Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 118 Rebels? Go tell that to my Divine Might General Cannon!

After Cai Rong and his group boarded the ship, Wang Cheng sent out Qingfeng, who had the best concealment.

He peered through the porthole of the 400-ton warship and saw their conversation and the details of the Xiangji Temple plaque clearly.

Especially when they heard that they were planning to hire the Tanka people who were fishing nearby to kill innocent people and claim credit for it, Wang Cheng, A Xiao, Zhang Wen, and the Tanka crew members beside them were all furious.

"Asshole! Damn it!"

"Big Boat Leader, today we must make them pay for their crimes in blood, to comfort the souls of our people in heaven!"

Amidst the crowd's outrage, Wang Cheng performed hand seals and chanted incantations, drawing upon the spiritual energy within his body to [gather beasts and birds, and enlighten all beings]:
"The Three Officials govern the Nine Prefectures and Four Departments. The mighty warriors of the heavens wield the divine weapons of punishment. Each is in charge of their own duties, and all shall be dispatched from the Nine Yin. Orders shall be carried out with wind and fire, and swiftly proceed to the altar. So be it!"

Buzz buzz.
All sixteen bronze cannons on one side of the Babao sailing warship trembled.

Golden light emanated from the cannon barrels, and above each cannon, a burly, golden-armored general appeared, each holding a large golden bow.

The cannonballs placed next to the cannons were also temporarily transformed, constantly shaking and growing into ferocious iron lion heads, drawing upon a trace of the majestic aura of the guardian lion Suanni.

The golden-armored general drew back his great bow, aiming at the enemy target. A golden arc shot out from the bow, marking the trajectory and helping the gunners easily lock onto the enemy ship.

Sixteen "cannon gods" are ready to go.

The evil spirit's yin body carries the "Four Seas Extermination Evil Talisman" and the "Golden Toad Suppressing Treasure Talisman," two talismans that can be freely switched between the yin and yang bodies.

After being promoted to the sixth rank, temporarily transforming these cannons into a group of soldiers was entirely within Wang Cheng's capacity.

Meanwhile, the Babao had already secretly taken advantage of the situation and gained the upper hand over the 400-ton warship.

Wang Cheng sneered:

"The winners are loyal subjects, and the losers are rebels, right? You want me to expose my 'traitor' identity on the spot? You think I don't understand the rules of officialdom?"
Alright, alright, you can say those words to my [Divine Might General Cannons].

"Open fire!"

Zhang Wen stood at the hatch and loudly relayed orders to the gunners below.

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
The intense orange-red flames of the cannons suddenly illuminated the fog-shrouded sea, and the Lionhead shells spun at high speed, tearing through the fog and leaving behind gruesome scars in mid-air.

Cai Rong, the captain of the ship opposite, was at least a mid-level rank 3. He had already sensed the bone-chilling danger and hurriedly kowtowed to the ship god to activate the protective artifacts on the ship.

"Please, God of Ships, grant us your power! Tail fin, open!"

They should be glad that they did not worship Prince Jing like the Five Peaks Banner.

In the critical moment, the protective object was successfully activated.

The blue egret depicted on the stern of the ship suddenly spreads its wings, creating a whirlwind that encircles its own warship.

The waves and the surrounding mist danced together, forming a huge white wind ring.

To deflect those lion-head shells off their intended trajectory, and even to launch them away.

But these ferocious shells already possessed simple intelligence. The first wave of shells, before being deflected by the wind rings, would spin at high speed to adjust their trajectory and strike the tail fins directly.

"Roar--!"

The guardian spirit used the majestic roar of the Suanni to fiercely counter it, instantly concentrating its firepower to tear apart the wind ring and smashing the stern of the ship to pieces.

The blue heron let out a mournful cry and returned to its tail feathers.

One of the Lionhead shells landed on the deck and spontaneously shattered into countless fragments, sweeping across all the helmsmen on deck.

The mast, like a straw, broke and fell into the sea.

A piece of debris landed near the waterline, scraping against the unribbed wooden hull and tearing a large hole, not only shoving out the nearby crew but also causing seawater to flood in.

That one blow completely rendered it beyond saving.

Two shells landed on the sterncastle, almost flattening half of the superstructure and igniting the gunpowder barrels placed there.

The stern and the sterncastle were engulfed in flames, crackling and popping incessantly.

When the first round of shelling ceased, and the few survivors, covered in dust and grime, got up and looked toward where the shells had come from, their hearts were filled with even greater despair.

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
The second burst of fire extinguished almost everyone's chance of survival; they didn't even have time to jump ship before being locked onto by Lionhead cannonballs with automatic guidance capabilities.

Even the Dazhao sailing ship, with its watertight compartments and excellent anti-sinking performance, tragically turned into a blazing wreck and sank slowly into the sea.

Carnivorous fish that swam nearby swarmed in and feasted.

A group of garrison soldiers who had just been discussing going to find the Tanka people to cut off their heads for a reward were soon swallowed by fish. They would be fished out by the Tanka people and exchanged for money the next day, which could be considered a good deed.

However, this group was not completely wiped out.

Neigh!
With a high-pitched neighing of warhorses, a fierce general leaped out from the depths of the raging fire in the ship's hold, cutting through the sea of ​​flames and riding the waves toward the [Babao].

A thunderous shout resounded throughout the entire venue:

"I am the greatest warrior under heaven! Who can rival me? Kill—!"

He was fully armed and looked majestic, with two long phoenix wings on his purple-gold crown and four golden banners hanging from his neck on the back of his armrest.

He wore a golden helmet and silver armor, rode a chestnut horse, and wielded a halberd that cut through the waves.

He looked just like an old general on a stage with flags stuck all over his back.

The mist summoned by A-Xiao's secret technique, "Cloud Spreading and Rainbow Cutting," dissipated slightly, and Wang Cheng and A-Xiao stood casually on the deck, watching the fierce general galloping on horseback with terrifying momentum.

They even have the leisure to criticize him:

"This [Needle and Pen Craftsman]'s skill is indeed commendable. Carrying this peerless ghost god Lü Bu on one's back is equivalent to carrying a statue of a god at all times."

When he unleashed his skills, he truly possessed an aura of divine intervention. The so-called "Earthly Official" [Needle and Pen Craftsman] was actually a tattoo artist.

China has a long history of tattooing.

As early as the tribal era, many ethnic groups practiced totem worship, hair cutting and tattooing, and primitive witchcraft, using needles with ink to pierce the skin to create patterns.

Essentially, it's like asking a god to possess you and protect you.

By the Southern Song Dynasty at the latest, many tattoo enthusiasts' societies had emerged in major cities, which the Song people themselves called "Jinti Society".

Historical records state: "People in the market town love tattoos, which are called embroidery, and when welcoming the gods, they call it the Brocade Body Society."

It is also recorded in the masterpiece "Water Margin" created by a certain local official (novelist) at the beginning of this dynasty.

The playboy Yan Qing, with his tattoos, bewitched the famous courtesan Li Shishi.

"Her snow-white robes are embroidered with flowers all over her body, like jade pillars covered with emerald green. If it were a contest of brocade bodies, no matter who you are, you would lose to him!"

This shows that the profession of "needle and pen craftsman" flourished during the Song Dynasty.

They can use various patterns to change a person's fortune, boost wealth, protect peace, and bestow upon them a life totem that accompanies them throughout their life.

The most typical pattern is: a green dragon on the left, a white tiger on the right, and an old ox in the middle.

Of course, there are also many taboos and rules for needle and pen makers. A good tattoo can bring good fortune, while a bad tattoo can bring bad luck.

Furthermore, these needle and pen craftsmen possess a secret technique called "Brocade Body Invocation of the Holy," which allows them to use the tattoos on their bodies as a medium to summon the power of corresponding spirits and deities, greatly enhancing their combat strength.

The tattoo on Cai Rong's back reads: "Loyal and Righteous Marquis, Unparalleled Ghost God Lü Bu!"

Wang Cheng turned to look at the pearl diver and joked with her:

"Sister Axiao, please choose the correct option from the following three."

Emperor Taizong Wen succeeded to the throne in order of succession;
I am Qin Shi Huang;
Marquis Lü Bu, the Loyal and Righteous Marquis, was unparalleled in his loyalty to the Han Dynasty!

The girl glared at him with her beautiful heterochromatic eyes and playfully nudged him with her elbow.

"hehe."

This question might cause hesitation in the eyes of others.

But in Emperor Xian's eyes, Lü Bu, who had betrayed several of his adoptive fathers, was a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, and he wanted to be buried in the same place as Lü Bu after his death.

Of course, this is not entirely official history, and there was no title called "Loyal and Righteous Marquis" in the Han Dynasty; it is just speculation by later generations.

The image of "Loyal and Righteous Marquis" comes from a zaju (a type of Chinese opera) from the Yunmeng period.

Lu Bu was portrayed as a man of both loyalty and filial piety, and according to legend, he was even bestowed the title of "Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness" by Emperor Xian of Han.

When something is passed down among the people for a long time, it will naturally respond to the wishes of the masses and become a facet of a famous historical figure, which can be used by certain treacherous and fickle people who are in sync with it.

Historical records state: He was a villain who specifically targeted his adoptive father, Lü Bu. He was as fierce as a tiger but lacked strategy. He was cunning, fickle, and only cared about profit.

Unofficial history: The artistically embellished image is that of a hypocrite in disguise, whom the emperor greatly admires.

The 【Brocade Body Invitation to the Holy Image】has very strict requirements for all aspects of the “tattoo image”. The more compatible one’s personality traits, destiny, and character are with the tattoo artist, the less burden one will bear and the stronger the power will be.

Cai Rong clearly fits this fabricated image perfectly: secretly profit-driven, yet outwardly righteous and devoted to the country and the emperor, leaving no room for doubt.

"I have never heard of anyone being able to shoot down an officer with the cannons of a warship."

I am perfectly suited to Lü Bu. As long as I get on your ship and disable your cannons, I can kill people like mowing grass with the power of ghosts and gods!

"Those reckless pirates dare to provoke your grandfather! They'll all die!"

At this moment, the [Divine Might General Cannons] on the Babao quickly adjusted their firing range.

The lion-head shell swallowed the gunpowder pack that had been prepared in advance, turning itself into a powerful exploding shell!

Then they all jumped into the cannon barrel.

The difficulty with exploding shells lies in how to trigger the fuse after they fly out, which is not easy to solve with current technology, but this is not a problem at all for these temporary shell monsters.

My lord, times have indeed changed!
But instead of becoming more scientific, it has become more mystical.

At the same time, as the distance between the two sides rapidly closed, Cai Rong finally saw Wang Cheng's face on the pirate ship and was shocked:

"Wang Fugui, is that you?!"

How did you end up on the pirate ship?

I understand now, you're the most heartless one! We were just killing innocent people and claiming credit, and you actually went out to sea to become a pirate?!

Wang Cheng didn't answer, but just grinned at him and chanted a spell:

"The sun rises in the east, a single red dot; the three books of Heaven transform into the six elements of Earth; borrowing form, a transformation swiftly takes on a woman's appearance; hasten, hasten, as the law commands!"

Bang!
With a single move, the "Transformation into a Daughter" technique, Cai Rong on the other side instantly transformed into a charming and beautiful "female general."

To be honest, appearance doesn't have much impact on combat power, and this strange technique has a very narrow application range in actual combat.

But the key problem is that a charming female body obviously cannot carry the weight of an unparalleled demon god, and the compatibility drops by a hundred percent.

The "Jinti Invitation to the Holy Law" backfired on the spot.

Cai Rong, seemingly seeing something, opened his mouth and let out a mournful cry as plaintive as a nightingale weeping blood:
"Help! General, stop! I'm not Diao Chan!"

At the same time, sixteen cannons fired simultaneously, and sixteen exploding shells exploded in the air around "her," creating a huge storm of metallic flames that instantly tore "her" to pieces.

(End of this chapter)