In a corner of the aircraft carrier's deck.
Powerful sea winds howled past, making their clothes snap and flutter.
Far from the bustle of the command room and out of everyone else's sight, it was a good place to talk.
Zhao Mengsheng took an unbranded pack of special-issue cigarettes from his pocket, offered one to Yue Xiaofei, then lit one for himself.
He took a deep drag and exhaled a cloud of white smoke, a grave expression settling over his weathered face.
"Xiaofei, you really turned Eastern Japan upside down this time."
Zhao Mengsheng's voice was low.
"In front of the entire world, you dragged their Japanese Emperor away like a dog, then forced their fleet to raise white flags and salute us."
"That wasn't just a slap in the face. You tore their faces off, threw them on the ground, and stomped on them for good measure."
"I guarantee that from today onward, Skull and Bones will put you at the very top of their kill list!"
Yue Xiaofei merely smiled faintly and flicked the ash from his cigarette, unconcerned.
"They already wanted me dead. One more reason won't make a difference."
He had already known that there could be no peace between him and Skull and Bones until one side was dead.
"This is different."
Zhao Mengsheng shook his head, his expression solemn.
"Before, they only saw you as a promising 'target' that needed to be eliminated. But now, you've become a 'threat' capable of shaking their entire strategy in the Asia-Pacific!"
"Your priority has changed."
"The people they send after you next certainly won't be small fry like the ones before."
Yue Xiaofei's gaze grew serious too.
"Uncle Zhao, did you uncover something?"
Zhao Mengsheng nodded and took another drag before speaking slowly.
"Lately, I've been using