The night upon the vast sea was boundless and tranquil. But beneath that tranquility, a grand, incredibly complex, and lethal game of chess had quietly been laid out. Three chess pieces, guided by an invisible hand, simultaneously moved toward their predetermined prey: Black Water Island.
The First Move: Sowing the Seeds of Suspicion.
Roughly fifty miles north of Black Water Island, five dark figures glided across the water's surface like phantoms in small skiffs, producing not a single sound. Leading them was an elite captain of the Sea Dragon Guards. He and his four subordinates had received the first mission on this chessboard.
They did not approach Black Water Island directly. Their target was a small rocky reef where Black Water Island's patrols frequently stopped to rest.
"Move!" the captain signaled.
The five men immediately scattered. They laid no traps, nor did they kill anyone. They merely silently left behind traces. A few arrows engraved with the silver centipede of the Black Dragon Stronghold were "accidentally" embedded into a tree trunk. Chaotic footprints were forged in the sand, mimicking a minor skirmish that had just taken place.
And most importantly, the corpse of a nameless pirate, disguised as a member of Black Water Island, was left behind—slain by a technique bearing the distinct signature of the Myriad Snake Cave.
A flawless theatrical play. A psychological snare deployed with unparalleled subtlety. The stratagem of "Creating something out of nothing" had been executed perfectly.
Having completed all of this, the five black shadows showed no reluctance. They silently blended back into the night, vanishing without a trace.
The Second Move: Empty Posturing.
Meanwhile, in the eastern waters hundreds of miles away from Black Water Island, an entirely different scene was unfolding. Over fifteen warships of Flood Dragon Island, commanded by Barbarian Bull and another Vice Island Master, were beating drums and sounding gongs. Banners blotted out the sky, projecting an incredibly majestic momentum. They made absolutely no effort to conceal their tracks; instead, they brazenly attacked a small island serving as the lair of a third-rate pirate crew named the "Iron Hook Gang."
The assault was exceptionally fierce, yet somewhat bizarre. The Sea Dragon Guards merely besieged without attacking. They utilized crossbows and cannons from afar, producing heaven-shaking explosions, but never ordered their troops to disembark. They acted like a tiger toying with a rabbit; their goal was not to kill, but to draw the maximum possible attention.
News that the "New King of Flood Dragon Island" was leading a grand army on an eastern conquest quickly spread through the eyes and ears of other factions. The play of "Making a feint to the east while attacking in the west" had achieved absolute success.
The Third Move: The Waiting Net.
And while these two plays were unfolding, in the treacherous waters southwest of Black Water Island, a small fleet of ten black ships had silently glided into a narrow, gloomy strait.
This was the Fangs of the Sea Beast. Flanking them were pitch-black, jagged cliffs resembling the fangs of a colossal leviathan. The currents here were rapid and chaotic, concealing countless hidden whirlpools. This was Black Water Island's secret shipping route, but also a natural death trap.
Tran Kien stood at the prow of his ship, his black cloak fluttering in the wind. His profound eyes quietly surveyed the terrain. He was not worried in the slightest. He resembled the most patient of hunters, waiting for the prey to willingly walk into the pre-laid snare.
Beside him, Old Whale and thirty of the most elite Sea Dragon Guards had taken their positions. They displayed no tension; their eyes held only absolute trust in their Exalted Lord.
"Exalted Lord," Old Whale said. "Everything is ready. The moment their ships appear, we can launch our assault."
"There is no rush," Tran Kien shook his head. "Old Eccentric Black Water is an old fox. If we strike too early, he might bite back. We need one final spark. A spark that will strip him entirely of his reason."
He turned to Old Whale. "Old Uncle, I must trouble you to make a trip."
Within the Lair of Black Water Island.
Old Eccentric Black Water, a gaunt old man clad in a grey robe, sat in his assembly hall, his complexion incomparably gloomy. He had just received two pieces of intelligence simultaneously.
First, men from the Black Dragon Stronghold had "accidentally" appeared near his water supply. Second, the New King of Flood Dragon Island was leading a grand army on an eastern conquest.
These two pieces of news instantly plunged a paranoid man like him into a state of agonizing indecision. Is the Black Dragon Stronghold plotting behind my back while my greatest enemy is away from home? Or is this merely a coincidence?
Just as he was hesitating, a subordinate rushed in, panting heavily.
"R-reporting to the Fort Master! A... a one-eyed old man claiming to be the envoy of Great General Ly Kinh Thien requests an audience!"
"Ly Kinh Thien?!" Old Eccentric Black Water shot to his feet. "The Imperial Court? What are they doing here?"
Daring not to delay, he hurriedly went out to welcome the guest.
Old Whale, playing the role of the imperial envoy, sailed a single small boat directly into the port of Black Water Island. He displayed not a shred of fear.
"Old Eccentric Black Water," he called out arrogantly, presenting a sealed letter bearing the forged stamp of Ly Kinh Thien. "Our Great General Ly is conducting a 'military drill' in these waters. He heard that your Black Water Island has been somewhat restless lately. He sent me here to 'pay a visit'. Furthermore, he wishes to 'borrow' your route through the Fangs of the Sea Beast for his fleet to pass through."
This was the final drop that caused the cup to overflow!
First, "men of the Black Dragon Stronghold" prowling about. Second, the "New King of Flood Dragon Island" off conquering. And now, the "Imperial Navy" demanding to borrow a route!
In Old Eccentric Black Water's mind, a heaven-shaking conspiracy had seemingly been laid bare.
Brilliant! Bravo, Marquis Vinh An! Bravo, Black Dragon Stronghold! You don't just want to swallow me whole, but you even intend to borrow the hand of the Imperial Court! Do you think I, Old Eccentric Black Water, am a soft persimmon to be squeezed at will?
His paranoia completely mutated into boiling fury.
"Very well!" he sneered maliciously. "Since Great General Ly has such an elegant interest, how could my Black Water Island refuse? Men! Prepare all warships! Follow me to the Fangs of the Sea Beast to 'welcome' the imperial army!"
He had fallen completely into the trap. Believing this was a confrontation with the imperial navy, he mobilized his entire elite force, marching straight into the snare that had been set.
As Black Water Island's fleet departed, Old Whale quietly turned his boat around, melting into the mist.
At the Fangs of the Sea Beast, Tran Kien, who had been observing everything through a "Thousand-Li Eye" magical artifact, let the corners of his mouth curl upward.
"The fish has taken the bait."
He watched the Black Water Island fleet aggressively storming into the narrow strait.
"Pass down my command," he said, his voice as cold as glacial ice.
"Draw the net!"