A thunder-like ‘rumble’ came faintly from the wind, the watchtower seemed to sense something and started to tremble.

Thunder?

No, thunder rang out one after another, how could it drag on continuously like this?

The old soldier ran to the Qian Li Yan and quickly pushed the lens upwards. The moment his gaze passed through the dark curtain of rain, he suddenly caught sight of a huge shadow out at sea.

A monster such as this one did not exist even in nightmares, with its claws flying up to the sky, growling loudly and angrily, in a low voice.

The soldier thought there was a problem with his eyes, rubbing them hard then taking another look, only to find that the ‘sea monster’ was moving like a flying shadow. In the blink of an eye, he could not tell how much it had advanced, but it was already near enough to see clearly from the Qian Li Yan.

The Black Sea Dragons swooped in fiercely in the dark night. Battle flags flew in the wind and rain resembling an ominous beacon, their shadows covered the vast ocean.

"Enemy attack..." The old soldier struggled to open his mouth.

"What?"

The old soldier suddenly turned back and roared, "Enemy attack! The Westerners are coming, ring the bells and beat the drum! What are you are standing there for, go quickly —"

The sound of drums penetrated through the rainstorm, the light on the watchtower that was originally turning slowly suddenly accelerated and began to whirl wildly, one alerting ten, ten alerting a hundred. In a few breathing intervals, all the watchtowers in Da Gu Harbor had sounded their drums.

Lian Wei, the commander of the Northern Sea Navy, had never once dared to close his eyes to rest since the day he received the news of the defeat in the Southern Sea. Right now, his heart was beating like mad inside his chest. He grabbed the Qian Li Yan in the hands of his guard.

After only one look, he was forced to cry out, "My gods," from his chest to his back, everything had chilled.

"General, what should we do?"

"All..." Lian Wei's throat moved. "Large Dragons go ahead, no need to say hello, fire the Heavy Artillery instantly... Wait, put on the metal chain, that's right, all Dragons go side by side! Form a fence of metal chains outside the port!”

"Set up the Baihong—"

"Notify the fishing and merchant ships in the port to evacuate immediately!"

Lian Wei looked down at the 'Feng Huo* Order' on his table that had not yet been put away — it was the highest level of warfare warning in Great Liang. Once the 'Feng Huo Order' was received, it indicated that the whole territory would enter a ready state for war at any moment.

*烽火, lit. beacon fire

On the Feng Huo Order was a letter 'Gu', signed by the Marquis of Order himself.