Section 35: A Honey Trap for Chu Yun
By Gu Zhenren
Author: Gu Zhenren
Date: 2013-02-09
“… At that time, our side was in fierce battle with the Shu Family Army. Suddenly, reinforcements from Shu Island arrived. They burned their warships, wrapped themselves in jade seaweed, and hung bronze bells from their waists. Seeing the enemy approach with flames and deafening bells, our side was greatly terrified and routed…”
“… The leader of the reinforcements, Chu Yun, charged towards the Crippled Wolf. While they were locked in combat, the Drunken Snow Saber suddenly recognized its master, unleashing a world-shattering saber energy. The Crippled Wolf was caught off guard and slain. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, my subordinates quietly retreated…”
“… Afterward, we learned that Chu Yun was exhausted after the battle and fell into a coma on his triumphant return. The remaining Shu forces were led by three veteran centurions who took charge of the battlefield, organizing it and gathering prisoners. That’s about the whole story…”
At this point, Bai Bei sighed deeply. He didn’t know if it was because his retreat had caused them to miss a great opportunity, or if it was a lament for Shu Tianhao’s survival and Chu Yun’s ferocity.
Currently, several old men, their faces etched with age but their eyes sharp, sat before him.
Bai Bei stood straight, showing great respect. He had just been reporting the course and outcome of the battle to these elders.
Bai Bei, the esteemed strategist of the Crippled Wolf Pirate Group, the second-in-command after the Crippled Wolf himself, was actually bowing in submission to these old men!
If this scene were revealed, how many people would be stunned speechless, their jaws dropping in shock?
Very few people in this world knew Bai Bei’s surname—Ning!
He was from Ning Family Island and loyal only to his clan. Years ago, he had been planted as a hidden pawn within the Crippled Wolf Pirate Group, lying in wait for decades. This fact was even unknown to the Crippled Wolf.
And these old men sitting before him now were the elders of Ning Family Island, the controllers of supreme power.
“A tiger father produces a dog son, but this Chu Yun, at such a young age, has accomplished such astonishing deeds. Just like the Fierce Tiger of Many Stars back then…” Amidst the silence, the Ning family patriarch spoke first.
“The fierce tiger has already become a sickly cat, and now another little tiger has appeared! Shu Island… Shu Island…” an elder lamented.
“This battle clearly had such a huge advantage, yet in the end, it was reversed. Alas, with this outcome, the Crippled Wolf Pirate Group is completely annihilated, Shu Tianhao is safe and sound, and our plan to seize Shu Island by the Ning Family Army cannot proceed.”
“Over the years, we, the Ning family, have secretly tried every means to erode Shu Island’s influence. To think that in the end, we have failed. We even lost the Crippled Wolf, an important pawn, which is a crushing defeat.”
“A mere pawn is lost and it’s lost. The key is that upon returning to Shu Island, Shu Tianhao publicly announced Chu Yun as his official heir, which was met with cheers and support from the entire army. With such a father and son, when will our Ning family’s expansion plan be realized?”
The elders discussed, their words filled with heaviness and anxiety.
“Indeed, it doesn’t matter if the Crippled Wolf is dead. Moreover, he seemed to have sensed something recently and even suspected his subordinates. Even if he had defeated the Shu Family Army, he would have died sooner or later. In comparison, the Shu father and son are the greater threat!” Bai Bei said with feeling.
This statement immediately drew nods from everyone present.
“Shu Tianhao is a man of courage and strategy. In recent years, he has also noticed the infiltration of our Ning Family Island’s influence. He has always tightly held the main authority. Ning Qishuang, that girl, is also cunning, but under his suppression, she has achieved almost nothing.”
Ning Qishuang was Shu夫人’s original name.
“Heroes often fall to beauty. However, Shu Tianhao is an exception, difficult to conquer. When Ning Qishuang married him back then, this old man disagreed. The Fierce Tiger of Many Stars is past the age of brash bravery. Now, although Ning Qishuang is the City Lord’s wife, she holds no real power. Recently, she has even lost those four Monster Tamer bodyguards,” an elder complained with some dissatisfaction.
The Ning family patriarch’s eyes suddenly lit up: “Shu Tianhao’s temperament had stabilized back then. However, now Chu Yun is full of vigor and is in his prime as a dashing young man!”
“Island Lord, you mean…”
The Ning family patriarch nodded, “Actually, Ning Qishuang was not a failure. Over the years, how many Ning family shops have we opened on Shu Island, and how much profit have we reaped? Everyone knows. This time, against Chu Yun, I intend to employ a honey trap again.”
The elders murmured amongst themselves, and after a moment of consideration, they all nodded.
“However, regarding the candidate…” an elder asked.
“Ning Yiyi, that child, is quite cunning and possesses great beauty. Since childhood, she has often captivated the boys around her. She is my granddaughter, and her loyalty to the family is beyond question. What do you all think?” the patriarch asked with a smile, looking around.
The crowd hesitated. After a moment, an elder carefully chose his words and spoke tactfully, “Ning Yiyi is indeed a good prospect. She has great potential as a Beast Tamer. To marry her off to that desolate Shu Island? Family Head, don’t you think it’s a waste?”
Someone immediately agreed, “Ning Yiyi, that child, was originally being groomed to be married into the Tie Family Island. Using her on Chu Yun now, doesn’t the Island Lord think it’s using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?”
Among the Archipelago, Ning Family Island was the wealthiest, and Shu Island was the most martial. However, in terms of overall strength, Tie Family Island firmly held the top position, with a strong military, a deep foundation, and a prosperous economy.
The Ning Island Lord slowly shook his head, “Don’t you patriarchs understand? If Ning Yiyi marries into the Tie Family, at best she will establish a foothold and become a matriarch. Like Ning Qishuang, she could help us open up the Tie Family Island market. But if she marries Chu Yun, with Ning Qishuang’s support, and if Chu Yun falls into her charms, the entire Shu Island will be ours. Then, we will have both wealth and the martial power of Shu Island. Who in the Archipelago will be able to resist us then?”
His words were clear, insightful, and struck to the heart of the matter.
The crowd fell silent. After a moment, someone spoke, “The Island Lord is wise.”
Then, others echoed the sentiment, their gazes towards the Ning Island Lord filled with admiration and respect. Faced with such a heavy defeat, only the Island Lord could remain calm, analyze the situation coolly, and devise such a brilliant strategy. He was indeed one of the few men in the Archipelago who could dominate the situation!
Bai Bei asked, “Then what should we do next?”
The Ning Island Lord smiled, “The Shu Family Army has achieved a hard-won victory against the Crippled Wolf Pirates. As in-laws, Ning Family Island will send慰问品 (condolence gifts), such as medicinal herbs, silks, and wine. At the same time, admiring the unparalleled heroism of the young lord of Shu, we will bring a proposal of marriage!”
…
Slowly opening his eyes, Chu Yun found himself in his simple yet familiar bedroom.
“This is my bedroom, why am I in Shu City?”
Chu Yun lay on the bed, his gaze a little hazy. But in an instant, his memories flooded back, making him understand everything that had happened.
“I’m ashamed. After saving my father, I had almost exhausted my spiritual power. I fainted on the way back, so they must have brought me here.”
Chu Yun’s mind was clear, and with a flash of inspiration, he figured out the truth.
A soft whimpering sound came from beside him, and then a furry, adorable little head peeked out. It was Sky Fox, who had remained by his side without leaving when he was unconscious.
Seeing its master awaken, Sky Fox’s eyes flashed. Its small body immediately pounced onto Chu Yun’s body, stretching out its warm, moist tongue to lick Chu Yun’s face, expressing its joy to its heart’s content.
“Little guy,” Chu Yun felt ticklish and quickly reached out to hold the mischievous little Sky Fox.
“Ah, Young Lord Chu Yun, you’re awake?” The door was pushed open, and a maidservant, full of energy and wit, exclaimed in surprise.
As Chu Yun struggled to sit up, he asked, “How is my godfather?”
“Young Master, please rest well. The Island Lord is fine and has specifically instructed this servant to take care of Young Master.”
“Hmph, I’m just exhausted, I don’t need to rest.” Chu Yun gritted his teeth and, despite his fatigue, managed to get out of bed and stand on the floor.
The closer he reached his limit, the more he had to resist the intense fatigue and strive to persevere. This would allow his body to break through its previous bottleneck, reaching another level in terms of physical strength, endurance, and explosive power.
As expected, after this effort, Chu Yun clearly felt a warm current surge through his body, and a new strength arose.
This was Sky Fox’s contribution. It was the spiritual energy it had fed back that caused Chu Yun’s physical fitness to break through.
“Wait, what did you just call me? Young Island Lord?” At this moment, Chu Yun finally reacted and looked intently at the maid.
His face was originally delicate, and with the enhancement of Sky Fox’s spiritual energy, he could now be considered handsome. Coupled with his heroic feat of saving his father, which had shaken the entire island, his image as a young hero had deeply resonated with the people.
Seeing Chu Yun look at her, the maid’s heart pounded. Blushing, she lowered her head. Her usual quick wit vanished, and she stammered, “Y-yes. After the Island Lord returned, he publicly announced that Young Master would be the Young Island Lord. The entire army was in an uproar, and not a single person objected. Everyone said that the Island Lord had an heir, that the Young Island Lord was a young hero, possessing the demeanor of the Island Lord.”
As she spoke, her voice trembled, and her bright eyes repeatedly glanced at Chu Yun, filled with shyness, curiosity, and admiration.
Chu Yun, however, was oblivious. His mind was racing, “I didn’t expect that by saving my father, I would also be designated as the heir of Shu Island ahead of time. No one objected? Heh, at least I know Madam Shu must be unhappy. But now that I have a foundation, she won’t be able to cause much trouble in a short time. I should see my father first…”
Since his rebirth, he hadn’t had a proper meeting with his godfather. The brief encounter on the battlefield didn’t count; it was too rushed and dangerous.
Thinking back now, it still seemed incredible that the notorious Crippled Wolf had died at his hands.
At that time, he had no confidence in winning. He only knew that if he had flinched, he would have been consumed by regret for the rest of his life. He absolutely could not stand by and watch; he had to give his all, trusting in fate after his efforts. He hadn’t expected to win.
This feeling was somewhat surreal.
Upon meeting Shu Tianhao in the reception hall, Chu Yun was surprised to find that Brother Dan, a scholar from Tiange Academy, was also present in the hall.
“Haha, my little qilin has arrived.” Seeing Chu Yun, Shu Tianhao’s face broke into an extremely pleased and satisfied smile.
“Father.” Chu Yun’s lips parted, a myriad of complex emotions churning within him. He opened his mouth, but only these two words came out.
“You’ve come at the right time. I have good news to tell you. But before that, you must accept something.” Shu Tianhao stood up and personally went back and forth, returning with a long, wide wooden box.
“What’s inside…” Chu Yun’s eyes lit up, a look of curiosity appearing on his face.
As soon as the wooden box was placed before Chu Yun, it began to tremble. It even let out sounds of calling, as if something inside was affectionately calling out to Chu Yun.
What was it? This call was so intimate and familiar, like little Sky Fox calling out to him.
