Chapter 99

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That night, the moon was hazy. Due to their defeat in the morning, the enemy forces were clearly on edge, temporarily facing off against the allied forces led by Masahiro. However, after nightfall, everyone wisely decided to cease hostilities. In fact, everyone knew there was no need to engage in a major conflict for others, especially when a powerful clan like the Luo family was involved.

In the camp, Masahiro had straw dummies made to resemble foot soldiers to serve as decoys for the departing troops. After leaving a few foot soldiers to guard the camp, Masahiro led more than seventy people to the naval port of the Saji family under the cover of darkness.

Due to malnutrition, the soldiers generally suffered from night blindness. Although the moonlight was relatively good tonight, it was still quite difficult to quietly lead nearly 70 people to the port. Masahiro was well-prepared for this; he had brought small flashlights with him from his time in the modern world. He first led a few people to the designated location from the daytime. To avoid being discovered by other powerful clans, this location could only be seen from the side of the Luo family's camp. Upon reaching the destination, Masahiro turned on the flashlight, and the weak light was particularly noticeable in the darkness. The remaining people in the camp, divided into groups of five, moved stealthily to a point not far from the camp and finally converged under the guidance of the flashlight.

Suddenly seeing their lord take out a device that emitted light, everyone, including the accompanying retainers, spontaneously bowed in reverence, considering this divine miracle as another proof of Masahiro's status as a divine messenger of the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman. Masahiro accepted this calmly, knowing that establishing a sacred image in the hearts of his people was also important.

Guided by the flashlight, the group followed the route that the Luo family's scouts had predetermined during the day, slowly making their way to the Saji family's naval port. As they passed through a small valley, they met up with Sun Gorou and his men, who had been waiting there. According to Masahiro's plan, Sun Gorou had sent a few of his men back to the port earlier to inform everyone that Sun Gorou, who was responsible for holding back the allied forces, had suffered heavy losses and was on his way to the port, expected to arrive that night. The Saji family's naval forces, originally planning to wait for all the Myoue forces to gather before attacking the hidden navy of the Huzi family, decided not to wait upon learning of Sun Gorou's heavy losses. They quickly integrated the remaining Myoue forces into their navy and set out for the hiding place of the Huzi family's navy. After all, the Saji family's navy also wanted to end the naval battle as soon as possible and then support the Miyajima Castle.

"How is the situation?" Masahiro asked Sun Gorou, who had come to him.

"Your Highness, everything is arranged," Sun Gorou replied, his voice trembling as he nervously stared at the flashlight in Masahiro's hand. Anyone who saw such a divine miracle in the middle of a desolate night would be a bit frightened. If he hadn't confirmed that the person in front of him was indeed the genuine lord, Sun Gorou might have fled. The men behind Sun Gorou were not much better; some had even knelt down.

"Can you quickly open the gate?" Masahiro asked, ignoring their reactions, and then turned off the flashlight.

"No problem. Some of our men are among the guards tonight, and everyone in the port knows me. Once I reach the gate, they will definitely open it," Sun Gorou replied in a low voice.

"What's the situation in the port?" Masahiro continued.

"Most of the people have sailed out with the ships, leaving only a few to guard. According to the signals from our men, we can act tonight," Sun Gorou reported. "The Saji family's navy is likely already near the hiding place of the Huzi family's navy. According to your plan, the men we sent with them will deliberately let the Huzi family's navy know about the Saji family's arrival. The two navies will likely engage tonight or tomorrow morning. Even if they learn about the situation at the port, they won't be able to come to the rescue in time."

"Good. How will the men who sailed with the ships escape?" Masahiro asked. These men had just joined, and he didn't want to lose any of them so soon. They were the future backbone of the Luo family's navy. Moreover, if they were to suffer losses, others might think that Masahiro was recruiting them just to use them as cannon fodder.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Please rest assured, they are all very resourceful and have made thorough preparations for their escape," Sun Gorou replied, kneeling and choking back tears. No lord had ever cared so much about the safety of these pirates. From now on, his life belonged to the lord.

"Very well. You set out immediately, and I will follow with the others," Masahiro immediately ordered.

......

The Saji family's port was located in a bay of the Karatsu Bay, opposite an island that would later be known as Oshima but was currently unnamed. Under the hazy moonlight, a few points of firelight on the dark edge of the sea served as beacons, guiding the way for the lost group. The firelight marked the location of the Saji family's naval port.

To avoid being discovered by the guards in the port, Masahiro turned off the flashlight when they were still some distance away. This left the people behind him seemingly blind. Masahiro had to resort to the ancient method of holding hands to finally lead them to the vicinity of the port. With the guidance of the distant firelight, the problem of night blindness was somewhat alleviated. Fortunately, they didn't step on any snakes or disturb any birds roosting in the trees, which would have alerted the guards at the Saji family's port. The group attributed this to the divine protection Masahiro had invoked before setting out.

In a forest, Masahiro watched nervously as Sun Gorou and his men approached the port. Through the firelight, Masahiro could vaguely see that the landward side of the port was enclosed by a simple fence made of wooden stakes and stones, with a few foot soldiers patrolling behind it.

"Who's there?" The foot soldier guarding the wooden gate immediately shouted in alarm as he spotted Sun Gorou slowly approaching. "Stop! If you move any closer, we will shoot arrows." There was a commotion behind the fence. The Saji family was currently under attack by several powerful clans, and they had just received news that the Huzi family's navy was preparing to raid the port. The guards were on high alert.

"It's me, Sun Gorou," Sun Gorou immediately stopped his men from advancing and shouted back.

"Ah, it's the leader," one of the guards seemed to recognize Sun Gorou's voice and shouted, "Quick, open the gate, it's the leader."

Hearing the voice of his former subordinate, Sun Gorou did not hesitate. He waved his hand, signaling his men to quickly approach the gate.

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