CHAPTER 453: CHAPTER 450: ARRIVED

Vice General Wu wiped the blood off his face, and after his men checked, they reported that only one boat suddenly approached. They were too busy dealing with the people on the island to notice; by the time they saw it, people from the boat had already swum ashore.

The men reported, "The women in the village were escorted by those people to board that boat."

Upon hearing this, Vice General Wu broke into a cold sweat once more.

If those women are alive, the matter on the island can’t be covered up; even if all remaining people on the island are killed, what’s the use?

"What about the boat? Has it left the island?" Vice General Wu asked.

"Not yet," a subordinate replied, "It’s likely waiting to pick up those kept at the mine."

Vice General Wu nodded: "Bring me the Stone-Throwing Machine, and prepare the crossbow with fire attack arrows and thorn fireballs. Follow me to burn that boat."

Plenty of arms were prepared on the island, with Stone-Throwing Machines hidden along the shoreline. Now was the perfect time to use them. Those who landed on the island might not be aware of this; attacking now could catch them off guard.

Vice General Wu quickly advanced, leading his men to the shore, and soon spotted the boat not far away.

Fortunately, the boat was here.

Vice General Wu sneered and commanded: "Quickly load the fireballs and throw them onto that boat."

The subordinates responded and immediately went to prepare.

Vice General Wu gauged the distance; their Stone-Throwing Machine could easily hit the boat.

"The Stone-Throwing Machine isn’t right... The winch has been tampered with..."

Before the man finished speaking, several arrows suddenly whizzed by, and those guarding the Stone-Throwing Machine couldn’t evade in time; arrows pierced through necks.

"Bang," a cloud of blood mist spread.

Someone is lying in ambush here.

Vice General Wu drew the long knife from his waist as Chang Tong and others hiding nearby rushed forward, and the two groups tangled in combat.

"What are you standing there for," Vice General Wu commanded those around him, "Find the Stone-Throwing Machine, continue... burn that boat... Even if I die, it’s..."

Vice General Wu didn’t finish speaking before engaging with Chang Tong.

Sister Chen and Zheng stood on the boat observing the situation; Zheng couldn’t help but say, "There are many people on the island; I’m afraid they won’t be able to withstand."

"There will be reinforcements," Sister Chen replied, "It’s fine as long as we hold on until the reinforcements arrive."

Will there really be reinforcements? Zheng was unsure.

"Get everyone to help guard the boat," Sister Chen said, "Don’t let those people get close."

Finishing her words, Sister Chen looked at Zheng: "Where else might the Stone-Throwing Machines be hidden?" They also needed to move the big boat to dodge and avoid being hit by the machine.

"Bang bang bang."

Thorn fireballs continued to be shot out, roaring in flames, dropping near the boat.

The vessel maneuvered carefully but dared not stray too far from the shore, or Chang Tong and his group wouldn’t be able to board.

"Chen..." Chang Jiu thought for a while but didn’t shout recklessly.

Sister Chen said, "Just call me Sister Chen."

Chang Jiu hesitated for a moment but still followed Sister Chen’s instruction: "Sister Chen, before Chang Tong left, he instructed that if things on the island became too dangerous, I should take you and leave first."

Sister Chen knew the arrangement wasn’t like this initially; it’s because of her presence that the boat was avoiding.

But if they left, once Chang Tong and his group were overpowered by Vice General Wu’s men, there would be only one way out—death.

Sister Chen shook her head: "Everything should follow the plans made before you landed." She couldn’t just abandon so many people’s lives because she wanted to go home.

Chang Jiu seemed to have expected this, and upon hearing her words said, "Then you should go inside the cabin, and we’ll try to protect everyone."

"Bang," another thorn fireball landed, and someone on the boat screamed in shock.

"Sir."

Before the fireball was completely engulfed by seawater, Chang Jiu heard a report from his subordinates: "A ship is coming; take a look and see if it’s the reinforcements."

...

Li Tao fixed his gaze on the main boat opposite; this time, he intended to hold the ship tightly.

Thinking of this, Li Tao glanced up at the sky.

The sky was still early, these people couldn’t let darkness allow them to escape again.

"Sir," Pu Shou smiled and said, "They can’t run away this time, trapped here. The arrows on their boat are depleted too. In less than an hour, we can board the vessel."

"Good," Li Tao rejoiced, "As such, capture them all."

Pu Shou said, "The Prince wants us to capture them alive."

Li Tao nodded, "The Prince will send in the large ship, and after surrounding them, the Prince’s reinforcements should arrive too."

After speaking, Li Tao was still not fully assured and ordered that the men Left by Vice General Wu be called over.

Ding Jun, who was left behind by Vice General Wu, helped Li Tao with operations this time, and because of them, Li Tao was so confident.

"Ding Jun," Li Tao said, "When will the Prince’s reinforcements arrive? Should we wait for them before boarding, or should we capture them first?"

His fleet had been on a cat-and-mouse game with this big fish on the sea for a while, and now it seemed the moment was ripe.

Ding Jun gazed at the sea surface: "It should be about right."

Li Tao slightly curved his lips, revealing a smile, as he was about to turn to thank Ding Jun, but saw Ding Jun first approached him, and suddenly Li Tao felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, followed by scorching blood gushing from his body.

Li Tao stared in disbelief, lowering his head only to see Ding Jun pull a bloody dagger from his stomach. Instinctively he tried to cover the wound, but the blade slashed his hand, plunging again into his flesh.

"You," Li Tao widened his eyes, struggling while being held tight by Ding Jun, "Why... you..."

Ding Jun’s indifferent voice came, "Mr. Li, you brought this on yourself. The Prince had long said not to easily use warships, but you didn’t listen, leading to Song Xian’s arrival."

Amid terror, a flash of surprise flickered in Li Tao’s eyes.

Ding Jun said, "The warship was discovered, and the hard-earned legacy of the Prince has caught attention; this time they are here to find more clues from you. Do you deserve to die?"

Blood flowed down the long robe, quickly pooling.

Li Tao lost strength, gasping greatly, forgetting to struggle.

Ding Jun pushed the dagger deeper, tapped Li Tao’s shoulder with the other hand: "The Prince has no choice. Whoever made the mess cleans it up. Plus, with Song Jiedu and Prince Guangyang’s descendants accompanying you in the afterlife, you’re worthy. The Prince remembers his promise to you; when he ascends the throne, he will instruct King Yan to honor your grandfather and father, and if any of your family is still around, they will be rewarded."

"Brother will send you off here," Ding Jun exerted strength, ripping open Li Tao’s abdomen, the contents inside immediately spilling out.

Li Tao looked downward at his steaming insides, his legs went weak, collapsing. Before closing his eyes, he saw Pu Shou killed not far away.

Ding Jun said, "Fire the gunpowder arrows and have Lord Xue and others surround."

Gunpowder arrows were fired, causing a dozen warships to appear on the sea.

Ding Jun was just about to breathe a sigh of relief but couldn’t help but pause upon seeing the banners on the ship. Why does the Yellow Tooth Flag on the ship have the character "Li"?

Among those Prefects, none had the surname Li, right?