Chapter 1080: Risk Unknown

When they went to the Qinglong tribe to collect payment, the process unfolded exactly as Lu Feiyan had planned, even though she had seemingly brainstormed it quite casually. There were no surprises; both the principal and interest were successfully collected.

The situation progressed with such ease that the guard team was jubilant, but He Lingchuan was so bored he yawned.

It was a calculated move against an unprepared opponent, with superior numbers against fewer; truly like fishing in a net cage. What was there to boast about winning?

While everyone else was bragging and discussing enthusiastically, he didn't even bother to speak.

Perhaps Heaven heard his inner thoughts, for it seemed to have added a little "surprise" for him.

They were originally about to set off back to the Yangshan Archipelago when unexpected intelligence was extracted from the captives:

The main Bai Long tribe had quietly migrated westward, and the Ya Nation had sent people to intercept them midway.

As soon as Lu Feiyan heard this news, she jumped up, realizing that her elder brother was the one who had gone to meet Wanqitong under the orders of the Mou Nation.

If the Bai Long tribe was in danger, didn't that mean Lu Qingbang had been ambushed?

Upon learning that Uru, a great general of the Ya Nation, was pursuing the Bai Long people, her expression changed instantly. She then turned to He Lingchuan, appearing hesitant to speak.

Coincidentally, Island Master He's thousand or so men were fully armed, so she naturally hoped he would extend a helping hand at this critical moment.

But he had no such obligation.

Gazing at the hopeful eyes of this junior clan member, many thoughts instantly crossed He Lingchuan's mind.

To save or not to save?

He had brought the Yangshan guard team to the Qinglong tribe to collect payment, but in reality, he had thoroughly understood the opponent's situation and knew their own chances of victory were extremely high. Only then did he lead the team to train under the guise of "debt collection."

If he were to cause complications by going to save the Bai Long people and Lu Qingbang, information would be incomplete, the outcome hard to predict, and the risk considerable.

If they lost, the confidence the Yangshan guard team had built up at the Qinglong tribe would also be eroded.

The prestige of the Yangshan Archipelago would also be shattered by the Ya Nation—and it's worth noting that the Ya Nation had long wanted to teach the Yangshan Archipelago a lesson.

From a purely utilitarian perspective, since both objectives of debt collection and military training had been achieved, it would be best to return victoriously right then.

However, the current He Lingchuan needed to weigh the pros and cons from more dimensions.

He couldn't be as short-sighted as Lu Zhensheng, who was cautious when undertaking great tasks but reckless for small gains.

Firstly, over the past few months, he had put so much effort into building goodwill with Bailie and other Lu family members, investing both money and time. This was naturally to lay the groundwork for future actions and win people's favor. If he were to watch Lu Qingbang in danger on this trip and do nothing, the Lu family members, including Lu Laoliu, would certainly lower their positive opinion of him.

Because Lu Feiyan was on the ship, and she would witness the entire process firsthand.

Conversely, if he could successfully rescue Bailie's elite soldiers, it would greatly strengthen his relationship with Bailie.

After all, the bonds forged in combat are the strongest.

Secondly, putting aside Wanqifong's earnest pleas, the Bai Long tribe had outstanding combat capabilities, and He Lingchuan still had some thoughts about them. Even if their final destination was not the Yangshan Archipelago, He Lingchuan would still be willing to preserve this favor.

Thirdly, and most importantly, since the battle was taking place near the water, his chances of successfully extracting the Bai Long people were considerable!

These thoughts lingered in his mind for less than a breath before a decision was reached. To others, Island Master He nodded without hesitation almost as soon as he received the pleading glances from Wanqifong and Lu Feiyan:

"The fleet turns around; we're going to Storm Port."

The two immediately cheered aloud.

At the same time, He Lingchuan also sent the accompanying egret back to the Yangshan Archipelago with a verbal message, requesting another two thousand guards to be dispatched!

If they wanted to fight, they should do it splendidly.

He Lingchuan smiled slightly: "The Ya Nation always wants to threaten us and undermine us. Is just dealing with one Qinglong tribe enough for us?"

It was also time to make a name for themselves.

This bold statement immediately greatly encouraged Qiu Hu and the others.

However, He Lingchuan's smile did not reach his eyes.

This rescue of the Bai Long people was not a minor skirmish like dealing with the Qinglong tribe; the Yangshan guard team itself would bear significant risk.

Therefore, they rushed to the vicinity of Storm Bay to first gather intelligence and then formulate a battle plan.

First, they needed to figure out what kind of person Uru, the great general of the Ya Nation leading the siege against the Bai Long people, was.

Although He Lingchuan had also collected information about the Ya Nation, on this point, Wanqifong and Lu Feiyan, who had fought on Bailie's eastern front, naturally had more authority.

Uru was one of the five pillar generals of the Ya Nation, with a brilliant military record. He had once defeated the two most important tribes, clearing the final obstacles for the Great Chieftain to establish the nation.

This person was meticulous in thought, skilled in ambush warfare, and liked to lure enemies into a trap. He had once ambushed a crucial enemy route for over half a month without leaving a trace. The enemy, believing he had withdrawn, then ventured out of the city, only to be captured alive by Uru.

He Lingchuan pondered, "This person doesn't seem to be one to rashly seek glory, does he?"

Wanqifong replied directly, "Correct, he doesn't."

"Neither my brother nor I have directly dealt with him," Lu Feiyan said, "but to our knowledge, he rarely leads from the front. In a nation like Ya, full of fierce generals, a commander with such a disposition is quite rare."

Wanqifong: "Meticulous."

Qiu Hu: "Prefers strategizing from behind the scenes."

The Ya Nation dispatched such a great general, indicating their determination to completely deal with the Bai Long people and leave no future trouble.

According to Ya Nation tradition, even if the Bai Long people surrendered, they would be banished to desolate lands to serve as laborers for generations.

"But I don't quite understand how he knew we would deploy ships at Storm Bay?" Lu Feiyan frowned. "It wouldn't be strange if he learned from a spy that our Bailie forces would go to assist. But how did he know my brother's backup plan involved Storm Bay?"

"Look at the Bai Long people's westward route; it's not far from the sea. They don't have ships, but Bailie does," Qiu Hu said, pointing at the sand table. "If I were Uru and knew Bailie was coming to assist, I would certainly have to consider your brother's route. Along this route, the easiest boarding point would be Storm Bay."

Taking the land route would be fastest, only a hundred li to Baishi Village. This would certainly be the Bai Long people's preferred choice.

If they switched to traveling by ship, the Bai Long people would have to walk nearly thirty more li along winding mountain roads to reach Storm Bay. Moreover, with a population of nearly forty thousand, how many sea vessels would Bailie need to transport them back?

So the sea route could only be a backup option.

He Lingchuan also mused, "Additionally, there are many Ya Nation merchants in Blade Port. If Uru paid attention, it wouldn't be hard to find out that Bailie was renting large ships everywhere. Comparing the two, doesn't that lead to a conclusion?"

Lu Feiyan realized.

When she led troops on Bailie's eastern front before, she only concerned herself with fighting and killing. When short on money or food, she simply asked the Lu family. It was straightforward and simple; why would she need to understand so many intricate details?

"War is a discipline," He Lingchuan said, glancing at her. This young girl still had a lot to learn.

"One land route, one sea route. As long as Uru controls these two paths, the Bai Long people won't escape his grasp. The situation isn't complicated," He Lingchuan said, then asked Lu Feiyan, "How many ships did Bailie dispatch this time?"