Chapter 586: The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps Took Away the Spoils of War?

Tan Mo nodded and turned to board his Treasure Chest.

The Treasure Chest had long been prepared for departure and immediately set sail at a leisurely pace.

Within the ship's hold, in a prison cell, the imprisoned Hun Tong felt the vessel's movement. He opened his eyes, revealing hatred and resolve, then closed them again.

The Treasure Chest gradually left the dock, its speed steadily increasing.

Tan Mo looked at Yan Yi who was still watching him from the shore, his expression complex.

“This guy... he's actually quite something.”

At first, Tan Mo hadn't seen through Yan Yi's true nature, even using him as an intermediary to facilitate his extortion of Hun Tong.

Little did he expect that Yan Yi would deceive both sides, stoking the flames, fueling Tan Mo's greed, and intensifying Hun Tong's humiliation and rage.

Step by step, Tan Mo was led down this path. By the time he sensed something was amiss, the momentum of the negotiations had already solidified. The conflict between him and Hun Tong had reached a boiling point, impossible to resolve in the short term.

Moreover, Yan Yi immediately seized the opportunity, luring Tan Mo with a lucrative offer. Ultimately, swayed by this financial onslaught, Tan Mo joined Yan Yi and the major merchant alliance's scheme to “replace the island lord.”

Having framed Hun Tong, Tan Mo now looked back on the events with a chill running down his spine.

Yan Yi had skillfully maneuvered between the investigation team, the Two Eyes Island Lord Hun Tong, and the major merchant alliances, exploiting every faction to near perfection. He even used the Seventh Prince as a figurehead to establish trust for the merchant alliance's cooperation.

And he was merely a bronze level!

Such maneuvering was like a newborn infant dancing gracefully amidst a sea of giant crocodiles.

The crucial part? This infant actually pulled it off.

The audacity and vision Yan Yi displayed left Tan Mo, a gold level secret agent and naval commander, in awe.

Especially that final moment, when Tan Mo publicly arrested Hun Tong, Yan Yi stepped in. His performance left Tan Mo secretly stunned!

Yan Yi ultimately deceived Hun Tong, becoming the acting island lord and gaining control of the Golden Flash. With the endorsement of the previous ruling lord, the backing of major merchant alliances and the Wealth Church, plus his own network of secret agents... these three factions strongly supported him, securing his seat as ruler of Two Eyes Island.

"The only trouble is the Justice Church. They've dispatched a bishop to Two Eyes Island, along with a rather notorious Guang Ke. Now that Hun Tong is captured, their investment has gone down the drain, making them aggrieved parties. They're likely to cause trouble. This poses a challenge for Yan Yi."

But Tan Mo believed Yan Yi would overcome it.

Before arriving at Two Eyes Island, he would never have imagined a bronze level cultivator could resist such formidable enemies.

But now, Tan Mo had profound confidence in Yan Yi.

Tan Mo silently asked himself, if the roles were reversed, could he, in Yan Yi's place, have achieved what he had?

He considered his own courage and vision to be in no way inferior to Yan Yi's.

“The only thing missing is acting!”

Undoubtedly, this was a crucial skill that allowed Yan Yi to navigate smoothly among major factions and powerful figures.

Though he was only a bronze level transcendent, under his manipulation, it no longer seemed a disadvantage but had transformed into an advantage.

At bronze level... everyone naturally underestimated him.

The bronze level Yan Yi was looked down upon, yet at the same time, he was seen as harmless.

Major merchant alliances, the Wealth Church, even Hun Tong, all of them underestimated Yan Yi. Even he, Tan Mo, hadn't he looked down on Yan Yi?

"Magicians have a popular adage: ‘Wisdom is power.’ Seeing Yan Yi, I understand that saying more deeply."

"If I ever face such an enemy in the future, I'll kill him outright. No nonsense. Never play games with such people. He seems to have eyes in the back of his head!"

“Thankfully, Yan Yi's bloodline peak is only bronze level.”

Thinking this, Tan Mo exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling a surge of relief.

Tan Mo cast one final glance at the docks of Two Eyes Island.

As the distance grew, Yan Yi shrank into a blurry mass within his vision.

He turned and walked toward his captain's cabin.

Stepping onto the deck, his gaze lowered, as if seeing through the planks to the dungeon where Hun Tong was imprisoned.

Tan Mo neither abused nor tortured Hun Tong.

After all, Hun Tong remained uncondemned and retained his status as an imperial noble, a courtesy he deserved.

Simultaneously, this was Tan Mo’s method of lulling Hun Tong into complacency.

“Such treatment will make Hun Tong feel at ease, but he is already as good as dead!”

According to the plan, once Tu Ji wore off, agents dispatched by the major merchant alliances would step in to deliver a dignified and just end to Hun Tong.

Meanwhile, in another detention cell, a fishman remained imprisoned.

It was Dao Hen.

After being swayed by Yan Yi and recanting his testimony, he had become a crucial witness for Hun Tong's conviction. Consequently, he too was to depart aboard the ship.

“He's as good as dead too.”

Dao Hen knew secrets; his fate was equally sealed.

“A silver level fishman is one thing, but Hun Tong is gold level, with his own fiefdom. To end up like this... what a waste.”

“He had business acumen, adapting to circumstances and revitalizing Two Eyes Island.”

“But alas, he failed to recognize true talent, blinded by age!”

Hun Tong had always lamented the lack of capable subordinates. Yet viewed another way, wasn't this precisely proof of his own shortcomings, an inability to discern potential and nurture promising candidates?

“His greatest mistake was misreading the situation.”

"He thought Two Eyes Island was a faraway outpost, but the entire Main Plane is the Empire's chessboard! Who could possibly escape?"

Hun Tong misjudged the situation. Even now, he still believed this was merely a straightforward frame-up. He was innocent. The real culprit was Tan Mo, greedy and audacious beyond measure.

Little did he know, the tide of the times had already swept him underwater.

All that awaited him was drowning!

Thinking of Hun Tong, Tan Mo silently warned himself: “The Empire's advance into the Wilderness Continent has already unleashed the colossal waves of this era.”

“On the Beastman Continent, the ever-rising castles and the battles, great and small, are merely the surface of these waves.”

“Beneath the surface, however, rages a turbulent undercurrent.”

“These currents aren't confined to the Beastman Continent. They're spreading across the Sheng Ming Continent, permeating the entire Main Plane.”

“No one is spared.”

“Even gold levels, the ruling lords of the Empire, with just a single lapse in vigilance, and they'll be swallowed by the currents.”

“Hun Tong is a sacrifice of this era, right before our eyes.”

“His example is far from unique.”

“In this era's relentless tide, even gold level individuals can be shattered to pieces with the slightest misstep.”

Tan Mo's expedition to Two Eyes Island had netted him a massive windfall.

Yan Yi and the merchant alliance representative invited Tan Mo to intervene. After some bargaining, the latter secured 80,000 gold coins on the spot.

Combined with previous bribes from Yan Yi and Hun Tong, Tan Mo's total earnings this time exceeded 100,000 gold coins!

“I wasn't mistaken. This operation truly was a lucrative deal.”

“It was well worth spending 30,000 gold coins on gifts to secure such an assignment from higher-ups.”

Tan Mo demanded bribes, but he also funneled benefits upward.

The 30,000 gold coins represented his largest expense for this operation, with minimal expenditures elsewhere.

Supplies consumed by the Treasure Chest during its voyage could be reimbursed through the Imperial Navy.

Nearly all aboard the Treasure Chest were members of Tan Mo's clan, and their salaries were still paid by the Navy.

Tan Mo had also prepared a bribe for Tu Ji.

But Tu Ji never accepted it; he couldn't stand Tan Mo.

Tan Mo wisely withdrew, sparing himself further embarrassment.

Two other key figures were aboard Tan Mo's vessel: a member of the Secret Gate Church and a saint level shield guardian specializing in defense.

Both held critical roles yet remained deeply secluded, rarely appearing in public.

During stops at both Snake Rat Island and Two Eyes Island, they never left their respective quarters.

Tan Mo had made a fortune, yet his mood wasn't as joyful as he'd anticipated.

With mixed feelings, he returned to the captain's cabin.

Alone, with no one else present.

He unfolded the documents and carefully examined the intelligence sent by Yan Yi.

Moments later, he withdrew his gaze, lost in thought.

"The second necromancer once used alchemy puppets to seize the Iron Lump. Yes, I've seen the magic footage of that battle, that scene is there."

"After the Battle of Weeping Pine Island, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps captured the Iron Lump. That is an indisputable fact."

“According to intelligence, upon arriving at Snow Bird Harbor in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps suddenly became flush with cash, frequently selling high-value art pieces like antiques and calligraphy.”

At this thought, Tan Mo's eyes flashed with sharp brilliance.

“Interesting... Yan Yi's theory holds merit.”

“So, it seems likely that the necromancer deployed alchemy puppets during the naval battle to secretly salvage the island's entire treasure hoard.”

“Then the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps swept them all away.”

“The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps... Tan Qiu mentioned them briefly back on Snake Rat Island.”

“If they really got their hands on that loot, imagine how many gold coins that would be!”

“That's the entire island's accumulated wealth!”

"Especially since Two Eyes Island is a thriving commercial hub, many pirates come here to fence their loot!

Just speculating on the value of this haul made Tan Mo's breathing grow heavy.

“If this treasure really falls into the hands of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, what am I supposed to do?”

"Their background is complicated, likely arms smugglers operating under false identities. Perfect! This gives me the ideal cover to investigate them."

"No wonder Yan Yi said I might be the biggest winner of the Two Eyes Island naval battle. Haha! If fate smiles upon me and I truly get my hands on that loot, it would be utterly fantastic!"

Tan Mo's innate greed swiftly eroded the fleeting sense of awe and caution stirred by the staggering bounty. In its place surged an overwhelming impulse!

His current role and mission had already granted him follow-up intelligence regarding the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' arrival at Ice Sculpture Island.

“Hmph! So what if Long Fu can defeat gold level opponents with silver level cultivation?”

“He's still just a silver level!”

“Tu Ji will disembark midway. Without that constraint, my movements will be far more free.”

“Even if the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has some hidden cards, I have a saint level shield guardian by my side.”

"Even that bronze level Yan Yi managed to thrive. I'll ride their coattails and borrow their might, it's entirely possible!"

Tan Mo muttered to himself, his greedy nature fueling wild fantasies. He couldn't contain himself, he had to thoroughly test this Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps!

“Transmit my orders: increase speed.”

“I demand maximum speed to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom!”

As Tan Mo issued the command, he thought to himself: "We must hurry. If the spoils are truly in their hands, I must get there quickly."

“Before these scoundrels squander every last coin.”

“That money belongs to me!”