Chapter 111 - Ship Battle on the Ocean (1/2)
A ship of about ten meters was parked outside the entrance for ships to the port. It was a regular ship, smaller in size than the ships used for naval combat or for carrying large loads. Yet, at the same time, it gave unexplained pressure to the viewer.
Its black sail was extremely flashy, but what attracted the most attention was the giant purple spider drawn above. Under the spider was written HOPE.
It was Hei's artifact ship that was awaiting the arrival of Mo Songmin's ship.
In order to start their pirate career, Hei and his family were wearing the clothes brought by the pirate Mo Songmin.
Hei chose long black trousers that were neither too tight nor too loose, so as not to hinder movements. As for the shoes, he decided to remain barefoot instead. His fighting style with Beast Claw was truly complete only when he used all his four limbs for attacking. For the upper part, Hei was wearing just a white long-sleeved shirt. It wasn't particularly cold, and since they had to fight, it was better to wear few clothes.
Lian also chose a simple style. She wore long brown leather boots with long, tight black trousers that enhanced the tone of the young woman's legs. Above, she instead had a simple white linen blouse. As for other accessories, Lian wasn't the type to wear them. The only exception was the silver-white silk ribbon that she was wearing around her neck as a scarf.
Ye and Xing instead chose to wear accessories. Ye wore a red band on her head while Xing wore a hat with a white skull. They also wanted to wear an eye patch, but Hei forbade it with the excuse that it would hinder them in the fight.
As for who steered the ship, Hei had been mulling over that issue. The artifact ship had an automatic propulsion system that allowed it to go in a straight line as long as there was enough fuel. There was, however, a problem with naval battles. They couldn't go in a straight line as in regular crossings but had to move the ship all the time to prevent it from being rammed. Given that it was smaller than the other ships, the artifact ship couldn't stand a direct crash, but they had instead to aim for speed and avoid any direct contacts.
So, in the end, without other solutions, they hired an old longtime friend of the tavern host. He was a sailing master who had worked on the largest merchant ships for years but had been forced to withdraw due to a leg injury. However, after years of inactivity, he wanted to start driving a ship again.
Hei then offered him a deal - a daily wage and the artifact ship as a reward, once what Hei and his family had to do in the Forgotten Ocean was done. In return, the man would have to sign with Hei a blood pact of absolute secrecy. He couldn't reveal to anyone in any existing way what would happen during this period of collaboration for the whole course of his life.
The sailing master accepted it despite the severe restrictions. The pay Hei offered was more than inviting in itself. But the possibility of having an artifact ship all to himself was what attracted him most. With that, he could open a fast delivery service that would guarantee him a pension and kept his dream of sailing until his last days.
As for having to sacrifice the artifact ship, it wasn't a problem for Hei. Once they reached the Continent, it would no longer be necessary. Also, when they became spirit soldiers, he and Lian would be able to fly. As for Ye and Xing, he knew it was possible for them to fly. However, Hei didn't know if flying was possible only for divine beasts or for all spirit beasts. Furthermore, he didn't even know when it would be possible for them to learn to fly. He could only hope that they shouldn't have to wait too long.
In any case, his little sisters were talented divine beasts. Being the Spider of Nightmare and the Serpent of Darkness' daughters, how could their talent be low? So Hei didn't doubt that with practice, the two of them would be able to fly.
”Old Tohyon, the ship we're waiting for is coming. Get ready to go.”
In the distance, a large ship was approaching them. It was Mo Songmin's ship.
When the large ship came to the side of the artifact ship, the first slowed down its run. From the bridge, above the wooden railing of the ship, Mo Songmin stood looking down on the artifact ship.
”We will guide you. You lead your ship behind us without getting lost. Alright? The designated point is about a day's sailing from here. We will travel nonstop, so be prepared. The other ships will join us in the morning at another point. Is it all clear?”
”Yes, I understand. Lead the way then. ”
Mo Songmin nodded his head and got off the railing. Then he started giving orders to his men. Soon, the great ship passed the artifact ship.
”Old Tohyon, have you heard? I rely on you.”
”Don't worry, Master Hei. This old man will not disappoint you.”
The old sailing master began to spin the ship to follow Mo Songmin's ship. They were currently using the ship's regular navigation system. There was no need to consume spirit stones for the propulsion system. In any case, Hei had given the sailing master plenty of spirit stones to use the system for hours, not to mention his other reserve stocks.
Hei had the Secret Dimension and its resources, including the spirit stones inside. Although he kept them for cultivation, he could pull them out if needed and used them as fuel for the artifact ship or to buy pills or medicines.
Thus, the two ships sailed in the darkness of the night. As Mo Songmin said, at dawn, they met three other large ships. They were pirates under the Pirate General Ho Ri-Na's command. Together, the convoy of five ships headed to the designated point to attack the pirate Hong Shin's drug ships.
*
After they sailed for another day, they finally met the Pirate General Hong Shin's drug convoy. It consisted of about ten ships, of which at least half were merchant ships. That type of ship was more predisposed to the transport of goods than to attack and had few men.
The four ships of the pirate crew Ho R-Na fanned out to surround the convoy. Behind them, hidden by their size, was the artifact ship of Hei. The plan was simple, while the pirates of Ho Ri-Na distracted the enemy's main fighting force, Hei and his team were supposed to infiltrate in the middle of the battle and board the merchant ships inside.
It wasn't necessary to kill all the enemies, just make sure to destroy the drugs they carried. Of course, if they managed to kill all the men in Hong Shin's ships, it would be an added advantage for the future plans of the pirate Ho Ri-Na.
Thus, the battle began.
From the ships began to fall a rain of arrows and javelins while from the sides iron harpoon were being fired toward the enemy combat ships. In that way, the enemies wouldn't escape the attack, and the merchant ships would have remained isolated if they had attempted to escape from there.
”At full speed!” Old Tohyon screamed in an excited voice. A lot of years had passed since the last time he savored the excitement of listening to the sound of arrows that swooped down from the sky and the sound of broken wood when ships rammed each other.
Hei's artifact ship popped up from behind the fan formation of the four ships. Taking advantage of the propulsion system, the artifact ship quickly crept into the chaotic battle.
When they reached the merchant ships, Hei jumped from the artifact ship. With his hands and feet's claws, he stuck his limbs on the wood of the enemy ship. He had one of Lian's ribbons on his belt as the girl wasn't expert in climbing vertical surfaces. Ye and Xing were on Hei's shoulders instead, excited to fight.
Hei, therefore, began to climb the wall of the ship quickly. Lian wasn't heavy, and the weight of his little sisters was almost nonexistent for now. So he was able to reach the ship's deck quickly.