Chapter 379: Section 166: The Iron Giant
The spy team was of a lower level and did not know the true situation of the Justice Pirate Group, but Bi Tong was very clear.
“Typically, when a Magic Communication Device is damaged to this extent, the investigation can no longer proceed.”
“But!”
“Because it involves foreign gods, the Empire will definitely mobilize its greatest efforts to investigate.”
“Most Alchemists can’t get anything from these fragments, but an Alchemy Grandmaster is different.”
Alchemy Grandmasters were very rare; even the powerful Holy Bright Empire had only a few.
Based solely on Bi Tong himself, he had no connections that could privately mobilize an Alchemy Grandmaster.
However, as long as he reported this key information, the Empire would surely assign an Alchemy Grandmaster.
“I have a premonition, the person the Justice Pirate Group contacts late at night must be a major figure within the Empire.”
“Hehe.”
“Conspiring with foreign gods, even a Duke must be judged!”
Mei Lan, an enemy long confirmed to be against the Holy Bright Empire.
Even a duke, if found guilty of colluding with the enemy, could not save himself.
This key piece of information was quickly reported.
The upper echelons of the Empire responded immediately.
The request to investigate the contacts was swiftly sent to the hands of the Empire’s Alchemy Grandmasters.
Night Spirit Sea Domain.
Blue skies and white clouds, a gentle breeze.
Bang, bang, bang…
Huge twin paddles, held by a giant, plunged into the sea repeatedly, each time splashing waves up to three meters high.
A middle-aged Human Race man lay on the deck, watching the blue skies and white clouds, enjoying the scattered crystal droplets flying through the air from the splash of the paddles.
“Seems like heading out to sea once in a while is quite nice,” the middle-aged man murmured.
“Yes, Master,” came the mechanical voice of the ship spirit.
The middle-aged man was handsome, dressed in a luxurious Magic Robe. The emblem on the robe represented his noble lineage—the Pound family—and also highlighted his peak expertise in alchemy—Alchemy Master!
Indeed, this man was a Holy Domain Level Alchemy Master, the genius of the Pound family—Tuck.
The voice of the ship spirit sounded again, “Master, there is a communication from your teacher.”
“Oh? Let’s hear it,” Tuck sat up from his reclined position.
The voice of the ship spirit changed, becoming identical to his teacher’s voice.
After listening to the entire content of the message, a strange expression flashed across Tuck’s face, “The Justice Pirate Group?”
“My teacher indeed, it’s a task assigned by the Empire to him, yet it ended up in my hands.”
“Me, trying to find that mysterious contact from among the rubble of Magic Devices, it really isn’t an easy task.”
For a moment, Tuck frowned in distress.
He was still a long way off from being an Alchemy Grandmaster, but his teacher had issued this task to him in the form of a test question.
“If I had two or three years, I could definitely solve this test question. However, although my teacher didn’t specify, just by thinking a little, of course, there’s a time limit to this test question.”
“The main difficulty lies precisely in this regard.”
Tuck returned to the cabin, looking at a pile of rubble that had been transported over, he sank into thought.
“What method should I use?”
“If I completely repair this Magic Communication Device, it’s possible to find a clue, or it may be restored to a brand new Magic Communication Device.”
“If I use alchemy to refine these fragments, specifically extracting the information within? But since the Core Fragments are completely mixed in, the information obtained will be vast and chaotic. Sorting it out would take even longer!”
As Tuck was pondering, the voice of the ship spirit rang out, “A distressed ship has been spotted six nautical miles ahead.”
“Oh? Let me see,” Tuck quickly viewed the Magic Image.
Ship spirit: “According to estimates, there’s an 80% likelihood of a tsunami.”
Tuck nodded slightly, “Traveling over the sea isn’t just about dealing with sea beasts and formidable enemies, sometimes the fury of nature itself can be more despairing.”
Ship spirit: “Shall we proceed with the rescue operation?”
Tuck smiled, “Of course, we’ll rescue them, but boarding my Iron Giant isn’t so easy. Broadcast it, only those who can afford the ticket, may board my flagship.”
Ship Spirit: “Understood, my master.”
As the sinking ship continued to submerge, the crowd had already begun cheering.
“We are saved!”
“I told you, there are quite a few ships passing along this route.”
“What kind of ship is this? It looks so strange.”
Amidst their surprise, people were discussing animatedly while loudly calling for help.
Among the crowd were members of the Hundred Needle Family.
“Clan Leader.” Biwa stood next to the Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family, his voice low, “It looks like the Steel Giant.”
The Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family nodded, “Indeed it is.”
As one of the nobles, he was well-informed about the high ranks of the Empire. He had paid extra attention to individuals like Tuck.
At that moment, the Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family looked in the distance and saw the Steel Giant, rowing with dual-headed oars, heading directly towards them.
The Steel Giant had a peculiar appearance. Its hull resembled a canoe but was made of steel. The deck was replaced by an Alchemy Puppet. The puppet, with only the upper body visible, was a giant standing five to six meters tall.
The giant held a long, dual-headed paddle, creating hill-sized waves every time it struck the water.
As the Steel Giant drew closer, the Ship Spirit’s voice sounded: “This is the Tuck Earl’s flagship of the Steel Pound Family. To obtain a boarding ticket, please pay 80 Gold Coins or an equivalent item.”
“What?”
“80 Gold Coins, that’s too much. This is robbery!”
“This ship is a Golden Level demon energy vessel. Can’t believe such an important person on board is so miserly!”
The crowd was in an uproar.
Meanwhile, inside the cabin, the Ship Spirit spoke: “High-value target detected in the crowd.”
“Oh? Let me see.” Tuck focused intently, his eyes beginning to glow, “Ah, it’s the Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family. How come he’s here?”
Just as the Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family was familiar with Tuck, Tuck was also well-acquainted with him.
Ship Spirit: “Analyzing.”
“Analysis complete. The only heir of the Hundred Needle Family, Holy Temple Knight Zhenjin, disappeared at sea a few months ago. The Hundred Needle Family has used all their resources to offer a large reward, but they have never found the whereabouts of Zhenjin.”
“It is highly likely, at 75%, that the Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family has entered the Night Spirit Sea Domain in search of his biological son and heir, Zhenjin.”
“I see.” Tuck nodded, “Ship Spirit, I wish to speak.”
Ship Spirit: “Broadcasting device is ready.”
The next moment, Tuck’s voice boomed, enveloping the area.
“Hundred Needle Clan Leader, greetings. I am Earl Tuck in person.”
“I am fortunate to meet you here.”
“I wonder how many of the Radiant Nine Swords you have brought with you?”
“If you could allow me to admire these swords for a moment, you can board without charge, without having to pay 600 Gold Coins, and receive our help.”
Biwa, hearing this, yelled furiously, “Wasn’t it 80 Gold Coins?”
Tuck chuckled, “The value of Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family, naturally, is different from that of commoners.”
“Damn it!” Biwa clenched his fists.
The crowd stirred, their attention turning towards the Hundred Needle Clan Leader and Biwa.
Upon receiving the ransom note, the Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family had been concealing his tracks, rushing towards Fire Island at full speed.
Now, his identity was exposed.
The Clan Leader of the Hundred Needle Family kept his composure, patted Biwa on the shoulder, signaling him to relax, “This is just Tuck’s character. He isn’t specifically targeting me but always adheres to the principle of fair exchange. Let’s board the ship, time is of the essence.”
Mentioning time, Biwa’s angry expression immediately faded.
No other option, the death of Zhenjin was a matter of great importance to the Hundred Needle Family!
“Sigh, I just hope this ship’s route is close to ours, otherwise we will have to transfer to another port to board,” Biwa worried inside.
The urgency in the ransom note was great, and it seemed that emergencies were more prone to accidents.
They experienced a shipwreck along the way.
Soon, the Hundred Needle Clan Leader and a few others, including the limited number of survivors who could afford the tickets, boarded the Steel Giant.
On the sinking ship, most of the people who couldn’t afford the tickets remained, helplessly watching as the Steel Giant moved away.
Only when it disappeared over the horizon did the group start to bitterly curse.