Chapter 330: Water Stronghold, Smoke, Mist, Water Battle

Three days passed, and the progress bar for 《Xuanwu Art》 reached 4098/5000.

Wangchuan boarded the ship at the main dock of the Three-Harmony Branch.

The main branch had prepared five reinforced ships for him, each a three-mast merchant vessel with a deck large enough to accommodate twenty to thirty people.

More than 180 Caobang disciples followed Wangchuan aboard the ships.

Wangchuan's ship was in the center, with Chen Ergou and Zhao Heipi managing the ships on the left and right, respectively.

The fleet entered the Three-Harmony Branch waters!

The Three-Harmony Branch personnel, led by Wang Yuehui and Hong Kaibao, quickly boarded the ships, totaling about 200 people. The five three-mast ships were fully manned with martial artists on the deck and along the sides, each carrying a bow and arrow, with swords at their waists, all fully armed. The display of force was overwhelming.

Wang Yuehui and Hong Kaibao each took charge of one of the large ships!

The fleet formed a pointed formation to break through, heading into the lower Sanhe River waters.

Along the way, Caobang’s fast ships, carrying patrol teams, were constantly seen patrolling different water areas, keeping a tight watch over the shores and river channels.

The fleet sped down the river.

When the fleet passed Blacklong County, Bai Yuhui had prepared twenty fast ships with eighty martial artists and quasi-martial artists, leading them through the Huishui River area.

The forces in Huishui River had already set sail in advance. Led by Lin Xun, one large ship with twenty fast ships passed through the Water Stronghold, entered Rongcheng County, and joined up with Fei Zai’s fleet, setting up defensive positions along the way.

This task for the Ouyang family involved over 600 people from the Three-Harmony Commandery! The scale was truly impressive!

The fleet moved along the river, flags waving proudly!

All the major docks and passing merchant ships along the way couldn’t help but look on in awe.

"Caobang’s fleet!"

"So many people!"

"Wow!"

"Who said Caobang is understaffed and weakened internally?"

"They casually mobilized so many ships and personnel... clearly elite soldiers and generals!"

"Tsk tsk..."

"No wonder they are the number one gang on the water!"

"Even a dead camel is bigger than a horse."

Along the way, the patrol teams at the major docks created a feeling of complete control over the water, with tight security and a clear warning to anyone who wasn’t authorized to come close.

As the Caobang fleet passed the Water Stronghold...

Some people, seeing the Caobang’s bold flags and impressive fleet from afar, looked grim.

"Damn it."

"These Caobang bastards..."

"Money really does make the difference."

"They’ve managed to recruit more people to die for them."

"Hmph!"

"A bunch of rabble."

"How many of them would truly die for Caobang when the time comes?"

"Order the men!"

"Stay calm. The time for avenging our brothers is almost here..."

In the lush waters with abundant fish, no one had claimed the area yet.

Wangchuan gazed towards the Water Stronghold, which originally belonged to the Yulong Gang's headquarters. A mist was rising from there.

Several patrol boats from Rongcheng County were docked nearby, with lookouts posted, but there were no signs of abnormal activity.

Wangchuan withdrew his gaze.

The fleet sailed past Rongcheng County and reached the designated waters at the end of the route, where the Ouyang family and Weihai Commandery had agreed to meet...

They joined up with Lin Xun and Fei Zai’s fleets.

The escort team grew even larger!

Six large ships and over seventy fast ships.

Ahead, more than ten fast ships were already waiting.

All the members were from Caobang’s affiliated branches.

When they saw the fleet coming from the Three-Harmony Commandery, they all showed signs of shock:

"Impressive!"

"Three-Harmony Commandery is really strong."

"This scale... tsk tsk..."

"Wonder who the big boss is leading the escort team?"

"With so many ships and escorts, this mission is going to be the easiest one we've had."

They didn’t dare to approach, silently waiting in their own territories for the Ouyang family’s fleet to arrive.

After about an hour and a half.

The Ouyang family’s fleet finally reversed the current and entered the Caobang disciples' line of sight.

"Hall Master!"

"The Ouyang family’s fleet has arrived."

The news came from below.

Wangchuan opened his eyes and walked up to the ship’s bow.

At the front of the fleet, the Ouyang family’s merchant flags and Caobang Weihai Commandery flags were flying high.

Dozens of large ships appeared in sight, one after another, in a grand procession.

Behind the fleet, many small boats followed.

"Thanks to the people from Weihai Commandery for escorting us all the way!"

"Farewell!"

"Safe travels!"

On the Ouyang family’s fleet, disciples from Caobang disembarked.

Wangchuan noticed that the leading man, after changing ships, bowed to him from a distance, and he was wearing a token identical to Wangchuan’s.

It was likely the Deputy Hall Master of the Weihai Commandery branch.

"Brother, it’s up to you from here on out."

"Farewell!"

Wangchuan returned the salute.

The task for Weihai Commandery was now complete.

They could be said to have earned their escort reward.

However, that was because the Ouyang family had power in Weihai Commandery, and if anything went wrong, their people could quickly come to the rescue…

The Ouyang family's influence in the Three-Harmony Commandery was minimal, and they had almost no power to intervene.

The most dangerous part was yet to come.

This was also the true test of the strength of the Three-Harmony Commandery.

"Fast ships in front!"

"Clear the way!"

Wangchuan gave the order, and the Three-Harmony Commandery fleet immediately set sail in an orderly manner.

Fei Zai’s fleet led the way;

Behind them followed the large ships of Caobang's main branch!

The Ouyang family’s merchant fleet had a total of fifteen ships, and they needed Lin Xun and Bai Yuhui’s fleets to escort them on the sides...

Fortunately, Caobang had mobilized enough ships this time.

The fleet steadily broke through the waves!

The fleet moved upstream, making slow progress.

But with patrol fast ships monitoring the river surface and both shores ahead, the Ouyang family’s guards were feeling reassured.

As the fleet passed Rongcheng County and approached the Water Stronghold...

Suddenly, a thick mist began to spread over the river.

Zhao Heipi sniffed the air, frowning slightly:

"Something’s wrong."

"This isn’t mist; it’s smoke!"

"Notify the Hall Master immediately! Something’s happening at the Water Stronghold!"

The Caobang disciples on the escort ships immediately grew alert, drawing their bows and arrows, fully prepared.

Wangchuan responded calmly:

"Don’t panic."

"Keep moving forward!"

He gave the order while stepping onto the largest ship nearest the Water Stronghold, carrying the 《Yellow Dragon Bow》, and walked over to Wang Yuehui’s side.

On all the ships, the Caobang disciples had drawn their bows, aiming towards the direction of the smoke.

As the fleet reached the area where the smoke was thickest, blood began to surface in the water.

It was a group of water demons under Fei Zai’s command, who had started fighting underwater.

Caobang never backed down.

At that moment, dozens of arrows shot through the smoke, raining down on the fleet.

"Return fire!!"

No orders were needed from Wangchuan.

The Caobang disciples, ready for action, fired arrows in retaliation.

Multiple waves of arrows pierced through the smoke.

Both sides exchanged fire.

Both suffered casualties.

But the number of arrows in the smoke decreased rapidly, as the attackers were being suppressed.