novelraw Chapter 112: The Twin Pillars of the Imperial Capital!
Chapter 112: The Twin Pillars of the Imperial Capital!
Near Sea Monster Island, under the influence of the Dimensional Tide, a large number of dimensional rifts awakened.
Chen Qi’s targets were D-tier Shadow affinity or Lamp affinity dimensional rifts, as well as the Sea Monster Sister and transplantable sea beasts.
The Flower Witch, on the other hand, aimed for C-tier Floral affinity rifts to strengthen her own power.
To reach these places, gathering intelligence was essential.
Chen Qi shook his head. Without the big-mouthed Pelu around, the only way to get information was to find the intelligence dealers on Sea Monster Island.
Chen Qi looked at the environment of Sea Monster Island.
Due to the influx of adventurers, many new inns and taverns had been built on the island.
As a kingdom controlling the Hammer affinity and running the Origin Hunter Organization Workshop, Beiguo’s infrastructure capabilities were exceptionally strong.
Under the island owner’s arrangement, many ordinary residences had been quickly transformed into inns within just a month.
The originally barren island had become an excellent tourist destination.Bang! Bang!
The moment they landed on the island, two gunshots rang out.
Chen Qi smiled; the local customs were simple and honest, and he liked that.
The Flower Witch looked around cautiously and spotted a bounty hunter from the Hunter Association.
People from the Hunter Association liked to accept all kinds of commissions, including bounty orders.
She pulled down her hat brim and sprayed herself with some special perfume to mask her natural scent.
Because of the Blood Blossom Disease, the Flower Witch actually smelled quite fragrant, so she had to use a special potion to cover the faint floral aroma on her body.
Chen Qi put on the Hunter’s Garb and pinned a chef’s badge to his chest, indicating his profession as a harmless chef.
Unfortunately, this chef’s badge was a fake he bought at a street stall.
It was clearly different from the official chef’s badges issued by the Chef Association.
Once they returned from the voyage, he could participate in the chef competition and get a real badge.
Chen Qi said:
“Fen, let’s find an inn to wash up first, then look for a tavern to gather some news, alright?”
When outside, he couldn’t call the Flower Witch by her title anymore.
“Call me by my name...” The Flower Witch blushed and nodded. “Okay.”
It had been a very long time since anyone had called her by her name.
Chen Qi continued:
“By the way, if anyone asks about your identity, just say you’re a server on my dining ship, doing odd jobs.”
Previously, the Flower Witch had tried to act like his dad while celebrating his promotion.
He remembered that!
“You’re my server...” The Flower Witch got into character and respectfully said,
“Alright, I’m your loyal employee, boss~”
“You don’t have to be so formal...” Chen Qi tidied himself up, then headed with the Flower Witch toward an inn on Sea Monster Island.
They picked a luxurious inn in the central area with single bathrooms and good soundproofing.
Each paid two thousand Shell Coins, booking two adjacent single rooms, then changed clothes and bathed.
...
...
“Refreshing...”
After washing, Chen Qi felt completely refreshed.
However, the Flower Witch still needed a long time.
It wasn’t because her bath took long.
The Flower Witch not only needed to bathe but also had to regularly pull out the flowers growing on her body.
Though beautiful, Blood Blossom Disease was still a terrifying illness.
She had to apply ointment and treat the flowers on her body.
Especially those growing in dangerous areas.
Every time she pulled out a flower, it felt like stabbing a silver needle deep into a major artery.
If the flowers grew on her chest near the heart, the pain was even worse.
Without timely treatment, these flowers could severely affect her health.
Every seven days, the Flower Witch had to remove ten flowers.
Although she was used to this pain, it still took a long time.
Chen Qi decided to check the tavern first to see if he could get information about the C-tier Floral affinity rifts, and also about the Sea Monster and Shadow or Lamp affinity rifts.
Next to the inn was a large tavern that could hold a hundred people.
Chen Qi pushed open the door.
The moment he stepped inside, he smelled strong alcohol and heard the melodious sound of a lute.
The gentle music quickly stopped, and then he heard a young voice with a slight mocking tone:
“Sir, the Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker is the Deep Sea Hunters’ nemesis, a weapon left behind by the Azure Beast. It’s not something your mere five-person second-tier hunter team can get. You’d better give up early!
However, since you paid, I can tell you this: Neither the Navy nor the Blackfin Crew will easily let the Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker leave Sea Monster Island.
Most likely, it will fall into the hands of one of the two.”
Chen Qi focused his gaze.
The people in the tavern were gathered around a young intelligence dealer.
He had a ponytail, wore a loose white shirt and grayish-white long pants, holding an exquisite lute in his hands.
From his fair skin, he looked somewhat like a woman.
“This is!”
Chen Qi was stunned.
He recognized the figure in front of him.
No wonder this was the Rift Sea!
He didn’t expect to meet such a famous figure from the forums in such a short time!
Although he appeared to be a sharp-tongued female bard, in fact, he was a gentle man.
Although his spiritual energy field looked like that of an ordinary second-tier Transcendent, he had already entered the legendary realm of the fourth tier.
His true identity was the hidden captain of the Ice Demon Pirates, one of the Four Great Pirate Emperors on the sea—Captain Palu!
Palu was very famous on the game forum and, like Pelu, had many nicknames.
He loved disguise magic, believing that true disguise was not only about age and height but also spiritual energy fields, gender, occupation, even species and personality changes.
Besides, Palu, like An and Pelu, was an outstanding talent from Beiguo Royal University.
Also, like Pelu, he was one of the famous Twin Pillars of the Imperial Capital, ranked second.
Known as “The Only Normal One,” “Twin Pillars of the Imperial Capital,” “Crossdressing Boss,” “Second-rate Intelligence Dealer,” “Working Captain,” “Crew’s Slave,” and “Heir of the Ice Witch.”
Although both were Twin Pillars, Palu was stronger, more polite, more serious, and diligent compared to Pelu.
Moreover, although called a pirate crew, the Ice Demon Pirates mainly explored the unknown seas and uncovered hidden historical secrets.
They were truly a refreshing presence in the Witch Sea.
The Twin Pillars of the Imperial Capital was not exactly a flattering title.
Chen Qi wondered why Palu was listed among the Twin Pillars.
What was the Ice Demon Pirates’ purpose here? He kept calm.
Although Palu was a fourth-tier legend with immense strength, he was not crazy and wouldn’t harm civilians.
The twisted ponytailed sharp-tongued female bard was Palu’s favorite disguise, popular on player forums with a fanbase five times larger than his real identity.
At this moment, Palu sat among the crowd with a wallet stuffed full.
Obviously, he was making money by selling intelligence.
Chen Qi ordered a cup of apple wine and found a seat.
This was a big figure from the Ice Demon Pirates; maybe he could hear some useful information.
Palu raised his hand and said:
“Next question! There’s no intelligence around here that I don’t know.”
Snap!
A young blonde woman downed a drink and flicked two gold coins at Palu’s face.
“I have a question!”
Blonde, pointed ears—her appearance resembled an elf.
She wore an expensive white uniform with a distinctive golden flower badge on her chest.
That badge...
Chen Qi noticed the badge looked somewhat similar to the flower the Flower Witch had given him.
Could she be connected to the Flower Witch’s family?
Moreover, her appearance seemed like a talent from Beiguo Royal University, the third-ranked member of the Twin Pillars of the Imperial Capital, Seafood Sister.
What was going on! He had just met two of the Twin Pillars!
Chen Qi fell into thought.
Although he recognized her, he didn’t know much about her.
He also didn’t know why this beautiful blonde woman was called Seafood Sister.
She didn’t look like she was in the seafood business at all.
Palu frowned and accepted the coins:
“May I ask, friend, what intelligence do you want to inquire about?”
The blonde woman raised her hand and smiled slightly:
“I want to ask about the location of the Sea Monster!”
The crowd immediately erupted.
As a famous monster from Sea Monster Gorge, the Sea Monster was dangerous but incredibly beautiful, attracting much interest.
Palu answered:
“The northern part of Sea Monster Island is the core area of the Sea Monster Gorge rifts. To quickly reach the rifts, you must pass through this area.
If you wander there, there’s a high chance you’ll encounter the Sea Monster.
May I ask, miss, why do you want information about the Sea Monster?”
The blonde woman thought for a moment and said:
“Because I heard the Sea Monster’s hair is like sticky tentacles and must feel very nice to touch.”
“Touch the Sea Monster?”
Palu snorted coldly:
“A reminder: Although the Sea Monster looks like a humanoid, it is actually a monster, essentially no different from the Coastal Apex Predators, and has no desire for humans.
Their beautiful appearance and melodious songs are just weapons to lure prey.”
Although it was widely agreed that the Sea Monster was beautiful yet dangerous in the Witch Sea, many were still tempted when they saw it in person.
They would delude themselves with “It’s different, it means something to me.”
Combined with their unique seductive songs, many still fell victim every year!
The blonde woman retorted:
“But the Sea Monster looks like a human, and it’s so beautiful. I just want to touch it and play with it...”
Palu frowned and deliberately asked:
“May I ask which country you’re from?”
The blonde woman replied:
“I’m an exchange student at Beiguo Royal University, from the Goldenfinch Kingdom.”
Palu raised an eyebrow and mocked:
“So you’re from Goldenfinch Kingdom, that country with strange ideas about beast taming. No wonder.”
Chen Qi thought to himself, as a major player from Goldenfinch Kingdom, he couldn’t argue; in some ways, Palu was right.
Palu said seriously:
“Everyone, the Sea Monster’s song can charm most intelligent creatures, not just humans.
They are definitely the most dangerous monsters in Sea Monster Gorge! They have no desires beyond attacking humans.
If you’re unlucky enough to meet a Sea Monster, stay rational and don’t be fooled by their appearance!”
The crowd nodded and confidently patted their chests.
They were experienced people; a mere Sea Monster wouldn’t tempt them.
Palu did his best to play the sharp-tongued bard, scolding:
“Only idiots from Goldenfinch Kingdom or those with donkey brains overwhelmed by lust would think of approaching a Sea Monster.
If you want to play with Sea Monsters, why not try the Coastal Apex Predators?”
Chen Qi frowned while sipping his apple wine.
What was that supposed to mean? Who was he insulting?
He seemed to have been hit by some inexplicable area damage.
Palu strummed his lute and continued:
“Next question.”
The elf-like blonde woman, though insulted, didn’t retort.
“Payback with money!” She threw five gold coins hard at Palu’s face again.
“I still have questions.”
“Five gold coins...”
Palu was shocked. The quality of these coins was worth at least three hundred thousand Shell Coins—a considerable sum.
She then looked around and asked over a hundred people present:
“I want to ask if anyone has discovered any trace of the Witch?”
At that moment, everyone exchanged looks.
Palu’s expression also became somewhat serious.