Splitting

The Awakened Rope's ability was far more potent than Ian had imagined.

However, the Awakened Rope was too short. Even with high utilization, it could clearly only handle the sails on the mainmast.

A new-style Galleon typically had four masts. Ian had deliberately removed the bowsprit to make room for cannons at the bow and ensure a clear firing arc, but there were still three masts. The Awakened Rope alone was obviously insufficient.

"Milta, I have a task for you."

"Ian" woke up the dazed "Milta": "Quickly tie the sails onto the remaining masts. We need to be ready to set sail at any moment."

That's right, Ian's strategy was to tie on the sails but not raise them. Just put on a show.

If anyone at sea saw Ian without raised sails and tried to "take advantage," Ian wouldn't mind teaching them a lesson.

Hearing the captain's voice, Milta snapped back to attention and said excitedly, "Captain, I definitely won't disappoint you!"

Perhaps it was because he had seen too many unbelievable things recently, but Milta's adaptability had clearly improved.

Milta tidied up the ropes, preparing to work through the night. Ian went up and gave him a light kick: "Go back and rest. We'll do it tomorrow."

The two of them tidied up their things and prepared to return to the tower to rest.

"Hey, Milta, did anyone come looking for me today?"

At the entrance to the third-floor stairs, as Milta was about to return to his room, Ian suddenly asked, as if he had just remembered something.

"No, Captain. I was here the whole time today. No one came."

Milta sounded certain.

Ian waved him back to rest and returned to his room, lost in thought.

Today was the trading day with the Whaling Group. As agreed, Lia should have come for the second transaction this morning.

When Ian went out this morning, he had waited for a while, but Lia hadn't come.

He thought she might have been delayed. Before leaving, Ian had placed the items in the living room and instructed Milta to bring Lia directly to the fourth floor if she arrived.

However, the person he was waiting for still hadn't shown up.

Ian stood by the window, the sea breeze rustling his windbreaker. He looked in the direction of Breath of the Ocean and decided to go take a look first thing tomorrow morning.

"Crack!"

A pipe was once again slammed hard onto the ground. This time, however, it couldn't withstand its owner's fury and shattered into pieces, scattering everywhere.

Its owner didn't even glance at it.

Abigail's expression was agitated, his large nose flushed red, his beard trembling:

"Wake up! Don't let greed blind you! Who do you think those people are, philanthropists? They just want to use..."

A somewhat sharp voice rudely interrupted him:

"Perhaps it's you who needs to wake up, Guild Leader! You're the stubborn one. Why was the Whaling Group founded? For survival! To give everyone gold coins, a chance to achieve the extraordinary. Why wouldn't we seize a better opportunity now..."

"The New Continent isn't a sweet pastry; it's a deep-sea vortex that devours everything! Everyone involved will be ground to dust--"

"Fortune favors the bold! Where in the Sea of Miracles is there no danger?! Is hunting sea beasts with Gari not risky? Have you forgotten how those brothers died last month..."

"..."

Heated arguments echoed incessantly within the room.

This internal meeting of the Whaling Group had been going on since early morning, and the atmosphere was growing increasingly tense, with everyone's emotions becoming more agitated.

Damir stood rigidly behind the Guild Leader's sofa. In his opinion, these people were simply ungrateful. Without the Guild Leader, most of them wouldn't be alive now.

Lia stood with her arms crossed, leaning expressionlessly in the shadows by the wall. However, judging by her stiff fingers, clenched too tightly, her inner turmoil was far from calm.

She had just prepared to go find Ian this morning when she suddenly received notice that all the high-ranking members of the Whaling Group were to hold a meeting.

The organizer wasn't the Guild Leader, but the captains of the whaling ships, represented by Warren. All twelve captains were present.

Warren brought up the old matter again: the Poderia Navy's plan to absorb the Whaling Group and establish the Fourth Fleet.

Abigail took several deep breaths and looked around: Warren, whose bald head was glowing red with indignation; Greg and Jill, who were looking down in silence; Uma, whose face was no longer smiling, but contorted in pain...

Abigail slumped back into the sofa, somewhat dejected. He knew the Poderia Navy was deliberately sowing discord, but ultimately, people's hearts were wavering...

Even if he suppressed this, the Whaling Group would no longer be the Whaling Group it once was. Moreover, this time, he couldn't suppress it.

"Since that's the case, I won't force anyone. Whoever wants to leave, I won't stop them. But I have some things to say upfront: if anyone violates them, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

Abigail, having calmed down, regained his commanding presence. The room instantly fell silent.

"First, whether to leave the Whaling Group is entirely voluntary. No coercion is allowed!"

Abigail's gaze at the captains sharpened:

"Second, you can only take your own property. Many people's Extraordinary Sequence were given to you by the Whaling Group. I won't take them back. However, many captains' ships are the property of the guild. You are forbidden to take them!"

Abigail stood up and scanned the room: "Now, state your positions!"

Warren stood up without hesitation, walking to the other side of the room.

Greg and Jill hesitated for a moment before also standing up and walking behind Warren with their heads bowed.

Damir's knuckles turned white as he gripped the sword hilt, his teeth grinding. He glared fiercely at Greg and Jill.

Uma clasped his head in his hands, burying his face in his knees, silent.

The other eight Level 6 captains exchanged glances, then one by one, they stepped behind Warren.

Damir, taut as a bowstring, finally lost it. With a clang, he drew his sword and roared, "You traitors—"

Abigail grabbed Damir's hand. He looked again at the others, but everyone silently averted their gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

"It's entirely up to personal will; life and death are fated! Once you're down there, carefully relay my previous orders and requirements. The day after tomorrow, afternoon, at the Whaling Group docks, everyone must be present!"

A relatively orderly chorus of agreement sounded, and the group began to leave the room.

As the crowd departed, Abigail's expression flickered with changing emotions.

The moment he saw almost all the captains standing opposite him, he knew the situation was far more serious than he had imagined.

"The Navy Ministry has some serious tactics. If it were mere temptation, I wouldn't care. But if they dare to coerce my crew, do they think my name, Abigail, is just for show!"

Abigail was usually open-minded, but this time, he was truly enraged. He would investigate this matter thoroughly.

"Damir, you'll act with me tomorrow."

"Uma, I need you to return to the ship and gather the crew, awaiting orders."

"Lia, hmm... get some good rest. Try to stay home these few days. All external cooperation is to be suspended."