Let me board the ship.
By the time these words were spoken again, the Wan family's banner was already adrift upon the sea. At dawn of the next day, during the ship raid, Master Eagle took advantage of the dim light and his sharp eyes that could see through the mist, raised his Hand Cannon, and claimed the life of the one-eyed man with a single shot. Wan Qianguan, seized by panic, promptly surrendered and ordered the cargo hold opened.
The cabin of the Eagle Pirate Gang was now filled with exquisite porcelain, gold, and silver, all intact. Murmurs of excitement stirred among the crew, while at the other end of those murmurs stood the silhouette of Ghost Shark before Master Eagle.
They had all heard of this woman's name and what she sought: not the precious porcelain, nor the gold and silver, but a place among the Eagle Pirate Gang.
Stroking his gun, Master Eagle said slowly, "This Hand Cannon has no eyes. Whoever it strikes, it slays. What is that to you?"
Indeed, he had acted upon Ghost Shark's words, but who said he must follow a woman's arrangements?
Ghost Shark's expression remained unchanged, but the fury in her eyes burned like flame. She was just about to speak when another voice came from beside Master Eagle: "Ghost Shark may have gained no merit from this raid, but she did inform us about this ship by your leave."
The speaker was Ah-Wei Gong, the first mate. He squinted and used a kindling to light Master Eagle's cigarette. "In my opinion, why not give her a share of this loot, lest we break our rule those who contribute must be rewarded."
For pirates, what mattered most were not the laws of court or temple, but two rules alone: betrayal was death, and reward and punishment must land where due.
Master Eagle's face darkened. He ground his cigarette against the table, leaving a black mark. "You. Choose one."
Ghost Shark did not even glance around. Porcelain, though valuable, was merely a plaything. Gold and silver could be useful for a time, but would eventually be consumed. What she wanted to hold was never treasure
"I want that Hand Cannon."
She stepped over the scattered porcelain and picked up a Hand Cannon. The iron was heavy and cold, just like her voice. "By the way, that box of jewels is mostly fake, made to fool unsuspecting foreigners. If you load them all, they will do little more than waste space and capacity. Don't blame me for not warning you then."
Ah-Wei Gong showed a surprised expression. At first, he'd possessed no intent to let a woman stay aboard. But Ghost Shark could judge goods, read men, and had an ambition that was hard to hide, surpassing all those standing behind her. One day, she might truly stir up a storm.
She was worth keeping. Leaning close, Ah-Wei Gong whispered a few words to Master Eagle.