Chapter 104: The Great Battle Against the Pirate Crew

When Lin Xiaofeng and Captain Dylan arrived at the ship's control center, both sides were still locked in a standoff.

Charles saw Captain Dylan and Lin Xiaofeng approaching and briefly explained the current situation. Lin Xiaofeng wasn’t very clear about what had happened before, but being familiar with military matters, he could understand the gravity of the situation now. They were indeed in trouble this time. The opposing side had heavy weapons and seemed to be specially organized.

“Have we sent out a distress signal?” Dylan asked.

“Yes, but the nearest rescue team is near Hawaii. It will be a while before they can arrive,” Charles replied with a grave expression.

Hearing this, Dylan’s face also turned serious. The last time they passed through here, it had been a ragtag group, but how had the enemy’s overall military proficiency improved so rapidly? They now resembled a formal national military force. No wonder they dared to demand all the cargo on the ship. It seemed trouble had come again.

However, every attack has a defense. Although the Wild Travel Group had never engaged in direct combat before, always settling matters by giving up some goods, this didn’t mean their cruise ship feared confrontation. The old captain had once relied on a few rusty guns to destroy a foreign military force that was aiding the Baral people, bringing peace to the Wild Travel Group.

Now, the Wild Travel Group’s cruise ship had been upgraded several times—it was time to stretch its legs.

Following Captain Dylan’s orders, the ship began broadcasting a message. There was a Chinese saying, “To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill,” which Dylan had read before.

Unfortunately, the enemy refused to listen. Using their numerical advantage, they quickly surrounded the Wild Travel Group’s ship and tried to approach, attempting to board.

Despite being surrounded, the Wild Travel Group remained calm. Under Captain Dylan’s command, a well-organized counterattack unfolded. Lin Xiaofeng was so impressed by their professionalism that he suspected Dylan had graduated from a military academy.

From Lin Xiaofeng’s perspective, this was yet another classic case of a smaller force overcoming a larger one—thanks to the courage of the Wild Travel Group and the enemy’s disunity. When Dylan ordered a concentrated attack on the enemy’s largest ship, cracks began to appear. Especially after some suffered serious injuries and were on the brink of death, some began to lose heart.

The first ship to flee left, followed by a second and a third...

Until the enemy’s largest ship was sunk, their morale was completely broken. Those who hadn’t escaped surrendered one after another.

In truth, the Wild Travel Group had reached a critical point. They hadn’t anticipated such trouble and hadn’t stocked enough weapons or ammunition. The fierce battle had nearly exhausted their supplies.

Still, in front of the captured enemies, they maintained an air of confidence, confiscated many valuable items, and then released the prisoners, keeping only a few for interrogation.

After the naval battle ended, Lin Xiaofeng went back to rest. The Wild Travel Group was busy with internal recovery, and as an outsider, he had little room to intervene. Dylan had already shared all relevant information with him.

First, during the battle, the ship had drifted with the current for some time and was now farther from Ghost Island, so they planned to stop for rest at the Galicry Archipelago. Second, according to the prisoners, Ghost Island had been occupied by a mysterious group whom even the enemy did not understand because they couldn’t get close.

Since he was on someone else’s ship, he had to follow their arrangements. Heading to the Galicry Archipelago first wasn’t a bad choice—it was not far from Ghost Island, and he could try to gather information about this mysterious group mentioned by the pirates.

After some time sailing, the Wild Travel Group’s ship smoothly docked at the largest island in the Galicry Archipelago—Galicry Island.

Dylan was a regular visitor here, and as soon as the ship docked, the locals warmly welcomed them. The Baral Grand Chief himself came to greet them, accompanied by a group of infatuated native women fawning over Dylan. Of course, Lin Xiaofeng noticed that due to aesthetic differences, Dylan was unimpressed.

None of that mattered, however. More importantly, Galicry now hosted a group of special guests—refugees from Ghost Island.

According to the Baral Grand Chief, about three months ago, a mysterious group seized Ghost Island, causing the Chiefdom of Rar to lose nearly half its territory and 40% of its population. Only a small portion of the Baral people originally living in the three provinces near Ghost Island managed to escape; the rest either perished or surrendered. Even the intended recipient of Dylan’s current shipment had disappeared. Fortunately, the Grand Chief agreed to accept the trade, and after completing the transaction, Dylan planned to set sail again. Ultimately, he was a businessman. Pirates, Baral crises—none of it was his concern. Moreover, the Baral people seemed deeply fearful of this unknown group, lacking both the will and ability for revenge. Dylan was even less inclined to get involved.

Now Lin Xiaofeng faced a dilemma.

His destination was Ghost Island, but the Wild Travel Group ship was returning home and would not continue on. How could he get there? Although both belonged to the same country, Galicry and Ghost Island were nearly a hundred nautical miles apart. According to local accounts, Ghost Island had become a den of evil—anyone who went there would die. Only fools would think of going. No one would risk their life for money to help this young man from the East.

The Wild Travel Group’s return date was set, and Dylan came to confirm whether Lin Xiaofeng would accompany them back. After some thought, Lin decided to stay. After all, reaching Ghost Island was the main goal of his mission; he couldn’t give up halfway. Since no one was willing to go with him, he would go alone.

Seeing Lin’s determination, Dylan didn’t try to dissuade him. Out of goodwill, he even provided Lin with a motorboat. If the weather was good, it should be easy to reach the island.

Unlike Lin’s situation, Da Min and Brother Long, aboard their cruise ship, had yet to learn of the situation on Ghost Island and were sailing toward it. But they would soon discover that Ghost Island was no longer what it once was—seemingly transformed overnight. Beneath its prosperous facade, dangerous undercurrents surged.

Lin Xiaofeng had already been drawn into the chaos, and Da Min and Brother Long would be no exception...