Chapter 798: Section 586: Acting Island Master of Twin Eyes Island!
Under normal circumstances, Hun Tong would have been displeased to be interrupted by Yan Yi like this.
But now, Hun Tong was more eager to bring Yan Yi to his side, to have him speak on his behalf.
Hun Tong patted Yan Yi’s shoulder, "You’re truly a worthy member of our kin, much more reliable than outsiders. You can speak candidly to me, and I find that comforting. I had not anticipated that Tan Mo would be so audaciously bold. Framing me, he’s taking a big risk as well."
Yan Yi said, "Given the situation, my lord, we still need to think about how to deal with the immediate crisis."
"I think, since you can’t provide enough Gold Coins, why not... just give up the Golden Shiny!"
Hun Tong’s face changed instantly, and he emphatically refused, "No! I just can’t give up the Golden Shiny that easily, not when I acquired it after much difficulty and at great cost."
"Don’t be scared by Tan Mo’s tactics, he’s just trying to intimidate me."
Yan Yi quickly tried to persuade, "My lord, Tan Mo has already made his move against you, he wants to take you away in custody. Are you still thinking of resisting?"
Hun Tong shook his head, "Of course, I won’t make a stand. If I resist, wouldn’t that fall right into Tan Mo’s trap? It would be tantamount to accepting the charge of treason and collusion."
"I will be a prisoner for a while!"
"I’ll endure some hardship until the Empire conducts another investigation."
"Tan Mo has made a colossal mistake by choosing a charge of treason for me! Such a grave accusation requires multiple investigations for confirmation according to the procedures of the Empire."
"I don’t believe Tan Mo can monopolize the sky, buying off all the subsequent investigators!"
Yan Yi said, "Why bother, my lord?"
"Being a prisoner, even if Tan Mo doesn’t kill you, he will certainly make you suffer, subjecting you to torture."
Hun Tong sneered, "What’s a bit of suffering to me? I’m innocent! Whatever difficulties Tan Mo causes me, I will repay him double in time!"
Yan Yi ceased persuading. Hun Tong was already hesitating, but this only made him more resolute.
Yan Yi continued, "My lord, we could consider another approach. Since you don’t want to sell the Golden Shiny, why not sign a contract with Tan Mo? Agree to a portion of Twin Eyes Island’s revenues for the coming years to be paid to Tan Mo at a set time each year."
"This way, you would be addressing your current difficulties with future earnings."
"Not only would you avoid captivity and severe torture, but you would also remain the Island Master, wouldn’t you?"
Hun Tong glared, "You want me to compromise?"
"The future earnings of Twin Eyes Island are so easily handed over?"
"What about future development? I’m short on money now; will I need even more in the future?"
"Besides, have I worked so hard to establish this base, only to have it profit Tan Mo?"
Yan Yi knew Hun Tong’s temperament all too well; such persuasion only fueled his anger.
Hun Tong said sternly, "Moreover, I am not alone. I have a family too! Tan Mo has connections; do you think I don’t? Do you think the multi-eyed family doesn’t have any?"
Yan Yi agreed, "Indeed, we have a family too. They won’t ignore us. As a member of the kin, Lord, I will do everything in my power; just command me. Shall I go send a message to the family now?"
However, Hun Tong extended a hand to stop him, "Wait, don’t be too hasty."
He was apprehensive.
If he could have asked his family for help, he would have done so long ago; why endure such torment once more?
In fact, the relationship between Hun Tong and the multi-eyed family wasn’t that harmonious.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken his people to the vast seas, fighting for a territory of his own from the Fishman Tribe.
If he could have easily sought help from his family, he wouldn’t have strived for independence, nor would he have preferred to collaborate with Yan Yi against the Fishman Tribe when confronting them.
Indeed, ever since Hun Tong had secured his foothold on Twin Eyes Island, the multi-eyed family had shown intent several times to come and reinforce him.
But Hun Tong had declined every time.
The reason was simple.
Such support and reinforcement from the family came at a cost.
With every acceptance and benefit, more members of the multi-eyed family would appear within his territory. These family members would obey his orders, but they were more loyal to the factions of their family behind them.
Over time, it would become unclear whether Twin Eyes Island was Hun Tong’s personal territory or that of the multi-eyed family.
This time was no different.
Why wouldn’t Hun Tong ask his family for help? Clearly, he had not retrieved any spoils of war, and he was in dire need of money.
Once he explained the true situation to his family, if the assistance they sent was too overwhelming, Hun Tong would have to pay a hefty price, losing a lot of his authority.
However, if he got through these tough times, Hun Tong’s future and prospects were bright. After all, his arch-nemesis, the Blue-Green Coral Fishman Tribe, had suffered heavy losses and had completely relocated.
Yan Yi’s direct mention of sending a message to the family was like a needle pricking the most sensitive part of Hun Tong’s heart.
He instinctively thought of a problem: "While I am escorted away from the island, Twin Eyes Island is in grave danger!"
"None of my subordinates have the talent to stand on their own; Twin Eyes Island is almost leaderless."
"Once the news of my being escorted away spreads, my family will surely intervene!"
"My enterprises, the foundation I’ve worked so hard to build, will fall into the hands of others."
"What should I do?"
Amidst the urgency, Hun Tong suddenly realized that even if he wasn’t afraid of Tan Mo’s frame-up, he was worried about his businesses. It would be a disaster if, after the Empire finished its investigation and cleared his name, he would return to Twin Eyes Island only to find his home had been stolen!
"I must find someone to act in my stead as Island Master."
"First, this person must be capable, able to stand on their own and stabilize things here."
"Second, they must be ’one of us,’ someone I can trust completely."
"Finally, this person must have leverage that I can hold in my hand. In short, I must be able to control them. We all know how quickly the intoxicating allure of high status can nourish the weeds of ambition within the human heart."
After some thought, Hun Tong’s gaze involuntarily settled on Yan Yi.
Wasn’t the man before him the ideal candidate to take up the acting role?
First off, Yan Yi’s talents were more than sufficient. He was the head of the Imperial Spy Organization in the region of Twin Eyes Island. Even if he wasn’t powerful on his own, he had a host of the Empire’s spies at his disposal.
Second, Yan Yi was a member of Hun Tong’s clan and had always cooperated with him. Though some of their dealings were tricky, it was all in pursuit of his own interests. It was only that matters had spiraled beyond his control.
And lastly, Yan Yi was weak! He was merely of Bronze Level, so even if he were to harbor other intentions in the future, could he, a man of Golden Level, not handle him?
With these thoughts, Hun Tong made his decision.
He grasped Yan Yi’s hand firmly: "Yan Yi, my clansman, I have an important task to entrust to you."
"My lord, please instruct me!" said Yan Yi.
Hun Tong spoke, "I’m entrusting you with the position of Island Master."
"Ah?!" Yan Yi was shocked.
Just as he was about to speak, Hun Tong gestured for him to be silent: "We’re running out of time, that dog Tan Mo has only given us five minutes, and it’s nearly up."
"I’ll be brief; before I leave, you are to take up the role of Acting Island Master."
"Don’t even think about refusing. You’ve worked with me for so long that you know my subordinates don’t have much talent. Not to mention, the chaotic battle with the Fishman’s assault has also cost us a number of good men."
"You are the most suitable candidate!"
"While acting as Island Master, stabilize the situation on the island. If the merchants start to cause trouble, push it all onto me. After all, I’m the one being escorted away, and it’s easier for them to exert their efforts to fish me out so I can compensate them for their losses."
"Be cautious of the family trying to send someone over. Twin Eyes Island is my territory! It’s troublesome to deal with family members who come here."
With that, Hun Tong clapped Yan Yi on the shoulder and said, "When I return, I’ll hand the position of Vice Island Master over to you!"
"The Imperial Spy Organization is not an easy place to be."
"Twin Eyes Island is your home, and in the future, I can even request a knighthood for your offspring from the Empire and allocate part of the territory for your own knight’s domain!"
"My lord!!" Yan Yi trembled slightly, completely moved by the bright future Hun Tong had laid out before him.
Yan Yi all but beat his chest in guarantee: "I will do everything in my power to steadfastly guard this place."
"Even if I have to die, or be assassinated, I will die at my post!"
Hun Tong frowned at this: "No, you can’t just die so readily. You are the Acting Island Master, after all. How about this, I’ll also give you the Golden Shiny."
"I’ll grant you certain authorities, allowing you to control the Golden Shiny."
"Normally, hide aboard the Golden Shiny, residing in the skies of Twin Eyes Island and strictly manage the personnel entering and exiting the ship. This will greatly ensure your safety!"
Yan Yi was overjoyed and praised Hun Tong’s arrangement as incredibly wise.
Half an hour later.
Twin Eyes Island dock.
Yan Yi and Tan Mo said their goodbyes.
Tan Mo looked deeply at Yan Yi: "Congratulations, with things turning out this way, you’re the biggest winner."
Yan Yi gave a wry smile: "Lord Tan Mo, it’s a win-win cooperation."
"I’m just a tool, a puppet hoisted by the combined forces of the merchant guilds and the great nobles behind me."
Tan Mo hummed coldly: "At least you’re aware of your situation, which shows you have some self-awareness."
He was still a bit resentful, after all, he had been used as a pawn this time around.
In the next moment, Yan Yi pulled out a piece of intelligence and handed it to Tan Mo: "Lord, I ask that you speak favorably of me in your report."
"This intelligence is about the location of the underwater spoils from the great turmoil on Twin Eyes Island."
"Lord, if you’re heading to Ice Sculpture Island to get these spoils, then you will be the ultimate winner."
"Oh? You’re thoughtful," Tan Mo’s stern expression melted away.
Yan Yi bowed deeply: "Then I wish you, my lord, a smooth and successful journey."