dhibooks Chapter 341 341: The Pirates’ Stronghold
Chapter 341 341: The Pirates’ Stronghold
From the conversations of ordinary people, Yan Di gathered a wealth of valuable insight.
First, his public image clearly had its problems. In the eyes of the people, he was seen as overly conservative and stubborn. Second, Sak and Lei Ming were perceived in completely different ways. One was regarded as aggressive and radical, while the other was seen as moderate and approachable. Finally, news of the Blue Crystal Planet incident had already begun to spread among the public, accompanied by all kinds of speculation and rumor.
"Should we get ready to leave?" Rowan glanced at the time. "If we wait any longer, we might miss the next civilian route."
"Yes, it's time to go," Yan Di agreed.
"You two are leaving already?" Li Qiang said with a hint of reluctance. "I really enjoyed our conversation."
"Business comes first," Yan Di replied politely. "If there's another chance, we'll talk again."
"Then let me walk you out," Li Qiang offered warmly.
The three of them left the tea lounge together and headed toward the docking port. Along the way, they encountered other merchants and civilians. Through brief exchanges, Yan Di gained an even deeper understanding of public opinion.
In a small restaurant, they overheard a server complaining about the Giant Axe Arena's policies.
"I think their tax system is too harsh. Small vendors can barely survive under that kind of pressure."
At a freight station, laborers grumbled as they worked.
"The inspections are way too strict. Even a tiny mistake gets you fined. Nothing like the flexibility we have here in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire."
At a public news terminal, citizens were following updates about the Blue Crystal Planet incident.
"I hope Elder Yan Di is safe. He's one of the few high-ranking figures who genuinely cares about ordinary people."
These scattered fragments of conversation came together to form a complex and honest picture of public sentiment. There was criticism, praise, concern, and expectation all mixed together.
It seems I need to reevaluate my policies, Yan Di thought to himself.
At last, they reached the docking port and located a civilian transport heading toward the Giant Axe Arena's territory. It was a large passenger vessel, filled mostly with merchants, tourists, and ordinary travelers.
"Safe travels, gentlemen," Li Qiang said as he bid them farewell before boarding. "I hope your business thrives over there."
"Thank you, and I wish you prosperity as well," Yan Di replied.
After boarding, they found their seats in economy class. It was far less comfortable than the private vessels they were used to, but it suited their identities as merchants perfectly.
"How does it feel?" Rowan asked quietly.
"Very enlightening," Yan Di replied in the same low voice. "I've never understood public opinion from this perspective before."
"Any thoughts?"
"Many, but this isn't the place to discuss them," Yan Di said, glancing at the passengers around them. "We'll talk when we're somewhere safer."
The ship powered up and departed from the Black Dragon Capital Star. Through the viewport, the bustling planet slowly faded into the distance.
The civilian transport vessel, Trade Star, cruised steadily through space. Inside, passengers rested or chatted, and the atmosphere was relaxed. Yan Di and Rowan sat in the middle section of economy class, surrounded by ordinary travelers. No one would suspect that one of these seemingly unremarkable merchants was actually an Immortal-level powerhouse of the Giant Axe Arena.
Rowan flipped through a magazine on interstellar trade, maintaining his cover. Yan Di leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed, appearing to rest, though in truth he was reflecting on everything he had heard on the capital planet.
"Still thinking about earlier?" Rowan asked softly.
"Yes," Yan Di replied. "I never realized my image among the people was like that."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing," Rowan said reassuringly. "At least now you know the truth. You can make targeted improvements."
"You're right," Yan Di nodded. "This experience has taught me a lot."
Just then, the ship's broadcast system crackled to life. The captain's voice came through, tense and uneasy.
"Attention, passengers. Our journey may experience a delay. Please remain calm and fasten your seatbelts."
The announcement instantly changed the mood in the cabin. Experienced travelers knew that an unexpected delay in space rarely meant anything good.
"What's going on?" one passenger asked nervously.
"Could it be an asteroid field?" another guessed.
"Unlikely. This route is well established," an older merchant said, shaking his head.
Yan Di and Rowan exchanged a glance, both sensing danger. As a seasoned powerhouse, Yan Di quickly detected abnormal energy fluctuations outside the ship.
"There are other ships approaching," he said quietly, his voice audible only to Rowan. "More than one."
"Pursuers?" Rowan asked, tense.
"Doesn't seem like it," Yan Di said, focusing his senses. "Their energy signatures are chaotic. More like…"
Before he could finish, the ship suddenly shook violently. Passengers cried out in alarm, some thrown from their seats.
"Warning! Warning!" the automated system blared. "External attack detected. Activating emergency defense protocols!"
Through the viewport, several crudely designed, brightly painted small warships surrounded the Trade Star. Their hulls were covered with skulls and strange symbols, clearly not belonging to any legitimate faction.
"Space pirates!" someone screamed.
The words spread panic like wildfire. Passengers shrieked and cried. Some tried to hide under their seats, while others desperately searched for safety equipment.
"Stay calm!" a man who looked like security personnel stood up and shouted. "The ship has shields, they might not be able to—"
Before he could finish, another, more powerful strike hit. The ship trembled even more violently, and the lights flickered as the defense systems took heavy damage.
"Shield energy down to sixty percent!" a crew member reported over the broadcast.
"Damn pirates!" a merchant cursed. "This route was supposed to be safe!"
"Safe? There's no such thing out here!" another said in despair. "We're finished!"
Yan Di clenched his fists as his power stirred within him. Dealing with these pirates would be effortless for him. But he could not reveal himself. If he acted, their identities would be exposed, and their entire plan could collapse.
"You want to act?" Rowan sensed his struggle.
"Of course I do," Yan Di said through gritted teeth. "Watching innocent people suffer while I do nothing… it's unbearable."
"But we can't expose ourselves," Rowan reminded him. "The situation is too dangerous. Any anomaly could lead our enemies straight to us."
"I know… but…" Yan Di looked at the terrified passengers, torn with conflict.
At that moment, a pirate's voice cut through the communication channel.
"Crew of the Trade Star, listen up! This is the Blood Raven Pirate Crew! Cease all resistance immediately, shut down your shields, and prepare for boarding inspection! If you resist, we'll send you drifting into the void!"
The threat pushed the cabin into complete panic. A young woman broke down in hysterical sobs. An elderly merchant prayed nonstop. Others began writing what they believed would be their final messages.
"Captain, accept their demands!" someone shouted. "We don't want to die!"
"They just want valuables. Our lives matter more!" another voice agreed.
But the captain hesitated. Heated arguments could be heard over the broadcast.
"We can't just surrender!"
"The passengers' safety comes first!"
"The shields won't hold much longer!"
"They won't spare us anyway!"
The pirates grew impatient and intensified their assault. Wave after wave of energy blasts slammed into the shields.
"Shield energy down to thirty percent!"
"Engine system damaged!"
"Life support malfunctioning!"
Alarms rang endlessly as the ship shook violently. Loose objects flew through the cabin, injuring several passengers.
"I can't take this anymore!" Yan Di suddenly stood up. "I'm going to stop them!"
"No!" Rowan grabbed him. "Calm down! If you act now, everything we've done will be for nothing!"
"But these innocent people…"
"I understand," Rowan said urgently. "But we have to think of the bigger picture. If we're exposed, not only will we be in danger, but Blue Crystal Planet and the Giant Axe Arena will suffer too!"
Yan Di looked into Rowan's determined eyes, then at the terrified passengers around him. His heart waged a fierce battle.
As a powerful figure, standing by while the weak were threatened felt worse than death.
"Damn it!" he muttered, dropping back into his seat, his fists trembling.
At that moment, the captain's voice returned, filled with helplessness.
"Passengers, we regret to inform you that our defense systems are about to collapse. For your safety, we have no choice but to comply with the pirates' demands. Please remain calm and cooperate with their inspection. Do not resist to avoid unnecessary casualties."
Despair deepened across the cabin. Some wept openly. Others prayed. A few had already fainted.
"Shields shutting down."
"Tractor beam locked."
"Control of the vessel transferred."
As the system notifications echoed, the Trade Star lost control and was pulled off course by the pirates' tractor beams.
"Where are they taking us?" a passenger asked, trembling.
"To their base, most likely," the experienced merchant said bitterly. "Let's just hope they want money, not lives."
Through the viewport, the Trade Star was escorted by several pirate ships toward an unfamiliar destination. In the distance, a massive structure loomed. It appeared to be a space station.
"Looks like a modified station," Yan Di observed. "Large enough to hold a significant number of people."
"What do you think will happen to us?" Rowan asked.
"Typically, pirates hijack ships for ransom and loot," Yan Di explained. "They usually don't kill hostages without reason. Living hostages are more valuable."
"What about our plan?"
"We adapt," Yan Di said. "Let's hope they aren't too greedy and release us quickly."
Half an hour later, the Trade Star was dragged into the pirate base's docking port. The massive station was cobbled together from abandoned ships and structures, chaotic and dangerous in appearance.
"Attention, passengers," a new voice came over the broadcast, clearly belonging to the pirates. "Welcome to the Blood Raven Nest! All passengers will undergo detailed inspection and registration. Cooperate, and no one gets hurt. Any attempt to resist or escape will be treated as hostile action!"
The cabin doors were forced open. A group of pirates rushed in, dressed in mismatched gear and carrying a variety of weapons. Their leader was a tall, bearded man with a blood-red raven tattooed across his chest.
"Listen up!" he shouted. "I'm Scarface Jack, deputy leader of the Blood Raven Pirate Crew! Registration begins now! Everyone will report their identity, assets, and background truthfully! Any deception will be severely punished!"
The pirates forced passengers into lines. Each person underwent a thorough search and inspection of their belongings. Cries, pleas, and threats filled the air, plunging the cabin into chaos.
"You two, your turn!" a pirate pointed at Yan Di and Rowan. "Step forward!"
With no choice, they walked to the registration desk. Rowan silently prayed their false identities would hold, while Yan Di suppressed the anger boiling within him.
"Name?" the registrar asked flatly.
"My name is Li Ming. This is my partner, Wang Qiang," Yan Di replied according to their prepared identities.
"Occupation?"
"Merchants. We deal in interstellar trade."
"Cargo and assets?"
"Mostly specialty goods from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, along with some cash," Yan Di answered truthfully. Those items were easy to verify.
The pirate carefully examined their documents and cargo list, then conducted a physical search. Fortunately, Yan Di's disguise was flawless. The pirates found nothing suspicious.
-------------------------------
Already hooked? Tell me what reeled you in leave a review, spark the fire with a comment, and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops!
The evolution's just begun. Dive deeper into Unbound Evolution and stay leagues ahead!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a.