Before the battle: cold, sinister Liquor Island
Unlike the chaos on Honey Island, an eerie deathly silence pervaded Liquor Island.
This was Shiryu of the Rain's territory, and wine cellars and torture chambers covered the island. Shiryu liked torturing prisoners while he drank, listening to their screams over his liquor. Besides the strong stench of alcohol, a lingering smell of blood and decay filled the island's air.
Not a single pirate could be seen along the coast. All the gun emplacements were hidden behind rocks, and traps covered the entire beach. Shiryu stood atop the tallest wine cellar, toying with First Generation Raiu. The black blade glowed with an eerie red light, as though countless wronged souls were wailing inside it. His eyes were as cold as steel as he watched the approaching imperial fleet through a telescope.
"The Hua Empire..." Shiryu licked his lips, a bloodthirsty gleam flashing in his eyes. "Perfect. My First Generation Raiu hasn't tasted a strong fighter's blood in ages. I hope that Zhang Fei won't disappoint me."
He spoke quietly to the adjutant beside him. "Pass down the order. Everyone is to hide. Let them land, then attack once they enter the trap zone. Remember, don't fight them head-on. Use guerrilla tactics and wear down their forces."
"Yes, Lord Shiryu."
The adjutant bowed in acknowledgment and quietly withdrew.
Soon, Liquor Island grew even more deathly still, without the slightest sound. It was as though this were an uninhabited island.
The imperial fleet reached the waters off Liquor Island, and Zhang Fei led the hundred thousand troops of the Southern Route Army in the first landing assault.
"Brothers! Charge! Kill every last one of these sons-of-bitches pirates!" With the Eight-Foot Serpent Spear in hand, Zhang Fei was the first to leap onto the beach. Behind