sinovels 66. The fisherman reaps the benefits.
66. The fisherman reaps the benefits.
On the unloading plaza of Jiangzhou Wharf.
Corpses lay strewn across the field, blood flowed in streams, broken weapons and flags were scattered among them, and the heavy stench of blood in the air attracted crows that had begun to circle low overhead, emitting irritating cawing.
The remaining thirty or so members of the Golden Dragon Gang and the Raging Wave Gang faced each other across the pile of corpses. They were all wounded, their clothes tattered, their faces smeared with blood, sweat, and extreme exhaustion. The initial madness in their eyes had faded, leaving only the bewilderment of survivors and a deep-seated fear. Their leaders, Shen Jiao and Han Che, were both severely poisoned and supported by two trusted men; Shen Jiao's face was ashen, and he was breathing rapidly. Han Che had been pierced through the chest; although he had received simple bandages, blood continued to seep out, his face was deathly pale, and he was barely breathing. They could barely stand, let alone command.
A brief, eerie silence enveloped the dock, broken only by the sobbing of the river and the cawing of crows.
Just then, a series of neat and steady footsteps approached from afar, clearly reaching this desolate place.
Everyone, whether survivors of the Golden Dragon Gang or the Raging Waves Gang, instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
At the entrance to the dock, a group of about fifty men was approaching unhurriedly in formation. These men were all dressed in dark blue, close-fitting uniforms, with standard-issue long swords at their waists. Their steps were synchronized, their movements efficient, and their eyes sharp and calm, forming a stark contrast to the defeated and remnants of the enemy forces present. They exuded an aura of disciplined killing intent, clearly not a rabble.
The leader, dressed in a long black robe, was tall and upright with a calm expression; it was Lin Xuan. He walked slowly at the front of the group, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the corpses scattered on the ground and the remaining members of both sides' gangs. His eyes showed no emotion, as if this tragic scene before him was something he had expected.
Beside him stood two trusted confidants, one with his hand on his knife and the other with his hands behind his back, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
The sudden appearance of this new force instantly heightened tensions between the remaining forces on both sides who had been locked in a standoff. They exchanged glances, both seeing surprise and unease in each other's eyes.
"Who are you?" A less seriously injured leader of the Golden Flood Dragon Gang stepped forward, shouting with a fierce but weak voice, "This is the Golden Flood Dragon Gang and the Raging Waves Gang settling their personal grudge. All bystanders, get out of the way!"
Lin Xuan ignored him, his gaze falling on Shen Jiao, who was being helped up, and Han Che, who was lying on the ground, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.
"Chief Shen, Chief Han, how have you been?" His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.
Shen Jiao forced his head up, his cloudy eyes meeting Lin Xuan's. He didn't recognize the young man, but the man possessed an extraordinary bearing and commanded elite troops; he was no ordinary person. A strong sense of foreboding rose within him. "You...who are you?"
Han Che also turned his head with difficulty to look at Lin Xuan, and asked breathlessly, "Who are you, sir? What brings you here?"
Lin Xuan smiled slightly, his steps unwavering, continuing forward until he was less than ten feet away from the remnants of both sides. His fifty men behind him also stopped, their movements perfectly synchronized, silently demonstrating their discipline and strength.
"Who I am is not important," Lin Xuan said calmly. "What is important is that from this moment on, I have taken over the Jiangzhou Wharf."
These words immediately caused a stir among the remaining members of both groups.
"Arrogant!"
"On what grounds?"
"Where did this brat come from, daring to spout such nonsense!"
Scattered shouts of anger rang out, but most of them were weak-willed bluster. They had just gone through a fierce battle that had exhausted their strength, and were now at their last gasp. Facing this well-rested and clearly formidable team, they were filled with deep fear.
Lin Xuan ignored the noise, his gaze remaining calm as he looked at Shen Jiao and Han Che. "My two leaders, your elite forces have all perished here, and you yourselves are critically injured. Continuing to struggle will only lead to your deaths. If you are willing to surrender, I can guarantee your lives, and your brothers will also have a chance to live."
"Submit? Dream on!" Shen Jiao coughed up a mouthful of black blood, glaring at Lin Xuan. "I, Shen Jiao, have dominated Jiangzhou for over a decade. How could I possibly bow down to an unknown junior like you!"
Han Che gave a bitter laugh: "Even a tiger fallen into the plains has no place for dogs to bully it! My Raging Waves Gang... has no cowards!"
"That's courageous." Lin Xuan nodded, seemingly unsurprised. "Since that's the case..."
Before he could finish speaking, his trusted lieutenant, who had his hand on a knife, suddenly stepped forward and shouted sharply, "Stubborn fool! Kill!"
"Kill!" Fifty men in dark blue robes roared in unison, their voices shaking the surrounding area. A chilling killing intent instantly spread out, completely crushing the scattered resistance.
Instead of rushing forward, they quickly deployed into formation, with the front row wielding swords and shields, and the rear row holding powerful crossbows. The cold crossbow bolts gleamed in the sunlight, aimed at the wounded and panicked remnants of the two gangs in the field.
Seeing the menacing crossbow bolts and feeling the overwhelming momentum and disciplined formation of the enemy, the last vestiges of courage in the remaining members of the Golden Dragon Gang and the Raging Wave Gang vanished. They looked at each other, their hands gripping their weapons trembling, and many instinctively retreated.
"We... are willing to surrender!" Someone shouted first, like the first domino falling.
"We are willing to surrender!"
"Don't fire! We surrender!"
……
Cries for mercy rose and fell, and the twenty-odd people who were still standing dropped their weapons and knelt down with a thud. Even the two confidants who were supporting Shen Jiao exchanged a glance, then helplessly let go, silently retreated to the side, and lowered their heads.
Shen Jiao lost his support, staggered, and almost fell. Looking at the scene before him, he trembled with anger and spat out another mouthful of black blood. He pointed at Lin Xuan, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word. His eyes were filled with resentment and despair. Finally, his head lolled to the side and he fainted.
Seeing that all was lost, Han Che closed his eyes, let out a long sigh, and looked ashen-faced.
Without bloodshed.
Lin Xuan looked at the surrendered soldiers kneeling all over the ground, the unconscious Shen Jiao, and Han Che who was waiting for death with his eyes closed, his face still expressionless. He waved his hand.
Several teams immediately split off from the ranks behind them and quickly began clearing the scene. One team collected the weapons scattered on the ground and gathered the surrendered gang members under their care; another team went forward to check on Shen Jiao and Han Che's injuries, providing necessary treatment and detaining them; and yet another team began to clean up the corpses and sweep the battlefield.
The entire process was efficient, orderly, and without any chaos.
Lin Xuan stood still, hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the blood-soaked square to the shimmering river and the various boats moored at the dock. The river breeze ruffled his clothes, carrying a strong stench of blood, but his eyes grew ever more profound and serene.
After days of planning and adding fuel to the fire, the moment of harvest has finally arrived. This crucial hub of the Jiangzhou canal transport is now entirely under his control. All of this is merely the first step on his path to finding a way to break the seal and exact revenge on the mastermind behind it all—an important springboard and source of resources.
"After the cleanup is complete, take full control of all docks, warehouses, and ships. Post notices to reassure the public, announcing that the docks are under our temporary control, the original order will remain unchanged, and normal passage for merchants and travelers will be guaranteed," Lin Xuan instructed his trusted confidant, his voice steady.
"Yes, my lord!" The confidant bowed and accepted the order, then immediately turned to make arrangements.
Lin Xuan nodded slightly, no longer looking at the land that had just experienced a change of power. He turned around and led his remaining subordinates toward the "Golden Scale" ship, which originally belonged to the Golden Dragon Gang's headquarters.
The sunlight cast a long shadow over the still-dry bloodstains.