novelraw Chapter 172: Any Funeral Requests?
Chapter 172: Any Funeral Requests?
Outside the window, eerie cold winds howled incessantly, causing the ship's lanterns to sway unsteadily.
Little Crow removed her mud-caked boots and left them by the doorway.
"Coming in."
A physical examination? Chen Qi tilted his head and put away the Ice Demon Pirates' map.
Little Crow said nothing, moving with the precision of a professional spy as she checked the walls to ensure their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
After scanning the room and finding no extra chairs, she asked wearily:
"Mind if I use your bed?"
"Go ahead."
Thump!
So soft... so comfortable... With a satisfied sigh, Little Crow flopped onto the bed spread-eagled:"Did you know? You've got one day and five hours left to live..."
"One day and five hours?"
Chen Qi showed a contemplative expression.
That roughly coincided with their estimated arrival time.
Little Crow bit her crimson lips, speaking with self-deprecating humor:
"Exactly. And you'll die worse than ordinary people - as sacrificial fodder for those twisted monstrosities. Remember the Blood-Eyed Wall we encountered? The thing we're summoning will make that look tame. You won't even leave scraps behind."
"That's your current situation."
"..."
Chen Qi stroked his chin.
From what he could gather, Little Crow possessed considerable intelligence.
Perhaps he could pry more information from her!
Testing the waters, he asked:
"No scraps at all? That bad?"
Little Crow stretched her arms wide:
"Yep. Though to be fair, you're unlucky meeting us. If you'd encountered the Coastal Apex Predators or the Black Hunter, you'd die faster. Especially the Black Hunter - they'd make you suffer inhumanely first."
"Just heard maritime reports from your ship's radio. Now I understand how you could afford a boat so quickly. You've got a death wish entering these forbidden waters..."
As she spoke, Little Crow rolled over, propping her face in her hands to stare at Chen Qi like he was already dead.
How pitiful...
Last time they met, she'd told him to live well and fulfill her dying wish - to buy flowers after her death!
Who could've imagined their reunion would involve planning his funeral instead!
Life's twists could be cruel.
With the solemnity of a doctor delivering a terminal diagnosis, Little Crow cupped her cheeks:
"Assistant, your name again?"
"Qi."
Little Crow tugged her lips into a forced smile:
"Qi... nice name. Any last wishes? Funeral preferences? I might help arrange them - within reason of course."
Do I have a death omen over my head? Chen Qi forced a smile:
"Little Crow, don't be so pessimistic. I'm not that easy to kill - I've got escape skills."
He was being severely underestimated!
In Little Crow's eyes, he was just some clueless rookie who'd get one-shot!
"Waku waku! (Exactly! Master's amazing!)"
The Deepsea Water Spirits nodded vigorously - their master was invincible in their eyes.
Little Crow blinked her crimson eyes:
"Pessimistic... sorry, I'm wired to expect worst-case scenarios. But Qi... your situation's objectively dire. Your life now hangs on White Cloak's whims, and I... can't help much."
She suddenly dug her nails into her lips with enough force to draw blood.
"Ouch, sorry..."
Panicking, she grabbed tissues to wipe the blood, careful not to stain Chen Qi's ship.
Seems she has self-harm tendencies... Chen Qi observed.
Undercover stress? Or self-loathing over perceived helplessness?
Keeping his tone gentle, he reassured:
"Little Crow, it's not hopeless. Could you share what they're summoning? Any other intel?"
"Who knows? Things might turn around."
Little Crow rolled across the bed:
"Your destination's a unique dimensional rift. A century ago, the Sea God Pirates summoned a deep-sea monstrosity there - one capable of creating deadly whirlpools."
"Legend says it possessed city-leveling power. Had the Deep Sea Hunters not slain it, the Moonstone Archipelago would've been wiped out."
"Of course, such creatures require massive biological sacrifices... and White Cloak's designated you as tribute."
City-destroying...
Chen Qi felt a chill.
This exceeded his worst expectations!
But since it involved Deep Sea Hunters and whirlpools...
The target must be an abyssal entity - possibly even an ancient deep-sea species!
So far, he'd only encountered two ancient deep-sea beings - the Deepsea Titan and Blood-Eyed Wall.
The former being a passive tree-like entity.
How would a rift-spawned ancient react to him? Chen Qi pondered.
Little Crow framed her face with both hands:
"Qi, we'll reach the rift together. Normally, I can't help you escape unless special circumstances arise - like encountering the navy, Black Hunter, or the Flower Witch..."
"Black Hunter?"
Chen Qi echoed.
Little Crow exhaled:
"Right - the lunatic who slaughtered ghost ships. White Pigeon Radio reported his activity near our waters. If we cross paths, chaos might create an escape window for you..."
"Oh?"
Chen Qi's lips curled slightly.
"?"
Little Crow tilted her head, noticing his knowing expression.
Had the Black Hunter already marked him?
Ahem... Chen Qi explained:
"According to White Pigeon Times, the Black Hunter's been sighted here recently. Our encounter odds aren't low."
Not low!
Little Crow's eyes briefly lit up before dimming again.
Even if they met the Black Hunter, survival wasn't guaranteed.
Still, any chaos could let her save Chen Qi while sabotaging White Cloak's plans!
"Fingers crossed!"
Little Crow forced a smile:
"Don't stress too much. Stay calm - if opportunity strikes, you'll make it..."
"Thanks... I'll try surviving."
Having vented her worries, Little Crow seemed lighter, swinging her pale legs playfully:
"So Qi, you've probably realized I'm a..."
You're an undercover agent, right? Chen Qi played dumb:
"Hmm?"
Little Crow swallowed her words.
She longed to confess everything.
But revealing her true role would only endanger Chen Qi.
Propping her cheeks, she smiled faintly:
"I'm a professional doctor here to cure you..."
Suddenly realizing she'd been lounging on his bed for ages, she blushed crimson.
Damn this absurdly comfortable bed with cuddly water spirits!
"Right! The physical exam..."
She sprang up, producing terrifying surgical tools.
Scalpels, bone saws, steam drills, ice picks, anesthetics...
Chen Qi broke into cold sweat.
This looked more like dismemberment than diagnosis!
Little Crow sweetly explained:
"Basically, I entered under medical pretext. As a... vigorous physician, I must perform minor procedures to maintain cover. Requires some... pained screaming from you."
"Don't worry - no permanent damage! Just... mild discomfort."
Chen Qi asked innocently: "Define mild?"
Little Crow smirked, rolling up her sleeves:
"Ever been chainsawed, Qi?"
"Yikes..."
Chen Qi hugged Water Spirits Three and Four protectively:
"Can they scream for me?"
"No."