Chapter 549

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Protagonist:

Yu Changsheng

Before Lu Sandao arrived, he had already received word that as long as he could complete this Quest, the benefits would be plentiful; of course, letting him go was absolutely impossible.

He naturally understood this was his chance to perform, and immediately gave his assent.

"Boss Yu, just say the word — whatever you need me to do, I'll follow your orders completely."

Yu Changsheng immediately explained his plan; simply put, it was to have Lu Sandao bring Yu Changsheng and the others into that temporary pirate Stronghold.

The people on Lu Sandao's ship had long since been replaced by Wanxiang Sect disciples.

Although this carried some risk of discovery, after all, Lu Sandao's subordinates had already gone to the Kuang Dong.

Yu Changsheng could control Lu Sandao, but didn't have the energy to control Lu Sandao's hundred-plus subordinates.

Wanxiang Sect disciples were naturally the best replacements.

Once everyone successfully infiltrated the pirate Stronghold, they would then seek out a suitable hunting target.

They only needed to wait for the target to move away from the pirate Bureau Spot, then Yu Changsheng and the others could immediately strike.

A few such trips would be enough to harvest hundreds or thousands of people as miners for the mining area.

After hearing the plan, Lu Sandao also found it feasible.

These pirates mostly operated alone, only staying temporarily at the Stronghold before leaving soon; plus with Yu Changsheng's strength, dealing with a single pirate group was no problem at all.

Yu Changsheng removed the Forbidden Restriction on Lu Sandao, temporarily lifting the limit on his cultivation base.

But he still warned: "Lu Sandao, although I've temporarily released you, don't think you can take the chance to escape — I'll be following you the whole way."

"The moment you show any disloyalty, I'll finish you with one fist, understand?"

Lu Sandao didn't dare resist in the slightest, hurriedly putting on a smiling face and agreeing that he absolutely wouldn't have any other thoughts.

Yu Changsheng wouldn't believe such insincere words, but he was also confident in controlling Lu Sandao.

With preparations complete, Yu Changsheng had Lu Sandao set off immediately.

Originally, these pirate groups identified temporary Strongholds by tracking the movements of a creature called the Sea Turtle Bird.

This giant bird covered in a carapace would, at regular intervals, seek out a relatively safe and hidden Hai Dao, gathering there to reproduce.

Because the giant birds' size and numbers were both enormous, small islands couldn't support them at all, so the islands they chose wouldn't be small either.

After these giant birds finished reproducing and departed, the pirates would temporarily occupy this pirate area, establishing a Stronghold; at that time many merchants and women would appear here.

Until the giant birds' next reproduction cycle, when they would switch to another location.

Lu Sandao looked at the sky, calculating on his fingers.

"By my reckoning, the Giant Turtle Birds should also be at their reproduction time; let's find the place first, then wait a few days in the nearby Hai Yu."

"Otherwise, with so many unfamiliar faces on the ship, waiting too long around the island makes it easy for people to notice something's off."

Lu Sandao's concern was not without reason, and Yu Changsheng agreed to follow his idea.

As a pirate captain, Lu Sandao's ability to command his crew was indeed top-tier.

He could always track the Giant Turtle Birds' movements without losing their trail.

Finally, after one day, the fleet arrived at the vicinity of a massive Hai Dao.

There were already some ships around, spaced at safe distances; the Flags on the ships were all pirate ships.

It seemed Lu Sandao's words were indeed true, not a deception of Yu Changsheng and the others.

According to the pirates' rules, they had to wait until the Giant Turtle Birds finished reproducing before landing on the island, which generally lasted two to three days.

Yu Changsheng and the others just had to wait quietly on the Haishang; during this period, more and more ships approached.

Everyone coexisted peacefully, as if they didn't see each other at all, with no Exchange whatsoever.

Two days later, the Giant Turtle Birds began departing one after another, and a massive ship gradually appeared in the distance.

Lu Sandao pointed at the ship and explained: "That is the pirates' Stronghold Ship!"

"Everything the pirates need is on it!"

Lu Sandao licked his lips, a lecherous expression on his face.

Seeing his expression, Yu Changsheng knew what he was thinking.

"I advise you to have fewer unreasonable thoughts."

But Lu Sandao argued back righteously: "Boss Yu, I'm doing this for our plan's sake."

"If pirates come to the Stronghold and don't do what pirates ought to do, it's too easy to arouse suspicion."

Yu Changsheng fell silent; this was indeed true, and he was also prone to overlooking this aspect.

But having Wanxiang Sect disciples mingle with those pirates would be even more easily detected.

In the current situation, Lu Sandao really was the most suitable person to make contact with other pirates.

"Does this Stronghold use any other special currency?"

"No, just Spirit Stones."

Yu Changsheng directly took out a portion of Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and tossed them over.

Seeing the Spirit Stones, Lu Sandao was instantly overjoyed and hurriedly thanked Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng didn't forget to remind him: "If you're putting on an act, do the full act — do it exactly as you did before. But be careful to avoid the crew contacting other pirates as much as possible."

"As for the specifics, you decide for yourself."

After instructing Lu Sandao, Yu Changsheng followed him off the ship.

Other pirate ships had already gone ashore one after another; the island was bustling extraordinarily, with brawls and fights occurring incessantly.

Chaotic auras filled the air, the stench of alcohol and sweat intertwining, making Yu Zhangsheng frown slightly.

Lu Sandao did not forget to remind Yu Zhangsheng's expression — absolutely must not show any resistance to this place.

Because this is the only place pirates release themselves after long lives at sea, how could they resist?

Yu Zhangsheng could not help but look at Lu Sandao with new eyes; it seemed this fellow still had some ability, at least he was careful enough.

After the two inquired on the pirate island, Lu Sandao also gained a general understanding of the situation here.

After finding a partner to vent his emotions, Lu Sandao returned with one in each arm to report the situation to Yu Zhangsheng.

"There are five pirate groups here in total, among which two have strength about the same as mine, the remaining three all possess more than five Sub-Talisman True Lords."

Yu Zhangsheng's gaze swept over the two bewitching women; Lu Sandao understood and reluctantly let them leave.

The two found a secluded spot; Lu Sandao asked in a low voice, "Which pirate group do you plan to target?"

Yu Zhangsheng pondered a moment, "With our current strength, if we want to win without paying too high a price, the opponent's Sub-Talisman True Lords had best not exceed five."

Lu Sandao thought a moment and said, "If there can only be five Sub-Talisman True Lords, the Red Candle Pirate Group is most suitable."

"However, their pirate group's leader is a Sub-Talisman Late Stage Daoneng; I wonder if you are a match?"

Yu Zhangsheng merely replied indifferently, "No problem."

Now that the target was chosen, Lu Sandao was responsible for monitoring the Red Candle Pirate Group, incidentally inquiring about the situation on the island.

To avoid attracting attention, Lu Sandao purchased some supplies needed on the ship, then ordered the crew to go down and transport them.

Just as Lu Sandao was directing the crew to transport supplies, a voice suddenly interrupted Lu Sandao's thoughts.

"Lu Sandao, it's you!"

Hearing this voice, Lu Sandao was violently startled, nearly turning tail and running.

"Li Lie!"

This man stood nine chi tall, tiger eyes and wolf teeth, burly and powerful, a pair of arms almost thicker than another man's waist.

Lu Sandao had a grudge with this man and was not his match, therefore he instinctively felt fear. But very quickly, Lu Sandao recovered his calm, only because Yu Zhangsheng was still beside him — what did he have to fear?

"Truly enemies meet on a narrow road."

Li Lie coldly laughed repeatedly, walking toward Lu Sandao.

Lu Sandao's eyes revealed a fierce light, equally arrogantly cursing back, "Running into you this idiot is truly rotten luck."

The two rapidly closed in; Li Lie opened his large hand to grab Lu Sandao, but was caught by the wrist by Yu Zhangsheng.

"You're called Li Lie? This is not a place for you to run wild."

Seeing Yu Zhangsheng make a move, Lu Sandao's heart relaxed, his face becoming even more arrogant.

"Li Lie, don't you know the island's rules — Sub-Talisman Cultivators who want to fight, go outside the island first!"

Li Lie flew into a rage, his wrist suddenly exerting force, trying to shake off Yu Zhangsheng, yet to his surprise discovered Yu Zhangsheng's hand did not move in the slightest, almost unaffected.

Instead his wrist was gripped tighter and tighter, somewhat painful.

Li Lie immediately realized the young man before him was an expert; no wonder Lu Sandao was so arrogant in front of him.

The two contended secretly, Internal Energy continuously surging, mutually probing.

Boom! The surrounding space violently trembled, the ground instantly cracking; the two's clash actually ended without a victor.

However, the commotion between the two still attracted many gazes.

Mindful of his own identity's sensitivity, Yu Zhangsheng released his hand, not continuing to entangle.

That Li Lie also quickly pushed away, extremely wary of Yu Zhangsheng.

"Hmph! Li Lie, how come you ran, just this little ability?" Lu Sandao did not forget to mock.

Li Lie's face was gloomy and cold, "Lu Sandao, don't think just because you have backing you can act recklessly. You'll have a time when you leave the island; then we'll properly settle accounts."

The latter half was clearly addressed to Yu Zhangsheng.

Yu Zhangsheng's face was expressionless, but his mood was somewhat vexed; it seemed the previous plan would have to be temporarily shelved, needing to deal with this person first.

Li Lie left after dropping harsh words.

Lu Sandao secretly sighed in regret, not having lured him away to finish him off, missing a precious opportunity.

"Lu Sandao, how is this person's pirate group's strength?"

"Very strong; at least when I encounter them, I only have the option to flee."

"He belongs to the Leilei Pirate Group, is the Vice Captain. As for their Captain, he's a dragon who shows his head but not his tail — no one has seen his true appearance, nor does anyone know his strength."

"But he's very likely even stronger than Li Lie, hard to deal with. Besides the two of them, there are still six Sub-Talisman True Lords."

Hearing this number, Yu Zhangsheng felt a wave of depression; hard to deal with indeed.

If he rashly moved against this Leilei Pirate Group, he could not guarantee the Wanxiang Sect would not suffer losses.

"Boss Yu, what should we do? Should we temporarily change targets?"

Yu Zhangsheng glanced at him, "Talking too much! If not for you, how would there be this trouble?"

Lu Sandao hurriedly nodded in apology, his attitude extremely sincere — just short of kowtowing to Yu Zhangsheng.

Yu Zhangsheng couldn't be bothered with him, letting him continue directing the transport of supplies here, while he himself went to secretly inquire for news.

With Li Lie's sudden appearance, he also wasn't afraid Lu Sandao would secretly slip away; without his protection, Lu Sandao leaving would be courting death.

On the other side, after Li Lie returned to his base, he instructed a pirate to monitor Lu Sandao's pirate group; the moment Lu Sandao left, immediately report back to him.

After half a day of investigation, Yu Zhangsheng gained a general understanding of the entire pirate island's forces.

The pirate forces here, besides Lu Sandao, were roughly divided into six parts.

One part is the order maintainers of this base, even dispatching people to stop brawls and fights; they're likely people from that large ship.

The remaining five parts should all belong to the five pirate groups' people.

Yu Zhangsheng also saw some Sub-Talisman Cultivators; most had cultivation bases around Mid Stage, very few in Late Stage.

However true experts also wouldn't easily show themselves; unclear how many Sub-Talisman Cultivators are on that large ship.

Evening.

The supplies Lu Sandao had purchased had already been delivered; the reason they had not yet boarded was that they were still waiting for Yu Zhangsheng.

Before long, Yu Zhangsheng appeared from the night darkness, called out a greeting to Lu Sandao, and the two returned to the ship.

Lu Sandao shared the intelligence with the other Purple Mansion True Lords of the Sect; upon hearing it, several of them wore worried frowns.

The current predicament was also quite troublesome; the power behind Li Lie — they feared swallowing them would not be so easy.

Yet they could not simply bypass them to deal with other forces.

Li Lie had already set his sights on Lu Sandao; if they could not get to him before they struck at their target, Li Lie would pursue close behind, and at that time they would fall into the predicament of being attacked from front and rear.

"If it really won't work, then hand Lu Sandao over."

"Hand him over — can you guarantee he won't tell everything?"

"Since that's the case, what more nonsense; just kill him directly and be done with it."

"No! His current identity is the Captain! If the Captain dies, it will more easily arouse suspicion. Our target isn't merely a single pirate group."

"Then what do you say we do? Risk dealing with the Leilei Pirate Group?"

"Relying on just us few Purple Mansion True Lords, let alone capturing them alive, even two Immortals wouldn't think to win this battle."

Everyone argued without resolution; Yu Zhangsheng listened quietly and did not participate.

After a long while, everyone had argued until their mouths were dry and tongues parched, gradually fell silent, and still had not produced any plan.

Seeing they had argued just about enough, Yu Zhangsheng only then spoke:

"Since everyone has already argued just about enough, may I have a word?"

Several people grew interested; it seemed Yu Zhangsheng had another plan, and they hurriedly asked.

"Zhangsheng, what method do you have?"

Yu Zhangsheng let out a long sigh: "In a short time, I also don't have too perfect a method, but a coping method I have thought of one."

"That is — a duel!"

"A duel?"

Everyone looked left and right; among the several of them, the strongest was Yu Zhangsheng after all.

"Could it be Zhangsheng you want to duel that Li Lie? Hiss, this actually is a method."

Several people fell into thought; as things stood, it seemed this was the only way.

Yu Zhangsheng personally acting to resolve the trouble was still better than both sides erupting into a larger conflict.

"Only, that Li Lie — would he really agree?"

Yu Zhangsheng said: "Judging by Lu Sandao's meaning, it's very possible!"

"As long as the challenge is issued in Lu Sandao's name, Li Lie's character makes it impossible for him to refuse."

"At that time I will act; even if Li Lie realizes he's been tricked, for the sake of face he'll still have to fight me a battle."

"As long as I win, making Li Lie's party have scruples, they won't come looking for trouble with us again."

Everyone nodded in succession; Yu Zhangsheng's plan indeed sounded feasible.

The most crucial point was that they also had no other good method.

"Good, since that's the case, it's settled!" (Chapter End)