Chapter 232 Bandit Bloodline

On the boundless horizon, the fleet sailed through the emerald waves.

Seagull... Seagull... Seagull...

Several seabirds circled in the clear sky, the gentle sea breeze blew across the deck, flapping the sails with a 'rustling' sound. The ship moved steadily forward, a massive vessel with three decks and tall masts where many seagulls perched.

"Rise and fall, sway and swing..."

Old Wang lay on a beach chair atop the highest platform, basking in the sun, sipping juice, enjoying the sea breeze, and the 'ultra-luxury private yacht.' He tapped his hand to a cheerful beat, and with a top-notch beauty lying beside him, it seemed even the world's richest man couldn't do better... No, no, could the world's richest man get with Karida? I've clearly taken it to the next level, the richest in the universe.

"Can you be a bit quieter?" Karida couldn't take it anymore; what was he singing?

Thinking about it, this guy was really lazy. She hadn't noticed it back in Rose, but over these two days at sea, he was either lying down or sitting, always half-asleep. At night, however, he was full of energy, drinking and partying with the merfolk every night, singing all sorts of soft and decadent songs... Was there anyone more degenerate than him?

"Karida, don't be so serious all the time!" Old Wang took a sip of juice, feeling the sun was a bit too strong. Too bad there were no sunglasses here; squinting wasn't his fault: "You're recovering, and I'm on vacation. Why not relax a bit? It's not easy for me either..."

It wasn't easy indeed. If not for fear of Karida's sword, Old Wang would have stripped down for some free sunbathing. He sneaked a glance at Karida lying on the adjacent chair.

In fact, Karida knew how to enjoy herself just as well. She lay there in a rather revealing outfit, not quite a bikini but close enough. A small top and short shorts, her firm and tight skin, fair complexion, after two days of sea breeze and sun, remained unchanged, making Old Wang swallow hard, recalling the fragrant scene in the tent that day.

To be honest, Karida really let her guard down around him. In such an outfit, did she think he, Old Wang, wouldn't lose control, acting like an eighteen-year-old boy unable to hold his sword?

Speaking of which, given Karida's current weakened state, unable to use her soul power, should he consider taking advantage of the situation and advance their relationship before things change?

"Karida, aren't those guys from Rackford stupid? The sea is so vast, yet they insist on fixed routes," Old Wang changed the topic without missing a beat, turning his body to face Karida more formally, giving him a better view of her graceful figure: "Yesterday we were heading east, today we switched to the northern route. We've encountered two groups of Navy along the way, collecting taxes. Yesterday, I saw them carrying out baskets of Rio, tsk tsk tsk, with the vast Dragon Abyss Sea, can't they avoid these routes?"

"The Dragon Abyss Sea is one of the Lower Five Seas. It's vast, but there are only a few dozen safe sea routes, and only three fixed routes to the Crode Islands, mainly to avoid the territories of sea monsters," Karida smiled, finding it better to talk about such matters than listen to this kid's mumbling. The ocean represented endless mystery, and she had a good understanding of it, having been fascinated by it during her travels: "Sea monsters are not the same as merfolk. Both humans and merfolk try to avoid them. Entering the sea without following detailed sea charts is courting death. The sea tax is heavy, but the profits from maritime trade are substantial."

"Shouldn't the sea races have absolute dominance over humans in the ocean? Why haven't they monopolized the maritime rights of the Lower Five Seas, and instead allowed the human navy to levy taxes?" Wang Feng admired Karida's graceful figure while playing the role of a curious child. In truth, Brother Da had a penchant for teaching, especially when faced with such an eager student.

"At first, it was due to the agreement made with Supreme Saint. The two races co-governed the Lower Five Seas. As for why this arrangement has been maintained, the reasons are quite complex."

"Because of the curse?"

"Partly. There are many things on land that the sea races need. Before the curse, they would come ashore to plunder. Now that they can't do that anymore, they naturally have to compromise with humans. If they were to monopolize the maritime rights of the Lower Five Seas, it would mean breaking the agreement, and humans could blockade the sea routes, leading to mutual destruction."

Old Wang listened intently, particularly interested in the word 'plunder': "So they have a pirate bloodline. I think old habits die hard. With such a history, wouldn't those humans doing maritime trade be afraid of being secretly plundered by the sea races?"

"We should thank Supreme Saint. During his two hundred years of rule, he infused human culture into the sea races, making them subconsciously accept human ways. Besides, humans have also opened up coastal ports for trade with the sea races. For example, the Jinbeibei Auction House in Aurora City, the royal families of the sea races have many businesses and assets on land as well. It’s a mutual arrangement."

"If I were to find someone to pretend to be pirates, that would be a quick way to make money."

Karida laughed: "Water that is too clear holds no fish. These matters aren’t what we should concern ourselves with. Also, as a disciple of the Holy Sanctuary, don’t always think about petty theft..."

Old Wang found the angle from which he was looking quite appealing, the undulating peaks, gracefully contoured... Wait, there are no mountains in the sea, only waves: "We won’t run into any, right?"

Karida patted the deck beside her and smiled: "What do you think of this ship?"

"It’s very... big!" Seeing Karida’s disapproving look, he quickly put on a serious face, "With the crew, it must have nearly two hundred people. I see there are soul crystal cannons below; it must be quite powerful, right?"

"A Tiger General-class ship usually comes equipped with soul crystal cannons. Your sea race friend indeed has some influence. This merchant ship is modified from a Tiger General-class warship. I took a rough look yesterday; the soul crystal cannons are all new models, probably bought at a high price from the navy. Paired with a few shell ships, it can stand its ground against small groups of the navy." Karida smiled, "But even at this level, it can’t fight against sea monsters or large groups of pirates. Therefore, they have to pay high maritime taxes to travel on official routes. Most merchant ships at sea do the same. Don’t feel sorry for them regarding the taxes; maritime trade is a highly profitable industry, and they make a lot of money."

When the topic turned to money, Old Wang’s eyes rolled, feeling a bit cheated.

If Brother Da says they make a lot, then they really do. It’s a shame I felt sorry for them paying taxes yesterday. Giving me just one million euros seems a bit stingy. I’ll have to find an opportunity to chat with Little Fufu, flatter him a bit, and see if I can get more out of him.

The two continued their conversation.

"Brother Wang Feng~~~"

Lakfu's voice echoed from the deck below. Having been fooled by Wang Feng these past few days, he disregarded the fact that he was at least twenty to thirty years older, and his flattery was both warm and fawning: "The merchant ship behind us just caught a Lo Fei fish. It’s a monster, weighing over thirty pounds. I’ve had the kitchen prepare a whole table of dishes. Would you and your lady like to come down for a taste, or should I have it sent up to you?"

The Lo Fei fish is the 'noble' among nearshore fish, extremely rare, with tender meat and high nutritional value. A thirty-pound one is even rarer.

Old Wang, who has a particular interest in food, shouted excitedly: "Let’s eat together, together! What kind of nonsense is it to serve us separately? I’ll bring my dearest wife down right away!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was kicked in the buttocks, falling flat on his face.

Old Wang was furious and about to cry out in protest when he heard Dage say softly with a smile: "Shut up, so as not to ruin my gentle image in front of them."

Old Wang opened his mouth wide but felt secretly delighted. This was what he called psychological suggestion. Although he knew Dage didn’t take it seriously, everything that had happened over this period had already become a memory etched in her mind. In the future, it would be easier to make a move.

The Lo Fei fish was indeed a supreme delicacy of the sea. The chef on board was also highly skilled, preparing nearly forty different dishes from the fish, none of which were the same.

Fried, roasted, grilled, steamed, boiled, sliced raw, and mixed cold... the table was filled with a vast array of dishes. Yes, the sea folk really ate this way, learning from humans, and even surpassing them in some aspects. Just look at Clara to see how much the sea folk enjoy their pleasures.

With fine food, fine wine, and beautiful company, Old Wang had become very familiar with Lakfu and his group, calling each other brothers and sisters all day long.

At Old Wang’s level, it took only two days to thoroughly understand the ins and outs of Lakfu and his fellow sea folk.

To be honest, although Lakfu is a commoner, he is still a member of the whale clan and backed by the Sea Merchant Alliance. His family is actually quite wealthy. However, sea merchants have little status among the sea folk and are often exploited and oppressed, which explains his cautious and deferential demeanor in front of important figures.

The sea folk are more stringent than the beastmen in that while the latter can change their fate through awakening, the former have no such possibility. Birth almost determines everything, and the idea of reversing one’s destiny is like a myth. Even intermarriage between different sea folk clans must follow the class system, and any transgression, no matter where they flee, will end in death.

Being able to call someone of Wang Feng’s caliber a brother is a great honor for both Lakfu and Hagen, the president of the Sea Star Chamber of Commerce. They have also tried to subtly inquire about the mermaid mark on Old Wang, but clearly, they chose the wrong opponent. Old Wang’s rambling and vague talk left them both impressed yet confused, feeling that gaining Wang Feng’s favor was something to boast about for a lifetime.

It seemed like a lot of conversation, but upon reflection, it seemed that Lord Wang Feng hadn’t really said anything substantial. It was unclear and inscrutable, but... if you could easily see through him, would he still be considered a great person? Tsk tsk tsk, this is truly the hallmark of true greatness!

Old Wang was very interested in seafaring vessels and even more so in pirates. Just now, Brother Da's explanation wasn't very clear, so he asked about it. Hagen, standing nearby, laughed heartily and said, "We, human seafaring ships, are of the Tiger General class! Pirates dare not come!"

Seafaring vessels are a human invention; the sea races live in the deep ocean and mostly use marine beasts capable of diving into the depths. However, they adapt to local customs, primarily due to the Treaty of the Five Seas.

Lakufu explained for him, "Our sea race generally doesn't use seafaring vessels; we use marine beasts. There's Whale Harbor on the Croati Archipelago, which is specifically for docking these beasts. They're actually more convenient and faster, but in coastal areas, there are treaty restrictions between the two races. Except for the navies of the two races, all merchant and passenger ships must navigate on the surface, mainly for easier management and tax collection. That's why we use human seafaring vessels, like this one, which Mr. Hagen obtained at great expense from the Navy Defense Department. It's equipped with the latest Superconducting Type II Soul Crystal Cannons, providing ample firepower. Not only can it handle ordinary pirates, but even pirates with million-level bounties would have to retreat. Brother Wang Feng and his wife can rest assured!"

Seafaring vessels that venture out to sea, apart from merchant and fishing boats which are not classified, battle-capable warships have strict classification levels.

The lowest rank is the Shell class, commonly known as Shell Ships, with a capacity of around fifty people. They are equipped with α3-grade Soul Crystal Cannons and a soul energy conversion core, powered by soul energy, and are very fast, making them standard for frontline combat in naval battles.

Next is the Tiger General class, known as Tiger General Ships, which can carry about two hundred people. They are equipped with α4-grade Soul Crystal Cannons and often have additional defenses such as lightning arrays, making them highly combat-effective. They are also powered by soul energy but usually have sails to harness wind power, reducing soul energy consumption significantly.

Hagen and Lakufu's fleet consists of one Tiger General Ship and five Shell Ships, with a formidable escort of over four hundred men. Guarding just five cargo ships, the safety level is indeed quite high.

Old Wang felt a bit disappointed, "I thought we might get to fire a few shots for some excitement."