Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 558: Suspicions Surrounding Penglai

Zhao Changhe cautiously glanced at Lady Three’s expression.

Lady Three showed no noticeable reaction. Her beautiful eyes merely flickered over Hai Changkong’s face before calmly surveying the surroundings, her expression as calm as ever.

Seeing her so composed, Zhao Changhe let out a quiet breath and stood beside her, flanking Lai Qi as they watched the conversation unfold.

First, they had to see if Lai Qi would betray them. He had behaved obediently on the ship, but now that he had reached a place where he felt secure, it wasn’t guaranteed that he would still follow their lead. Zhao Changhe kept a close watch.

To their surprise, Lai Qi had not considered betraying them. In fact, he had a vague inkling that this couple was not here to fight pirates but was more likely targeting Penglai. Their disguised infiltration made that somewhat apparent. Still, he did not mind. After all, they were from different nations. If these two aimed to harm Penglai, that could very well be beneficial to him.

At the end of the day, the various nations were not necessarily eager to wipe out the pirates. The pirates had no intentions of wiping out the nations, whereas it was a different story when it came to Penglai’s navy—who knew what ambitions they harbored?

Lai Qi smiled cheerfully, raising his wine cup for a toast from afar. “It’s been years since we last met. I’ve started going gray, but it seems the esteemed General Hai has hardly changed. It seems that those like you, whose cultivation has reached certain heights, truly differ from ordinary folks like myself.”

Hai Changkong chuckled. “General Lai, you are far from ordinary. You’ve reached the ninth layer of the Profound Gate. You’re quite a formidable figure, even by the standards of the Great Xia Empire.”

Lai Qi smiled faintly. Penglai’s people were distinctly different from those of the other maritime nations. Many of those who ventured out to sea over the centuries had little knowledge of Xia, reminiscent of the sentiment “They know nothing of Han, nor of Wei or Jin[1].”

Only the people of Penglai consistently referenced the Great Xia Empire. In earlier years, it was tinged with resentment, but over time, it had instead become a point of pride, an assertion of them knowing more about the mainland and their experience being broader.

Lai Qi was not interested in debating such things. He cut straight to the point. “Regarding this mission to eliminate the pirates, would you like to wait until all nations have arrived, or can we discuss some matters now?”

“There’s no harm in discussing it now,” Hai Changkong replied, a slight smile on his lips. “This joint mission to eliminate pirates was never just about the pirates.”

Lai Qi blinked, momentarily puzzled. “What do you mean? The Sea God’s decree was for us to come and eliminate the pirates.”

Hai Changkong smiled. “The Sea God ordered us to eliminate the pirates, but each nation also has its own agenda. Some might be here to actually fight, while others are just here for a tour. Who knows? How to manage the allied forces, direct the battle, and control the entire operation—that’s up to me, not something the Sea God will dictate.”

Lai Qi’s expression shifted subtly.

This was not just a hint. It was a blatant declaration.

Each nation has its own agenda. Some are coming to fight, some are coming to sightsee, and some might use the opportunity to unite the Eastern Sea. Isn’t that the message?

Hai Changkong was laying it all out. He intended to annex Java and make it a part of Penglai’s domain.

Since the nations were following the divine decree and had dispatched their main forces, their primary military strength was concentrated here. If those forces were absorbed, their corresponding nations would be defeated in one stroke, with no chance to resist.

And there was no need to wait for everyone to gather. Each nation could be crushed one by one.

Lai Qi knew he had no chance of resisting. Penglai could easily annex them. But the possibility was not something they had not considered. Regaining his composure, Lai Qi replied, “If Penglai truly intends to unify the Eastern Sea, aren’t you concerned that the Sea God might object?”

The emergence of a unified maritime empire would inevitably face one major problem: the clash between divine and imperial authority. Previously, each nation worshiped the Sea God, but political power was scattered across many nations. No single ruler could challenge the authority of the Sea God. However, once a unified power emerged, the dynamics would change completely.

Over the past few years, Penglai had the strength to crush other countries, but they had always refrained from outright conquest. This was the primary reason.

Are they no longer afraid? Are they actually willing to openly challenge the Sea God’s authority?

With nations separated by long sea voyages, sometimes requiring months of sailing to reach each other, how much significance did conquering these distant territories really have? Even if they “conquered” a country, it was likely they would end up governing it just as it had been.

Has Hai Pinglan gone mad? Why take such risks for so little reward, only to provoke the wrath of the Sea God?

Hai Changkong chuckled. “There’s no need for you to overthink His Majesty’s intentions... Besides, wasn’t it the Sea God who called for this joint effort? Why not assume that the Sea God has already given tacit approval?”

Lai Qi furrowed his brow, deep in thought. After a long moment, he finally said, “May I be given a night to consider?”

Hai Changkong waved a hand casually. “Of course. We do not rely on coercion—we believe in winning hearts through virtue.” He then gestured to an aide. “Escort General Lai to his quarters and see to it that the most beautiful young lady attends to him.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Lai Qi replied. “I need time to confer with my deputies.”

Hai Changkong did not press the matter, instead cheerfully getting up to see Lai Qi off.

Burdened by his thoughts, Lai Qi returned to his quarters. He did not need much time to consider. In reality, he simply wanted to consult with the lady venerable.

“Venerable...” he began.

Lady Three gestured for him to be silent, listening carefully before nodding and saying in a low voice, “Alright, no one’s eavesdropping.”

Lai Qi sighed. “I can’t understand their intentions, venerable. Forgive me, but I can’t make any sense of it.”

Lady Three and Zhao Changhe exchanged glances, both equally perplexed. On the surface, it seemed that Hai Pinglan really was challenging the Sea God, and no other explanation fit.

The notion that there was no practical benefit to conquering these nations was not entirely accurate.

The Sea God’s power was growing, and much of it was sustained by faith. If this was about competing for faith, then the actual gain from conquest did not matter. Destroying the current beliefs and imposing new ones would weaken the Sea God.

But what makes Hai Pinglan think that he can do this so overtly? Even if the Sea God can’t defeat Xia Longyuan, wouldn’t crushing Hai Pinglan be a simple matter? Is he really courting death with such blatant provocation?

Could it really be that the Sea God has given his own approval?

Zhao Changhe made up his mind. “I still think we should eavesdrop... This is their first confrontation with a small nation. Once we leave, they’re bound to discuss the outcome internally. That’s when we’ll hear their true intentions.”

Without a word, Lady Three nodded. The two of them slipped out into the night, disappearing into the darkness.

Moments later, they reappeared at the inn where the meeting had taken place. Silent as shadows, they made their way to the roof and carefully lifted a tile to peek inside.

Hai Changkong was still drinking with his subordinates, and as expected, his tone had shifted from earlier. Gone was the domineering attitude, replaced by a trace of worry. “Lai Qi isn’t usually this tough. His behavior today surprised me. It makes me wonder if he’s got some backing...”

One of the officers reassured him, “You don’t need to be so cautious, marshal[2]. Java is insignificant.”

Hai Changkong sighed. “You don’t understand... We’ve received word from our spies among the pirates. Their third leader has returned. Do you know what that means?”

The officers exchanged puzzled glances; most of them genuinely unaware. Only a handful of veterans seemed to grasp the significance, lowering their voices as they asked, “Are you certain?”

“Absolutely. During the Sea Emperor’s recent surprise attack on the pirates, a formidable woman was seen. It must have been her.”

Those in the know became visibly uneasy. “She’s really come back... at a time like this?”

Hai Changkong’s hawk-like eyes swept over his men, taking in their reactions. He said coldly, “That’s why this campaign must end in victory. No matter how insignificant the detail, we cannot afford to be careless.”

One officer cautiously asked, “What’s her level of power?”

“Roughly the same as mine,” Hai Changkong said evenly. “She’s no immortal. When the time comes, show her no mercy. We must kill her no matter the cost.”

“Then, since we have spies, does that mean we don’t need to keep searching for their new base?”

“Of course. That story is for the other nations to hear, in case word leaks to the pirates. I’ve known where their base is all along.”

The officers breathed a collective sigh of relief and raised their cups in a toast. “As expected of the marshal, nothing escapes your planning.”

Hai Changkong accepted every toast, his demeanor relaxed, and soon, the atmosphere grew lively once again. The earlier tension seemed to have dissipated like a passing breeze, and no one seemed concerned anymore.

A slightly tipsy officer stood up, swaying a bit. He slurred, “I’m off to relieve myself.”

No one paid him any mind.

He stumbled out into the courtyard, but instead of heading to the latrine, he quickly summoned his attendant. “Hurry, go and—”

“Go where?” The officer flinched in shock and turned, only to see Hai Changkong standing behind him with a smile.

Cold sweat instantly drenched his back. He forced a smile. “I’m not feeling well from drinking so much, so I was about to ask my attendant to get me some hangover medicine...”

Zhao Changhe and Lady Three, hidden above, were both ready to make their move to save the man.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve got some medicine myself,” Hai Changkong said with surprising warmth, draping an arm around the officer’s shoulders. He led him back inside with a friendly smile as if nothing had happened.

Lady Three’s eyes widened in shock.

That officer had obviously intended to tip off the pirates, warning them that their location had been compromised and telling them to evacuate. Hai Changkong had clearly followed him out yet made no move to detain him. He simply interrupted the officer’s attempt to pass on the information and then let it drop.

Shouldn’t he have arrested him on the spot?

It’s almost as if Hai Changkong is protecting the officer. Perhaps his claim about knowing the pirates’ location was bait, waiting for a spy to transmit the intel so they could trace it back and confirm the base’s position.

That would be the standard approach.

But just what is he really up to? It’s as if he’s intentionally covering for the traitor.

1. This is a classical statement capturing a particular historical sentiment about the isolation and detachment of certain regions or groups from the changing dynasties of China. The aforementioned Han, Wei, and Jin, are all dynasties of China. ☜

2. Just a small note that marshal is the highest military rank attainable and ranks above generals. They’re in command of everyone. ☜