【1107】Holding on

With flames soaring into the sky and screams of agony, the ghost investigator of the Nine Hades Country lowered their head to find their own abdomen soaked in crimson.
A gleaming blade had already torn through their belly and clothes, emerging from within.
Under the flickering flames, the tip of the blade glistened with a chilling light.
A drop of round blood glistened on the sharp tip of the knife.
“你很聪明，巧布陷阱机关，差点让我们全军覆没；但是也太大意了。”一个声音，从他身后悠悠传来。
In the blazing flames, Ghost Detective turned around in pain and saw a Ghost Soldier standing right behind him. It seems that while he was firing his gun, the Ghost Soldier jumped up from the ground and quietly positioned himself behind the Ghost Detective, taking advantage of the gunshots to mask his own movements.
Moreover, the opponent made a clean and decisive move, delivering a stab to the Ghost Investigator's back as soon as they arrived.
还没等九幽国这个鬼探反应过来，他的腹部已经被利刃贯穿了。
However, in order to catch the living, the ghost soldier behind also avoided the vital points of the ghost detector. As long as the knife is not pulled out and the bleeding is stopped in time, this ghost detector will not die immediately.
Of course, the ghost soldiers sent by Jiang Xiao don't want to bring back just a corpse. If they can extract secrets from the ghost scouts' mouths about the other nine ghost scouts in the Jiuyou Kingdom, it would be a great achievement.
This rare opportunity to achieve great success is not something they want to miss.
The ghost detective quickly calmed down and his rapidly spinning brain also realized this, certain that he could do as he pleased.
而且，他本就抱着必死的决心。因而大意和失误倒是微不足道了，接下来，他可以尽情的和敌人比比谁狠！
下一秒，他把手中已经上好了刺刀的火铳反手握住，尖锐雪亮的刺刀对准了自己的胸膛后，毫不犹豫的朝着自己的胸膛刺入。
用力之大，让刺刀轻易的捅过了他的胸膛，并且刺入了身后那个鬼兵的胸膛内。
The ghost soldier's eyes widened in astonishment in an instant.
He never expected that the ghost detective in front of him would choose such a self-harming method to injure himself. Seeing the expanding crimson blood stains on his chest, the ghost soldier panicked and withdrew his sword.
The bright snow knife that stabbed into his chest also came loose and fell out. However, the ghost soldier also lost his footing and slipped backwards, tumbling towards the ground under the tree.
He coincidentally landed perfectly on a large stone beneath the tree, his back smashing against the moss-covered stone, instantly breaking his spine.
树上的九幽国鬼探顾不得这些，也顾不上把自己肚子上，从刀伤口子里已经溢出的肠肚塞回去，接连拉开了身上几颗石榴雷的引线，同时纵身一跃，朝着树下，那些之前被爆炸卷起的旋飞吹翻的敌军，扑了过去。
Explosions continue to sound one after another, flames shooting up accompanied by gusts of hot wind.
Rocks and soil are launched high into the air amidst the explosions, screams echoing throughout the forest shrouded in darkness.
Thousand miles away, Xiao Shizhu, still drifting on the boat, suddenly woke up and sat up from the bed.
The slow sliding of the blanket revealed his already sweat-soaked collar.
Xiao Shizhu, panting heavily, recalled the dream he had before waking up.
That was not a good dream.
In the dream, he saw a sea of flames, with fierce tongues of fire swirling in the scorching wind. Several charred ghosts struggled and screamed in the flames. However, no matter what they did, those ghosts could not escape the fiery abyss. They could only let the flames lick their bodies, helpless as the fire engulfed them.
他总会时不时的做这种怪梦，已经有了很长一段时间了。
说是怪梦，倒像是某种预言的场景。比如之前他就梦到了千里之外的酆都大帝，以人魂炼丹的事。之后九幽国玄教奉命秘密探查，也证实了这确有其事。
From a few years ago, almost all the souls that returned from the cycle of reincarnation have found it difficult to escape the fate of being turned into a pill in the furnace.
However, Xiao Shizhu did not publicize this matter, because the ghost mother privately told him that his strange dreams were more like an ancient ability mastered by some ancient gods, that is, the ability to freely enter the memories of various ghosts and peer into their consciousness.
The only difference is that Xiao Shizhu cannot use this ability to probe memories at any time and place like the ancient god does, relying on its consciousness.
Xiao Shizhu can't even control the appearance of these strange dreams.
“这指不定又是哪个鬼的记忆了。”萧石竹一边自己喃喃自语着，一边定了定神。
他侧耳倾听着舱外的海风和波涛声，待到定下神来时，才下床走到桌边，给自己倒了杯水一饮而尽。
Xiao Stone Bamboo, who is now wide awake, decided to take a stroll and stood by the window. The moonlight pierced through the paper window and fell on his face.
The deep blue light of the gloomy moon carried a subtle yin energy. Xiao Stone Bamboo instinctively activated his mystic power and absorbed this yin energy through every pore of his body.
The sound of waves outside the window continues to echo, and Xiao Shizhu is lost in thought, not knowing what she is thinking about.
"My lord."
Unconsciously and unaware of how much time had passed, Qinglan's urgent voice suddenly sounded outside the cabin door, interrupting Xiao Shizhu's contemplation.
Xiao Shizhu has a rule that important matters should never be left overnight. If there are urgent affairs, anyone can immediately report them.
Qinglan only dares to wake up Xiao Shizhu in the middle of the night.
“进。”萧石竹一字出口，转身离开了窗边后，扯掉了桌上罩着夜光珠的黑布，顿时室内明亮了起来。
青岚推门而进，顺手关门后大步走到了萧石竹身前，递上了手中誊抄的战报。
On the white paper, densely packed with small characters, there were dozens of lines.
在能把整个船舱照得如白昼一般的夜光珠光芒下，萧石竹展开这薄薄的一纸细看了起来。
Qing Lan on the other side also used his mouth to report to him: "Lord, there is a fight, Du Shuo Mountain has started a fight."
Meanwhile, Xiao Shizhu was carefully reading the battle report, which came from Du Shuo Mountain.
比起青岚那三言两语，战报倒是详细得多。从中，萧石竹清楚的了解到，江魈率军疾行，用了一天半的时间快速抵达度朔山，就在今天下半夜开始了对度朔山东麓的猛攻。
好在九幽国早已在此布下了大量的地雷，使得江魈的先锋军死伤惨重。不过，江魈大军中也坐拥百门幽冥鬼炮，可教九幽军也吃了不小的苦头。
The detailed report mentions that the Eastern Slope defenders, who were already depleted by the forces of Sir Youjun, have now been reduced by a third.
Although Yan Luo Wang urgently mobilized the southern garrison of the Eastern Edo Continent to reinforce the north, the Eastern Edo Continent is still a recently incorporated territory of the Nine You Country, and the Stygian Spirit Canal has not yet been fully connected.
就算是走水路北上也需要时间。
萧石竹看了战报，也无能为力，他能调拨的援军已经都调拨出去了。鬼国疆域之大，处处用兵，是真的暂时抽不出可调之兵了。
"Ah!" Xiao Shizhu sighed deeply and gave Qing Lan a signal to fetch a brazier.
Qing Lan went to the side and brought a brazier, placing it in front of Xiao Shizhu on the ground.
只见萧石竹把手中战报揉成一团，抛入火盆后，展开五指，掌心对准落入盆中纸团。一道玄力掌心喷出，纸团在火盆中被凭空而起的烈焰，瞬间包了起来。
With flames devouring, the paper crumbled into fragments of ash, falling into the basin.
As Xiao Shi Zhu watched the paper ash scatter, a sudden thought crossed his mind.
"Retrieve the map," he promptly said.
Qing Lan quickly went to the bookshelf and began searching.
Although Yan Luo Wang's battle report was just a routine task, it was still unacceptable for Xiao Shizhu to turn a blind eye to it.
他得做点什么才行。
“青丘狐王的船，到哪里了？”接着，萧石竹又问了一句。
找到地图的青岚，一边朝着他这边快步而来，一边思索着回到：“早上鲛人回报，已出归墟海沟，进入了瞑海海域。”。
萧石竹一直暗中命鲛人和水莽鬼，跟踪着青丘狐王的船只，掌握着它的动向。
“所以，他还在我国境内咯。”萧石竹之前叹气时皱起的眉头，随着这句话出口而舒展开了。
Qing Lan spread out the map on the table and nodded.
"That's good." Xiao Shi Zhu lowered his head and carefully examined the map, while reaching out in front of Qing Lan.
Qing Lan turned around and fetched a green bronze ruler from the side, placing it in his hand.
萧石竹拿着那把刻满刻度的标尺，在地图上的度朔山到狻猊山之间，一阵丈量。
不一会后，萧石竹抬头直腰，对青岚说到：“传令，狻猊山调拨五百大飞雷车，趁夜出山，携重弹奔赴度朔，给江魈大军的背后后勤补给，以及后军。打完即转海路，从海上绕道回狻猊山。”。
Pausing for a moment, Xiao Shizhu added, "We need to be fast, both in going and returning."
Xiao Shizhu was certain that the Fox King of Qingqiu was still within his own territory, and Qingqiu Fox Country was currently hesitant to take any rash actions. In that case, in the nearby Suan Ni Mountain, which is closest to the Du Shuo Mountain, there are still a large number of stationed troops, which can come in handy.
While mobilizing a large army may not be feasible, it could still be possible to launch a surprise attack on the Jiang Xiu Army using the fast-moving Thunderbolt Cars. The plan would involve swift strikes and immediate retreat.
According to the map distance, even if the Thunderbolt Cars follow General Xiao Shizhu's military order route, a round trip would only take around six or seven days. By then, even if the boats of the Fox King of Qingqiu are fast, they can at most reach the Yellow Springs Sea and still be in the waters of the Nine You Country. The Fox Country of Qingqiu will still be cautious and hesitant, not daring to make any reckless moves.
Xiao Shizhu happened to take advantage of this opportunity.
He couldn't summon extra troops, but Xiao Shizhu could rearrange his forces. This actually resolved the urgent situation at Duoshan.
"Yes."
The military situation was critical, and Qinglan didn't dare to delay. After responding, she turned around and left the cabin where Xiao Shizhu was present.
Xiao Shizhu didn't pay attention to him and continued to focus on the map, examining it closely.
Taking advantage of the temporary lack of sleepiness, Xiao Shizhu decided to do something productive and not waste time idly. He aimed to carefully record all the mountains, rivers, distances, and other details marked on the map, before reaching the land of East Yingzhou. Please note that the use of @ symbols in Chinese text is often used as a way to highlight or emphasize certain words or phrases. It doesn't necessarily have a specific meaning in English.
Let these geographical locations be clear in one's mind. This way, when Xiao Shizhu arrives in the land of the Rising Sun, he can travel light without needing to carry heavy maps.
After a moment, Qing Lan turned back.
"Qinglan, where is Wu Xiaohui?" When Qinglan stood beside him again, Xiaoshi Zhu didn't raise his head and casually asked.
"General Wu has already taken the fast ship at night and headed to Dao Shan Island." Qinglan lowered her voice and reported, "He will arrive at Dao Shan Island ahead of us to assemble the troops according to your orders, Lord."
Xiao Shizhu nodded gently, looked up, and took the tea cup that Qing Lan had already handed over.
Although Xiao Shizhu had done everything he could, he still had some worries in his heart. Will the situation in Dushuo Mountain hold up?
月光明亮，波涛声声回响。
夜光珠光芒下，青岚见萧石竹眉心有愁，不用怎么费心揣度，也明白萧石竹担心什么。
于是，他搬来一颗凳子，让萧石竹先坐下后，又缓缓道：“主公，我觉得阎罗王肯定能守住，主公倒是不必为他过于愁苦。”。
This statement immediately sparked Xiao Shizhu's interest. After taking a sip of tea, she asked, "Is that so?"
"Well, Yan Luo Wang is a ghost who has actual combat experience. Moreover, he is familiar with the battle tactics of the Northern Yin Dynasty." Qing Lan chuckled and continued to tell Xiao Shizhu, "My lord, isn't this precisely about knowing oneself and the enemy?"
萧石竹当然也知道这些，就是心中有些烦闷，想找个人聊几句而已，这才故意发问。没想到，青岚正好说到他心坎上了，这青岚说出的事实，也正是他调阎罗王去做大帅的原因。
“没错，你说的也对。我也相信，他阎罗王能守住了这度朔山。”萧石竹瞬间一扫心中阴霾，信心十足了起来。
“坐，坐下陪我聊聊。”萧石竹心情大好，也不再多想暂时。只把手边桌上的水壶，也递给了青岚，让他自己倒水喝。
Quietly, Qinglan pulled a chair and sat across from Xiaoshi Zhu without saying a word.
"You have been by my side and Ghost Mother's side since Shuoyue Island, so you are considered our family. Let's talk about some family matters." Seizing the opportunity while Qinglan poured water, Xiaoshi Zhu slowly spoke, "Lately, many ministers have submitted petitions, urging me to establish the Ghost King Crown Prince early. They argue that there is no worthy person to succeed, and suggest that Xiaofulei be made the Crown Prince to divert attention from this position. What do you think of this matter?"
本以为只是家常，没想到萧石竹冷不丁的要谈及此事，倒吓得青岚手上一抖，五指一松，手中水壶跌落在桌上。
好在里面水不多，倒也没有撒得到处都是。
"What are you panicking about?" Xiao Shizhu didn't blame Qing Lan and instead gave a faint smile.
"This is your lord's family matter, and I have no right to interfere." Qing Lan hurriedly got up, brought over a tablecloth, and cleaned up the water on the table. Then she picked up the water kettle and went to the water barrel to fill it up.
“说了你也是家里人，准你多言。”萧石竹招招手，示意青岚过来再坐下后，直言说到：“你有什么想法就直说。”。
青岚赶忙定了定神；事已至此，他也只能硬着头皮说点什么了。
青岚长期跟随萧石竹，不难看出萧石竹并不打算立萧茯雷为储，他不过是想不到借口，想青岚给他出个注意。
想到此，青岚脑海中灵光一现，若有所思的回到：“主公，小的斗胆说一句，这立长的长字，也未必是指长子。也有孩子成年长大的意思，主公如今膝下，公子年幼，尚未成年，可以以此拖延些日子嘛！”。