Shackles of Humanity

Luo Kai jogged all the way to the sports school, and only then did his mood gradually calm. When it came to romance, young men were often driven by impulse, but a more mature man would consider emotions and responsibility. He was alone in this world and saw himself as little more than a passerby, unwilling to form too many attachments.

...

He had thought asking for leave would be simple, but the sports school’s policy turned out to be very strict. Especially for long leaves of three days or more, a parent had to come to the school in person and provide an explanation. Luo Kai didn’t have any parents to speak of, and he couldn’t be bothered to find Liu Hou, so he simply decided to skip class.

Back home, he took out the thin Disguise Mask and gently applied it to his face. The warmth of his skin gradually melted the mask. In a moment, the entire mask vanished, as if it had dissolved right into his skin.

Luo Kai was amazed. He quickly found a mirror. Staring back at him was an unfamiliar, sallow, and emaciated face. The cheeks were sunken and the cheekbones protruded sharply, like a vagrant who had been starving for a long time. Even Luo Kai couldn’t be sure if the man in the mirror was still him!

Tiger Head Slope was located to the southwest of Longyang City. Years ago, it was a disorderly burial ground, but with the city’s expansion, it was converted into a large cement factory. After the factory went bankrupt, it became a home for a number of vagrants. When the Dragon Shark Pirates arrived, they drove out all the vagrants who had made their homes there, performed some simple repairs on the old factory buildings, and used it as their barracks.

The Dragon Shark Pirates were not just a simple band of robbers. The perennial wars among the various Lordship Kingdoms on land forced many commoners to seek new homes at sea. The very first pirates were just some of these displaced people, and their numbers gradually swelled over time.

Today, the main base of the South Sea Pirates, the Broken Star Islands, was effectively a nation in its own right, controlled by several large pirate factions. The Dragon Shark Pirates were merely one of these. The other pirate factions had grown accustomed to life at sea and had no desire to return to land. Only the Dragon Shark Pirates were immensely ambitious, dead set on infiltrating the mainland and establishing a true pirate kingdom.

The Dragon Shark Pirates had orchestrated the pirate rampages in the Xingma Kingdom in years past, and now, they had found another opportunity. Their short-term goal was to completely occupy a Commandery City. Jiuyuan Farm Stronghold had already secretly allied with them. Lang Zhennan, the City Lord of Longyang City, intended to profit from the conflict. He even had his sights set on becoming the next Lord and had thus formed an alliance with them as well. Once Black Stone Heavy Industry was completely crushed, the Dragon Shark Pirates would gain total control of Longyang County.

However, all of this depended on the outcome of the war on the front lines. If the army led by the Great Lord, Duke Yiven, was defeated—or even if it was a pyrrhic victory—the situation within the lordship would undergo a dramatic transformation.

...

The entrance to the barracks was deserted. Although the Dragon Shark Camp was recruiting aggressively, the people of Longyang County deeply despised pirates, and few were willing to enlist. The only ones who came were a few local thugs and some vagrants on the brink of starvation.

Luo Kai was disguised as just such a vagrant. After he stated his reason for being there, a pirate with a big beard rushed out of the gatehouse. He first pounded on Luo Kai’s chest and, finding his muscles solid and not like some sickly weakling, immediately broke into a wide grin. "Good! We’ll take you. What’s your name?"

"Luo Hao." Luo Kai pretended to be in pain and rubbed his chest. ’I can’t believe it was so easy to get in,’ he thought. ’They didn’t even ask where I’m from or where I live.’

"My name is Black Tiger, and from now on, I’m your commanding officer. Follow me." Satisfied, the big-bearded man led him into the barracks. The scene was one of utter filth and chaos. Crude shacks were scattered everywhere, with sewage flowing between them and the overwhelming stench of excrement filling the air. Soldiers in motley attire were gathered in small groups, gambling. Shouts and curses echoed through the camp. It gave Luo Kai a sense of being back on Nanya Island. ’This isn’t a military camp,’ he thought, ’this is a refugee camp!’

Along the way, Black Tiger explained the situation there. Unlike other military forces, the Dragon Shark Camp had no strict discipline or rules. The soldiers here received the highest pay of any in the Government Army; a new recruit could get a salary of nearly two thousand Star Dollars a month, plus various bonuses and subsidies for good performance. The only requirement was to obey the orders of one’s superiors.

Luo Kai nodded obsequiously, but inwardly he was rolling his eyes. ’An army without discipline? Can you even call that an army?’

They passed through the chaotic outer camp and walked into the inner area. The environment here was slightly better. The buildings were all dormitories converted from the original factory workshops, which probably housed higher-ranking pirates and the logistics departments.

As they entered a large factory building that looked like a warehouse, Black Tiger suddenly stopped. "Ah... I forgot to tell you. Once you join the Dragon Shark Camp, you have to give a little blood every month. Don’t worry, the food here is great. You’ll make it all back in a week."

Luo Kai was taken aback. "Why give blood? Does the... does the Dragon Shark Camp run a hospital or something?"

Black Tiger impatiently yanked a uniform out from the storeroom. "Don’t ask what you’re not supposed to ask. Anyway, you’re a soldier in the Dragon Shark Camp now, so you have to follow the rules."

After putting on the loose, baggy uniform, Black Tiger led him to the "dormitory," which was actually just one of the shacks. The shack was mostly empty, save for four skinny men who, like him, were new recruits. Black Tiger was their squad leader. A squad was supposed to have at least ten men, but his squad, even including Luo Kai, only had six members. No wonder Black Tiger had been so welcoming; he was clearly desperate for more men.

Looking at the few soldiers under his command, Black Tiger let out a hearty laugh. "From now on, we’re all brothers. I don’t have many rules. For now, your only job is to get your bodies in shape. Formal training starts in a week. When it does, if any of you hold the rest of us back, don’t blame me for getting rough."

Black Tiger gave a few brief instructions and then hurried off. A dark-skinned, skinny young man excitedly asked Luo Kai, "Hey, buddy, where are you from? I’m Er Ga. We really hit the jackpot! I thought a pirate camp would be terrifying, but the conditions here are great, and we don’t even have to train yet!"

Luo Kai forced a smile and a nod. After briefly stating his name, he lay down on a hard plank bed to think about what to do next. According to his agreement with Li Gui, once he was inside the Dragon Shark Camp, Li Gui would find a way to contact him. All he could do now was wait.

He felt a vague sense of unease, its source being what Black Tiger had said about giving blood. ’Why force all the soldiers to do it? Could it be the Dragon Shark Pirates ran into trouble at sea? Did they suffer heavy casualties, and that’s why they need blood from the soldiers on land?’

The food, as promised, was excellent. There was wine and meat. Although they were rationed, it was enough to be a treat. That evening, Luo Kai went for a walk around the camp. Most of the soldiers were confined to the front area. The rear area was strictly guarded; you needed a pass or an escort from a high-ranking officer to get in.

Just as he got back to the shack, a man wearing a pirate hat was standing in the doorway. Upon seeing him, the man called out in a loud voice, "Hey, new recruit. Come with me for a second."

Luo Kai pointed at himself in confusion. "Me?"

"That’s right, you. Come with me!"

The status of a regular pirate soldier was far higher than a new recruit’s. Refusing might arouse suspicion. Luo Kai hesitated for a moment, then followed.

The man in the hat clearly held a high rank, as they passed through all checkpoints without issue. They arrived before a building with a sign reading "Logistics & Equipment Department." The security here was even tighter; they even used hounds for body searches. Everything Luo Kai had on him was pulled out. Fortunately, he hadn’t brought any money with him this time, or his cover would have been blown for sure.

Even the Three-bladed Military Dagger he had hidden on his calf was found. The military dagger glinted coldly, clearly no ordinary weapon. A guard immediately asked with suspicion, "Where’d you get this?"

Luo Kai remained calm. "Found it outside the camp."

The guard gave him a suspicious look, then turned his gaze to the man in the hat.

The man in the hat shook his head. "It’s nothing. Some idiot probably lost it. You guys hold onto it for now."

"Yes, sir!"

They entered the building and went down a corridor. Patrols of soldiers with live ammunition passed by from time to time. Upon seeing the man in the hat, they all snapped to attention and saluted.

The two of them arrived at a small, sealed room. The man in the hat locked the door from the inside, sat down at a table, and studied Luo Kai. He suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "You’re one of Mr. Li’s men, aren’t you?"

Luo Kai straightened his back and asked coolly, "And who are you?"

"Heh. Who I am isn’t important. What is important is that Mr. Li told me to take good care of you. I hear you’re quite capable. I’d very much like to see it for myself."

Luo Kai’s mind raced. ’Is this man friend or foe? If he’s a friend, he’s not a very reliable one. This is hardly the place for a sparring match.’

The man in the hat grew impatient and swiped a hand toward Luo Kai’s shoulder. The movement was fast as lightning, carrying a fierce momentum.

Luo Kai gave a slight shrug. Instead of dodging, he moved forward, meeting the grab with his own shoulder.

RRRIP! Luo Kai’s new uniform was torn apart instantly. But the man in the hat fared no better. The point of contact felt like a steel plate, and a sharp pain shot through his fingers. At the same time, a great force surged from the impact, sending him stumbling back several steps until he hit the wall.

The man in the hat was astonished. "Impressive. Mr. Li said you’ve only been practicing Body Techniques for a little over two years. Is that true?"

Luo Kai’s expression tightened. It seemed Li Gui had told this man everything about his time on Nanya Island. His voice was grave as he asked, "Who exactly are you?"

But the man in the hat didn’t answer. His expression grew increasingly excited, and he stared at Luo Kai as if looking at a delectable feast. He licked his lips greedily. "I knew it. Only someone who has been injected with a High-Level Gene Potion could have such a strong learning ability."

The color drained from Luo Kai’s face. By now, he understood the value of a High-Level Gene Potion. Its price could rival that of a kingdom. A small lordship kingdom in the Southern Region like the Xingma Kingdom would never possess such a thing. Even in the great Dongyuan Upper Country, only the Royal Family and the most elite aristocrats were qualified to use it. Shui Su had once told him he’d been injected with a genetic potion as a child. His own body’s incredible recovery ability was very likely the result of it. This was his greatest secret, and now, someone had just spoken it aloud!