Ye Chen had no strength left. He beckoned to Rand and Yas, but both men shook their heads in terror. Ye Chen slowly drew Oto and flicked his wrist, deliberately flashing the blade before them. "If you don't do as you're told, I'll send you to your graves right now."
"Ah..."
The two men had no choice but to climb aboard, trembling. From there, things got much easier. Ye Chen lay comfortably on the deck with his eyes half-closed while Rand and Yas rolled up their sleeves and rowed for all they were worth. Even when sweat poured down their faces, neither dared stop.
With a boat and two obedient Bounty Hunters at his side, Ye Chen had gotten lucky. Heaven had shown him just enough mercy to keep him and Lucci from becoming wandering ghosts beneath the waves. After half a day at sea, they finally spotted a small island. Ye Chen pointed toward it. "Make for shore. Now."
"All right. But..."
Rand hesitated. He looked at Ye Chen and shuddered despite himself. "You're not going to kill us both as soon as we land, are you?"
It was a fair question. They had wanted to cut off Ye Chen's head and collect the bounty. Ye Chen could not be bothered with him. He shot Rand a disdainful look. "Are your heads worth anything?"
"No! Not a penny! We're just two small-time Bounty Hunters."
Rand shook his head like a rattle as he answered.
"Hmph. Then why would I be interested in your heads?"
Ye Chen reached over and felt Lucci's body. His condition had worsened. His injuries were far more severe than Ye Chen's. When Strawberry had struck, Ye Chen had at least had Qigong to protect him. Lucci, immersed in seawater, had been no different from a