Around the same time.
The Golden Crow's Yin Naval Army appeared behind the Shu Dynasty via the ocean routes. The reason it took so much time was because they were also transporting numerous high-end siege weapons. Carrying them required massive ships, which had slower speeds compared to standard transport vessels.
As soon as they reached the location, they found a small boat with someone sitting casually, fishing and basking in the sun.
Su Xing looked at the scene and frowned as a sense of foreboding arose in his heart.
Su Xing was Lei's subordinate leading this mission. Although he commanded all the Yin Warriors, he couldn't force them to do something that crossed their bottom line—such as betraying their own dynasty.
Yin Hong appeared beside him and asked calmly, "What happened?"
Both Su Xing and Yin Hong were peak Rank 4 Warriors leading this army. Yin Hong had much more influence and control over his Yin Warriors. However, per the orders he received, he strictly followed Su Xing's commands.
Su Xing just pointed to the front. "This is the backyard of the Shu Dynasty. How can someone be allowed to fish here? It doesn't make sense."
Yin Hong looked forward and frowned.
A man sat alone in a small wooden boat. He was holding a basic bamboo fishing pole with a line dropped into the water.
He wore plain, worn-out clothes and a wide bamboo hat. The hat was tilted down, blocking his eyes and most of his face from view.
He did not have any large nets or extra fishing equipment on the boat. He sat completely still and quiet.
Suddenly, a voice startled them. "Are you lost, or did you just come all the way out here to watch me fish?"
Yin Hong looked at the man and asked curiously, "Who are you, mister? Why are you fishing in this place, right behind the Shu Dynasty? Aren't you afraid of Shu's Shadow Guards?"
Every dynasty has its Shadow Guards, who protect the royal kingdom from various threats, such as sudden attacks and rebellions.
Wu Meng smiled faintly. "What's the point of being afraid? The Shu Dynasty is already declining, and who knows how long they can sustain themselves? A new era is coming! Soon, all dynasties will be unified!"
Yin Hong frowned. Under normal circumstances, he would have directly attacked. There was no need to waste words on ants. But he could feel that the other party was not simple.
Wu Meng smiled faintly. "I am just a mortal, no need to fear me!"
Saying this, he continued, "I am but a mere informant. I presume you are the one leading the Yin Warriors, the Commander-in-Chief of the Yin army?"
Su Xing's heart tightened. He felt that he had to kill the other party as soon as possible. He could feel that if this man was allowed to speak, he would definitely die!
Suddenly, without warning, he commanded inwardly, 'Sword heart!'
A sharp sword flew past him with a whoosh!
But as soon as it appeared near Wu Meng, a circular defense shield formed, and the attack was nullified.
Su Xing was surprised at the failure.
Yin Hong was also surprised at the sudden attack. He glared at Su Xing, questioning this sudden action.
Su Xing just smiled. "As expected, Senior truly is unfathomable. I apologize for the sudden attack, but I had to test the waters, as this junior is ignorant and has been deceived before!"
Wu Meng felt a protection talisman turning to dust in his inner clothing. "It's alright. We need to finish our business, and it is good to test the waters!"
He immediately jumped from the boat and landed on the large ship. He moved casually and stopped as he walked past Su Xing.
Wu Meng secretly readied a fire talisman in his hand as he placed it on Su Xing's shoulder. A searing heat generated, making Su Xing feel extreme pain.
He gritted his teeth as he heard a whispering voice in his ear. "But having eyes and vision is important as well!"
Wu Meng smiled faintly at Su Xing. As a Rank 3 Demonic Warrior, he had seen the world. He knew that in this situation, accepting this humiliation would only make Su Xing bolder.
He took out a token, which had the word 'Yin' written on it, and showed it to Yin Hong.
Yin Hong's pupils shrank as he immediately knelt down.
Su Xing was surprised. He had only one thought: 'Somehow, I've been exposed!'
He was indeed exposed, but Wu Meng had no intention of exposing him to others. He is strong, and even if he is an enemy, his strength could be useful!
Wu Meng nodded at him. "Seeing this token is like seeing the head of House Yin. You are brave Warriors of the Golden Crow. Stand tall!"
He calmly walked forward and helped him stand up. "There is an urgent order from the King. Immediately discard this mission, and accept a new one!"
Yin Hong asked hurriedly, "Which mission?"
Wu Meng said lightly, "There was an attack on the Golden Crow Dynasty from the sea route after you left. Fortunately, our King has great wisdom. He anticipated the attack and prepared his finest Warriors for counterattacks. He ordered the evacuation of the coastal areas beforehand and handled the sneak attack efficiently."
"The Wu Dynasty had ill intentions. They got their hands on a very powerful army with extremely high battle strength. Every Warrior of that unit is comparable to a Rank 4 Warrior. They captured a large area of the Golden Crow, and your next mission is to reclaim it. You can form an alliance with the Shu Dynasty and use their help to kill all the Wu Dynasty Warriors on the northern borders of the Shu Dynasty."
Yin Hong immediately bowed. "We Yin Soldiers accept the mission!"
After instructing Yin Hong, Wu Meng immediately left the ship and got back into his boat.
He looked at the giant ship and then back to his own simple wooden boat. 'If you can't afford to show off, you can show off with cheap items as long as you have courage and confidence!'
He suddenly thought of the talisman and his heart started bleeding. 'It was such an expensive piece!'
He immediately shook his head. 'Forget it, life is more important than property. Thankfully, he gave me the premium token of the Global Commerce and Trade Chamber before he left. With its help, I was able to erase all my traces in the southern port and also buy important treasures to protect my life. It also helped me discuss the arrangements with Shu Wang, since his token was destroyed by the Monarch. This thing is the real deal!'
Just like Li Gang stripped the Wei Dynasty of its Premium token and Communication talisman in order to isolate it and prevent it from getting help from neighboring dynasties, Lei adopted a similar approach for the Shu Dynasty.
As a result of House Yin helping the Shu Dynasty, along with the Wei Dynasty and Demonic Factions, all of Guo Chen's hopes ended up being destroyed. The Wu Dynasty and the Shu-Wei-Yin-Demon coalition formed a complete balance that kept each other in check.
30th March, Nanyu City Outskirts
Huang finally opened his eyes. He had already obtained many of Li Gang's memories, and he was still in the process of absorbing them as more and more secrets appeared in his mind.
He obtained many memories and secrets—such as the existence of Immortals, and that the whole catastrophe was an Emperor's work. He was also after Li Gang's treasure.
There were also Li Gang's instructions to Zudas, which shocked him greatly!
He also came to realize that the entire scheme Lei and Huang devised to kill Li Gang was an arrangement made by an Emperor. This sent chills down his spine!
Huang already had a gut feeling that an Emperor was involved, because there were things he shouldn't have known, but he did! He knew that his memories had been erased after he received the instructions.
What shocked him most was Li Gang's personality. Huang always thought Li Gang was a ruthless demon, but the reality was different. He had deep love for his family, and he was completely manipulated by an Emperor, which caused such havoc and destruction to his ancestral legacy! Li Gang was an extremely decisive and cautious Warrior who respected and protected those around him! He even had huge respect for Lei and himself internally, since they put their lives on the line to avenge their family!
However, he wouldn't get emotional over such memories.
He knew there was just one more day he had to wait while conscious to complete the takeover.
Huang looked around gloomily. "They truly are incompetent!"
Lei shook his head. "You don't expect them to fight a Rank 6 Warrior like me, do you?"
He smiled deeply. "You have no way out; you lose!"
Huang glanced at Lei and no longer spoke. He understood that his survival chances were slim now. He had read Li Gang's memories and understood just how meticulous he was. He hadn't fully obtained all of his memories yet and doesn't know his recent deal with Lei.
Huang looked at Lei and smiled faintly. "I know where your son is!"
Lei's heart shook as he looked at Huang. "Tell me about it!"
Huang shook his head. "Give me the Spatial Order; I will take you there!"
Lei narrowed his eyes. "Do you take me for a fool?"
Huang smiled bitterly. It was truly a desperate attempt. He was still in an injured state, and on top of that, his cultivation was lower than Lei's. He hadn't obtained Li Gang's memories related to Lei's son, or the deal Li Gang had reached with Lei.
Lei said lightly, "We were old friends!"
Huang glanced at Lei and narrowed his eyes.
Lei smiled faintly. "Tell me something, and I will help you!"
Huang's inner bitterness disappeared as he grasped a final ray of hope. "What do you want to know?"
Lei said lightly, "Who was behind the massacre of Jade Harbor City?"
Huang's eyes narrowed. "So that is how Li Gang convinced you?"
Lei said slowly, "I won't kill you. I will even spare your son. As long as you help me!"