Chapter 29: In for a Penny, In for a Pound

Tong Jin said, "Hand me your Thunder Resonance Golden Cicadas so I can take a look."

Su Tan thought to himself that although this man was ugly, he seemed trustworthy. Without hesitation, he reached into his bosom and took out three motionless Thunder Resonance Golden Cicadas, handing them over to Tong Jin.

Su Tan was rather naive. If a stranger had asked him to hand over the poisonous ants, he certainly wouldn’t have been so forthcoming. Taking the three cicadas, Tong Jin placed them in his palm and examined them carefully. The three cicadas were roughly the same size, their bodies gleaming with a dull yellow metallic sheen. Unlike ordinary cicadas with delicate wings, these had wings resembling the hard exoskeleton of beetles, also a dark golden color.

At that moment, Su Tan was staring intently at Tong Jin’s hands. Tong Jin thought he was focused on the cicadas in his palm, but suddenly recalled that his pale, smooth hands did not match the age suggested by the mask he wore. With a cold snort, he said, “Curiosity won’t do you any good. Just remember I am a friend, not an enemy.”

Su Tan realized he had offended the man and silently scolded himself for his carelessness.

Seeing Su Tan lower his head, Tong Jin then theatrically brought the cicadas back to his eyes and murmured, “These Thunder Resonance Golden Cicadas rank tenth among exotic insects. Unlike others, their power lies in using sound to induce hallucinations. But their speed is too slow. When faced with my poisonous ants, they are paralyzed before they even get a chance to emit any sound.”

“You really have a wealth of experience, able to see through the abilities and weaknesses of these cicadas in an instant,” Su Tan said quickly, eager to flatter since Tong Jin had not minded his earlier gaze at his hands.

Tong Jin nodded in satisfaction, inwardly pleased—who doesn’t love flattery? Yet he feigned indifference and said, “Others might be at a loss for how to neutralize the poison of these corpse-immersed ants, but for this old man, it’s as easy as turning his hand over.”

“Then please, elder, act swiftly and save my three cicadas. I promise you a generous reward!” Su Tan pleaded.

“What kind of reward?” Tong Jin asked, somewhat tempted by the promise but immediately realizing this was inappropriate. Changing his tone, he said, “Do you think I’d help you just for your reward? I’m not that kind of person. Very well, I’ll save them—consider it a gift for our first meeting.”

Su Tan’s face lit up with joy. He thought to himself that this elder truly had a sense of justice, despite his rather unsightly appearance. Had Tong Jin known what Su Tan was thinking, he would have been both amused and exasperated. Throughout his life, everyone who met Tong Jin praised his handsome features; one mask had ruined his image so thoroughly.

At this moment, Tong Jin himself was uncertain. Although he knew the spiritual fruit in his blood had some resistance to the corpse-immersed ant’s poison, whether it would work was another matter. But since he had boasted, he could not back down now.

He then bit his finger lightly, letting a few drops of fresh blood well up. Tong Jin placed his bleeding fingers near the heads of the three cicadas, allowing the nearly lifeless insects to suckle the blood. This scene startled Su Tan greatly—could blood really neutralize the deadly poison of these ants?

Afterward, the three cicadas were not immediately returned to Su Tan but remained in Tong Jin’s palm for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Gradually, the cicadas revived and began to crawl slowly on his hand. Only then did Tong Jin hand them back to the amazed Su Tan.

“Just like that, the poison is gone?” Su Tan asked, his mouth agape and eyes wide with astonishment.

Tong Jin cast him an irritated glance. “What else did you expect?”

Su Tan almost wanted to slap himself, chastising his own lack of progress and his embarrassing behavior before this elder. He quickly shut his mouth, which had been open in shock, and coughed awkwardly. “...Please forgive me, elder. Your method is so miraculous that I was simply stunned and questioned out of surprise. Please do not be angry.”

Tong Jin chuckled inwardly. He thought this young man seemed about his age but acted like a newcomer to the world, likely having been raised in a large sect with little contact outside. Yet the young man was pure-hearted, of distinguished appearance, and had already achieved a modest level of Qi transformation at such a young age. He was someone worth befriending. Holding back his laughter, he said, “Very well, I wouldn’t be angry over something so trivial. Now that your cicadas are saved, tell me, what are your plans?”

Su Tan frowned. “To be honest, I went alone to scout the upper and lower water cities. I didn’t expect the Thunderclap Gang and the Qingtian Sect to act so quickly—they’ve already begun transporting weapons.” He looked at Tong Jin, prompting him to continue. “If I rush back to the Divine Rest Palace to report, those weapons will already be hidden and impossible to find. But…”

“But what?” Tong Jin’s hoarse voice cut in. He guessed what Su Tan was about to say and, coincidentally heading in the same direction, was willing to offer assistance.

“But I am alone and weak, no match for them. If elder would be willing to help…” Su Tan’s voice trailed off until it was barely audible.

“Enough. A real friend helps to the end. Since I’ve saved your Thunder Resonance Golden Cicadas, it’s only right I help you destroy those weapons,” Tong Jin said with a dramatic sigh.

Su Tan’s face lit up with delight. “You’re willing to help me, elder!” He then bowed deeply. “I will inform my master of your kindness. Whatever you wish, my master will surely grant it!”

Tong Jin smiled faintly. “Enough of that talk. Let’s first figure out how to handle the matter at hand.”

The massive wooden ship steadily sailed into a broad river basin, aided by a favorable wind. Tong Jin and Su Tan leaned casually against the ship’s rail, gazing up at the billowing white sails. “Elder, at this pace, we should reach the port of Holy Capital City before nightfall tomorrow,” Su Tan said.

Tong Jin whispered back, “Then let’s stick to the plan. Once the unrelated passengers disembark, we’ll act to sink the ship.”

Su Tan nodded with pursed lips. “I’m sure the Thunderclap Gang won’t dare openly salvage the ship within Holy Capital’s territory. That will give me enough time to return to the sect and report.”

Autumn had arrived; a brisk wind filled the sails and rippled the water’s surface. The great ship glided steadily across the wide river. Occasionally, a couple of ducks would dart out from the yellow-green reeds lining the shore, fluttering their wings close to the water in a wide circle before settling back down. Yet Tong Jin could not fully enjoy the refreshing autumn breeze, his face hidden behind the mask of false skin, a source of regret in his heart.

That night, the ship anchored in a quiet bay. Su Tan explained that they did not travel at night on this waterway. Everyone on board retired to their cabins, leaving the bright moonlight to shimmer on the gentle waves—a beauty unnoticed by most, except Tong Jin and Su Tan.

The two lay back on the deck. Su Tan produced two bottles of fine wine from somewhere. The elder and the younger man drank heartily beneath the moonlight, savoring the moment.