Another Ambush

The two Sea Pirates were held separately. One had only half a life left, so the Imperial Guards did not dare use overly harsh methods when interrogating him, afraid that he would die if they applied too much force.

The other had been hung up and subjected to quite a bit of torture, but his mouth was hard as iron—so hard that he did not seem like a Sea Pirate at all.

Yang Shan went down into the hold. He first glanced at the half-dead Sea Pirate, then turned to the one hanging there. "Very soon, we will know who sent you. Looting and murdering envoys of the Imperial Court—once your identities are uncovered, your nine clans will be exterminated! Unless you redeem yourselves through merit, or unless ignorance absolves you of guilt, and the people you originally intended to loot and kill were not the Imperial Court's delegation."

The hanging Sea Pirate's heart clenched, as did his fists, making the chains rattle.

Yang Shan stepped forward and said softly, "Whether it is the former or the latter, you had better seize the chance. Before long, many of your companions will be joining you. Your mouth may be hard, but they may not have your backbone."

The Sea Pirate's face was numb. Only when Yang Shan turned to leave did he slightly raise his head and watch his figure disappear, the scales in his heart swaying without end.

That night, the wind and waves were calm, and the fleet advanced a little farther toward Quanzhou.

After dawn, more islands appeared around them, as did more fishing boats heading out to sea. From time to time, one or two small boats came into view.

Pan Yun held a spyglass and watched with great interest. "Fishermen suffer, but fishermen who cannot go