“Cold, icy rain slaps my face recklessly…”
Though the pirates didn’t know this famous song from four hundred years in the future, they felt its essence to their core.
On the freezing slope, the bone-chilling wind whipped icy rain and snow, smacking their faces and bodies like a sadistic torturer. Their clothes and hair were soaked through, leaving them like drenched, frozen chickens. Each gust felt like a punishment.
The pirates, battered by the sleet, were pale, lips white, eyes dull as they stared at the pass.
“Damn it, are the Zhejiang army pigs? How can they eat so much? They’re still not done!”
“How much longer do we wait? I can’t hold on! My whole body’s frozen stiff!”
The pirates were driven mad by the cold.
“Look! They’re done—they’re cleaning pots and washing bowls!” a sharp-eyed pirate shouted excitedly, pointing at the pass where the Zhejiang soldiers were fetching water to scrub pots.
“They’re washing up! Finally done eating!”
The pirates’ eyes welled with tears. If the Zhejiang army didn’t move soon, they’d freeze to death.
But after eagerly watching the soldiers clean their pots and bowls, expecting them to break camp, the pirates were stunned to see them take turns resting in the tents.
“Damn it, they’re actually napping! The imperial troops are such garbage—how can they not lose?!”
“These pampered soldiers, napping! No wonder they’re weak as shrimp!”
“Hearing about the Zhejiang army’s reputation was one thing, but seeing them now? Pathetic! I could take ten of these softies myself! I’ll slaughter them later!”
The pirates, seeing the soldiers rest, fumed with rage.
Some suggested rushing the slope to ambush the napping army, catching them off guard.
“Are you blind?! Don’t you see at least a third of them are still outside, rotating rest?! You’d be spotted before you reached the slope! Ruin the leader’s plan, and how many heads do you have to lose? Damn fools, stay put!”
The squad leader glared fiercely, hissing a scolding at the eager pirates.
“Ambushing the Zhejiang rear as they pass is the leader’s order! Treat it like a fart, and you’re done! I want to live a few more days!”
“I’ll say it again: anyone suggesting a premature attack gets their mouth shut and a knife in the gut!”
The squad leader gripped his sword, glaring at his men, threatening them viciously.
Under the threat of his blade, the pirates had no choice but to endure the sleet, huddling on the slope, waiting.
The sleet grew heavier, pounding them harder.
Their heads spun, minds foggy.
“Look! They’re breaking camp! The Zhejiang army’s breaking camp!” a sharp-eyed pirate shouted, nudging his neighbor excitedly.
“They’re really breaking camp! Thank God!” The pirates wept with relief.
*Heaven and earth, you’re finally moving! Do you know what we’ve been through?!*
*Come on, I’ll treat you well—with arrows through your skulls and swords to your necks!*
The pirates’ eyes burned as they watched the Zhejiang army dismantle their camp, their mood shifting from despair to elation despite the relentless sleet.
“Everyone, stay low, don’t move! Pull back the lookouts and sentries—don’t let the Zhejiang army spot us. They’ll send scouts to check again once they move,” the squad leader ordered.
The pirates crouched lower, eyes glued to the Zhejiang army breaking camp.
Finally, under their eager gazes, the Zhejiang army finished, organizing into vanguard, main force, and rear guard.
“The boss was right—their scouts are moving. Same old routine, barely checking twenty or thirty meters on either side. Our scouts would be executed for such sloppy work!” a pirate scoffed, noting the Zhejiang scouts stayed at least fifty or sixty meters from their position.
“Get ready, stay sharp! Archers, prepare your bows. When I give the signal, loose your arrows! Musketeers, don’t light your fuses yet—don’t let them spot us and ruin everything. After the arrows fly, light up and aim true!” the squad leader hissed.
“Yes, sir!”
“Yoshi!”
The pirates responded in hushed tones.
“Ergouzi, wake up, damn it!” a pirate shook the feverish, unconscious pirate beside him, but despite several shoves, he wouldn’t stir.
“Forget him. Lucky bastard. We’ll wake him after the fight. If we win, the leader won’t skimp on rewards! Silver, women—our island’s got plenty. I can’t promise much, but thirty taels and a woman per man, guaranteed,” the squad leader growled.
“There’s another one out cold over here…” another pirate reported.
“Useless! If they won’t wake, leave them!” the squad leader cursed.
“Boss, my hands are frozen stiff—I can’t draw my bow…” a pirate stammered, trembling.
“Me too, my hands are numb.”
“Same here.”
Several pirates echoed.
“Damn it! Warm your hands in your crotch if you have to! When the time comes, anyone who can’t draw or slacks off, I’ll gut them! I mean it—don’t say I didn’t warn you!” the squad leader snarled.
The frozen pirates blew on their hands, and when that failed, reluctantly followed orders, shoving their hands into their pants to warm them. *Gotta make sacrifices for the big moment.*
“Attention! The Zhejiang army’s coming!” the squad leader said, teeth clenched with excitement.
“Finally!” The pirates slowly reached for their bows, brimming with murderous intent.
