The Unexpected Arrival of a High-Tier Beast
As Ronald recalled the events of that day, he couldn't help but sigh. With a soft exhale, he said, "There's a branch up ahead leading to Mo Chou Lake on the Jinlan Grasslands. We'll take that route."
"Understood, young master."
The current in the Yixian Gorge was swift and treacherous. Even an armored ship like theirs could easily be sunk. It seemed the only choice was to take the long way around.
Just as he was about to turn and head back to the cabin, his eyes suddenly sharpened as he spotted a group of people on the shore ahead!
Squinting, he made out around a hundred men, their banner boldly displaying the unmistakable symbol of the Sun and Moon flag, fluttering proudly in the wind.
"Is it them?" Ronald muttered to himself.
He raised his hand, gauging the distance, then glanced at the ship's mortars. After a brief pause, he smiled and shook his head, before entering the cabin.
Far off, on the human side of the riverbank, a horse-drawn carriage rattled along. Inside, Mia seemed to sense something and pulled back the curtains to gaze toward the river.
The blue sky, the clear waters, the white egrets against the backdrop of green mountains... and the faint trail of black smoke rising in the distance.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Li Haotian asked curiously.
Mia furrowed her brows slightly, then, after a moment, she smiled lightly and shook her head.
"It's nothing, Your Majesty…"
Mo Chou Lake, its waters so clear and pure, looked like a gem embedded in the earth, radiant and dazzling.
"What a beautiful place," Ronald said, looking around. "Black Moon, don't you think it would be a waste if no one claimed such a place?"
A woman with dark skin and short hair, Black Moon, replied, "I've been here a few times to gather intelligence. I've noticed that people from Yunlan City are often spotted around here."
"Oh? Is it that group of Red Foxes?" Ronald stroked his chin, squinting at the direction of Yunlan City, his eyes flashing with intrigue.
But after a moment, his expression shifted.
"What... what is that?!"
Black Dragon, standing nearby, immediately turned to see what had caught his attention. His eyes widened in shock. In the distance, a massive gorilla was leaping across the water, heading straight for them!
"Quick, tell Jack to speed up! And get your men up here!" Ronald shouted urgently.
"Yes, sir!" Black Dragon responded with a sharp command, rushing off like a whirlwind.
Within moments, the ship accelerated, and the twenty-two hunters were already in position.
"Black Dragon, fire the mortars!" Ronald ordered.
"Everyone, archers, prepare!"
The mortars were a stroke of luck from Ronald's recent item card draw, three mortars in one go. As for the shells, they were manufactured by Da Mu using a mechanical processing table, filling two whole crates, all of which Ronald had brought along.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Three thunderous explosions rang out as the shells shot forward. But to their dismay, the massive gorilla moved too quickly, and all three shells missed their target!
"Whoosh!"
A barrage of crossbow bolts flew through the air, whistling as they pierced into the gorilla's thick hide. Despite its tough skin, even a mid-tier crossbow could cause damage.
"Roar!"
The giant gorilla roared in pain, pounding its chest furiously, clearly enraged.
But just as it was thrashing in fury, the mortars fired again.
"Boom! Boom!"
Two more explosive blasts rocked the air, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing from the gorilla's body.
When they looked again, two gaping wounds had appeared on its massive form, blood and flesh torn asunder.
The gorilla stood stunned for a moment, its eyes wide with disbelief as it stared at the ironclad ship. Clearly, it never expected something like this to happen.
Then, with a deafening roar, it charged toward the ship.
Ronald bellowed right back, his voice booming across the deck.
"Grenades! Throw them!"
The hunters, swift as ever, pulled old-fashioned grenade handles from their belts and hurled them toward the giant gorilla.