Chapter 399: Departure

The Divine Wind.

Bing Xiao looked at Feng Lian.

The night was deep, and the light in the captain's cabin was dim.

Feng Lian wore a mask, so Bing Xiao couldn't see his expression, but he could sense the latter's tightly furrowed brow.

Feng Lian stated he was in a hurry to seek revenge, so he was leaving the Bayonet Gang members behind that very night. Bing Xiao smiled.

He didn't expose Feng Lian's true motives, instead nodding in agreement. "Lord Feng Lian, the torment of hatred is indeed excruciating. But all that pain will transform into the sweetest wine in the world the moment vengeance is achieved."

“You have already aided us so greatly. Alas, my strength is meager. I can only offer my best wishes here for your complete triumph.”

“Bing Xiao...” Feng Lian sighed. He knew Bing Xiao understood his true intentions, and this display of understanding made him feel a wave of weariness.

“Given the situation, what else can be done?” Feng Lian sighed deeply within.

Bing Xiao's expression remained calm.

As a gang leader himself, Bing Xiao understood Feng Lian completely.

If he were in Feng Lian's shoes, he would have done the same.

It was the logical course of action.

Before the Divine Wind and other pirate ships carried members of the Bayonet Gang, the Divine Wind Pirates had never suffered such ambushes.

Such attacks clearly required precise knowledge of the Divine Wind Pirates' location to execute.

Therefore, it was highly probable that a traitor within the Bayonet Gang possessed some covert means of tracking their location.

That was precisely why Feng Lian, after a thorough investigation yielded no results, had decisively abandoned the Bayonet Gang.

It was the action an excellent leader should take.

For the Divine Wind Pirates, their situation was dire.

Though they had defeated the Kingdom's Second Fleet in their previous battle and escaped successfully, they had gained no spoils, and the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's resources far surpassed those of a mere pirate crew.

The current head of the Li Jian Clan, Mian Li Cang, personally led an ambush against the Divine Wind Pirates.

The pirates suffered heavy losses. They couldn't even mount a defense, let alone fight back, forced to endure the beating passively. This was devastating to morale.

Bing Xiao believed that in a direct confrontation, relying on Feng Lian's strength, they could certainly suppress Mian Li Cang, inflict heavy damage or even kill him. But in the second ambush, Feng Lian's combat prowess was rendered useless, leaving him utterly frustrated.

Bing Xiao looked at Feng Lian. Though he was about to be expelled, he still cautioned, “Lord Feng Lian, if you can find a way to counter Mian Li Cang, revenge is highly achievable.”

In other words, without a means to counter Mian Li Cang, blindly seeking revenge would only lead to certain death.

Feng Lian nodded slightly, “I'm heading out to find the item that counters Mian Li Cang.”

“I know a friend who carries one.”

“I already have follow-up targets and plans. You can leave with peace of mind.”

“But before you go, take some equipment with you.”

“Don't worry, this is a gift of friendship. No payment needed.”

Feng Lian gifted Bing Xiao some weapons and gear. Of course, ample food and water were included as well.

Soon after, the Bayonet Gang members boarded the landing craft.

These three landing craft were essentially Feng Lian's bonus gift, so they were no longer the previous silver level vessels but ordinary ships.

The Bayonet Gang's numbers were already thin, and after the ambush by Mian Li Cang succeeded, they'd conveniently killed off quite a few more of their men.

Still, Feng Lian's donation of supplies meant the three landing craft were packed to the brim, leaving little room to spare.

Standing on the landing craft, Bing Xiao looked up and formally bid farewell to Feng Lian.

The two groups parted ways, heading in opposite directions. Soon, both were swallowed by the thick night, invisible to the naked eye.

The sea stretched out, pitch black.

The sea breeze swept in, carrying a heavy weight that battered the hearts of the Bayonet Gang members.

The Bayonet Gang's morale was visibly low.

They were natives of Snow Bird Harbor. Leaving their homeland behind would make anyone feel melancholy and anxious.

Now, having severed ties with their powerful ally, the Divine Wind Pirates, their sense of disorientation and confusion only deepened

Bing Xiao's brow furrowed slightly.

He scanned the deck.

The human ringleader lay unconscious, his head bandaged.

The comatose Lan Zao rested beside him.

All three landing craft carried wounded members.

The most formidable warrior, Xiong Ju, lay prostrate against the landing craft's gunwale, vomiting incessantly.

As for Spring Fighter, he guarded a black coffin, his entire being radiating an emotion called sorrow.

Within the coffin lay the corpse of Teng Dong Lang.

Without a doubt, this was a band of defeated stragglers.

After the vigorous Teng Dong Lang fell, the aged Bing Xiao had no choice but to take on the responsibility of leadership.

Bing Xiao frequently lowered his head to consult the compass and charts in his hands.

He knew his course was correct.

Yet when he looked up at the vast expanse of dark sea stretching before him, he couldn't help but ask himself: “Even if this is the right direction, can we truly reach our destination?”

As time passed, the darkness gradually faded.

The horizon brightened, the sky was turning pale blue.

The dawn glow spread as the sun rose, casting shimmering reflections upon the sea.

Seabirds chirped overhead in Snow Bird Harbor.

Warships lined the docks in orderly rows, their flags fluttering.

Yue Qian stood at the ship's rail, watching Long Fu and Zi Di depart.

Today marked the departure of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps from Snow Bird Harbor, bound for the capital of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.

To solidify their alliance, Zi Di paid a special visit to Kong Pan before leaving.

Zong Ge, who had been posing as Long Fu, also spoke briefly with Yue Qian.

A spatial ripple rippled through the air, and Kong Pan suddenly materialized before Yue Qian. Her gaze followed Zi Di and Zong Ge as they departed. She said, “It seems these days of sparring have brought you and Long Fu remarkably closer.”

Yue Qian nodded, “He was definitely a soldier once. His straightforward nature: perhaps that's why I feel such an instant connection with him.”

Kong Pan acknowledged this with understanding. "That's how it is between people. Some people spend a lifetime together yet never truly reach each other's hearts. But others need only a few days to become kindred spirits."

Yue Qian paused, shaking his head slightly, “We're not quite at that level of friendship yet.”

“Is that so?” Kong Pan glanced at him, neither confirming nor denying.

As an elder in the clan, she knew Yue Qian well.

She had never seen him converse so intimately with anyone before. In the captain's cabin, she and Zi Di chatted while she covertly probed with her mental senses.

Every word of Yue Qian and Zong Ge's conversation reached her ears.

They discussed combat tactics, timing for using battle skills, and the countering relationships between weapons.

Zong Ge and Yue Qian were discussing insights gained from their repeated private sparring sessions over the past few days.

“Tell me,” Kong Pan deliberately tested Yue Qian, “what kind of person do you think Long Fu is?”

She had never been entirely satisfied with this younger generation clansman.

Because compared to a noble, Yue Qian resembled a soldier more.

That was not good.

Without sufficient political acumen, how could Yue Qian shoulder the future of the clan?

Gazing distantly at Long Fu's figure, Yue Qian's tone and expression grew solemn: "He's strong! He'll be even stronger in the future!"

“At least gold level.”

Kong Pan was somewhat surprised; this was already a high assessment. "How did you discern his potential? Are you, at least...implying he could even reach the saint level?"

Yue Qian gave an awkward smile, “It's my intuition.”

Kong Pan's expression instantly grew solemn.

This was the worst possible answer.

Intuition?

What seasoned politician bases judgments on gut feelings?

Noticing Kong Pan's shifting expression, Yue Qian hastily added, "It's not purely intuition. During our sparring, despite using only silver battle qi, he displayed offensive and defensive capabilities on par with mine!"

“His Demolition Fist, Surge, and other battle skills all proved troublesome.”

“When I fought at full strength, I could suppress him, but it was clear his combat power had completely surpassed the normal silver level!”

“I can confirm he wasn't using any powerful equipment.”

"I also saw the magic footage of his battle against Teng Dong Lang. I'm certain his combat strength has surpassed the level he displayed against Teng Dong Lang."

"Such remarkable progress in such a short time indicates exceptional bloodline. Therefore, his is at least gold level!"

After hearing this analysis, Kong Pan's expression finally eased slightly.

“Then let's maintain this relationship with him,” Kong Pan said. "This arms dealer has grand ambitions, aiming to distribute nationwide. I've already established some cooperation with them. If their arms truly match the alchemist's claims, excellent quality, akin to the alchemy crossbows once used by Long Fu, then the Li Jian Clan will become their largest partner."

“Large-scale cooperation with an external arms dealer?” Yue Qian's expression turned skeptical.

Kong Pan sighed, “The winds of change have shifted, Yue Qian. The landscape is different now.”

“The family shouldn't pass up any opportunity to strengthen our forces, even if it means bending the rules.”

“I must admit, the arms dealer backing them has keen insight and excellent timing.”

“Right now is indeed the best chance to enter the kingdom's arms market.”

Snow Bird Harbor City Lord personally saw off “Long Fu”. “Our collaboration was most pleasant. I trust our future cooperation will be even more so.”

The series of events in Snow Bird Harbor had cemented the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord as the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' most reliable ally.

The Li Jian Clan's power surpassed that of the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, but as the partnership was new, everything required initial familiarization.

Though “Long Fu” was not eloquent, Zi Di had prepared him beforehand. While Zong Ge's words weren't polished, he could manage the situation.

Soon after, Zong Ge, Zi Di, and the others formally set off, leaving Snow Bird Harbor behind.

“Finally heading to the royal capital,” Zi Di sighed, a lingering pressure weighing on her heart.

“I wonder how the commander is faring?” The ghost girl couldn't shake her worry for the dragonman youngster either.

“We can't contact him. Any concern is pointless,” Zong Ge said, “What we should focus on now is completing our own tasks.”

“At least, after so many duels with Yue Qian, we've verified that the Anti-investigation and Prophecy spell and Deceptive Disguise spell are reliable.”

“Even though I don't know how to use battle skills like Surge or Demolition Fist, Yue Qian was still deceived.”

Zi Di nodded, “This means that even if we face a duel challenge in the capital, we can handle it to some extent.”

“It's just that the consumption of pearl bubbles has become much more intense.”

“We need to use them sparingly.”