Chapter 151: Booster Torpedoes

The night lighting system on a cruiser also serves as an energy apparatus. Aside from the high-beam searchlights on top of the superstructure, the ship's cannons are capable of firing signal flares and illumination rounds.

As one of the warship's designers, Moon Shadow Silk appeared highly experienced. She swiftly directed the warship to turn broadside to face the incoming threat and shut down the propulsion system, primarily out of concern that the opposing vessel might also be a warship, thereby preventing their radar from detecting them.

In truth, this move was rather amateurish. If you could spot them, what made you think they wouldn't be able to spot you?

"Bang, bang, bang, bang!" The four cannons on the rear deck fired illumination flares high into the sky, lighting up the entire sea surface with a brilliant array of colorful lights. Wu Hua stood on the deck, took the infrared binoculars handed over by Fairy Snowy Night, looked up into the distance, and couldn't help offering a wry smile: "Well, isn't this just wonderful? Why are old rivals always doomed to cross paths?"

Fairy Snowy Night also raised her binoculars to take a look, and could not help drawing a sharp breath. A majestic warship was bearing down upon them. In terms of scale and design, it was quite similar to the Shark. Looking closer at the emblem stamped on the hull, it bore a snowflake-shaped imprint—clearly the insignia of the Arctic Snow Corporation.

At that moment, a broadcast voice drifted from afar amidst the howling storm, sounding as if it were laughing heartily: "Blue, we meet again."

Azure Starry Sky's expression sank: "Damn it, it's this bitch again. It seems this battle is unavoidable."

Moon Shadow Silk said in alarm, "It's the Changfeng-class cruiser from the Arctic Snow Corporation, commanded by Xiaoyao. From what I know, their warship's weapon system is even superior to ours. Big Sister, we mustn't act rashly. We have a full crew of 300 souls on board."

Azure Starry Sky nodded with a grim face: "I know!"

The storm grew increasingly fierce, yet the distance between the two ships closed rapidly. Moon Shadow Silk decisively ordered, "Tail fin right 23 degrees, hull tilt right, prepare to engage!"

The starboard side of the Shark was already packed with people. Everyone knew that after sailing this far, anyone they encountered would either be friend or foe, and the opposing Changfeng was obviously harboring malicious intent.

Azure Starry Sky's voice was also carried far across the ocean via the shipboard energy broadcast: "Xiaoyao. We already drew the line last time. Well water does not violate river water. What do you want?"

Wu Hua couldn't help mentally cursing Azure Starry Sky for being an idiot. The distance was already less than 5,000 meters; wasn't she just stating the obvious? They were obviously coming to get her.

Who would have thought Xiaoyao would burst into laughter: "Blue, I know your company wants to go develop the border island. As a man, I am magnanimous, so I won't hold past matters against you. You're going to be mine sooner or later anyway, so I propose that our two sides develop it together."

Hearing this, Wu Hua almost burst out laughing. This guy was completely out of his mind, still talking about how magnanimous he was.

Azure Starry Sky remained silent without a reply. Both ships had shut down their propulsion systems, fearing the other might resort to underhanded tricks, and sat suspended about 3,500 meters apart on the ocean, swaying with the wind and rain.

Xiaoyao's voice sounded again: "Blue, you probably don't know this, but the guards on the border island are high-level bosses. Forget about just your warship; even if our two factions joined forces, we might not be their match. I suggest cooperation and joint development."

Wu Hua pondered to himself: "That doesn't sound right. Why is he contradicting himself?"

Fairy Snowy Night and Hot Babe also nodded in agreement; Xiaoyao's words were indeed exceedingly bizarre.

Azure Starry Sky remained silent.

Xiaoyao continued: "I've already contacted my friends. They are also heading to the border island to pioneer it, so I propose a three-way alliance."

Everyone aboard the Shark was startled: Could Xiaoyao's friends be people from the Holy Federation?

On the fore and aft decks, Fly MM had already deployed the metalworkers. The moment Azure Starry Sky gave the order, the ship's cannons would immediately open fire. Everyone was a mixture of nervous and excited—nervous because a formidable enemy was at hand, and excited because they were about to witness firsthand just how powerful these naval guns truly were.

Unexpectedly, Azure Starry Sky said nothing more. She turned to Moon Shadow Silk and commanded, "Activate the propulsion system, full speed ahead, skirt around him." She then lowered her head to speak into the walkie-talkie: "Attention everyone, gunners concentrate on the starboard and rear decks, keep a close eye on their movements, advance at full speed to bypass them, rear deck cannons prepare to provide covering fire."

The others were filled with puzzlement, but Wu Hua silently praised the decision: "She's doing the right thing. Putting distance between us is the ultimate strategy."

The stern of the Shark suddenly spouted fire as churning waves surged. Like an arrow, the entire vessel rushed headlong into the depths of the rainstorm.

Aboard the Changfeng, Xiaoyao was still waiting for Azure Starry Sky's reply when the captain pointed at a blue dot suddenly flashing on the radar: "Boss, look! The Blue Corporation's ship has started moving; they're trying to run."

Xiaoyao was stunned for a moment, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth: "Those stupid women, how could they possibly escape? Give chase!"

Xiaoyao still underestimated the speed of the Shark. The greatest advantage of Azure Starry Sky's warship was its high speed—a top speed of 70 knots, roughly 130 kilometers per hour. The Changfeng's maximum speed was 65 knots, or about 120 kilometers per hour. As the two ships raced through the rainstorm, the Changfeng found the distance between them steadily increasing.

Xiaoyao shouted angrily, "Unable to hold onto love, I always watch her slip away. Since I can't catch her, blast them!"

The four cannons on the foredeck of the Changfeng suddenly opened fire, their shells letting out a bizarre, whistling screech as they tore through the air.

"Everyone, hit the deck!" Sensing that the sound of the wind was abnormal, the team leaders shouted in panic.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"

Because the storm was too fierce and the cannons' elevation angle was too high, all four shells plunged into the sea and detonated, kicking up waves more than ten meters high on both sides of the Shark.

This type of naval gun was still relatively primitive, belonging to semi-automatic electronic equipment without radar guidance. It still required crew members inside the gun turret to operate, functioning much like a semi-automatic sniper rifle—the further the target, the more environmental factors had to be taken into account.

Wu Hua lay flat on the deck, shocked and thinking: Damn it, a single shot has this much power. Anyone who takes a direct hit and survives would truly be a legend.

Aboard the trailing Changfeng, Xiaoyao could not help flying into a rage and cursing: "Damn it all! How are you people aiming those cannons? Are you even men? Can't you even hit a bunch of women? Fire again!"

"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"

This time, one of the shells finally struck the rear deck of the Shark and exploded, kicking up a massive flash of fire and causing the entire hull to shudder. However, Wu Hua and the others had already retreated, so there were no casualties.

Sand Dune Witch reported the data nervously: "Hull damage 0.4%, speed reduced by 3 knots."

Azure Starry Sky's composure was truly admirable: "Continue forward, everyone fall back to the middle of the inner cabin, do not look outside, shut down the rear lighting system."

Moon Shadow Silk carried out the orders, but three minutes later, the command cabin was flooded with a harsh red glow and the highest-level alarm sounded automatically.

Sand Dune Witch shrieked in terror: "Big Sister, a torpedo! It's a torpedo! A torpedo is incoming!"

On the radar screen, a tiny blue dot could be seen swimming closer at an astonishing speed.

Azure Starry Sky immediately demanded, "Speed and bearing?"

Sand Dune Witch's fingers danced frantically across the keyboard: "Underwater booster-type 450mm medium torpedo, thermal-guided, arriving in 45 seconds, destructive power is terrifying."

Azure Starry Sky urged anxiously, roaring, "Evade immediately!"

Moon Shadow Silk also hammered furiously on the keyboard, her eyes red: "Big Sister, we can't dodge it! This torpedo is too fast, we can only brace for impact at the optimal point!"

"Then do it quickly!" Azure Starry Sky began to bellow.

"Speed reduced by 15 knots, turn left 33 degrees, shut down port-side propulsion, everyone pay attention, torpedo arrives in 25 seconds, prepare for impact!"

Wu Hua and the others had descended to the mid-cabin by now. The moment they saw the flashing lights, they knew something catastrophic was happening, and upon receiving the warning order, everyone grabbed onto nearby fixtures to brace themselves against the impending shock of the explosion.

The broadcast began its countdown: "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5..."