613: Am I the scapegoat?

This was a legendary tale Shen Bei had seen in a logbook, its veracity unknown, but it increasingly gave him a sense of déjà vu.

“Oh, so the Captain knows. That makes things easier. We’d like to cooperate with the Captain and follow the Ascension Tide together to the legendary world. Once we arrive, all your gains will be yours. Additionally, we’ll pay you extra for the use of your ship.”

“I’ll give it careful consideration,” Shen Bei replied perfunctorily, then fell silent, indicating it was time for them to leave.

Duan Kong was perceptive and immediately took his leave.

After they had been seen off, Shen Bei summoned Dao Ba.

“The Ascension Tide, do you know about it?”

“The Ascension Tide? Isn’t that just a legend?” Dao Ba asked, his face full of surprise.

“Tell me what you know.”

“It’s said that three hundred years ago, one of the Seventy-Two Sea Pillars suddenly collapsed, causing severe oceanic turmoil. The normally calm South Sea also experienced widespread tsunamis. Several islands were swallowed by the tsunamis and disappeared from the sea surface forever. The waves that rose at the time reached the clouds high in the sky. It was a disaster; many islands and living creatures vanished. However, some survivors claimed that the giant waves carried them to a world above the clouds, but only a very few survivors said so…”

Shen Bei stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Since Duan Kong had come knocking, whatever his purpose, the Ascension Tide was, in all likelihood, real.

After emerging from Wu Bi'an’s barrier, Shen Bei had focused on researching records of barriers among the Night Watchers.

He also learned that such barriers were extremely rare on this side, and most of them were forcibly refined and formed by powerful individuals.

The so-called Ascension Tide might just be a path to enter a barrier.

Since only a very few people claimed the towering waves carried them to another world, it naturally meant that only specific locations and specific waves could form the sky-reaching path into the barrier.

And waves of this magnitude must possess terrifying destructive power; ordinary ships indeed couldn't ride the waves up. They would likely be flung off midway or directly shattered by the waves.

More importantly, the fact that the other party needed a ship also confirmed his guess: it was indeed a barrier path, and one had to follow the rules to enter the barrier; simply having a strong individual ride the waves up wouldn't be enough.

But then another problem arose.

They now had several ships.

The Lin Feng Hao was good at exploration, not just because of its crew, but also due to the warship itself. Similarly, the Sea Eagle, adept at hunting, was the same.

Whether exploring new maps or facing unknown dangers, these two ships were more suitable for Duan Kong to cooperate with, and the other two ships were also in the South Sea.

The Ghost Ship, however, lived up to its name; the Ghost Ship was indeed like a ghost, better suited for silent infiltration.

The general specializations of the crews of the three ships shouldn't be a secret, right?

Why did Island Master Duan Kong come to him?

Did they want to infiltrate? That is to say, there were very troublesome creatures in that barrier, and creatures with considerable intelligence?

“Dao Ba, go notify the Lin Feng Hao and the Sea Eagle, tell them about Duan Kong’s request for cooperation, and ask if they’ve received an invitation. Also, thoroughly search for information about the Ascension Tide and Duan Kong’s objectives. Any relevant information is needed.”

Shen Bei gave Dao Ba the order, sending him to gather information.

In the South Sea, with the Youling Pirates’ foundation and connections, it wasn't difficult to inquire about common news, but for obscure or secret information, it was harder.

To get such information, one had to buy it from intelligence dealers. As long as there was money, this was not a difficult task.

...

On the Ghost Ship, Shen Bei lay on the deck, sunbathing, gazing idly at the sky.

Several days had passed. Reportedly, there had been minor conflicts on the Lin Feng Hao and Sea Eagle’s side. According to the news from Dao Ba, this was a greeting among the seas.

However, on the Ghost Ship’s side, there wasn't even a single visitor anymore…

“Was the Ghost Ship’s deterrent power ever this strong?” Shen Bei was somewhat worried. It would be fine if a few minor troublemakers came, but this current trend clearly indicated that many people found the rumors unbelievable. The Ghost Ship’s old scoundrels were waiting for people to come to them. Damn it, if someone really came, wouldn’t they be very strong?

For the first time, Shen Bei felt bad when there was nothing happening…

He hadn't been lying on the deck sunbathing like a corpse for long when a streak of light flew from a distance and landed on the deck.

“Captain, all the transactions that could be made have been completed.”

Dao Ba’s face was composed as he calmly and unhurriedly reported everything that needed to be reported.

The news of the Ascension Tide had pretty much been confirmed. These days, many people who had confirmed the news, or were simply trying their luck, were waiting for the Ascension Tide to appear.

In the southern South Sea, Duan Kong Island had already begun preparations, making it virtually impossible to conceal. Some pirate forces in the South Sea were also converging towards the Seventy-Two Sea Pillars, and it was said that people from the northern shores of the South Sea were also rushing here.

Headless Lanterns had also appeared many times these days. These Headless Lanterns hovered in the southern South Sea, appearing and disappearing without a trace. When they appeared, they would abruptly emerge from beneath the sea surface, and when they vanished, they would sink back into the sea, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

“Gather the crew, let everyone voice their opinions.” Just as he finished speaking, Shen Bei pondered for a moment. Gather the crew? What for…

Hei Pi only knew how to eat and work diligently. Ran Xiaoran lacked experience…

As for the other crew members, they were mostly uncultured sailors with only brute strength, skilled in fighting and killing. The only one he could discuss matters with was Dao Ba…

“Never mind, you tell me your thoughts.”

“Captain, I think it’s better if we don’t get involved. Our current strength isn’t enough. Whether it’s other forces or Duan Kong of Kong Ming Island, they all have more people and are stronger than us. And also…”

Dao Ba was not optimistic about getting involved with the Ascension Tide.

“And what else?”

“Also, this time I spent a lot of money to buy a lot of information. The intelligence dealers proactively sold me two pieces of intelligence: the Fu Tu Demon Sect has arrived, their purpose is uncertain, but they are either here to cause us trouble or to get involved in the Ascension Tide. There’s also a rumor that when Prince Wei robbed the Ghost Ship, he killed someone. This person’s identity is a bit troublesome, and it’s confirmed that someone is coming to find us for trouble.”

When Dao Ba said this, he was practically saying, “We’ve offended quite a few people, and our strength isn’t enough, so let’s lie low.”

Shen Bei chuckled dryly, patted Dao Ba’s shoulder, and said earnestly, “Dao Ba, do you want to be Captain?”

“Uh…” Dao Ba was startled and quickly shook his head, “Captain, please don’t joke. I’m quite satisfied with the current situation.”

“What a pity. You’re the only one here who’s barely suitable to take over as Captain.” Shen Bei sighed, feeling quite a headache.

“Captain, I still have things to do, I’ll be busy.” Dao Ba left in a hurry, indicating he wouldn't take on that responsibility.

“Alright, are the people back? If they’re back, then set sail. Don’t get close to the islands; it’s safer to roam the sea.” Shen Bei casually instructed, then continued to lie on the lounge chair, gazing at the sky.

What did Prince Wei offending people have to do with him? Unfortunately, these bastards only recognized the Youling Pirates’ brand, not the person…

Damn it.