Chapter 114: Attack from the Rear, Known as a Backstab
General Shuhe's three warships led the fleet, followed by three large player-controlled merchant ships, and a line of over twenty smaller merchant vessels trailing at the rear.
The fleet surged forward, riding the river currents with the wind in their sails. Crew members performed their tasks diligently, and the journey proceeded smoothly and peacefully.
On the lead warship, Su Yu stood on deck, feeling the crisp breeze as he sipped the tea a maid had brought him, basking in a rare moment of tranquility.
"Ding! You drink [Pandaren Green Tea] and gain 200 experience points. (Only valid for the first time)"
"Oh? A Pandaren delicacy?" Su Yu murmured, eyeing the porcelain cup in his hand.
It made sense. In the game, the Pandaren Empire was a powerful, mystical land admired by the Gorse Empire and its allies. Pandaren tea, silk, porcelain, and spices were sought-after luxuries, highly prized among the upper echelons of society. It wasn't surprising the Queen's household would have some.
Su Yu's thoughts wandered. *If I can journey to the Pandaren Empire without issue, I might even help establish a new trade route—one faster than the old one, cutting travel time in half. The profits alone would bring a tidal wave of psionic coins…*
The Princess's voice snapped him back to reality. "Nemesis, if I succeed in becoming queen, what reward would you want?"
Su Yu didn't hesitate. "If possible, I'd like the position of Minister of Foreign Trade to manage the empire's overseas commerce," he replied.
In the Gorse Empire, the Minister of Foreign Trade held one of the most lucrative offices—a rare and coveted position for any player to attain.
"Is that so?" The Princess seemed slightly disappointed. She'd expected him to request a title or a vast fiefdom. *Could it be that he's truly content with something so minor?*
*"Then again, we'll see how he performs in the future. Perhaps he's worthy of an earldom to accompany the foreign trade post,"* she thought to herself as she turned to gaze out the window.
Meanwhile, on one of the large merchant ships trailing behind, many players were experiencing the thrill of old-fashioned river travel for the first time, moving excitedly about the ship.
A few players, weapons in hand, were shouting enthusiastically:
"Turns out the river has its own magic!"
"I'm the one who'll claim the seas as my own!"
"You're in a river, not the ocean, you landlubber!"
Unlike the others, Snow Leopard stood at a rear-facing window on the second deck, his expression serious as he scrutinized the smaller ships following behind them.
"Something's off…" he muttered after a moment, his frown deepening.
"What's wrong?" Range is Truth asked, noticing his concern.
Snow Leopard pointed to the string of smaller vessels. "Take a look at those boats. Don't they seem… odd to you?"
Range is Truth sighed. "Those are just regular merchant ships. Lao Tang and I inspected them earlier. They're NPC traders carrying goods for a short distance downriver. Joining our fleet gives them a safety net against bandit attacks."
Unbreakable Alliance, who was nearby, nodded. "Yeah, Lao Huang and I checked them, too. Other than the traders and crew, the only cargo is some large wooden crates. They seemed fine."
"Large wooden crates?" Snow Leopard's gaze sharpened. "Did you look inside them?"
Range is Truth hesitated. "We didn't open them. They're just cargo… wait, are you saying you suspect—?"
Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence, staring out the rear window in shock. On one of the smaller ships, shadowy figures dressed in black diving suits slipped silently over the side, plunging into the water.
"Enemy attack! Be on guard!" Snow Leopard's shout echoed over the wide river.
The players' laughter and conversations abruptly ceased, tension filling the air. Through the fleet chat channels, they quickly learned that the danger wasn't in front of them—it was coming from behind.
Weapons appeared in players' hands as they braced for combat. Just then, a message from Su Yu popped up:
"Player Nemesis has sent you the mission [Protection of Merchant Ships]. Accept?"
"Accept!"
"Ding! You have triggered the campaign side quest [Protect Merchant Ships]."
**Mission Objectives**: Protect the merchant ships and keep their damage below 40%. Current ship damage: 0%.
**Reward**: 750 EXP, 5 Psionic Coins.
Another alert followed swiftly:
"Player Nemesis has issued the task [Kill the Water Ghosts]."
"Ding! You have triggered the campaign side quest [Kill the Water Ghosts]."
**Mission Objectives**: Repel the water ghosts attacking the fleet.
**Reward**: 750 EXP, 5 Psionic Coins.
A final message appeared:
"Player Nemesis has issued the task [Counter-Attack and Occupy]."
"Ding! You have triggered the campaign side quest [Counter-Attack and Occupy]."
**Mission Objectives**: Capture 10 water ghost ships. Current progress: 0/10.
**Reward**: 900 EXP, 6 Psionic Coins.
Su Yu sent out the three tasks, and players' faces lit up with excitement.
*2,400 experience points!* The rewards for these tasks were incredibly generous, especially for a river ambush. Players eagerly took their positions, prepared for an all-out fight with the water ghosts.
Snow Leopard issued commands across the chat groups, organizing player movements. Moments later, the three player merchant ships began slowing down and turning to face the approaching enemy.
At Su Yu's request, the three NPC warships at the front of the fleet also reduced their speed, adjusting their course to join the counterattack.
Players lined the sides of the ships, readying their bows, staffs, and crossbows. Arrows and Frostbolts rained into the river, aimed at the water where the water ghosts were lurking below. Although arrows and spells lost power in the water, the players had one advantage—sheer numbers.
Under the barrage, faint clouds of blood began rising to the surface, evidence that the water ghosts were sustaining injuries.
Realizing that their plan to sink the ships was failing, the water ghosts switched tactics. They abandoned their chisels, deciding instead to engage directly.
With loud splashes, dark shapes burst from the water, landing with birdlike grace on decks and railings, their blades flashing in the sunlight.
The players at the edges, caught off guard, had only moments to react before falling to the quick strikes of the water ghosts' swords, vanishing in flashes of white light.
But the remaining melee players quickly regrouped, charging to face the intruders. With six ships as their battleground, the fierce battle against the water ghosts was fully underway.
(End of Chapter)