Goblin Dependency

The small figure was mostly obscured by the blue flag fluttering in the wind, making the path ahead invisible. Only two pairs of small leather boots staggered forward, as if they could topple over at any moment.

Xia Nan stepped forward and took the flagpole from the small figure’s hand, glancing at the blue banner embroidered with a simplified pattern of waves and casually asked:

"Where should it be hung?"

This was also one of the traditional customs of the Sea Rhythm Festival, where hanging this style and color of flag before setting off was meant to pray for a safe and smooth journey.

In this world where divine beings truly existed, especially for adventurers who often walked the fine line between life and death, even if they weren’t particularly fond of festivals, they would superstitiously hang the flag for peace of mind.

After all, it didn’t cost much money; if it really worked, and the gods above cast a merciful glance their way, averting a danger that was supposed to befall them, that would be a big win.

"Here! Here!"

Alton waved his hand at Xia Nan, running with quick steps to the lever at the edge of the deck.

"Just tie it here!"

As a Lightfoot Half orc, Alton always held a strong curiosity about everything encountered during travels, and facing the "Sea Rhythm Festival," which occurred only once every three years in the Southern Islands, was naturally no exception.

He was even looking forward to the upcoming "Moon Tide Banquet" more than Xia Nan.

Meanwhile, the Spotted Cat race Sasha was taking advantage of his racial physical traits, swinging his fluffy long tail as he shuttled between the masts, carrying a specially made, easy-to-clean blue dye and drawing the festival patterns on the sail and mast surfaces.

The twin warriors, Rein and Gordon, as usual, were directing the sailors in moving goods, making the final preparations for sailing; the barbarian Akken hadn’t had a chance to eat breakfast yet didn’t dine in the cabin. Instead, he hugged a large pot of meat soup, scooping it up with a spoon into his mouth while looking up to adjust the angle for Sasha applying the paint.

"Hey, Xia Nan, did you find a buyer for that horn of yours yet?"

Surrounded by a few seagulls hovering above, Druid Hai Yin, with a practice staff Xia Nan sold him hanging at his waist, came closer to ask.

"If you haven’t sold it yet, I can ask around the association for anyone interested."

Noting the goodwill in his words, Xia Nan smiled and waved his hand, explaining:

"It’s already been sold; you might know the buyer. It’s that famous collector in town, Aurie Silver Heart."

"Ah, that’s good then."

Previously, Xia Nan had just returned from Wildberry Cliff and was considering how to handle the spoils, having once asked if Hai Yin, being a spellcaster, was interested in the horn from the Sha Hua Fishman Priest.

After all, they had been through life and death together, and Hai Yin had even taken him to her coral reef for fishing a few times.

If Hai Yin had shown interest, Xia Nan wouldn’t have minded giving a small discount to sell the horn to her.

Initially, when Xia Nan briefly introduced the equipment—deliberately omitting specific attributes to avoid exposing the attribute panel—Hai Yin was tempted, given that such a casting tool, boosting both the "Psionics" and "Confusion Control" spells and offering defensive active effects, was indeed rare.

But after careful consideration, Hai Yin ultimately declined Xia Nan’s offer.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford it; having adventured in the Southern Islands for years and being a core caster of the Vengeance Blade Blade Ship Group, her wealth was unquestionable.

It was more due to the horn’s weight and size, which didn’t suit her combat style.

But undoubtedly, this druid did not take Xia Nan’s goodwill for granted but rather kept it in mind.

Now, it had been ten days since Xia Nan returned to Suo Yu Bay, and for Hai Yin to bring it up again wasn’t without reason; she had evidently probed within the association for potential buyers.

If Xia Nan’s Scale Breath Horn had remained unsold, it might realistically be disposed of through Hai Yin’s connections.

To some extent, this was one of the benefits of a fixed adventurer party.

The shared battle experiences created bonds among the team members, naturally making them much closer than other adventurers. Relying on each other’s network connections was a perfectly normal occurrence.

If personalities matched, and cooperation lasted long, becoming friends outside of adventuring tasks wasn’t out of the question.

Even though Xia Nan had only been on one task with the Vengeance Blade Blade group, without him, the Vengeance Blade Blade Squad might have perished in the battle with the Shark Beasts, and his combat performance earned every member’s recognition.

Previously, upon Xia Nan transmitting the news about killing the Ebbtide Gang leader along with his upper echelons back to Suo Yu Bay, the barbarian Akken had even proposed to help Xia Nan by clearing out the Ebbtide Gang’s core base in Suo Yu Bay to prevent others from taking advantage during his absence.

And this suggestion even gained majority approval within the fleet.

However, they later found numerous medium and small forces in the Saltwater District embroiled in disputes over the remnants left by the Ebbtide Gang and Corner Shark Gang, making intervention difficult, so the matter was shelved.

Regarding this, Xia Nan appreciated the Vengeance Blade Blade group’s goodwill. While he wasn’t entirely uninterested in the Ebbtide Gang’s remaining spoils, he didn’t want to get entangled in the ensuing troubles and disputes.

On one hand, Xia Nan wasn’t inherently inclined to establish a power faction, nor did he wish to immerse himself in this bottomless mire or engage with influential figures he might never interact with otherwise.

On the other hand, he never considered rooting himself in Suo Yu Bay, viewing himself merely as a passerby.

He might even leave after attending the "Moon Tide Banquet."

Without his protection as a central figure, any faction he managed to establish would be devoured by the wolves of the Saltwater District.

Therefore, he decided not to interfere with the ongoing struggles over the Ebbtide Gang’s legacy.

At most, once the dust settled, he might charge the gang that swallowed the most spoils a reasonable "protection fee," akin to what these underworld figures imposed on civilians.

"So, are we all set?"

Surrounded by the swirling white smoke of tobacco, Vengeance Blade Blade’s captain, Lorin, clutching a lit cigarette, stepped forward to ask.

Compared to over half a month ago, the woman with fiery red curly hair hadn’t seemed to change much visually.

But Xia Nan’s keen perception picked up a certain determination building within her.

Over the years, with the team’s growth, increased strength, and Xia Nan’s appearance with a shared goal, she gained more confidence in her revenge plan against Dodd of the Algae Scale, responsible for her father Lailo Moerton’s death.

"Of course."

Patting the side of his bag hanging at his waist, Xia Nan replied.

Although he was patting the bag, most of his preparations were tucked inside the White Pot pocket watch’s inner lining.

Holding vast survival supplies and spare armor, even if the worst came, needing to undergo solitary survival at sea, he’d still get by smoothly.

Hearing this, Lorin nodded slightly, saying nothing more but reached out and firmly patted Xia Nan’s shoulder, giving Hai Yin a glance.

She then turned, walking directly to the figurehead’s position.

"Swoosh!"

Orange-red fiery sharp light flickered fleetingly in the air.

Clutching the hilt with one hand, with Scale Fire Saber held high.

The flames around the blade merged with the sunrise glow rising on the sea horizon.

Her loud voice echoed across the deck.

"Target: Moon Tide Banquet."

"Vengeance Blade Blade... setting sail!"