Chapter 223

Chapter 223: Becoming More Like the Alliance Leader

Lou Yun indeed had entertained the idea of recruiting Mei Yuanmu as a subordinate, but he still harbored some reservations. Mei Yuanmu had betrayed his former master far too easily. Although it was Lou Yun’s martial prowess that forced him to do it, if Mei Yuanmu encountered someone even stronger than Lou Yun, he would likely betray Lou Yun just as readily.

After contemplating for a moment, Lou Yun decided to take the risk. "Mei Yuanmu, if I manage to capture Shuotai Island this time, you can remain as the steward. Are you willing?"

"Of course, I’m willing!"

"Good, it’s settled then!"

Lou Yun stopped speaking. Standing at the bow of the ship, he gazed into the distance and saw that Shuotai Island was truly vast, seemingly endless to the naked eye, probably larger than half of Lingjiang City. The island was rich in vegetation and had beautiful surroundings, complete with streams and rivers. It was indeed a very suitable place to live. The ancestors of the Qiu family had shown considerable vision in choosing this as their dwelling.

As they drew closer to Shuotai Island, Lou Yun tried to use his spiritual sense to observe the situation on the island. Fortunately, although the energy above the sea was extremely chaotic, being this close minimized the interference, allowing him to perceive the island’s condition.

After scanning the entire island, Lou Yun exchanged glances with the Heavenly Decree Leader and the others, nodding slightly. The situation on the island matched Mei Yuanmu’s description almost perfectly. Mei Yuanmu hadn’t lied.

Suddenly, a question occurred to Lou Yun. Before the ship completely reached shore, he hastened to ask Mei Yuanmu, "Mei Yuanmu, tell me something. Has the energy above this sea always been this chaotic?"

As an earth-level magical weapons master, Mei Yuanmu naturally knew about the conditions above the sea. He shook his head and replied, "No, it only became like this in the last two months. Previously, the energy above was very stable. We often flew through the air using magical weapons without any hindrance!"

Lou Yun calculated the timing. Two months ago coincided precisely when his eldest brother, Leng Cangqiong, had received the Black Invitation of the Nine Families. Therefore, the chaotic energy above the sea must be related to the Nine Families’ invitation to him. But why had they done this? And most crucially, how had they managed it?

The sheer size of the sea area was impossible to calculate for those unfamiliar with it, but it was undoubtedly immense. Just sailing from Binhai City to Biko Island took two months. Influencing the energy fluctuations over such a massive area—what kind of power would that require!

While lost in thought, the ship docked. Island residents immediately came to meet them. Mei Yuanmu gave Lou Yun and the others a meaningful look, then stepped forward proactively, greeting the newcomers with a broad smile and pleasantries.

It was apparent that Mei Yuanmu still held considerable status on Shuotai Island; everyone treated him with evident respect.

At that moment, the Heavenly Decree Leader sent a voice transmission to Lou Yun. "Alliance Leader, let the four of us disembark directly and resolve the matter quickly. This way, we can spare you the trouble, Alliance Leader."

Lou Yun nodded. "Alright, thank you for your hard work, you four."

"Your words are too kind, Alliance Leader!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Heavenly Decree Leader darted forward. The man on shore, still exchanging pleasantries with Mei Yuanmu, hadn’t grasped what was happening when a blur flashed before his eyes, and he collapsed to the ground!

The other three leaders charged simultaneously in different directions. The Heavenly Decree Leader fixed his gaze on Mei Yuanmu. "Will you wait here, or will you guide us?"

Mei Yuanmu smiled faintly. "I assume the esteemed seniors already know the way. My leading you might actually delay you. I think I’ll stay here."

"Ha ha ha!"

The Heavenly Decree Leader laughed heartily, tilting his head back. Amidst his laughter, his figure flickered and vanished.

As Mei Yuanmu had implied, given their heaven-level magical weapons master spiritual senses, they had naturally already detected every energy fluctuation on the island, effectively mapping out the routes. All they needed to do was follow the energy ripples; no guide was necessary.

The Heavenly Decree Leader’s question had merely been a deliberate test of Mei Yuanmu. And no matter how thick-skinned Mei Yuanmu was, accompanying his new master’s men to slaughter his former master was too much for even him.

Thus, Lou Yun, Mei Yuanmu, and the original crew from Shuotai Island all remained on the ship, listening to the sporadic, overlapping screams from the shore. Many were visibly moved by the sounds. Even Lou Yun inwardly frowned slightly at the noise, thinking that these four leaders were indeed executing their task with notable severity.

Suddenly, a man on the ship stood up and shouted, "Since we accepted the Qiu family’s benefits before, now that the Qiu family is in trouble, how can we stand idly by? No! We must go help!"

In truth, everyone present understood clearly that attempting to help at this stage was equivalent to seeking death. None of them present was a match for a heaven-level magical weapons master. Although some might privately feel inclined to help the Qius upon deeper reflection, their own lives took precedence, so they preferred to sit quietly and wait for the slaughter to end.

Lou Yun looked at the man who had stood up—a burly figure with a thick beard, appearing every bit a hot-tempered, reckless man. Given this, it wasn’t surprising he couldn’t sit still under such circumstances!

Lou Yun felt genuine respect for such individuals. But before he could speak, Mei Yuanmu, standing at the bow, said lightly, "The Qiu family indeed gave us many benefits, but we’ve done our fair share of work for them. Over the years, how many enemies has the Qiu family incurred who weren’t dealt with by us? Cheng Kuang, if you feel what the Qiu family gave you is worth more than your life, then go ahead and rush over. I won’t stop you. Just remember, after you die, none of us will be burying you!"

Mei Yuanmu’s words were spoken coolly. He presented an explanation while weaving in a threat, a blend of soft persuasion and hard intimidation. One couldn’t help but admire his masterful way with words.

Cheng Kuang was clearly not an eloquent speaker. Upon hearing Mei Yuanmu, his face turned crimson, but he couldn’t utter a syllable. Finally, overcome with fury, he stamped his foot hard. The boat beneath him pitched violently. People aboard, caught off guard, tumbled wildly. After scrambling back up, everyone wore expressions of indignation, yet not a single person dared to speak a word of rebuke. Clearly, Cheng Kuang held considerable prestige among them.

Lou Yun observed Cheng Kuang; he too was an earth-level magical weapons master. Though his cultivation was slightly lower than Mei Yuanmu’s, he was among the strongest of the others. When he lost his temper, only Mei Yuanmu dared confront him; the others could only simmer silently.

Nevertheless, Lou Yun felt considerable favor towards individuals like Cheng Kuang. He sent a voice transmission to Mei Yuanmu. "Does Cheng Kuang wish to stay or leave?"

"He is resolved to leave!"

"Oh? I think he’s rather decent. Give it a try to see if we can persuade him to stay."

"Understood. I’ll try to reason with him."

Roughly half an hour later, the Heavenly Decree Leader returned alone. Now, there was no need for circumspection. He directly approached Lou Yun, knelt on one knee, and reported, "Alliance Leader, from this day onward, the Qiu family of Shuotai Island has ceased to exist. We eliminated sixteen core family members and six branch family members. All remaining members have willingly surrendered and are currently waiting for you at the estate compound."

Twenty-two deaths in total – a number not excessively high, within what Lou Yun could mentally accept. He nodded. "Good work. Let’s go then."

Getting to his feet, Lou Yun, Wen Hou, and the others stepped ashore towards the estate previously belonging to the Qiu family on the island. After a few steps, Lou Yun suddenly remembered something. Turning, he addressed the people still on the ships. "I know all of you were recruited by the Qiu family. But with them gone, starting now, this Shuotai Island belongs to my Divine Weapon Alliance!"

"The Divine Weapon Alliance – I suspect none of you have heard of it. Frankly, as the Alliance Leader, I cannot provide much introduction. I can only tell you that the Divine Weapon Alliance was founded by none other than my second brother, Beichen Ming!"

Beichen Ming was undoubtedly a far more resonant name than the Divine Weapon Alliance itself. Hearing it, shock clearly registered on everyone’s faces. None had imagined that Beichen Ming could also establish the Divine Weapon Alliance.

Their greater surprise, however, came from hearing Lou Yun address Beichen Ming as "Second Brother"!

The fact that Lou Yun and Beichen Ming had sworn brotherhood was known to fewer than ten people. Those gathered here had lived long on the sea and had absolutely no possibility of knowing it.

While most were stunned primarily by the revelation that Beichen Ming was Lou Yun’s second brother, people with sharp minds like Mei Yuanmu were already pondering another implication.

If someone of Beichen Ming’s status and position could only be Lou Yun’s second brother, then who was Lou Yun’s eldest brother?

Even with his intelligence, Mei Yuanmu would never guess the eldest brother was Leng Cangqiong! He didn’t dare to venture a guess. Who could possibly outrank Beichen Ming on Spirit Weapon Star? Only a select few individuals came to mind. Whoever that eldest brother was among them… absolutely must not be provoked!

At that moment, Lou Yun’s voice continued. "My reason for eliminating the Qiu family is not because I possess subordinates who are heaven-level magical weapons masters, but because the Qiu family truly was nefarious!"

Lou Yun recounted what Qiu Ruohai had done in Binhai City and the Qiu family’s subsequent reasons for targeting him. Finally, he said, "I’ve explained the reasons clearly. I hope all of you will choose to stay and join my Divine Weapon Alliance. However, I won’t force anyone. Those who wish to leave, I absolutely will not hinder. Those who wish to stay, I welcome with open hands! Very well, for everything else, you may inquire with Mei Yuanmu!"

When Lou Yun finished speaking, he turned and walked away. The Heavenly Decree Leader didn’t follow immediately. Instead, he watched Lou Yun’s retreating figure and smiled faintly. This Alliance Leader was finally beginning to resemble an Alliance Leader more and more!