"I couldn’t tell, but your cooking skills have improved!"
Although it was just a few ordinary dishes, the presentation and aroma were perfect, making anyone’s mouth water at first sight.
The Snake Woman remained silent.
Towards her former master, the Snake Woman maintained a distant yet indifferent attitude, speaking only when necessary and never saying a word more than needed.
At this moment, Zhao Ya spoke up.
"Alright, you may leave now!"
The Snake Woman gave a deep bow and then turned to leave.
Watching her figure as she departed, Shi Bolong smiled slightly and then turned to Zhao Ya.
"What do you plan to...?"
Before he could finish the sentence, a piercing alarm suddenly erupted in the control room.
The two were initially startled, then immediately rushed to the control panel.
On the Water Screen, a scene unfolded.
On the vast sea, a giant ship was speeding forward, pursued closely by several smaller vessels behind it.
The data displayed on the Water Screen showed that this scene was occurring just five or six nautical miles away.
Crucially, the ship at the forefront was headed directly towards Zhao Ya’s current position.
Shi Bolong’s expression became somewhat grave.
"It’s a pirate hunt. The ship at the front should be a merchant ship, but it won’t escape. These pirate ships have been modified and are much faster than ordinary vessels."
Having roamed the Endless Sea for over a decade, Shi Bolong was no stranger to such situations and his response was simple: steer clear.
These pirate operations are generally well-researched and meticulously planned.
After all, with so many merchant ships at sea, one must know which ships lack formidable backing and are loaded with valuable goods.
This requires ample preparation time.
Once pirates spring into action, they seldom change targets. Even if you pass by, as long as you appear uninvolved, the pirates typically won’t engage with you.
Zhao Ya naturally had no objections to this decision.
Zhao Ya did not oppose helping when within his means, but this situation clearly wasn’t manageable.
So, under their combined control, the Black Ship slowly moved aside, making way.
Meanwhile, the ships that were five or six nautical miles away just moments before had now entered visual range.
After observing for a while through the periscope, Zhao Ya said in a deep voice, "Can you identify which merchant fleet this is and which power the pirates behind them belong to?"
Shi Bolong shook his head, "I can’t tell, and not just me; probably no one in the Ten Thousand Realms can do what you’re asking."
"The powers within the Ten Thousand Realms are enmeshed and complex, with merchant fleets as numerous as cattle. As for the pirates, there are even more of them, with many often disguising themselves as merchant fleets, only to reveal their true colors when a suitable target appears."
"In such a chaotic mix, no one can discern things that clearly, especially since neither side is flying any flags." Shi Bolong said.
Zhao Ya was just casually asking.
He didn’t expect Shi Bolong to know everything.
He was most curious about what was on the merchant ship that warranted such relentless pursuit by so many pirate ships.
At this moment, the leading merchant ship also noticed Zhao Ya’s group, and as if spotting a lifeline, it immediately sounded its whistle.
"Haha, they’re calling for help from us." Shi Bolong said leisurely, while sneaking glances at Zhao Ya to see his reaction.
In Shi Bolong’s view, Zhao Ya’s willingness to unite martial artists to block his path for those people from the Small World proved he’s someone with a sense of justice.
Such people can be admirable, but in the outside world, they often perish quickly.
So, he wanted to see how Zhao Ya would react to the merchant ship’s plea for help.
To his surprise, Zhao Ya remained unmoved and instead promptly maneuvered the control panel to steer the Black Ship even farther away.
Shi Bolong was a bit surprised, finally couldn’t help but ask, "You’re not going to save them?"
"Save them? Why save them—you know this merchant ship?" Zhao Ya retorted.
Shi Bolong shook his head, "Don’t know them!"
"Then that’s settled," Zhao Ya said calmly.
Shi Bolong was left without words and at the same time felt a bit of despair about his situation.
With such a remarkably stable and clear-headed person watching over him day and night, how could he ever escape?
While Shi Bolong was lost in thought, a sense of despair permeated the merchant ship’s control room.
A young maiden of about sixteen was watching the Water Screen with a face full of despair at the unresponsive and even retreating Black Ship.
"Miss, perhaps we should just stop the ship and surrender now. These pirates usually just want money; as long as we accede to their demands, we can keep our lives. And as long as we’re alive, there’s a chance to turn things around." An old man advised, his face filled with bitterness.
But the young maiden was unmoved, "Enough, this ship is carrying the hopes of our family’s revival. If it falls into pirate hands, the Yang Family will never recover."
"Then what should we do now?" the old man asked worriedly.
The maiden gritted her teeth, "This Black Ship is a high-end model from the Celestial Secret Sect. Anyone who can afford such a ship clearly has great resources. Now that we’ve come across them, only they can save us!"
"But they just made it clear that they intend to stay out of it!" The old man said, puzzled.
"Statements don’t matter; if they won’t help, I’ll force them to!" A sly glint flashed in the maiden’s eyes, and she issued an order.
"Turn the ship around and head straight for the Black Ship."
The old man was startled.
"Miss, by doing this you’re...?"
"There are no ’buts.’ For my family, I must make them a casualty!" The maiden said coldly.
The old man wanted to say more, but seeing his lady’s determined expression, he knew his words were futile, so he sighed inwardly.
He knew these newly risen family members too well, especially since this young lady had taken on the responsibility of a merchant ship’s command at just twenty, showing her favored position in the family.
And precisely because of this, she wanted to prove herself even more.
For instance, this mission was just a routine sail, but the lady had attached so much importance to it.
Claims of family revival were just excuses; her real aim was not to fail in her first mission.
But this old steward, who had survived a lifetime on the Endless Sea, felt an uneasy foreboding.
Could someone wealthy enough to own such an advanced Black Ship be trifled with?
Could this plan to redirect disaster backfire and lead to utter ruin?
While these thoughts troubled the old steward, the merchant ship had already adjusted its course and was charging towards Zhao Ya.
In the control room, Zhao Ya and Shi Bolong raised their eyebrows simultaneously upon witnessing this, then quickly exchanged glances.
"Tsk tsk, are merchant ships so bold nowadays, pulling others into trouble when they won’t help?" Shi Bolong remarked with a click of his tongue.
"Is this ship sturdy?" Zhao Ya suddenly asked.
"Which one do you mean? Theirs or ours?" Shi Bolong replied.
"Ours!"
"Of course, it’s sturdy, and its price is unmatched. To buy this Black Ship, I almost had to sell my marrow! As for the merchant ship across, it’s worth five of theirs... Holy crap!"
Shi Bolong exclaimed, because at that moment, Zhao Ya maneuvered the Black Ship to ram straight into the merchant ship’s path.