Yan Tianlu reappeared, and the truth came to light. Naturally, everyone on Python Jiao Island rallied to him. Just as he had said, he alone was the island's true master. They had only accepted Lu Qingyuan as Island Lord because they had been deceived. Besides the six leaders known to everyone, Yan Tianlu had another, secret force on the island. After parting with Hu Xiaotian, he had gone to gather these men, root out the rebels, and reclaim his position as Island Lord. In a single day, the winds and clouds had shifted over the island, and the position of Island Lord had changed hands twice before returning to Yan Tianlu.
After the hurricane, the sky stretched clear for ten thousand miles beneath the blazing sun. Yan Tianlu stood atop the high tower opposite Python Jiao Island's prison, gazing toward it. Hu Zhongyang and his men had taken complete control of the prison. Two thousand fully armed pirates guarded its gates, awaiting their Island Lord's orders.
Yang Zongtong came up beside Yan Tianlu and reported, "Hu Xiaotian is here. He wants to see you."
Yan Tianlu looked down and saw Hu Xiaotian standing at the foot of the tower, gazing up. The sunlight was so dazzling that the fellow had raised both hands to his forehead to shade his eyes. Beside him stood Yan Tianlu's niece, Yan Nujiao.
"Let him come up alone!" Yan Tianlu said quietly.
Hu Xiaotian climbed the watchtower. From the top, he could clearly see what was happening inside the prison. Hu Zhongyang and the others remained unaware of the true situation outside and were still stirring up disturbances to draw the pirates' attention.
Gripping the railing with both hands, Yan Tianlu said quietly, "With a single order, my hundreds of catapults could level that prison.