82: Chapter 82 The Hunt

The morning light pierced through the sea mist, spreading shimmering golden radiance across the vast, boundless ocean surface.

Jiang Hanzhou stood at the edge of the patrol ship's deck, one hand resting on the cold railing, his gaze calm as he looked into the distance.

Since departing from the Donghai Prefecture dock yesterday at dusk, this fast ship had maintained high speed, riding the wind and breaking the waves as it Advanced toward the deep sea region in the southeast.

Along the way, the sights he witnessed were enough to make even Jiang Hanzhou, with his Heart-Nature from two lifetimes, feel inwardly solemn.

This was the power of the Imperial Navy!

In just a day and night of sailing, they had encountered no fewer than twenty navy warships.

The large ones were like mobile fortresses with towering three-masted sails, their menacing rams at the bows glinting with cold iron light under the sun.

The small ones were like sharks hunting in the sea, with slender hulls and open gun ports on both sides, revealing dense arrays of crossbow cannons.

These warships patrolled and searched in strict Formations, divided by region and level.

Every thirty miles, one could see patrol squadrons consisting of three to five warships, and every hundred miles, larger warships served as regional nodes for command and coordination.

Signal flags fluttered, horns echoed, and the entire sea area seemed to be shrouded in an invisible net, where any movement could not escape surveillance.

What shocked Jiang Hanzhou even more was that along the way, they had passed by a massive ship flying the "Zhenhai" flag.

The ship was nearly fifty zhang long, its entire body pitch black as ink, the hull carved with intricate waves and dragon patterns, the halos of the Formation runes vaguely visible even in daylight.

Standing at the bow was a middle-aged general wearing purple-gold battle armor, his aura as deep and imposing as an abyss or a mountain; with just a glance from afar, the overwhelming aura of slaughter and majesty made all the soldiers on the fast ship hold their breath and lower their heads.

"It is the flagship of the Zhenhai Admiral!" a veteran nearby said in a low, awe-struck voice. "Even the Admiral himself has gone to sea... This pursuit must have mobilized the entire naval foundation of the Four Seas Prefecture!"

Another person chimed in, their voice filled with emotion and a hint of imperceptible fear: "More than that! I heard that the Admirals of the West Sea and North Sea Prefectures have also received orders and are leading elite forces to reinforce us! That demon from the Ten Thousand Gu Sect stole demon flesh and blood, killed Eldest Young Master Li, and severely injured the Head of the Li Family... This matter has already alarmed the Imperial Court, and it is said that big shots from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau are on their way!"

"Demons... Ten Thousand Gu Sect... which of these, once touched, isn't a heaven-shaking disaster? Now that they are together, heh, no wonder the higher-ups are fighting so hard."

The low conversations sporadically rang out on the deck, only to be suppressed by the officers' reprimands.

Jiang Hanzhou listened in silence, but the string in his heart grew tighter and tighter.

Two Admirals commanding, the elite of the Four Seas Prefecture Navy fully deployed, and even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau potentially alarmed...

This Formation had far exceeded the scope of pursuing a "fugitive."

This was a true war mobilization, the highest level of response to the potential spread of demon calamities and evil cult infiltration.

"This is what a Great Demon is..." Jiang Hanzhou looked at the distance where the sea and sky met, sighing inwardly. "He doesn't act unless necessary, but once he does, he turns the world upside down and stirs up the winds and clouds in all directions."

He couldn't help but recall the Ghost Ink Venerable's appearance of being a sage with dao bone, talking eloquently; he recalled his calm demeanor when lightly pointing out the "Gu" and "demon blood"; he recalled his ruthlessness and decisiveness in using the "filth-guiding talisman" as an excuse to obtain the essence of the demon flesh and blood, and finally, his shocking counterattack to kill and seize the treasure.

Laying plans for half a year, enduring without acting, and once launched, he caused the tragic death of the heir of the number one noble family in Donghai Prefecture, severely injured the Head of the Li Family, forced the Imperial Navy to deploy their entire fleet, and shook the entire Four Seas Prefecture.

Such scheming, such methods, such courage... he truly deserved the title of "Great Demon."

Deep within Jiang Hanzhou's eyes, a complex and inexplicable light flashed.

It was wariness, it was vigilance, but faintly, there was also a hint of... a palpitation he himself was unwilling to delve into.

Was it a yearning for power, for controlling one's own destiny, for stirring up the winds and clouds with the strength of one person?

He quickly suppressed this dangerous thought and turned his attention back to reality.

In any case, he must escape now.

Continuing to stay on the navy ship, he could be exposed at any time.

Once his identity was discovered, facing such a dragnet, even with a thousand methods, it would be hard to escape death.

Just as he was contemplating, the morning light had completely dispelled the sea mist.

The fast ship slowly decelerated and finally stopped in a relatively calm sea area.

"Everyone, assemble on deck!"

The Centurion's commanding shout rang out.

All the soldiers on the deck quickly lined up, and Jiang Hanzhou also stood at the end of the squad to which he was temporarily assigned.

The Centurion stood at the bow, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his voice resonant: "Everyone! We have arrived at the designated search area! According to the Admiral's military order, from this moment on, you will form teams of five, take the ship's fast boats, and disperse to search all islands, reef clusters, and suspicious ships within a fifty-mile radius!"

He paused, his tone suddenly intensifying: "Remember your mission—if you discover anything unusual, report it immediately! Do not engage in battle without authorization, and do not venture into dangerous areas! That demon, Ghost Ink Venerable, is extremely vicious and possesses treacherous Gu arts; even the Head of the Li Family fell for his tricks! If you encounter him, acting rashly will only lead to death! Do you understand?"

"Understood!" The soldiers responded in unison, but many already had looks of nervousness in their eyes.

Jiang Hanzhou's heart stirred.

The opportunity had arrived!

Teams of five, moving separately in small boats... this was the perfect opportunity for him to break away from the main force and fly far away!

Soon, the distribution began.

Jiang Hanzhou was assigned to a squad, totaling five people including him.

The captain was a veteran in his thirties with a sharp, capable face, surnamed Liu, with a cultivation of the Iron Bone Realm Late Stage, which was quite good among ordinary soldiers.

The other three were also in the Iron Bone Realm: two at the Middle Stage and one at the Early Stage.

"Come over here, collect your equipment, and familiarize yourselves with the operation of the small boats!" Captain Liu called out, leading the four to one side of the ship's railing.

Hanging there were several fast boats, about two zhang long, with a narrow, long shape, equipped with simple sails and double oars.

Jiang Hanzhou observed silently, committing the key points of operating the small boat to memory.

This was crucial for him to pilot the boat alone afterward.

Half an incense stick's time later, all squads were ready.

"Board the boats! Set off!"

With the Centurion's order, the fast boats were lowered into the sea one by one, and the five soldiers boarded them successively, raised the small sails, and rowed in different directions.

The small boat Jiang Hanzhou was in, under the command of Captain Liu, headed toward an area in the southeast marked with several deserted islands.

The sea breeze was not strong, but the small boat's speed was not slow, breaking through the azure seawater and leaving two gradually spreading wakes behind.

Captain Liu sat at the bow, holding a single-barrel brass telescope, occasionally raising it to observe the distant sea surface and the outlines of the islands.

The other three soldiers had two rowing and one on guard.

Jiang Hanzhou took the initiative to take an oar and rowed silently, but his gaze had already begun to unobtrusively survey the surrounding environment, calculating the distance, wind direction, and sea currents.

An hour later, several black dots appeared on the sea level ahead.

"We've arrived; ahead is the 'Scattered Rock Reef' area, and there are three small deserted islands marked on the map." Captain Liu lowered the telescope and pointed ahead. "Let's check the nearest one first."

The small boat adjusted its direction and headed toward one of the islands.

The island was not large, estimated to be no more than two or three miles in circumference, with jagged, strange rocks and sparse vegetation, appearing exceptionally desolate against the backdrop of the blue sea and sky.

When they were about a mile away from the island, Captain Liu raised the telescope again to carefully check the situation on the island's shore.

A moment later, he lowered the telescope and shook his head: "There are no traces of ship mooring on the shore, and no people are visible. It is unlikely that anyone is hiding on such a deserted island. Let's go, to the next one—"

Before he could finish his sentence!

A sudden change occurred!

Jiang Hanzhou, who had been rowing in silence, moved without warning!