Section 60: Flower Arrow Elite Soldiers, Sea Battle
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
September, Star Calendar Year 754.
The Shu Family’s three armies marched out, conquering the Wei, Yuan, and Hua family islands. This shook the Archipelago, drawing the attention of Xingzhou.
Just as the world focused on Shu Family Island, speculating on the Shu father and son’s next move, a sudden and unexpected drastic change occurred!
The Shui Family, one of the five ancient clans, suddenly revealed their Water Virtue Document. Almost simultaneously, the Sen and Shan families, also ancient clans, led a dozen island factions in openly defecting to the Shui Family.
Overnight, the Shui Family became a powerful force with a vast sea territory and the largest number of troops and warships, surpassing both the Tie and Shu families to become the number one power in the Archipelago.
On the surface, the new Shui Family had the Shui Family Island Master as the main island master, with the Sen and Shan families as deputy island masters. In reality, the true power behind the scenes was none other than the Mad Confucian General from Jianghan Kingdom.
Just as people were digesting this astonishing news, the Shui Family launched seven armies, beginning their conquest of the remaining surrounding island factions.
Almost at the same time, the Tie and Shu families also dispatched troops, annexing surrounding island factions, expanding their sea territories, and recruiting soldiers and warships.
The previously confusing situation on Shu Family Island suddenly became clear in the eyes of the world.
Three major powers emerged: the Shui Family as the strongest, the Shu Family second, and the Tie Family third, becoming the true contenders for dominance. Under the seemingly tacit military actions of these three parties, the other island factions had no chance of turning the tide, only able to resist fiercely before being annexed or proactively pledging allegiance to one of the three powers.
“I never expected the situation to change so quickly! Three powers vying for supremacy, marking the decisive moment for the Archipelago’s overlordship…”
“There’s a lot of strangeness here. By all accounts, the Sen and Shan families defecting to the Shui Family is highly unusual. There must be many hidden reasons.”
“Regardless, the Archipelago is already in turmoil. The three powers are seizing every moment to annex surrounding islands and bolster their strength. This is a fierce competition; the more one accumulates, the greater their advantage in the future.”
The situation in the Archipelago immediately became the most watched event in Xingzhou. The Teng List displayed the most information, all concerning the daily developments in the Archipelago.
For example: which island faction had voluntarily joined the Shui Family, which island the Tie Family had successfully conquered, and which fleet the Shu Family had dispatched to advance in a certain direction.
A week later, the Shui Family had annexed fifteen island factions. The Shu Family conquered fourteen, while the Tie Family only secured eight.
Two weeks later, the Shui Family’s territory had nearly doubled, leaving the Shu and Tie families far behind and establishing a significant advantage.
Three weeks later, all remaining island factions were annexed or absorbed. The Archipelago, once filled with numerous and complex forces, was now down to just three behemoths.
“Looking at the sea chart, the Shui Family’s domain is so vast, occupying half of the Archipelago. Without a doubt, the Shui Family holds a firm lead in this competition, far surpassing the other two.”
“It’s understandable. Firstly, the Shui Family has the best reputation in the Archipelago. Secondly, possessing the Water Virtue Document and their inherent status amongst the Shui Family makes them more legitimate than the Shu Family. Thirdly, the Shui Family’s strength was already the greatest among the three, making them the most worthy of allegiance.”
“This kind of expansion competition is like a snowball effect. The one with the advantage gains more, while those at a disadvantage fall further behind. The gap between the three families has widened.”
The world was abuzz with discussions and opinions on this outcome. However, only a minority saw the true intrigue.
In their expansion, the Shui Family mostly received voluntary allegiances and rarely engaged in combat. In contrast, the Tie and Shu families encountered frequent ambushes and assassinations of their generals and were often forced to use force to conquer islands. This difference naturally widened the gap between the three powers.
Early in the old month of the Star Calendar Year.
The Shui Family dispatched a fleet and successfully ambushed the Tie Family’s Mu Niu Island. Simultaneously, they stationed troops near the Shu Family’s Xiu Yun Island sea area, using their superior numbers to force the Shu Family into a defensive posture.
The Shu Family, of course, would not stand idly by. They immediately dispatched a large army, with the Shu Family’s Young Island Master, Chu Yun, as the main general, Hua Ying as the strategist, and Huang Xiao, Wu Datou, and Wang Zelong as deputy generals. They led ten thousand troops and nearly a hundred warships, heading directly for the Shui Family army near Xiu Yun Island.
Upon receiving the military intelligence, the Shui Family’s main general, Yang Wan Quan, immediately summoned his generals to discuss. “The Little Tyrant is fierce and brave, unlike any other. Now that he is leading his troops aggressively, do you have any good strategies?”
The generals remained silent, the atmosphere heavy and somber. Chu Yun’s name weighed on their hearts like a mountain.
Finally, the first deputy general, Zhang Yin, said, “The Island Master instructed us before our departure to simply hold off the Shu Family’s army for one week. Our warships are currently double that of the Little Tyrant’s, and our numbers are triple theirs. With ample supplies and elite troops and ships, holding out for a week should not be difficult.”
Yang Wan Quan nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and added, “Although we have more generals, I fear they are no match for Chu Yun. In the coming engagement, we should not engage in single combat, but focus on a full-scale assault, fully utilizing our numerical advantage.”
Almost simultaneously, a military meeting was convened on Chu Yun’s flagship.
“General Yang Wan Quan is a naturally cautious man, skilled in defense but not offense, preferring no merit over mistakes. The Young Island Master’s current combat power is immense, and his reputation is widespread, making him an object of fear for the enemy. I predict that in the upcoming engagement, the enemy will not engage in single combat but will launch a direct assault with their entire army,” Hua Ying stated, standing ramrod straight before the military map. Dressed in a crimson light armor, his face was as beautiful as jade, his eyes like stars as he spoke eloquently.
He paused, then continued, “I have a plan that can inflict a substantial loss upon them. Tomorrow, we shall change our deployment. We will send out five treasure ships as vanguards, heavily manned with Flower Arrow Elite Soldiers, led by myself. When the enemy charges, we will unleash a volley of arrows, breaking their momentum, and then engage in a full assault, which will surely lead to a great victory.”
The Flower Arrow Elite Soldiers were an elite troop cultivated by the Hua Family, extremely skilled in long-range attacks.
“Military Advisor Hua is adept at understanding people’s minds and possesses outstanding talent. If not for his repeated ingenious strategies, our Shu Family’s achievements in annexing surrounding islands would have been even less than the Tie Family’s,” the generals exchanged glances, and Huang Xiao spoke, expressing his agreement.
Chu Yun nodded, “The plan is excellent, but why must Military Advisor Hua personally risk danger? You do not need to command directly; you can remain in the central army.”
“Young Island Master, Hua Ying recently consumed several Rejuvenation Pills and now possesses a second and third Spirit Monster. His self-preservation is not an issue. Moreover, during the army’s charge, it is crucial to have a general to stabilize morale and boost spirits. Only when I command the Flower Arrow Elite Soldiers can their full potential be unleashed,” Hua Ying said, cupping his fist. His tone was firm.
Chu Yun laughed heartily, “Very well, then we shall see Military Advisor Hua achieve merit tomorrow.”
The next day, the two armies faced each other.
The sky was clear and cloudless, the sea calm as land. Both armies were lined with warships, flags fluttering, their troops strong and their horses swift.
The Shu Family Army had strong generals, equipped with two tower ships, six treasure ships, ten large merchant ships, and nearly a hundred ordinary warships, with countless siege engines and assault boats.
The Shui Family Army’s forces were formidable, totaling twenty-five thousand, with five tower ships, twelve treasure ships, eighteen large merchant ships, and over one hundred sixty ordinary warships.
From a bird’s-eye view, the Shui Family Army was a vast, dark mass, their formation spread out, twice the size of the Shu Family Army, like a colossal elephant entrenched.
The Shu Family Army, with its elite troops and generals, exuded an imposing aura, like a fierce tiger crouched on a mountain.
The two sides confronted each other, the atmosphere tense. Chu Yun then sent Wu Datou forward to taunt them: “Wu Datou is here! Who dares come out to face me!”
“A mere brute, relying on brute force, is not to be reckoned with! All units, advance!” shouted the main general, Yang Wan Quan, a wave of his right hand. The entire army immediately moved forward, sails fluttering, drums booming, charging towards Chu Yun’s side.
“As Military Advisor Hua predicted!” Seeing this, Wu Datou chuckled and retreated.
“Look! Look! The enemy general is retreating!”
“Our army is overwhelming, charging forward with full force, who can stand against us!”
“Even the Little Tyrant cannot change the overall situation.”
“Charge! Charge! Wield your swords and send these pathetic Shu Family soldiers to the underworld!”
Countless generals of the Shui Family Army roared in unison. The soldiers’ roars shook the heavens. They advanced with immense momentum, their numbers vast, their warships densely packed, their flags flying, like ferocious beasts opening their terrifying maws.
“Military Advisor, the enemy is only a hundred zhang away!” a soldier reported to Hua Ying on the vanguard treasure ship.
“No matter, wake me when they are fifty zhang away,” Hua Ying said, his eyes narrowed as if meditating.
The shouts of battle and the crashing waves could not disturb his hair.
“Military Advisor, they are already fifty zhang away!” After a short while, the soldier reported again.
“Wake me when they are thirty zhang away,” Hua Ying replied calmly, though a cold glint flashed in his narrowed eyes.
The drums thundered, and enemy arrows flew, striking the raised shields with a *du-du-du* sound on the warships.
“Military Advisor! They are thirty zhang away!” A few breaths later, the soldier reported again, his voice trembling.
Hua Ying nodded but did not give the order. It was not until twenty zhang away, when the enemy’s soldiers’ faces were clearly visible, that he suddenly opened his eyes.
Sharp as stars, lightning flashed!
“Flower Arrow Elite Soldiers!” he cried out, his voice clear and melodious, still audible amidst the thunderous roars of battle.
“Here!” came immediate responses from around him.
“A hundred flowers bloom!” Hua Ying commanded.
*Swoosh!*
Before he finished speaking, an arrow whistling sound was heard. Five hundred arrows pierced the sky. Then, each arrow split into ten, and each of those into a hundred. Suddenly, the air seemed to swell. To the astonishment of the enemy generals and soldiers, fifty thousand arrows rained down!
*Swish!*
The Shui Family warships at the forefront lurched violently. The sky-obscuring rain of arrows enveloped them, splattering blood and causing countless men to cry out and fall.
The Shui Family army’s charge slowed. In that instant, on the leading assault warships, nearly every inch of deck was embedded with arrows, densely packed like a carpet.
“Damn it! Such heavy casualties… Don’t be afraid, my men, charge with me!” roared the leading general, Wang Gang, his eyes bloodshot. He mounted his Ice Wind Leopard, held a flower spear, and charged forward recklessly.
Hua Ying narrowed his eyes, gently patted his Immortal Pouch, and drew the Hundred Flower Bow.
He nocked and drew the bow in one fluid motion.
“Phantom Instant Kill!”
“Ah!” Wang Gang, possessing the combat strength of a Great Demon, let out a scream as an arrow struck the center of his forehead. He tumbled headfirst from his Ice Wind Leopard.
“Fire again,” Hua Ying ordered coldly, his expression unchanged.
With a *swish*, the world seemed to hum, and another fifty thousand arrows flew!
