Some army soldiers who had been hiding behind cover on the deck cautiously poked their heads out and climbed into view.
A gutsy veteran walked over to the spot where the shell had just struck and reached out to feel the armor plate, which had only been slightly dented.
It was scorching hot to the touch.
Grinning, he pulled a crumpled half-cigarette from his pocket and rubbed it against the red-hot armor plate.
Sizzle! The cigarette tip actually lit.
The veteran took a satisfied drag, faced the distant sea, and blew out a defiant smoke ring.
"That's it?"
"Hell, I've made more noise kicking a damn thing!"
"Is that supposed to tickle our Tianlong Ship?"
His brazen stunt sent the soldiers around him into an uproar of laughter, and the tension vanished in an instant.
Hearing the cheers around him, Chen Houpu finally felt his taut nerves relax.
He turned and gave Zhang Xueming a crisp military salute, his eyes shining brighter than ever before.
"Commander! With Divine Weapons like these, if we fail to wipe out the enemy, I, Chen Houpu, will come before you with my head in my hands!"
Zhang Xueming waved him off, indicating there was no need for such formality.
"I'll leave the professional work to you."
Chen Houpu nodded firmly, his gaze returning to the sea chart.
His eyes turned sharp.
"Commander, the little devils' shells are useless. Next, they'll be driven into a corner and do something desperate."
"Mm." Zhang Xueming was brief.
"They'll use torpedoes," Chen Houpu said with absolute certainty. "It's their only chance."
"Pass on my orders!"
His voice rang through the shipwide broadcast, reaching every corner of the Tianlong Ship and the Changfeng Ship.
"All units, attention! Prepare for enemy torpedoes!"
"Changfeng Ship! Make the most of your speed.