"What are you thinking about?"
Xuanyuan Jinkang asked, seeing Chu Lingguang frowning the entire way.
"I just arrived in Qingzhou. I haven’t even met my colleagues or had a bite to eat, yet the Lord Governor has already dispatched me to Black Bear Island. I wonder what his intentions are?"
Chu Lingguang asked doubtfully.
"You’ll find out when you ask my master in a bit."
Xuanyuan Jinkang said with a smile.
"Could Eunuch Liu have arranged this?"
Chu Lingguang asked in surprise.
"Although my master serves in the palace and has some status, this is Qingzhou City, the southernmost part of the Great Yuan. His reach doesn’t extend this far."
Xuanyuan Jinkang replied.
Chu Lingguang nodded thoughtfully.
"Eunuch Liu!"
"Master!"
The two of them met Eunuch Liu at the docks.
Eunuch Liu seemed to have expected all of this. Just as Chu Lingguang was about to ask him a question, Eunuch Liu cut in, "Let’s talk once we’re on the boat."
The boat was an official patrol vessel, powered by manpower. Eighteen burly men who had cultivated the Breathing Technique rowed the oars in unison. It had three decks and could accommodate about two hundred people.
"Greetings, Lord Captain!"
There were soldiers waiting on the ship, and the banner had already been changed to the Zhu Character Banner.
"Everyone, hold your positions. There are Sea Demons lurking in the waters, so be vigilant."
Chu Lingguang ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
There were about sixty soldiers on board. Chu Lingguang extended his Spiritual Sense and discovered that all of them had traces of cultivation. However, most had not managed to open their Qi Sea. The majority had only awakened one or two strands of Dragon Elephant Power, or simply possessed pure Qi Blood Power.
Furthermore, they were all over twenty-five years old. Corroded by the sea wind and harsh sun, their skin was dark and weathered, some of it even cracked and dry.
"Eunuch Liu, I ask for your guidance."
On the second-deck, Chu Lingguang bowed to Eunuch Liu.
"Do you know where Yan Zhen, Qin Yu, and Hu Yanlin all originally wanted to be transferred?"
Eunuch Liu asked first.
"I do not know."
Chu Lingguang said, shaking his head.
"All three of them wanted to be transferred to Qingzhou Prefecture to battle pirates and robbers in the South Sea."
Eunuch Liu replied.
"Why?"
Chu Lingguang was puzzled.
"Qingzhou Prefecture is the southernmost territory of the Great Yuan. It’s backed by the Hundred Thousand Mountains and faces the endless sea. With the scourge of Demon Beasts behind and the rampage of pirates and Sea Demons ahead, it is the best place to earn merit and build a career."
Eunuch Liu explained.
Chu Lingguang’s eyes lit up. "Eunuch Liu, you mean to say that by serving in Qingzhou Prefecture, I’ll have a better chance of entering Yuanchu Mountain to cultivate in the future."
"Correct."
Eunuch Liu nodded and continued, "The Black Bear Island you’ve been assigned to guard sits on the most important shipping route in the South Sea. If you can ensure this route’s safety during your term, it will be a great merit. Your chances of entering Yuanchu Mountain to cultivate will be much higher. You might even achieve success and perfection before you turn thirty."
"Within the South Sea, there are countless islands and numerous small kingdoms. Gangs collude with pirates, and the power structures are tangled and complex. This region of the sea has never known peace. As long as you can achieve even a small political accomplishment, the Court will surely notice quickly. This is your chance to rise."
"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Liu. Fortune favors the bold. I will do my utmost, together with Xuanyuan, to guard Black Bear Island well."
Chu Lingguang understood that great opportunity came with great danger.
He finally understood why Eunuch Liu had come all the way from the Imperial City to Qingzhou Prefecture. It seemed he knew in advance that Chu Lingguang would be put in charge of Black Bear Island, and had then used his connections to have Xuanyuan Jinkang follow him to build a meritorious career.
It was obvious that Eunuch Liu, just like Guo Wei, hoped that his successor would one day be able to go to Yuanchu Mountain in his place.
’His intentions were truly painstaking.’
"Sigh, I don’t know why you were transferred to Qingzhou Prefecture. I can’t tell if someone wants you dead or if a powerful benefactor wants to test you. In any case, this assignment is a toss-up between fortune and disaster. From now on, you must tread as if on thin ice. Do not be eager for quick success, lest you fall into someone’s trap."
Eunuch Liu advised.
"I will take it to heart."
Chu Lingguang said, nodding emphatically.
"Before my leave ends, I will stay with you on Black Bear Island. I cannot interfere in military affairs, but if it comes to dealing with some pirates and robbers, I can certainly lend a hand."
Eunuch Liu said with a smile.
"Thank you. With you here, Eunuch Liu, both Xuanyuan and I feel much more at ease."
Chu Lingguang said sincerely. Eunuch Liu was shrewd and calculating, and a genuine True Martial Realm expert. Even if his power hadn’t fully recovered, he wasn’t someone an ordinary person could handle. Having him around would indeed be a great help.
Afterward, Chu Lingguang asked Eunuch Liu for advice on how to take control of Black Bear Island and make everyone obey his command, as well as how to quickly familiarize himself with the island and the various matters of the surrounding sea.
Under Eunuch Liu’s guidance, Chu Lingguang felt as if he had found his direction, and together they formulated a plan.
Black Bear Island was a two-day voyage from Qingzhou City.
Two days was enough time for Chu Lingguang and Eunuch Liu to discuss various strategies. Meanwhile, the directive concerning Chu Lingguang taking over Black Bear Island and being responsible for the security of the nearby seas had been sent ahead, arriving at the island before his departure.
"Sir, that Chu fellow’s ship will reach the island in half a day. The brothers are ready and waiting for your orders."
"I say we should let that Chu fellow wait at sea for a few days to knock him down a peg. He shouldn’t think he can just walk all over us brothers just because he has the Governor’s orders."
"That’s right! We’ve been guarding this godforsaken place for years and suffered through all sorts of hardships. And what’s the result? The higher-ups hand the island over to some greenhorn. What ’Advanced Scholar’ bullshit! I bet he’s just someone with connections. If he’s got any skill, let him face me for a few rounds later!"
"That Chu is just a pretty boy. We’re a bunch of lonely ghosts on the sea. If we all just stare him down together, I bet he’ll get the creeps!"
"HAHAHA! Boss, the brothers are all listening to you. You can’t let us be wronged!"
On Black Bear Island.
A city had been built.
Inside the city’s training grounds, a group of soldiers, reeking of fish, were jeering at several people seated before them.
"I understand how you brothers feel, but we cannot defy military orders. No matter what that Chu’s background is, as long as he holds the Governor’s Literary Decree, we have to follow his commands."
The man they were cheering for was in his early thirties, with a sinewy build. He had several white, fish-scale-like patches on his left cheek, stood about 1.6 meters tall, and was also a Captain.
His name was Zhang Baofu.
A Junior Sixth Grade official, he had been guarding Black Bear Island for ten years. He had risen from Captain all the way to Captain. He had thought that after his predecessor died at sea, he would be next in line to take over Black Bear Island and control the surrounding seas. To his surprise, the Court appointed a new candidate—a greenhorn, an Advanced Scholar no less.
These men were stationed on the island year-round.
On the rare occasions they went ashore, they only knew how to carouse and debauch. They had little concept of the Martial Arts Examination or the imperial examinations. Having clashed with pirates year after year and collected all sorts of protection fees on the sea, they were the real pirates in the eyes of passing merchant ships. Over time, each of them had developed a brutish, unruly air.
Upon hearing that the higher-ups were sending a new boss, they all worried that their lives would be affected.
"Of course, how we carry out his orders will depend on his attitude."
Seeing the crowd’s agitation, Zhang Baofu added.
"HAHAHA!"
"Lord Zhang, we’ll all listen to you!"
"A new official lights three fires. Let’s douse him with three buckets of cold water first."
"Zhang, this place will still be under your control."
...
The crowd clamored.
They even started offering suggestions, plotting how to give Chu Lingguang a hard time.
「Half a day later.」
"Lord Zhang, Lord Chu’s ship has arrived."
A soldier reported.
"Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, come with me to greet Lord Chu outside the city."
Zhang Baofu ordered.
The Zhang Long and Zhao Hu he mentioned held the rank of Captain. Both were at the Qi Sea Perfection realm, were excellent swimmers, and could control the Wind and Wave Power.
"Reporting to the Lord Captain, we have arrived at Black Bear Island. The brothers on the island are waiting for you."
A Centurion surnamed Li stepped forward and said.
Chu Lingguang stood on the deck, dressed in the uniform of a Captain. He had a full view of Black Bear Island. In his line of sight, Zhang Baofu was leading a group of men out of the city. An oppressive aura emanated from them, as if they had been preparing for this.
Chu Lingguang glanced at Eunuch Liu.
Eunuch Liu gave him a slight nod.
"Bring me a bow and arrow!"
Chu Lingguang said, holding out his hand.
Xuanyuan Jinkang immediately presented the Overlord Bow to Chu Lingguang and stood to the side, holding a quiver of arrows.