Chapter 670

The Sanchahe mouth in the twilight was dyed through by the blood-red clouds, and the large ship on the river looked like a crouching giant beast.

This Tulip was a typical Western ship, with a statue of the Virgin Mary inlaid on the towering stern tower. Dried Nanyang spices were still hanging between the diagonal mast sails and ropes. Although the sailors maintained it carefully, the mottling left by years of sailing was still clearly visible.

Come to think of it, this ship was very conspicuous at the wharf.

After all, at the Sanchahe wharf, most were grain boats, salt boats, and north-south merchant ships; even if there were foreign ships, their size wouldn't be too large.

But this Tulip was somewhat different.

It had originally followed the Nanyang tribute delegation, passed through Dagu Port, and entered the Jinmen wharf from the Haihe.

As soon as it arrived, it attracted many onlookers. After all, its style was different from the Shenzhou warships, and there were even big shots in Jinmen who heard that the red-haired barbarians' spoons were all gold and silver, so they sneaked into the ship under the cover of night, wanting to get some oil and water.

But those who went were, without exception, had their hands and feet broken and were thrown into the Sanchahe.

An outsider daring to be so arrogant, the city foxes and social rats of Jinmen all moved at the news, wanting to make a big deal out of it.

But no one expected that the Water Division Battalion would suddenly come forward and issue a stern warning.

Not long after, the Jinghai Gang also announced in a high-profile manner that whoever had designs on this ship was looking for trouble for them.

Since then, this ship had settled down, no one bothered it anymore, and the commoners gradually got used to it.

It even became a scene at the wharf, with scholars and merchants admiring it from afar.

And now, this seemingly docile giant finally bared its fangs.

The originally closed windows were opened one by one, and they were all disguised gun ports.

Twenty-four dark cannon barrels slowly protruded from the portholes.

"Scatter!"

Li Yan sensed something wrong from afar and immediately let his companions disperse and move forward.

However, there were far more than just them at the Sanchahe wharf.

At this time, the sun was half-set, and only a touch of red was spread on the water; it was just time for dinner.

On the wharf, the fragrance of deep-fried dough sticks drifted from the sheds.

The porters carrying large bags squatted on the stone steps, gnawing on hard-dough buns stuffed with fermented bean curd and chatting.

Suddenly, someone pointed at the river surface, widened their eyes, and said tremblingly, "Th-this, what is this going to do?"

"Bolas de cadena (chain shot)!"

In the cabin of the Tulip, the fat red-bearded gunnery chief roared.

The shirtless black slave sailors immediately began loading.

The cannonballs they used were two solid iron balls connected by an iron chain.

This thing was originally used to destroy enemy ship masts or sails.

But now, aiming at the wharf, it was clearly intended to pursue lethality.

Seeing that some black slaves were clumsy, the red-bearded gunnery chief kicked one directly, then picked up his rum and gulped it down, the liquid flowing down his dense beard, his eyes bloodshot and turning red, full of cruel madness.

"Fuego (fire)!"

Following his angry order, the *peng peng peng* sound of cannons rang out continuously.

Smoke rolled, and the projectiles wrapped in iron chains roared out of the cannon barrels.

The few grain boats of the Grain Gang in front were the first to suffer.

The "Grain" flag of the Flying Tiger fell instantly, the masts broke, the sails tore, and wood chips flew all over the sky.

"Boom——!"

The chain shot swept across the wharf tea shed; the thick wooden tables, along with four or five porters eating, were broken at the waist.

"Mother! The red-haired barbarians are firing cannons!"

The grain worker Sun Erleng hurriedly lay on the ground, but his hair bun was directly shaved off by the exploding grain transport notice board.

The wooden door of the wharf warehouse burst, and the small mountain of Su silk wooden boxes exploded with a bang; lake-blue satin wrapped around severed fingers flew wildly in the sky.

Several laborers who were originally gambling with dice behind the cargo pile were immediately buried by the collapsing roof.

Aunt Cui, who sold fried river shrimp on the shore, had just collapsed to the ground in fright when the hot oil pot burst with a bang, along with the yellow mud-built stove underneath, instantly igniting a large area of flames. Several grain workers who couldn't dodge in time instantly became fire people, screaming as they jumped into the river.

The fire spread even more rapidly, igniting the surrounding sheds and wooden houses.

The Sanchahe wharf in Jinmen had developed too fast over the years, with countless commoners pouring in, and all kinds of sheds were built randomly.

The wharf government office couldn't manage it, but now it had become a disaster, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

"Toot——!"

On the wharf, there were of course soldiers from the Water Division Battalion on duty. Following the sounding of the warning horn, they ran out holding guns.

However, the Tulip had completely revealed its hideous face at this moment.

Under the gilded tulip pattern of the figurehead, six more Falconet rapid-fire cannons were pushed out from the secret doors.

The *dong dong dong* sound of cannons rang out continuously.

On the wharf, earth and stone splattered instantly, and many soldiers and commoners were directly beaten into powder.

There was a watchtower in the wharf Water Division Battalion, from which one could look out over the river.

A burly, bearded man was lying in the watchtower, swallowing clouds and puffing mist.

His clothes were open randomly, with two women, one feeding him wine and the other stuffing grapes.

Even the opium pipe he was smoking was inlaid with jade.

He was none other than Zhou Kang, the Regional Commander of the Jinmen Water Division Grain Transport.

He was very satisfied with his official position, and his days were as carefree as an immortal.

Whenever he was free, he liked to watch the scenery and smoke opium in the watchtower.

Floating like an immortal, looking at the Sanchahe wharf, he could always give birth to a wonderful feeling of being a local emperor.

*Boom! *

The sound of cannons shook the jade-inlaid opium pipe from his hand.

The Grain Transport Regional Commander Zhou Kang was stunned for a moment, and it took him a long time to react; he rolled and crawled to the front of the watchtower to watch.

Seeing the scene at the wharf, his face turned pale instantly, and he said tremblingly, "It's over..."

According to the rules, the firearms of merchant chamber fleets had to be reported. When entering important Shenzhou wharves, they had to be directly sealed with wooden plugs, the gunpowder handed over, and then reissued upon departure.

Even more so for these foreign barbarian ships, the rules were even more stringent.

Upon entering Dagu Port, all firearms had to be dismantled, and there were Sea Transport Regional Commanders patrolling the Haihe.

When they arrived at the Sanchahe wharf, he had also patrolled a few times as a matter of course.

It was just that later, the red-haired barbarian merchant often offered bribes, so he gradually became slack and ordered people not to approach and harass them.

How did cannons suddenly appear on top?

It must have been under the cover of his orders that they were secretly transported onto the ship.

"My lord, the red-haired barbarians have gone crazy!"

The adjutant under his command crashed through the door, his face full of panic.

"My lord, what should we do? Give the order quickly!"

This adjutant also had a belly full of ghost ideas, knowing that the Water Division Battalion had made a big mistake and the consequences would be unimaginable.

But if he fanned the flames and let Zhou Kang give the order, many black pots could be buckled onto his superior.

However, Zhou Kang was already out of his wits at this moment.

Coupled with having smoked opium, his expression was even more trance-like; his buttocks loosened, and he immediately defecated and urinated.

*Boom! *

Another loud noise, and the nearby official warehouse storing salt was also blown to pieces.

Salt grains filled the sky, like flying snow descending.

The "Heavenly Granary Official Supply" plaque of the Grain Transport Government Office spun and fell into the river water...

"Damn it!"

Li Yan cursed fiercely and quickened his pace.

He didn't understand why this barbarian ship had so many cannons.

The Jinmen Water Division Battalion was simply rotten to the core.

Of course, he couldn't care about thinking too much at this moment.

The sound of cannons roared in his ears, mud and broken stones splattered, and severed limbs and arms flew wildly.

The opponent's twenty-four cannons fired wildly, continuously, with six Falconet cannons interspersed, like a hedgehog on fire. Whether it was the grain boats on the river or the Sanchahe wharf, it was already a mess at this moment, like a battlefield.

No matter how high Li Yan's kung fu was, he was still a mortal flesh and blood; one cannon shot would finish him.

In the previous Battle of Chengdu, he had already extinguished a lamp soul fire, leaving only two lives.

He hadn't found the Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasure to repair it yet; if he hung up here, that would be a big trouble.

*Ka-cha! *

Li Yan dodged the wooden pillar of the tea shed torn apart by the chain shot and poked his head forward to look.

At this moment, he was still a hundred meters from the riverside, and the Tulip was docked a hundred meters away from the river.

If he used the Divine Travel Technique, he could board the ship in a few breaths.

But this short distance was like a natural chasm.

Six Falconet cannons covered it, and there was a large number of muskets firing wildly.

Even if he used the escape technique, it was difficult to get close.

Just at this moment, Li Yan glanced at Wu Ba.

This man was squatting behind the hanging dragon stone pier, quickly loading a Tiger-Crouching Cannon.

When he left the Jinzhou Guild Hall, he had been carrying this thing.

"Wu Ba, cover me!"

Li Yan roared, and at the same time, he pinched the formula, and the paper man flew out from his waist.

And Wu Ba didn't talk nonsense; his knotted muscles were in the smoke and fire as he raised the Tiger-Crouching Cannon.

This thing had been modified and had become a hand cannon.

But only Wu Ba's amazing strange strength and physique could use it.

After lighting the fuse, Wu Ba turned around suddenly, left the stone pier, and aimed at the Tulip.

"Boom!"

A huge roar rang out, even covering the sound of the Tulip's cannons.

These red-haired barbarians had fierce firepower, but it was ordinary gunpowder.

And Wu Ba's Tiger-Crouching Cannon was clearly even more powerful.

The cannon sounded, air waves splattered, and Wu Ba was pushed more than ten meters away by this terrifying recoil, drawing deep marks with his feet, almost plunging headfirst into the fire pile. Before he could tidy up, he rolled quickly, dodging the incoming cannonballs.

Although he was in a sorry state, the Tulip was even more miserable.

The center of the ship's hull was dented inward, appearing with a hole the size of a round table.

Inside, it was bloody and blurred, and one could even see the other side of the ship.

It was Wu Ba's cannon shot that had directly pierced the enemy warship.

Inside the cabin, it was a mess.

The crew inside also revealed their true identities.

Although they were dressed neatly, their dense hair and knotted muscles were covered with various scars and knife marks.

Black skull flags were scattered from the broken boxes.

It turned out to be a group of experienced pirates.

The tragic situation before them not only didn't make them fear but instead stirred up their ferocity.

Some shouted and yelled, firing their guns wildly.

Others cooperated with the black slaves, quickly loading ammunition.

But in this short gap, Li Yan had already leaped out.

He used the Mystic Xuan Xuan Shui Dun, not caring about pursuing concealment, but exerted his full strength, turning into a black mist, and arrived at the riverside in the blink of an eye.

*Peng peng peng! *

Dense gunfire rang out, but the black mist Li Yan had turned into had already submerged into the water.

The Mystic Xuan Xuan Shui Dun was even more powerful in the water, not to mention Li Yan had the blessing of the Dragon Snake Badge.

The muddy river water was like nothing to him.

Even faster than on land.

In the blink of an eye, he arrived at the bottom of the Tulip.

Li Yan's plan was very simple.

The opponent was acting so wildly, clearly not thinking about being able to leave at all.

After all, to go to sea, one still had to pass through the Haihe and Dagu Port.

Along the way, there were not only several naval camps but also artillery forts and checkpoints built on the shore.

They wouldn't be able to reach the seaside at all before being sunk.

Although he didn't know why these people suddenly went crazy, with such dense cannon fire, they must have stockpiled a large amount of gunpowder.

Breaking in from the bottom of the ship and directly igniting the gunpowder warehouse would be an easy victory.

However, just as Li Yan picked up his Dust-Severing Blade, he suddenly felt a chill on his back.

He turned around suddenly, only to see a round hole had been opened on the side of the ship behind him, not knowing when.

Figures darted out and fell into the water with a *plop plop*.

These figures were fast in the water, and they were carrying all kinds of sharp knives and forks in their hands.

After getting close, they were a group of strange-looking monsters.

They had human outlines and complete limbs, but their entire bodies were covered in scales, with fangs in their mouths and bloodshot eyes, looking bloodthirsty and crazy.

Demon Snake Zhao Changsheng Technique!

Li Yan guessed the origin of these things as soon as he saw them.

The original body of the Demon God Gui Long was a hornless snake dragon, cruel by nature, and had no human form.

This demon originally hid in the ancient Yellow River, worshipped by nearby tribal fishermen. It escaped a disaster during the Great Yu's flood control, and later absorbed a large amount of demon-evil qi, becoming even more cruel, and even turned ancient ancestors into demon things to serve itself.

Therefore, there was a Snake Transformation evil technique in the "Demon Snake Zhao Changsheng Technique."

Although it couldn't compare to the technique cultivated by Lu Jinghai, it won in being able to be produced in batches.

Li Yan could already imagine that these snake-like things were controlled by people, launching surprise attacks on enemy ships at night, which was really hard to guard against.

Of course, they weren't enough to look at for him at all.

Li Yan didn't pay attention at all, raised his Dust-Severing Blade, and inserted it fiercely into the bottom of the ship.

And behind him, two Soul-Severing Flying Knives danced up and down, killing all the approaching "Snake People."

*Pu~*

The wood chips in the water scattered, and the Dust-Severing Blade directly drew a semicircle.

As long as Li Yan exerted his palm strength, he could break through the thick bottom of the ship.

But just at this moment, a sudden change occurred.

Inside the Tulip's cabin, waves of fluctuations came.

The schools of fish near the Sanchahe mouth suddenly became crazy, gathering into groups in the blink of an eye, surging up from below and impacting toward Li Yan, mixed with a few highly poisonous water snakes and a black, hairy monster the size of a baby.

Water Monkey?

This kind of evil spirit was not uncommon and had many sources.

Sometimes it was transformed from the corpses of children who drowned, and sometimes it was a vengeful water ghost.

Li Yan didn't fear these things.

What surprised him was that the opponent actually had the ability to control animals on a large scale.

Except for Lu San, this was the first time he had seen it.

"Hmm."

At the same time, Lu San on the shore also frowned slightly, then blew a whistle toward the air.

Only to see the falcon Lidong in the dark night, grabbing the Demon Gourd and swooping down from mid-air.

*Buzz! *

Dense swarms of poisonous bees roared out instantly.

"Ah~"

The red-haired barbarian sailors who were firing guns on the deck were immediately stung and screamed repeatedly.

And Long Yan'er in the distance also waved her water sleeves, releasing countless sesame-sized Gu insects.

This thing was called Sesame Gu; not only could it fly, but it was also extremely poisonous.

With the cooperation of the poisonous bees and Sesame Gu, the deck was immediately in a mess, and the sailors rolled on the ground and lost their breath.

And Sha Lifei and Wu Ba took the opportunity to rush toward the riverbank.

They didn't have Li Yan's escape technique, but they also cooperated with each other to create opportunities.

As for in the water, Li Yan was too lazy to pay attention to those schools of fish and supported upward with his left hand.

*Boom! *

Wood boards splattered, and he rushed into the cabin accompanied by river water.

This red-haired barbarian warship had a ballast layer below, filled with all kinds of sundries.

Li Yan didn't say a word and swung his blade to break the ship again.

Finally, he arrived at the central cabin.

It was already chaotic inside, and those pirate crew members were operating the cannons as if they were crazy.

Li Yan just glanced at it and dismissed his previous plan.

The black gunpowder they had obtained was clearly limited in quantity, and after being bombarded by numerous cannons, there wasn't much left.

Facing Li Yan, who suddenly broke into the ship, these pirate sailors were also taken aback and took out the flintlock muskets from their waists one after another.

The *peng peng peng* sound of gunfire immediately connected into one piece.

Wood chips flew wildly in the cabin, and Li Yan stepped on the chain in reverse, directly crashing through another cabin.

Inside, it was densely packed and brightly lit with candlelight.

The red-haired barbarian merchant Mendes, whom he had seen before, was kneeling on the ground wearing a green wide-brimmed hat and a gray cloak.

Around him, in addition to the strange triangular magic circle surrounded by white paint, there were a large number of candles, incense, and burning ancient books.

Seeing Li Yan break in, this Mendes was immediately panicked, raising his hands and shouting constantly:

"Barbatos! Barbatos!"

(End of chapter)