Chapter 489: Chapter 490: She even thought of an ultimate method.

“No, no, no, it’s not off the charts!” Qingzhu shook his head repeatedly, struggling to control the shock on his face.

Zhao Xiyan had said that he couldn’t mention anything about the charts when meeting Qi Yue.

“Why such a big reaction, could it really be off the charts?” Qi Yue’s expression became serious, staring intensely at Qingzhu.

“Tell me, is it so?!”

Luckily, Qingzhu had been Zhao Xiyan’s stand-in for three years and was adept at controlling facial expressions; his calm demeanor was now perfectly portrayed.

Under Qi Yue’s intense gaze, he managed to hold his ground.

“Master, my appearance isn’t “off the charts”; it was swept away by the waves.”

As he spoke, he bowed deeply again, performing an apologetic gesture.

“Master, the wave was fierce and swift. A plank rushed directly towards me, and I dodged it by moving sideways, which caused my appearance to be shattered by the plank. Please punish me, Master!”

This vivid narration completely dispelled the little doubt Qi Yue had.

After all, she couldn’t imagine that Zhao Xiyan had done his homework to make her leave.

Qingzhu was also lying under Zhao Xiyan’s orders.

The goal was to make her believe that although there was Sodium Element at the seabed, it wasn’t that severe yet; even if it exploded, it was entirely controllable!

“Oh, so we just have to wait for your master’s test results?!”

Qingzhu stepped forward, his expression respectful.

“Master, here’s the thing, the gauge was swept away on the return, so I’m aware of the test conditions. How about I tell you first, Master? When the Marquis returns, you can then investigate the specific values.”

Anxious waiting might as well be switched to another line of thought.

Thinking this, Qi Yue glanced at the sky outside the window, which was lighting up with lightning, and nodded.

“Then tell me!”

“Master, the gauge is indeed remarkable; it started to chirp as soon as it neared the Sodium Element area. However, the sound was moderate, and according to the method of identification you taught, the danger is only moderate.”

“Oh,” Qi Yue was slightly surprised.

“Does this mean that Song Gensheng has been busy for many years, yet hasn’t produced much Sodium Element?”

“Exactly,” Qingzhu agreed, “Based on what I’ve seen, Song Gensheng cannot accomplish any great feat, especially since he doesn’t possess the various mystical knowledge and powers that you have, Master.”

This flattery, though sycophantic, solidly hit the mark on Qi Yue’s forehead.

“Exactly, I feel the same,” Qi Yue couldn’t help but nod.

“Even if Song Gensheng finds someone extraordinary, who can help him refine the Sodium Element from the sea and place it properly, the quantity won’t be significant, as this material isn’t easily obtained.”

“Master, rest assured,” Qingzhu continued, “Now that the Marquis has greatly improved his skills, even without weapons, he needn’t fear Song Gensheng.”

Qi Yue nodded, then suddenly recalled something.

“Did you guys swim to Nanling then?”

“Oh…”

Qingzhu was relieved that he had passed so easily, but upon hearing this, it was nearly impossible to maintain his expression!

“Of course we went, Master in the front and I was guarding behind. We even saw the lights of the Pearl Field!”

Qi Yue nodded, then asked, “How was the situation over there; did the detector show any changes?!”

Recalling that situation, Qingzhu reduced the noise intensity by two-thirds and spoke carefully.

Having experienced the situation firsthand, this mixture of half-truths and half-fabrications was more convincing.

Qi Yue unconsciously believed him.

“Well, it seems that as long as we figure out a way to remove the items, the problem won’t be big.”

She had even thought of a perfect plan.

Using drugs to control Song Gensheng’s divers, making them work for her!

Firstly, since these divers placed the items, even if there were any clever mechanisms involved, they could navigate them well.

Secondly, these divers were very capable sailors; keeping them in Song Gensheng’s hands was ultimately a huge risk.

It was uncertain when they would emerge from Nanling.

After being fed that medicine, a person could only obey and live for ten days; after which, they would naturally die from suffocation.

She had rarely used this type of medicine, after all it was too sinister and could damage one’s moral integrity.

But since Song Gensheng dared to make a deadly move, she wouldn’t hesitate to use those Frogmen!

She would exploit their labor to the fullest!

The previous outfit, similar to a fish, got thoroughly disassembled by the little assistant Hoho, which surprisingly yielded an unexpected discovery.

It was now confirmed that the outfit was made from the skin of a large fish called ‘leather fish,’ sewn together with special threads.

The assistant extracted something from the outfit that allowed people to breathe underwater for a short period.

Although the effect wasn’t excellent, it could delay the need for breathing for a while, and together with that outfit, continuous operation underwater was not a problem.

One only needed to keep a few of these pills in their mouth before diving.

Whenever breathing became difficult and air was needed, one could bite into a pill, and immediately the body would receive oxygen.

However, there was a limit to these pills; one could only hold a maximum of five at a time.

But this was already quite good, not only saving five trips to surface for air but also adding up to a valuable Shichen.

Just as she was thinking, Qingzhu bowed suddenly.

“The Marquis has returned!”

His voice had not yet faded when the sound of falling leaves at the doorway arose.

Suddenly, a scent of cold fragrance drifted in, and a shadow like pine and bamboo floated over.

Qi Yue, delighted, hurried forward to greet him.

“Husband, you’re back?!”

Seeing this, Qingzhu tactfully withdrew.

As he turned around, he made a covert mouth shape towards Zhao Xiyan.

This was a meaning only known between them two–everything was proceeding according to plan!

Zhao Xiyan almost imperceptibly nodded, his stunning face instantly breaking into a smile.

“Yueyue, didn’t I tell you to rest early?”

As he spoke, he stretched out his arms and embraced Qi Yue’s slender waist.

“How could I sleep without you back?”

Qi Yue giggled, stretching her arms around his neck.

“Shall we go to sleep now?” Zhao Xiyan said, lowering his head to kiss her.

“Not just yet…” Qi Yue exclaimed softly, her small, pale hand covering Zhao Xiyan’s lips.

“Is there something you need to tell me?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiyan raised his eyebrows.

“How come that young man Qingzhu didn’t tell you?”

“Ha, calling him ‘young man’ when he’s much older than you!” Qi Yue playfully punched him, “Can’t I listen to you say it?”

“Of course you can, Yueyue can say anything. But let me catch my breath first…”

The man’s features were refined, and even in the dim night, his jade-like skin still glittered.

Qi Yue, captivated by his enticing eyes and the whispering in her ears, instantly collapsed weakly in Zhao Xiyan’s arms.

“You…”

Before she could speak, her lips were already sealed.

Qi Yue passively indulged in the man’s fiery tenderness, utterly powerless to resist.

The next second, her body was lifted into the air and was soon carried by Zhao Xiyan into the inner room and laid on the bed.