Chapter 356: Section 143: Incident at Sky Pillar
Dun Dao City, Dun Dao Island, the prison cell.
Crack! Crack!
A whip with spikes lashed repeatedly against the housekeeper’s body. Each strike brought forth fresh blood and flesh.
“Ah! Ah—!” The housekeeper’s wailing was relentless.
“Stop, please, my Lord, stop! Stop hitting me!”
“I was wrong, I was wrong, my Lord.”
“I beg you, spare me, please spare me!”
Crack! Crack!
The one brandishing the whip was none other than the City Lord of Dun Dao City himself.
“Spare you? Who allowed you to purchase the Ship Spirit Repair Scroll? Huh? Brazen and presumptuous!” The City Lord roared, whipping even harder.
Crack crack crack…
The housekeeper’s skin split and flesh burst, his form barely human, his pleas for mercy gradually weakening.
“My Lord, City Lord, I beg you, for all the diligent work I’ve done in the past, to spare my life…” The life breath of the housekeeper was already extremely feeble.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed the City Lord of Dun Dao’s heart.
Indeed, on a normal day, this housekeeper was very diligent and responsible.
But at this moment, the second housekeeper spoke up quietly, “My Lord, Tan Mo has awakened. He did not leave the mansion and is looking for you. The servants had no choice but to temporarily place him in the reception hall.”
The City Lord of Dun Dao immediately furrowed his brows, “Why hasn’t he left yet?”
Tan Mo’s fleet showed a lightning-fast and aggressive posture, forcefully visiting the City Lord’s mansion late last night.
Tan Mo, a Golden Level Fighter and also a Navy vice admiral, was promptly received by the City Lord of Dun Dao with a banquet.
Tan Mo accepted the banquet with a smile and, during the feast, revealed his purpose, telling the City Lord of Dun Dao that he was in big trouble!
The City Lord of Dun Dao, long accustomed to his position of power, immediately recognized the gravity of his predicament. To solve the trouble, he not only treated Tan Mo hospitably but also “gifted” him 5000 Gold Coins and handed over the recently acquired Ship Spirit Repair Scroll.
Tan Mo ate and drank heartily, consuming almost half of the City Lord’s stored wines and gratefully accepted the 5000 Gold Coins, enthusiastically slapping the City Lord’s shoulder during the banquet, “I consider you a friend now!”
Finally, the City Lord of Dun Dao accompanied the drinking until two or three o’clock in the morning, by which time Tan Mo was too drunk to move. With no other choice, the City Lord had to arrange for him to rest in a guest room within the mansion.
After Tan Mo, the vice admiral, was settled, the City Lord of Dun Dao immediately ordered the housekeeper to be taken to the prison cell.
After sleeping for an hour or two, the City Lord of Dun Dao dreamed of being left with nothing and woke up furious. Considering the extent of his losses, he became even more enraged and ran to the prison to vent his anger by whipping the housekeeper.
After a while, he heard the news that Tan Mo was still lingering within the City Lord’s mansion.
The second housekeeper reported with concern, “My Lord, City Lord, Tan Mo, the vice admiral, is infamous in the Navy. His corruption and extortion are extremely severe, reaching the point of utterly vile. It is said that he could turn a fish-scale-rich sea into a beach, scouring it to the ground. By extracting every last resource, he could turn a prosperous town into ruins and desolation.”
“He was once stationed in the southwest of the Empire, where he took all kinds of fees from the fishermen, making life unbearable. The sea people faced famine and could only eat mud cakes to hang on to life.”
The City Lord of Dun Dao drew a sharp breath and felt his spirits sinking.
Through gritted teeth, he muttered, “It seems last night’s 5000 Gold Coins aren’t nearly enough to satisfy Tan Mo’s appetite.”
Seeing the housekeeper already fainting, the City Lord, overcome with rage, threw the long whip to the guard, “Whip him, keep whipping him until he dies!”
“Yes!” The guard, holding the whip, promptly replied.
The City Lord stormed out of the prison, anger written all over him.
The second housekeeper followed close behind, glancing smugly at the housekeeper before leaving.
The City Lord simmered with indignant rage, but as he approached the reception hall, he put on a different face.
Upon opening the door, he saw Tan Mo’s plump body lazily sprawled on the sofa, leisurely sipping on black tea. On the coffee table, there were fine cutlery and sweet pastries.
The City Lord’s eyes twitched slightly, and he quickly said with a smile, “Good morning, my Lord Tan Mo. Did you have a good sleep last night?”
However, Tan Mo deliberately showed a look of discomfort, put the tea down, rested his hand on the back of his neck, and shook his head, “To tell you the truth, I had a poor sleep. I got a crick in my neck.”
The City Lord of Dun Dao was instantly taken aback.
How could a mighty Golden Fighter end up with a crick in the neck? The very idea seemed preposterous!
Tan Mo narrowed his eyes and piled on a false smile, “I heard that you have a peculiar treasure in your collection, called the ‘Cool Sandal Pillow’. When one sleeps with their head on it, it clears the mind of stray thoughts and even aids in cultivating fighting energy.”
The City Lord of Dun Dao’s heart skipped a beat, stunned by Tan Mo’s insatiable greed.
After the initial shock, a fierce roar surged within him.
“My Cool Sandal Pillow is of the Holy Domain Level along the alchemy path. When one sleeps with their head on it, the fighting energy within their body is drawn out, continuously cultivating on its own.”
“This is the most treasured beloved of my heart, and he dares to covet it! He’s utterly disrespecting me!!”
The City Lord of Dun Dao narrowed his eyes, stood rooted to the spot, and stared at Tan Mo without moving, the fighting energy within him eager to burst forth.
He was the City Lord of Dun Dao, the emperor of Dun Dao Island, always enjoying a life above others. Now, his authority was being severely provoked.
Tan Mo was not just extorting—he was outright robbing!
In an instant, the City Lord of Dun Dao felt the impulse to kill Tan Mo outright and wash away his own humiliation.
Feeling the City Lord’s murderous intent, Tan Mo’s smile became even thicker and more insincere.
He slowly stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the garden bathed in brilliant sunlight, “Do you know, City Lord, the Ship Spirit Repair Scroll has been classified as Advanced Military Supplies, meaning it will surely be subjected to strict controls in the future.”
“It’s going to be difficult to deal with your situation.”
“The top brass has given me a firm order to investigate thoroughly and show no leniency!”
Dun Dao City Lord snorted coldly, “But all I did was purchase this scroll.”
“No, no, no.” Tan Mo turned slightly, raising his stout index finger and wagging it, “The Black Market auctioning this scroll was hosted by your own administration.”
Dun Dao City Lord clenched his teeth instantly, “It’s not just me; the Bambu Guild is involved too.”
Tan Mo shook his head with a sigh, “The Bambu Guild… has too strong a backing. I dare not offend them.”
“But without a substantial response to deliver to my superiors, I could be the one investigated and poorly evaluated.”
“Dear City Lord of Dun Dao.”
The City Lord gritted his teeth, fists clenched, rage filling his heart, “This damn guy… he never intended to uncover the truth, he just wants a scapegoat. If I don’t satisfy his appetite, I’m likely to become the perfect scapegoat!”
“Don’t be agitated, don’t be agitated. City Lord of Dun Dao, I don’t want to be your enemy. But look, I have my own difficulties too,” Tan Mo said, spreading his hands.
He slowly walked up to the City Lord, “I’m just a pitiful person who got dragged into this, same as you.”
Dun Dao City Lord averted his gaze, trying his best not to look at the detestable Tan Mo.
One more glance at him and the City Lord felt he might lose control and make a move to kill Tan Mo.
He wasn’t afraid of Tan Mo, for they were both Golden Level fighters.
What he feared was the Imperial Navy behind Tan Mo, and he also cherished the good life of ruling Dun Dao City.
Ultimately, he suppressed his fury and bitterness and spoke through gritted teeth, “What must be done for me to extricate myself from this trouble?”
A smile bloomed on Tan Mo’s face, this time it was much more sincere than before.
He gave the City Lord a thumbs up, “Realizing the situation and being adaptable, City Lord, you’re truly commendable. Rest assured, just for the feast you provided last night, I will definitely help such a forthright person like you! However, 5000 Gold Coins is too little. Even if I want to help you smooth things over, that amount is just not presentable.”
“I understand.” Dun Dao City Lord nodded strenuously, “Please, come with me.”
The City Lord then led Tan Mo to his treasure vault.
In this room, Tan Mo’s eyes seemingly sparkled with blinding golden light.
Meanwhile.
At the Big Military Port.
Wei Sheng sat behind Marshal Yan Tan’s desk, busy handling a pile of military affairs.
Bang, bang, bang!
Someone hammered at the door of the study rapidly, and without waiting for Wei Sheng to respond, an intelligence officer already shouted, “Earl, something big has happened! Something big!!”
Wei Sheng’s brow furrowed, his gaze became extremely sharp in an instant, “Come in, what’s the situation?”
The intelligence officer immediately pushed the door open, then quickly shut it.
He strode up to Wei Sheng, speaking rapidly, “It’s intel about foreign divine beings! A major battle erupted in the Sky Pillar Sea Eye of the Night Spirit Sea Domain. The main combatants were the Charming Blue Divine Sect and the Barbarians. The Barbarian Cold Sky Splitter, Zhao Ya, and Holy Domain Level fighter Man Zhuang, who led the Barbarians, came out victorious, inflicting heavy losses on the Charming Blue Divine Sect. The Goddess Mei Lan, protected by the Divine Son, fled in humiliation.”
“Oh?” Wei Sheng was profoundly shaken, immediately putting all other military affairs aside, “Has the intel been confirmed?”
“It’s confirmed!” said the intelligence officer, “In this chaotic battle, there were Firebeard’s third-in-command Feng Yao, the Mother Tree Pirates, the Justice Pirate Group, Catapult Pirates, a tribe of Sea Giants who are nomadic, and a large number of other pirates.”
Swallowing nervously, the intelligence officer continued, “There are many survivors from the battlefield, and many have witnessed the Divine Son carrying the Goddess into an Alchemy Submarine, successfully retreating.”
“According to assessments, the leader of the Justice Pirate Group, Long Fu, is in reality the Divine Son of the Charming Blue Divine Sect, a Fishman with the Shark Blue Bloodline!”
The barrage of news sent Wei Sheng’s mind into turmoil.
The intelligence officer then handed him a report, “This is a summary of the battle gathered from several pieces of intel.”
Wei Sheng immediately took it and reviewed the trembling sheet of paper in his hands.
Indeed, something big had happened!
Every divine being could threaten the Empire.
The foreign Goddess Mei Lan was still alive!
However, anyone reading the battle report would know the Goddess was in dire shape.
If they could capture her, it would be a monumental military achievement!
“Stay calm, calm down,” Wei Sheng chanted to himself internally.
Seconds later, he steadied himself and swiftly considered his options, then issued orders, “Mobilize all forces immediately to uncover the trail of the Justice Pirate Group.”
“Full fleet on Level 1 alert.”
“Prepare the war room.”
“Recall all Navy within three thousand sea miles of the port and instruct them to stand by at the port within 24 hours.”
“I will personally report to the Marshal!”
ps: Just one update today.