Chapter 400: Rescuing Lan Zao
Flower Skirt Island.
The icy sea breeze that swept across this island naturally rose, merging into the clouds above.
Flowers bloom year-round here, creating an eternal spring—a unique oasis amidst the frigid seas.
“Who goes there?!” The patrol fleet intercepted the Bayonet Gang members three nautical miles offshore.
Bing Xiao stepped forward to answer: “We are the Sea Breeze Mercenary Corps...”
After leaving the Divine Wind Pirates, the Bayonet Gang members could not operate under their gang's name. Snow Bird Harbor had undoubtedly issued a wanted notice.
Though not a national level warrant, its impact was significant.
Bing Xiao needed to cover their tracks, buying time for his group.
The patrol fleet comprised only three seagoing vessels. Upon seeing silver level Bing Xiao, Xiong Ju, and Spring Boxer, the captain's expression darkened.
He was the only silver level among the entire fleet.
Though the Bayonet Gang possessed only three landing craft, not a single standard seagoing vessel, they remained a formidable force.
“Present your mercenary credentials!” the captain shouted.
Bing Xiao complied, attaching the certificate to an arrow and shooting it across to the opposing vessel.
The mercenary credentials were, of course, genuine.
This reflected the Bayonet Gang's established standing.
Occasionally, they employed false identities to facilitate their operations.
Of course, this particular certificate was genuine - it belonged to a fictitious Sea Breeze Mercenary Corps, duly registered with the Mercenary Guild.
After verification, the patrol fleet immediately granted passage.
As they neared the dock, Bing Xiao cautioned his companions: "Flower Skirt Island is a neutral territory, a melting pot of all sorts. Once ashore, everyone must be vigilant. Do not stray from the main group. Stay together."
Spring Boxer wore a look of novelty. He rarely ventured out to sea, and this was his first time setting foot on Flower Skirt Island, his first time leaving his country.
Spring Boxer asked, “Boss, what do we do once we're ashore?”
Bing Xiao sighed, “First, tend to their injuries.”
Many members of the Bayonet Gang were wounded.
They had sustained injuries during their escape from Snow Bird Harbor. The sneak attack by the Li Jian Clan leader Mian Li Cang had also inflicted casualties on the Bayonet Gang, adding to the number of wounded. The human ringleader had been injured and fell unconscious as a result.
These casualties had to be prioritized.
Bing Xiao clearly had no intention of abandoning them.
The Bayonet Gang's numbers had already dwindled drastically, leaving only this small group. They were already a candle flickering in the wind. Losing more men would bring them perilously close to complete collapse.
"The Divine Wind was overcrowded with wounded. Their priests can't treat everyone. Flower Skirt Island has many skilled physicians. For a price, we can secure proper care," Bing Xiao stated.
Money wasn't the issue.
Even a broken ship had three nails holding it together, let alone the Bayonet Gang, which had dominated Snow Bird Harbor for years. Besides, they'd brought ample supplies during this escape.
Yet a worry lingered in Bing Xiao's heart.
This worry mirrored Feng Lian's.
He feared a mole.
The mole was likely among the Bayonet Gang members, yet he couldn't identify them.
“If even the demon ringleader has surrendered, subduing ordinary gang members should be even easier for the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord.”
"What's more terrifying is that he could swiftly annihilate the entire Bayonet Gang. Such thorough preparation must mean he planted numerous spies beforehand. Such spies are undoubtedly fiercely loyal. If they've infiltrated our ranks, they pose an immense threat!"
Bing Xiao's concern was well-founded.
As they neared Flower Skirt Island, unusual activity began unfolding somewhere on the island.
“Lord Shuang Tu, we've detected Snowflake's life coordinates. He's heading our way and appears to be approaching the island,” a subordinate reported.
Shuang Tu, a snow elf, paused the pounding of herbs upon hearing this, instantly recalling the recent orders from above.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "The Divine Wind Pirates have taken in the remnants of the Bayonet Gang and evaded the Second Royal Navy's ambush. The Bayonet Gang actually made it here? Bring the nautical charts."
The chart was swiftly spread across the table before Shuang Tu.
Shuang Tu traced a slender finger across the map, shifting it slightly.
His brow furrowed as he analyzed aloud: “The Li Jian Clan leader, Mian Li Cang, should have launched the second ambush in this vicinity.”
“Given this distance, Flower Skirt Island is indeed the closest island to them.”
"But I wonder how the second ambush went? Did the Divine Wind Pirates also land on the island?"
Over an hour later, new intelligence arrived.
“Lord, according to reports from the patrol fleet, all three landing craft carried members of the Bayonet Gang—no Divine Wind Pirates!”
Shuang Tu pondered for a moment, then smiled, “It seems Feng Lian abandoned them all.”
“Mian Li Cang must have dealt the Divine Wind Pirates a severe blow. Otherwise, Feng Lian would have at least sent this group to Flower Skirt Island.”
“This is good news.”
“The political pressure on the Li Jian Clan from their defeat will ease considerably. Without the Divine Wind Pirates lurking nearby, our upcoming operations will be much smoother.”
“Make preparations. We're going to retrieve Snowflake.”
"New orders have come down from above. We can develop a new mole within the Bayonet Gang. Hope that unlucky bastard is still alive, heh."
Bing Xiao and the others finally reached shore.
Their arrival caused quite a stir.
A full three silver level individuals, that was considered exceptional strength on Flower Skirt Island.
The island had only one gold level cultivator, who lived in seclusion year-round, detached from worldly affairs. Several other silver level individuals each commanded some influence. Island affairs were typically handled through their collective deliberations.
The island patrol guards and patrol fleet were also formed through contributions of resources and manpower from various factions.
Shuang Tu was one of the silver level leaders among them.
The rendezvous went even smoother than he had anticipated.
Bing Xiao had proactively brought his men to visit him.
The reason was simple: Shuang Tu was the most renowned transcendent healer on Flower Skirt Island. Of course, other transcendent individuals on the island possessed formidable healing abilities as well. But Shuang Tu also ran the largest medical clinic on the island.
With multiple wounded individuals requiring treatment, Shuang Tu's clinic was the most suitable choice.
Shuang Tu personally welcomed Bing Xiao and arranged for the Bayonet Gang's wounded to be settled comfortably within the clinic.
Bing Xiao was generous, offering substantial funds to request Shuang Tu's personal attention.
“Please ensure these two are fully healed,” Bing Xiao hinted to Shuang Tu.
The individuals he prioritized for treatment were the human ringleader and Lan Zao.
The former was a silver level leader of the Bayonet Gang, undoubtedly high-ranking, politically savvy, and capable of coordinating with Bing Xiao.
The latter had saved Bing Xiao's life, possessed unwavering loyalty, and showed promising potential with awakened bloodline abilities.
Shuang Tu immediately pledged full effort in their treatment, though inwardly found it somewhat absurd.
The reason was simple.
The organization member codenamed Snowflake was none other than the human ringleader!
Furthermore, the new target to nurture into a mole was none other than Lan Zao from the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!