From cute to empress

Chapter 278 The Tragedy and Perseverance of the Fleet

After seeing off the mysterious Western visitor, I didn't waste a moment and, along with Zheng He and my carefully selected crew, embarked on a journey to explore the "Starry Chessboard." Coincidentally, this Western visitor came from a seafaring family and was well-versed in sailing routes and weather patterns, so I kept him with me temporarily as a guide.

The vast ocean is unpredictable. We sailed southward aboard the most advanced ship of the time. Along the way, we witnessed magnificent marine wonders and encountered numerous challenges. My crew and I shared the joys and sorrows, overcoming seasickness, insufficient supplies, and other difficulties, forging ahead towards our goal.

However, a calm sea often breeds violent storms.

"Your Majesty! It's bad! There's a storm at sea!" The boatswain's exclamation broke the silence. I was startled and immediately rushed to the deck.

The once clear sky was now covered in dark clouds. The howling sea wind whipped up massive waves that threatened to swallow us. The ship rocked violently, creaking with a piercing sound, as if it would be torn apart by the waves at any moment. The crew panicked, staggering, and the cargo was scattered all over the ground.

"What are you panicking about! Hold on!" I shouted, my voice drowning out the roar of the wind and waves. "Everyone, take action immediately! Sailors, steady the rudder! Everyone else, secure the items in the cabin, quickly!"

In this critical moment, I forced myself to remain calm. Although I have no experience sailing, years of experience have taught me to remain calm in the face of adversity. I know full well that panic will only hasten our demise. I must lead everyone to overcome this storm!

"Zheng He, are there any islands nearby where we can take shelter?" I asked Zheng He while directing the crew.

Zheng He observed the sea with a serious expression and shook his head. "Your Majesty, from where we are now, the nearest island is at least three days' sailing away, and..." He paused, his tone heavy, "Furthermore, this storm is coming with such force that I'm afraid..."

Before he could finish his words, a huge wave hit and the sea water instantly flooded the deck. I staggered and almost fell. Fortunately, a strong arm pulled me in time.

"Meng Meng, be careful!"

It was Zhen Youcai! He appeared beside me out of nowhere, his face filled with anxiety and worry. Without giving it any time to think, I immediately said to him, "Quick! You and Zheng He, find a way to stabilize the ship!"

With that, I ignored everything else and continued directing the crew to save themselves. The storm raged, the ship rocked even more violently, and I felt a sharp dizziness, my stomach churning. But I gritted my teeth and persevered, unable to give up. I still had my mission, my responsibility...

"what--"

I heard a scream and turned around suddenly to see Zhen Youcai lying on the deck, blood gushing from his arm, staining the white planks red...

"You're talented!" I yelled, desperately rushing to his side. Ignoring the raindrops mixed with the wind and waves that soaked my face, and ignoring my inner fear, I examined his wound with trembling hands, "Don't move, let me see!"

His arm was cut by the broken mast fragments, and the blood stained my hands red. I hurriedly tore off a piece of fabric from my skirt and pressed it tightly against his wound.

"Don't worry, I'm fine..." His face was pale, but he tried to force a comforting smile, "It's just a minor injury."

"You're injured like this, and you still say you're fine!" My eyes welled up, and my tone was filled with heartache and blame. "You're always like this, disregarding everything else and only caring about protecting others..."

The roar of the storm seemed to mock my powerlessness and test the bond between us. I held his hand tightly, passing my body warmth to him, hoping to give him a little strength.

"Your Majesty, please bandage the general's wound first! It's too dangerous here!" The boatswain shouted loudly in the storm, his face full of determination and courage.

I looked at him gratefully, took a deep breath, and forced myself to calm down. Now is not the time to be sad and blame myself. I must cheer up and get through this together with everyone!

With trembling hands, I bandaged his wound as best I could, then whispered firmly in his ear, "You must hold on. We still have to complete the exploration of the 'Starry Chessboard' together, and we still have to..."

My words were drowned out by the whistling wind, but I believe he could feel my determination and love.

"All crew members, listen up!" The boatswain's voice was like a flash of lightning amidst the raging sea, illuminating the direction we were heading. "For the sake of survival and for the glory of Daxia, cheer up and fight the storm to the end!"

"Fight to the end!" The crew shouted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky like thunder, echoing for a long time in the storm.

I was deeply moved by their courage and determination, and drew strength from them. I supported Zhen Youcai and stood upright in the storm, my eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead.

After an unknown amount of time, the storm finally subsided, the dark clouds dispersed, and the sun once again shone over the sea. However, what greeted us was a scene of devastation...

"Your Majesty, the losses are heavy..." The boatswain's voice trembled with unconcealable sadness.

I looked around. The once mighty fleet was now less than half gone, with broken masts, shattered sails, and the decks in ruins...

"This isn't your fault," I took a deep breath, suppressed the grief in my heart, and said firmly, "We have to keep moving forward!"

The boatswain looked up, his eyes filled with surprise and confusion, "But Your Majesty, our ship..."

"The ship is gone, but we can rebuild it!" I interrupted him, my tone firm. "We can't abandon the exploration of 'Starry Chessboard' just like that! Pass the order, all crew members, clean up the battlefield, repair the ship, and prepare..."

Before I could finish my words, I saw Zheng He pointing at the sky in the distance, his face changed drastically, "Your Majesty, look..."

I looked in the direction of Zheng He's finger, and saw that an ominous black cloud had appeared in the originally blue sky. It was like thick ink and color painted on the canvas, revealing a suffocating depression.

"Oh no! It's a water dragon!" Zheng He's voice was urgent and solemn. "All ships, turn immediately! Leave this sea area as soon as possible!"

"A water dragon?" My heart tightened. "Could this be a natural disaster even more terrible than the storm just now?"

"Your Majesty, this tornado at sea is incredibly powerful. Wherever it passes, seawater will flood back, destroying ships and killing people!" the boatswain said urgently. "We must get out of the way as quickly as possible!"

I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. "Pass the order! All ships, turn immediately! All personnel, take your positions and respond with all your strength!"

The order spread like a wave throughout the fleet, and all the ships began to turn, trying to escape the terrifying black cloud. However, the dragon was sucking water too fast, like a giant beast from the abyss, it opened its bloody mouth and roared towards us!

On the sea, the wind howled, the waves surged, and the boat pitched violently in the storm, as if it would be swallowed up at any moment. I clung to the side of the boat tightly, trying to maintain my balance, my heart filled with fear of the unknown.

"Hold on! We must hold on!" I prayed silently in my heart, "We will definitely be able to overcome this disaster!"

At this critical moment, Zhen Youcai, despite the pain, came to my side and said, "Your Majesty, please go to the cabin and take shelter first! It's too dangerous here!"

"No! I want to face this together with everyone!" I shook my head firmly. "I believe we can overcome this!"

My eyes swept over every person on the deck. Some were panic-stricken, some looked ashen, but most were resolute and brave. They were all the finest sons and daughters of Daxia, with indomitable blood flowing through their veins!

"For Daxia! For glory!" Someone shouted, and all the crew members followed suit. The sound resounded through the sky like thunder, and echoed for a long time in the storm.

At this moment, I deeply felt that I was no longer fighting alone. Behind me was the hope and future of the entire Daxia!

Time seemed to stand still at this moment, and we could only watch helplessly as the terrifying black water column approached us step by step...

"boom--"

Just when the water dragon was about to swallow us, a miracle happened!

"Your Majesty! Look!" Zheng He pointed ahead, his voice trembling, "It's land! We've found land!"

I looked up and saw a lush island suddenly appearing before our eyes on the rough sea...