Chapter 9: Betrayal of the Covenant

Just as Li Chuan and Lanna were consolidating their gains at the Fire and Water Wharf and reaching a preliminary consensus with the alliance members, an unexpected turn of events quietly arrived.

Night shrouded the wharf, with several alliance ships anchored in the harbor, their flags illuminated by the flickering firelight. The first post-war plenary meeting was underway in a warehouse, where alliance members sat together to discuss their next moves.

"The supplies at the Fire and Water Wharf are secured, but the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce will inevitably strike back with force. Our primary task is to ensure the stability of this location," Li Chuan said, pointing to a map. "I suggest that Sea Scale be responsible for patrolling the waters, the Gold Reef Chamber of Commerce provide gunpowder supplies, and Lanna’s fleet remain to guard the harbor."

"Li Chuan, isn't this a bit too hasty?" the leader of the Snake Tail sneered. "You’ve only just won one battle, and you’re already eager to start assigning tasks? Isn't that a bit autocratic?"

Lanna retorted coldly, "This is not autocracy; it is a necessity of the war. If you have a better plan, you are welcome to propose it."

The Snake Tail leader glanced down at the map on the table, noncommittal, but a spark of resentment ignited within him. His deputy chimed in, "We also hope to see a clearer distribution of benefits. After all, we put our own men at risk, and there is a cost to that."

At this moment, Sea Hawk, the leader of Sea Scale, interjected: "The Black Flag Chamber of Commerce is stirring, and you are still bickering over the distribution of benefits? Only by securing this wharf first do you have the qualifications to talk about anything else!"

"Exactly," Li Chuan tapped the table. "The focus of this meeting is to resist the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce. If anyone flees in the face of battle, don't blame the alliance for being ruthless."

The atmosphere of the meeting gradually eased, and the various factions barely reached a consensus. Lanna breathed a quiet sigh of relief, failing to notice the shadow that flickered in the eyes of the Snake Tail leader.

Late that night, the Snake Tail fleet quietly slipped away from the Fire and Water Wharf, leaving behind only an ambiguous letter. The next morning, when Li Chuan received news of their withdrawal, his expression darkened instantly.

"Withdrawal? How dare the Snake Tail pull out at a time like this?" Lanna could not believe her ears. "Had they not already agreed to join the alliance?"

Li Chuan looked at the letter, his brows furrowed. "This is no ordinary withdrawal; it is a defection. Their route points directly to the main port of the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce—clearly, they have gone over to the enemy."

Lanna’s anger erupted: "Not only is the Snake Tail a traitor, but they have also exposed our plans! If the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce learns of our alliance, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Faced with this sudden betrayal, Li Chuan quickly convened an emergency meeting, attempting to salvage the situation.

"The Snake Tail's defection might lead the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce to launch an all-out attack on us," Li Chuan analyzed. "The most important thing now is to hold the Fire and Water Wharf while sealing off the news to prevent the alliance's morale from collapsing."

"But the Snake Tail leader knows all our defense plans!" Lanna questioned. "He could sell this information to the enemy at any moment."

Li Chuan’s gaze turned cold. "Then we must change our tactical layout before they do. At the same time, we will send a crack team to intercept the Snake Tail fleet."

Duan Tianxing of the Gold Reef Chamber of Commerce asked anxiously, "What if we fail to intercept them?"

"Then we prepare for the worst," Li Chuan said, his voice low but firm. "We prepare to meet the full counter-attack of the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce."

Lanna’s heart jolted. Looking at Li Chuan’s profile, she suddenly felt that this man possessed a reassuring strength.

To contain the Snake Tail's betrayal, Li Chuan led a fleet of fast ships to pursue them. Lanna insisted on coming along: "If you go, I go. This is our fight."

The fast ships surged forward under the moonlight, the sea breeze whistling past. Lanna stood at the bow, her eyes burning: "If the traitors from the Snake Tail appear before me, I will deal with them myself."

"Don't be so quick to make vows," Li Chuan teased. "When you actually meet them, you might find they are craftier than you imagine."

Lanna was choked by his words and glared at him, but couldn't help but laugh. "You just love to throw cold water on things."

Their lighthearted exchange eased the atmosphere, but the soldiers on the fleet remained on high alert.

Soon, they discovered the Snake Tail’s ships in a region dense with reefs. Li Chuan judged that the enemy had not yet made contact with the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce, so he ordered an all-out pursuit.

The Snake Tail fleet clearly had not expected Li Chuan to pursue them so fiercely, and they were thrown into chaos. Li Chuan directed the fast ships to surround the enemy vessels, cutting off their retreat.

"Snake Tail leader, you cannot escape," Li Chuan called out coldly. "Surrender now, and there may yet be a sliver of hope."

The Snake Tail leader stood on the deck, his face showing panic, yet he tried to maintain his composure. "Li Chuan, those who adapt to circumstances are wise! The Black Flag Chamber of Commerce is the true master of the sea. If you were sensible, you would understand that we in the Snake Tail have made the most correct choice!"

"Then go to hell!" Lanna drew her sword and pointed it directly at the enemy ship. However, the Snake Tail leader sneered and tossed out a piece of cloth: "Your fate is already sealed."

Li Chuan caught the cloth and unfolded it; his face changed instantly—it was the sailing schedule of the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce's main fleet!

Before he could react, countless dark shadows appeared on the horizon...

The fleet of the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce approached like a tidal wave. Li Chuan stood at the bow, brows locked, a complex glint in his eyes. The Snake Tail leader stood on the enemy ship, seemingly seeing the dawn of victory, his face twisted in a hideous grin.

"Li Chuan! Do you think you can win just by chasing us here?" the Snake Tail leader laughed. "The Black Flag fleet is about to surround and annihilate you. This stretch of sea will be your graveyard!"

Lanna gripped her sword, overcome with rage: "You traitor! Don't think you can turn the tables by relying on the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce; you are nothing but their pawn!"

Li Chuan calmly scanned the enemy ships and the approaching Black Flag fleet in the distance, quickly calculating the situation. Although the alliance fleet was brave, its numbers were far inferior to the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce, and they were now trapped in a sea dense with reefs, caught in a dilemma.

"Li Chuan, in this situation, what can we do?" Lanna whispered, a trace of anxiety in her words.

Li Chuan did not answer immediately, instead giving quick orders: all ships were to adjust their formation, spread out, and lure the enemy deep into the reef area! At the same time, they were to use signal flares to notify the reinforcement fleet at the Fire and Water Wharf.

He looked back at the flagship of the Snake Tail: "As for the traitors... the alliance must be given an account."

The Black Flag fleet drew nearer. The Snake Tail leader, clearly sensing that the situation was settled, impatiently ordered the attack. Li Chuan’s fleet deliberately retreated, drawing the enemy ships into the reef zone.

Just as the enemy ships were only a few hundred meters from the edge of the reefs, Li Chuan gave the key order: "Drop the oil barrels!"

Several soldiers quickly threw wooden barrels filled with fuel into the sea, and the oil spread rapidly across the surface.

"Ignite!" Li Chuan commanded sharply.

Accompanied by a volley of arrows cutting through the night sky, flames spread rapidly across the sea, the roaring fire trapping the Snake Tail fleet in place. Seeing this, the vanguard of the Black Flag Chamber of Commerce was forced to halt their advance.

"Li Chuan!" the Snake Tail leader roared in anger. "Do you think these little tricks can trap us?"

"As long as it traps you for long enough, that is enough," Li Chuan replied coldly. "Your time of death has come."

Under the cover of the sea of fire, Li Chuan personally led a small team to take advantage of the chaos and approach the Snake Tail's flagship. He and Lanna climbed onto the enemy ship together, the two of them joining forces to launch a fierce close-quarters battle.

Lanna swung her sword, cutting down the enemy deputy and closing in on the Snake Tail leader: "You traitor, you must pay the price today!"

The Snake Tail leader swung his blade with a snarl, but clearly underestimated Lanna's strength. After a few exchanges, his blade was knocked away, and he was forced to retreat in a panic.