Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1433 - 1381: The Kushan Navy’s Advantage

"It seems this is the only way." Taishi Ci sighed and said, without asking what would happen if they couldn’t get any information. He knew Gan Ning’s temperament well; no matter how powerful Kushan was, Gan Ning would never retreat.

Right then, Gan Bao tugged the rope and jumped back, his excited expression clearly showing he had gotten some good news.

"What did you find out?" Gan Ning looked at Gan Bao.

"Boss, I’m not sure if the information is accurate, but if it is true, then it’s definitely good news." Gan Bao said a bit hesitantly.

"You rascal..." Gan Ning chuckled and scolded, "You’ve already come back, and you’re still telling me this? Out with it, what did you find out."

Gan Bao recounted all the ship knowledge gained from the Kushan Navy and then began describing the situation at the water village, clearly understanding the key points.

Gan Ning and Taishi Ci were both left dumbfounded after listening, but they deeply believed the information Gan Bao obtained was credible. They immediately waved him off to have a meal.

"What do you think?" Gan Ning looked up to ask Taishi Ci.

"It should be correct. This explains why, during our last boarding attack, they were unable to launch a legion attack." Taishi Ci said seriously.

"So if enough of our men board their ships, it will affect their Cloud Qi reserves? Their legion attacks rely on this method, and the cost is that instead of enhancing defense during ship nurturing, it enhances Cloud Qi capacity?" Gan Ning frowned.

Truth be told, Gan Ning’s understanding of Cloud Qi was rather superficial, but thanks to Chen Xi having explained related knowledge before, Gan Ning could make some judgments.

"Based on what Marquis Chen told me before, it’s very likely. That layer of Radiance outside the ships should be their concealed defense..." Gan Ning said while frowning, realizing that without a strategist, the main commander had to think more critically.

"So, the idea that when there are more ships a new defense layer forms also makes sense." Taishi Ci said gravely, "After all, the Inner Qi and Cloud Qi are from the same source. This means when a single fleet collectively stores Cloud Qi, there will be an added fleet defense."

"Then, in a larger scale engagement?" Gan Ning asked somberly.

"I suppose, like our Legion Talent, there’s a leadership limit. If someone can command two fleets, then under their connection, both fleets could share the stored Cloud Qi, possibly adding a larger fleet defense." Taishi Ci’s expression also turned dark.

Taishi Ci wasn’t aware that his guess was essentially spot-on. Lyu Bu’s aggressive attack on five fleets wouldn’t have been successful if he hadn’t eliminated the common commander as the opponent launched a legion attack, redistributing fleet defensive forces. Without that joint command, the fleets couldn’t share their strongest fleet defense, ensuring Lyu Bu’s victory.

Moreover, Lyu Bu’s move to kill the secondary commander who came out for negotiations was absolutely brilliant, which was a critical reason for the downfall of the five Kushan fleets.

From that moment on, the five Kushan fleets ceased to be a single entity and were just five traveling fleets. Losing their aggregated large fleet defense, the Kushan Navy no longer had any escape opportunities.

This is also why, when Lyu Bu executed an ultra-range shot infused with the Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation, it was able to pierce the large fleet defense.

If the first commander, Tielat Mola, could perfectly control five fleets and withstand Lyu Bu’s Divine Heaven strike with minimal losses even amidst Great Kun’s Cloud Qi interference, it could be possible to counter Lyu Bu with both Great Kun and Lyu Bu teaming up.

Yet the second commander, Salatisu, while barely able to control four and a half fleets, could have at least fought Lyu Bu and Great Kun to a mutual destruction. Unfortunately, he sought to conserve strength and negotiate with Lyu Bu, only to be shamelessly killed.

The third commander, a mere incompetent, could only control two fleets. With significant Cloud Qi already exhausted, they naturally couldn’t withstand a single arrow from Lyu Bu, more so because that arrow killed the third commander. Obviously, this meant the current five fleets were no longer a unified force.

"This nurturing method..." Gan Ning’s brows kept furrowing. While the ships themselves were indeed fragile, the formidable ship defenses compensated for many disadvantages.

"So, the Kushan Navy isn’t really afraid of long-range Cloud Qi attacks; they only fear solid attacks, like boarding?" Gan Ning eventually said after a while.

"I fear boarding attacks are nothing to them. We’ve both seen their combat ability onboard." Taishi Ci replied with a wry smile, acknowledging that even he had to admit the Kushan Navy’s melee combat skills were formidable.

"Perhaps this is the true development direction for naval warfare." Taishi Ci was silent for a moment, subtly hinting to Gan Ning that ships capable of launching legion attacks had clear advantages. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"No, quite the contrary in my view; their disadvantages are too evident. Their ship’s coordinated defense is poor against solid attacks, just like infantry." Gan Ning said with a cold smile, firmly believing in his own choice.

"And our ships are the biggest solid attack threat. As long as we can endure their attacks and ram them, we win." Gan Ning said with pride.

"But what if they use Inner Qi Manifestation?" Taishi Ci retorted irritably. "Although the Cloud Qi is stored, and our men boarding their ships prevents them from using legion attacks, what if they spot us first and use Inner Qi Manifestation to attack?"

Gan Ning remained silent as this was the major issue: if both sides employed Inner Qi Manifestation, the opponent’s ship advantage was significant.

"In large-scale naval warfare, our advantages are even more marked." Gan Ning pondered a moment, understanding their warships clearly focused on technologies akin to city walls.

"Not necessarily. If they’re as we suspect and their commander is excellent enough to command ten fleets, then even our legion attacks might be unable to pierce their coordinated defensive efforts." Taishi Ci shook his head.

"Why not suggest we borrow Cao Cao’s strategist Xun Youi? Believe my ship could crush their fivefold larger ones?" Gan Ning sneered, pointing out anyone can give examples, especially with renowned figures.

Indeed, after coming to sea and beginning to ram Kushan ships, Gan Ning discovered how absurdly shameless Xun Youi’s spiritual talent was!