Chapter 1035: Loss

**Chapter 1025: Losses**

In front of a figure like Master Wang, a single misspoken word could expose his strategic intentions.

The Mirror scoffed, "Even if you don't mention it, do you think he wouldn't guess your ambitious nature? You've already established yourself here!"

"True, what needs to be known will eventually be known. I'll take Master Wang's warning to heart and, at least for the next year or so, I'll show him respect," He Lingchuan said, a faint smile suddenly gracing his lips. "After all, he helped me immensely."

The Mirror chirped happily, "Indeed! With just one word from him, he's brought you so much business. You'll have enough money to collect just by sitting back!"

The more the Angels' Blessing Islands grew and prospered, the fuller He Lingchuan's coffers would become, the stronger his army would grow, and the more solid his foundation would be. Not to mention, he also received several magical artifacts for free from Master Wang.

"Business?" He Lingchuan chuckled. "Business is just a bonus! With Master Wang's intervention, my game with Master Shuangye will be much easier to play!"

"Huh?" The Mirror grew even more perplexed. "You're playing chess with Master Shuangye? When did that start?"

"It began when Yu Zecheng visited me on the island, and when he colluded with the Bailongs to scheme against me and Zhu Erniang," He Lingchuan explained slowly. "Why do you think I've been planning ten steps ahead for every single move these past few days, exercising such careful control? Was it just for two low-level battles? Am I incapable of dealing with the Bailongs, or with Yu Zecheng?"

"The battle itself isn't the problem; the issue lies in its consequences," He Lingchuan sighed. "Gods fear the cause, while mortals fear the outcome. If I sow an ill cause but wish to reap a good outcome, I must exert much more thought."

"What does that have to do with playing chess?"

"Yu Zecheng pushed the Bailongs forward as pawns, thinking he was the player," He Lingchuan stretched his legs onto a bamboo stool, adopting a more comfortable posture. "He didn't realize that in this battle, he was merely a pawn himself. The one playing chess against me wasn't him at all, but Master Shuangye!"

From the very beginning, his plan had been aimed at Master Shuangye. What he was betting on was Master Shuangye's attitude. What he was gambling on was Master Shuangye's methods.

The Mirror was only half-comprehending. "Since you're playing chess with Master Shuangye, who's winning and who's losing?"

"This game isn't over yet; I can only say that I haven't lost so far."

"It's not over?" The Mirror couldn't help but ask. "When will it be finished?"

"When Master Shuangye gives his response," He Lingchuan closed his eyes again. "All my pieces have been played; there's no going back. His reaction, once this matter is reported to him, will be the endgame."

The battle surrounding Zhu Erniang might have ostensibly ended, but secretly, it was far from over! He had done his utmost; now it was up to fate. It wasn't a good feeling to have success or failure depend on someone else, but what choice did he have when he wasn't nearly strong enough?

"Even though I planned meticulously, I was originally very worried because Master Shuangye is unfathomable; I couldn't possibly predict his true reaction. However, Master Wang's assistance might just be a bonus point for me."

The Mirror didn't understand. "What exactly is this 'good outcome'?"

"For us right now, the best outcome is a draw."

The Mirror wanted to ask more questions but found that the fellow had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Over the past few chaotic days, he had quelled the rebellion of the Moqi uncle and nephew, and brought six hundred Bailongs under his command. He had defeated Yu Zecheng and the Beijia squad, fulfilling his promise to the Queen of the Cave Spiders. He had maintained order in the Angels' Blessing Islands and protected the safety of travelers and residents during the night of the hurricane and Divine Flowing Sap. He had passed the scrutiny of Master Mou of Mou Kingdom, strengthening his relationship with Lingshan. He had successfully arranged for Master Wang to issue letters to two regions, and was on the verge of obtaining unimpeded passage and unrestricted trade rights in Blade Harbor and Bailie. And he still had to worry whether Master Shuangye would receive and accept the message he had sent through the Yu Zecheng incident. He was truly exhausted.

Two days later, in Bailie.

Lu Zhensheng had just emerged from seclusion.

When the hurricane ravaged Bailie, he and his eldest son had been busy inspecting outside. Although Lu Qinglin had sent a warning letter beforehand, and Bailie had made preparations, no one had expected the Divine Flowing Sap to arrive during the storm! It was a rare coincidence, occurring perhaps once in a millennium. The destructive power was far more than a simple addition of the two!

He remained busy until the wind and rain gradually subsided, then Lu Zhensheng took some time to return home and refine the spirit sap, otherwise it would become useless once it expired. Today, his eldest son, Lu Qing'an, returned, just in time for his father to emerge from seclusion. Fatigue was etched on Lu Qing'an's face, yet across from him, Lu Zhensheng was beaming with health and moving with energetic strides.

"Father, have you had a breakthrough?" Finally, something good had happened.

"Indeed, my Qi Cultivation technique has made significant progress." Lu Zhensheng personally poured his eldest son a cup of hot tea. Having completed his cultivation, his attention returned to his territory. "How are things outside?"

"I just returned from Qu River. The river breached its banks, sweeping away two villages and over two hundred people; rescue efforts are ongoing." Lu Qing'an was thirsty; he took the cup and gulped down the tea. "I think the floodwaters might not recede for another two days."

Bailie had extensive experience dealing with hurricanes, but that didn't mean they were immune to damage. Even by the experience of coastal residents, this hurricane's power was considered a once-in-fifty-years event. The day after the hurricane, his father went into seclusion, leaving him alone to clean up the mess for three consecutive days! He was so busy that his lips were chapped and blistered, unable to attend to anything else.

"Losses from other areas haven't been fully compiled yet, but it's not optimistic. In Qu City alone, over 160 homes and shops were damaged, more than 770 people were injured, about 200 died, and around 30 are missing." Lu Qing'an pressed his brow. "The Divine Flowing Sap actually came with the hurricane! Over a hundred people on Yuannan Street gathered and fought like mad dogs, and then the houses next to them collapsed in the wind, crushing many people to death. Others, with bloodshot eyes, ran into people's homes and set fires, which, fueled by the wind, burned down seventeen or eighteen shops in a row!"

"The roof of Qu City's South Gate Tower was also blown off, falling and injuring a few soldiers... I've already dispatched people for repairs." The tall gate tower served as a passage for the common people and also represented the city's prestige. "Also, I heard that four rooms in Third Uncle's house were also damaged by the wind, and they're looking for artisans to repair them." Fortunately, the Lu family's main residence was protected by a wind-resistant formation and remained completely safe.

"Thankfully, the autumn grain had been harvested just before the hurricane hit, but two granaries in the West Fields district were flooded, resulting in the loss of nearly a hundred piculs of grain. Other losses are still being tallied."

After speaking, both father and son fell silent.

The night the hurricane struck was like a nightmare. They had clearly prepared for the hurricane, and for the Divine Flowing Sap, yet with both combined, why did it still end up in such disarray? The law-abiding citizens and soldiers in the city seemed to have lost their minds; no amount of guidance or orders helped. Even if the hurricane blew off a roof the next second, they would still rush to snatch a single drop of Divine Flowing Sap.