Dark clouds loomed overhead, and waves undulated wildly.
Chains linked the ship's planks, creating a deck broad enough for a horse to gallop upon.
The Tianbo Division, assembled from eighty large ships, resembled a moving miniature island. On the ships were attics, watchtowers, handrails, grand and splendid. Much of the usual construction had been dismantled to clear out a large open space.
Dotted amongst the large and small dark indigo sailboats, a thousand sails stood competing against each other on the sea, like a vast black forest.
Triangular flags, half-rolled canvas, interlaced hemp ropes, bamboo poles resting on the decks, the bustling voices from the ships penetrated the dark clouds.
Zhang He's nine-star black sails, Zhufen's Celestial Horse Sail, Lin Ajin's Sword and Saber Sail, and Li Yan's grand red sails plunged into the Tianbo Division from all four corners.
