He looked around at everyone, his voice turning grave. "There's a mole in Dragon Ascending Town. The She Family, one of the three great families, is colluding with the pirates, but they've kept themselves hidden all this time, and we haven't been able to get evidence. With the pirates attacking this time, they're bound to make a move. As long as they do, we'll have a reason to deal with them."
"But Dragon Ascending Town's defenses are too weak right now. If the pirates really split their forces and head there..." Ma Sanbao said, a little worried.
Xiao Yun waved a hand. "I've made arrangements for Dragon Ascending Town. Shui Ruolin's City Guard may not have finished training yet, but they can still hold the city for a while. The Shui Family and the Xue Family won't stand by and do nothing either. Besides—"
He glanced at Shui Bing'er. "Bing'er and I will stay on the ship and deal with the enemies at sea. As for the town, I've also arranged for a high-level soul master to be there."
Shui Bing'er was slightly startled and wanted to say something, but when she saw Xiao Yun's expression, she did not speak.
Ma Sanbao fell silent for a moment, then stood up and straightened his back.
"This subordinate understands." His voice became steady, and a firm light flashed in his eyes. "Rest assured, my lord. This subordinate will not fail you!"
He turned and walked out of the captain's cabin, stood before the helm, and took a deep breath.
"Brothers, raise the sails! Full left rudder, target—southeast!"
The Peace-Sea slowly turned around. Its sails swelled in the night wind, and its hull cut through the waves as it sailed toward the southeast.
The sea wind gradually grew stronger, and the ship's speed