Chapter 12: The Uprising of Serpents and Insects

“Island Master Ma, what an honor to have you grace us with your presence! Forgive us for not coming out to greet you sooner!”

The sea stretched out endlessly, making it easy for those on Blackstone Island to spot Ma Buti’s flagship from afar and promptly notify Shi Yanwu and Lu Hai. Now, as Ma Buti’s vessel approached, Shi Yanwu, his face dark and honest, wore a broad grin as he spoke. At the same time, he hurriedly ordered his men to clear the channel so the ship could dock smoothly.

Blackstone Island was surrounded by jagged reefs; constructing the dock back in the day had been no small feat. But this also made its defense much simpler. Not only were several heavy iron chains sunk across the waters before the wharf, but a number of arrow towers stood atop the surrounding rocks. For any ship trying to force its way into Blackstone Island, the task would be nearly impossible.

Yet the island itself spanned almost twenty miles; to completely bar anyone from landing was out of the question. Especially for martial masters—should they find even the smallest foothold, they could cross water as if walking on solid ground. In other words, as long as a martial master could approach the island, they could hurl driftwood or use other methods to make landfall. Whether they landed at the dock was largely irrelevant.

As a grandmaster, Ma Buti was far stronger than ordinary martial masters, outclassing even many of his peers. Shi Yanwu and Lu Hai, well aware of his capabilities, never considered relying on the dock’s defenses to hold him back, even though they were thorough in their arrangements. Of course, to demonstrate both their own sincerity and strength, they had set every precaution in place, only dismantling them as Ma Buti’s flagship arrived.

“Island Master Shi, Doctor Lu, you two certainly are in high spirits—making me come all this way myself!”

No sooner had the ship docked than Ma Buti, who had remained within the cabin, appeared at the bow. He looked at Shi Yanwu and Lu Hai with a cold indifference, his tone tinged with impatience.

Ma Buti, true to his name, was a man of somewhat rakish temperament, though his looks were far from dashing—if anything, he bordered on rough-hewn. Yet to have cultivated himself to the level of grandmaster, his physique had been refined to its peak, making him exceptionally robust.

Moreover, as a master of martial arts long accustomed to power, he exuded a formidable aura that inspired awe and dread. At the very least, among the crowd, Lu Sheng noticed his presence first and foremost, only registering his appearance afterward.

“Ruyi, begin recording his movements.”

The moment Ma Buti appeared at the bow, Lu Sheng realized that, despite his own considerable mental strength, it would be difficult to memorize Ma Buti’s movements. Thus, as Ma Buti stood on the bow, Lu Sheng silently commanded Ruyi in his mind to record the man’s actions for later analysis.

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“Not at all! May I ask, Island Master Ma, what brings you to Blackstone Island today?”

Shi Yanwu, hearing the faint edge in Ma Buti’s words, gave a hearty laugh and quickly inquired about his purpose. Though Blackstone Island boasted two martial masters and could not be trifled with like some minor outpost, it would be unwise to offend Longmulberry Island over a trivial matter—after all, the bulk of Blackstone Island’s grain and vegetables depended on trade with them.

“Why I’m here? Island Master Shi, surely you know. Tell me, the martial master named Wan on your island—do you know where he comes from?” Ma Buti barked.

Yesterday, upon hearing rumors of a new martial master named Wan arriving at Blackstone Island, Ma Buti immediately recalled the one who’d escaped after being wounded by him over a month ago. Still fuming, he ordered his men to ready a ship, and arrived at Blackstone Island by dawn.

“Martial Master Wan? Where does he come from?”

Shi Yanwu was briefly taken aback, never dreaming that Ma Buti had come in person over Wan Gu Xiao. He hesitated, somewhat on edge, and replied, “I heard he’s a disciple of the Yuan Gu Sect under the Thousand Poisons School in Yue Prefecture. Perhaps there’s some grudge with you, Island Master Ma?”

If there truly was bad blood between the two, then by the code of the martial world, to aid one side knowingly was to make an enemy of the other. Thus, as soon as he realized Ma Buti was searching for Wan Gu Xiao, Shi Yanwu voiced the question.

“A grudge? There certainly is!” Confirming that Wan Gu Xiao was indeed hiding here, Ma Buti sneered, “That wretch infiltrated the City Lord’s manor and stole our entire store of longmulberry berries accumulated over the years. You tell me—is that not a reason for enmity?”

“The longmulberry berries—from those special trees?” Shi Yanwu exclaimed. Owing to a past incident where dragon blood had bathed the land, several mulberry trees on Longmulberry Island had undergone a mutation. Their leaves were of superior quality, and the berries they bore were considered spiritual medicine.

These berries not only replenished blood and vital energy, but could even stimulate special bloodlines, making them highly prized by certain martial cultivators. The very founding of Longmulberry City had been to protect these unique trees. Even though the dragon’s aura had faded, the berries remained precious—no wonder Ma Buti had come in force to Blackstone Island in pursuit.

“Of course, those very trees. Why else would I bother? Speak—where is that Wan fellow? If you let him escape, Blackstone Island will pay the price!” Ma Buti snapped.

Unwilling to get involved in their feud, Shi Yanwu nonetheless hesitated, recalling how Wan Gu Xiao had helped clear out snakes and insects lately. He glanced at Lu Hai and saw him nodding urgently, a look of impatience in his eyes. Seeing Ma Buti growing visibly more irritable, Shi Yanwu at last decided:

“He’s in the guest quarters of the fortress. Please follow me, Island Master!”

With a flash of movement, he sped away.

A flicker of disdain and satisfaction passed through Ma Buti’s eyes as he strode after Shi Yanwu. Both moved with such speed that they disappeared from sight in an instant.

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Meanwhile, Lu Hai remained at the dock, gathering his inner power and shouting:

“Quick! Sound the gong and raise the alarm! Everyone, return at once—spread the snake-repellent powder I prepared around the fortress, put up the anti-snake nets, arm yourselves, and prepare to kill or capture snakes!”

Though surprised, those gathered at the dock obeyed Lu Hai’s orders without hesitation. Some banged gongs and drums, others rushed to the storerooms and training grounds, retrieving snake-repellent, nets, weapons, and other supplies. Following their usual drills, they took up defensive positions around Blackstone Fortress.

“All warriors and fighters, hold your ground! Don’t let any snakes or insects breach the fortress!” Lu Hai continued, assigning tasks to everyone.

“Sheng, go home and look after the family. Prepare the healing salves with your senior brothers—we’ll need them for the wounded!”

He hadn’t forgotten Lu Sheng, and gave him these instructions before adding with a sigh:

“I thought that by offering us compensation, that Wan fellow meant to keep peace with Blackstone Island. But his real aim was to lower our guard, then use his Gu-whistle to awaken the hibernating snakes and insects. Both I and your Uncle Yanwu have been duped!”

The day he’d heard the Gu-whistle, Lu Hai had checked with Shi Yanwu about it. Wan Gu Xiao had offered to help clear out snakes and insects, persuading Shi Yanwu to bring him to the snake pit. At the time, Lu Hai had been preoccupied with Lu Sheng’s inheritance and hadn’t thought much of it. Now it was clear—Wan Gu Xiao hadn’t come to clear snakes, but to rouse them from hibernation!

Lu Sheng didn’t fully grasp what was going on, but he could sense the looming crisis. Upon receiving Lu Hai’s orders, he didn’t hesitate for a moment, racing home at full speed.

“Haha! Brats of Blackstone Fortress, thanks for your hospitality these past days! Let these snakes and insects properly repay you!”

He hadn’t gotten far, still short of home, when Lu Sheng heard this voice. As it faded, a piercing chorus filled the air—hissing, whistling, and shrill cries, growing steadily louder.

Gradually, the sounds multiplied all around him—hissing, slithering, crawling—a tide of snakes and insects converging!

“Wan Gu Xiao… the Gu-whistle… this is a snake and insect uprising!”

Hearing these sounds, Lu Sheng suddenly recalled the Gu-whistle he’d heard in the secret passage days earlier, his face shifting through a spectrum of emotions. When Lu Hai had mentioned a “snake and insect uprising,” Lu Sheng had thought it far-fetched. He never dreamed that, only days later, he would experience the crisis firsthand!