Working with the Fleet Commander

"Kobok's Shavingskin Boots! The finest craftsmanship, made from one hundred percent sea crocodile hide. You won't find anything better!

There aren't even words to describe them, are there?"

As soon as he reached the entrance to Kobok's Leather Goods, he heard the goblin hawking his wares. He had to admit, these goblins were really hardworking. It wasn't even that late, and they'd already opened up for business.

"Oh, it's you! Take a look at the boots I made... They're as good as sausages, Sun Busong. What a beautiful shape, and what a comfortable fit! Let me tell you, they're like sausages made from the finest ingredients and the best meat. Try them once, and you'll remember them for the rest of your life!

They're safe and comfortable to walk in. You've got to trust me. And don't ask what materials I used to make them."

Anyone could be his customer. After finishing his sales pitch, Kobok saw that Sun Busong had no intention of buying a pair of boots, so he asked, "Did you bring me those hides?"

Sun Busong received 500 points of Treasure Bay reputation and eight Gold Coins here as his reward. He also took on the quest to kill the old crocodile.

"Since everything inside is already finished, all that remains is the outer layer. It has to be made from the highest-quality old crocodile hide. This hide is even tougher than canvas, and it's perfect for bringing my design to life.

Finding a flawless hide won't be easy, but this old sea crocodile hide is the only material worthy of my design. Old sea crocodiles only come out to protect their group when other crocodiles are attacked, so you'll probably have to kill some ordinary crocodiles to lure them out."

"I heard old sea crocodiles are on the verge of extinction... That's really not good news for me, is it?

Even so, I still hope you'll bring me an old sea crocodile hide!"

"That's incredible! You found the captain's rum! I'm in awe of you, my friend. Looks like a big storm's about to hit. Maybe I should have a bottle to warm myself up first..."

Whiskey Slim was thrilled to see the rum that had been recovered. His reward for Sun Busong was another kind of liquor.

Strange Rum: Use: Increases your Stamina by 10 for 15 minutes and leaves you completely smashed!

There were more than a dozen bottles! Since he'd already handed them over, Sun Busong didn't feel bad about it. He stuffed them straight into his pack and turned to leave, worried the drunk might ask for them back once he sobered up.

He went to the room of stingy Trisrick and handed him a pile of Troll teeth.

This time, though, Trisrick didn't give Sun Busong a reward. Instead, he offered him another quest.

"I need some materials. The Venture Company's geologists have recently been studying a strange blue crystal they dug out of a mine. Get some samples from those geologists and bring them back to me. Of course, I don't care how you get them."

The quest wasn't difficult, and Sun Busong needed all kinds of ore for his professions. It was a two-for-one deal.

After taking care of the quest, Sun Busong found Yang Si, ate something at his restaurant, and asked him about the latest developments.

His reputation in Treasure Bay was almost high enough to reach Honored. That was quite an achievement. None of the quests he'd taken on had been easy. If someone else had done them, it would have taken at least several months.

"Sir, since this morning, I've heard your name mentioned many times by the goblin merchants. They're amazed at how quickly you complete your commissions. This is a good start. Now they'll give you even more jobs."

"But if you want to get in touch with the big financier, Rivegaz, you'll need to take on more commissions."

Sun Busong nodded as he ate. "Right. After I finish five or six more quests, my reputation here should reach Honored. Then I'll be able to get in touch with the big financier, Rivegaz. Keep an eye out for more quests connected to him."

"Yes, sir!"

"You're not much of a cook! Come on, let's go to the kitchen. I'll teach you a few things. I'm going to be here for another six months, and I can't eat this every day!"

Sun Busong was very particular about food. Yang Si was only a Journeyman Cook, so Sun Busong spent more than two hours teaching him how to make ten delicious dishes.

Yang Si immediately began treating Sun Busong like a deity!

Over the next few days, Sun Busong and the Tauren could be seen all over Stranglethorn Vale. They even had a small run-in with some Horde members, who claimed it was immoral for a little person to order a Tauren around.

What else could Sun Busong do? Of course, he beat them senseless!

During this time, he earned the friendship of Markkire, Treasure Bay's "Sea Wolf," learned Fishing from Old Man Hemingway, and held a barbecue contest aboard the Maiden's Love with her captain, Griselow. Naturally, Yang Si was the one who took part in the contest.

He also recruited a young follower, Fizzrak Finn. The poor guy had contracted Stranglethorn Fever, a disease that could kill quickly. With the help of Witch Doctor Anbakwah, Sun Busong killed over a hundred Stranglethorn gorillas and the savage Mokk, then took its heart and cured Fizzrak Finn.

Fizzrak Finn had been a low-ranking member of the Blackwater Bandits. But from the moment Sun Busong saved his life, he would no longer be a pathetic weakling who could be killed by a single bout of fever!

"Master, I've made contact with one of the big financier Rivegaz's trusted associates. When would you like to meet?"

Fizzrak Finn was extremely capable. If money was involved, there was nothing he couldn't get done. So Sun Busong brought him into the Imperial Guard. He was now in charge of the Imperial Guard's finances and logistics in Stranglethorn Vale.

"As soon as possible. Time is running out. Heavy Fist and I are both level 29, which means we can't level up any further. Heavy Fist especially can't reach level 30, or he won't be able to take the trial to advance to a professional."

"Yes, Master. I'll get in touch with them right away."

Finn got in touch with the big financier Rivegaz through First Mate Kraz. Before long, Sun Busong met the goblin underling.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, legendary Imperial Guard commander. I'm the first mate of the Blackwater Two. How can I help you?"

The goblin was quite polite. After all, his job was to deal with people from all around.

"I'm glad to meet you too. Let's get straight to the point. I need your help with two things. First, I want to attend the Treasure Bay auction six months from now. Second, I'd like to try my hand at the Stranglethorn Arena." Sun Busong took out a bag of Gold Coins and tossed it to him.

First Mate Kraz weighed the bag, then bent forward with a smile and said respectfully, "Your will is my mission. I'll take care of everything you've asked me to do!"

Sun Busong didn't hold back. He continued, "I want to meet the big financier, Rivegaz, in person. I heard he has some difficult quests that no one has been able to complete. I think I can handle them!"

"That's wonderful! Your accomplishments have already spread throughout Treasure Bay. As it happens, I have a quest from the big financier right here."

The quest First Mate Kraz had for him turned out to involve the Blood Sail Pirates!

That put Sun Busong in a difficult position. But after weighing things over, he decided to accept the quest for his own benefit.

"Our ship is anchored in Treasure Bay, and our sworn enemies—the filthy, damn Blood Sail Pirates—are running amok all over southern Stranglethorn Vale. These days, our people are either clutching bottles of rum or hanging around with women! I need a scout to do a job for me.

Go scout out what's happening along Wild Shore. Yes, the beach north of Treasure Bay."

That was the whole quest.

What was there to scout? He already knew that area inside and out.

"You mean these?" Sun Busong took out a map covered in scrawled writing and some coins that he'd found in a dinghy on the northern beach.

"Oh?"

First Mate Kraz hadn't expected Sun Busong to produce the items right away. He stepped forward and took them. They turned out to be secret letters from the Blood Sail Pirates!

The map showed Treasure Bay, and a red X marked the Blood Sail Pirates' current position.

"Your mission is to set up camp here in secret and wait for a signal from Southern Command before attacking. Kill anyone who tries to stop you."

!!!

First Mate Kraz was shocked after reading the letters. His expression changed completely.

"This is astonishing! So the Blood Sail Pirates are planning to attack Treasure Bay? Those lunatic bastards must have lost their minds. Do they have a death wish? Treasure Bay has always belonged to the Blackwater Raiders!

This is worse than I thought. I need to report everything we've learned to Fleet Commander Kara Cape at once! Those damn sea dogs may already be gathering outside town..."

"Thank you very much, Imperial Guard Commander Sun Busong. I'm sure the big financier, Rivegaz, and Fleet Commander Kara Cape will personally thank you."

With that, First Mate Kraz bowed to Sun Busong and hurried off.

Watching him rush away, Sun Busong suddenly wondered if he'd done something wrong.

Before long, First Mate Kraz returned. "Sir, Fleet Commander Kara Cape would like to see you!"

At last, he'd get to meet Treasure Bay's two bigwigs. Sun Busong felt his recent efforts had paid off.

Kara Cape was a Tauren, so Sun Busong brought Heavy Fist along too. The fleet commander stood two and a half meters tall. His blue-brown fur made him look imposing. He wore an enormous pirate hat, and the fur under his chin was braided into little plaits. A thick gold chain hung around his broad neck.

What a rich man!

"Hello, Imperial Guard commander. You've done us a great service this time. The Blood Sail Pirates are planning to attack Treasure Bay, and it looks like they've left Seaview Cliff. The situation isn't looking good, but the valuable information you brought us has been a great help to our fleet. I thank you on behalf of the Blackwater Bandits."

"Think nothing of it! I have friends here, and I'm planning to attend the auction and the Arena six months from now. If they attack, I'd have plenty to lose too! Hahaha."

Sun Busong replied modestly.

After hearing what Sun Busong said, Kara Cape's eyes lit up. He had a good impression of him.

"I like you, Imperial Guard commander! Hahaha, the Blood Sail Pirates and the Blackwater Raiders have been fighting for a long time. We've already made plans to deal with them. This time, we're going to give Philralen's fragile nerves a good shock! He can't even row a little boat across Crystal Lake, let alone lead an entire fleet against us by himself."

"The Blood Sail Pirates will pay for their carelessness. Now that we know their attack plans, we can strike first while they still have no idea what's coming. Don't worry. You'll hear the battle report by this time tomorrow. Go and rest easy. I'll excuse myself—I have to arrange our little game with the Blood Sail Pirates."

After saying this, the fleet commander smiled at Sun Busong, gave him a gentlemanly bow, and left.

After Sun Busong and Heavy Fist returned to their room, Heavy Fist asked thoughtfully, "Boss, is that guy really strong?"

Kara Cape wasn't particularly powerful. How strong could a level-60 Chariot Soldier be? He wasn't even a professional. But he was rich. Half of Treasure Bay belonged to him.

"He's powerful, but not because of his strength. It's his wealth and influence! Don't get jealous. Your most important task right now is to become stronger. Once you're strong enough, money and power will be yours for the taking!"

"Yes, boss! Hahaha, I was just asking."

Sun Busong understood what Heavy Fist meant. Heavy Fist was level 29, but he had no way to advance to a professional. He was a soldier, and if he didn't advance before reaching level 29, then even if he got all the way to level 100, he'd still be nothing more than a soldier. Without professional skills, he could only fight using basic skills!

"With me around, advancing to a professional isn't something you need to worry about. Don't go out for now. Spend your time learning about business and diplomacy from Finn. We still don't have enough animal hides. I'll start gathering materials in a few days and get ready to make a big move!"

"Got it, boss!"

The following afternoon, Sun Busong received the battle report. The Blood Sail Pirates' warship hideout had been ambushed. Three sub-commanders had been killed, three warships had been destroyed, and countless crew members had died!

I wonder if Duncan and those hotheaded female mages are all right!

That evening, Sun Busong received an invitation to a banquet from the big financier, Rivegaz.

They had chosen the Blackwater as the venue for the banquet. It was several times bigger than the Maiden's Love, and its deck alone could fit over a hundred tables.

Sun Busong had warned them in advance not to reveal that he was the one who'd leaked the intelligence. So he was given a seat somewhat toward the back, not in the front row. That suited him just fine. He didn't want the Blood Sail Pirates to set their sights on him.

The banquet went very smoothly and was quite lavish. There was an endless supply of food and fine wine. There were many kinds of liquor Sun Busong had never seen or heard of. He quietly beckoned Finn over and told him to find a chance to steal some. They'd be perfect gifts for Old Man and Master Hammer!

Stolen goods always tasted better!