https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-50-Securing-the-Titanium-Crystals/12833259/
Chapter 49: Zhu Kang's Identity
Chapter 49: Zhu Kang's Identity
Just as Song Chi was about to deliver the final blow and completely shatter the silver-armored flying ship's energy shield, a communication request came through from the Azure Sky.
After a moment's hesitation, Song Chi didn't immediately accept the call. Instead, he firmly pressed the firing button.
By this point in the battle, he was well aware that the background of this silver-armored flying ship was far from simple. The ship possessed a purple-quality engine component, and its main cannon was suspected to be purple as well. Such a figure could not be obscure in Jiangyuan City.
The reason he still chose to fire was simple: the Azure Sky beneath his feet was nearly at the end of its strength. If he didn't strike first, once the "armor-piercing effect" wore off, he would be the one at the mercy of the opponent. Song Chi could not allow himself to fall into such a passive position.
Boom!
The main cannon of the Azure Sky roared once more. In the next moment, the outer energy shield of the silver-armored flying ship shattered completely, causing significant damage to the ship's armor and structure.
At this point, the communication request became even more urgent. This time, Song Chi did not refuse.
When the communication was established, and the projection of the other party appeared before him, Song Chi's expression remained unchanged, but his heart sank.
He recognized the other party, or rather, he had seen the other party's profile in the core data of the various factions in Jiangyuan City. He had already guessed that the silver-armored flying ship had a significant background, but seeing the young man's face now still exceeded his expectations.
If he remembered correctly, the young man was named Zhu Kang, around a hundred years old, and had already ascended to the rank of a Second-Class Flame Ship Captain over a decade ago. His strength was formidable.
Of course, this wasn't the main issue. If the other party were merely a promising Second-Class Flame Ship Captain, Song Chi wouldn't have given him a second thought. The key was Zhu Kang's father, a man who practically ruled Jiangyuan City with an iron fist.
Zhu Yaokui, the Dean of Jiangyuan's First Flame Academy and the city's only Third-Class Flame Ship Captain, commanded a cruiser-class psychic energy flying ship. When its firepower was fully unleashed, it could suppress an entire low-level star sea floating land.
Zhu Kang was Zhu Yaokui's fourth son. Although he wasn't the most favored, he was still a direct descendant of a Third-Class Flame Ship Captain. If anything happened to him, Zhu Yaokui would certainly intervene.
Song Chi and Shen Wenjie had done their best to conceal their identities, and their efforts were quite covert. However, if a Third-Class Flame Ship Captain were to use his full power to investigate, it was only a matter of time before they were found. Jiangyuan City was only so big, and there were only a few Second-Class Flame Ship Captains. It would be too easy to trace them.
Song Chi quickly made his decision. He wouldn't kill the other party, but he wasn't about to let him off easily either.
Although he couldn't deliver a fatal blow, the treasures on Zhu Kang's ship were numerous. Even a couple of items would be a significant gain.
Seeing that Song Chi had donned a mask, hiding his true face, Zhu Kang's eyes grew even darker. However, he wasn't foolish enough to maintain his arrogance given his current situation. He coldly said, "I don't know who you are, but if you're from Jiangyuan City, you should be familiar with me. The victor takes all, and I won't interfere with the titanium crystal vein anymore. How about it?"
Behind the mask, Song Chi's lips curled into a smile. Zhu Kang's words were a casual attempt to distance himself from the situation, and he naturally wouldn't accept it.
"Zhu Kang, for your father's sake, I can let you go. But don't bring up the titanium crystal vein. It's a mere scrap, with a reserve of no more than three hundred units. Besides, we were the ones who discovered it first. What does it have to do with you?"
Zhu Kang’s eyes darkened, and he gritted his teeth. "What more do you want?"
Song Zhao hesitated for a moment. "It’s simple. Hand over two ship components of blue quality or higher as the price for your defeat!"
"This is impossible!" Zhu Kang roared, clearly beyond his limits. This demand was far too much for him to bear.
Seeing this, Song Zhao didn’t hold back. The Azure Sky once again opened fire.
In no time, the Silver Edge’s armor was more than 70% damaged, and the ship itself was over 40% damaged.
However, Song Zhao wasn’t feeling optimistic. Zhu Kang’s resolve was unwavering, as if he was certain that Song Zhao wouldn’t dare to deal a fatal blow. He hesitated, not giving in.
Finally, Song Zhao stopped. If he continued to pour firepower, the Silver Edge would sink completely. If Zhu Kang survived, Zhu Yaokui would undoubtedly intervene, and that was not what Song Zhao wanted.
Two minutes later, a smug look appeared on Zhu Kang’s face. His opponent indeed dared not continue.
But when he shifted his gaze to the side battlefield, his anger resurged. Song Zhao, after stopping the attack on the Silver Edge, had turned his attention to another escort ship.
The "Gentle Breeze" was just an ordinary escort ship, but its captain was a personal retainer chosen by Zhu Yaokui for Zhu Kang. They had grown up together, and the captain was Zhu Kang’s most loyal subordinate. If the ship were destroyed, it would be something Zhu Kang could not accept.
A few minutes later, under the combined attacks of the Azure Sky and the Copper Halberd, the Gentle Breeze’s energy shield was quickly depleted, and its armor was about to be completely destroyed. At this moment, Song Zhao finally received another communication request from Zhu Kang.
Song Zhao smiled, put on his mask, and connected the call.
Zhu Kang’s face was now as dark as a storm cloud, but in the end, he had no choice but to agree to Song Zhao’s demands, handing over two blue-quality ship components.
Twenty minutes later, the four escort ships returned to the Tianyu Mining Area. The twelve dark energy airships, now aware that the fight was over, also ceased their battle. The few dark energy airships from the Black Mountain Gang clearly weren’t happy, and from the current state of the four escort ships, it was evident that Zhu Kang had lost.
The thought of this outcome sent a chill through Scarface’s heart. Reporting the titanium crystals was supposed to secure his position with the most powerful faction in Jiangyuan City, but now it seemed he had only dug a deeper hole for himself. He would surely face Zhu Kang’s wrath, and his mind was far from at ease.
Ten minutes later, Zhu Kang left without a word, leading his fleet away. Song Zhao and his team continued their mining operations.
This titanium crystal vein was a micro-vein, initially estimated to contain 1,000 to 2,000 crystals. After this period of mining, the confirmed reserves had increased slightly, likely exceeding 2,000 crystals. Therefore, it would take some time to fully extract them all.
As for why he had told Zhu Kang it was a depleted vein, it was to minimize the overall value of the titanium crystal vein. Otherwise, if news of more than 2,000 titanium crystals spread, it would be hard for Zhu Yaokui to remain uninvolved.
(End of Chapter)
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