Section 12: Ambush at Twin Canyons
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
Half an hour later.
“They’re finally here,” Chu Yun, perched on the mountain peak of Twin Canyons, observed from above. He saw clusters of ship masts rising from the horizon.
Immediately after, a massive fleet came into view.
“Fang Family’s Green Bamboo and Fierce Fang…” Chu Yun’s gaze sharpened as he spotted two particularly conspicuous large treasure ships at the fleet’s center. One was verdant and full of life, stable as a mountain. The other was black and white, with tusks for a ram, sharp and mighty.
Warships were a type of Demon Soldier.
However, due to the difficulty in raising their cultivation levels, most warships in Xingzhou were of the Lesser Demon class. Warships of the Great Demon class typically served as flagships for fleets, playing a central role. Spirit Demon class warships were already very rare, only possessed by powerful Island Country forces.
The Green Bamboo and Fierce Fang were Great Demon class treasure ship warships, always a symbol of the Fang family’s pride and strength. In Chu Yun’s memory, they had also shone brilliantly on various battlefields, comparable to the Eagle Soar.
“Huh, the Wei Family’s fleet is here too?” Chu Yun was surprised, seeing banners fluttering and weapons arrayed among the fleet. The Wei family’s insignia was also present.
“This is the Wei Family Island’s only fleet. The Wei Family Head must have been coerced. It looks like there’s an opportunity,” divine light flashed in Chu Yun’s eyes, a hint of excitement stirring. If he could annihilate this fleet, it would not only greatly alleviate his pressure but could even lead to an attempt to seize the Star Sea Dragon Palace’s secret treasures…
“Yan Que,” Chu Yun suddenly called out.
“Your subordinate is here,” Yan Que stepped forward.
“Take 500 Bronze Bell Elite Soldiers and set an ambush at the canyon entrance. Let the enemy enter the canyon first. You will spare them for the time being. Only when I signal the attack, you will cut off their retreat,” Chu Yun instructed.
“Your subordinate obeys.”
“Wu Datou, I order you to infiltrate the mountaintop. Lead 500 soldiers and prepare to unleash rocks and arrows. When I fire a meteor arrow into the sky, you will launch rocks and arrows to sever communication in the canyon.”
“Your subordinate obeys.”
“Old Father, please lead the main force and hold the deepest part of the canyon, guarding the exit. I will lure them in, and then we will attack together.”
“Alright.”
…
“This is a dangerous place for soldiers,” Fang Zhu on the treasure ship Green Bamboo observed Twin Canyons intently, moved by its terrain. The geography of Twin Canyons was too perilous. If Fang Suikong hadn’t been trapped here, he would never have chosen to set up a battlefield here.
Upon receiving the military dispatch, he immediately led his army here. Along the way, he forcibly incorporated Wei Family’s third fleet, forming a considerable army to advance.
Faint cries of battle could be heard from within Twin Canyons.
“Wei Family Head, the enemy who raided your island and captured your people is within reach. If you attack now while they are engaged in a fierce battle with my third brother, they will surely be weakened. You will achieve a great victory,” Fang Zhu smiled and said to the Wei Family Head beside him.
The Wei Family Head glanced at the canyon. The battle was deep inside, obscuring his view of the true situation. As a patriarch, he was not so impulsive as to be provoked by Fang Zhu. He politely declined, repeatedly mentioning Fang Suikong’s name.
Hearing this, Fang Tianshang’s fraternal affection was stirred, and he became anxious. “Eldest Brother, Third Brother must be in there. What are we waiting for? Let me take the Fierce Fang as the vanguard and charge in to rescue Third Brother first!”
Fang Zhu gave the Wei Family Head a deep look, cursing the old fox inwardly. He pondered for a moment and then said, “Then, Second Brother will be the vanguard, and the Wei Family Head will follow. I will lead the remaining fleet as your backup.”
The Wei Family Head still wanted to refuse, as he did not wish to deplete his forces further. However, Fang Zhu’s attitude was firm this time, and he had no choice but to nod.
“They are trapping my Wei Family fleet in the middle, are they not afraid I will turn my back at the crucial moment? This eldest son of the Fang family is truly cunning.” The Wei Family Head was well aware of Fang Zhu’s intentions. Unfortunately, he was no match for them. Chu Yun had already burned down his most elite fleet.
“The waves behind push the waves ahead…” The Wei Family Head had lost an arm and his beloved Great Demon Soldier, the Verdant Copper Hook, after half a lifetime. Even though he knew he had to remain strong, a sense of despair still weighed on him.
“Fierce Fang, charge!” Fang Tianshang, concerned for Fang Suikong’s safety, was eager to lead the charge into the valley as soon as he boarded his flagship.
“Second Brother, a moment. Your impulsive nature often leads you to charge ahead heedlessly. Here is a stratagem from your brother. You may open it should you find yourself in a predicament.” Before leaving, Fang Zhu stopped him and handed him a brocade pouch.
“Eldest Brother is being so peculiar. He underestimates me, Fang Tianshang, far too much. What stratagem is this? I’ll open it first.” As soon as they set sail, Fang Tianshang, unable to contain his impatience, opened the brocade pouch ahead of time.
The letter read: “Second Brother, I know you will open this beforehand. Chu Yun has surely laid an ambush in Twin Canyons. However, his troops are too few to be a threat. You can draw out the ambushers and crush them. Once you reunite with Third Brother, turn back and attack the Wei Family fleet from both sides. If our Fang family can annex the Wei Family Head’s island, our territory will expand by a quarter. This is a golden opportunity bestowed upon us three brothers by heaven. I urge you to strive bravely.”
“Eldest Brother knows me well!” Fang Tianshang sighed deeply, and a sinister expression flickered across his face. He clenched his fist, his spirit roused. “One must be ruthless to achieve great things. All alliances are but empty words. A true man acts without restraint. First, I will meet Third Brother, then behead Chu Yun, and after that, take the Wei Family old man’s life! Hahaha!”
As the thought struck him, Fang Tianshang threw his head back and laughed heartily, then waved his hand. The Fierce Fang accelerated further, like an arrow shot from a bow, plunging into the valley.
However, as he sailed halfway through the canyon, no ambushers appeared.
“Could it be that Eldest Brother’s calculations were also mistaken?” As he pondered, Fang Tianshang’s attention was immediately drawn to the battlefield.
Several warships under Chu Yun’s command were surrounding Hao Teng’s treasure ship. The Fang family’s fleet had suffered heavy casualties, and their soldiers were nearly depleted.
On the treasure ship’s deck, “Fang Suikong” was fighting Chu Yun bare-handed, clearly at a disadvantage.
“How can this be?” Fang Tianshang was both surprised and furious. He immediately drew two demon blades, ready to charge forward to rescue him. Suddenly, he recalled the intelligence that the enemy possessed someone skilled in disguise and cultivation methods.
He roared, cautiously calling out, “Third Brother, do not panic! Second Brother is here to save you!”
Jin Bihan was about to reply when she remembered Chu Yun’s instructions. She merely glanced back at Fang Tianshang. Then, she turned her head, her attacks becoming even fiercer, “fighting” Chu Yun with great ferocity.
“That’s Third Brother’s temperament!” Fang Tianshang’s doubts largely disappeared. Seeing the familiar faces among Fang Suikong’s soldiers, he had no further reservations.
“Chu Yun, I will drink your head as wine! Fierce Fang, charge!” Fang Tianshang roared, and his flagship suddenly accelerated, unleashing its ramming cultivation method. The massive tusk ram crushed everything in its path, directly slicing a blocking warship in half.
The Fierce Fang smashed into the center of the battlefield. Fang Tianshang, wielding two demon blades, leaped from his ship and was the first to plunge into the fray.
Chu Yun parried with his saber, abandoned Fang Suikong, and engaged Fang Tianshang. After less than three exchanges, he leaped onto the treasure ship, feigning defeat as he retreated.
“Cowardly wretch!” “Fang Suikong” roared, pursuing Chu Yun. Fang Tianshang, fearing a trick, was reluctant to pursue immediately. However, fearing for his brother’s safety, he gritted his teeth and followed.
While the Fierce Fang possessed ramming abilities, the Eagle Soar excelled in speed. In contrast, the treasure ship captured from Tiange Academy was only of the Lesser Demon class, equipped with ordinary sea navigation cultivation methods. They were quickly caught up by the two treasure ships. The Eagle Soar engaged them, while the Fierce Fang raised its ram and directly smashed the stern of Chu Yun’s treasure ship to pieces.
Chu Yun felt a violent tremor beneath his feet. Someone immediately reported: “The helm is destroyed, and we can no longer control steering.”
“There is no retreat for us now! If not now, when?” Chu Yun roared, turning to fight back. Everyone battled fiercely.
The three treasure ships were connected, engaged in a brutal boarding battle. Chu Yun’s side launched a desperate counterattack with ferocious momentum. For a time, they gained the upper hand, pushing back the enemy soldiers on the Eagle Soar and Fierce Fang.
“The ferocity of the Shu Family is indeed well-deserved,” Fang Tianshang’s expression changed as he felt the fierce and surging momentum of Chu Yun’s forces.
The soldiers recruited by ordinary island forces were typically raw recruits, who were then trained to become regular troops. After countless battles and natural selection, they became elite soldiers. Finally, these elite soldiers were integrated and trained with unique methods to form elite troops.
The men of Shu Family Island, once conscripted, were already elite soldiers. Not only was the quality of individual soldiers superior to those of ordinary island inhabitants, but they also possessed an inherent ferocity and a disregard for death.
“You’ve been arrogant long enough! All of you die!” Seeing his elite troops being pushed back, Fang Tianshang stepped forward, intending to unleash his cultivation methods to turn the tide.
“Fang Tianshang, you’ve fallen into the trap!” At this moment, Chu Yun laughed heartily. He first shot a meteor arrow into the sky, then charged forward wielding the Drunken Snow Saber.
Simultaneously, Shu Tianhao led the main force into the battle. He wielded a great demon saber crafted by Master Yu Ya for him.
Jin Bihan also ceased her disguise, revealing her true features. She joined Chu Yun and Shu Tianhao, completely surrounding Fang Tianshang in the center.
When Fang Tianshang heard Chu Yun’s laughter, he merely sneered.
Upon seeing Shu Tianhao enter the fray, his smile vanished, replaced by shock.
Then, Fang Suikong suddenly transformed into someone else, throwing him into complete disarray.
“Where is my Third Brother? What have you done to my Third Brother?” Fang Tianshang felt a sense of foreboding surge within him, and he anxiously shouted.
“Your Third Brother has already been killed by me. Go and join him in the underworld!” Chu Yun swung the Drunken Snow Saber, its blade light scattering, invincible.
“Impossible!” Fang Tianshang immediately shouted, feeling immense pressure. He finally realized that Chu Yun’s true strength was now on par with his own.
“Ah, it’s the meteor arrow!” Wu Datou exclaimed from the mountaintop. Then, following the plan, he gave the order. Rocks were hurled, and arrows rained down, interspersed with sporadic cultivation method attacks.
The Wei Family Head, leading his fleet, felt something was terribly wrong as they sailed into the middle of the canyon. He had repeatedly tried to turn back, but Fang Zhu stubbornly refused him.
The flying rocks from the mountaintop descended, whistling through the air, their speed increasing. Upon hitting the sea, their power was comparable to a Lower grade cultivation method.
Dense arrows followed, pouring down like a torrential rain.
In an instant, the Wei Family fleet suffered heavy losses.
“Ah, my fleet!” The Wei Family Head clutched his chest, letting out a cry of pain. He saw many ships with large holes smashed into them, soldiers gruesomely wounded and bleeding, their skulls split open. He stared wide-eyed in disbelief, unable to comprehend why he was so unlucky, arriving at the wrong place at the wrong time.
