Chapter 37: Personal Service

Upon hearing the three words "Celestial Dragon," the pirates on the deck were stunned for a moment, and then many of them subconsciously revealed looks of dread, as if the fear were carved into their very bones.

Watching the change in their expressions, Luo Di grinned and laughed, "Yah-hahahaha, you idiots, pull yourselves together! We are the Blood Calamity Pirates. What are Celestial Dragons? In the future, we'll catch one and turn them into a ball to kick around."

"That's a good idea. I could make some small modifications to them so they'd be smoother on the ground," Lin De Bo Ge said seriously.

"Hey, that's too wasteful," Ka Li Na said. "They fancy themselves gods; one of them would surely sell for a lot of money."

Lu Xi Ya smiled, "That's only if someone dares to buy them. Holding a soccer match is more realistic."

"As expected of Captain Luo Di and the officers, we aren't afraid of any Celestial Dragons!" Hearing Luo Di and the others say this, the fear in the crew members' hearts gradually dissipated, and they all began to laugh and chime in.

Luo Di continued, "Alright, pull up the anchor. Let's set sail, and then... it's time for a banquet!"

"Roar!"

"Yeah!"

Lin De Bo Ge pressed a switch by the ship's side, and the anchor was automatically pulled up. He then instructed the crew on how to hoist the sails and use the power system and helm; overall, it was not much different from a regular ship, though it required much less effort.

Soon, the "God-Slaying Royal Court" was riding the wind and waves across the sea. Ka Li Na had already set the course; their final destination in the East Blue was Luo Ge Zhen, the last town before heading to the Grand Line.

A Nuo was frantically busy in the kitchen, while the crew members were free to move about on deck—some exercising, some playing cards, some fishing... The remaining officers gathered in the conference room on the second floor.

Sitting at the head of the table, Luo Di lit a cigar: "Ka Li Na, has the total amount of treasure been tallied?"

Ka Li Na nodded and said excitedly, "Including the treasure from Clockwork Island, the total value of all our treasure is now 500 million, though we only have a little over 100 million in cash; the rest needs to be converted."

"Are there any channels?" Luo Di continued to ask.

Ka Li Na nodded: "Yes, I can contact reliable black-market merchants for the transaction, but we have to reach the next town. Our next closest island is Polar Star Island, which is near the Red Line and less than 100 nautical miles from Luo Ge Zhen. At this ship's speed, it will take about ten days to reach Polar Star Island."

In the pirate world, besides the major overt powers like the World Government, the Navy, the Revolutionary Army, pirates, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea, there are also mysterious underground organizations that control the world's black-market business. If pirates seize a large amount of treasure, they always go directly to black-market merchants to handle it.

Luo Di nodded: "Good, I'll leave it to you."

Whenever she heard news related to treasure, Ka Li Na would act as if a switch had been flipped, becoming exceptionally excited.

"Now for the second matter." Luo Di looked at Xiao En: "How many crew members do we have now?"

Xiao En replied: "After going through several battles, there are currently fewer than three hundred in total."

Luo Di nodded: "After the transaction on Polar Star Island, let's go to Luo Ge Zhen to recruit some people."

"Yes, Captain Luo Di."

After chatting for a bit and confirming the direction and the tasks to be done, Luo Di dismissed the meeting. He walked out of the conference room to the second-floor deck; by this time, A Nuo had finished preparing the food and had the crew call everyone to the dining hall.

Holding a banquet is an essential activity for pirates. After all, they are free, and the price of freedom is that they could die at any moment; every pirate seizes every second they are alive.

The dining hall was bustling with noise and excitement. Amidst the clinking of glasses, the pirates were all red-faced, enjoying the comfort after the war. Luo Di and the officers sat at one table. Ka Li Na poured him a glass of wine and said in disbelief, "Luo Di, how many glasses have you had? You're not getting drunk at all."

"That's right, my nickname, A Nuo, is the 'Wine Tyrant.' I could drink my old man under the table when I was eight. I dare say no one in Xiu Mao Zhen can outdrink me, but in front of Captain Luo Di, I'm practically a rookie!" A Nuo was very disappointed in himself.

"Yah-hahahaha, this is an innate talent. How else could I be your captain?" Luo Di looked at the plate of fruit in front of Lu Xi Ya and smiled, opening his mouth.

Lu Xi Ya smiled gently, picked up a piece of watermelon, and fed it to Luo Di. Luo Di ate it, rind and all.

"Oh my, Sister Lu Xi Ya, how can you spoil him like that?" Ka Li Na pouted.

"Hehehe, it is Captain's order, after all," Lu Xi Ya said with a radiant smile.

In Luo Di's perception, she seemed to always maintain a smile; it was as if nothing could ever break her.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

After it ended, the crew members returned to their respective rooms.

Luo Di returned to the captain's quarters and took off his clothes. At this moment, his bathtub had already been filled with hot water. Ka Li Na, with her snow-white, smooth skin, was sitting in the tub. The steam rose like ethereal mist, and her curvaceous figure was faintly visible, exuding a hazy beauty.

"You're becoming more and more sensible," Luo Di said with a gratified smile, entering the tub and wrapping his arms around Ka Li Na's waist.

"Hehe, I know you've been working hard, Captain. As your little secretary, I must properly relieve your stress," Ka Li Na said, blinking her lively eyes. Her purple hair was damp and rested on her shoulders, adding to her charm.

Luo Di leaned back and smirked, "The captain is indeed tired and can't move. I'm counting on you."

"You're too much." Ka Li Na pouted and hummed, then slowly bent down.

For the next period of time, the God-Slaying Royal Court sailed steadily. Even when storms whipped up the waves, it didn't cause the ship to tremble much. Being able to board such a ship, the crew members were naturally excited. Under Xiao En's mobilization, they constantly strengthened their training and combat skills, and a bit of murderous aura appeared on everyone's faces.

Besides his daily required training, Luo Di's deep exchanges with Ka Li Na every night were also a must. Lin De Bo Ge almost locked himself in the research lab on the lower deck, saying the ship's system still needed improvements, and even his meals were delivered by the crew.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

"Luo Di, we can already see Polar Star Island!"

At this time, the sky was dim; it was already evening. Ahead, one could see an island full of light sources. The town on it seemed very prosperous, like a city that never sleeps.

Ka Li Na pointed to a spot of twinkling lights: "That over there is the Xinghai Wangguo. I've already contacted the buyer. Once we dock the ship, we'll take the treasure and head over."

"Is it safe, Lady Ka Li Na?" Xiao En asked.

"They themselves should be fine. As long as they do business, they must be honest, otherwise they wouldn't be able to survive," Ka Li Na said. "However, I'm not sure if there are other forces on this island. The amount of our treasure is not small; if we don't handle it carefully, we might attract the attention of others."