novelraw Chapter 161: May I Interview You, Sir?
Chapter 161: May I Interview You, Sir?
The rainstorm grew increasingly violent, making it impossible to distinguish whether it was night or afternoon. The entire deck was engulfed in chaos, with only the flickering ghostly lantern swaying in the storm, emitting a faint yet steadfast glow.
Chen Qi casually gathered some skeletal pirates to form a makeshift chair and sat down. Though it was rather uncomfortable, this broken ghost ship offered no better seating options.
So it was Pelu... Chen Qi let out a long breath inwardly, his tension gradually easing. It had been quite some time since he last saw the chief reporter of White Pigeon Times, Moonstone City's most notorious information broker.
He vaguely recalled how Pelu had become completely dispirited after failing to track down the Flower Witch. In pursuit of big scoops, she had ventured to the Rift Sea, but unfortunately, most of her endeavors ended in failure. She encountered no interesting news whatsoever.
Consequently, White Pigeon Times' recent reports consisted solely of dull, outdated news—content even less entertaining than watching three Deepsea Water Spirits perform a flea circus. The only mildly intriguing piece was their interview with the Ghost Captain.
Yet who would have thought she'd attempt a second interview! Such audacity—she actually wanted to pull this stunt twice!
Chen Qi frowned as he observed the drenched Pelu on the deck, contemplating his next steps. First, he assessed his own appearance. The hunter's garments were soaked by the storm, flapping wildly like tattered banners. The Hunter's Garb imbued with Ember's Touch sufficiently concealed his face, and combined with his Ember's Binding state, could even disrupt spiritual energy detection.
His attire wasn't the issue—the problem lay with Pelu. She must have hidden in a barrel at some point, intending to secretly interview the Ghost Captain. Unfortunately, the Ghost Captain's current condition made him unfit for interviews.
The thoroughly soaked Pelu knelt on the deck, trembling as she raised her head. Her once-sharp golden eyes, usually vibrant like a leopard cat's, now appeared dull and even slightly fearful.
If Pelu recognized him, her first words would undoubtedly be about mooching a meal. She hasn't identified me—doesn't even suspect anything... Chen Qi concluded, adjusting his voice as he waited silently for her to speak. The chief reporter's sudden appearance had caught him completely off guard.Slowly, ever so slowly, Pelu lifted her head higher, only daring to look up fully after confirming she wouldn't be decapitated for the motion. Through the torrential rain, beneath the ghost ship's tattered flag, she saw the black-clad hunter lounging casually on his throne of skeletons, a crimson longsword resting across his thighs. Behind him, two thick, slick tentacles diligently polished the blade.
Squelch, squelch—
And there, beneath the hunter's boot like a mere stepping stone, lay the Ghost Captain who had previously threatened her—his once-arrogant eyes now utterly lifeless.
The Ghost Captain!! My White Pigeon Times front-page headline!!! Only two words echoed in Pelu's mind:
"Total disaster!"
She had come to interview the Ghost Captain, only to encounter someone far more terrifying. Judging by the scene before her, this monster was even more ruthless than the Ghost Captain! Even the notoriously temperamental Black Sludge was cowed by his presence!
What should I do? Pelu clenched her fists amidst the howling wind, her mind racing. Should I ask, "Sir, how did you defeat the Ghost Captain?" No, no, no! That would just prompt him to demonstrate on me!
Maybe ask if he's had dinner? No! That would get me devoured alive! Monsters like this enjoy eating people raw, especially nosy little idiots like me!
This creature looks like the type who enjoys consuming humans alive. Maybe I should act like a monster too—give a sinister smile and discuss cannibalistic experiences? But I have zero experience eating people—I'd be exposed immediately!
No time! Can't keep deliberating!
Bang!
Biting her lip in the storm, Pelu bowed her head and shouted:
"My deepest apologies!!"
Her apology rang out with impeccable enunciation through the tempest—even White Pigeon Press's most seasoned PR specialists couldn't have delivered it more flawlessly! Years of death-defying escapades had taught her: when in doubt, apologize! With rational monsters, this was always the correct approach!
"???"
Chen Qi was momentarily stunned atop his bone throne. What was she apologizing for? Had fear made her delirious?
Amusing reaction... Chen Qi chuckled, tapping his fingers against the longsword on his lap.
Seeing no immediate violent response, the apologetic Pelu blinked her golden eyes pitifully:
"Um... may I... go now? Or... what must I do to leave..."
Leave... Chen Qi stroked his chin in thought. Truthfully, he had no particular plans for Pelu. In Witch Sea, she appeared insignificant but was actually a hidden powerhouse.
Pelu was likely a fringe hunter—one who had participated in fringe campaigns and ventured beyond the New Dawn World. Her true strength remained mysterious, but one certainty was her unique survival mechanism: when critically injured, she would enter a second form capable of unleashing storms surpassing even fourth-tier power.
This explained Pelu's ability to repeatedly cheat death through reckless behavior. Of course, he could theoretically restrain her through binding or imprisonment...
Chen Qi glanced at Pelu again. She wore a simple white shirt; her only valuable possession being that antique camera—not even a Backpack Card on her. Nothing worth taking, and she had helped him multiple times in Witch Sea. He wasn't some demon, after all.
This was merely an accident. The best outcome would be giving her a good scare before sending her home on her giant white pigeon.
Tilting his head in feigned contemplation, Chen Qi finally spoke:
"Possible. But naturally, there's a price."
"......"
Price... Pelu shuddered violently. First, she was shocked this monster possessed such rationality; second, he might actually let her leave.
"May I... retrieve my bag first...?"
"Granted."
Chen Qi replied softly.
What price... Pelu turned slowly, clutching her rear as she inched away at glacial pace. Witch Sea teemed with those who pretended to release prisoners only to shoot them afterward to showcase their cruelty. Perhaps she'd become the Black Hunter's test dummy for his blade.
Without her giant white pigeon nearby, she'd have to swim back. Trembling, Pelu bent over on the rain-soaked deck to retrieve her briefcase. Inside, a draft of her Ghost Captain interview peeked out—now rapidly being ruined by the downpour...
Suddenly, overwhelming helplessness flooded her heart. This time, she had spent three full days hiding in a merchant ship disguised as a barrel of premium liquor before successfully boarding the ghost ship again. To gather information, she had suppressed her spiritual energy for six consecutive hours in that dark barrel.
Returning empty-handed would mean enduring vicious mockery from that Witch Times bitch Lilith. Then inspiration struck—memories resurfacing.
She remembered! This monster before her was none other than the Black Hunter who had appeared with the Flower Witch in the Rift Sea! And now this Black Hunter had reached coastal waters to hunt the Ghost Captain!
This was completely unreported news! An earth-shattering scoop! Pelu swallowed hard, her heartbeat accelerating wildly in the storm. Without a major story soon, her junior Lilith would trample her mercilessly. Once Witch Times became the sales leader, she'd be reduced to licking her junior's feet.
After intense internal struggle, Pelu mustered her courage and turned back:
"Um... may I... interview you, Sir Black Hunter?"
"???"
Pelu gazed at Chen Qi with equal parts terror and anticipation!
Classic Pelu... Chen Qi sighed inwardly at the reporter before him. Pelu's true talent lay in performing outrageously bold acts while simultaneously being terrified out of her wits.