Chapter 219

Chapter 219: Fake Pirates

"Oh no, something happened!" Zhao Zhanpeng’s expression instantly turned stern. Without even bidding farewell to Lou Yun, he turned and hurried away.

Lou Yun had seen the pillar of black smoke and heard the thunderous explosion, but he utterly failed to grasp what was happening. Puzzled, he looked toward Cai San Gong and asked, "San Gong, what happened?"

Cai San Gong wore an equally grave expression. "It appears we may have encountered pirates. Yet, Zhao Zhanpeng has sailed this route countless times. They’ve always paid off the pirates in these waters. It shouldn’t be possible for pirates to raid their merchant fleet again. What is this about?"

Lou Yun knew a little about pirates. Generally, fleets sailing the seas feared pirates most. Whether they sought wealth or lives, encountering them was never good news. After all, everyone set sail just to make a living, to earn some money.

Cai San Gong ignored Lou Yun any longer and hurried off to inquire about the situation from the crew. Lou Yun, however, watched the increasingly thick smoke rising from the fifth auxiliary ship. Amid the shouts and desperate cries for help filling his ears, his gaze gradually turned icy cold. "Let me see for myself what pirates truly look like, and just how savage they can be!"

That said, Lou Yun flicked his wrist, summoning the Dream Emperor Sword. Now a Mystery Rank magical weapons master, he was capable of flight using his magical weapon. Even though several kilometers separated him from the fifth ship, distance was no hindrance.

"Oh? Brother Lou, planning to leave us two behind again?" Wen Hou suddenly materialized beside Lou Yun with a smile, naturally followed by Tie Sha.

Seeing them, Lou Yun laughed heartily. "Not at all! San Gong informed me the fleet likely encountered pirates. Curiosity got the better of me—I wanted to see what pirates look like!"

"Haha! Tie Sha and I have never seen pirates either. Why not go together?"

"Haha, good! Let’s go!"

The three men leapt onto their respective magical weapons and soared toward the fifth ship.

As the trio took flight, the crew aboard the main ship erupted in cheers. They had long since regarded the three men as omnipotent saviors. With their help, dealing with a few pirates should be a breeze!

The moment they rose into the air, they sharply sensed the chaotic energy surrounding them. Fortunately, the distance was short; otherwise, halfway through, their magical weapons might have been destroyed by the turbulent power.

This was Lou Yun’s first time flying on his magical weapon. Feeling the chaotic forces, he couldn’t help but wonder silently: Why didn’t I feel this way that night when I subdued the heavenly fire storm?

The distance of several kilometers vanished in an instant. Blocked by three large ships earlier, they couldn’t discern the details on the fifth ship. Now, the scene before them made them frown.

Besides this auxiliary ship belonging to Zhao Zhanpeng, dozens of small vessels dotted the surrounding sea surface. "Small" was relative only to the massive auxiliary ship; each small vessel actually held dozens of people. Combined from dozens of boats, close to four or five hundred people were present!

These small boats now surrounded the auxiliary ship. People had already boarded it, wielding various weapons, herding most of the crew together. Embedded into the auxiliary ship’s hull was an enormous, spiked steel sphere—clearly the source of the earlier explosion.

At that moment, the ship’s officer was negotiating with the people on one of the small boats.

"We are vessels belonging to the Tongyuan Commercial Association. Which great Island Master do you serve?"

While mountain bandits were called ‘Mountain Kings,’ pirates were termed ‘Sea Kings.’

At the bow of that small boat stood several dozen men. Leading them was a middle-aged man with a round face, sporting a few long beard strands beneath his chin—he distinctly resembled a steward.

Stroking his beard, the man gave a cold, mocking smile. "I’m targeting the Tongyuan Commercial Association today. Be smart and surrender your cargo swiftly. I might spare your lives! Otherwise… humph, beware—you’ll lose both lives and goods!"

Lou Yun’s spiritual sense swept over the dozens of vessels. He detected both ordinary people and magical weapons masters aboard. The highest cultivation level among them reached Earth level.

Though Lou Yun had never encountered pirates before, he couldn’t help feeling suspicious. Earth-level magical weapons masters were considered formidable cultivators on the Spirit Weapon Star. They could easily find decent positions either training independently or joining powerful sects. There was absolutely no reason for them to become pirates at sea!

Flying from the direction of the main ship and shielded by the auxiliary ship’s tall hull, they approached unnoticed by the surrounding vessels. Silently, they landed on the auxiliary ship and pulled aside a crew member clearly hiding in the shadows to inquire about the situation.

Lou Yun and his companions’ reputation had long become legendary throughout the Tongyuan Commercial Association. Moreover, their status had reached incredible heights ever since the incident at the dock when the Heavenly Decree Leader paid them homage. Thus, the men aboard the auxiliary ship recognized them instantly.

Seeing them brought immediate hope. The previously trembling crew member jumped upon being grabbed by Lou Yun, but recognizing who it was, he immediately regained courage. His face even lit up with excitement, answering Lou Yun’s questions without hesitation.

Yet, the crew member’s answers only deepened Lou Yun’s suspicion. Pirates on the sea belonged to many different factions. To distinguish themselves and bolster their notoriety, each pirate group flew their unique, custom-made flag when venturing out. Its purpose was purely to declare their identity.

However, pirates without flags, like these dozens of small vessels, were something Lou Yun had genuinely never encountered before.

Regarding the incident: this very crew member first spotted the small boats pursuing them. Seeing no pirate flags, he dismissed his concerns, thinking they belonged to a small merchant guild coincidentally sharing the route. Yet their distance remained suspiciously large. He reported this to the officer, who initiated communication.

The pursuers’ first question was blunt: "Tongyuan Commercial Association?" Upon affirmation, they launched the steel sphere while simultaneously boarding the ship. Those boarding were magical weapons masters; though some couldn’t fly, climbing the ship was effortless.

Once aboard, they threatened the crew with weapons into gathering together. The officer continued negotiations with the attackers’ leader.

After hearing the crewman’s account, Lou Yun considered: whether they were genuine pirates or not, these actions defined them as such. There was no need for politeness. He would restrain a few, prioritizing the crew’s safety.

Thus, the trio stopped hiding and stepped out openly. Mistaking them for crew members, one pirate brandishing a large blade advanced threateningly. "Hey! You three! Get over here now! Or I’ll split your heads with this blade!"

Lou Yun quickly observed only six pirates had boarded the ship. The highest cultivation among them was only high-level. Subduing them would be incredibly simple.

Exchanging a glance with Wen Hou and Tie Sha, Lou Yun walked straight toward the swordsman. In a blur, Lou Yun was past him as a sudden, sharp pain erupted throughout his body, sending him crashing to the deck. His magical weapon was wrested away, and the power within his own magical weapon astonishingly refused his command any longer.

Lifting his head in bewilderment, he saw Lou Yun’s back walking away without a glance!

The man was utterly dumbstruck. He couldn’t comprehend what had just happened—how he fell, why his magical weapon suddenly became inert. He was frozen, unable to react.

This was undoubtedly Lou Yun’s doing. His speed far outstripped what a high-level magical weapons master could perceive. Unwilling to resort to killing before knowing their true purpose, he only used his Seal Technique to suppress the pirate’s magical weapon.

The three men attacked simultaneously. Effortlessly, in a flash, all six pirates boarding the ship were smoothly subdued!

Lou Yun then walked to the bow, signaling the officer to step aside, intending to speak with the attackers himself.

To his surprise, the moment Lou Yun showed himself, the steward-like man stared for a few moments before suddenly bursting into mad laughter. "Haha! It’s you we seek! Aren’t you some nonsense ‘Alliance Leader’?"

Lou Yun hadn’t uttered a single word. This question, however, made him frown in confusion. Strange. Is he speaking of the Divine Weapon Alliance? How could he possibly know I’m its leader? And why does he say he seeks me? As the leader, I hold no deep-seated grudges with anyone!

Suddenly, a flash of memory hit Lou Yun—the Heavenly Decree Leader’s words back at the dock: "This City Lord’s wife, Qiu Ruomei, is the daughter of the Island Master of Shuotai Island, about three thousand li from Binhai City. The Shuotai Island possesses considerable strength, so even Ma Ziwei must give her some face."

Realization dawned. Lou Yun let out a cold sneer. "I’ve heard the Qiu family of Shuotai Island holds some reputation. How have they fallen to the point of posing as pirates?"

Those five words—"Qiu family of Shuotai Island"—struck like thunder. Everyone except Tie Sha and Wen Hou visibly paled!

Naturally, the Tongyuan Commercial Association men knew of the Qiu family. Their relationship had always been one of mutual non-interference. Never expected the Qiu family to resort to pirate disguises to raid them!

As for the steward and his cohorts, their faces changed color from sheer shock—how could Lou Yun possibly know their origin?

Their reaction confirmed Lou Yun’s suspicion. Another cold sneer escaped him. "It seems you’re acting solely upon orders from your master’s daughter, Qiu Ruomei. Your mission: intercept and kill me at sea, right?"