The two of them couldn’t be away for too long.
Daily military duties could not be neglected. They had to patrol the seas and train their soldiers as scheduled.
Fortunately, the destruction of Xiazigou had struck fear into the hearts of every pirate in the waters around Black Bear Island. For some time now, the seas had been peaceful.
More and more merchant ships began to dock at Black Bear Island.
Black Bear Island became more bustling and prosperous than ever before. The islanders saw Chu Lingguang as a living savior, grateful to him for eliminating the pirates, restoring military discipline, and allowing their small island to flourish.
Passing merchant fleets praised his capable governance and thanked him for securing the sea lanes. With ships now able to travel unhindered, trade volume increased daily.
Many had made a fortune as a result.
「A month passed in the blink of an eye.」
"HUFF!"
As was his custom, Chu Lingguang led his soldiers in their morning practice of the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques at the Martial Arts Arena. In less than half a year, the entire army had undergone a complete transformation. Every soldier was filled with fighting spirit. Many had even progressed from clumsy, basic moves to achieving the Form Realm with their Spear Technique.
The roar of their Formed Spear Techniques echoed across the arena.
The sound gave the locals and the merchants at the port a profound sense of security.
After spear practice concluded, Chu Lingguang led a detachment of his men out on sea patrol.
During the voyage, he encountered Xuanyuan Jinkang’s vessel. Its hull was studded with arrow shafts, and numerous pirates were bound on the main deck. Many of the soldiers were stained with blood. From the upper deck, Xuanyuan Jinkang watched silently as Chu Lingguang’s ship sailed past.
For the past month, Xuanyuan Jinkang had been setting out to sea every two or three days to wipe out the local pirate gangs.
Although he had yet to break through to the Qi Sea Realm, as a Military Scholar who also practiced the Soft and Flexible Technique, his combat prowess was terrifying. Few pirate chieftains in the surrounding waters were his match.
Any pirate gang he targeted either disarmed and surrendered or abandoned their lairs, fleeing overnight to seek refuge in the small kingdoms of the South Sea.
Very few pirates dared to fight Xuanyuan Jinkang to the bitter end.
And whenever he encountered those who did, Xuanyuan Jinkang would use the most brutal methods to slaughter every last one of them. In a single month, he had wiped out six pirate gangs. More pirates had died by his sword than at the hands of Chu Lingguang.
Gradually, Xuanyuan Jinkang earned a fearsome reputation in these waters. He became known as the Bloodthirsty Sword God—a name that spoke to his love for slaughter and thirst for blood, and one that struck terror into the hearts of pirates.
Chu Lingguang gave Xuanyuan Jinkang a small smile, but Xuanyuan Jinkang coldly turned his head away. His patrol was more than just routine; he was also checking on Xuanyuan Jinkang’s safety. ’If he runs into any dangerous exiles out here, I can rush to his aid in time.’
Seeing Xuanyuan Jinkang’s ship heading back toward Black Bear Island, Chu Lingguang breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He changed his own course and proceeded to patrol other waters.
「After dark, Chu Lingguang returned to the island.」
Zhou Kun had been waiting for him at the port for some time. The moment Chu Lingguang’s ship docked, before he could even disembark, Zhou Kun rushed aboard. "Sir," he reported, "men from the Court have arrived! Lord Zhang and Captain Xuanyuan are waiting for you in the inner hall."
"Oh, they’re finally here."
Chu Lingguang’s expression brightened.
He had annihilated the Xiazigou pirates, causing Qingzhou Prefecture’s maritime trade to grow daily. This was a major accomplishment. ’I wonder what the Court’s reward will be. Will they transfer me from Black Bear Island to a post somewhere else? Or will I be promoted a few ranks to govern Qingzhou Prefecture alongside Liu Ziyun?’