Chapter 2113: Brother's Island!

But the urgent intelligence that followed in rapid succession was simply outrageous:

The Dragon God Army pursued all the way to the southern borders of Bailie without letting up, instead boldly chasing the Ya Army across the border and stepping into Ya territory!

This was like stepping on a tiger's tail—Ya flew into a rage and mobilized troops to meet them in battle.

Yet the military reports that kept arriving frequently were all about the Dragon God Army winning every engagement.

The Ya court was baffled—this was supposed to be a defensive battle on their own soil, yet they were performing so poorly!

According to military analysis: the Dragon God Army advanced too swiftly; our side, having to respond hastily, could only hastily mobilize a few northern tribes, leaving our numbers and strength somewhat inadequate.

The latest intelligence delivered today:

The Dragon God Army actually captured the strategic northern stronghold of Ya, Zhicheng!

"How preposterous!" the Ya King couldn't help but slam the table again, "Three tribes, six major armies, and they still can't stop this defeated subordinate?!"

"The situation arose suddenly, and the enemy had ill intent, mustering seventy thousand troops to invade the border," General Wulu said objectively, "Several tribes, several major armies—combined, they still don't reach this scale; we're merely rushing to intercept piecemeal, unable to form a united front."

Ge Yan also said: "The northern borders are vast and sparsely populated; if the Dragon God Army crosses a few mountains, they might not even see a soul—of course their march would be swift!"

After passing Zhicheng and this hilly region, the Dragon God Army opened the gateway for further southward advance, entering the plains.

Ge Yan turned to the sand table: "Judging by their direction of advance, they might very well be heading for the Holy Land."

This is now the most urgent problem—everyone's face is grim.

"How dare outsiders profane our Holy Land!" the Ya King immediately issued orders, his voice like thunder.

"You said earlier that the initial setbacks were due to insufficient manpower?" The Dragon God Army advances menacingly; the tribal militias of Ya's west, south, and even west-central regions cannot possibly arrive quickly enough, so the Ya King can only deploy existing forces, "I'm sending out the royal garrison guarding Ducheng as well! This time we must stop them—under no circumstances allow the diminutive folk of Shanjin to set even a single foot in Baiqiuyuan!"

Because of long-term hardship and poverty, the Shanjin people are generally thinner and smaller than the Ya.

From Zhicheng to the Holy Land, the entire route is vast plain—Ya's commanders have ample time and space to intercept, and reinforcements are plentiful.

This time, victory is mandatory; defeat is unthinkable!

￥￥￥￥￥

Sea and sky merged into one hue, the spring light was perfect.

The breeze sweeping over the deck today was exceptionally gentle, nothing like the violent gusts of the past few days. He Yue walked onto the deck and stretched lazily; before him lay the endless expanse of azure sea—beautiful, yes, but after nearly two months at sea, he had grown weary of the view.

He asked the ship's captain: "How much farther?"

As his words faded, he spotted several seagulls circling in midair, one of which had even landed on their ship's deck to rest.

The appearance of seabirds indicates that land or an island is not far off.

The ship's captain pointed northeast: "We've just passed Wangzhu Isle; ahead is a small island with a red spire, and after another two hours we'll reach the Yangshan Archipelago."

He Yue breathed a sigh of relief—finally!

This journey of his to the Yangshan Archipelago was undertaken by order of the Shen State's ruler.

Simply put, he had strong-armed his father into granting him this post, insisting on making the trip himself.

After wandering for several months, he was at last nearing his destination!

Over the course of this sea voyage, the ship had stopped at many places to resupply, and he too had wandered locally, taking in much foreign scenery. Had his elder brother also roamed the four seas and wandered freely between heaven and earth in his youth? He Yue found himself feeling a twinge of envy.

He ought to have set out to see the world long ago.

At this moment, three or four figures emerged on the water ahead, gazing this way. He Yue initially thought they were local fishermen, but the strangers' faces were profoundly strange, and when they dove, their bodies twisted, revealing a long serpentine tail that lashed upward, sending up a spray of water.

The guard behind him let out a soft cry: "Merfolk!"

"That's no merfolk—it's the far more dreadful Yin Hui! A few years ago, whenever the Yangshan Archipelago faced overcast skies or nightfall, it would be shrouded in toxic mist, forbidding all living things from moving about—only these creatures could roam. Should a ship mistakenly enter the archipelago's depths, its crew would be dragged into the water and devoured!" Though he said this, the ship's captain showed no fear on his face, "Later, the malign energy of the outer islands of the Yangshan Archipelago dissipated, ownership changed, and even these Yin Hui could be restrained from harming people. Still, I've heard the deep reaches of the archipelago remain a forbidden zone—whoever dares enter will be eaten by these Yin Hui."

He Yue gazed at these wondrous creatures on the sea surface, only to feel that the image of his elder brother in his heart was growing ever more alien.

On this side of the world, what astonishing, scandalous deeds has his elder brother accomplished? To the point that he now believes taming these terrifying, extraordinary beings would be no great feat for his elder brother.

Moving forward, the number of vessels on the sea lane increased, and the broad expanse of sea was everywhere dotted with fluttering sails.

A strange howling came from the sea surface, and as the ship reached this point, it slowed ever more. He Yue puzzled: "Why aren't we moving forward?"

"We must queue to enter port." The ship's captain pointed at the water, "The Yin Hui have come to maintain order—dare to press forward and you'll be punished."

Sure enough, the Yin Hui ahead were waving small yellow flags in the water, reminding every large vessel to reduce speed, stay in the channel, and not overtake.

Only small boats can slip through the gaps.

He Yue shaded his eyes with his hand and saw the outline of an island appearing ahead: "Are there few harbors?"

"Not few at all—the Yangshan Archipelago has opened six or seven major harbors," the ship's captain explained, "But the golden sea lane simply has too many ships."

Moving forward, the sea no longer stretched endlessly; islands appeared like stars scattered across the water on both sides of the vessel.

Seabirds roost on Bai Sha, the breeze brushes the green trees—such scenery lifts the spirit and delights the eyes.

After queuing for two hours, He Yue's luck held—his vessel was assigned to dock at the Yangshan Archipelago's largest commercial island, namely Suoding Island.

The neat wharves, efficient transport, handsome houses, streets with a unique island charm, and vendors calling out their wares—every aspect far surpassed Baishawan.

The ship's captain and the steward went ashore immediately to report in; otherwise, moving even a step on the island would be difficult. The Yangshan Archipelago has few rules, but every one must be obeyed.

Then he went to the Chengzheng Bureau of Suoding Island to submit documents, hoping to learn of the island lord's whereabouts. The last message he received before departing Baishawan indicated his elder brother seemed busy attacking the remaining resistance forces on the Shanjin plains; he should have finished by now? But his elder brother might not necessarily be on the archipelago.

The main island hosts several supervisory agencies: one for fisheries, one for transport, one for security, and another dedicated to administrative affairs.

"Island lord?" the clerk of the Chengzheng Bureau, busy writing a document with flying brush, replied offhand, "The island lord is right here on the island."

He Yue exclaimed with delight: "I am the envoy of Shen State, invited by the island lord!"

Having said that, he produced his credentials and seal.

"Shen State?" the clerk took a glance, recognized it as the state west of Bei Jia, and indeed a long journey, "Your surname?"

"He."

The guard beside him interjected: "Sharing a surname with—"

Before he could finish the final "surname" character, He Yue pressed it back down: "How dare you be rude!"

The principle he upholds on this mission is to remain low-key.