Chapter 1138: Chapter 1136: Investigation Results
Fu Qian’s attitude was so excessively fitting that it starkly contrasted with the content of his message.
Mr. Fang clearly had not anticipated such a positive response and was momentarily baffled, frantically pondering what "I hope so" actually meant.
The sudden turn of events should have made it clear to him that Fu Qian and his party were on high alert; joking around was highly unlikely.
But if it really was him, why not just simply say "Yes"? What was the purpose of adding "I hope so"—to soften his tone?
Such politeness seemed more like provocation than a straightforward admission.
Amidst these rapidly spinning thoughts, it was the howling of the wind nearby that snapped him back to reality.
It was clear that unlike Lann’s excessively meticulous considerations, the summoned Thugs hadn’t thought so much. By now, more than one was bristling with anger, ready to unleash the fury accumulated along the way at a moment’s notice.
"What shall I call you?"
Signaling his team members to stay calm with a look, Lann asked Fu Qian coldly.
It wasn’t that he was particularly merciful, but the current situation, although unfamiliar, intuitively felt ominous.
The emergence of an unexpected character at this time, who seemed to have some understanding of the developments, it would be an absolute waste of actionable intelligence to vent instead of making use of it.
"Fang."
Following the principle that the shorter the name, the higher the intimidation, Fu Qian kept his self-introduction even briefer this time.
Simultaneously, he was also sizing up the source of the wind noise.
It was a strangely shaped weapon, twisted yet adorned with water-like patterns, and its trident-shaped tip was especially exquisite, more like a ceremonial object than a practical one.
The wind was coming from between the long halberd’s spikes, as if a miniature storm was whirling through them.
It seemed like another piece of equipment suitable for traversing the Sea of Ashes—professional, indeed.
Unfortunately, the owner of this equipment did not seem to appreciate Fu Qian’s admiration.
This brawny man of stocky build, while refraining from acting out under Lann’s stern gaze, still sinisterly licked the tip of his halberd with a sneer.
So dishonorable, even enchanted.
Fu Qian frowned at the sight, his fleeting interest in the long-handled weapon instantly dissipated.
"So, Mr. Fang, what exactly did you mean by your earlier words? And what brings you here to find us?"
Fu Qian’s self-declared name was clearly unfamiliar, but Lann didn’t care, instead focusing directly on the core issues.
With Lady Ran Hui involved, he was utterly unconvinced that the other party had stumbled upon them by accident.
Indeed, the team member who claimed to have gone out to scout, he had never expected to return.
"Straightforward. Lady Ran Hui encountered some trouble during her reconnaissance."
Fu Qian simply gestured to the side.
"Fortunately, she came across me. After seeking help, I gladly agreed to assist her in completing her reconnaissance task."
This was getting increasingly preposterous!
For a moment, Lann’s eyes twitched involuntarily.
Although Lady Ran Hui had indeed said so when she left, in his view, both her professionalism and Mr. Fang’s willingness to help were utter nonsense.
"Well then, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Fang. So, did you find anything?"
Still, as the captain of the ship, he patiently asked one more question.
"You can’t get out."
Unexpectedly, the other side’s answer, albeit brief, was very informative.
"It’s a Miracle."
And without waiting for Lann to ask further, Fu Qian pointed upwards and continued to speak freely.
"Do you see that? Some higher power has twisted separate regions of the Sea of Ashes together, and we are currently in one of those fragments."
"And the path you came from has also disappeared under such distortion, leaving you no option but to wander around these fragments."
...
Fu Qian’s improvised knowledge clearly caused a considerable psychological impact.
One very important reason is that including Lann, this team of experienced members had already made some educated guesses about their potential predicament, and they weren’t optimistic at all.
All Fu Qian did was confirm their suspicions and deepen their pessimism.
"Indeed, this is shocking news. No wonder Mr. Fang made the trip himself."
Amid the restless spirits of the crew, Lann took a deep breath to calm his emotions.
"But although this scene is miraculous, I have never heard of such a miracle during my many years at sea. Mr. Fang looks so young; I wonder where you got this information?"
As expected, he expressed his doubts clearly, even subtly questioning the other’s credentials, straining to elicit more information.
"You really know how to read people. Indeed, I seldom spend time at sea."
However, Fu Qian surprisingly showed considerable amenity, even going so far as to compliment Lann on his insight.
"My main business is running a bookshop. Because it’s part of the cultural industry, I tend to be well-read and have a good memory. It’s simply a matter of specializing in one’s craft; please, don’t mind it."
Nonsense, which bookshop would have information about the miracles of the Sea of Ashes?
And what do you mean by ’don’t mind’? Are we uneducated and shouldn’t feel inferior?
This guy is out of his mind!
Starting from the word ’main business,’ Lann’s features twisted in anger, and the subsequent nonsense successfully ignited the rage he had been suppressing.
"You’re asking for it!"
And indeed, it turns out some people have an even fiercer rage.
Before Lann could say anything more, a furious shout erupted beside him.
It was the fellow with the trident who, without consulting Lann, directly went on the offensive.
As the long halberd thrust forward, a sharper whistle of the wind, even more piercing than before, burst through the air, converging into an invisible spike aiming straight for Fu Qian.
The situation suddenly escalated. Lann, whose authority had been offended, hesitated for a moment but ultimately did not intervene.
Testing the waters wouldn’t hurt; if it really was a bluff, they’d just have to change their approach later.
"That’s incredibly impolite!"
However, facing the sudden and fierce attack, Mr. Fang, the person involved, showed no sign of fear.
Instead, what followed was a scene that horrified Lann and his crew.
The blow, carrying the momentum of thunder and wind, was casually pinched between two fingers by Mr. Fang; the invisible impact avoided with a perfectly timed turn.
"Attacking without warning, especially after having just shared information."
Facing the attacker, whose residual anger still stiffened his face, Fu Qian shook his head the next moment, lamenting the decline of sincerity, while his other hand reached out.
"Lack of culture can be terrifying!"
Not good!
A strong sense of danger tore through his mind, and the Long Halberd finally realized the threat and loosened his grip on the weapon, retreating.
However, he only managed to complete the first step of this action when his head felt as if it had been clamped by a vise.
Crack!
With a crisp sound, the other’s final remark reached him.
"You said you don’t specialize in culture either, apparently."