not so naïve as to mistake such a ruthless character, who drove sea-spirits across the East Sea, for a gentle, soft-hearted lamb. In a flash, his mind was made up:

“Reality isn’t a game; things never unfold according to the best-case scenario. The moment I stood up for the waterfolk, I forfeited my chance to go undercover. But had I stayed silent, Pu Shouying would never have invited me. No use agonizing over what-ifs. In any case, I cannot take this man as my master!”

But before he could refuse, Huang Yuanzhou laughed heartily and clapped his shoulder.

“My eyes as a Whiteshore man are nothing compared to Pu, this master of treasures. I didn’t even notice you’d already kindled your heart-lamp. It’s rare for Captain Pu to want a disciple; you must seize the chance. ‘Treasure-Seekers’—that’s an official post tied to the Third Autumn Equinox Omen, ‘Water Begins to Dry.’ As the waters recede, treasures emerge. They’re famed for finding treasures at sea, and each one is a wealthy magnate. With Captain Pu as your master, half a year’s training would see your vital fire reach pure yang—a perfect time to hold the ceremony and be promoted.”

Wang Cheng was speechless.

Thank you so much, Old Huang!

Even knowing Huang Yuanzhou meant nothing by it, his interruption made it near impossible for Wang Cheng to refuse outright. Indeed, just as the recently deceased Xue Da, whom Huang had dispatched, was still dreaming of joining the Sea and Mountain Society before his death—for a disciple who has kindled the heart-lamp, nothing matters more than being initiated and advancing in rank.

What’s more, Pu Shouying had status, wealth, ability, and was a major figure in the same faction. Wang Cheng couldn’t think of a single reason to refuse such a “pie falling from the sky.”

“Well then… I thank you…”

As Wang Cheng was preparing to agree for now, then find an excuse to pack his things and slip away, another voice called out to him.

“Young man, are you called Wang Fugui?”

He turned to see two figures had appeared silently behind him: none other than Elder Shen Yuting, the Hall Officer of the Water-Collecting line, and his disciple, both regarding him with peculiar interest.

Wang Cheng quickly saluted.

“Elder Shen. I am indeed Wang Fugui. May I ask what guidance you have for me?”

Shen Yuting rolled the name “Fugui” on his tongue, recalling the incense stick burnt at the fisherman boss’s disappearance, and glanced at Wang Cheng with meaning before turning to Pu Shouying.

With a hint of pride, he said, “What a coincidence. Seeing such youthful talent emerge from the Water-Collecting line stirs the hunter’s spirit in this old man. The East Sea is unsettled, great chaos approaches, and the Sea and Mountain Society is likewise preparing to cultivate key pillars. I find young Fugui most suitable. Captain Pu, could you grant this old fellow a boon and let this fine disciple join the Sea and Mountain Society?”

As he spoke, his confidence was unshakable—as if his word alone carried unchallengeable weight in Yue Harbor.

The ever-composed smile on Pu Shouying’s face finally flickered, and he was forced to bow with a wry grin.

“Elder Shen, haven’t you always shunned worldly affairs?”

Every force has its counter; Wang Cheng might not dare refuse Pu Shouying, but Pu dared not cross Shen Yuting to his face.

This withered old man was, in fact, the Hall Officer of the Water-Collecting line, with authority to censure the thirty-six offices of the Water Division. The Sea and Mountain Society behind him held extraordinary status and lineage.

The treasures of the sea were countless—even legendary immortality elixirs were said to exist. Even though the imperial court prohibited contact with the sea, emperors through the ages had dispatched men to seek rare medicines. The fleet sent by the current dynasty’s Emperor Wen was the grandest—seven expeditions, two hundred ships each, and tens of thousands of sailors and water-collectors.

Navigating and supplying a fleet across the vast oceans was no simple feat. Bases, beacon towers, and private harbors were established to support the mighty navy; Emperor Wen even decreed several overseas commanderies for this purpose.

The treasure fleet’s seven expeditions spanned thirty years before being abandoned, and many sailors and water-collectors in imperial service remained overseas. Later generations dared not openly accuse Emperor Wen of violating the founder’s sea ban, so the descendants of the treasure fleet were tacitly ignored—becoming the only “legal” exception to maritime prohibition.

When the sea ban was reinstated and smuggling grew rampant, the support and distribution networks established by the treasure fleet did not wither, but only flourished. The descendants soon banded together to found the Sea and Mountain Society—not only a trade guild, but with the intent of bringing sea and mountain together, lifting curses and bans, and cultivating the sea.

Whether one was a naval officer, a merchant-adventurer, or a pirate, any voyage on the sea inevitably brought dealings with local chapters of the Sea and Mountain Society. The Prince of Jing’s power was remote; the Society’s shore batteries were at hand.

No matter his allegiance, Pu Shouying was in no position to offend them lightly.

Elder Shen waved a hand.

“There’s no need to overthink it. I simply find the lad to my liking. Cough, cough… The Water Division is weak enough as it is, and now faces chaos and division. Rarely do we find a youth like Fugui—so public-spirited, so courageous to speak for the Water-Collectors. That aligns perfectly with the Sea and Mountain Society’s ideals—very rare indeed.”

His words made Wang Cheng break out in a cold sweat.

‘If you insist I acted out of public spirit and a sense of duty, you wouldn’t be wrong. After all, I resolve to be the second sun for the Water-Collectors—no one could be more public-minded than me. All for one, one for all. In the future, my organization could just be called One Heart… cough.’

At this point, Elder Shen’s disciple, Zheng Qian, proudly explained to Wang Cheng, “Brother Fugui, if you wish to join the Water-Collectors, the Sea and Mountain Society is second to none. Just as the noble clans have family academies and lands to continuously nurture new blood, so too does our Society. Anyone who kindles the heart-lamp before age thirty-five can use our Society’s relics and altars to be initiated and ranked—without losing their freedom. Once you’ve mastered the arts, you can be a merchant, a pirate, a naval officer—anything you wish. All it takes is the membership fee…”

After hearing this, Wang Cheng realized why the Sea and Mountain Society differed from other lines of inheritance. The key reason was that Water-Collectors, when venturing to sea, faced the terrifying, deadly blue vastness that emperors themselves had dreaded for generations. Death rates were simply too high. With the added burden of imperial bans and low social status, the lineage would vanish within years without new blood. Thus, the Society lowered the bar for discipleship, broke the monopoly of the aristocratic clans, and opened a small gate in the upward climb of divine cultivation—truly an act of public spirit.

Wang Cheng had only ever heard of the Society; he’d never known they provided such opportunities. Not surprising. The Prince of Jing had never intended his son to be a Water-Collector; the Wang family’s own skills were more than enough, so no one had ever mentioned other paths to apprenticeship.

A few days ago, he’d sought a chance to plant his roots in vain; now, without trying, the willow had taken root and grown. He’d meant to connect with this Hall Officer—and now, by chance, Elder Shen had neatly rescued him from a deadly bind. How could he not seize this opportunity?

Seeing all eyes on him, Wang Cheng was careful not to appear too eager. He affected hesitation, then bowed to Pu Shouying.

“Many thanks for Captain Pu’s generous offer. But after our confrontation with the authorities today, countless matters now require your attention. How dare I, for my own selfish ends, delay your important business?”

He then turned to Elder Shen and bowed deeply.

“I am honored by Elder Shen’s regard and would gladly join the Sea and Mountain Society as a disciple!”

His words were measured and proper—those who gained were quietly pleased; those who lost could not fault him.

Pu Shouying did not take offense at being refused, but smiled serenely.

“No matter. Congratulations to young Fugui for finding a worthy master, and to the Sea and Mountain Society for gaining a fine disciple.”

He then casually arranged with Huang Yuanzhou and Han Zechang to meet that evening regarding the future of Yue Harbor, bid farewell to the group, and took his leave.

Once out of sight of Wang Cheng and the others, the great Captain Pu turned to his confidant with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

“Find someone to quietly get rid of that ungrateful brat for me.”