Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 29 Pu Clan Head: Kill this brat!
"Apprenticeship?"

Wang Cheng's eyes lit up.

"I have drifted through half my life, and I only regret that I have not met a wise teacher. If you do not despise me, I am willing to become your disciple." I almost blurted out these words.

Pu Shouying's proposal not only solved his most pressing problem, but also provided him with an excellent opportunity to retaliate.

The other party wants to infiltrate Wufengqi and Hushipai to go public through a backdoor listing. If I could also infiltrate Pu Shouying's side and say "I borrowed the shell you borrowed" at the crucial moment, wouldn't that be wonderful?

It's the cycle of karma, and retribution is inevitable!
Whether this counts as a master-disciple swap is unknown, but if the plan goes smoothly, this cheap master's kidneys are definitely not going to be saved.

But when Wang Cheng saw Pu Shouying's smiling, kind eyes, he felt a chill run down his spine, and all his thoughts flew to Java:

"When the enemy is in the open and we are in the dark, it is certainly possible to take a risk."

But I ruined their plans twice in a row, and I've long since become an open secret.

Even if Pu Shouying didn't know that I already knew he was the mole, he would most likely consider me a potential enemy and would never let his guard down against me.

If I really dared to go with the other person, I'm afraid I wouldn't learn a single skill, and in a couple of days I'd accidentally drown or get into a dangerous situation.

No one would even suspect that it was this 'master' who did it to me.

The most valuable quality in a person is self-awareness. Once you agree, your life is truly in someone else's hands, and the risk is far too high.

Wang Cheng was not so naive as to mistake this ruthless character who commanded the Sea Demons to roam the East China Sea for a soft-hearted lamb.

In the blink of an eye, a decision was made:

"Reality is not a game; it won't unfold as you expect in the best-case scenario."

The moment I stood up for the Tanka people, I lost my chance to go undercover. But if I hadn't stood up, Pu Shouying wouldn't have invited me, so there was no need to worry about such a thing.

In short, you must not worship this 'master'!

But before he could refuse, Huang Yuanzhou laughed and patted him on the shoulder:

"My eyesight is far inferior to that of the treasure hunter, Pu Chuantou. I didn't realize that you had already lit the lamp of your heart."

Pu Chuantou rarely shows interest in taking on apprentices, so you'd better seize the opportunity.

The official title of "Treasure Hunter" comes from the third pentad of the Autumn Equinox, "Water begins to dry up." When the water dries up, treasures appear. They are the best at finding treasures in the sea, and each of them is a very wealthy man.

"By becoming a disciple of Pu Chuantou, half a year will be enough for you to reach the state of pure Yang in your life force, which will be just in time for the ritual to be performed to promote you to an official position."

Wang Cheng remained silent.

Thank you so much, Lao Huang!

Although she knew Huang Yuanzhou didn't mean it, his interruption made it hard for her to say the words of refusal.

Indeed, just like Xue Da, whom he killed a few days ago, was still thinking about joining the Mountain and Sea Society before his death. For a student who has already lit the lamp of the heart, nothing is more important than being ordained and listed in the ranks.

Given that Pu Shouying had status, money, and ability, and was also a big shot in the same camp, he couldn't think of any reason to refuse this "pie falling from the sky".

"Thank you very much."

Just as Wang Cheng was preparing to use a delaying tactic, agreeing first and then making an excuse to go back and pack his bags to make a quick getaway, he heard someone calling him again.

"Young man, your name is Wang Fugui?"

Looking back, I saw two more people silently appear behind me.

It turned out to be Elder Shen Yuting, the "Director of the Water Collection Cultivation Sect," and his disciple, who were looking at him with strange expressions.

Wang Cheng quickly cupped his hands in a salute:
"Elder Shen, I am Wang Fugui. May I ask what advice you may have for me?"

Shen Yuting pondered the name "Fugui" (meaning "wealth and honor"), recalling the incense burner that had been lit at the scene of the fisherman's disappearance that night. He gave him a meaningful look, then turned to look at Pu Shouying.

He said with a hint of pride:
"What a coincidence! I was delighted to see such a talented young man emerging from the Cai Shui lineage."

With the East China Sea in turmoil and chaos imminent, the Mountain and Sea Society is preparing to cultivate key members in anticipation of the future, and I think young man Fugui is quite suitable.

"Could you, Master Pu, be so kind as to part with this talented disciple and grant him the favor of the Mountain and Sea Society?"

He spoke with great confidence, as if no one in Yuegang would dare to contradict him as long as he spoke.

Pu Shouying's previously composed smile froze for a moment, and he had no choice but to clasp his hands in a fist and smile wryly:

"Mr. Shen, haven't you always been someone who doesn't concern yourself with worldly affairs?"

It can be said that one thing subdues another; Wang Cheng dared not refuse him directly, nor did he dare to refuse Shen Yuting to his face.

The seemingly emaciated old man before me is actually the "Director of the Water Collection Hall," a position within the Water Collection lineage, with the power to impeach officials of the thirty-six halls of the Water Collection Bureau. The Mountain and Sea Society behind him holds an even more prestigious position and has a distinguished background.

This sea is full of treasures, and even the legendary elixir of immortality exists. Even though the imperial court has banned the sea, many emperors throughout history have sent people to search for the elixir.

Among them, the largest fleet of treasure ships was sent by Emperor Taizong of this dynasty, which was dispatched seven times, with two hundred treasure ships each time, and tens of thousands of naval personnel and water collectors.

Navigation and positioning on the vast ocean, traversing the seas by starlight, and logistical support are by no means easy tasks.
Naturally, it was necessary to establish strongholds, beacon towers, and private ports to serve the large-scale navy. Emperor Taizong even issued a special edict to establish several isolated pacification commissions overseas.

The treasure ship fleet made seven voyages to the Western Ocean, which lasted for a full thirty years before finally being discontinued. Many officials, soldiers, and water collectors who served the court were stranded overseas.

Later generations dared not say that Emperor Taizong Wen led the way in violating the Taizu Emperor's maritime ban, and that he turned a blind eye to the descendants of those treasure ships who stayed abroad. These people thus became the only "legal" exception under the maritime ban policy.

When the maritime ban was reinstated and smuggling flourished, the logistical support and sales channels established by these treasure ship fleets not only did not decline, but instead became even more prosperous.

The descendants of the overseas treasure ships immediately banded together to establish the "Shan Hai Hui" (Mountain and Sea Association), which was not only a society but also aimed to promote the meeting of people from mountains and seas, to lift the ban on magic spells, and to cultivate the sea and fish.

Whether it was the imperial navy, the civilian armed merchants who traded with each other, or the pirates who plundered, they all inevitably had to deal with the local mountain and sea associations whenever they went to sea.

The punishment from Prince Jing is far away, but the coastal defense cannons of the Shanhai Association are right before our eyes.

Regardless of her stance, Pu Shouying did not want to offend them easily.

Old Shen waved his hand:

"You don't need to overthink it. I just took a liking to this young man." (cough cough)
The officials of the water conservancy bureaucracy were already in a weak position, and with the great changes they faced, they were even more divided. It was rare to find someone as young as Fu Gui who had a strong sense of public duty and a sense of ownership, and dared to stand up and speak out for the water conservancy bureaucracy.

This aligns perfectly with the philosophy of my Mountain and Sea Gathering; it's truly rare.

His words made Wang Cheng feel somewhat ashamed.

'If you really want to say that what I did was out of a sense of public duty and ownership, then you're not wrong.'

After all, I am determined to become the second generation of the water collector, the Sun, and no one is more selfless than me.

With both public and private interests aligned, the organization under our command could just be named "One Heart." *cough cough*

At this moment, Zheng Qian, the old man's apprentice who was following behind him, proudly explained to Wang Cheng:

“Brother Fugui, if you want to join the Water Gathering lineage, our Mountain and Sea Society is no less powerful than any other force.”

Scholarly families that passed down their knowledge of poetry and literature all had clan schools and clan lands to continuously replenish the family with new blood, and the Shan Hai Hui was no exception.

Anyone who can ignite their inner light before the age of thirty-five can be ordained and listed in the ranks by borrowing the talisman and altar of the Mountain and Sea Association, and they are free to come and go as they please.

After completing your studies, you can become a merchant, pirate, or naval officer.

"Just pay the money."

After hearing his explanation, Wang Cheng also realized that the Mountain and Sea Society was different from the normal lineage of Dharma transmission.

The root cause was that water collectors had to face the vast ocean, a place that had been feared throughout history, and the mortality rate was simply too high.

Furthermore, given the prohibition against mountains and seas and the lowly status, without sufficient new blood to replenish it, this lineage of cultivation will likely gradually perish within a few years.

The Mountain and Sea Society lowered the threshold for accepting disciples, breaking the monopoly of powerful clans and aristocratic families. This can be considered as opening a small door in the ascension of divine cultivation, and it is indeed out of a public-spirited intention.

Wang Cheng had only heard of the Shan Hai Hui before, but he really didn't know that the Shan Hai Hui had this kind of business.

It’s normal to think about it.

Prince Jinghai never intended for his son to continue as a water collector. The Wang family was already overwhelmed with their own skills, so of course they wouldn't introduce him to other avenues for apprenticeship.

A few days ago, I tried to plant flowers but they didn't bloom, but now, I've planted willows without thinking and they're thriving.

I originally wanted to get in touch with this "Director of the Imperial Household", and now he's conveniently saved me from a life-threatening crisis. How could I not seize the opportunity?
Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Wang Cheng didn't want to be too obvious, so he pretended to hesitate for a moment before cupping his hands in a respectful gesture to Pu Shouying:
"This junior thanks Coach Pu for his kindness."

But we've already broken ties with those government lackeys today, and countless important matters await your concern, Captain Pu. How could I, a junior, dare to delay your important affairs for my own private matters?

He then turned to Elder Shen and bowed deeply:
"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Shen. I am willing to become a disciple of the Mountain and Sea Society!"

The argument was reasonable and well-reasoned, and the party who accepted it nodded in approval, while the party who rejected it found it difficult to nitpick.

Pu Shouying was not annoyed by Wang Cheng's rejection; her face remained smiling throughout.
"It's alright. Congratulations to young master Fugui on finding a renowned master, and congratulations to the Shan Hai Society on gaining a fine disciple."

He then casually made an appointment with Huang Yuanzhou and Han Zechang to meet that evening to discuss important matters concerning the future of Yuegang. After saying goodbye to everyone, he turned and left.

Once out of Wang Cheng's sight, the captain of the large boat, Pu, smiled and said to his trusted confidant:

"I'll find someone to secretly kill this ungrateful brat later."

(End of this chapter)