Upon hearing Rong's words, Fang Yu couldn't help but stand up and ask, "Rong, why is the way back different from the way here? Can't we just go back the same way?"

Rong glanced at Fang Yu, and while his eyes showed no other emotion, he simply shook his head, surprisingly reassuring Fang Yu, "Brother, you don't need to worry. It's nothing. It's just that doing this task requires a bit more caution."

Caution?

Fang Yu pondered these words and immediately felt something was amiss.

It wasn't as if they hadn't already traveled this route and knew the location of the marine warlord on the way here.

Changing the route on the way back—what kind of caution is that? There must be something wrong, right?

However, looking at the way Rong looked at him, Fang Yu didn't detect any unusual emotion, as if Rong truly was trying to reassure him without any malice.

With this in mind, Fang Yu found himself even more puzzled by Rong's intentions.

Changing the route—what exactly was the reason?

Fang Yu didn't show anything on the surface, but inwardly he furrowed his brow.

It was hard enough to obtain images of Warlord Island and record some of its military strength.

Now, instead of hurrying back to Qiyun Port, Fang Yu felt a vague unease.

Hopefully, nothing will go wrong.

...

The ship continued its voyage.

On the way, Fang Yu had talked to Rong, wanting to leave the fleet and return on his own.

But Rong shook his head, insisting that no ship was allowed to leave on its own, and that all ships had to proceed together, with none allowed to fall behind.

Seeing the confusion in Fang Yu's eyes, Rong hesitated for a moment before coming over to Fang Yu's ship, patting him on the shoulder, and whispering:

"Brother, be a little patient. This matter doesn't concern you. Once I deal with a few issues, we can proceed normally to the Southern Island Sea Region."

Rong's eyes didn't seem fake as he seriously reassured Fang Yu, appearing to value Fang Yu as a captain very much.

Indeed, when the fleet passed through the West Qinghai Sea Region, they encountered an attack by ocean elves.

Each captain showed their skills, but it was clear that among the native captains, Fang Yu's ship stood out. One could see at a glance that Fang Yu's ship was superior to the other native captains'.

Such a powerful captain, who had also followed the fleet on a delivery task and gained some experience, was indeed a coveted asset.

Even Rong wanted to ensure Fang Yu, this captain's resource, would work steadily for him in the future, making him an efficient captain.

Rong didn't particularly like those loud and boisterous Outer Realm Captains, but he quite liked the quiet, low-key captains who didn't probe into matters.

Over the past few days, Fang Yu's ship was very low-key, barely speaking to anyone and not accepting any of the Outer Realm Captains' drinking invitations.

Such a disciplined captain was exactly what Rong needed...

Looking at Rong's expression of "we're on the same side, don't worry," and patting his shoulder, Fang Yu felt a mix of emotions.

But he vaguely pieced together...

Rong's target indeed wasn't him, but rather he had another objective...

...

"Rong, after a few more runs on this route, why don't you introduce Mr. Ling to us? How about it?"

A few Blue Star captains looked at Rong with a grin, speaking to him.

"Oh? You overheard when I was talking to Mr. Ling?"

Rong spoke with a half-smiling expression.

"No, we understand discretion. It's just that we happened to hear you mention Mr. Ling when you called out to him," a few of the Blue Star captains explained with a chuckle.

Hearing the Blue Star captains' words, Rong gave a slight smile and softly replied, "Alright... if there's a next time, I'll definitely introduce you to Mr. Ling."

Hearing Rong's assurance, the captains' smiles widened even more.

But at this moment, suddenly one native captain exclaimed softly, addressing Rong, "Rong, there are pirates!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback and immediately showed signs of vigilance, their eyes darting around.

Sure enough, in the nearby sea area, they spotted armed ships heading towards their fleet of cargo ships.

The target was clear.

Seeing this scene, the captains took a deep breath, ordering their crew to get into combat readiness without a word.

Even Fang Yu, in the Brain Domain Sharing, instructed his crew to enter combat mode, each returning to their stations.

Even... those ship cannons, hidden by the ship's illusory form, had crew members quietly seated on them, ready for action.

The pirates of the West Qinghai Sea Region weren't the same as those Fang Yu and the others encountered before.

Their combat power simply wasn't on the same level!

However, at this moment, Rong suddenly shouted, "Ladies and gentlemen, no need for alarm, these pirates are ours!"

Hearing Rong's words, everyone was shocked, looking at Rong with puzzled expressions.

But some of the older native captains had already calmed down.

They continued to order their crew to remain vigilant but didn't maintain the same full alertness as before, instead casting thoughtful glances at the Blue Star captains.

Being able to take on shady jobs meant these native captains weren't exactly good folks.

Having been in the marine domain for so long, they'd seen everything. When Rong said those words, these old hands immediately realized what was happening.

They steered their ships away from the Blue Star captains' ships, watching the situation unfold with an amused expression.

Even Fang Yu's expression shifted, suddenly realizing Rong's plan.

But this matter truly had nothing to do with him. Fang Yu slightly shook his head at his crew and, like the old native captains, steered his ship away from the Blue Star captains, keeping his eyes lowered without saying much.

"What do you mean?"

If the Blue Star captains hadn't realized something was wrong by now, they'd be too foolish.

They looked slightly pale as they faced Rong, who had a mocking smile, and loudly demanded, "Rong, what do you mean? Betraying us? We've helped you transport goods, why would you betray us?"

Hearing the Blue Star captains' accusations, Rong broke into a grin, no longer hiding the disdain in his eyes as he softly replied:

"I didn't want to target you, but..."

"You ask too many questions, see too much, and your minds... are too active."

Rong slowly began, "I've dealt with you Outer Realm Captains before, and I know you lack a moral baseline; you're like reeds in the wind."

"Now you call me 'Rong' because I can offer you benefits. But if someone offers more, you'd turn around and sell everything from today's events in an instant."

"If you'd been a bit more honest, it might have been fine, but... you clearly aren't the honest sort of Outer Realm Captains."

"This is a risky business. To avoid risks..."

"You'd better not return to Qiyun Port."

Rong opened his mouth, offering a cold smile.

As Rong's words fell silent, the pirate ships in the distance were now less than a nautical mile away...

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