Chapter 604: Winds of Change

, "Don't tell me you really came to see Jun Zhi牧…"Suddenly, Qiao Bao'er's expression froze.A black Rolls-Royce drove past them, with Junzhi Mu and Xia Chui Xue inside. They seemed to be having a good...The sea was calm.

The cruise ship is sailing along the previously set course, with an average speed reduced from 38 knots to 22 knots, which is within safe limits. All systems in the ship's various areas and remote signals are functioning normally. There are no abnormalities within a 1000 nautical mile radius, and the skies are clear.

" ...Last night Old Ghost was just scaring you. Our voyage this time is very safe. The hull of this cruise ship is made of the toughest space material with extremely high waterproofing and leak-proof performance."

Lu Qinan stood on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze. It was already 9 am. He had endured the anxiety of last night and now he was filled with anticipation for arriving at his destination.

He was gazing at the unique beauty of the deep sea with a monocular telescope in his right hand, looking very dashing. A hint of a smile played on his lips as he spoke to Pei Haoran beside him, " ...And besides, there are enough escape pods if anything ever goes wrong. We can't possibly die."

I hope so.

Pei Haoran is more level-headed and not as optimistic about this. Besides, they don't know what they might encounter after landing on the island.

"...Did Qiao Bao'er and the others also come to the island by cruise ship"

On the side, Zhu Xiaowei, after a night of worry and fright, looked at the clear blue sky and her mood relaxed.

According to Lao Gui and the others, they should be able to see the archipelago by noon, and they'll arrive at their destination in just three more hours.

After breakfast, they came to the deck, feeling the sea breeze and looking out at the endless deep blue sea meeting the bright sky. They were eager to witness the true face of that mysterious island group with their own eyes.

Zhu XiaoWei looked at the vast expanse of deep sea before her. The immensity of the ocean suddenly broadened her horizons. She couldn't explain why she insisted on accompanying the diplomatic mission, knowing full well that she and the ship were likely just a burden, incapable of offering any real help.

It wasn't necessarily for Qiao Bao'er, maybe she just didn't have a sense of belonging or attachment in her heart. She coincidentally encountered this kind of extraordinary event, and she felt that she was living too pale and ordinary. Moreover, she had to admit that there was a faint desire in her heart to see if Pei Haoran would accompany her.

Pei Haoran really came with her.

Zhu Xiaowei couldn't tell if she felt joy or sorrow. She had once vowed to sever ties with him, yet she also hoped he wouldn't abandon her. This conflicting feeling had been tormenting her.

Lu Qinian's voice interrupted her thoughts, "They said Qiao Baoer and the others arrived on the island five days ago. They should have also taken the sea route then, otherwise it wouldn't have been so smooth..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sneer rang out.

Lu Qinnan and the others all turned to look, their eyes filled with surprise. They saw a tall and slender man named 'Raphael' with fair features and handsome looks. He was wearing black trousers and a white shirt, his hands lazily tucked in his pockets as he strode towards the deck step by step...

"Tang Yu"

Zhu Xiaowei was still a little uncomfortable calling him by that name.

Raphael's sapphire eyes met hers in a fleeting glance. Though the same person, his lips curled into a sly smirk, adding a touch of wickedness and playfulness that was absent from Tang Yu's usual demeanor.

"They came by military cargo plane, Gu Ruqing abducted her and forced her into the archipelago…" Raphael spoke slowly, his voice languid, with a hint of amusement.

"That's impossible." Pei Haoran looked serious, stepping forward to refute him. "You promised us before that Qiao Bao'er had successfully landed on the island. If she was flying at the time, then..."

"Gu Ruqing has a way to escape the islands, she also has a way back." Raphael paused, a smile deepening on his lips, implying something. "... As long as the plane doesn't have any accidents and stays on the original route, there shouldn't be too many problems."

"What on earth are you trying to say!"

Listening to his sarcastic remarks, Lu Qinan became agitated. If he hadn't been looking at Tang Yu's face right now, he really wanted to punch him.

Pei Haoran heard a hint in his tone and guessed, "Did Qiao Baor's plane deviate from its original flight path"

Raphael turned and gazed at the endless expanse of the vast ocean, offering no reply. He let out a low sneer, "My little sister is truly blessed."

Having encountered a storm in the air, the plane disintegrated, but miraculously, he managed to survive.

Rafael didn't say those words to them, and he wasn't inclined to.

He only agreed to answer Junzhimu one question, whether Qiao Baier was dead or alive now. He said, alive.

The cruise ship continued its journey through the deep sea, battling strong winds. To ensure safety, the speed had gradually decreased. Junzhi Mu and Lao Gui stood in the cruise ship's control center, each holding a high-powered telescope, their eyes fixed on Rafael and his crew on the deck.

"Young Master, they seem to be talking about the mistress."

Old Ghost wore a small Bluetooth headset on his right ear, clearly picking up the conversation from the deck of the ship.

This cruise ship had many new electronic setups installed before it departed, spread throughout the vessel, all with the purpose of monitoring Rafael.

Jun, the shepherd, stood straight before the large glass of the control center, his eyes deep. He also wore a Bluetooth headset, and he had heard everything Raphael had just said clearly.

At this time, the personnel at the control center adhered to their posts, not daring to relax in the slightest.

"Energy Chamber Area Inspection..."

"Normal."

"Electronic communication received..."

"Normal."

"Satellite networks, radar…"

"Normal."

A serious and brief handover, everyone prepared for the final push.

According to the map, at their current speed, they would reach their destination in less than an hour. The old man sitting at the helm quickly reviewed the various data, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as he let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Lao Gui looked up at Jun Zhi Mu, "Jun Shao, it seems this route is very safe."

"...That guy is on the same boat as us, unless he wants to die," the crab next to him, who was checking the data, also said.

Jun Zhimu nodded to them, and everyone in their hearts felt a little more at ease. It seemed like this trip could really go smoothly, thank goodness.

"…"Get him up here, I have something to ask him." Jun Zhi Mu told the monkey, summoning Rafael on deck immediately to the control center.

The monkey immediately went to do the task.

To his surprise, Junzhi's shepherd had actually let him into the control room. Raphael was a bit taken aback by this – these 'backwater' types had been keeping tabs on him all along.

"Where is she now" Junzhimu asked directly.

Raphael raised an eyebrow slightly and replied with a light tone, "I'll take you to find her."

"Is she hurt" Junzhi Mu asked.

This time Rafael stared at him, without speaking.

Junzhi Mu's expression grew serious as he put forward a request, "I demand that after we land, we prioritize finding her..."

Rafael was still nonchalant. "Why wouldn't you trust her Even if Gu Ruyue took her, she wouldn't mistreat her."

"I said, we prioritize finding her!" Jun Zhi Mu's voice cut him off coldly, repeating his emphasis.

Suddenly, Rafael's face turned sour too. He wasn't used to being ordered around.

"Raphael, you had me bring all these weapons. You went through so much trouble to contact us. You must really need my help," Jun Zhimu said coldly, as if seeing through his thoughts. "…I don't care what kind of sarcophagus or scepter you're looking for. I need to find Qiao Bao'er first. I need you to ensure her safety. Otherwise, forget it."

Jun's position of authority gives him a clear advantage when negotiating with Raphael. On this cruise, he holds all the cards and Raphael can hardly pull any strings.

Raphael, however, pursed his lips and smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon outside the window. He suddenly said, “Let’s talk about it when you still have a life to live.”

In the distance, ten miles away, the sky churned with dark clouds, like black holes devouring everything, constantly expanding. The wind and clouds changed color... she didn't notice that she had caused trouble, and kept running until she reached a secluded row of trees under the shade.This square is a place for people to rest, with many wooden chairs under the...