Chapter 74: Making War
A blue sky with white clouds.
Blue ocean waves.
Six ships sailed with the wind.
It was the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ fleet.
Five ships were from Da Zhao’s pirate group, while the other was one of Hei Fei’s slave ships.
These ships had all been remodeled, and because of the bitter training, the sailors on board had a dauntless spirit.
In the captain’s room, the dragonman youngster was comparing ocean maps.
Right now, they were headed towards Stone Forest Island.
After retrieving the Green Jade Gold Cofin, the survivors’ next destination was Two Eyes Island.
Two Eyes Island was bigger than Snake Rat Island, and had more robust infrastructure. More crucially, the island had a Wisteria Merchant Alliance shop.
Zi Di needed to use this store and the Wisteria Merchant Alliance’s power to get in contact with the Bai Zhen clan elder.
Other channels were very risky.
Stone Forest Island was on the way.
The survivors could conveniently pass by.
After the Green Jade Gold Coffin left the island, they smuggled it into the Deep Sea Monster Fish.
Everyone had decided that they would explore Stone Forest Island and discern the truth there.
They wouldn’t make landfall, only get close to it.
The survivors were relying on the Deep Sea Monster Fish.
This alchemy ship hadn’t been exposed yet, and it had three incredibly strong detection methods.
Not only that, but they also had many scouting birds.
With these two acting together, they could detect most ships.
After getting the information, they would use a magic communication device as well as bird scouts to inform Snake Rat Island of the situation.
Thus, they wouldn’t be in violation of the magic contract.
After achieving this, they would be free to move as they wished.
The alliance contract was very loose.
Unreasonable military orders could be ignored.
Both sides had the right of pertinent interpretation.
If the situation permitted it, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps also wanted to deal with Rou Zang’s pirate group.
After all, the alliance had many hands and the legendary Guang Ke.
As long as Rou Zang’s pirate group and the alliance met in open battle, those of Snake Rat Island were favored to win.
If there weren’t more important things to do, the dragonman youngster was willing to stay behind and fight Rou Zang with Guang Ke.
It was just as he had said: this was the path of justice!
Stone Forest Island gradually came into view.
The island was bigger than Snake Rat Island, but it was barren, covered in rocks and sparse vegetation.
In the center of the island, there were hundreds of stone pillars.
These stone pillars were of varying thicknesses, but all of them were wider at the bottom and thinner at the top, like gigantic bamboo shoots.
The stone pillars made up a stone forest, thus this was where Stone Forest Island got its name from.
“That is the island’s most important resource, those stone pillars contain Brain Pebbles.
“If those white pebbles are of high quality, they will contain red veiny lines, and look like a person’s brain.”
“Brain Pebbles are an alchemy material with many uses. The material can range from bronze level to silver level quality.” Zi Di introduced.
Before the lookouts, the survivors had used the Deep Sea Monster Fish to scout out Stone Forest Island.
A group of birds flew out, some of them were holding a rat in their feet.
It was the scout birds and scout rats.
These alchemy puppets dispersed into Stone Forest Island’s skies, those with rats first dropped them off, before then dancing in the breeze in all directions.
Many sights were subsequently transmitted to the Deep Sea Monster Fish.
The survivors saw a desolated village.
Fires were still burning.
The village was already in ruins.
There were traces of the pirate’s attack everywhere.
There was not a trace of anyone.
“There must be survivors on the island. They were the ones who informed Snake Rat Island of this.” Zong Ge’s brows pursed, “We must be careful, these battlefield traces are somewhat odd.”
Zong Ge couldn’t say why it felt so odd.
It was only a feeling.
The dragonman youngster ordered the ships to slow.
The six ships circled around Stone Forest Island and cautiously observed it from a distance.
After a half hour, the Deep Sea Monster Fish finally detected human life.
The surviving villagers were hiding in a cave.
The cave was in a remote location, it was under a cliff that hung over the ocean.
The scouts couldn’t communicate and were unable to speak with the villagers.
“We need to make contact with them.” Said Cang Xu, “Merely observing won’t be enough for Tan Qiu and the others.”
Zong Ge added on, “Currently, we don’t detect any signs of Rou Zang’s pirate group, but that does not exclude a potential ambush on the island. We only need to dispatch a single person to acquire information from the villagers.”
The dragonman youngster nodded, “Which person do you recommend?”
A short while later.
Upon receiving the order, Xu Ma confronted Lan Zao and pointed a finger at him with glaring eyes, “I’m going ashore alone?!”
“Correct.” Said Lan Zao, “You will need to get more information from those villagers. Based on current observations, Rou Zang’s pirate group is not here.”
Xu Ma went white, and he anxiously replied, “But I heard that the Bath Tub can turn invisible. If by any chance they are lying in ambush, and we didn’t notice it…”
Lan Zao was solemn, “It is because of this that we dispatch you alone.”
“You cultivate the Spider Walking battle qi technique, you are agile and nimble, thus you are the most appropriate choice for this.”
Xu Ma was dumbstruck.
Lan Zao encouraged, “This is a good chance to distinguish yourself. According to our mercenary corps’ rules, after this mission is completed, you will receive a considerable contribution for it.”
To the side, Bai Ya casted an admiring gaze, “Prove yourself Senior Xu Ma, the commanders have already taken note of your abilities, this will add onto that!”
Xu Ma wanted to weep dry tears as he had no choice but to bitterly sail a boat to the island.
Using the map Lan Zao had given him, he smoothly entered the cave and went to meet with the villagers.
“Someone came!” The villagers shouted, they had already noticed the birds circling in the air and the fleeting moving around the island.
Xu Ma promptly shouted, “Don’t shoot, I am from Snake Rat Island, and under Lord Tan Qiu’s orders, have come to investigate this place!”
The villagers looked at each other, and hesitated.
As he was an iron level fighter, the village chief stood out, he gave an order to let him pass.
Xu Ma was received by the villagers.
Although it was ordinary dishes, there was wine too.
The village chief and villagers accompanying him spoke of the attack. They bitterly grumbled how brutal Rou Zang’s pirate group was and how joyful and fearful they were to escape.
Xu ma gradually relaxed.
He figured it out.
Currently it seems that everything was normal, and that the likelihood of Rou Zang laying an ambush was very small.
Even if there was an ambush, the main force hadn’t come ashore yet, and he alone was too small of a target, unworthy of being attacked by Rou Zang’s pirate group.
The bird scouts were circling around the cave’s roof, and one was sitting on Xu Ma’s shoulder.
Some rat scouts had overtly sat down, while others scurried into the villagers’ refuge and provided the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps with first-hand intelligence.
The dragonman youngster and the others compared the information with the ocean map.
“Based on what the villagers said, after Rou Zang’s pirate group raided the island, they snatched all of the Brain Pebbles. When the Bath Tub left Stone Forest Island, it was headed north.”
“If it is in that direction, then the islands it will pass will be…” The dragonman youngster’s finger crossed the map.
Just as he said that a magic communication device suddenly flashed with purple light.
——
An urgent military intelligence transmission can come through.
The alliance had already been dispatched, they were pursuing the Bath Tub and requested that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps do their hardest to intercept and stop it!
The information was detailed and explained everything.
Rou Zang and Mo Kong were imprisoned, the Bath Tub had fallen into Gu Qiao’s control. Swordsman Xi Cao had been forced by Mo Kong to risk his life to ask Snake Rat Island for help.
Who would have thought that a part of Rou Zang’s pirate group would ask their enemies for help?
But in these waters, only the alliance had the ability and motivation to deal with the Bath Tub.
Of course, Mo Kong did not hope the alliance would rescue him, he hoped to create chaos! After all, not long ago, he had caused havoc on Snake Rat Island.
The Flower Wall and Grass Head Pirates could not threaten the gold martial monk, Gu Qiao.
After the alliance leaders discussed, they chose to believe Swordsman Xi Cao and dispatched all of their troops.
With Swordsman Xi Cao’s information, they easily found the Bath Tub.
A chase hereby unfolded.
Gu Qiao planned to escort Rou Zang back to the Great Pain Temple.
He was headed towards Stone Forest Island.
Knowing the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ position, the alliance deliberately chased the Bath Tub towards Stone Forest Island.
Since the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had arrived at Stone Forest Island beforehand, due to unexpected events and deliberate action, they had become an ingenious ambush.
“If that is how things are, they who attacked Stone Forest Island?”
“Now is not the time to think about that, should we take action or not?”
“If we cower at this time, it will be too obvious, we might even be treated as spies for Rou Zang’s pirate group?”
“We can attack!” Zong Ge’s battle intent rose, “We are already prepared for war, and in peak condition.”
“Rou Zang and Gu Qiao have already clashed, both sides will be worn down.”
Mo Kong is imprisoned.”
“On our side, we have Guang Ke, Tan Qiu, the priest, the magician, and many other strong people.”
“Our chance of winning this battle is quite high.” Zong Ge suggested that they make war.
We will be rewarded handsomely for eradicating Rou Zang’s pirate group. I can greatly alleviate our financial woes, and most of all, it isn’t that risky.” Zi Di mulled.
Cang Xu expressed his opinion, “If we get cold feet, I fear our newly established Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps will become useless. Tan Qiu and the others won’t let us off and our mercenary croup won’t be able to get a foothold in the empire. We will need to change our appearance to continue operating.”
“If we act without endangering ourselves, even if we don’t stop the Bath Tub, it will be approved. The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ spotty history can perhaps be solved by Tan Qiu.”
“Then we make war.” The dragonman youngster’s gaze was as sharp as a blade, “This is a righteous battle to root out the malignant tumor that is Rou Zang and shall benefit these waters. Ah, Justice God, please look after me.”
The six ships turned around and sailed away.
When the villagers saw this, they immediately reported it.
The still drinking Xu Ma was flabbergasted: what was going on? Why were they sailing away? I’m still on the island!
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps quickly blockaded the Bath Tub’s path.
Behind the Bath Tub was the alliance’s main force.
When the martial monk, Gu Qiao, who standing on the ship’s highest floor, saw that he had no way to escape, his face was as gloomy as water, “Feudal Lord tan Qiu, do you really want to be my enemy? Rou Zang will be escorted away by me, and be imprisoned in the temple for the rest of his life. War is dangerous, why should you risk it?”
Tan Qiu sneered wordlessly, hatred colored his entire face.
If Rou Zang didn’t die, how could he be at ease? How could he wipe away his disgrace?
Guang Ke coldly shouted, “Punishment is upholding justice. Wickedness must be thoroughly rooted out! The only punishment for Rou Zang’s sins is death.”
The enemy is weak, while I am strong. At this point, the alliance was like an arrow leaving its bow, how could words stop them?
Gu Qiao sighed deeply, then malevolence spread across his face, “If you won’t listen to advice and seek death at your own accord, then I shall help you all!”