Chapter 2071: Peaks and Turns!

The boat? Lu Qinglin and Qi Chuanqing exchanged a glance.

Only the fleet of Yangshan could possibly appear here at this time and place.

Indeed, after sailing another few dozen zhang, the killing intent surged, and ahead on the sea, a forest of great ships came into view, their sails fluttering in unison, very imposing.

The shape, paint, and canvas of these ships were all very uniform, far more elegant than the miscellaneous vessels used by Lu Qinglin's army.

But Lu Qinglin reasonably suspected whether these ships were all filled with people.

A voice came from afar across the water:

"Who goes there? Dare to intrude upon the waters of Yangshan!"

"I am Bailie Lu Qinglin!" Lu Qinglin channeled his true power, his voice carrying across the sea, "Yangshan claims to open its doors to welcome guests from all under heaven—why then do you block my path?"

The other side gave no answer, only asking him: "What brings you here?"

"I wish to go ashore and discuss some plans in detail with Island Master He. Please make way."

The other side snorted coldly, not beating around the bush: "Yangshan is under blockade today—those who intrude without permission die!"

Such rudeness from the other side—does this look like a merchant open for business? Lu Qinglin grew a little curious.

Qi Chuanqing also asked in a low voice: "He Xiaoyao is absent—who is guarding the island in his stead?"

"According to intelligence, his deputy steward manages the Yangshan archipelago, named Guan Ke."

Qi Chuanqing shook his head: "This tone doesn't sound like something a servant would say."

Acting as steward while also conducting business—his bearing would have long since softened; how could he be so stiff and unyielding?

Since the other side refused to beat around the bush, they too saw no need for pretense—the fleet advanced directly, preparing for close combat.

Behind Lu Qinglin, more than ten others stepped forward, all clad in covering robes with faces concealed, their features indiscernible and silent, yet their magic power surged violently.

Once battle began, their divine abilities would surely leave the enemy with unforgettable impressions. Mouguo knows there is a Yin Hui King stationed here—those sent are certainly not mediocre.

The fleet of Yangshan can advance through the Yin Sha team's fog only because they have employed the Xing Long Zhu.

When the flagship of each side came within no more than one hundred twenty zhang, the killing fog on the sea surface was sucked dry, and both sides could see each other clearly.

Yangshan's warships, seen up close, appeared even more massive and sturdy.

But Lu Qinglin and Qi Chuanqing's attention was instantly diverted—because every warship's deck was packed with people!

Soldiers wielding weapons, their armor bright and distinct!

Over fifty large and small warships, at least ten thousand or more!

Wasn't it said that Yangshan's troops had all been withdrawn? Then what are these before our eyes?

"Not an illusion!" a robed figure behind Lu Qinglin said, "At least the first twelve ships carry true persons."

Whether real or illusion, they could tell at a glance—unless the opponent is a supreme master like Qian Huan.

"This armor and attire..." Lu Qinglin's face darkened instantly, squeezing out two words from between his teeth: "Beijia!"

The armor styles of different factions vary—Beijia and Mouguo differ, Yangshan and Yaoguo differ, and even the same nation's armor shows significant differences across eras. Having frequented the Mouguo-Beijia warfront, Lu Qinglin had seen much of Beijia's battle armor and could now tell at a glance.

Qi Chuanqing started badly, losing his voice: "What did you say? Is this the Beijia army?"

How could this be possible?

"They are wearing the battle armor of Chiyan State!" Lu Qinglin stared unblinking, "How did this come to pass?"

The army of Chiyan State, one of the thirteen fief demon states of Beijia—why would it appear silently in the Yangshan archipelago, deep in Mouguo's rear?

How long have they lain hidden here?

If there are ten thousand troops on the sea, how many more Chiyan troops are still concealed on the Yangshan archipelago?

Thinking this, both felt a sudden chill of dread.

Just who was the one who spoke earlier!

As if to confirm their suspicions, the three leading great ships raised their banners—the highest was Beijia's Azure Dragon Banner, slightly lower a dark red banner bearing the character "Yan" fluttering in the wind;

The third banner bore only the two characters "Fushan."

The two narrowed their eyes, and on the countless ships, murmurs arose, fingers pointed.

"Fushan" is precisely the royal surname of Chiyan State—facing warships daring to raise this banner proves the Chiyan royal family has arrived!

This is simply beyond belief.

Lu Qinglin could no longer contain himself, shouting loudly: "Just who are you!"

A vigorous voice gave two low laughs; on the flagship of Chiyan State, the troops suddenly parted, and one person stepped onto the deck, planting a foot on the high gunwale of the prow.

The ship, originally swaying gently with the waves, seemed to be pinned in place by his step—utterly motionless.

This person also wore battle armor, tall and mighty, though his beard and hair were somewhat gray-white, with faint wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, yet his facial features were chiseled as if by axe and blade, extremely hardy.

If He Lingchuan were here, he would see that this man's features resemble those of Seeing Fushan Yue—or rather, that Seeing Fushan Yue resembles him.

Taking his stand on the prow, he seemed as if one man could oppose ten thousand.

He is... Lu Qinglin's pupils suddenly constricted, murmuring: "Chi, Chiyan King? How is this possible?"

At this moment, he instinctively wanted to rub his eyes, lest he be seeing an illusion.

Qi Chuanqing also clearly heard the three words "Chiyan King," said nothing, but his heart was in turmoil.

How could the lord of Chiyan State possibly appear in this place!

Utterly unreasonable—a million times unreasonable!

Fushanlie's voice was not loud, but it echoed across the nearby sea, near and far audible: "Young Lu boy, the helmet you lost when my underlings shot you off Qilan Mountain—did you retrieve it?"

Upon these words, the Chiyan army roared with laughter, and Lu Qinglin pressed his lips tight.

Five months prior, he too had led troops in the great melee at the Qilan Mountain front, where the enemy was Beijia's three fief demon armies, one of which was the Chiyan army. In the chaos, a cold arrow came from somewhere, striking off Lu Qing'an's helmet. Had it shifted just one inch lower, he would have been dead.

Fushanlie's words were both a mockery of him and a proof of his identity to them—no pretense!

The Chiyan King, one of the thirteen most powerful demon states in the world, truly stands here!

Qi Chuanqing even more clearly knows that the rulers of Beijia's other fief demon states mostly inherit from their predecessors, but Chiyan State is uniquely young—the man before us, Fushanlie, is its founding monarch!

One hundred and fifty years ago, Beijia had only twelve vassal demon states. Fu Shanlie, due to his formidable martial prowess and illustrious military achievements, forcibly established an entirely new nation.

This nation of Chiyan, this foundation, was all carved out by the person standing before you with his own hands.

The person standing before them now is the founding monarch!

Before such a figure, Qi Chuanqing also unconsciously straightened his back and loudly declared: "King of Chiyan, you dare to privately lead troops into the rear of my Great Mou—are you planning to openly declare war?"

This is a very serious diplomatic incident! The words "privately," "lead troops," and "intrude" carry significant weight.

"The rear of Mou?" Fu Shanlie drawled lazily, "Look closely—this is the Yangshan Archipelago, which does not belong to your Mou. If you stretch your hand too far, don't blame me for chopping it off!"

After Bailie sold the Yangshan Archipelago to He Xiao, it actually became a neutral free port, privately owned and not incorporated into any other power.

Theoretically, as long as He Xiao permits, anyone can come here.

Mou's high officials can come—why can't the vassal demon kings of Beijia?

"What relation does the Yangshan Archipelago have with your Chiyan?"

This question carries nuance. If the King of Chiyan answers that He Xiao invited him here, then to Mou, He Xiao would be suspected of colluding with the enemy and aiding them!

He Xiao clearly knows Mou and Beijia are at war, yet he secretly allowed the Chiyan army to garrison the Yangshan Archipelago—essentially planting a thorn in Mou's rear. The Mou Emperor must be deeply displeased.

Fu Shanlie, having weathered the court for most of his life, how could he not know human hearts are treacherous? He immediately chuckled: "I find this place has good feng shui and an excellent location, especially suitable for my clan's cultivation, and the local defenses are empty—so I simply took it over. Now, the Yangshan Archipelago is already the territory of my Chiyan!"

He is a ba, whom others avoid like the plague due to his yin malevolence; for him, it is even more comfortable than spiritual energy. The Yangshan Archipelago to him is truly a blessed land of caves and grottoes.

Lu Qinglin and Qi Chuanqing exchanged a glance, both seeing the other's face straining to conceal shock.

What did this old ba just say? He "forcibly" seized the Yangshan Archipelago, so does this archipelago now belong to Chiyan?!