Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 135: Interception
Time passed in a heavy silence, and the atmosphere in the Nanliang Prefecture grew increasingly oppressive. The populace was in a state of panic, fleeing in all directions. While there were skilled practitioners among the people, the majority were ordinary citizens, terrified by the bombardment. Moreover, Zhao Guoshan’s previous underhanded tactics had instilled a fear akin to that of venomous snakes in the common folk.
Zhao Guoshan, overwhelmed by the situation, found himself unable to prevent the chaos. The brutal suppression from the previous night, combined with Anyang’s actions that morning, had revealed the hypocrisy of Zhao Guoshan to the people of Nanliang.
Just as Zhao Guoshan was sinking deeper into his troubles, someone approached with an urgent message.
“Inspector, I’m here on behalf of County Magistrate Wang Ziqiang from Xishan County. This morning, we spotted Liu Leigang from Anyang leading over 130 vehicles to the coastline of Xishan County to receive a large supply shipment. The supplies are being transported by three large white ships.”
“What? They’re transporting supplies by sea? How is that possible?” Zhao Guoshan exclaimed, rising in astonishment.
Li Yuanming narrowed his eyes. “What a bold move by Anyang to use maritime transport! Now I understand why they chose Luliang County instead of Zhongshan County! It all makes sense! We must immediately dispatch elite forces and order the coastal counties to intercept Anyang’s supply lines.”
Guo Guibang suddenly understood. “No wonder that traitor Zheng Yuezhong claimed the shells were coming from the coast! How big are those ships?”
The messenger described them: “They’re about 16 or 17 zhang long, over 4 zhang wide, white in color, and appear to be made of a special wood; the exterior is smooth and seamless.”
Listening to this, Li Yuanming’s eyes narrowed. “Could it be that these ships are made of iron?”
After the initial shock, Zhao Guoshan regained his composure. “Regardless of whether they’re made of iron or not, Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan, you must lead our elite troops to intercept Anyang’s supply convoy immediately.”
Li Yuanming added, “Sir, let all the elite troops disguise themselves as ordinary refugees. Since the three large ships are still anchored at the coast, it indicates that the Anyang forces will likely make another supply run. Have our disguised troops follow the convoy and wait for an opportunity to annihilate them once they’re away from the main force of Anyang!”
Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan quickly selected 2,000 elite troops, dressing them in civilian clothes. They only carried flying swords, some useful magical artifacts, and a large quantity of talismans as they set off. Among these soldiers, there were still over 200 who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and Guo Guibang himself was at the Golden Core stage. The remainder were all elite fighters at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement and above.
The group loitered near the Anyang soldiers’ camp, and sure enough, they soon spotted Liu Leigang leading over 130 empty vehicles heading east.
“Follow them!” Guo Guibang ordered.
The 2,000 soldiers from Luliang County scattered and moved like ordinary refugees, advancing in a disorganized manner. Taking advantage of their familiarity with the terrain, they occasionally hid, sometimes entered villages to “visit relatives,” and even disguised themselves as merchants, successfully trailing Liu Leigang and his men from a distance.
In this world, where almost everyone practiced cultivation, even ordinary citizens carried weapons, so these soldiers could openly bear arms without raising suspicion.
However, Liu Leigang, who had been enjoying a series of successful supply runs, had grown a bit complacent. After one successful supply operation, he neglected to scout properly and led the convoy confidently towards the East Sea.
Gradually, however, Liu Leigang’s instincts kicked in. “Are there too many common folk around? Is that merchant a bit too suspicious? There’s something off—everyone speed up and get closer to the coast!”
As the convoy accelerated, Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan realized they had been discovered. Since they were now far from Anyang’s main force, they immediately ordered their troops to attack!
The disguised merchants dropped their burdens and drew weapons and talismans. The “refugees” around them shed their outer garments to reveal their combat attire. The 2,000 elite fighters surged forward, charging at Liu Leigang’s convoy.
The speed of the vehicles was not particularly fast, only about 60 kilometers per hour, while the pursuing cultivators, powered by their abilities and spells, easily surpassed that speed.
Liu Leigang commanded his men to fight back, and gunfire erupted. The soldiers wielding firearms were also cultivators, known for their accuracy. However, the elite soldiers on the opposing side quickly learned how to evade the gunfire by moving in a curved pattern.
“Damn, these guys learn fast!” Liu Leigang cursed angrily. “Prepare the talismans! If they get too close and we can’t draw our weapons, we’ll use talismans and spells to attack.”
The two sides fought fiercely as they moved, relying on powerful firepower and the reckless use of talismans. Liu Leigang led his convoy forward, getting closer to the coast.
However, Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan were no fools. They quickly grasped the pattern of the gunfire, spreading their forces as they advanced. They also sent faster Foundation Establishment experts ahead of the convoy to use spells and talismans to hinder its progress.
The battle was intense, and Liu Leigang’s motorcycle convoy began to suffer losses, with several motorcycles getting destroyed. Casualties became inevitable!
However, the Luliang forces also paid a heavy price. Nearly 600 out of more than 2,000 men were dead, while Liu Leigang’s side only lost a few motorcycles and eight men! The protective motorcycles significantly reduced the soldiers’ casualties.
But this time, Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan were determined to wipe out Liu Leigang’s convoy at all costs—they were the ones operating the cannons and transporting supplies!
The fighting continued, with deaths on both sides. As they advanced, Luliang local advantage began to show, and more and more towns and counties started to send reinforcements.
By the time Liu Leigang reached the coast, only 110 motorcycles remained, with 54 dead. This was the first time his convoy had sustained such serious casualties, losing nearly a tenth of its force!
On the other hand, the encircling forces from Luliang had increased from a minimum of 1,400 to over 9,000!
King Wang Ziqiang of Xishan County approached with more than 800 soldiers, bringing the total Luliang forces to nearly 10,000!
Close to the coastline, nearly 10,000 men surrounded Liu Leigang’s convoy in a semicircular formation.
Guo Guibang stepped forward, declaring, “All of you from Anyang shall not live today! You, who have killed the sons of Luliang and sparked civil war, will pay with your lives to atone for your sins! Your lives shall be forfeit!”
“Pay with your lives! Pay with your lives!”
The thunderous chants erupted from over ten thousand soldiers, their voices like a raging tide, seemingly intent on washing away the courage of the Anyang soldiers.
Amid the deafening noise, Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan flew up into the sky, gazing far into the distance at the large ship. After clearly seeing the ship, both Guo Guibang and Zhao Youdan gasped, “This isn’t an ordinary ship; it’s a warship. There are actually 11 cannons on board. The cannons at the bow seem even larger!”
Zhao Youdan glanced at the distance and said, “That big ship is about three or four li away from us; it should be safe, right?”
However, it was Liu Lei’s earlier bombardment of the Nanliang city wall that had been only two li away, giving Zhao Youdan this false sense of security.
Guo Guibang hesitated and was about to speak when he suddenly noticed three large ships in the distance beginning to turn sideways.
“Are they planning to escape?” Zhao Youdan said somewhat mockingly. But the next moment, Zhao Youdan encountered a scene that he would never forget for the rest of his life!