Mechanical Alchemist

Although Thousand Blades Rakshasa didn't mind, Su Lun didn't look more than necessary.

However, occasionally, his gaze would inadvertently catch sight of that enchanting figure in the water, which was quite a pleasing view.

Outside the window, the falling snowflakes piled up a thick layer on the windowsill. The light inside the room was dim, and the moonlight gradually climbed up the window, casting a brilliant silver glow into the room and onto the misty steam above the pool.

The warm medicinal bath moisturized the skin, and Su Lun truly enjoyed this leisurely time.

There was beautiful scenery, and there was beauty.

The two casually conversed now and then.

Before long, Thousand Blades Rakshasa seemed to have washed away the sea smell that had accumulated during the month at sea, and let out a long, refreshing sigh of relief, "After this soak, I finally feel so refreshed..."

Then the sound of splashing water was heard.

Su Lun opened his eyes, only to see Thousand Blades Rakshasa standing up naked from the pool.

At this moment, the night was deep, and the moonlight was bright. Strands of silvery moonbeams entered through the glass window, casting their light perfectly onto her graceful and exquisite figure.

Perhaps feeling that they had already been in the hot spring together with nothing left to hide, Thousand Blades Rakshasa stood up in her bare skin and called out to Su Lun, "Young Su Lun, I've finished soaking, you take your time."

"Oh."

Su Lun chuckled and raised his eyebrows slightly.

He originally had no intention of taking advantage of this gambling-addicted lady, but his gaze involuntarily lingered on her body for a moment.

Previously, with her submerged in the water, the light refracted and steam swirled around her, her stunning figure was somewhat hazy and not too clear.

As she emerged from the water now, everything was plainly visible.

Thousand Blades Rakshasa happened to be standing with her back to the window, and as she stood, the moonlight shined from behind her. The moonlight draped over her like a shawl, enveloping her in a faint luminescence. Moonlight spread out over the edges of her skin, casting a hazy silhouette, like the translucent and lustrous texture of Wen Yu, every detail exquisitely soft and smooth.

Because of the moonlight's shadows, the proudly standing curves of her snow-white body appeared even more majestic.

The heavy visual impact was not at all cumbersome, everything seemed just right.

Thousand Blades Rakshasa noticed the gaze wandering over her body, and her expression carried a bit of helplessness as she shot Su Lun a glance: still looking?

Without much concern, she then called toward the door, "Philo, help me get a bath towel."

From the corner of the room, an awkward response came promptly, "Ah... oh! Yes, teacher!"

As she said this, Thousand Blades Rakshasa stepped out of the pool, and with that side turn, her smooth and elegant back was completely visible.

Su Lun didn't hold back his gaze at all. Beautiful things were always pleasing to the soul, so his eyes naturally lingered a bit longer.

As he watched, the splendid curves of her form were accentuated by glistening droplets of water cascading down her skin, swiftly sliding from her shoulders to her slender waist, only to slow suddenly due to the proud perkiness. Both his gaze and the droplets seemed unable to stay on that slippery skin, gliding down, following the beautiful contours...

Thousand Blades Rakshasa flicked her damp green hair – it probably felt uncomfortable sticking to her skin – and used a cord to tie it up.

This simple action stirred up boundless allure, and the sight at her chest was revealed without reserve...

Outside the window was the mournfully beautiful night snow scene, inside was a warmth like spring.

Su Lun's eyes were slightly blurred.

With her hair tied up high, the fierce full-back Rakshasa tattoo came into view. A vigorous figure of a gladiator emerged before his eyes.

In this interplay of light and shadow, one's mind could lightly waver, as Su Lun seemed to see two different scenes.

On one side was a Rakshasa of the night uninvolved with the world, and on the other, a carefree gambling-addicted lady.

It was not only her figure that was enchanting. Su Lun recognized a sharp, biting "aura" from Thousand Blades Rakshasa, a martial prowess unparalleled.

Su Lun couldn't help but praise, "Sister Thousand Blades, your 'aura' is really strong..."

Hearing this, Thousand Blades Rakshasa, who had just tied up her hair, turned her head to look at him with a lift of her mouth's corner, "You're not too shabby either. You've improved a lot."

Su Lun smiled and shrugged his shoulders, also reining in his wandering gaze.

....

Listening to the two talk as if nothing was out of the ordinary, Philo holding the bath towel on the side, had a strange look in her eyes.

Teacher, you're still not dressed!

Recalling the earlier awkward moment, her cheeks flushed slightly. She had thought that her teacher and this man might have some special relationship, fearing something unspeakable would happen in the pool. But since the teacher didn't speak, she didn't dare leave the room.

But now that she looked again, it didn't seem to be the case?

...

After the bath, Su Lun didn't leave. Instead, he stayed in the room with Thousand Blades Rakshasa and the girl named Philo.

He was indifferent, as there was no difference to him between staying in a hotel or a sauna.

Sharing accommodation with Thousand Blades Rakshasa was also nothing new to him.

Besides, at night, he would be either meditating or working on his scrolls, so having one more person around didn't make things awkward.

The sauna's room was much more expensive than the hotel's, but it was still small change.

That stay lasted for several days.

Every day, Thousand Blades Rakshasa would hang around the gambling houses, returning at night with a peculiar pirate stench and soaked herself in a bath to rest.

Ever since the big fight in the Sailor's Tavern, nobody dared to treat her like an easy mark. Even so, Thousand Blades Rakshasa's gambling luck was pretty bad, and in just a couple of days, she lost all the money in her purse.

Then, penniless, the vaunted pirate captain spent her days holed up in the inn, relying on her old friend Su Lun to get by.

Luckily, the girl named Lolota was a competent housekeeper; she had prudently turned some cash into supplies and had them loaded onto the ship well in advance, which prevented the original sail date from being pushed back.

In Blizzard City, which had fallen under pirate control, the prices of living essentials skyrocketed, while alchemy materials remained surprisingly cheap.

Su Lun too found himself engrossed in a busy yet fulfilling routine.

He bought lots of materials, repaired the automatons damaged in the previous battles, and crafted some new puppets.

The trio spent a full five days at the "Great Sun Bathhouse."

That day, finally, was the day of departure.

....

Inside the room, Thousand Blades Rakshasa wrapped her chest with a bandage in front of the dressing mirror, binding her impressive figure.

Only then did she put on her unwashed pirate captain's outfit. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire

A shirt, coat, gun holster...

As she dressed, she complained, "Being a pirate has its perks, but these clothes are just atrocious, and you can't even soak them whenever you like."

As a pirate, you have to look the part, and pirates are not expected to be squeamish about cleanliness.

She said this and then turned to Su Lun, who had already packed up and was browsing through scrolls, "I heard that there are superb volcanic baths in the North Continent's four countries, shall we give it a try once we get there?"

Su Lun casually responded, "Mhm."

Lolota was tiding Thousand Blades Rakshasa's clothes on the side while somberly reminding, "Teacher, if we can't find good jobs next, we won't have money for supplies when we dock again. What's worse, if our ship doesn't get a new coating, it might not even reach the North Continent's four countries and could get capsized by the waves..."

Thousand Blades Rakshasa wasn't concerned at all, "Ah, someone's about to bring us money and supplies."

Instead of being reassured by these words, Lolota grew more worried, "But... Teacher, when I went to gather information, I heard that people are inquiring about our 'Dawn Group.' That 'Cyclops' Sok has a big background; he might rally a lot of people to cause us trouble..."

In the past few days, Lolota knew some things that ordinary crew members didn't because Su Lun and Thousand Blades Rakshasa spoke without avoiding her.

Hearing this, Thousand Blades Rakshasa's gaze narrowed slightly, her attitude eager for a challenge, "The more, the better. If we pull off this job, won't we have everything?"

"But..."

Lolota's eyes were filled with a deep sense of grievance as she stared at Thousand Blades Rakshasa in the mirror.

Thinking that probably no amount of persuasion would work.

She then turned to look at Su Lun, "Mr. Su Lun, won't you advise the teacher? I think waiting a few more days to set sail would be safer. Otherwise, if those guys..."

After spending several days together, Lolota and Su Lun had become rather acquainted and could talk to each other.

Su Lun, instead of siding with the girl, smiled indifferently, echoing Thousand Blades Rakshasa's sentiment, "I think your teacher is right. If enemies come, just kill them all..."

"..."

Lolota, pouting, wore a look of someone whose heart had been wrung with worry for the two of them.

One could dismiss the occasional unreliability of the teacher...

This Mr. Su Lun seemed quite sensible at first, but now he was just like her teacher.

He was only a third-tier stage, while the enemies were very, very strong notorious Great Pirates!

Even if the teacher was very powerful, what if the enemies had many ships, many people?

...

In the end, Lolota failed to persuade Thousand Blades Rakshasa to reconsider.

The trio walked out of the Great Sun Bathhouse.

Su Lun and Thousand Blades Rakshasa were at the forefront, with Lolota walking behind, holding a knife, her little face filled with gloom and worry.

They reached the docks, where the crew was already aboard the ship.

"Captain!"

"The captain's here, prepare to set sail!"

"..."

The once-bustling Stormwind City dock had now become an exclusive harbor for pirates, with various skull and crossbones pirate flags waving in sight.

Su Lun looked at the somewhat shabby three-masted sailing ship before him and asked with a peculiar look in his eyes, "Thousand Blades Rakshasa, is this your ship?"

Patches on the sails, ropes looking severely worn, haphazard repair marks from cannon fire on the deck and hull, a corroded coating layer, and the cheapest cannons available on the market...

The entire ship radiated the "antique" feel of disrepair and bygone years.

Thousand Blades Rakshasa raised an eyebrow and responded, "Yes, this is the 'Grey Dolphin.' We snatched it half a month ago. The 'Riding the Wind' we had when we left Black Fortress Reef wasn't bad, but it was too conspicuous, so we scuttled it into the sea."

"..."

Su Lun instantly felt that Lolo's judgement was correct.

If they relied on this ship, the chances were high that they wouldn't reach the complex marine environment of the four countries of the Northern Continent.

However, he didn't say anything and just boarded the ship.

No ship, no guns; the enemy will make them.

Su Lun had already clearly felt several probing eyes following them all the way, and he sneered in his heart.

Most of the people on the ship Su Lun had seen before during the battle at the Sailor's Tavern; the female sumo, Gladiator, and the three members of the Giant tribe.

After sensing around, including the chef and gunners in the cabin, Thousand Blades Rakshasa's "Dawn Pirate Crew" had only about fifty or sixty people.

This was probably considered the smallest scale for a pirate crew.

But Su Lun thought it was quite good.

It's not about having the most people, but the best.

Thousand Blades Rakshasa didn't just recruit anyone; she had no intention of keeping those ferociously evil pirates by her side.

Since she still needed to maintain her current identity, Thousand Blades Rakshasa had no intention of introducing Su Lun, so he just quietly remained on deck, making himself transparent.

The crew's loyalty to Thousand Blades Rakshasa, the captain, was also high; as soon as she boarded, the ship became lively.

The Giant Three Brothers swiftly raised the sails, and the anchor was drawn out of the water.

The cold wind blew, and this ancient sailboat known as the 'Grey Dolphin' slowly left the harbor of Blizzard City.

....

But just as the Dawn Pirate Crew set sail, those pirates who had been tailing them contacted their backer with their own communication devices.

On the docks, members of other pirate crews also noticed. Those pirate captains who knew some of the inside story gathered together with a look of eagerness to watch the excitement, discussing among themselves.

"Captain Jack, the Dawn Crew has set sail!"

"Tsk tsk, this 'Thousand Blades Rakshasa' really doesn't know what's good for her, thinking she can provoke just anyone. Now, after today, there probably won't be a Dawn Crew anymore."

"I originally thought that woman was a tough character, one who would make a name for herself in the Northern Seas... pity, with Sok mobilizing the forces of three crews to intercept them, no matter how strong that woman is, she's bound to die this time."

"The sea always has its share of headstrong newcomers. But recently, indeed, there have been some newcomers with real strength..."

"Yeah, I heard that recently, another guy who has awakened a gravity talent has popped up. Despite being only in the fourth tier, his strength is ridiculously strong. No idea where such an oddity came from."

"..."

Compared to the Dawn Pirate Crew, which had been in the city for just a few months, the reputation and background of the "Iron Crocodile Pirate Crew" were much greater.

No one believed the Dawn Crew would survive.

....

As the sailboat set out to sea, the cold-resistant seagulls that had been perching on the mast were startled and took flight, returning to the port.

Su Lun found a corner on the ship and watched as the coastline grew more distant. The sea breeze brushed his face, and his thoughts became clearer.

The crew was on deck playing cards, wrestling, drinking, making merry...

This was a pirate crew that seemed quite lax.

But the atmosphere was very harmonious.

The naive Giant Three Brothers lost at cards again and were punished to dance a comical jig; the female sumos wrestling tore open their clothes, prompting a round of laughter; sailors were sharpening and maintaining their shields and spears, occasionally shouting; the little girl Lolo was standing on the mast, her little face all seriousness as she held up her knife for meditation...

It was probably because most of the crew came from the gladiator arena and were used to taking life and death lightly.

Compared to a gladiator's life where one never knew which fight might be their last, they found the life of a pirate much more free and easy.

Birds of a feather flock together; all of the people on the ship seemed to share some traits with Captain Thousand Blades Rakshasa.

Su Lun was also infected by the laughter and chatter, feeling an inexplicable sense of belonging.

Thousand Blades Rakshasa's crew felt like they were all kin.

Before he knew it, Thousand Blades Rakshasa had come over. She copied Su Lun's movement, resting her upper body on the railing, and asked, "How does it feel? Not bad, right?"

Su Lun's eyes narrowed slightly, and he nodded, "Yeah. Not bad."

There was an unspoken understanding between the two who were familiar with each other, as if they could sense what the other was thinking.

Without the need for many words, after exchanging greetings, there was silence for a while.

Looking out at the vast expanse of blue sea, both of their gazes grew profound.

Letting the sea breeze blow, they just quietly leaned there.

....

Afternoon.

The tranquil seafaring was shattered by an alarm that was anticipated.

As their ship passed a deserted island, the lookout atop the mast spotted three ships that suddenly emerged from a blind spot in their vision.

"Captain, ships spotted behind the deserted island at ten o'clock!"

"Not good, those are the flags of the 'Iron Crocodile Pirate Crew'!"

"There's also the 'Flamingo Pirate Crew' and the 'Hammer Pirate Crew'. There are a lot of people on the three ships' decks, at least five or six hundred!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the deck of the Dawn became a hub of activity, with the constant sound of footsteps.

Wen Yu exchanged glances with Su Lun, giving each other a slight smile.

Neither saw any hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

The crew, although somewhat nervous, showed no signs of cowardice. Whether they were from the former gang or the Gladiators, they were all tough characters who had experienced life and death.

They picked up their weapons smoothly, donned their armor without panic, and the gunners rushed into the cabin to aim the cannons...

At that moment, Lolo, having observed the situation, also leaped down from the mast.

On the ship, there was no teacher, only the Captain. She looked worriedly at Wen Yu and asked anxiously, "Captain, they're signaling us to furl the sails or they'll sink us. What do we do now?"

Wen Yu, not the least bit worried, took the long sword handed to him by Lolo, "Order the crew, furl the sails, and hold fire."

Are we surrendering?

Lolo didn't understand and was just about to argue.

"But..."

Before she could finish, Wen Yu, eyeing the three approaching ships, let a cold light flash in his eyes and a smile curl his lips, "Don't damage our ship. Prepare for a boarding battle!"

Our ship?

Lolo paused for a moment, then realized what her teacher was implying, and her eyes twitched fiercely.

You mean the enemy's three ships?

Oh my...

Hearing these words filled with domineering spirit, although unbelievable, they instilled an inexplicable sense of security in Lolo.

She spoke no more, gritted her teeth, "Yes, Captain!"

With that, she turned and went to convey the orders.

....

Everyone in the Dawn crew was busy, except for Su Lun and Wen Yu who stood leisurely on deck.

"Whoa... they're really in a hurry, huh."

Wen Yu secured the knife at his waist, smacked his lips while his eyes brimmed with a cold gleam, "But when it comes down to it, it looks like there's going to be quite the slaughter soon."

Su Lun immediately understood and loosened up his joints, "Yeah. Once we use our abilities, we have to kill decisively."

Some of his and Wen Yu's techniques had a high degree of recognizability, such as the "Rakshasa Woman" or the puppet legion.

Once these were deployed, leaving survivors would bring endless trouble.

This was also the real reason why Wen Yu had recently gained a "notorious" reputation in the pirate circles.

Some enemies can't be killed without going all out.

And when you really get serious, you have to eliminate them completely.

The enemy ships drew closer, and Wen Yu could even make out the arrogant expressions of the people on the opposing decks, and he said, "Three ships, at least seven or eight hundred men. I'll take two, you take one, confident?"

"Doesn't matter..."

Hearing the distribution plan, Su Lun spread his hands, seemingly indifferent.

After a thought, he added, "If among the enemies there are several rank four or even rank five, Wen Yu, you distract them, and leave the rest to me. As long as you can hold them for a while, it's fine even if they outnumber us."

At these words, Wen Yu blinked, curiously asking, "Oh, that confident?"

Su Lun didn't elaborate, "Pretty much."

Wen Yu grew interested, curious, "Philo mentioned you advanced, but I still don't know how strong you actually are. Now... are you saying you can cut through rank three professionals like slicing vegetables?"

Su Lun shrugged noncommittally, pulling out several scrolls, then finally said, "I wouldn't go so far as to say cutting through rank three is like slicing vegetables... that would be too arrogant. But I guess ordinary rank three pirates really aren't much of a threat anymore."

Hearing that, Wen Yu's face broke into a smile, and she said meaningfully, "Tsk tsk... Su Lun, not bad at all."

As she spoke, the aura around her grew increasingly intense.