Zi Zhenzhu's Three Conditions

The next afternoon, a chain of islands and reefs appeared on the horizon.

Purple flags flew from the outermost reefs. Three fast boats emerged from behind them, each fitted with a ram at the bow. Sea Soul Masters carrying harpoons lined both sides.

"Ship ahead, stop!"

On the middle boat, a burly bald man raised a copper speaking trumpet. "Drop your weapons, hand over thirty percent of your cargo, and give us your captain's name!"

Tang San brought Haider to the rail.

The bald man caught sight of his face and froze. Then he lowered the trumpet.

"Haider?"

Haider kept his head down and said nothing.

"You've got the nerve to come back?" The man drew his saber. "Our captain's been looking for you for three years!"

Once the Purple Pearl pirates boarded the Sea Demon, they quickly learned what had happened aboard. The burly man was A De, the pirates' second-in-command. Three years ago, Haider had left Purple Pearl Island with a dozen or so sailors and stolen a grain ship on his way out. Zi Zhenzhu had been looking for him ever since.

A De moved to take Haider away, but Tang San raised a hand to stop him.

"He was involved in trafficking Soul Masters, and he's tied to a case under joint investigation by Heaven Dou and Spirit Hall. You can have him after we finish questioning him."

A De sized Tang San up. "This is Purple Pearl Island. Documents from the Two Great Empires carry no authority out here."

"Maybe documents don't. Fists might have something to say." Dai Mubai walked over.

The air turned tense.

Leaning against the mast, Yuan Yu pointed at the broken rudder. "We're here to repair our ship and borrow a chart to Sea God Island. We can sit down