novelraw Chapter 199: Collaboration with the Blood Blade Pirates
Chapter 199: Collaboration with the Blood Blade Pirates
Levin exclaimed:
"Captain, you're absolutely incredible!"
Though he had long suspected the captain was no ordinary man, he never imagined the captain would dare dive directly into the sea to confront the Pig Shark head-on.
And then finish it off with a single Spiral Slash against that bloodthirsty behemoth known as the Black Pig Shark.
Fenrir stood dumbfounded, having just been contemplating concepts like 'heroic sacrifice', 'naval combat squad', 'breaking through encirclement', and 'last words'.
Yet in the blink of an eye, the shark keeper was dead and the Black Pig Shark had fled.
Unlike the simple-minded Levin, Fenrir's mind swirled with more complex thoughts.
Why had the Black Pig Shark fled? Why had it attacked its master? And what had caused it such terror?
In Fenrir's eyes, this hunter who debuted alongside the Flower Witch grew even more mysterious.
But regardless, the Black Pig Shark had been defeated! Vanquished by the Black Hunter's hand!Fenrir declared boldly:
"Black Hunter! Our gratitude!"
The exhaustion on Fenrir's face gave way to newfound confidence as he turned his gaze toward the distant Blackfin ship.
The once-menacing Blackfin vessel hastily lowered its flag and turned about-face.
The tides of battle had turned completely!
With their main combatant the Black Pig Shark gone, their support ship could only flee in disgrace.
Fenrir commanded loudly:
"Don't let those bastards escape unharmed! Fire the cannons! Blast their sorry asses!"
Without the Black Pig Shark, the distant Blackfin warship was nothing more than a plaything for the Blood Axe vessel.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Dozens of cannon shots sent the Blackfin warship fleeing in panic.
Thus, freed from the Black Pig Shark's pursuit, the Blood Axe pirate ship sailed triumphantly onward, eventually reaching waters controlled by their Blood Blade Pirates.
......
......
One hour later, five warships gathered around the Blood Axe ship and the houseboat.
Near Blackore City lay numerous islands under Blood Blade Pirates' control, along with many of their vessels.
Having received the 'reinforcement' order, they had rushed to provide cover for Fenrir's ship.
On the Blood Axe pirate ship, Fenrir waved as he explained to the supporting captains:
"No need now! The Black Pig Shark has fled! That damned shark keeper bastard is dead too!"
The Black Pig Shark's panicked retreat - that monstrous beast capable of withstanding cannon fire - left the captains stunned, eager to hear the full story.
Blackore City's bounty board carried numerous warrants for both the Black Pig Shark and its keeper.
The defeat of this long-standing maritime menace would surely make headlines!
But Fenrir had no patience for explanations now, simply declaring:
"Total victory!"
With the danger passed, the ships slowed their pace.
Fenrir raised a glass of fine liquor toward the nearby houseboat:
"You two! We've achieved great victory today! Won't you join me for a drink?"
Chen Qi stood on the houseboat, sea breeze in his hair, observing the drink in Fenrir's hand.
Though the Blood Blade Pirates retained many pirate traditions, they placed great value on loyalty.
Especially Fenrir - as a Blood Blade officer, he would never slight their allies.
Even if that ally was the monster from the newspapers.
Chen Qi had Water Spirit No. 3 adjust the houseboat's speed as he and Levin boarded the pirate vessel.
The one-eyed gunner, missing a hand, produced fine liquor:
"Gentlemen, enjoy! This is ten-year aged dew rose liquor from Flower Island - not only heals wounds but boosts vitality!"
The nervous gunner handed Chen Qi the drink.
Chen Qi accepted and took a sip.
As a Blade-affinity Transcendent, Fenrir couldn't contain his curiosity:
"Mr. Black Hunter, how could you face the Black Pig Shark alone? And how did you make it flee in terror? Do you possess some fearsome aura that terrifies sea beasts?
And that final strike - how exactly did it defeat the Black Pig Shark!"
Fenrir brimmed with questions.
Though Chen Qi's Spiral Slash had been powerful, the Black Pig Shark's thick hide should have withstood it.
By all logic, that strike shouldn't have surpassed Fenrir's own Azure Wolf Slash.
Yet its effect had far exceeded Fenrir's techniques.
Had he misjudged? Fenrir's mind swirled with doubt.
"This liquor is quite sweet..." Chen Qi explained:
"My Spiral Slash wasn't that powerful. But the Black Pig Shark was controlled by its keeper through internal chains..."
Chen Qi detailed his strategy against the Black Pig Shark to Fenrir.
Such beastmasters with weak personal combat abilities were easily defeated once you understood their mechanics.
"Chains... backlash... I see," Fenrir realized. "I'd thought your blade contained some terrifying power."
Beastmasters were rare in Beiguo, making this Fenrir's first encounter with such tactics.
Who would have imagined attacking the internal chains could free the Black Pig Shark from its bondage?
Was this the power of knowledge? Fenrir marveled at how the newspaper's so-called 'sowing monster' was actually quite erudite.
Chen Qi said modestly:
"My victory relied heavily on existing wounds on the Black Pig Shark. Without that crimson injury, I couldn't have defeated it so quickly."
"Wounds..."
Fenrir burst into laughter:
"Mr. Black Hunter, those wounds were made by the Flower Witch! So you two really are longtime partners."
"Oh?"
Chen Qi sipped his wine.
He'd assumed the wounds came from Fenrir.
Turns out little witch Fen had made them.
Meaning he and the Flower Witch had unwittingly executed perfect teamwork.
Fenrir looked up spiritedly:
"Mr. Black Hunter, you and your partner the Flower Witch have helped us tremendously. Truth be told, the Blood Blade Pirates have long wanted to collaborate with you both."
"Collaborate?"
Chen Qi glanced at his Backpack Card.
This was the perfect opportunity to sell the encrypted research documents to the pirates.
Deciphering them alone would be impossible.
Fenrir ordered the one-eyed gunner:
"Fetch our Blood Dagger and gold."
The gunner hurried below deck, returning with gold coins worth ten million Shell Coins and a crimson dagger.
"Sir."
He bowed while presenting the items.
Chen Qi accepted both.
[Weathered Blood Dagger
Affinity: Blade
Description: A craftwork forged from Grade B dimensional rift blade stone, symbolizing high status within the Blood Blade Pirates. This dagger entitles the bearer to the crew's assistance.]
Chen Qi was startled.
Though just a dagger, its craftsmanship was extraordinarily difficult, using prohibitively expensive materials.
Such daggers were typically only issued to Blood Blade officers.
Possessing this meant one of the Four Great Pirate Crews would no longer be his enemy at sea.
His maritime journeys would become much smoother.
With this, he could even command most Blood Blade members directly.
On player forums, the only way to obtain such a dagger was through grinding contribution points and completing officer quests.
Yet they'd given it to him so readily... Chen Qi accepted the dagger.
The Blood Blade Pirates must truly need allies.
Otherwise, they'd never collaborate with a notorious Deep Sea monster.
Especially one infamous for 'sowing seeds' everywhere.
Chen Qi noticed many crew members still feared him, terrified his tentacles might ensnare them.
All thanks to Pelu's reporting.
His reputation... Chen Qi really wanted to teach Pelu a lesson.
Remembering the White Pigeon Newspaper reports, Fenrir declared heartily:
"Mr. Black Hunter, I speak plainly - as long as you and the Flower Witch don't threaten the Blood Blade Pirates or harm our members or innocent civilians!
We'll provide any assistance you need!
From today, our ships are your ships! Our brothers, your brothers!"
"Thank you."
Chen Qi pocketed the status symbol:
"Fenrir, anything else?"
Fenrir hesitated momentarily before speaking:
"Mr. Black Hunter, actually... a friend needs the legendary Flower Witch's help. But our goodwill alone couldn't persuade her.
Even after demonstrating utmost friendliness! After wounding the Black Pig Shark, she vanished instantly.
If possible, could you convey that we have information about other witches? We'd appreciate her assistance.
Name your reward!"
"Assistance..."
Chen Qi pondered.
Originally, the Flower Witch had already collaborated with the Blood Blade Pirates for the Witch Sea's first major event - a liberation battle against the Black Glove of the Blackfin Crew!
Fen would inherit the previous witch's Release technique, gaining fame across the seas.
But because of Chen Qi's interference, the Flower Witch and Blood Blade Pirates were now strangers.
"I don't even know the Flower Witch's current situation..." Chen Qi nodded:
"I'll try."
Fenrir clinked glasses and downed his liquor:
"Deepest thanks! Henceforth, come to us for anything!"
Gaining the Black Hunter and Flower Witch as allies was tremendous fortune!
Flushed, Fenrir poured another round:
"Brothers! From today, the Black Hunter is your senior! Toast him!"
The crew celebrated their narrow escape from the Black Pig Shark's jaws.
Chen Qi drank, then produced documents:
"Fenrir, I have naval research documents here. If interested, you may purchase them."
"Documents?"
Fenrir examined them hastily.
Though he couldn't decipher the encrypted content, formulas and sea beast dissection diagrams confirmed their value.
Fenrir's frown deepened:
"The navy researches mutated sea beast evolution? I thought all such documents were secured in the Meteorological Bureau's containment!"
The navy had conducted extensive sea beast research, even hiring knowledge hunters from the White Tower Federation to track down every copy.
Yet here was another set!
Incredible!
Fenrir flipped through fifty aged pages covering the Blackship Sea Dragon, Black Pig Shark, Water Beast, even the Twelve-Tentacled Deep Sea Titan and Azure Beast, with traces of the Deep Sea Hunters.
Their value was undeniable!
The Blood Blade Pirates' civil war stemmed from such research... Fenrir recalled his childhood:
"Mr. Black Hunter, my knowledge can't appraise these. I'll copy the first page for our researchers to determine fair value.
May I transcribe it?"
"Certainly."
Players had once traded these for a Blade Release skill book.
But judging from Fenrir's reaction, they might be even more valuable than Chen Qi thought.
After copying, Fenrir asked:
"Mr. Black Hunter, could we exchange contact information? We'll notify you after appraisal."
Contact information... Chen Qi pondered.
The Water Spirit Restaurant?
Too risky - it might expose his identity.
The Blood Blade Pirates had loose lips, and Fenrir couldn't keep secrets.
He needed an intermediary... someone simple... Chen Qi turned to Levin:
"Contact him for anything."
"???"
Levin froze - he was just a cheerleader, a maritime newbie. Why was he suddenly the Black Hunter's intelligence officer?
Fenrir noted Levin's Hunter License and Agency Certificate:
"Understood. For finding us, contact the Chameleon at Blackore City's Shell Grand Market, the angler at the docks, or Seal Logistics Courier No. 17."
The crew toasted their victory.
Drunken pirates swayed aboard.
Chen Qi drank sparingly to avoid intoxication.
A burly man slurred:
"Finally! Thank you! Tomorrow we'll make Blackore City's headlines!"
"Headlines?"
Chen Qi swirled his wine, puzzled.
The man continued:
"Yes! We'll contact the press ashore! Photographing pigeons probably already spotted the fleeing Black Pig Shark."
Chen Qi looked up.
A pigeon with an antique camera flew overhead.
These camera pigeons were the White Pigeon Newspaper's unique scouts patrolling danger zones.
Many maritime events couldn't escape their lenses.
The Black Pig Shark's defeat would surely cause waves.
Perhaps this could rehabilitate his reputation... and catch the Flower Witch's attention.
Levin whispered:
"Mr. Black Hunter... may I inform the newspaper about this?"