The Venerable Monster Tamer – Chapter 163

Chapter 71: Rain Island Saintess Shui Ruolan

By Gu Zhenren
2013-02-09

“Immortal sister, give me a steamed bun to eat.”

“Oh, benevolent immortal maiden, my old man hasn’t eaten for a week. Please bestow a bowl of porridge.”

“Fairy Ruolan, my child has been ill for over a month. He’s only three years old, please save him.”

A group of ragged people, including the elderly, children, and women, surrounded Shui Ruolan, their voices filled with pleas and hopes.

“Everyone, please rest assured. The porridge stall is right here. Everyone, please form a line and receive your portions one by one. Everyone will get some, so please don’t worry. Young Master Yao, could you please accompany this aunt to see her child?” Shui Ruolan spoke gently, her voice soft yet resonating throughout this nameless village island.

The summoned Young Master Yao, adorned in a feather fan and silk robe, exuded an elegant demeanor. Upon hearing Shui Ruolan’s words, he was overjoyed. He gazed at Shui Ruolan with deep admiration and immediately pledged to do his utmost to treat the child.

“The Yao Family Island is a renowned medicinal herb family in the Archipelago. Young Master Yao, as the young island master of Yao Family Island, your medical skills are exceptional. I am confident that the illness will be cured immediately,” Shui Ruolan’s eyes twinkled like the moon as she smiled faintly.

Encouraged by her words, Young Master Yao humbly responded, but his face couldn’t hide his triumphant expression. He moved more than twice as fast and followed the anxious aunt.

“Humph, this Young Master Yao really thinks he’s something.”

“What can we do? None of us have his medical skills. His main Demonic Beasts are also Grand Demon level Hundred Medicinal Herbs. They are said to have a hundred types of medicinal properties and are among the best pill refining materials.”

“If I had known, I would have studied medicine. Seeing him so smug just now is really annoying.”

At the porridge stall, there was also a large group of young talents. They were either young island masters or sons of important officials. Each of them was exceptionally handsome and elegant. Looking at the villagers around them, who were disheveled and emaciated, they couldn’t hide their disgust. However, most of the time, when they looked at Shui Ruolan, their eyes were filled with deep admiration.

These men were all suitors of Shui Ruolan. If it weren’t for Shui Ruolan setting up a porridge stall here, they would never have set foot on this obscure, backward, impoverished, and war-torn small village island.

On this village island, there were low-roofed shacks everywhere, muddy roads, and stagnant pools. The villagers were all sallow and emaciated, their ribs clearly visible. The elderly moved slowly, and even the children drooped their heads listlessly.

Among them, Shui Ruolan stood out in a cloud-patterned water skirt, her skirt as white as snow. Her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, reaching her waist. Her eyes shone like morning stars, filled with a gentle aura.

Her skin was as smooth and delicate as jade, fine and lustrous like fat. She was like a white lotus flower, unstained by the mud. Her gentle smile and words exuded deep care and concern.

The group of suitors was once again mesmerized.

“She’s so beautiful…” someone even drooled.

“Not only is she beautiful, but she’s also so kind. Like the Saintesses of Rain Island throughout history, she carries a heart to save the world. It’s truly moving,” someone exclaimed with genuine admiration.

“More importantly, Rain Island holds a special position in the Archipelago, and it is governed by the Shui Family, one of the Five Ancient Clans. If one were to marry Shui Ruolan, it would be a blessing cultivated over eight lifetimes!”

“I heard that Fairy Ruolan is going to Shu Family Island.”

“Yes, I heard that too. The Fire Scroll has appeared. But in my opinion, a hundred Fire Scrolls are not worth one Fairy Ruolan!”

“The Fire Scroll is an ancient orthodoxy. Once it appears, all factions in the Archipelago will surely send delegations to pay homage. This is a tradition passed down through the ages, and even the Tie Family will do the same. It’s a perfect opportunity to travel with the fairy.”

“Hmph, do you think you’re the only one going? I’m going to Shu Family Island this time too!”

…

Shu Family Island.

“Shui Ruolan is also coming to pay homage to the Fire Scroll?” Chu Yun raised his eyebrows upon hearing this information during the council meeting in the hall.

“Who exactly is this Shui Ruolan?” Jin Bihan asked, her heart inexplicably tightening at Chu Yun’s reaction.

Old Red Spear, the veteran general Hong Xi, sat on his chair, stroking his white beard. “Shui Ruolan is a well-known young lady in our Archipelago. She is as beautiful as a celestial being, kind-hearted, and backed by the Shui Family. She is the current Saintess of Rain Island, possessing immense influence, especially among the younger generation.”

“How does she compare to Ning Yiyi?” Jin Bihan asked again.

Old Fish King replied, “Ning Yiyi is currently 16 years old (by age reckoning), while she is 18. As early as the age of 8, when she became the Saintess of Rain Island, she was already famous throughout the Archipelago. In the past 10 years, she has performed many good deeds, set up porridge stalls, organized medical teams, and often presided over mediation meetings to resolve disputes between island factions. Her influence is many times greater than Ning Yiyi’s.”

Qiao Laohouzi, who was next to them and had a lively personality, heard this and glanced at Chu Yun, making a joke: “I think this young lady is quite a good match for the Young Island Master. If we form an alliance with the Shui Family, two of the Five Ancient Clans will be on our side. Coupled with her influence, the path to dominating the Archipelago will be many times smoother.”

These words immediately lightened the somber atmosphere in the hall.

“Speaking of which, that is indeed true. My son should also get engaged now,” Shu Tianhao said suddenly, looking at Chu Yun.

At once, the three old generals burst into laughter, relying on their seniority to do so. As for Wu Datou and Wang Zelong, they dared not, suppressing their laughter with great effort.

“A beautiful woman is a desirable match for a gentleman,” Jin Bihan said with a forced smile. Turning to Chu Yun, she asked with a slight gritting of her teeth, “What are your thoughts, Brother Chu?”

“Shui Ruolan…” Chu Yun murmured, his face darkening. He suddenly snorted coldly, “This woman has great ambitions. The Saintesses of Rain Island throughout history have all been like this – hypocritical and not a suitable match.”

Everyone was slightly surprised, not understanding Chu Yun’s reasoning.

“What does Yan Que think?” Chu Yun changed the subject, offering no direct explanation, and instead asked Yan Que.

Yan Que knew Chu Yun was testing him again. He smiled faintly, stood up, and slowly walked to the center of the hall.

His demeanor was leisurely, having cultivated a steadfast and broad-minded presence. In the recent period, he had established himself as the strategist in everyone’s eyes. Even before he spoke, the hall had quieted down.

“There is a saying in the Archipelago: Rainbow in the east, rain in the west; Shu family men, Ning family women. In our Archipelago, the men of our Shu family are exceptionally valiant, and the women of the Ning family are known for their intelligence and beauty. Besides that, both Rainbow Island in the far east and Rain Island in the far west hold particularly special positions.”

Yan Que spoke calmly and unhurriedly, his tone carrying great persuasive power. He continued, “Rain Island is not simple. Under the Shui family’s leadership over the years, they have cultivated Saintesses generation after generation who actively participate in the struggle between factions through benevolent means. The Tie family has the largest influence over the sea in the Archipelago, while the Shui family has the highest reputation and the strongest influence. Weren’t the Saintesses of past generations always surrounded by admirers? The current Saintess is even more so, enjoying widespread support among the young talents.”

“Setting up porridge stalls, organizing medical teams, visiting village islands, mediating disputes, and so on – who would do these good deeds for no reason? One or two might be understandable, but every generation of Saintesses has done so, all at the behest of the Shui family. Are the Shui family, one of the Five Ancient Clans, truly benevolent individuals? If so, how could they have survived until now?”

Such a profound and easy-to-understand explanation instantly silenced the hall.

“As expected of Yan Que,” Chu Yun nodded inwardly, full of admiration.

All under heaven bustle about for gain; all under heaven are joyful for profit. The good deeds of the Shui family’s Saintess were merely means employed by her family for their own benefit.

His memories of his past life further confirmed this.

Shui Ruolan eventually married King Ning. King Ning was also of humble origins and, while his influence expanded rapidly, he lacked legitimacy. Shui Ruolan then presented the Water Scroll, instantly boosting King Ning’s reputation and eclipsing Tie Ao.

By aligning with King Ning’s faction, the Shui family also experienced explosive growth and immense profits. Shui family members held important positions in various departments. Some even commented that the Ning family had effectively become a shell for the Shui family. The Ning family’s own descendants, due to their lack of deep roots, were suppressed by the Shui family.

“My Shu family and the Ning family both rose rapidly from humble origins. King Ning made a mistake by fully accepting the Shui family, leading to a situation where the guest lorded over the host and the tail became too large to wag. His victory was stolen by the Shui family. This serves as a clear warning to me. Furthermore, the Shui family concealed the Water Scroll, keeping it secret. Yet, Shui Ruolan is coming here to pay homage to the Fire Scroll. It’s obvious she has ulterior motives. How could I possibly marry such a person?”

Chu Yun sneered inwardly. Although these reasons were difficult to articulate directly, he already harbored killing intent towards Shui Ruolan.

“The Shui family is hypocritical. On one hand, they establish the ‘Saintess’ as a symbol of chastity, and on the other, they secretly form the ‘Night Rain’ assassin organization to carry out assassinations and secretly disrupt the island’s situation. After the Shui family pledged allegiance to the Ning family, ‘Night Rain’ became one of King Ning’s most formidable weapons. This is true cunning and treachery. In comparison, the Ning family can be considered honest people. Humph, I must get a good look at this Shui Ruolan and see what kind of person she truly is.”

With memories from his past life, Chu Yun knew more secrets than ordinary people, allowing him to discern the situation and maintain control.

“Let’s not talk about these things. Let’s discuss what’s important. My son’s Sky Fox is about to face the Spirit Pressure Tribulation?” Shu Tianhao asked with concern. “You have the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill, so you don’t need to worry about insufficient spiritual energy. However, the Spirit Demon Tribulation of a Supreme grade Demonic Beast is not easy to overcome. Are you prepared? You can take whatever you need from the island’s treasury. Tell me now if you need anything else.”

“No need. I recently plundered Ning Family Island, so I have all sorts of supplies now. I also have plenty of Cultivation Methods that match them,” Chu Yun shook his head slowly. “However, I will need people to guard me during my Tribulation. This way, the Tie Family won’t be able to interfere.”

This was the benefit of having influence; having people to help was much safer than facing the Tribulation alone.

“My son’s Sky Fox’s Tribulation is of utmost importance. The Tie Family will have to stand down,” Shu Tianhao nodded.

“No need for that. The Hua Family is our ally. We can offer them some benefits to engage the Tie Family in their war, prolonging the conflict as much as possible,” Yan Que suggested, offering a good plan.

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Chu Yun agreed after hearing it.

“Indeed, let’s do that,” Shu Tianhao assented.