"Master, you’re in this state... how can you still talk about glorious achievements?"
Xuanyuan Jinkang said through his tears.
SMACK!
Eunuch Liu slapped Xuanyuan Jinkang across the face, but the blow had little strength behind it.
He said, his voice weak and airy, "Promise me you will continue to practice the Soft and Flexible Technique and see it flourish. I had originally planned to give you a final push when my life was about to end, to help you go further, but that’s impossible now."
"Master, please don’t say any more."
Xuanyuan Jinkang wailed loudly.
Chu Lingguang squatted to one side, at a loss for what to do. He could easily tell from Eunuch Liu’s words that if Xuanyuan Jinkang had ever hit a cultivation bottleneck, Eunuch Liu would have given this great opportunity to him. But as it turned out, Chu Lingguang had been the one to receive the boon instead.
"Chu Lingguang, I have something to ask of you."
Eunuch Liu reached out, grasping at the air beside him. His consciousness was fading. In the world of darkness where he now found himself, the single, shining lamp of his Divine Wisdom flickered like a candle in a cold wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
"Tell me. Whatever it is, I will do it, no matter the cost!"
Chu Lingguang grabbed Eunuch Liu’s hand and said, wiping his nose.
"In the future, when you enter Yuanchu Mountain, if you have the chance, I beg you to take Jin Kang with you to see it,"
Eunuch Liu said.
"Yes. As long as I am able, I will spare no effort to help Xuanyuan enter Yuanchu Mountain."
Chu Lingguang promised solemnly.
"Thank you."
Eunuch Liu smiled, and in that same moment, his grip on Chu Lingguang’s hand went slack.
The aura of life in his body receded like the tide. In the end, he had paid the ultimate price.
"Aaaah, Master!"
Xuanyuan Jinkang hugged Eunuch Liu’s body, squatting on the ground and sobbing his heart out.
The Great Yuan Dynasty placed great importance on revering one’s master and their teachings.
A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.
Although Eunuch Liu clearly favored Chu Lingguang, he had never neglected Xuanyuan Jinkang, having long ago passed on everything he knew. Xuanyuan Jinkang, in turn, had always wanted to prove to Eunuch Liu that he was in no way inferior to Chu Lingguang. He yearned to show his master that his disciple had not been a disgrace.
But in the end, before he could achieve his own glorious deeds, before he could surpass Chu Lingguang, his master had passed on. And it had happened while accompanying Chu Lingguang to Xiazigou. At this moment, Xuanyuan Jinkang was overwhelmed with grief, feeling his master’s death had been in vain. His hatred for Chu Lingguang ran bone-deep.
"Captain Zhang!"
Chu Lingguang shouted.
"I am here, sir!"
Zhang Baofu hurried forward and replied.
Chu Lingguang was brimming with killing intent. Covered in blood, his aura was so terrifying he seemed like a god of slaughter emerging from the depths of hell. Everyone around him shuddered in fear.
At this moment, even if Chu Lingguang had ordered him to lead an attack on the Xiazigou pirates all by himself, Zhang Baofu would not have dared to question it.
"Keep an eye on all suspicious ships at sea! All spies the pirates have planted on Black Bear Island—execute them on the spot!"
"Gather all our men. Make all necessary preparations. After nightfall, the entire force will mobilize. You will follow me out to sea to attack the Xiazigou pirates. We will make every last one of them accompany Eunuch Liu in death!"
"Yes, sir! I understand."
Zhang Baofu didn’t dare to hesitate, replying in a loud voice.
"I want to be in the vanguard!"
Xuanyuan Jinkang stood up and declared.
"Fine."
Chu Lingguang did not refuse.
He then sent a message via falcon to Liu Ziyun, informing him that he would be attacking the Xiazigou pirates tonight and that Liu Ziyun should prepare to provide support.
In truth, for a matter as significant as attacking the Xiazigou pirates, Chu Lingguang was required to report to Liu Ziyun and receive his permission before leading his men out to sea.
But time was short.
The pirate chieftain had just died, and Xiazigou was now in chaos. Every day of delay would only put his men in greater danger.
In war, speed is paramount.
He couldn’t afford to delay for even a moment, so he chose to act first and report later. As for any problems that might arise from this, that was not something Chu Lingguang was going to worry about.
Besides, as long as they could take down Xiazigou and wipe out all the pirates, it would be a major accomplishment. It would bring nothing but benefits for both him and Liu Ziyun.