Endless Ocean: Escape Starting from a Canoe

Chapter 131 Using oneself as bait to catch a big fish
"They are indeed 70% similar."

Reinhardt examined the outline and structure of the drifting ship in the intelligence report. He was extremely envious of the astronomical bounty and had previously applied to the Golden Pagoda organization for the most detailed intelligence on this drifting ship, numbered 23333, memorizing all the information about it.

Including the ship's layout, size, materials, various details, coat of arms...

"But it's only about 70% similar, which is understandable..."

"When prey realizes it is being hunted, it always begins to disguise itself in an attempt to shake off its past image. This is a biological instinct."

"On the contrary, those prey that do not disguise themselves are more terrifying."

He carefully studied the intelligence before him.
I felt I had grasped the key to the matter.

He activated his awakened skill, Heart of the Web, which made him quick-witted, imaginative, and quick to judge, connecting and recalling a lot of past information and weaving them into a web of intelligence.

This skill is his livelihood.

The air in the Little Cow Bar was filled with the sweet aroma of milk, which made Reinhardt's mind even sharper.

He stroked his light golden stubble on his chin, lost in thought, while his assistant stood quietly by, awaiting the captain's orders.

"Most notably, many of the crew members on board have East Asian features. It is said that the Silver Ship, numbered 23333, once belonged to a marginal force in the Dragon Kingdom. It is said that it was later incorporated into the Black Society, and a large number of its crew members and slaves are from the Dragon Kingdom."

"A similarity is just a coincidence,"

"When two similarities are combined, one cannot help but pay attention."

The allure of the Pure Crystal was far greater than the beauties at the Little Cow Tavern. Reinhardt was now desperately eyeing the astronomical bounty, even though it was just a vague clue. He believed in his own abilities; if he couldn't find a clue, no other good-for-nothing could possibly get the bounty.

"Where is this drifting boat approximately located now?"

He asked his assistant.

He trusted his assistant a lot. Since the assistant had presented this information, there must have been follow-up tracking and arrangements. This was one of the advantages that Reinhard valued in him.

"Captain, this drifting ship is currently stationed 324 degrees and 30 nautical miles north of the Twelve Stars. There is a free trading market under the jurisdiction of the Twelve Stars, where they are selling the bodies of some D-class and C-class sea monsters."

"Some? Class C sea monsters?"

Reinhardt, in his "Heart of the Web" state, keenly grasped all the key points.

A C-class sea monster would be a fierce battle for any ordinary Silver-ranked drifting ship.

Even if they were lucky enough to kill it, the blood and body of a C-level sea monster would be extremely valuable to them, and they would rarely sell them unless they were extremely short of other resources or already had surplus resources. The intelligence report used the word "some," indicating that they had obtained more than one monster!
Not simple!

Reinhardt's mind raced, connecting all the information he knew, including the sea monster, Itsukushima Rin's dereliction of duty, the Yakuza's bounty, the navigator's disappearance, and so on.

It's still missing the most crucial hook...

What is the most fundamental cause of the development of everything?
"Sea monsters..."

"A map of the endless seas?!"

The thought popped into his head, and for a moment he felt it was surreal.

But if we add this clue, the whole section becomes complete! Many things become clear—

The Black Society lost its treasure, the "Map of the Endless Seas," and sought to find it with the help of a navigator. However, the mission failed, and the navigator perished along with the Black Society. The Golden Tower was furious and, together with the Black Society, offered a large reward. Meanwhile, the ship numbered 23333, having obtained the Map of the Endless Seas, began to hunt sea monsters on a large scale and sell their carcasses.
Unlikely?
But guesses are often bold.

Considering the severity of Itsukushima Rin's punishment, Reinhard felt that their lost treasure, even if not the Endless Sea Map, must be incredibly valuable. Perhaps the truth wasn't so far off?
"How many people know about this intelligence now?"

"Captain, this is our affiliated intelligence ship. The firsthand intelligence we obtained has not been known to other forces. However, whether other forces have taken notice of this ship is unknown."

“Great, let’s go check out the store too.”

……

……

……

Just as Reinhardt had predicted, on their journey back to the Twelve Stars, Shi Ming and the Dayun once again killed two C-class sea monsters. This not only promoted Lin Hai and Shi Dun on the ship to C-class Awakeners, but also left behind a complete C-class and a D-class monster for sale.

This is his plan.

To be used as bait, you must first become an eye-catching package.

He was not affiliated with either the Black Society or the Golden Pagoda, and was therefore not qualified to accept the exorbitant bounty. To obtain the bounty, he needed the "small help" of a third party.

Under the pretext of selling sea monster carcasses, Shi Ming piloted the Dayun to the free market affiliated with the Twelve Stars.

This is a vast sea area on the outskirts of the Twelve Stars, within their territory and firing range, making it relatively safe. It has become a tacitly approved "black market" under the Twelve Stars' humanitarian policies. Transactions here are tax-free, making it popular with other Silver and Bronze-level drifting ships; D-class and C-class sea monsters are particularly sought-after commodities.

This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people. Some bronze drifting ships that can't afford the twelve-star entrance fee often come here to exchange for the supplies they need.

There are also many informants from powerful forces.

In this context, it is perfectly reasonable to appropriately leak one's own information.

Shi Ming stood in a conspicuous position at the bow of the ship, his body painted with oil paint and his face covered with the Hundred-Faced Sea Lizard Mask he had bought from the Twelve Stars. This mask had been upgraded by the Brain of Creation, and its disguise effect was so strong that even when he looked in the mirror, he would not recognize himself.

They have completely lost the facial features of people from China, and look more like people from an Andean tribe in South America.

Moreover, the mask fits the skin very well, leaving no visible trace.

He anchored the ship in an empty sea.

The enormous sea creature was placed in the most conspicuous position on the deck.

Boats of all sizes come and go in the vicinity.

In just one hour, Shi Ming saw no fewer than a dozen drifting boats, something unimaginable in other sea areas.

Hopefully, this will attract the attention of some powerful forces.

He delegated the tasks of price inquiries and reception to the ship's yellow cannons and guns; the trade between D-class and C-class sea monsters wouldn't cause any major trouble. If anyone dared to be so foolish, he wouldn't mind letting them witness the arrival of a Titan.

Just kidding, there's no need for Titans to descend at all. Besides, the fishing hook hasn't even been cast yet, how can you scare the fish away?

The waiting time was incredibly boring.

He watched the small and large low-class drifting boats coming and going.

A thought popped into my head.
I wonder if the Eye of Intelligence can uncover any surprising intelligence here?

(End of this chapter)