The Invincible Dragon Emperor
chapter-97

It was not long after early spring. The water in the lake was cold. Lu Li couldn’t help but groan in pain when he got into the lake as he was wounded in his leg.

Liu Yi was quite a good swimmer. She grabbed Lu Li with one hand and paddled the water with the other. Her legs kicked backwards orderly. She swam into the distance with Lu Li like a sharp sword.

"Plop, plop~"

Man after man managed to break out of the encirclement and rushed to the lake and swam towards the distance. What was strange was that every time when they jumped into the lake, the pursuing forces stopped. It was as if the lake had some magical power that made them too afraid to step over.

The lake, of course, was just an ordinary one with no magical power. Even if it had magical power, it would be a rule set by the Old Man of Heaven Prison. Many years ago, he Old Man of Heaven Prison sent out words that anyone that entered the lake area could not be pursued anymore. Otherwise, the pursuing force’s entire family would be wiped out.

After the rule was set, no family dared to go against it. The ones that did were all exterminated without exception including a Fourth-rank Family.

The warriors trying to block the Liu Family were from the families in the nearby counties. They were just serving the Yu Family to suck up to them and get some bonus. Which family would be willing to risk all of their disciples’ lives?

There were constantly people breaking out of the encirclement. Patriarch Seven also got into the lake. Even though many of the Spirit Sea Realm Patriarchs were wounded, all of them dashed into the lake apart from one who was killed.

However, more than half of the warriors of the Xuan Wu Realm were killed. The Mystical Materials they were carrying scattered all around the ground. Patriarch Seven and others tried to weep but failed to shed a tear. About half of the small amount of treasures they brought with them were gone…

Nevertheless, they got their lives. It could be worse. They were lucky that they ran out fast. Otherwise, when the warriors of the Soul Pond Realm of the Yu Family got there, none could escape.

"Leave."

Patriarch Seven shouted in grief and indignation, and then everyone swam towards the distance while helping each other. They were all powerful warriors so they could swim easily and quickly.

About three miles ahead of them was a small island. It was so small that it was only of the size of a yard. However, it was enough for the warriors to get together and have a rest. The warriors all swam towards at full speed and struggled to get on it.

"…"

After they went ashore, Liu Yi and the Patriarchs looked at the only 50 warriors left but made no remark. Dismal feeling arose in everybody’s heart.

The former Overlord of the Wu Ling County had more than three or four thousand warriors of the Xuan Wu Realm and more than 70 Spirit Sea Realm Patriarchs in the most glorious days. Now, there was so few left…

Only five or six sacks of treasures and Mystical Materials were left. One of the sacks that had all the Earth Grade Xuan Skill booklets of the Liu Family was lost. Liu Family’s vitality was greatly undermined this time.

The warriors took out healing pellets and started attending to their wounds in silence. Lu Li also sat down with his legs crossed and took two healing pellets.

Entering the Thousand-island Lake was not a guarantee of safety. The Thousand-island Lake had its own rules. The killing here was actually more frequent. They wouldn’t be completely safe until they arrived at the territory controlled by the island owner that Patriarch Seven knew.

Successively, more were swimming this way. There seemed to be more in the distance. Patriarch Seven and the rest were a little bit relieved after some observation. Patriarch Lu swam from the south with more than 10 people with him.

When Patriarch Lu and the rest got ashore, Patriarch Seven asked immediately, "Third Brother Lu, how is it? Where are the rest of our disciples in other teams?"

Patriarch Lu shook his head and sighed sadly and painfully. "The team in the north is fraught with grim possibilities. I don’t know how many can get out. I think all the Patriarchs in the north broke out of the encirclement. However, for the rest of the warriors, how many can escape is up to their luck…"

"…"

Everyone was speechless. By the looks of it, no more than 100 people could successfully run to the Thousand-island Lake. The rest of the disciples of the Liu Family would stay at the lakeside forever.

"Yu Feijia, the Yu Family."

Patriarch Seven shouted in sorrow. While grinding his teeth in vexation, he said, "All the disciples of the Liu Family will commit this day to their memories. Pass the memory on from generation to generation. If one day the Liu Family can rise again, we will kill you all."

"Kill you all."

Some young disciples of the Liu Family also roared in sadness. This moment, they had a deep-seated hatred towards the Yu Family.

"Kill the entire Yu Family."

Bitterness and a mocking smile climbed onto Liu Yi’s face. There were so few of the Liu Family left. They would all probably die in the Thousand-island Lake. Whether they could linger out a feeble existence was unknown, not to mention exterminating a Fifth-rank Family.

After the warriors healed and rested for one hour, two men swan here. The rest were perhaps all killed.

"Let’s go."

Patriarch Seven ordered everyone to get into the lake and swim towards the west after he waited for the time for two incense sticks to burn. The island they were on was too close to the bank. Some dangers might be imminent. The original plan was to meet at the Sundown Island.

The Sundown Island was a relatively large island in the east of the Thousand-island Lake. According to the note on the map, the Sundown Island was a large round one. It was easy to find.

The distance marked on the map was not far, but they swam for more than an hour before they saw a round island from afar. Luckily, all of them were warriors and their wounds were attended to so they were not bleeding. If they were regular people, they would have been dead already.

"It’s Brother Nine and some warriors."

More than 1000 feet into the swimming, Patriarch Seven exclaimed. The rest glanced over and saw more than a score of familiar figures… yet there seemed to be something wrong with Patriarch Nine’s situation?

The more than a score of people were in the water, but there were dozens of black-armored warriors pointing their weapons at the ones in the water, preventing them from getting ashore.

Patriarch Seven swam faster towards Patriarch Nine. Patriarch Nine and his warriors noticed Patriarch Seven so they shouted. When they realized that there were only more than 70 people with Patriarch Seven, all turned pale.

"Brother Nine, what is happening here?"

Patriarch Seven swam over there, looked at those black-armored warriors at the bank and asked in a low voice.

Patriarch Nine knew it was not the time for talking so he quickly explained, "They are from the Sundown Island. They said they charge ten Xuan Crystals for each person to get ashore."

"Ten per person?"

Patriarch Seven was a bit angered. A man who lost position and influence might be subjected to indignity. These men from the Sundown Island were ruthless.

"What is Xuan Crystal?"

Lu Li asked Liu Yi who was at his side with confusion. Liu Yi explained to him in a low voice, "When regular people buy stuff, they use Golden Leaves. When warriors buy treasures or Mystical Materials and weapons, however, they need to use Xuan Crystals. In other words, Xuan Crystal is the currency circulated among warriors."

"Oh."

Lu Li understood. Patriarch Seven took a few deep breaths and said to the black-armored warriors on the island, "Dear brothers, I am a cousin of Xue Chou [1]. I am going to him for shelter. Please let us through."

On hearing the name of Xue Chou, the warriors of the Sundown Island looked nicer. A warrior at the latter stage of the Spirit Sea Realm put his weapon away and said, "You are the relative of Xue the Island Owner, I see. Okay… We will charge 500 Xuan Crystals for 100 people for his sake. The Sundown Island has its rules. There is little we can do."

"Okay."

Patriarch Seven agreed with great efforts. The warriors of the Sundown Island backed off, so the Liu Family warriors could get ashore. Then, they used Xuan Energy to vaporize the water.

Patriarch Seven glanced over and saw a dock in the north with many large battleships anchored there. He stepped forward and cupped his fists in front of his chest and said, "Dear brother, we wish to go to the Blood Evil Island. Can we take a lift on your ship?"

"No problem."

The warrior at the Spirit Sea Realm of the Sundown Island nodded forthrightly then he added, "Of course, we cannot get you to the Blood Evil Island for free. It is a two-day trip. We charge 1000 Xuan Crystals for all of you, and we can make sure that you get to the Blood Evil Island safely."

"So expensive." Patriarch Seven’s face twitched and he felt reluctant.

"Humph."

Warriors of the Sundown Island sneered and said, "Without the ship, it will take you at least ten days to swim there. Also, this is the Thousand-island Lake. It’s not the outside world. There are many water bandits running amuck here. Maybe all of you will die before you can get there. But if you take our ship of the Sundown Island, no water bandits will dare to intercept within a 30-mile radius. We only charge you 1000 Xuan Crystals as friend’s discount on account of Xue the Island Owner. If you talk on, we will not offer you any ship even if you can afford the Xuan Crystals."

[1] Xue Chou’s name literally means "Blood" (血) which is also in the name of his island Blood Evil Island, and "Hatred" (仇).