Warm Hospitality

"Earlier, while I was on the lookout, I spotted a castaway not far away. It was Chen Qiang, the Undying, from this wanted poster. If we capture him and hand him over to the Marines, we'll get a staggering four hundred million Beli. But if he finds out we're trying to capture him, none of us may make it out alive. So I want to hear what you all think!"

After looking around the room, the captain finally told them what he had just discovered, along with the dilemma he had been wrestling with.

"Of course we should capture him! It's four hundred million Beli! That's almost a year's income for us!" Barque had already heard the captain say they should do it. Putting that together with what the captain had just said, he immediately understood what the captain had meant. Without the slightest hesitation, he was the first to step forward and voice his support.

The other officers understood after hearing Barque speak up that this was probably what the captain wanted. After all, Barque was always trying to curry favor with him. If he hadn't understood the captain's intentions, he wouldn't have been the first to speak up like this. So, after a moment's thought, everyone agreed.

After all, this was what the captain wanted, and four hundred million Beli was simply too much to turn down.

"Since everyone agrees, I'll explain my plan. We'll do this, then that!"

Seeing that everyone was on board, Captain Gill nodded with satisfaction and began laying out the plan he had come up with. The officers offered a few suggestions of their own, and before long, they had worked out a practical plan.

"All right, he'll be coming aboard soon. Everyone, go get ready according to the plan! This time, we absolutely cannot fail!"

Once every detail of the plan had been arranged, Captain Gill sent the others off to prepare. He adjusted his expression, letting the stern look on his face soften into a kind smile. After checking it in the mirror and deciding he looked the part, he left the meeting room.

Meanwhile, Chen Qiang had been practicing the Blood Refining Technique out of sheer boredom. His whole body was wrapped in blood-red flames, while he also focused on studying his abilities.

Suddenly, he sensed that something was watching him. He immediately stopped practicing and looked toward the direction of the sensation. A huge merchant ship had appeared in the distance.

Chen Qiang was overjoyed. He hadn't seen a single person in days. All around him had been nothing but endless seawater and a sky full of stars. It was worse than being locked in prison. At least in prison, he could talk to other inmates. Out here, there was nothing.

If this kept up, Chen Qiang thought his mental state might start to deteriorate again. Now that he finally saw a ship in the distance, how could he not be excited?

Without hesitation, he stopped practicing and dispelled the red glow around himself. Then he waved toward the ship, hoping they would notice him and rescue him.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. The crew spotted him, and the ship turned slightly, heading his way.

Seeing this, Chen Qiang quickly tidied himself up. First, he washed his face with seawater, then fixed his hair. His job interview experience from his previous life had taught him that a good first impression mattered.

He didn't have to wait long. About ten minutes later, the merchant ship pulled up beside him.

Chen Qiang didn't wait for them to lower a small boat and ferry him aboard. He stamped on the wooden plank beneath his feet and leaped into the air. When he landed, he was already on the ship.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

"You've got quite a set of moves, young man!"

As soon as Chen Qiang came aboard, a chubby man in a captain's uniform approached, clapping his hands and wearing a kindly smile.

"And you are?"

"Hahaha! I'm Gill, captain of a merchant ship belonging to the Defu Trading Company. I spotted you alone at sea from the lookout and figured you might be a castaway, so I had my crew steer over. I was going to wait until we got closer before lowering a small boat to bring you aboard. I didn't expect you to be strong enough to get on by yourself!"

"Thank you, Captain Gill. I was indeed stranded at sea after encountering a tsunami a few days ago. If I hadn't run into you, who knows how much longer I'd have been drifting out there!"

"Don't mention it. Those of us who make our living at sea never know when disaster might strike. If we come across someone in need, of course we should help. Who knows? We might run into trouble ourselves someday and need someone to lend us a hand!"

Captain Gill continued with a smile. As he spoke, he slowly walked over to Chen Qiang, took him by the hand, and continued, "Come along, young man. Let's go inside and talk. I've already had someone heat some water for you. You must have had a rough time out there these past few days. A nice hot bath will help you wash away the bad luck!"

"Thank you, Captain Gill."

Chen Qiang found the man's warmth rather strange. He was just a castaway. Even if the captain had rescued him, there was no reason to be this hospitable. Still, he really did need a proper bath. After spending days at sea, he reeked of fish, and a quick wash wouldn't be enough to get rid of the smell. So he didn't refuse.

He smiled and agreed, then carefully slipped his hand out of the captain's. As a straight man, Chen Qiang wasn't used to having another man hold his hand.

"Hahaha! No need to thank me, young man. Come this way!"

Captain Gill didn't seem to mind Chen Qiang pulling his hand away. He simply laughed and led the way into the ship's cabin.

After winding through several corridors, Chen Qiang was led into a room. There really was a bathtub inside, already filled with hot water.

"This is the place, young man. When you're done bathing, ask the sailor waiting outside to show you where we eat. I've already asked the kitchen to prepare plenty of food, so you can have a proper meal in a little while. After that, we can have a good chat!"

After bringing Chen Qiang there, Gill didn't linger. He gave him a few instructions, then left with a smile, closing the door behind him as he went.

"Something's off!"

Left alone in the room, Chen Qiang watched the captain shut the door behind him and felt even more certain that something was strange.