Chapter Twenty: Death Extinguishes the Light

Deng Tao immediately understood that the black smoke sent by Sha Yao before death could only convey failure, capture, or a warning to others to be careful, but it did not indicate whether he was alive or dead. Therefore, Fei Yao still didn't know that Sha Yao and Yue Yao had already perished together.

"You can have them, but you must promise never to approach Lord Xu again."

Fei Yao watched Deng Tao approach. Facing an opponent whose physique and cultivation matched his own, he felt a certain kinship. He shook his head and replied in a deep voice, "Release my men, and I will spare the lives of everyone on this boat. A fair trade, with no deceit! As for anything else, neither you nor I have the authority to decide, so there's no need to waste words!"

"Is that so? I find this deal quite unfair..." Deng Tao stopped fifteen paces from Fei Yao, dragging out his words to buy time, all the while signaling his lieutenants to have the wounded—more than a dozen men—carried back for treatment. The rest of the troops fell back to the center, giving up the prow and reforming their defensive formation.

"You spat blood just now, which means you must have suffered serious internal injuries. Your left hand and leg were both hit by crossbow bolts, making movement difficult. At best, you can use half your strength. Tell me, with only half your power, how do you plan to take the lives of over a hundred elite soldiers under my command?"

There were still more than eighty well-trained, well-equipped sol