Chapter 999: Giving the Signal

Wan Qifeng turned his head, leading over three hundred of his clansmen into the darkness. They were heading to the southwest beach to board a ship.

After walking over a hundred steps, a confidant approached Wan Qifeng and whispered, "Young Master, if he fails, it will drag us down too."

Wan Qifeng turned and glared at him. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

The subordinate dared not say more. If the Young Master didn't want to be associated with Wan Qisong and didn't want to be implicated, the best solution would be to report him. That way, their several hundred people would be safe. But the Young Master would certainly not do such a thing. So, it was better for him to remain silent.

"Send someone to the pier to recall our people." They had stationed over a hundred people at the pier. "Before the hurricane makes landfall, let's board a ship and return to Blade's Edge Port as quickly as possible!"

Once Wan Qisong lost this battle, the Yangshan Islands would not be lenient with all Bailong people. This was no longer a place for them to stay. They should arrive quietly and leave quietly.

Gazing out at sea, a great wind was rising, and the waves were tumultuous.

He Lingchuan leaned against the railing, casually chatting with Fang Canran on the surface, but his mind was entirely focused on the unfolding chaos. The Earth Spider Queen had appeared at the pier and had already roamed around several times, but the Beijia people remained unmoved. Sure enough, the Beijia people wouldn't act until they saw a clear advantage. When would be the best time for them to make their move?

He hadn't made up his mind yet when Zhu Erniang's voice transmission suddenly reached his ear: "Hey, the Bailong people are fighting amongst themselves! Wan Qifeng has left with most of his clansmen, while Wan Qisong remains in ambush by Qingyun Road with the rest."

"Oh, really?" He Lingchuan thought he had misheard, as this was a significant piece of good news. "Where did they go?" Given the characters of the Wan Qi uncle and nephew, they wouldn't likely be putting on an act at such a critical moment. Besides, their internal conflicts were already considerable and could easily be exacerbated under pressure.

The sound was very low, and Fang Canran didn't hear clearly. "Brother He, what did you say?" He Lingchuan grinned. "Nothing, nothing." He hadn't smiled so genuinely and happily all evening!

Zhu Erniang quickly said, "I only have one eyeball spider there. If I leave it to monitor Wan Qisong, I can't keep an eye on Wan Qifeng." Who knew the uncle and nephew would suddenly split up? There was only one eyeball spider; it couldn't follow both. "What do we do now?" Zhu Erniang, knowing that the opportunity was fleeting, urgently asked him, the supreme commander, "Quick, tell me! Everyone is waiting for your decision!"

Just then, Fang Canran, who was beside him, also said, "By the way, I'll help you contact a few large merchant guilds in Mou State. They're all looking for high-quality oil sources, which should open up some sales channels for you. Ya State also likes palm oil from Blade's Edge Port; I'll inquire about that for you later."

"Now that's my good brother!" He Lingchuan suppressed his inner anxiety and clapped his hands. "Of all the things you've said tonight, nothing is as welcome as that!" His enterprise was just starting and facing many substantial difficulties; it desperately needed this kind of assistance. Fang Canran was well aware of this, which was why he offered help when it was most needed. After all, he owed He Lingchuan a significant favor. Favors needed to be repaid, but the more they were repaid, the closer the relationship became. Fang Canran also believed that getting closer to He Lingchuan was a very promising investment.

He Lingchuan fiercely punched the air in front of him. "Next, let's make a big move!"

"Move?" Hearing those words, Zhu Erniang confirmed with him, "So, we're starting now?"

He Lingchuan rarely showed such genuine emotion, and Fang Canran couldn't help but smile. "Alright, I hope your business prospers. Also, I haven't mentioned your grievances with the Lu family to my master-uncle. I only said that you acquired the Yangshan Islands from Bailie. As for the rest, you can handle it as you see fit."

He Lingchuan cleared his throat and said emphatically, "No problem, that's what we'll do!"

Fang Canran: "..." What were they doing? His tone was so forceful.

Zhu Erniang: "Received!"

Fang Canran scrutinized He Lingchuan. This fellow seemed a bit off tonight. Beyond the chaos of the hurricane, was he working on something else? Considering He Lingchuan's past "achievements," Fang Canran found it increasingly likely.

"Brother He, it seems we've come at the wrong time?"

He Lingchuan laughed heartily. "Matsubara, what are you talking about? Where else would you stay during a hurricane if not here for shelter?"

"I see you..." Before Fang Canran could finish, a thunderous roar erupted in the distance, followed by an explosion of violent flames! Even on a hurricane night, the sound, light, and electrical effects of this explosion were fully intense. The golden-red flames even swirled into the hurricane, and from their vantage point, they could clearly see a fiery tornado rising high into the sky!

Fang Canran was momentarily speechless, recognizing the direction as... Sording Island Pier! The place where Wang Xingyi and he had disembarked earlier had exploded? He instinctively looked at He Lingchuan, whose face was illuminated by the flickering red light of the explosion, his eyes sparkling.

He Lingchuan looked at him, cupped his fists, and said gravely, "Something has happened at the pier. Brother Fang, I must take my leave now!" As the island lord, he naturally had to rush to deal with an incident on Sording Island.

Fang Canran immediately asked, "Do you need help? Master-uncle Wang still has over a hundred elite troops who can be mobilized."

"Not necessary for now; they can't cause too much trouble!" He Lingchuan didn't take the stone steps but leaped directly from the observation deck. "Please apologize to the Grand Preceptor on my behalf; I'll pay my respects later!" Did he want outside help? At this moment of limited resources and tight budgets, he desperately wanted it! Who didn't know that leveraging power was the most comfortable way? And those who could serve as elites beside Grand Preceptor Wang were all carefully selected warriors.

But he knew even better the purpose of Wang Xingyi's special visit to the Yangshan Islands: it was to assess him. Whatever past achievements he had were just that—past. A true hero doesn't boast of past glories. If the current He Lingchuan couldn't even handle a small rebellion on his own island and needed external help from Mou State, how could Spirit Mountain hold him in high regard in the future? How could his future plans proceed smoothly? He had to grit his teeth and overcome this challenge on his own. Of course, if the situation worsened and he couldn't handle it himself, he might have to resort to using the Grand Preceptor's power. But that would be a last resort.

Before Fang Canran could fully see, He Lingchuan's figure was already several yards away, flashing out of Bailang Villa. Wang Xingyi's guards were just outside the gate, and when a dark figure suddenly darted out, they all tensed, their weapons ready. However, He Lingchuan was as fast as a fleeting white steed; only his voice could be heard: "Ahu!"

From the dark woods, more than ten riders immediately surged out, led by Qiu Hu. Without waiting for his horse to stop, He Lingchuan took the reins from him, swiftly mounted, and led the dozen or so riders toward the front mountain.

"Action begins! Have Lu Qiuwei keep a close eye on Yu Zecheng. Under no circumstances should he engage in conflict with him, and under no circumstances should he be allowed to leave Nuanxiang Pavilion for even a step!" One of the keys to tonight's operation was to absolutely prevent Yu Zecheng from personally getting involved!

"Yes." One rider left the group, galloping towards Nuanxiang Pavilion to deliver the message.

Some guests were strolling outside the Hot Spring Retreat, and they saw these dozen or so riders speed past them like lightning, heading straight for Qingyun Road. The sound of hooves rapidly faded into the distance.

Fang Canran looked in the direction he had disappeared, deep in thought. Having not seen him in action for over a year, He Xiao's cultivation seemed to have advanced again. Was he so preoccupied today because he had anticipated the change at the pier? It seemed he and Grand Preceptor Wang had coincidentally arrived just as a good show was about to begin. He straightened his robes, descended from the observation deck, and went to find Wang Xingyi. The explosion was too loud; Grand Preceptor Wang couldn't possibly be unaware.

After watching Wan Qifeng and over three hundred of his clansmen leave, Wan Qisong ordered everyone to return to their positions and wait for the opportunity. Pedestrians came and went on Qingyun Road, unaware of the strange occurrences in the depths of the jungle. Wang Xiang saw that his eyes were red, whether from the seeping rain or from rubbing them himself.

"Your nephew left, and he took more than half the people with him. Are you still going through with this?"

"Yes, exactly as planned!" Wan Qisong stared intently at Qingyun Road, a ruthless expression on his face. "Once the Imperial Flow Nectar arrives, the pier explodes, and He Xiao passes by here, we'll take him down, and it's done!" Since he had stayed, he had to firmly believe in his reason for staying. Seeing his expression, Wang Xiang felt relieved, realizing there was no need for him to try and persuade him.

"He doesn't have many elites under him. If we catch him by surprise, our chances of success are high!" Wan Qisong let out a breath. "High-ranking officials from Mou State probably won't send guards to escort him... we're not that unlucky!"

Wang Xiang was uneasy. "Your nephew changed his mind at the last minute. He wouldn't turn around and expose us, would he?"

Wan Qisong's gaze sharpened, and he suddenly grabbed Wang Xiang's collar. Wang Xiang couldn't evade him. He grabbed Wan Qisong's wrist, his expression darkening. "What are you doing?"

"My nephew isn't that kind of person!" Wan Qisong said, word for word. "What kind of person are you to judge him by your own standards?"

Wang Xiang, suppressing his anger, slapped his hand away. "I don't know him. By leaving like that, hasn't he already put you in danger?"

With the sudden internal strife between the Wan Qi uncle and nephew, he had to inform Commander Yu of this change as soon as possible! Wang Xiang retreated to the side, and just as he cast a spell, an explosion suddenly roared in the distance—BOOM! The tremor reached everyone's feet. They looked up to see fire, fueled by the wind, and a plume of black smoke shoot sky-high in the direction of Sording Island Pier!

Upon seeing this, everyone was dumbfounded. This was the pre-arranged signal to act. Bailie had provided the explosives, which the Bailong people had hidden in a warehouse near the pier. Once ignited, the effect would be devastating. But the problem was, the Imperial Flow Nectar hadn't even arrived yet! The operation wasn't supposed to start now!

Wan Qisong rushed to Wang Xiang's side in two steps and grabbed him. "Did you do this?" Grabbed again, Wang Xiang's spell was disrupted. He couldn't help but say furiously, "The explosives were in your keeping, and you were supposed to detonate them. Now you're asking me?"

Wan Qisong knew that, of course, but were these Beijia people secretly eyeing the explosives too? "Were you trying to attack the spider demon and deliberately detonated them early?" he sneered. "Only our two groups knew where the explosives were hidden. If you didn't do it, did the fellow named He blow himself up?"

Wang Xiang simply couldn't understand his logic. "The Imperial Flow Nectar hasn't arrived. Why would we detonate the pier? If anything, your nephew is more suspicious, isn't he?"