Chapter 2069: Each Preparing for War

The owner of Yangshan Archipelago is He Lingchuan, but he now obeys every command of Fushan Yue without exception.

The fierce tiger also changed its lazy appearance, leaping directly down from the second floor.

Fushan Yue immediately asked it: "When will our last batch of troops land on the island?"

"They have already arrived, coming the night before last."

"Excellent!" Fushan Yue relaxed, laughing aloud three times to the heavens, "Pass on my order—our troops shall stand ready, prepared for battle!"

Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth dams it.

With him guarding Yangshan Archipelago, does the young deer surnamed Lu still think he can sneak in? Hah, not a chance!

"Yes!" The tiger shook its fur, turned, and sprinted off, vanishing by the lakeside in a few leaps.

Fushan Yue employed his movement technique, rushing to the southern edge of the island.

By the sea stood a small pier, built upon the reefs, closed to outsiders.

At this moment, with the tide rising, several creatures with human bodies and fish tails lay upon the reefs—

Yin Hui.

They were happily rummaging through rock crevices for crabs, quite at ease.

As Fushan Yue approached, they showed no hostility; instead, they bowed to him:

This one often cultivates together with the Yin Hui King, and thus deserves respect.

Ordinary Yin Hui do not understand human speech, so Fushan Yue gestured to them:

Clear the path—I wish to see your leader.

He and the Yin Hui King had long been acquainted; upon hearing his intent, the Yin Hui King readily nodded in agreement.

At this moment, the entire Yangshan Archipelago grew tense, as warship after warship was mobilized; residents and visitors remaining on the island were confined to designated zones, temporarily barred from wandering freely, with the public reason given as:

Yin Sha sets sail!

The origin of Yangshan Archipelago has long been a topic of near and far gossip, and the tale of "Yin Sha" is inevitably part of it. This place naturally abounds in Yin Sha, which is why it became an absolute realm of the mundane world—once a living person leaves the island's boundary protection, they fall prey to Yin Sha, driven mad and dying in confusion.

Upon hearing this warning, most people naturally stayed put in the designated areas, daring not to run about.

After an hour, the sky suddenly filled with thick clouds, driving away the ten-thousand-li clear sky.

Soon, gloom rolled across the sea, covering over half of Yangshan Archipelago.

This was no longer a sea with immortal mountains, but a sea with murderous isles; the former ease of blue skies, white clouds, and sunny beaches vanished completely.

The living stood on the shore or on high ground, seeing only murderous mist rolling across the sea, the solitary island now utterly isolated from the world.

How was this achieved?

Put plainly, it's not worth much—the Yin Hui King performed a cloud-weaving technique to block the fierce sunlight. Though he has no fame for marshes or mountains here, he possesses their substance; such divine ability is mere child's play to him.

Afterwards, Fushan Yue and the Yin Hui went into the sea, dismantling part of the sea reefs' Dragon-Subduing Pillars—he himself is a Ba, and thus unafraid of Yin Sha.

Without the Dragon-Subduing Pillars absorbing, Yin Qi would continuously surge from underground, reclaiming the sea surface; while islands inhabited by living beings still enjoy the Pillars' protection, remaining uninvaded by Yin Qi.

As long as Yangshan Archipelago has sufficient reaction time, any invading enemy must first pass through the Yin Qi barrier.

Of course, Fushan Yue would not blindly optimism, thinking this alone could stop Lu Qinglin's advance. Lu Er is a native Bailie person; naturally, he would not be unaware of the terror of Yangshan Archipelago's Yin Qi.

He dares to lead troops here—he must have some reliance.

After a flurry of activity, Fushan Yue returned to the main island, his clothes and hair completely soaked.

He was about to circulate his Qi to dry the moisture when the little maid Taotao rushed over in haste, her eyes wide as apricots.

Before Taotao could speak, Fushan Yue first asked her:

"Are all the personnel aboard the ships?"

Now Yangshan can build ships—merchant and war vessels alike—no longer the plight of three or five years ago when no ships were usable. Fushan Yue had Guan Ke prepare the vessels; combat personnel must board and stand by.

Taotao was about to speak, but swallowed her words, first answering his question: "Thirty-two ships, all boarded."

To prepare over thirty warships for departure in such a short time is no easy task.

Loading weapons, filling shells, hoisting sails, tying ropes, transporting food and water, and so on.

Fortunately, the port and pier of Yangshan Archipelago do this daily—second nature.

"Has Lu Er's fleet set sail?"

Taotao's words were again held back: "Not yet, not yet—heard they're still preparing. Who could match our efficiency?"

"Maintain strict surveillance; report any movement immediately."

"Yes……" Taotao could no longer contain herself, blurting out in one breath: "My lord, you have guests arriving!"

"Guests? Now?" Fushan Yue exclaimed in surprise, pointing at his own nose: "Who? From where?"

"That one won't let me speak." Taotao giggled, "Just hurry and see him!"

What guest behaves so rudely? Fushan Yue coldly snorted: "Lead the way!"

……

The heavens shifted in an instant—ominous black clouds nearly pressed onto the sea surface, as if doomsday were approaching.

Lu Qinglin lifted his gaze to the sky, frowning: "These clouds came with strange wickedness."

Wu Tiju hurried over, sweat pouring from his head, having just heard this remark, and casually said: "At sea, unpredictable wind and clouds are to be expected."

Lu Qinglin glanced at him: "Is your port always this slow in handling affairs?"

He merely sought some vessels from the Maritime Trade Office, yet the docks of Blade Edge Port have been busy for four hours, and still no ship has put to sea.

Slow—truly too slow.

Wu Tiju cried out in frustration: "Lord Lu, these ships are all temporarily requisitioned—we must first unload all personnel and cargo before preparing for departure! You know, getting everyone off the ships is the hardest part. Some shipowners refuse to yield, resorting to force!"

The sea's wind and waves are merciless; those who dare engage in maritime trade—whose heads aren't tied to their waistbands by reckless madmen? You want his ship, he wants your life.

"Didn't I send troops to help you?" Lu Qinglin doubted, suspecting Wu Tiju of deliberately delaying: "It's been several hours—still the ships aren't ready?"

"Very well—I came to report to you: the ships are ready, supplies replenished, and we can depart at any moment."

At that moment, an attendant stepped forward to report: "Just now we received word from the flying messengers—Yangshan has sealed off the waterway and nearby waters, forbidding any boatmen from passing, saying the yinsha is about to appear."

"Yinsha? Not coming early, not coming late—what a coincidence?" Lu Qinglin turned his head to look at Wu Tiju, a smile on his lips but not in his eyes, "Did you send word to Yangshan?"

No need to ask—the yinsha was sent out for him.

He knew with his knees that Yangshan would never normally have such things lurking about; otherwise, how could this place become a golden waterway?

"How could I? How dare I!" Wu Tiju panicked, his face changing color, "This port has how many Yangshan people? We're making such a big fuss—of course they'd be suspicious. A place like this port—news spreads easily. Just in the time we've been talking, how many people nearby are watching us!"

Lu Qinglin couldn't be bothered with him anymore, and directly ordered: "Pass the word down—entire army, aboard ship, prepare to set sail."