Chapter 330 - 254: The Crucial Battle, Advancing with Caution (Part 2)

Chapter 330: Chapter 254: The Crucial Battle, Advancing with Caution (Part 2)

Miyamoto Sha then smiled at the crowd and said, "I can see everyone is very concerned about this battle. As it happens, I know the commander of this operation, General Ono. So, I’ve sent my subordinates to gather information, ensuring we get the latest intelligence firsthand."

Her words carried a deeper meaning. First, they were a display of her connections, and second, they revealed her immense confidence.

Hearing this, before Wei Tiantong could even speak, Hua Ziqi’s eyes lit up, and he gave her a thumbs-up.

"Miss Miyamoto, what brilliant methods!"

Miyamoto Sha offered a charming smile, but her gaze had already drifted to the window....

At this moment in the Huangpu Guard, the sky was thick with dark clouds and a bitter wind howled. It was the coldest time of the year.

And Flower Square, normally a vibrant and bustling place, was now cold, deserted, and deathly silent.

It wasn’t just Flower Square; even the residents of the surrounding blocks had long since evacuated. If you were to look down from above, you would see a black hole in the center of what was once a brilliantly lit city.

With bloodshot eyes, Iwai Ryohi led a squad of matchlock-wielding soldiers toward Flower Square, brimming with killing intent.

From his name, one could guess he was related to the deceased Iwai Yuusuke.

And that was indeed the case. Iwai Yuusuke and Iwai Ryohi were half-brothers, sharing the same father.

Although they were not born of the same mother, the two were very close. After coming of age, they used their family connections to successfully become squad officers.

So, when Iwai Yuusuke died a "miserable" death at the hands of Wu Liangchen, one can only imagine the fury that raged within his younger brother, Iwai Ryohi.

This was why he had volunteered to lead the vanguard.

In his view, his brother’s death was entirely due to a despicable and shameless sneak attack by Wu Liangchen.

He refused to believe anyone could dodge a volley of matchlock fire if they were prepared for it.

Ahead lay the main entrance to Flower Square. Gazing at the memorial archway hidden in the darkness, the corners of Iwai Ryohi’s mouth turned up in a cold smile.

’This bullshit Flower Square... in the end, won’t it just have to submit to my fucking guns?’

At this thought, he couldn’t help but turn and whisper to his men, "The general has given an order. After we take Flower Square, you can have your fill of the women inside for three days."

As soon as he said this, a feral glint appeared in the men’s eyes.

Since leaving the East Sea nation, they had first drifted at sea for more than ten days. After landing, they had been eager to blow off some steam, but were instead confined to their camp and forbidden from going out.

So after all this time, these East Sea "Warriors" were about to burst with pent-up frustration.

Now, hearing they finally had an outlet—and in the world-renowned Flower Square, no less—they couldn’t help but get excited. Even their breathing grew heavy.

Iwai Ryohi was very satisfied with his men’s reaction.

In his opinion, only soldiers with strong desires were good soldiers, because it would make them unleash immense combat strength.

As for whether the stimulus of blood would turn them into savage beasts, that was not his concern.

He pointed forward with one hand, and the men immediately began to advance into Flower Square in staggered formations.

The thick clouds blotted out even the starlight.

Iwai Ryohi and his men carried no torches.

After all, in such a pitch-black night, carrying a torch was tantamount to making yourself a living target.

Although Flower Square had no firearms, the power of bows and arrows was not to be underestimated.

What’s more, Wu Liangchen’s archery was said to be second to none. As much as Iwai Ryohi wanted revenge for his brother, he wasn’t that foolish.

Besides, he was fully confident about the upcoming battle.

Even though he knew there were surely many ambushes lurking in the darkness ahead, the cold, long-barreled gun in his hands gave him boundless confidence.

If not for its lack of precision and long-range power, it would be a flawless weapon.

And according to General Ono, that bunch of Folangji merchants possessed even more powerful and refined firearms.

Unfortunately, those cunning bastards refused to sell them to the East Sea nation, no matter what.

’A bunch of greedy, shameless merchants. They should all be sent to the gallows.’

Iwai Ryohi thought to himself. And indeed, things were going more smoothly than he had anticipated.

His squad members quickly passed through Flower Square’s archway and entered the marketplace.

Seeing this, Iwai Ryohi couldn’t help but relax, secretly laughing at himself for having been too tense before.

’No matter how skilled Wu Liangchen is, he’s still just one man.’

’Faced with so many firearms, his only options are to surrender or flee.’

With this in mind, he relaxed and stepped into the marketplace as well.

But at that very moment, he suddenly felt a sharp gust of wind aimed straight for the spot between his eyebrows.

Iwai Ryohi’s reaction was lightning-fast. He immediately sidestepped to dodge while raising his matchlock, aiming at the source of the sharp wind, and pulling the trigger.

BOOM!

Amid the tremendous bang and flash of light, a figure could be seen faintly stirring in the distant darkness.

Iwai Ryohi’s marksmanship was quite good, and the matchlock he used was specially made, its precision far superior to that of ordinary firearms.

Thus, his shot blasted the incoming projectile apart, and the shattered pieces of an arrow fluttered to the ground.

A wave of relief washed over Iwai Ryohi, and he was secretly pleased.

’So this is Wu Liangchen’s legendary archery? Not so great after all!’

But in the next instant, he heard the sharp sound of countless objects tearing through the air.

But though startled, Iwai Ryohi did not panic.