Setting a Price

035 Price Tag

Ming Shu also promptly activated the Demonic Spirit within the cyan small stone pagoda.

Since he was able to cultivate, his connection with the Demonic Spirit had become even tighter. Even without holding it, he could directly activate it within a close range.

[Demonic Spirit: Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King], Skill 2: Pagoda Guard!

A shield appeared just in time, blocking the sneak attack from the Shadow Pirate.

Skill 3: Aura! Activate!

Skill 4: Formation Borrowing Strength! Activate!

These two abilities, which he had never had a chance to use before, were both deployed this time. The dozen or so people around him formed a small aura, igniting the courage in everyone's hearts.

Morale soared. At the same time, Ming Shu borrowed a sliver of strength from them.

After blocking the sneak attack, Ming Shu brandished his short spear, turned, and counterattacked.

After being possessed by the Demonic Spirit, he didn't undergo a transformation like Ren Yuan, but his strength had increased severalfold.

His spear and staff techniques became countless times more proficient.

Skill 1: Spear Stab to Break the Enemy! Activate!

He withstood that mass of shadows.

The Shadow Pirate, having missed its attack, tried to flee.

At the last moment, Ming Shu still managed to stab its shoulder blade.

It fled, bleeding all the way back.

Even though it had transformed into a shadow to move, it still left a clear trail of blood on the snow.

The fresh blood melted the ice and snow.

White steam rose.

Ren Yuan had suppressed the Pirate Captain, who possessed the Snow Moon Frog Demonic Spirit, but other pirates had returned to assist him. For a time, he couldn't take him down, and they were at a stalemate.

Ming Shu proactively charged towards the Pirate Vice-Captain, freeing Zhao Dun and Zhao Chuan. They had experience leading battles, but trying to lead a group of guards was always a struggle, causing everyone to panic.

Now, possessing the power of the Demonic Spirit: Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, Ming Shu's combat power was completely on par with a fifth-tier Martial Artist in the [Hua Jin Gui Yuan Realm].

He had been constantly improving during this period.

Zhao Dun reorganized the defense line, and Zhao Chuan assisted in breaking out. Both of them had the strength of fourth-tier Martial Artists, but they were both injured, which affected their performance.

While Ming Shu was fighting the Vice-Captain, Old Zhao and Chong Li had already joined forces, dealt with the Fire Cloud Turtle Pirate, and returned to the fray.

With the ebb and flow, the situation gradually improved.

Both leaders were tied up. Even if others noticed something was wrong, they wouldn't dare to flee first.

Being pirates, they first valued loyalty. If they completely pursued profit and abandoned righteousness, their internal structure would become unstable.

How would their Island Master unite his brethren in the future?

Therefore, abandoning brothers required a suitable opportunity, and this was certainly not it.

Just as they were struggling, trying to create an opportunity to leave with as many brethren as possible, the Butcher and his group arrived.

Regardless of their strength, their momentum was sufficient.

A cold arrow struck a pirate on the wall who was firing ice arrows, the one possessing the Ice Turtle Demonic Spirit.

The hunter's skill was still quite good.

The Butcher also activated his [Demonic Spirit: Zhen Guanxi], brandishing his butcher's knife and charging forward.

Behind him were over a dozen brothers, including Little Zhao, who were blocking the pirates' retreat.

After Old Zhao sent a pirate flying with a palm strike, he joined Ming Shu to attack the Vice-Captain. The two quickly wounded him, and Old Zhao knocked him unconscious with a palm strike.

The Butcher and Ren Yuan joined forces, pushing the Snow Moon Frog Pirate Captain back, leaving him unable to resist.

With the two leaders quickly dealt with, the other pirates abandoned their resistance.

Just then, as everyone was rejoicing and becoming somewhat complacent, Ming Shu received a new notification from his Fate Book—

[Demonic Spirit: Bandit Raccoon Dog, Water Ghost Frog, Illusion Moon Frog]...

Ming Shu immediately rushed out. As expected, three stronger individuals leaped out of the snow at the same moment.

Among them, the Illusion Moon Frog activated its demonic art, and a giant phantom of a frog appeared in mid-air, opening its massive mouth and sucking in a large amount of wind and snow.

Because Ming Shu rushed out in time and blocked their path, the Bandit Raccoon Dog and Water Ghost Frog couldn't rescue the other pirates.

It was also because they surrendered too quickly, failing to coordinate with them.

Taking advantage of the giant frog phantom spewing a large mouthful of wind and snow, they forcibly blocked all of Baishi Village's people.

They only managed to rescue the one who had been hiding all along, the Shadow Pirate who possessed the Shadow Moon Frog Demonic Spirit.

It seemed that among Demonic Spirits, there was a significant difference in strength. The same type of frog Demonic Spirit could possess such a powerful ultimate move.

Caught off guard, the people of Baishi Village had no effective means to deal with the situation.

Fortunately, they managed to capture a large number of Pirates in time. This put the initiative firmly on their side.

He believed that there should be plenty of low-level Demon Beast Spirits around, the common kind. They should be worth some money.

What should have been a scene of trembling fear instead filled everyone with a surging excitement.

Another great victory, boosting everyone's morale.

Regardless of those who had already fled, they began to clean up the battlefield and tally their spoils.

Ming Shu welcomed the Butcher and the others, entering the courtyard through the breached east wall. They could repair it after the snow stopped.

It was his first time meeting the Butcher and his group. Previously, only Little Zhao and a few others had gone to liaise with them.

Food and wine had already been sent over previously...

In exchange for their help this time.

A preliminary trust had been established between the two sides.

It was too early to talk about incorporating them; their own strength wasn't sufficient yet, so he didn't mention it. Ming Shu didn't utter a single word about it.

He simply thanked them for their timely assistance in their moment of crisis, vowing to remember their kindness. Tonight, they would be treated to food and drink as a reward.

Tomorrow, after handling the aftermath, they would continue to host a banquet to express their gratitude.

Zhao Siqi also appeared. She had heard the commotion outside and forcefully pulled herself out of her cultivation breakthrough. She had been helping with the wounded from behind the scenes.

Now, she had led people to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Zhao Dun was more professional at treating the wounded, so that task was now handed over to them.

Old Zhao was busy leading people to clear the scene, so Ming Shu temporarily had nothing to do. The Butcher and his men had also suffered no casualties.

Although this battle had exposed many of their trump cards, if the enemy dared to return, they would have to reconsider. With at least three Demonic Spirits and Martial Artists of the fourth or fifth tier, their combat power was not weak compared to other families in the vicinity.

Furthermore, the fact that only four out of more than thirty Pirates from two teams managed to escape said it all.

However, Ming Shu did not let his guard down. He carefully questioned the local old residents, such as the Butcher and the hunters, about their understanding of the Pirates.

Having survived here for so many years, they must have clashed with the Pirates many times and still managed to protect their families and continue farming in the valley.

"Actually, this is already the northernmost territory of Donghai Prefecture. The valley we are in is still considered part of Donghai Prefecture. Further north is actually the territory of Langya Prefecture."

"Langya Prefecture is guarded by powerful families, so the Pirates dare not be too rampant. They have even negotiated prices, deciding how many times a year they collect, which supplies they take, and how much. Everything is clearly priced."