Luo Tian Hai led the boy to a remote village.
Lan Hao Tian was overwhelmed by the sight before him.
The villagers wore clean, well-made clothes. Their houses were solid and tidy. More importantly, there was not even a trace of hardship in their expressions or movements.
All of this fell into Luo Tian Hai's watchful eyes. He chuckled and asked,
"Curious, aren't you? Wondering why a place this peaceful hasn't caught the Empire's attention?"
Lan Hao Tian nodded silently. After years of living in poverty, this was the first time he'd witnessed such abundance. His heart brimmed with questions.
But the answer left him even more surprised.
"It's simple. There's nothing of value here. No rare resources. Aside from a bit of forest and clean water, the island holds nothing the Empire deems worthwhile. That's why they leave it alone. It's too small to bother with."
So many words, yet the meaning was clear — this place wasn't worth enough.
Lan Hao Tian understood, but the idea unsettled him.
"Is... the lack of resources actually a good thing?"
Seeing the boy deep in thought, Luo Tian Hai spoke again.
"So? What do you think? Is having no resources truly an advantage?"
Lan Hao Tian shook his head.
"That's something only thieves would say. Resources exist to serve the people. Lacking them is a massive disadvantage."
"You're not wrong. But your truth doesn't match the world we live in. Hopefully, one day, you'll build a world where it does." Luo Tian Hai replied.
...
Years passed. Fifteen, to be exact.
Though Luo Tian Hai was often away, Lan Hao Tian had been trained in everything he needed to become strong.
Now, he stood on the edge of a cliff, gazing out over the endless ocean.
"It's time," he muttered.
"My foundation is complete. All that's left are real-life and death trials to push me further. No goodbyes—leaving quietly will be better for everyone."
Without hesitation, he leapt from the cliff.
Dozens of meters down, his feet hit the shore without a scratch.
He was no longer the fragile child of yesterday but a warrior forged by fifteen years of preparation.
The things he brought for his sea journey were remarkably simple — a regional map, a compass, and a small boat.
Creaaak~
As soon as he stepped onto the boat, the wooden planks let out a long groan.
He sighed.
"Looks like this thing won't hold out for long. I'd better head to the nearest island and find a better vessel. Even if it sinks halfway, I could just swim the rest — it's not that far anyway."
He pushed the boat into the water and was just about to step on board when a shadow dropped from the sky above.
BOOM!
Sand exploded in every direction, a cloud of it hitting Lan Hao Tian right in the face and nose.
He let out a furious shout:
"Uncle Luo Tian Hai! Why do you always have to drop from the sky like that?!"
But instead of an apology, he was met with loud laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"I brought you a gift!"
Still annoyed but unable to hide his curiosity, Lan Hao Tian's eyes lit up.
"A gift? What kind of gift?"
Luo Tian Hai pulled a small box from inside his coat. When he opened it, a teardrop-shaped pendant made of radiant, rainbow-colored crystal sparkled inside.
He took the pendant and gently placed it around Lan Hao Tian's neck.
"This is from me. I hope it'll help you on your journey. And remember — become the greatest pirate in the world."
At those words, Lan Hao Tian's face darkened.
"I told you, I'm not becoming a pirate! I'm a good person!"
"Haha, in this world, anyone who stands against the Empire is a pirate. Even if you refuse the title, they'll still brand you with it. So you might as well embrace it from the start."
Lan Hao Tian had no counter to that. After a pause, he reluctantly nodded.
"A pirate, then. I guess it draws less attention than calling myself a revolutionary. Until I have the strength to change everything… I'll be a pirate."
"What, you saying pirates are weak or something?" Luo Tian Hai frowned.
Lan Hao Tian burst out laughing.
"Well, am I wrong? There are tons of pirates out there, but not one true revolutionary!"
"Fine, fine! Now get going. And remember — rise quickly. When you're standing at the top of the world, I'll be there by your side."
"Goodbye, Uncle. Thanks for everything you've taught me… even if you were barely around most of the time."
With that parting shot, he hopped onto the boat and quickly set sail toward the next island.
Luo Tian Hai watched his figure disappear into the horizon. Unbidden, an image of a trembling boy standing amid a burning village flashed through his mind. That fragile shadow merged with the one leaving now, forming a single, proud figure. A satisfied smile curved at the corner of his lips.
"That kid… He's going to make it."
…
It didn't take long for Lan Hao Tian to spot the next island. Naturally, his speed was far from normal.
By now, both the oars and the boat had become worn and battered from hours of relentless rowing. He glanced down at the creaking wood and thought,
"Hopefully, it'll hold together just a bit longer…"
Crack!
Before he could finish the thought, the boat split clean in half. With a shout of frustration, he plunged into the sea.
"Damn it!"
Cursing under his breath, he swam forward, guided only by the compass clenched in one hand.
...
Some time later, on a quiet beach, a soaked but handsome-looking young man emerged slowly from the surf.
If one looked closely, they'd notice bloodstains across his body — not his own, but from the ferocious sea creatures that had attacked him on his way here.
In this world, oceans covered nearly 80% of the planet's surface and were far more treacherous than any land. Countless monsters lurked beneath the waves, each more dangerous than the last.
He had chosen to land on a deserted beach for a reason — few could swim from open ocean to land, and doing so without drawing attention was nearly impossible.
"Hah... finally made it."
He spun around in place, flinging the water off his clothes in a messy spray, then headed into the forest that bordered the shoreline.
After pushing through the dense trees, a large village opened up before his eyes. It wasn't the biggest island he'd ever seen, but it rivaled the one he was born on. Judging by the size, the population here had to be over five thousand.
"Nice. With this many people, I should be able to find a decent ship around here."
Reaching into his shirt, he pulled out a soaked and crumpled map — the same one that had guided him through the open sea. He let out a sigh.
"Guess I'll need to 'borrow' another map too… Being a pirate really has its perks. Just take what you need, whenever you want."
Then, without hesitation, he slapped himself across the cheek.
"Ugh, no. I can't let that kind of thinking become a habit. I'm supposed to be a revolutionary leader one day — not a pirate. This is just temporary."
His time with Luo Tian Hai and the villagers had changed him more than he realized.