Chapter 11

East Sea waters.

A pirate ship trailed far behind Gao Wen’s warship.

A thin man wearing sunglasses shaped like hearts stood on the crow’s nest, peering through a telescope at the warship several kilometers away.

After confirming the warship’s identification number, the man pulled a telephone slug from his pocket and dialed it.

“Moxi moxi~”

“Captain K Luo , we’ve confirmed Monka’s warship’s course—they’re heading for the nearby Shuimu Island to resupply.”

“Good.”

On the other end of the line.

K Luo stared blankly at the bounty poster in his hand, his tone indifferent:

“Zan Gao, when this is over, I’ll reward you.”

“Yes!”

A flash of tangible greed passed through Zan Gao’s eyes, making his arm holding the telescope tremble slightly.

He understood K Luo ’s nature—cruel, ruthless, cunning—but he always kept his word.

Even after years at sea, having faced countless opponents.

From Marines to pirates, including monsters like Monka, Provincial Military Commander Krik, and the Fish-Man A Long, none could match K Luo in intellect.

Not to mention that near-instant teleportation skill—once activated, it was indiscriminate slaughter; no one could survive it!

Zan Gao was utterly certain of this, and his fear of K Luo ran even deeper.

He lowered his telescope and ordered the pirate ship to maintain a distant trail behind the warship, precisely controlling the distance—close enough not to lose it, far enough not to be detected.

Clearly, he had done this countless times before.

…

Elsewhere.

After hanging up, K Luo turned to face the pirate before him, his eyes hiding deep revulsion and exhaustion.

To this day, he had forgotten why he set sail; he only knew the claw knives on his fingers had severed countless enemy heads.

He had risen from an ordinary pirate to captain of this crew—after killing the original captain.

His bounty had climbed steadily to fifteen million.

Combat, slaughter, plunder, drunken oblivion…

He could foresee this life continuing until the day he died at an enemy’s hands.

He envied peaceful life instead—growing flowers, raising dogs, savoring afternoon tea and desserts, just as the nobles he’d seen at banquets in his youth: elegant, composed.

Not this—waking each day to plan how to evade the Marines and hunt his next prey.

The pirate’s path.

Failure means death.

“Who could have known?”

“I, K Luo , only want a quiet life…”

K Luo murmured to himself, a flicker of longing appearing in his eyes.

“But if the plan proceeds smoothly, that life will come soon.”

Saying this,

K Luo picked up a pure white handkerchief and began gently polishing his decades-old claw knives, as if caressing a lover.

A dozen minutes later.

K Luo stepped out of the captain’s cabin; his crew had already gathered on deck. Seeing him arrive, their faces flashed unmistakable fear.

“Captain!”

K Luo resumed his expressionless, icy demeanor, his cold gaze sweeping over them, sending chills down their spines.

“Our target this time is Marine Lieutenant Monka.”

“If the plan succeeds, I will temporarily leave the Black Cat Pirates. The next captain will be chosen between Zan Gao and the Cat Brothers.”

“If the plan fails…”

“I’ll kill you all.”

…

…

…

Two days later.

On the captured warship.

The lookout reported to Gao Wen with a serious expression.

“Captain Gao Wen, we’re being followed.”

“They’re seasoned—perfect distance control—but prolonged tracking inevitably leaves traces.”

“We estimate they began following us shortly after we left the deserted island.”

Gao Wen’s brow twitched slightly.

Since realizing the potential of these men on board was nearly exhausted, the experience gained from their cultivation had dwindled.

Now, even with everyone training together, they yielded only scattered points daily—sometimes none at all.

Desperate for experience, Gao Wen naturally couldn’t let these followers slip away:

“Can you tell who they are?”

The lookout shook his head:

“They fly no flag, but their style is unmistakably pirate. We don’t know which crew, but daring to track a warship means they’re no ordinary group.”

“What do we do?”

The lookout looked anxious.

The pirates aboard gradually gathered, and seeing Gao Wen’s calm expression, they felt reassured, their tension easing.

Even some eager fighters began checking their firearms and polishing blades.

After over a month of cultivation, their potential had been nearly exhausted, and their combat power had risen significantly.

Alongside this growth came the pirates’ bloodthirsty instinct—they craved battle to prove themselves.

Gao Wen glanced at the eager crew and said calmly:

“Close in. Prepare for combat. Capture them alive if possible, without risking yourselves.”

“Yes!”

They shouted in unison.

The helmsman turned the wheel fully, hoisted the sails, and the warship pivoted sharply, engines roaring toward the distant pirate ship.

…

“Found us?”

“Of course. Long-term tracking without perfect stealth—getting caught was inevitable.”

Zan Gao watched the approaching warship, a faint smile curling his lips, his eyes showing no fear:

“Even alone, Captain K Luo can wipe every last man off Monka’s ship. You’re just unlucky—chosen by the Captain as part of his plan.”

He turned to command his crew.

“Fall back! Regroup with the main ship!”

The helmsman answered, his hand just touching the wheel.

A piercing roar echoed from the sky.

Several cannonballs struck around the pirate ship, triggering violent explosions.

Water spouted skyward.

At that moment, the telephone slug in Zan Gao’s arms rang.

“I’m here!”

K Luo ’s emotionless voice came through the receiver.

On the distant horizon, the pirate ship led by K Luo cut through the waves, racing toward the center of battle.

Cannon muzzles spat fire, launching a storm of crimson meteors.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

…

Amid the dense artillery fire, several shells streaked straight toward the warship beneath Gao Wen’s feet.

As the pirates scattered,

Gao Wen drew his longsword; a silver-white flying slash shot out, slicing every incoming shell cleanly in half.

The sword qi retained its momentum, streaking skyward, instantly drawing every eye in sight.

“What… was that?”

Zan Gao didn’t understand, but he felt a lethal threat radiating from that silver flash.

He was about to move—when he saw a golden-haired figure leap from the warship, hurtling like a cannonball toward his own ship.

“Wait!”

"You're not Monka?!"

(End of Chapter)