Chapter 52

(Please note: The book is about to be released on Monday, with over 200,000 words already written and many more in reserve. It is expected to go on sale around April 1st. This week, I hope to reach the recommendation or click-through charts, which will depend entirely on your support. This is a book that can make its fans laugh through tears, a book that is heroic, touching, and full of passion. I hope you will enjoy the world of "Heroic Journey" that I present. From now on, it's up to you. Let's embark on this journey together!)

Just then, Zhang Heng suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Minister, I know that every country should have some form of national bounty. For instance, I was born in the Hundred Herbs Kingdom, which has national bounties. For example, handing over any heavenly treasure to the state can earn you admission to the top three medical schools of the National Medical University, with twenty spots available. I wonder if the Sea Kingdom has any national bounties, and if so, whether any of them offer a large ship capable of crossing the Blue Sea as a reward?"

The fat minister looked at Zhang Heng with approval and then said to Hao Qi with a hint of regret, "Indeed, there are national bounties, and several of them offer large ships capable of crossing the Blue Sea as rewards, and these rewards are permanent. The ships will belong to you in the future. It seems, Mr. Hao Qi, that you are not interested in becoming a vassal of the Sea Kingdom?"

Hao Qi, pleasantly surprised, patted Zhang Heng on the shoulder and said, "Different paths, different choices. If it were just a matter of doing one or two things that don't violate my principles to get the ship, I would be fine with it. But to become a vassal of the Sea Kingdom and serve here for three years, that's something I truly cannot do. Could you, Mr. Minister, tell me which national bounties offer a ship capable of crossing the Blue Sea as a reward?"

The fat minister gestured to a red-haired, well-endowed secretary in a black skirt, who then retrieved a document from her briefcase. It seemed the minister had prepared the information on national bounties in advance, but he wanted to test Hao Qi first. If Hao Qi could become a vassal of the Sea Kingdom, that would be ideal. If not, he would reveal the national bounties.

"There are four national bounties that offer a permanent large ship capable of crossing the Blue Sea, all of which can protect against sea beasts. One is for the Hope Martial Group to establish a permanent base in the Sea Kingdom, with six months of the year spent here. This bounty is likely not feasible. Another is to obtain a high-grade heavenly treasure, the Ten Thousand Yin Pearl..."

"Wait a moment," Hao Qi interrupted, turning to Zhang Heng. "What is this Ten Thousand Yin Pearl?"

Zhang Heng thought for a moment and said, "I know about this. It is said to exist in extremely deep underground or sea trenches, at least 10,000 meters deep. At such depths, the environment is extremely hot and pressurized, but occasionally, there are extremely cold zones. In the center of these cold zones, a round, pitch-black pearl can be found. It is not a pearl produced by living organisms but a unique mineral that, under the high temperature and pressure of the underground, has been refined over millions of years into a rare heavenly treasure. It is said that placing this Ten Thousand Yin Pearl in a location can bring favorable weather and significantly reduce natural disasters. People living within its range will naturally have enhanced physical strength, and the rate of those developing internal energy will increase by more than 20%. It is a legendary treasure, likely only found in legends and ancient texts."

Hao Qi looked at the fat minister with a somewhat displeased expression and said, "Mr. Minister, that's not fair. Setting aside whether the Ten Thousand Yin Pearl exists, if I had it, do you think a permanent large ship would be enough to exchange for it? It's practically a divine artifact."

The fat minister was not embarrassed and continued to smile. "Of course not, but the reward for this bounty is a permanent fleet of thirty-seven large ships. The state will also grant a permanent residence for a noble family, essentially a state within a state, and provide a hundred years of tax exemption and other benefits. So, in terms of value, it's roughly equivalent."

Hao Qi's expression improved slightly, but he shook his head. "Let's skip this one. I can't complete it now. What's the next one?"

"The third national bounty is to obtain detailed information about the city of Mobi Mobi, including its population, size, technological level, cultural development, political structure, and demographic composition, as well as detailed methods of entry, or the sleeping location of the blue giant beast, Yamon Hadit, and its feeding routes when it awakens. This information can also be exchanged for a permanent large ship," the fat minister continued, reading from the document.

Hao Qi perked up and asked, "Do you believe Mobi Mobi exists? Do you believe the blue giant beast Yamon Hadit exists?"

The fat minister laughed. "Mr. Hao Qi, we are different from most people who live inland. The Sea Kingdom is founded on navigation and trade. The existence of Mobi Mobi and the blue giant beast Yamon Hadit is well-documented in our national history, with over a dozen ship logs confirming their existence. This is not a mere legend or a deception. Mobi Mobi is a real, dreamlike city, and Yamon Hadit is a real, ancient creature, far surpassing the levels of ferocity, madness, and savagery, classified as a brute!"

Hao Qi looked at Zhang Heng with delight, who smiled in response. Hao Qi couldn't help but laugh heartily and walk around excitedly before sitting back down. "I apologize, Mr. Minister, for my rudeness, but I am just so happy. I know Mobi Mobi must exist! Hahaha."

The fat minister was not surprised and watched Hao Qi laugh and vent for a while before he said, "One of my goals is indeed to visit Mobi Mobi, but the prerequisite is to find it, and to set out to find it, I need a large ship capable of crossing the Blue Sea. So, we're back to the problem. We probably can't complete this national bounty either. Mr. Minister, please continue with the last one."

The fat minister nodded and took out the last national bounty. "The last national bounty... I think this one is quite suitable for Mr. Hao Qi. This bounty... is to destroy the wanted martial group, Deep Blue Shadow!"

"This is a pirate group. Its leader and deputy leader are both at the Internal Energy Realm. They were originally from a prominent family in the Sea Kingdom, but the family attempted a coup to change the Sea Kingdom's political system into an imperial one. After their failure, the martial group hijacked three large ships capable of crossing the Blue Sea and sailed away. Since then, they have become a large pirate group in the Blue Sea, specifically targeting the Sea Kingdom's large ships crossing the Blue Sea and even raiding and massacring ordinary countries' ships near the coast. There are records indicating that the group was responsible for the massacre in the Thousand Mountains Empire in the northern Blue Sea two years ago, which resulted in the deaths or disappearances of 140,000 civilians. Intelligence suggests that the group may have found a hidden island in the Blue Sea where they keep their captives as slaves. This is a malignant tumor on the Blue Sea, a problem that has plagued us for thirty years."

The fat minister stood up and bowed solemnly. "Our national policy is clear. We cannot directly sell a large ship capable of crossing the Blue Sea to Mr. Hao Qi, and the other national bounties are likely beyond his reach. While there is some self-interest involved, I am here, by the order of the President of the Sea Kingdom, to request Mr. Hao Qi's assistance in destroying the Deep Blue Shadow, to avenge the hundreds of thousands of people who have been massacred, enslaved, and wrongfully killed, and to bring them justice!"

Hao Qi and Zhang Heng exchanged glances, seeing a determination in each other's eyes. They both nodded, and Hao Qi stood up and asked, "How do I find them, and how do I set sail?"

The fat minister remained in his bowing position. "We will arrange everything. Please board a merchant ship we have prepared discreetly. We will release enough information to attract the Deep Blue Shadow, and the ship will carry enough valuable goods to ensure they don't miss this opportunity. When the time comes, it will be Mr. Hao Qi's moment to end this evil."

"Another question, how can you be sure I will accept this task? And how can you be sure I can fight two Internal Energy Realm opponents alone?" Hao Qi asked again.

The fat minister paused for a moment but then said, "We are aware of Mr. Hao Qi's achievements in the Hundred Herbs Kingdom. While the two Internal Energy Realm opponents are formidable, they are not a match for Mr. Hao Qi. Moreover, Mr. Hao Qi is willing to fight for a stranger, so I believe you would not abandon the hundreds of thousands of innocent souls. Mr. Hao Qi, while this may seem selfish and like a moral coercion, please help us. The Deep Blue Shadow is very cautious. They are aware of any famous Internal Energy Realm martial artists setting sail, and even a single Internal Energy Realm martial artist would make them flee. Additionally, there are many informants of this group in our country. Mr. Hao Qi, having only recently gained fame, may not be widely known outside the eastern Blue Sea. Even if the Deep Blue Shadow knows of your existence, they likely do not know your appearance. Therefore, your chances of success are the greatest... and..."

"Perhaps this noble family had some grievances thirty years ago, but politics is never clean. Thirty years have passed, and the government has changed hands several times. The current administration has no connection to the events of thirty years ago. The wrongs and grievances of the past are unknown to us, but the wrongs of the past cannot justify the evil of the present. The hundreds of thousands of civilians are innocent, and those who will be captured, killed, or enslaved in the future are also innocent. Mr. Hao Qi... please accept this task."

The fat minister finished speaking and bowed deeply to Hao Qi.

Hao Qi slowly raised his hand and returned the bow, his expression solemn and serious.

"I accept this task. I will do my utmost to destroy this martial group. This is..."

"Promised!"

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