The fairy forced me to marry into her family, so I retorted by throwing myself into the Pool of Fate

On the deck, the sea breeze was blowing.

Su Mei leaned against the railing, gazing blankly at the horizon where the sea met the sky.

Ruan Ling'er stood beside her, her fingers unconsciously touching a strand of hair, also remaining silent.

After the soul tablet was implanted, Su Mei couldn't sleep soundly at night for the first two days. She always felt that the soul tablet would be crushed at any moment, and she wouldn't even know how she died.

Ruan Ling'er often woke up from nightmares, clutching her sleeve and refusing to let go.

But several days passed and nothing happened.

Su Mei gradually came to her senses. Li Ping neither humiliated them nor pressed them for the secrets of the Giant Whale Gang.

They simply gave a plain and unassuming explanation, telling him to go to Pingyue Island.

The feeling of being treated so casually actually made her feel at ease.

What's even stranger is that, compared to my days in the Giant Whale Gang, I now feel an inexplicable sense of peace.

Back in the gang, I was ostensibly the manager of Wenxianglou, but secretly I was the head of the raiding and cultivation base. I had to deal with the Mu family's patrols and also guard against people in the gang stabbing me in the back. Those days were truly like licking blood off a knife's edge.

But now?

No more acting, no more guarding, and not even having to worry about what to do each day.

Although I lost my freedom, I felt more relaxed.

Su Mei curled her lips in self-deprecation, thinking to herself that she was probably just a coward; being a prisoner made her feel at ease.

"Sister, what are you thinking about?" Ruan Ling'er tilted her head to look at her.

Su Mei snapped out of her reverie and reached out to tidy her hair: "It's nothing, I just think the sea breeze feels really nice."

Ruan Ling'er blinked, nodded as if she understood, and then rested her head on her shoulder.

The two leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant horizon where the sea and sky met, and a faint sense of anticipation for the future began to stir in their hearts.

Just as I was lost in thought, a figure suddenly approached.

Su Mei caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye, turned her head, and her expression changed.

The man, dressed in a gray cloth short-sleeved shirt, had a pair of shrewd eyes that darted around, revealing a cunning air about him. He was none other than Zhou Dahai of the Giant Whale Gang.

"Why are you here?" Su Mei's eyes were icy, and her body involuntarily tensed up.

Zhou Dahai rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "Miss Su, what a coincidence."

Su Mei sneered, "This ship is only so big, and you're telling me it's a coincidence?"

Zhou Dahai gave an awkward smile, offering no explanation, and simply said in a low voice, "I would like to ask Madam Su for a favor."

A surge of anger welled up in Su Mei's heart.

Just when things were starting to look up, disaster struck. Suppressing her anger, she said coldly, "I've been implanted with a soul tablet and am now a prisoner. I can't help you. Go find someone else."

After saying that, she pulled Ruan Ling'er up and prepared to leave.

But Zhou Dahai stepped forward and blocked their way.

The fawning smile on his face vanished, and his expression became serious.

"In my eyes, you are still the all-powerful Lady Su, and this is a favor that only you can do, and you must do it."

Su Mei paused in her steps.

She stared at Zhou Dahai for a moment, and seeing his firm attitude, she realized he wasn't someone who could be easily dismissed, and sighed helplessly.

There are too many people and too many eyes on this ship; making a scene here won't benefit anyone.

"Come with me."

The three entered Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er's cabin. As soon as the door closed, Su Mei stopped hiding her true feelings and asked directly, "Zhou Dahai, why are you still bothering me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Dahai sighed, a bitter look on his face: "I was forced into this situation and had no other choice."

Su Mei, confused, frowned and asked, "What do you mean? What do you want me to do?"

Zhou Dahai paused for a moment, then raised his head and slowly said, "I would like to ask Madam Su to pass on a message: I... want to switch allegiance to the Mu family."

Upon hearing this, both women showed a surprised expression.

Su Mei blinked, stared at Zhou Dahai for a long while, and then said, "Are you serious?"

Zhou Dahai nodded emphatically and sighed, "Madam Su, you know my situation. With my wife and daughter by my side, and being a person without much ambition, I've long since given up on living in constant fear and anxiety for my family."

Su Mei remained silent.

She would never easily believe Zhou Dahai if he didn't mention his wife and daughter.

She knew the Giant Whale Gang's methods all too well; she had seen plenty of feigned surrender and spies planted within their ranks.

But when Zhou Dahai moved his wife and daughter out, the situation changed.

She had known this man for many years. Although he was usually smooth and worldly, he genuinely loved his wife and daughters.

Whenever I return from a sea voyage, I always make sure to go home first to bring my daughter some new gadgets.

If someone in the gang brings up his wife and daughters, he can turn on them on the spot.

Given Zhou Dahai's personality, he would never lie about his wife and daughters.

"Where are your wife and daughter now?" Su Mei asked.

"They're on the boat," Zhou Dahai said. "I brought them along too. If Madam Su doesn't believe me, she can go and see for herself."

Su Mei was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "I can pass on the message, but I can't guarantee it will work."

Seeing that she had relented, Zhou Dahai quickly cupped his hands and said, "I understand, of course."

"Furthermore," Su Mei said, staring into his eyes with a serious tone, "you should know the rules. Once you submit, the soul tablet is indispensable. Think it through carefully, or you'll regret it later and leave me in an awkward position."

Zhou Dahai said seriously, "I made preparations before I came."

Upon hearing this, Su Mei said no more, only nodding: "In that case, you shall come with us. When we arrive at our destination, I will write you a letter."

And so, Zhou Dahai and his family of three joined their ranks.

Zhou Dahai's wife, surnamed Tian, ​​was a woman in her thirties with a round, slightly plump face. She always smiled at people and seemed like a decent person.

The daughter's name was Zhou Xiaoyu. She was seven or eight years old and had two pigtails. She timidly hid behind her mother, her big, dark eyes darting around as she looked at Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er.

Ruan Ling'er noticed the little girl and went over to coax her into talking.

Before long, the two became acquainted, and Zhou Xiaoyu was no longer shy, chattering away with Ruan Ling'er.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the ferry arrived at Pingyue Island.

The group of five disembarked and walked along the pier toward the island.

Pingyue Island is much smaller than the island where Xikoufang Market is located. In the distance, a mountain peak rises abruptly from the side of the island, with clouds and mist swirling around its waist, and a path can be vaguely seen.

It was the time to harvest the tidal vines, and the islanders all went up the mountain to gather them.

Su Mei led the group around the island for most of the day, only to find that they had come up empty-handed.

"What should we do?" Zhou Dahai asked anxiously.

Su Mei wasn't flustered. Just as she was about to find a place to wait, she suddenly saw a person walking down the mountain path.

The man was wearing a gray robe, his face was slightly yellow, and he looked like he hadn't woken up yet.

Su Mei stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist, may I ask where the person in charge of the island is?"

The man stopped, sized Su Mei up, then glanced at the group behind her, and yawned: "Are you looking for Hong Xing?"

"Exactly."

"They're harvesting tidal vines on the mountain." The man pointed up the mountain. "Go up this path, turn east halfway up the mountain, and you'll find the people there."

Su Mei thanked him and was about to lead her people up the mountain when the man called out to her again, "Were you sent by Li Ping?"

Su Mei was taken aback: "Fellow Daoist, do you know Li Ping?"

The man nodded and casually said, "My name is Xie Yu. I was invited by Li Ping to refine pills."

Su Mei felt a chill run down her spine.

He originally thought that Pingyue Island was just a place where Li Ping casually settled them, but now it seems that things on the island are far more complicated than that.

Suppressing her doubts, Su Mei led the group up the mountain path.

Halfway up the mountain, turn east, and the view suddenly opens up before you.

Dozens of ordinary people were busy at work, some cutting vines, some binding them, some carrying things, and several cultivators were standing on high ground, patrolling back and forth.

Su Mei spotted Hong Xing at a glance.

The woman, dressed in a short blue shirt and with her hair tied up with a cloth, was standing on a large rock directing the crowd.

She had a loud voice; you could hear her from far away: "That bundle over there, tie it tighter, or I'll deduct your wages if it falls apart."

Su Mei stepped forward, cupped her hands, and asked, "Are you Fellow Daoist Hong Xing?"

Hong Xing turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Su Mei's face, then looking at Ruan Ling'er and Zhou Dahai's family behind her, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Who are you?"

"My name is Su Mei," Su Mei said. "Li Ping sent us."

Hong Xing's eyes flickered slightly. She jumped down from the large rock and took a few steps closer: "Do you have any proof?"

Su Mei took out a letter from her bosom and handed it over.

Hong Xing opened the letter and read it quickly.

The letter was indeed in Li Ping's handwriting, and it clearly stated that Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er were his newly recruited people, and he wanted them to be arranged to live permanently on the island.

After reading the letter, Hong Xing folded it neatly, put it in her bosom, and looked up.

The person is fine.

But as her gaze swept back and forth between Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er's faces several times, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

These two women were truly outstanding in appearance.

Su Mei was beautiful and charming, with a natural allure in every gesture.

Although Ruan Ling'er looks innocent, her beautiful appearance, coupled with her blue eyes, makes it impossible to look away.

The most crucial point is that both women are highly skilled in cultivation.

Su Mei was at the eighth level of Qi Refining, three minor realms higher than her, while Ruan Ling'er was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, roughly the same level as her.

A strange feeling welled up in Hong Xing's heart.

Ever since Li Ping planted her soul tablet and sent her to manage Pingyue Island, her mindset has quietly changed.

From initial trepidation and resentment to later acceptance of her fate, and now, she gradually feels that she is Li Ping's capable assistant, managing the affairs on the island for him.

She handled everything from harvesting the vines to scheduling workers and keeping accounts.

When Li Ping wasn't on the island, she was the person in charge, and all matters, big and small, had to go through her.

This feeling of being relied upon gave her a subtle sense of satisfaction.

But now, suddenly two women have arrived, more beautiful and more skilled than her.

Although he was a prisoner with a soul tablet implanted in him, who knows what would happen in the future?

What if Li Ping values ​​them more and entrusts them with the management of affairs on the island?

Upon realizing this, alarm bells rang in Hong Xing's mind.

She cleared her throat, straightened her back a bit, and glanced at Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er, saying calmly, "Since the young master arranged for you to come here, you will stay on the island from now on."

However, all matters on the island must be arranged by me.

If anyone breaks the rules, I won't show any leniency. Do you understand?

Su Mei looked at her like this, and she knew exactly what was going on.

Having served as the head steward of Wenxianglou for so long, she was skilled at reading people's expressions and moods.

Hong Xing was clearly feeling threatened when she saw two women who were superior to her in both appearance and cultivation.

This is an attempt to establish authority.

Su Mei found it amusing, but remained outwardly composed, obediently nodding, "Understood."

Ruan Ling'er nodded in agreement.

Seeing the two women's submissive attitude, Hong Xing couldn't help but feel smug: "No matter how high your cultivation level or how beautiful your appearance, once you're on Pingyue Island, you'll still have to listen to me, won't you?"

She nodded in satisfaction and immediately gave the order.

Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er were assigned to help harvest the Tide Vine.

Su Mei was fine; she had done all sorts of hard work when she was with the Giant Whale Gang.

Ruan Ling'er was a little unaccustomed to it, but with Su Mei by her side, she didn't feel tired.

Zhou Dahai's family was settled in an empty courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

Hong Xing made it clear that Zhou Dahai's matter could only be decided after Li Ping replied.

Before that, the family could stay there, but they were not allowed to move around freely.

Zhou Dahai nodded repeatedly and moved in with his wife and daughter.

At night, Zhou Dahai sat in the courtyard, watching his daughter sleep in his wife's arms, and let out a long sigh.

This step has been taken; what happens next depends on Li Ping's reply.

……

……

Inside a room in Xikou Market, Li Ping held a letter in his hand, his eyebrows slightly raised.

The letter was written by Hong Xing; it was a thick stack of letters.

The first half of the report described the arrival of Su Mei and the others, while the second half described the harvesting of the Tide Vine.

Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er have settled in, while Zhou Dahai's matter awaits his decision.

Li Ping was indeed somewhat surprised by Zhou Dahai's defection.

According to Su Mei, this person had a family to support and offered to have a soul tablet planted on him. Judging from his motives, he didn't seem like a spy planted in the field.

However, Li Ping didn't believe a word of those claims that he was "considering his wife and daughters and wanted to live a peaceful life."

He believed in the spirit tablet.

Once the soul tablet is implanted, your fate is in his hands, and no matter what you want to do, you can't overturn the situation.

Besides Zhou Dahai's matter, Hong Xingxin also mentioned another matter in her letter.

The harvest of *Ipomoea quamoclit* is nearing its end, with yields exceeding expectations by 20%.

Although the buyer was a newcomer, Hong Xing held firm to the price during the negotiation and was eager to sell, so the price wasn't too high, and she was able to sell it for a total of 1,500 spirit stones.

Li Ping mentally calculated that it was just enough to cover the expenses of the two items offered.

Although it wasn't much, it solved the immediate problem.

In addition, Hong Xing mentioned that Xie Yu had already figured out the formula for the beast pills, and the iron-spined whales raised on the island were now eating the newly formulated beast pills.

Li Ping nodded when he saw this.

Xie Yu was indeed quite skilled at alchemy.

After organizing his thoughts, Li Ping took out a piece of paper and began to reply.

The first thing was Zhou Dahai's spirit tablet. Li Ping asked Hong Xing to find Mu Yan and entrust the matter to him. Mu Yan was someone he trusted, reliable, and unlikely to make mistakes.

The second thing is Zhou Dahai's wife and daughter.

These two don't plant soul tablets, but we can't let them be idle either.

Li Ping asked Hong Xing to arrange some chores they could manage, such as planting vegetables, mending, tending the fire, and cooking.

In short, you can't just sit around doing nothing.

The third thing is encouragement. He said that everything on the island is hard work, and when he returns, he will treat everyone to a meal at the Relief House.

As for Hong Xing's explicit and implicit mention at the end of the letter that he should instruct Su Mei and the others to follow his arrangements, Li Ping ignored it.

It's not that I didn't see it, it's that I don't intend to care.

He could tell at a glance what Hong Xing was thinking; she was simply afraid that Su Mei and Ruan Ling'er would take her place.

But he doesn't need to get involved in this matter.

Firstly, some competition among subordinates is not a bad thing. If Hong Xing feels a sense of crisis, she will only work harder to perform.

Secondly, Su Mei is a shrewd woman. Having served as the manager of Wenxiang Tower for so long, she could easily handle Hong Xing.

Thirdly, if he were to speak up for Hong Xing, Su Mei would feel that he was deliberately suppressing her, so ignoring it would be the best course of action.

After finishing the letter, Li Ping sealed it and summoned a servant from the Mu family to deliver it to Pingyue Island.

Then, he sat down cross-legged on the futon again, closed his eyes and concentrated.

The spiritual energy within his body surged, and the vortex of energy in his dantian solidified even further.

At this rate, it won't be long before he breaks through to the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Only then will we have the confidence to eradicate the bandits and cultivators.