Black Bear Island was an essential stop on the trade route between Qingzhou City and the dozens of small nations in the South Sea.
Nearly all passing ships chose the Black Bear Island route, but not because it was the fastest way to reach Qingzhou City and enter the Great Yuan Territory.
Nor was it because it made travel with the small maritime nations more convenient.
It was because the waters beyond Black Bear Island were often prowled by powerful Sea Demons—an area that even pirates dared not venture into lightly.
For this reason, Black Bear Island was garrisoned by two thousand soldiers year-round. The Court placed great importance on the development and security of this sea region, and anyone who could successfully defend it would be promoted within a few years.
Liu Ziyun's rise from a Captain to the Governor of the Qingzhou Governor's Mansion within a dozen years was also related to his time defending Black Bear Island.
Here, danger and opportunity coexisted.
