Chapter 343: Section 130: Unexpected Conflict and Gains
“Navy?!” As the Navy poured in, the members of the Justice Pirate Group’s expressions changed, and they all rose from their seats.
The Navy vice admiral in the lead shouted, “I am General Kan Qiao of the Imperial Navy. You pirates are lawless! Despite becoming spies for the Empire, you still attack the Empire’s trade ships! Today, I must ensure you receive the punishment you deserve.”
“Please stay calm, General Kan Qiao. This is not the place for fighting,” the receptionist said, his face greatly changing as he hurriedly rushed out the door and stood in the doorway.
The receptionist was extremely nervous. If the two groups really started fighting, regardless of the outcome, as one of the main persons in charge here, he would definitely be held accountable.
“Navy vice admiral, you are mistaken. I, Captain Long Fu of the Justice Pirate Group, have never attacked the Empire’s trade ships. In fact, it’s the exact opposite; we’ve eliminated the real culprits, the Fast Blade Pirate Group,” the Dragon-man youth explained gravely.
“Hmph, that’s just your side of the story. I’m not so easily fooled,” General Kan Qiao sneered.
The Navy quickly closed in.
“Damn it!”
“Should we take action, Captain?”
“The opponent may have one Gold, but there is only one Transcendent at the Silver Level.”
The core members of the Justice Pirate Group remained calm and composed.
Having personally participated in the battle at Sea Eye and witnessing the fierce combat between divine incarnations and legendary fighters from close quarters, they were now facing an enemy of the Gold Level without panic, their fighting spirit still high.
The Dragon-man youth shook his head slightly, “Stay calm.”
Cang Xu directed his gaze at the receptionist, “Empire’s receptionist, this is a secret dockyard. Is this the sincerity of the Empire?”
“We have pledged allegiance to the Empire, yet we are arrested by the Navy in an Empire port. If this news gets out, which pirate would ever trust and pledge allegiance to the Empire again?”
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The receptionist, though only a Black Iron, showed no fear, his face as stern as iron as he angrily questioned General Kan Qiao, “General Kan Qiao, do you understand the consequences of your actions? Your impulsive behavior could potentially disrupt the great plans of the Empire! Can you bear such a responsibility?”
“Your concerns are easily addressed. If I deal with these pirates, naturally, there won’t be any news to spread. I will look after the wider interests of the Empire, and the justice of the Navy is mine to enforce!” Saying so, General Kan Qiao grasped his long-handled great sword, his body swirling with Golden Fighting Spirit.
“General Kan Qiao, you are perhaps too confident,” the Dragon-man youth scoffed coldly and immediately activated his Silver Fighting Spirit, ordering his companions, “Prepare to break through!”
The next moment, Di Lou and Yan Tan activated their Silver Fighting Spirit.
Cang Xu and Zi Di floated into the air.
General Kan Qiao’s pupils involuntarily narrowed.
Three Silvers!
Especially that Dragon-man captain; he clearly looked like someone who could fight above his level.
What worried Kan Qiao even more was that although the opposing pirate group had fewer numbers, the ratio of spellcasters was very high.
Di Lou was a Silver Level bard, Cang Xu and Zi Di, although only Black Iron, were both Mages.
Spellcasters had far more means at their disposal than fighters.
Even as a Gold Level, Kan Qiao could not guarantee a swift victory in the upcoming battle. It was far too easy for spellcasters to send messages out.
A twinge of regret began to grow in General Kan Qiao’s heart.
He had underestimated the strength of the Justice Pirate Group.
The traces left behind on the battlefield revealed the strength of the Fast Blade Pirate Group. When the Fishman youth and others took action, the advantages of the Justice Pirate Group were very clear, and the Fast Blade Pirate Group was quickly defeated, most of them taken prisoner. Moreover, the ship, which was the battlefield, had also been sailed away, leaving little trace behind.
“General Kan Qiao, this is the Empire’s secret port, not a Navy port!” another receptionist rushed into the dock.
He pleaded bitterly with General Kan Qiao, “Initially, the Imperial Navy was not supposed to rest here. General Kan Qiao, I agreed to host your fleet only because of your family, which I respected. I was classmates with your uncle; please don’t put me in a difficult position.”
Kan Qiao looked at the man and immediately frowned.
But the Navy continued to press toward the Dragon-man youth and others.
Seeing the hesitation in General Kan Qiao’s expression, the Dragon-man youth spoke again, “Kan Qiao, I was once a knight of the Empire too! I had plans to make my mark on the Wilderness Continent.”
“But after the shipwreck and encountering an Imperial spy, we formed the Justice Pirate Group.”
“At the beginning of the formation, I announced that the target of the Justice Pirate Group is not any merchant ship, but other pirates.”
“Even now, my group has adhered to this principle, never seizing or robbing any merchant ship!”
“Your justice cannot punish me.”
“Oh?” General Kan Qiao’s expression changed as he focused on the Dragon-man youth standing with his chest puffed out.
“I can testify!” The Dragon-man youth’s receptionist suddenly raised his hand and responded loudly, “The Empire’s intelligence has indeed recorded the situation of the Justice Pirate Group as Captain Long Fu said—it is indeed unlike any other pirate group!”
Another receptionist also nodded repeatedly, “I also know about the Justice Pirate Group. This group possesses the Greedy Divine Bone and recently exchanged the Treasure Map with the Empire, heading to the Sky Pillar region to search for treasures. There has never been any intelligence suggesting that this pirate group has robbed any merchant ships.”
“Is that so…” General Kan Qiao seemed to relax, his face showing more hesitation as his sword drooped to the ground.
“If you don’t believe it, you can use the Lie Detection Scroll right here. I do not wish to clash with the Imperial Navy, and I would rather prove my innocence!”
“Alright, let’s do that first!” Kan Qiao stared fixedly at the Dragon-man youth, gesturing with his hand and halting the navy on the spot.
His control over his subordinates was extremely high, completely obeying his commands.
Immediately, the receptionist brought out the Lie Detection Scroll.
Facing the Lie Detection Scroll, the Dragon-man youth repeated his earlier statement.
The scroll showed no reaction, verifying the truth of the Dragon-man youth’s statement.
The Dragon-man youth then explained to the scroll about their eradication of the Fast Blade Pirate Group. The power of the scroll continued, and no lies were detected.
“The Justice Pirate Group… interesting,” Vice Admiral Kan Qiao’s expression softened, but he still harbored doubts, “As far as I know, the Lie Detection Scrolls are not infallible. There are many ways to act freely under this scroll.”
“Hmph! Kan Qiao, you better understand.” The Dragon-man youth was displeased, “My proving my innocence isn’t out of fear of you, nor is it because we have no chance of breaking through.”
“I do this only to avoid needless confrontation between justices.”
“Of course, I also do not wish for my subordinates to suffer unnecessary losses.”
“I have already shown my sincerity; keep your suspicions to yourself!”
“General Kan Qiao!” Both receptionists spoke in unison, turning towards Kan Qiao.
Kan Qiao was silent for a moment and then snorted coldly, “Withdraw the troops!”
He turned to leave the way he had come and took one deep look at the Dragon-man youth before departing, “The Justice Pirate Group, I’ll be watching you. If I find I’ve been deceived, well…”
The members of the Justice Pirate Group glared at the departing navy.
Seeing a major conflict dissipate into nothing, the two receptionists heaved a sigh of relief, though their expressions remained grim.
“Next time, I definitely won’t let the navy dock for repairs!” The second receptionist came over, full of regret.
The first receptionist patted his shoulder, “Don’t blame yourself. Now, the entire spy network is directly administered by Marshal Yan Tan. The Kan Qiao Fleet’s situation is really poor; they needed to repair quickly, and this is the only military harbor. We all face difficulties.”
Consoled, the receptionist looked at the youth and the others with an apologetic look, “I am truly sorry for affecting everyone. To express our apologies, we can discuss the specifics of the material exchange again. I will give you the best discount possible!”
And the second receptionist added, “I will donate all of my personal Imperial contributions under my name to all of you as this occasion’s compensation. Please accept it on behalf of your group.”
This sudden crisis was temporarily resolved, and they even gained some unexpected benefits.
Immediately, the Justice Pirate Group renegotiated the exchange terms, acquiring even more materials.
In this way, not only could the Justice Pirate Group repair the Deep Sea Monster Fish, but they also secured a better reserve of materials than initially anticipated.
Back on the warship, Vice Admiral Kan Qiao called out, “Sea Dog Captain.”
“Vice Admiral, sir!” A beastman with a dog’s head and dressed in a navy uniform immediately stepped forward to take orders.
“Send your men to thoroughly follow and investigate the Justice Pirate Group; do your best to uncover all their details!” Kan Qiao ordered emotionlessly.
“Yes, sir.” The Sea Dog Captain gave a military salute and quickly withdrew.