"What? The boat sank? Everyone died?"
Branch Master Liu's face was filled with shock upon hearing the report.
Ke Biqun had also arrived at the scene by then. She stood obediently beside Xu Yue, and her face likewise showed surprise when she heard this.
That vessel had been a Gold-class Painted Boat of the Great River Gang, one of the branch helm's few high-quality assets.
A Deputy Helm Master had been stationed aboard it year-round.
And now, both the ship and everyone on it were gone?
"Any survivors?"
"Not for now. Many of the bodies were washed away by the water and haven't been recovered."
The steward delivering the report had sweat covering his forehead as well.
This was no minor matter. It was enough to alarm the branch hall in Maoling.
"You may go..."
Branch Master Liu waved the steward away with a grave expression. He sat in his chair and pondered for a moment before looking up and giving the three of them a bitter smile.
"I'm afraid we have trouble."
"Indeed. Nothing happened before, but the moment your order went out, something did. That can only mean they have people within the Great River Gang, and their position isn't low. There was definitely some secret hidden aboard that painted boat."
Xu Yue spoke casually.
Their actions this time had been rather hasty. Anyone could see there was something wrong.
And the cause had to be the order Branch Master Liu had given.
They had not silenced anyone before because those lurking in the shadows had deliberately created a false impression, and because they lacked manpower.
There had been too many people aboard the painted boat who were not theirs. They could not possibly conceal everything, so they had deliberately reported it as an ordinary incident.
There had