Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1751 Pirates
Once the plan was agreed upon, Shangluo relayed the news to Aozang.

"Yes, the candidates have been selected. The Storm Commando."

"So fast?"

“Shang Tianjun, several months have passed since you started talking. The administrative efficiency of the Daqi Mu Clan is indeed quite low, but if you give them a few months, even the slowest response will be enough.”

"That's true. But it will take us a few more days to get the list out."

"Alright, I'll tell those people to disperse now, no need to mobilize them anymore."

"Ah, this." Shang Luo felt something was off, but after thinking about it carefully—

A few days there can feel like years. Even if they are elite troops, they cannot maintain a state of mobilization for events several years in the future, because they have other tasks to perform.

“There have been some troubles these past few months,” Ao Zang said in a deep voice, “but you can rest assured, Lord Shang Tian. I will take care of things here.”

"Are you alright? Time flies down there, after all." Shang Luo remembered that when Phaethon went down, she didn't look too good. And those Roman soldiers who stayed down there for too long exploded and died when they came up.

“Heavenly Lord, I am a dragon,” Ao Zang replied. “Diving is nothing to me. This little depth and water pressure won’t cause me any trouble. After all, the place I usually live in is much harsher than this environment.”

Ao Zang viewed places where time flows faster as "high-pressure environments," drawing an analogy to the high water pressure of the deep sea. Dragons are indeed more adaptable to such environments.

This might be the difference between dragons and humans.

"Having a dragon as a friend is really convenient."

"No, no, no, my friend, I wouldn't dare. The Dragon Palace is merely a subject of the Heavenly Court."

“At times like this, I would rather you think of us as friends. Because being a subject is based on feudal obligations, while being friends is a choice we make together.”

"..." Ao Zang was silent for a while. "Lord Shang, do you know what I trust most?"

"I really don't know that."

"Some might think it's money or power. But for dragons, with their long lifespans and weak sense of time, none of these matter. These are merely connections to the mortal world, and the value of money and power is constantly changing, like fleeting clouds and wisps of smoke. These ethereal external things are just a method of cultivation for us, because mirages are also ethereal. But setting all that aside, only one thing matters to us—blood."

"Blood?"

"Yes. Blood. Because only blood ties are the only constant in this ever-changing universe. Only blood ties can be eternal. For dragons, the blood ties we seek cannot be fleeting mortals, but must be unchanging immortals. So, Lord Shang, you know what I mean, right?"

"what"

"There's only one chance, because I only have one daughter. You understand?"

"okokokok."

"I'll take that as you understand. Anyway, I have to get going, time is tight here."

"Wait a minute." Shang Luo finally realized, "Are you talking to me directly now? A conversation across time flow?" "Deep dive, that's what dragons excel at—so don't worry, I'll definitely handle this properly."

After hanging up the phone in Shangluo, Ao Zang turned his gaze to what was in front of him.

Vajra Continent, the Phoenix King's abode. A catastrophe is brewing in the world.

The symbol of Kongo hangs above the royal palace castle: a lotus flower and a spear. The lotus flower represents the power generated after the fire serpent disintegrates like a lotus blossom; the spear is a symbol of the warrior, the means to wield power.

This is Kumgang Island—the capital of Kumgang Island, a continent named after its capital. Kumgang Island uses the name of its capital as its country name, and this is also their place of origin.

The mainland of Kumgang Province is located on a series of volcanic islands outside the continent. The fertile volcanic soil nourishes hundreds of millions of people and vast, seemingly endless cities. This is also Kumgang Province's trump card for interfering in world politics.

Regardless of how the fighting goes on land, this fertile land far from the conflict will not be greatly affected—however, things are changing.

"Let's continue." Ao Zang looked at everyone.

He sat near the Phoenix King, clearly second only to him in the entire Vajra Continent. He had already been treated with courtesy as an "envoy," and his status became even more important after establishing contact with the Heavenly Court. Ao Zang was also very shrewd in his business dealings; he balanced the interests of both parties, promoting the flow of profits rather than monopolizing them.

Therefore, when the people of Jin Gang Zhou were willing to let him participate in the most confidential meeting procedures, he did not refuse.

However, the moment he intervened, something shocking happened to everyone in Vajra Continent. This also caught Ao Zang's attention:
Pirates. A group of pirates appeared on the main shipping lane between Kongo Continent and the mainland.

If they were just ordinary pirates, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, where there's profit, there are pirates.

However, these were no ordinary pirates, but pirates from the Water Tribe—

The Atayal aquarium, which has accumulated countless years of history, has once again stepped onto the world stage.

“It is the Water Serpent,” the Phoenix King concluded. “The return of the Water Serpent brings water magic back with it. And once the winds of magic rise again, they will not easily cease.”

The battle reports from the front were quite clear: there were no battle reports. They hadn't even tallied the casualties yet, because the attacked warships hadn't had time to send a message before being sunk. The rescue teams that rushed to the scene saw nothing but floating debris like swim rings and life rafts. The people on board had vanished.

Many of the life rafts showed signs of use. But the people on them had also vanished.

Clearly, the aquatic creatures' targets weren't just resources, but also people. They wanted everything.

"Gentlemen, this is an unprecedented crisis," the Phoenix King said in a deep voice. "If the sea routes are cut off, our control over the world will be jeopardized."

"Your Majesty, Duke Tyren has also refused to answer the summons to attend the meeting in King Kong Continent, citing unsafe sea routes," someone reported.

Although this is the hegemony of the Golden Continent, the indigenous people, who are the main inhabitants, also have a place here, a place belonging to Duke Tyren. It is placed beside the Phoenix King.

On a higher step than the Phoenix King, there is a small throne symbolizing the Holy Son, signifying the rule that the overlord governs in place of the Holy Son. However, the Holy Son's seat is merely placed here ceremonially; the Holy Son himself would not personally attend meetings here.

(End of this chapter)