Chapter 1608: Chapter 816: Sea Demon Group (Part 2)
Yu Hang County, ancestral residence of the Lin Family.
The once bustling "Jiangsu and Zhejiang Salt Iron First House" gatehouse now appeared particularly empty and desolate.
Most of the servants had been dismissed, the storeroom inventory sealed, leaving only a few loyal old servants to guard the gate.
Fatty Lin stood in the courtyard, gazing at the empty hall and the withered rockery pine and cypress, sighed deeply.
This sigh contained both nostalgia and the relief of unloading a heavy burden.
"Let’s go." He turned and said to the few people behind him.
Wang Daoxuan’s Daoist robe was tidy, his complexion still somewhat pale from the loss of blood, but his eyes were clear, and his wound to the Divine Soul had stabilized.
Kong Shangzhao still dressed as a scholar, carrying a backpack, his eyes calm.
Kuai Dayou was full of excitement, eager for the sea voyage.
"The Lin Family... is it really like this?"
Kong Shangzhao shook his head slightly, with a touch of sentiment.
"A large tree with deep roots is not necessarily a blessing; slimming down and strengthening the core is the way to endure." Fatty Lin chuckled, his smile carrying a hint of easygoingness, "Let go of what should be let go, keep what must be kept. The remaining path, I want to walk it for myself."
He took one last look at the ancestral residence, with no more attachment, and strode outward.
"Off to Hangzhou Prefecture, to the sea!"
......
Qiantang River Estuary, great waves crashed against the shore, the sound like thunder.
Flags fluttered at the dock, bright armor gleamed.
Two sleek, streamlined sharp-bottomed Fuchuan quietly moored, were the fast ships meticulously prepared by Chen Wenxian.
The hull was sturdy, the mast towering, the sails tight, clearly a tool for sailing. The ship’s body painted with tung oil, reflected a gentle luster under the autumn sun.
The sailors aboard were elite selected by the Crown Prince Mansion from the coastal navy.
Setting the sails, each movement was nimble, their expressions fierce.
Meanwhile, on the surrounding sea, an even larger fleet was arrayed and ready to sail!
These were the elite of the Qiantang Navy.
Warships like a forest, blades and guns like snow, exuding a murderous aura.
A towering tower ship in the center, surrounded by Meng Chong, sea gulls, sentry ships, with the banner of "Xuan" and various other flags flapping in the wind on the masts.
According to Shi Bingwei’s intelligence, the navy was launching a full-scale attack, targeting the pirate stronghold in the Daishan Island area of the Zhoushan Islands.
These pirates hid in Zhoushan, able to threaten Hangzhou and the coast at any time, and they were often in the East Sea plundering.
Such a malignant tumor must be thoroughly eradicated.
Li Yan, Sha Lifei, Lv San, and Long Yan’er were already waiting at the dock.
Upon seeing Fatty Lin and others arrive, everyone immediately stepped forward to meet, exchanging greetings.
"Daoist looks much better." Li Yan observed Wang Daoxuan.
"Not too bad, the Divine Soul is stable, though not at full strength, I can join the sea voyage without problems." Wang Daoxuan cupped his hands.
Chen Wenxian quickly approached, introducing Li Yan and the Qiantang Navy Deputy General leading the troops: "Young Hero Li, this is General Zhou Zhen, the deputy general of the Qiantang Navy."
"General Zhou, this is Young Hero Li, whom the Crown Prince relies on, along with his Twelve Primordial Spirits heroes. Young Hero is on a quest for treasure, and the general is clearing out pirates; their targeted sea areas are adjacent, perfect for mutual support and assistance!"
Deputy General Zhou Zhen was a dark-skinned, burly middle-aged man, dressed in clanging iron armor, greeted with clasped fists: "I’ve long admired the fame of Young Hero Li! His feats in quelling the rebellion in Jinling and cleansing traitors in Hangzhou are truly admirable."
"Eliminating pirates is the responsibility of this general. Young Hero, rest assured, if needed, my navy will fully cooperate!"
He offered a bright smile, showing great respect to everyone, clearly having close ties with the Crown Prince.
Li Yan returned the salute, clasped his fists: "General Zhou is mighty! With the general’s deterrent force, my journey is much more assured. I wish the general great victory, sweeping through enemies as easily as plowing the grounds!"
After the pleasantries, the hour was approaching.
Chen Wenxian solemnly handed a sealed brocade box to Li Yan: "Young Hero, this contains the latest sea maps of the region and marked possible areas for shipwrecks, as well as contact signals. The sea is perilous, take care!"
"I still have to carry out tasks for the Crown Prince; I cannot accompany you out to sea. But rest assured, the matter of finding the tattoo master, I will do my utmost. As soon as he is found, I will send him to Lingnan to meet with you all."
"Thank you, Chief Historian Chen."
Li Yan accepted the brocade box, placing it inside his cloak, his gaze sweeping over his companions:
Sha Lifei fondled the firearm at his waist, eager to act; Lv San’s hawk Eagle Falcon Lidong scrutinized the sea horizon keenly; Long Yan’er, with veiled white gauze, breathed calmly; Fatty Lin’s eyes were resolute, no longer bearing the decadence of a wealthy scion; Wang Daoxuan, Kong Shangzhao, Kuai Dayou, and Wu Ba each with their unique aura.
"Board the ship!"
Li Yan commanded, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone’s ears.
Everyone boarded their designated fast ship in single file.
The sailors quickly untied the ropes and raised the sails.
The large oars extended from the side portholes, orderly dipping into the water.
"Woo——!"
From the flagship of the Qiantang Navy, the majestic horn sounded piercingly through the sky, resounding for miles.
The enormous fleet, like a waking steel beast, slowly adjusted its formation, cutting through the waves, heading towards the depths of the East Sea, towards the direction of the Zhoushan Islands.
The Sea Falcon Fast Ship carrying Li Yan led the way, like an arrow released from a bow, utilizing its agility to accelerate alongside the navy’s fleet, swiftly cutting into the roaring sea.
The strong sea breeze filled the sails, making everyone’s clothes flap noisily.
The bow cut through the dark blue sea, splashing white waves.
Before long, they disappeared over the horizon...
......
In the cabin, the oil lamp gently swayed with the waves.
Li Yan looked at the thin few pages of intelligence in his hand, seemingly pondering.
The captured Japanese Shi Bingwei, although unaware of the pirates’ specific hiding places, had been blindfolded when entering the cavern, having considerable contact with these pirates.
These pirates had a name, "Sea Demon Group."
Far more troublesome than expected.
This "Sea Demon Group" was not simply a runaway samurai collective.
When Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, he not only conquered the land but also forcibly merged various local shrine beliefs into centralized control of the Shinto system.
However, in the coastal areas of Kyushu, a faction that believed in the ancient Shinto doctrine of "Yuneng Qilu" refused to submit.
This group, known as the "Sea Abyss Shrine," consisted of some mystical native families and samurai groups.
In their decisive battle against the Toyotomi Army, they were on the verge of losing, almost facing total annihilation, yet miraculously broke free due to a sudden tsunami.
However, they lost all their land-based foundations as well.
Fleeing to the sea, they discovered a sunken ancient altar deep in the Zhoushan Islands, which, according to Shi Bingwei, was linked to the legend of Xu Fu’s Eastern Expedition.
The remnants of the Sea Abyss Shrine settled on this, calling themselves "Sea Demon Group."
Not only did they absorb the fleeing samurai ninja, but they also drew strength from various sources. There were Divine Land Pirates, Southern Ocean Evil Path, and more bizarrely, even a merfolk.
This Sea Demon Group superficially accepted recruitment by the Toyotomi regime, sending small groups to participate in the invasion of Korea, but in reality, they looted both sides, only to build their strength for unknown schemes.
The leader, named "Chao Shengwan," is the son of the original Great Palace Master of the shrine.
The deputy magician, named "Yakimaru," is a descendant of the Witch Clan in the mountains of Kyushu, skilled in many sinister secret techniques. His family was massacred during Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s unification, and he was rescued by Chao Shengwan in Zhoushan, joining the Sea Demon Group.
The samurai leader, known as "Long Cang."
He was the captain of the Shimazu family’s elite samurai group "Sea Wolf Team" in Kyushu. After Toyotomi Hideyoshi subdued the Shimazu family, he refused to pledge allegiance to the new master, leading his remnants to join the Sea Demon Group.
There was also Andre Fernandez, originally a naval deserter, who according to Shi Bingwei, was a top-notch gunman.
The most mysterious was the fifth leader, "Scale."
This was a merfolk, full of mystique, even Shi Bingwei had never seen.
"Sea Abyss Shrine... Yuneng Qilu... Xu Fu’s altar..." Li Yan examined the intelligence, furrowing his brows.
This is no mere band of stragglers.
Evidently a sizable sect.
No wonder even Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent emissaries with lavish gifts to recruit them.
But what truly worried him was another matter.
Since the fleet sailed from Qiantang Bay, the Hook Paper in his embrace had completely ceased to react...
