Chapter 222

Chapter 222: The Eight-Faced Exquisite Tactician

"What present?" Cai San Gong froze momentarily before frantically waving his hands. "I lack nothing! I don’t need anything!"

Lou Yun smiled faintly, extending a finger to gently tap Cai San Gong’s temple. "Cai San Gong, cease speaking!"

Though Cai San Gong had intended to continue refusing, a soft glow kindled at the tip of Lou Yun’s finger. A torrent of characters surged straight into his consciousness. He instantly fell silent, not uttering another word—drawn fully into the knowledge imparted to him.

Lou Yun had granted Cai San Gong a cultivation manual. After all these arduous decades of cultivation, Cai San Gong’s realm remained stagnant. The profound reason was his cultivation manual—a worthless scrap. Lou Yun’s mind, on the other hand, overflowed with methods of power. He had simply chosen one tailored to Cai San Gong and transmitted it.

A short time elapsed. Lou Yun withdrew his hand, but Cai San Gong’s eyes remained closed. An expression of profound elation suffused his face; motionless, he savored the overwhelming joy evoked by this new, advanced technique.

"Let him stand there for now. Do not disrupt him until he wakes naturally," Lou Yun commanded those assembled. Then he bid his farewells, preparing to depart.

"Miss Shui, you may ride Wen Hou’s magical weapon," Lou Yun offered.

He himself was skilled in maneuvering magical weapons, but Dream Emperor Sword was terribly narrow. Barely accommodating himself, it could never hold Shui Lingluo as well.

Shui Lingluo gazed at Lou Yun and shook her head. "No, I shall travel by my own means."

Before Lou Yun or the others fathomed her meaning, she spun around and vaulted from the ship into the sea!

A collective shock paralysed the witnesses before they scrambled towards the ship’s edge. Lou Yun was no exception.

Everyone aside from Lou Yun and his two companions stood frozen at the railing—mouths agape, eyes dumbstruck. Some even collapsed to the deck with a "thud," hands clasped tightly, eyes squeezed shut as lips mumbled fervent prayers!

There, upon the sea’s surface, Shui Lingluo stood as upon solid ground. A minor whirlpool of seawater supported her footsoles—carrying her body swiftly forward!

She walked atop the waves!

Such a manifestation exceeded any ordinary mortal’s imaginings! Only divinity itself could accomplish it!

Naturally, Lou Yun understood the reason. Witnessing such power before, it no longer startled him—yet her action seemed questionable. Wen Hou’s magical craft stood available to her; why plunge solo into the sea to journey relying solely on her water control ability?

How could Lou Yun know? Shui Lingluo nursed deep resentment. For days, whichever crisis arose, Lou Yun repeatedly excluded her—leaving her behind almost like baggage. Merely watching powerlessly from the sidelines had become her place. Now when Lou Yun invited her aboard Wen Hou’s magical craft, she simply jumped seawards. By this, she demonstrated she needed no assistance; she could achieve perfectly well herself.

Lou Yun merely scratched his head helplessly. After exchanging farewells, he, Wen Hou, and Tie Sha steered their magical craft, trailing after Shui Lingluo.

Swiftly the four arrived where Mei Yuanmu’s forces gathered. Every witness, even Mei Yuanmu’s party including the four Heavenly-level magical weapons masters, gaped in disbelief upon seeing Shui Lingluo poised impossibly upon that flowering water pedestal.

True, compared with the common folk aboard Tongyuan Commercial Association’s vessel, these possessed far keener discernment. Yet none had ever known the Shui family legends—clan of water dominance. Much less had any beheld a person standing upon flowing waves!

Compounding that—Shui Lingluo possessed breathtaking beauty. Balanced upon that watery pedestal atop the ocean currents, she seemed transcendent—an immortal maiden descended to mortal earth. Many a weak-willed observer already drooled involuntarily!

Exchanging bewildered stares, all wore perplexed expressions. Pondering her identity and miraculous foothold upon watery waves, their minds wove countless speculations.

Most surmised that swirling water must conceal her magical weapon. So outwardly she appeared to walk waves—but actually rode her own magical tool. Only her vessel clung remarkably near—almost fused to—the rippling tides instead of flying higher overhead.

By now Mei Yuanmu had concluded post-battle arrangements: fallen adversaries had sunk into sea-depths; wounded foes were hauled aboard. Of the four or five hundred initial warriors deployed, only one-tenth had been slain. This displayed Lou Yun’s comrades’ care to wield power measuredly—not ruthlessly.

Mei Yuanmu swiftly recovered from the hypnotic sight of Shui Lingluo, redirecting his focus onto Lou Yun. "Shall we depart immediately?"

Lou Yun nodded decisively. "Immediately."

The companions boarded Mei Yuanmu’s ship without delay. Equipping decisiveness, Mei Yuanmu refrained from further queries: issuing commands to his subordinates. "Set sail—return to Shuotai Island!"

Thus ten ships pivoted—pushing bow-first towards Shuotai Island.

Sizewise these boats paled against Tongyuan Commercial Association’s mighty galleon. Their speed proved far fleeter though. Added to tranquil seas and smooth breezes, those sharp hulls cleaved wavecrests smoothly—darting like fish across the blue canvas.

Lou Yun summoned Mei Yuanmu before him—probing exact circumstances upon Shuotai Island. Unquestionably determined to fawn over Lou Yun, Mei Yuanmu answered unhesitatingly—revealing utterly everything.

Shuotai Island was miniscule geographically in the grand sea regions; but its landmass proved substantial—comparable to half Lingjiang City’s scope. In earliest times mere wilderness, later the Qiu family—accidentally discovering it—claimed mastery. Gradually bringing their lineage dwelled there—growing populous generation by generation.

That generation’s family head comprehended clearly: establishing stronghold security within chaotic sea domains required expanded power foundations. Therefore, regardless of extreme costliness, he aggressively recruited magical weapons masters.

Here Mei Yuanmu confessed his longstanding puzzlement: though the Qiu family then boasted sizable populous proportions, their financial capacity seemed middling only. Recruiting magical masters at such high levels continuously should long ago have bankrupted them. Contradictorily, however, the Qiu family never collapsed—instead expanding their recruits continuously.

Ultimately, inevitably, the Qiu family initiated trade commerce. Without that inflow, feeding their swelling ranks was impossibly unsustainable. This starkly showed: even the mere magical forces Qiu dispatched against Lou Yun hinted at their scope—(mostly recruits, few Qiu secondary kinsmen)—almost matching capabilities of an entire large metropolis!

But the strongest magical masters Qiu recruitment ever captured—merely ranked at Earth-level. Heavenly-level magical masters could never be lured cheaply nor easily!

Therefore, Mei Yuanmu summarized profoundly. "No action by any necessary save those four esteemed seniors. A mere moment of their prowess shall erase the Qiu family existence."

This was no idle flattery towards the four leaders. Ten Earth-level five-star magical weapons masters might barely challenge one Heavenly-level one-star practitioner. Four Heavenly-level figures then would necessitate forty Earth-level five-stars to confront! No matter Qiu wealth accumulation such recruitment numbers remained impossible.

As for Qiu original lineage matters: only main clan descendants earned true status—the secondary lineages were disregarded and frequently looked down upon. Prime cultivation manuals and weapon techniques all went primarily to main lineage—secondary kin earned only occasional crumbs of cast-off knowledge. Eventually the secondary kinsmen developed smoldering hatred towards their domineering main kin. Though outright rebellion dared not spark—should grave danger appear, secondary kinsmen would offer zero assistance if personal safety remained uncompromised—much less sacrifice lives!

Mei Yuanmu relayed these secrets purely to remind Lou Yun relentlessly: Annihilating Qiu clan required striking solely its main lineage pillars. Secondary kinsmen would optimally surrender if lured by reconciliatory policies—thus sparing much complicated hassle!

Lou Yun comprehended thoroughly—though exterminating whole clans had little appeal. Therefore he mentally commanded Heavenly Decree Leader. "Upon reaching Shuotai Island, your duty—resolve the Qiu family. Employ Mei Yuanmu’s scheme: secondary kinsmen spared wherever possible."

The Heavenly Decree Leader smiled faintly. "This subordinate accepts order."

Three days elapsed rapidly before land appeared upon the distant horizon—the shadow of Shuotai Island!

Then Mei Yuanmu sidled beside Lou Yun secretly whispering. "Lou gongzi—those remaining near four hundred magical weapons masters upon all ships here—do you desire retaining them?"

Lou Yun weighed that multitude lightly. "Retaining them is conceivable. But supporting such multitudes exceeds my capacity. Therefore: inquire of each if willing voluntarily. Volunteers remain—follow me. Recruits uninterested: freely depart. Yet understand—no wages await those choosing to stay."

Mei Yuanmu’s response came instantly. "Already asked—most volunteered unconditionally: seeking only Lou gongzi’s permission!"

Slight surprise showed in Lou Yun’s glance towards Mei Yuanmu. Indeed, no mystery why Qiu family had appointed him manager—his efficiency blended intricacy with decisiveness. He always foresight Lou Yun’s unspoken considerations—seeking ratification now was mere formality.

Just then Heavenly Decree Leader mentally whispered alert. "Alliance Chief—observe this young fellow: an eight-faced exquisite tactician indeed! Seize opportunity—draw him into our league should circumstances approve!"