Chapter 131: Chapter 112: The Twin Jies of the Imperial Capital!
The goal of the Flower Witch was the C-tier Floral Appearance cracks, to enhance her own strength.
To reach these places, gathering information was essential.
Chen Qi shook his head, now without the talkative Palu, the only option to get information was to find the information dealers on Sea Demon Island.
Chen Qi looked at the environment of Sea Demon Island.
Due to the influx of adventurers, numerous inns and taverns had been newly built on Sea Demon Island at this moment.
As a kingdom that controlled the "Hammer Phase" and managed the origin Hunter Group "Workshop," Shell Country had exceptionally strong infrastructure capabilities.
Under the arrangement of the Island Master, many houses where ordinary people lived had been transformed into inns in just one month.
The once barren island had now become an excellent tourist island.
Bang! Bang!
The moment they landed on the island, two gunshots rang out.
Chen Qi smiled, appreciating the simple local customs.
The Flower Witch looked around cautiously, she saw the Bounty Hunters of the Hunter Association.
The members of the Hunter Association liked to take various commissions, including Bounty Orders.
She pulled her hat down low, then sprayed herself with a 'perfume' that neutralized scents.
Because of her blood flower disease, the Flower Witch really smelled very fragrant, so she had to use a special potion to hide the light fragrance emanating from her body.
Chen Qi meanwhile dressed in the Hunter's Clothes, and pinned a Chef's Badge on his chest to indicate he was a harmless Chef.
Unfortunately, this Chef's Certificate was a counterfeit he had bought from a street stall.
There was a clear difference from a Chef's Certificate issued by the Chef Association.
Once they returned, he could participate in a cooking competition to get a real badge.
Chen Qi said,
"Fen, let's find an inn, take a bath first, and then find a tavern to gather information, how about that?"
While abroad, he could no longer call the Flower Witch by her title.
Call me by my name... The Flower Witch blushed and nodded, "Mhm."
It had been a very long time since anyone had called her by her name.
Chen Qi continued,
"Oh, and if anyone asks you who you are, just say you're a server on my dining boat, doing miscellaneous tasks."
Previously, the Flower Witch had been trying to act as his father during his celebration for advancing in rank.
He remembered that!
Your server... The Flower Witch entered into the role and respectfully said:
"Okay, I am your loyal employee, boss~"
You don't have to be so formal... After getting ready, Chen Qi and the Flower Witch headed towards the inns on Sea Demon Island.
The two chose a luxurious inn at a central location, with individual bathing rooms and a good soundproofing system.
Each spent two thousand Shell Coins, booking two adjacent single rooms, then they changed clothes and took baths.
...
...
"Refreshing..."
After bathing, Chen Qi felt completely refreshed and invigorated.
However, it would take a long time for the Flower Witch.
This was not because she took long baths.
The Flower Witch not only needed to bathe but also had to routinely pluck the flowers from her body.
Although the Blood Flower disease was beautiful, it was still a terrifying illness.
The Flower Witch also had to apply ointment to manage the flowers on her body.
Especially those that grew in dangerous areas.
Every time she plucked a flower, it felt like stabbing a major artery with a silver needle.
And if the flowers were on the chest, over the heart, the pain was even greater.
If not treated promptly, these flowers could severely affect the body.
The Flower Witch needed to manage ten flowers every seven days.
Although she had become accustomed to the pain, it mostly still took a long time.
Chen Qi decided to first go to the tavern to see if he could find out any information about a C-class Floral Appearance crack, and also about Sea Demon and Shadow Phase, Lamp Phase cracks.
Next to the hotel was a large tavern that could accommodate a hundred people.
Chen Qi pushed open the door.
The moment he walked in, he smelled the rich scent of alcohol and heard the melodious sound of a lute.
The melodious sound of the lute quickly stopped, and then, he heard a slightly mocking young voice.
"Sir, Meat Cutting Bone Breaking is the arch-nemesis of Deep Sea Hunters, a weapon left by the Blue Beast, not something your mere five-person Second-tier Hunter Group can acquire.
You'd better give up early!
But, since you've paid, I can tell you that neither the navy nor the Black Whale Group will easily let Meat Cutting Bone Breaking leave Sea Demon Island.
And most likely, Meat Cutting Bone Breaking will end up in one of their hands."
Chen Qi looked carefully.
The people in the tavern were all gathered around a young informant.
He had a ponytail, wore a loose white shirt and grey-white trousers, and held an exquisite lute in his hands.
Judging by his fair skin, he looked somewhat feminine.
"This is!"
Chen Qi was stunned.
He recognized the character in front of him.
True to the Crack Sea!
He hadn't expected to meet such a notable figure from the forum in such a short time!
Although he appeared to be a venomous female minstrel, in reality, he was a gentle man.
Although his spiritual power field seemed to be just a regular Second-tier Transcendent.
In reality, he had already stepped into the Fourth Rank legendary realm.
His true identity was none other than the hidden captain of the Ice Witch pirate crew, one of the four sea emperors, Captain Palu!
On the gaming forums, Palu was very famous and, like Pelu, had many nicknames.
He enjoyed disguising himself, and he believed that true disguise involved not just age and height.
To truly deceive others, alterations in spiritual power field, gender, occupation, and even species and personality changes were very important.
Moreover, just like An and Pelu, Palu was also a distinguished graduate from Bei Country Royal University.
And like Pelu, he was also one of the famous Capital City Trio, ranked second.
He was known as the 'only normal one,' 'Capital City Trio,' 'cross-dressing boss,' 'second-rate informant,' 'working captain,' 'crew's slave,' 'successor of the Ice Witch.'
Although both were part of the Capital City Trio, compared to Pelu, Palu was both powerful and polite, meticulous in his dealings, and very diligent.
Moreover, although the Ice Pirate Crew was called a pirate crew, their main action was to explore the unknowns of the sea and to unearth the hidden secrets of history.
It was truly a breath of fresh air in the Witch Sea.
The Imperial City's Three Heroes was not exactly an honorable title.
Chen Qi wondered why Palu was counted among the Imperial City's Three Heroes.
What was the purpose of the Ice Pirate Crew coming here? Chen Qi stayed calm.
Palu, though a Fourth Rank Legend, was incredibly powerful, but he was no madman and would not harm civilians.
The sharp-tongued female bard with the twisted braids was Palu's favorite disguise; she was very popular in player forums, even five times more popular than her real self.
At this moment, Palu was sitting in the middle of everyone, his wallet stuffed full.
Clearly, he was earning money by selling information.
Chen Qi ordered a cup of apple cider and took a seat.
This was a big shot from the Ice Pirate Crew; perhaps, he could hear some useful information.
Palu raised his hand and said,
"Next question! There is no information in this vicinity that I don't know."
Clap!
At that moment, a blonde young woman downed a drink and flicked two Gold Coins at Palu's face.
"I have a question!"
Blonde hair, pointed ears, her appearance resembled that of an elf.
Furthermore, she was dressed in an expensive white uniform, with a chic golden flower badge pinned at her chest.
That badge...
Chen Qi noticed that the badge resembled the flower the Flower Witch had given her.
Could it be that she had connections with the Flower Witch's family?
Also, her appearance seemed to be typical of a talent from Bei Country Royal University, one of the Imperial City's Three Heroes, the Seafood Sister, ranked third.
What a situation! He had encountered two of the Imperial City's Three Heroes all at once!
Chen Qi fell into thought.
Although he recognized this character, she wasn't well-known to him.
He also didn't know why this beautiful blonde woman was called Seafood Sister.
She didn't quite seem like someone who dealt in seafood, right?
Palu frowned and took the coins:
"Please, this... friend, what information do you want to ask about?"
The blonde woman raised her hand, smiling slightly:
"I want to ask about the location of the Sea Demon!"
The crowd instantly started to stir.
As a famous creature from the Sea Demon Gorge, though dangerous, the Sea Demon was incredibly beautiful, attracting the interest of many.
Palu answered,
"The northern part of Sea Demon Island is at the center of the Crack in Sea Demon Gorge. If you want to quickly reach the crack, you must pass through this area.
If you go there, you have a high likelihood of encountering a Sea Demon."
"May I ask why you are looking for information about the Sea Demon?" he questioned the lady.
The blonde woman thought for a moment and said:
"Because, I heard that the hair of the Sea Demon is a kind of sticky tentacle, which should feel quite comfortable to touch."
"Touching the Sea Demon?"
Palu scoffed:
"Just a reminder, although Sea Demons resemble humanoid creatures, they are actually monsters, essentially no different from the near-sea dominators, devoid of any desires towards humans.
Their beautiful appearance and melodious singing voice are merely weapons to lure their prey."
Although it was common consensus that the Sea Demon was beautiful yet dangerous in the Witch Sea,
When many actually encountered the Sea Demon, they couldn't help but be tempted,
Creating illusions of "It's different, it's interested in me."
Along with their unique enchanting songs, many people still fell for it every year!
The blonde woman retorted,
"But, the Sea Demon looks human-like, pretty, ah. I just want to touch it, play with it..."
Palu frowned deeply, deliberately asking,
"May I ask, which country are you from?"
The blonde woman answered,
"I am an exchange student from the Golden Flower Bird Kingdom at the Bei Country Royal University."
Palu raised an eyebrow, mocking:
"So you're from the Golden Flower Bird Kingdom, that country known for having weird ideas about pets; no wonder."
Chen Qi thought to himself; as a renowned player from Golden Flower Bird Kingdom, he couldn't refute because, in a sense, Palu was not wrong.
Palu solemnly said,
"Everyone, the singing of the Sea Demon can enchant most intelligent creatures, not just humans.
They are absolutely the most dangerous creatures in the Sea Demon Gorge! They also do not harbor any desires towards humans beyond the urge to attack!
If you unfortunately encounter a Sea Demon, stay rational and do not be deceived by their looks!"
The crowd nodded confidently, patting their chests.
They had experienced significant events before, trivial Sea Demons wanting to seduce them?
Palu, putting his all into his role as the caustic bard, exclaimed:
"Only someone like those waste materials from the Golden Flower Bird Kingdom, or those whose brains got kicked by a donkey, blinded by lust, would think of approaching a Sea Demon.
Why don't you go and play with the near-sea dominators instead?"
Chen Qi, drinking his apple cider, frowned.
What did that mean? Who was he insulting?
He felt like he had been inexplicably caught in a group attack.
Palu plucked the strings of his lute and continued:
"Next question."
Although the elf-like blonde woman was insulted, she did not retort.
Revenge with money! She threw out five more Gold Coins and fiercely flicked them onto Palu's face:
"I have another question."
"Five Gold Coins..."
Palu was shocked, the value of these coins worth at least 300,000 Shell Coins—a not so small amount.
Then, she looked around at the more than a hundred people present and asked:
"I'd like to ask everyone, have you noticed any traces of a Witch?"
In that moment, everyone exchanged glances.
Palu's expression also became somewhat somber.