Volume Six: Stealing Is Robbery Chapter One: A Jealous Rivalry (Part Two)

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Chapter One: Jealousy and Rivalry (Part 2)

Jing’er quickly nodded and said, “Of course, otherwise why would I ask Fatty to build the Ghost Pirate Ship?”

After speaking, she glanced at the expressionless Fatty, who was busy eating, and asked, “Fatty, do you have any plans? Tell us about them.”

Still stuffing his mouth, he glanced at the two beside him and said casually, “What plans do we need? Isn’t it just about robbing? I saw this in the Death Star Sea before—find a location, take one ship after another, then find a safe and reliable place to sell the loot. As long as we’re strong enough, we can boldly steal. Isn’t Aoba Star the best place to sell?”

Jing’er nodded enthusiastically and looked toward Duke Yeluo, “Uncle, please help me select the best equipment to install on the Ghost Pirate Ship.”

Duke Yeluo smiled indulgently at Jing’er and said, “Jing’er, of course you can play, but be careful not to let anyone recognize you. If your father gets angry, don’t come looking for me—I can’t handle his wrath. And you must pay attention to safety. Certain mysterious and dangerous areas in space are off-limits, understand?”

Hearing this, Jing’er coquettishly said, “Got it, Uncle. I’m a pirate now, not an explorer.”

Duke Yeluo smiled again and then looked at Kuang Chi, “Young Master Kuang, please take good care of her from now on.”

Kuang Chi smiled and nodded, though inwardly he found it strange—a noble princess wanting to be a pirate, and her uncle not only didn’t stop her but seemed to approve. It felt odd to Kuang Chi.

At that moment Duke Yeluo continued, “I have already sent men to help the Ghost Pirate Ship order equipment. You can look around Aoba Star these days. I’ll have some people sent over soon.”

Jing’er quickly interrupted, “Uncle, don’t send anyone. Finally, I can live freely for a while. Don’t you trust Fatty? Even without him, isn’t there still me? You know I’m a master.”

Duke Yeluo couldn’t help but chuckle, “Yes, you are a master.”

Ignoring Jing’er, he then turned to Kuang Chi, “I have good news. I just sent a bio-spore to a group of experts on Tyranno Peak. Four team leaders each tested one, and it successfully parasitized.”

“Really?” Jing’er exclaimed happily.

Kuang Chi didn’t show the same excitement but smiled and thanked Duke Yeluo.

Duke Yeluo smiled again and said, “However, there is an important issue: there aren’t many suitable bio-spores available on Aoba Star. Most here are only ordinary.”

Kuang Chi was about to speak when Jing’er interjected, “Uncle, can’t we have some high-grade spores sent from the capital?”

Duke Yeluo smiled and looked at Kuang Chi, “There are so many people on Tyranno Peak that even I can’t provide enough high-grade bio-spores in a short time. So, Young Master Kuang, would you be willing to wait a bit longer here on Aoba Star? I have already sent my men to major imperial planets and the Galactic Federation to purchase supplies.”

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Kuang Chi frowned, glanced at Jing’er, and said, “Actually, I don’t care if the bio-spores are high-grade. My Divine Martial Beast’s spores were freely distributed back at the training center.”

Duke Yeluo knew from intelligence that Kuang Chi’s Divine Martial Beast was a plant-type but did not know any special details beyond that. Kuang Chi’s words didn’t surprise him.

However, Jing’er whispered in surprise, “What? Fatty, your Divine Martial Beast was obtained from free-distributed bio-spores?”

Kuang Chi nodded without responding to her astonishment.

Duke Yeluo wisely refrained from asking further and smiled as he continued, “But I think the wait won’t be too long. Meanwhile, Young Master Kuang, please restrain them from appearing on Aoba Star.”

Kuang Chi had no objection, but Jing’er was displeased, “Uncle, why forbid them? They’ve been longing to explore the outside world for a long time.”

Duke Yeluo’s face showed a strange smile. After a moment, he said, “Jing’er, I’m doing this for their sake. They don’t have Divine Martial Beasts yet. Although each of them is very strong—even many without beasts are stronger than fifth or sixth level Divine Martial Beast users—numbers count. With Divine Martial Beasts, they’ll have some help if trouble arises.”

Jing’er and Kuang Chi fell silent in thought. They both understood the strong prejudice normal humans held against mutants and agreed with Duke Yeluo’s reasoning.

After thinking for a moment, Jing’er said, “Then have the governor of Aoba Star order no unprovoked attacks on mutants. Let him issue the order now.”

Duke Yeluo considered for a while and nodded, “That’s no problem, but I doubt the order will be very effective in the near term.”

Kuang Chi coldly smiled, “Then let them tame Divine Martial Beasts and deal with those troublemakers. After all, aren’t we trying to find a new home for the people of Forgotten Star? I think Aoba Star is good.”

Unexpectedly, Jing’er and Duke Yeluo replied in unison, “That’s not possible.”

After a moment, they exchanged a glance before Duke Yeluo explained, “The Devil Star System isn’t under our empire’s control. To maintain peace with the Galactic Federation, it serves as a buffer zone between our two nations. Although we secretly control some planets there, officially these planets are free trade zones ruled by the ** regime.”

Kuang Chi finally understood and nodded, smiling, “No wonder this place is a paradise for space pirates.”

The next morning, Kuang Chi and Jing’er watched a long-missed sunrise from the top floor, then headed to the dining hall. Fortunately, no one brought bad luck to Kuang Chi this time. Clearly, the hotel’s locals knew their status wasn’t ordinary. Dining with Duke Yeluo without submissive manners was a huge sign to the hotel’s shrewd merchants, politicians, and informants.

Without interruptions, the two found the meal dull and finished their habitual breakfast. After Jing’er was silent for a while, Kuang Chi asked, “Jing’er, what shall we do now?”

Without hesitation, Jing’er said, “Let’s go back to the ship and see what my uncle plans to install on the Ghost Pirate Ship. He’s famously stingy.”

Kuang Chi couldn’t help but smile.

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As soon as they boarded the Ghost Pirate Ship, the four team leaders from Tyranno Peak, along with a dozen others, gathered around. Leading them was A-San, who had brought Kuang Chi back last time and was his closest friend.

From afar, A-San called out loudly, “Young master, when can we go out? We’re about to go stir-crazy here.”

Kuang Chi smiled and, seeing the eager faces before him, said, “Duke Yeluo has sent people to buy high-grade bio-spores for you. Once you have Divine Martial Beasts, you can go wherever you want, as long as you’re in groups of ten or more. I won’t oppose that.”

Before Kuang Chi finished, A-San replied, “Young master, we don’t need high-grade bio-spores. Ordinary ones are fine. Even without Divine Martial Beasts, it doesn’t matter. Our ancestors became war gods without them, didn’t they?”

Jing’er laughed softly beside him, and Kuang Chi retorted with mock annoyance, “In all of human history, only our ancestors managed that. Do you really think you can become war gods without Divine Martial Beasts?”

Without waiting for A-San’s response, Kuang Chi said, “Anyway, until the bio-spores arrive, stay on the ship quietly. Once you have Divine Martial Beasts, you can roam freely.”

He then looked at Jing’er, “Jing’er, please ask Duke Yeluo to update their identities too.”

Jing’er smiled and nodded, adding, “Not just them, you also need one. I almost forgot—my uncle wants to know what alias you want to use.”

Kuang Chi smiled and said casually, “A name is just a code. Call me Tyranno.”

Jing’er chuckled, “Not bad. From now on, you’re a space pirate; that name suits you well.”

They toured the ship. Kuang Chi didn’t know much about large ships, so he relied on his years of experience as a captain to request some essential additions. Jing’er, however, seemed very knowledgeable about large warships. After their inspection, she made significant improvements to Duke Yeluo’s original plan.

Kuang Chi couldn’t tell whose plan was better. He only knew that the equipment Jing’er requested cost nearly four times what Duke Yeluo had planned.

Seeing Duke Yeluo’s pained expression when he arrived last was secretly amusing to Kuang Chi.

Before disembarking, Jing’er suddenly said to the frowning Duke Yeluo, “Uncle, I’m just borrowing this for now. I’ll pay you back once I have the money.”

Duke Yeluo glanced around, seeing no outsiders nearby, and grumbled, “Pay me back? Do you know how many Galactic Federation credits it costs to buy everything you asked for? You want only the best, rejecting even our empire’s own products, insisting on equipment restricted by the Federation military. This isn’t something you can buy just with money. I just returned here, and after so many years, I’m not even sure if I can get these things. You tell me, how do you plan to pay me back?”