Chapter 67: Acting Separately; Miao Miao, Put That Down

“Second Young Lady, is that it over there?!”

As soon as the words fell, the ship that had just come into view quickly began moving in the opposite direction. This behavior made everyone even more certain that this was the vessel that had attacked the island yesterday.

Although there were not many identifying marks on this ship, all vessels currently belonging to the island flew the “Bai” family banner.

“Close in.”

“Yes!”

Bai Xi picked up a heavy bow and arrows from the side, holding them loosely at her side until the distance between the two ships narrowed.

Someone on their ship began shouting loudly, ordering the fleeing vessel to stop, but the ship continued to race forward at maximum speed.

Bai Xi waited no longer and directly drew her bow.

The heavy bow flexed, an arrow was notched, and as she released her grip, it shot out with immense force. It landed accurately on the other ship’s sail, embedding itself deeply into the mast.

Having fired one arrow, she immediately notched another.

The ship ahead came to an abrupt halt. The people standing on the deck fell to their knees one after another, not daring to make another move.

Only then did Bai Xi lower her hand and allow her ship to slowly approach.

“Was it you who attacked yesterday?”

The people on the deck remained prostrate and silent.

Bai Xi said nothing more. she simply ordered her men to jump onto the neighboring ship and tie everyone up. Whether it was a language barrier or some other reason, as long as they captured the people, everything else could be dealt with later.

And this was only the first ship.

Just as Bai Miao had predicted, these ships had not returned to their own country. Instead, they had been drifting at sea. Because the night had been so dark and they feared hitting hidden reefs if they moved recklessly, these vessels had not dared to travel too far last night.

Before long, all the ships that had fled yesterday were captured.

As for why they hadn’t spoken when Bai Xi questioned them, the reason was indeed simply a language barrier.

Upon returning to the island, these people were quickly interrogated by those who spoke their language, and the reason for the attack on the Bai Family island was extracted.

“Our island has a large cache of weapons?” Bai Miao was somewhat surprised when she heard the report from Bai Xi. “Do we? Second Sister?”

“How could you not know? You’ve been on the island longer than I have,” Bai Xi said, sitting across from her. “According to them, this news was spread by people in their country. They said our island received a large shipment of weapons from a neighboring nation, and it’s because we obtained these weapons that we’re able to trade all over the place. Of course, it wasn’t just about weapons. Their main goal in attacking us was still to seize the island’s various resources.”

“We don’t need to worry about the resources; the main issue is the weapons,” Bai Miao said, frowning slightly. “Second Sister, this sounds very much like the things we heard from the pirates a few years ago.”

“I thought of that too,” Bai Xi maintained a calm expression. “Miao Miao, I want to take some people to their country. I want to determine the specific source of this information. So many years have passed, and no matter what, we must find the people who forced us off the coast back then. But don’t worry, I won’t be reckless. I will act with caution.”

“But that is another country, after all.” Bai Miao was somewhat reluctant to agree.

“To us, any country is essentially the same,” Bai Xi said, looking at her. “Although we come from the Feng Kingdom, the current Feng Kingdom might not be a place we can return to with peace of mind. The people on this island come from all sorts of nations. If I take those people with me, we can completely disguise ourselves as citizens of that country. With someone as strong as me with them, they can feel bold enough to return.”

Bai Miao remained silent.

“Miao Miao…” Bai Xi drew out her sister’s name, trying to coax her into agreeing.

“Second Sister, are you comfortable leaving me alone on the island?” Bai Miao asked her.

“If you were only three or four, or even five or six, I certainly wouldn’t be. But you’re already eight years old,” Bai Xi gestured with her hand. “And you can already use the Flying Carpet. Leaving you on the island, if nothing else, I am very confident in your safety.”

Seeing that Bai Miao still didn’t speak, Bai Xi continued.

“There is one more piece of news. Among the people captured this time, someone revealed they once saw figures resembling Eldest Brother and Second Brother. Although it’s not certain, I want to go take a look. If I don’t go, and Eldest Uncle and his wife hear the news, they will definitely find a way to go see for themselves.”

“Then go!” Bai Miao said immediately.

“You’re letting me go just like that?” Bai Xi asked with a smile. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll be worried about you?”

“I… I’ve just never been separated from you all for so long,” Bai Miao pouted. “Second Sister is right. I’m already eight years old. It’s time for me to stand on my own. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine here by myself.”

“Really?” Bai Xi raised an eyebrow.

“Mm-hmm, no problem,” Bai Miao nodded again. “Just rest easy. I’m so smart and so strong. Even if someone comes, I can handle it. The important thing is to find Eldest Brother and Second Brother.”

The Eldest Brother and Second Brother they spoke of were the two sons of their Eldest Uncle. Back when they were still on the mainland, they were already quite old, so they had managed two separate ships. The two of them and their families were counted as one unit, one ship per family. After the incident occurred, they had all been separated.

As for Bai He’s side, she was with Second Uncle and the others. Even if they were drifting after an accident, they should be in the same place.

If Bai Xi could truly find traces of Eldest Brother and Second Brother this time, and Bai Yu could find traces of Bai He and the others, then the family would truly be reunited.

Bai Miao’s strength was not less than that of Bai Yu or Bai Xi; in fact, she was even stronger. At least from the perspective of Spiritual Qi and Magic Elements, the amount of both within Bai Miao’s body was greater. Therefore, she could barely manage to control the Flying Carpet, while Bai Yu and Bai Xi could not yet do so.

Furthermore, after managing the island for so many years, Bai Miao’s status as the “translation teacher” was incredibly high. Even if Bai Xi left, the people on the island would not fail to take her seriously. They would still respect her as the Third Young Lady and follow her orders.

The matter of searching for people could not wait. If they didn’t go now, it was very likely that Eldest Brother and Second Brother would disappear again.

After all, they were essentially undocumented residents in a foreign country. Since they weren’t very familiar with the sea, they couldn’t live by the coast. They were likely doing what they had done before, finding ways to live on the inland waters.

“Then I’m really going?”

“Go, Second Sister. You can trust me here, it’s no problem,” Bai Miao said again. “Everyone on the island can already perform their duties; it doesn’t require much management. Finding Eldest Brother and Second Brother is what matters. Worst case scenario, even if there’s trouble outside the island, so what? It would be the same as when Eldest Sister and you were here; we would just be besieged.”

“I know. I trust you here, I’m just a bit reluctant to leave you for so long,” Bai Xi opened her arms to hug her, speaking into her ear. “If there really is trouble, find a way to hide. This place doesn’t matter, you are what matters most, do you understand?”

“I know,” Bai Miao hugged her back, feeling helpless at Bai Xi’s sudden worry. “Did Second Sister forget? We still have a secret weapon. Even if someone lands on the island, it won’t be a problem.”

Bai Xi patted her head. “It’s best if we don’t have to use the secret weapon.”

The two sisters hugged for a while. Bai Xi remained determined to go find the families of the two brothers who had been missing for several years, and to inquire about the people who had forced them out to sea in the first place.

She could have taken Bai Miao with her, of course, but Bai Miao was already eight years old. Because she had eaten and lived well these past few years, she was even taller and sturdier than the ten-year-old Bai Xi had been.

Bai Xi hadn’t reached Bai Miao’s current height until she was twelve. If she hadn’t grown rapidly in the following two years, Bai Miao would have caught up to her.

Combined with the fact that Bai Miao was extremely intelligent, Bai Xi was completely at ease leaving her on the island.

Having decided to leave, Bai Xi quickly found a group of fishermen who originally belonged to that country and had them follow her off the island. These people already spoke the country’s language, and only by bringing them along could Bai Xi perfectly integrate into the local society.

With Bai Xi’s departure, peace returned to the island, and everything proceeded as usual.

Bai Miao had quite a lot to do on the island. Aside from her normal duties, she also needed to go to the new plane to collect rent.

As for the meat she collected, she took it to the Forest Plane.

Bai Miao truly knew how to use the Flying Carpet. Although it did not fly particularly fast, it was very stable in the sky, allowing her to reach her destination smoothly.

She did not appear directly in front of everyone. Instead, she stopped at a distance and then grabbed onto vines that had been tied to the trees long ago, using them for cover as she moved forward.

Because all three sisters possessed great strength, these vines allowed them to increase their speed without suffering any injuries, reaching their destination with ease.

Her landing point was the drying terrace of a house.

Bai Miao stood steadily on the terrace, looking down from the edge.

“Sister Lin.”

“Miao Miao,” Lin Yu looked up and saw Bai Miao appear. She waved at her excitedly. “Why did you come from above again?”

“It’s more convenient from up here,” Bai Miao said, squatting at the edge of the terrace and picking up a massive leather bundle in her arms. “We’re going to prepare a lot of meat today. Sister Lin, you and the others will be busy for a while.”

“How can preparing meat be considered a chore? Besides, we don’t have much to do here anyway,” Lin Yu said, pulling a basket over to the side. “Miao Miao, put the things in here.”

Because the three sisters always traveled from above, a basket had been specially placed on the side of the building specifically for hoisting items.

However, Bai Miao glanced at the basket and then weighed the bundle in her hands. She decided to stand up and obediently carried the items down the side stairs instead.

As she descended, the others emerged from wherever they had been, all looking at her with gentle smiles.

These people had all suffered terribly at the Pirate Stronghold. When they were first rescued, they had completely lost the will to live. Once they had recovered slightly, they began looking for ways to end their own lives.

The Pirate Stronghold was the source of their agony.

Left with no choice, the three sisters finally decided to move them all away. However, they didn’t bring them directly to the Forest Plane. Instead, they had them disembark at the Bai Family’s original island before bringing them here.

As expected, changing the environment helped. Living together with others who shared their plight, surrounded by chickens, ducks, and pigs to raise, and various vegetables and crops to plant, they gradually began to recover.

The only downside was that every time the three sisters visited, they felt the need to come out and meet them.

“Miao Miao, long time no see.”

“Miao Miao, have you been busy lately?”

“Miao Miao, the vegetables in the field have grown so much that we can’t finish them all. Why don’t you take some back with you?”

“Miao Miao, I made a piece of clothing for you. Would you like to try it on?”

Bai Miao smiled and replied to each of them in turn. “Long time no see,” “Everything has been great lately,” “I’ll take some of the vegetables, but let’s dry the rest into preserved greens so they’re easier to carry,” and “Sure! I get to wear new clothes again.”

“Miao Miao has grown taller.”

“Yes, I’ve grown a bit more than before.”