Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 364 - 364 363 Great Disaster Looming

364: Chapter 363: Great Disaster Looming 364: Chapter 363: Great Disaster Looming Phoenix Tail Bamboo was somewhat reluctant.

“The wolf is coming.” This old strategy sounded common, but it proved to be very effective.

After the Cang Pirates had threatened Bamboo Island daily for over a decade, the cultivators there were exhausted and in disarray, both physically and mentally.

Islands hanging lone overseas and in isolated circumstances, a limited number of helpers who became accustomed to torment over the years, coveted bamboo resources, convenient navigation routes, and the introverted characteristics of Bamboo Island’s cultivators, which sounded noble but were rather aloof—these factors only added to their dire situations.

In one word, their strength could not guarantee their current interests.

When Bamboo Island was still a barren island, it hardly mattered, but as Bamboo Island began to reveal its potential, greed from the outside world emerged.

“We can still ask for help from Jiedu Mansion.

They have an obligation to protect us, after all, we offer them so much of the finest Rouge Bamboo every year.

What if, this time we offer even more?”

Jiedu Mansion’s reinforcements were always randomly assigned; they had plenty of people, and it was not about always sending the same group.

They’d grown weary of this fruitless endeavor…”

Lady of Bamboo smiled wryly, a hint of worldly resignation in her smile, “Phoenix Tail, you still haven’t seen deep enough.

Upping the ante, when will it end?

We add more this year—if the Cang Pirates come again next year, do we add even more?

This vicious cycle will eventually force us to sell Bamboo Island and still fail to satisfy their greed—insatiable as it is!

Moreover, would the fall of the Sea Bamboo Palace to the Cang Pirates disadvantage Jiedu Mansion in any way?

A century ago, Jiedu Mansion handed over the jurisdiction of Bamboo Island to me because they hadn’t realized the island’s benefits at the time—but now they have.

Forcefully reclaiming it would tarnish Jiedu Mansion’s reputation.

They wouldn’t do that; they would face too much blame.

But if Bamboo Island were conquered by pirates, wouldn’t they be able to justifiably reclaim the management rights?”

Phoenix Tail Bamboo clenched her teeth.

She hadn’t expected such manipulation under the influence of interests.

“Initially, Jiedu Mansion had made a pact with the master—vowed in heaven, their words still echo in the ears, just as…”

Lady of Bamboo grimaced in a bitter smile, “That’s why they haven’t taken direct action!

They have assisted us for over a decade!

No one can pick flaws in their support!

Everyone understands they cannot keep running forever in ‘the wolf is coming,’ not even our true friends could manage that!

If I am not around, if Bamboo Island is destroyed by the Cang Pirates, then everything else simply falls into place as expected!

This is the harsh reality of our world!”

Lady of Bamboo stood up, her demeanor becoming resolute, “When I came to Bamboo Island, I thought I had avoided the world’s worldly distractions, but now it seems too wishful to live above the fray of this world.

Then let’s not avoid it!

If we can’t rid ourselves of all this, just as you said, then let’s fight!

The bamboo forest that has thrived for a century represents our century’s efforts.

For it, any sacrifice is worth it!”

One must protect one’s own home; one cannot always depend on others!

Phoenix Tail Bamboo nodded firmly, “Master, I will organize the disciples to leave right away!

We’ll distribute them among the neighboring islands, which we’ve always taken good care of—they won’t be neglected.”

Just as she was about to step away, Lady of Bamboo suddenly extended her hand, “No need to go; they’ve already arrived!”

From notifying them of the threatened cooperation to the pirates’ tracks appearing, it had only been three days.

In recent years, this was the quickest instance, suggesting that this time might not just be another scare but a real intimidation through force, possibly even a massacre of Bamboo Island.

The Cang Pirates had endured for over a decade, and one could not expect these people to keep enduring forever; when troops really approached the city, they often became even more brutal.

Neither Lady Rouge Bamboo nor Lady Bamboo had anticipated this; it was a mistake on the part of those in charge.

Unnoticed, the old strategy of “the wolf is coming” had numbed their vigilance.

Over the past decade or so, they were no longer as cautious and alert as they were the first time they received a warning.

Now, it was time for them to pay the price.

The two soared to the front of Sea Bamboo Palace, and at the same time, four more figures drifted over.

This was the entire strength of Bamboo Island—Lady Bamboo and her five disciples!

Lady Rouge Bamboo, over a hundred years old, Kong Zhu, and the under-hundred-year-olds Wen Zhu, Ku Zhu, and the youngest Xiangfei Zhu.

Then, dozens of junior cultivators who hadn’t crossed the Tongxuan gathered as well.

Their realms ranged from Pulse to Bridge Connection, covering every stage of low Cultivation.

Even though they had no chance of struggle under the third level of Tongtian, it was about attitude.

Living and cultivating here, Bamboo Island was a part of their lives.

There was no way to persuade them, for there was hardly any place on Bamboo Island deep enough to hide anyone.

Lady Rouge Bamboo first gazed towards the east, then turned her head to the west, her expression heavy and slightly confused.

“Are they planning to split their forces into two groups?

To attack from different directions?

It’s just a small Bamboo Island, is it really necessary?

Or is it just to demonstrate their strength?”

The first thing that appeared in their field of vision from the west was a black flag, the standard pirate flag of the Lizhi Sea, becoming clear as it gradually approached: a black wave patterned flag, indeed the symbol of the Cang Pirates.

The number of them was not particularly large, only about twenty.

However, as one of the most famous pirate groups in the Lizhi Sea, the Cang Pirates were known for valuing quality over quantity.

They might not have the largest number, but each individual combatant was highly effective, accustomed to bloodshed, and truly capable of using their entire Cultivation in combat.

This set them apart from the majority of cultivators who primarily focused on nurturing longevity.

Just this group of pirates from the west was capable of overwhelming the cultivators of Bamboo Island.

The battle had lost its meaning the moment the enemy appeared; what remained was resistance of spirit, unconcerned with victory or defeat, but all about morale.

The pirates were flying very slowly, clearly aiming to use this pressure to create an imposing presence and ultimately achieve their goal without having to fight.

They still needed these Bamboo Island cultivators to create a spectacle.

Lady Rouge Bamboo’s expression was bitter; over ten pirates had come, and they were not using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

In the vast environment of the sea, it’s very hard for cultivators to completely eliminate each other in combat due to the countless directions to flee.

The true intent of bringing so many was that if negotiations fell through, they wouldn’t let a single person from Bamboo Island get away!

Moreover, there were more from the east!

In their gaze, the eastern sky also began to show a large flag, white with a red falcon, impressively majestic.

Behind the flag, more than twenty black dots formed a neat geese-shaped formation, imposing and filled with murderous aura.

Lady Bamboo and a few disciples exchanged looks, their faces full of disbelief!

As they watched, yet another large flag appeared on the eastern horizon, white with a large bird!

Lady Rouge Bamboo exclaimed in amazement, “It’s the tour groups!

Two of them!

Weren’t they supposed to come here in another ten or so days?

Why have they come early?”