Huilang Bay, as its name implied, was a harbor with frequent turbulent waves. During stormy weather with fierce winds and high tides, the waves here could crash with tremendous height and force, making it a route rarely taken by vessels.
Thus, the cargo ship speeding from the opposite direction stood out conspicuously.
Just as the ship was about to sail from the bay into the boundless sea, a line of red-horse boats closed in from both sides, blocking its path. A two-deck warship followed closely, with Sun Qi and Gu Yanxi standing side by side at the prow, observing the two distinct groups on the red-horse boats.
Unlike the steady soldiers guarding the pass, the Seven Constellation Bureau members clung tightly to the boat sides. Though they could swim, they were not adept at it and could not match the pass guards’ ability to move as if walking on solid ground.
"Truly worthy of the Seven Constellation Bureau—ordinary people can’t adapt to the speed of red-horse boats."
Gu Yanxi shook his head, thinking they would need to improve in this area upon their return.
At that moment, instead of stopping, the ship accelerated and charged forward. Sun Qi sneered, "So guilty—even if they’re not from the Chao Li Tribe, they’re no good people. Capture them."
The soldiers roared in agreement, dispersing with practiced coordination. Some threw hooks, others dove into the water, swiftly destroying the ship’s sails, rudders, and oars, rendering it immobile. Normally, they would have sunk the ship to force the crew out, but knowing it might be carrying silver or grain, they hesitated, wary of damaging the cargo.
Just then, another ship approached. Gu Yanxi, who had been watching that direction, immediately said, "General Sun, please send a boat to meet them. They should be my men."
Sun Qi signaled to his personal guard behind him, who descended and boarded a red-horse boat to intercept it. Shortly after, the ship was brought back, with Wang Hai standing at the bow.
"They are indeed my men." Gu Yanxi stepped forward and ordered, "Assist the pass guards in capturing those on the ship."
Wang Hai acknowledged and led his men to surround the vessel. He had prepared for a desperate fight, but thanks to his master’s foresight in waiting ahead, he no longer feared failing to stop them.
However, the Seven Constellation Bureau had little chance to prove themselves in this skirmish. Knowing they were exposed, the targets leaped into the water before boarding, attempting to escape underwater. Born on islands and raised in the sea, they prided themselves on their superior swimming skills, believing the Daqing people were no match.
But these were no ordinary Daqing people.
They were pass guards who trained daily in the water, working in seamless coordination. If one struggled to handle an opponent, two would step in; if two still found it difficult, four would join, swiftly binding the Chao Li tribesmen securely in the water.
Ignoring the captured men, Gu Yanxi boarded the cargo ship and headed straight for the cabin. Wang Hai, who had entered first on his signal, wasted no time opening the chest before him. Whether it was the reflection of the silver light or not, his eyes sparkled as he looked up. "Master, our efforts weren’t in vain!"
Gu Yanxi stepped forward to glance inside, then gestured toward the neatly stacked chests. "Open a few more."
Wang Hai haphazardly opened chests in all directions, only to find an even greater surprise. "Master, come quickly and see this!"
Gu Yanxi stepped over the chests to approach—this one was filled with gold bars!Wang Hai swiftly opened the cluster of chests nearby—six of them were filled entirely with gold bars. Factoring in the sheer volume of silver aboard this vessel, just the thought sent a chill down his spine. They had intercepted so much this time, but over the years, how many shipments of this scale had the Chao Li Tribe already smuggled out? The more he pondered, the more horrifying it became. He couldn’t help but glance at his master. Sure enough, his master’s expression was beyond grim. Of course—if he could grasp this, how could his master fail to?
“Go interrogate them.”
“Yes.”
Gu Yanxi’s gaze swept over the row of chests. He opened the one closest to him, then another, and another. Not a single one was empty; all were packed to the brim. So much silver… The entire wealth of Jin Yang had fallen into the hands of the enemy tribe. Using this as their foundation to attack Da Qing—what a cunning plan.
And yet, this very plan had succeeded.
What was the Da Qing court doing at this moment? Most likely, they were all eyeing Jin Yang as a prized piece of meat, unaware that the fat had already been squeezed dry, leaving only dregs. Would they still fight over it so fiercely?
“Master!” Wang Hai returned in haste. “The Chao Li tribesmen—they’re all dead!”
Gu Yanxi turned around. The Chao Li Tribe believed in standing tall even in death, that eighteen years later they would be reborn as heroes. Never before had any of their captives taken their own lives. How could this…
“I examined them—they were poisoned. They must have bitten into hidden toxins when they fell into the water, breaking them upon capture.” Wang Hai’s face was etched with worry. “As for Songzhu…”
“Shaoyao is there.” Gu Yanxi could only pin his hopes on that. He glanced back at the chests and softly ordered, “Summon General Sun.”
Sun Qi was already outside and entered within moments. He stared at the opened chests for a long while before speaking. “What can this old man do?”
“I need to reclaim a portion of the grain previously allocated, exchanging it for an equivalent amount of silver.” Gu Yanxi walked over to the chests of gold bars, bent down, picked one up, and weighed it in his hand. “All six chests of gold bars will be stored with General Sun for now.”
Sun Qi’s throat tightened as he fixed his gaze on the leader of the Seven Constellation Bureau. “Temporarily?”
“I must return to Songzhu immediately. Please have your men escort this ship there—my people will take over. The ship’s current draft must remain unchanged; the waterline marking should stay identical.” Gu Yanxi placed the gold bar back and closed the lid. “General Sun, prepare for war.”
Sun Qi let out a soft exhale and offered Gu Yanxi a formal military salute. “Thank you for your righteousness, sir.”
“Seeing it with my own eyes, I now understand the sacrifices you’ve made. I will do everything in my power to ensure provisions and pay are delivered promptly, so our soldiers won’t falter in the water.”
Sun Qi’s lips trembled, but no words came out. All he had ever asked for was precisely this.
“A Zhi once said that to make a horse run, you must first let it eat its fill. In the end, it is my Gu family who has failed you, General.” Gu Yanxi bowed deeply.
“There’s no need for that, sir.” Sun Qi helped him up. “Officially, the Seven Constellation Bureau owes no one. Personally, I must thank you. My Sun family now has only the Sixth Prince left as our last remaining bloodline. It is only through your and the Hua family young lady’s unwavering protection that he remains safe. I know right from wrong clearly in my heart. I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to meet the Hua family lady, but please convey this message to her: the Sun family will remember her kindness.”"I dare not convey such words," Gu Yanxi's face showed a hint of a smile. "To her, Little Six is someone she needs to protect as one of her own, especially now that he has formally become her disciple. She only wishes she could pour everything from her mind into him all at once. Saying 'thank you' would actually create distance between them."
Not only would it create distance, but a simple "thank you" would also be too light to carry the weight of the sentiment. Sun Qi sighed inwardly, hoping only that this grandson with Gu family blood would remember this kindness and never let it fade.
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