The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Trade heads for armor!

On the government ship, Zhao Douan laughed heartily as he uttered these words, his voice, reinforced by his qi mechanism, rolling over the river surface, reaching every ear on the giant warship opposite.

In that moment, everyone on both ships changed their expressions.

"Zhao Douan!" Xu Jinglong's face suddenly darkened, his hands grasping the railing instinctively tightened, the veins slightly bulging.

His gaze seemed capable of killing.

As the princely heir of Prince Jing, where did he go without receiving the utmost respect?

How long had it been since someone dared to provoke him so openly?

Especially when the other party was the empress's gigolo. Such unbridled mockery essentially emblazoned the word "sarcasm" on his face.

"Ah—"

On the second floor, those standing on tiptoe and watching the spectacle, young men and women, exclaimed in astonishment.

Yet many of the women in the crowd, amidst their fright, instead looked bright-eyed, captivated by Zhao Douan's bold words and demeanor on the clearly smaller government ship.

Even Haitang and her fellow Jinyi showed peculiar expressions. Although she had seen Zhao Douan's arrogance in the capital before, she had not expected that even now, far from the capital, he was as unrestricted in the Huai River area.

Eunuch Hai, however, was not surprised, even finding it amusing.

"Zhao Douan! Do you know what you are saying?" Xu Jinglong's voice was low, "Do you intend to kill me?"

Indeed… Zhao Douan thought so in his heart, but with a calm demeanor, he did not allow any leverage in his words, retracting his smile and said blandly,

"Can't Your Highness tell I'm merely joking?"

A joke… How did it sound like a joke?

The crowd exchanged nervous glances, but Zhao Douan would not truly give the other party a reason to make things difficult. He remained calm and said,

"Surely His Highness wouldn't take a few joking words seriously. You seem very angry. What, brought such a large warship over, perhaps intending to sink mine?"

Xu Jinglong kept a straight face, for even knowing that Zhao Douan was deliberately provoking him, he was helpless.

He, of course, could not openly and brazenly order action against Zhao Douan, seeking trouble to stir up potential chaos was his current limit.

With Duan Shuiliu making his move, any trouble could be blamed on seeking the Six Talisman Armor in Martial Emperor City, while he would stand by.

But to truly order the sinking or have people from Prince Jing's Mansion attack, it would be different in nature.

"Zhao Douan, is indulging in verbal tricks so entertaining?" Xu Jinglong scoffed.

Zhao Douan sighed lightly, shaking his head regretfully, said,

"It seems Your Highness dares not touch this ship of mine, then kindly move aside, clear the way, and drive those Jianghu martial artists off the ship, so I can reason with him."

"Don't push your luck!" Xu Jinglong said coldly.

The spectacle he laid today, served partly as an intimidation tactic.

His real purpose was to influence the outcome of the market opening from a distance through confrontation, show those at Hu Ting.

Obviously, he wouldn't move aside, let alone throw Duan Shuiliu overboard.

Zhao Douan's expression grew colder and colder, as he looked up at the warship without the slightest hint of fear, maintaining an attitude of arrogance:

"It seems His Highness won't avoid conflict, then don't blame our weapons for lacking discretion. People!"

He suddenly bellowed, saying,

"Where are the imperial guards of the capital? What must be done when meeting the enemy?"

Hou Renmeng gave a grim grin and was the first to speak:

"Lihua Hall shall fight to the death!"

In the corner of the deck, Alcoholic Blade Man Lang Shiba and the socially anxious female ghost Ji Yue looked up.

Zhao Douan said in a deep voice, "Bow, nock arrows!"

There were no cannons on the government ship, but the accompanying imperial guards carried bows and arrows to prepare for possible 'naval battles.'

At this moment, with the command, the ready government officers of Lihua Hall and a detachment of imperial guards drawn from various camps in the capital simultaneously rushed to get bows and arrows, lining up on the deck.

Numerous yellow mulberry bows were drawn, bowstrings pulled taut, arrows raised, targeting the third layer of the warship.

In the blink of an eye, numerous arrowheads reflected light under the sun, locking onto the warship!

"Ah—"

At this, those watching the spectacle finally became a bit panicked, exclaiming and dodging, afraid of being accidentally hit by the rain of arrows.

The private army of Prince Jing's Mansion on the deck also changed color, looking up at the third layer, awaiting the princely heir's command.

"How dare you!"

Xu Jinglong finally changed his expression, "Do you dare to attack royal family and relatives?"

Zhao Douan laughed and said,

"Don't misunderstand, Your Highness, we only intend to shoot this Jianghu vulgarian. Your Highness, don't stand with him, lest you get accidentally injured. When I enter the city, how would I explain to Prince Jing?"

Xu Jinglong was furious inside, understanding fully that this confrontation was aimed at him.

From start to finish, Zhao Douan had never directly engaged Duan Shuiliu.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Douan, showing no martial ethics, decisively shouted:

"Release the arrows!"

A series of bowstrings vibrated consecutively.

Xu Jinglong's pupils contracted, clearly witnessing a dense rain of arrows rush upward against the tide, pouring ferociously toward him from the government ship below, fully intending a killing stance!

Did he truly dare? How could he dare? Didn't he know this was the Huai River, not the capital?

Where did this guy get the confidence to remain so arrogant?

Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind, yet Xu Jinglong did not avoid, maintaining a calm expression, only casting a gaze at Duan Shuiliu beside him.

Just an instant before Zhao Douan ordered the release of arrows, an ignored, short-statured, gray-robed middle-aged man, his face like calm water, with a hidden anger flowing between his brows, stepped forth.

He took a step forward, his heavy step resonating without any trace of smoke or fire upon the deck!

In that moment, an incredibly domineering force, in the manner of "hitting a bull across a mountain," instantaneously from above to below, penetrated the deck of the three-layer structure, not damaging the deck the slightest, yet that immense power had surged like an iron bull entering the sea, passing into the river water.

"Ah!"

Amidst the cries of astonishment, the massive warship actually rocked with that one step of Duan Shuiliu!

Just one step, nearly caused the armored warship to lose balance!

What kind of terrifying force was this?

And when that power hit the river water, in an instant, the surface of the river erupted with a continuous "boom" as if thunder.

Under the watchful eyes, the river water between the two ships suddenly was lifted oceans away, the icy river water coalescing into a water wall, obstructing the volley of arrows!

"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

…

Numerous arrows, enough to pierce leather armor, collided with the spectacular water wall, all being rebounded, like ants burned by fire, turning into black dots and falling into the river water.

What grandeur!

…

In the distance.

Inside from Hu Ting's dock, amidst the mountain along the riverside, stood various buildings.

At this moment, atop the highest building's rooftop terrace.

A goose-egg face, elegant and poised, with the title of "The Greatest Talented Woman in Jiangnan," Commandery Princess Xu Junling followed her father and brother, gathered here to watch the confrontation.

With a portly stature and known as the "Gluttonous Prince," Prince Huaian Xu An clutched an object resembling a telescope, with one end against his eye socket, observing the contest between the two ships.

This "Thousand-mile tube" was not a magic artifact, yet was originally a product of the Heavenly Master Mansion, later popularized in the military.

With Prince Huaian's capability, he naturally could acquire one, compensating for the inadequacies in visual power.

"Father, Zhao Douan dared to directly release arrows? What did Xu Jinglong say? To push the situation to this extent?"

Similarly holding a Thousand-mile tube, observing the distance, the legitimate son of Prince Huaian, Xu Qian, removed the metal tube, unable to conceal his shock.

Xu Junling did not use this device, as the massive water wall had grown large enough to be visible to the naked eye.

She spoke calmly,

"Xu Jinglong still acts with a sense of strategy, even provoking while managing the situation, but Zhao Douan doesn't."

Her older brother Xu Qian looked incredulously at his famous sister, more renowned than himself:

"You mean that Zhao Douan faced with warship suppression and Duan Shuiliu's threat, yet actively provoked by firing arrows? Does he think this is the capital? Is he truly unafraid of dying violently here?"

Xu Junling glanced at her brother, her gaze toward the battle on the river was rather complex, she shook her head and said,

"Because you haven't met Zhao Douan, if you had, you'd know Xu Jinglong is but a jumping clown compared to him."

Xu Qian was somewhat indignant, about to rebut.

Suddenly, they heard their father, Prince Huaian, who was engrossed in watching the spectacle, say:

"Look quickly!"