Chapter 1020: Repeated Defeats

Chapter 1010: Repeated Defeats (Bonus Chapter)

“I’m a fair person. Anyone who wants my life will pay the price.” He Lingchuan slowly squatted in front of Wanqifong. “So, who do you think should pay the price? Your elder uncle, or your several hundred loyal subordinates?”

With family on both sides, Wanqifong’s mind was in turmoil.

Dong Rui added another heavy blow from the side: “And there are hundreds of family members too.”

At these words, Wanqifong looked up in horror: “What did you say?”

The group of captives immediately erupted, like powder kegs ignited. Dozens of people jumped up on the spot, shouting: “What have you done to them!” “Don’t touch my wife and children!”

Min Tianxi and others kicked them hard in the back of their knees, forcing them back to their knees: “Kneel down, and stay down! Are you still trying to rebel?”

He Lingchuan glanced sideways, glaring fiercely at Dong Rui. Why bring that up? It’s not time yet, not time!

Dong Rui, realizing his slip of the tongue, rubbed his nose and remained silent.

Aunt Zhu’s voice echoed faintly in his ear: “Loose-lipped.” “…” He thought, *Is it enough if I just focus on myself now?*

“Your families are still safe and sound in the deserted village of Baisha County.” He Lingchuan projected his voice with internal energy, reaching every captive amidst the chaos. “As for whether they can continue to remain safe and sound—”

The captives exchanged glances, their hearts sinking. With their families in enemy hands, how could they not be hesitant? How did the news leak, and how did Island Master He know they were planning to rebel?

He Lingchuan slowly continued: “—that depends on your young master!”

Wanqifong’s cheeks twitched twice, and his jaw tightened.

Whose life should be spared? His elder uncle’s, or those of several hundred subordinates plus their families? He Lingchuan wanted him to choose one. The answer was obvious. Wanqifong knew he had no real choice. He didn’t even dare to look at Wanqisong’s face, hardening his heart to speak.

Just as he opened his mouth, He Lingchuan was half a second faster: “So, have you made your choice? Do you want your elder uncle to dig in my mine, or all six hundred-plus people and their families to go down the mine?”

“Dig…” Wanqifong choked immediately. “Mining? I… you didn’t say…” Having witnessed He Lingchuan’s brutal methods against Yu Zecheng and other Beijia people, he had assumed the choice would mean death, a horrific death. This sudden turn of good fortune was unbelievable to him. Could Island Master He be so, so lenient with his elder uncle?

“My mines are severely understaffed,” He Lingchuan said with a smile. “What else did you think it was?”

The hundreds of captives on the ground all had remarkable expressions. Indeed, Island Master He had only asked the young master to choose, and said someone must pay the price, but he hadn’t mentioned “execution” once.

Wanqifong immediately let out a long breath and quickly said, “I choose, I choose! Let my elder uncle go to the mine!”

Asking his elder uncle to die would have left him with a lasting burden. But with his elder uncle only being taken to the mine, his life spared, Wanqifong felt completely relieved.

Even though he knew He Lingchuan had misled him earlier, a surge of gratitude swelled in Wanqifong’s heart at that moment. Yes, gratitude. Gratitude that he wasn’t forced to make a life-or-death decision, wasn’t forced to betray his conscience. He and his uncle had clearly intended to take He Lingchuan’s life and seize his island, yet He Lingchuan was still willing to be lenient and spare his elder uncle. To repay a wrong with kindness was an unimaginable act of benevolence.

He Lingchuan gestured with two fingers towards Wanqisong, and Min Tianxi immediately had men put handcuffs and leg irons on him, then led him away for separate detention. Once the storm ceased and the islands were navigable, Wanqisong would be taken to the mines, where he would dig alongside the pirates of Sandaohai, under constant supervision.

Wanqisong glanced at his nephew, then at the Bailong people, and finally walked away dejectedly. His entire clan had abandoned him. From beginning to end, He Lingchuan hadn’t given him a chance to speak. This person no longer mattered.

“As you wish.” He Lingchuan rubbed his hands and said to Wanqifong, “Good, now let’s discuss the fate of these few hundred people.”

These few hundred Bailong people had only surrendered because they had no choice under Wanqifong’s leadership, but their resentment was clearly visible on their faces.

“Where do you plan to settle after leaving Yangshan Archipelago? Yaguo has already issued a severe warning: whoever takes you in will be punished. In this world, the victors rule and the losers suffer. If you had taken the archipelago, everything would be fine; but now you’ve lost, and you’ll return to the mainland disgraced. Tell me, who would dare to take in a group of outcasts like you?”

The Bailong people were speechless. They had tried to seize He Lingchuan’s island precisely because they couldn’t establish a foothold on the mainland. With this desperate gamble failed, everyone knew their future was bleak, with no light in sight.

“I kindly took you in, gave you shelter, and spared your families from hardship. And what was the result? After only a few days of full meals, you turned around and tried to harm and scheme against me?” He Lingchuan surveyed the crowd below. “Your deeds on my island will soon spread far and wide. By then, nations like Qing, Bailie, and Mou will all know that your Bailong clan is full of villains who repay kindness with enmity, and scheme for power and lives. Don’t you have other Bailong branches lingering in those places? Do you want them to be driven out, scorned, and guarded against everywhere? What will your clan leader, Wanqitong, think: ‘Good thing we drove them out, otherwise they would all be black sheep’?”

When dealing with the Wanqi uncle and nephew, he wouldn’t speak of kindness or evil from the outset, because it was pointless. But these Bailong people below were ordinary individuals. Ordinary people still distinguished between good and bad, had standards for right and wrong, and were willing to believe in what was correct. That’s why his words made them hang their heads in shame.

He sneered, “Mouguo’s Royal Preceptor is currently visiting Suoding Island and will return to Mouguo after the hurricane passes. Do you want to go with him? Do you think he’d want a group of shortsighted ‘warriors’ who have repeatedly failed?”

Most of the Bailong people were disheartened by his scolding, tears streaming down their faces and dripping onto the ground. Indeed, in this vast world, there was no place for them. However, the phrase “repeatedly failed” stung them deeply. A few Bailong individuals suddenly looked up, their faces showing defiance, but they couldn’t utter a word. Their bravery was renowned even in Yaguo; they would not accept that label.

He Lingchuan keenly perceived their indignation and sneered:

“Winning a thousand insignificant skirmishes means nothing; in a crucial battle, losing even once is irreversible. And you? You first lost to Yaguo in the Battle of Baining Pass, and tonight you lost to me. One was a battle of destiny, the other a battle for your future. You’ve lost twice in a row; all you have to show are defeats!”

The Battle of Baining Pass was a pivotal conflict between the Bailong clan and Yaguo. The Bailong’s defeat directly led to their expulsion from Yaguo’s borders and their scattering. He Lingchuan presented facts and reasoned arguments, leaving the Bailong people with no way to refute him. Yes, they had lost the crucial battles. Do warriors speak with words, or with victories?