Outside Frost Flower City, Vice Admiral Yamakaji and a group of Marines waited quietly.
The biting cold wind howled, making the Marines' cloaks flap wildly, but it couldn't disperse the tense and oppressive atmosphere that permeated the air.
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji, do you think Red Hawk will accept the invitation?" Major Jasper's voice held a hint of curiosity as he looked up at Yamakaji beside him, his eyes filled with doubt.
Yamakaji's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression no longer as calm and composed as before, replaced by deep worry.
"I'm not sure, but a strong sense of unease inexplicably surged in my heart. Major Jasper, once we've delivered the invitation, withdraw from this place immediately." His gaze was fixed on Frost Flower City, as if he was wary of the impending danger.
As soon as he finished speaking...
A crisp sound of footsteps on ice came from the opposite direction of Frost Flower City, "Crunch, crunch," sounding exceptionally clear in the silent environment.
The group of Marines stiffened instantly as if a switch had been flipped, quickly turning around, their gazes uniformly directed behind them.
"Red Hawk!"
"It's the pirate Red Hawk Andy!"
"He's here!"
...
The Marines' exclamations rose and fell, and every face was filled with horror.
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
Red Hawk Andy's notorious reputation was well-known among the Marines; he had slaughtered over 300 Marines.
Moreover, his methods were extremely cruel; he dismembered those poor Marines, sending them to their demise!
Facing such a deranged and powerful pirate, how could these ordinary Marines remain calm?
Fear, like a tide, spread through their hearts.
Vice Admiral Yamakaji took a step forward, his tall figure standing steadily in front of all the Marines, like a towering mountain, providing a relatively safe haven for the Marines behind him.
Seeing Vice Admiral Yamakaji's resolute back, the Marines' hearts settled slightly. But their bodies still trembled slightly, a primal fear of unknown danger.
Yamakaji's face was so solemn it looked like water could drip from it; he stared intently at Andy, who was slowly approaching.
From this young man, he felt a tangible and intense killing intent, as if countless sharp blades were piercing towards them.
"Red Hawk, what do you want?!" Yamakaji shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the ice plain, yet unable to conceal his inner shock. He never expected Andy's strength to be so terrifying.
Among all the Marine Vice Admirals, his strength was considered outstanding. He originally thought that even if a conflict truly arose with Andy, even if he couldn't win, he was confident in retreating safely with his subordinates.
But at this moment, as Andy approached step by step, his self-confidence began to waver, and a mocking sense of powerlessness quietly emerged.
Andy slowly walked to about 10 meters away from the Marines and stopped.
In that instant, the surging, tide-like killing intent pouring from him suddenly vanished, as if it had never appeared.
"My apologies, my apologies." Andy's expression was indifferent, but there was no hint of apology in his tone. "Just now, I saw the word 'Justice' on the cloaks behind you, and it reminded me of a little girl who used to eat fruit cake."
"What do you mean?" Vice Admiral Yamakaji's heart tightened, and his expression grew even more solemn.
Andy's words were like a fog, leaving him utterly confused, but his intuition told him that these words held a deep sense of targeting, which filled his heart with questions.
"Nothing." Andy slowly shook his head, as if suppressing something. "Queen Ella's people said that your World Government wants to invite me to replace that good-for-nothing Hanafza and become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"That's right! Red Hawk, please tell me your choice." Yamakaji took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steadier, but his hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
"My choice?" Andy's lips curved slightly upward, a playful glint in his eyes as he gave Yamakaji a meaningful look.
Before anyone could react, Demon Blade Zhu Chi suddenly appeared in his hand.
In an instant!
Yamakaji's pupils sharply contracted, his eyes filled with terror, and the other Marines were even more terrified, their faces ashen as if they had seen a ghost.
The moment Zhu Chi appeared, a strong scent of blood mixed with a chilling killing intent, like surging waves, rushed towards them, as if to devour them.
"Clang!!"
"Pfft!"
Yamakaji's saber hadn't been fully drawn when a terrifying crimson slash, sharp enough to chill one's bones, cut through the Marine crowd like lightning.
Where the slash passed, the air seemed to be torn apart, emitting a piercing sound.
Yamakaji turned in horror, looking at the Marines behind him.
Just then, a series of "crack, crack, crack" sounds of breaking came.
Starting from Yamakaji's feet, a straight crack rapidly extended towards the rear of the entire Marine formation. The crack was bottomless, as if leading to an endless abyss.
The sound of breaking ice echoed across the ice plain, particularly horrifying.
The Marines near the crack felt their legs turn to jelly, their faces ashen as paper. Their bodies trembled violently, as if they had just brushed past death. Each one swayed precariously, completely enveloped by fear.
"A Great Swordsman's slash!" Major Jasper finally couldn't help but let out a terrified scream, his voice cutting through the cold air.
Yamakaji was equally too stunned to speak. He stared blankly at Andy, his heart churning with stormy waves.
This young man, who had just come of age, had actually cultivated his swordsmanship to the level of a Great Swordsman! How was this possible?
Andy looked at everyone's reactions, feeling very satisfied.
He slowly put away Zhu Chi, his gaze indifferent as he looked at Yamakaji, and said coldly, "Vice Admiral Yamakaji, I won't kill you this time. Don't ever appear in front of me again, okay~"
Having said that, he began to walk slowly towards Frost Flower City, his steps light and confident, as if nothing had just happened.
The message was delivered, and the act was done. Andy felt exceptionally pleased.
As he walked, he thought of Linna's gentle service, his heart filled with contentment.
Look at those Marines; after witnessing his Great Swordsman-level swordsmanship, each of them was almost scared out of their wits. This feeling was truly wonderful.
He was still too diligent~
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji, Red Hawk... did he reject the Seven Warlords of the Sea invitation?" Major Jasper asked incredulously, his voice still tinged with lingering fear.
"He attacked us; isn't that obvious enough? Go! We're leaving Floran Kingdom immediately!" Yamakaji gritted his teeth, his voice heavy as he spoke.
He knew that this mission was a complete failure, and their survival seemed to be a stroke of luck.
Then, the group of Marines frantically retreated towards Winter Harbor, their figures appearing so small on the ice plain, like a frightened swarm of ants.
Outside Frost Flower City, only that shocking crack remained, bearing witness to everything that had just happened...
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