Immortality and Cultivation: I can extract entries from all things.

Chapter 85 Envoy from Ironbone Island

A month later.

The afternoon sun was blazing at Qing'ao Island Wharf.

Fang He stood at the edge of the pier, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Behind him were Zhou Tieshan, Zhou Yuanhai, and a group of key figures from the Zhou family.

Unlike the solemn atmosphere when welcoming Ye Chen half a month ago, everyone's expressions were calm today, but with a hint of wariness.

A black ship sailed in, cutting through the waves.

The ship's hull was as black as ink, and its bow was carved with a ferocious beast head, which was the symbol of the Meng family of Ironbone Island.

The Meng family is renowned for its physical cultivation techniques, and its members are all physically powerful, making them quite famous in the surrounding seas.

"They're here."

Zhou Yuanhai said in a low voice.

The ship docks and the gangway is lowered.

A figure slowly walked out.

The middle-aged man in the gray robe had a refined appearance, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

It was Meng Changhai, the foreign affairs elder of the Meng family, with a cultivation level of the ninth level of Qi Refining.

"Clan Chief Zhou, I have long admired you."

Meng Changhai stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled broadly. "I have come to pay my respects on the orders of the clan chief."

"Elder Meng has come from afar, which is a great honor for the Zhou family."

Zhou Yuanhai returned the greeting with the same beaming smile.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Meng Changhai's gaze swept over everyone, lingering on Fang He for a moment.

"This must be Inspector Fang, right?"

His smile remained unchanged, but a hint of inquiry flashed in his eyes. "After the battle of Black Reef Island, Inspector Fang became famous throughout the border waters. I have heard of him long ago."

Fang He bowed respectfully: "Elder Meng, you flatter me. I was merely lucky."

"Just lucky?"

Meng Changhai chuckled, "Being able to survive Zhao Xuanting's clutches is not something that can be explained by mere luck."

His words, though seemingly flattering, actually contained a hidden probing.

Fang He's expression remained unchanged, but he was already on guard.

The fact that the Meng family knows so much about Black Reef Island clearly indicates that they have planted spies on Qing'ao Island.

"Elder Meng, please."

Zhou Yuanhai gestured, "A banquet has been prepared in the manor to welcome the elder."

"please."

Meng Changhai nodded and followed the others toward the Zhou family mansion.

Fang He followed beside Zhou Tieshan, his gaze subtly sweeping over Meng Changhai's back.

Fang He and Zhou Tieshan exchanged a glance.

Both of them realized that the Meng family's alliance was real, but so was the test of their strength.

The banquet has been prepared in the Zhou family council hall.

Zhou Yuanhai sat in the main seat, with Meng Changhai sitting beside him, and Zhou Tieshan, Fang He, and Zhou Xiaolan on either side.

"Elder Meng, please."

Zhou Yuanhai raised his glass. "This is a spirit wine brewed by the Zhou family. Although it is not as strong as the one from Ironbone Island, it has its own unique flavor."

"You're too kind, Clan Chief Zhou."

Meng Changhai raised his glass in return, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "Good wine."

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Meng Changhai put down his wine glass and changed the subject: "Clan Chief Zhou, I have come here to discuss an important matter."

"Please speak, Elder."

"In the past six months, the sea monsters around Ironbone Island have been behaving strangely, and my Meng family has lost more than ten members."

Meng Changhai's expression was solemn. "After investigation, we found that these sea beasts seem to be controlled by someone, and their methods are exactly the same as those used by the Dark Abyss Pavilion that your island encountered."

Zhou Yuanhai frowned slightly: "Elder Meng means that Dark Abyss Pavilion also has strongholds around Ironbone Island?"

"Exactly."

Meng Changhai nodded. "My clan patriarch believes that the Dark Abyss Pavilion is too powerful for one family or clan to contend with. Only if the Meng and Zhou families join forces can we overcome this difficult time."

The other party's words were sincere and did not seem to be fake.

But Fang He noticed a glint of shrewdness in Meng Changhai's eyes when he mentioned the word "join forces".

That's the look in a hunter's eyes when he looks at his prey.

Elder Meng is absolutely right.

Zhou Yuanhai pondered for a moment and said, "The Dark Abyss Pavilion is indeed our common enemy. I wonder how the Meng family plans to join forces?"

"Share intelligence, cooperate in defending against sea monsters, and jointly exterminate them when necessary."

Meng Changhai spoke eloquently, "In addition, my family patriarch has a suggestion..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone at the table before finally settling on Zhou Xiaolan.

"Speaking of which, my young master Meng Hao is twenty-eight years old this year. He is exceptionally intelligent and has already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining cultivation. He is still unmarried. How old is Miss Zhou?"

Zhou Yuanhai's expression changed slightly, then he chuckled and said, "My daughter is twenty-five this year..."

"She is in the prime of her life."

Meng Changhai smiled meaningfully, "If the two families can become even closer through marriage, this alliance will naturally be more solid."

A silence fell over the room.

Zhou Xiaolan put down her wine glass, her voice cold and clear: "Elder Meng, you are mistaken."

Meng Changhai raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Zhou Xiaolan looked firmly at Meng Changhai: "The alliance between the Zhou and Meng families is based on shared interests and mutual respect, not on our children's marriages. My life, Zhou Xiaolan's life, is not up to others to decide."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Fang He almost imperceptibly.

"If the Meng family is sincere in forming an alliance, the Zhou family welcomes it. If they have other motives, we regret that we will not participate."

Meng Changhai's face stiffened slightly.

He didn't expect Zhou Xiaolan to refuse on the spot, and to refuse so ruthlessly.

"You flatter me, young lady."

Meng Changhai quickly regained his smile, "I was just mentioning it casually, I had no other intention."

Zhou Yuanhai quickly smoothed things over: "I am a straightforward woman, Elder Meng, please don't take offense. The matter of marriage alliance... is of great importance and needs to be considered carefully."

"Of course, of course."

Meng Changhai nodded with a smile, but Fang He noticed a hint of displeasure flash in his eyes.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere was not as lively as before.

When Meng Changhai spoke of Meng Hao, his tone was filled with undisguised pride: "My young master has cultivated the Iron Bone Technique since childhood, and his physical body is so strong that few in his level can rival him. Last month, he fought a second-level sea beast alone and killed it with three punches."

"Young Master Meng is indeed valiant."

Zhou Yuanhai echoed.

Fang He listened quietly, already having made her own judgment.

The Meng family proposed a marriage alliance, ostensibly to solidify the alliance, but in reality, they wanted to use the marriage as a pretext to annex the Zhou family. As the young master of the Meng family, if Meng Hao were to marry Zhou Xiaolan, the Zhou family would inevitably become a vassal of the Meng family in the future.

Meng Changhai's pride in Meng Hao also shows that this young master has great ambitions.

After the banquet, Meng Changhai was arranged to rest in a guest room.

Fang He followed Zhou Tieshan to the side hall.

"Uncle Zhou."

Fang He said in a low voice, "The alliance with the Meng family is real, but the marriage proposal must be rejected."

Zhou Tieshan nodded: "I can also see that the Meng family has big ambitions."

"Not only that."

Fang He said in a deep voice, "Meng Changhai observed the Zhou family's defensive arrangements several times during the banquet, clearly assessing our strength. The Meng family seems to be here to form an alliance, but in reality, they are here to probe our strength. If the Zhou family shows signs of fatigue, the Meng family may very well take advantage of the situation."

A glint of light flashed in Zhou Tieshan's eyes: "You see things clearly, kid."

"The alliance should include a clause on 'non-interference in internal affairs' to prevent the Meng family from using the alliance as a pretext for annexation."

Fang He continued, "In addition, I suggest that I be sent as an envoy to Ironbone Island to investigate the Meng family's true strength and weaknesses in person."

"To Ironbone Island?"

"Exactly."

Fang He's gaze was firm. "Since the Meng family has come, my Zhou family should return the favor. I will go there in person so that I can find out the Meng family's background and let them know that the Zhou family is not a pushover."

Zhou Tieshan pondered for a moment, then looked at Fang He approvingly: "You kid, you see further than I do."

He patted Fang He on the shoulder: "Alright, I'll propose it to the clan leader tomorrow."

The following morning, Meng Changhai took his leave.

At the dock, Zhou Yuanhai, Zhou Tieshan, Fang He, and others came to see them off.

"Clan Chief Zhou, I await good news."

Before boarding the ship, Meng Changhai cupped his hands and said.

"Rest assured, Elder, the Zhou family will seriously consider this."

Zhou Yuanhai returned the gift.

Meng Changhai turned to board the ship, but suddenly stopped and looked back at Fang He.

"Inspector Fang"

"Is there anything else you require, Elder?"

Meng Changhai smiled meaningfully: "Inspector Fang is young, yet his insight is extraordinary. My young master enjoys associating with talented young people, and I hope Inspector Fang will not hesitate to offer his guidance."

Fang He felt a chill run down her spine.

These words, seemingly polite, were actually another form of probing.

Meng Hao's desire to "befriend" him is probably not that simple.

"I will certainly pay you a visit."

Fang He bowed respectfully, his expression unchanged.

Meng Changhai said no more and turned to board the ship.

The black ship cut through the waves and quickly disappeared at the horizon.

Fang He stood on the pier, gazing into the distance.

The Meng family, the Qingyuan Sect, the remnants of the Dark Abyss Pavilion...

The situation in the marginal waters is becoming increasingly complex.

But Fang He felt no fear.

Instead, he sensed an opportunity.