You dare interview even this... Chen Qi couldn't help but think that even if the Whale Father of the Blackfin Crew or the legendary Ice Witch appeared, she would still dare to interview them!
This is what a pure Lamp-affinity Transcendent is like...
Troublesome... Chen Qi lightly tapped the blade of his longsword.
Actually, accepting Pelu's interview wasn't completely out of the question.
No matter what, once Pelu returned to Moonstone City, she would report today's events - no one could stop her.
However, he couldn't casually agree to an interview with Pelu.
Chen Qi pondered.
Although he held no hostility toward Pelu, he absolutely couldn't appear too friendly either, otherwise she would only become increasingly bold.
Moreover, maintaining his image was crucial.
Appearing too friendly would invite others to take advantage.
Appearing too dangerous would attract hunting parties from Beiguo.
After some consideration, Chen Qi spoke:
"Fine, but you must pay an appropriate price."
At the mention of "price," Pelu trembled as she stared at the massive tentacles and hesitantly picked up her camera:
"Mr. Black Hunter? May I ask... what kind of price?"
Chen Qi thought for a moment.
Pelu was Moonstone City's largest and most easily satisfied information broker.
A qualified second-tier Transcendent needed to master movement techniques, defensive skills, and perception abilities.
He had already mastered all these.
Beyond that, a qualified second-tier Transcendent also needed skills to enhance spiritual energy foundations and physical foundations.
His physique was already formidable enough - what he lacked most was a skill to enhance his spiritual energy foundation.
Simply put, what he needed was an advanced Breathing Technique or Meditation Technique - something that could normalize stamina and spiritual energy while elevating his spiritual foundation.
Although these skills were considered essential for any qualified second-tier Transcendent according to guides, very few actually managed to acquire them.
However, asking Pelu about such skills while posing as the Black Hunter wasn't a good choice.
It would make him appear poor and weak.
He needed a different question... After some thought, Chen Qi tapped his longsword:
"Information about Doctor Crow, the Cloaked Elder, or Siren."
"!!!"
Pelu's mouth fell slightly open.
Coincidentally, she had recently been tracking information about these three individuals.
According to intelligence, these three were currently hiding in coastal waters, preparing for something big!
If they succeeded in summoning deep-sea monsters, it would undoubtedly throw the coastal regions into chaos.
"My deepest apologies!"
Pelu trembled as she spoke again:
"Um... I haven't located their whereabouts yet, only information about their identities."
Chen Qi tilted his head in thought:
"That information will suffice for now. As for the rest, I can give you some time."
Pelu immediately nodded vigorously:
"I'll work hard! Black Hunter!"
"Naturally, if you fail..."
Chen Qi smiled slightly, making a head-crushing gesture while stomping down hard with his right foot.
The Ghost Captain's skull emitted a cracking sound.
Bang!
Pelu felt a phantom pain in her own head - if she failed, her skull would meet the same fate as the Ghost Captain's.
Chen Qi thought to himself.
If she fails, Deepsea Water Spirit No.1 will climb to her bedside while she sleeps and deliver a watery punch to her head!
"I understand... I'll work hard."
Then Pelu took out notepaper and a quill, asking curiously:
"Mr. Black Hunter, may I interview you now?"
She was extremely excited - while she hadn't managed to interview the Flower Witch, getting an interview with the Black Hunter was still quite the scoop!
"Proceed."
Chen Qi organized his thoughts.
Even if he refused the interview, Pelu would just make things up based on her imagination.
Might as well try using his answers to shape a favorable image of himself in the Witch Sea.
Pelu blinked:
"May I ask, Black Hunter, what is your relationship with the Flower Witch?"
What kind of question is this?
Relationship... Chen Qi searched his memories.
The Flower Witch was quite adorable and remarkably resilient.
He rather liked the Flower Witch, though currently, they hadn't reached the stage of confiding secrets to each other.
Friends...
No, after shared experiences, they were closer than ordinary friends.
If forced to define it... Chen Qi considered before giving a simple answer:
"Business partners."
The art of interviews lies in speaking nonsense... Chen Qi understood this well.
Business partners... Pelu was slightly shocked.
Partnership implied they shared a common goal!
The Flower Witch's goal seemed to be collecting Witch profession cards.
Additionally, she appeared interested in uncovering deep-sea secrets.
No, there might be even more explosive objectives!
Wait, the Flower Witch's goal was seeking Witch profession cards.
Could it be... the Black Hunter also wanted to become a Witch?
No... Pelu suppressed her wild imagination, crossing out "Black Hunter suspected of wanting Witch profession cards" and instead writing:
#Shocking! Flower Witch and Deep Sea Monster Black Hunter Have Reached Secret Cooperation and Deal!#
Chen Qi watched the serious Pelu, quietly awaiting the next question.
Pelu then asked something many adventurers wondered about:
"Black Hunter, adventurers in the Witch Sea all say you enjoy sowing your seed in helpless human women at night - is this true?"
What the hell are you talking about... Chen Qi's eye twitched beneath his cloak.
In Deepsea Titan territory, despite having done nothing, he'd somehow gained all sorts of unsavory rumors! And ones that damaged his good image no less!
The Flower Witch knew his true identity - if these rumors reached her ears...
What would she think of him? What would people in the Witch Sea think?
Chen Qi seriously refuted the rumor:
"I am not one of those foolish parasitic sea creatures, nor do I have any interest in sowing seeds in human women."
No interest in human women...
Pelu nodded.
Meaning he was interested in non-humans? Or human males? Or simply viewed humans as tools?
But from all appearances, he was just a special kind of human!
No no, this fits the nature of a monster-person!
Such creatures inevitably have their... specialties in certain areas.
This was crucial intelligence!
Pelu's hand trembled slightly as she wrote:
#Black Hunter Declares No Interest in Human Women!#
This report could go in the Goldenfinch Kingdom special edition... Pelu took a deep breath before her final question:
"Um, Mr. Black Hunter, why are you seeking Doctor Crow and the others? To hunt the deep-sea monsters they'll summon?"
Too specific...
Chen Qi pondered.
Deep-sea monsters might prove useful to him - this was actually an excellent opportunity, a chance to grow stronger quickly.
Of course, he couldn't tell Pelu that.
Best to brush it off with something vague... Chen Qi ran his finger along his sword:
"Interest."
Another perfect non-answer, Chen Qi thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Pelu's right hand trembled slightly.
Interest!
You're interested in both the deep-sea monsters and three pirates?
Pelu was shocked, struggling to steady her shaking hand as she wrote:
"Black Hunter Expresses Interest in Three Mysterious Pirates and the Deep-Sea Monsters They Plan to Summon in Coastal Waters!"
No interest in human women, but keen interest in three pirates and deep-sea monsters.
Pelu looked at the three connected yet somewhat contradictory headlines and nodded in satisfaction.
This would definitely make front-page news!
Pelu put away her notes and bowed again:
"Thank you for the interview, Mr. Black Hunter."
What exactly did she record... Chen Qi frowned, sensing impending trouble.
Whatever, continuing this would only lead to more complications.
Pelu packed her briefcase and notes:
"Mr. Black Hunter, thank you so much. How should I deliver the information to you?"
She currently lacked the courage to enter White Tree Shallows again.
"Just drop a message in a bottle at the designated sea area."
Chen Qi specified a particular location.
He could send the Deepsea Water Spirits to collect intelligence.
"Understood! I'll do my best, Mr. Black Hunter! If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask!"
Pelu thanked him while trembling.
Chen Qi chuckled softly:
"Mm, you may leave now..."
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
The thoroughly drenched Pelu slowly moved to the ship's edge, plunged into the sea, and swam with all her might while calling for her white pigeon.
......
"Finally gone..."
Chen Qi watched Pelu swim away.
Hopefully the White Pigeon Times would publish something normal about him.
Chen Qi recalled that advancing certain special professions required conceptual metrics like "Legendary Status" or "Righteousness Rating."
Moreover, a bad reputation might attract attention from inland hunter groups.
Thus, a good reputation was exceptionally important.
Chen Qi sheathed Flesh Cleaver Bone Breaker.
Regardless, he had eliminated a major scourge from coastal waters!
At this moment, the six Deepsea Water Spirits wearing skeletal helmets approached.
Wielding elite skeleton spine blades, they cried:
"Waku! Waku! (Master, we've breached the ghost ship's engine room!)"
"Well done, little ones!"
Chen Qi placed the water spirits on his lap one by one, rewarding them with skilled massage techniques.
"Waku waku!"
The water spirits made pleased expressions.
After the massage session, Chen Qi surveyed his surroundings.
The ghost ship's green flames had extinguished, meaning the water spirits had successfully removed its green flame engine.
Beneath his feet, the Ghost Captain had also ceased breathing.
Time to loot!
Chen Qi rubbed his hands together excitedly.