Chapter 998: Separating the Family

Chapter 988: The Family Splits

“I don’t like being in the limelight. I prefer to work behind the scenes,” Fang Canran said, shaking his head. “Besides, I have a record in Lingxu City; it would be troublesome if someone dug it up someday.”

He Lingchuan smiled, “Same here. The Celestial Palace wants to flay me alive; how could I possibly serve as an official in Mou State in plain sight?”

Zhu Erniang knows better than to seek employment in Mou State, lest she be sold out. How could he not understand that?

“Really?” Fang Canran said casually. “I think you’re simply unwilling to be subordinate to anyone.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he himself was momentarily stunned.

How could that be so accurate?

He Lingchuan sighed, “When you’re far from the center of power, you have to forge your own path.”

“Fine, have it your way,” Fang Canran said with a smile. “You do seem quite free this way.”

Free? He Lingchuan smiled silently.

Dong Rui was asking him through the Eyeball Spider: “Hey, do you think they’ll actually make a move?”

He gave a soft hum.

If it were only the Bailong people inciting trouble, they might still back down; but now that the Beijia people are also involved, after discovering Zhu Erniang’s whereabouts, Yu Zecheng will surely force the Bailong people to instigate a war so he can react accordingly!

This also aligns with Beijia’s consistent modus operandi.

The two stood on the observation deck, looking out. Thick clouds rolled across the sky, and strong winds whipped up rough waves on the sea.

On the archipelago, only the human settlements remained untouched, standing outside the storm’s reach.

No matter how fierce this hurricane was, it would at most rage for two days and then pass. Yet, He Lingchuan knew that his own storm was just beginning.

The wind steadily intensified.

The Bailong people crouching in the hillside grass had to cover their faces to avoid being lashed by the grass blades.

Strong winds carried heavy rain, lashing down on them, making it impossible to open their eyes and even difficult to breathe.

Wan Qifeng’s anxieties erupted like a flood.

He wiped the rain from his eyes, then stared at the streetlights swaying slightly on Qingyun Road, finally making up his mind. He pulled Wan Qisong aside and whispered to him:

“Uncle, the Beijia people are unreliable.”

The wind howled, and without using their true power, they couldn’t hear each other even at close range.

“I know,” Wan Qisong replied calmly. “We’re just using each other.”

Before the Imperial Dew, if the Beijia people didn’t act, the Bailong people wouldn’t make a move either.

“No!” Wan Qifeng declared firmly. “Abort the mission. We’re not doing this tonight!”

“What did you say?!” Wan Qisong exclaimed, greatly alarmed. “If we miss tonight, when will we get a better opportunity?”

“Then so be it,” Wan Qifeng said, having clearly thought things through. “Sarding Island is too strange. Look at the wind barriers all over the island, the sudden visit of Mou State’s Imperial Preceptor, and the sudden appearance of the Crypt Spider Queen at the dock. Uncle, do you really think Island Lord He isn’t prepared?”

Wan Qisong narrowed his eyes. “Are you saying he’s discovered our plan?”

“Perhaps.” Wan Qifeng looked again at the brightly lit Qingyun Road. “We know this plan, Bailie knows it, and the Beijia people know it. Can it really be considered top secret? If Island Lord He knows, luring us to attack would be a brilliant move!”

“Once the battle begins, we’ll be at the forefront, but the Beijia people might not follow through!” Wan Qifeng tried hard to persuade him. “Their target, the Crypt Spider Queen, has appeared at the dock. I bet the main force of the Beijia people has already moved to the dock. We won’t get any support here!”

“If we lose the battle, the Beijia people might even stand by and do nothing. Otherwise, why are they so reluctant to give us a straight answer?” He jutted his chin towards Wang Xiang. “They have room to retreat; we don’t!”

Water streaming down his forehead was almost a rivulet. Wan Qisong reached up and wiped it away. “Are you worried our surprise attack on He Lingchuan will fail? Our scouts went back and forth twice and confirmed that his hundreds of subordinates are all near the dock. How many people does he truly have by his side? Don’t be intimidated by the Imperial Preceptor’s guards from Mou State. Once the Imperial Dew descends, once the dock explodes, they will only guard the Hot Spring Villa and protect the Imperial Preceptor, who is a crucial figure. That’s their primary duty; how could they rush out to fight for He Xiao?”

No matter what he said, Wan Qifeng was resolute this time. “No, Uncle! I’m out!”

The situation was wrong, the plan was futile, and insisting on taking the island tonight was definitely not a wise choice.

Alas, he should have objected earlier, should have evacuated earlier.

“Deserting the battle? Is that how I taught you when you were little?” Wan Qisong’s veins pulsed on his forehead in anger. “If we can’t seize Yangshan Archipelago, where will we establish ourselves in the future?”

“This venture is too risky; it’s not worth it!” Wan Qifeng protested. “We only have this many people left. If we step into a trap and are wiped out, what about our relatives on shore?”

“Don’t count on the Beijia people either!” he said quickly. “The Ya State colluded with Beijia, which is why they drove us out!”

The Bailong tribe was close to Mou State, while the Ya State was close to Beijia.

“I’m taking a ship back to Blade Port right now, Uncle, I’m just asking you this—” Wan Qifeng said, enunciating each word, “Are you coming or not?”

Wan Qisong gritted his teeth. “This heaven-sent opportunity cannot be wasted. You’re not doing it? Fine, I am!”

Seeing fire in Wan Qisong’s eyes, Wan Qifeng’s heart grew cold. He turned to his tribesmen and said, “Stand down, all of you, come with me!”

The Bailong tribesmen were taken aback, having never expected their two leaders to suddenly turn on each other at such a crucial moment. Someone stepped forward to mediate, but Wan Qisong just glared, “Get out!”

Wang Xiang also frowned repeatedly. It was almost the critical moment; what mischief were the Bailong people up to?

“Gentlemen, please don’t get agitated…”

The uncle and nephew ignored him completely. Wan Qisong also turned to his tribesmen and, with a sweeping gesture, declared, “Those who are willing to follow me, stay!”

Seizing the advantage of the wind direction, he shouted his command several times in a row.

Wan Qifeng clenched his fists and slowly moved behind him, intending to knock him unconscious with a hand chop.

His uncle had gone mad, clinging to a hopeless illusion and being completely unreasonable.

He couldn’t just watch him walk into a trap. As long as he got his uncle off Sarding Island, this whole mess tonight would be over.

After all, their operation hadn’t truly begun yet.

To his surprise, Wan Qisong was exceptionally alert. The moment he saw him approach, he stepped back a few paces and snapped, “Don’t touch me!”

Without an opportunity to act, Wan Qifeng had no choice but to give up.

With the uncle and nephew splitting apart on the battlefield, the Bailong tribesmen were initially bewildered, but soon some began to stand up and walk directly behind Wan Qifeng.

More and more people followed.

The expressions of the remaining tribesmen grew increasingly hesitant.

In the end, only just over a hundred people remained behind Wan Qisong; the rest followed Wan Qifeng.

Wan Qifeng’s face was grim. “Uncle, think twice! With so few people, the hope of success is too low!”

“Think twice?” Wan Qisong scoffed. “Thinking three, four, or five times won’t change anything. Someone has to do something for our tribe! I’m asking you one last time: are you truly not going through with this?”

Wan Qifeng shook his head.

He couldn’t persuade his uncle, but he had to protect the remaining tribesmen. “Take care, Uncle, and I wish you success!”

Wan Qisong’s face showed contempt, and he spat on the ground.