Onlookers see clearer than players.The Liu Family people were stuck in the game. Their eyes were blinded by the interests. All they could think of was how the Liu Family could develop after they acquired the Blood Evil Island, how to get stronger and how to earn endless Xuan Crystals…
Perhaps someone had thought about the worst outcomes, but they had automatically eliminated such ideas when faced with such great interests.
In their eyes, only three Soul Pond Realm warriors were at Xue Chou’s side, but the Liu Family had eight Green Dwarfs. The Liu Family had promised to give Xue Chou with so many Xuan Crystals when Xue Chou clearly understood that he was going to be defeated. The Liu Family only wanted the Blood Evil Island for one year as well. So how could Xue Chou and his men not agree?
Lu Li did not belong to the Liu Family. At least, in his heart, he never treated himself as a member of the Liu Family. Hence, he didn’t care how many interests the Liu Family could get from it. The Liu Family was just a temporary place for him to stay.
Lu Li was clear-headed, and he would consider the overall situation. In the old days, he wasn’t fond of thinking as Lu Ling would do that for him. After Lu Ling was brought to the Cyan Plains, Lu Li had grown. Now, he preferred to use his head when faced with issues to look for the essence hiding behind the superficial mist.
He put himself in the shoes of Xue Chou. Blood Evil Island was the foundation of Xue Chou. He had been managing the place for more than a decade. What would be left for Xue Chou if he lost the Blood Evil Island?
Xue Chou must be a man wise as owl since he could rise in the Thousand-island Lake. If he really yielded the Blood Evil Island to the Liu Family, the Liu Family would have a chance to grow and develop. By that time, the status of Xue Chou and the Liu Family would be reversed. When the Liu Family took the dominant place, it would be entirely their call whether they wanted Xue Chou to leave, stay or be destroyed…
What was the goal of Xue Chou launching the attack?
To get the secret prescription of growing Blood Caterpillar Gra.s.ses from the Liu Family. And if Xue Chou gave up the Blood Evil Island? Then he would never get the secret prescription. Instead, his family might be destroyed by the Liu Family at any time.
Xue Chou would not give the Blood Evil Island up unless he was an idiot.
So the question was, why did Xue Chou come out to negotiate? Why did he a.s.sume the air that he would think about the offer seriously?
The only explanation was—buying some time!
What was the purpose of stalling? Of course, it was to wait for reinforcement. All the battles.h.i.+ps outside of the Blood Evil Island were missing. Needless to say, they were sent to find reinforcement. Xue Chou had owned this place for more than 10 years. If he paid a huge price, he must be able to get some reinforcements.
"Ah?"
After Liu Yi heard Lu Li’s explanation, her pretty face showed shock. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. She a.n.a.lyzed carefully for a bit and her face turned pale. It would seem… Lu Li’s judgment was reasonable!
Liu Yi dared not to take the sole responsibility for the decision. She sent someone to get Patriarch Seven and the others and told them what Lu Li said.
After Patriarch Nine heard about it, he waved his hand and said, "Reinforcements? No way. As far as I know, the relations.h.i.+ps between Xue Chou and the several Third-rank forces nearby are not good. Once, Xue Chou fought against the Black Fox Island. No way. It’s not possible!"
Lu Li sneered and said, "What the h.e.l.l have you been doing as a Patriarch for so many years? Are there any permanent friends or enemies between forces? Idiot!"
Patriarch Nine was furious but Patriarch Seven waved his hand and said, "Brother Nine, that’s enough. Lu Li is right. There are no permanent friends or enemies between forces, only permanent interest. This matter… give me some time to think it over."
Patriarch Seven calmed himself down and closed his eyes. After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, he abruptly opened his eyes and shouted, "Third Brother Lu, have someone with you to search in the nearby lake area to see if there are any reinforcements, now."
After Patriarch Lu heard, he brought someone with him and dived into the water at once. They sneaked toward all directions at the top of their speed.
Patriarch Seven looked very solemn. He glanced at the patriarchs and said, "Something is wrong indeed. Xue Chou is an unyielding man. He will not give us the Blood Evil Island that he has fought so hard to get. He is the kind of man that believes death is better than dishonor. There is a big problem here. Maybe what Lu Li guessed was right."
Patriarch Nine had always been following Patriarch Seven’s lead. In a panic, he asked, "Brother Seven, what should we do?"
Patriarch Seven looked to Lu Li who kept on recovering his strength and energy and paid no attention to the former.
Patriarch Seven thought for a while and said, "Let’s wait till Third Brother Lu comes back from his investigation."
The group of Patriarchs sat with their legs crossed. They all had grim looks on their face. The joy they had just now was gone.
They waited perturbed. Less than an hour later, Patriarch Lu came back. He rushed onto the battles.h.i.+p like a sharp sword. He went inside the cabin, all drenched, and said, "Something happened. There are three battles.h.i.+ps coming from about nine miles away from the north. I dared not to get closer, but there are quite a number of people onboard."
"Swish, swish, swis.h.!.+"
The group of patriarchs had their expressions changed greatly. Even though scouts to other directions had not come back yet, what Lu Li guessed was already testified. Xue Chou was stalling and waiting for reinforcements.
"Brother Seven, what to do?"
Patriarch Nine and others all looked toward Patriarch Seven, waiting for him to decide. Liu Yi was the Family Patriarch but she was fl.u.s.tered now, let alone making a decision.
Patriarch Seven was hesitating. He looked around and said, "How about we go back to the Blood Dragon Island and defend with our best efforts?"
On the Blood Dragon Island were the Inhibition Formations they built. The Green Dwarfs could inflict more harm in the mist. If they could defeat Xue Chou’s reinforcements, the Liu Family at least could still have the Blood Dragon Island. Then they could seek out other matters gradually.
"Foolis.h.!.+"
Lu Li suddenly opened his eyes. His energy and strength were almost recovered. He glanced to the others coldly and said, "Death is the only thing waiting for us if we go back. Now that Xue Chou can get reinforcements, he must have paid a lot. If the Liu Family is not destroyed, how will he recover his cost? Even if we can withstand the first round of attack, Xue Chou definitely will spend all the Blood Evil Island has got to ask for more reinforcements. If our opponent has six or seven Soul Pond Realm warriors, how will you defend?"
"Eh…"
They looked at each other, feeling being stuck in a dilemma. Lu Li, on the other hand, picked up his Heavenly Halberd and stood up. He said in a cold voice, "What is there to be hesitating about? The only way left for us now is to fight our way into the Blood Evil Island and wipe out the Blood Evil Brotherhood. As long as we can kill Xue Chou and his men, and conquer the Blood Evil Island before the reinforcements get here, we can send them back along the route they take to get here!"
"Right!"
Patriarch Seven stood up with an impressive manner. Lu Li’s last sentence inspired him. So long as they could kill Xue Chou and his men and occupy the Blood Evil Island, they could offer some terms and conditions to negotiate with nearby islands and ask them to go back.
"Kill!"
Patriarch Seven gave orders for comprehensive attack. Determination showed on the faces of all Patriarchs and Liu Yi. If they could not succeed, the Blood Evil Island would be their burial ground.
Soon, they started two battles.h.i.+ps and moved closer to the Blood Evil Island. The more than 120 people including the Green Dwarfs all charged towards the Blood Evil Fortress.
Patriarch Seven ordered the more than a dozen Xuan Wu Realm disciples to explore the way ahead with Lu Li and a group of patriarchs following. The eight Green Dwarfs were hiding behind them. They dashed forward with a strong intent for killing.
…
What Lu Li and the rest didn’t know was that in the sky to the north of the Blood Evil Island, there parked a Golden Chariot. Same as those Golden Chariots appeared during the war at the Wu Ling County, this one also turned on the Inhibition Formation. People on the ground could not see it nor detect it.
"He is not too silly."
A lazy sound came out from the Golden Chariot. There were only two people on the Golden Chariot: an exquisitely dainty and ravis.h.i.+ngly beautiful lady and an old man covered with silvery hair. Lu Li and Liu Yi would recognize them if they could be seen.
Madam Yan and Chief Steward Bai.
When the battle started at the Blood Dragon Island at dawn, the Golden Chariot had showed up already. However, the Inhibition Formation was activated so people on the ground did not know.
Chief Steward Bai looked towards the Liu Family rus.h.i.+ng on the Blood Evil Island and then to the distance. He saw three little black dots. His spa.r.s.e eyebrows were knitted as he said, "Madam, it will be difficult for Lu Li to win this."
Madam Yan was wearing a light purple dress with flowery patterns, and a black pet was in her arms. Her delicately formed hands were stroking its fur. She shook her head and said, "Not difficult to win. Men from the Black Fox Island, the Killers Island and the Devil Island are here. It will be absurd if Lu Li can win."