Chapter 251: Chapter 88: Deep into the Black Ship
The spear trembled, streaking upward with a flash of blade light and blossoming with several droplets of blood.
Li Yan quickly moved past as two or three robust Portuguese soldiers behind him stiffened momentarily before collapsing limply, skewed and sprawled across the deck.
A group of elite Red Flag pirates stepped over the bodies, the Portuguese’s chest gouged with a fist-sized bloody hole, from which sticky blood dripped incessantly, joined by some dark brown fluid.
These red-capped sailors each had a frame one size larger than those on deck, and the Tiger Head Great Spear tore through their bodies, occasionally revealing gears and black tubes embedded among their organs.
Duwa Royal Family Guard (Retired) (Equipped with basic Magic Motion Technology)
[Magic Motion Technology: Techisbios Central Axis Organ] (Damaged)
...
Evaluation: Ten Cities (Provisional) (Equivalent to an Awakening Degree of 39%)
Remark: These poor souls, born with missing organs or maimed in wars, began their second lives under the gears of Techisbios.
“I must take a look at the fruit known as Europa if I get the chance. Just not this time,” Li Yan thought as he kicked aside a shattered gear and instructed the Gaoli ghosts behind him, “Move.”
The Gaoli ghosts glanced with both respect and fear at Li Yan leading the way and quickly followed.
Although the time Li Yan and the others boarded the ship was not long, only about the time it takes for four or five cups of tea, they had caused tremendous damage, with the Portuguese sailors sustaining heavy casualties. Yet the “Envy,” pushed by the waves and the steam engine, continued to rampage on the sea, unaffected. Cai Qian had dispatched numerous small boats to fill the gap, only for the “Envy” to easily sink them in fury. If not for Cai Qian’s lavish spending to preserve the Red Flag’s artillery ships, the battle might have already been beyond salvaging.
Ever since returning from the Heavenly Mother Crossing the Sea, Tianbao seemed different.
Combatants aren’t as keen as Madam Shi, but changes in strength are the most apparent. Even though Tianbao, too, rose through the ranks among bloodstained decks and sails beset with wreckage, back then, he felt like a reliable brother whose life you could trust.
Now, the words “Dragon Head” carried a truly substantial weight in the hearts of the Gaoli ghosts.
Tianbo Division’s spears dominated Yan Laosi, the Manila ship defeated the Demon Thief, and now leading the charge, overcoming multiple foes. Just having such a spear that stood out like a green peak was enough to imbue one with an invincible spirit.
As for doubting that Tianbao had been replaced by someone else, that was pure fantasy. How could a no-name, Qianjun Biao, after obtaining a demon fork in Heavenly Mother Crossing the Sea, suddenly transform into the leading pirate head of the South Seas? Why couldn’t our Tianbao Dragon Head undergo a complete metamorphosis? Besides, Tianbao’s speech and mannerisms hadn’t changed at all. To a bunch of pirates, concepts like “possession” and “soul-snatching” were far too avant-garde.
The deeper they went, the more cramped the corridors and cabins became. The damp wooden planks still had a layer of gas film that creaked when trod upon.
Li Yan originally intended to find the ship’s powder magazine and set it ablaze, or let Yan Laoda take action, but upon boarding the ship, they discovered that the membrane, material unknown, easily tore under sharp blades and was excessively sticky—impossible to scrape off, and flames or concussive forces had no effect. The material moved on its own to the touch, disgusting and eerie.
This gas film was doubtlessly the “Envy’s” biggest reliance.
Several with the surname Yan engaged most of the Portuguese elites, with continuous shouting and explosions sounding overhead, causing immense psychological pressure. Yet, this did not overshadow the thunderous machine roar emanating from the end of the corridor. In the Lantau Island shipyard, Li Yan had witnessed Suo Heier activating the Heavy Cannon Regeneration Machine, and this noise was indistinguishable from that.
Given the sound’s source, the chamber that housed the “Envy’s” heart should be nearby.
“Tianbao, let me take the lead,” Gu said.
Li Yan turned to look at him.
Gu smiled, “You’ve been fighting your way here without a break, and I haven’t even had the chance to say a word. Where is the sense in letting our Dragon Head stay at the forefront?”
Li Yan shook his head, “Here’s what we’ll do, Gu. You take the rear and watch our backs. We’re at too much of a disadvantage pushing this far in. If it weren’t for the urgency of the naval battle, I wouldn’t take such risks.”
Upon hearing this, Gu nodded and walked to the back. Before proceeding, he came to Li Yan and whispered, “Tianbao, you seem restless.”
“I’m fine, don’t worry,” responded Li Yan, expressionless.
Gu made an affirming noise and asked no further.
Gu was right, Li Yan did feel a bit irritable.
Although the Sudu birds served as scouts, keeping Li Yan informed at the frontlines, the complex situation between the Red Hair and the pirates meant he couldn’t be sure who would emerge as the final victor.
Zhufen went to Guangzhou City with great joy in his heart. The Yishi pirates have always been notoriously odious. If these people managed to enter the Shili Foreign Field of Guangzhou, the destruction they would cause would be a hundred or even a thousand times greater than that of the Red Hair pirates, and it would also affect Li Yan’s subsequent plans. Now, all he could hope for was that the remnants of the official army he had let go could stall them a little.
Cha Xiaodao, along with all of Li Yan’s resources and Cai Clan’s five hundred Golden Men, set out to strike Macau. There’s still no news, and their situation remains unknown.
The Demon Thief’s forces emerged from Lantau Island intending to encircle him, but they ran into Lady Dan’s hands instead! The Demon Thief’s Taiping Document was met with the supernatural powers of the Wild God’s incense. Li Yan had great confidence in Lady Dan, but with tens of thousands of An Nan pirates accompanying the Demon Thief, the outcome became uncertain…
There was also the matter at hand. If he didn’t take down this wicked ship soon, a defeat at Guangzhou Bay would mean the end of everything. He would have to return with his tail between his legs.
He could even die under the cannon fire of the Red Hair…
Li Yan walked on, contemplating these things. As he moved forward, the voice of Earth Endurance suddenly reached his ears.
“You have received a message.”
It was from Cha Xiaodao.
In front of the Mage Temple in Macau, Cha Xiaodao with a smoking cigarette and a grim expression held the unconscious half-blood nun, “Got it.”
Li Yan felt a shiver in his heart upon hearing this. Securing Macau was the most vital link in all of his objectives. So long as this was assured, even if every other event in Yan Fu ended in failure, Li Yan would have the capital to start over!
While the surprise attack on Macau was mentioned lightly, luck, geography, and human support were all indispensable factors. Li Yan placed great importance on this, dispatching everyone by his side to the mission, including Black Rider Ghost and Bai Laotou, all under Cha Xiaodao’s command.
“How about yourself? Are your injuries severe?”
Li Yan quickened his pace. He rounded a corner.
“Just minor wounds; we easily swept through the enemy. But, Li Yan, I have a question for you…”
Thud!
“Hmm?”
Clang~
Finally, there was the crunching sound of frost and the angry roar of a man!
Cha Xiaodao’s brow furrowed, “What happened?”
“Cough~ Cough cough.”
Li Yan wiped the corner of his mouth and stood up, stuffing the few remaining Yuanmou Jujubes into his mouth, while the wooden cabin door on his back sported a bullet that had pierced through his lungs, marked with scattered bloodstains.
“Ran into a bit of trouble, I’ll contact you later.”
Li Yan’s voice ended the conversation coldly.
Guard of the Duwa Royal Family (Retired) (Equipped with Intermediate Magic Motion Technology)
Next to the seven-letter corner, a line of copper-hatted Portuguese sailors rushed out hurriedly, coming face-to-face with Li Yan. The lead sailor raised his gun, aimed, and pulled the trigger in one fluid motion. Li Yan was quick as well, his Tiger Head Great Spear striking like lightning, smashing the Black Beck Rifle in the man’s hands into pieces. However, he still ended up shot in the lungs.
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The following sailors raised their rifles, but the leader’s command never came.
Splash~
The leading sailor officer fell into a pool of blood, his shoulders and collarbone slashed by the Tiger Head Devouring Blade, creating a surge of blood.
If he had used Ring Dragon, it would have been faster, and he wouldn’t have been hit.
Li Yan regretted inwardly.
The Gaoli ghosts swarmed forward aggressively.