Chapter 318 - 249: The Fall of Huangpu (2)

Chapter 318: Chapter 249: The Fall of Huangpu (2)

’These East Sea ronin are nothing but trouble.’

She strode up to the leader and stared coldly at his defiant face.

One mustn’t forget, Third Brother Xie San was a genuine Martial Artist. Though not exceptionally powerful, her presence was formidable.

So, after they locked eyes for a moment, the ronin was the one who backed down.

"I’ll say this only once, and it will be the last time," Third Brother Xie San said slowly, her face radiating killing intent. "If I ever see you East Sea ronin causing trouble in my Flower Square again, I will kill you without mercy!"

The East Sea ronin exchanged glances, then nodded before slinking away through the crowd.

Just as he was leaving, however, the leader shot a look back at the old man, a flash of venomous hatred in his eyes.

The move was subtle, however, and went unnoticed by the crowd.

The crowd burst into enthusiastic applause, and many of the onlookers cheered.

"Excellent! It’s about time someone taught those Little East Sea punks a lesson!"

"Exactly! They’ve gotten way too cocky lately. Daring to cause trouble in Flower Square? They’re just asking to die!"

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Third Brother Xie San walked up to the wonton cart, her expression apologetic. "Uncle Bai," she said to the old man, "I’m truly sorry. This was my failure to plan properly. I apologize for the scare you had."

"It’s nothing, really. I’m perfectly fine, see? You should get back to your duties, Third Brother. Don’t you worry about me!" the old man chuckled.

Third Brother Xie San turned to Wen Yunlong. "Have someone buy two panes of glass and fit them onto Uncle Bai’s cart."

"Yes!"

"Alright, everyone, break it up. Nothing to see here..." Someone started to disperse the backed-up crowd.

But at that very moment, an ear-piercing blast from a steam horn echoed from the distant horizon, a sound so deep it made one’s chest feel tight.

"What’s going on?"

"I don’t know!"

The people, alarmed, immediately began to clamor.

Third Brother Xie San’s expression turned grim. Disregarding the stares of the crowd, she leaped onto a nearby tall building and peered into the distance.

Though it was night, the moonlight was brilliant, making it easy to see.

On the distant horizon, the silhouettes of several colossal ships appeared, advancing on the city of Huangpu Guard in a slow, unstoppable formation.

The color drained from Third Brother Xie San’s face as a worry long buried deep in her heart surged to the surface.

Without a doubt, these gargantuan ships had to be the work of the East Sea nation.

As if to confirm her suspicion, a massive banner suddenly unfurled from the lead ship, emblazoned with a giant Golden Crow.

The Golden Crow was the sacred bird worshipped by the East Sea nation—it was their national emblem.

Just then, an even more shocking sight appeared before Third Brother Xie San’s eyes: one by one, ports opened along the hulls of the colossal ships.

Immediately after, a blinding light erupted from these dark openings.

It was accompanied by a deafening roar.

Then, fiery streaks shot toward Huangpu Guard like meteors. Fortunately, their range wasn’t great; most of them plunged into the sea, with only a small number striking the coast.

But even so, the effect was staggering.

Explosions erupted along the shoreline, flinging soil and debris for miles.

One could only imagine the immense power of that volley.

Third Brother Xie San’s face was ashen as she stared fixedly at the giant ships.

Because she had just come to a terrifying realization.

In the face of such devastating weaponry, the power of an individual was utterly insignificant.

Forget ordinary people—even she was helpless against such "behemoths."

’As for the authorities...’

’After news of the explosion in Kyoto had arrived, the government of Huangpu Guard already existed in name only. It was completely incapable of stopping such colossal naval cannons.’

’So... was Huangpu Guard going to fall, just like that?’

The thought that suddenly sprang into Third Brother Xie San’s mind made her shudder, but she was utterly powerless.

*(On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month, in the seventeenth year of the Zheng Tong era of Great Yan, the East Sea nation launched a sudden assault with four great ships, forcing a landing on the coast. That night, Huangpu Guard fell!)*

—From the *Miscellaneous Records of Huangpu*

The sky was overcast, as if it were about to snow at any moment. Though Huangpu Guard was located in the south of Great Yan, this year’s winter was freakishly cold, so much so that even Huangpu Guard was blanketed in snow.

The temperature had plummeted to the freezing point. The streets were cold and desolate, with not a single pedestrian to be seen.

The only people out were some from the East Sea, swaggering past in their wooden clogs, their faces filled with insolent pride.

Oota Masayuki, seated in a luxurious horse-drawn carriage, witnessed this scene on the street and could not help but frown.

He had come out looking for a place to eat; after all, he had heard much about the rich variety of cuisine in Huangpu Guard.

He never expected the streets to be this deserted.

The vast majority of shops were shuttered. The few that were open were lifeless, completely devoid of the festive bustle that should have preceded the new year.

Oota Masayuki could clearly feel a palpable atmosphere of panic spreading among the people of Huangpu Guard.

His mood heavy, he lowered the carriage curtain. Having lost his appetite, he said to the driver, "Take me back to the lodging house."

"Yes, my lord!"

Soon, the carriage arrived at the temporary headquarters for the East Sea nation in Huangpu Guard.

Oota Masayuki disembarked from the carriage, looking displeased. Just as he was about to head to his room, he saw a large detachment of troops marching out in a great procession.

As they passed him, the East Sea Warriors bowed their heads in salute before disappearing down the street outside the lodging house.