Chapter 43: The Prelude to the Storm (Part 2)

  "These two guys are sworn enemies, they shouldn't be joining forces...” Old Barl's face turned pale. Although he was cunning and calculating, he wasn't a god, it was impossible for him to anticipate everything, and he had secretly hoped that Bisele and Aramshe would fight even more fiercely on Xisis!

  Tang Jie's eyes flickered with an unusual glint: "But if Bisaiyu is willing to give up some benefits and share the treasure of Atos with Alamusi, it's hard to say whether they will join forces! In the face of interest, there is no eternal hatred!"

  Old Ba is shocked!

  He stared blankly at Tang Jie, as if re-recognizing the usually cheerful and generous young man with black hair, he couldn't believe these words came out of his mouth!

  In the eyes of the old man with a big beard, this young man is inexperienced and naive, although he is clever and thoughtful, but still very immature in human relationships.

  Now it can be seen that this young man is growing at a miraculous speed, his growth in strength and maturity of mind in this world is so fast that it's astonishing!

  He is like a sailing ship with full sails, as long as there is just a little bit of wind to gently push him, he can set sail and go far!

  This growth potential is too terrifying!

  Lao Ba suddenly felt a hint of fear!

  He is a man who cannot be tamed by anyone...

  The big-bearded man's eyes gleamed with a strange light, and Tang Jie was somewhat perplexed: "Was what I said wrong?"

  Old Bar shook his head, took a deep breath: "No, you're absolutely right! I believe that the combined fleet of Vice Admiral Bissell and Rear Admiral Arima should be closing in on our tail right about now."

  As if to prove Old Bill's words, the man on the lookout tower suddenly shouted in a shrill voice: "A ship has appeared at 45 degrees to the right front!"

  Tang Jie and Ba Er were both startled at the same time, and they looked at each other in unison.

  The big-bearded man raised his head and asked loudly: "How many? What flag is flying? What kind of ship?"

  Bill's voice came down clearly from above: "There are ten in total! Hanging is the Crusader flag of the Kingdom of Mata and the fleet flag of the First Sea Defense Corps of Xixi! What specific ships can't be seen clearly! But I estimate that even the smallest ones are three-masted vulture-class warships!"

  The sailors on deck heard Bill's voice and gasped in unison!

  Ten warships!

  The big bearded man turned his head and said to Tang Jie: "I want to go back to my ship immediately, do you remember the direction I just told you?"

  Tang Jie's face was solemn, he nodded: "Remembered!"

  Bar looked at Nia, who was not far away and was loudly directing the sailors to their posts, then looked at Tang Jie, and suddenly a hint of softness flashed in his eyes: "Kid, we'll fight while retreating in the direction I'm pointing! Remember, keep an eye on my flag signals at all times, don't get bogged down, and use every trick in the book to shake off these pesky guys! Nia has rich experience in naval battles, she'll help you!"

  The big beard patted Tang Jie's shoulder, walked to the side of the boat, pulled the hook rope, and prepared to swing back to his own boat: "The sea god Teira will bless us!"

  Tang Jie looked at Old Barl turning around, he hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and asked in a loud voice: "Captain Barl!"

  "What?" Bar stopped in his tracks and turned around.

  Tang Jie's eyes changed as he looked at Ball, and he asked in a low voice: "The fleet commander of the Marauder, Jones, is he your younger brother?"

  As soon as he finished speaking, Old Bar's body suddenly shook violently, and his face turned a ghastly pale in an instant!

  "This benevolent-looking elder suddenly turned into a furious madman, his voice was eerily gloomy, every word exuding a strong killing intent, spitting out from between his teeth: 'Who told you this?'"

  Tang Jie was shocked by Old Ba's sudden change and his whole body felt a chill!

  He subconsciously arched his back, vigilantly staring at the big beard in front of him, as if looking at a wild beast that would pounce and bite at any moment!

  "I've met Horn!" Tong Jie took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto Old Bar's sharp gaze without backing down.

  "Horn?!" Old Bar's eyes were icy and piercing "He didn't die?"

  Tang Jie didn't mention that he had spared Horn's subordinates, saying: "We all forgot, he is a pastor!"

  Lao Ba'er's eyes revealed a hint of mockery and regret: "I still underestimated him!"

  The big-bearded man's gaze fell on Tang Jie: "Do you believe what he said?"

  Tang Jie slowly shook his head: "No, I don't believe it!"

  Lao Ba Er gazed deeply at Tang Jie, a hint of comfort and approval flashing in his eyes: "That's good! Remember, a wild beast that has been wounded will definitely bite back!"

  Tang Jie's eyes were fixed tightly on Old Bar: "Bar Captain, you haven't answered my question yet! Are you and Jones biological brothers?"

  Lao Ba Er looked up and burst out laughing, but suddenly stopped and gazed at Tang Jie with a complex expression: "Kid, your words really sadden me!"

  "Answer me, Captain Barlow!" Tang Jie's relentless questioning pressed on:

  Tang Jie couldn't help but ask, he couldn't ignore the shadow left in his heart by Horn's words. He knew that if he didn't clarify things now, it was very likely that no one would ever ask again, and this shadow would continue to exist, affecting his relationship with Old Bar and even his relationship with Nia!

  Lao Ba just opened his mouth, about to answer Tang Jie, but suddenly heard Niya loudly shouting at them: "What are you two doing? They're getting closer and closer to us, what should we do? Should we run or fight? Damn it, give the order quickly!"

  Bar turned his head and glanced at Nia, one hand grasping the grappling hook, pulling himself back onto the Hell's Number. He shouted, "Kid, I'll answer your questions in this battle! Now, let's put everything aside and deal with these annoying bastards first!"

  Tang Jie watched as Old Bar returned to the Hell's Gate, rushing to his helm console. The Hell's Gate tilted to one side, gradually increasing its distance from his sea vessel.

  Niya rushed to Tang Jie's side, her face sternly asking: "Captain Tang Jie, what are your orders? We're all waiting for you!"

  Tang Jie's gaze swept across the deck, at helmsman William, gunner Bill who had slid down from the crow's nest, and more than forty other sailors. These dozens of pairs of eyes were all staring at him, waiting for the king of this ship to issue his orders.

  Tang Jie was very clear that this battle was absolutely not the previous one-sided artillery battle, and what would happen next was a sea battle with a small number of people attacking a large number, the first naval war between warships in his life!

  He took a deep breath, an action that allowed him to quickly clear his mind of distractions and calm down rapidly. He had to present his most fearless and determined attitude to his crew!

  I am their leader, I am their soul!

  This ship, anyone can be bewildered, anyone can be intimidated, but I won't!

  Because I am the captain!

  "Listen to my command!" Tang Jie's voice was like a burst from his chest, resounding through the clouds and shaking every person on the deck!

  "Turn the rudder fifteen degrees to port, hoist all sails on the three masts, sail handlers control the sheets and winches, gunners enter the gun deck, the rest of the sailors take their positions, prepare for battle!" Tang Jie's voice was like iron, clear and powerful.

  At a word from Tang Jie, the sailors on the ship let out a shout and immediately returned to their posts like precision machinery. These old sailors, carefully recruited by Old Ba, did not show much fear in the face of the impending battle.

  Nina's high-heeled boots stomped on the deck, sounding like a war drum. When Tang Jie didn't speak, her voice was always the loudest, and could be heard in every corner of the ship!

  "Cast off the mainsail halyard! Haul in the reefing lines! Bring up the cannonballs and adjust the angle of the bow gun! What the devil, you numbskulls, do you want to be thrown overboard to feed the fish? Bill, what are you staring at, get below and kick those fools' backsides, if anyone dares fire a blank shot wasting ammunition I'll chop them up for chum! William, take charge of the mainsail, I'm going to handle the foresail!"

  Nina was directing every sailor on the deck, she refined Donnie's orders to the extreme, and this was the most perfect assistant, the most capable first mate.

  William, wearing only a loincloth, revealed a tuft of fluffy chest hair, his hands grasping the thick and long sail rope, loudly responded to Nia's words, then turned his head to say to Bill: "Bill, help me build a few more!"

  Bill laughed: "No problem!"

  Nina, William and Bill, these three people are the core strength of this ship. Without their old and rich navigation and combat experience, it is hard to imagine that Tong Jie, a newcomer, could calm down dozens of old sailors.

  The three people's navigation skills and experience, just a slight exposure, made these old sailors admire them, and the three people looked at Tang Jie with a gaze that showed a deep respect and obedience.

  It was also because of this that Tang Jie quickly established absolute control over the ship, and he had the first team and foundation in this world.

  A rookie in a sea battle, with the help of Nia, William and Bill, led a group of old sailors who had just boarded the ship, thus opening the prelude to the Battle of Xixis.

  The easterly sea breeze swelled the sturdy sail, making a rustling sound. Tang Jie stood upright on the deck like a flagpole, his eyes fixed intently on the direction of the bow.

  There, ten warships formed a line, like an iron chain lying across the surface of the sea, blocking his way.

  A slightly damp and salty sea breeze blew in, but it couldn't disperse the thick smell of gunpowder on the deck. Every sailor clenched their fists, with sweat dripping from their palms. Except for the sound of the wind filling the sails and the waves crashing against the hull, all was silent around them.

  The air was like a cauldron of turbulent power, ready to erupt at any moment!

  The sea breeze pushed the warships on both sides closer and closer...

  One more watch, there is still one more watch at night

  Today is a sunny day, hehe, going hiking later