The Eagle Pirate Gang were led by Master Eagle, with Ah-Wei Gong serving as the first mate. At that moment, the candlelight aboard their ship burned low, flickering in and out, leaving the meaning behind Master Eagle's smile unclear to all on board. This ambiguity bred both fear and obedience among the crew.
Ghost Shark shrugged off the two pirates gripping her shoulders and straightly met the gazes of Master Eagle and Ah-Wei Gong. "I can help you raid the Wan family's ship for the greatest profit," she said.
She had just revealed that the Wan family caravan was led, on the surface, by the youth Wan Qianguan a spoiled fool. In truth, that one-eyed guide hired by Master Wan was the actual decision-maker on board. Without him, the caravan would struggle to navigate the seas. If he were to die, the rest would be easily handled. Wan Qianguan, desperate to save his own life, would surely surrender the entire cargo. To him, it would be no more than a minor loss.
"Once my Hand Cannon fires, even the King of Hell shows respect. What could possibly go wrong with raiding a ship?" Master Eagle said, toying with the firearm in his hand. That cold iron had claimed countless lives. He squinted at the young Ghost Shark before him, "Wasting my time comes at a cost."
"If you continue bickering with me, dawn will soon break," Ghost Shark replied calmly, "A raid done in the usual fashion may yield gains, but precious, fragile goods often shatter in the chaos. The Wan family's cargo is mostly porcelain breaking them may be affordable, but is it truly necessary?"
"Did you sneak aboard my ship at night just to teach me how to raid a ship?" Master Eagle did not answer her, instead posing another question, "How can I trust you?"
Ghost Shark replied, "If the raid succeeds, you will trust me."
Master Eagle sneered. The two pirates exchanged glances. Ah-Wei Gong tapped the table and said, "On the Eastern Sea, there's no help without cause. You slip aboard alone, surely not just to share your wisdom on plundering."
The sea breeze paused for a second, then suddenly slammed against the cabin. The waves surged and rocked the ship, causing the two pirates to stumble, while Master Eagle and Ah-Wei Gong stood as steady as reefs. Ghost Shark clenched her fists tightly, her nails nearly drawing blood from her palms, using all her might to stand firm, not swaying a step.
She said, "I want to board the ship."
A pirate looked up, astonished, "What?"
Ghost Shark repeated, "Let me board the ship." The candlelight sputtered out suddenly, the wick bursting into a tiny flame. In the darkness, Master Eagle's piercing gaze met her steadfast eyes. One second passed. Then two... Yet Ghost Shark never averted her gaze.