He was a short, sturdy man with a face full of whiskers and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He took heavy steps to the center of the ship, swept his gaze around, and barked in a hoarse voice, "Honored guests, this voyage isn't a free ride. Since you've entered my territory, you'll follow my rules!"
The other crew members also set down their work, their gazes turning vicious. They drew gleaming daggers from their waists, and some even revealed martial souls with considerable Soul Power fluctuations. They were clearly pirates.
Besides Shi Hao and the other two, there were several other passengers aboard. Hearing the captain's words, their faces changed drastically as a sense of foreboding rose in their hearts. To their horror, they realized this was not the normal route to Sea God Island at all. The ship was clearly heading toward a desolate stretch of water.
"Y-you're pirates!" a merchant cried in terror, his body trembling uncontrollably.
The captain revealed a ferocious grin. "Hahaha! This gentleman got it right! That's right, we're pirates! And the fiercest pirates in these waters!"
His eyes sharpened as he shouted, "Anyone who doesn't want to die, hand over all your valuables! If anyone dares to hide anything or try to resist, don't blame me for showing no mercy and tossing every last one of you into the sea to feed the fish!"
Behind the captain, a burly young man stepped forward with a gleaming machete in hand and a cruel smile on his face. He was the captain's son, notorious throughout these waters. Walking up to a merchant who was trembling with fear, he patted the man's cheek with the flat of his blade and threatened, "Did you hear that? Hand over your money pouch already!"
The passengers looked at the