Chapter 419: The Fishing Boat That Didn’t Avoid

Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

Seeing the approaching ship, Ning Qingxue abandoned the sails and grabbed her gun. As the ship loomed, its dozens of occupants stared at her, their eyes like those of ravenous wolves. They seemed oblivious to her weapon, fixated only on her goddess-like appearance.

Ten meters separated them, yet Ning Qingxue heard them gulp. Her heart sank; she wanted to fire, but knew her gun wouldn't kill so many pirates.

“God, such a beautiful woman! I must have her…” the leading white man sighed. Ning Qingxue understood the English.

“Shawn, that’s our leader’s ship. That woman is there, but where’s our leader?” the bulky man beside him suddenly remembered their mission. They sought their lost leader, not pretty women. However, this woman was too beautiful.

This reminder refocused the crew. They saw no leader, only an incredibly beautiful woman. In the vast ocean, this seemed unsettling.

“She’s actually holding a gun, haha!” Laughter erupted; no one took her seriously.

“Put your gun down and come to our ship!” a man yelled through a horn.

Ning Qingxue understood, comprehending her fate should she fall into their hands.

Suddenly, the leader raised his hand; a white light hurtled toward her wrist. A flying dart? Ning Qingxue reacted instantly, but failed to dodge. Before it struck, a white light blocked it—her necklace. She saw its glow dim considerably, and felt a surge of anger.

She hadn't expected such skilled projectile use. Grabbing her gun, she fired. The pirates, however, were experienced. The moment she raised her weapon, almost all dove for cover. Only one was hit.

She realized they hadn't wanted to kill her; they wanted her alive. She quickly hid as the pirates sailed on. After a few shots, she saw their sails lower, slowing their speed.

Ning Qingxue felt sadness, not fear of death, but regret at not seeing Ye Mo. She wasn't afraid to die, but not like this. She hadn't said sorry, hadn't made amends.

She changed the magazine; she only had two.

Silver, sensing her helplessness, whimpered beside her.

“Woman, put down your weapon and come out. We won’t hurt you, but resist, and we’ll blow up your ship,” the voice boomed again.

Ning Qingxue bit her lip and burst from cover, spraying bullets. She hit two men. Their anger was evident, yet they still hesitated to fire, afraid of harming her.

Two bombs landed, blasting holes in her ship. Further attacks ceased, replaced by continued threats.

Ning Qingxue hid with Silver. She had few bullets left. Even her fireball charm could only kill about three.

Just as despair set in, the ship shuddered. An anchor, connected by a white rope to the pirate ship, had landed in one of the holes. Escape was impossible.

Ning Qingxue stood, intending to fire one last time before jumping overboard.

“Silver, after I jump, fly away; there might be an island nearby. That’s better than dying here.” She patted Silver; she would miss the bird. Its companionship had been a comfort, even allowing her to cultivate.

Silver whimpered, then chirped, pulling her sleeve with its beak. She looked where it pointed—another boat approaching. Silver wanted her to escape on it.

Ning Qingxue smiled bitterly. It was a fishing boat. “That’s a fishing boat. They can’t protect themselves, how can they save us?”

The pirates noticed the fishing boat and aimed their weapons. They would fire once it was in range. They hadn't killed Ning Qingxue because it was their leader's ship and she was stunningly beautiful. Pirates valued money and women.

But the fishing boat didn't evade; it accelerated. Its presence so far out at sea was baffling.

…

Eden saw the skull-flag ships on his radar. He wanted to change course, but Ye Mo stopped him.

“Those are the ships I mentioned! Pirate ships! They’re armed; it’s suicide to approach!” Eden pleaded.

Ye Mo walked to the bow. “Wasn’t your Daphne taken by them?”

“Yes! They killed countless passengers on the Bema and took all the women! They’re demons!” Eden exclaimed.

Ye Mo sneered. “And you won’t save her? You’ll run? Your love seems…insincere. Run if you wish, but I’m going to investigate.”

Ye Mo wouldn't leave anyone unchecked. What if they knew Ning Qingxue’s whereabouts?

“No, it’s suicide! I’ll call for help! Otherwise, I’ll die for nothing!” Eden protested.

Ye Mo understood his perspective; it would be suicide alone.

Ye Mo smiled. “Eden, trust me, and we’ll save Daphne. Otherwise, flee. These pirates are no threat to me, but choose quickly. We’re nearing them.”

Eden’s face changed. It was too late to flee; they were too close. He might as well go with this bold Chinese man!

Rumble—A bomb struck their boat. Eden felt the impact. The pirates fired relentlessly.

He tried to maneuver the boat, yelling to Ye Mo, “Get in quickly, I need to change direction—”

But Ye Mo was gone. He’d been at the bow a moment ago, but after the blast, he vanished.