I reign supreme in the Western fantasy world for eternity.

While Ji Tian was searching for pirates in the coastal waters to seize the new cannons, the news had already spread rapidly through the rescued people.

The taverns in the nearby port were also talking about it:

"Have you heard? The hero wiped out another pirate crew yesterday, and none of the three ships escaped."

"I've heard about it too. They say that the pirates just hijacked a grain ship, and before they could even dock and divide the loot, they were caught up by a ship powered entirely by magic."

"It wasn't just a chase. When my nephew was captured on the merchant ship, he personally witnessed the hero stepping onto the ship through the water. Without even drawing his sword, six or seven of the pirates fell. The rest of them crouched on the ground with their heads in their hands, too afraid to move."

"He's not that weak. I heard that the hero is accompanied by three divinely blessed individuals: one who controls divination, one who controls the wind, and one who controls—what was it again? Anyway, they're all very powerful."

"Why does he always target pirates? Does he have a grudge against any pirate group?"

"Fool, he's a hero! Who else would a hero fight if not pirates? He's fighting the Demon King in the West, so naturally he's fighting pirates on the sea."

"But isn't this hero too cruel?"

"Hey kid, you're not some pirate sent to gather intelligence, are you? Why are you so concerned about their lives?"

"Exactly! Why don't we tie him up and send him to the police station for a thorough investigation!"

"Nonsense! I admire the hero! I'm just afraid those pirates will dirty the hero's hands."

"Those pirates did some really dirty things. You know the Blood Shark that was sunk the day before yesterday, right? Yes, the pirate ship that worshipped the Bloodsail. They specifically targeted lone fishing boats. After robbing the cargo, they would first humiliate the people to the extreme, then tie them to stones and sink them at sea... The hero took them all in, leaving none alive."

"Serves him right! People like that don't deserve to live."

"That's right!"

A chorus of agreement echoed from around the table.

"Do you think he might wipe out all the pirates in the southern seas?"

"I don't know, but if we can really clear them all out, that would be a blessing for us people of the Southern Territory. Who dares to go out to sea in peace these days? You never know when you might run into pirates."

"I wish the hero could stay here permanently."

"They're busy going to the Demon King's castle, how can they have time to stay here permanently?"

Similar news is gradually spreading as merchant ships and fishing boats return to port.

At sea, Ji Tian's small boat had been sailing continuously for nearly three days, clearing out more than a dozen groups of pirates.

Faced with Ji Tian, ​​these pirates naturally had little power to resist.

Those who refused to surrender or feigned surrender were dealt with. Those who were willing to surrender were sent to the police station by the merchant ship crew captured by the enemy. Those who were not captured were sent to the police station to surrender on their own. Ophelia was then asked to divine whether they would surrender as promised. Those who lied were considered to have feigned surrender.

Lilith was squatting at the bow of the boat, idly swinging the new fishing line that her second senior sister had given her.

Of course, given the boat's high speed, she didn't expect to catch any fish.

"Master, why are there so many pirates, and why are they so weak?"

"There are indeed many pirates in coastal waters, but the real big pirates are in the open sea."

"Should we go out to sea and take a look?"

Just then, Ophelia's voice came from the stern:

"Captain, there's a pirate ship slowing down about two miles ahead."

Ji Tian looked in the direction she indicated.

A medium-sized three-masted sailing ship was speeding toward their side and front. The ship's paint was still relatively new, and several strings of dried fish were hanging from the side of the ship. Cannons were protruding from the deck.

The ship had clearly noticed them as well, slowed down, and moved closer to them, seemingly intending to rob them.

When the two ships closed to about two hundred feet, a head popped out from the side of the opposite ship. The head was dark-skinned and had a relatively new curved knife at its waist.

"Robbery! Hand over your valuables, and we'll spare your lives!"

But when he saw the sword at Ji Tian's waist, his face turned deathly pale. Without a word, he untied his scimitar, threw it on the deck, and shouted with outstretched arms:

"Don't hit me! I didn't do anything wrong! I surrender! I surrender!"

Lilith wrapped the fishing line around her hand and scoffed, "Another one surrendering. Do they all know about the Holy Sword?"

The ships drew closer.

Seeing that Ji Tian did not immediately draw his sword, the man seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but his forehead was still covered in sweat.

He swallowed hard and spoke rapidly:

"Brave warrior, this is my first time being a pirate! This ship is an old one I bought with my savings; it only went to sea last month, and I haven't even pulled off a single heist yet!"

Ji Tian's gaze swept over the four new cannons on the ship, and he chuckled lightly, teasingly saying:

"His first time as a pirate, he spent a fortune on four new cannons?"

The man's expression froze, then he forced a smile that looked more like a grimace:

"Brave warrior, you may not know this, but it's an old cannon traded for a new one. I used to have a fishing boat, but the harvest wasn't good, so I switched to short-distance transport. I happened to meet a merchant who said I could use my old cannon to offset the cost of the new one, and I only needed to pay a small difference..."

Oh? They offer trade-in programs here?

No wonder these cannons are selling so well.

Elena, who was standing nearby, noticed something amiss. "Then why were you driving the boat so fast in the first place?"

"I went to attend the rally."

"What kind of gathering?"

"It was Lord Lonely Reef who convened this meeting. He said he wanted to gather people from all walks of life who make a living at sea to participate in this grand event. He said he wanted to redefine the rules of this sea area and prevent the Seven Sea Lords from 'acting as accomplices to the wicked and oppressing the good' any longer."

Clearly, the "people who make a living at sea" here refers to pirates.

"This news has been circulating for some time now, and pirates in the southern border are all rushing there after hearing the news. I... I also heard that I could get some territory there, so I thought I'd go and try my luck."

Lilith squatted by the ship and listened for a long time, tilting her head and muttering:

"This pirate king has quite the big mouth. I thought he was a good person before."

Ji Tian looked at the pirate captain again. "Where is the meeting place?"

Seeing that he didn't intend to make a move, the man quickly replied:

"Lord Lone Reef's territory is about two days' sail to the southeast. It is said to be an island surrounded by coral reefs and undercurrents, and only those who are invited know how to get there."

"How are you going to get in?"

"Once we reach the nearby waters, someone will come to meet us. The code word is 'The tide is coming in,' and the reply is 'We're coming with the tide.'"

Ji Tian thought for a moment, then asked, "How did you find out about this?"

"A middleman told me. He took the money at the Lion Tooth City dock, gave me a nautical chart and a few words."

As the man spoke, he took out a folded piece of old parchment from his pocket and carefully handed it over.

Ji Tian took a look and confirmed that it was indeed a hand-drawn nautical chart, marked with a winding route and a circle at the end, with the words "Rendezvous Point" written in hasty handwriting next to it.

With so many pirates gathered together, it made it easy for him to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

He tucked the nautical chart into his sleeve and continued:

"I'll unload the cannons for now. Go back to Bai'ou Port and turn yourself in to the police station. The charge is 'illegal possession of firearms.' As for whether you've ever been a pirate, the sheriff will investigate. Think carefully before you answer. I have ways of determining whether you're being honest."

The man seemed surprised that Ji Tian would let him go, and after a long pause, he replied repeatedly:

"Yes! Yes! I'll go right away!"

He waited until the brave warrior unloaded the cannons from the ship, said something to his teammates, and left the ship before hurriedly turning the rudder, getting the sails to catch the wind again, and slowly turning the bow toward White Gull Harbor.

Meanwhile, Ji Tian's small boat began to speed towards the direction where the pirate king was.