Chapter 702: Persuasion

Chapter 702: Persuasion

Phoenixin Ren adjusted his clothes, glanced around at the pirates eyeing him like wolves, and slowly spread his arms.

“Your Majesty, Sea Dragon King, I’ve come bearing a great gift! A massive fortune for the Tianlong Pirate Crew!”

The moment he said that, the place erupted with mocking laughter.

Even the Sea Dragon King himself chuckled.

“Hahahaha!!”

“That guy just said he’s bringing us a huge fortune?”

“Ridiculous. Who does he think he is?”

“And who does he think we are?”

…

Phoenixin Ren paid no attention to the laughter.

He raised his voice. “Of course I know—gold and jewels mean nothing now. In this frozen world, it’s weapons, energy, food, and people—those are the real treasures!”

Beside the Sea Dragon King’s throne, a man with short silver-gray hair and dark red glasses pushed up his frames and said coolly,

“Ronin, do you even know what scale of ‘treasure’ means something to us Tianlong Pirates?”

In the southern seas, the only things worth hunting were entire nations.

Country-hunting—that was the kind of business that caught their interest.

Phoenixin Ren chuckled.

“Then, what if I told you… I’m here to invite you to share the riches of the Jiangnan District of Huaxu Nation with me?”

The laughter died instantly.

The pirates stared at Phoenixin Ren like he was insane.

Even the Sea Dragon King and his right-hand man, Bailian, frowned.

“You… have you gone mad?”

Bailian asked coldly.

Phoenixin Ren grinned widely and declared, “No, I’m not mad! You should know how rich the Jiangnan District is. A single city there holds more resources than your entire southern sea nation-states!”

“And I’m sure you’ve already heard of our deeds.”

“We, the Moon of Corrosion—thirteen of us—have left the Jiangnan District completely helpless.”

“We’ve beaten them head-on. Twice!”

The Sea Dragon King’s eyes flickered with intrigue.

Of course he’d heard those stories.

Phoenixin Ren’s words sparked murmurs among some pirates.

“I heard that district really has been having a hard time dealing with the Moon of Corrosion.”

“Two defeats, and they only sent a few people. Maybe that place isn’t as strong as we thought?”

“The facts are right here—Moon of Corrosion’s leader is standing here, alive. Looks like whatever strength they had before the apocalypse took a real hit.”

“They couldn’t even wipe out thirteen people… tsk tsk, maybe they’re not even as strong as our Tianlong Pirate Crew.”

…

But just then, the captain of the First Fleet—Nirot, a man with a hooked nose and ghostly pale skin—spoke up.

“Don’t underestimate a powerful nation. The depth of their foundations isn’t something you can guess.”

“If they were really as weak as you say, why didn’t you take that big prize for yourself? Why come begging to us?”

“Hahahaha!!”

The pirates burst into fresh laughter.

Phoenixin Ren laughed too. “We don’t have the manpower. So naturally, we can’t do much. That’s why I came here—to propose a partnership!”

Phoenixin Ren locked eyes with the ambitious pirate king on the throne.

“Your Majesty, Sea Dragon King, I imagine you’re not content ruling just these little seas, are you?”

“The oceans are resource-poor. They can’t sustain your looting forever.”

“But if you could score big from the Jiangnan District—that rich land could fund your pirate crew for decades!”

“And it would make the Tianlong Pirate Crew a household name!”

He pointed to himself.

“If you’re worried about how strong they are, then let me be your proof. I’ve exposed their hollow strength—they’re nowhere near as powerful as the rumors claim.”

Bailian snapped, “Silence! A mere ronin, trying to use us as bait? You think we’d fall for such a cheap trick? You’ve got a death wish!”

“Clang!”

“Click!”

Dozens of weapons were drawn and pointed at Phoenixin Ren.

The pirates who were laughing a moment ago had now completely turned hostile.

Phoenixin Ren, however, remained calm.

He didn’t even glance at Bailian—his eyes stayed fixed on the silent Sea Dragon King.

With his hands in his pockets, he smiled. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You have the strength. I can guide you and help you avoid the navy.”

“Trust me—if you don’t seize this chance, you’ll never get another shot at that fertile land!”

He turned to face the other pirates.

As they listened, some of them started to waver.

They were rulers of the southern seas. They’d destroyed many small southern nations. On the ocean, they had no rivals.

But the constant small raids were starting to bore them.

If there really was a chance to take down a major power and plunder its wealth—

That was the kind of insane move that could ignite the hearts of every Tianlong pirate!

Bailian folded his arms. After a brief silence, he sneered.

“Foolish.”

“You might’ve scored a few small wins, but you have no idea what it means to challenge a true superpower.”

“A pathetic ronin gang, daring to provoke a major force? That’s pure suicide.”

“You’re a lunatic, sure—but we’re not!”

“Pirates can be wild, but we’re not idiots!”

Bailian’s scolding made Phoenixin Ren’s eyes narrow.

“You’re right. I am a lunatic. But if even we could pull this off—what’s stopping the rulers of the southern seas?”

“You…”

Bailian was about to snap back but was silenced by a single look from the Sea Dragon King.

Bailian bowed slightly and stepped back.

The Sea Dragon King rested one hand on his knee, watching Phoenixin Ren with an amused look.

“So your name is Phoenixin Ren? You’re quite the character. Crazy enough. Bold enough.”

“A guy like you—if you showed up in the southern seas, I’d kill you without hesitation.”

“You’re too dangerous to leave as an enemy, and way too untrustworthy to accept as a subordinate.”

He waved a hand at Phoenixin Ren. “So—get lost. I’m not buying what you’re selling.”

The Sea Dragon King’s booming voice echoed through the cavern of Tianlong Island.

Phoenixin Ren narrowed his eyes.

The Sea Dragon King’s rejection was firm and final—and a major disappointment.

They’d lost five members in the last battle. To keep launching operations, they needed new reinforcements.

So he and Shinguuji Seiichiro had split up to search for help.

The pirates ruling the southern seas had seemed like the perfect allies.

But the Sea Dragon King rejected him flat-out, without a shred of hesitation.

Phoenixin Ren knew further persuasion would be pointless.

He smiled and bowed politely to the Sea Dragon King.

“As you wish.”

Then he lifted his head, eyes blazing with fanatic fire.

“But I will show you—I’ll set that land ablaze.”

Author's Note