Chapter 60: Lost and Found

"Brothers, let's go! Let's fight our way to the deck!"
"Yes, let's give it our all and wipe out those detestable pirates, avenge our fallen comrades!"
There were more than four or five hundred captives in the hold, their voices thunderous. Many among them had lost friends and family to the pirates, their resentment overwhelming.
Furious, they shouted as they passed through the second level of the ship's hold, charging toward the upper deck.
The pirates were greedy and cruel, treating their captives with ruthless brutality.
The prisoners usually appeared meek and resigned, but deep down, their hatred had reached its peak, with no outlet.
They were like dry tinder baked under the scorching sun for months, needing only a single spark to ignite a fierce blaze that would consume everything.
Now, reborn to freedom, it was time to vent their rage.
Someone shouted for revenge, and instantly others responded. Years of accumulated grievances exploded in an instant.
"Brother Ye, let's go too!"
Wang Hu called out excitedly.
"Not yet. Let them go. Our priority is to find the two spiritwood boxes in the ship owner's room on the second level, and locate the Water Arrow rune," Ye Mo replied, shaking his head.
Gao Jian and Lin Zhi, both keen-minded, nodded in agreement, not rushing to charge the deck.
Earlier, after interrogating the pirates, they learned that Feng Xiongzhang and his hundred elite men were not in the hold, but on the deck.
The ship's hold was stuffy, air stagnant; even the second level had a bad smell.
Only the deck was fresh, and aside from sleeping, the pirates usually spent their time there, eating, drinking, gambling, and wrestling the nights away, passing the long months at sea.
"Brother Ye, should we stop them from storming the deck? These people have been imprisoned for a long time, their strength depleted, fighting skills neglected. They're no match for fully armed pirates. The captives are still short on weapons—just a dozen iron swords and several spiritwood clubs!
Feng, the ship owner, has the Golden Spirit Sword and golden armor. The pirates have dozens of serpent-scale shields. All these can easily suppress the captives. It's clear the prisoners can't contend with the well-equipped pirates," Gao Jian said, worried.
"The pirates on deck are surely alerted. Let these captives buy us time! We must quickly search for the spiritwood boxes. Once we find the Water Arrow rune, with Brother Ye's strength now, we can wipe out these pirates!" Lin Zhi said with a cold smile.
He looked at Ye Mo.
All signs showed clearly that Ye Mo's strength had surpassed a thousand pounds, far above any martial artist, reaching the terrifying power only cultivators possessed.
Seeing everyone's expectant gaze,
"I've already cultivated my spiritual core," Ye Mo nodded.
Hearing Ye Mo admit it, the martial artists gasped in awe, exhilarated.
A legendary immortal cultivator had appeared among them.
They had come to the Eastern Sea seeking immortality, hoping to become cultivators themselves. Now that one had succeeded, others were sure to follow.
Mo Ling was stunned.
The first time she met Ye Mo, he was just an ordinary martial artist. Though his skills were "miraculous," she had been greatly impressed.
But in just two months, Ye Mo had advanced from mid-level martial artist to cultivating his spiritual core, leaving Mo Ling deeply shocked and with a sense of reverence for this commoner from the Martial Kingdom.
Seeing the group so awed, Ye Mo wanted to explain, but with the situation urgent, many things could wait.
"Brother Ye, now that you're an immortal, you can easily defeat any martial artist. Why don't we just go and deal with that scar-faced ship owner Feng?"
Wang Hu said excitedly.
"No! Feng is a peak martial arts master, with the Golden Spirit Sword and crab armor—his defense and killing power are terrifying. They have too many spirit weapons."
"I just broke through, and their side has a hundred men, well-equipped and experienced. If we charge now, our chances are less than half. We can't risk it! We've gone through so much, surviving countless dangers to reach this point—it would be a waste to die here."
"First, let's find the ship owner's room and the Water Arrow rune," Ye Mo said quickly.
"We'll split up. While the captives and pirates are distracted, we must find the two spiritwood boxes holding the Water Arrow spell. Wang Hu and Yang You, search the left front rooms. Gao Jian and Huang Yi, take the right front rooms. Lin Zhi and Ruo Feng, check the left back rooms. Mo Ling and I will search the right back rooms. Shout when you find something."
Ye Mo assigned tasks simply.
The second level had a single long corridor, lined with rooms on both sides for the pirates.
To save time, everyone headed off to search different rooms.
...
On the deck, it was lively and chaotic.
Many pirates were drinking and gambling. Some, shirtless, wrestled; others gulped wine straight from the jug, all intoxicated.
Feng, the ship owner, had acquired several rare spirit items and was in high spirits. For days, the pirate ship had been celebrating, with meat and wine flowing freely.
"Now that I have spirit items, I can exchange them for elixirs at Immortal Village and become an immortal. Brothers, drink your fill! When we reach Immortal Village, you'll get ten days off and piles of gold and silver to enjoy!"
Feng wore golden armor and carried the Golden Spirit Sword at his waist. He sat brazenly on a luxurious white mink chair, roughly kneading the voluptuous woman in his lap as he laughed heartily, eating and drinking without restraint.
The woman grimaced in pain, but dared not show dissatisfaction, smiling as she poured him more wine.
Accountant Huang squinted lewdly, sipping wine and sneaking glances.
"Report!"
A pirate stumbled over, panic written all over his face. He pointed behind him, toward the passage to the hold, unable to speak clearly.
"Why are you so flustered? The sky's not falling!"
Feng, in high spirits, saw the pirate's terror and became angry, smashing his wine bowl and cursing.
"Report, Ship Owner! The captives have rebelled—they're charging out!"
The pirate, startled, responded quickly.
Boom!
The prisoners in the hold had opened the last unlocked door, many already storming onto the deck.
The drunken pirates were jolted awake, dousing their heads with cold water, drawing swords to confront the captives.
"Dammit! How did these captives escape? Did they get the cell keys from the warden?"
Feng was shocked, staring at the captives, considering the most likely reason. This had happened before.
He wasn't worried about the captives' ability to revolt.
He simply hated to kill them.
After reaching Immortal Village, these slaves could be exchanged for gold, silver, and jewels, enough to live in luxury for years anywhere in the Nine Provinces.
What a pity! That these captives dared rebel was intolerable. He must make an example, show the captives who's boss.
The captives surged onto the deck, but facing a hundred well-armed, fierce pirates, they were instantly intimidated.
"Old man advises you to calmly lay down your weapons and return to your cells. You'll keep your lives. If you persist, you'll end up as fish food. How dare a bunch of captives make trouble—simply courting death!"
Accountant Huang screeched, his thin voice echoing, eyes sweeping the captives with contempt.
"If you all feel you've been locked up too long, a bit of fresh air is fine. But now that you've had your fill, it's time to go back!"
The voluptuous woman spoke softly, her laughter honeyed.
"Don't listen to that witch! We outnumber them—we can beat these pirates!"
Among the captives, someone shouted loudly.
"Hmph, kill! Kill until they're terrified!"
Feng snorted impatiently, ordering the pirates to attack.
The pirates charged like fiends, clashing with the captives.
"Slash!"
"Ah!"
Almost instantly, a dozen captives who had just reached the deck were cut down, their screams piercing.
Though the captives were numerous and had mustered courage, they lacked weapons and were scattered. Against trained pirates, they were no match.
The captives were routed, retreating to the second level of the hold.
"When will Immortal Ye arrive?"
Desperately resisting, the captives suffered. They remembered Ye Mo's strength.
If Immortal Ye were here, these seemingly fierce pirates would be slaughtered en masse.
...
On the second level of the hold.
Bang!
Ye Mo kicked open a room door and entered.
This room was lavish, not an ordinary pirate's quarters—likely the captain or ship owner's bedroom.
But Ye Mo was disappointed; there were no treasure chests or the like inside.
Mo Ling searched the room, hoping to find something. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she approached a wall.
Tap! Tap!
Two crisp sounds.
Mo Ling was delighted and called to Ye Mo, "Ye Mo, there's a hidden compartment behind this wall, likely controlled by a mechanism. I'll look for the trigger!"
"Hmm?"
Ye Mo turned, seeing Mo Ling excitedly knocking on the wall. He strode over.
Boom!
Ye Mo struck the wall with his palm, shattering the spiritwood panels.
"I was just thinking of searching for the mechanism. How foolish! Strength is wonderful!"
Mo Ling was frustrated watching this.
Whew!
Seeing several boxes in the compartment, Ye Mo finally relaxed. He quickly pulled out the boxes and opened them.
Inside, golden light gleamed; there were ingots of gold and silver, antique jade, two spiritwood boxes, and an ancient scroll.
"Spiritwood boxes, ancient painting—all here! Excellent!"
Ye Mo rejoiced, picking up the scroll and unrolling it.
His mysterious Immortal Village scroll was also thrown in. Feng, the ship owner, must have thought it was a valuable antique and tossed it in with the treasures.
Though Ye Mo had possessed this painting since birth, for eighteen years he hadn't understood it—let alone the pirates.