Chapter 311: Section 99: I was too emotionally invested at the time!
On the sea surface, the Justice Pirate Group’s ten warships and one supply ship were in a distant standoff with a small troop of Sea Giants.
The youth climbed onto the ship’s rail to look into the distance and immediately frowned.
Sea Giants were massive and physically superior to the Human Race, often a Bronze Level Sea Giant alone could easily capsize a sea fan sailing ship.
The Justice Pirate Group had also eradicated Sea Giants before.
The previous Sea Giant threat comprised only one individual, and it already posed a considerable challenge for the entire Justice Pirate Group. Now, there were not only a total of seven Sea Giants, but also their strength was formidable, six of Silver Level and one of Golden Level!
If a fight really broke out, the Justice Pirate Group’s warships could only engage from a distance; once a Sea Giant got close, the ships would be easily torn apart. Only a few ships like the “Justice” with a metal coating could withstand an attack for a short while.
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What also put pressure on the youth was the clearly superior equipment of these Sea Giants.
The Sea Giant he had previously slain was nearly naked, draped in a fishing net on its upper body with shells tied to it, serving as rudimentary armor. He wore a yellowed sailcloth around his waist. Even his weapon was just a picked-up ship anchor.
But this group of Sea Giants was evidently different; first of all, they were draped in huge Frozen Land Whale skins, which were top-notch armor materials by themselves. The whale skins they wore had obviously been treated magically, not only fitted over their heads but also draped over their shoulders and covering the upper part of their backs.
The leading Golden Level Sea Giant was wearing a pair of huge metal gauntlets, and the female Sea Giant at the Silver Level, likely a Vice Leader lying on a huge chest, held a star-shaped pendant as big as a ship’s helm.
That was a Magic Pendant, exuding an aura of Silver Level. It was clearly a spellcasting tool.
The other Silver Level Sea Giants were also armed with weapons, some with knives, some with harpoons, and even those with ship anchors were of Black Iron grade weapons.
“Who are they? Where do they come from?” the Dragon-man youth asked.
Lan Zao’s expression was grave, “They claim to be from the Flowing Food tribe. The one leading them is named Fist Ba, and his sister, standing to his right, is named Xiong Xing. These people are primarily here to cause trouble for Master Feng Yao.”
The Dragon-man youth lightly raised an eyebrow, using his gaze to ask Feng Yao beside him.
Feng Yao sighed, “I once pursued Xiong Xing.”
Everyone stared wide-eyed, once again critically examining the female Sea Giant standing tall and erect, her body green, with large nostrils and a chest like a hillock.
“A curse from the Love God?” the Dragon-man youth questioned.
Feng Yao, too, widened his eyes, “What else?”
Cang Xu frowned, “Even if you pursued her, why does it seem like there’s such deep hatred?”
Feng Yao sighed again and explained, “As a suitor, I approached Xiong Xing. At that time, I was of Holy Domain Level and was entertained with a banquet by the clan elder of the Flowing Food tribe. Xiong Xing already had someone in her heart, but I didn’t know. The Flowing Food tribe’s Sea Giants kept that information from me and hosted me generously.”
“In pursuit of Xiong Xing, I did a lot for them. I eliminated Holy Domain Level Sea Monsters for them, drove away dangerous shark packs, and helped establish trade relations with Human Race merchants.”
After all, Feng Yao was of Holy Domain Level, and only the clan elder in the Flowing Food tribe matched that. Feng Yao’s value for exploitation was immense.
“But no matter how much I did, Xiong Xing always kept me at arm’s length, merely going through the motions. I knew she and the other Sea Giants of the Flowing Food tribe wanted to use me. But my heart was filled with longing for love, and I was willing to give selflessly. I hoped that one day she would see my devotion and change her heart.”
“My love for her deepened uncontrollably, but I still had a clear mind that kept telling me the harsh truth. Nevertheless, I continued to work for the Flowing Food tribe, and being able to catch a glimpse of Xiong Xing each day satisfied me greatly.”
“One day, I followed the guidance of a curse from the Love God and snuck into a hidden trench at sea. There, I accidentally found Xiong Xing secretly meeting with a Sea Giant.”
“I had no idea she had a beloved. I was furious and struck out in anger. Xiong Xing and her lover fought back against me together. Seeing this infuriated me even more, and in a fit of rage, I accidentally killed her lover.”
“The Sea Giant I killed was a clan leader of the Grazing Grass tribe. The Grazing Grass tribe had always been closely allied with the Flowing Food tribe, the clan leaders being staunch allies and both of Holy Domain Level.”
“With his son killed, the Grazing Grass clan leader personally took action and sought vengeance. Naturally, the Flowing Food tribe did not side with me, but chose to band together with their kinsmen from the Grazing Grass tribe.”
“I was defeated and fled in disgrace. For a while, I led a life worse than death, taking risks daily to go near the Flowing Food tribe, just for a distant glimpse of Xiong Xing.”
“So that’s what happened!” the Dragon-man youth and the others realized.
Meanwhile, among the Sea Giants.
“Brother, I’ve spotted our enemy, it’s that Feng Yao!” Xiong Xing glared at the “Justice,” her eyes nearly spitting fire, “He seems injured, exhibiting only the aura of a Gold Level.”
Fist Ba shook his head, speaking in a low tone, “Don’t create unnecessary complications, our visit this time is to seek the aid of the Fish God behind Sea Eye City. We need to enter the Half-Plane.”
Xiong Xing reluctantly said, “These humans must be up to no good, killing them would also show good faith to Sea Eye City, to the Fish God.”
“Hmph!” Fist Ba frowned, “Calm down, Xiong Xing! Don’t let the tide of anger overwhelm your heart. This group isn’t easy to deal with. Is Feng Yao really injured? Back then, he could escape unscathed even after being ambushed by Father and the Grazing Grass clan leader. Maybe, he’s just feigning his current state to lure us into a trap set by these pirate ships.”
“Humans are too cunning.”
“Even if his hand is actually injured, there are at least four of Silver Level on those ships. This doesn’t even account for their strange and exotic weapons and armor. If we engage in battle, we are certain to suffer casualties. We are the backbone of our tribe, if we suffer too many losses, what will become of our tribe?”
Xiong Xing clenched her teeth strongly, “You’re right, brother.”
After a standoff, the Sea Giants did not attack but instead retreated, distancing themselves from the Justice Pirate Group.
The Dragon-man youth and others also breathed a sigh of relief, “It seems our opposition has its own concerns.”
Several days later.
The Justice Pirate Group faced off tensely against a huge tree ship.
The pirates’ flag on the tree ship fluttered high in the air, featuring a skull carved from a tree trunk in the center.
“The opposing side is the Mother Tree Pirate Group! All are Tree Men, and the captain is a Holy Domain-Level Chinese parasol Tree Man known as Auntie. The entire tree ship is actually the body of Auntie the parasol Tree Man,” Cang Xu said with a grave tone.
“Don’t worry, Auntie the Mother Tree Pirate Group’s captain has been dormant for a long time and rarely awakens,” Feng Yao spoke desolately, his expression complex.
On the side of the opposite tree ship, a Tree Man stood watching over here, with an equally complex expression: “Feng Yao, I never thought I’d finally find you, the faithless one!”
The Dragon-man youth and the others instantly glared at Feng Yao.
Feng Yao shook his head with a sigh, his voice bitter: “Because of the Love God’s Curse, I fell in love with a tree.”
Everyone: “?!”
“This is workable?” Bai Ya exclaimed in amazement.
Feng Yao let out a long sigh towards the heavens: “I was too naive back then. I thought that a mere tree, so unremarkable, would surely accept my love.”
“I thought the Love God’s Curse would end because of it.”
“I spent my days and nights with the tree, ridding it of insects daily, pruning its branches, collecting Magic Beast dung from all around to fertilize it.”
“I watched it grow strong, sprouting new shoots in spring, flourishing with leaves in the summer, shedding leaves in the fall and winter, and in the winter…”
“Alright. Can you get to the point?” the Dragon-man youth interrupted impatiently.
“Cough cough, sorry, I am a bard after all,” Feng Yao continued, “One day, I met a Druid.”
“He was a Tree Man, and he was moved by how I devoted myself to caring for a tree. He suggested turning this tree into a Tree Man, giving it sentience. He couldn’t bear to see lovers unable to be together.”
“I was overjoyed, and without a second thought, I agreed.”
“And so, the tree transformed into Hua Ya, who is now the Vice Captain of the Mother Tree Pirate Group.”
Everyone suddenly understood, but new questions arose: “Does that mean Hua Ya rejected you?”
“No,” Feng Yao shook his head, “Her life changed fundamentally, and after becoming a Tree Man, guided by the Druid Master, she accepted me. She had memories; she knew someone had always been taking care of her. But she didn’t know it was me, because all this time, she was just a tree without eyes, unable to see my face.”
“Every life has feelings!”
“Even after so many years, I still remember that moment.”
“I was extremely apprehensive, nervous, and terrified. I nearly thought she would reject me. Due to the Love God’s Curse, I had suffered countless heartless rejections.”
“But this time was different.”
“She said to me, ‘I don’t know if what he (the Druid Master) says is true, but I have my own way to confirm.’ Then, she reached out her branches, drew my hand in, and pressed the palm of my hand against her trunk.”
“Then, she smiled: ‘This feeling, this warm sensation… yes, my lover, thank you for caring for me. You love me, and I… also love you!'”
“At that moment, I was moved to tears.”
“An immense happiness surged through my soul, I almost wanted to kneel on the ground and roar to the skies!”
“But the next moment, my tears stopped.”
“The Love God’s Curse was triggered, and it wouldn’t let me love her anymore.”
“In an instant, I lost all my love for Hua Ya!”
“Thinking about it, it makes sense. Who would fall in love with a tree?”
Everyone fell silent.
Many turned to look at the despondent Feng Yao, eyes filled with sympathy.
“Feng Yao, come here!” Hua Ya, the Tree Man on the tree ship, shouted, “Explain yourself, why did you leave me?!”
“We used to be so sweet!”
“When I was still a tree, regardless of the seasons, you would embrace me, continuously kissing, rubbing, and thrusting against me. Even in winter, without exception.”
“You ravaged me but then left me! Today, I will make you pay!!”
Everyone’s gaze fixed on Feng Yao once again, piercingly.
Feng Yao’s face flushed red: “Back then, I was just too, too deeply in love…”
“There’s still more to this story!” Bai Ya exclaimed once again, as if a window to life had been opened for him.