Both Yong Peng and Xing Hui were stunned by this news. They had assumed the people pursuing Jiang Chen were merely from Winterend Island — they never expected it to be the Duowen Divine Kingdom.
A glance at Young Master Jiang, however, revealed that he seemed entirely unconcerned about being hunted by powerhouses of the Duowen Divine Kingdom. At the very least, nothing about his demeanor suggested he was a man on the run.
After a long pause, Yong Peng asked cautiously, "Young Master Jiang, that Duowen Divine Kingdom…"
"Three mid Celestial position powerhouses, hunting me down because I killed several of their geniuses. But I should have shaken them off by now. Oh, and whatever plans you have going forward, you'd best think them through carefully. I'll find a place to drop you off. Having you stay with me poses a risk to you both."
Jiang Chen had saved them on a mere whim, and he expected nothing in return.
Xing Hui thought for a moment, then spoke. "My daughter and I would like to find somewhere remote to live out the rest of our days. The Ten Great Divine Kingdoms — that's no place for people like us."
He knew his own limitations. With his meager strength, venturing into the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms would make him nothing more than cannon fodder.
Especially now that his daughter had grown into a young woman of striking beauty — she drew attention wherever she went. And so Xing Hui had decided to find a place where they could blend in and get by.
Yong Peng, meanwhile, had brought his entire family along. In the vast expanse of the Myriad Abyss Island, where they knew no one, his options were equally limited. In his heart, he wanted to develop in the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms, but without a single connection to vouch for him, gaining a foothold there would be extraordinarily difficult.
For the moment, Yong Peng was caught in a bind of indecision.
"In that case, shall I drop you off near Little Soup Island up ahead?" Jiang Chen offered.
Xing Hui considered it, then nodded. "That works. From Little Soup Island, it's easy enough to go elsewhere. And even if the Rejuvenation Island Domain sends pursuers, they won't reach this area anytime soon. People like us — they probably won't bother hunting us down."
Xing Hui smiled self-deprecatingly.
It wasn't false modesty. For all of Winterend Island, the Xing Hui father and daughter were nobodies — insignificant players on a grand stage.
The upheaval on Winterend Island had produced at least a million refugees, and more were still fleeing in a steady stream. Among them were countless fighters of considerable strength. No matter how powerful the Rejuvenation Island Domain was, they simply didn't have the manpower to chase down everyone.
Moreover, once people had scattered into the open sea, recapturing them was virtually impossible — a task beyond imagining.
It was like trying to catch fish in a small pond: easy enough when the pond was contained. But once those fish escaped into rivers, lakes, and oceans, they were gone for good. If the pursuers bothered to catch anyone at all, they would focus on the big fish. Why waste time and resources on small fry?
Besides, the exiles of Winterend Island bore no distinguishing marks. There was no trail to follow, no clue to exploit.
Though Xing Hui was deeply grateful to Jiang Chen, upon careful reflection, parting ways with this young master was perhaps the best choice for all involved. Tagging along with him would only drag him down.
And with mid Celestial position powerhouses from the Duowen Divine Kingdom on Jiang Chen's tail, staying close to him meant courting mortal danger.
When they were about two to three hundred li from Little Soup Island, Jiang Chen slowed his pace, preparing to leave them behind.
"Young Master Jiang, you've saved our lives twice now, and Xing Hui has no way to repay such a debt. I can only wish you smooth sailing from here on out."
Xing Tong had been feeling down ever since learning she would be separated from Jiang Chen at Little Soup Island. Now, at the moment of parting, her eyes were rimmed with red.
Her luminous gaze fixed on Jiang Chen as she fought back her tears.
"Brother Jiang, thank you. I'll never forget you for as long as I live."
For an innocent girl like Xing Tong, Jiang Chen's sudden appearance had saved her fate — saved both their fates, hers and her father's. He was like a prince on a white steed, a great hero imprinted upon her heart. At that age, when a young woman's imagination was at its most vivid and her heart at its purest, fantasies took root most easily.
And so, long ago, she had come to see Jiang Chen as an irreplaceable hero, a beloved elder brother.
Now, to part from this brother — with every likelihood that they would never meet again in this lifetime — how could she not feel lost, adrift, and heartbroken?
Jiang Chen smiled and offered some gentle words. "Sister Xing Tong, you've left Winterend Island behind. The world beyond is free now. You should be happy."
Xing Tong nodded obediently, a glimmer of hope still shining in her eyes as she asked, "Brother Jiang, will I ever have the chance to see you again?"
Ever again?
Jiang Chen let out a quiet sigh. He truly couldn't make any promises about the future. But looking into those pure, expectant eyes, he couldn't bring himself to give a cruel answer.
"If fate allows it, we'll certainly meet again."