The Crown Princess is busy fishing

The two figures clashed, and instantly they were locked in combat.

The two sides exchanged blows and fought for a while.

Suddenly, Xiao Yunqing spotted an opening and his longsword accelerated abruptly.

Like a nimble snake, it bypassed the ghost-headed knife's defense and stabbed straight at Old Hu's abdomen.

Old Hu was unable to dodge in time and was stabbed by the long sword, causing him to bleed profusely.

His body swayed a few times, and he was too weak to fight anymore.

He clutched his wound, panting heavily.

He said fiercely:

"Xiao Yunqing, don't be so smug. Even if I fall here today, my brothers will not let you off the hook."

Xiao Yunqing frowned slightly, knowing full well the pirates' cruelty and vengefulness.

But at this moment, he showed no fear and declared loudly:

"Then I will wipe out this rabble and restore peace to the seas."

"Is that so? We'll talk about it when you find the person!" Old Hu's face twisted in disgust.

He let out a burst of wild laughter, which sounded particularly eerie in the sea breeze.

Xiao Yunqing stared coldly at Lao Hu.

"Are you referring to the beach where you secretly hoarded government salt?"

Old Hu's maniacal laughter froze on his face instantly.

His face turned deathly pale, and his eyes were filled with terror and disbelief.

"How...how could you possibly know?" His voice trembled involuntarily.

At this time, soldiers from all sides came one after another to report on the battle situation in various parts of the island.

Left-wing general Wu Qi was the first to step forward.

He clasped his hands and said, "My lord, our department has successfully cleared the eastern part of the island."

Most of the remaining pirates were killed or wounded; the rest surrendered.

Xiao Yunqing nodded slightly.

Right Wing General Zhao Ming also walked over excitedly.

He announced loudly, "The pirate den on the west side of the island has been destroyed. All the supplies have been seized, and the brothers are in high spirits!"

Immediately afterwards, Sun Yue, who was in charge of rear support, said:

"General, we have laid an ambush at the key passage on the south side of the island. We have cut off the pirates' retreat, and their remaining forces are now trapped like turtles in a jar."

The good news from everyone brought a look of satisfaction to Xiao Yunqing's face.

Finally, Mo Nan rushed over, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Your Highness, Vice General Geng and I successfully intercepted several large ships loaded with official salt and treasures on that beach."

Those people were about to move their valuables when we caught them off guard.

Furthermore, they captured several pirate leaders, who revealed Lao Hu's entire plan for this sea area and the location of his hidden treasure.

Upon hearing this, Lao Hu was struck dumb and collapsed to the ground.

He never imagined that everything he had painstakingly built would turn out this way.

And their supposedly well-hidden escape route was so easily cut off.

Xiao Yunqing looked at the distraught Lao Hu, her face ashen.

The order was given: "Bring all the pirates back to the ship and await further instructions."

All supplies must be thoroughly inventoried, compiled into a list, and submitted to the imperial court.

"By the way! Among the leaders we captured, was there one named Brother Dao?" Xiao Yunqing suddenly asked, as if remembering something.

The others exchanged bewildered glances, wondering why he had specifically brought up this person.

But I immediately went back to check carefully.

A moment later, everyone shook their heads, saying that there was no such person.

Xiao Yunqing's face darkened, and he felt a vague unease in his heart.

This guy, Dao Ge, holds a high position among the pirates and is cunning, ruthless, and vicious.

If it escapes, it will surely become a major threat in the future.

Seeing this, Old Hu's lips curled into a mocking smile, and he said:

"I knew it! Brother Dao is the most cunning person, how could he be caught so easily?"

Perhaps he had foreseen this day and had prepared a hiding place in advance.

We'll come out and regroup once you leave.

Xiao Yunqing glanced coldly at Lao Hu, ignoring his provocation.

He thought to himself, Brother Dao has been operating in this sea area for many years.

There must be many hidden hiding places and escape routes.

Suddenly, he thought of something, and his expression changed instantly.

He immediately gave the order:

"Mo Nan, you stay here to clean up the mess."

Continue to intensify the search on the island, and order the soldiers not to overlook any suspicious corners or caves.

In addition, warships were arranged to conduct close patrols in the surrounding waters.

Meanwhile, they sent men to interrogate other pirate leaders and prisoners.

We must extract any clues about Brother Dao's whereabouts from them, even the slightest hint.

After saying that, he led the remaining men to board the ship and leave in a hurry.

However, the missing Brother Dao was leading his confidants in a boat speeding through the fog, heading straight for the entrance to the reef formation.

The confidants' faces were full of smugness.

One of them said obsequiously:

"Brother is truly wise; Boss Hu still dared to try to fight against the government troops."

Fortunately, you anticipated this outcome and made plans in advance, avoiding making a foolish mistake like them.

Another confidant quickly echoed his sentiments.

"Yes, brother, Boss Hu didn't listen to your advice, and now look what happened, he's been wiped out by the soldiers."

"Once we leave, the world will be vast and open. As long as we weather this storm, the seas will once again be our domain."

Dao Ge wore a disdainful sneer on his face.

"Old Hu is a fool. Knowing he was no match for them, he didn't even bother to run away."

He insisted on going against the tide, needlessly ruining his own and his brothers' futures.

I'm not going to die with him. We'll make a comeback once we get to a safe place.

"From now on, I won't have to put up with his humiliation anymore. This territory at sea will be divided according to my rules."

After saying that, a ruthless and ambitious glint flashed in his eyes.

They urged the boat to speed up and get into the reef area as soon as possible.

And at the entrance to the reef formation.

The ship Lin Yuge was on, along with the two warships responsible for protecting her, were quietly waiting.

The soldiers who were left behind clearly showed dissatisfaction and complaints on their faces.

"We came here with the intention of fighting bravely on the battlefield and making great achievements."

"Now all I can do is stay here on the ship, protecting a woman. What kind of life is this!"

A hot-blooded young soldier couldn't help but complain.

The veteran next to him frowned and scolded:

"Stop talking nonsense! Military orders are absolute. Since the general has given the order, we must carry it out."

However, there was also a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

Lin Yuge stood at the bow of the boat, listening to the soldiers' words, a complex emotion rising in her heart.

She knew these soldiers longed for battle, but her presence seemed to be a hindrance to them.

Gazing at the distant horizon, I wondered to myself whether I should really stay here any longer.

Just then, she suddenly heard an unusual sound of rushing water.

The sound seemed particularly abrupt on the tranquil sea.

Her heart tightened, and she immediately signaled for everyone to be quiet.

He said warily, "Something's up!"

Some soldiers excitedly speculated:

"Have the adults returned?"

Lin Yuge shook her head slightly, her eyes serious.

"No, there are only three ships, and their speed and trajectory are extremely strange, unlike warships."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became alert, and the previously relaxed atmosphere vanished.

The soldiers quickly gripped their weapons, ready for battle.

The three suspicious ships gradually emerged from the fog.

Those ships were old and dilapidated, and their sailing posture was somewhat hurried, so they were clearly not our own warships.

Lin Yuge had a vague sense of foreboding.

The sudden appearance of three suspicious ships in this demonic realm is no coincidence.

Until they saw Brother Dao and the others standing on the boat.

Her expression changed.

He immediately shouted, "Pirates!"