The splashing sounds were masked by the wind and waves. Due to the distance, Xiao Changyan’s pursuing ships hadn’t noticed.

“Your Highness, we’ve entered the reef area. The strong winds and waves are affecting the helmsman’s judgment,” a subordinate reported.

Xiao Changyan had brought someone who had previously explored this part of the river. This person was an excellent sailor who relied on these skills to relay messages.

However, the winds and waves grew stronger. Combined with the ship’s route and the pitch-black night without moonlight, it was extremely difficult to find markers on the vast river.

“What about the ships ahead?” Xiao Changyan asked.

“The ships ahead have also slowed down,” the subordinate answered.

Due to the storm, Xiao Changyan moved from the deck to the cabin. Whenever a window opened, the wind would cause everything inside to shake violently, making it difficult even to keep one’s eyes open.

At this point, Xiao Changyan had completely lost his sense of direction. After careful consideration, he asked, “Can we order two ships to speed up and intercept them?”

“Your Highness, the winds and waves are intermittent but strong, and with the reefs, attempting to surround them would be unwise,” the experienced sailor advised quietly.

As Xiao Changyan considered this advice, suddenly a sentinel came to report: “Your Highness, the ships ahead appear to have stopped.”

“Stopped?” Everyone in the cabin was startled.

Xiao Changyan rushed out despite the storm, making his way to the lookout position to peer ahead in the direction of the hanging lanterns.

An occasional flash of lightning revealed the ships, but otherwise, they were impossible to see clearly. Even Xiao Changyan couldn’t be certain if they had truly stopped.

He immediately ordered: “Chase them.”

Just as he spoke, a strong gust hit them, and for a moment, it seemed the ship had tilted slightly, though everything returned to normal in an instant.

“Your Highness, there are many reefs ahead. Once we give chase, the retreat will be difficult,” the sailor warned.

“Your Highness, perhaps we should send two ships to investigate?” a subordinate suggested.

After a moment’s silence, Xiao Changyan accepted this suggestion. Their ship remained in a relatively safe position while two other ships were sent to investigate.

Meanwhile, Shen Yun’an, leading several official ships with Shen Fifteen disguised as Yu Xiang, was quickly pursuing – not after Xiao Changyan, but after the other official ships led by Xiao Changfeng that followed behind Xiao Changyan.

Xiao Changfeng commanded the Divine Brave Army, but this time, concerned about power disputes, the Emperor had placed everything under Xiao Changyan’s command, with Xiao Changfeng merely assisting.

His men lacked sailing experience but sensed the strange weather with its ghostly winds, leading to concern: “Prince, should we continue following?”

Going further would take them into the heart of the river territory. If a strong wind arose, retreat would be difficult.

“Follow orders,” Xiao Changfeng frowned, watching the flags whipping in the wind.

Without orders from Xiao Changyan, and with imperial decree placing Xiao Changyan in command, Xiao Changfeng couldn’t withdraw even if he sensed something amiss.

Even if danger arose, they couldn’t abandon Xiao Changyan.

After sailing for about half a cup of tea’s time, the previously intermittent wind now blew constantly. Xiao Changfeng raised his hand: “Tell the ships behind to slow down…”

“Report to the Prince, official ships are pursuing from behind!” someone interrupted before he could finish.

“Official ships?” Xiao Changfeng questioned.

“Yes, official ships,” the messenger confirmed. “Five in total, flying General Yu’s flags.”

One or two ships might have been fake, but five would be difficult to replicate. If stolen, Yu Xiang would have sent signals unless dead.

Thus, the official ships easily approached Xiao Changfeng’s vessels. Shen Fifteen, wearing Yu Xiang’s face, exchanged greetings with Xiao Changfeng while Shen Yun’an and his men slipped from their ships into the river, using the tumultuous waves as cover to approach Xiao Changfeng’s fleet and damage the ships from below.

“Prince?” Shen Fifteen feigned surprise at seeing Xiao Changfeng, as Yu Xiang wouldn’t have known he was there.

Xiao Changfeng nodded slightly: “Wasn’t General Yu supposed to remain behind? Why are you pursuing?”

Xiao Changyan hadn’t told Yu Xiang about Xiao Changfeng’s presence, nor told Xiao Changfeng why Yu Xiang was left behind. Xiao Changfeng assumed Yu Xiang had been ordered to stay back.

“Prince, I encountered a fisherman who warned of tonight’s storm. Concerned for Prince Jing, I came to warn him,” Shen Fifteen answered, mimicking Yu Xiang’s manner.

Xiao Changfeng observed the barely visible official ships behind. If merely delivering a warning, why bring so many?

This irregularity aroused Xiao Changfeng’s suspicion: “Why did General Yu bring such a large force?”

“To be frank, Prince, Prince Jing had received intelligence that both Young Master Bu and Young Master Shen would attempt to escape to Shu tonight,” Shen Fifteen spoke directly, as everyone knew whom the Emperor targeted, with the pirates being merely an excuse. “However, Young Master Shen created a diversion, sending merchant ships eastward. His Highness ordered me to watch these ships, which I intercepted.

“The Young Masters weren’t aboard – proving it was indeed a diversion. Upon hearing the fisherman’s warning, I questioned the merchant ship’s crew and pieced together that both Young Masters knew of tonight’s storm and planned to risk it.

“They intend to abandon ship in the reef area, swim across, and enter Shu territory. Young Master Bu already knows the South Shu Prince’s mansion has people waiting at Shu’s docks. Once they cross the reef area, they can escape.

“I couldn’t rest easy, so I rushed here to assist His Highness in intercepting them.”

The explanation seemed reasonable, and Xiao Changfeng could find no immediate flaw.

Just then, Shen Fifteen heard two knocks signaling the ship damage and hurriedly said: “May I ask why the Prince is here? I have urgent matters to attend to and request your leave to proceed.”

Xiao Changfeng studied Shen Fifteen. Their ships were close, with the bow lanterns’ flickering light illuminating Yu Xiang’s face.

Xiao Changfeng gestured, and their ships slowly made their way. The official ships passed one by one, pursuing Xiao Changyan.

Xiao Changfeng silently watched the official ships disappear, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.

Once beyond Xiao Changfeng’s sight, Shen Yun’an immediately lowered small boats and arranged for his men to spread out in them. There was no need to surround Xiao Changfeng now, as the storm grew increasingly violent.

“Young Master, please take a small boat to leave!” Shen Fifteen urged again.

Shen Yun’an still refused: “Continue forward.”

The official ships pressed on, while Xiao Changfeng’s ships soon began taking on water, threatening to capsize in similar wind conditions.

“The hull is breached!” shouted someone who went to check.

Several ships had damaged hulls. Xiao Changfeng’s expression changed drastically: “Not good!”