Me and My Cold CEO Wife

Chapter 2156 - 2145: The Ironclad Behemoth

This is a giant ship with five whole layers of cabins, its hull entirely black, glinting with metallic sheen under the blazing sun.If this kind of ship were placed on Earth, it could be said to be commonplace, not even comparable to civilian ocean salvage vessels.

But this is not Earth; it's a weakly technological alternate world where manufacturing such an enormous metal warship is the reason for Ning Fan's shock.

Furthermore, this warship has no sails nor does it emit smoke from a chimney.

Neither powered by the wind nor by steam from black technology.

The power for the ship's navigation naturally comes from magic.

The warship is heading towards Hill Island; Ning Fan has already seen the ship clearly, even noticing a man waving wildly on the lookout platform.

Ning Fan curled his lips, "Tsk… really pitiful!"

It was only then he realized the ship's surface was pockmarked and scorched black by raging flames.

At the topmost cabin, a large hole had been torn open.

This warship had evidently been through a bitter battle.

Just then, Sangganda floated over like a ghost.

Noticing the old village elder's tense expression and his unusual magic-fueled journey, Ning Fan frowned and said, "Is something wrong?"

Sangganda exclaimed, "This is an Empire's heavy warship, why are they appearing here?"

"How did you deduce it's heavy?"

"Look at the gun barrels, one side has twelve magic crystal cannons, a hallmark of a heavy warship."

Only then did Ning Fan notice, two rows on the side of the ship were arrayed with twelve gun barrels.

"Are those magic crystal cannons?"

Sangganda said solemnly, "A war weapon using magic crystal stones, demon cores, or magic scrolls as ammunition."

"Damn, the Canglan royal family is crazy, allowing such stuff to be possessed privately."

If it were a cannon firing solid shots, given this world's level of power, it's just a large toy.

But any weapon, once connected to magic, is definitely no joke.

At that moment, Sangganda earnestly pleaded, "Mr. Ning, I know you're fiery by nature, but what follows… what follows..."

Ning Fan said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, I know my limits."

All men are born equal, but have never truly been equal.

The true masters of the Canglan Empire are the nobles of various territories, big and small.

With noble arrogance, what sparks would collide with this group of lowly fishermen.

Sangganda was worried Ning Fan would be unable to tolerate this later and clash with them.

That would spell disaster for Hill Village.

One side's twelve magic crystal cannons firing in unison would definitely result in the village's destruction and death.

And these village folks, dying would be in vain, for no one cares about the death of mere civilians.

Now, the warship is getting closer and closer to Hill Island, clearly heading directly towards the island.

Ning Fan can already see the flag fluttering atop the ship, embroidered with a portrait of a strange woman.

Unlike normal people, this woman's hair was actually a bundle of fine snakes.

Ning Fan said curiously, "Snake hair? Medusa?"

Suddenly, Sangganda's face turned extremely pale, "Damn. Forgotten one thing."

"What thing?"

Sangganda said nervously, "They must not discover the villagers can perform combat techniques or magic."

Ning Fan asked puzzled, "Why is that?"

"Some families forcefully turn people with cultivation talent into slaves."

"Isn't slavery supposed to be approved by the Empire? They dare ply slaves privately?"

Slaves in the Canglan Empire are not a derogatory term but indeed a group.

Some people, after committing crimes, are demoted to slaves and sold at slave markets.

Not just civilians, examples of nobles becoming slaves abound.

Slave trading in the Canglan Empire is an immensely profitable business under royal focus; each slave must have legal follow-up.

Sangganda said bitterly, "If we were on land, we'd naturally have no worries."

"Got it. I'll notify them."

Ning Fan shook his head secretly; in remote and lawless lands, even if all Hill Village folks were enslaved, no one would likely speak up.

"Thank you, sir."

Sangganda didn't accompany him; next, he had to fully handle these noble masters.

Having revealed the severity of the situation, although the villagers remained somewhat fearful, thanks to Ning Fan's prestige, no chaos ensued.

"In short, remember, act as usual. Just don't exhibit combat techniques or magic."

Still worried, Ning Fan brought in Vivian, letting her apply a magic to shield magical perception on the dozen or so girls with magic responses.

Mages are precious and scarce; those Ning Fan mainly protects are these girls with magical power.

"How troublesome, killing them is more convenient."

Vivian disdainfully glanced at the distant warship.

"Note well. Without my permission, absolutely no action is allowed. Understand?"

As he spoke, Ning Fan flicked Vivian's forehead to reinforce memory.

Given Ning Fan and Vivian's prowess, they indeed did not fear the warship's strength, but what of these villagers?

Should a magic cannonball land among the village, it's unimaginable how many would die.

"Everybody, adjourn; remember what I just said."

At that moment, someone suddenly said, "Sir, what if those noble masters bully us?"

Ning Fan smiled but didn't answer the question, "Folks, go about your business first."

After the villagers dispersed, Vivian said discontentedly, "What's with you? This is unlike your style."

Ning Fan asked puzzled, "What style of mine?"

"Not retaliating when attacked."

"You certainly know me well."

Ning Fan laughed and said, "Haven't they yet acted?"

"Hmph! Coward."

"Where are you going? Get back here."

Ning Fan pinched Vivian's ear, pulling her aside, pointing at the sea-borne warship, "Keep an eye on this side. Upon my command, destroy the ship immediately."

Vivian smirked mischievously, "I knew you wouldn't be this cowardly."

"Cowardly your head."

Ning Fan said sternly, "Remember. Destroy the warship first opportunity, must not give them a chance to fire."

To Ning Fan, the threat posed by the warship far outweighed the masters aboard.

"Can it be done?"

Vivian said resolutely, "Then I'll need to transform."

"No problem."

Ning Fan's eyes turned cold, murderously saying, "Eliminate swiftly, and after killing those on board, guard the villagers."

Given this world's noble temperament, Ning Fan already assumed visitors as foes not friends.

"You stay right here."

"I'll go check. Stay here awaiting my command."

Still uneasy, Ning Fan decided to go.

If just acting submissive could appease the nobles, for the villagers Ning Fan didn't mind humbling himself.

But many noble acts he simply would not accept.

Humility does not imply there's no bottom line.