Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

"I come."

Jiang Nian's voice rang out calmly in the encrypted channel.

"You're here?" Hailong-1 paused for half a second. "Advisor Jiang, that attack vehicle's imaging sonar has a very wide coverage area."

“I know.” Jiang Nian interrupted him, his fingers quickly swiping across the tactical tablet to bring up the Night Shadow’s blueprints. “So I don’t intend to let it see me.”

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember that time with Shen Qianshan?" Jiang Nian said. "The field he used on the rooftop could interfere with perception and suppress labeling activity. Qin Lao's team later analyzed the frequency characteristics of that field."

There was a moment of silence on the channel.

"You want to use labeled energy to simulate that kind of interference field?" Old Qin's voice broke in, tinged with obvious shock. "Jiang Nian, that's just a theoretical model! We've never tested it in a real environment!"

"Then let's test it now."

He paused for a moment: "Anyway, it will be discovered, so it makes no difference."

"That's too risky!" Dr. Xu exclaimed urgently over the medical monitoring channel. "Your five internal organs have just stabilized. Forcibly pushing that level of energy output could very well cause you to lose control again!"

“Dr. Xu is right,” Yang Zhan said in a low voice. “Kid, don’t be a show-off.”

“Instructor Yang,” Jiang Nian looked out the porthole at the darkness of the deep sea, “this is not showing off, it is the best plan that has been calculated.”

He pulled up a set of data: "The effective radius of the Hailong Squad's chaff is eighty meters. To cover the entire transport fleet, at least six chaff need to be detonated simultaneously."

"But it only takes three seconds for the imaging sonar of an attack vehicle to go from its scattering position to full power scanning. Within three seconds, there is not enough time for six flares to fly from their scattering positions to their designated detonation points and then detonate."

"So you're going to use yourself as bait to attract its attention?" Hailong No. 1 understood.

“Yes.” Jiang Nian nodded. “I will deliberately expose myself so that it will lock onto me. You can then take the opportunity to approach the transport vehicle and carry out your control mission. By the time it realizes it has been tricked, it will be too late.”

"And what about you?" Su Qing's voice came from the base, trembling. "You'll become a target!"

“The Night Shadow is twice as fast as them,” Jiang Nian said. “As long as the interference field can be effective for three to five seconds, it will be enough for me to escape the lock-on range.”

There was silence in the channel.

The only sounds were the low hum of the submarine's engines and the regular ticking of the sonar scan.

"Old Bai?" Yang Zhan finally spoke.

In the command center, Bai Yongxu stared at the tactical simulation map transmitted by Jiang Nian on the screen.

"approve."

Bai Yongxu's voice came through an encrypted channel.

"But there's a condition."

"If the jamming field fails, or you are injured, evacuate immediately. The mission can fail, but you cannot die."

Jiang Nian was silent for two seconds.

"clear."

"Alright." Bai Yongxu switched to the all-channel. "Everyone, listen up. Execute the operation according to Jiang Nian's plan. Hailong Squad, prioritize controlling the transport vehicles."

"Jiang Nian, your safety will be protected by Hailong No. 2 and No. 3. Elder Qin, monitor Jiang Nian's physiological data in real time. If any abnormality occurs, I have the right to forcibly stop the operation."

"Yes!"

On the sonar screen, the red dot got closer.

"Twelve nautical miles away," Hailong-1 reported. "The convoy is at eight knots, maintaining a stable speed. The attack vehicles are at the head of the convoy, with two patrol vehicles on the left and right, and the transport vehicles in the middle."

"The formation is very standard," General Zhao's voice came through. "It seems they feel this area of ​​water is safe."

"Then let's give them a surprise." Jiang Nian adjusted the Night Shadow's course and began to slowly ascend.

"Advisor Jiang, what are you doing?" Hailong No. 2 asked.

"Give the imaging sonar a clear target," Jiang Nian said. "When it scans, it prioritizes moving targets and targets with significant depth changes. If I suddenly surface from the deep sea, it will lock onto me immediately."

“The organization’s vehicle drivers are rigorously trained. When encountering a suspicious target, the standard procedure is to first activate imaging sonar to confirm the target, then call for support, and only then consider attacking. This process takes at least fifteen seconds.”

"Fifteen seconds..." Hailong-1 murmured, "enough time for us to get to the bottom of the transport vehicle."

"Yes." Jiang Nian had already risen to a depth of 200 meters. "All units, prepare to begin operations."

The Night Shadow plunged from a depth of 200 meters straight up to 150 meters!

Almost simultaneously, on the sonar screen, the red dot representing the attack vehicle suddenly lit up with a dazzling halo!

"Imaging sonar activated!" Old Qin exclaimed in the command center, "It's detected you!"

Jiang Nian felt an invisible scanning wave penetrate the seawater, pass through the hull of the submersible, and sweep across his body.

The tagging system instinctively wants to respond.

"Hold on!" Yang Zhan shouted. "Guide the energy, don't resist!"

"The interference field has taken effect!" Old Qin stared at the data stream, his voice trembling with excitement. "The image clarity has dropped by seventy percent! On its screen, you're now just a constantly shifting blob of noise!"

The attack vehicle also apparently detected the anomaly.

Its course was slightly adjusted, and its nose was aligned with the Nightshade.

"It's locked on!" Hailong-2 shouted urgently.

"Leave me alone!" Jiang Nian roared, "Keep the mission going!"

On the sonar screen, six green dots representing the Sea Dragon Squad emerged from behind the underwater reefs like ghosts, heading straight for the transport vehicle located in the center of the fleet.

The sonars of the two patrol vehicles were still in normal scanning mode and did not detect any threat approaching from below.

"One hundred meters from the transport vehicle!" Hailong-1 reported. "Prepare for mine absorption!"

"Wait a minute," Jiang Nian suddenly said, "There's something on the bottom of the transport vehicle."

He zoomed in on the high-resolution sonar images from Nightshade.

On the flat belly of the transport vehicle, there are a dozen or so regularly spaced protrusions, each about the size of a truck.

“That is…” Old Qin leaned closer to the screen.

“Weapon array,” Yang Zhan said coldly. “This transport ship is disguised.”

The words have not yet been spoken!

The bulging structures on the belly of the transport vehicle suddenly opened simultaneously!

Inside each structure, three slender metal tubes extend out!

"Rapid-fire torpedo tubes!" Hailong-1 roared, "All personnel take evasive action!"

late.

Eighteen white streaks shot out from the belly of the transport vehicle, drawing deadly arcs in the seawater, heading straight for the six submarines of the Sea Dragon Squad!

"Decoy flares! Fire all missiles!"

The Sea Dragon team reacted extremely quickly, with each submarine launching several acoustic decoys.

However, the guidance systems of those torpedoes were clearly specially optimized, and they were able to automatically filter through the swarm of decoys and continue tracking them!

"They're voiceprint recognition missiles!" Old Qin's face turned ashen. "They've locked onto the specific voiceprint of your submarine's engine!"

"Shut down the engine!" Jiang Nian ordered. "Use backup power to maintain the life support systems!"

"We can't turn it off!" Hailong No. 5's voice was filled with despair. "We're currently at a depth of 200 meters. If we turn off the engines, we'll immediately stall and sink, crashing into the seabed!"

"Then let's ram it!" Jiang Nian gritted his teeth. "It's better than being blown to pieces by a torpedo!"

"No!" Bai Yongxu roared in the command center, "Sea Dragon Squadron, execute emergency ascent procedure! Jetload all unnecessary payload and ascend at full speed!"

"If we surface, we'll be locked onto by patrol vehicles!" General Zhao said urgently.

"That's still better than dying right now!" Bai Yongxu slammed his fist on the table. "Execute the order!"

Six underwater vehicles simultaneously jettisoned their external equipment, turned their thrusters to maximum power, and plunged straight towards the sea surface!

But torpedoes are faster.

“It’s over…” the pilot of Hailong VI murmured.

"Boom!"

A muffled explosion echoed through the seawater. The shockwave stirred up a large amount of turbidity.

"What's going on?!" Hailong-1 stared at the sonar screen.

The attack vehicle opened fire.

But it wasn't aimed at the Sea Dragon Squad.

"It's helping us?" Hailong III asked incredulously.

“No.” Jiang Nian stared at the attack vehicle. “It’s eliminating substandard weapons.”

Sure enough, the launch tubes on the belly of the transport vehicle adjusted their angle again, this time aiming at the attack vehicle!

"Internal strife?" Old Qin's eyes widened.

“It’s a test.” Yang Zhan understood. “The organization is testing new weapons in real combat. The transport ship is the target ship, the attack vehicle is the examiner, and we are the unexpected interference.”

"Retreat!" Jiang Nian decisively ordered. "While they're fighting amongst themselves, immediately withdraw from the ambush area!"

"But it's a mission!"

"Mission failed!" Jiang Nian changed the Nightshade's course. "The transport ship has self-defense weapons; we can't control it without alerting the base. We need to retreat now to save our lives!"

The Sea Dragon Squad did not hesitate.

Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the explosion, the six submarines sped toward the designated evacuation point.

The Night Shadow brought up the rear.

Jiang Nian glanced back at the sonar screen.

Attack vehicles and transport ships are already fighting.

Blue energy beams and white torpedo trajectories intertwined, creating eerie light and shadow in the deep sea.

"Advisor Jiang!" Hailong No. 2 suddenly shouted urgently, "That transport ship is chasing us!"

Jiang Nian suddenly turned around.

On the sonar screen, the red dot representing the transport ship was leaving the battlefield and chasing after them at full speed in the direction they had retreated!
"This is impossible!" Old Qin exclaimed. "The maximum speed of the transport vehicle is only twelve knots!"

“Unless it’s not a transport ship at all,” Yang Zhan said coldly, “we’ve been tricked.”

The torpedo tubes on the hull of the transport ship are being retracted, and in their place are four sets of large propulsion nozzles!

Its shape is also changing.

The originally square and bulky hull is gradually becoming streamlined as its outer shell opens and recombines layer by layer, like scales.

"Deformable structure..." Old Qin murmured, "The materials technology of the organization has reached this level?"

"Now is not the time to be amazed!"

"It's faster than you!" Bai Yongxu exclaimed urgently, "At this rate, it will catch up within ten minutes!"

"We can't let it catch up." Jiang Nian stared at the tactical tablet. "Sea Dragon Squad, you continue with the original withdrawal plan. I'll draw it away."

"No way!" Hailong No. 1 immediately objected. "Advisor Jiang, although your submarine has a speed advantage, its defense is too weak! If it gets entangled with it, we're finished!"

“That’s why we need to lure it away,” Jiang Nian said. “Its target is me. As long as I expose my marking features, it will prioritize chasing me.”

"Too dangerous!"

"This is an order."

The Nightshade suddenly turned and rushed in the opposite direction from the Sea Dragon Squad.

"It's taken the bait." Jiang Nian glanced at the sonar; it was rapidly closing the eight-nautical-mile distance.

"Jiang Nian, how do you plan to shake it off?" Old Qin asked. "Although the terrain of Canyon No. 7 is complex, its speed and ability to deform may not be enough to trap it."

“I won’t shake it,” Jiang Nian said. “I’m going to catch it.”

"what?!"

Everyone in the command center was stunned.

Jiang Nian retrieved a 3D topographic map of Canyon No. 7.

This is a long underwater rift valley with steep rock walls on both sides, covered with coral reefs and seaweed.

"look here."

Jiang Nian circled a location in the middle of the rift valley, "There is a naturally formed cave here, with an entrance fifteen meters wide and enough space inside to accommodate the Night Shadow. But the depths of the cave are a dead end."

"You want to bring it in?" Bai Yongxu understood.

“Yes,” Jiang Nian said. “The transport ship is about eighteen meters wide after it transforms, which greatly reduces its maneuverability in narrow passages. As long as I can lure it into the cave, it will get stuck.”

"And then what?" Yang Zhan asked. "Even if you get stuck, how will you subdue the people inside? They must have weapons, and the ship's hull is very well-defended."

"So we need some special equipment." Jiang Nian opened the weapons inventory list of the Night Shadow. "I remember before we set off, Old Qin prepared some gadgets for me?"

Old Qin was taken aback for a moment, then realized: "You mean nerve anesthetic aerosol?"

“Yes.” Jiang Nian nodded. “Is the dosage sufficient?”

"It's enough, but it needs to be released at close range, and we must ensure that there are no leaks in the ship's seal, otherwise the gas won't be able to get in."

"Leave this to me." Jiang Nian adjusted the course; the Night Shadow had already entered the entrance to Canyon No. 7.

The rock walls on both sides receded rapidly under the searchlight.

"It's catching up!" Hailong-2 was still monitoring the rear during its evacuation.

"So fast." Jiang Nian frowned.

Based on this speed difference, they will be caught up before reaching the designated cave.

At the stern of the Nightshade, two disc-shaped absorbent mines detached and silently adhered to the rocks at the bottom of the canyon.

The indicator light starts flashing: ten-second countdown.

"Detonate!"

"Boom! Boom!"

Two muffled thuds were heard, and two large craters were blasted open at the bottom of the canyon.

"A great opportunity!" Jiang Nian accelerated.

The Nightshade glided through the canyon like a fish and soon arrived at the designated cave location.

The searchlight illuminated the way ahead.

On the rock wall, a dark cave entrance opened, its edges covered with glowing deep-sea corals.

The cave was more spacious than expected.

Jiang Nian parked the Night Shadow at the deepest part of the cave, turned off most of the lights, leaving only a faint red indicator light.

Then, donning a deep-sea combat suit, they swam out of the submersible and deployed the last two acoustic chaff rounds at the cave entrance.

"Setup complete."

One minute later.

The transport ship appeared outside the cave entrance.

It had clearly discovered the cave and hovered slowly at the entrance.

The searchlight beam from the head shone into the cave, swept across the rock walls, and finally settled on the Nightshade deep inside.

The transport ship was reassembled to enter the cave.

The transport ship has completely entered the cave.

It's now!

"Detonate!"

Two flares exploded simultaneously at the cave entrance!
It wasn't a lethal explosion, but rather the release of extremely powerful sound waves that shook the entire cave.

The stalactite at the top broke off and crashed down! (End of Chapter)