Chapter 591: Section 379: Secret Operation
Snowbird Port dock.
The chaotic battle had calmed down significantly.
The situation was very clear, with the Divine Wind Pirate Group and Snowbird Port both exercising restraint, preventing the conflict from escalating.
The Dragon-man youth stood still for a moment, staring at the Divine Wind and other pirate ships, his gaze intense and his face expressionless.
The tacit understanding between the Divine Wind Pirate Group and the City Lord of Snowbird Port was something the Dragon-man youth had not anticipated.
But after communicating with the City Lord of Snowbird Port, the Dragon-man youth also grasped this layer of strategy.
He then realized that he had misunderstood previously, and that the City Lord of Snowbird Port had indeed chosen a conservative strategy, opting not to attack rashly.
The Dragon-man youth thought about it and felt that the City Lord’s actions were quite sensible.
Thinking back on the City Lord’s style of operation, he was adept at biding his time and continuously preparing during his patience. Once these preparations were ample, he would act immediately. He would surprise everyone with his actions.
On the other hand, the restraint shown by the City Lord of Snowbird Port demonstrated the strength of the Divine Wind Pirate Group.
“Feng Lian… Can even the power of the Holy Domain Level not deal with you?” the Dragon-man youth murmured to himself.
Golden Level, usually a lord of a region.
Whereas at the Holy Domain Level, one becomes a pillar of the nation!
The entire Ice Sculpture Kingdom had only three Holy Domain Level power wielders.
Reaching the Legendary Level, one became even stronger, with the power to overturn a nation and exert a colossal influence.
Take the War Merchant for example, dominating nearly half of the global arms market, stirring up battlefields everywhere, and manipulating small countries at will.
“Compared to these powerhouses, I am still far too weak.”
“If borrowing power fails, there is nothing one can do.”
“So, the real key is one’s own strength!”
The Dragon-man youth longed even more for power.
Unfortunately, the cultivation of fighters could never be achieved overnight.
Although his talent was already excellent, he still required time and a lot of effort to transform this talent into strength.
His current cultivation of Fighting Energy was only at the Silver Level, not even possessing a Golden glow yet.
“Zi Di, given the current situation, we need to adjust our plan,” the Dragon-man youth, composing himself, communicated with Zi Di.
Zi Di, unsurprised and knowing the Dragon-man youth well, knew that he would never give up easily, even if the City Lord of Snowbird Port refused to battle.
Zi Di felt helpless yet reassured.
The Dragon-man youth’s attitude and action of never giving up on any member had never changed.
He was the most reliable leader.
Because of this trait, the survivors all returned their trust.
Apart from the Dragon-man youth, no one else could fill the leader’s role for the survivors.
Before the Dragon-man youth could speak again, Zi Di spoke first, “We must do everything to rescue Lan Zao. But we also need to hurry to the Royal Capital of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
“We’ve spent some time at Snowbird Port, and we still haven’t determined the reason we couldn’t receive messages back at Twin Eyes Island.”
“We don’t have much time left.”
“Only by establishing contact with the high ranks of the Empire soon and atoning quickly can we secure a stable environment for development.”
Zi Di emphasized the survivors’ most crucial task.
The Dragon-man youth sighed, feeling troubled.
The situation with Lan Zao was urgent; if they didn’t rescue him soon, he might be discovered and executed.
Contacting the high ranks of the Empire was even more critical, this matter concerning the life and future of all the survivors.
The Dragon-man youth pondered for a moment before saying, “It seems we must divide our forces.”
“Zi Di, concerning the Purple Vine Shop, you’re the most familiar, only you and Fat Tongue can handle it. No one else is fit for this task.”
“So, next, you’ll head to the Royal Capital. Bring my alchemy Puppet disguised as me. After meeting with Zong Ge, leave Snowbird Port.”
“For the dominance of the Magic Potion Market, let Bu Quan stay. Hand over our agate bathing tub and such to her to increase her production. Also, leave Zhongyong in the Deep Sea Monster Fish, and the other two new Silver Level Alchemists to assist her.”
“As for me, I will pilot the Deep Sea Monster Fish, tracking in the deep sea, looking for an opportunity to rescue Lan Zao.”
Zi Di frowned deeply.
Honestly, she wanted to accompany the Dragon-man youth.
She was also very concerned about his safety on this journey.
But there was no choice.
The Dragon-man youth’s arrangement had been carefully considered, and the staffing was very reasonable.
Setting aside emotional factors, this arrangement was nearly flawless.
Zi Di thought about refusing and hesitated for a moment, but ultimately she chose to support the Dragon-man youth, just as at Mysterious Monster Island.
“I understand. Please, you must be careful!”
“If the situation is impossible, do not force action.”
“Even if Lan Zao is sacrificed, he wouldn’t want to see you put yourself in danger for him.”
“If you were to be sacrificed, I wouldn’t want to live on. We others would fall apart, and no one could replace your position as leader. Zong Ge is far from your equal and cannot command respect.”
The Dragon-man youth nodded slightly, feeling the deep concern Zi Di had for him from her advice.
A warm feeling surged in the Dragon-man youth’s heart: “I understand. You also take care.”
However, just as the Dragon-man youth was looking for an opportunity to infiltrate the Deep Sea Monster Fish, an emissary arrived in front of him with an invitation from the City Lord of Snowbird Port, stating that there was a matter of great importance and earnestly requesting the Dragon-man youth to visit.
The Dragon-man youth looked at the distance, where the pirate ship was still receiving members from the Saber Gang. He thought to himself, “It’s a good time to bid farewell to the City Lord of Snowbird Port.”
So he went.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port welcomed the arrival of the Dragon-man youth.
“Long Fu squad leader, first, I must apologize to you.”
“This time, the escape of the Saber Gang leader resulted in losses for your group, and that is my fault.”
“As for these losses, I can offer some compensation.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port first apologized and then proposed compensation, which alleviated much of the anger in the Dragon-man youth’s heart.
“Thank you very much, City Lord,” the Dragon-man youth immediately expressed his gratitude.
Then he sighed, “My flagship also needs your help for repairs. Ever since I acquired it, it has never sustained such severe damage.”
“My people, too, suffered many casualties.”
“I definitely must seek revenge!”
“City Lord, are we really going to just watch as the pirate ship takes away these remnants of the Saber Gang?”
“We have a mortal feud with them, and if they come back for revenge in the future, it will truly be hard to guard against.”
The Dragon-man youth continued his efforts, trying to persuade the City Lord of Snowbird Port to engage in combat with Feng Lian.
He was anxious for Lan Zao but couldn’t explicitly say so.
To rescue a Bronze Level sailor?
That would be an implausible excuse.
In fact, Lan Zao’s greatest vulnerability was in the hands of the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
His Mage Tower recorded everything that happened on the battlefield.
In the Magic Image, Lan Zao, who launched from the Triangular Love Ship, marched on a campaign, which was ironclad support for Lan Zao’s identity.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port shook his head, he patted the Dragon-man youth on the shoulder: “I am the City Lord, the lord of this city.”
“Even if these leaders have escaped, I have eradicated the Saber Gang, a feat none of my predecessors managed, so I still deserve credit.”
“After I resign, with some maneuvers, my position could be even higher than it is now. Why should I take risks?”
“There is no need to fiercely clash with Feng Lian and his people.”
“Long Fu squad leader, your situation is similar to mine. You have already made a name for yourself, and your talent is also exceptional. Why not preserve yourself, actively grow, and amass strength?”
“Do not let the desire for revenge cloud your vision.”
The Dragon-man youth’s efforts failed, and he received a sincere advisory from the City Lord of Snowbird Port instead.
The Dragon-man youth was not frustrated, but the City Lord’s words made a lot of sense.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port continued, “I invited you here this time, to share some good news.”
“Tonight, the ship you purchased has already arrived.”
“This is a Silver Level Magic-powered ship, a ‘prematurely retired’ warship of our country.”
“I believe it will certainly make a better flagship!”
Upon hearing this, the Dragon-man youth suddenly thought, “With the Silver Level Magic-powered ship, could I pursue the Divine Wind Pirate Group?”
However, the Dragon-man youth soon shook his head internally, dismissing this unrealistic thought.
Since his last efforts had failed, the Dragon-man youth exchanged a few polite words with the City Lord and formally bid him farewell.
The City Lord was not surprised.
He knew: the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has a task to develop markets, and going to the Royal Capital was a crucial part of this market expansion.
After the Dragon-man youth left, a strange voice came from the communication device on the City Lord of Snowbird Port.
“Since Long Fu wants revenge, why not let him go? Acting as our cannon fodder is also an option.”
During the recent conversation, the communication device of the City Lord of Snowbird Port had remained active.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port shook his head: “I intentionally let these leaders go in order to plant a spy.”
“I didn’t expect, just after planting it, to hook a big fish like Feng Lian!”
“Hehe.”
“This is the Divine Wind Pirate Group.”
“Originally, I had no intention of taking them down. But since you were the ones transporting the retired warships…”
“But this matter needs to be kept strictly confidential.”
“Before any formal action, we cannot let Feng Lian get wind of anything.”
“Long Fu… these people are of unknown origin and not yet worthy of our greater trust.”
On the Divine Wind,
“Kid,” Ice Eagle clapped Lan Zao on the arm, “Just now on the Rocket Assault Boat, it was you who saved me.”
“Tell me, what reward do you want?”
Ice Eagle gradually relaxed.
Because most of the gang members had boarded the ship, while the situation at Snowbird Port was all thunder and little rain.
Lan Zao looked at Ice Eagle and thought, “How about your life?”
But this was absolutely not something he could say out loud.
At least, not now.
Lan Zao was about to answer when suddenly a gang member shouted, “Old Gang Leader, he is a traitor!”
“I saw with my own eyes; he killed Old Dong.”