The messenger galloped to the South Sea King's palace and handed the letter to Lin'er.
Lin'er opened it and was overjoyed. He then passed the letter to the elders behind him, who also smiled with satisfaction.
Lin'er began to discuss the contents of the letter with the elders.
"The Demon King's letter states that the next stage of the city攻城 plan is to be carried out. What are your thoughts, elders?"
Elder Wangu pondered for a moment and then said,
"The Demon King first attacked South Sea City and then took Dongyue Town. If he wishes to advance further, he can only go to Xizi Kingdom."
Elder Baiyi shook his head.
"Xizi Kingdom is a long journey. A round trip by fast horse would take twenty days, let alone having just captured Dongyue Town."
Elder Zhuliuyun agreed with Elder Baiyi's opinion.
"Elder Baiyi is right. This matter should be discussed carefully."
"Indeed."
Everyone felt it was best to discuss the matter thoroughly. After much thought, Lin'er wrote a reply to Muye, stating:
"After deliberation, the elders feel that this matter requires careful consideration. Therefore, we trouble the Demon King to return to South Sea City for a joint decision."
He then handed the letter to the messenger who had delivered the previous one to be taken back to Dongyue Town.
He then galloped again and arrived at Dongyue Town before dawn the next day, delivering the letter to Xue Ruyi, who then handed it to me.
"Demon King, the elders have sent a letter," he said hurriedly as he entered the great hall.
"He hasn't come?" I asked.
"No."
Although I was puzzled by his decision, I decided to read the letter first.
Xue Ruyi handed me the letter. I took it and opened it, finally understanding his intentions.
"It seems this matter cannot be rushed. Haste makes waste. I must go back.
Thirteenth Sister, Daolang, and Feixiong will guard this place. Leave twenty thousand elite soldiers, and the rest will return with me to South Sea City."
"Yes."
"Wait."
I suddenly remembered something. "How many Dongyue Town soldiers did we capture this time?"
"We lost three thousand and captured over twenty thousand soldiers."
"Call Thirteenth Sister over. I have something to tell her."
"Yes."
After Xue Ruyi left, Thirteenth Sister arrived shortly after. As soon as she entered the great hall, she said,
"Demon King, Thirteenth Sister is here."
I turned around and saw her radiant face, full of anticipation. I smiled slightly and told her my thoughts.
"The elders have sent a letter asking us to return to discuss the next course of action. I have decided to leave you, Daolang, and Feixiong to guard Dongyue Town."
"Demon King, rest assured and go back. We will guard Dongyue Town well."
"There's one more thing," I paused and continued.
"We captured twenty thousand soldiers. I know you are exceptionally clever. Think of a way to recruit them into our ranks and make them Black Mountain people."
"Yes."
At this moment, Daolang and Feixiong also walked in from outside and asked as soon as they entered the hall.
"Muye, I heard from Xue Ruyi that you want us to stay and guard Dongyue Town?"
"I trust you. With you here, I can leave with peace of mind."
Feixiong laughed heartily and said,
"You think highly of us. Don't worry, we will guard this place well and not let anyone in."
"That's great. I hope you can help Thirteenth Sister subdue those twenty thousand defeated soldiers and make them join Black Mountain as an important member of our faction."
"No problem, leave it to us."
Daolang suddenly thought of something and asked, "Are you leaving now?"
"After giving instructions, we will return to South Sea City."
"Then you can go with peace of mind. We've got it covered here."
"Alright, thank you for your hard work."
"Hahaha, remember to bring us some good wine when you return to Dongyue Town."
"Okay."
After assigning the city guard duties, Daolang, Feixiong, Thirteenth Sister, and I left the great hall together and then walked out of the palace gate. Only Xue Ruyi was waiting outside.
I asked doubtfully, "Why are you alone?"
He respectfully replied, "Everyone else is waiting outside the city gate for the Demon King's arrival."
"Alright, lead the way."
"Yes."
Xue Ruyi led the way, and I followed behind him. After walking for a long time, I saw the wide-open city gates. Outside the gates, rows of soldiers stood firm, waiting.
In front of them stood another row of people, the Liu Shinian group and over a dozen mountain lords.
I walked forward, and Baili Wenqing led a horse to me, saying, "Demon King, please mount."
"Thank you," I said, thanking him before mounting the horse. Then I gave the order, "Depart, return to South Sea City."
With the command, neat and uniform marching sounds echoed, and rows of soldiers, led by their respective mountain lords, returned to South Sea City.
I walked at the back, and Liu Shinian and the others stayed behind to wait for me. "Let's go back!" I said to Thirteenth Sister, Daolang, and Feixiong.
"Okay, have a safe journey."
"Let's go back."
Liu Shinian also said, "We're leaving. Take care of yourselves and be cautious in all matters."
"Okay, I understand."
"Let's go."
We waved goodbye to each other and, under their watchful eyes, hurried to catch up with the main force.
After traveling for two days and two nights, we finally returned to South Sea City. Outside the city gate, the Four Great Protectors of the Mermaid tribe and the elder council were already waiting.
The Four Great Protectors had returned to South Sea City after leading the charge in conquering Dongyue Town.
Having not fought on land for many years, they would not actively participate in land battles unless absolutely necessary.
"Demon King, you're back," Tianlong said excitedly. Beside him stood Biyao, Yue Jiucai, and Liu Mei.
"We're back. How have you all been these past few days?" I asked.
"Everything's been fine."
Lin'er said, "We've prepared a welcome banquet in the city. Let's go in."
"Then let's go."
Yue Yao, seizing the opportunity when no one was paying attention, trotted over to Liu Shinian's side, stealthily took his hand, and intertwined her fingers with his.
Liu Shinian trembled suddenly, wanting to say something, but he cautiously glanced at the people around him. He could only pretend that nothing had happened and walked forward with everyone else.
Upon arriving at the palace, the spacious stone square was already set with dozens of round wooden tables of equal size.
Lin'er faced everyone and said,
"Please sit wherever you like. Demon King, Liu Shinian, and the Four Great Protectors, and the mountain lords, please follow me."
The once silent South Sea King's palace became lively again, with boisterous inquiries from table to table.
We followed Lin'er to the center, where no dishes or wine had been placed yet. The empty table was accompanied by only a few chairs.
Lin'er called out one by one, "Demon King, please be seated. Four elders, please be seated. Yue Yao and the Four Great Protectors, please be seated. Everyone else, please sit freely."
After we were seated, he clapped his hands, and rows of maids carrying dishes and wine approached from nearby. The one at the front was Helian.
She took small steps towards our table, her gaze soft as she looked at me, then placed the dishes and wine down.
Then Lin'er personally poured me a drink and whispered, "Demon King, it's time to say something."
Only then did I realize that I had forgotten the customary pre-feast speech.
So, I picked up my wine cup and said loudly to everyone present:
"Who would have thought that today we, who were once mere mountain guards, have now conquered South Sea City and taken Dongyue Town? It truly fulfills the saying, 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; do not bully a young man for being poor.'
Here, I want to thank everyone who fought for equality and freedom. Thank you. I'll drink first!"
After I finished the drink, the hall erupted in cheers: "Good! Good! Good!"
Then I announced, "The banquet officially begins now! Please eat and drink to your heart's content. We won't go home until we're drunk today!"
"Hooray!"
Liu Shinian suddenly stood up, shook off Biyao's hand, and raised his cup to me, saying, "Muye, I must toast you. Thank you for your efforts for everyone."
I immediately stood up and returned the toast, "No one goes home until they're drunk today. Cheers."
"Okay, until we're drunk."
As Liu Shinian was about to drink, Qingyu suddenly reached out and took the wine cup from his hand. Liu Shinian chuckled and also reached out with his chopsticks to grab it.
Qingyu turned around, stood up, and tossed the wine cup into the air, spilling the wine. Liu Shinian, unhurriedly, caught the wine with another cup.
He then caught the empty wine cup that fell, poured the wine back in,
And smiling at everyone, said, "Cheers."
Qingyu couldn't help but clap his hands and praise him,
"It's been a while, you've become much stronger than before. Have you been practicing secretly?"
Liu Shinian laughed heartily and replied, "No, no. I suppose the prolonged combat has caused me to improve unconsciously."
"I'll toast the Demon King too."
Saying this, he poured wine and raised his cup to me. I also stood up and returned the toast.
Seeing everyone so happy, I suggested,
"Since everyone is so interested, let's see who has the best tolerance for alcohol."
Yan Wushuang asked, "Muye, are you joining this time?"
I shook my head and explained, "I can't hold my liquor well, I can only drink a few cups. You all can go ahead."
Ye Changfeng said with a look of disappointment, "I thought you would join too, but since you're not, then it'll be us."
Saying this, he picked up the wine bottle and drank it all in one go.
"Refreshing, I'll join too," Tianlong said happily. He also followed Ye Changfeng's example, raising his cup and drinking.
"I'll join too," Qingyu continued.
Then, one by one, as if passing wine, whoever it landed on would drink. Even the elders who couldn't hold their liquor drank with them, and Yan Wushuang also drank heartily.
As they drank, they felt it wasn't exciting enough. Yan Wushuang suggested playing a game of guessing empty bottles. Some had wine, some didn't. Guessing an empty bottle meant drinking, and guessing a full bottle meant the other person drank.
Her suggestion was unanimously agreed upon. So, they called for people to clear the dishes and wine, and then dozens of wine bottles of the same size were placed, officially starting the guessing game.
Although Lin'er enjoyed watching the excitement, he disliked drinking. Seeing me alone, he walked over and whispered, "Demon King, please follow me."
The elders saw us leave and followed.
He led me to the great hall and waited for a moment until the elders also entered the great hall. Then he said,
"Demon King, you wrote in your previous letter about attacking another city. After discussing it with the elders, we all feel it's a bit too hasty."
"Then what are your thoughts?" I asked.
Elder Baiyi spoke first.
"Xizi Kingdom is a long journey. If we lead troops there, they will know of our arrival before we even reach them. They might join forces with Beishendu to ambush our soldiers, causing us severe damage."
"Then what should we do?"
Elder Wangu analyzed.
"By water, from South Sea City, we can reach Lutou Town at most. From there, it's a day's walk to Taohua Town on the border of Xizi Kingdom.
If we want to go, we can only disguise our army as civilians, wealthy merchants, and enter Xizi Kingdom city in light attire."
Elder Wangu's method was indeed good, and I had a similar idea. So I said,
"Elder Wangu is right. Then when should we set off?"
Elder Zhuliuyun analyzed the current situation.
"Now that the news of our conquering Dongyue Town has surely reached the ears of the King of Xizi Kingdom, and that place only has an inland sea, the Mermaid tribe's role is not significant.
We can probably only be sent to Wanzhi Mountain. So, waiting a few more days is not a problem. Let's prepare everything properly before setting off."
I thought his words were reasonable. "Okay, we'll do as you say."
Elder Moxuefu analyzed carefully.
"Whether it's wealthy merchants or ordinary civilians, they must be led by real wealthy merchants and real civilians. However, most wealthy merchants have already fled.
I heard that there is a wealthy merchant named Chong Dang who lives in seclusion in the deep mountains. His good friend Qu Tongzi is in Dongyue Town. If we can get a letter of recommendation from that person, we can surely invite Chong Dang out of seclusion."
I pondered for a moment and decided.
"Thirteenth Sister, Daolang, and Feixiong are still in Dongyue Town guarding the city. Please have the elder write a letter to Thirteenth Sister to handle this matter. With her intelligence, she will surely be able to win over this person."
"Okay, I'll do it right away." Lin'er finished speaking and turned to leave to write the letter to inform Thirteenth Sister.
I looked at the elders and knew that although they hadn't participated in the battle, they had also worked hard. So I said, "Elders, you have also worked hard. You may rest now."
"Okay, we will withdraw first."
"Go."
After Lin'er finished writing the letter, he handed it to his personal guard and ordered him to gallop to Dongyue Town to deliver the letter to Thirteenth Sister.
After receiving the letter, the guard set off immediately, galloping non-stop to Dongyue Town. He finally arrived before dawn and shouted, "Open the gate, the Demon King has a letter!"
The city gate was then opened wide, and he galloped straight to the Dongming Royal Palace, handing the letter to Thirteenth Sister.
Thirteenth Sister looked at the sweating and panting messenger and asked, "Does the Demon King have any other messages?"
He shook his head and said, "No, he just said you'll know after reading the letter."
"Okay, you can go back. Tell him I received the letter."
"Yes."
After the messenger left, Thirteenth Sister eagerly opened the letter and read:
"In Dongyue Town, there is a person named Qu Tongzi, who has a good friend named Chong Dang, a wealthy merchant. You need to obtain Qu Tongzi's letter of recommendation to invite Chong Dang out of seclusion to lead the army disguised and head to Xizi Kingdom."
After reading the letter, Thirteenth Sister's face showed a hint of joy. She thought to herself,
"It seems the Demon King and the others have finalized their plan to go to Xizi Kingdom. If that's the case, I must capture this Qu Tongzi no matter what."
Daolang and Feixiong happened to come to find her and saw her smiling foolishly outside the great hall. Daolang walked up and asked,
"Thirteenth Sister, what's wrong?"
Thirteenth Sister turned around and handed him the letter. After reading it, Daolang was also overjoyed. Feixiong leaned over to look, and his heart was also filled with happiness.
"I've heard of Qu Tongzi, but we were counting the defeated soldiers and visiting the entire Dongyue Town, and we haven't heard anyone called Qu Tongzi," Daolang said with some confusion. kuAiδugg
"Could Qu Tongzi have run away long ago?" Feixiong guessed boldly.
Thirteenth Sister shook her head.
"Impossible. Our army advanced suddenly. Except for those who ran away long ago, no one could have escaped under our noses in such a short time, unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless he changed his name and is hiding among the defeated soldiers."
Thirteenth Sister's analysis was not unreasonable, and Daolang and Feixiong also thought so.