The sun dipped below the horizon, and the convoy of three hundred quickly reached the small town of Dongping. They continued eastward, their destination a port town one hundred and twenty kilometers away, as passage by sea required a ship.
As darkness fully enveloped the sky, dotted with the brilliance of stars, the three-hundred-strong contingent arrived at the Dongping port as planned.
The port was not particularly large, built within a bay. However, it was not open to the public, as it was a military harbor belonging to the Eastern Domain Great Camp.
Gazing out into the pitch-black night, warships lay stacked like miniature mountains within the harbor, their countless lights twinkling like scattered embers.
"Everyone rests here for the night. We set sail tomorrow!" Xiao Yunlong issued the command directly.
Li Guangfa stepped forward, asking, "Your Highness North King, we should act under the cover of night to attack and eliminate Geek Island. Based on the distance, we should reach Geek Island by the latter half of the night. That's when their guard will be down, making it easier for us to strike!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "Do you truly believe Geek Island will be unaware of our operation?"
Li Guangfa stood frozen, speechless. He suddenly recalled the connection between Geek Island and the Eastern Domain Great Camp, specifically the clandestine ties with Grand Commander Wang Kezheng.
If that were the case, it was highly probable that Geek Island received news of their departure as soon as they left the Eastern Domain Great Camp.
"Your Highness North King, if Geek Island is informed in advance and makes corresponding deployments, won't our attack be..."
Before Li Guangfa could finish, Xiao Yunlong waved him off, interrupting, "It's fine. I have my arrangements."
Li Guangfa could only nod, feeling a sense of helplessness. He understood that this matter was likely being instigated by the Grand Commander. In other words, eliminating Geek Island this time would not be easy, perhaps even extremely challenging.
Xiao Yunlong stood on a high platform, gazing at the vast, deep, and boundless sea before him. He then turned and entered the hotel.
Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, and other expert escorts followed closely. Li Guangfa beckoned, and with four of his trusted confidantes, also entered.
The hotel had been notified in advance, and dinner was soon prepared. Various dishes filled the tables. However, as they were embarking on a campaign, there was no alcohol, which was customary.
Xiao Yunlong sat at the head table, waved for everyone to quiet down, and then said, "Tonight, everyone eat well and rest well. Tomorrow morning, we march to Geek Island!"
"Yes!" the soldiers responded in unison, then began to eat heartily.
After dinner, Xiao Yunlong returned to his room to rest.
The night grew darker. There was no moon tonight, and even the scattered stars had vanished as dark clouds gradually gathered. It looked like it might rain in the latter half of the night.
Suddenly, two whistling sounds cut through the air from the trees surrounding the hotel. Two dark figures shot out from the treetops like arrows, streaking towards the sea.
"Immediately return to Geek Island and inform the major island lords that the fellow named Xiao is preparing to set sail tomorrow morning. I will remain here to monitor their actions. Hurry!" one of the black-clad figures spoke in a cold tone.
"Sir, this kind of matter only requires a phone call. Why is it necessary to..." the other black-clad figure asked in confusion.
"Shut up! You know nothing. Phone calls can be intercepted, easily leaving a trace. Don't you understand such basic common sense? Remember, unless it's absolutely necessary, do not use that dedicated line to contact them. Go quickly!" the black-clad captain barked.
The other man dared not hesitate any longer. He immediately jumped onto a speedboat docked at the edge of the cliff and quickly set out to sea from the side.
Xiao Yunlong stood on the balcony of his hotel room, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at the sea. It was unclear whether he had noticed the actions of the two black-clad figures.
Of course, even if he had noticed, Xiao Yunlong wouldn't have cared.
However, Li Guangfa was becoming increasingly restless. He paced back and forth in his room, and finally couldn't resist pushing open his door and quickly heading towards Zhuge Wushuang and Tu Fu's room.
"Commander Li San, what's wrong? You seem so anxious," Zhuge Wushuang asked from the living room.
Li Guangfa sighed, "Brother Zhuge, my position is not suitable for this. Could you perhaps go and persuade His Highness North King?"
"Persuade the master? For what reason?" Zhuge Wushuang inquired.
"You haven't been in the Eastern Domain Great Camp for long and don't understand the situation with Geek Island. I believe we should deploy tonight, preferably immediately, and attack Geek Island with lightning speed."
As Li Guangfa spoke, he shook his head. "In fact, I already suggested this to His Highness North King earlier, but he didn't agree!"
Frankly, Li Guangfa felt helpless and stifled. He had initially thought this exceptionally talented Zhenbei King was a peerless war god with brilliant military strategy, which was why he admired and respected him.
But now, Li Guangfa couldn't help but doubt his own faith.
Zhuge Wushuang, however, merely smiled slightly. "Commander Li San, don't worry. Since the master has arranged it this way, he naturally has his reasons. We should just obey."
Tu Fu, standing beside him, also said, "Exactly. We should just obey the master's orders and not overthink it!"
"But..." Li Guangfa still wanted to speak.
However, Zhuge Wushuang directly interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "Alright, we don't need to discuss this further. It's good that you're here. Tell us about the terrain of Geek Island so we can have a general understanding beforehand."
"Alright then..." Li Guangfa shook his head helplessly. "I have a terrain map in my room. I'll go get it!"
He got up and left, soon returning with a rolled-up map. The three then began to study it in the living room.
Time passed slowly. Around ten o'clock in the evening, the sound of car horns suddenly echoed outside the hotel. Military vehicles drove in, illuminating the entire hotel parking lot.
Following that, soldiers with agile movements jumped out of the vehicles, numbering around seventy to eighty. The commotion in the middle of the night was considerable.
"You all wait here. You are not to go anywhere without my command!"
An elder in his fifties or sixties, with graying hair, wearing a Zhongshan suit, alighted from the car. After issuing the order, he quickly entered the hotel, accompanied by four personal guards who were expert fighters.
"Excuse me, which room is Mr. Xiao Yunlong in?" the elder in the Zhongshan suit asked the front desk as he entered.
Perhaps intimidated by the man's authority and imposing presence, the receptionist dared not conceal the information and truthfully replied.
"Thank you!" the elder in the Zhongshan suit said, then proceeded directly to the elevator with his four guards.
Such a significant commotion naturally startled Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, and the others.
"What's going on?" Li Guangfa asked in surprise, looking up.
Tu Fu reacted the fastest, immediately getting up and rushing out.
However, as the three of them just stepped out of the room, they saw several people quickly heading towards Xiao Yunlong's room.
"Who are you people? Stop right there!" Tu Fu shouted coldly.
Li Guangfa's eyes widened instantly, and he exclaimed, "Second Commander... it's you?"
The elder in the Zhongshan suit turned back and smiled. "Commander Li Er, it's been a while."
It turned out that this elder in the Zhongshan suit was the Second Commander of the Eastern Domain Great Camp, Mao Guozhi!
"Commander Mao Er, why are you here?" Li Guangfa asked, very surprised.
"Naturally, it's about the matter of Geek Island. I've come to seek an audience with Mr. Xiao!" Mao Guozhi said with a smile.
Just then, the door suddenly opened, and a handsome young man with a square face and a buzz cut caught Mao Guozhi's eye. He froze instinctively.
"Since you've come to find me, come in!" Xiao Yunlong said, turning and walking into the hall.
Mao Guozhi then recovered and quickly walked in. He approached Xiao Yunlong, knelt on one knee, and cupped his hands in salute. "I am Mao Guozhi, the Second Commander of the Eastern Domain Great Camp. I pay my respects to His Highness Zhenbei King. I never imagined that His Highness North King would be even younger than I imagined!"
"Get up. What brings you here so late?" Xiao Yunlong said calmly, sitting on the sofa. Of course, he had a vague idea.
Mao Guozhi stood up and respectfully stood to the side. "I heard that Your Highness North King is leading troops to attack and eliminate Geek Island, so I decided to bring my team to assist!"
"Bringing your team to assist? I heard from people in the Eastern Domain Great Camp that you had already retired?" Xiao Yunlong asked subtly.
Mao Guozhi gave a wry smile and sighed. "My retirement was a matter of necessity. If I hadn't done so, I fear I would have been assassinated by Wang Kezheng long ago. Now that Your Highness North King is marching on Geek Island, as a commander of the Eastern Domain Great Camp, it is my duty. Geek Island has committed countless evils. Commander Li Er and I have long wanted to eliminate them!"
Li Guangfa nodded and said, "I can vouch for this. Commander Er and I are of the same mind. It was the two of us who strongly advocated for deploying troops to Geek Island back then!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "I naturally believe this. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to enter my room!"
Mao Guozhi was taken aback, his expression somewhat awkward. He didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Xiao Yunlong looked at him and asked, "How many troops did you bring this time?"
"Not many, seventy-eight in total, but they are all my trusted personal guards and experts!" Mao Guozhi replied.
"Good. With Commander Mao Er's assistance, our chances of eliminating Geek Island are even greater. You all go down first. We will depart tomorrow morning!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Li Guangfa quickly seized the opportunity to say, "Your Highness North King, I still believe we should act tonight!"
Mao Guozhi also added, "Indeed, Your Highness. Acting tonight, under the cover of darkness, would be more convenient for our operations."
"Go down!" Xiao Yunlong said sternly.
"Your Highness North King, what is wrong with you? Why are you unwilling to heed our advice on such an obvious matter? This seems inconsistent with your legendary reputation for brilliant military strategy!"
"How dare you, Commander Li San! Are you questioning my master?" Tu Fu immediately became displeased and stepped forward.
"Alright, since we are subordinates, we should obey North King's orders. Let's go out first," Mao Guozhi said, pulling Li Guangfa. They then withdrew helplessly.
Time ticked by. The night deepened, and in the blink of an eye, it was early morning.
Xiao Yunlong, who was sitting on the sofa, suddenly stood up. His eyes at this moment emitted a sharp gaze.
"It's time!"
Xiao Yunlong said, then his figure suddenly flashed. He instantly transformed into a black shadow and shot out from the balcony, disappearing without a trace.
In the quiet of the late night, the sound of waves lapping against the shore could be heard from a distance.
Suddenly, from the treetops beside the hotel, Xiao Yunlong silently appeared behind a black-clad figure.
"Hey, what are you doing sneaking around here in the middle of the night?" Xiao Yunlong chuckled softly.
The black-clad figure, who had been intently watching the hotel's movements, was startled by the sound and instinctively turned his head.
However, at this moment, with a "噗嗤" sound, Xiao Yunlong, holding a leaf, waved his hand, instantly severing his throat.
Then, Xiao Yunlong's figure flashed continuously. With lightning speed, he instantly dealt with the other four hidden sentries around the hotel.
"Five sentries. They really went to great lengths. But this time, I will uproot you all!"
Xiao Yunlong snorted. After confirming the absolute safety of the surroundings, he flashed back into the hotel room and immediately sent messages to Zhuge Wushuang, Li Guangfa, and the others.
Soon, Zhuge Wushuang, Tu Fu, Tang Bowen, Jun Bufan, and also Li Guangfa, Mao Guozhi, and Zhuge Ya Bie, arrived immediately after receiving the messages.
"Master, why have you summoned us so late? Is there something urgent?" Zhuge Wushuang asked.
Xiao Yunlong did not sit down this time. Instead, he stood in the hall with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes emitting a sharp light.
Seeing this, Zhuge Wushuang and Tu Fu became excited, as they knew that whenever their master displayed such an expression, it was time for action.
"The surrounding sentries have been eliminated. Mao Guozhi and Li Guangfa, receive your orders. You two will each lead five of your strongest subordinates, travel light, and proceed to Geek Island immediately!"
Xiao Yunlong said this and then looked at Tang Bowen and the others. "Tang Bowen, Jun Bufan, and also Pan Chaofeng, Zhuge Ya Bie, cooperate with the two commanders. Remember, your mission is to secretly infiltrate Geek Island, find the location of the hostages, and successfully remain hidden. Then, await my arrival on the island at dawn!"
"Yes!" Li Guangfa, Mao Guozhi, and the others cupped their hands in salute.
"Listen carefully. Before I land on the island, you must remain hidden and concealed. Do not act rashly. Everything awaits my arrival on the island. Your mission is to ensure the safety of the hostages. My principle is that not a single hostage must be harmed!"
"Please rest assured, Your Highness. We guarantee the mission will be completed!"
"Proceed!" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Everyone immediately turned and left. Li Guangfa took two steps, then stopped. "North King, I misunderstood you earlier. I thought you truly wouldn't act tonight. Now it seems I wasn't thorough enough. I apologize for my rashness earlier!"
"No need for apologies. If there are any mishaps with the hostages later, then you can come and apologize!" Xiao Yunlong said in a deep voice.
"Yes, I can guarantee to Your Highness that unless I am dead, I will not allow any casualties among the hostages!" Li Guangfa gave a heavy salute and then left.
After everyone had left and begun their actions, Tu Fu finally couldn't help but ask, "Master, why did you only send them to act? Why not let us participate as well?"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "I'm not letting you participate because you two have an even more important mission."
"A more important mission? What is it?" Tu Fu and Zhuge Wushuang's eyes lit up.
Xiao Yunlong slowly turned, looked through the window towards the direction of the Eastern Domain Great Camp, and sneered, "Earlier, at the Eastern Domain Great Camp, we were constantly under Wang Kezheng's surveillance, and we couldn't carry out our search operations smoothly. Now, isn't the opportunity here?"
The intelligent Zhuge Wushuang immediately reacted. "Does Master mean for us two to go and find the whereabouts of the Old Eastern King?"
"That's right. You two immediately head to Huguan City, primarily to the Royal Mansion. You must find the Old Eastern King's hiding place!" Xiao Yunlong issued the order.
"Yes!" The two cupped their hands and accepted the order, then turned and left.
It was only then that they truly understood. It turned out that when their master decided to deploy troops to Geek Island, he had already formulated a series of action plans.
In fact, marching to Geek Island was merely a facade. Their master's true intention was to take the opportunity to find the whereabouts of the Old Eastern King.
As Xiao Yunlong had said earlier, if Wang Kezheng, that venomous snake, wasn't provoked, he wouldn't reveal any clues or weaknesses.
However, shortly after Zhuge Wushuang and Tu Fu left, a gust of wind suddenly blew in from the balcony.
With a flash of two dark figures, two black-clad men suddenly appeared before Xiao Yunlong.