Chapter 2069: Each Prepares for Battle

He Lingchuan was the master of Yangshan Archipelago, but now he was completely obedient to Fu Shanyue's commands.

The tiger, shedding its lazy demeanor, leaped directly from the second floor.

Fu Shanyue immediately asked it, "When will our last contingent of men and horses arrive on the island?"

"They've arrived, the night before last."

"Excellent!" Fu Shanyue felt relieved and laughed heartily three times, looking up at the sky. "Issue my command: our forces are to prepare for battle!"

Come what may, we'll be ready. With him defending Yangshan Archipelago, did that brat Lu really think he could exploit a weakness? Ha, not a chance!

"Yes!" The tiger shook its fur, turned, and bolted, disappearing by the lake in a few bounds.

Fu Shanyue used his movement technique to rush to the southern edge of the island.

By the sea, a small pier, built on a cluster of reefs, was off-limits to outsiders.

It was high tide, and several human-bodied, fish-tailed monsters—Yinhui—were sprawled on the reef rocks. They were contentedly flipping over crabs in the rock crevices.

As Fu Shanyue approached, they showed no hostility; instead, they bowed to him. He often practiced with the King of the Yinhui, so he was naturally respected.

Ordinary Yinhui didn't understand human speech, so Fu Shanyue gestured to them: "Clear the way, I need to see your leader."

He and the King of the Yinhui were already well acquainted. Upon understanding his intention, the King readily nodded in agreement.

At this time, the entire Yangshan Archipelago became tense. Seagoing vessels were mobilized one after another, and residents and guests on the island had their movement restricted, temporarily unable to roam freely. The public reason given was: "Evil Qi emerging from the sea!"

The origin of the Yangshan Archipelago had always been a popular topic of conversation, and the mention of "Evil Qi" was always part of it. This place was inherently abundant with Malevolent Energy, which was why it became a forbidden zone for mortals. Once living beings left the protection of the island's barrier, they would be overcome by the Evil Qi, leading to madness, disorientation, and death.

Upon hearing such warnings, most people naturally remained in the designated areas, not daring to wander.

An hour later, thick clouds suddenly covered the sky, banishing the vast clear expanse.

Soon, a gloomy mist rolled across the sea, obscuring more than half of the Yangshan Archipelago. This was no longer a scene of an immortal island on the sea, but rather an island of malevolence. The previous serenity of blue skies, white clouds, and sunny beaches had vanished completely.

Living people standing by the sea or on high points of the island could only see a rolling mist of Malevolent Energy surrounding the entire sea, the isolated island now standing alone, cut off from the world.

How was this achieved? Frankly, it was nothing special. The King of the Yinhui used its power to conjure clouds, blocking the intense sunlight. While it wasn't named a deity of mountains and lakes in this region, it possessed the power of one. Such a divine ability was merely a trivial trick for it.

Subsequently, Fu Shanyue and the Yinhui went into the sea and dismantled some of the Dragon-Punishing Pillars on the offshore reef islands—as a Ba, he had no fear of the Evil Qi. Without the Dragon-Punishing Pillars to absorb it, the Malevolent Energy continuously surged from underground, reoccupying the sea surface. However, islands inhabited by living beings still enjoyed the protection of the Dragon-Punishing Pillars, preventing the Malevolent Energy from invading.

As long as Yangshan Archipelago had sufficient reaction time, any invading foreign enemy would first have to contend with the Malevolent Energy. Of course, Fu Shanyue wasn't blindly optimistic, believing this alone would stop Lu Qinglin. Lu Er was a native of Bailie; there was no way he wouldn't know the potency of Yangshan Archipelago's Malevolent Energy. If he dared to bring his troops here, he must have something to rely on.

After a busy period, Fu Shanyue returned to the main island, his clothes and hair completely soaked. Just as he was about to circulate his energy to dry himself, his young maid Taozi rushed over, her eyes wide as apricots.

Before Taozi could speak, Fu Shanyue asked her first: "Are all the personnel on board?"

Yangshan was now capable of building ships, both merchant and warships, no longer in the awkward position of having no vessels, as it was three to five years ago. Fu Shanyue had ordered Guan Ke to prepare the ships, and the combat personnel were to board and await orders.

Taozi was about to speak but bit back her words, answering his question first: "All thirty-two ships are boarded."

Preparing over thirty warships for departure in such a short time was no easy feat. Loading weapons, filling cannonballs, hoisting sails, securing ropes, transporting food and water, and so on. Fortunately, the ports and docks of Yangshan Archipelago handled these tasks daily, making them second nature.

"Has Lu Er's fleet departed?"

Taozi's words were once again swallowed back. "Not... not yet. I hear they're still getting ready. Who could be as swift as us?"

"Monitor them closely. Report any movement immediately."

"Yes..." Taozi couldn't hold back any longer and blurted out, "My lord, you have a visitor!"

"A visitor? Now?" Fu Shanyue was surprised, pointing at his nose. "Who? And where are they from?"

"That person asked me not to say," Taozi grinned. "He said for you to go see him at once!"

What kind of guest was so rude? Fu Shanyue snorted coldly. "Lead the way!"

The sky had changed dramatically. Ominous black clouds almost pressed down onto the sea surface, as if the end of the world was nigh.

Lu Qinglin looked up at the sky and frowned, saying, "These clouds are eerily sinister."

Manager Wu, sweating profusely from his exertions, arrived just in time to hear this and casually remarked, "Unpredictable weather is common at sea, that's just how it is."

Lu Qinglin glanced at him. "Are your port operations usually this slow?" He had merely asked the Maritime Affairs Office for some ships to set sail, yet the docks at Blade Harbor had been busy for four hours and still hadn't managed to get out to sea. Slow, simply too slow.

Manager Wu cried out in exasperation, "Second Master Lu, these ships were temporarily requisitioned! We have to first unload all the people and cargo before we can begin preparing for sea! As you know, getting people off the ships is the hardest part. Some shipowners are obstinate and resist with force!"

"Didn't I send troops to help you?" Lu Qinglin even suspected Manager Wu was deliberately stalling for time. "It's been hours, and the ships still aren't ready?"

"They are ready! I'm just here to report to you that the ships are prepared, and supplies have been replenished. We can depart at any time."

Just then, a close attendant leaned in and reported, "We just received a message by carrier bird: Yangshan has blockaded the shipping lanes and nearby waters, forbidding vessels from passing. They claim Evil Qi is about to emerge."

"Evil Qi? Not appearing earlier, not later, but precisely now? What a coincidence!" Lu Qinglin turned to Manager Wu, smiling without warmth. "Did you send a message to Yangshan?"

There was no need to ask; the Evil Qi was clearly being released for him. He knew instinctively that Yangshan wouldn't normally have such things lurking about; otherwise, how could it be a golden shipping route? If he dared to bring his troops here, he must have something to rely on.