novelraw Chapter 433: Black Hunter: One-Vote Veto!
Chapter 433: Black Hunter: One-Vote Veto!
Moonstone City, merchant ships from various nations, refugee vessels from the Rift Sea—tens of thousands of ships crowded into the harbor.
The Coastal Apex Predator's head emerged slightly, slowly drifting across the thick water surface—
Chen Qi sat atop the Coastal Apex Predator's head, turning back to gaze toward the deep sea.
A dark mist gently swept across the sea surface, brushing against his face.
"Hey! Hey! Black Hunter, over here!"
A cheerful female voice made Chen Qi look up involuntarily.
Yisha, wrapped entirely in bandages, was waving at Chen Qi.
And the previously somewhat depressed little golden flower fox, upon seeing Chen Qi, couldn't help but wiggle its fluffy large tail.
The little golden flower fox lifted its head:
"Long time no see, human. Don't misunderstand, I absolutely haven't, haven't missed you!"The little golden flower fox snorted and turned its head away.
"You can't be like that. Black Hunter is my friend now. My friend is your friend too..."
The little golden flower fox still hates Black Hunter as always... Yisha crouched down, patted the little fox's head, trying to make it more friendly toward Black Hunter.
This little fox is quite tsundere... Chen Qi rubbed his chin.
If Yisha weren't here, he would definitely capture the little golden flower fox into his flock.
Just then, two male voices called out.
"Long time no see, Qi. You haven't forgotten us, right?"
A handsome white-haired man spun a dice in his hand.
"Big brother! Do you still need people on your ship?"
Beside the Nether Sea Ghost Ship, mechanic Burry also waved at Chen Qi.
"Long time no see, everyone!"
The Ice Demon Pirates have returned too... Chen Qi stood up and waved back at them.
At the bow of the Nether Sea Ghost Ship, the Tentacle Merchant was also securely chained with heavy locks.
Through the Ice Witch's discovery, the Tentacle Merchant possessed considerable strength and endurance, making it perfectly suited for pulling ships and being tied at the bow as a fierce little bodyguard and mascot!
The moment the Tentacle Merchant saw Chen Qi, it swam over fiercely, opening its sharp little mouth, speaking ferociously:
"Qi, give me bait to eat!! I'm hungry!"
Slap!
Food?
Take this big slap!
Chen Qi passed by expressionlessly, slapping the Little Tentacle Merchant across the face!
Wanting food!
Just wait, I'll refine you into the flock too!
Compared to other sea beasts, capturing the Little Tentacle Merchant who possesses the Sea God's mark is far more difficult than other sea beasts—it needs to be done gradually—
"Hunter! I'll kill you!"
"Slaughter you! Wait... your spiritual energy field..."
Ignoring the Little Tentacle Merchant's furious cries, Chen Qi descended from the Coastal Apex Predator's head and boarded the deck.
On the deck, Madame Oli, Blood Lady, Ice Witch, Veteran Gael from the Blood Blade Pirates, and others had already gathered, sitting around a long table.
Water Spirit Number Seven and Water Spirit Number Six, like elegant maids and butlers, poured fresh black tea for the numerous guests.
So lively... Chen Qi couldn't help but sigh.
Blood Lady, upon seeing Chen Qi, immediately lifted the edges of her skirt and said sincerely:
"Thank you immensely for your escort! Hunter sir, from now on, the entire Blood Blade Pirates will follow your commands."
"Blood Lady, this old man also follows your commands!"
Veteran Gael straightened his chest, fiercely pounding his fist against his heart to express his determination.
If not for Chen Qi's timely rescue, he and Blood Lady, along with the massive Blood Blade Pirates, would likely have perished in the distorted rift sea.
Loyalty!
Chen Qi and Gael exchanged a few pleasantries.
Just then, the white-haired Gael asked:
"Black Hunter, by the way, may I ask what we should do about these massive numbers of refugees?"
Gael frowned, looking toward the thousands of dilapidated ships.
On these ships were tens of thousands of cold and hungry civilians.
Including other vessels, the large number of refugees in Moonstone City's evacuation zone reached an astonishing one hundred fifty thousand!
Since the dimensional rift pollution emerged, large areas of farmland have been destroyed. Their daily food often consisted of only half a shriveled bread.
And twenty thousand people hadn't eaten anything for three days.
Clearly, Moonstone City's current food reserves couldn't support such a massive refugee population.
I might need to capture some lambs that can produce food... Chen Qi thought for a moment and said:
"Don't worry, this isn't a problem. We'll find a solution as quickly as possible."
Black Hunter is too merciful... Veteran Gael pounded his chest again:
"Thank you immensely! This old man will follow you forever! I wonder if you'd be interested in becoming our Blood Blade Pirates' leader..."
Just then, the Ice Witch took a sip of black tea and interrupted:
"Alright, Qi, stop chatting! Next, Moonstone City will convene a council meeting to discuss the shelter construction plan. I might... need your help..."
"Help?"
Chen Qi asked curiously:
"What kind of help?"
The Ice Witch said calmly:
"Nothing much, just stand behind me."
Stand behind you... Chen Qi nodded, understanding the Ice Witch's meaning.
If they wanted to build shelters, dimensional rift workshops, and deal with the great disaster, the Ice Witch needed a voice!
But all authority comes from power.
With the Ice Witch's current spiritual energy field, she needed Chen Qi to support her presence!
I hope we can secure some support... the Ice Witch thought to herself.
Madame Oli looked at Black Hunter with a cautious expression and said:
"Black Hunter, please restrain your spiritual energy during the council meeting. Thank you very much..."
"..."
Chen Qi looked at Madame Oli and smiled slightly.
...
Moonstone City, council hall.
Today was the day Moonstone City's council prepared to deliver a mobilization speech to all sea residents.
Before the speech, all of Moonstone City's high-ranking officials, nobles, and powerful individuals would hold a discussion to decide on division of labor.
The council chamber was packed with people.
Besides Madame Oli, there were the Navy Marshal, the chairman of Bonfire Energy Company, Soul Merchant Hayer, the second head of Magic Bullet Company, the representative of Steam Hand Workshop...
Additionally, they had invited Veteran Gael and Blood Lady.
However, as refugees, they could only stand at the outermost area of the council hall.
Madame Oli, Hayer, and the Navy Marshal sat at the center of the round table—they were the key figures of this council meeting!
Hayer represented the Imperial Capital, Madame Oli represented the established noble faction, and the Navy Marshal represented the naval military.
Outside, tens of thousands of Moonstone City residents anxiously awaited the meeting's outcome.
The result of this meeting directly affected their future destiny!
After Madame Oli finished detailing Moonstone City's disaster resistance plan, she asked:
"Everyone, if there are no objections, we can begin mobilization now.
The Marshal and Hayer will command Noah's Wall and advance..."
The Navy Marshal looked up, stroked his beard, and said in a powerful voice:
"Everyone, if there are no objections! This Marshal will take responsibility for shelter construction!"
Everyone looked at each other, then began raising hands in agreement.
The Ice Witch nodded. She had also obtained one vote in the council.
Although she wasn't officially mentioned in the council.
Relying on the military strength of the Blood Blade Pirates and Sea God Pirates, she could still privately execute the dimensional rift workshop and shelter construction plans.
Except for Hayer, everyone raised their hands unanimously.
"Objection."
Chen Qi said softly.
Objection!
This not particularly loud voice echoed like a bell, instantly making all the high-ranking officials and nobles widen their eyes and focus their gaze on him.
Black Hunter has spoken!
Regarding this pirate long-famous across the seas, nobles and high-ranking officials always felt a sense of fear.
"???"
The Ice Witch was stunned.
Among them, the Navy Marshal especially frowned and gripped his sword hilt tightly.
Chen Qi looked at the Navy Marshal.
The Navy Marshal, as the current leader of the navy, while possessing strength and appearing tough, was actually a complete capitulationist!
The source of the navy's corruption was also due to this negligent Navy Marshal.
Precisely because of his negligence, his battle achievements at sea were even worse than Tiger Shark General's.
This was someone with no concept of homeland.
If he were put in charge of the shelter plan, countless resources would flow to the Goldenfinch Kingdom and White Tower Federation!
Of course, there was another key reason why Chen Qi raised an objection.
Noah's Wall wasn't reliable—it fundamentally couldn't withstand the great disaster's assault.
Ultimately, they still needed to rely on the Ice Witch's shelters.
If they wanted the most efficient, secure construction plan.
Then the Ice Witch needed to surpass Hayer, the Navy Marshal, Madame Oli—everyone—to command this Moonstone City!
In Chen Qi's mind, there was only one person qualified to be the overall disaster commander—Big White Hair!
I only trust Big White Hair!
Loyalty!
At this moment, the Ice Witch sitting at the round table was panicking.
What's happening?
Did she instruct Chen Qi to do this?
Why did Chen Qi move before she even gave the signal?
Don't move first, at least wait until I'm prepared... The Ice Witch couldn't help feeling flustered inside. She never expected Chen Qi would actively raise an objection in front of so many nobles and high-ranking officials!
Chen Qi stood behind the Ice Witch, gently massaging her shoulders, leaning close to her ear and saying:
"Don't panic, Big White Hair..."
"..."
You! The Ice Witch was about to retort, but quickly returned to calmness.
Actually, she shared the same idea as Chen Qi.
The scale of this disaster far exceeded past ones.
And the Navy Marshal and Madame Oli weren't qualified to lead!
However, she herself was just an outsider, and it was difficult to oppose the massive noble and merchant groups.
Chen Qi looked up and said loudly:
"Everyone, I propose that the Ice Witch serve as the overall commander of this construction plan!
After all, her experience far surpasses all of yours."
In the original storyline, it was precisely because of internal chaos that Moonstone City ultimately suffered the Black Whale's massacre.
However, back then during the council, the Ice Witch and Fen couldn't accomplish much.
But now, it was different.
Present at this council were no longer just one weakened Saint and her fourth-tier witch student!
But two saint-level powerers, two pirate fleets' military strength!
Not to mention that Invisible Hand Hayer was inherently a neutral party who disliked taking initiative.
This bastard! I should have offered higher bounties to arrest him and the witch back then... The Navy Marshal instantly became furious.
The Navy Marshal was the mastermind behind arresting Black Hunter and the witch.
He just never succeeded.
However, right now the Navy Marshal completely didn't want to deal with these past grievances.
If the Noah's Wall construction plan were handed to the Ice Witch, how would he strengthen his own family!
He had just sent his children to the White Tower Federation—exactly when he needed resources!
He himself had also reached the peak of the fourth tier, urgently needing resources to advance to the fifth tier.
He must stop this madman!
The Navy Marshal looked at the numerous council members raising their hands:
"Black Hunter, watch your words. This is a sacred council!
In the council, fairness and truth reign supreme!"
He looked at Hayer at the very center of the council:
"Mr. Hayer, according to council regulations, anyone hindering truth and fairness must be punished."
After speaking, the Navy Marshal glared viciously at the Ice Witch and Chen Qi.
This emerging force had severely impacted his rule over Moonstone City.
Hayer rested his chin on his hands:
"Yes, according to regulations, in the council, unrelated to martial power, unrelated to honor, only fairness matters.
Ice Witch, you indeed hold extremely high prestige among commoners.
However, in the council, we must follow the majority vote opinion.
This is the rule!"
Hayer said neutrally.
The council's voting system was a rule even he couldn't violate.
The Navy Marshal slammed the table fiercely, roaring:
"Those who agree with me and Lord Hayer serving as overall commanders, raise your hands! Those who agree with the Ice Witch and Hayer serving, don't raise your hands!"
Everyone looked at each other.
Soon, one noble raised his hand:
"The Ice Witch has saved the seas many times in ancient legends, but don't forget, with her power, she could completely fabricate rumors..."
"Everyone, don't forget, it was the Marshal's navy that protected our prosperity!"
"The Marshal drove out the pirates! At this time, we shouldn't trust outsiders!"
Numerous nobles raised their precious hands.
Although the Ice Witch had prestige, it was only among commoners.
Ultimately, the Ice Witch didn't align with their interests.
And the gifts the Navy Marshal gave them every year were of immeasurable value.
They were deeply interconnected, already forming a massive alliance.
Blood Lady stood in the corner, watching this scene, and sighed helplessly.
They and the navy were sworn enemies. Back then, it was this Navy Marshal who killed her father.
However, in the current situation, their Blood Blade Pirates long ago lost the power for revenge.
Ultimately, except for Madame Oli and three people from the Magic Bullet Family, the chairman of Bonfire Energy Company, and a few others, the majority raised their hands high.
Chen Qi calmly watched the numerous arms raised high before him.
One hundred forty votes versus twenty votes!
Absolute domination!
"Hahahaha!"
The Navy Marshal laughed heartily:
"Black Hunter, you pirate, understand now? I'm the one qualified to be overall commander. I now announce the vote count..."
The Navy Marshal raised his hand high, casting his vote, preparing to mock.
However, before he could speak—
Suddenly, a slicing sound!
Slice!
A flash of blade light!
Scalding blood droplets splattered into everyone's eyes.
The Navy Marshal's pupils contracted, blood droplets sliding down his glasses.
A horrifying scene occurred.
All the nobles and corporate executive council members' raised right hands almost simultaneously showed sharp wounds—
Thump!
Everyone's eyes widened.
Swoosh!
Scalding blood sprayed across the entire council hall!
All raised arms were severed in the span of a single breath, thumping to the ground!
They didn't even see Black Hunter's drawing motion.
Mad, mad! This guy is challenging the entire navy! Challenging us nobles! Challenging this Marshal! The Navy Marshal looked at his severed arm.
Even he, at the peak of the fourth tier, couldn't clearly see this blade technique.
Chen Qi looked at the scene before him, massaging the Ice Witch's shoulders:
"One hundred forty votes versus zero votes. The Ice Witch and Hayer serve as overall commanders. Does anyone have objections?"
What kind of joke is this... The Navy Marshal instantly became enraged, wanting to slam the table.
However, his severed right arm couldn't slam anything at all!
Damn it!
He could only shout loudly:
"Hayer! Lord Hayer, this madman is desecrating the council's sanctity!"
Hayer was the Imperial Capital's Invisible Hand, a powerful existence that even Black Hunter must respect.
Hayer slightly lifted his chin, observing the Ice Witch and Black Hunter.
Indeed a fifth-tier spiritual energy field...
So this is the Ice Witch's first male student.
Hayer looked at the blood in the council hall, thought for a long time, then said with a smile:
"I have no objections."