Chapter 243: Section 31: The New Captain Zong Ge of the Little Bird
The deck of the Little Bird was crowded with sailors.
“Excuse me, could you please make way?” Bai Ya cleared a path ahead for Xu Ma behind her.
There were many people, and it was a struggle for Bai Ya to clear the way.
Occasionally, someone would turn back to glare at Bai Ya or even swear at her, but upon seeing the Bronze Level Xu Ma, the ordinary pirates would quiet down and actively make way for a small path.
Thus, Bai Ya and Xu Ma were able to slowly make their way through the crowd.
Just as Bai Ya was about to squeeze through to the very front, Xu Ma grabbed onto her clothes.
Xu Ma said, “Don’t stand out so much, right here is good enough. We can see clearly without standing in the first row.”
Zong Ge took confident, robust strides and, after a dozen steps, stood on the slanted mast at the bow of the Little Bird.
“I am Lion Flag.”
“I was once the First Officer on the Justice, and now I am the Captain of the Little Bird.”
“I don’t care who you are or where you come from, now that you are on my ship, you will follow my orders!”
Zong Ge pointed at Sanda, “He’s our First Officer.”
Hearing this appointment, Bai Ya was not surprised. But for many outsiders, it was quite unexpected.
Although Sanda was of Black Iron Cultivation, he was, after all, a goblin.
Usually, on a ship dominated by the Human Race, a Black Iron goblin like Sanda would be considered equal in status to a Bronze Human.
People’s views of the goblin race were very negative.
The sailors, thinking about having to follow a goblin’s commands in the future, couldn’t help but feel a slight stir of unrest.
Xu Ma was surprised as well, but more than an ordinary person, he was excited.
Standing behind Bai Ya, he chuckled, “You should thank me. I brought you to a good place.”
“What do you mean, senior?” Bai Ya turned her head to ask.
Xu Ma showed a meaningful smile and did not answer. He didn’t want to tell Bai Ya the secret of him bribing Sanda. Keeping a sense of mystery about himself was helpful in maintaining his authority over his junior.
Then the next moment, Zong Ge began his inaugural speech.
“You don’t know me.”
“Me, I love war!”
Xu Ma: ???
Zong Ge continued, “I love annihilative battles, I love to see the enemy completely exterminated before my army.”
“I love cavalry combat, I revel in the clash of two cavalry forces, blade meeting flesh, men and horses overturned, where the victor is king.”
“I love ambushes. When I see the enemy walk into an ambush I carefully set up without any clue and we launch the attack, their panicking faces bring me endless joy.”
Xu Ma: …
The Bronze Thief subconsciously clutched his chest, what was this ominous feeling?
Zong Ge’s voice grew higher, “Now, I’ve started to like cannon battles. I’ve fallen in love with the roaring blasts of cannons; I enjoy the wonderful smell of gunpowder, even more delicious than cigars. I look forward to cannonballs striking enemy ships, watching their decks and gunwales shattered by bombs, their masts swiftly collapsing, seeing their sailors blown to pieces—I feel my blood boiling with excitement.”
“And my favorite is boarding combat. When I wield my sword and board the enemy ship, when I cut down one enemy after the other blocking my way, my blade slicing through their throats, piercing their hearts, watching their hot blood splatter everywhere, hearing their enraged roars or screams as they die. Ah! What splendid sounds!”
Xu Ma: !!!
He looked at Zong Ge showing an expression of enjoyment and couldn’t help but turn pale, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
“He’s even more violent than Captain Long Fu!”
“He’s a war maniac.”
Xu Ma finally realized that the decision he had made was far from as correct as he had previously imagined.
Zong Ge’s expression changed, “And what I hate the most is weakness. Weakness that lets enemies cut you down and trample you, trembling with fear while holding swords—I don’t allow such weakness! Anyone who thinks of fleeing or slacking off will find a fair end by my blade entering white and exiting red!”
Xu Ma’s mouth hung open, and he was left speechless.
“Follow me!” Zong Ge raised his arm.
“I will lead at the front, guiding you all to slaughter every enemy, to capture every sea vessel!”
“Let’s build monumental deeds upon the seas!!”
Hurrah!
Inspired by the passionate speech, the sailors raised their arms and cheered loudly.
Xu Ma raised his arm too, his shout weak and lacking energy.
On the Justice, the knight youth was in the captain’s cabin, gazing through the open window into the distance.
Many sailors also gathered on the first deck, watching the commotion on the Little Bird.
A knock accompanied by Cang Xu’s voice sounded, “Lord Long Fu, do you have a moment? Old Zhong requests to see you.”
With the youth’s permission, Cang Xu pushed the door open and then turned to gently close it again.
The knight youth had already activated the alchemy tool, the sound collection box, ensuring that the conversation that followed was confined to this room.
“Lord, I have found a method for absorbing Soul Crystals,” Cang Xu brought good news.
Direct absorption of Soul Crystals was highly inefficient and a tremendous waste of resources. Moreover, not everyone possessed the ability to absorb Soul Crystals.
Hence, since obtaining a massive amount of Soul Crystals, Cang Xu, carrying the hopes of everyone, began researching how to absorb them more efficiently.
After many days, Cang Xu finally achieved gratifying results.
“This is an Alchemy Array for Soul Crystal absorption,” Cang Xu handed a scroll to the youth.
The scroll depicted a rather complex Array Map; its lines intertwining and weaving, causing the youth to feel dizzy looking at it.
“I’ve studied the books obtained from the underwater chamber, combining them with the works of an Alchemist from Mysterious Monster Island. After a few failures, this Array can now benefit even ordinary people.”
“I’ve personally tried it, and the enhancement to the Spirit was significant.”
The knight youth nodded, not sparing praise, “Very good, Old Scholar, you’ve never disappointed. Tonight, we will be docking on the island to rest. Gather everyone; let us all taste the Soul Crystals.”
Cang Xu hesitated for a moment before responding, “Lord, are you really planning to let everyone consume the Soul Crystals?”
The knight youth nodded, “Of course, we are all part of the same crew, having escaped together from Mysterious Monster Island, we share a common secret. These Soul Crystals were obtained at the cost of using Unsealing Scrolls. And those scrolls were exchanged for our communal property. Soul Crystals… such good things should be shared by everyone.”
“Lord, I admire your fairness and generosity. However… Please forgive my impudence,” Cang Xu bowed slightly.
“Speak. There’s no need for reservations.”
“Firstly, many among us are ordinary people. Investing such precious resources as Soul Crystals into them would be a tremendous waste. Their Bloodlines limit their future achievements, no matter how many they use, they will remain nothing more than spirited ordinary people.”
“Secondly, we could let them choose for themselves. We could promote trading, allowing ordinary people to sell their share of the Soul Crystals to the Transcendents. That way, ordinary people could obtain money they can use, while the Transcendents would advance further. The strength of the entire team would improve significantly. We’d be more assured in battle and gain more spoils, creating a more beneficial positive cycle.”
“Finally…”
“Lord,” Cang Xu stepped forward, approaching the desk, turning slightly to indicate the Little Bird outside the window with his gaze.
Although the noise from the Little Bird had diminished quite a bit, it continued to reach them.
With gravity etched on his face, Cang Xu said, “I have always believed it most prudent for the strongest member in our team to be you, Lord. Zong Ge… his strength is somewhat formidable.”
The youth raised an eyebrow, “You suspect him?”
Cang Xu shook his head slightly, “It’s less suspicion than it is apprehension.”
“He is a fighter at the peak of Silver, after all.”
“If he were to suddenly turn hostile at close range, I wouldn’t even be able to cast a single magic spell before he swiftly cuts me down.”
“His Fighting energy cultivation is already the strongest, and now he has the Little Bird…”
“Lord, don’t forget, he has always wanted to seize leadership on Mysterious Monster Island. Only the prohibition of magic and Fighting energy on the island severely limited his strength. But now, here in the vast ocean, he can freely exercise his Cultivation.”
The knight youth’s gaze drifted momentarily.
After the Little Bird was seized, right where Cang Xu stood now, Zong Ge presented the youth with a summary of his analysis of the naval battle.
Zong Ge believed that their side needed better equipment and, most importantly, a significant amount of rigorous training.
The battle of the Little Bird clearly showed that many sailors aboard the Justice lacked sufficient skills in sail handling and cannon firing.
Zong Ge found this intolerable.
Zong Ge also believed that the higher-ups lacked the ability to command naval battles – an issue not evident with the current small number of ships, but it would become glaring once the fleet expanded.
That included himself.
What Zong Ge said was true and insightful; the youth fully acknowledged it. In fact, the two shared a hero’s understanding.
Thus, the youth entrusted the Little Bird to Zong Ge, hoping he would be able to make the most of it.
While the youth remained the Commander of the Justice.
Both had ample space to fully exercise their abilities and learn from each other’s strengths.
This was precisely why the youth had initially designated Zong Ge.
But today, after Cang Xu’s words, the youth suddenly realized something – there was a growing rift among the companions.
Cang Xu was wary of Zong Ge, and Zong Ge was on guard against Cang Xu. Just days prior, Zong Ge had also warned the youth to be cautious of Cang Xu.
Each had their own reasons, which were quite sufficient.
“As a leader, what should I do?” the youth furrowed his brows in thought.
However, even after Cang Xu had taken his leave, he still hadn’t found an answer.
The troubled knight youth pulled open a drawer in the desk, inside were a bunch of scrolls.
These were all secrecy scrolls.
Although he had exchanged for these scrolls before, the youth had been hesitant about whether to use them.
Cang Xu’s visit today made up the youth’s mind.
The secrecy scrolls must be used!
Never underestimate or overestimate people.
For the sake of the whole team, he had to increase the difficulty and cost of betrayal among the members.