Chapter 120 - Planning Future Moves (1/2)
With the Bowhead Whale dead and Pang Ja-Kyung escaped the danger that had assailed Hei was over. Most of the killer whales left alive had already fled to the darkness of the ocean, and the crew of Sok Yeong-Gi's crew was cleaning up the stubborn ones. Sok Yeong-Gi had gotten back on his ship, his breathing seemed breathless, and he had lost most of his strength, but overall he was fine.
Hei meanwhile had risen to the surface. Waiting for him was Lian, who promptly pulled him up onto the deck of the artifact ship. Ye and Xing then descended from Hei's shoulders and slumped to the ground, followed shortly after by their big brother, who leaned his back on the ship's deck while looking up at the sky.
”We made it. Haha, nice job. Without you, I couldn't have made it.” Hei complimented Ye, Xing, and Lian with difficulty due to his exhaustion. No, Ho Yeon-Hong was also included. Although minimal, the help of the gray-haired young woman had been crucial.
'Oh, yes. But now I need to sleep for at least an entire day.' (Ye)
'Yeah, a day of good sleep, and then we'll eat the whale, right?' (Xing)
”First, you have to take a bath to remove the saltwater from the ocean, or it will stick on you. The same goes for you. Hei, but I suppose we can wait a little longer for that.” Lian admonished them sternly before bursting out laughing.
Hei also let himself go to a contagious laugh with his little sisters who were writhing with joy despite the tiredness. Beside them, Ho Yeon-Hong was watching the scene in amazement.
”Is it really over? Is it all over?” She asked as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
”Yes, it's over. I think you will no longer have to fear for your life on the way. I strongly doubt that they imagined that their spirit soldier and his spirit beast would fail. Excellent work, Ho Yeon-Hong. Excellent work, Old Tohyon. Without you, we wouldn't have made it. ”
”There is no need to thank Master Hei. Just surviving to tell about such a battle is an honor. Ah, but I guess I'll have to settle for keeping it in my memories.” Old Tohyon smiled wryly. His spirit pact was still active, so it was impossible for him to talk to others about what he was experiencing onboard the artifact ship.
”Who knows, Old Tohyon. Those are still editable. Am I not right, Lian?” Hei asked Lian as he winked toward her.
The blue-haired young woman smiled and turned to Old Tohyon, ”Yes, that is possible. Of course, it depends on how things are going, right, Hei?”
”What are you talking about by behaving so mysterious?” Ho Yeon-Hong couldn't understand the flow of the conversation. What were they talking about?
Hei and Lian burst out laughing again, followed by Old Tohyon. As an experienced seaman, he had already sensed the meaning of their words. Besides, during this period of service as a member of Hei's crew, Old Tohyon had learned to know the young man and his companions. Honestly, he would have liked to have been able to tell their deeds at the end of their journey.
Ho Yeon-Hong still couldn't understand, but before she could press for answers, Sok Yeong-Gi arrived on their ship. He had a faintly twisted expression when his feet touched the ship's deck.
He had a golden opportunity to kill Pang Ja-Kyung and bring a considerable advantage to his Captain Ho Ri-Na in the clash against Pirate General Hong Shin. However, not only he had let the enemy escape, like he was a fool, the final act of this clash was decided thanks to that pair of young martial artists and their spirit beasts.
”Congratulations, Hei. You and your crew have accomplished an incredible feat. Of course, I also congratulate you, Yeon. You have demonstrated great skill in not losing your courage against a second level spirit beast. You were crucial in killing that creature.” Sok Yeong-Gi tried to move some of the success onto Ho Yeon-Hong.
However, the gray-haired young woman shook her head, ”If it weren't for Hei's guidance, I would have panicked. I have done nothing but just following his directives. I bet that the big sister Ri-Na will be happy to know about this result. Two seventh stage spirit apprentices who stop a second level spirit beast. I think it's unheard of throughout the Forgotten Ocean, right, big brother Yeong?”
Sok Yeong-Gi twitched his forehead even more but strove to maintain a friendly appearance, ”Not that I'm aware of. I think it's the first time that something like this has happened. As you said, the Captain will be pleasantly surprised. Speaking of which, where is the whale's corpse? Were you able to take its spirit core?”
Sok Yeong-Gi looked into Hei's eyes as if he wanted to peer into his soul. Hei then got up from where he was. He stood in front of Sok Yeong-Gi and looked him in the eye as well.
”No. The whale's body fell deep into the ocean. Furthermore, I was unable to reach the point where the spirit core was. I was more worried about not dying.” Hei jokingly said. It wasn't a lie. He actually had no enough time to reach the whale's spirit core.
”I understand. Well, it would be a pity to give up something so valuable. Don't you mind if I go looking for it underwater, do you? It would be an excellent gift to bring to the Captain.”
”Big Brother Yeong?” Ho Yeong-Hong tried to understand why he was asking such questions, but she was interrupted by Hei.