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Late Ming Dynasty: Dragon Rising from the Sea Chapter 2

The mud on the beach was muddied by the rapid footsteps. Thirteen Japanese pirates stepped on the wet soil that had just receded, chasing like hungry wolves in the direction where Lin Chi and others were fleeing.They wore burlap shoes without heels, which made them not feel sluggish when they stepped in the mud. Although their bodies under the narrow-sleeved short coats were not tall, they exuded a ferocious aura developed from years of plunder.The leader of the Japanese pirates had a half-moon-shaped bun, and a ferocious scar on his face extending from his brow bone to his chin. He held a brightly polished samurai short sword in his hand, and the tip of the sword was stained with the blood of an unknown person.

"Hurry! Hurry up!" Lin Chi gritted his teeth and grabbed Maodou's arm and rushed forward.Maodou's little face was red from suppressing the pain, his thin legs could hardly keep up with the pace of the crowd, his breathing was as fast as an old bellows, and he stumbled every step he took.The Japanese pirates behind them were chasing closer and closer. The sound of heavy breathing, squeaking shouts, and the sound of the blade rubbing against the sheath mouth was like a drumbeat beating on everyone's heart.

Lin Chi knew in his heart that half-grown children like them could not even eat a full meal on weekdays. They were sallow and skinny, so how could they have any physical strength?On the other hand, the Japanese pirates, although they were stragglers, had been plundering at sea all year round. They were very strong and had amazing endurance.If he hadn't used his familiarity with the terrain of the tidal flats and specifically chosen places with deep mud and lots of potholes to run, he would have been overtaken long ago.

"Brother Achi, I...I can't run anymore..." Maodou's voice sounded like crying. His legs went weak and he almost fell to the ground.Lin Chi hurriedly turned around to support him. Just as he was about to urge him, he heard the sound of arrows piercing the air behind him.

"Lower your head! Lower your head quickly!" Lin Chi pushed Maodou to the ground violently, and an arrow flew over his head and was nailed to a reed stalk not far away. The tail of the arrow was still buzzing.

The Japanese pirates stopped, took off the Japanese bows on their backs, drew their bows and set arrows.With joking smiles on their faces, they yelled at each other in blunt Chinese and Japanese, as if they were engaging in a hunting game."Look at me! Shoot the smallest one!" A Japanese pirate with a beard grinned, showing his scorched yellow teeth, loosened his bowstring, and shot his arrow straight at Maodou.

Lin Chi's pupils shrank suddenly and he pushed Maodou aside. The arrow flew past Maodou's arm and opened a long gash on his sleeve, and blood immediately seeped out."Gouzi! You run fast and report back to the guard station! Just say that the Japanese pirates are coming and ask my father to bring someone here quickly!" Lin Chi roared, his voice slightly changed due to extreme nervousness.

Gouzi was stunned for a moment, looking at the Japanese pirates who were getting closer and closer, then at Lin Chi and Maodou, his eyes turned red, and he turned around and ran towards the village."Brother Achi! Hold on! I'll bring someone here right away!" His voice drifted in the wind, and his figure quickly disappeared among the reeds.

When the Japanese pirates saw someone running away, they did not chase them, but became more and more excited."Haha, a little one ran away, so I happened to focus on shooting these two!" The scar-faced Japanese pirate smiled ferociously and shot two feather arrows in succession.Lin Chi pulled Maodou to dodge desperately, but the mud under their feet was like a swamp, dragging their feet tightly.At this moment, Maodou suddenly screamed "Ah", his body suddenly froze, he stumbled forward a few steps, and fell heavily into the mud.

Lin Chi looked back and saw an arrow deeply inserted into Maodou's back. The arrow shaft was still trembling slightly. Blood gurgled down the arrow shaft and soon dyed the mud underneath him red."Edamame!" Lin Chi's eyes were splitting as he rushed over desperately and picked up the edamame from the mud.Maodou's little face was pale, his lips were purple, and his breath was weak. He looked at Lin Chi and struggled to say a few words: "Brother Achi... I... I'm so cold..."

"Don't be afraid! I'll take you away! I'll take you home!" Lin Chi held back tears, carried Maodou on his back, held his thighs tightly with both hands, turned around and continued running forward.The weight on his back suddenly increased, and the blood of edamame flowed down his back, soaking into his short hair. Lin Chi felt that his whole body was weak, and every step he took seemed to be draining his life.

When the Japanese pirates saw that they had hit someone, they burst into arrogant laughter and their pace quickened a bit."Xinxi, I can't run any faster." "Whoever shoots the one carrying the man first will drink an extra bottle of wine tonight!" As they chased, they kept drawing their bows and firing arrows. The Japanese bow's curved arm was shortened and the shooting speed was one minute faster. The arrows fell around Lin Chi like raindrops. Some were nailed in the mud, and some flew past his shoulders. Danger was everywhere.

Lin Chi lowered his head and relied on his familiarity with the terrain to shuttle between the reeds and soil slopes.He could feel the edamame on his back getting heavier and heavier, his breath getting weaker and weaker, and his heart hurt like a knife.He knew that he had to hold on, he had to take Maodou out, and he had to wait until his father and the others came to rescue him.

Just when Lin Chi was about to lose his support, a burst of chaotic footsteps and shouts suddenly came from the distance."Where are the Japanese pirates?!" "Protect the people!" Lin Chi was delighted. He looked up and saw his father, Lin Xuzheng, leading more than 20 guardsmen rushing over on the slope not far away.Most of them were wearing shabby military jackets, holding various weapons in their hands, including rusty long knives, long spears made of wood, and a few of them were holding Ming army standard bows, with anxious looks on their faces.

"Dad! Here!" Lin Chi shouted with all his strength.

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