Chapter 225: Giant Port Upheaval

Late at night, an old wooden boat hung with fishing nets approached the Sanfoqi coast silently. There were no lights on board, only the sound of waves hitting the hull.

Five bald Japanese in white robes were shoved off the boat by Wang Family guards. Each had several black iron cans tied tightly around their waists with hemp rope.

"Remember, keep going east along this road." A guard pointed to a faint mountain silhouette in the distance, "Cross that mountain and you'll see the walls of Giant Port."

"In Giant Port, the busiest places are East Market and West Market. The royal palace lies to the north, with a golden‑roofed hall. Do you understand?"

The five nodded in unison, strange light burning in their eyes.

"The fuse is here." The guard produced several oil‑paper‑wrapped fuses, shoved them into the leader's hand, "Light it, count thirty, then…"

He made a gesturing motion of an explosion.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand." The leader's hoarse voice said, "Thank you, Head of Family, for your mercy, granting us rebirth."

The guard frowned and waved his hand.

"Get lost."

The boat pushed off from shore and quickly vanished into the night. The five stood on a desolate beach, black sea behind them, endless mountains ahead.

"Go." The leader turned and led the way into the mountains.

The other four followed closely behind.

The mountain path was rugged, bristling with thorns and scattered rocks. The five moved on hands and feet, struggling forward in the dark. No one spoke; only heavy breathing and footsteps could be heard.

By dawn they had just crossed the first mountain. One of the oldest Japanese could go no further; his soles were blistered, his face ashen, sweat soaking his robe.

"You… go on ahead…" he said, leaning on a stone and waving his hand.

The leader stopped and looked at him.

"I can still walk," he gritted his teeth and rose, but after taking a single step he collapsed face‑first.

The other three stared at each other.

"Drag him," the leader said.

The strongest Japanese seized one of his arms without a word and dragged him forward along the ground.

The sun rose higher.

At noon they finally emerged from the mountains, seeing the plain and villages in the distance. Further on, the lofty walls of Giant Port and the golden roofs of its palace came into view.

But now the five presented a pitiful sight. Their white robes had turned gray‑brown, stained with dirt and blood. Faces and hands were cut, scalps gouged in several places.

The one who had been dragged had awakened, but he limped, barely able to keep up with the group.

Upon entering the village, they attracted the villagers' attention.

Several women washing clothes by the well saw the filthy bald crowd and screamed, fleeing. An old farmer leading a water buffalo spat.

"Where did these beggars come from!"

Several children followed behind, throwing stones and shouting.

"Get out! Filthy ghosts!"

The five kept their heads down, silent, merely pressing forward.

At the city gate, the guards stopped them.

"Halt! Who are you?"

The leader of the Japanese lifted his head, revealing a face smeared with dust and blood.

"Beggar," he said in stiff Sanfoqi, "I beg for a bite to eat."

The guard frowned, sizing them up. Seeing the iron cans at their waists, he took them for water gourds.

"Get lost!" the guard kicked the leader's shoulder, "Don't loiter at the gate—go beg for food in East Market, where they hand out porridge."

The leader staggered but kept his balance, bowing to the guard.

The five entered the city.

On the streets of Giant Port, people came and went. Vendors' cries, children's play, livestock's cries blended together. The air was thick with the scent of spices, roasted meat, and seafood.

The five ragged bald heads stood out starkly in the bustling market. Passersby glanced askance, some showing disgust, others covering their noses and hurrying away.

"These beggars, truly ill‑omened!"

"How were they let into the city? Are the guards blind?"

"Don't touch me! You're filthy!"

The five turned a deaf ear. Their eyes swept the crowd, searching for their target.

East Market arrived.

This was Giant Port's most prosperous market, with silk, spice, and jewel shops lining the lanes. Many servants of officials and nobles came here to purchase luxuries for their masters. A three‑story tavern stood nearby, its front parked with several ornate carriages.

The leader of the Japanese halted, gazing at the tavern, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"Here," he whispered.

The other four nodded.

The five spread out.

The leader headed for the tavern entrance; the other four each went to the most crowded stalls.

At the tavern door, a fat man in silk robes stepped down from a carriage, his face gleaming with oil, several gemstone rings on his fingers. Two attendants eagerly supported him, fearful he might fall.

The leader of the Japanese walked to the carriage's side and suddenly dropped to his knees.

"Sir, please, give me something to eat."

The fat man glanced down at him, his face instantly twisting with disgust.

"Where did this stinking beggar come from! Get lost!"

An attendant stepped forward and kicked the Japanese in the chest.

The Japanese fell to the ground but did not retreat; instead he kept crawling toward the fat man.

"Sir... please..."

"Still dare to cling to me?" the fat man snapped, "Come! Throw this beggar out!"

Two servants rushed forward, one on each side, lifting the Japanese man, about to drag him out.

The Japanese man suddenly laughed.

That smile, on his face smeared with blood and grime, looked especially eerie.

"Thank you, sir." he muttered, "Thank you, Head of Family."

His hand reached toward the iron can at his waist.

At the same time, in several other corners of East Market, another four Japanese men made the same motion.

The noon sun was fierce and blinding.

The clamor of the street market reached its peak at that moment.

Then—

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Five thunderous booms erupted almost simultaneously.

The facade of the tavern collapsed in the firelight. Before the fat man could even scream, he was buried under rubble and wood chips. The carriage was overturned, the horses neighing as they broke free of their reins and bolted madly into the crowd.

Several stalls in East Market instantly became a sea of fire. Vendors, customers, passersby collapsed in the explosion, flesh and blood flying.

The anguished cries pierced the heavens.

The entire giant harbor plunged into chaos!