Chapter 1029: You Will Have Everything You Want

**Chapter 1019: Everything You Want Will Be Yours**

There were only two thin sheets of paper: one battle plan and one island development plan.

As Dong Rui had mentioned, the seventeen or eighteen drafts were indeed scrapped. He Lingchuan also noticed a smudge of ink at Wanqi Feng's mouth, likely from biting his pen while deep in thought.

The future of himself and his clan was indeed a heavy burden on his shoulders.

He Lingchuan picked up the two documents and scrutinized them word by word.

These two sheets of paper would determine the fate of hundreds of people. Wanqi Feng was momentarily restless, unconsciously pressing his hands against his trousers.

He had never been this nervous, not even when his tutor graded his papers as a child.

"I've finished," He Lingchuan said, putting down the papers. "It's written poorly."

This fellow's handwriting was surprisingly neat, and his choice of words was far more refined than Qiu Hu's.

Wanqi Feng's face fell. Was he about to be scolded again?

However, He Lingchuan's tone shifted: "But it's not without merit. Your island development plan has one or two usable points, and your ambition is considerable: suppressing bandits, expanding territory, and seeking domains abroad. Haha, do you still think my archipelago isn't enough for you to display your talents?"

"Your place is suitable for refuge," Wanqi Feng carefully chose his words. "But you... you don't seem like someone who avoids worldly affairs."

If He Lingchuan merely wished to live in peace and quiet, he would have simply killed Wanqi Feng and his nephew with two cuts when he caught them, rather than wasting so many words.

Island Master He values talent, which indicates his ambition.

How could a person with such a temperament be content with living in peace?

Wanqi Feng finally understood this last night.

"'Suppressing bandits and expanding territory'—these four words resonate deeply with me. It's rare for you to be able to write them. The underlying meaning of these four words is nothing but achieving great deeds, isn't it?"

It's rare for this young man to have also thought about outward development and expanding territory.

These two points aligned perfectly with his own thoughts. He Lingchuan was very satisfied. This time, he didn't have to act; Wanqi Feng had already envisioned the grand future, and quite comprehensively.

"These two plans barely pass. Have you decided where you'll take your clan to suppress bandits and expand territory in the future?"

He had promised Wanqi Feng that if his proposed plan was satisfactory, he would spare the Bailong people's lives.

"I've decided," Wanqi Feng said, his apprehension gone.

Instead, Dong Rui at the side looked displeased. If this young man took his clan and left the island without looking back, wouldn't He Lingchuan and he have wasted an entire night's effort?

"Oh?" He Lingchuan casually put away the plans and asked, "Where to?"

Thud! Wanqi Feng immediately knelt before He Lingchuan, his forehead resting on his hand, and declared loudly: "I, Wanqi Feng, hereby pledge allegiance to He Lingchuan as my master. I am willing to serve him like a dog or a horse, even sacrificing my life without hesitation. If I break this oath, may I be condemned by heaven, loathed by earth, and my soul never find peace after death, forever banished to the land of no return."

With that, he grasped the little finger of his left hand and snapped it with an audible crack.

This was considered making a blood oath.

Dong Rui was stunned. This young man had been hesitant all night; why was he so decisive now?

He Lingchuan, however, happily helped Wanqi Feng up, a broad smile on his face, and repeatedly said, "Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

"You've finally understood."

The Bailong people believed that 'Wu Xiang' (The Land of No Return) was a place of great terror, where souls would suffer torment for all eternity.

As He Lingchuan understood it, this was essentially cursing oneself to hell, making the oath very potent.

Wanqi Feng replied solemnly, "Yes. I, Wanqi Feng, was dull-witted; it took me most of the night to understand."

He Lingchuan's generosity towards these six hundred Bailong people was not without reason.

This reason was He Lingchuan's true objective, and the answer Wanqi Feng was supposed to provide.

"At the crucial moment, you finally made the right choice." He Lingchuan shifted his shoulder, and the Medicine Ape Lingguang immediately leaped over to tend to the wound on Wanqi Feng's left hand.

Setting the bone quickly and applying medicine would prevent any lingering effects.

Such an injury was nothing to a battle-hardened warrior. Wanqi Feng didn't even wince when Lingguang worked. "You are right," he said. "I possess martial arts but am unskilled in warfare, a disgrace to my clan's warriors and dependents. Therefore, I also long to stay and seek your guidance in the future!"

"I know what you want," He Lingchuan's first words struck a chord in his heart. "Follow me, and everything you desire will be yours."

Wanqi Feng hesitated, on the verge of speaking. Island Master He, of course, could easily see through him.

What he wanted was for his clan to live in peace and prosperity, no longer driven from place to place like stray dogs.

"People should have lofty ambitions. Once you've earned enough merits under my command, why should your clan continue to live under others' roofs?"

This... did these words mean...? Wanqi Feng's eyes lit up.

He Lingchuan smiled without speaking.

What you were going to give him far exceeded his initial expectations; that's what's truly called 'painting a grand vision.'

Wanqi Feng immediately declared, "I shall certainly follow my master with unwavering loyalty!"

Even Dong Rui, who lacked perception, could see his genuine sincerity.

He Lingchuan pointed to the carriage. "Get in. We're going to the warehouse to release your clan."

Since Wanqi Feng, their leader, had surrendered, the allegiance of the other Bailong people would not be an issue. Besides, did they have any better options?

The key to subduing Wanqi Feng this time lay in 'understanding'.

Aligning with an enlightened lord, rather than fighting alone, was the shortcut for the Bailong people.

But Wanqi Feng had to fully comprehend this himself to have intrinsic motivation.

His assignment of a "short essay" to this young man was precisely to make him think clearly and find a bright path for himself.

Dong Rui, meanwhile, waved at them. "I'm going back to catch up on sleep. I was exhausted last night."

"What effort did you exert last night to be so exhausted?" He Lingchuan scorned. "Weren't you just the driver?"

Just like the Xushan operation, this fellow simply drove the Snail Toad around.

Dong Rui's face stiffened. "You don't understand anything! I spent most of last night studying the Nine-Death Revival Herb, the avatar of Lord Musu. It was very insightful."

With that, he turned and slipped away.

He Lingchuan got into the carriage, first finding a comfortable position before speaking to Wanqi Feng: "Truth be told, if you work for me in the future and fail to prioritize matters again, the punishment won't be as light as it was this time."

Wanqi Feng replied earnestly, "I will heed your instructions!"

He Lingchuan sighed softly. "After the storm, bring all the families from the desolate village to the island. I see them there, sometimes fed, sometimes hungry, living an uneasy life."

Originally, Wanqi Feng and his nephew had temporarily settled their families elsewhere when they tried to seize the island, to prevent their weaknesses from being exploited.

Times had changed, and Wanqi Feng had nothing left to insist upon. He agreed again.

With all their families settled securely on the island, the Bailong people would work even more diligently for He Lingchuan.

He hesitated, on the verge of speaking.

He Lingchuan saw through him at a glance. "Speak."

Wanqi Feng noted his expression and chose his words carefully: "My elder uncle certainly committed an unforgivable offense by attacking you. But... but he wasn't always like this."

"Oh?" He Lingchuan gave him a chance to elaborate.

"When the old clan leader was alive, my uncle was often victorious under his command. He also cared for his clan members and promoted the younger generation. Even though he had a fiery temper, he was deeply respected by everyone."

(End of Chapter)