"...At the time, our forces were locked in fierce battle with the Shu Family Army. Suddenly, reinforcements from Shu Family Island arrived. They set their warships ablaze, wrapped Jade Sea Kelp around themselves, and hung bronze bells from their waists. Seeing the enemy charging through the flames, their bells shaking the heavens, our forces panicked and suffered a rout..."
"...The reinforcements' leader, Chu Yun, charged straight at Remnant Wolf. As the two sides clashed, the Drunken Snow Blade suddenly recognized its master and unleashed a blade beam that shook the heavens. Remnant Wolf was caught off guard and cut down. Seeing that the situation was beyond salvage, I quietly withdrew..."
"...Afterward, we investigated and learned that after the battle, Chu Yun was completely exhausted. On the triumphant journey home, he fell unconscious. The remaining Shu Family forces were led by three old centurions, who took charge, sorted out the battlefield, and rounded up the prisoners. That was more or less what happened..."
At this point, White Prowler let out a deep sigh. He did not know whether it was because he had withdrawn and missed a golden opportunity, or because he was lamenting that Shu Tianhao had escaped his fate and Chu Yun had fought so ferociously.
Several elderly men sat before him. They were frail with age, yet their eyes gleamed with keen intelligence.
White Prowler stood ramrod straight, with utmost deference. He had just finished reporting the course and outcome of the battle to these men.
White Prowler, the celebrated strategist of the Remnant Wolf Pirate Group and its second-in-command, had actually bowed his head and submitted to these old men!
If this scene were made public, who knew how many people would be left gaping in astonishment, their jaws practically hitting the floor?
Only a handful of people in the world knew that White Prowler's surname was Ning!
He was from Ning Family Island and was loyal only to his Lineage. Many years ago, he had been planted as a hidden piece on the board, infiltrating the Remnant Wolf Pirate Group. He had remained undercover for decades. Even Remnant Wolf himself had been kept in the dark.
The old men seated before him were the elders of Ning Family Island, the ones who held the highest authority.
"Like father, like son. Chu Yun is so young, yet he's accomplished something so astonishing. Just like All-Star Fierce Tiger back in the day..." In the silence, Ning Family Head was the first to speak.
"The fierce tiger has become a sick cat. Who would have thought another little tiger would appear! Shu Family Island... Shu Family Island..." one elder murmured with a sigh.
"We had such a tremendous advantage in that battle, yet somehow the tables were turned at the very end. Sigh. Now the entire Remnant Wolf Pirate Group has been wiped out, while Shu Tianhao is safe and sound. Our follow-up plan to take advantage of the situation and move the Ning Family Army into Shu Family Island can no longer be put into action."
"For years, we've done everything we could to erode Shu Family Island's strength from the shadows. Who would have thought it would all come to nothing in the end? We've even lost Remnant Wolf, an important piece on the board. This was a crushing defeat."
"He was only a piece on the board. Losing him is no great matter. What matters is that as soon as Shu Tianhao returned to Shu Family Island, he publicly announced that Chu Yun would become his official heir, and the entire army cheered in response. With a tiger for a father and a dragon for a son, when will our Ning Family's expansion plans ever come to fruition?"
The elders discussed the matter, their words steeped in worry and gloom.
"Indeed, Remnant Wolf's death doesn't matter. Besides, he seems to have noticed something lately. He even began to suspect his own subordinate. Even if he'd defeated the Shu Family Army, he would have had to die sooner or later. Compared to him, the father and son of the Shu family are the real threat!" White Prowler remarked.
His words prompted everyone present to nod repeatedly.
"Shu Tianhao is brave and resourceful. Over the years, he's also noticed our Ning Family Island's infiltration. He's kept a tight grip on the key positions, and Ning Qishuang is shrewd as well. But under his suppression, she's been able to accomplish almost nothing."
Ning Qishuang was Lady Shu's original name.
"Heroes have always been undone by beautiful women, but Shu Tianhao is an exception—he's a hard nut to crack. Back when Ning Qishuang married into his family, this old man was against it. All-Star Fierce Tiger was already past the age of showing off his courage and seeking fame. Now Ning Qishuang may be the city lord's wife, but she has no real power at all. Recently, she even lost those four Spirit Beast Master guards," one elder said with some displeasure.
Ning Family Head's eyes suddenly lit up. "Shu Tianhao had already settled down by then. But Chu Yun is now at the age when his blood runs hot and he's a dashing young man!"
"Island Lord, you mean..."
Ning Family Head nodded. "Actually, Ning Qishuang hasn't failed, either. Over the years, everyone knows how many Ning Family shops we've opened on Shu Family Island and how much profit we've swept up. This time, I intend to use a beauty scheme on Chu Yun."
The elders leaned together and whispered among themselves. After considering it, they all nodded.
"But as for the candidate..." one elder asked.
"That girl Ning Yiyi is quite shrewd, and she's blessed with breathtaking beauty. Ever since she was little, she's had the boys around her completely wrapped around her finger. She's my granddaughter, and her loyalty to the family is beyond question. What do you all think?" the family head asked, smiling at those beside him.
Everyone hesitated. After a moment, one elder finally chose his words carefully and said tactfully, "Ning Yiyi is a fine prospect. She has great talent for Spirit Beast Mastery. Wouldn't it be a pity to marry her off to that desolate Shu Family Island, Family Head?"
Someone immediately chimed in, "That girl Yiyi was originally being groomed to infiltrate Tie Family Island. Using her on Chu Yun now—isn't that a bit of a waste, Island Lord?"
Among the All-Star Archipelago, Ning Family Island was the wealthiest, while Shu Family Island was the strongest in battle. But in terms of overall power, Tie Family Island firmly held the top spot. It had a strong army, towering walls, deep reserves, and a thriving economy.
Ning Island Lord slowly shook his head. "Don't you understand, elders? If Ning Yiyi marries into the Tie family, at best she'll establish a foothold and become the matriarch. Like Ning Qishuang, she'll help us open up the market on Tie Family Island. But if she marries Chu Yun, with Ning Qishuang there to support her, and she gets him wrapped around her little finger, then all of Shu Family Island will be ours. By then, we'll have wealth as well as Shu Family Island's military strength. Who in the All-Star Archipelago will be able to stand against us?"
His words were clear and concise, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
The others fell silent. After a moment, one of them said, "The Island Lord is wise."
The rest soon echoed him. Their gazes toward Ning Island Lord brimmed with admiration and praise. After such a crushing setback, only the Island Lord could remain calm, analyze the situation coolly, and devise such a fine strategy. He was truly one of the very few men in the All-Star Archipelago capable of steering the course of events!
White Prowler asked, "What should we do next?"
Ning Island Lord smiled. "The Shu Family Army won a hard-fought victory over the Remnant Wolf Pirate Group. As their in-laws, Ning Family Island will send condolences, medicine, silk, wine, and other gifts. At the same time, we'll convey our admiration for the Shu family's young lord's extraordinary valor—and our goodwill in seeking his hand in marriage!"
When Chu Yun slowly came to, a familiar, spartan bedroom immediately came into view.
"This is my bedroom. Why am I in Shu Family City?"
Chu Yun lay on the bed, his eyes clouded with confusion. But a moment later, his memories came flooding back, and he understood what had happened.
"I'm ashamed to say it, but after saving my father, I used up almost all my mental and physical strength. I passed out on the way back. Looks like they brought me here."
Chu Yun was quick-witted. In a flash, he pieced together the truth.
A soft whimper came from beside him, followed by a fuzzy, adorable little head poking into view. It was the Heavenly Fox. While Chu Yun had been unconscious, she had stayed faithfully by his side without leaving him.
When the Heavenly Fox saw her master awake, her eyes sparkled. Her tiny body immediately pounced onto Chu Yun. She stuck out her warm, moist tongue and licked his face, expressing her joy with abandon.
"Little rascal." Chu Yun felt ticklish and hurriedly held back the mischievous Little Heavenly Fox.
"Ah, Young Island Lord Chu Yun, you're awake?" The door swung open, and a maid with a lively air about her cried out in surprise.
As Chu Yun struggled to sit up, he asked, "How is my adoptive father?"
"Young Lord, you should rest and recover. The Island Lord is already out of danger. He specifically told me to take care of you."
"Hmph, I only overexerted myself. I don't need to rest." Chu Yun gritted his teeth and forced his weak body to obey. He finally struggled out of bed and stood on the floor.
When a person reached their limit, they had to resist the overwhelming exhaustion and keep pushing. That would let their body break through its former bottlenecks, raising their strength, endurance, explosive power, and more to a whole new level.
Sure enough, after doing this, Chu Yun clearly felt warm currents suddenly welling up throughout his body. A new force surged within him.
It was all thanks to Little Heavenly Fox. The spiritual energy she had given back to him had improved his physical constitution and helped him break through.
"Wait, what did you just call me? Young Island Lord?" Only then did Chu Yun react. He focused his gaze on the maid.
Chu Yun had already been handsome, with fine features, and the Heavenly Fox's spiritual energy had further transformed him, making him handsome by any measure. On top of that, his feat of saving his father had stirred the entire island. The image of a young hero was now etched into everyone's hearts.
When the maid saw Chu Yun looking at her, her heart began to race. Her cheeks reddened, and she lowered her head. Her usual liveliness vanished, and she stammered, "Y-yes. After the Island Lord came back, he publicly announced that he was naming you Young Island Lord. The whole army was in an uproar, but not a single person objected. They all said the Island Lord had a worthy successor, that you were a young hero with a bold, heroic spirit just like him."
Her voice trembled as her lovely eyes repeatedly stole glances at Chu Yun, shining with shyness, curiosity, and admiration.
Chu Yun, however, failed to notice. He thought for a moment. I never expected that after saving my father, I'd be named Shu Family Island's heir ahead of time, too. Not a single person objected? Heh, I know Lady Shu can't be happy about this. But I've already established my footing. She won't be able to make much trouble for the time being. I should go see my father first...
Since his rebirth, he had yet to properly meet with his adoptive father. Their brief exchange on the battlefield didn't count. It had been too hurried and too dangerous.
Thinking about it now, Chu Yun still found it hard to believe that Remnant Wolf, whose fearsome reputation shook the seas, had died by his hand.
At the time, he hadn't thought he had any chance of winning. He had only known that if he kept shrinking back, the regret and remorse would drown him for the rest of his life. He couldn't stand by and watch. He had to give everything he had and leave the outcome to fate. He never imagined he would actually win.
The feeling was somewhat unreal.
When he saw Shu Tianhao in the reception hall, Chu Yun was surprised to find that a teacher from Heavenly Song Academy, White-Browed Alchemist, was seated inside as well.
"Hahaha, my cherished son has arrived." When Shu Tianhao saw Chu Yun, his face broke into a deeply relieved, contented smile.
"Father." Chu Yun opened his mouth. He had so many complicated feelings in his heart, yet when the words reached his lips, all he could say was that one word.
"You came at just the right time. I have good news for you. But before that, you need to accept something." Shu Tianhao stood up and personally went to fetch a long, wide wooden box.
"What's inside?" Chu Yun's eyes lit up, and curiosity appeared on his face.
As soon as the wooden box was set down in front of Chu Yun, it began to tremble. Calls came from within it, as though something inside were calling out to him with affection.
What could it be? The call was so warm and familiar, as if Little Heavenly Fox were calling to him.