Although all the supplies had been loaded onto the ships during the day, getting the personnel aboard still took far longer than expected. It dragged on for nearly two hours before everything was finally ready.
It was not until the eastern horizon began to pale and a brilliant glow of dawn gradually reddened the sky.
Only then did all the extended gangways begin retracting, sliding back into the bellies of the ships.
Quite a crowd had gathered along the shore, seeing the fleet off on its first official voyage.
Hunter Tiger swept his gaze back and forth. Only after spotting Su Mo standing behind the crowd did he wave in satisfaction.
"Let's go. Set sail!"
The last time he had gone out to fight as a subordinate had been twenty-four years ago.
He had never imagined that more than twenty years would pass in the blink of an eye, only for him to miraculously return to his old life.
Fate truly toyed with people! Unable to tell whether the emotions in his heart were excitement or unease, Hunter Tiger simply turned his gaze away from the shore.
The flagship issued its orders, and the entire fleet began moving slowly, advancing steadily and powerfully against the current.
Whoosh. The propellers beneath the water began to turn, generating wave after wave of thrust.
It had to be said that a formation of nearly a hundred large ships was truly spectacular.
Bathed in the morning sun, it resembled a giant dragon strung together, winding its way across the water.
Layers of spray were kicked up, and the river churned along both sides of the ships, like white ribbons dancing across the surface.
For the old Pingtan soldiers who had never witnessed such a sight, this was undoubtedly a visual feast. Everyone leaned against