In fact, during the Han Dynasty of Aiven's previous life in the Celestial Empire, people had already started eating raw fish, called "yuhuai". It just gradually fell out of favor due to the high number of parasites in freshwater fish, and was later popularized by coastal island nations.
Captain Gel was the first to give Aiven a bit of face, picking up a slice of fish so translucent you could see through it in the sunlight. He first praised Aiven's knife skills and then put it in his mouth, instantly conquered by the fresh and sweet taste of the raw fish.
Having been accustomed to fish soup and grilled fish, this novel way of eating had a unique flavor.
"Hmm, not bad, fresh, sweet, and tender. You should all try it."
The crew followed suit, gradually becoming fans of Aiven's newly invented way of eating sea fish.
Soon after, the chef served the carefully prepared barbecue. Officers from the "Warrior" ship, who had stayed behind, were also invited to join the lunch on the Silver Wings, and for a time, everyone enjoyed the food and drinks together.
But the leisurely time didn't last long. As the crew fetching water gradually returned, they brought back some invigorating news: at the island's water source, they had unexpectedly discovered traces of other people's activities!
"Let's follow them!"
Although it couldn't be confirmed if it was One-Eyed Becky, no one wanted to give up such a rare clue. After a brief rest, the two warships quickly set sail, chasing in the direction the others might have left.
The roaring sea breeze filled the sails.
As an observer, Aiven stood in the crow's nest on the main mast, when a strange thought suddenly popped into his mind.
Other transmigrators are hunted by large and small forces every day, busily running for their lives, while I've already reached the point where I'm hunting others. I hope I haven't embarrassed the wider transmigrator community?
Then he brushed aside the playful thought in his mind.
He stroked his chin, reminded at all times by three-plus years of experience as a hunter, that the roles of hunter and prey are never set in stone. As a hunter, one must always be wary of the prey's counterattack.
Especially when the prey is also a cunning predator like this one!
One-Eyed Becky's way of doing things gave him a vague feeling that this guy staying put and not leaving, lingering in the Third Fleet's jurisdiction, definitely had other purposes.
This chase lasted an entire day, and near a vast area of Chaotic Stone Islands stretching for dozens of miles, they finally found traces of other ships.
It was a half-full oak rum barrel, looking as if it accidentally fell into the sea and was carried by the current right into the sight of the warship.
The crew fished it out of the sea.
"Boom!"
Upon opening the barrel, which appeared completely ordinary on the outside, a fragrance of rum wafted out. Even Aiven, who hardly drank, knew this was the most common rum at sea.
However, First Mate Perry gravely poured a glass, sniffed the aroma, tasted a little, and confidently stated, "This rum is not from the Black Coast. It is certainly not rum produced by the Tulip Alliance countries."
Faced with the puzzled gazes of most crew members.
The First Mate had the crew pour a glass of the ship's stored rum, placed the two glasses together, and explained, "The countries of the Tulip Alliance frequently interact, and while there are many wineries, in reality, their distilleries are all set up in the Southern Continent colonies. There, sugar cane is plentiful, making both the sugar industry and the distilling industry very developed."
"No matter how the process changes, or whether it's mixed, the sugarcane used as raw material is always the same. Therefore, the sugarcane rum from the Tulip Alliance has a distinctive aroma, different from other places."
On hearing this, Aiven picked up the two glasses and sniffed, attempting to discern their differences, but found nothing. He could only look at the First Mate with the admiration of a rookie to the experienced, truly the older, the wiser.
"So essentially, an outsider, who didn't take the usual routes, suspiciously ended up in this godforsaken place. I think it's about 80% likely to be pirates, and most likely our target, 'One-Eyed Becky'!" The First Mate voiced his conclusion.
Although there were many explanations for this foreign rum's presence, most people on the ship agreed with the First Mate's view, and Aiven did not intervene in a matter he wasn't skilled at.
"Inform the Warrior."
At Gel's signal, this news was quickly communicated to the Warrior through flag signals. Soon after, the Warrior replied, suggesting the two warships split up here, each covering one side of the Chaotic Stone Islands, and to signal each other if either caught sight of the enemy.
Moreover, without waiting for the Silver Wings to respond, the Warrior couldn't wait to head to the other side of the Chaotic Stone Islands, which was the direction of the current, theoretically making it more likely to find the enemy.
"Captain, is this really okay? After all, it was the Silver Wings that discovered the clue first." The Chief Navigator on the Warrior, one of the officers invited to the lunch by being on guard, hesitated as he asked, feeling his captain's behavior seemed a bit unkind.
"What's wrong with it? Didn't we share our discovery at the water source with them yesterday? Now that we've grabbed One-Eyed Becky's tail, it's down to skills, whoever grabs it, it's theirs."
The rugged-looking, blue-bearded captain, although holding a lower rank than Gel, merely a lieutenant colonel, had no relationship of dominance with Gel. He was only cooperating with him due to orders from command and was naturally unafraid of vying for credit.
Seeing the Warrior dash ahead, the Silver Wings' officers and men all had somewhat unpleasant expressions. This behavior of hogging all the benefits was rather unsightly. How could they attempt to act solo on just a shred of a clue?
And was this guy viewing One-Eyed Becky like meat on a chopping board, just waiting to be cooked? So reckless?
"Record everything in the ship's log. If anything goes wrong, it won't be our fault." Gel said with few words, merely instructing the lieutenants to note down what transpired, distancing themselves from any blame.
"Let him go; One-Eyed Becky, with his odd way of doing things, is not easy to deal with. We'll take the inner side."
...
At the same time, on a ship with black sails.
"Good news, Captain! Gagong says the fish has bitten!"
The tattooed First Mate hurriedly ran up to the forecastle, bending at the waist in a ninety-degree bow to report to the captain, who wore a tricorn pirate hat and had only one eye.
The One-Eyed Captain turned, and it seemed as though there was a poisonous sting in his sole remaining eye, causing the First Mate to involuntarily avert his gaze.
His own captain, "One-Eyed Becky", was a hundred times scarier and more insane than what was reputed outside. Even those who had followed him for many years dared not defy him in the slightest.
"You go tell Gagong, if his entrail divination isn't accurate this time, he'll use his own entrails next time. Understood?!" The repressive and nauseating voice, like the stench of decaying sludge from the depths of the sea, entered the First Mate's ear, causing him discomfort. Yet, he dared not show even the slightest hint of it.
"Yes, yes, yes, I'll tell him right away." The First Mate nodded vigorously, not daring to utter more than necessary, nor delay, rushing back down the forecastle.
However, he muttered quietly to himself.
"Even if Gagong is just a native wizard with a little superficial knowledge of witchcraft, he's still the second most terrifying person on this ship.
Just the thought of using animals' entrails for divination makes one shudder. I'd better steer clear of him."
Watching the First Mate leave, One-Eyed Becky was quite satisfied with his level of intimidation.
He turned and rubbed a black stone sculpture placed behind the ship's figurehead, a flash of eagerness in his eye.
As long as I can sink another warship and complete the ritual, this powerful Ocean Treasure, the "Shipwreck Elegy", can be fully unlocked.
And I—the great Captain One-Eyed Becky—can complete the transformation in the Extraordinary Path, becoming a rare and powerful "Shipwreck Mourner"!