Chapter 1096: Giving You a Souvenir

If it weren't for this captive in hand, the Ya Kingdom army wouldn't have been able to sit back and watch the Yangshan people calmly rescue the Bailong tribe.

Now, Wu Lu was placed on a large ship, using a cabin as a temporary prison.

He was still wrapped in layer after layer of spider silk, closing his eyes to rest.

The violent ape had turned back into a little monkey, squatting on a low cabinet eating a banana.

Dong Rui ordered it to act as the jailer here.

When He Lingchuan and Zhu Xiuer entered, Wu Lu was lying on the bed, snoring slightly.

He had actually fallen asleep.

The only sound in the cabin was the violent ape gnawing on a banana, *smack-smack*.

Ah, sweet, it peeled another one.

He Lingchuan sat down, and his personal guards immediately moved in a birch table, then served four or five steaming dishes, and brought in a jar of fine wine.

He Lingchuan had just smashed the mud seal when the rich aroma of wine wafted out, filling the entire cabin shortly after.

Wu Lu twitched his nose twice, opening his eyes as if he had just woken up, turning his head to look at the jar: "Good wine!"

"Sorry for the neglect earlier, General Wu." He Lingchuan had been busy on the beach for a long time, and Wu Lu had been left here. "Shall we have a drink?"

Wu Lu pointed his chin at the spider silk: "What with?"

He was still bundled like a cocoon and couldn't free his hands.

He Lingchuan smiled and looked at Zhu Xiuer.

The spider monster could now shrink to the size of a calf, which was convenient for entering and exiting the cabin. It took a few steps forward, stretched out its two pincers, and picked Wu Lu up, rolling him around.

Strangely, the sticky spider webs that others couldn't tear open no matter how they tried were unraveled by Zhu Xiuer in three or two strokes, the movements flowing like water, so fast that even He Lingchuan couldn't see clearly.

Wu Lu only knew he was rolling around like a wine barrel, and then the spider monster pushed him forward: "Alright."

He turned over and stood up, only to find that all his restraints were gone, and there wasn't even half a strand of spider silk on his hair.

Zhu Xiuer had completely recovered it.

Wu Lu smoothed his hair, shook his clothes, and sat down opposite He Lingchuan.

A few hours ago, the two had been fighting with blades, and He Lingchuan had even pierced his heart.

A few hours later, the two were sitting at a table drinking, calling each other brothers.

He Lingchuan personally poured him a cup of wine.

Wu Lu picked it up and drank it in one gulp.

Seeing him drink so happily, Zhu Xiuer stepped back a few steps, took a jar of fine wine for herself, and sipped it slowly.

The jar was too small; it wasn't enough for two of its gulps.

Wu Lu put down the wine cup and let out a breath: "Good wine!"

"This is peach blossom wine from Blade Harbor, ten-year vintage. If General Wu likes it, take a few more jars on your way."

On your way? Wu Lu couldn't tell if this was literal or... He Lingchuan leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs: "I only came to rescue the Bailong people this time, and accidentally captured General Wu, which violates my original intention. I am truly sorry, He."

He was embarrassed in words, but his face was full of smiles; where was the slightest bit of apology? Zhu Xiuer paused for two seconds, thinking that what he said seemed correct. He Lingchuan's original combat plan was a surprise attack, but it was discovered by this Wu fellow in advance, turning it into a half-baked plan, which was why he had to change his decision to capture the leader first.

Wu Lu put down the wine cup and leaned forward: "If Island Master He is a smart man, he should kill me now to remove a great enemy for the future. Otherwise, we will have many opportunities to deal with each other in the future."

He Lingchuan pointed to the surroundings of the cabin: "Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar? General Wu, just come; next time I will still treat you with good wine and food like this."

Still like this?

This young man was not giving an inch in verbal sparring. But Wu Lu's heart relaxed; having a "next time" meant He Lingchuan really wouldn't kill him this time.

The battle was over, and as the Island Master, he had to consider the consequences this battle might trigger.

The He fellow came to rescue the Bailong tribe and had no deep hatred for the Ya Kingdom itself. Now that the battle was over, killing Wu Lu was not only unnecessary but would offend the Ya Kingdom to death.

The two sides were close neighbors, and there would be many dealings in the future.

Both He Lingchuan and Wu Lu knew this well.

Fighting a war is official business; it's over once it's done. Apart from that, the two sides had no private hatred or resentment, and now they could sit together and drink.

Wu Lu also re-observed this young Island Master of the Yangshan Archipelago:

"Island Master He is very good at being a person, but not very good at doing things. To offend the Ya Kingdom for the sake of a mere Bailong tribe, isn't that picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon?"

He Lingchuan picked up a piece of crispy fish: "The Bailong tribe just stood on the wrong side back then; how could they deserve to be exterminated?"

Wu Lu smiled and didn't intend to explain the inside story to this outsider.

"They only have this many people left; does the mighty Ya Kingdom fear them rising again?"

Wu Lu said lightly: "My country has many brave warriors; we don't fear one rebellious tribe."

"They haven't had a good life all these years, but it was just one or two people who chose wrong; why should forty thousand innocent clansmen bear the consequences?"

"Your thinking is truly strange." Wu Lu drank some wine. "Where are you from?"

"From the west, very far away."

"Even the current great power Beijia has the punishment of exterminating the clan; how can it be that one or two people commit a crime and the family is not involved?"

He Lingchuan didn't argue with him about concepts, because there was no winner. He was just curious: "Before and after the founding of the Ya Kingdom, has there ever been a history of exterminating a clan?"

"Of course, I know of two times; but in wars between tribes, usually the losing side becomes horses and slaves. My King once exiled two tribes, a total of twenty thousand people, to the eastern mining area."

This was the background color of this world. He Lingchuan smiled: "Fine, let's speak openly. I've taken the Bailong tribe away, and their future whereabouts have nothing to do with the Ya Kingdom. I've cleaned up a big trouble for your country, but no need to thank me; we don't have to take it to heart."

"Good, I will definitely bring this message." Wu Lu's eyes flickered. "I heard that your island also has a branch of the Bailong people, who rebelled and seized the island a few months ago."

He Lingchuan admitted it generously: "Yes, that happened."

"You don't kill them, and you want to help more Bailong people?" Not holding grudges. Not every superior has such magnanimity. "If you don't die within five years, I will implore my King to send troops to exterminate you!"

"Thanks for the compliment." He Lingchuan was indifferent. "General Wu, rest well; it's time to hit the road later."

At this moment, the night owl flew to the large ship, bringing a message from Ding Zuodong:

The Bailong people had finished resting.

After eating, people calmed down and began to mourn the dead and the sacrificed warriors.

No one wanted to be left on such a desert island, so all the dead were cremated, and their ashes were put in jars to be taken away.

At the same time, the Yangshan Guard Team and Bailong warriors also organized civilians to board the ships.

Cargo ships that had just unloaded food could also carry people; the number of ships brought by He Lingchuan and Bailie was huge, and they could accommodate all the Bailong people with some to spare.

This round of arrangements took several hours.

The ships set sail as soon as they were full, without stopping.

When the last large ship set sail from Luting Beach, it was already the third morning; and the first ship to set sail had just arrived at the Yangshan Archipelago!

Compared to the Bailong tribe's difficult journey over the past half year, the sea voyage was safe and sound. Heaven was also beautiful, and the fleet only encountered one big storm, but suffered no losses, and the whole journey was very smooth.

By the time they reached the Yangshan Archipelago, it was dark.

He Lingchuan specifically separated a few ships to carry Lu Qingbin, his sister, and the Bailie elite troops back to Blade Harbor.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1097 =====

Dozens of guards rushed to the beach to bring Wulu back into the army.

One of the guards, being straightforward, pointed at the Yangshan specialties on the ground and asked, "General, what should we do with these?"

The words were already out; it was useless for those beside him to signal him to stop.

What did it mean for the enemy to send the general local specialty gifts? A pleasant conversation?

Wulu looked down, his expression indescribable.

He really wanted to kick them away, but he silently restrained himself and did not lash out.

"Put them away." He turned to gaze at the large ships leaving the shore.

The Yangshan people had already returned his equipment, including the storage ring on his hand.

On the ship, He Lingchuan could see shadows flickering in the jungle on the shore; the army was lurking there, watching.

The Soul-Stealing Mirror clicked its tongue twice: "It was so hard to catch him, and you just let him go back like that. What a pity."

"It's not a pity." If he didn't kill Wulu, he would have to let him go eventually.

To avoid awkwardness for everyone, it was better to let him go early.

The large ships accommodated the most severely wounded; there were dedicated physicians and medics performing multiple rounds of inspections, and everyone looked at them with eyes full of gratitude.

Medicine was also distributed on the small boats to prevent conditions from worsening or becoming infected. If that failed, they were transferred to the large ships for treatment in time.

Many Bailong people fell asleep as soon as they sat in the cabins. After months of sleeping in the open and two nights of anxiety, plus a rare full meal, the sleepiness immediately came knocking.

During the voyage, He Lingchuan had already chatted with Elder Wanqi, inviting the Bailong tribe to rest at the Yangshan Archipelago instead of Blade Edge Port.

The reason was simple: Blade Edge Port was small with limited resources and could not suddenly accommodate so many people.

Looking around, only the Yangshan Archipelago had vast territory; forty thousand people entering it would be like a drop of water in the ocean, not appearing numerous at all.

Although their savior had changed his mind halfway, Elder Wanqi agreed without blinking: all his tribesmen were on Island Master He's ship; if he said where to sail, they sailed there. Was it useful for them to object?

Besides, why object? Wasn't a place to settle what the Bailong tribe lacked most right now? Unlike other factions, Island Master He not only didn't drive them away but was also warm and hospitable. Who could refuse that? When the last large ship set sail from Luting Beach, it was already the third morning; and the first sea ship to depart had just arrived at the Yangshan Archipelago!

Compared to the Bailong tribe's difficult journey over the past half-year, the sea voyage was without danger. Heaven also favored them; the fleet only encountered one gale but suffered no losses, and the whole journey went very smoothly.

By the time they were near the Yangshan Archipelago, the sky had darkened.

He Lingchuan specifically separated several ships to carry Lu Qingbin, his sister, and the Bailie elite troops back to Blade Edge Port.

(End of chapter)