Chapter 761: Ambush Again

The two pirates were held in separate cells; one was barely alive, so the Embroidered Uniform Guard dared not use harsh interrogation methods, fearing that a single too-forceful move would kill him.

The other had been hung up and subjected to much torture, but his mouth remained stubbornly shut—stubborn in a way that didn't resemble a pirate at all.

Yang Shan walked to the lower deck, first glanced at the half-dead pirate, then at the one hung up, and said: "Soon, we'll know who sent you. To ambush and kill imperial envoys—if we uncover your identities, your nine clans will be exterminated! Unless you earn redemption through service, or unless you're innocent of intent—if you never meant to ambush the imperial envoy to begin with."

The hanging pirate's heart tightened, his fist clenched, and the chains clinked loudly.

Yang Shan stepped forward and whispered: "Whether it's the former or the latter, seize your chance quickly—because soon, you'll have many companions in captivity. You're stubborn, but they may not have your grit."

The pirate's face was numb; only when Yang Shan turned to leave did he slightly lift his head, watching his silhouette vanish, his inner scales swaying endlessly.

That night, the sea was calm, and the fleet advanced further toward Quanzhou.

At dawn, more islands appeared around them, and more fishing boats came into view—now and then, one or two small boats could be seen.

Pan Yun held a telescope and watched with great interest: "Fishermen suffer, but those who can't go out to fish suffer more. No wonder so many coastal fishermen flee abroad—even if they don't become pirates, finding another place to fish is still a way to live."

Xue Shao looked at the telescope in her hand.

Pan Yun casually handed it to him and said to Wang Cong: "When we return, make telescopes. Once maritime trade picks up, these will sell like crazy."

Wang Cong immediately agreed.

Xue Shao paused, then asked: "You can make these?"

"Of course," Wang Cong replied offhandedly, holding his own telescope and scanning the sea: "It's not hard. Many disciples at the Imperial Academy can make them."

Xue Shao wanted to learn too.

Wang Cong readily agreed: "I'll teach you when I make mine. It's easy—just watch twice and you'll get it. Takes a long time to build, though."

But it's expensive, worth every hour of labor.

Still, civilian use is rare; outside the military, only the exceptionally wealthy and eccentric buy them. Sales are low—Ministry of Works and the Tool Workshop can meet demand.

But if maritime trade truly takes off, sales of these will skyrocket!

Wang Cong chuckled, already decided to find someone to make telescopes upon returning.

Xue Shao finished looking, put down the telescope, and said: "Be careful tonight."

Meanwhile, Yang Shan ordered all ships to inspect their weapons, even checking every cannon.

Pan Yun and the others ate lunch, then slept until evening. Nothing happened that night.

Yet the crew remained vigilant, maintaining two shifts per day—half always on wartime alert, day or night.

Until the sixth night after departure, they could faintly see the mountains of Great Ming. At night, the sea wind grew stronger, waves crashing against the hull again and again.

Pan Yun, sitting cross-legged on her bed, opened her eyes. She picked up Pan Xiaohei, who was dozing on her knees, and placed him on the pillow. A sword appeared in her hand; she drew it and stepped out of the cabin.

Master Xuanmiao opened her door just then.

The two mistress-sisters exchanged a glance, then ascended together onto the deck.

The night was unusually dark—the moon hidden behind clouds, the surroundings hollow, nothing visible.

But their ears were sharp—they heard the faint sound of oars cutting through the waves.

Pan Yun listened a moment, then placed her fingers in her mouth and whistled sharply. The piercing sound echoed across the sky; her Qi rippled outward, heard by every nearby ship. Soldiers on full alert instantly opened their eyes, grabbed weapons, and sprinted from their cabins…

Sleeping soldiers jolted awake; the entire ship came alive. Yang Shan ordered men to guard the two pirates, then drew his sword and stepped out to organize defenses.

Xiao Hong appeared behind Pan Yun, her red robes vivid against the darkness.

Pan Yun turned her head and gave her a slight nod. Xiao Hong giggled, vanished on the spot, and moments later appeared on a small boat.

Ten men lay hidden on the boat, one hand gripping knife hilts, the other gently rowing, eyes fixed on the nearby large ship.

They had heard the whistle moments before and were now startled and uncertain—when a woman's giggle sounded right beside their ears.

Where did a woman come from on the sea?

Their bodies stiffened. Slowly, they turned their heads—and saw a red-clad woman standing at the stern. She bowed slightly and smiled at them: "My lords, your humble servant greets you."

Their eyes bulged. They trembled violently. Screams erupted instantly across the night.

Pan Yun, hearing the screams, nocked an arrow and drew her bow. Master Xuanmiao snapped her fingers—a tiny flame danced at her fingertip, igniting the arrowhead.

The flaming arrow sliced through the sky, following the sound—thwack! —it pierced a pirate, who screamed even louder.

The flaming arrow and the screams exposed their positions. Soldiers surged forward, firing arrows along the path of Pan Yun's shot…

Xiao Hong floated away with a giggle; as she left, she flicked her long sleeve—two pirates nearby were swept into the sea…

In an instant, she appeared on another boat…

More exposed boats emerged from the dark. The pirates no longer hid—they sped toward the large ships, while others leapt into the sea, swimming underwater…

And pirates who had lain hidden beneath the waves had already reached the hull. Some stabbed at the ship's side with knives, climbing up nimbly; others took deep breaths, dove under the hull, and began drilling…

Pan Yun and Master Xuanmiao raised their swords, fingers pinching the air—flashing swords spun in midair, then plunged violently into the sea, stabbing at any body they saw…

Meanwhile, soldiers with firelocks advanced, aiming at the shadowy figures in the water and firing.

Other soldiers ran to the lower deck, opened the defensive compartments, and attacked the pirates drilling beneath the hull…

Soon, crimson blood surfaced on the sea. The once-quiet waters erupted in chaos.

A drumbeat sounded. Two massive ships broke through the sea fog, sailing from west to east toward them.

In the darkness, Pan Yun seemed to hear the sound of them loading cannons.

Pan Yun formed a hand seal and pointed—her sword burst from the water. She leapt onto it and shot away in a blur.

Master Xuanmiao followed right behind.

Tao Ji, seeing them charge forward so recklessly, could only stomp his foot and took command of the fleet.

Pirates began climbing aboard. Wang Cong and others spread out; as pirates appeared, they were immediately slain.

Wang Cong shouted: "Long spear formation—two men with long spears, one with sword or knife. Three per unit. Spread out, defend!"

This long spear formation was their invention over the past few days—specifically for ship defense. If a pirate climbs the hull, the spearmen stab him back into the sea. If he climbs aboard, the swordsman cuts him down. Effective at both range and close quarters.

They had trained for days and quickly found their practice partners, forming units.

Just as Pan Yun and Master Xuanmiao flew off, a cannonball from afar struck the ship's side. The vessel rocked violently from the wave impact; water droplets stung skin painfully. Many ears rang, and soldiers staggered backward several steps.

Pan Yun and Master Xuanmiao landed on the enemy's large ship, turned, and killed the pirates operating the cannon... (End of Chapter)