Mirage

“Don’t mind me! Full assault! We must slay this monster!”

Wan Zhong leaned against the broken ship’s rail, blood still seeping from the wound on his back.

But he didn’t care in the slightest and directly ordered his soldiers to keep attacking the giant crab monster, just in case.

In the end, under the relentless pursuit of the warriors, the giant crab finally stopped moving, completely losing all signs of life.

Wan Zhong let out a long breath and collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily.

This crab monster was truly a tough one. Fortunately, His Highness had brought many martial experts along on this journey, which made it possible to kill it completely.

“Wan Zhong, I heard you were injured? How are you holding up?”

Once the sea had calmed, Li Guanglong arrived quickly with a squad of personal guards.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. This small wound is nothing, it won’t kill me.”

Wan Zhong grinned, revealing bloodstained teeth. “Back in the battlefield, I’ve taken wounds far worse than this and still made it through.”

As he spoke, he tried moving his arm, but as soon as he did, a sharp pain shot from his back wound, forcing him to suck in a cold breath.

Li Guanglong knew Wan Zhong’s temperament and didn’t push further, simply saying in a deep voice, “You’re my fierce general --- you must not have any mishaps. Get your wound treated right away. We still have many matters ahead that need you.”

Wan Zhong nodded in agreement.

Li Guanglong turned to look at the massive crab monster floating in the sea, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

He raised his voice to the troops. “Brothers, this monster was indeed ferocious, but in the end, we still took it down! This proves that as long as we work together with one heart, nothing can stop us from moving forward!”

The soldiers’ spirits lifted at his words, and much of their earlier fear and fatigue seemed to fade away.

Li Guanglong went on, “Pass down my order --- haul this crab monster aboard. I’m sure its meat will be delicious. Tonight, we’ll feast on it together. Let everyone have a good taste, replenish their strength, and raise morale!”

“Alright!” the soldiers shouted in unison, their faces beaming with excitement.

Soon, the soldiers used thick ropes to bind the giant crab tightly, then, with the help of winches, spent enormous effort to get the massive creature aboard.

Seeing a crab bigger than the ship itself, everyone couldn’t help but marvel.

After cooking, they quickly began to feast.

…

Meanwhile, the fleet led by Li Juntang was sailing smoothly across the East Sea.

The fleet was fully armed, the ships large and sturdy, the soldiers sharp-eyed and on high alert.

All along the way, the sea had been calm, without even the slightest wave.

A few lazy white clouds drifted in the clear blue sky, and occasionally, a few dolphins leapt from the water, tracing graceful arcs before playfully diving back down, sending ripples across the surface.

Li Juntang stood at the bow, holding a telescope, scanning the sea ahead.

His brows were slightly furrowed --- by all accounts, the East Sea should be dangerous, yet their journey had been so smooth it felt unnatural.

“Your Highness, look over there!” a lookout suddenly called out, his voice filled with excitement.

Li Juntang followed the man’s pointing finger and saw an extraordinary sight far ahead on the sea.

Lofty jade pavilions floated among the clouds, and on the stone stele before them, the words “Penglai” were clearly carved. Mist swirled about, making the scene look like a celestial paradise.

“It’s Penglai Island! We’ve found Penglai Island!” The soldiers on the ship erupted in cheers, their faces brimming with joy.

Li Juntang, too, felt a surge of excitement. He gripped the telescope tightly, his eyes flashing with anticipation.

The Penglai Island he had dreamed of for so long --- he had finally found it!

“Quick, full speed ahead, head for Penglai Island!” Li Juntang ordered loudly.

The fleet immediately adjusted its course, speeding toward the mirage. The ships cut through the calm sea, leaving behind long white wakes.

But as the fleet drew closer to the vision, the sea around them suddenly changed in a strange and menacing way.

The once-still waters began to churn violently, forming huge whirlpools whose force seemed strong enough to swallow everything.

The sky darkened in an instant, thick clouds gathering as fierce winds howled. Towering waves, like roaring beasts, lunged at the fleet. The ships rocked violently, as if they might overturn at any moment.

“This is bad! We’ve sailed into the Death Zone!” a seasoned old sailor cried out in terror, his face pale as paper.

Li Juntang’s heart sank --- he now realized that what they had seen wasn’t Penglai Island at all, but a mirage… a deadly trap!

By this time, the fleet was already in grave peril.

Some ships were lifted high by the waves before being slammed down hard, their hulls groaning as if about to break apart; others were caught in whirlpools, spinning helplessly as the men aboard screamed, powerless to resist; still others had their masts snapped by the raging wind, their sails torn to shreds, flapping wildly in the storm. - Ton

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