Chapter Forty-Three: Mobilization Before the Battle

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

During these three days, the trees in the jungle outside the fenced camp at the cave grew increasingly sparse, leaving behind a vast expanse of stumps and the figure of a common martial artist practicing swordplay with a wooden blade.

Ye Mo had thoroughly mastered the strongest move of the "Wave-Splitting Technique," the "Triple Consecutive Slash." He could now unleash three consecutive strikes with nearly every swing, rarely misstepping.

“I wonder if I can withstand his triple strike?”

Ye Mo mused silently. By "him," he meant He An.

Over these days, Ye Mo repeatedly replayed the scene of his bout with He An, pondering it deeply in his mind. In the end, he realized that He An's mastery of the "Soul-Severing Triple Slash" was on par with his own, both having reached a level where the ordinary had been transformed into the extraordinary, powerful and domineering.

Back then, Ye Mo could only perform the "Double Wave-Splitting Slash," one strike less than He An’s triple attack, which led to his defeat.

Of course, Ye Mo did not presume that now, after mastering the "Triple Wave-Splitting Slash," he was stronger than He An’s "Soul-Severing Triple Slash." Techniques of the same tier were generally equal in power.

“He An’s strength is not merely in his triple slash; his agility and movement skills have reached their pinnacle.”

“My greatest disadvantage is that, until now, I have only learned the ‘Wave-Splitting Technique.’ In other aspects, I am still lacking. Even with the triple slash, my repertoire remains too monotonous, making it easy for He An to see through me. In the end, I would only face defeat.”

Ye Mo thought to himself. This meant he had to fight swiftly; the longer the battle dragged on, the less advantageous it would be for him.

Over these few days, to defend against the revenge of Zheng Yiqing’s group and the increasingly imminent tide of sea beasts at the end of the month, everyone had thickened and heightened the spiritual wood fence, and set numerous traps around the camp to hinder Zheng Yiqing and his men from assaulting the camp.

Additionally, three short wooden arrow towers had been built for Gao Jian and others to use.

After obtaining the Vitality Pill, Ye Mo no longer needed the high-grade body-tempering herbs he had previously collected on the island, and he gave them to Mo Ling.

In these three days, Mo Ling used the superior body-tempering herbs to successfully break through to the seventh layer of body refinement, stepping into the late stage of martial artistry, and mastered the sword technique "Thousand Spirit Slash," greatly enhancing her strength.

Among Ye Mo, Gao Jian, and their group of nine martial artists, four had reached the late stage, and five were at the mid stage, making them a formidable force.

Under the care of the Seven-Leaf Lotus, Gao Jian and the others’ wounds were nearly healed, their strength restored, and they were ready for bloody battle.

With everyone’s improved abilities, recovered injuries, and the reinforced defenses of the cave camp, there was now a measure of confidence in holding their ground.

Especially after Ye Mo successfully mastered the "Triple Wave-Splitting Slash," the heaviest burden in the hearts of the martial artists was lifted.

Before this, He An had seemed like an immense, unbreakable mountain pressing down on them, suffocating them.

Now, at least one among them had become a peak martial artist capable of confronting He An head-on.

Ye Mo was practicing his sword.

At some point, Gao Jian had come to Ye Mo’s side, feeling a bit emotional. “Brother Ye, I’ve wandered across many nations, and never in my life have I admired anyone. You are the first! My reputation as the ‘Top Young Expert of Yan’ is just empty fame; I am far behind you!”

Ye Mo was slightly surprised, then smiled lightly, “You’re too modest, Brother Gao. If not for a stroke of luck, finding some excellent body-tempering herbs on this island, I would probably still be an ordinary martial artist.”

“That’s not the point! Even without those herbs, you’ve cultivated the ‘Wave-Splitting Technique’ to a level where the ordinary becomes miraculous, twice as strong as my own ‘pinnacle’ mastery! I once wanted to spar with you, but now, I’d rather not embarrass myself.”

Gao Jian shook his head.

“Brother Gao, your injuries are healed, aren’t they?” Ye Mo deflected, unwilling to boast further.

“After taking your Seven-Leaf Lotus, if I hadn’t recovered, it would be an insult to that precious herb. Among Zheng Yiqing’s group, aside from He An, the exceptional expert, I don’t concern myself with the rest!”

Gao Jian laughed heartily.

...

Isolated island, prisoner camp.

In recent days, half of the martial artists in the prisoner camp had been assigned to work day and night, forging all kinds of spiritual wood weapons—shields, spears, and more—all in preparation for battle. The other half continued to build spiritual wood rafts.

With Zheng Yiqing’s wrath looming, no one dared to slack off.

“He An, how is your venomous wound recovering?!”

Zheng Yiqing entered a temporary grass hut in the camp, looking toward He An, who was meditating, his expression full of anticipation.

On this island, the facilities were crude; even Zheng the Young Lord, the top expert of Zheng, had to humble himself and rest in a grass hut.

After three days of recuperation, He An’s complexion had returned to a healthy flush, clearly fully recovered.

“Almost there. What are your plans, Young Lord?”

He An finished his internal cultivation and opened his eyes to see Zheng Yiqing’s urgent face, feeling a trace of displeasure, though he did not show it.

“Good, I’m ready as well. We’ve made plenty of shields and weapons—enough for everyone. I will bring all the prisoners to wipe out that kid and Gao Jian’s band of traitors! I want to see how they’ll resist my assault this time!”

Zheng Yiqing was delighted, casting a venomous glare toward the distant jungle, his gaze full of malice.

He could wait no longer for revenge.

These three days had been torment for Zheng Yiqing.

He, the Young Lord of Zheng, had been humiliated time and again by a common martial artist. If he didn’t avenge this, he would be unworthy of his title.

Over these days, a large spiritual wood raft had been completed, stocked with enough food and water for over a dozen martial artists to survive for months.

Yet Zheng Yiqing had no intention of leaving.

He would only leave after his subordinates and prisoners had recovered, after he had destroyed Ye Mo and Gao Jian’s group. Only then would he feel satisfied, ready to resume his quest for immortality at sea.

Now, Ye Mo had become a thorn in his heart. If he couldn’t personally defeat Ye Mo, make him kneel and beg for mercy, and thoroughly humiliate him, he wouldn’t be able to focus on anything else.

He had to personally eliminate Ye Mo!

“Young Lord, now that the large raft is complete, setting out to seek immortality is our primary goal. Why bother with that common-born martial artist?”

“They have nine people. We have forty martial artists, but most prisoners are not loyal. Since Gao Jian’s defection, the camp has been restless, many prisoners wavering. If our assault falters and the prisoners switch sides again, as Gao Jian did last time, the consequences could be disastrous!”

Steward Cao tried a final plea.

He and Master Hou both disagreed with this course—waging war over a common martial artist was not worth it.

Zheng Yiqing’s raft could only carry about a dozen people—just enough for his original followers, with no room for the other prisoners.

This had left the prisoners disgruntled, but faced with He An’s overwhelming strength and lacking fine weapons, despite their resentment, they dared not rebel.

But once outside Ye Mo’s camp, should the attack fail, it was uncertain whom the prisoners might support.

Steward Cao felt that if they couldn’t defeat Ye Mo’s group, they should just let it go. With enough prisoners to build the raft, seeking immortality at sea was the real mission; attacking Ye Mo’s camp had never been part of the plan.

Unfortunately, Zheng Yiqing was obsessed, unwilling to let go of even minor grudges.

“My mind is made up. Enough chatter!”

Zheng Yiqing was most annoyed by Steward Cao’s nagging, always offering pointless advice. He understood Cao’s reasoning, but he simply could not let Ye Mo go.

“If Young Lord’s mind is made up, Steward Cao needn’t say more! Steward Cao worries the prisoners may defect in battle. I have a scheme to make them willing to risk their lives for us!”

Master Hou’s eyes gleamed with cunning laughter.

“What scheme?” Zheng Yiqing asked, puzzled.

He An and Steward Cao also looked at Master Hou, awaiting his explanation.

“We can do this…”

Master Hou shared his plan in a voice only the three could hear. After listening, all three nodded, pleased with the idea.

“For these spineless, fickle traitors, this is the only way!”

Zheng Yiqing snorted coldly.

Though the prisoners had built the raft for him, Gao Jian’s betrayal had left him with no goodwill toward them.

“Gather up! Young Lord has an announcement!”

The bearded man received Master Hou’s signal and summoned all the prisoners working in the camp.

Soon, over thirty prisoners were assembled, awaiting Zheng Yiqing’s instructions.

“These days you’ve worked hard building rafts and forging weapons. Now, I have good news: today, Young Lord has decided to launch another campaign against the martial artist’s camp. If you fight valiantly and succeed, then upon our triumphant return, Young Lord will build three more large rafts and take you all to seek immortality at sea!”

Master Hou spoke with hands behind his back, smiling.

At his words, the prisoners erupted in a commotion.

“He’ll take us to seek immortality?”

“Why is Young Lord suddenly so generous?”

“He’s obviously trying to coax us into attacking the camp. Once he’s used us, he’ll discard us.”

“No one believes him!”

The prisoners whispered among themselves, most deeply skeptical.

After all this time, they knew well Young Lord Zheng’s character. Harsh and petty, he never cared for the prisoners.

“Believe it or not, you have no choice!”

Master Hou smiled slyly.

“Because Young Lord holds a sea chart to Immortal Village on Spiritual Island!”

“This chart was originally with the captain of our ship. But when a great storm struck, He An foresaw the danger and seized it. Luckily, it ended up in Young Lord’s hands!”

“Serve Young Lord well, and you can follow him to sea. Fail, and you’ll be left to die on this island!”

“Even if you wish to defect, as Gao Jian did, it’s a dead end. Without the chart, you can’t find Immortal Village at sea.”

“This is the only chart leading to Spiritual Island’s Immortal Village. Your only path is to follow Young Lord!”

After Master Hou spoke, the prisoners exchanged uncertain glances.

“The chart showing the exact location of Immortal Village is with Young Lord? That means he can definitely find it!”

“I don’t want to die on this island. I’m willing to follow Young Lord and fight for him!”

“Master Hou is cunning—this must be his plot!”

“With sea beasts multiplying, staying here means certain death. Following Young Lord is our only way out!”

For a moment, the prisoners wavered again, unsure whether to firmly side with Zheng Yiqing for a chance to leave the island.

“Everyone, take up all weapons. Move out—destroy our enemies and traitors!”

Zheng Yiqing swept his cold gaze across the prisoners, a mocking smile on his lips.