Chapter 915: Pirates

"Do they usually run their business poorly?"

"Of course. Look at our supply station on Suoding Island, then look at their beggar's den. Only a blind passenger would choose to stay there overnight!" Rainy sneered. "After we opened our supply station on Suoding Island, Black Page Island's business went downhill. They tried many tricks, from intimidation to swindling, but nothing worked. In the end, they had to go to the ship captains, promising a kickback if they brought over some customers. That's the only way they've managed to stay afloat."

"I see." He Lingchuan changed the subject. "You said earlier that the pirates of Yangshan Archipelago all know about me?"

"Uh..." Rainy replied awkwardly, "I just said that offhand."

He Lingchuan continued, "But Registrar Yang just accused you of colluding with pirates."

Registrar Yang immediately said, "That's right, it's not baseless! Rainy is cunning, but her father admitted it himself."

"So there really are pirates in Yangshan Archipelago?"

Registrar Yang didn't want to speak anymore; the more he said, the more mistakes he might make.

He Lingchuan waved his hand, kindly helping him out of a difficult situation. "Miss Rainy is right, it's my fault for not investigating thoroughly beforehand. So, let's talk about the pirates. Do you indeed have connections with them?"

He showed no intention of blaming, and Registrar Yang felt a slight relief.

The islands were there, and the pirates were there. If young Master He didn't inquire about them himself, could he blame others in the end?

Rainy bit her lip and looked at Registrar Yang.

He Lingchuan immediately said, "Don't worry, this is just a casual chat. I won't hand you and your father over to the authorities."

"We haven't participated in their schemes, we haven't harmed anyone, and we haven't leaked information to them!" Rainy rattled off three "haven'ts" before continuing, "It's just that the Second Master is my father's childhood friend. They grew up together, playing naked..."

She caught herself, realizing it was inappropriate, and quickly rephrased: "They played together from childhood. With him around, other pirates don't bother us."

"The Second Master?"

"On the outskirts of Yangshan Archipelago, pirates divide their territories according to natural sea routes, into three 'Paths'," Rainy explained. "My father knows the Second Master, and the other two Paths also give face to the Second Master, so they don't cause us trouble."

"It seems the Second Master commands quite a lot of respect," He Lingchuan mused, stroking his chin. "How many men do each of these pirate groups have?"

"The First Path and Third Path were attacked by Shadow Vipers a few days ago, losing ninety and one hundred thirty men respectively. The Second Path was fine; their position is closer to the mainland, away from the deeper parts of the archipelago."

As "Shadow Vipers" was uttered, sweat broke out on Registrar Yang's forehead.

What was meant to happen, happened.

Why didn't the guards send this girl named Rainy away before young Master He returned?

But He Lingchuan seemed not to have heard the term and continued to press. "So, is the Second Master's force the strongest now?"

"It should be. The First and Third Paths only have over two hundred men left, while only the Second Master has his full complement."

"Oh, full complement?" He Lingchuan smiled. "How many is a full complement?"

"..." Rainy didn't want to say.

He Lingchuan waited, and everyone on the boat waited.

The sound of gurgling water filled the air, and all eyes focused on Rainy, making her uneasy.

She knew she wouldn't get past this without giving a number.

"E-eight hundred something!"

He Lingchuan simply said, "Oh, so let's round it down to four hundred."

"..." Rainy quickly added, "After dark, even the pirates are on edge now. The day before yesterday, the Second Master was chatting with my father and said he wanted to temporarily move to the mainland."

Only the mainland was safe.

"The pirates are moving, but you and your father aren't?"

Rainy pursed her lips. "We can't move. All our assets are on Suoding Island."

That's why she was furious when Registrar Yang tried to dismiss them with a mere fifty taels: How was that any different from outright robbery?

He Lingchuan nodded. "And what kind of person is this Second Master?"

"His left face was disfigured, making him look fierce, but he's very kind to me and often comes to drink and play chess with my father. My father says he's loyal to his subordinates, and they respect him greatly. The year before last, when one pirate's elderly mother fell seriously ill, the Second Master even gave him ten taels of silver so he could go back and care for her," Rainy said. "Among the three masters, the First Master has a bad temper, and the Third Master is subtly malicious; there's a reason why the Second Master has the most men."

So that's why Rainy's father decided to open a supply station on Suoding Island?

Given his connection with the pirates, it was an exclusive business that could never lose money.

Qiu Hu, who had been watching the sea, suddenly said, "There's a boat following us."

Following his direction, everyone looked out at the sea and indeed saw a boat behind them, sailing neither fast nor slow, trailing about a hundred zhang behind the pleasure boat.

Registrar Yang said, "Perhaps it's a merchant ship, also taking this route."

Rainy merely glanced. "No, that's a Second Path pirate ship. You've attracted their attention."

He Lingchuan intertwined his fingers, deep in thought as he watched the boat behind them.

Registrar Yang ordered, "Increase speed, shake them off!"

At this critical juncture, it would be best to avoid any incidents.

"No need." He Lingchuan instead asked Rainy, "Do they recognize you?"

Rainy squinted, identifying them from the bow of the boat, then nodded. "The captain of this ship recognizes me!"

"Then you can get off here," He Lingchuan instructed the Rongshan men to untie her small boat, then turned to her and said, "Take a message for me to the Second Master: Tomorrow, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM), I invite him to meet at Fishbone Reef outside Blade Port. Each side can bring a maximum of five people. Please make sure he comes."

This wealthy young master actually wanted to meet a pirate leader? Did he think he was so capable? Rainy asked in surprise, "If he doesn't go, don't blame me."

"This is an invitation from the new master of Yangshan Archipelago, concerning the pirates' future prospects," He Lingchuan smiled. "If he doesn't come, he will surely regret it."

"Quite the bold statement," Rainy nodded. "I'll make sure to deliver your message."

She went to the back of the deck and jumped into her small boat.

Qiu Hu helped her untie the rope and gave the small boat a push.

The small boat cut through the water, immediately darting forward two or three zhang.

That guy's strength was truly great.

Rainy thanked him and gave him a smile.

Qiu Hu nodded, watched her drift towards the pirate ship behind, then turned and went back onto the pleasure boat.

Registrar Yang was puzzled. "Young Master He, are you really going to meet a pirate leader? That's a bit dangerous."

"I know it's dangerous, that's why I chose a meeting spot outside Blade Port," He Lingchuan casually pointed towards the archipelago. "Otherwise, I would have gone to their stronghold to talk."

Registrar Yang wondered, "What's there to talk about with bandits?"

And this young man even threatened them, saying they'd regret it if they didn't come. Wasn't that usually something pirates would say?

"Didn't I tell you? It concerns their future livelihood," He Lingchuan took a sip of wine. "They'll assess the situation and come."