Pan Fo Sen, who took over from Ge Sui Zhang as the协理 (xié lǐ - assistant manager/director), came to report matters, concluding with, "The second ship has also been stolen by the demons." Seeing Sun Bo Le sigh, Pan Fo Sen couldn't help but advise, "Regardless of whether this change is for better or worse, you have finally reached a high position. Why bother wading into the murky waters of demon infighting?"
If Ge Sui Zhang was the brother who blazed a trail for their elder brother, then he was the brother who had toiled arduously for himself. Yet, he still couldn't know the truth. Sun Bo Le could only argue, "If the city gate catches fire, how can the fish in the moat be unharmed? I will only follow to observe for a few days. During this period, you must act according to my arrangements to prevent any resurgence."
Pan Fo Sen trusted his abilities and asked, "When will you depart?" Sun Bo Le replied, "Tomorrow... the day after. Let the two of them make trouble for one more day." After Pan Fo Sen withdrew, Sun Bo Le recalled the night before last when he discussed with the patrol officer Zhang Mo Gen about searching for Wang Shi Xiong's whereabouts near Hanlong Island. He had already noticed another demoness spying. After she left, she quietly returned and was indeed seen stealthily boarding the ship scheduled to set sail the next morning for reconnaissance. He deduced she was the You Xu Dong Ren, who had been lurking behind the scenes, intending to harm Lin Chao Ying. He understood that the current power struggle was secondary; eliminating Lin Chao Ying was the primary objective. Thinking further, he remained puzzled as to why they chose to act at sea instead of on land, preferring a desperate struggle in the ocean. Lin Chao Ying's rebellion was definitely because of Wang Shi Xiong. Could they be planning to hijack the ship, eliminate this root of trouble first, and then deal with Lin Chao Ying? Heh, if that were the case... If he revealed their plan to Lin Chao Ying, she would surely believe him and anxiously seek another ship to rescue her beloved. He needed to prepare a second ship, let Lin Chao Ying hijack it, and then use a third ship to intercept them first, claiming they had killed the "non-existent Wang Shi Xiong." At that time, how difficult would it be to coax the heartbroken Lin Chao Ying to stay?
Sun Bo Le received a report from the sea fishing boat reconnaissance team: the first ship had not sailed south as arranged but had headed directly east, with the second ship carrying Lin Chao Ying following behind. Sun Bo Le ordered the reconnaissance team to intensify their investigation and report closely. Unfortunately, the strong east wind prevented their own ship from accelerating to overtake them. He suspected he was being used by the demons and worried, "Where will she be led? What kind of trap can be laid for her?"
Wen Yuan, the helmsman of the second ship, noticed that the ship ahead was not proceeding as instructed and reminded Lin Chao Ying, "The route of the ship ahead is a bit off." Lin Chao Ying asked, "Where was it originally going?" Wen Yuan dared not conceal it, "To Hanlong Island in the south, but now it's sailing towards the East Sea." Lin Chao Ying said, "Follow." She was fortunate to have left Gou Er on shore to watch out for her, thinking, "South, what sinister intentions are you harboring?" Staring at the stern of the ship ahead, she seemed to have figured something out after a moment.
Dark clouds covered the sky, with no moon or stars. Wu Nan Yong felt it was better than a beautiful moonlit night. That night, the moon was so round, the flowers so beautiful, and her senior brother so gentle, but his words were like sharp swords that killed everything – "You knew long ago, my feelings for Ying since childhood were unusual." – And what about me, who has been by your side since I was sensible, serving you, listening to you, is that just ordinary? Is that insignificant? Come, let it end! Wu Nan Yong suppressed her trembling body, gasped, and ordered, "Turn back!"
The first ship, under her control, suddenly turned around and rammed head-on towards the second ship, against the strong wind. Wu Nan Yong continued to order, "Fire arrows!"
Seeing the situation, Wen Yuan quickly steered, a warning signal sounded, but it was too late. The hull was hit in the middle, and multiple parts were ignited by fire arrows. A group of dark swordsmen, following Wu Nan Yong's orders, jumped from the bow to attack.
As the third ship arrived, Sun Bo Le shouted for them to approach and rescue as quickly as possible. He saw a dark figure leap out from the crowd, throw a grappling hook, grab the railing of the second ship, and climb aboard, shouting, "Stop your actions!" The swordsmen recognized Mao Ya and all stopped or slowed their movements. However, one dark figure still headed straight for the stern. Mao Ya blocked and persuaded, "Nan, can you stop?" Wu Nan Yong swung her sword and attacked. After a few exchanges, they heard the mainmast fall, and Lin Chao Ying, wearing a mask and with her clothes on fire, plunged into the sea.
Mao Ya wanted to jump into the sea to rescue her but was repeatedly stopped by Wu Nan Yong. Mao Ya had no choice but to kick her away ruthlessly and leap into the sea.
As the third ship approached, Sun Bo Le led his men across. He ordered one group to extinguish the fire and another to go into the sea to rescue Lin Chao Ying. With the surrounding of over twenty reconnaissance fishing boats, Wu Nan Yong and the swordsmen had to retreat to the right side.
Mao Ya let out a long cry and leaped back onto the deck. Seeing Mao Ya holding Lin Chao Ying's mask, Sun Bo Le urgently asked, "How is Chao Ying?" Mao Ya's eyes blazed, and she stared at Sun Bo Le without speaking. Sun Bo Le pretended not to see and continued to press, secretly using his "Slightly There, Slightly Not Hand" to snatch the mask. Mao Ya saw through it and held on tightly, the two of them each holding one end, secretly competing. A flash of green light, and Wu Nan Yong swung her sword down. Sun Bo Le had to let go and retreat, while Mao Ya extended his left hand to grab the sword to prevent the mask from being damaged.
Seeing Mao Ya's palm dripping with blood, Wu Nan Yong was so heartbroken that she couldn't be angry and quickly called for someone to treat Mao Ya's wounds. Sun Bo Le's subordinates also returned, all reporting that Lin Chao Ying's figure had not been found. Sun Bo Le's mind raced. She had just fallen into the sea, and Mao Ya and his subordinates had immediately gone to search. The sea surface was illuminated by the ship's torches, so why couldn't she be found? Weighing the fact that his side was numerous but the opponent's skills were strong, and that he had just established himself and should not deplete his strength in a major battle, he suppressed his anger and said loudly to Wu Nan Yong, "The Wei Wu Alliance and the Demon Peaks are irreconcilable. You are likely involved in the recent events. Unfortunately, we have urgent matters to attend to. We will let you leave for now, but we will settle all old and new scores later!" Pointing to the first ship, he continued, "This ship can be borrowed, but the people must be returned. Moreover, the route is controlled by the Wei Wu Alliance, and you are not allowed to play tricks. Find another route." Wu Nan Yong was worried about Mao Ya's injury and also feared that if Lin Chao Ying's fate was discovered now, it might lead to further complications. After obtaining Mao Ya's permission, she led the swordsmen away on the ship.
"I'm sorry!" Wu Nan Yong apologetically stroked Mao Ya's剑伤 (jiàn shāng - sword wound) on his left palm. Mao Ya calmly said, "I kicked you once, and you took a sword strike from me, so it's even." Wu Nan Yong gazed at him and said, "You should have been crueler, more decisive with me." Mao Ya replied, "Alright, I need to rest. Please leave." Wu Nan Yong walked to the cabin door and stopped, saying, "My friendship with her is truly precious, but to sacrifice something precious to exchange for the most precious thing in this life, I would still not hesitate."
He sent his subordinates who were good swimmers to dive into the sea. Over a dozen small boats shuttled across the sea. It had been two days and two nights, and Lin Chao Ying's trace was still nowhere to be found. Sun Bo Le looked up to the sky and clasped his hands together, offering his first heartfelt prayer in his life: "Mazu Niang Niang Bodhisattva, for the sake of Chao Ying sharing your surname, please keep her safe and return her to me as soon as possible."
Spring flowers bloomed twice in the pavilions, and autumn moons waxed and waned. Today was the second anniversary of Lin Chao Ying's disappearance. Sun Bo Le, as in previous years, went to the seaside to burn incense and pray for her safe return. Afterward, he went to inspect the shipyard and visit Wen Yuan, who had been diligently working on new ships and new troops for the past month.
Chong and Wu De, supported by the financial resources of You Xu Dong, had won over the Huainan West Circuit and Jiangnan East Circuit. The events of that year not only failed to bring him down, but he was instead accused of having a private affair with the demoness... Heh, what if he did have a private affair? With the cooperation of Zhang Mo Gen and Wen Yuan, he had increased the strength of his fleet severalfold. He had even continued his second brother's unfinished ambition, subduing the Huai River East Circuit and the Two Zhe West Circuits, which were under the command of the former fellow clan member, General Han of Chuzhou. This put him on par with Chong and Wu De, and Guan Zu Mei, who was respected by the Northern and Southern Circuits of Jingxi and the Yongxing Army Circuit. Within the alliance, they had formed a tripod.
He strolled around the shipyard twice and finally found Wen Yuan by the bushes, as if murmuring in his sleep. He heard Wen Yuan say to himself, "Didn't she say it was completely resolved? Why have I been feeling illusions for the past month, and my hands are a bit out of control? I have been helping her with all my heart... How could this happen... Could she have silenced witnesses before she left?" Sun Bo Le appeared with a smile and said, "Silencing witnesses would be easy for her, but if she said it was completely resolved, then it is completely resolved, and she wouldn't lie to you. Vice-Commander Wen, when were you struck by the 'Three Errors Soul Separation Needle'?"
Wen Yuan was thrown into a panic and almost knelt down, but Sun Bo Le quickly helped him up. Knowing Sun Bo Le's character and methods, and realizing that it was now difficult to conceal anything, Wen Yuan frankly admitted, "She attacked me the day she hijacked the ship. The evening after the search and rescue ended, she suddenly appeared in my cabin, threatening to keep silent and provide assistance. For the past two years, she has been secretly taken to the East to Shang Dachen Island and the South to Baiguoshan Island several times. Two months ago, she finally listened to her maid's words, believing that the Wang surname was hiding in this sea area and that the Chong surname's scheme was a deception, and abandoned it. She left when she docked in Wenzhou and has not been in contact since."
Sun Bo Le was happy that she was still alive and thanked the spirits in his heart. Understanding Wen Yuan's predicament, he felt that further investigation would be harmful and pointless, saying, "I hope this is the only thing you have hidden from me." Knowing Lin Chao Ying's stubbornness, and that her apparent southern journey was actually a northern one, he worried about inadvertently trespassing into Chong and Wu De's territory and facing retaliation. He urgently sought a way to find out her whereabouts.