Chapter 165: The Girl From the East Sea
Shi Hao’s words shocked everyone.
He sighed and said, “If you want proof, I don’t have any. I can only tell you that Xiong Wanghu, the ‘Tiger Roaring Saber Hero,’ is likely working with Huang Facai, under the command of Hong Chui, the Thunderclap.”
“And they’re likely connected to a demonic sect. Huang Facai’s brutality created many enemies, eliminating any potential threats, and also aroused widespread resentment.
“Xiong Wanghu, capitalizing on this resentment, secretly gathered support, then overthrew the Hanyang Gang, absorbing all the opposing factions and seizing their territory.”
“Now, with ‘Huang Facai’ dead, and notorious figures like the Hanyang Three Fiends eliminated, the remaining Hanyang Gang members, after changing their allegiance, will become part of the Danyang Society. Xiong Wanghu, having gained fame and prestige, will then establish a new ‘Hanyang Gang,’ its reputation untainted.”
“The Hanyang River Alliance will still be formed, under Xiong Wanghu’s leadership, with little opposition. As for ‘Huang Facai,’ he was just a temporary figurehead, his death preordained.
“We can’t even be certain that the head on that pole was really his.”
Their faces paled at his words.
Shi Hao continued, “The only fortunate thing is that their original plan was for us and the Hanyang Gang to destroy each other, weakening the Nine Villages, forcing them to submit to the Danyang Society.
“That way, the Danyang Society would achieve what even the Hanyang Gang couldn’t.”
“That’s why the Hanyang Gang attacked with their full force last night, even Huang Facai and Zhao Xuanding participating, trying to kill me. They were paving the way for the Danyang Society. This further confirms their connection to a demonic sect. It’s a classic tactic of manipulating events from the shadows. Of course, you won’t find any direct evidence linking Xiong Wanghu to the demonic sects.”
Zhao Peng hesitated, “But… this is just speculation, isn’t it?”
Shi Hao nodded, “I told you, I have no proof. Xiong Wanghu is a renowned hero. We can’t accuse him based on mere speculation.”
Daoist Chuan looked around and said firmly, “I believe you, Master Shi.”
Gong Muhong and Yan Zhuxia nodded in agreement, while the others remained hesitant.
Shi Hao said, “Thank you. But whether you believe it or not doesn’t change anything. We can’t do anything about it now. We just fought a major battle against the Hanyang Gang, a desperate fight for survival, and we were united.
“But if we attack the Danyang Society based on mere speculation, we’ll be seen as the aggressors. And our own people will question our motives. They’ll think we used the fight against the Hanyang Gang’s tyranny as a pretext for our own ambitions. After such a hard-fought victory, with so many casualties, why would we suddenly attack another faction?”
“Fortunately, the Danyang Society, to maintain their image of righteousness, won’t attack the Nine Villages for now. They need to consolidate their power and build their reputation. We should have a few months of peace.”
Gong Muhong hesitated, “Then what should we do?”
Shi Hao shook his head, “Nothing. I’m telling you this so you’ll be prepared. The Danyang Society won’t attack you directly, but they’ll use other methods to weaken you.
“There won’t be any more major battles, but there will be constant skirmishes. Be prepared. These minor conflicts don’t matter. The key is to maintain your unity. As long as the Nine Villages remain united, the Danyang Society can’t do anything.”
“Xiong Wanghu’s reputation is his greatest strength, but also his weakness. He won’t be as ruthless and unscrupulous as Huang Facai.”
“We still have to build our militia. It’s essential. With a strong militia, the Nine Villages can defend themselves. The Ba Mountains are easily defensible. Once our forces are strong enough, other factions will have to negotiate with us, not attack us.”
Daoist Chuan said, “Please stay and continue guiding us, Master Shi…”
Shi Hao shook his head, “No, I have to leave.”
They were stunned, their gazes fixed on him—
Xu Xiaoyan walked through the garden behind the manor.
Yue Ya’er and Du Yuejiao were chatting.
In the distance, Xiang Gu sat on the grass, playing with her bottles and jars.
Xu Xiaoyan crossed the garden and reached the back of the mountain.
The sun had just set, a crescent moon hanging in the sky, darkness falling swiftly.
Lanterns were being lit, and villagers, who had been evacuated earlier, were returning to their homes.
Hou Bomin, the Monkey Thief, sat on a large rock, smoking his pipe, the embers glowing faintly.
“Old Monkey,” Xu Xiaoyan approached him, “What did you want to tell me? Why have you been stalling?”
Hou Bomin sighed, “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you. I don’t know what you’ll do.”
Xu Xiaoyan frowned, “Just tell me.”
Hou Bomin looked at her and finally said, “Someone saw a girl who looks exactly like you.”
Xu Xiaoyan froze, her face lighting up with hope, “Who? Where?”
Hou Bomin took a puff from his pipe, “Old Zhong saw her. It was in the East Sea. But he wasn’t entirely sure…”
Xu Xiaoyan asked, “Why not?”
Hou Bomin said, “He said it felt like a dream.”
Xu Xiaoyan stared at him, “What happened?”
Hou Bomin put down his pipe and tapped it against the rock. He said, “He said it was dusk, the sun and moon both in the sky. He was fishing for Stone Milkfish, used for refining immortal ingredients. You know Old Zhong. He does this all the time. Going out to sea alone wasn’t unusual for him.
“But the weather suddenly changed. A storm blew in.
“He had checked the weather before leaving, so he hadn’t expected it. He struggled through the storm and then saw a thick mist ahead.
“He was lost, surrounded by mist, unable to see. He continued rowing and then saw a group of people walking on the water.
“They were dressed in elegant, ancient robes, like people from before the Qin Dynasty. Four of them carried a lavish palanquin adorned with pearls.
“A young woman sat inside the palanquin, wearing a beautiful rainbow robe, her hair in a rare ‘flying celestial’ bun, her gaze fixed ahead, motionless. Old Zhong saw her profile… and he thought it was you.”
Xu Xiaoyan whispered, “The East Sea?”
Hou Bomin nodded, “He was about to call out to you, but something felt… wrong. Although she looked exactly like you, her aura was different. As he hesitated, a fight broke out.
“Several pirate ships emerged from the mist and attacked the group. The pirates were skilled, almost ten mid-rank experts among them, the rest also ranked. Old Zhong recognized them as members of the Sea Shark Gang, but he didn’t know why they were attacking that group.
“But strangely, only four people from the group fought back, two men and two women, all using swords. And those four alone defeated all the pirates.
“Old Zhong said he had never seen anything like it. The Sea Shark Gang’s experts were like chickens before them, slaughtered without any resistance. One of them even looked at him after the fight, and he thought he was going to die.
“But they didn’t touch him. They killed all the pirates, even the sailors and cooks on the ships, and then left, escorting the young woman on the palanquin, who hadn’t even moved, walking across the water.
“Then, the mist cleared, and he saw the moon again. He felt like he had been dreaming.
“When he returned to shore, he asked us about you. You had already left Jiangzhe by then. Daoist Tie Yu told us you were with him that day, with a young man named Shi Hao, saying you were going to help him find the Blood Slaughter Sword, and you even tricked him out of a sword.”
Xu Xiaoyan’s eyes widened, “That was shortly after the last full moon, about a month ago? Grandpa Zhong… he really saw another me?”
Hou Bomin nodded, looking up at her, “Where are you going?”
Xu Xiaoyan turned resolutely, “To the East Sea! I have to find her!”
Hou Bomin sighed, “I hesitated to tell you because I knew you wouldn’t be able to wait. But this time, I urge you to reconsider.”
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