Chapter 124: A Chance Game of Chance Sends the Divine Sword Flying, Shattering the Foremost Peak of Zhongnan!

The hundred thousand Yunmeng ghost soldiers are synonymous with invincibility in these waters. They have long since become an inherent natural phenomenon of the Tsushima Strait—a historical sediment even more terrifying than the "Dragon-Fishing Stone Drum."

They are a hundred, nay, a thousand times more dangerous than any "Ghost Troop Crossing" on land. In theory, even those "Living Deities" of the Upper Three Grades who strayed into their midst would be lucky to escape without losing a layer of skin if they were slow to flee. Logically, the *Trinidad*, a vessel with at most a few dozen people, should have been utterly crushed when faced with the Yunmeng ghost soldiers, even if it were only a small portion of their periphery.

But the reality was clearly different.

"Brutal! This ship is actually eating ghosts!" The evil spirit perched on the mainmast was stunned as it witnessed the bizarre scene on the battlefield.

In the gaps of the caravel’s deck, a giant plant resembling a peach tree had sprouted, its living wood replacing most of the damaged hull. It looked as if it had only just been launched, showing none of the decay one would expect after three years of global drifting; its vitality seemed almost excessive. Floating on the sea, it looked like a colossal bonsai.

Whenever a Yunmeng ghost soldier approached, the ship would fire its cannons in unison, prying open the ghost ships like clam shells. Then, countless sharp roots would sprout from the tree, coiling around the evil "Dead-Walkers" within and devouring them completely in just a few breaths. The dozen yellow-green flowers at the top of the tree bloomed more brilliantly with each kill, and more buds began to crack open.

"Young Shipmaster, look at the color of those flowers. They seem to be the Liver Flower from the 'Five Temples Divine Treasure.' I never imagined the Herb of Immortality could grow this large, and there are so many of them! If we could pluck just two, we’d be rich." The chubby Huang Yuanzhou climbed up to Wang Cheng’s side, but his focus was entirely different, his eyes fixed greedily on the immortal herb.

While he only drooled in thought, many daring desperados on this route to the four islands of Yingzhou had already taken action.

"That ship holds the Herb of Immortality! If we snatch just one flower, we’ll never have to worry about our remaining years again."

"I am seventy-nine years old, and breaking through to the Upper Three Grades is a distant dream. This is my last chance; anyone who tries to snatch it from me is my mortal enemy!"

"The old man talks big. Quick! Quick! Quick! Adjust the rudder. Wealth is found in peril—the Herb of Immortality is ours!"

More than a month had passed since the initial riot in the East Sea, and those who needed to know the truth about the global expedition and the immortal herb already did. According to the "Five-Feature Spiritual Platform Officials," "Gold-Mouthed Orators," and "Physiognomists" of the major factions and intelligence organizations in the East Sea:

The five ships of the East Frankish ocean fleet had each been grafted with a "Five Temples Divine Treasure" immortal herb, turning them all into wandering, predatory living creatures. They corresponded to the five viscera temples of the Middle Three Grades of divine cultivation: Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney.

The "Heart Flower" and "Kidney Flower" had already found owners, while the other three ships and their respective herbs remained hidden in the vast East Sea, waiting for adventurers to find them. The *Concepción*, captured by Lu Yunchen and managed by First Mate Wang Cheng, carried the "Heart Flower," which grew by consuming hearts. The *Santiago*, captured by the "Black Kirin" Mao Haifeng of the Five Peaks Flag, carried the "Kidney Flower," which grew by consuming kidneys.

This flagship, the *Trinidad*, clearly held the "Liver Flower," and it appeared capable of eating not just livers, but ghosts as well. Its combat power was far superior to the other two. Yet, the immense potential gain remained enough to embolden the desperate.

Wang Cheng remained unmoved. He waved his hand. "Adjust three compass points to the right. We’ll steer clear; do not get involved."

To be honest, he was skeptical about the herb's efficacy, but he was very interested in these adventure ships that could teleport globally. When pioneering in the Southern Ocean, the difference between having them and not having them would be night and day.

He strongly suspected that since this ship could go toe-to-toe with the Yunmeng ghost soldiers, its combat power was likely approaching the realm of the Upper Three Grades, the "Living Deities." Moreover, as its legend spread across the world, its strength would only continue to grow. He hadn’t been certain he could fully subdue the weaker *Concepción* back then, let alone this, the strongest flagship. Going there would be like offering himself up as a snack.

Though Huang Yuanzhou and the rest of the crew felt a bit regretful, they knew the risks matched the rewards. They were young, and risking their lives just for money wasn't worth it. Most importantly, their primary mission was to escort their Young Lord back to Yingzhou to ascend the throne; everything else had to take a backseat.

"Understood, Young Shipmaster." The sailors and the helmsman immediately coordinated to adjust the sails and turn the ship.

Unfortunately, while they wanted to leave, someone else had no intention of letting anyone nearby escape. The old ship captain who claimed to be seventy-nine and forbade anyone from competing with him raised his hand, releasing a swarm of eerie green Kongming lanterns.

Each lantern seemed to have a ghost blowing inside it, stirring up a dark wind that flew toward every sailing ship in the vicinity before exploding, showering them in a strangely scented green phosphorous powder. It didn't hurt anyone, but it left glowing specks on the ships. To the naked eye, it was unremarkable, but in the vision of any evil spirit, it was as conspicuous as a raging bonfire in the night.

The officials and sailors who had been sabotaged by him were furious.

"A Land-Class 'Lantern Maker' official! You would use Soul-Guiding Lanterns on us living people? Aren't you afraid the Chief Hall Officials of your Land Class will hunt you to the ends of the earth?"

"You dog, you shall surely die a miserable death!"

"Run! Pray to the Ship God! Escape this sea!"

This move was truly malicious—more vicious than firing flares at friendly forces while retreating. The officials were incensed. But the old man ignored them, releasing three or four small fire-ships from his own vessel, which charged rapidly toward the Yunmeng ghost soldiers and the *Trinidad*.

*Boom, boom, boom...*

After the thunderous roars, several dazzling "mini-suns" seemed to rise over the sea, blowing the peripheral Yunmeng ghost ships into chaos. It was clear the ships were using not ordinary gunpowder, but high-priced red, or perhaps even purple, powder. The white-haired "Lantern Maker" had clearly staked everything on this, determined to obtain the immortal herb.

He tore open a pouch at his waist and released a six-zhang-long dragon-shaped lantern—what the common folk called a "Dragon Lantern." It writhed around him like a real dragon.

"Gentlemen, please forgive me. Once I achieve immortality, I shall certainly save you from this sea of bitterness. Hahaha!"

The old man leaped onto the dragon’s back. The dragon lantern began to exhale smoke and soared into the sky, killing its way toward the immortal herb atop the towering tree canopy. He wasn't greedy for the ownership of the *Trinidad*; he only wanted to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snatch one flower and extend his own life. Survival came first; the vengeance of others and the pursuit of the Chief Hall Officials could all be set aside.

Behind him, the violent explosions of the fire-ships shattered the fragile balance of the battlefield. In the pitch-black depths, something filthier than mud roiled violently. Amidst a pungent, foul stench, more and more Yunmeng ghost soldiers awoke.

The ships marked by the Soul-Guiding Lanterns drew most of the fire, sparing the "Lantern Maker" as he made his escape.

"Stay! Stay! Stay!"

The foul, reverberating echoes from rotting vocal cords filled everyone's ears. Countless Dead-Walkers, reeking of decay, crawled up from beneath the water, grabbing anchors and hulls, intent on dragging everyone in these seas down with them. Three hundred years had passed, and the number of Dead-Walkers sleeping here had grown far beyond the original hundred thousand expeditionary troops.

The few sailing ships closest to the battlefield suffered first, facing attacks not only from beneath the water but from ghost ships charging from all directions—front, back, left, right, and below.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

A series of shrill, blood-curdling screams made one's scalp tingle. Although the *Nautilus* had taken evasive action early and was on the periphery, it could not escape unscathed.

*Splash!*

Bloated Dead-Walkers sprinted through the water, catching up to the *Nautilus*. The sea erupted as they threw hooks and ropes, climbing up the sides of the ship.

"Musket squad, fire!"

The musket squad, armed with Frankish matchlocks, had been waiting on deck, their ammunition blessed with talisman water.

*Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Muzzle flashes erupted in the mist, a crisscrossing line of fire boring into the bodies of the Dead-Walkers, blasting away charred holes. Most fell back into the sea, but a few, though their bodies were battered, continued to swing their blades with indifference. It wasn't until their heads were severed that they stopped, only to be kicked back into the sea by the marines.

Their individual strength was perhaps not overwhelming, but their numbers were simply too vast. They charged fearlessly, drawn by the phosphorous powder left by the Soul-Guiding Lanterns. Looking toward the seabed, the water was densely packed with heads.

Hook after hook shot up from the depths, snagging the warship's railings, slowly wrapping it like an insect in a spider's web. The clam-maidens beneath the water released mirage mist in an attempt to hide the *Nautilus* again, but while it was easy to deceive the senses, the tangible ropes hanging from the ship could not be fooled.

"That old thief deserves to die!"

Huang Yuanzhou swung a boarding pole, chopping through five or six hooks at once, only for seven or eight more to fly up. He realized then that, blinded by greed, he had underestimated the ruthlessness of that old "Lantern Maker." His group had been a step too slow, and he broke into a cold sweat.

"Young Shipmaster, let the Godmother escort you away. We will stay to hold them off."

"Yes, Young Shipmaster, you must not come to harm. The hopes of our Tanka people all rest on you. Only you can settle the chaos in the East Sea. Please, leave now!"

The crew pleaded with Wang Cheng to abandon the ship and save himself; in their hearts, they never viewed him as a combatant. But Wang Cheng leaped down from the mainmast, chanting aloud:

"The world is but a half-day's journey, no need to ride a phoenix or a dragon. By chance, I play a game with my divine sword, shattering the first peak of Zhongnan. Five Emperors' Coin Sword, unsheathe!"

Wang Cheng spat, and a line of platinum sword light shot out from the hole in the coin, wrapping around the entire warship like lightning.

*Slash!*

In an instant, hundreds of hooks were cleanly severed. The Five Emperors' Coin Sword took its inspiration from the "round heaven and square earth" of the copper coins, accompanied by three basic sword techniques.

Heaven Round: The sword stance is seamless and harmonious, defending like a dome.
Earth Square: The sword energy is unyielding and stern, conquering all directions.
Human Harmony: The sword intent changes with the situation, wielding the power of opportunity and strategy, ever-changing.

With one stroke of "Heaven Round," the entire ship was shielded, leaving not a single hook—not even the faintest trace of the phosphorous powder remained. As the sword energy surged, it turned sharply, decapitating four or five Dead-Walkers that had just climbed aboard.

Freed from their restraints, the *Nautilus*, propelled by a "Water-Gathering Talisman" pasted onto the shrine of Prince Jing, accelerated violently, breaking away from the sea area. Even if more Dead-Walkers pursued from underwater, they couldn't pose a threat.

Wang Cheng did not sheathe his sword. Instead, wrapped in the sword light, he became "one with the sword" and shot into the sea, vanishing into the mist in the blink of an eye, leaving only a single sentence behind:

"You go on ahead. I'm going to kill someone; I'll be right back."