Ultimate Battleship

Chapter 7

"Shall we send the kids to search some more?" Seeing the good results, Nie Yun grew greedy.

But it was clear that opportunities like this didn’t come every day. After half an hour, Nie Yun abandoned this futile effort.

As the sun began to set, the mechanical bugs had finished their feast on the sunken ship. Nie Yun decided to camp on the island for the night and return to Nanwan the next day.

The sea breeze howled at night. Nie Yun built a bonfire in the ship’s cabin to cook instant noodles, and the mechanical bugs glowed silver within, warming themselves by the flames. With them around, he didn’t need to worry about the fire spreading.

"Is this a nightmare? I haven’t eaten all day, yet I’m already full?" Surprisingly, one bowl of instant noodles left Nie Yun feeling satisfied.

Could basking in the sun alone restore vitality? Was he even human anymore?

Nie Yun wrestled with inner conflict.

"Rumble!" Suddenly, a distant engine roar grew louder. Nie Yun froze.

Having dealt with countless ships, he could tell by the sound that a small speedboat was hurtling toward them.

Why would anyone come to this deserted island at this hour? Nie Yun wondered.

The waters around Rabbit Island had always been a hotbed for smuggling, human trafficking, and black market deals—things Nie Yun had witnessed often in Nanwan Harbor. This remote area was beyond mainland law, and any unsavory business could turn deadly. He decided to stay cautious.

With a thought, the mechanical bugs responded. They coated the cabin ceiling in a silvery sheen, snuffing out the fire with a curtain of light. The room plunged into silence.

Nie Yun then directed the mechanical bugs to shift color rapidly. In the darkness, the SeaWolf’s hull transformed, with sections turning pitch-black to create the illusion of damaged hull breaches—crude but effective in the stormy night. From a distance, it looked like a derelict wreck.

His father had taught him: "To live by the sea, you must be a wolf, not prey. Wolves eat meat; dogs eat scraps. Which do you want to be?"

Nie Yun chose to be a wolf.

Despite his laid-back demeanor, those who knew him understood the feral spirit that lurked within. No wonder he’d become a lone operator in chaotic Nanwan Harbor, earning the nickname "SeaWolf." He’d honed his skills through constant clashes with criminals and fishermen alike.

Just as Nie Yun finished disguising the SeaWolf, he realized directing the mechanical bugs took a physical toll. The more detailed the commands, the more energy it consumed.

But there was no time to dwell. A white speedboat emerged from behind a cliff, its engine screaming as it approached.

The helmsman was clearly skilled, navigating with a smooth drift directly toward the SeaWolf.

Headlights scanned the ship repeatedly, seeming to lock onto Nie Yun’s position.

He ducked behind the hull, cursing inwardly. Why hadn’t he fled in the boat earlier? How would he explain the disguise if they boarded?

Thankfully, the speedboat anchored near the SeaWolf without suspicion. They hadn’t seen through the ruse and showed no interest in the "abandoned" ship. Nie Yun exhaled and peeked out.

By the speedboat’s lights, he saw a tall man dragging a smaller craft ashore. Three others followed, one of whom was being pulled off the boat against her will.

The woman, arms bound, wore a white dress that looked familiar.

"Move it! Don’t drag your feet!" The man’s rough handling made her stumble, and the lights illuminated her face. Nie Yun’s expression hardened.

It was her!

The girl who’d come to see him yesterday, claiming to be his father’s daughter.

How could this be? Was this... a kidnapping?

"Heh, Third Brother, take it easy—you might hurt her. She’s a pretty thing, and I plan to have some fun with her later," a deep voice chuckled.

"Second Brother, don’t get ahead of yourself. The client wants her intact. If you’re craving women, you can have a dozen after this job," the shoreline leader barked.

"Boss, relax. She’ll stay unmarked. Where else would we find a girl like this?" the leering man persisted, eyeing Chu Xiaoxiao hungrily.

Chu Xiaoxiao shuddered at the sight of his yellow teeth and predatory gaze. Though normally proud, she was only seventeen. In this situation, she barely kept from screaming.

"You’re kidnapping me for money. Name your price, but keep your hands off me," she tried to sound calm, grasping for any chance of survival.

"Miss Chu, we’re professionals. While you could pay more, we’ve already taken the job. No hard feelings," the boss said dismissively.

"Third Brother, use the satellite phone to check when the buyer arrives."

"Got it, Boss!"

Nie Yun watched the third man pull out a satellite phone, whisper into it, then report: "The buyer hit patrol boats. He’ll be here in an hour."

"Good. Second Brother, set up the tent. Third Brother, start a fire and get food ready."

The boss turned to the leering man, still fixated on Chu Xiaoxiao: "Move it!"

Third Brother grabbed a backpack from the speedboat and began gathering dry wood. Second Brother shot one last greedy glance at Chu Xiaoxiao before reluctantly assembling the tent.

The speedboat’s engine fell silent, and a powerful flashlight cut through the dark. Chu Xiaoxiao sat hunched, hugging her knees, while the boss stood guard, never taking his eyes off her.

Unaware, a pair of sharp eyes monitored their every move from the shadows...