Chapter 2236: Boarding
Although, from an overall racial perspective, asps are a capricious and unprincipled race, this is actually due to their excessively long racial history leading to too many changes, making them appear two-faced.
If an individual asp is considered, their loyalty is quite reliable. After all, they also know that only sufficient contributions can earn more strength and that betraying their faith might incur divine punishment.
Several major sects of the King in Yellow, such as the Brotherhood of the Yellow King and the Cult of the Yellow Sign, have asps among both their high-ranking members and their lower ranks. Some secret cults were even founded by asps. Their special talents and poisons have many unique effects, so for this operation, several Yellow King believers were specifically accompanied by some asps to assist.
The reason they were specifically brought along is that asps have a habit of hibernating, even sleeping for many years like vampires. Although spring has arrived, it is still cold, and they were specifically awakened to carry out the divine oracle.
These several stiff husks are now at the chaotic burial ground on the outskirts of Lisbon, using corpses randomly found. Some of them died of freezing, some of starvation, but they were all pitiful people. In any case, there are many such corpses.
However, this spell of the asps is very peculiar. It is not simply a matter of donning a skin; rather, it uses mysterious magic to transfer the appearance of another to oneself. While the caster takes on their appearance, it is undetectable by X-rays, photography, or normal magic detection.
This “Appetite Stealing Art” also has other names, such as “Serpent Skin Cloak,” “Velshia’s Cape,” and “Yig’s Gift.” The reason I know this is because when I saw the asps, the principles of this spell automatically appeared in my mind, and I could even learn it.
Although this is a spell invented by an asp, there are versions adapted by human wizards, which humans can also learn. Moreover, due to its “devouring” attribute, it aligns with my authority, and if I wanted to learn it, I could cast it now. Of course, I am unwilling to learn it. Having to crawl into a human body and eat corpses is something I would never do. It does sound rather suitable for Cherise, though. I could ask her if she’d be willing to learn it.
After Older Brother Jayad made his decision, a group of Yellow King believers followed him out. The exploration ship turned its bow and slowly headed towards the merchant ship, while the Night Bird also sent a message back.
Upon receiving a positive reply from the other party, the merchant ship’s boss was quite happy, especially when he saw the exploration ship approaching from a distance. He thought there might be a big business deal, as the exploration ship looked very professional just by its appearance, and the people on board were likely wealthy.
However, as the ships drew closer, his intuition, honed by years of seafaring and trading, made the boss feel increasingly uneasy.
Firstly, the ship was too quiet. Even at close range, not a single sound of commotion could be heard from on board. Although there were people standing on the deck, they didn’t seem like sailors at all. These people stood rigidly, unmoving, and in perfect, uniform rows, like a choir or a chorus. Under the dim yellow lights of the exploration ship, their faces were shrouded in shadow.
As the exploration ship and the merchant ship drew near, even the Beastmaster felt the incongruity of the atmosphere on the exploration ship. The Dragon Scale Bats shrieked sharply, a cry of creatures instinctively sensing danger.
The Beastmaster warned the shipowner, “This ship is very strange, especially the birds used for reconnaissance. I seem to recall these are Byakhees, servants of the starry sky that only certain cult lunatics can summon.”
“Hiss! Old friend, you are right. I was indeed too reckless just now, and now I can’t retreat without provoking them. We can only brace ourselves and make contact to see what happens. If things go wrong, you figure out how to escape yourself, though bringing me along would be best,” said the shipowner.
The exploration ship approached silently, without even signaling with lights, like a ghost ship. The two ships were about to board, yet the other party remained silent, just staring intently, making the captain’s heart pound. He even wanted to order the merchant ship to turn around and leave. Fortunately, at this moment, a young voice rang out from the other ship, “Are you the merchant who wants to trade?”
“Yes, yes, yes, it’s me. Uh, it’s a pleasure to meet you all on the Great Sea. Perhaps we can exchange things we each need,” the captain finally managed to communicate with someone, but his usual fluent opening remarks were now stammering.
“Then let’s board, lower the gangplank,” said the young voice from the other side. The merchant ship’s crew finally dared to throw a grappling hook onto the other ship. After pulling the two ships closer, they tied them together, and then extended the gangplank.
Several crew members from the other ship climbed the gangplank and came over. They didn’t crawl or jump; they didn’t even seem to be walking, but rather drifting like ghosts, floating towards this ship.
Only then could the shipowner fully see what the crew members of the other ship looked like. The leader was a youth, who appeared rather thin and small, seemingly not of high status, but with a gentle and friendly smile on his face. This was the one among the other ship’s crew who looked most like a normal person. The remaining few who followed, though well-dressed, didn’t look like clothes that sailors would wear at sea. Sailors, due to years of seafaring, have their clothes worn by frost and rain, making them appear old and a bit disheveled. For ease of movement, they wouldn’t wear overly complex or bulky clothing. These clothes were too clean and neat, and didn’t match their temperament, making them look like they were trying hard to pretend to be ordinary people. The difference was subtle, like the difference between real villagers and actors on a stage pretending to be villagers. Moreover, their faces were almost devoid of expression, as if wearing masks. Some of them even had eyes filled with cruelty and cold-bloodedness, as if looking at prey.
“So, what is the transaction you have in mind? Please recommend something,” the leading youth said with a smile. The merchant was surprised to find that it was the same young voice he had heard earlier.
“Oh! Yes, yes, I have some fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as excellent salad dressing, and also fresh water. Do you need any?” the merchant asked cautiously. Ships returning from long voyages, even if their supplies weren’t completely depleted, would certainly be short. The amount allocated to each crew member would be small, especially for perishable fresh produce, dairy products, and fresh water. Furthermore, the crew’s need for clean water and vitamins is very high. Generally, such supplies are the most popular commodities.
