Chapter 207: The Black Pearl

This smuggling ship, with a name that Wu Qingsong found very familiar, was clearly designed for speed. When the sails on its three masts were fully unfurled, it outpaced all the other ships around, quickly leaving them behind.

“The Black Pearl is one of the fastest ships in the world. With the right wind, we can reach the port of Benaris in just one month,” the walrus captain said proudly.

Ram and the others were surprised by Red Moon’s arrival, but since things were already set in motion, they didn’t object. Ram and Bernar expressed concern about Red Moon’s abilities. Wu Qingsong reassured them and assigned Ling to keep an eye on her.

“Don’t believe a word she says,” he told Ling.

Ram had too many responsibilities, and Liuli was too naive, making them unsuitable for the task. Ling’s ability to stay alert for nearly twelve hours made her perfect for keeping Red Moon in check. Moreover, Ling’s unconditional trust in Wu Qingsong and her stubborn nature meant she wouldn’t be easily misled.

Contrary to Wu Qingsong’s expectations, Red Moon showed no signs of wanting to escape. Instead, she often initiated conversations with Ram, Ling, and Liuli, spending almost all her time with them. Wu Qingsong overheard their talks. With Ram, she discussed business strategies, organizational tips, and various ways to strengthen their group. With Liuli, she mostly talked about local delicacies and fun places. When chatting with Ling, the topic was usually Wu Qingsong himself.

She rarely took the initiative to ask about sensitive or confidential matters. Instead, she mostly discussed the things about Wu Qingsong that made them feel proud. Even without using her abilities, she always managed to subtly steer the conversation in a way that gradually lowered their guard against her.

She started sharing Dark Moon’s ideals with them, recounting the efforts and sacrifices made by several generations over the decades to overthrow the Elven Empire.

“Wu, maybe we misunderstood her?” Ling and Liuli asked him quietly more than once. 

Only Ram remained clear-headed about her, occasionally hiding nearby after Wu Qingsong activated her abilities to observe if Red Moon had any ulterior motives.

Wu Qingsong had to repeatedly warn Red Moon, who always responded with an innocent expression, asking what she had done wrong.

“I haven’t used my abilities or misled anyone. I’m just stating facts without any exaggeration. Do I not even have the right to speak?” 

On the ship, without maintaining her refined makeup, she was still an undeniably beautiful woman, making it difficult for anyone to harden their heart and lock her up in the cabin.

On this ship belonging to Dark Moon, Wu Qingsong couldn’t really confine her either.

“My favorite pastime is chatting with people. If you don’t want me to talk to them for fear I might influence them, then I can talk with you, right?”

“I have nothing to say to you,” Wu Qingsong replied.

“How do you know there’s nothing to talk about if you haven’t tried?” Red Moon countered. “I believe Orgrimmar will continue to cooperate with Dark Moon. Maybe you don’t like us, but we share the same goals and interests. Especially when it comes to overthrowing the Elven rule, we need each other’s strength. I admit we’ve used inappropriate methods in the past, and I won’t make excuses for what happened. But, Wu, I believe misunderstandings will be cleared up, and we can build a trusting relationship, becoming comrades fighting the Elven Empire on different fronts and in different ways.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m certain of it,” Red Moon said. “When two independent organizations with their own visions first come into contact, misunderstandings, conflicts, and even clashes are inevitable. But if we show sincerity and willingness to seek common ground while reserving differences, and moving towards the same goal, these issues can be resolved and improved. Wu, you’ll eventually see this.”

Of course, this didn’t immediately change Wu Qingsong’s impression of her, but he had to admit that her words weren’t entirely without merit.

The Black Pearl soon sailed through the Ambiga Inland Sea, past the Strait of the Cape of Gods, and entered the territory of the mermen.

The crew’s mood visibly tensed up. Even the old walrus who usually liked to chat with the girls now stayed mostly on the bridge, acting like a true captain.

“From this point on, it can get a bit dangerous,” Captain Eddie said to Wu Qingsong and the others who were on their first sea voyage. “But don’t worry, the Black Pearl is a good ship and can outrun any merman. Plus, we’ll be sticking close to the mainland, and the navy regularly clears out merfolk along the route, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Liuli quickly found a new pastime, climbing swiftly between the masts and sails, even moving along the ropes between the sails.

She even managed to take over the lookout’s position, spending all day perched on the highest mast, watching the surrounding scenery.

“Looks like I need to hire a few catfolk as sailors,” even Eddie said. “These seals are always so cautious up high, they’re no match for the catfolk’s daring and agility.”

“But they don’t like water, do they?” Charlotte said. “How can they be sailors if they don’t like water?”

Eddie laughed, “Miss Charlotte, we’re running a ship here. Most of the time, we’re on the deck and masts. I’ve been running this route for over twenty years, and I’ve only had to go into the water less than five times. We’re not the navy. We don’t need to fight the merfolk underwater. When we encounter them, we just raise the sails and try to outrun them.”

As they stood on the bridge chatting, Liuli suddenly shouted from high above, “There are two big ships ahead! They’re heading straight for us!”

“Big ships? What do they look like? What flag are they flying?” Eddie shouted, but Liuli couldn’t give a clear answer.

“Damn it! Carlos! Get your ass up the mast, now!” the old walrusman bellowed.

This route was theoretically very busy, connecting the eastern and western ends of the continent, with thousands of various ships sailing every day. But the sea was vast, and apart from occasionally spotting a ship in the distance, they mostly sailed alone on the open water.

Even the revenue cutters that collected tolls wouldn’t chase a smuggling ship like the Black Pearl across the wide sea. They would ambush them near ports.

If these two ships were heading straight for them, it was definitely not good news.

Carlos, the lookout, quickly climbed up the mast and shouted down, “Captain, they’re two Emperor-class warships!”

“#@%!” Eddie swore loudly, then started cursing even more. “You damn seals! What are you waiting for? Get moving! Do you all want to get caught and hanged?”