Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 462 - 462 461 Visitors from the North

462: Chapter 461: Visitors from the North 462: Chapter 461: Visitors from the North Duanmu Chai looked at the junior brother in front of him, his heart filled with myriad emotions.

In just over a decade, this once slightly green and inexperienced young Tongxuan had transformed into a commanding figure over the Lizhi Sea.

In terms of sword technique alone, even he had to admit he was somewhat inferior.

This time, he had come to clash with the Tiger Fang Pirate Group, bringing with him twelve sword cultivators from the Shan Sect—all were Island Masters listed in the registry of the Jiedu Mansion near Bolang Island and moonlighting as pirates, a necessity of circumstances.

In terms of overall strength, the newly-established Canglang Gang was still far behind the old and experienced Tiger Fang Pirates.

Due to the rebuilding, all those whose learning was associated with the Daoist Sect had basically left, and considering issues of loyalty and the possibility of spies infiltrating, they were very selective regarding their core pirate group.

Although few in number, they acted in unison and decisively, making quite a stir, but only they knew the true state of affairs, which was not as formidable as the rumors made it seem.

The Tiger Fang Pirates had been provoking them continuously, seeking opportunities to clash with the Cang Pirates, and the reasons were self-evident.

The Cang Pirates understood this as well, and as their leader, Duanmu Chai had always been clear-headed, avoiding direct confrontations and preferring not to engage in senseless clashes.

But this time, he couldn’t seem to avoid it.

The allure of the Treasure was irresistible; the Cang Pirates were still pirates at heart, driven by profit.

They were not a sect; their faith was in benefits.

Most of the pirates were independent travelers and rogue cultivators, who couldn’t remain indifferent to such a tempting piece of meat in front of them.

Duanmu Chai had suppressed such restlessness several times already, but he knew he could not do so again.

If he did, it would break their spirit, so he mobilized the Shan Sect sword cultivators to bolster the Pirate Group, hoping that the combat power of his fellow sect members would carry them through this clash.

He hadn’t expected that the Tiger Fang Pirates had truly come prepared this time, bringing a large squad of over sixty people.

If it weren’t for Hou Niao’s timely intervention and his sudden surge in combat power, they might not have successfully defended Bolang Island today.

In the Cultivation World, power was king.

It seemed that his so-called position as the pirate chief could now be relinquished.

Nothing could give the pirate group a greater sense of security than a powerful cultivator, just like the former sea god Yu Daoguang.

These independent pirates were particularly responsive to this approach.

In the battle this time, despite Duanmu Chai going all out, he had only managed to kill one Daoist of the Natural Realm and one Tongxuan Cultivator, while his junior brother had single-handedly slain nearly ten, a genuinely terrifying feat.

It was also because of this battle that Hou Niao’s position within the Cang Pirates was firmly established.

Here in the pirate ranks, titles like those in Sikong Mansion held no sway.

What bound them were just two things: overwhelming power and enticing profit.

Above the sky, cultivators dove into the water one after another, beginning the harvest of the Treasure.

Each person’s gains were to be surrendered to the Cang Pirates by thirty percent.

This was fair, and no one objected; it was the law of living on the sea.

Days passed, and the Treasure made its return journey to the Blue Sea.

Only then did the hunting expedition come to an end.

Everyone made a hefty profit, and naturally, the Cang Pirates’ status in this sea area was established.

In the circles of cultivation, the true core is always a minority, while the majority are followers who go with the flow.

They support whoever can bring them benefits; these people are innumerable and can only be dealt with by maintaining one’s continuous strength.

Just as after the Tiger Fang Pirates retreated, there would inevitably be many pirate groups losing faith and choosing to leave.

To gather another sixty pirate units again would take a long time to rebuild confidence and lick their wounds.

In contrast, if the Cang Pirates were to gather people now, they wouldn’t be looking at just three or four dozen.

Casually pulling together a group of dozens wouldn’t be difficult, such is the application of power in the Cultivation World.

Here, being unassuming is pointless; twelve parts of display were necessary for ten parts of strength.

The pirates began to disperse, leaving contact details and arranging their next rendezvous.

It would be a waste not to take advantage of the position established by the Cang Pirates in Jianghu after this battle.

Taking advantage of the situation, the Cang Pirates would make small, scattered strikes and hunts; this was what they intended to do next.

“Get familiar with the Cang Pirates’ structure, organizational methods, operational characteristics, and individual circumstances as soon as possible.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay in Lizhi Sea much longer, and we need someone capable of taking the lead.”

Duanmu Chai’s request elicited a sigh from Hou Niao; this was a characteristic way of the Shan Sect’s modus operandi—personnel were highly mobile, and whenever a little progress was made, they would be reassigned.

This also encouraged cultivators to adapt to various challenges and prevented the tail from wagging the dog.

It was like his time in Yinling; just as he had barely straightened out the various relationships, he had left and never returned.

Duanmu Chai had been stationed in the Lizhi Sea for over thirty years, which meant he was indeed due for a change of location.

In the end, only he and Fang Yazi were left.

“So you’re exclusively a pirate now?”

Fang Yazi found it only natural—a good hunter on land was just as good at sea, “It’s not bad here, not so many rules.

Moreover, for some reason, the sect seems to be delaying my next assignment; I don’t know why.”

Hou Niao nodded, “I’ll speak to the higher-ups.

Stay here to help me for now.

At least that way, I’m not constantly struggling to find people.”

Fang Yazi wasn’t surprised.

He had joined the Quanzhen Sect to follow Hou Niao, and it suited him just fine.

“There’s a set of sword techniques, still not mature.

There might be problems; I’m not sure.

Do you want to learn it?”

Fang Yazi knew exactly what his senior brother meant.

He didn’t take it as a supreme honor, nor did he feel like he was being used as a guinea pig.

To him, whatever his senior brother offered, he accepted.

It was nothing to be polite about.

Since the day at the Poplar Forest, the bond between him and his senior brother could never be severed again.

“I’ll practice!”

Hou Niao didn’t see anything amiss in his acceptance.

Fang Yazi was his brother, his family, his retainer, and his most steadfast follower.

He dared to join him in challenging the world and oppose all for him.

Of course, Hou Niao would share everything with him.

“You’re familiar with this sea area.

Find a place for us to settle down, somewhere quiet.

We need to tidy up the Cang Pirates’ mess and knock it into shape properly.

Later, give me a list of who can be used and who’s useless.”

He greatly appreciated the philosophy of his eldest senior brother, Duanmu Chai.

There was no need to make the Cang Pirates too large; the most important thing was a lean core group, and then they would gather a broader pool of people when it was time for action—this was currently the best structural approach.

Guided by Fang Yazi, they flew in the northwest direction.

There were many uninhabited islands there, and any one of them would suffice.

People like them didn’t need a comfortable environment; following their whims was enough.

After an hour or so in flight, the two of them came to a silent halt mid-air, Hou Niao leading, with Fang Yazi guarding to his side and rear.

No words were necessary.

“A friend has accompanied me all the way; do you have any guidance?”