The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Under the gray sky, the sea waves churned endlessly.

The distant clouds pressed so low as if they were about to swallow the entire world.

Amidst the rolling waves, a steam-emitting sailboat floated solitary on the water.

On both sides of the ship's railings were salt stains left by dried seawater. The pile of coal on the deck was nearly depleted, and even the Corpse Ghost sailors, who should have been without complaints, were moving slowly and silently handling the worn-out ropes and masts.

Standing at the bow, Lumier stared intently at the boundless sea, his fists tightly clenched, like an agitated caged beast, squinting against the glaring sunlight.

Days of drifting on the sea had left his skin scorched black, lips cracked, and the captain's uniform he wore had become stiff from the cycle of sweat and sea breeze erosion.

At this moment, he was facing a harsh reality—

He was lost.

About a month ago, on orders from Lord Demon King to investigate the disastrous defeat at Seldo Port, he altered the original course. He thought it was no big deal, but he had overestimated his ability to navigate the ocean.

This sea was entirely different from the Vortex Sea he was familiar with.

Though the Vortex Sea was turbulent with undercurrents, it was at least surrounded by land, offering points of reference even in the most treacherous waters.

But on this vast and boundless Vast Ocean, all bearings became illusory. He initially believed he could find the correct direction using nautical charts and solar positioning but underestimated the power of ocean currents and trade winds.

In short, he had been trapped in this desolate sea region for half a month with no signs of leaving.

Lumier's expression was grave, his gaze fixed on the deck.

The coal was nearly gone, supplies would soon be exhausted, and no one knew how far the nearest port was.

Even though Corpse Ghosts didn't need food, he couldn't drift forever on this sea. Worse yet, with the waves constantly rising and falling, he couldn't draw a Transmission Certificate or even report his current situation to Lord Demon King.

If he didn't find direction soon, he feared he would truly perish in this unfamiliar sea.

Just as Lumier was desperately contemplating his next move, a rasping shout from the Corpse Ghost sailor in the lookout tower suddenly echoed: "Ship sighted ahead, approaching us…"

Upon hearing the Corpse Ghost's voice, he jerked his head up, looking in the direction the sailor pointed.

A ship's silhouette was cutting through the waves, charging towards them at full speed, its sails bulging, accompanied by a faint trail of black smoke, seemingly emanating from a steam engine's boiler.

His heart first leaped with joy, like seeing an Oasis in a desert, but within half a second it sank heavily, sensing something off from the bustling figures on the deck.

It didn't look like a proper merchant ship, more like a predator chasing its prey…

Could it be pirates?!

Lumier's heart raced, filled with mixed fear and joy.

Just then, seeing Lumier silent for so long, the Corpse Ghost Deputy Officer spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Lord Demon King ordered that no one was to catch up with us… should we fire to sink them?"

"Fool, use your brain. We're not near Thunder City. The Demon King's order was not to be tracked by Thunder City's merchant ships, not to become pirates ourselves!"

Lumier berated irritably, then his eyes fixed on the pirate ship, his ten fingers clutching the railings tightly, knuckles turning white.

A wild idea suddenly emerged—

Perhaps he could use this to his advantage!

The Deputy Officer remained silent for a moment, not refuting, just quietly watching him, waiting for his next command.

Lumier took a deep breath, glanced at the rolling horizon in the distance.

Although unfamiliar with this sea area, from his experience in the Vortex Sea, it was clear a storm was brewing over there. He could even faintly hear the muffled thunder reverberating between the clouds, smelling the scent of a rainstorm!

The rainstorm could provide excellent cover, making it harder for those pirates to see the situation on deck!

He made a decisive decision, bellowing, "Full speed ahead! Target—southwest direction!"

The Corpse Ghosts immediately sprang into action.

The steam engine roared, the rudder adjusted its direction, and the ship surged towards the storm trailing billowing black smoke.

The pirate ship from behind did not stop, but rather accelerated like it had caught the scent of its prey's blood.

Lumier's lips curled slightly, hands gripping the ship's wheel, palms oozing with excited sweat.

As they were about to enter the storm, he suddenly waved his hand, shouting loudly, "Reel in the sails! Set engine to first gear! Lower the boiler's fire!"

Accompanied by the squeaking of gear friction, the steam engine's roar gradually quieted, the sails retracted quickly, and the thick black smoke dissipated into a wisp.

The steamship immediately seemed like powerless scrap metal, teetering on the edge of the storm, as if the next moment it would be swallowed by the fierce winds… like it had malfunctioned!

Watching the approaching pirate ship closer and closer, Lumier's palms were drenched with sweat, which he wiped on his pants.

He was well aware, this was a gamble—

But he believed he would win!

Since the opponents were pirates, they must greedily desire to capture it all, rather than fishing leftovers from drifting wreckage.

The reason? Because when he used to work under Jack for fencing and smuggling, he often dealt with these scoundrels.

He understood their psychology too well.

In fact, he himself was the same kind of person.

...

The prey waited quietly, while in the distance, the hunter's throats were already emitting excited low growls.

On the Black Shark, the sea wind howled between the masts, as if it was playing a windpipe, singing a battle hymn.