"There's a character on the flag—it's the word 'Yi'!"
"Any factions around here with the name 'Yi'? I've never heard of one. And look at that massive fleet—those are all elite soldiers! They're far stronger than any pirates we've seen. Where did this army come from?"
"Could they be from our Caribbean Sea Region? Doesn't seem likely. Even if someone tried to establish such a fleet, the pirates wouldn't sit idly by. They'd destroy it immediately."
The civilians watching were filled with shock and confusion, whispering guesses and doubts.
In the Caribbean Sea Region, it was common knowledge: on land, you could build cities or even kingdoms, and the pirates wouldn't care. But if anyone dared to develop a navy, they'd immediately become a target of ruthless pirate assaults. The pirates wouldn't stop until that navy was utterly annihilated.
Trade ships were an exception—they were prey, not enemies to be exterminated.
But this fleet—grand, orderly, and flying banners of overwhelming majesty—was not something pirates would allow to exist.
Clearly, it had to be from outside the Caribbean Sea Region.
"I heard that just beyond the Caribbean lies the Hanhai Region, the territory of the first Human Destiny Dynasty—the Great Yi Empire.It's said the entire Hanhai Sea is under Great Yi's rule, and even pirates don't dare approach.The border is guarded by an Iron-Blood Great Wall—no one gets through without permission.This fleet is flying both the Mountain-River Ten-Thousand-Dragon Flag and the 'Yi' character… could this be the navy of Great Yi?"
A fisherman's eyes lit up with excitement and suspicion.
If that was true, it would be earth-shattering. It could even change the entire future of their lives.
The news spread like wildfire to Coconut King City.
The city lord of Coconut King City was no ordinary figure—he was Zheng Zhilong, head of the Zheng Clan, the uncontested rulers of the island.
It was said the Zheng Clan operated a fleet that regularly traveled among islands for trade, but there were rumors that they occasionally turned pirate, revealing their fangs when opportunity arose.
Whether the stories were true, no one could say.
But such rumors were not baseless—they had circulated for years.
At this moment, Zheng Zhilong was away.
Left in charge was his son, Zheng Chenggong, a young man with sharp eyes and composed bearing. Though only in his twenties, he had long proven himself capable of managing affairs. Whenever his father was absent, Zheng Chenggong oversaw everything, and chaos never erupted.
Zheng Zhilong trusted him completely.
When the report reached him…
"What? An external fleet approaching Coconut King Island?And there are rumors it's the Great Yi Empire's navy?"
A storm surged in Zheng Chenggong's heart.
"Quick! Head to the harbor!"
He immediately issued orders and rushed toward the docks. If Great Yi truly intended to intervene in the Caribbean, then the entire region's balance of power would be overturned. Especially for pirates—it would be catastrophic.
Great Yi would never tolerate pirates in its territory.
Despite his youthful appearance, Zheng Chenggong was well-seasoned. As he hurried toward the harbor, his thoughts raced.
If Great Yi truly arrives… what will become of the Zheng Clan?Great Yi doesn't tolerate independent states within its empire.And if Great Yi's policies come here, the people of Coconut King City will surely side with them. Public sentiment alone could overturn us.And Father is out at sea with the fleet… he mustn't encounter Great Yi's navy!
While outsiders might not know the truth, Zheng Chenggong was well aware: though the Zheng Clan operated as merchants, they sometimes acted as pirates, raiding targets under the cover of anonymity.
They never flew the Zheng Clan banner while doing so.
To ordinary people, these were just rumors. But once confirmed, they'd become evidence.
What made the Zheng Clan even more fearsome was their secret trump card: a warship that could rival the Ten Legendary Pirate Ships—the Zheng He Treasure Ship.
This ship was said to be the largest vessel from Zheng He's voyages during the Ming Dynasty, once feared by countless foreign nations. After the world fused into one, the ship fell into the Zheng Clan's hands and was transformed, gaining incredible power—on par with the most powerful pirate vessels.
The Zheng Clan, however, had kept this ship's true strength hidden. Even when operating as pirates, they never revealed its full might.
Had they done so, the Caribbean would not speak of ten legendary pirates, but eleven.
The Zheng Clan's motto: act boldly, live quietly.
But now, with Great Yi's arrival, everything was about to change. The implications were world-shaking.
What Zheng Chenggong most wanted to know right now was—is that really the Great Yi navy?
Soon, Zheng Chenggong arrived at the harbor.
He saw throngs of civilians, all staring out at sea, hopeful and curious. That look in their eyes weighed heavily on him.
Public sentiment is already shifting…Great Yi's advantage in winning the people's hearts is unmatched…
And indeed, Great Yi's reputation had been earned, not given.
It was the fruit of fifty years of relentless effort and countless victories.
Zheng Chenggong could only admire it—to replicate such prestige was all but impossible.
The fleet arrived soon after, though they stopped offshore, not landing directly, clearly indicating their peaceful intent.
"This is Coconut King Island.I am Zheng Chenggong, son of City Lord Zheng Zhilong.May I ask who commands this fleet, and what business brings you to our island?"
Zheng Chenggong took a deep breath and respectfully addressed the commander.
"This general is Gan Ning, Commander of the Red Legion, one of the Seven Colored Legions of the Great Yi Empire,"Gan Ning replied, looking Zheng Chenggong over with some approval.
He was clearly not a fool—and a fellow human, of the same bloodline, which gave him a certain affinity.
"We are here at the invitation of the Blue Moon Dynasty, to enter the Caribbean Sea Region, eliminate pirates, and survey the surrounding waters.Please rest assured—we are not pirates, and we mean no harm."
His tone was firm, and immediately reassuring.
The crowd's tension melted away.
It really was Great Yi!
A wave of joy swept through the onlookers.
"Amazing! With Great Yi here, those damned pirates are finished!"
"Heaven has finally opened its eyes!No—not heaven, but Great Yi has shown us mercy!"
"We've suffered under pirates for years.Now that Great Yi is here, there's finally hope!"
"Please, let them come faster! We're willing to become Great Yi citizens right now!"
People around the harbor were ecstatic, their faces red with excitement. Many wished Great Yi would just occupy the island immediately and raise their banners so they could finally become true citizens of the empire.
They had heard of the heavenly life within Great Yi—incomparable to anything in the outside world.
Though this was not yet a conquest, the hope had been lit.
A brighter future was in sight.
"So the famed Heavenly Army of Great Yi has come…It is our humble honor to welcome you to Coconut King Island,"Zheng Chenggong said solemnly."If there's anything we can do for you, we are at your service."
"There's no need for anything drastic," Gan Ning said gently."We simply have one question."
"Please, ask away," Zheng Chenggong replied quickly.
"We've ventured deep into the Caribbean, traveling tens of thousands of kilometers, yet we've encountered not a single pirate or pirate ship.According to our intelligence, the sea should be full of pirates, big and small.But we haven't seen a trace of them.Why is that? We'd appreciate any clarification."
Gan Ning spoke directly. If they couldn't uncover the reason, this expedition would be fruitless.
"Ah… so that's what's troubling the general,"Zheng Chenggong said, realization dawning on his face.
"You see, in the Caribbean, the pirates have formed an alliance, known as the Pirate League. Its supreme leader is the Pirate Emperor, revered by all pirates.Beneath him are the Ten Legendary Pirate Kings."
"According to tradition, once every ten years, the entire pirate fleet converges for a grand assembly—a pirate festival.It lasts for three months, during which no pirate activity occurs at sea."
"They all gather to pay tribute to the Pirate Emperor and join the festivities."