Chapter 1170

Chang Fanqi saw Xia Zhangming's movement technique, and couldn't help but secretly admire him; Hu Xiaotian's ability to win consecutive victories was certainly no coincidence, for without extraordinary charisma how could he have won the submission of these remarkable individuals? Upon reflecting on himself, he unconsciously found his impression of Hu Xiaotian had changed greatly.

Hu Xiaotian picked up his own robe from the side and put it on, smiling: "Xia Zhangming, you only think about enjoying yourself riding the eagle, unaware that we've been waiting here anxiously."

Xia Zhangming chuckled and said: "My lord, please don't blame me, for the terrain of Python Flood Dragon Island is complex, and we also had to guard against being discovered by them, so the delay was somewhat longer."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Thank you for your hard work!"

Xia Zhangming said: "It's not that hard."

Hu Xiaotian had people prepare food and had them call Yang Yuanqing over, and the few of them ate while talking.

The intelligence Xia Zhangming gathered was even more severe than expected; Python Flood Dragon Island possesses about two hundred warships, of which over thirty are large warships. The island stretches roughly twenty li from north to south and ten li from east to west. Its northeastern side is a natural crescent-shaped harbor, while its western side is a ten-thousand-zhang high cliff. On the relatively flat areas of the island, high walls and arrow towers have been built everywhere, and furthermore, a very serious situation is that many catapults have been deployed along the coast.

Hu Xiaotian was also stunned upon hearing this news; these pirates actually possess catapults, meaning they have long-range attack capability. He had originally hoped that fifty thunderbolt cannons would give them the advantage in long-range attacks, but now it seems unrealistic to directly assault Python Flood Dragon Island, as the enemy's catapults would inflict damage on our side from a distance.

Hu Xiaotian said: "In that case, we can only lure the pirates out to fight; as long as we draw them onto the sea, we will gain the advantage."

Yang Yuanqing said: "My lord, I fear the pirates may not readily take the bait."

Chang Fanqi also nodded and said: "Not bad; those pirates hold the advantage on Python Flood Dragon Island, and their proposal is also to exchange grain for persons. The trading site is at the harbor of Python Flood Dragon Island; if the location is changed temporarily, it will certainly arouse suspicion among the pirates."

Yang Yuanqing said: "We still have over a thousand of our people in the pirates' hands; if we haven't rescued them before hostilities break out, their lives may not be spared." The possibility he mentioned is extremely high; if the pirates discover deceit on Hu Xiaotian's side, they will surely kill the hostages in advance.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Zhangming, have you discovered where their prison is?"

Xia Zhangming said: "In the west, near the cliff." He then requested paper and pen, and simply sketched a topographical map of Python Flood Dragon Island.

Hu Xiaotian gazed at that topographic map for a while, then said: "If we have someone sneak into the prison in advance, rescuing our over a thousand people beforehand, inside and outside cooperating, our chances of victory will undoubtedly increase greatly."

Xia Zhangming said: "Their deployment is extremely strict. There are many watchtowers on the island, making it difficult to enter the prison."

Hu Xiaotian said: "They can defend the ground, but not the sky."

Xia Zhangming also thought Hu Xiaotian was letting him go, he pursed his lips and said: "Since the lord said so, Zhangming is willing to give it a try."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I'm not talking about you. This kind of thing must be done by me personally."

Xia Zhangming and Yang Yuanqing said in unison: "Lord, you absolutely must not!"

Chang Fanqi watched coldly from the side, thinking Hu Xiaotian was just saying that; sneaking alone into the enemy camp is practically suicide. Hu Xiaotian either has extraordinary courage, or he's just putting on a show. Anyway, someone will advise him to give up the idea.

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Among us, few are stronger than me in martial arts." This is a modest statement; in fact, among the troops setting out this time, none have martial arts surpassing his. Hu Xiaotian said: "I am skilled at infiltration techniques. I should be able to enter Mangjiao Island calmly; even if I am accidentally discovered, I have enough confidence to escape."

Xia Zhangming and Yang Yuanqing still wanted to persuade, but Hu Xiaotian's mind was made up; he spoke loudly: "No need to say more. Tomorrow night, Zhangming will take me to Mangjiao Island; I will infiltrate the prison and release all our people. The matter of our fleet here will be entrusted to Brother Chang Fanqi and General Yang."

Chang Fanqi really did not expect Hu Xiaotian to actually want to infiltrate Mangjiao Island; this person's courage is truly extraordinary.

Xia Zhangming said: "Lord, but Mangjiao Island is full of their watchtowers everywhere; the Snow Eagle's body is too large, making it too conspicuous to fly low and land."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's not a problem; as long as the Snow Eagle brings me above the prison, I can jump straight down."

Xia Zhangming shook his head and said: "To avoid their line of sight, you need at least a height of twenty zhang above the ground; my lord, are you confident that jumping from such a height will be safe?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Should be fine!" He has the Art of Soaring at his side; a height of twenty zhang should be no problem; if higher, we might need to design a parachute or similar device to assist the landing.

Chang Fanqi, who had been silent, said: "Mangjiao Island has over twenty thousand pirates; does Hu Sir (official) think one person can deal with that many?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head and said: "Two fists can't fight four hands; I alone certainly can't deal with that many, but don't forget there are still over a thousand of our people in that prison, among them not a few trained soldiers; once they regain freedom, their strength should not be underestimated."

"Even if you successfully infiltrate the prison, how will you rescue them?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "No need to rescue them; what we need to do is attract the pirates' attention. Once the pirates' attention is drawn to us, you can seize the opportunity to launch a frontal attack. Often, prisons are the most fortified places to prevent prisoner escapes; if we seize the prison, it will become the strongest fortress in our hands, which we can use to resist the enemy's offensive."

Several people looked at each other; Hu Xiaotian's plan was extremely bold, but no one could deny its feasibility. However, the plan's biggest key is the person sent to infiltrate Mangjiao Island; if that person fails, the entire plan will be lost, so Hu Xiaotian is the linchpin of this victory or defeat.

Xia Zhangming said: "Once hostilities begin, I will direct birds to attack their catapults; however, they also have Beast Tamers there, so the exact effect remains uncertain."

Hu Xiaotian said: "That's settled; we must attack from three sides and definitely capture Mangjiao Island within one day."

Although the plan has been set, no one has a sure grasp of carrying it out; Hu Xiaotian actually has two plans for infiltrating Mangjiao Island, both involving riding the Snow Eagle there. One is to land below the western cliff of Mangjiao Island, then use lightness skill to climb up the cliff; this plan was ultimately rejected by Hu Xiaotian because the cliff is as high as a hundred zhang, and there are two watchtowers near the cliff's edge, making it likely that guards would spot him during the climb.

So in the end they decided to land directly from the air onto the top of the prison; this plan currently seems the most feasible, but Hu Xiaotian must swoop down from a height of twenty zhang. Although Hu Xiaotian can accomplish this descent with the Art of Soaring, to be thorough, this fellow still had the ship's tailor rush to make him a parachute. Since the specific situation on Mangjiao Island is unclear, we cannot fight without certainty; maybe it will come in handy.

Xia Zhangming originally intended to infiltrate the prison together with Hu Xiaotian, but was refused by Hu Xiaotian; infiltrating this kind of thing is not a matter of more people adding more strength.

At dusk the next day, Hu Xiaotian and Xia Zhangming both prepared to depart; this operation was also quite secretive, aside from those few people, no one else knew the detailed plan.

Chang Fanqi also made an exception to come see them off; although he didn't say it aloud, he deeply admired Hu Xiaotian's courage in his heart.

Yang Yuanqing said: "Lord, you must be extra careful." Even now he does not approve of Hu Xiaotian's solitary venture into danger.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Don't worry, everyone; according to our prearranged plan, your fleet will reach Mangjiao Island tomorrow night, and we will act upon my signal."

Chang Fanqi said: "Do you intend to stay in the prison for a whole day? Can you guarantee you won't be discovered?"

Hu Xiaotian said confidently: "There should be no problem; at midnight tonight I will infiltrate the prison, I must first clarify the situation inside before determining the next step of the battle plan." He glanced at Xia Zhangming; after entering the prison, communication will rely on Xia Zhangming, who prepared a Black Kiss Bird for him. This bird is sparrow-sized but has the homing ability of a carrier pigeon. After Hu Xiaotian infiltrates the prison and clarifies the situation, he will send news via the Black Kiss Bird, which will then fly to Xia Zhangming's hand.

Yang Yuanqing said: "Lord, take care!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded.

Chang Fanqi came up to Hu Xiaotian, pursed his lips and said: "Be extra careful! Those pirates on Mangjiao Island are ruthless and vicious; it is said that experts are as numerous as clouds."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "When I return, let's drink three cups together, Brother Chang Fanqi!"

Chang Fanqi nodded without hesitation and said, "Awaiting Sir Hu's good news!"

The feeling of riding the Snow Eagle for the second time was noticeably much better; the two Snow Eagles flew side by side, soaring in the Lan sky. Looking down from the heavens, the azure sea stretched boundlessly, and the originally surging waves, viewed from this height, seemed to become exceptionally gentle. White clouds hovered beneath them, one after another, like cotton candy; from this angle, the clouds had a different flavor.

The sky quickly darkened, the sea shifting from azure to deep blue, then dyed a vivid red by the setting sun; but the red soon faded, returning to a uniform sea-and-sky hue, only now it was pitch black.

The wind grew much colder, the two Snow Eagles gliding like silver lightning through the night; Xia Zhangming controlled the Snow Eagles' flight speed, and after nearly two shichen of flying, they finally arrived above Python Flood Island. (To be continued~^~)