Chapter 574: Chapter 558 Penglai Suspicions
Zhao Changhe cautiously glanced at San Niang’s expression.
San Niang didn’t show anything out of the ordinary, her beautiful eyes swept across the other’s face and then she took a look around, her expression unchanged.
Zhao Changhe then also breathed a sigh of relief, and stood behind Lai Qi with San Niang on either side, watching their conversation.
First, he looked to see if Lai Qi would betray them… He had been behaving himself on the ship, but now that he had powerful support, it wasn’t necessarily true that he would listen to them both, it depending on what he had in mind.
Lai Qi really hadn’t thought about betraying them; in fact, he faintly guessed that this man and woman might not have come to help fight pirates, but more likely targeted Penglai, which was somewhat obvious from their covert approach and following. However, as everyone was from different countries, even if this man and woman were detrimental to Penglai, that could also be a good thing, couldn’t it?
Who has the patience to truly cooperate and eliminate the pirates? Pirates had no interest in destroying nations, but Penglai’s navy was another story–who’s sillier than whom?
He chuckled and raised his wine glass in a toast from afar, “It’s been many years, and I’ve gotten white hairs, but the Admiral seems unchanged from a few years ago, showing that a true cultivation master is indeed different from ordinary people like us.”
Admiral Changkong smiled and said, “Deputy General Lai shouldn’t consider himself ordinary either. With the Mystical Gate Ninth Layer, even in Xia Country, you would be a formidable figure.”
Lai Qi smiled. The people of Penglai Country, in stark contrast to the other maritime nations, were all from different historical eras at sea, many not even knowing what Xia Country was, somewhat embodying the concept of “not knowing there were Hans, no matter Wei or Jin.”
Only the people of Penglai always mentioned Xia, earlier with a hint of resentment, but over the years, it had turned into a sense of superiority that “we are more knowledgeable about mainland affairs” and “we have seen more than you.”
Lai Qi couldn’t be bothered to argue over these matters and got straight to the point, “About this pirate eradication, does the Admiral need to wait until all countries have arrived to discuss, or can we speak with Lai now?”
“Speaking now wouldn’t hurt,” Admiral Changkong said. “This joint pirate extermination, after all, is just a subtask.”
Lai Qi was taken aback, “What do you mean by that? The Sea God commanded everyone to come and fight the pirates.”
Admiral Changkong smiled, “The Sea God asked everyone to fight pirates, but everyone has their own intentions, whether they are here to really fight pirates or just for a visit, nobody knows. How to manage the alliance forces, command the battle, as effortlessly as moving one’s arm, the Sea God will not interfere, of course, it’s up to me to decide.”
Lai Qi’s expression changed slightly.
That wasn’t a hint, it was a clear declaration.
Everyone has their own intentions, some coming to fight pirates, some to sightsee, and of course, some may use this opportunity to unify the East Sea. Is that the idea?
Admiral Changkong was blatantly saying, I’m going to incorporate you, and I want the Javanese nation to become just another island under Penglai’s rule!
Since the nations were following a “Divine Oracle,” their military exertion was quite substantial, with nearly all their main forces present. As long as the main forces were swallowed up, it was game over; no need to struggle.
This indeed didn’t need to wait for everyone to assemble. Deal with each one as they come, lay them all down.
Lai Qi knew he wouldn’t have the slightest chance to resist; it was child’s play for Penglai to incorporate him.
But actually, this kind of thing is not unheard of, and Lai Qi wasn’t entirely naive, steadying his spirit, “If Penglai really wants to unify the East Sea, aren’t you afraid of offending the Sea God?”
A powerful maritime empire truly unified would inevitably face one issue: the contest between divine and monarchical authority. Originally, all nations worshipped the Sea God, and the monarchic power was dispersed among many countries. No monarch could challenge the Sea God, but once unified, the situation would differ.
Over the past years, Penglai’s strength vastly surpassed other nations, but they had always refrained from acts of extermination. That was the main reason.
Now they weren’t afraid? Dare to openly provoke the Sea God’s authority?
Besides, the journey between nations was long, often taking a month or more to reach another country by sea, so the significance of “nation annihilation” was an unknown quantity—it was likely that even after being subjugated, a nation might continue to self-govern. Was Hai Pinglan insane, doing something that barely benefited them but was sure to provoke the Sea God?
Admiral Changkong laughed, “Your Majesty’s intentions don’t need to be overinterpreted by you… Besides, it was the Sea God who called everyone to arms. Why don’t you consider this to be the Sea God’s tacit approval?”
Lai Qi frowned deeply and after a long while said, “May I have the night to consider?”
Admiral Changkong waved his hand very readily, “Of course, we don’t coerce by force. Win people over with virtue, with virtue. Someone, take Deputy General Lai to rest, and arrange for the loveliest girl.”
“No need for the maid, Lai needs to discuss with the deputy generals.”
Admiral Changkong didn’t insist and readily stood up to see Lai Qi off.
Lai Qi, heavy-hearted, returned to his guesthouse. Actually, there wasn’t much to consider; he planned to ask “Venerable’s” opinion, “Venerable…”
San Niang waved her hand and listened carefully for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, “No eavesdropping.”
Lai Qi said, “I really don’t understand what they’re thinking.”
San Niang and Zhao Changhe exchanged a glance, equally perplexed. From the looks of it, there could only be one explanation: Hai Pinglan was truly turning against the Sea God. It was hard to find a second explanation.
The so-called destruction of a country did have substantive meaning.
The Sea God’s power was reviving, and a significant part of that revival was known to require the Power of Faith. If it was a matter of contention over this aspect, then the destruction of a country had benefits regardless. As long as faith was destroyed, and forced conversion and the like ensued, the Sea God would be weakened.
The strange thing was, on what basis did Hai Pinglan dare to do such an overt act? Even if the Sea God couldn’t defeat Xia Longyuan, defeating you, Hai Pinglan, would still be a piece of cake, right? So brazenly provoking him, are you not asking for death?
It couldn’t really be that the Sea God himself had tacitly permitted this?
Zhao Changhe said resolutely, “I still suggest we eavesdrop… This is the first time they are laying their cards on the table with a minor country. Once we leave, they are bound to discuss it amongst themselves, and that’s when we might hear their true intentions.”
Without a word, San Niang disappeared into the night with him, and after a while, they reappeared at the tavern they had just been in. Silently, they landed on the roof and peeled back a small section of tile to look inside.
Admiral Hai Changkong was still feasting with his subordinates, and sure enough, the conversation had changed from earlier. The commanding aura was gone, and instead, there was a hint of worry: “Lai Qi is not usually one to stand firm. His performance this time has truly surprised me; perhaps he has another card up his sleeve…”
A Deputy General beside him advised, “The Commander need not be so cautious. Java, after all, is but a minor character.”
Admiral Hai Changkong sighed, “You don’t understand… Our spy among the pirates sent word that the leader has returned. Do you realize what this means?”
The generals looked at each other in confusion; most of them really didn’t know. Only a few of the veteran generals were aware of the significance and whispered inquiringly, “Really?”
“It’s true. Previously, when the Sea Emperor suddenly attacked the pirates with His Sea Race, there was a woman who was very formidable. It must have been her.”
Those who knew the significance began to stir: “She’s really back… at such a critical time!”
Admiral Hai Changkong’s tiger-like gaze swept over the crowd, taking note of their expressions, and said coldly, “Hence, this battle permits only victory and not defeat. Any slight change cannot be overlooked by this Commander.”
“What… what’s her strength?” someone cautiously asked.
“About the same as mine,” replied Hai Changkong indifferently, “In any case, she doesn’t possess an Undying Body. When we meet, no matter the cost, kill without mercy.”
“Then… Since we have a spy, do we really need to search for their new base?”
“Of course, that was just something told to the countries to prevent the pirates from getting wind of it. In fact, I’ve always known where they are.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and raised their glasses in respect: “As expected of the Commander, a master strategist, nothing is too difficult for you.”
Admiral Hai Changkong accepted the drinks amicably, and the atmosphere at the feast became lively and raucous, as if the previous tension had just been a passing breeze, of no concern to anyone.
A general, clearly inebriated, swayed to his feet and chuckled, “I need to relieve myself.”
No one paid him any heed.
He staggered out to the back courtyard, not heading to the outhouse but hastily summoning his personal aide, “Hurry, you go…”
“Go where?” The general turned in shock, only to see Admiral Hai Changkong standing behind him with a smile.
A cold sweat broke out on the general, who forced a smile, “I can’t hold my liquor; I sent my aide to buy some hangover medicine…”
Zhao Changhe and San Niang almost simultaneously prepared to rush in to rescue.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I have medicine here. Next time, just ask me directly,” said Hai Changkong unexpectedly warmly, draping an arm around the general’s shoulder and cheerfully walking back into the hall as if nothing had happened.
San Niang’s eyes widened in shock.
The scene just now should have been the general contacting the pirates to warn that their location had been exposed and they must retreat quickly. Hai Changkong, having clearly followed him in secret, had shown no sign of taking action, only interrupting the message.
Wasn’t he supposed to be immediately apprehended?
Perhaps even the so-called knowledge of the pirate’s location was just a ruse, waiting for the traitor to pass information to the pirates and then tailing them to truly locate where the pirates were.
That would be the conventional understanding.
But what was Hai Changkong doing? Was he protecting this general instead?