Chapter 651: Drifting Barrels
A band of pirates fled in disarray.
The Second Fleet of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom pursued them at a measured pace.
"Lord Kong Pan, these pirates have been utterly crippled and pose no further threat. Our immediate priority must be to reinforce the Intoxication Church's fleet." [Sand Between Fingers] San Sha Man Tuo addressed the Second Fleet Captain.
Kong Pan first inquired whether the battle had been recorded.
Upon receiving the aide's confirmation that at least three magic recordings had been captured, Kong Pan nodded indifferently and told San Sha Man Tuo, “You're correct. We'll spare these defeated remnants and proceed to the rescue.”
“Hail the order!”
“Maximum speed. Proceed to the coordinates in the distress signal.”
The Second Naval Fleet swiftly altered course.
However, by the time they reached the battlefield of the Intoxication Church fleet, not only had the battle long ended, but even the storm had ceased.
“Level Three Alert. Conduct reconnaissance of the surrounding area and gather intelligence,” Kong Pan ordered.
The Second Naval Fleet was the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's regular military force, possessing mature and comprehensive detection capabilities.
Soon, reconnaissance reports reached high-ranking officers like Kong Pan and San Sha Man Tuo.
“The Intoxication Church suffered heavy casualties.”
“Confirmed: Divine Wind Pirates!”
“Feng Lian personally led the assault, securing victory in one decisive strike.”
“The Intoxication Church fleet has been utterly annihilated.”
“Twenty-nine drifting barrels recovered.”
“At least ten sunken vessels detected.”
…
Upon reading this intelligence, San Sha Man Tuo's brow furrowed slightly, a surge of frustration rising within her.
Kong Pan sighed softly: “Who would have thought the Intoxication Church's fleet was so feeble? They didn't even hold out until we arrived.”
San Sha Man Tuo glanced at Kong Pan and murmured, “We should have abandoned those pirates immediately and come to support them directly.”
Kong Pan shook his head. “Those pirates invaded our defense zone. They had to be eliminated immediately to demonstrate our resolve in defending these waters, thereby deterring other pirates from harboring unnecessary ambitions here.”
San Sha Man Tuo continued softly, “But Lord...”
“The situation is complicated now.”
"The Intoxication Church and the Kingdom share a treaty alliance. Under military law, our rescue mission was top priority, it should have taken precedence."
“But we engaged the pirates first, delaying the rescue.”
“The Intoxication Church suffered heavy losses this time. They won't let this go. When they make a fuss, the Kingdom will launch an investigation. Should they uncover the details and timing of our actions today, we could face a court martial..."
Kong Pan sighed. “Given the circumstances, we have no choice but to alter the fleet's incident logs.”
“Eh...” San Sha Man Tuo was stunned.
The Second Naval Fleet was entirely controlled by the Li Jian Clan. It functioned less as the Kingdom's fleet and more as the Li Jian Clan's private army.
For Kong Pan to undertake this record tampering would be remarkably convenient.
Kong Pan continued, “Now it all hinges on the exact whereabouts of the Intoxication Church fleet's bishop.”
Her tone held a hint of significance.
But soon, the follow-up investigation results reached both of them.
“It has been confirmed that the Intoxication Bishop perished in battle, killed by Feng Lian.”
"Additionally... dozens of bottles of precious red wine were discovered in a drifting barrel. After database comparison, they've been preliminarily identified as sorrow-dispelling red wine."
This was the first time San Sha Man Tuo had ever heard the term “sorrow-dispelling red wine.”
Kong Pan, however, was different. As an insider of the Li Jian Clan, she was privy to many cutting-edge developments.
“Take a portion of this wine and send it to me,” Kong Pan ordered.
Soon, she saw the sorrow-dispelling red wine.
“It really is them...” Kong Pan frowned deeply.
San Sha Man Tuo quickly realized the significance of these wines. After inquiring, she received Kong Pan's response.
The look of worry on San Sha Man Tuo's face grew heavier: “This is bad. With the Intoxication Church suffering such heavy losses this time, the kingdom's investigation will surely be intense.”
"Over the years, the royal family has harbored resentment toward the clan's control of the Second Fleet. This could very well become the royal family's justification for taking action!"
Just then, another subordinate knocked on the door to report: “Captain, we discovered a secret message from the Intoxication Bishop on the inner wall of the drifting barrel containing the sorrow-dispelling red wine!”
The message from the Intoxication Bishop described the sorrow-dispelling red wine, advising whoever retrieved the drifting barrel to deliver its contents to the Intoxication Cathedral in Drunkard Harbor, promising a generous reward.
Kong Pan remarked, "It seems this bishop of the Intoxication Church wasn't entirely useless. At least he minimized the losses."
San Sha Man Tuo: “How much sorrow-dispelling red wine exists in total?”
“What we recovered certainly isn't all of it.”
“Numerous drifting barrels must have already left these waters.”
"Lord Kong Pan, this wine is the Intoxication Church's most vital resource, their absolute necessity. We should search the surrounding area as quickly as possible. The more wine we gather, the easier it will be to navigate the challenges ahead in our investigation."
Kong Pan pondered for a moment, then shook her head slightly. “No, we haven't found anything.”
“To be precise, we did discover some battlefield remnants, but not a single drifting barrel containing sorrow-dispelling red wine.”
San Sha Man Tuo froze, not quite understanding.
Kong Pan sighed and continued, “The sorrow-dispelling red wine is incredibly valuable, perfect for sparking conflict among pirate factions.”
“I know pirates' nature all too well.”
“They're greedy by nature. For sorrow-dispelling red wine, they'll attack each other.”
“Even Da Han, being a saint level power, can't control every pirate faction.”
“Let these pirates tear each other apart. It'll lighten our defensive burden.”
“Send the order: turn back!”
Magnet Archipelago.
The big guy, Da Dou, and Hong Zhu were having a meal.
"Father.”
“Xiao Guai misses you.”
The big guy stuffed his face while secretly contacting the fishman youngster through faith.
The fishman youngster had regained consciousness.
Using the divine spells [Believer Perception] and [Divine Power Channel], he reestablished contact with the big guy.
The big guy and his companions had been surrounded by an earth elemental army, only to be saved by Tu Ji's self-sacrifice. At the last moment, the Imperial Secret Spy Agency chief overseeing Magnet Archipelago intervened, rescuing the trio from enemy lines.
The Imperial Secret Spy Agency treated the big guy and his companions to lavish hospitality.
The fishman youngster comforted the big guy: “Da Dou has arranged the ship and bought the tickets. You'll board this afternoon, Xiao Guai.”
“You'll be heading to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
“But I'll be able to meet up with you partway.”
Magnet Archipelago was no longer safe for the big guy.
Even now, the fishman youngster couldn't fathom why they'd been ambushed by an army of earth elementals—or why the Main Earth Elemental God had intervened.
But understanding those mysteries paled beside his concern for the big guy's safety.
So, the top priority was getting the big guy off the island.
The fishman youngster couldn't pilot the Deep Sea Monster Fish to retrieve him directly. He could only order Da Dou to purchase tickets and leave the island first, then intercept him partway.