Black Sail

"Liu Zibai is dead, Ye Qin is a wreck. Life is full of suffering; only you can save yourself. Don't ever go back to Goose City. You can't beat Huang Sir, just take the silver and go."

Archer was bawling, suffering from withdrawals after being interrogated all night, and went on a drinking spree once back on Phantom Sea One.

"Damn Hidden Sect! I'm the Ancient Holy Body, strong enough to break through the heavens, full of righteousness to rid the world of evil, maintaining peace is my wish. Goodbye, Master!"

Rein dove straight into the pool for the ice bucket challenge.

"Damn Hidden Sect! Why are you so knowledgeable and even singing now!"

Shadi was only concerned with Alicia's handover, but Liszt said it should be done as planned, which didn't quite reflect his personal style.

Given that Celeste was monitoring him, Shadi caught on to the underlying message; Liszt also mentioned sticking to the original plan, implying that the plan remains unchanged.

How Lostra's people fight doesn't matter; the key is to maximize the impact of this event, instead of keeping it hidden and letting Sister Ai be taken back quietly.

It has to be a grand and spectacular affair.

The Empress and Black Sail must be forced onto the same boat, secretly handing her over called submission; Black Sail remains a hidden operative working for the Luogu Government. Once the news breaks out, with Black Sail coordinating a meeting between the Empress and Alicia, it's labeled as a strategic partnership.

They must leverage Sister Ai's influence to its fullest.

While it seems like just a different method of handover, the implications for Black Sail's future niche are vastly different.

In today's "globalized" economic environment of the Western Continent, where various bureaucrats and existing systems are dominated by vested interests, earning small money is naturally dependent on ability, but earning big money depends on one's niche within this value chain.

Once this operation is completed, Black Sail, with its current achievements and the backing of two major powers, won't have any problem kicking its way into the top ranks among the Four Kings of the Underworld on the Western Continent, leading as a top presence in the underground world.

It's no longer a simple battle of words or force; it's about ideology.

"Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, let's release the Gold-Rimmed Glasses and Hat King, and also begin the other arrangements promptly."

Shadi stated.

Giant Whale Guest had invited Liszt for peace talks at Xilan Island, but Liszt wasn't interested; he was definitely going to exert pressure. With pressure not yet delivered, he must be brewing something big, and preparations must start immediately here.

"Are you talking about the radio?"

Ox wasn't quite familiar with these newfangled ideas, being an old-school type, and besides Shadi, Ox was the oldest among the core members.

"Yes, the publicity channels need to be set up, live-stream sales, with hosts who are good talkers."

Shadi instinctively judged; he considered himself not cut out for hosting, and besides, nobody enjoys listening to a bunch of guys talk.

He inquired about what goods Heaven Port Headquarters was currently manufacturing.

There's a significant difference compared to Doringger's previous business.

Doringger previously only trafficked drugs, coupled with piracy to sell various raw materials from Western Continent, with the Fishing Island's contributions being mere embellishments.

The business was straightforward without any technical challenges, yet it was sufficient for Doringger to revel in nightly revelries.

But the situation is different now, with Mo Yutong and Professor Mo, a lady capable of matching five hundred masters; the concept of Atomic Heart Church's Heavenly Mother needs no further explanation.

Liszt should meet with this Church in Pedan, as he is considered the Heavenly Father of this Church, with the Heavenly Father battling Heavenly Mother becoming unbeatable.

No wonder he's managing to establish a foothold in Pedan as the deaf boss from Heaven Port.

Heaven Port can now even manufacture finished products; Shadi doesn't understand the jargon like mineral refinement or spare parts manufacturing lathes, but ever since Emperor Mo took charge of Black Sail manufacturing early this year, after several months, it's been a breathtaking ascent.

The first wireless radio was crafted by Mulong earlier; now it's been refined to a radio that can also play tape.

Shadi doesn't understand what a tape is; but somehow it doesn't have a transmission function but can receive and has a phonograph function.

Even eleven years ago when Liszt and others hadn't arrived, the Western Continent was already in the late Age of Sailing, with industrial levels roughly equivalent to the nineteenth century, so things like phonographs existed.

But Shadi really doesn't know what the hell a tape is; and yet folks from Heaven Port have pirated some songs onto the so-called tapes.

Shadi mused that this thing could sell like crazy, a breakthrough entertainment product.

There are plenty of pirates in Heaven Port, and these wanderers have plenty of ships, reducing transport costs to the minimum; now Black Sail is also fawning over the Luogu Empress, ensuring no lack of sales credentials.

Currently, Aran is plunged into unrest following the death of the Eldest Prince, cutting off smuggling routes in the Great Wetland, and Iron Soul Island's crafts can't be sold.

The main product now is just this one.

Shadi had already consulted Mo Yutong for professional pricing.

Considering Lostra's consumption levels and pricing of local market competitors, they produced four different grade products.

The Youth Edition at 70 silver coins, stripped of tape function, caters to low-income groups so that even with a struggle, they can afford one.

The Standard Edition at 199 silver coins, fully functional.

The Deluxe Edition at 2 golden dragons and 199 silver coins, adds recording function; Mo Yutong's magic energy tech allows retention of certain transmitted content for repeat enjoyment.

The Premium Edition for 10 golden dragons also features transmission capability; Shadi doesn't get why it's great, but it's certainly somehow fantastic, elevating users; without it, you're not qualified to attend this meeting, and purchasing it grants membership in East Sea International, staying updated with Heaven Port's latest product developments.

Furthermore, Sister Ai's relocation also brought over technicians trained by Mo Yutong, providing after-sales warranty services.

The white-collar world is this difficult to navigate but offers more rewarding profits.

Most frighteningly, this product is a combination punch, with Pirate Radio lowering the dimension of the attack, an entertainment-oriented show, currently exclusive in the Western Continent, with no other outlets. Radios bundled with tapes, though unauthorized piracy and makeshift tapes, are unaffected by current laws.

This combo's power, Shadi is willing to call it the Heavenly Emperor Fist!

In the later stages, Mo Yutong is considering the limitations of wireless and plans to send personnel to investigate whether to invest in establishing paging centers in major cities in Lostra; technology has already allowed for pager production, but this is politically sensitive, profits are too high, and depends if Black Sail can beat Giant Whale Guest, whether Liszt becomes the Empress' new favorite, requiring agreements and profit-sharing with the government before entry is permitted.

"Good talker sisters..."

Naturally, Ox understood Shadi meant those with strong speaking skills, scanning the room.

First off, nearly everyone here couldn't read a single big character, as these were mostly pirates.

Secondly, there were very few sisters, with Garscek reading the newspaper, and Yakai Chiyoko was sulking due to Shadi's cold violence, went off to a nightclub yesterday, whereabouts unknown.

These two sisters weren't considered, and they turned their gaze to Moying.

Shadi's eyes also focused on her. Damn it! Do they have to make this Mermaid Clan girl sell herself for this?

"Sister Ai will be here soon, within ten days. The radio must be up and running soon, starting a trial broadcast tonight."

Though Heaven Port's products haven't made it over yet, due to the impact of this Continent Martial Arts Competition, many taverns in Lostra also have local radio products, but prices are high, at Nine Golden Dragons, equal to over half a million locally, unaffordable for the average person, yet to widely reach civilian sectors, brought in through various channels, hence the price.

Now is the time to lower prices, and offer everybody some benefits.

Sister Ai hasn't been handed over; now's the time to seize the opportunity. All departments in Lostra are engaged in chaos by their lonesome; breaking through is a must!

Ox waved his big hand, telling the folks to quit screwing around, as a task was given. Today's mission is to promote in various taverns at Wind Anchor, to tune in at eight o'clock tonight for East Sea International's Pirate Radio.