"What a brilliant strategy, Princely Heir! But why are we not currying favor with the First Prince or the Second Prince?" Sun Dahai was filled with doubt, "When it comes to vying for the Demon Emperorâs throne, the Third Prince is far behind the other two."
"Nonsense! Precisely because the First Prince and the Second Prince have a chance to ascend, we cannot easily seek their favor." Sun Yaowu glanced at him speechlessly, with an expression of "How can you be so foolish?" "If we associate with the Princes, it surely wonât go unnoticed. If we curry favor with the First Prince or Second Prince, others will likely think weâre trying to earn the Power of the Dragon. Then, what will our Emperor of Zhao think? Heâll wonder if your King of Summerâs mansion is no longer content with just being a Duke?"
"Princely Heir, your wisdom is unparalleled. This old man is enlightened." Sun Dahai suddenly realized, and he was filled with admiration.
The Princely Heir truly deserved his title, as his consideration was comprehensive.
Their tone was indulgent as they spoke, as if they didnât even regard Princess Haige, confidently sure they were about to capture her.
Unexpectedly.
During a gap in their conversation, that armed merchant ship suddenly erupted with a powerful energy wave, surprisingly breaking through the firepower blockade of the Three Eyes Treasure Ship and darting away through the cracks.
At that moment, the battered armed merchant ship burst into unparalleled speed, dashing forward fiercely and widening the gap in a short amount of time.
The look of smugness on Sun Yaowuâs face froze abruptly, and his expression turned ugly, "Chase them quickly!"
With the command given, the fleet immediately turned direction, dispersing in a fan shape as they pursued the armed merchant ship.
The massive Kunmu Giant Vessel followed close behind, with its huge hull slicing across the sea, creating a tremendous momentum like thousands of troops and horses, which made oneâs heart palpitate.
In comparison, the armed merchant ship seemed pitifully small, weak, and helpless.
After multiple rounds of battle, the armed merchant ship was severely damaged. Although it successfully broke out of the encirclement, its speed continued to decrease.
If no miracle occurred, within no more than six hours, the armed merchant ship would be caught again.
At this moment.
On the armed merchant ship.
"Cough cough!" The elderly attendant of Princess Haige lay pale and weakly on the deck, continually vomiting blood and looking extremely miserable.
Just to break through, he had to use Great Divine Power to resist several enemy attacks, suffering significant injuries.
Blood began to stain the deck, its red color harshly striking.
"Old Yang, how are you?" Princess Haige held his arm, her eyes reddening with urgency, and her voice almost broke.
"Princess, this ship is about to give out. Before they catch up, you must abandon ship to have a slim chance of survival, cough cough!" The old attendant coughed up blood incessantly, but his consciousness remained clear, and his tone was decisively firm, "You must go. Us old servants and the Siâs death soldiers will hold off the pursuers."
"No! Weâll leave together!" Princess Haigeâs eyes turned fiercely determined, her tone equally resolute, "I absolutely will not abandon everyone to save myself."
"Foolish child," the old attendant looked anxious, "Staying will only cause everyoneâs needless death."
While they were deadlocked.
Suddenly, from the opposite direction, a massive fleet emerged from the sea mist toward the direction the armed merchant ship fled.
Due to the mist, the fleet seemed somewhat blurry and vague, but they could still see the basic layout.
In that fleet, the leading flagship was large. Though it seemed a notch smaller than the Kunmu Giant Vessel, it appeared sturdier and more massive.
Most importantly, the flagshipâs design was completely different from any of Mozhao Countryâs warships!
"This..." The old attendant Yangâs pupils shrank, then his face immediately turned to joy, "This doesnât seem like Zhao Countryâs fleet. Perhaps... we can try to seek their help!"
Needless to say.
The fleet they saw was the Wang familyâs ocean fleet heading toward Mozhao Country.
At this moment.
Within the ironclad ship bridge.
Under Wang Shouzheâs lead, the group had gathered.
It wasnât coincidental for the Wang family fleet to appear here. Just imagine, above the clouds, Yuan Waterâs Azure Dragon was lurking for reconnaissance, while the Dragon Whale group secretly charted the course below the water.
In terms of "visibility," the Wang family naturally had a wider scope.
In this situation, since both sides "coincidentally" met, the Wang family fleet obviously had ulterior motives.
"Shouzhe, do you intend to make a move against the Mozhao Country fleet?" King Chaoyang slightly furrowed his brow, "Wouldnât such an action arouse tension between the Immortal-Demon Dynasties? You must know the external battlefield situation is tense now. If a civil war breaks out, itâll become chaotic."
"Do not worry, Your Highness. With our strength, capturing this fleet is easy." As the fleet Commander, Long Wuji was full of confidence, seemingly dismissive of the Kunwu Battleship, "Shouzhe mainly wants a Kunmu Giant Vessel."
"Thatâs right. The Kunmu Giant Vessel is one of the main warships of the Demonic Dynasty." Wang Shouzhe explained, "On the West Sea of Daguai, Demon Lord Xietong is also expediting the construction of Kunwu Battleships. Sooner or later, we will face a confrontation. If we can capture a Kunmu Giant Vessel and study it, we will be better prepared."
Actually, over at the Wang Clan Research Institute, especially Wang Shouzheâs precious daughter, the head of the institute, Wang Liyue, had long been clamoring for a Kunmu Giant Vessel.