Chapter 30: Kill!

The first rays of dawn spilled over the undulating sea. Following the previous night's tempest, the waters remained turbulent, heaving like a weary, panting leviathan. Tattered sails fluttered in the wind, and the masts groaned rhythmically. Feng Ruqing kept her gaze fixed ahead, her eyes deep and piercing. She gripped the hilt of her sword so tightly that her knuckles turned white and the veins on the back of her hand stood out. To her, the calm following the storm was merely a prelude to a greater tempest.

Shipwright Chen and Helmsman Li watched their surroundings with trepidation, while Miss Lin, clutching a compass, stood firmly behind Feng Ruqing. Suddenly, a cluster of black specks emerged on the horizon, rapidly closing the distance. They were a fleet of black ships, encircling them. The hulls were carved with grotesque patterns, the sails bore eerie symbols, and the masked men aboard stared with cold, dead eyes.

"Who goes there?" Feng Ruqing demanded sharply.

No one answered. The men in black remained as still as statues, staring back at them. Sensing a vicious battle was imminent, Feng Ruqing unleashed her "Wind-Breaking Sword Technique." With a leap, she soared like an arrow released from a bow toward the enemy vessel. Her blade cut through the air, pointed directly at the leader, and she roared, "Kill!"

She darted between the enemy ships, fast as lightning. Every strike seemed to rend the void, leaving a trail of blood and mayhem in her wake as the assailants screamed and tumbled into the sea. The leader lunged with a curved scimitar, but Feng Ruqing sneered, sidestepped, and with a flick of her wrist, disarmed him before kicking him across the deck. She pressed her blade to his throat and barked, "Speak! Who are you, and why do you attack us?"

The leader clutched his chest, trembling. "We... we are pirates. We heard you carried treasure, so..." A cold light flashed in Feng Ruqing’s eyes. "Treasure? My ship carries only cargo!"

She applied a slight pressure to the blade, drawing a line of blood on his neck. "Mercy!" the leader pleaded, and the remaining men, terrified, dropped to their knees. Feng Ruqing surveyed the scene, turned, and returned to her ship. The sea grew calm again. Though their vessel was damaged, they had emerged unscathed and continued their journey.

Upon reaching the port, a group of ferocious men in black, brandishing weapons, blocked the harbor. Feng Ruqing stepped to the bow and asked, "We are here for trade; why are we barred from entering?" A burly man stepped forward, shouting arrogantly, "I am the king here! If you want to enter the port, pay the toll first!" Feng Ruqing retorted angrily, "Absurd! The port belongs to everyone; why should we pay?" The man grinned viciously, "Because my fists are larger!" Feng Ruqing asked coldly, "And if not?" The man waved his hand, ordering his thugs to smash the ship.

Shipwright Chen cowered behind Miss Lin, while Helmsman Li, clutching his injured arm, looked at Feng Ruqing with unwavering resolve. Miss Lin patted Feng Ruqing on the shoulder and smiled. "Qing'er, don't waste your breath on them!"

Feng Ruqing softened her tone. "The toll can be negotiated, but it must be reasonable. We are here to exchange goods."

The man scrutinized her and said, "Leave thirty percent of your cargo, and I'll let you in." Feng Ruqing was incensed; thirty percent was nearly half their profit. She took a deep breath and said, "Twenty percent. That is my bottom line." The man roared in anger and signaled his men to attack.

Suddenly, an aged voice rang out: "Stop!" The crowd parted, and an elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, emerged. He said to Feng Ruqing, "Miss, may we speak in private?" Feng Ruqing stepped forward, stalling the man while calculating her next move. The old man whispered, "The rules of the port are not changed by one man alone. You must find another way."

Feng Ruqing asked for his advice. The old man replied, "Communicating with the true master of this place will break the stalemate."

A plan formed in Feng Ruqing's mind. She turned to the man and said, "You are not the true master here. If you do not yield, I will make this matter public knowledge and see how you hold your ground!"

The man turned pale, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, as the surrounding crowd began to murmur in astonishment. He looked toward the old man, and upon receiving a subtle nod, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I agree, but you must guarantee my safety."

Feng Ruqing smiled, sheathed her sword, and consented. The man signaled his subordinates to stand down, and the blockade was lifted. Feng Ruqing and her crew entered the port smoothly. Her presence was commanding and dignified; after unloading her cargo, she departed with her profits. As the fleet sailed away, merchants and fishermen watched with looks of awe.

Suddenly, Feng Ruqing felt a sense of unease. She said to Miss Lin, "Today went too smoothly. There may be trouble on the way back."

Miss Lin nodded, and the two shared a smile. As the fleet continued its journey home, the ominous feeling in Feng Ruqing’s heart grew stronger. By the time night fell, the sea was calm and the distant sound of waves echoed through the dark. A black shadow emerged silently in the distance.