Chaotic Land

"Ah! That's tri-phase alloy!"

"So much ship wreckage! So many high-grade parts!"

"Those birdmen are throwing out the supplies they looted!"

"Hmph! They're trying to exploit our greed and make us stop chasing them!"

"You're brilliant, Commander! Everyone, ignore what the enemy dropped. They killed so many of our brothers, and now those birdmen think they can leave? After them!"

"After them, my ass! Pick up the supplies first!"

"Huh?"

The pirates doggedly pursuing Ziwei suddenly stopped.

Their commander ordered them to scavenge the supplies the enemy had abandoned and suspend the pursuit.

One subordinate asked in confusion, "Commander, didn't you say they were exploiting our greed? Aren't we playing right into their hands?"

"Idiot!" the commander said coldly. "Why pass up free loot? We've suffered heavy losses. How can we not make some of them back?"

"But those birdmen..." The subordinate was stunned.

The commander snapped, "Birdmen, birdmen! The force field around their flagship is too powerful. If we fight to the death, I don't know whether they'll get wiped out, but our corps definitely will!"

"Leave wiping out the birdmen to the Four Emperors. Why should we worry about it?"

"These supplies are free. Grab them and get out! If you don't take them, someone else will!"

"I'm telling you, this black market is finished. Life's going to get tough from here on out! Hurry!"

"Yes, yes!" His subordinate immediately obeyed.

And so the pirates abandoned the chase and began scavenging instead, fighting over the supplies Ziwei had dropped.

They could hardly be blamed for that choice. It was practically inevitable. Even if they saw through the enemy's trick, they still had to do it. This was a stratagem laid out in plain sight.

They had come to the black market to resupply and turn a profit, only