**Chapter 21: Wu Datou’s Severed Arm, Demonic Beast Wu Dao Crab**
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
After an unknown amount of time, several ship silhouettes appeared where the water met the sky.
It was a fleet.
A flagship and four escort ships, with flags fluttering and the sounds of war drums and clashing weapons filling the air. The sailors on the warships were all strong and robust, moving with swift and decisive actions that exuded a fierce and valiant aura.
A White-feathered Wandering Albatross executed a beautiful glide, like a white javelin, accurately thrown towards a room on the flagship.
This was the captain’s cabin.
A middle-aged man, who was examining a sea chart at his desk, suddenly heard the commotion and turned his head.
The albatross, with extreme agility, passed through the round window and landed on a specially prepared stand.
“A secret military dispatch?” A glint flickered in the middle-aged man’s eyes. He walked over to the albatross and took the bamboo tube the bird spat out.
He opened the bamboo tube and unfolded the letter.
After a long while, the middle-aged man sighed deeply, a look of surprise and relief flashing in his eyes.
“Chu Yun, you are truly worthy of being my son. To achieve such a feat in your first battle, it is astonishing! Good, very good.”
This middle-aged man was the island master of Shu Island, Shu Tianhao.
He wore simple clothing, his build sturdy, standing as firm as a mountain. His gaze was deep, his demeanor steady. His temples were already graying, but what drew the most attention was his left sleeve. It was empty, fluttering in the wind.
He had lost his left arm, leaving only his right.
One arm, weathered and experienced.
“It is not that I disregard your feelings, but jade cannot be carved into anything without effort, Chu Yun. One day, you will understand your adoptive father. Shu Da and Shu Er have been spoiled too much; if Shu Island is handed over to them, I fear it will decline. Although you are my adopted son, I have always treated you as if you were my own flesh and blood. Grow well, grow strong. In my heart, you are the most satisfactory successor.”
Shu Tianhao carefully put away the letter, his expression calm but his heart stirred.
Chu Yun’s performance filled him with immense comfort and pleasant surprise. He had not lived up to his secret care and the efforts he had poured in.
Parents naturally hoped for their children to achieve greatness.
Chu Yun had not disappointed Shu Tianhao; in fact, he had exceeded his expectations to some extent.
While he was lost in thought, someone reported, “Report! A pirate fleet has suddenly appeared ahead, their strength unknown.”
Shu Tianhao’s eyes narrowed, a flash of lightning in his gaze, and he sneered, “They dare to loiter in the waters of my Shu Island? They have quite the nerve. Set sail at once, all forces to battle readiness!”
“Report! The pirates’ identity has been confirmed. They are flying the Black Wolf Blood Eye flag; it is the Remnant Wolf Pirate Group!” Not long after, another military report came in.
“Remnant Wolf? Hmph! Do they really think Shu Tianhao is old and feeble? Sound the horns, engage!” With Shu Tianhao’s low roar, the flagship charged forward, clashing with the pirate group. The four escort ships followed closely, their battle intent soaring, their killing aura palpable.
A fierce sea battle began…
At the same time, a robust man arrived at the salt field estate.
This man was powerfully built, tall and strong. The only drawback was his head, which was slightly larger than average. This affected his otherwise dignified and imposing demeanor, making him appear somewhat unusual.
It was Wu Datou.
“Go and inform the Scarlet Spear Centurion that Wu Datou is here to visit,” he said in a deep voice to the estate servant guarding the gate.
The servant did not recognize him. He stared at Wu Datou’s large head for a moment before saying, “My Scarlet Spear Estate Master is not in the estate. Please wait a moment, strong man, and I will inform Young Master Chu Yun.”
“Alright.”
Wu Datou did not barge in. He stood by the entrance, secretly encouraging himself: “People often say Mrs. Shu is so harsh and treats Young Master Chu Yun so cruelly. Alas, rumors are truly dreadful. Mrs. Shu is not as bad as they say, is she? Young Master Chu Yun is young and stubborn, but he is family with the Island Master and his wife. Although I, Da Tou, am an outsider, this matter involves the Island Master. To repay the Island Master’s life-saving grace, I will promote this matter even if it costs me my life!”
His personality was straightforward and stubborn. At this moment, he had been deceived by Mrs. Shu. He did not consider the widely circulated ancient proverb on the Archipelago: “There is no smoke without fire.”
“Young Master Chu Yun, they’re calling for you.” A moment later, the servant returned and escorted Wu Datou to the training ground.
The training ground was not large, but it was equipped with eighteen types of weapons, including swords, spears, and axes. Wu Datou had been here before. The training ground was surrounded by a circle of blue stone rockeries. Although his vision was obstructed, he heard a young man’s characteristic voice from afar.
“Little Fire Pellet, shoot!”
“Fire Lotus Armor, activate.”
“Leaping Technique, jump onto the blue stone on the left.”
…
The voice was clear and resonant, full of vitality, spoken with precise articulation. Yet, it also conveyed a steady and decisive aura. Hearing it, Wu Datou felt an unconscious sense of ease.
This voice reminded him of Island Master Shu Tianhao, further strengthening his resolve for this trip.
“Although I have had little contact with Young Master Chu Yun, these actions are necessary for the Island Master’s sake.”
With this thought, his steps subconsciously quickened. As he rounded the corner, his eyes lit up.
“What a fine young man!”
In the center of the training ground, a handsome young man, dressed in simple clothes, with a fair complexion and red lips, stood straight and tall. His arms were crossed, and he issued commands with his mouth.
Before him was a snow-white Fire Fox, constantly dodging and leaping, employing three basic Cultivation Methods: Little Fire Pellet, Leaping Technique, and Fire Lotus Armor. It was agile and magnificent.
“Ah, Young Master Chu Yun has truly grown,” Wu Datou lamented inwardly. He was ten years older than Chu Yun and was usually dutiful in his post, rarely seeing Chu Yun.
Now, seeing him, he felt Chu Yun had undergone a drastic transformation. It was completely different from his impression of the silent, often melancholic young man who always stood quietly to the side.
He had become confident, steady, decisive, and full of hope.
Chu Yun was the Island Master’s adopted son, and seeing such a transformation, Wu Datou also felt happy and pleased.
He walked into the training ground, about to speak and state his purpose. At that moment, Chu Yun turned his head and looked at him, speaking first, “Ah, Da Tou, did you bring your Demonic Beast with you?”
“Ah, I, I brought it.” Chu Yun’s casual and indifferent tone made Wu Datou pause and feel a bit uncomfortable.
The nickname “Da Tou” was usually only used by the Island Master. As the commander of Shu Family City, even Mrs. Shu had to respectfully address him as General Wu. Now, he was being called “Da Tou” by a thirteen-year-old boy.
Chu Yun smiled faintly. Before Wu Datou could speak, he continued, “Old Man often says that my Da Tou is the most loyal and upright. Entrusting Shu Family City to his defense, I can feel at ease even when patrolling the seas.”
The “Old Man” Chu Yun referred to was naturally his adoptive father, Shu Tianhao.
Hearing this, Wu Datou’s body trembled instantly, his heart filled with joy and emotion. He was like a shy child suddenly receiving praise to his face. His voice trembled, his face flushed, and he stammered, “The, the Island Master saying this truly makes me, Da Tou, feel ashamed, ashamed.”
Chu Yun raised an eyebrow. “What is there to be ashamed of? Did my Old Man speak incorrectly? I also think he is absolutely right! Da Tou, you have worked hard all these years, and you deserve praise.”
“No, no, no, how could the Island Master be wrong? Your subordinate, your subordinate…” Wu Datou’s expression became flustered, his eyes blinking rapidly. He was already referring to himself as “subordinate” to Chu Yun.
“Mm,” Chu Yun nodded. His aura, unique to him as a reborn individual, surpassed his age, causing Wu Datou to unconsciously overlook his actual age.
“You still haven’t answered my question. Did you bring your Demonic Beast?” Chu Yun frowned.
Wu Datou quickly replied, “Yes, I brought it.”
“That’s good,” Chu Yun clapped his hands. “I happen to need a sparring partner. Your Demonic Beast, the Wu Dao Crab, should have about 56 years of cultivation, right? Summon it and use the Water Bullet technique to attack my Demonic Beast. Remember to obey my commands; only stop when I tell you to, understood?”
“U-understood.” Wu Datou blinked a few times and took out an Immortal Pouch from his embrace. It had a dark leather exterior and a red rope clasp, clearly military in style.
He opened the pouch, and a fiery red light shot out. It landed on the ground and transformed into a sea crab the size of an ox.
This sea crab was fiery red all over. Its carapace had a natural black pattern that formed the character “Wu.” Its large claws, like giant scissors, could easily crush steel.
It squatted on the training ground like a rock, exuding an aura of invincibility.
This was Wu Datou’s Demonic Beast—the Wu Dao Crab.
“Da Tou, fire Water Bullets every 10 breaths intervals,” Chu Yun instructed.
“Okay,” Wu Datou readily agreed. He had come with the task of guiding Chu Yun’s combat. Now that Chu Yun requested training himself, he decided to observe first. If the results were unsatisfactory, he could always use his own methods later.
However, less than a quarter of an hour into the training, Wu Datou’s doubts vanished completely, crumbling and scattering like dust!
He was stunned by the Sky Fox’s exceptional comprehension!
He had never seen a Demonic Beast grow so rapidly.
The frequency of Water Bullet attacks changed and improved almost every moment.
From once every 10 breaths, to 8, then 5, and finally, once every breath. At the beginning, it was just about getting used to the training method, so the improvement was not significant. But later on, the degree of improvement became increasingly large, yet the mutated fire fox still handled it with ease!
What kind of potential was this? It could almost be recorded in history. If revealed, it would cause a sensation.
However, it was a pity that this was just a mutated Demonic Beast!
While amazed, Wu Datou also felt regret. Mutated Demonic Beasts were destined not to live long.
After a long while, Chu Yun finally called to stop. The Sky Fox was panting heavily, clearly exhausted. But upon seeing Chu Yun take out a fragrant eggshell, its spirits immediately lifted. It opened its small mouth and crunched the eggshell with a crackling sound.
Wu Datou seized this opportunity to take out the bottle of Foundation Strengthening Pills from his embrace and stated his purpose.
“Oh, the Foundation Strengthening Pills that Mrs. Shu gave me?” A gleam flashed in Chu Yun’s eyes, and he let out a smile filled with unspoken meaning.
