For a time, Prince Huo also wore a deeply troubled expression. He very much wanted to say that he would go back and discuss it with his royal brother. But what if Jiang Chen simply departed then and there?
If they transported these Ling Shi back, it was entirely possible that within ten days or half a month, enemies would come knocking. Bandits would set their sights on them.
This quantity of Ling Shi was already an astronomical figure. Once word got out, how many factions would be eyeing them covetously? A fat piece of meat like that — there was no way no one would be watching.
"Young Master Jiang Chen, this prince has thought it over carefully, and this is simply an unsolvable dilemma. I wonder if Young Master Jiang Chen has any good ideas? Please enlighten me." Prince Huo's attitude was exceedingly humble as he made his inquiry.
"Move the Ling Shi to Dongyan Island first." Jiang Chen waved his hand. "Whether it's yours or ours, these Ling Shi will only bring disaster if they go back to the Huichun Island Domain."
Prince Huo hesitated slightly — he was also worried that once they went to Dongyan Island, would the Ling Shi ever come back?
But he immediately realized that if Jiang Chen wanted to embezzle their half, there was absolutely no need to go through such an elaborate roundabout scheme. He could simply seize them outright, and what could anyone do about it?
This spirit vein had been wrested back from the Tianzhao Island Domain — it had absolutely nothing to do with their Huichun Island Domain.
At this thought, Prince Huo hastily spoke up: "We shall follow Young Master Jiang Chen's instructions. If Young Master Jiang Chen is fond of these Ling Shi, our Huichun Island Domain would be more than willing to offer them all as a gift."
Prince Huo was, after all, a man accustomed to dealing with significant matters. After weighing the situation carefully, he became even more convinced that these Ling Shi were a hot potato.
If he gave them to Young Master Jiang Chen, their loss would be limited to these stones alone.
If he refused to give them to Young Master Jiang Chen and brought these Ling Shi back, the future loss would very likely be the entire fortune of their Huichun Island Domain.
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile. "It's rare to have such sincerity from you all. These Ling Shi are truly timely assistance for this Young Master. Since that's the case, let's first move them back to Winter's End Island."
Prince Huo had meant his words as a probe, but he hadn't expected Jiang Chen to accept them without the slightest hesitation, taking them with a smile. Although bitterness welled in his heart, his expression remained brilliantly pleasant.
"Very well. We shall deliver them to Winter's End Island."
Seeing that Prince Huo could keep his composure so well, Jiang Chen felt a touch of surprise. He silently offered a word of approval.
Wave after wave of flying ships returned to Winter's End Island.
Lu Che and the others were overjoyed to see Young Master Jiang Chen return to the island domain. They were even more surprised to find that he had brought back a large number of prisoners with him.
Moreover, these prisoners were not unfamiliar to Lu Che and the others.
The middle-aged man surnamed Han was greatly surprised when he saw Lu Che and the others. "Grand Elder Lu? Aren't you the enforcement grand elders of Little Tang Island? How come..."
Lu Che replied with a stern expression, "Little Tang Island can go to hell. We've abandoned the dark and turned to the light — we now follow Young Master Jiang Chen."
The middle-aged man let out a dejected "oh." Comparing the two more carefully, Little Tang Island really was nothing. Could it even compare to the Young Master of the Eternal Sacred Land?
There was no comparison.
"Lu Che, keep a close watch on all of them. Wait for their people to come ransom them. If no one shows up within a month, they become slaves of Winter's End Island — at your disposal."
Jiang Chen issued the order in a calm, indifferent tone.
Lu Che was overjoyed. "Understood!"