Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

Dense fog.

This is no ordinary morning mist.

Instead, it's a unique type of advection fog in early winter in the Bohai Bay, as thick as milk, so thick that you can't even see your fingers when you stretch out your hand.

Such weather would have been a deadly disaster for any ancient sailor who relied on sight and experience to navigate.

On the sea outside the mouth of the Daedong River, Goguryeo's naval commander, Go Yeon-soo, stood on the deck of his flagship, as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

"This awful weather! We can't even see a single star!"

Gao Yanshou kicked over the wooden barrel next to him and roughly grabbed the boatswain by the collar, yelling loudly.

"Where are the boats ahead? Where did they all go? Light torches! Bang gongs! Don't let them all collide!"

Five hundred Goguryeo warships and flagships were now like a swarm of headless flies with their eyes covered. They were spinning aimlessly in the icy water, the creaking of the planks hitting each other and the terrified shouts of the sailors weaving together into a chaotic cacophony in the thick fog.

They were originally ordered to go to sea to intercept "those few dilapidated Tang Dynasty ships".

But now, they can't even tell which way is north, south, east, or west, let alone form ranks to meet the enemy.

Two warships, unable to avoid the collision, broke their masts and slowly sank in the icy water.

"Commander, we can't go any further! This fog is too eerie; we'll get lost in the sea!" The lieutenant clung tightly to the railing, his teeth chattering from the cold.

Gao Yanshou gritted his teeth, staring resentfully at the vast expanse of white. Though arrogant, he knew the dangers of blindly sailing in such weather.

"Order! All units drop anchor! Defend the position!"

Gao Yanshou spat viciously.

"I refuse to believe that just because we can't see it, those landlubbers from the Tang Dynasty can! Once the fog clears, I'm going to send them all to feed the sea god!"

However, Gao Yanshou was unaware of this.

Less than three miles away on the sea, a technological crushing force that transcends dimensions is unfolding silently.

Inside the cockpit of the flagship of the Tang Dynasty's treasure ship.

In stark contrast to the thick fog outside, where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, the atmosphere here was eerily quiet.

Li Chengqian leaned comfortably against the leather armchair, holding a steaming cup of black tea in his hand.

On the control panel in front of him were two items that could be considered "miracle tools" in this era.

One is a precision nautical compass with luminous pointers and multi-dimensional scales, which can be redeemed with system points.

The other was an extremely simple mechanical radar, similar to a sonar detector of later times (a modified version of the system, which used the principle of sound wave reflection to punch holes in paper tape for development).

"Your Highness, a large number of dense obstacles have appeared three miles to the left front, which are suspected to be enemy ships."

Zheng He stared at the constantly pulsating sounding hammer and the sounding tape, his eyes, which had weathered countless storms, gleaming with extreme excitement.

"They broke down, and their formation was extremely chaotic, like chickens trapped in a cage."

Zheng He's voice exuded the absolute confidence of a top navigator.

In this dense fog, the navigation data provided by this system was practically like having a full map cheat! The Tang Dynasty's fleet was like an assassin with X-ray vision, while the enemy was a blind and deaf sitting duck.

"Did it break down?"

Li Chengqian chuckled and blew on the steam rising from the rim of his cup.

Looking through the cockpit window at the thick, impenetrable fog outside, a cruel smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"This Goguryeo governor is quite a character. Knowing he's blind, he deliberately stopped to wait for us to beat him up."

Li Chengqian put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table in a rhythmic pattern.

"Zheng He, issue the order to the entire army."

His voice sounded particularly cold and stern in the quiet cockpit.

"Maintain formation, slow down and stealthily advance. Turn off all steam whistles, and use only sails and dark oars for propulsion."

"Go around their flanks and push all their smoothbore cannons to starboard."

Li Chengqian stood up, walked to the glass window, and his deep gaze seemed to pierce through the thick fog, seeing the Goguryeo soldiers shivering in the cold wind.

"Since they like to hide in the fog, let's give them a 'ghost ship' performance."

"Once we reach the optimal firing range, await my command."

"One volley will send them to hell."

"promise!"

Zheng He accepted the order, and signals from flags and extremely faint lights were quickly relayed among the thirty treasure ships.

The massive steel fleet displayed terrifying tactical prowess amidst the thick fog. There was not a single shout, not a single unnecessary mechanical noise.

Like a group of giant beasts lurking in the deep sea, silently baring their deadly fangs at their unsuspecting prey.

Time passed by, second by second.

The dense fog did not dissipate; instead, it grew even thicker with the sea breeze.

And at the strategic choke point of the Taedong River estuary, lies Bisa Castle.

This fortress, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, was regarded by Yeon Gaesomun as the "first natural barrier at sea".

The Goguryeo soldiers on the city wall were huddled beside a brazier, constantly rubbing their frozen hands.

"This damned weather! We can't even see a bird in sight. How could the Tang army possibly attack?"

A young soldier yawned deeply, leaned his spear against the wall, and prepared to steal a nap.

"Stop talking nonsense. The governor's fleet is right outside blocking the way. If anything happens, we'll hear the commotion."

The veteran next to him nonchalantly gulped down a mouthful of strong liquor.

Just then.

A gust of sea wind carrying salt suddenly blew by, abruptly dispersing a corner of the thick fog on the sea outside Beisha City.

The young soldier just happened to look up.

His hand, which was reaching for the spear, suddenly froze in mid-air as if he had been electrocuted.

His pupils dilated to their limit instantly, and his mouth opened wide enough to fit a fist, but his throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton, and he couldn't make a sound.

The veteran turned his head in confusion and followed his gaze.

"Clang!"

The old soldier's wine jug slammed straight down onto the bluestone bricks, shattering into several pieces.

In the gradually dissipating mist.

It wasn't the Goguryeo navy they had hoped for.

Instead, there were thirty colossal warships, as massive as steel mountains, arranged in a perfect crescent-shaped formation, completely surrounding the entire city of Beisha and its estuary!

Those towering masts.

Those cast iron armors that gleamed with a cold, icy light.

And those rows of dark, massive cannons on the deck, all aimed at them.

In the dim morning sunlight, it reflected an aura of death that sent chills down one's spine!

"A...a monster!"

The young soldier finally let out a shrill, distorted scream, and the spear in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

At the same time that scream rang out.

On the foredeck of the Tang Dynasty flagship.

Li Chengqian raised his right hand with great elegance, and then suddenly swung it downwards!

"fire."