Sail Shadows in the Sea of ​​Fog

Chapter 21: Pier 17, Suzaku Islands

Under the bright sunshine, the cool sea breeze pushed the Valkyrie to follow the Flamingo merchant ship far behind and head towards the Suzaku Islands.

On the open-air cockpit, Cheng Lang, with the steering wheel locked, was looking at a wooden box at his feet.

This box was brought back along with the shells, but inside the box were two bird eggs that were as big as shells, one white with light blue dots, and the other light blue with white dots.

In addition, there is a large bird in the box that is completely white and looks about the size of a rooster, but has a wingspan of about 3 meters.

"This is Xin Weng"

The magic mirror hanging on the ship's bell tower beside the steering wheel had become accustomed to the captain's "ignorance" and explained in a nonchalant tone, "You've probably guessed from the name. This is the messenger used to communicate between ocean-going ships. The nearly adult messenger can deliver messages to the Flamingo armed merchant ship at any time."

"Where are these two eggs?" Cheng Lang asked curiously.

"He's a smart guy. He seems to have noticed that there's no Xin Weng on our ship."

The magic mirror continued, "So he gave us two messenger eggs. As long as we place them in the heart of the ship to hatch, they will use this ship as their nest. In the future, the little messengers they hatch from can be sent to other ships, and they will be able to help deliver messages like the adult messenger.

Of course, before that, the letter sent by the other party also needs to go to the heart chamber of the ship and drink a mouthful of the heart blood."

“It won’t turn the ship’s center.”

"of course not"

The magic mirror continued, "They are friends of the heart of the ship. Of course, you can actually take them to the heart of the ship at the bow."

"Speaking of this"

Cheng Lang belatedly remembered something he had forgotten to ask, "What's with the heart in that fake ship's ventricle at the bow?"

"It was made from the heart of the crocodile you killed."

The magic mirror continued to explain, "The ship's heart pool was accidentally obtained by a captain of this ship in an extremely lucky yet extremely disgusting way a long, long time ago.

In addition to being used to disguise the heart of the ship, the heart can also provide some additional auxiliary power, such as for pulling anchors. "

"Since we're talking about this, how about telling us the stories of the previous captains of this ship?" Cheng Lang said as he picked up the wooden box containing the bird eggs and the letter.

"Sorry, I have to keep it a secret for them."

The magic mirror said frankly, "If you accidentally leave this ship for some reason one day in the future, I will keep all your affairs confidential."

“Thank you so much for keeping it a secret.”

Cheng Lang muttered, carrying the box into the cargo hold. Following the instructions of the magic mirrors hanging along the way, he first soaked the two eggs in the pool in the center of the ship, and then let the adult letter old man stick its sharp mouth in to drink a few sips of water.

This letter bird was not afraid of people. After drinking the blood-red pool water, it shook its feathers and left the ship's center chamber as if it was familiar with the place. It picked up a hemp rope here and a hemp bag there, then fluttered to the lookout tower on top of the foremast and began to build a nest.

After seeing enough novelties, Cheng Lang returned to the captain's room, put on an extra hooded headliner, and returned to the open-air cockpit, while secretly planning his next move.

Now he still has 47 gold coins, 51 silver coins and 18 copper coins in his hand. Without knowing the prices and the purchasing power of these coins, he must think carefully about what to buy when he arrives at the Suzaku Islands.

Among these things, food is naturally the first one.

Although there was still a lot of barley, various beans, a small amount of fruit and rotten carrots in the cabin, these things could not last him long enough to drive the ship to the pirate city.

Apart from the need to purchase food, the vine goblins were not in a hurry to buy the fruit wine for their daily consumption. Even without counting the stock in the ship's bottles, the one they got from the pirate ship yesterday was enough for them to drink for a while.

Finally, there is his future "career direction", which is also a question he has been thinking about since leaving that desolate island.

Becoming a pirate? Deep down, he had no interest in that.

If he were really allowed to make a choice in this world, he might prefer to find a place with beautiful scenery and a stable environment to live a life similar to that of a landlord.

But at the same time, he also wanted to find the secrets about this world written by the Valkyrie on the reverse scale.

Amidst this intertwined complex emotion, the two boats ran from early morning to noon, and from noon to sunset. Finally, a series of islands appeared right ahead of their route.

Looking at the nautical chart, the overall outline of the Zhuniao Islands is almost a perfect circle.

At the center of this archipelago is a towering mountain, surrounded by circles of intermittent arc-shaped islands like broken mosquito coils.

If we analyze it from a geographical perspective, this archipelago was most likely formed by volcanic eruptions.

Whatever the truth was, he had to admit that even though it was still some distance away, the island was beautiful enough just from what he saw through the telescope.

"Respected Captain, please allow me to remind you."

The Magic Mirror spoke at the right moment, "At least according to the rules from 100 years ago, ships can only dock freely at ports in the outermost circle of islands in the Suzaku Islands, but the gun port shields must be locked. Unauthorized ships cannot enter the second circle of islands."

"Lock the gun port baffle!" Cheng Lang gave the order decisively.

On the gun deck, following Wukong's shouting, the gorillas who were always guarding the guns immediately pulled up the gun window shields and locked them from the inside.

"I have a question for you"

Cheng Lang looked at the sunset at the end of his sight, where more than half of it had not sunk into the water, and spoke after careful consideration.

"Please put aside any reservations and speak freely, my respected Captain."

The magic mirror said flatteringly, "No matter what the question is, I will answer it honestly."

"You haven't gained any knowledge from the outside world in a hundred years, so how should you, uh... update your experience?"

“That’s a really good question that hits the nail on the head.”

The magic mirror explained flatteringly, "All you have to do is take a mirror, rent a room in a random hotel in this city, and then stick the mirror on the mirror in the room."

"how long it takes?"

“It will probably take a whole day.”

The magic mirror replied, "During this period of time, I will not be able to accompany you, nor will I be able to respond to any of your questions.

After filling in this century-long gap in knowledge, I will return to the ship on my own, my respected captain."

"I will remember this."

Cheng Lang breathed a sigh of relief. It was only one day, and even without the help of the magic mirror, he wouldn't make any big mistakes.

As they chatted, the dock in front of them was getting closer and closer, and the Flamingo armed merchant ship in front began to gradually fold up its sails and reduce its speed.

Before the sunset completely sank below the sea level and before Poseidon's curse caused the Valkyrie's sails to become tattered, Cheng Lang maneuvered the ship slowly to dock at the berth of the Flamingo next to it.

After the vine goblins, who had put on canvas cloaks in advance, dropped anchor and retreated to the cabin, and Cheng Lang personally dropped the mooring rope, a middle-aged man in a bright red uniform, a tricorn hat, and a notebook in his hand came over. He enthusiastically helped him tie the mooring rope and set up a gangplank. Then he immediately stood on tiptoe and said loudly, "Welcome to the beautiful Pier 17 of the Vermilion Bird Islands. The berth fee and tax total 20 silver coins!
If you are willing to pay an additional 10 silver coins, we will send someone to help you guard the sailboat to avoid any unnecessary trouble."

"He's with us," Mr. Lu Ting shouted on the deck of the Flamingo merchant ship across the pier before Cheng Lang could speak. "We are all cargo ships of the Flamingo Merchant, and we have brought artillery. Are you sure you want to charge?"

"Mr. Lu Ting, it's been a long time."

The middle-aged man immediately waved behind him and said, "It was just a routine matter. I'll have my people take good care of your merchant ship."

Before he finished speaking, three soldiers carrying flintlock rifles ran over and stood on the pier on both sides of the two ships with their chests puffed out and their heads held high.

"It's been a long time indeed"

Mr. Lu Ting, who was standing next to Captain Senfa, nodded at Cheng Lang casually, then said, "Mr. Napit, is there any vacant warehouse at the dock? We want to unload the cargo immediately. Also, please send a trader over."

"Of course, Pier 17 will always reserve a spacious warehouse for Flamingo Trading Company." Mr. Napit's nod and yawn made Cheng Lang pinch the small mirror in his hand.

"Please help us reserve three more best rooms in Xinweng Tavern," said Mr. Lu Ting, handing over a gold coin.

“Thank you for your continued generosity.”

Napit quickly took the gold coins and put them in his pocket. "I will personally help you arrange the warehouse and traders. Please follow me."

"After you make the arrangements, please send someone to wait for us on the second floor of the tavern."

Mr. Lu Ting waved his hand. "We have to take inventory of the cargo first and pay the sailors."

"I'll send someone back as soon as possible."

After Napit finished speaking, he ran away without a trace.

"Hello, young captain, I am Lu Ting, the retired captain of Flamingo Trading Company." Mr. Lu Ting walked towards Cheng Lang and extended his hand.

Cheng Lang, wearing a hypocritical mask, shook hands with the other party and Captain Senfa one after another, "Hello, Mr. Lu Ting."

"Thank you friends for your help along the way."

Mr. Lu Ting said this cryptically, and then changed the subject before Cheng Lang could speak. "I haven't had time to ask, but what are you and your ship called?"

"Cheng Lang, my ship is called Fenglang."

Cheng Lang announced his own name and also temporarily changed the name of the Valkyrie. This world was full of strange things beyond common sense, so he couldn't help but be careful.

“What a great name”

Mr. Lu Ting complimented him sincerely, and then extended a warm invitation, "Captain Cheng Lang, if it's convenient, why don't you move down all the artillery you're going to sell now?"

"I've already had the sailors move the cannons to the deck. Would it be convenient for you to ask your sailors to help move them?"

Cheng Lang apologized, "My sailors have some minor health problems. They are temporarily unable to leave the cabin."

"Of course, we are very happy to serve." Mr. Lu Ting agreed before Captain Senfa could speak.

"Then I'll trouble you and your sailors. I will pay for the transportation costs." Cheng Lang said politely.

"The transportation fee is waived. It is sufficient if you are willing to let us handle these artillery pieces."

Captain Senfa said, "We will help you sell it for the highest price, and we won't charge any hard work fees."

"Thank you very much," Cheng Lang expressed his gratitude again.

"Come down and help!" Mr. Lu Ting waved behind him, "Plenty of beer later!"

In response, dirty and smelly sailors ran down the deck one after another. After a stumbling and shaking, they staggered onto the deck of the Valkyrie and became stable again.

Apparently, they had been sailing on the sea for too long and could no longer adapt to the stability of land.

Amid the sailors' rough calls, cannons removed from the pirate ship and boxes of cannonballs that Cheng Lang no longer needed slid down the gangway.

It took only an hour at most to lift 40 cannons and the corresponding boxes of rusty shells onto the pier.

"I will help you sell these cannons and shells at a high price."

Captain Senfa made a promise, "According to my estimation, the average price of these cannons is between 5 and 10 gold coins.

After all, this is our first collaboration, so if you're worried, I can prepay you some gold coins at the lowest price."

"Although this is our first meeting, I believe Flamingo Trading Company will not damage its reputation because of some old cannons."

Cheng Lang said, "You are in urgent need of funds for trade, so why not wait until the artillery is sold before settling the account."

"You are the most generous captain I have ever met"

Senfa said gratefully that no matter what, this was an olive branch extended by the other party and there was no need for him to refuse.

"We may have many opportunities to cooperate in the future." Cheng Lang shook hands with the other party again.

"I sincerely hope that we can become friends in the future," Senfa said, holding Cheng Lang's hand. "Please come with us to Xinweng Tavern."

"please"

"please"

Captain Senfa walked ahead enthusiastically to help lead the way.

At the same time, the dirty sailors had returned to the Flamingo armed merchant ship and escorted the pirate captives wearing hoods one by one.

"these people"

"They were pirates who attacked us on the road"

Captain Senfa said, as if he really didn't recognize Cheng Lang, "These will be exchanged for some ransom."

"The Demon Hunting Group?" Cheng Lang asked casually.

"them?"

Senfa's tone was filled with unintentional sarcasm. "Those lunatics who only know how to hang people are too stingy. There are plenty of captains and landowners in the Xinweng Tavern who are willing to pay ransoms for them. These sailors will all become excellent farmers and miners."

Hearing this, Cheng Lang just smiled and did not continue the topic. He followed him and Mr. Lu Ting away from the busy pier and walked towards a bustling tavern not far away.

As for the artillery behind him, he really didn't care.

As mentioned at the beginning, those obsolete cannons should have been thrown into the sea. It would be best if they could be sold through Captain Senfa.

If he unfortunately got tricked by him, then Cheng Lang would have enough reasons to reluctantly play the role of a pirate again.

(End of this chapter)