The news Guo Jia brought of the Black Tide Pirates coveting their trade routes caused no panic. Instead, Peach Blossom Spring's core leaders were itching for action. As Guo Jia had said, this was a crisis, but even more than that, it was an excellent opportunity-to train their troops, seize supplies, and draw Gan Ning further to their side.
The council hall brimmed with fighting spirit.
"Hahaha! Just in time! My fists have been itching for a fight!" Zhang Fei slapped the table excitedly, splashing wine from his bowl.
Guan Yu's Phoenix Eyes narrowed slightly as he stroked his beard in thought. "The Black Tide Pirates have roamed the nearby waters for years, plundering merchant ships and earning a fearsome reputation. Their leader, Fraser, has a bounty of thirty-seven million Beli. He is no easy opponent. Our navy is newly established, and this will be its first battle. We must plan before we act."
A sharp light flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes, and he looked eager to try. "Brother Guan Yu is quite right. But our naval combat unit has been drilling day and night and needs to be tested in battle. Moreover, the enemy is in the open while we remain hidden. We can set an ambush, striking the unprepared with a prepared force."
Huang Zhong said steadily, "I can lead the marksmen to take the high ground along the coast, provide ranged support with our bows, suppress the enemy decks, and pick off their leaders."
Guo Jia took up the discussion lazily, but his words were startling. "The key to this battle is not annihilation, but training, spoils, and doing someone a favor. Zhao Yun's navy must engage the enemy head-on to hone its tactics; Brother Zhang Fei can lead picked troops in small boats on a surprise attack, boarding the ships to fight at close quarters; Brother Huang Zhong will provide ranged suppression; Brother Guan Yu will command the center, ready to support them at any moment. As for my lord..." He looked at Chen Yu with a faint smile. "There is no need for you to act too soon. Wait for the critical moment and deliver the decisive blow. After the battle, send most of the spoils, along with Fraser's head, to Gan Ning. Simply say that we happened upon pirates plundering the trade routes and wiped them out in passing, and that we wish to present this military credit to our allies. With that, Gan Ning's standing in the Happo Navy will rise sharply. How could he not be grateful?"
After hearing him out, Chen Yu inwardly admired the precision of Guo Jia's calculations. This plan achieved several ends at once: it would train their troops, secure supplies, and give Gan Ning a gift he could not refuse, binding their interests more tightly together.
"Good! We'll follow Fengxiao's plan!" Chen Yu rose abruptly, his gaze sweeping across the generals. "This will be the Peach Blossom Spring Navy's first naval battle. We must win—defeat is not an option! Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, carry out the plan! Guan Yu, oversee the battle with me! Liu Bei and Fengxiao, remain here!"
"Yes, my lord!" the generals thundered in reply, radiating killing intent.
Over the next few days, Peach Blossom Spring's coastal region entered a tense period of battle preparations. Zhao Yun's naval combat unit-roughly fifty men aboard five modified speedboats-repeatedly practiced ambushes, flanking maneuvers, and boarding tactics. Zhang Fei selected twenty of the finest and fiercest youths to practice small-boat assaults and boarding actions. Huang Zhong's marksmen secretly moved into their designated positions, adjusted their bows and crossbows, and calculated their ranges. Meanwhile, Chen Yu secretly used Arceus's power to subtly influence the currents and mist in the nearby waters, creating more favorable conditions for the ambush.
Five days later, as the intelligence Gan Ning had secretly passed along and Zhao Yun's scouts confirmed, the Black Tide Pirates' three medium-sized sailing ships appeared in the designated waters, heading toward the trade route Peach Blossom Spring commonly used to maintain contact with the outside world.
At dawn, a thin mist blanketed the sea-a slight effect of Chen Yu's power. Under Zhao Yun's command, Peach Blossom Spring's five speedboats slipped out of the harbor under cover of the coastal reefs, lurking like ghosts on one side of the route the Black Tide fleet had to take. Zhang Fei's assault force hid behind a cluster of reefs on the other side. Huang Zhong's marksmen took their positions on the cliffs. Chen Yu and Guan Yu stood on a towering headland, overlooking the entire battlefield.
"They're here!" Zhao Yun called in a low voice. The extraordinary vision granted by Reshiram's power allowed him to see through the thin mist first and spot the silhouettes of the enemy sails.
Three pirate ships flying flags emblazoned with black waves cut brazenly through the sea. The pirates' raucous shouts carried from their decks. At the flagship's prow stood a tall, powerfully built man with a savage face and a tricorn hat-"Black Tide" Fraser himself!
"Aim for their rudders, oars, and rigging! Wait for my command!" Zhao Yun ordered calmly. The warriors aboard the speedboats held their breath and focused, gripping their bows, crossbows, and grappling lines.
When the Black Tide fleet entered the ambush, Zhao Yun swept his command flag down. "Loose!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Dozens of arrows swarmed toward the three enemy ships like locusts, targeting the sails and the sailors at the helm! At the same time, Huang Zhong's gaze sharpened atop the cliff. Dialga's power stirred faintly, and time around him seemed to slow. He nocked an arrow and drew his bow. The arrow flew as though it had crossed space itself, striking the flagship's helmsman precisely in the throat!
"Enemy attack!" Chaos instantly erupted aboard the pirate ships! Rigging snapped under the arrows, their speed plummeted, and their steering failed, sending the ships turning broadside.
"Brothers! Charge with me!" Zhang Fei's roar rang out like thunder. Groudon's power erupted, and the small boat beneath his feet suddenly accelerated, shooting like an arrow straight toward the nearest enemy ship! The assault troops behind him rowed furiously, following close on his heels.
"They're from Peach Blossom Spring! Kill them!" Shocked and enraged, Fraser drew his cutlass and ordered his men to fight back. The pirates were vicious fighters, after all. They soon recovered from the chaos and began shooting arrows and hurling throwing axes.
Thud, thud, thud! The sound of arrows striking planks rang out without pause. Though Peach Blossom Spring's naval warriors suffered casualties, they were well trained. Working in groups of three, one held a shield to defend while the other two returned fire, coordinating seamlessly. Zhao Yun led from the front, darting through the rain of arrows like a white lightning bolt. His spear thrust out, knocking pirates who tried to throw fire pots into the sea.
Zhang Fei's boat was the first to strike an enemy ship! With a roar, he leaped straight onto the deck, his replica Eight-Foot Serpent Spear whirling like the wind, sweeping all before him! Groudon's Earth Power could not fully manifest aboard a ship, but his ferocious strength and fearless momentum still sent the pirates sprawling! The assault troops followed close behind, engaging the pirates in a bloody boarding battle.
The other two enemy ships tried to close in and provide support, but the speedboats under Zhao Yun's command kept them firmly tied down. Huang Zhong's marksmen continuously picked off leaders and archers on their decks, causing tremendous confusion.
Seeing Zhang Fei and his men storm the flagship, with an unerring archer providing ranged suppression, Fraser was both shocked and furious. He charged at Zhang Fei himself, swinging his blade. "Die, you black brute!"
Zhang Fei grinned fiercely. "Just what I wanted!" His Serpent Spear shot straight out! The two immediately clashed. Fraser's swordsmanship was ruthless and his strength considerable, but Zhang Fei was better, overpowering him in both strength and speed. In fewer than ten exchanges, one thrust knocked Fraser's cutlass from his hand. A sweep of the spear shaft struck his legs, sending him crashing to the deck and capturing him alive!
With their leader captured, the pirates' morale collapsed, and they dropped to their knees to beg for mercy. Seeing that all was lost, the other two ships raised white flags as well.
From beginning to end, the battle lasted less than an hour. At minimal cost, the Peach Blossom Spring Navy had defeated all three ships of the Black Tide Pirates, captured over a hundred pirates, and seized large quantities of weapons, valuables, and food.
"Elder brother! I have fulfilled my orders!" Zhang Fei carried Fraser, who was trussed up tightly. He was drenched in blood but exceptionally excited. Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong also finished clearing the battlefield and came to report.
Chen Yu and Guan Yu descended from the headland, inwardly gratified by the scene before them. Victory in their first battle carried tremendous significance!
"Clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and escort the prisoners and spoils back to the stronghold!" Chen Yu ordered.
Naturally, there was a celebration upon their return to Peach Blossom Spring. More important, however, was handling what came next.
Following Guo Jia's plan, Chen Yu personally wrote Gan Ning a letter in a casual tone, as though he had done something utterly insignificant:
"To Brother Xingba: A few days ago, I happened to hear that the Black Tide Pirates were ravaging the trade routes and endangering our friends, so I sent my men to eliminate them. Fortunately, they fulfilled their orders, capturing the bandit chief Fraser and seizing a few supplies. As you represent the legitimate authorities, I would not dare claim sole credit for so minor a deed. I therefore present the bandit chief and most of the spoils as a small token of my regard, and as a contribution to your official achievements. I hope you will kindly accept them. Respectfully, Chen Yu of Peach Blossom Spring."
Afterward, Zhao Yun escorted Fraser and most of the conspicuous spoils-weapons and treasure-to Gan Ning's fleet anchorage.
When Gan Ning received the letter and the generous gift, he was so astonished that he could not speak for a long while. The Black Tide Pirates had long been a thorn in his side, and repeated attempts to eliminate them had failed. Yet Peach Blossom Spring had dealt with them so "easily"? And now they were handing him this enormous achievement?
As he read the letter's casual wording and thought of the strength and sincerity Peach Blossom Spring had demonstrated, the last trace of hesitation in his heart vanished. This was not merely military credit, but a weighty personal favor and a powerful display of strength!
Gan Ning drew a deep breath and solemnly cupped his fist toward Zhao Yun. "Go back and tell Brother Chen that I, Gan Xingba, will remember this favor! If he ever has a task for me, so long as it does not violate righteousness, I, Gan Ning, will not refuse, even at the cost of my life!"
[Gan Ning's affinity +10. Current affinity: 95 (gratitude/reverence). One step away from absolute loyalty.]
Through this battle, the Peach Blossom Spring Navy had shown its mettle for the first time. Victory in its first engagement greatly boosted morale and brought valuable combat experience and supplies. More importantly, its relationship with Gan Ning had taken a qualitative leap, all but binding him to its cause. With the destruction of the Black Tide Pirates and Gan Ning's "achievement" within the Happo Navy, Peach Blossom Spring's reputation also began quietly spreading throughout the West Blue.
And Chen Yu knew that, after this successful proactive strike, Peach Blossom Spring was no longer a hidden force confined to one corner, passively defending itself. Its reach had begun extending into the vast West Blue. At this moment, its true voyage toward supremacy had officially begun! Next came the question of how to use this promising start to further "establish its legitimacy" and "deepen its roots." The rise of Peach Blossom Spring would stir even greater turbulence in the West Blue!
Before you continue