novelraw Chapter 150: Homecoming
Chapter 150: Homecoming
The storm relentlessly battered the deck.
Chen Qi tightened his grip on the rifle:
"Ghost Captain, until next time."
Watching the Energy Core sink into the ocean, the Ghost Captain's jawbone clenched shut, producing a grating sound like the roar of a wild beast.
He seemed furious, but anger wouldn't help here... Chen Qi stroked the gun barrel, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
Given the current situation, even if the Ghost Captain chose to fight to the death, it would only mean certain destruction.
The Ghost Captain dragged its anchor across the rain-soaked deck, lifting its skull wreathed in green flames:
"Human! The Coastal Overlord does not die easily upon these seas! Nor shall the flames of vengeance be extinguished!"
"So long as you dare linger in these coastal waters, you shall never escape us! Never!"
Its voice trembled as it gripped the anchor tightly.Suddenly, the Ghost Captain froze mid-motion, staring dumbfounded at the distant sea.
There, amidst the frigid waves, a pitch-black vessel was rapidly approaching the White Pigeon expedition ship.
At the sight of the dark boat, the Ghost Captain's bones immediately began rattling violently.
Despite its earlier bravado, the skeletal pirate's body betrayed its true feelings as it abruptly leaped into the sea, desperately swimming toward its ghost ship.
"That is..."
Chen Qi turned to look.
To be precise, it resembled less a ship and more the scaled head of some monstrous creature breaching the surface.
The black vessel revealed a draconic head with three rows of bloody teeth, exhaling crimson mist across the waves.
Its metallic tail swayed eagerly in the wind like a puppy welcoming its master home.
The Coastal Apex Predator...
Chen Qi was stunned.
He never expected to encounter the Coastal Apex Predator here of all places.
The distant ghost ship immediately activated its engines at maximum power, fleeing the area at top speed.
Was it because of the Supernatural Bait in the small houseboat? Chen Qi finally relaxed his tense shoulders, exhaling deeply.
That Ghost Captain really knows how to run... Chen Qi glanced back.
The Gold-Tooth Captain and other passengers emerged from the cabins, also witnessing the ghost ship's rapid retreat.
They stared at the vanishing vessel, unable to calm their racing hearts.
The Gold-Tooth Captain approached unsteadily:
"Chef... was that your shot that hit the ghost ship?"
The spectral vessel was indeed smoking!
Chen Qi stored the Giant Slayer back into his Backpack Card:
"Yes, though it seems ineffective. Even with a hole in its hull, our ship still can't catch up."
"No, the ghost ship has slowed significantly. Forgive us, Chef, for our incompetence."
The Gold-Tooth Captain gritted his teeth as he delivered the hard truth:
"The White Pigeon's propulsion system is severely damaged. We cannot pursue."
Attempting to placate the angry crowd, the captain continued:
"Please remain calm. Everything that occurred has been recorded by the Navigator's Eye and transmitted to the Merchant Consortium on land. Hunters and the navy will soon mobilize to avenge us."
The wealthy merchants, no longer concerned with their pristine attire, rushed into the rain to voice complaints:
"The navy? Those useless fools? We'd have better luck asking the local hunters for help!"
"Chase them! Captain, I order you! Maximum speed! Now!"
"This chef already wounded the ghost ship! We can catch them!"
The crowd clung to unrealistic hopes.
Particularly humiliated was Siren of the Blackfin Crew - a third-tier Transcendent who'd allowed her Backpack Card to be stolen by the Ghost Captain.
"We must pursue... otherwise... Mother will never forgive me..."
Siren clutched her head, disheveled hair sticking to her face as she curled into a fetal position.
"CHASE THEM!"
A tall red-haired man grabbed the Gold-Tooth Captain by his collar and roared.
Give it up, you'll never catch them... Chen Qi sighed internally.
Even damaged, the ghost ship far outpaced their crippled vessel.
A cold voice suddenly silenced the commotion.
Little Crow leaned against the rain-slicked railing, watching the distant ship:
"Pursuit is pointless. We must reach land immediately. The storm has drawn sea beasts to our location."
She shook her head in disbelief.
They'd chosen the safest route, yet Little Crow could sense numerous sea creatures converging around them.
Why this voyage? Why encounter the Coastal Apex Predator... She gave a bitter smile:
"Everyone, our luck has run out. If you value your lives and wish to avoid the Predator's attention, we must make for land immediately."
The words "Coastal Apex Predator" doused their fury like icy seawater.
None wished to become sea beast fodder.
After much deliberation, they abandoned the chase, resigning themselves to awaiting naval and hunter intervention.
The Gold-Tooth Captain exhaled heavily, observing the churning waters below.
In all his years at sea, this marked the first time he'd felt grateful for sea beasts...
With damaged engines, the White Pigeon couldn't proceed directly to Moonstone City.
After discussion, they decided to dock temporarily at Damarro Town in the Moonstone Archipelago.
The Gold-Tooth Captain examined the charts:
"We'll make temporary repairs at Damarro Island before continuing to Moonstone City."
Chen Qi started slightly - their destination happened to be his hometown of Damarro Town.
Perfect timing to rest and find shipwrights to repair his small houseboat.
...
Before dawn the next day, the Lighthouse cut through the storm's gloom.
Damarro Town Harbor.
As the Dimensional Tide intensified, the island now teemed with adventurers and crowded docks.
To protect Chen Qi's identity and concerned about Damarro's defenses, Little Crow didn't speak to him. Instead, she vanished into the town with the traumatized Siren in tow.
With considerable effort, Chen Qi lowered his small houseboat into the water.
Splash!
The vessel hit the waves.
After boarding, Chen Qi checked secretly:
The sea witch hidden in the barrel remained undiscovered, and the Sea Cloud behaved obediently under her domination.
"Good, everything's fine..."
He sighed in relief and closed the cabin door - only to hear a familiar female voice behind him:
"Captain, you're saying you encountered both the Coastal Apex Predator and a ghost ship?"
The Gold-Tooth Captain sat on the dock, face lined with worry:
"Yes! Our deepest apologies for this failure."
"I'll report this immediately to the Meteorological Bureau and navy for swift resolution."
The captain suddenly remembered:
"Oh, Novice Instructor - one Transcendent aboard needs ship repairs. Are there any available shipwrights in your town?"