Chapter 12: The Night Assault on the Black Banner
The sea wind howled, and the night was as dark and heavy as a black curtain. Li Chuan and Lana stood on the deck, with their troops fully prepared behind them. Every soldier gripped their weapons tightly, their faces grave—they knew this operation would determine the fate of the entire alliance.
“The Black Flag Consortium suffered heavy losses in this battle, but they still have strong logistical support and abundant resources,” Li Chuan whispered, pointing to the map in his hand. “If we can destroy their resource base, it will be like cutting off their lifeline.”
Lana nodded, her eyes shining with determination. “Since the enemy regards this place as their top priority, it must be heavily guarded. Our infiltration is fraught with risk.”
“Precisely because of that, it’s worth the gamble,” Li Chuan said. “We have no time to wait; we must seize this opportunity.”
By the time the fleet approached the target, it was deep into the night. Thick sea fog provided perfect cover as Li Chuan led a small team in rowboats silently toward the enemy’s harbor.
The Black Flag Consortium’s resource base was located in a natural deep-water harbor, surrounded by towering cliffs that formed a natural defensive barrier. The lights were sparse, with only a few patrol boats lingering near the port. The defenses seemed lax, but deadly traps lay beneath the surface.
“Remember, our mission is to destroy as much of their supplies as possible and bring back intelligence,” Li Chuan quietly reminded his team. “Avoid unnecessary fighting; it’s best not to alert the enemy.”
The infiltration team quickly landed and climbed along the rocky cliffs, successfully evading patrolling guards and slipping quietly into the depths of the base.
Inside, the base was piled high with gunpowder, weapons, and provisions for the Black Flag Consortium’s war effort. The warehouse district was brightly lit and heavily guarded. Li Chuan and Lana concealed themselves in a dark alley, carefully surveying their surroundings.
“The gunpowder warehouse is at the very center—that’s our target,” Li Chuan pointed to a tall building in the distance. “You’re in charge of planting explosives there; the rest of us will head to the command center to retrieve intelligence.”
Lana nodded. “Be careful.”
“You too,” Li Chuan smiled slightly before leading another group to vanish into the night.
As Lana’s team approached the gunpowder warehouse, everything seemed unnervingly smooth. Guards were few, and they encountered almost no resistance as they infiltrated the target building.
“Something’s wrong,” Lana frowned, scanning the area. “The enemy wouldn’t be this careless. Stay alert.”
Just as she ordered her soldiers to set the charges, countless torches suddenly flared to life, and Black Flag Consortium soldiers surrounded the warehouse from all sides.
“An ambush!” Lana hissed through clenched teeth, drawing her weapon. “Cover the retreat!”
At the same time, Li Chuan’s team faced a similar crisis. After entering the command center and preparing to search for secret documents, the building’s exits were suddenly sealed shut. Enemy soldiers poured out from hidden doors in the ceiling and floor, trapping them in a confined space.
“Looks like Reck anticipated our move,” Li Chuan sneered. “But he’s underestimated our resolve.”
Fierce fighting broke out almost simultaneously on both fronts. The flames illuminated the entire base as explosions echoed relentlessly.
At the gunpowder warehouse, Lana’s team was locked in a brutal struggle. Enemy soldiers came in waves; the Black Flag Consortium was clearly well prepared.
“We can’t let them keep the gunpowder!” Lana shouted amid the battle. “Light the charges and retreat immediately!”
“But we haven’t finished setting them all!” a soldier protested anxiously.
“There’s no time!” Lana decisively seized a torch and hurled it onto the explosives. “If these goods go down, we’ll take them with us rather than leave them to the enemy!”
Boom—the deafening blast engulfed the entire warehouse in roaring flames. Amid the chaos, Lana led the surviving soldiers in a desperate breakout, disappearing into the darkness.
Meanwhile, Li Chuan made the same bold choice. He ignited a bottle of oil hidden in his sleeve and hurled it at the enemy.
“Retreat!” Li Chuan shouted, leaping out of a window with his team and engaging the enemy in fierce street fighting, carving a path through their encirclement.
After hours of intense combat, Li Chuan and Lana’s teams finally reunited at the harbor.
“How are the losses?” Li Chuan panted, his face smeared with dust and blood.
“We lost a third of our men,” Lana said quietly, pain flickering in her eyes. “But the gunpowder warehouse is destroyed.”
“We also secured some intelligence,” Li Chuan handed her documents retrieved from the command center. “Though costly, this mission was a success.”
“Only a temporary one,” Lana said, gazing toward the still-flaming base. Her tone was heavy. “Reck won’t let this go. He’ll strike back.”
“Let him come,” Li Chuan said firmly. “Next time, we’ll be better prepared.”
As dawn slowly approached, Li Chuan and Lana led their battered squad onto their ship and set sail. Though victorious, they knew the true challenge had only just begun.
The first light on the horizon scattered the last tendrils of smoke. Li Chuan and Lana stood on deck, watching the Black Flag Consortium’s base swallowed by distant waves. They had succeeded in crippling the enemy’s resources but at a heavy price.
“This battle was tough, but at least we disrupted Reck’s deployment,” Li Chuan murmured, his eyes weary and thoughtful. “Still, I have a feeling this is just the beginning.”
Lana gripped the navigational chart tightly. “Reck won’t relent; he’ll retaliate with even greater cruelty. Whether our alliance can hold is still uncertain.”
“First, we must stabilize the allies’ morale,” Li Chuan said, turning to her. “That’s our next crucial step.”
When Li Chuan and Lana returned to the Maritime Alliance’s stronghold, they were greeted not with cheers of victory but with accusations and distrust from various factions.
Sharktooth’s leader slammed the table, shouting, “We deployed so many ships and suffered terrible losses! Are you treating us as cannon fodder?”
Snake Tail’s chief narrowed his eyes, voice dripping with provocation: “Don’t forget, our territory is the alliance’s foundation. This mission nearly wiped out my men. Li Chuan, you owe us an explanation.”
Even the usually calm Sea Scale spoke up: “Li Chuan, though this mission weakened the Black Flag Consortium, it exposed our vulnerabilities. If Reck strikes back now, how will we respond?”
Lana frowned, scanning the tensely charged room. She was about to speak when Li Chuan raised a hand to silence her.
“Calm down, everyone,” Li Chuan said steadily, his gaze sharp as a hawk. “Yes, we paid a price, but you must understand: war never brings bloodless victories.”
He stepped slowly to the table, pointing at a stretch of ocean on the map. “This sea lane is the Black Flag Consortium’s supply line, and we’ve cut it off. Their logistical pressure will spike. Next, we can weaken their main fleet further through guerrilla tactics.”
Yet Li Chuan’s calm analysis did little to quell the discontent.
Sharktooth sneered, “Guerrilla warfare? Sounds easy for you, but who compensates for our losses?”
Snake Tail stood abruptly. “Without territorial expansion, what’s the point of winning this battle?”
Sea Scale lowered his head, sighing after a moment. “Li Chuan, you’re smart, but not everyone can see as far as you.”
After the meeting, Lana stepped onto the deck, watching the departing representatives with a complex expression.
“This alliance is more fragile than we thought,” she said.
“That’s normal,” Li Chuan stood beside her, his gaze calm. “They’re pirates, naturally greedy and selfish. To truly unite them, they must see a greater benefit.”
“But if they keep fighting among themselves, we won’t survive to that day,” Lana said helplessly. “Do you have a way to fix all this?”
Li Chuan smiled slyly. “Don’t worry, Lana. I’ll make them see that unity under us is the only path to survival.”
Yet before this discord could settle, the Black Flag Consortium struck back with sudden fury.
At dawn the next day, a scout burst into the meeting room. “Report! Reck himself is leading a fleet toward our base!”
The room erupted in chaos. The fragile alliance teetered on the brink of collapse.
Sharktooth slammed his fist on the table. “Since the Black Flag Consortium has come knocking, we’ll fight them to the end!”
Snake Tail sneered coldly, “Fight? That’s suicide! Our forces are no match. Do you want to drag us all down?”
Li Chuan’s brow furrowed deeply. He knew Reck’s intent was not just revenge but to shatter their alliance entirely.
“Everyone,” Li Chuan called out, trying to restore order, “now is not the time for quarrels. If we want to preserve our power, we must unite and face the enemy together!”
“Easier said than done!” Snake Tail mocked, standing. “What will you offer to guarantee our safety?”
“Myself,” Li Chuan’s eyes burned with resolve as he scanned the room. “I will lead the main fleet against Reck personally. Our victory will prove this alliance is worth it!”
Lana stared at him in shock. “Li Chuan, that’s too dangerous!”
Li Chuan smiled faintly. “If we can’t overcome this crisis, what meaning does the alliance’s survival hold?”
In the following hours, Li Chuan swiftly devised a counterattack plan. He divided the alliance’s fleet into three parts: one to defend the base, another to set ambushes, and he would lead the main fleet to confront Reck head-on.
“Lana,” Li Chuan approached her, a trace of reluctance in his eyes. “This battle might be one I don’t return from, but I want you to hold on.”
“I’ll fight alongside you,” Lana said without hesitation.
“No,” Li Chuan shook his head. “You need to coordinate from the rear. If anything happens to me, you will be the alliance’s hope.”
Lana was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly. “Alright. Promise me you’ll come back.”
Li Chuan smiled and turned, boarding the flagship as he signaled the fleet to set sail.