However, this journey was fraught with danger... Chen Qi vaguely remembered that once the Flower Witch boarded the ship, the Blood Blade Pirate Group would embark on a perilous voyage.
Chen Qi stared at Fen's face:
"By the way, Fen, how's your injury?"
Fen moved the flower from her right eye, revealing it.
Close to that bloodshot eye, there were still some red scars and traces of blood that hadn't been cleaned up.
The Flower Witch herself suffered from Blood Flower Disease, and combined with the blood disease from the trial, her entire body was extremely fragile.
Fen replied softly:
"Thanks to the potions made by the Illusion Dream Butterfly, my spirits are temporarily stable, but I still have nightmares occasionally. However, the blood disease remains a huge issue."
We need to get Blood Origin Crystals as soon as possible... Chen Qi pondered.
By tomorrow noon, the information about the assassination of the Shadow of Crime should reach the Hunter Association.
After collecting the task, it would be almost time to head to the base of the Blood Blade Pirate Group.
Chen Qi said:
"Fen, we will head to the Blood Blade Pirate Group tomorrow night."
Tomorrow? Isn't that too soon? No, these matters must be dealt with before the arrival of the Smiling Moon... Fen nodded seriously:
"Rest assured, Qi! I've become stronger! With me here, if the Blood Blade Pirate Group dares to come at us, I'll show them the power of release!"
Fen waved her little fist in the air.
After undergoing the trial, she had gained mature combat experience!
Fen was confident that as long as they didn't encounter legends or sea beasts, she was invincible at the Third Rank!
And Water Elf No.2 condensed two small water fists and waved them in the air.
The Blood Blade Pirate Group shouldn't be a worry, but this trip still seemed fraught with danger... Chen Qi ate a piece of cake.
In the conflict between the Blood Blade Pirate Group and the Black Whale Group, even someone as strong as the Flower Witch couldn't guarantee her safety in the battle.
...
...
The next noon, on the commercial street of Black Mine City.
A sudden storm swept through Black Mine City, and a large number of papers fluttered over the commercial street.
"One copy of today's newspaper, please."
Chen Qi, as usual, bought a newspaper at the newspaper stand on his way to the Hunter Association.
The top headline was about the Blood Blade Pirate Group attacking the Black Whale Group. Last night, the Blood Blade Pirate Group launched a surprise attack, severely damaging the Black Whale Group's island.
"A retaliatory action because of what happened yesterday?"
Stay updated through empire
Chen Qi shook his head, and the next second, as he arrived in front of the Hunter Association headquarters, he felt a gaze upon him.
Three well-equipped hunters, like fierce beasts, were fixing their beastly stares on Chen Qi.
The three hunters were discussing among themselves.
"Is this guy a newbie too? Could he be the assassin?"
"Is it him? You must be joking, completing that mission and daring to come back?"
"That was an A-rank mission reward, enough to drive everyone crazy. Besides, even if Black Gloves are brazen, they wouldn't show up in front of the Hui Shu leader."
"That guy! He dared to break into the base of the Blood Blade Pirate Group alone? Truly bold!"
They were discussing yesterday's events... Chen Qi frowned, looking down.
Underfoot was a fresh bounty order.
#Black Gloves: Anyone who captures the hunter who assassinated our members will be rewarded a million shell coins and a C-rank Skill Card of any nature form by the Black Whale Group!#
The task issued by Black Gloves... Chen Qi carefully inspected the task.
In the simple text, he could feel the hysterical anger of Black Gloves.
The reaction of Black Gloves was quick, he issued a bounty so swiftly... Chen Qi thought it wasn't a good sign.
The actions in Black Mine City were even more dangerous than he had imagined.
Chen Qi looked toward the hunters.
One of the hunters muttered:
"Newbie? Do you have any leads on this guy?"
Chen Qi smiled:
"No, and I don't want to get involved in this either. Besides, it seems pretty dangerous."
The Hunter Association advocated for freedom, and thus it was essentially a mixed bag of characters.
Although officially, the Hunter Association did not allow the issuing or taking of pirate group tasks, in reality, many hunters still helped pirate groups if the reward was sufficient.
Even the leader Hui Shu would occasionally turn a blind eye and take on pirate group tasks.
The hunter grinned:
"Is that so? The reward is quite substantial, after all. Capturing one person is simpler than clearing a crack!"
So reckless... Chen Qi said:
"Not necessarily, you might die even faster. Even if you capture him, are you sure the Blood Blade Pirate Group will let you go?"
"..."
The group swallowed nervously; the Blood Blade Pirate Group's influence in Black Mine City was significant.
These rag-tag hunters posed no real threat to him, but hopefully, Black Gloves' task wouldn't attract powerful bounty hunters... Chen Qi ignored them and walked inside the Hunter Association building.
Chen Qi climbed up the spiral staircase to the top floor,
The task he took was directly under Hui Shu and ultimately required him to go to Hui Shu's office to collect the reward.
Due to Hui Shu's personal habits, this didn't need any notification.
"Hui Shu, I'm here to complete the task."
Chen Qi walked down the corridor, knocked on the door, pushed open the heavy oak door carved with a gold blade, and entered the room inside.
Hui Shu's office was quite large, with a spacious, solid wood desk in the center. Scattered on it were several thick history books, some documents, and a detailed map of Black Mine City's waters, marked with various colored annotations, showing the leader's familiarity and control of Black Mine City.