"How many kidnappers are on the ship?"
Shang Yuanjian tried to calm her somewhat chaotic thoughts and turned to ask Zhao Zimo.
"About a dozen or so."
Zhao Zimo was surprised by Shang Yuanjian's youthful voice. He curiously looked toward her face but could only see a visage mostly obscured by disheveled hair, the remaining half smeared with blood and dust, making it impossible to discern her exact appearance.
However, Zhao Zimo noticed that this person had exceptionally beautiful eyes. When meeting her gaze, one couldn't help but be drawn to them. Against the backdrop of those eyes, what she actually looked like became unimportant.
Shang Yuanjian sighed softly. If there were only one or two, she might have considered confronting them directly. But with so many people on the ship, all ruthless kidnappers, she began to feel that this was not a place to linger.
Yet leaving the ship was also dangerous. After causing such a commotion, she didn't know how many people were looking for her, wanting her dead.
"I am Zhao Zimo. I am fortunate to have been saved by your heroic intervention. I will never forget this life-saving grace."
Zhao Zimo bowed respectfully from a distance toward Shang Yuanjian. Regardless of who she was or why she had inexplicably appeared here, she had saved him and killed those two kidnappers—that made her his savior.
Zhao Zimo vividly remembered how Uncle Xu and the others had been brutally murdered by those two kidnappers. This could also be considered avenging them.
"No need." Shang Yuanjian picked up the blood-stained dagger from the ground, wiped it clean, and put it away. "If I hadn't killed them, they would have attacked me. It wasn't to save you."
Zhao Zimo was taken aback, suddenly realizing that it was he who had knocked over the screen, exposing this hero. But a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. Whether she intended to or not, saving him was the result, and he ought to repay her.
Shang Yuanjian, however, didn't care about Zhao Zimo's thoughts. She walked to the wall and pushed open the window. Although disembarking at this moment would likely lead to capture by Xin's men, the kidnappers could arrive at any time, making it even more dangerous to stay on this pirate ship.
Shang Yuanjian opened the window a crack and scanned the shore. Soon, her gaze fell on a group of riders not far away.
This group rode tall horses, all dressed in black robes with intricate golden patterns. The long swords hanging at their waists swayed with the movement of the horses.
What was worse, the group was heading straight toward the ship where Shang Yuanjian was.
Shang Yuanjian closed the window and retreated into the room. The moment she saw them, she abandoned any thought of escaping.
She sighed helplessly. She hadn't expected those searching for her to arrive so quickly, and why were they looking everywhere, not even sparing the ship?
"What's happening outside?" Zhao Zimo asked.
"Someone is heading this way," Shang Yuanjian said with a strange expression.
Zhao Zimo was alarmed, a hint of anxiety appearing on his face. "Who are they? Are they accomplices of those kidnappers?"
This is terrible. Now, even with wings, it would be hard to escape.
"They don't seem like it," Shang Yuanjian replied, briefly describing the appearance and characteristics of the group to Zhao Zimo, hoping to glean some information from him.
Shang Yuanjian noticed Zhao Zimo's expression change when he learned about the people outside. She raised an eyebrow—this kid definitely knew something.
"Black robes with golden patterns?" Zhao Zimo asked incredulously. "Are the swords at their waists about ten feet long, with a uniform insignia on the hilt?"
Shang Yuanjian recalled the appearance of the knife and then nodded, "It closely resembles what you described."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zimo involuntarily took a few steps back, murmuring, "It's the Supervisory Bureau…" But why would the Supervisory Bureau come here?
Even with Shang Yuanjian's description, Zhao Zimo still found it hard to believe. He wanted to open the window and take a look himself but was abruptly pulled back by Shang Yuanjian.
"They're about to board the ship. Don't draw their attention."
"People from the Supervisory Bureau are here!"
Elsewhere on the ship, a burly man rushed over, anxiously reporting to Li Laosan.
"What did you say?" Li Laosan also lost his composure, springing up from his seat and grabbing the burly man's hand. "Are you sure the Supervisory Bureau is coming for us?"
The burly man first nodded, then seemed uncertain as he said, "I did see the Supervisory Bureau heading this way with my own eyes, but they kept stopping and starting along the way. They even sealed off this area, as if they were searching for someone."
Upon hearing this, Li Laosan slapped the burly man on the head. "If they're searching for someone, isn't it that Zhao kid?"
The burly man, slapped, finally caught on, his eyes widening. "Third Brother, have we been discovered?"
"No, no…" That didn't seem right either.
Li Laosan felt something was off. They had meticulously planned the kidnapping of Zhao Zimo, covering their tracks thoroughly. Even his two servants had been killed, so in theory, there should have been no way to leak their whereabouts.
Moreover, Second Brother had already investigated the Zhao family. The Zhaos had been merchants for generations—wealthy, yes, but no one in the family had any connections to the court or significant background. That was precisely why they dared to kidnap Zhao Zimo for ransom. How could the son of a mere wealthy merchant possibly alarm the Supervisory Bureau?
Li Laosan had an inexplicable feeling that something unusual was happening, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
He was unsure what to do and could only say to the burly man, "Where are Big Brother and Second Brother? We need to discuss this with them."
The burly man quickly replied, "Big Brother took the Zhao kid to the side hall. I'll go find—"
Before he could finish, the ship suddenly jolted violently, and he struggled to steady himself.
What was going on?
The ship seemed to have come to an abrupt stop.
A series of uniform footsteps echoed, and Li Laosan watched in horror as the Supervisory Bureau personnel appeared before them.
"The Supervisory Bureau is here on official business. Gather everyone on the ship here."
The speaker, his expression stern, shouted at Li Laosan.
Li Laosan's heart raced. They really were searching for someone. Zhao Zimo was currently in the side hall—if the Supervisory Bureau found him, it would be disastrous.
Countless thoughts flashed through Li Laosan's mind as cold sweat dripped down his back. He forced himself to suppress his trembling and offered a strained smile to the speaker. "Officer, please wait a moment. I'll call my men over right away."
He then signaled the burly man to gather everyone.
The burly man naturally understood what to do. With Big Brother and the others guarding the kid, they absolutely couldn't let him appear under the Supervisory Bureau's watchful eyes.
Soon, the burly man had gathered everyone—except, of course, Big Brother and Second Brother. He assumed they were still keeping watch over Zhao Zimo.
The speaker scanned the kneeling crowd but saw no trace of the person they were looking for.
He took two steps back and cupped his hands toward someone hidden in the shadows. "Commander, the person mentioned by Xin is not among them."
"Has someone just died on this ship?"
A low voice sounded as the guards of the Supervisory Bureau stepped aside to both sides, bowing their heads slightly. The figure from the shadows slowly walked up to Li Laosan.