Chapter 74 The Smell of Blood
Compared to the usually weak crew members, this ship was clearly a tough nut to crack.
After all, few in this area dared to challenge them, especially given their stubbornness. The Maria's earlier counterattack had truly embarrassed them, particularly since it had accidentally severely damaged three ships, which only fueled their pursuit.
The captain of the Red Skull pirate ship was furious, feeling both humiliated and unable to explain himself to his brothers, and also disgusted by the group's treacherous tactics in daring to launch a sneak attack.
"Give it full speed ahead and stop the ship at all costs."
"Tell the brothers to bomb the ship down as soon as they get the chance."
"Yes, Captain, the brothers have been waiting for you."
"That's right, that's right. We're going to avenge our brothers on Mifune. Once we've killed everyone on this ship, we'll loot everything."
At this moment, everyone on the pirate ship exuded a bandit-like aura and murderous intent.
These were clearly not ordinary fishermen; these people had truly seen blood.
These people in front of me, both in appearance and in character, are dangerous individuals who operate in a gray area, and are sufficiently bloodthirsty and murderous.
"Alright, brothers, I got it. If we do a good job this time, everyone will get a reward. I'll give an extra $50,000 to those who put in the most effort!"
"Okay, okay!"
"Captain is generous, Captain is mighty."
A variety of complex languages were exchanged, but everyone's face showed fervor.
Seeing the flushed and excited faces of the people below, the captain, who was proclaiming his success, was very satisfied. Then his gaze fell on the stern that was about to be reached.
Suddenly realizing something was wrong, he snatched the equipment from the person next to him and took the binoculars to look.
"Damn it, luck really does come knocking and you can't stop it."
"Hahaha, I never thought the person I've been waiting for all this time would actually be right in front of me."
The captain stood with his hands on his hips, and with the other hand he unbuckled the key from his belt and swung it around.
"Brothers, a big fish has come up."
"If anyone can force the ship in front of me to stop today, see the key in my hand? I'll allow you to pick any item from the warehouse and take it with you."
"What? We can pick them from the warehouse?"
"Wow, this is the captain's warehouse. I heard the cheapest item there is $100,000, and there are countless priceless treasures. You could pick any one and be set for life."
The lively atmosphere was reignited, and everyone eagerly and expectantly looked at the key.
“That’s right. The smallest invoice in my warehouse is worth $100,000. If any of you manage to stop that ship, I’ll open the door for you that very day.”
"Really? Then I'll have to use the cannon. Captain, I'll go first." Someone nearby dashed outside, throwing down their wine bottle. Then, a voice came from the air.
"Damn it, I want it too, don't try to take it from me."
"Once you've mastered it, just grab it; it's mine."
Seven or eight skilled individuals rushed toward the room where the equipment was stored, and the rest began to move as well.
After most of the people dispersed and began to move, his few trusted confidants did not make any sudden moves.
They all looked at their leader with a mixture of complex emotions and curiosity. What was going on? Why was he spending so much money today? Could something really be wrong?
Despite the Red Skull pirate ship's impressive reputation, it's a fearsome group on the high seas.
However, the internal structure was chaotic, with more than a dozen people in power. If it weren't for the fact that many of them had died in the years, the situation wouldn't be what it is today.
The three captains—the first captain, the second captain, and the third captain—have temporarily taken control of the Red Skull Pirate Crew.
The three of them each controlled a large ship and maintained the stability of their subordinates through daily robberies.
But the high seas are both vast and small.
Where there is conflict, there is competition for resources. Although there is the formidable enemy of the Black Legion pirates, they are still wary of encountering each other's ships in private. After all, the more people on each ship, the less profit and money they can get.
Two months ago, a deal that had traveled to many places came to us.
The Red Skull Pirates received a precise hijacking request. The sender offered a $500,000 deposit, demanding that they intercept a ship within the next six months, and all the people and cargo on board would be theirs.
Try not to leak any information; kill everyone.
When the old hands heard the news, they assumed it was some important wealthy merchant passing through, and that they were trying to silence him using underhanded methods. However, after investigating and discovering the name of the ship, the captain inquired with his men and found out that it wasn't like that at all.
It turned out to be a ship belonging to a very famous international underwater exploration company.
Does that mean this is a treasure-hunting ship?
"Second Captain, I suspect that the letter from not long ago was about that ship. Look at the last few letters, isn't that Maria?"
The man called Second Captain had a handsome face and a very slender build. He was tall and upright, with well-defined features, yet possessing a unique softness that made him appear harmless and innocent.
But he had a gun tucked into his waistband and a dagger tucked into his trouser leg, and his eyes immediately turned sharp when he looked over.
"Oh? You mean the Maria?"
The person next to him nodded and immediately handed over the documents.
"Look at the description above, HNA Cruises is fully equipped and will appear near the high seas within six months."
"Their previous attack with such heavy firepower was clearly not simple, and besides, the timing was perfect."
The second captain's cold expression finally softened, and he then smiled.
"Hahaha, then we've been discovered."
"By the way, is the other ship still chasing us here?"
"Yes, yes, they're sticking close and not far from us. What if they find us too..."
The second captain's eyes immediately turned cold. "Go find someone to contact them and tell them that I need to talk to the captain about this."
The leaders of the subordinates all spoke up and immediately ran out to make contact.
The man inside the room had completely dropped his mask, his eyes filled with nothing but scheming and malice.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Shoot me accurately, ammunition is free!"
With a barrage of firepower, the captain, seeing the ship still moving faster ahead, began to feel a surge of anger.
The subordinates standing nearby were all arguing, insisting that the other party had hindered their performance.
The captain was so angry that he slapped the ship a few times, and then ordered his confidants to watch over it, as he didn't want to see it getting in his way.
After receiving the distress signal from the Maria, the warship remained vigilant about its rear and flanks.
When they saw that someone behind them had indeed fired shots, they promptly launched a counterattack, turning offense into defense.
At this moment, the situation on the sea was that the Maria was in the lead, with our warships following not far to the left, and the pirate ships were just a hundred meters away behind.
Despite the continuous attacks that followed, various unexpected events did not cause them any trouble.
But James still gave a firm order: to move forward at full speed, cross the sea ahead, and leave them behind.
He also noticed the ensuing confrontation, but he didn't say much, only giving instructions on the next steps.
Then everyone on the ship experienced what it means to speed across the sea.
The feeling of the ship moving rapidly made most people feel seasick, so dizzy that they couldn't even stand up.
The whole journey was much faster. When the speed picked up, you could feel the boat rocking as you walked on it, and even the best sense of balance was useless here.
Starting with it, the three ships behind it chased after it in turn, following closely as if in a race.
And so the so-called dark third day arrived, both thrilling and ordinary.
They arrived at the pirates' hideout ahead of time, and because of the firepower, they had to speed up their escape, so they kept sailing all night long.
However, nighttime navigation presents numerous difficulties, even if military ships maintain contact with them and can keep up.
But for some unknown reason, a fog appeared on the sea surface of the Maria in the early hours of the morning.
The fog lingered from dawn until daybreak, and from daybreak until afternoon, refusing to dissipate or disappear!
Looking at the rising steam, even those standing on the deck could not see their companions just a few meters away because of the distance. Everyone was puzzled and curious about what was going on.
The situation on the ship was immediately reported to the higher-ups, and James and his men naturally sought help to find out more.
Even Mr. Hu, whose condition had improved, was called in for a chat.
Fortunately, the warships followed steadily, and the two sides did not lose contact. Unfortunately, according to Mr. Hu and the experienced sailors, they must have lost their way.
Logically, following their route, they shouldn't encounter foggy days this season.
"The equipment above has really malfunctioned; it seems to be a problem with the magnetic field."
"The pirate ships behind us have also disappeared. We are safe for now, but we need to leave here as soon as possible."
"But the navigation equipment is all unusable, how do we get back to our original orbit?"
The people in the command room were discussing the next steps, while the crowd outside began to peek out, speculating about the origin of the fog.
Everyone's emotions have calmed down considerably at this point. After all, the emotional ups and downs of the past few days have almost driven people crazy.
Even the most timid person has been tempered and their courage and temperament have changed.
Luo Yin gazed at the sea, which was filled with mist, so thick that she couldn't even see the colors of the sky, nor could she make out anything on the sea.
Apart from their companions, all they could see was a vast expanse of white.
Compared to the azure blue of the past few days, I have to say I'm tired of seeing the previous blues, so this is quite refreshing.
She leisurely admired the view for a while, secretly making a judgment in her mind, but soon followed the thought process of the others and wondered what was going on and whether the people behind her would catch up.
What difficulties did Old Chen mention?
One incident after another, one after another, was truly overwhelming.
"I must say, the air feels much fresher." She took a few deep breaths and felt her lungs were much clearer.
But the next second, she suddenly realized something was wrong; there was a fishy smell mixed in with the air.
She sniffed and looked around suspiciously, but the fog obscured everything.
Her wide eyes, so serious they seemed to sting, asked, "Could it be my imagination?"
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