Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Star Moon Island is located to the east of Fuhai Province, about thirteen hundred miles away from Zhao Wu Guard, and is one of the closest islands to the mainland in the East South Sea Domain.

The territory of the Star Moon Sect includes not only Star Moon Island but a total of sixty-four islands, most of which are uninhabited rocky islands, with only a dozen or so having fresh water resources suitable for habitation.

Among these dozen or so islands, there are four larger ones that serve as garrisons for the Four Flag Army, each inhabiting approximately four to six thousand sailors.

Star Moon Island, where the main hall of Star Moon Sect is located, is a fairly large island, stretching over thirty miles from east to west and more than twenty miles from north to south, generally elongated from east to west, with the terrain being higher in the east and lower in the west. There are three mountain peaks in the eastern part, with the highest peak at around a hundred meters.

The coastline of the island is jagged with many rocks near shore. The eastern coast is mostly comprised of cliffs and steep drops, making it very difficult for even small boats to land. The western coast has mostly beaches, while landings are possible, they can only accommodate small boats, and even medium-sized vessels cannot dock.

The only part of the island suitable for large ships is a dock on the south side, capable of holding more than three hundred ships of various sizes—it's the most important port for entry and exit on Star Moon Island.

The western part of Star Moon Island is flat, with three small rivers flowing down from the mountains and forests in the east, making it extremely suitable for farming.

Most of the residents live on the western part of Star Moon Island; a town of the size of a county is located near the dock, while other places are scattered with over fifty large and small villages.

Overall, Star Moon Island harbors over forty thousand inhabitants, and including the other islands, Star Moon Sect governs a population of about a hundred thousand.

It is clearly unsustainable for a hundred thousand people to support an army of twenty thousand from the Four Flag Army as well as many Martial Artists; therefore, despite having fertile land for cultivation, the Sect does not live off farming.

Sea trade, robbing merchant ships, and collecting protection fees from other pirates are their main businesses.

Previously, they established Seven Stars Hall within the Da Rong territory for the purpose of accumulating wealth to support the Martial Artists within the Sect.

In the past two years, the Seven Stars Hall has been wiped out by the onslaught of the Martial Arts Temple, and the profits from maritime trade have also dwindled due to the Imperial Commerce Bureau's aggressive seizure of orders.

So nowadays, the Star Moon Sect's days are not easy; though they are far from Da Rong, in reality, they still depend on supplies from Da Rong to survive.

However, compared to the demise of the Seven Stars Hall, the imminent attack by the Da Rong Dynasty's large forces is the biggest trouble for the Star Moon Sect.

Inside the main hall of Star Moon Sect, ten high-level executives gathered to discuss how to deal with the imminent attack from the Da Rong Dynasty's army.

The news that Da Rong has mobilized many Naval forces to establish the Four Seas Navy is no secret; any force that pays attention to Da Rong basically knows about this.

The Star Moon Sect is naturally aware of this and even knows the composition of the Four Seas Navy and some of its officers, such as Yang Zhenshan—they are very clear about them.

At this moment, in the main hall, the ten high-level officials include Sect Leader Yue Hongyi, Hall Master of the Companion Hall Nan Haiyan, Hall Master of the Pipe Hall Qu Fusheng, Hall Master of Punishment Hall Si Yulou, Hall Master of the Ritual Hall Deng Yuehe, Guardian Wang Mingjian, Guardian Yan Wushang, and the leaders of the Four Flag Army, Li Chengzhang, Wang Mingjian, Han Changshun, and Cheng Wuji.

Ten people gathered in the main hall, the atmosphere decidedly tense.

Yue Hongyi sat in the highest seat, dressed in a black robe with meticulously combed, grizzled hair and sunken cheeks. His expressionless face exuded a sinister chill.

He sat upright, his eyes sweeping over the crowd like sharp swords.

"Speak, how should we deal with the incoming army from Da Rong!"

His voice was like that of a night owl, tinged with a trace of shrillness.

The others below had somber expressions—some with furrowed brows, some with impassive faces, and some closing their eyes in contemplation.

"Sect Leader, perhaps we can take the initiative to strike," said Nan Haiyan softly, with a kind-looking face.

Nan Haiyan looked to be in his fifties, slightly overweight, cheeks gentle, appearing like a kind old man, but those who knew him were aware that he was a ruthless leader.

Without being ruthless and extreme, it wasn't possible to stand out within Star Moon Sect, nor hold a high position.

Within Star Moon Sect, it wasn't about kindness or morality but about the supremacy of the strong and survival of the fittest.

"No, while taking the initiative could theoretically gain us the upper hand, it might also provoke even greater retaliation from the Da Rong Dynasty!" Hall Master Si Yulou of Punishment Hall said with a deep voice.

He glanced at Yan Wushang and continued, "If it weren't for Yan Wushang's attack on Yu State, why would Da Rong be so enraged?"

"If we launch another offensive on the Four Seas Navy, Da Rong might fight us to the bitter end!"

The Star Moon Sect's assault on Yu State was not the result of consultation among the high-ranking Sect members, but a mistake made unintentionally.

Originally, Star Moon Sect did not intend to massacre within Yu State City. Before entering the city, they had only two goals: first, to burn down the four textile mills in Yu State City, and second, to seize the opportunity to plunder some money and grain.

However, once inside Yu State City, the pirates lost control. After burning the textile mills and plundering the money and food, they weren't satisfied. They began to raid the city for more wealth and brutally slaughter innocent civilians, resulting in the suffering of tens of thousands.

"What does it matter if they will not rest until we're dead? Are we afraid of them?" Yan Wushang said, frowning and looking discontentedly at Si Yulou.

"Afraid!" Si Yulou replied coldly: "If you're not afraid, then you go and face Da Rong's Navy!"

"It's easy for you to say. With Da Rong's national strength, assembling an army of a hundred thousand is effortless, but what about us? The Four Flag Army is the foundation of our Sect. Do we really intend to throw our lives away against them?"