novelraw Chapter 256: Everyone, Interested in Doing a Big Score with Me?
Chapter 256: Everyone, Interested in Doing a Big Score with Me?
Lighthouse Keeper... Chen Qi blinked his eyes.
At first, Chen Qi was surprised, but soon a string of doubts followed.
The Lighthouse Keeper position was extremely important. Logically, the Sea God Pirates would never entrust the role of Lighthouse Keeper to a stranger with an unknown background.
However, now that his profession was a Lamp Keeper, and recently several Lamp Keepers had fallen victim to sea beasts, the Lamp Keeper role had become quite rare.
Whether for large ships or lighthouses, there was an urgent need for Lamp Keepers.
After becoming a Lamp Keeper, the White Tower Hunters’ efforts to recruit him intensified noticeably, and from time to time, hunter groups sought to recruit him.
They wanted to recruit me as a Lighthouse Keeper... Chen Qi’s heart surged turbulently.
Sea God Island seemed calm on the surface, but in reality, the dark side of the Sea God Pirates lay in the moment one joined them.
Becoming a member of the Sea God Pirates from a hunter was an extremely dangerous matter.
Chen Qi thought for a moment and asked:“Captain Sea Serpent, can you explain the details? From my observations, the lighthouse on Sea God Island doesn’t seem to need a new Lighthouse Keeper.”
“That’s right, the place you need to guard—”
Captain Sea Serpent blurted excitedly but abruptly stopped midway, then revealed a mysterious smile:
“Brother, this little place isn’t suitable for discussing big matters. Please come with me; my boss, Viper Father, will personally receive you.”
Viper Father... Chen Qi followed Captain Sea Serpent toward the ships by the shore.
...
...
Sea God Island, Dock.
Captain Sea Serpent led Chen Qi away from there, along the newly repaired dock, arriving before a large, dark green ship.
Not a bad ship... Chen Qi looked up, admiring the vessel.
It was a peculiarly shaped heavy ship, its hull painted a deep, dark green, like the most secret currents silently threading through the deep sea waves.
The hull was carved with intricate snake-shaped totems, and at the bow, there was a bronze head of a python.
The flag of the Sea Goddess fluttered high in the wind.
Chen Qi followed Captain Sea Serpent onto the deck.
Many sailors and crew were on deck, but these sailors lacked the usual noise and busyness; they were as quiet as a calm snake pack, quietly watching Chen Qi.
Captain Sea Serpent pushed open the ship’s door and entered the captain’s cabin.
Inside the cabin, several dim oil lamps hung, illuminating the dark interior.
In the center sat a tall man cloaked in a snake-patterned cloak.
This man was the Sea God Pirates’ captain responsible for covert operations, Viper Father!
Chen Qi had heard of him on Sea God Island—an old hand who often covered himself fully with a cloak and liked to secretly place snakes inside others’ clothes.
At the same time, he was a threat within the Sea God Pirates, an executioner; rumor had it many hunters had been forced to become his pawns after he caught their family vulnerabilities.
Viper Father sat upright in a high-backed wooden chair, stroking the patterned python in his hands:
“Hello, Lamp Keeper.”
Chen Qi stroked his chin and extended his hand:
“Hello, Viper Father. What’s the matter?”
Viper Father drank a cup of red tea, slowly flicking out his forked tongue, his tone laced with temptation:
“Lamp Keeper, I won’t waste words. I have an excellent opportunity here—one that could make you a cadre of the Sea God Pirates and turn your fate around!”
Viper Father’s tone was seductive as a blue-scaled sea snake slowly crawled across Chen Qi’s thigh, then wrapped around his waist, climbing to his shoulder and flicking out a bright red tongue at him...
Viper Father crossed his hands and said coldly:
“Lamp Keeper, my little friend seems to like you very much...”
What a terrifying snake, but it does like me... Chen Qi thought and directly grabbed the sea snake’s chin with his hand, then said:
“Viper Father, get to the point! I don’t have time to listen to your nonsense.”
Interesting! He actually dares to speak to me like this! Viper Father’s snake-like eyes suddenly burned with passion:
“It’s like this, Lamp Keeper. Under our Sea God Pirates’ banner, there’s an extremely important secret island. On that island, we are conducting an unprecedented large-scale excavation.”
A large excavation... Chen Qi was secretly shocked.
Could the other party be talking about the excavation of Deep Blue Fire!?
They actually came to find me proactively!
This is the advantage of having a rare profession... Chen Qi sighed. During the Smiling Moon era, the Lamp Keeper profession was truly highly sought after.
Viper Father continued:
“However, deep inside that island lies the Sea of Calamities. Surrounding the island are terrifying sea beasts, indescribable darkness, and an invisible mist descending from the sky. Without the protection of a lighthouse under the Smiling Moon, the entire operation on the island cannot proceed.”
“A strong Lamp Keeper is especially important for the island’s work, but unfortunately, our previous Lamp Keeper died at the hands of external enemies. I was also ordered by the High Priest to come to Sea God Island to seek a suitable Lamp Keeper.”
Sea of Calamities! Chen Qi’s pupils shrank involuntarily.
Combining this with the information he had previously obtained, the island mentioned was very likely the one excavating Deep Blue Fire!
It really was the island where Deep Blue Fire existed!
Chen Qi paced back and forth, stroking his chin, trying to suppress the excitement on his face:
“Viper Father, traveling from Sea God Island deep into the Sea of Calamities is not an easy task. And according to your description, this is no simple job.”
Viper Father stroked the little snake in his hand:
“How we get to the depths of the Sea of Calamities is our business. As for the reward...”
Viper Father snapped his fingers:
“Lamp Keeper, if you help us complete this critical mission, from that moment on, we will disregard your past. From now on, you will be a new cadre of our Sea God Pirates. We will not spare resources and will cultivate you to become a Transcendent as powerful as Captain Haige.”
“This...”
Chen Qi rested his cheek on one hand and hesitated.
First, he assessed Viper Father’s strength. His spiritual energy field was at the third tier. Though Viper Father was Captain Sea Serpent’s superior, in terms of power, he was only slightly stronger than Captain Sea Serpent.
If he agreed, he could easily infiltrate the Sea God Pirates’ Deep Blue Fire plan as a ‘friendly’ unit.
But was it really that easy?
Chen Qi closed his eyes and pondered.
Undoubtedly, such a significant plan—would they really not do anything to me?
One must remember that every cadre of the Sea God Pirates was essentially tightly controlled by the High Priest.
Viper Father had a very bad reputation. If Chen Qi went out alone with him, he was highly likely to be attacked.
Going with him wasn’t safe...
Chen Qi’s thoughts swirled as he considered many possibilities.
He thought for a while and answered:
“Mr. Viper Father, may I take half a day to think it over and reply tonight?”
Viper Father clasped his hands like a hunter eyeing prey and said in a slightly deep tone:
“No problem, hunter. We’ll give you that time, but I hope you won’t disappoint your promise.”
“Alright, I’ll think it over.”
Chen Qi gently stroked the blue-scaled sea snake’s head:
“See you tonight, little snake.”
After speaking, Chen Qi waved his hand, closing the door with a bang, and left like the wind.
At the moment Chen Qi closed the door, Viper Father clenched his fists and emitted a beast-like low growl.
“Ah—”
After a moment, Viper Father broke the silence:
“Rude fellow, closing the door without care.”
Captain Sea Serpent laughed:
“Viper Father, he’s a very talented and strong hunter. Being a bit wild is normal. For this mission, Viper Father, you’d better show him some respect...”
“Respect?”
Viper Father sneered.
How could an old cadre of the Sea God Pirates show respect to a random brat with an unknown background?
Captain Sea Serpent rubbed his hands:
“Viper Father, I’m just suggesting. I have a feeling if you anger him, the results may be terrible. Even the ‘initiation ceremony’ of the Sea God Pirates, I recommend you try to get his consent...”
Viper Father laughed contemptuously:
“Consent? If I had to get every subordinate’s consent before making them mine and holding a ceremony, I would never have achieved my current position...”
“...”
Captain Sea Serpent frowned but said nothing. Viper Father was an old, stubborn hand in the Sea God Pirates.
After all, Captain Sea Serpent was just a junior patroller and didn’t even qualify to participate in the grand Deep Blue Fire plan.
“Besides, my cute little sea snake really wants to eat him. How could I refuse...”
Viper Father stretched out a finger; his greedy little sea snake hadn’t wrapped around a human of its own accord for a long time.
“Viper Father, may the Sea Goddess bless your journey...”
Captain Sea Serpent shook his head and left without further words.
...
...
Dock, Bedroom.
Chen Qi returned to his bedroom and unfolded a map of the Ice Demon Pirates in the captain’s cabin.
So murderous... Chen Qi carefully recalled the conversation in the captain’s cabin just now and the hunting gaze hidden beneath Viper Father’s cloak.
It had been a long time since he was hunted so purely.
There was no doubt he was being targeted by Viper Father. As one of the few Lamp Keepers on Sea God Island, the other party definitely wouldn’t let him go.
This Lighthouse Keeper, whether he wanted to or not, had to take the role.
Bad news: he was being targeted.
Good news: Chen Qi was also targeting him.
When leaving, Chen Qi scanned Viper Father’s ship and found only Viper Father and a third-tier Transcendent onboard.
This strength arrangement was average on the open sea.
Once out at sea, Chen Qi had enough strength to suppress the two.
But still, he had to be cautious... Chen Qi fell into deep thought.
In the end, he had too little information now.
The mission’s target was Deep Blue Fire, and fighting alone was too risky.
Wait... Chen Qi suddenly recalled a squad wearing white hunter uniforms.
The White Tower Hunters’ goals coincided with his almost perfectly.
If he could recruit them, a mere transport ship of Viper Father’s would be an easy catch.
That squad would never let go of such a valuable opportunity.
They were quite good tools... Chen Qi thought quietly, folded the map, and strode out of the captain’s cabin, heading toward a ship flying the white flag of the White Tower.
...
...
White Tower Ship, Library Meeting Room.
For most White Tower Hunters, a ship cabin with a library atmosphere was their favorite rest spot.
At this moment, seven White Tower Hunters were in the library, each busy with their own affairs.
Melanie held a leather whip and wore the White Tower Navy uniform, curiously asking:
“Aelor, do you think my outfit makes me look like one of those Goldenfinch Kingdom people who like whipping others?”
She flicked the whip into the air.
Glasses-wearing hunter Aelor sat on a desk, seriously reading an economics book:
“Captain Melanie, please don’t bother me. After this year’s mission, I have to get a Book Affinity degree from Beiguo Royal University, plus a graduate degree in economics. Please don’t bother me! I want to get ashore!”
“I want to get ashore!”
The glasses hunter emphasized again.
“...”
Melanie frowned, whip in hand, looking troubled:
“I’m only doing this for our team’s future. Believe me, if we can turn that Lamp Keeper boy, with his profession and clean background, we can definitely infiltrate the Sea God Pirates from within!
Then, whether it’s the Flower Witch’s relics or Deep Blue Fire, it’ll all be ours!
Right? My dear mechanic, Mary.”
White Tower female mechanic Mary frowned:
“Yes, if we recruit him, I think our task will become much easier. After all, the Sea God Pirates are very wary of us.
But, Melanie sister, are you really going to use that whip outfit to tempt him?”
Melanie smiled:
“Of course not, I’m not that kind of person. I just want to find someone to experience this feeling with, so we have some common language. Anyone want to be whipped by this sister?”
“...”
You just want to hit us and are looking for an excuse... White Tower female mechanic hurriedly backed into a corner:
“Melanie sister...”
“Hehe! Let sister try, it’s all for the mission...”
Melanie coldly walked forward holding the whip.
“Captain Melanie, if you do this, you’ll only ruin the reputation of White Tower Hunters!”
At this moment, the female mechanic hurriedly covered her buttocks.
“It’s all for the mission, and everyone here is one of us, no outsiders...”
Melanie pressed on step by step, whipping sharply!
Crack!
Bang!
At that moment, with Melanie’s whip crack, a ray of sunlight shone into their library.
The library door was suddenly pushed open.
Who was it? Whip in hand, Melanie turned her head and looked at the ‘stranger’ behind him.
“...”
A whip? Melanie is punishing her subordinate? Huh, White Tower Hunters play this wild too? Chen Qi blinked.
Why did this guy suddenly come! Melanie broke out in cold sweat.
Damn it, my perfect, calm, gentle, and powerful big sister image... Melanie didn’t know what to say for a moment.
“I understand, you have heavy study pressure and mission pressure...”
Chen Qi coughed twice and walked straight to the large conference table in the cabin, pouring himself a cup of tea.
Melanie’s eyes involuntarily followed him.
Why is this person so skilled at pouring tea?
Melanie put away the whip, her face flushed.
This is their home, but why is he so skillful here?
Chen Qi smiled and said:
“Everyone, sorry. Due to the urgency of the matter, I was a bit rash.”
“Urgent matter?”
Melanie looked curious.
Chen Qi took a sip of hot tea:
“It’s like this. I recently met Viper Father and received explosive news—the excavation site of Deep Blue Fire...”
Deep Blue Fire!!
At this moment, the people of the White Tower Federation were all shocked, even the glasses hunter Aelor, who was concentrating on graduate exams, couldn’t help but look up.
This seemingly ordinary hunter took the initiative to talk to the White Tower Hunters about Deep Blue Fire.
In their eyes, Chen Qi was just a somewhat stubborn ordinary hunter.
Chen Qi took a deep breath and got straight to the point:
“So, everyone, are you interested in taking over the excavation site of Deep Blue Fire?”
Excavation site... Everyone was stunned for a moment.
What’s going on? Why does this man seem to know more than us White Tower Hunters?
Why does he know we are very interested in Deep Blue Fire?
Why does it feel like he sees us as mere mercenaries?
Why are we supposed to recruit Chen Qi, but we ended up being recruited?
So many questions left the seven White Tower Hunters putting down their books, looking at Chen Qi in utter confusion.
Bang!
Was my explanation not clear enough? Chen Qi slammed the table:
“In short, everyone, are you interested in doing a big score with me!!”