Chapter 261: Section 49: The Ignorant New Pirate
The sea wind howled, the waves surged.
The Silver Hook led more than a dozen pirate ships, rapidly closing in on the Justice.
Gulp.
Many pirates aboard the Justice were swallowing hard, feeling chills in their hearts.
The approaching fleet was menacing.
Just by looking at the number of ships, one could clearly see the disparity in strength.
The Justice Pirate Group only had three ships, including one ordinary vessel. Silver Hook, however, commanded sixteen pirate ships, with as many as six being of demon energy level. The Silver Hook itself was a Black Iron level demon energy ship, the same as the Justice.
“Silver Hook… what exactly does he want?”
“Could it be a battle?”
“It shouldn’t be. Our ships have shallow drafts, and we’ve just been refurbished, with no signs of battle. That shows we haven’t robbed anything.”
“We’re all pirates, normally, Silver Hook wouldn’t attack us.”
“But why are they charging at us?”
“More than that, I’m worried about our Captain Long Fu. Didn’t he say we treat other pirates as hunting targets?”
The pirates aboard the Justice had low morale and were reluctant to engage in battle.
The Dragon-man youth was also reluctant to fight.
His main concern now was to rescue Big guy.
Time was extremely critical, he had to race against the clock. A delay of just a few minutes might mean watching Big guy die!
“Justice… Pirate Group?” Silver Hook lifted his binoculars, seeing clearly the pirate flag on the Justice, he scoffed coldly, “Ridiculous, since when can pirates claim to be just?”
His first officer, standing by his side, also looked at the Justice Pirate Group, scoffing disdainfully, “Ever since the pirate throne emerged, everywhere novices become pirates. Really, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can pop up!”
“The ship is not bad… go ahead as usual.” Silver Hook took a look and lost interest.
He put away his binoculars and turned to walk back to his captain’s cabin.
The first officer then took his place, bellowing, “Justice Pirate Group, we are the Silver Hook Pirates! We now command you to stop immediately and submit to our inspection. If you comply obediently, perhaps you can keep your lives.”
As the first officer finished speaking, the Silver Hook pirate ships opened their cannon ports, revealing tightly packed cannons.
With over a hundred cannons, many of them Bronze Level alchemy cannons, one could only imagine the fierce firepower once they fired!
“Inspection?” The Dragon-man youth immediately responded, “Anyone can see, we haven’t even started business! Trying to trick us into stopping and surrendering? A great group like Silver Hook, so arrogant? You really think everyone else is a fool?”
The first officer’s expression turned stern, “I’ve given you a chance, believe it or not. Before you, we’ve already inspected five or six groups of ships. This is your last warning, if you don’t stop, we will open fire!”
The Dragon-man youth laughed heartily, “It seems there really are fools who listened to you, so, you’ve added a few ships? The sea is vast, since we’ve encountered each other, let’s battle then!”
With that, the Dragon-man youth immediately ordered, and the three ships of the Justice Pirate Group opened their cannon doors, extending cannons of various sizes.
The first officer was taken aback and then flew into a rage. This tiny pirate group dared to prefer death to submission; he would let them experience the terror of the cannons!
However, the next moment, not just the first officer, but even Silver Hook, who had turned back to the captain’s cabin, was deeply shaken.
Because Zhenjin and others were all invigorating their fighting energy, revealing their true Life Breath.
A Silver Level Dragon-man youth.
A Silver Level Half-Beast Zong Ge.
A Silver Level Rat-man Swordsman dressed in gray.
A Silver Level bard Di Lou.
A mere three ships, and this small Justice Pirate Group actually had four Silver Fighters!
The Silver Hook Pirates also had only four Silver Level Transcendents.
Sensing Life Breath had a certain range.
At this point, the Justice Pirate Group slightly changed their course, veering off at an angle to the front, while the opposing Silver Hook Pirates made every effort to block.
The distance between the two was long, and though closing rapidly, the sensing was not clear.
Now, the Dragon-man youth was the first to invigorate his fighting energy, letting his Life Breath surge, and immediately, the attitude of the people from Silver Hook changed drastically.
“Justice Pirate Group!” Silver Hook returned to his original place and spoke personally, “I acknowledge your strength. Stop your ship! Submit to our inspection, by doing so, you can gain a powerful friend. Otherwise, I, Silver Hook, will annihilate you right now.”
Silver Hook swept away his previously disdainful attitude and became very cautious, yet he still remained tough.
By his side were four Silver Level Transcendents, one of whom was a Mage. Moreover, his pirate ships far outnumbered those of the Justice Pirate Group, clearly giving him the upper hand in strength.
The Dragon-man youth furrowed his brows.
“Lord Long Fu, starting a war with Silver Hook is unwise,” the little bird couldn’t help but advise.
“The enemy is strong, we are weak,” Zong Ge said succinctly.
“Pirates do not rashly engage in battle. Silver Hook also fears us, worried that a war would result in heavy losses for him. Indeed, they are an established pirate group, and bowing down is not a shameful thing,” Di Lou spoke.
Cang Xu whispered to the Dragon-man youth, “Big guy is in a very bad condition; we need to buy some time. Fighting them right now would not be good. If they want to inspect, then let them inspect. Indeed, there isn’t anything valuable on our ship.”
The Dragon-man youth nodded and responded to Silver Hook, “If you don’t trust us, then send someone to inspect the ship!”
Silver Hook’s face darkened, “No! You must stop the ship first.”
The members of the Justice Pirate Group all subtly changed their expressions.
The Dragon-man youth sneered, “I’ve drawn you out; you indeed intended to trick me! Boys, Silver Hook wants to plot against us; his aim from the start was to destroy us. Turn the rudder, sail at full speed. If we can’t shake them off, then it will be a fight to the death!”
“Oh!!” Pirates from all three ships shouted in response to the captain’s command.
“Damn!” Silver Hook clenched his teeth, “Chase them down, don’t let any ship get away.”
The First Officer, however, looked deeply worried, “Sir, if I’m not mistaken, that’s the Rapids. Di Lou has joined the Justice Pirate Group. With our position and speed, even if we catch up to them, we’ll be very close to the Empire’s coastline. Also, catching the Rapids… will be difficult.”
Silver Hook furrowed his brows and shouted angrily at the First Officer, “Then tell me what to do?!”
The First Officer lowered his brow and had no good solution.
Just then, a voice came through, “Let me handle it.”
A look of surprise instantly spread across the First Officer’s face.
Silver Hook was astonished, “Big brother, you should be resting…”
The person who appeared was Golden Hook.
A Golden Level fighter!
“Everyone in the Justice Pirate Group, listen well, I am Golden Hook. We’re all pirates, so if you give up half of your loot, I will let you go,” Golden Hook’s voice was low but clearly enveloped the entire sea.
“Golden Hook?!” The members of the Justice Pirate Group were utterly shocked.
Wasn’t this Golden Level powerhouse always stationed on Jin-Yin Island? How could he be on Silver Hook’s ship?
“This is bad!”
“A Golden Fighter, we’re doomed.”
“There’s no need to offend the prestige of the Gold and Silver brothers; there’s a saying in the Eastern Empire—A true man can bend and stretch!”
The Dragon-man youth’s expression was grave, “Golden Hook! Can’t you see our waterline? We truly have no loot.”
Golden Hook coldly chuckled, “Many times, the value of goods is not reflected in their weight, right? Stop sailing, stop the ship and accept inspection. You have a certain level of power and can loot in these seas. But every time you encounter us, you must surrender half your goods—that’s the rule!”
The Dragon-man youth paused, “Then we welcome you to come on board and inspect.”
“But to ask us to stop the ship?”
“That’s impossible!”
“We have come to this place in rapid sailing because we have more urgent matters to attend to.”
Golden Hook narrowed his eyes, the resolve of the Dragon-man youth stirring a murderous intent within him, “I give you the last few seconds to consider. 3, 2…”
Golden Hook hadn’t reached 1 when he heard the Dragon-man youth sharply command, “Fire the cannons!”
Boom, boom, boom…
White smoke rose from all three ships of the Justice Pirate Group simultaneously.
Then, cannonballs formed a sparse barrage, directly covering the pirate ship of the Gold and Silver brothers.
The pirates let out cries of sudden pain, as the struck ships splintered wood in all directions.
The Gold and Silver brothers both froze for a moment, then were consumed with rage.
This damned new pirate group, daring to attack first!
Utterly reckless!