Chapter 1002: Intercepting the Spider Queen

The opportune moment was fleeting.

Yu Zecheng tapped his fingers on the tabletop a dozen times, then suddenly remembered his original intention: Originally, he had only planned to attack Zhu Erniang amidst the chaos. As long as the Bailong people tied down He Xiao and his guards, Beijia’s forces could make their move. What did He Xiao’s life or death have to do with it?

Now, the situation was looking excellent, so why was he hesitating?

Even if there were other unforeseen circumstances, the people he brought were strong enough. What kind of situation could they not handle?

If he missed tonight’s opportunity, when would he get another chance? He had been pursuing Zhu Erniang for over half a year and had even requested support from Lingxu City. Could he just stand by and watch her escape?

In a few days, he would have to send back a military report. How would he explain it to the Imperial Advisor? That he had remained idle, fearing the island master was faking his death, and thus missed Zhu Erniang?

Such a ridiculous excuse would surely be seen by his superiors as shirking responsibility, wouldn't it? Not to mention sending it to Imperial Advisor Shuangye, he couldn't even bring himself to write it.

“Attack!” Yu Zecheng finally commanded. “Intercept Zhu Erniang!”

***

Bailang Villa.

Wang Xingyi stood on the second floor of the study. When Fang Canran arrived, he saw his martial uncle gazing towards the pier, his hair slightly damp.

“Sordin Island is quite lively tonight,” Wang Xingyi remarked. No one could ignore the earlier explosion from the direction of the pier.

Fang Canran felt ashamed. “It seems we’ve arrived at an inconvenient time.”

“No, we’ve arrived at precisely the right time,” Wang Xingyi said, stroking his beard and smiling. “Sea voyages are usually dull; I thought this one would be no exception. Hmm, a hurricane, the Emperor's Dew, a riot—it’s rare to have so much excitement.”

Fang Canran was embarrassed; the Imperial Advisor's perspective was indeed different from his own.

He wondered if He Xiao could handle all this chaos tonight. The Imperial Advisor would certainly observe his performance tonight for an assessment.

Was he lucky or unlucky?

Just then, several crude shouts echoed from a distance:

“He Lingchuan is dead! He Lingchuan is dead! I killed him!”

“I killed him—I cut off his head!”

Aided by the strong wind, these shouts carried straight into Bailang Villa, reaching both their ears.

Wang Xingyi glanced at Fang Canran, a rare look of surprise on his face. “That quickly? He Xiao seemed to have just left the Hot Spring Villa.”

“This…” Fang Canran was also dumbfounded. “That can’t be, can it?!”

Someone capable of shattering the Xushan barrier, someone who escaped the combined pursuit of the Hundred Battles God and Imperial Advisor Qingyang, had his head cut off by rioters moments after leaving the Hot Spring Villa?

What kind of dark joke was this!

The killers were gloating, not appearing to be cunning or strategic.

If He Xiao were truly killed by such people, he would surely die with his eyes wide open, wouldn't he?

Wang Xingyi beckoned, and three guards appeared from behind him. He whispered a few words to them; the guards nodded in affirmation, changed into plain clothes, and hurried out of Bailang Villa.

Fang Canran knew that Imperial Advisor Wang had sent them out to gather information.

After all, they were guests here. If Sordin Island truly changed hands, the Imperial Advisor and his entourage of over a hundred people would also need to adapt to the sudden shift in circumstances.

Other guards began setting up formations and barriers within the villa, to guard against external enemies launching a sudden assault.

***

When the pier exploded, Wanqie Feng had already led his tribesmen past Lake Ding and continued southwest.

There were no windproof barriers on this part of the path, and cold, icy rain lashed haphazardly against their faces. The ground was slick, and road conditions were poor, so the Bailong warriors couldn't move quickly on such a night.

The sound of the explosion carried downwind to their location. Everyone turned back together, seeing a blazing fire and thick black smoke billowing from the direction of the pier.

“Why did the fighting start early?” Wanqie Feng, of course, knew the pier explosion was the signal for their side to act. He had even arranged for his subordinates to place those explosive barrels.

But the pier had exploded before the Emperor's Dew had even descended, which didn't align with the original plan.

His premonition had come true; this ambush was indeed full of variables.

His subordinate asked him, “Young Master, what should we do?”

Wanqie Feng gazed at the soaring flames, his mind torn.

After a long moment, he finally said, “Continue on our way, to the southwest beach!”

Since he had broken with his old uncle, he had only one goal:

To lead the Bailong tribe members away from this troubled place as quickly as possible.

However, not long after, another signal arrow soared into the sky from behind them, exploding into blue and red smoke.

The smoke didn't last long, as the wind was very strong.

But the Bailong team still saw it. “Young Master, Young Master, look!”

“No way, right?” Wanqie Feng stared at the direction from which the smoke rose—the Qingyun road section, where his old uncle had set up his ambush. “They actually succeeded?”

It was too far to hear Wanqie Song’s wild laughter, but he could understand the smoke’s meaning:

He Xiao had been taken down!

This sneak attack… succeeded? Wanqie Feng found it hard to believe.

Were his worries completely unnecessary?

The crucial question was, what now?

Rainwater dripped continuously from his chin. Wanqie Feng brushed his hand over his face twice, then finally made up his mind: “Everyone, turn around! Head to the pier!”

Between leaving the island and fighting, he still chose the latter.

He knew clearly that if he missed this opportunity, the winds and waves would become too strong later, and ships wouldn't be able to sail.

***

Eastern Sordin Island.

A dark shadow emerged from the fir forest, swinging down onto the cliff as if on a pendulum, intending to enter the main road from there.

It was a spider the size of a small hill, covered in sharp spikes.

This mountain road was also one of Sordin Island's main circum-island thoroughfares, connecting the northern pier to the eastern dockyard. Many houses lined the route, so it also benefited from the protection of the windproof barrier.

However, Sordin Island had previously announced that all residents were to remain indoors tonight, so the road was quiet, with not a soul in sight.

The Broodmother took two more steps, then suddenly stopped, saying in a deep, booming voice:

“Stop hiding. Come out.”

The surroundings remained silent.

The Broodmother was very patient, standing perfectly still.

Sure enough, a dozen figures emerged from the dense forest beside the mountain road. At their head was Ye Qing.

When Yu Zecheng gave the attack order, he had led his team to ambush here.

Zhu Erniang wanted to hurry to the eastern dockyard, and this was the quickest and most convenient route.

“Island Master He is dead! Zhu Erniang, surrender peacefully, and we won’t make things difficult for you—”

Before he could finish speaking, many cave spiders, varying in size, leaped from Zhu Erniang, surging towards the Beijia people like a tide.

Some sprayed silk, some spat acid, and some leaped seven or eight feet, heading straight for people’s faces.

The smaller ones were no bigger than coconuts but highly venomous. Whether sprayed or bitten, the wound would swell up like a steamed bun, filled with pus, and one could even hear a sloshing sound when it was shaken.

The larger ones were as big as calves, capable of grappling with people with their legs, and their shells were incredibly hard.

Zhu Erniang attacked without a word, giving them no time for surrender negotiations or pleasantries.