Chapter 385: The Dragonman Youngster Wakes Up
A moment later.
Snow Bird Harbor's city government palace.
Zong Ge and Zi Di were ushered into the study of the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord.
“Commander Long Fu, Magician Yao Ma, I apologize for summoning you both so urgently,” the city lord gestured for them to take seats.
His brow furrowed with worry, yet he maintained a smile, never forsaking his noble bearing.
He discreetly appraised Zi Di, mentally assessing: “The silver level Magician Yao Ma, sent as backup by Long Fu's backers. Her presence here indicates her standing within the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.”
The truth, however, was quite another matter.
To conceal the fact that the dragonman youngster had already departed Snow Bird Harbor, Zong Ge had to impersonate him.
But Zi Di remained uneasy, hence her accompanying presence this time.
She did not speak rashly.
At the outset of negotiations, she could not be the first to respond. It was customary for Long Fu to respond to the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, showing due respect.
Otherwise, if the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord offered an apology and Long Fu remained silent, leaving his subordinate Yao Ma to answer, it would be downright arrogant!
Zong Ge nodded, “Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, thank you for your invitation. Might I ask the reason for this meeting?”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord was slightly taken aback.
He keenly sensed that Long Fu's tone was different from before.
In past exchanges, the dragonman youngster had always addressed him as "city lord". But now, he used the full title.
“It seems the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps has suffered significant losses this time, and Long Fu harbors a strong desire for retribution.” The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord could not have imagined this was purely the Zong Ge militaristic toughness.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord's smile broadened slightly: “Since Commander Long Fu is so forthright, I'll skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.”
“First, please view this magic projection.”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord tapped the desk surface.
A three-dimensional magic projection immediately rose from the center of the desk.
The footage played continuously, depicting the earlier scene where the Bayonet Gang leader broke through the blockade, triggering the chaotic battle at the docks.
Zi Di had witnessed it firsthand, but Zong Ge had not.
The magic projection instantly captured the half-beastman's attention.
His gaze was immediately drawn to the rocket assault boat, his heart racing with excitement. He silently assessed: “This silver level magic ship is exceptionally unique. Its speed is astonishing. Though a consumable asset, if deployed strategically, it could prove devastatingly effective on the battlefield.”
"Oh? It can even teleport between vessels!"
“This is the ideal transport craft for assault squads.”
"Is that the Divine Wind? A gold level magic ship, faster than the Deep Sea Monster Fish..."
The magic projection abruptly paused as the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord extended a finger, pointing at a specific figure within the display.
“You both recognize this individual, I presume?” The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord's gaze grew intense.
Zong Ge and Zi Di felt their hearts sink.
The figure the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord pointed at was none other than Lan Zao!
Lan Zao's discovery was hardly surprising.
The mage tower at Snow Bird Harbor possessed formidable magic recording capabilities.
The tower's surveillance covered nearly the entirety of Snow Bird Harbor, especially the dock area. Back when the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps suffered from the Bayonet Gang's tactics, the patrol squad conducted a search. The patrol members had brazenly threatened the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' water pigmen mercenaries with their portable recording devices.
Snow Bird Harbor City Lord deliberately released the Bayonet Gang leaders, allowing them to break through the blockade and spark a minor skirmish at the docks. The mage tower, of course, had prepared in advance, meticulously documenting the entire sequence of events.
Post-conflict, the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord would naturally receive a comprehensive debriefing. His intelligence operatives swiftly detected anomalies concerning Lan Zao.
Lan Zao had been in close proximity to Bing Xiao and others aboard the rocket assault boat, ultimately boarding the Divine Wind alongside them.
Bing Xiao was already a key surveillance target, drawing attention to Lan Zao by association.
Amidst the battlefield chaos, a series of coincidences led Bing Xiao to harbor a misunderstanding about Lan Zao. But the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord's subordinates had the advantage of an outsider's perspective. They could replay magic footage, pause it for close-up analysis, and delve deeper into the details.
Thus, they swiftly uncovered the truth—Lan Zao had intended to harm Bing Xiao, but due to slipping footsteps and poor condition, he inadvertently ended up aiding Bing Xiao instead.
Under normal circumstances, such a fool would be mocked and despised. Yet now, the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord saw exploitable value in Lan Zao.
That was why he had urgently summoned Long Fu.
“Long Fu” remained silent.
Zi Di finally seized the chance to respond: “City Lord, your insight is truly piercing, discerning the finest details.”
“You uncovered the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' scandal.”
"Indeed, this man was a mole planted by the Bayonet Gang. During the earlier chaos, he exposed himself while rescuing Bing Xiao."
“We only learned of this ourselves moments ago.”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord laughed heartily: “Magician Yao Ma, spare us the nonsense. It only wastes our time.”
“I invited you both here for a private discussion precisely because I've already uncovered the truth.”
"This bronze level fighter joined your mercenary group long ago on Snake Rat Island. If the Bayonet Gang wanted to plant a mole, they wouldn't have sent him to Snake Rat Island in advance."
"So, he stumbled into Bing Xiao's trust by accident. Now that he is within the Divine Wind Pirates' ranks, can you contact him?"
Zi Di shook her head with a bitter smile: “City Lord, why must you expose this little lie?”
“This outcome leaves us feeling absurd and helpless too.”
"Please forgive my earlier deception. For the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, losing a brave junior crew to enemy lines puts us in a difficult position."
"Rescue is impossible. Even the navy can't defeat the Divine Wind Pirates—let alone us. So we've had to treat this unlucky fellow as ‘killed in action’.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord nodded slightly, “Truth be told, I also have a spy embedded within the Divine Wind Pirates.”
“It was precisely the specific location provided by that spy that allowed the navy to successfully ambush the Divine Wind Pirates.”
“I never imagined Feng Lian possessed such combat prowess. Had it not been for this unexpected turn, the leaders of the Bayonet Gang and Feng Lian himself would already be our prisoners.”
“Barring any surprises, the spy I sent should have succumbed to poison by now, dying a heroic death.”
"This battle has shattered the tacit understanding between our nation and the Divine Wind Pirates. This pirate crew will undoubtedly launch fierce retaliation against our coastal areas or merchant ships in the near future."
“Therefore, friends, can you discreetly contact your mercenary member?”
Zong Ge and Zi Di exchanged a swift glance.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord's intent was clear: after sacrificing his own spy, he sought another set of eyes.
Lan Zao from the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was an ideal candidate for development.
“No, we don't,” Zi Di shook her head again. "While our higher-ups possess alchemy communication devices, this mercenary... he's merely bronze level, at best a small group leader. He lacks the standing for such equipment."
“Truly none? He was the boatswain on your flagship.” The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord had clearly conducted thorough inquiries.
“Truly not,” Zi Di shook her head again. "A bronze level boatswain could be eliminated in a single mishap. For our corps, an iron level boatswain would be far more suitable."
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord sighed.
Zong Ge interjected, “If we're discussing covert communication methods, would the mercenary group's unique code markings count?”
"I suppose if he managed to conceal his identity and survive within the Divine Wind Pirates, our corps could send someone to make contact in the future and recruit him as a spy."
“Of course, that possibility is quite low.”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord pondered, "Even if the odds are slim, it's worth a try. Regarding this collaboration, let us first formalize the agreement."
The city lord produced a magic contract.
He had been prepared for this moment.
The contract's terms centered on developing Lan Zao into a spy serving both parties.
Zi Di scrutinized it carefully, confirming its safety.
Subsequently, the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord and Zong Ge signed the magic contract on the spot.
“I will edit this magic recording, destroy the original copy, and submit the edited version to higher authorities for reporting purposes.”
“As for those privy to this matter, I will ensure they sign subsequent confidentiality agreements.”
“Let us hope he survives—though the odds are slim.”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord sighed.
Zong Ge immediately rose, “Since the matter is settled, Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, we must take our leave.”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord looked slightly taken aback, “Is there an urgent matter, Commander Long Fu?”
Zong Ge strained to soften his tone, though it remained stiff. "It is not urgent, but there is much to discuss. As you know, we plan to depart for the royal capital shortly."
"Then join us for tonight's banquet. I'm hosting distinguished guests from the Li Jian Clan." The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord smiled.
Zi Di's eyes brightened slightly: “May I ask, is it Lord Kong Pan?”
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord laughed heartily: "Precisely. Given our consistently pleasant collaborations, I'll offer you a friendly tip. Cultivating relations with the Li Jian Clan will greatly benefit both your trip to the capital and your arms trade!"
Darkness.
A profound, unfathomable darkness.
Within this void, the youngster's consciousness gradually stirred.
“Where?”
“What is this place?”
“Where am I?”
Boundless darkness enveloped him, silent and still.
“Then... who am I?”
“Who am I?”
“What... happened to me?”
No response.
Helpless, the young man groped his way through the darkness.
He had no idea how long he wandered, nor how far he'd gone.
“What's that sound?”
The young man thought he heard voices, people calling his name.
But he couldn't make it out clearly. He moved forward, following the sound.
A faint glow began to appear in the darkness.
The light was orange.
Very faint.
Almost imperceptible, flickering in and out.
The youngster strained toward the orange glow.
The next moment, he awoke.
Before him was the familiar ceiling, gleaming with the distinctive metallic sheen of the Deep Sea Monster Fish.
“I...” The dragonman youngster found himself lying in bed. The confusion in his eyes quickly faded, “I broke free from the wreckage, yet still got hit by a terrifyingly powerful battle skill.”
“So... the tower spirit saved me?”
"Lan Zao! Damn it..."
“I must find a way to rescue him. I hope I wasn't unconscious for long—the Divine Wind Pirates can't have gone far.”
The dragonman youngster cursed under his breath, leaping to his feet. He flung open the hatch and sprinted toward the bridge.
No sooner had he stepped into the corridor than the tower spirit's deliberately hushed voice echoed: "Captain, minimize all movement. Maintain absolute silence. We are in an unknown perilous situation. There is a risk of complete annihilation!"