“Husband, for a swordsman, agility and sharpness are far more important than strength.”
In a small castle not far from the Tianshui City coast, Nai’er was teaching Sauron sword practice.
At this time, the vast majority of the Queen Island fleet had already returned and docked.
Even the Rock people and Rock pirates had begun landing to make camp, enjoying fine wine and delicacies.
The entire Tianshui City sank into tranquillity before the great decisive battle.
And Sauron seized this rare opportunity to follow Nai’er in learning swordsmanship.
“So-called agility is nerve speed, reaction speed. As long as it is fast enough, one can dodge the enemy’s attack, or strike the enemy.”
“So-called sharpness is being able to discover the enemy’s flaws, and exploiting the enemy’s flaws.”
“The Tribulation Sword has thirteen moves in total. Now we practise the first move!”
Just at this moment, Ye Jingyu stepped forward to report, “Master, Princess Zhi Yan has arrived.”
Nai’er seemed not to hear, continuing to correct Sauron’s posture.
Ye Jingyu lowered her head, pursing her lips in a smile, “Miss has also come.”
“Ah…” Nai’er’s face reddened, “Elder Sister has also come. Then let us quickly go down.”
…
“Daughter Suo Ningbing, pays respects to Aunt.” Suo Ningbing knelt on both knees, gazing at Yan Chuor with admiration.
Yan Chuor’s face showed slight awkwardness, then her gaze became gentle as she helped Suo Ningbing rise.
The little princess Yan Xue’er’s beautiful eyes stared at Suo Ningbing, continuously looking with curiosity, full of excitement and eagerness to try.
“Little Xue.” Suo Ningbing called gently.
“Elder Sister.” Yan Xue’er said sweetly, immediately running over to take Suo Ningbing’s hand.
This elder sister, she had liked at first sight, even exactly matching the elder sister she had imagined.
“Zhi Yan, pays respects to the Rock Queen.” Princess Zhi Yan stepped forward, performing a half bow.
Yan Chuor dared not receive the courtesy, instead performing a full bow to Zhi Yan.
There were many kings in this world, the King of Rock Islands, the King of Black Mountain and so on.
But those recognised by the Dragon God Temple and the Flame Empire, and receiving final enfeoffment, were only four kings.
The King of Dongli, the King of Xiliang, the King of Nu Lang, the King of Beifeng.
Like the Rock Islands, although unmatched on the sea surface, they had less than one hundred thousand people, fewer in number than a vassal territory of the Nu Lang Kingdom. So the weight of this king was certainly insufficient.
Sauron came down, bowing to Princess Zhi Yan, “Pays respects to Your Highness.”
Princess Zhi Yan nodded, “The four forces’ over one hundred thousand troops have assembled at Luanyang City. Zhi Li is personally commanding this war to destroy Sauron. The great battle is about to commence.”
Sauron led several people to the small conference room of the castle.
Inside, an enormous sand table was already laid out, half land, half sea, with various islands.
The entire sand table was several tens of square metres.
Princess Zhi Yan’s eyes brightened upon seeing this sand table. This was far more three-dimensional and intuitive than a map, perfect for commanding and war.
“If nothing unexpected happens, once night falls, the naval forces to destroy Sauron will move south, commencing the war to destroy Sauron.”
“The enemy has four forces in total, respectively the Luanyang City fleet, the Linhai City fleet, the Yingzhou Island fleet, and the Tu Ling family’s ground army. Naval troops between sixty to seventy thousand, seven hundred warships, other vessels three hundred, ground troops around sixty thousand, a total of one hundred thirty thousand troops!”
“And in our hands, we only have the Queen Island fleet composed of seven thousand Rock pirates, yet must defend two places, one Tianshui City territory, one the Rocky Island salt works. This is clearly unrealistic, so I have decided to evacuate all people from the Rocky Island salt works, returning to Tianshui City.”
At these words, many people present were startled.
Su Mu said in astonishment, “Master, the Rocky Island salt works is currently our only source of wealth, producing astronomical profits every day. Are we to just hand it over like this?”
Sauron said, “If we lose this battle, the Rocky salt works cannot be preserved. If we win this battle, the Rocky salt works will not be lost.”
Suo Feiyang said, “Then should we not destroy the salt works, not letting it fall into enemy hands?”
Sauron said, “No need. We must guarantee the Rocky salt works remains intact and undamaged. Because this Rocky salt works is a huge piece of fat meat, certainly not to be divided by only one party. So before the war ends, the enemy will not occupy it. In this great battle, Zhi Li’s greatest goal, even his only goal, is my life, and the Queen Island fleet!”
…
The Luanyang City Lord’s mansion.
The four forces, including Prince Zhi Li, were in a magnificent and enormous conference room, making final battle deployments.
“In this battle our goal is only one, to completely destroy Sauron’s Queen Island fleet, to kill Sauron.”
“Victory in this battle already holds no suspense, but one thing must absolutely not happen. That is Sauron and Suo clan members using the Queen Island fleet’s speed advantage to escape, fleeing far overseas.”
“So, the only goal of this battle is to completely annihilate Sauron’s fleet. Everything must serve this goal.”
“After completely annihilating Sauron’s Queen Island fleet, over one hundred thousand troops will land in Tianshui City territory, destroying the Suo clan!” Zhi Li said, “Count Tu Liwen, Count Gui Xingfu, you are more familiar with the Tianshui City waters. Where do you think the landing location should be chosen?”
Luanyang City Lord Tu Liwen came before the map, pointing at a bay, “Here. This is a bay of several tens to nearly a hundred li. Almost no ground castle defenses, and the terrain is flat, almost the only place suitable for large-scale troop landings.”
Indeed so. Although Tianshui City territory was coastal, its coastline was not long, and port conditions were not good. So it had not developed into a huge maritime force like Luanyang City.
Gui Xingfu said, “The Suo clan of Tianshui City does not value sea power, so this bay has no name. Please, Prince Zhi Li, name it.”
Zhi Li said, “We are playing the role of pirates, landing from here to play the destruction symphony of the Suo clan, and even greater figures. Let us name it Devil Bay.”
“Devil Bay, a good name. Let us be devils of hell for a while!” Everyone laughed loudly.
Zhi Li said loudly, “In this battle, our ten-to-one strength will destroy the Suo clan with crushing force. Whatever tactics we use, however we fight, we will certainly win. So, I once again emphasise, the only goal of this battle is to completely annihilate Sauron’s fleet, to kill Sauron. Everything else must step aside.”
“Understood!”
Zhi Li looked at the setting sun in the west.
“Night is about to fall. You depart!”
Because they were to play the role of a pirate fleet, they needed to somewhat conceal themselves from public view, so the great army set out after night fell.
Thus, everyone escorted Zhi Li to the pier.
Zhi Li poured a cup of wine, but did not drink it, placing it before the shore, “I will leave this cup here, waiting for you to return in triumph, using Sauron’s head to accompany the wine.”
Luanyang City Lord Tu Liwen, Linhai City Lord Gui Xingfu and others said with emotion, “We are willing to pledge military orders, within five days, to cut off Sauron’s head and completely annihilate the Suo clan fleet!”
Zhi Li smiled, “Duke Tu Ling and I will wait here for your good news.”
“Understood!”
Tu Liwen, Gui Xingfu, Hai Wuyan, Hai Naier, Ashi Zhuo, Tu Lingchen and all others boarded their respective flagships.
Then, flags on all ships were raised, uniformly all skull and scimitar flags, flags representing pirate forces.
This was truly a heaven-shaking joke. Pirates capable of possessing over a thousand ships and over one hundred thousand troops did not exist in this world.
The emperor’s new clothes, plugging one’s ears while stealing a bell, nothing more than this.
A conch sound rang out.
Over a thousand ships, over one hundred thousand troops, covering the sky and earth, stretching out magnificently, following the Eastern Sea southward, charging toward the Tianshui City waters.
…
At the Tianshui City pier.
One hundred Queen Island fleet ships had assembled.
Correct, merely one hundred.
The various warships in Sauron’s hands, plus captured ones, numbered around one hundred sixty.
But now, only one hundred were being dispatched, to face the enemy’s over one thousand ships.
“Princess, Nai’er, the defense of Tianshui main city is entrusted to you two.” Sauron said.
Princess Zhi Yan said, “I shall certainly exert my full strength.”
Nai’er did not speak, only looking at Sauron.
“Little Xue, you go home with Elder Sister. Once the battle is finished, Mother and I will come home to find you.” Sauron said to the little princess Yan Xue’er.
“Yes.” Yan Xue’er looked at Sauron with her large eyes, nodding forcefully.
Sauron and Yan Chuor turned, boarding the flagship of the Queen Island fleet.
A horn sounded.
The Queen Island fleet slowly set sail, heading north.
On the pier, Princess Zhi Yan bowed deeply, not rising for a long time.
Because she knew, although this battle was fought for the survival of the Suo clan, it was also for her throne, for the Zhi clan’s kingdom.
…
On the vast sea!
The army to destroy Sauron of over one thousand ships and over one hundred thousand troops stretched out magnificently southward.
The Suo naval forces of one hundred ships and seven thousand Rock pirates moved sharply northward.
The two fleets were on the same route, actually about to collide head-on.
From the moment of departure, the distance between the two sides was two thousand five hundred li.
At this speed, after two days and one night, the two fleets would crash into each other face to face.
At this time, wherever Sauron’s fleet passed, not a single ship could be seen, not even a single pirate appearing.
Because almost all surface forces, all sea merchants, all pirates knew that an unprecedented sea battle would take place in these waters.
Of course, it was also a battle of unprecedented disparity between the two sides.
At the Pirate Harbour, betting pools on this great battle had already been open for several days.
However, no matter how high the odds were adjusted, still no one was willing to bet on the Suo clan winning. So this betting pool had never truly opened.
But yesterday, a mysterious guest suddenly appeared.
Directly taking out one hundred thousand gold notes, betting on the Suo clan fleet achieving victory. Of course, the one placing the bet was naturally sent by Sauron.
Immediately, countless hungry wolves swarmed in, one after another buying into the great victory of the army to destroy Sauron.
This was a betting pool of direct wagering, not requiring win rates. If Sauron lost, then the one hundred thousand gold coins bet would be divided among the other bettors.
If Sauron won, then all bets placed on the army to destroy Sauron winning would be swallowed by him.
So, how many gold coins were bet on the army to destroy Sauron winning?
A full two hundred sixty thousand gold coins. The Pirate Harbour truly deserved to be called the richest place in the world, everywhere flowing with an ocean of gold coins.
Of course, apart from these bets on whether Sauron would win or lose, there were more bets on how many days until Sauron’s defeat.
Almost everyone bet on Sauron’s fleet being completely annihilated within three days.
…
Time passed minute by second.
Night fell, then dawn broke, then night fell again!
At this time, if there were a pair of eyes in the sky, one could clearly see that the two fleets were merely less than two hundred li apart.
The army to destroy Sauron in the north was like a colossal creature.
And the Suo clan fleet in the south looked so weak and pitiful.
A true ten-to-one strength!
At this time, the sun once again rose from the east. Sauron climbed out of bed, washed up, then came to the bow.
At this time, Yan Chuor (the Queen) was already standing against the wind.
The fierce wind blew, making her silver robe wrap around her undulating figure, revealing even more a magically alluring curve.
“They are just ahead. I can feel it!” Yan Chuor said.
Not only Yan Chuor could feel it, all the Rock pirates could feel it.
They had stopped screaming and shouting, instead sitting quietly on the deck, either wiping their curved blades, or sharpening their arrows, or sitting motionless.
The entire fleet revealed a death-like silence.
Of course, this silence was not due to fear, but due to excitement.
Every Rock pirate’s gaze revealed blood-red light, full of desire for killing.
Even some people began using daggers to cut open their own chests, then lick their own blood.
The madness of this group was completely beyond reason.
“Hoo…”
The sun rose.
A fierce wind arose.
The thin mist on the sea surface faded.
Instantly, Sauron’s eyes suddenly widened, because several tens of thousands of meters ahead, an enormous fleet, like demons of hell, under the sunlight, gradually revealed its ferocious, gigantic figure.
Over one thousand ships arranged on the sea surface, turned out to be so magnificent, so astonishing.
Sauron took a deep breath.
All Rock pirates stood up, their gazes suddenly turning bloodthirsty.
Sauron raised his hand.
Immediately, Suo clan warriors suddenly lifted the tarpaulins covering the enormous objects on the deck.
This was his first secret weapon.
New-style catapults, one or two on each ship.
In this world, catapults had existed several thousand years ago. Only they were relatively primitive manpower or elastic catapults, with weak killing power and throwing distance.
And what Sauron manufactured was the most advanced lever counterweight catapult from Earth’s cold weapon battlefields, with killing power several times greater.
Regarding catapults, Sauron had begun manufacturing them after seizing Tianshui City, originally intended for city defense.
As a result, the great sea battle arrived.
He had originally wanted to use catapults to throw fireballs, winning the great sea battle.
But when actually testing, he discovered throwing distance and accuracy were completely fatal flaws. Wanting to rely on these catapults to catch opponents off guard and cause heavy losses was perhaps still possible, but wanting to rely on these things to completely annihilate ten times the enemy was impossible.
Now, let us use these new-style catapults plus fireball bombs to open the first battle, catching the enemy off guard!
Give the enemy a tremendous surprise!