32. Boarding the Ship

Jinliguo, a small coastal nation on the Southeast Asian plate, is nestled along the equator and blessed with scorching sunlight year-round.

The plane carrying Qiao Yuyan touched down at the capital airport of Jinliguo, riding the tail end of the sunset. She stepped out of the cabin empty-handed, a wave of heat infused with the scent of the ocean rushing to meet her.

In the arrivals hall, a woman wearing a bikini top, hot pants, and foam flip-flops was waving at her enthusiastically. The woman possessed healthy, honey-toned skin, deep and striking features, a hot body, and an aura full of vitality.

Qiao Yuyan hurried over and gave her a big hug. "Flora, long time no see."

"Baby, it’s been too long!" Flora’s voice was bright and warm. She was a head taller than Qiao Yuyan; she leaned down to plant a kiss on Qiao’s cheek, then hooked her arm around Qiao’s shoulder to head outside. "Come on, let’s go have some real fun at my place."

Outside the airport, towering coconut trees swayed in the sea breeze, their broad leaves rustling. A cool Harley-Davidson was parked beneath the trees. Flora swung a long leg over the seat and patted the back. "Come on, baby. It’s been a while since I took you for a ride. Let’s hit the beach first."

Qiao Yuyan donned a helmet and climbed onto the bike. With a roar, the Harley sped toward the coast.

Flora was once Qiao Yuyan’s senior. Ever since Qiao graduated from the training camp, Flora had been the one leading her on missions. It wasn’t until Flora turned thirty-five and her physical performance began to decline that she retired from the front lines as a "Gold Hunter" to handle logistics. Now stationed permanently in Jinliguo, Flora’s work was much lighter; she was primarily responsible for arranging logistics for Gold Hunters like Qiao Yuyan who came to Jinliguo for missions, leaving her the rest of the time to enjoy life to the fullest.

Flora took Qiao to the beach, where they slipped off their shoes and walked barefoot across the golden sand. The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sea breeze carried the ocean's signature scent as it stirred their hair. Flora walked to a nearby stall and brought back two fresh coconuts with straws. "For the kid who doesn't drink alcohol, have some coconut juice."

"Thanks." Qiao Yuyan took the coconut, the sweet, refreshing water sliding down her throat and dispelling the heat in the air.

The area was deserted, save for the sound of waves gently lapping against the sand. Flora reclined on the beach, shielding her eyes from the harsh sun, and gestured with her chin toward the distant harbor. "Tomorrow at 5:00 PM, the Gu family’s 'Voyager' will dock there. According to the plan, it will only stay for three hours."

Qiao Yuyan responded softly, then asked, "Is everything ready?"

"Of course."

Qiao Yuyan stood up and brushed the sand off her clothes. "Let’s go take a look."

The Harley’s engine roared again, carrying them up a small hill far from the beach. At the summit stood a white, two-story building that, from the outside, looked no different from any other ordinary house in Jinliguo. Qiao Yuyan followed Flora into a room cluttered with debris. Flora walked to the wall and pressed a few buttons. A mechanical voice, "Little Moron," spoke out of thin air: "Good afternoon, Flora, Fable."

"Good afternoon," Flora replied with a smile. "Help me open the darkroom."

"Access granted. Opening the darkroom for you now." Simultaneously, the ground beneath their feet split open, revealing an underground staircase entrance narrow enough for only one person to pass.

Flora jumped down the stairs first, with Qiao Yuyan following closely behind. They descended and soon reached a metal door. Flora entered the passcode, and the identification system engaged, a beam of light scanning her body from top to bottom. Seconds later, the metal door slid open to reveal a freight elevator.

They stepped inside the small space with metal walls. With a soft "ding," the elevator started and began to descend slowly. When the doors opened again, the room before them was packed with rows of weapons—ranging from pistol rounds to man-portable rocket launchers—a vast and complete arsenal. This was the GSC’s weapons cache in Jinliguo.

"These are prepared for you." Flora walked to a table in the center of the room and detailed the items laid out for Qiao.

On the table sat a multifunctional combat suit. It was bulletproof, radar-evasive, and suitable for diving, equipped with advanced oxygen systems that allowed Qiao to breathe freely underwater. Beside it was a black, sealed infant carrier. The case was fitted with a sophisticated oxygen system to ensure a constant supply, and it was shockproof, bulletproof, and explosion-proof to provide maximum protection for the "Little Prince." Considering Qiao might need to swim to the island, the GSC had even installed a small thruster at the bottom of the carrier. Beyond that, there was a silenced underwater pistol and a 3-round semi-automatic grenade launcher.

"The weaponry is indeed limited," Flora noted, seeing Qiao’s furrowed brow. "But the total weight of this gear is already 33 pounds. The Little Prince weighs 19 pounds. Once you pick him up, you'll be at your limit; any heavier and it will hinder your movement."

It was based on this calculation that they had chosen a high-damage, area-effect weapon like the grenade launcher, aiming to provide the most effective fire support within the limited weight allowance. Qiao understood the reasoning. Though reluctant, she nodded. "Fine, let’s go with this." After all, the primary mission was a rescue, not a firefight with the DK organization; she would have to find a way to minimize unnecessary combat.

Jinliguo Time, August 26, 18:00.

The *Voyager* sat in the harbor, the seawater shimmering under the sun. Qiao Yuyan held a cup of specialty fruit milk, leaning against the railing on the deck as the sea breeze brushed past her.

Qiao’s disguise for the day was that of a rebellious delinquent: honey-toned skin paired with a small, round, freckled face. She wore an oversized black T-shirt that hung loosely on her frame, paired with wide-leg ripped jeans, and was draped in an assortment of gaudy, pure gold accessories. A wealthy, rebellious teenager—such a look was common in Jinliguo.

She stood on the deck, observing the various people on the cruise ship, analyzing the crowd. Once she confirmed there were no suspicious individuals, she placed her empty cup on the tray of a passing waiter, dragged her suitcase along with one hand, and sauntered toward her cabin.

Her cabin, 1422, was a suite on the 14th floor. Once inside, it was certainly not as luxurious as the suites on land, but for this cruise ship, it was quite decent. Qiao Yuyan set the suitcase down, opened it, and carefully checked the weapons inside once more.

Looking at the pistol with only 12 rounds and the 3-shot grenade launcher, she tapped the row of ear cuffs on her ear and muttered, "Are you guys not happy with me? Are you trying to use the DK to get rid of me?"

"Cut the crap," Belen scolded through the earpiece. "I spent so much money training you just to give the DK a victory?"

Training a top-tier Gold Hunter was no small feat. The grueling physical training in the camp was just the foundation. To handle missions in different countries, they had to learn multiple languages. In the modern world of rapid technological development, they had to understand high-tech gadgets, firearms, medicine, biochemistry, and more—all of which were basic requirements. Every top Gold Hunter represented the investment of countless lives and fortunes.

"My dear Mommy Belen, I was wrong, please forgive me." Qiao Yuyan pressed her palms together in front of her chest, regardless of whether Belen could see her on the other end.

Others in the earpiece couldn't help but chuckle. This mission involved a deal worth 100 million, and every available member of the GSC was currently on standby remotely.

Belen was amused by her. "Stop the small talk. The *Voyager* is at least 10 nautical miles from the island. What’s your plan for such a distance?"

Qiao Yuyan didn't answer, instead asking nonchalantly, "When is Gu Zhixu arriving?"

"According to his helicopter flight path, he is expected to arrive at the *Voyager* at 10:00 PM tonight," the head of the information department interjected.

"Great. Keep an eye on it. I’m going to go talk business with him tonight."

"What business?" Belen was puzzled. The Gu family had never partnered with the GSC before. A thought crossed her mind. "Rongsheng?"

"Mmhmm," Qiao Yuyan hummed lightly.

Belen understood Qiao’s intention. Although she wasn't very optimistic about the collaboration, she said, "You can try."

"OK, notify me when Gu Zhixu arrives."

"Woo—"

The ship’s horn sounded. The *Voyager* started its engines, the massive hull slowly pulling away from the harbor, churning the surrounding seawater into layers of white foam. Qiao Yuyan walked out to the balcony, her back to the railing, and looked up. The floor above was the top deck of the *Voyager*, where the best suites were located. If things went as expected, Gu Zhixu’s room would be on that level. Her gaze drifted across the ship's hull, searching for potential access points and simulating her plan for the night.

Night fell, the golden sun dipping below the horizon and leaving behind a brilliant afterglow. The *Voyager* sailed across the endless sea, and as the night deepened, it was gradually enveloped in darkness.

...

China Time, August 26, 21:40. It was late at night on the high seas, and stars twinkled in the pitch-black sky. A helicopter landed on the helipad of the *Voyager*.

The cabin door opened, and Gu Zhixu, seated in a wheelchair, was pushed out. He said to the cruise ship manager waiting to the side, "Go tell my aunt I’ll be there after I change my clothes."

"Understood, Mr. Gu." The manager bowed slightly and hurried away.

His special assistant, Yang Wen, pushed Gu Zhixu to the door of the suite's dressing room. Gu Zhixu looked up slightly and said in a low voice, "Yang Wen, wait for me outside."

Yang Wen turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. Gu Zhixu operated his wheelchair into the dressing room. Just as he was about to reach up to turn on the light, he suddenly saw, in the reflection of the cabinet door in front of him, that someone was sitting in the cabinet behind him.

A woman holding a gun.