As the group headed towards the river, the night was always silent and serene. With the moon glowing up in the sky, the group was less cautious. The group was forbidden from drinking alcohol. The main ship was indulging in music and parties. Rui and his friends joined in. Yawen decided to be up alongside Zen. A large vessel followed the group from far away. One of the pirates said, The night is still young; we shall wait a little longer. He commands his people to go a different way and surround them. Up in the river, they had their ship, which would prevent an escape from all sides. The pirate captain commanded his other captains that if we could successfully capture the vessel, we could blackmail the Eiga merchant group and rake up millions of Gold. Boys, it is a night to remember.
The pirates slowly surrounded the group. They raised their fire arrows from all sides and lit up the night sky. Bells rang all over, warning of the surprise attack. The mercenaries were the first to be hit. The main ship had a few arrows striking them. The ships of Rui loaded with cannons and all started firing at the group. The pirates started their own assault on the ships with their canons. The mercenaries all got into action, with their respective captains leading them. The pirates connected the ships with ladders. The fight left the serene and tranquil Jiang River in chaos. Sounds of cannons being fired on all sounds echoed.
The pirates joined their ladders and attacked the ships of the mercenaries. The captains fought the captains of the pirates. The mercenery being surrounded took a lot of damage through the cannon fires. The pirates connected ladders to their ship, and hoardes of pirates started raiding them.
Meanwhile, on the main ship, Yawen got angry and left the room. Before she left the room, she kissed Zen on the cheek and said, "I'll be back." She joined with Rui to access the situation. Yawen, with her already bad state, still helped the group. Rui ordered all his men to support the mercenaries. The newly recruited officers went to work. They had recruited Officer Kang Li with them. Kang Li helped them by blocking cannon balls.
Yawen said they are after you, Rui; your safety is our top priority. Rui was forced to go to the basement of the ship, where there would be a way to escape if things escalated. Yawen joined with the others.
Above deck, Yawen regrouped with the rest of the crew. Their plan was simple but risky: destroy the ship ahead of them to create an escape route. They couldn't afford to be surrounded. Rui sat in the basement, straining to hear what was happening above. The sounds of the crew's preparations were barely audible over the pounding of his own heart. He knew everything depended on perfect timing and wished to be there with the others.
The pirates outnumbered the group, as they had come well prepared and had stalked Rui's ship from Angyang. As the main ship began attacking the ship in front of them to make an escape, the pirates reinforced it. More ships are emerging from the riverbanks. With the situation looking dire, Xu Fu himself decided to engage, leaving the ship command to his subordinate. The pirates eventually reached the main ship, and a battle ensued.
Xu Fu and the main captain of the pirates, Shokin, faced each other on the deck, tension crackling in the air.
"Greetings, old friend," Shokin said with a sly smile.
Xu Fu's expression was grim. "It seems like fate has brought us back together, but this time, we're fighting each other."
"Indeed," Shokin replied, a hint of sorrow in his voice. "Life is quite painful, you see. You end up fighting your own friends and killing your own people. It's brutal."
Xu Fu's eyes narrowed. "Shokin, it seems you've been through a lot. Why don't you blame yourself for once?"
Shokin shook his head. "I blame circumstances. I blame fate."
Xu Fu took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Let's call a truce. I'll give you 30 percent of the goods on the ships if you just leave us alone."
Shokin's smile faded as he considered the offer. "No, Xu Fu. I can't do that."
"There's no need for bloodshed," Xu Fu insisted, his voice rising in desperation. "We can resolve this without violence. Just get off my ship!"
Shokin laughed with a harsh, bitter sound. "We are pirates, Xu Fu. We live on the edge. Death is like the wind, always by my side."
Xu Fu clenched his fists, realizing that words would no longer suffice. The battle was inevitable.
The pirate summoned a monkey, while Xu Fu summoned his Aqua Serpent. The pirate monkey leaps agilely across burning ships, evading the relentless pursuit of Xu Fu's Aqua Serpent. The serpent, with its ability to manipulate water, extinguishes flames on allied ships and clears a path by demolishing a pirate vessel, blocking their escape route.
Meanwhile, on the main decks of the ships, mercenaries under Rui's command engage in fierce combat with pirate captains and their crews. Captain Ku Shi, a seasoned mercenary leader, clashes blades with Daolan, the ruthless second-in-command of the pirates. Their swords clash amidst lightning flashes and roaring waves, each aiming to gain the upper hand in the deadly dance of combat. On the other hand, Captain Len Shu, known for his strategic acumen, faces off against Paotei, a cunning pirate captain skilled in naval warfare. Their ships maneuver around each other, exchanging cannon fire and boarding attempts, as they vie for dominance over the turbulent waters. Finally, Di Xia, a fierce warrior with a reputation for her swift strikes and unwavering resolve, confronts Kushia, a pirate captain known for his brutality and ruthless tactics. Their duel is a whirlwind of martial prowess and cunning maneuvers, each seeking to outwit and overpower the other amidst the chaos of battle.
As the battle rages on, the Aqua Serpent's path-clearing efforts pay off. With the blockade destroyed, Rui's ships seize the opportunity to break free from the encirclement. The river becomes a raceway as ships race forward, propelled by wind and willpower, navigating through the river.
The fierce battle between the captains had everyone engaged. Chen Wei fought off the pirates that were trying to harm the non-combatants there. They were heavily outnumbered. Yawen saw the fight between Xu Fu and Shokin and went to help him. Xu was interested and said I'd take him myself; you can go to help others. You have a pretty lady over there. Shokin introduces himself with grace. Yawen ignores him and goes awry; Shaokin is furious about that. Yawen goes to help the mercenaries. The pirates number at 500 due to increased reinforcements. Being heavily outnumbered, Yawen aims at a pirate ship, and with a big gust of her Esentia, she attacks one of the ships following them. She destroys its sails, rendering it useless. The pirates were onboard another ship. Yawen then uses her elemental fire to burn down the ship.
A guy sees that and compliments her for her thinking. The same guy stalked Rui. Yawen looked at the top of the ship and saw the guy. He introduces himself as Lao Li. Yawen asks, What do you want? Lao Li points at Yawen and says, I want you. Yawen says, "I'm already taken."
Lao Li, with disappointment in his eyes, says, Then I'll take you from me. They engage in a fight. Lao Li sheathes his daggers and engages in a fight with Yawen. Yawen, with her dual swords, fights on the edge of the ship. Their battle rages on.
In the midst of the chaotic battle between the pirates and the captains Kushia and Len Shu, the tide of conflict began to turn as Paotei, a seasoned pirate leader, saw an opportunity for mutual gain. "Captain Len Shu," he called out amidst the clash of swords and the sound of cannon fire, "join us! We can share the ransom and the spoils from this ship. There's no need for further bloodshed."
Len Shu, his blade poised defensively, glanced around at his dwindling crew and the overwhelming numbers of Paotei's pirates. He hesitated, weighing his options. Meanwhile, Kushia, known for her strategic mind and prowess in combat, approached Di Xia, her counterpart from the opposing crew. Di Xia," she said calmly, "we don't need to keep fighting. Together, we can capture the main ship and live in comfort. Imagine the riches and freedom from constant battles. You deserve more than this endless struggle."
Di Xia, a fierce fighter with a reputation for independence, bristled at the suggestion. "You can't buy me with promises of luxury, Kushia," he retorted sharply, his eyes narrowing. Kushia shook her head, her voice taking on a softer tone. "I'm not trying to buy you," she replied evenly. "I'm offering you a choice. A life where you can enjoy more than just survival. You could be free to wear beautiful dresses and to live without the constant threat of a blade at your throat."
As the battle raged on, Len Shu and Kushia exchanged a meaningful glance across the chaos. They saw in each other a reflection of their own desires for something beyond the endless struggle for wealth and power. Paotei's offer of alliance echoed in their minds, promising not just survival but prosperity.
Finally, amidst the clashing of steel and the cries of the wounded, Len Shu and Kushia reached a silent agreement. They would join forces against the overwhelming might of Paotei's crew. With a nod, Len Shu sheathed his sword and stepped forward, raising his hand in a gesture of truce. "We accept your offer," he called out to Paotei, his voice cutting through the noise of battle. "Let's end this pointless fight."
Paotei grinned, recognizing victory in his grasp. "Welcome aboard," he said, his voice carrying authority over the chaos. "Together, we'll take the main ship and claim our fortune."
Shaokin and everyone heard them boost the morale of the pirates while lowering the morale of Rui's ship. Captain Xu Fu rose and said, We might have lost our members, but we haven't lost the war. Together, fight me to the end and do not lose hope, as if you lose hope, you will lose everything. The words from Captain Xu boosted everyone's morale. They started fighting even harder against all odds.
Daolan, his face twisted with a mix of contempt and frustration, sought to sway Ku Shi from his loyalty.
"Why resist, Ku Shi?" Daolan taunted, his blade whistling dangerously close. "They see you as expendable, a mere tool. Join us, and we can be equals. You deserve better than being used and discarded."
Ku Shi's expression remained stoic, unwavering in his commitment. "Loyalty above all," he declared firmly, deflecting another series of strikes with practiced skill. "I serve where my honor lies, not where opportunity falters."
Daolan cringed, his attacks growing more aggressive as he sought to break through Ku Shi's defense. "You're a fool, Ku Shi!" he spat. "Your loyalty will be your downfall."
Their duel intensified, with each clash of blades a testament to their skill and determination. The battle raged on, neither willing to yield ground. Suddenly, the storm raged, with rain lashing against the decks, slick with blood and sea spray.
With tremendous force, their swords clashed, the weight of their convictions echoing with every blow. For a moment, the scene—a lone mercenary captain fending off a pirate's unrelenting attack—was illuminated by a flash of lightning overhead. In addition to his fighting prowess, Ku Shi battled with a resolve that came from years of duty and an unyielding belief in himself.
In the midst of combat, Ku Shi recognized an opening when Daolan hesitated for an instant. He disarmed his opponent with well-honed precision, sending Daolan's blade flying to the damp deck.
Daolan stood up and launched a last-ditch attack on Ku Shi, drawing his second sword. When the lightning suddenly emerged and blinded Daolan, Ku Shi and Daolan stabbed each other in their final battle. Ku Shi's blade pierced Daolan in the chest, causing him to fall, and Ku Shi was stabbed in the side of his stomach. As lightning hit once more, Daolan beheld Ku Shi's face for the last time before collapsing to his knees and exhaling his last breath. With a forceful yet weary voice, Ku Shi remarked, "You fight for power and plunder." I stand up for what I believe in."
Eventually all the captains got onboard and started ganging up on Captain Xu Fu. Xu Fu yelled, "You, sons of bitches. You bite the very hand that feeds you." Xu Fu, being outnumbered, says you shall all die here pointlessly. Shaokin says my plan worked. Xu, you have no hope of winning. I shall spare your life, as you are my old friend. Tell me where that master of yours is. Let's not delay the inevitable. As the pirates slowly cornered in and the storm raging more, Xu Fu said, "I had taken an oath, and I would fulfill it even through blood, sweat, and tears." Shokin clapped his hand in admiration.
wonderful former companion I had always aspired to be like you, but you see circus people. Xu Fu shouted that your income is surprising given your circumstances. Ku Shi suddenly showed up to help Xu. To help Xu Fu, they brought in another valiant warrior they had hired, Kai Zu. Shaokin was dejected to learn of Daolan's defeat. He challenged the other to a duel. However, Chen Wei was battling numerous pirates by himself. He shouted after being hit in the back by an arrow. Rui, who was at the back the entire way down, thought that the pirates' numerical advantage was a dangerous situation. Rui is hoping for a supernatural occurrence.
In the midst of the chaotic battle, Yawen and Lao Li engaged in a desperate duel amidst the raging storm and the backdrop of burning ships. Yawen, hampered by the effects of the poison coursing through her veins, fought with every ounce of strength she could muster. Her movements were slower than usual, the poison sapping her vitality, but her determination remained fierce.
Lao Li, a trained ninja, proved to be a formidable adversary—swift, agile, and relentless in his attacks. He darted around Yawen's strikes with the precision of a shadow, his strikes aiming to exploit her weakened state. Yawen attempted to use her wind arts to gain the upper hand, but Lao Li evaded each assault effortlessly, his movements like water flowing around rocks.
Struggling to maintain her footing, Yawen called upon Ling for assistance. Ling, ever loyal, infused Yawen with additional Essentia, bolstering her reserves of power. Yet, despite Ling's aid, the poison continued to take its toll. Yawen gritted her teeth against the pain in frustration. "Why now, of all places? she screamed."
Suddenly, in a swift and calculated move, Lao Li struck Yawen with a powerful kick aimed directly at the mark where the poison had taken hold. Agony ripped through Yawen, and blood spilled from her lips as she staggered backward, falling off the ship. While she slowly drowned, she tried to summon Feiyu. Realizing she couldn't summon Feiyu in her weakened state, Yawen pleaded with Ling for another solution. Ling, knowing the gravity of the situation, made a difficult decision. She sacrificed her parts, channeling them into Essentia that Yawen could use to summon Feiyu.
As Feiyu emerged from the depths, the river roiled around its majestic form, its scales shimmering with an ethereal glow under the stormy sky. Lao Li, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the powerful creature, momentarily faltered in his relentless assault on Yawen. His eyes widened as he beheld Yawen perched atop Feiyu.
With a graceful sweep of its wings, Feiyu unleashed a torrent of powerful winds that swept across the battlefield. The gusts tore through the pirate ships like a force of nature, splintering masts and sending sails flying. Lao Li, still recovering from his surprise, found himself caught in the maelstrom, struggling to maintain his footing amidst the chaos.
But Feiyu was not finished. With a primal roar that reverberated across the waters, the creature unleashed a concentrated blast of wind from its mouth, creating a small tornado that spun with destructive force. The swirling vortex tore through the remaining pirate ships and Rui's ship with relentless fury, scattering debris and sending pirates scrambling for cover. Lao Li, caught in the center of the tempest, fought desperately against the punishing winds. Lao Li, battered, fell.
Yawen collapsed from the top of Feiyu, falling over.
Abruptly, the main character of the novel, Zen, jumped and took Yawen in his hands. Yawen, looking at Zen, felt a surge of gratitude and happiness as she slowly closed her eyes. Zen safely landed in a big barrel in the river. Their eyes met briefly—a silent acknowledgment and mutual respect passing between them.
Zen turned his attention back to Yawen, his concern etched in the furrow of his brow as he checked her pulse and breathing. Despite the weariness etched on her features, Yawen appeared peaceful in slumber, her trust in Zen evident even in her unconscious state.
Zen's swift leap landed him firmly on the deck of a nearby ship, where he gently laid Yawen down on a makeshift bed. Ling quickly briefed him on the dire situation—the ongoing battle, Yawen's condition weakened by the poison, and the looming threat of the pirate fleet closing in.
Understanding the urgency, Zen wasted no time. With a determined focus, he channeled his elemental arts, summoning a vortex of fire that spiraled outward with devastating force. The fiery tornado engulfed several pirate ships, their wooden hulls splintering and catching fire amidst the chaos of battle. Flames erupted, casting an ominous glow over the roiling waters.
Shokin, witnessing the sudden onslaught, clenched his fists in frustration. "Who is this new nuisance?" he growled, his voice laced with anger and disbelief at the unexpected turn of events.
Xu Fu, ever composed amidst the turmoil, stepped forward with a calm assurance. "He is Zen, the comrade of Rui," he declared, his tone carrying a note of respect for the young warrior's prowess. "It seems we are gaining the upper hand in this battle."
As the ships continued sailing and dawned near them, Zen joined the fight. He used his wind art to push all of the people on deck away. Zen fought Shokin and his new allies by himself. Zen, with his hand-to-hand combat, parried their attacks. Shaokin joined in. His movements were fluid and precise. Xu Fu and Ku Shi joined Chen Wei to fight the pirates. Shokin kicked Zen and sent him backwards. Zen, with fire on his hands and his legs lowered and one extended lowered down, challenged all of them to fight him. They surrounded Zen, and Zen fought each of them by himself. The fight made them switch ship after ship. They eventually reached the corner.
Swords flashed in the dim light as Zen continued to defend himself against multiple opponents.
In a climactic surge of elemental power, Zen unleashed a devastating inferno that engulfed Shokin and his allies. Flames roared and danced across the deck, consuming everything in their path with searing intensity. Feiyu, sensing Zen's resolve, added its own strength to the conflagration, channeling fierce winds that whipped the flames into a roaring tempest. The combined assault was overwhelming, scattering pirates and shattering their defenses amidst the chaos of fire and wind.
As the storm subsided and dawn broke over the horizon, rays of sunlight pierced through the dissipating clouds, casting a gentle glow upon the scene of battle. Zen stood atop the debris of fallen ships, his figure bathed in the soft light that symbolized the end of the conflict. Around him lay defeated pirates.
As the flames of battle subsided and the pirates dropped their weapons in surrender, the deck fell silent, save for the crackling of fire and the gentle lapping of waves against the damaged ships. Rui emerged from below deck, his expression a mix of relief and concern as he took in the scene before him. Zen stood tall amidst the wreckage.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Rui swiftly organized their forces. The injured were tended to, and preparations were made to transport the captured pirates and mercenaries to Chan'an for justice. Under Rui's leadership, the remaining crew worked tirelessly to salvage what they could from the wreckage, ensuring that valuable goods and provisions were secured for the journey ahead.
As dawn bathed the horizon in soft hues of pink and gold, the weary fleet set sail for Chan'an, the city of their destination, gleaming in the distance. The long night of battle and turmoil was finally over. Upon reaching Chan'an's harbor, they delivered the captured pirates and mercenaries to the authorities, who swiftly took them into custody. Rui, with his meticulous planning and unwavering determination, ensured that most of their valuable cargo made it safely ashore, securing both their victory and their goods.
Rui grants Ku Shi the right to serve him as a bodyguard for his unwavering loyalty and rewards him handsomely, as Xu was already old and battered by the battle. They all stop by the inn to discuss their further plans.