The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1614 - 819_2

"That’s only natural!"

Assistant General Zhou said solemnly, "I will immediately order a thorough search of the hundred-mile radius of the sea, inspecting all suspicious ships!"

"Alive, we must see the person; dead, we must see the corpse!"

Saying this, he looked at Li Yan, "Young Hero Li, it’s thanks to you and yours that the pirates’ treacherous plans were uncovered, and their lair destroyed. Although the main villain escaped, we’ve clipped their wings and gained much - it’s a great achievement. Let the Qiantang Navy handle the pursuit."

"You are entrusted with an important mission by the Crown Prince, and it is urgent. Do not delay here."

"Alright!"

Li Yan nodded slightly and turned to look at Hai Qiao, clasped his fist and said, "Daoist friend, if you get any news, please send word to me."

Some words couldn’t be spoken openly, but Hai Qiao understood, "Brother Li, rest assured."

Saying goodbye to everyone, after a brief rest and resupply of fresh water, Li Yan and his party boarded the fast ship.

The sails unfurled with a sound like rushing water, and under the watchful eyes of the Qiantang Navy, they adjusted their course and sailed southward through the waves...

......

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, in the depths of the East Sea.

Vastly different from the fairly clear sky outside Daishan Island, this sea was shrouded in thick, lead-gray clouds.

Torrential rain poured down, and violent winds whipped up towering waves that crashed fiercely against the sea.

A medium-sized merchant ship flying the Jiangnan Business Association flag tossed violently in the raging waves, like a helpless leaf.

In the cabin, merchants and their attendants were pale and clung desperately to fixtures, continuously retching.

Experienced old sailors were on the deck frantically trying to control the ship, cursing this unexpected bout of foul weather.

Suddenly!

BOOM!!!

A deep, hellish rumble erupted from beneath the ship.

The entire merchant ship felt as if it had been struck by an invisible giant hammer, tilting sharply to one side, nearly overturning!

Several enormous, purple-black tentacles, studded with suckers and knobby tumors, burst from the churning sea without warning!

With an unstoppable, terrifying force, they wound tightly around the ship.

CRREEEEAAKKK~~

The tentacles tightened like massive tree trunks, and the ship groaned under the strain, the sound of wood splintering loud and clear.

"A... sea monster!!"

The sailors on deck screamed in terror, their cries piercing the air.

Before anyone on the ship could react, several shadows, aided by the cover of the looming waves and tentacles, leapt ghost-like onto the violently rocking deck.

Leading them was a man clad in a white robe and a tall black hat.

His face was covered in thick whiskers, and his expression was ferocious and grim, typical of a Japanese appearance.

Stranger still, his eyes were a shocking sea blue.

This was none other than "Chao Shengwan," leader of the Sea Demon Group.

The others also exhibited strange features, their bodies slick with slime, appearing somewhat disheveled.

Li Yan had underestimated their capabilities.

They had indeed raised a mutant sea monster, using the Breath Holding Technique to hide within its body.

The underwater tunnel was discovered by chance, with no exits along the way, yet, they managed to escape thousands of miles with the power of the sea monster.

Anyone in pursuit would suffocate unless they could find air midway.

This was their last-resort escape plan.

Chao Shengwan’s expression was as dark as storm clouds, ready to drip with rain.

Though he had escaped with his life, his long-established base was destroyed—an offense not easily swallowed.

"Take action, leave no one alive except the necessary sailors."

His voice was cold as ice, his eyes brimming with suppressed fury.

The slaughter began instantly amidst the stormy chaos!

Long Cang’s blade flashed like the grim reaper’s scythe, every flicker drawing a brilliant splash of blood, precisely slitting the throats of merchants and guards trying to resist or flee.

Andre moved like a graceful dancer, the Flintlock Short Gun roaring continuously.

The others acted similarly.

With their skills, they could easily control the entire ship, but now this was sheer venting of their anger.

The merchants’ pleas, the guards’ roars, and the sailors’ screams grew fainter amidst the deafening thunderstorm.

Blood mixed with rainwater, streaming freely on the tilting deck, only to be washed into the dark sea.

In less than a single incense stick’s time, the ship was left with only a dozen sailors, mindlessly navigating under the control of an Evil Skill.

Others, be they merchants, attendants, or guards, were entirely slaughtered!

The heavy scent of blood lingered even amidst the pouring rain.

Chao Shengwan stood at the bow amidst the carnage, letting the cold rain wash over his face.

"Your Highness, what shall we do next?"

The bladesman "Long Cang," his helmet masking half his face, asked in a deep voice.

Chao Shengwan took out a roll of Qin Bamboo from his bosom, opened it and looked at it for a few moments, then abruptly closed it and gazed towards the south.

"We are going to Lingnan!"

"To Lingnan?"

The others all looked puzzled.

Chao Shengwan gave a faint look, raised the bamboo slip, and said in a deep voice: "All these years, I have been contemplating Xu Fu’s Legacy."

"The location of the legendary ’Ying Mountain’ is now clear, but it’s dangerous there, and ordinary ships cannot approach."

"Rumor has it that the Great Xuan Royal Family’s ’Sea Stabilizing Night Light’ sank into the sea, as long as we find this item..."

"We can enter the legendary Immortal Mountain!"

"Ha Yi!"

Long Cang and the others responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with greed.

Chao Shengwan also breathed a sigh of relief.

With his foundation destroyed, he can only reveal this secret to continue controlling the crowd.

Originally, there was no need for this...

Thinking of this, he grew even angrier, suddenly turned around, and roared at the controlled sailors:

"Clear the deck! Change course!"

"Head towards Lingnan, full speed ahead!"

The hijacked cargo ship, under the numb operation of those sailors, adjusted its sails and sailed south.

Meanwhile, the giant tentacles slowly loosened their grip on the scarred cargo ship and sank into the sea, ghost-like, following behind...

.........

Following the "needle route" recorded in the Sea Needle Scripture, the ship passed Qi Tou Mountain and Shengluo Island, left the Shuangyu Port waters, and headed straight towards Putuo Mountain.

Putuo Mountain is a primary site of the Mystical Sect, and it also houses the Mazu Temple above.

Fishing boats passing by almost always land at the Mazu Temple to burn incense and pray for safety.

But Li Yan and the others had other important matters, so after resupplying fresh water and food, they continued swiftly southward.

Along the way, although the monsoon howled, and the tides were large, everyone saw many sights not present inland.

Beyond Mingzhou, the sea waves surged ominously, and the pirates were rampant, warranting extra vigilance from the watchful sailors...

At Panshiwei in Wenzhou, a major shipbuilding town of Great Xuan, the harbor was lined with Fuchuan and Guang Ship, stretching as far as the eye could see...

Entering Min Sea, the wind and waves increased.

The outline of the Ancient Citong Port in Quanzhou flashed through the telescope.

This once "Eastern First Great Port" may seem dwindling, yet the shadows of foreign merchant sails persist...

According to court policy, all along the way, ports required disembarkation for inspection, otherwise, there was trouble.

Even though this was a ship arranged by the Crown Prince, there was no exception...

After nearly ten days of sailing, they finally arrived at the entrance marked by the sea map, Buddha Hall Gate.

The place was narrow, like a giant beast with its mouth open, steep cliffs flanking the waterway on both sides.

The fast ship skillfully entered, and the currents here became turbulent...

Passing through Buddha Hall Gate, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a wide bay.

It was Tunmen Ao!

The place had deep water and a wide harbor, sheltered from the wind and waves, with the natural characteristics of a good harbor.

"Anchor!" With a shout from the bow, the heavy anchor sank into the azure sea with the clattering sound of chains.

The Sea Falcon Fast Ship was also firmly moored.

Li Yan stood on the deck watching, here was the future Hong Kong, and now only scattered makeshift huts dotted the shore.

On the sea, however, there were a series of wooden boats connected with planks, above which countless cabins were densely constructed.

Many men with bare backs, wearing coarse cloth pants and tanned skin, held fish spears, watching them warily.

Sha Lifei curiously asked: "Are these the Damen?"

"Hmm."

The bow spoke in a low voice: "Years ago, due to heavy exploitation by the government, the Damen revolted, though they were suppressed, many died, and they are very hostile towards court people. These years, due to pirate harassment, their lives are not easy either."

Everyone, stay on the ship, I will purchase some things from them, and we will leave immediately.

After speaking, he hurriedly got into a boat and disembarked.

From afar, he asked his attendant to deliver a pile of daily necessities and kept gesturing, clearly familiar with the Damen.

"I’ve heard it said that life for the Damen is tough..."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and shook his head, sighing: "With pirate harassment, their life must be even harder."

Sha Lifei chuckled: "Daoist, can someone be strangled to death by urine? They must have their own ways, look over there..."

Saying this, he pointed to the southeast corner.

There were a few strangely shaped, clearly Western Ocean people’s small boats, half-hidden behind the cape.

Upon seeing this, everyone knew they were smuggling ships...