Vol 8 Chapter 31 (2/2)

“What!?” Liu Qi was very shocked while Yi Ji at the side also uncharacteristically frowned slightly. Seems like none of them expected this.

“Jiangdong’s troops are well-adapted to the water and are good at naval warfare. Looks like we’ve been tricked by the front rows of boats.” Yi Ji said, albeit a little too late.

If the river were like how it usually was, then they would have been swept away by the currents. But it just so happens that the currents are relatively calm today and are perfect for swimming… Alright, now’s not the time for this.

*Dang* *Dang* *Dang*!

Several dull clunks rang out as hooks flew up from below and lodged themselves onto the sides of the s.h.i.+p.

“They’re here!” Chen Dao put up her guard and rode over to me as she drew her spear.

“Be careful, my lord.” Zhou Cang called me her lord again as she came up with her machete drawn and got into a stance.

I wasn’t satisfied with just being protected either and drew my twin swords as I made sure to keep control of my horse.

— Die!!

In the next instant, just as expected, several dozen bare-bodied burly men leapt into the s.h.i.+p after they crawled up the ropes and came for us with their swords drawn.

“Yaa!” Chen Dao hurriedly got ready and swept out with her spear, knocking off several enemy troops off the deck before they could get a good foothold.

Die!!!!

But wave after wave of troops clambered up onto the s.h.i.+p, with each wave seeming even larger than the one before.

In an instant, chaos descended upon the s.h.i.+p as the Jiangdong naval troops engaged the Xiangyang elites in battle. It was clear that the Jiangdong naval troops were very top notch. Even on the shaky deck, they were steady on their feet as though they were standing on the ground. All of them were also big, burly men and they were overpowering our side which was roughly equally mixed.

As for the Nanman troops we brought along, it seems like most of them can’t handle the sea at all, and a lot of them were seasick just like I was with some showing even worse symptoms than I was.

Looks like the troops we have aren’t adept for a naval battle at all.

“My lord, the s.h.i.+p isn’t steady! Please dismount now!” Chen Dao called out frantically when she realised this.

I knew that things were dire and didn’t reply as I dismounted while fending off attacks from incoming enemies. Looks like I don’t have my dismounting skills down yet and I find myself getting attacked every time I try to dismount, making it difficult to do so.

“Ha!” Yet another sailor slashed down at me just when I dismounted. I instinctively dodged and raised my sword to counterattack. But because the number of people on the s.h.i.+p was increasing, I couldn’t get my balance and the enemy easily dodged my attack.

And immediately following that, the s.h.i.+p trembled violently.

Wu… Here it comes again.

This sudden violent tremble triggered my seasickness and I stood rooted to the spot as I struggled to keep standing.

“Haa!” The sailor in fron of me seemed fine, and naturally neither waited nor showed pity when he saw how I was and only slashed down at me once more.

I need to defend myself.

I thought, but my body was too slow, thought I’d begun defensive maneuvers, the sword was already approaching my chest–

*Ding*! *Ding* *Ding* *Ding*!

Just then, Zhou Cang’s machete entered my field of vision and spun about, flicking the sailor’s weapon away.

“Zhou Cang! Thanks!”

“No need for thanks,my lord.”

I thanked Zhou Cang, who didn’t look over as she concentrated on swiftly dispatching the oncoming enemies.

At the back of her head, her ponytail held together by the head band I gave her flew about in tandem with her movements on the battlefield.

Un, looks like my gift really does have utility after all.

“Umm, my lord. How is it?”

“Eh?”

Zhou Cang suddenly asked me a question without any foreshadowing at all.

“I meant my hair band… How is it?” She continued without turning back.

Her words were a little hesitant, unlike her movements which were very swift and smooth as she continued fighting with the surrounding enemies. From what I saw, it seems like she’s constantly fighting 3-4 people at any one time.

But all this wasn’t important now. What was importsnt was that she actually asked me that at this time. This made me very surprised on various levels.

Of course, I didn’t forget to reply immediately.

“Good! Very good!” I yelled back, not forgetting to flash her a thumbs up.

“… Un, th, thanks.”

Though I don’t know what’s going on, it feels like Zhou Cang is a lot shyer than what I initially expected her to be, as her face actually reddened slightly, which was something I’d never seen on her before. To think I actually saw a girly side of Zhou Cang at such a dangerous time.

Seeing a girly Zhou Cang fight off enemies valiantly and bravely is a rather interesting experience.

Yaaa!!!!

And just then, a thunderous roar came from the other side of the s.h.i.+p.

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