At this point, Earl Field couldn’t get away even if he wanted to.
What’s he going to do, fly off with his own men?
This is the deep sea!
A small boat would easily capsize in this vast ocean!
Charles Yin’s words were as good as saying nothing! If we try to move them now, we probably won’t make it in time.
Earl Field said, “Alright, since you dragged me onto this ship, I’ll have to see this through with you! After all, you raised my son for three years—let’s call it even! Now that Hans is blocking us, what’s your plan?”
Charles Yin shook his head and said, “What do you expect me to do? Out here at sea, if we don’t want to surrender, then we’ll just have to fight! I’ve brought plenty of weapons—so unless they sink us, we’ll fight back with everything we’ve got, even if it costs us our lives! Getting the Mo family’s gratitude for free is what really matters.”
Earl Field shook his head in exasperation and went out to take a look.
By now, dawn was breaking.
The eastern sky was already tinged with pale light, and the horizon was gradually becoming clear.
There’s really nothing to think about—it’s fight or surrender, and surrender is absolutely not an option!
Captain Hans has a rotten reputation in the Somali waters.
Most Somali pirates still stick to a code; they won’t kill hostages unless absolutely necessary.
Because of Captain Hans’s ferocity and cruelty, even fellow pirates keep their distance. There’s a twisted satisfaction in destroying such exquisite women.
He usually targets big merchant ships, skips the ransom—wipes out entire crews with a single bullet.
Those Eastern women I’ve had before were delicate, sure, but without substance, their beauty was bland.
Charles Yin has his turf in Africa, but the sea’s not part of it.
So, the two of them always minded their own business—no trouble, no fuss.
But now, meeting at sea, neither one’s backing down.
Hans wants to test Charles Yin, and Charles Yin’s not about to let himself be played—especially the well-endowed one, she really stood out.
So now you’ve got two kings going head-to-head.
Just then, Assistant A, who’d been busy coordinating, ran over to Charles Yin and reported, “Boss, most of the trackers you installed were found, but one made it onto Hans’s ship.”
Charles Yin smiled meaningfully and nodded, “So, this game just got interesting!”
Hans is sly—he’s got the nickname ‘Sea Fox.’ He’s unpredictable, so you have to watch your step when playing mind games with him.
Assistant A was a bit discouraged: “But they’ve got more than ten ships, and we’ve only got one. Can we really take them on?”
Assistant A was a bit discouraged, “But they have more than ten ships, and we only have one. Can we really take them on?”
Assistant A silently gave a thumbs-up in his heart. The boss was just as cunning as ever!
Assistant A silently gave a thumbs-up in his heart. The boss was just as cunning as ever!
Cecilia Gu had always been his bottom line, the one thing no one could touch—his ‘forbidden scale’ (in Chinese legend, a dragon’s forbidden scale is a spot so sensitive that touching it provokes lethal rage).
Hans gripped his binoculars, his gaze lingering on Cecilia Gu and Mona Mu’s faces for a moment. He couldn’t help but lick his lips and say, “So that’s the famous Miss Yun who made such a splash in Japan!”
“Huh? Boss, what are you talking about?” Ian was totally confused. Weren’t they discussing how to destroy that ship? Why was the boss suddenly talking about women?
The boss is handsome, rich, and stylish—what kind of women couldn’t he have?
Hans put down the binoculars, a wicked smile flashing across his face. He glanced at the clueless Ian and said softly, “The most alluring women in the world are still Eastern women. Delicate, petite, elegant—so many beautiful words suit them perfectly. Destroying such exquisite women always brings a strange satisfaction.”
Hans licked his lips again, as if savoring a memory.
“Those Eastern women I’ve played with before were delicate, sure, but without substance, their beauty was bland. This woman is different. Her performance at the Japanese tea ceremony competition showed truly astonishing Eastern etiquette!” Hans turned and ordered Ian, “Go tell them—if they hand over that woman, I’ll let them go.”
Ian was even more baffled.
When had the boss ever let anyone go before?
“Why should only he test your limits? Can’t you test his?” Cecilia Gu looked up at Charles Yin. “It’s time for an Empty Fort Strategy.” (Note: The ‘Empty Fort Strategy’ is a famous ruse from Chinese history, where one feigns confidence in the face of danger to trick the enemy into retreating.)
A bright idea flashed in Charles Yin’s eyes. “How do you plan to play the Empty Fort Strategy?”
The other woman? She was just average.
Aren’t all Eastern women supposed to look alike?
Sure, she was delicate, but totally not his type.
Charles Yin immediately had someone relay the message: “Since Captain Hans appreciates my wife’s talent, let’s not stand on ceremony—today, we’ll give him a free performance.”
Well, he was Black… They usually preferred women with impressive curves.
Hans’s message quickly reached Charles Yin’s ship.
Hans’s message quickly reached Charles Yin’s ship.
Unsurprisingly, everyone on board was furious.
Charles Yin kept a calm face, but the murderous intent in his eyes was clear.
[Omit: This chapter isn’t over yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!]
Cecilia Gu had always been his bottom line, the one thing no one could touch—his ‘forbidden scale’ (in Chinese legend, a dragon’s forbidden scale is a spot so sensitive that touching it provokes lethal rage).
If Hans wanted money, goods, or territory from Charles Yin, he wouldn’t be this angry.
But the fact that Hans set his sights on Cecilia Gu? That was crossing the line—no way anyone could let that slide.
Just as everyone was about to rush over and fight, Cecilia Gu found Charles Yin and gave him a gentle smile. “If you get angry now, you’re falling into his trap! He’s pushing your limits, trying to figure out how much I mean to you.”
Charles Yin pulled Cecilia Gu into his arms. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer for long.”
Cecilia Gu wrapped her arms around his waist. “I get it. If I can’t even handle this, how can I stick with you in the future?”
Cecilia Gu glanced at Hans’s fleet in the distance and said softly, “He wants me, right? I’ll show him what it means to want but never have.”
“What are you planning?” Charles Yin frowned slightly.
“Why should only he test your limits? Can’t you test his?” Cecilia Gu looked up at Charles Yin. “It’s time for an Empty Fort Strategy.” (Note: The ‘Empty Fort Strategy’ is a famous ruse from Chinese history, where one feigns confidence in the face of danger to trick the enemy into retreating.)
A bright idea flashed in Charles Yin’s eyes. “How do you plan to play the Empty Fort Strategy?”
Cecilia Gu tilted her head at Charles Yin and said, “Back when Sima Yi besieged Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Liang played a piece on the guzheng. Since Captain Hans admires Chinese culture so much, how could I disappoint him? Didn’t we bring a set of instruments on this trip? Let’s perform for him on the deck.”
Charles Yin hugged Cecilia Gu and gave her a fierce kiss.
With such effortless grace, Cecilia Gu turned the enemy’s malice back at them—truly worthy of being Charles Yin’s wife.
Charles Yin immediately had someone relay the message: “Since Captain Hans appreciates my wife’s talent, let’s not stand on ceremony—today, we’ll give him a free performance.”
Captain Hans received Charles Yin’s message and chuckled, “Interesting, interesting.”
Sure enough, a few minutes later, a guzheng was placed at the front of the deck.
Cecilia Gu led four beautiful girls onto the deck. She knelt in front of the guzheng, while the others knelt behind her—one brewed tea, one burned incense, one painted, and one embroidered.
Cecilia Gu adjusted her mic, broadcasting her voice across several kilometers of sea.
Even without direct communication, everyone could hear her voice.
“I’ve heard Captain Hans is fond of Chinese culture. As a bearer of that culture, I’m naturally delighted. But Chinese culture is profound—how much Captain Hans understands depends on his own fate.” Knowing her job was to buy time for the Mo family and the authorities, Cecilia Gu didn’t mind saying a few extra words. “This piece, ‘General’s Order,’ is dedicated to Captain Hans.”
Hans left his cabin and stood on the deck, watching the Eastern woman on the other ship through his binoculars.
At that moment, Cecilia Gu had changed into a gauzy Hanfu dress, looking stunningly graceful.
With a flick and sweep of her fingers, elegant notes from the guzheng, amplified by high-quality speakers, instantly filled the surrounding sea for five miles.
Cecilia Gu’s skills weren’t extraordinary, but this piece was a required part of her etiquette training, so she could perform it flawlessly.
As she played ‘General’s Order’ with practiced ease, everyone around was left a little stunned.
Meanwhile, on Hans’s hostage ship, Grandpa Mo’s eyes suddenly sparkled.
Anyone familiar with this piece knows it depicts the majesty of ancient generals, their agility in battle, and the tension of combat.
But at this moment, the piece had another meaning: it was a signal to Grandpa Mo, hidden among the hostages, that they knew he was there!
Though Grandpa Mo had spent his life in the military, he was well-versed in literature too.
So Grandpa Mo instantly understood Cecilia Gu’s message.
After finishing the first piece, Cecilia Gu transitioned to ‘Ambush from Ten Sides,’ letting Grandpa Mo know about their current predicament and warning him not to make any rash moves, because Hans had set a trap for them too.