Chapter 85: Two Eyes Island
The sunset glow looked like glittering fireworks that filled the meeting between sky and sea.
The tranquil ocean surface reflected the multicolored sunset that seemed to burn as gorgeously as fire.
Despite several days of sailing, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ 12 ships still held their sails high, with both shouts and horns booming from their vessels.
Zong Ge stood on the foremost mast, and with rapt attention, he sized up how training was going on every ship.
“Yesterday two pirates were executed, it had a good effect.”
After leaving Snake Rat Island, Zong Ge conducted training.
The Dragon Man Youngster took in many pirates from Rou Zang’s pirate group, including from the Thin Grass Pirates and the Flower Wall Pirates.
These pirates were of decent quality, and in Zong Ge’s assessment, they weren’t too bad.
After all, they were either part of Rou Zang’s main group or his auxiliary groups.
Those that could dominate a small stretch of sea had to be capable. These pirates were those people, the victors of battle and competitions of cruelty.
They could be said to be the elite.
Their battle quality was good, but their obedience was lacking.
It was considerably challenging to force these unyielding pirates to follow the rules to the letter.
Zong Ge had served in the imperial military for many years and loathed these kinds of people the most. Yesterday, he had beheaded two slacking troublemakers, slightly shocking the newly recruited pirates.
“There is still too few of our own people.”
“Most of this group are new recruits.”
Zong Ge was an outstanding military officer, and he clearly understood the systemic problems present in the group.
The main reason was that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had expanded too quickly. Creating an unstable foundation.
Having a high level of battle strength was not a problem.
With the dragonman youngster and Zong Ge surpassing normal silver level cultivators, they could intimidate others.
But on the lower levels, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was quite weak.
The only iron level cultivators they could currently trust were Cang Xu, Tripleblade, and Kuai Tui.
They had managed to recruit 7 iron level pirates.
There were even more bronze level pirates, 22 currently.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Group only had 12 bronze levels originally, including Lan Zao and Zi Di (iron level life level and bronze level magician).
There were basically twice as many bronze levels as iron levels.
Currently, the survivors had inadequate control over the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ lower ranks.
Before expanding their forces, Zong Ge had foreseen the consequences of doing so, yet he was still the greatest advocate form expanding the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ ranks.
“There are unquestionably more advantages than detriments for expanding our forces.”
“We only need time and training, as well as battlefield screening to be able to inspect and promote the exceptional, allowing our entire troop to become more elite and battle worthy.
To Zong Ge, it seemed that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had many deficiencies.
For example, their ships were ordinary and had low ceilings, they had a serious lack of cannons, and their ratio of sailors was irrational.
“A fleet has appeared ahead!”
“It is Two Eyes Island’s flag.”
The lookout on the main mast suddenly warned.
Zong Ge was unsurprised.
Before the lookout had noticed, he had already been informed of it through the Deep Sea Monster Fish’s detection equipment.
The Deep Sea Monster Fish’s detection range was far greater than a lookout’s.
“We aren’t far from Two Eyes Island.”
“That should be Two Eyes Island’s patrol fleet!”
“Hahaha, we are finally reaching land.”
A surge of joyous laughter rolled from the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ 12 ships.
But Zong Ge’s expression nevertheless sank.
He knew the other party was certainly Two Eyes island’s patrol fleet, but before their identity had been thoroughly verified, the reaction of these people was too undisciplined.
“All personnel, be on your guard. Gunners and marksmen squads to your positions…” Zong Ge quickly transmitted a series of orders to the lower ranks.
The ships’ sailors were startled, and one by one, they got up and moved.
Thus, when the Two Eys Island patrol fleet contacted the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, they saw the 12 ships on their guard, with guns exposed.
The patrol fleet’s captain promptly transmitted his identity clearly, “Don’t be nervous, I am the Two Eyes Island’s patrol commander, ‘One Eye’. You are the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps? During the naval battle of Snake Rat Island, when Rou Zang’s pirate group was utterly exterminated, you performed outstanding military service. I know you!”
“We are already within Two Eyes Island’s waters, it is very safe, don’t be so tense!”
As One Eye advised the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to relax, he was in fact, very nervous.
He only had 8 ships in his fleet, regardless of whether it was numbers or cultivators, both were lacking compared to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
“One Eye, a silver level fighter.”
“Only 8 ships…it should only be a portion of the defense fleet.”
“One bronze level magic ship.”
“I gauge about 200 cannons.”
Zong Ge quickly swept his eyes over them, and with the Deep Sea Monster Fish’s gathered intelligence, he assessed the other party’s battle strength.
In terms of island size, Two Eyes Island and Snake Rat Island were both considered medium sized islands.
But in terms of development, Two Eyes Island far surpassed Snake Rat Island.
It had a good location, sandwiched between the Magic Power Shipping Route and the Masked Shipping Route, thus trade here was flourishing.
On the sea, after both fleets communicated their respective identities, Zong Ge ordered, “Lift defensive measures.”
One Eye let out a breath in relief, and let his subordinates proceed with their patrol while his bronze level magic ship lead the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps to the harbor.
By the time the fleet arrived there, the sun had completely set.
In the dusky light, Two Eyes was illuminated brightly.
Under the curtain of night, Two Eyes Island was one half tall and one half low. The shorter island was dark, with only sporadic lights on it. While the towering island was lit up splendidly and filled with the clamor of people.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps’ 12 ships officially berthed at port.
One Eye departed to continue his duty of patrolling.
Ship planks were put down.
A port official smiled and walked onto the flagship.
“Commander Long Fu, honored to meet you. Your military glory and outstanding service preceded you by several days and has already disseminated throughout Two Eyes Island. Two Eyes Island welcomes your group’s arrival.” The official’s attitude was very cordial.
The destruction of Rou Zang’s pirate group was great news to the surrounding imperial islands.
With the Pirate Throne’s appearance and increasing rampancy of pirates, hearing about the infamous Rou Zang’s pirate group being wiped out at this turbulent time was like sweet rain after a long drought.
“We mainly relied on Lord Guang Ke’s strength. My group was just lucky to fish up some merits.” Long Fu laughed, “Thanks to Lord Guang Ke’s leadership, I have become a believer in the Justice Church, and henceforth, bathe in my God’s radiance.”
Upon hearing that the Long Fu and Guang Ke had a close relationship, the official become more fervent.
After a quick chat, the official collected the anchorage fee.
For a week, it would cost 15 silvers for small sized ships, 30 silver for medium sized ships, and 50 silver for large sized ships.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had 12 ships. The flagship and Zong Ge’s warship were medium sized vessels, while the rest were small sized vessels. Thus, the anchorage expense was 210 silver, or 2 gold and 10 silver.
It was a little more expensive than Snake Rat Island.
The official explained, “Lord Long Fu, I will explain the anchorage fee.”
“Normally, the anchorage fee would be 10 silvers for small ships, 25 silver for medium ships, and 45 silver for large ships. The price is basically the same in all imperial ports.”
“But because the island is rising and falling, trade is frequent, and there are many people visiting, supply is scarce at port, thus we are forced to charge additional fees.”
Long Fu nodded, indicating his understanding.
The official smiled, “Then, how long will your group be stopping here?”
The dragonman youngster had been prepared for this, and didn’t answer, instead he first asked, “When is the large auction being held?”
The official reacted instantly, “According to customary practice, it will be in roughly 8 days. My Lord, besides the ascending island’s auction, the descending island’s clearance sale usually continues for half a month.”
The dragonman youngster took the middle road, “Then we’ll stay for 10 days for now.”
“Does the island have a good tavern?”
The official recommended 5 taverns, 8 inns, and provided a detailed presentation on where there were nice girls and where there were mermaid maids.
The dragonman youngster knew the official had misunderstood him, but didn’t interrupt him.
The official finally said, “After finding out your group was coming, the Feudal Lord was very happy, and invites you, Commander Long Fu, to have an audience with him tomorrow morning.”
“I am honored to pay my respects to Lord Hun Tong.” The dragonman youngster said as a result.
The official left satisfied, he was not returning empty-handed.
Before leaving, Zi Di stepped forth and secretly gave him a pouch of silver coins.
Zi Di came back, her face like a smile yet not, “My Lord, are you not going to gather information at those taverns? The official detailed where there were many beautiful girls.”
The dragonman youngster shook his head, “Today, I and the sailors will rest on the ships.”
“Do you need to go now?”
Zi Di nodded, “The earlier I get news and contact the Bai Zhen clan elder, the better right?”
“Please be safe!” The dragonman youngster reminded.
This was also part of their formulated plan.
Speaking of which, it had been a long time since they left Mystifying Monster Island.
They were delayed a lot due to their search for the Green Jade Gold Coffin on Snake Rat Island.
The longer time passed, the worse things got for the survivors.
Despite the fact they hadn’t been exposed yet, the empire had dispatched a legend level strength squad to assault Mystifying Monster Island.
There was an additional factor, War Merchant was a massive arms dealer.
Although he had concealed and cut off Mystifying Monster Island from the rest of the world, his trade with the outside world had always been immense.
Trafficking munitions was incredibly profitable, and the sales of which constantly supported War Merchant’s alchemy research.
Now that War Merchant was dead, the arms market would certainly have a large shortfall of goods. All powers that purchased War Merchant’s munitions would definitely be looking for War Merchant.
Therefore, as more time passed, the greater the survivors’ weak points.
They had to prepare well as soon as possible.
If they waited until they became wanted criminals to redeem themselves, the leeway to do so would be too small.
Zi Di left the ship and made landfall with Cang Xu.
Some sailors on board began to cause trouble.
“Why aren’t we allowed to disembark?”
“Yea, we’ve already arrived at Two Eyes Island!”
“Let us go, I want to drink, I want some girls!!”
The sailors were very discontented.
If they were still sailing, it would have been alright, but now that they were at port, they still weren’t allowed off the ship.
Wasn’t this the same as placing fine delicacies in front of a starving person?
Lan Zao was expressionless, “This is both the commander’s and the first mate’s order. None of us are leaving the ship.”
“Then why was Xu Ma allowed to get off?” Someone exclaimed.
Lan Zao coldly snorted, “He is a thief, and responsible for making discreet inquiries for information. Are you one?”
“That’s an excuse.”
“A lie!”
“Don’t think we don’t know that Xu Ma has given you many gifts. You guys are simply in this together.”
A group of sailors were stirred up and surrounded Lan Zao.
Lan Zao bleakly stroked his blade’s handle.
Of the people around him, there were three bronze levels, all of them from Rou Zang’s pirate group.
If a fight broke out, Lan Zao would be in a worrying situation against the three of them.