Chapter 39: Blackmailed?
Thunder rumbled like muffled explosions, oppressive dark clouds seemed ready to press down, the wind howled fiercely, and torrential rain fell diagonally, nearly merging the sea and sky into one.
Coiled ropes and four-pronged hooks lay on the deck; the rain was too heavy to fish for sea beasts at this time.
Crash!
A large wave surged onto the deck of the Doom Number, washing away the lingering stench of octopus blood. Under such massive waves, if the Doom Number weren't a living ship, it would have capsized and sunk into the sea.
The mainsail bulged from the howling wind, lightning flashed, and the Doom Number cut through the waves. The storm couldn't stop its voyage at all.
Raindrops the size of beans fell on the deck, covering the entire ship in a layer of water. The downpour was so heavy it was impossible to see two meters ahead, nearly blinding anyone. Compared to the damp, cold deck, the captain's cabin was warm and quiet, with only the faint sound of raindrops hitting the wooden planks.
Inside the captain's cabin, Su Xiao sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, while Beini curled up, sleeping soundly on his lap.
Ending his meditation, Su Xiao opened his eyes and checked the Doom Number's information.
[Doom Number]
Owner: Su Xiao
Specifications: Three-masted sailing ship
Activation Level: 31.2%.
Ability 1: Plunder Ship (Passive)…
Ability 2: Annihilation Heavy Cannon (Active), after successfully devouring a supernatural marine creature, the Doom Number will store energy. The main cannon can bombard any target within a 75° forward arc, dealing 6000 base damage + 2700 dark attribute damage (if the target is a ship, damage is increased by 4.7 to 6.5 times).
Note: Annihilation Heavy Cannon (Active) requires special shells, 23 shells remaining.
Note: These shells are crafted using unique Demon Sea techniques and cannot be replenished in this world.
Current Stored Energy: 230% (can fire two Annihilation Heavy Cannon shots).
Ability 3: Underwater Navigation (Active), this ability is sealed.
Ability 4: Awakening (Active/Passive), this ability is sealed.
…
From the Doom Number's information, it wasn't too difficult for it to grow into a four-masted ship. Or rather, the Doom Number wasn't growing; it was gradually recovering.
Back when it grew from a two-masted to a five-masted ship, the Doom Number devoured tens of thousands of marine creatures. That process was true growth, consuming massive amounts of biological energy. Afterward, the Doom Number was sealed but its core wasn't damaged. Now, it was recovering by devouring supernatural marine creatures, which was why the information showed 'Activation Level' instead of 'Growth Level.'
Even so, getting the Doom Number back to a five-masted ship was difficult. There were fewer sea beasts in the Viking Sea than expected, and far too many pirates.
After two days of sailing, Su Xiao encountered 16 pirate groups. However, given the Doom Number's appearance, most pirates chose to keep their distance. Few were as stubborn as a ghost ship.
Su Xiao's current voyage destination was the 'Fuyinding Kingdom.' His plan was: if the Ancient God was there, he would pay a 'visit'; if not, then forget it.
Advancing to the fourth round of the Strongest Contender Battle was more important than finding the Ancient God. The chance to awaken the Azure Shadow King only came once, while Ancient Gods could still be encountered in the future.
Based on the distance on the sea chart and the Doom Number's extremely fast sailing speed, a voyage that would normally take 5 to 6 days could be completed in about a day. At the latest, by 7 a.m. tomorrow, Su Xiao would arrive at the continent where the Fuyinding Kingdom was located.
Su Xiao picked up Beini from his lap, placed her on the headboard as a pillow, and went to sleep. Beini, still half-asleep, felt the pressure.
The next morning, Su Xiao was awakened by the cries of seagulls. He sat up groggily, noticing the captain's cabin door was open.
Rubbing his forehead, Su Xiao, still dazed after waking, walked out of the cabin. The sound of bustling voices reached his ears.
Looking around, a lively dock scene came into view: laborers sweating profusely, carrying wooden crates; pirates with arrogant expressions sitting on wooden stumps by the dock; and merchants loudly shouting to handle goods with care.
A cool morning sea breeze blew past, and Su Xiao's eyes regained their focus. The port of the 'Fuyinding Kingdom' had arrived—this was the dock of Sea Demon Port.
As usual, Su Xiao brought Bubu Wang and Baha, leaving Amu and Beini to watch the ship.
Jumping onto the dock, Su Xiao hadn't taken a few steps before a dock official holding a thick maritime code blocked his way.
"Sir, you need to present a port docking permit issued by the 'Fuyinding Kingdom.' According to kingdom law, if pirates are found..."
Before the dock official could finish, Su Xiao flicked his thumb, sending a gold coin flying precisely into the official's pocket. The pocket was unusually large, its purpose obvious—to facilitate bribes from pirates.
With a slap, the official closed the maritime code in his hand. The added weight in his pocket brought a smile to his face.
"Sir, I recommend dining at Old White's restaurant at the port. The afternoon tea on the back street is also good. Have a pleasant day."
The official raised his head slightly. Even after accepting the bribe, he tried to maintain the dignity and pride of a kingdom official.
Walking along the wooden dock, Su Xiao soon spotted a one-armed pirate. Few pirate crews would accept such a pirate, so most of them made a living selling information or contraband. These pirates usually had local connections.
"What's the price?"
Su Xiao's words made the one-armed pirate look up. He was not only missing an arm but also had one eye.
"I'm so old, it's rare for someone to take an interest."
The one-armed pirate grinned, revealing a mouthful of gold teeth. Gold coins might be lost, but the gold teeth embedded in his mouth wouldn't be lost until death—though spending them hurt a bit.
"..."
Su Xiao narrowed his eyes.
"Just kidding. If you need 'little things,' go find Old White at the port. If you need information, the price depends on the situation."
The one-armed pirate was an information broker. Interestingly, Su Xiao had already heard the name 'Old White' twice. The dock official and the contraband merchant Old White were in cahoots—it was clear how chaotic the Fuyinding Kingdom was.
"Information on the Twilight God."
"Not for sale."
The one-armed pirate's attitude was firm, and he memorized Su Xiao's face.
"Are you sure?"
"I was sure just now... now, not so much."
The one-armed pirate lowered his head, using his thumbnail to scrape the calluses on his foot.
"The Twilight God, the source of despair..."
As an information broker, the one-armed pirate rambled on but never touched on the Ancient God's followers.
"That's all. 2 gold coins."
"This information isn't worth 2 gold coins."
"Heh, you think this is buying vegetables? 2 gold coins, no bargaining."
The one-armed pirate's expression turned cold, and dozens of gazes immediately focused on Su Xiao.
Frowning, Su Xiao released his grip. Two gold coins fell onto the wooden planks of the dock. He turned and walked toward the inner dock, soon stepping onto land and disappearing into the crowd.
Among the crowd, a smile appeared on Su Xiao's face. One-tenth of the plan had succeeded. He had never expected to learn the Ancient God's location or information from an information broker—that would have been wishful thinking.
Waves gently lapped against the dock. The one-armed pirate watched Su Xiao disappear into the crowd, then looked at the two gold coins in his hand.
"Looking for death, messing with those people."
The one-armed pirate snorted coldly. After waiting about half an hour, he crooked his finger, and a dirty-faced child quickly ran over, whispering something to him.
The one-armed pirate nodded thoughtfully, stood up from the wooden railing at the dock's edge, and headed toward Sea Demon Port.
Sea Demon Port was prosperous, home to over a hundred thousand people. Transportation had always been a highly profitable business, with the lion's share controlled by the 'Fuyinding Kingdom.'
The streets were somewhat muddy. The one-armed pirate walked through the crowd, flanked by buildings of varying heights. Some three-story houses were exceptionally ornate, while others were simple wooden shacks.
After weaving through Sea Demon Port for over a dozen rounds, the one-armed pirate entered an alley reeking of fish, stopping in front of a back door.
Knock... knock knock, knock~, knock knock knock...
After a rhythmic knock, the heavy iron door was pushed open from inside, revealing pitch darkness in the gap.
"Speak."
A voice devoid of emotion came from the darkness. Hearing it, the one-armed pirate grew nervous. He cleared his throat and said:
"Someone's looking for you. Gave 2 gold coins. This has nothing to do with me. The gold is yours. He should still be at the dock..."
Clang!
A blade rang out sharply. The one-armed pirate's head flew off. His headless body fell with a thud, blood splattering the iron door in front.
The iron door immediately tried to close, but a hand grabbed it. Su Xiao stood before the iron door, blood dripping from the tip of Dragon-Slaying Flash.
The plan had succeeded. Two-tenths.