513: Chapter 513 Saying Hello

When the people across the land heard that the Zhenbei Army was heading along the coastline to Dan Province to attack the most powerful Ghost Shark, the tide of public opinion shifted dramatically once again.

Previously, it was thought that as this war of words continued, the Zhenbei Army would sooner or later engage in a major battle with the Eastern Sea Army.

But to everyone's surprise, the Zhenbei Army bypassed the four eastern provinces entirely, choosing instead to uproot the entrenched Wokou pirates from the sea!

What did this signify? It showed that the Prince of Zhenbei had no designs on the eastern territory at all; he had been targeting the Wokou pirates from the very beginning!

If his goal was truly to attack the eastern territory, why would he build so many warships?

The Prince of Zhenbei was being proactive, having long cared for the common people of the Great Gan along the southeastern coast!

This is what true righteousness looks like! This is what it means to serve the country and the people!

In an instant, the citizens who had previously harbored doubts about the Zhenbei Army began to cheer for them one after another.

What? The Zhenbei Army has no experience in naval warfare? So what!

Regardless of whether they can ultimately eliminate the Ghost Shark, the Prince of Zhenbei spent real gold and silver to build warships and paid out of his own pocket to travel all this way to help the people of the eastern territory suppress the pirates. Isn't that enough?

If anyone dared to speak ill of the Zhenbei Army or question the Prince of Zhenbei's intentions now, they would naturally become a target of public criticism, despised by all!

Prince Zhaos Mansion.

When Prince of Donghai learned of this news, his expression was a complex mix of emotions.

He could understand if Lin Xiao was merely using the Wokou pirates to disturb the hearts of the people in the eastern territory.

But with over thirty warships putting out to sea to attack the pirates from such a distance, what on earth was he after!?

As the Prince of East Sea, Prince of Donghai knew full well how much silver it cost daily to maintain over three thousand men at sea—it was several times the cost of a land march!

Moreover, the warships had set out from the waters of Qizhou; it would take at least a month to reach Dan Province!

Even if they arrived smoothly after a month, would the pirates just be waiting there for them to kill?

The pirates would likely have gathered ten or twenty thousand men, waiting for them to jump into a fire pit!

"This matter is suspicious. Lin Xiao's move is definitely not for the sake of eliminating the Ghost Shark; it is likely a plan to mislead us."

Prince of Donghai ordered, "Feng Yue, quickly have all the Qinhuai Pavilion secret agents go and find Lin Xiao's whereabouts."

"I want to know, while Zhao Caiwei is off to attack the Ghost Shark, is Lin Xiao in the army? If not, where is he himself!"

As long as he could clarify Lin Xiao's whereabouts, he could most likely deduce Lin Xiao's true intentions.

Feng Yue frowned and said, "Your Highness, the Prince of Zhenbei's martial arts are extremely high and his movements are elusive. It is very difficult to get close..."

"That is your problem!! Even if more people die, you must investigate!!"

Prince of Donghai's emotions were somewhat out of control because Lin Xiao's actions were so bizarre that they made him feel an inexplicable unease.

Feng Yue's face turned pale, and she didn't dare to say more, hurriedly excusing herself.

Meanwhile.

On the vast sea, over thirty warships and two supply ships were heading south, braving the wind and waves.

"General Zhao, these ships are really fast. I didn't expect our Zhenbei Army to have such magnificent warships!"

"It's a pity the old General Zhao is getting on in years. Back then, when he led us to kill pirates on the sea, that was truly exhilarating!"

Several old subordinates of the Cold Iron Guard stood at the bow with Zhao Caiwei, feeling the sea breeze and in a very good mood.

In fact, the Yan Army had a navy early on because there were also some Wokou and pirates along the coast.

But later, as the Khitan rose to power, the northern border became too busy to handle, and the navy essentially fell into ruin.

Now, the men of the Cold Iron Guard were returning to their old trade, boarding ships and heading out to sea again, and they truly cherished such an opportunity.

Crucially, the warships built by Chief Clerk Xu Zheng were made with solid materials, featured a modern design, and were massive in size—far more impressive than the old Yan Army sea vessels.

"Chief Clerk Xu Zheng once built ships for Prince Bai; he is highly experienced. Building these ships was nothing to him."

Zhao Caiwei also hadn't expected that she would have the chance to reorganize the navy in her lifetime.

Only an open-minded husband like Lin Xiao would entrust so many precious warships to a woman like her to command.

"So he built ships for the White Kings Army before. Haha, then Chief Clerk Xu Zheng has also abandoned the darkness for the light!"

"The key is that the Prince of Zhenbei has a keen eye for people and can discover talent!"

The group of generals offered their praise one after another; they were very impressed that Lin Xiao could recognize their talent for naval warfare.

"By the way, General Zhao, why did the Prince of Zhenbei announce in advance that we would be attacking the Ghost Shark Army on Centipede Island?"

"Isn't that the same as notifying them beforehand so they can take precautions?"

A bold subordinate asked the question that was on many people's minds.

Zhao Caiwei gave a faint smile. "The Prince of Zhenbei naturally has his plans. We only need to arrive at the Dan Province waters on time and await military orders."

The several naval officers looked at each other, but out of their trust and admiration for Lin Xiao, they didn't ask any further.

While most people's attention was on this expeditionary navy at sea...

Under the cover of night, thirty miles south of Donghai City, at Tianyin Mountain.

The Buddhist Sect, Scripture Pavilion.

Before a large golden Buddha statue, the Sweeping Monk was carefully wiping the altar table in front of the offerings.

Behind him, a man walked in, stood before the Buddha statue, pressed his palms together, and bowed.

The Sweeping Monk's eyelids twitched slightly as he slowly turned around, a smile appearing on his face. "Does the Prince of Zhenbei also believe in Buddha?"

The newcomer was none other than Lin Xiao, who had "disappeared" for many days.

"I only respect my ancestors; I do not believe in gods or Buddhas," Lin Xiao said bluntly.

"Then why did Your Highness bow?" the Sweeping Monk asked curiously.

"This is a Buddhist place. Since I intend to kill someone within these grounds, I naturally have to say hello to the owner."

Lin Xiao spoke as if it were only natural.

"Does Your Highness wish to kill this poor monk?" the Sweeping Monk asked calmly.

Lin Xiao shook his head. "At first, I suspected you were the problem. After all, the people from Yanyu Pavilion said that someone had mastered the Indestructible Golden Body and was committing evils for Prince of Donghai."

"Aside from you, a Great Grandmaster, I couldn't think of anyone else for a moment."

"But after these few days of observation, the one who is truly the problem is your disciple, the Abbot of the Buddhist Sect, Ruoshui."

"And as his master, you should have known long ago. Why did you allow him to practice evil techniques and aid a tyrant?"

The Sweeping Monk sighed. "As the Buddhist teachings say, 'Sentient and non-sentient beings alike shall achieve the Perfect Wisdom.' Evil is still one of the many forms of life; it should be treated with respect, not hatred."

"When I discovered that Ruoshui was using women as Cauldrons, absorbing their Yin Essence to supplement his Yang to forcefully practice the 'Indestructible Golden Body,' I did not see him committing any murders."

"He has been lonely since childhood; I raised him with my own hands, and he is well-versed in the Buddhist dharma, respected by all in the sect."

"I was momentarily muddled and could not bear to destroy him myself, only hoping he would find his way back from the wrong path... I did not expect it would lead to today's bitter fruit."

Hearing this, Lin Xiao couldn't help but laugh mockingly. "So the great Sweeping Monk of the Buddhist Sect is just a muddled old fool?"

"Just because your heart softened, and because evil people inevitably exist in the world, you just ignored it and let him commit his crimes?"

"I have already found that those devastated women have turned into skeletons, buried deep in the canyon of your Tianyin Mountain."

"Do they naturally owe you Bald donkeys anything? Have you asked their parents!? Did they agree!?"

"How do you have the face to say such shameless words in front of me!?"