Chapter 818: Chapter 818

As the sun rose over the ocean’s surface, a dozen small boats were speeding toward the cruise ship.

Those with keen eyes could see that each of these boats flew a high pirate flag adorned with a skull, and each boat had seven or eight pirates either sitting or standing, armed with a variety of weapons, some of which were heavy assault weapons powerful enough to pose a significant threat to the cruise ship.

The small boats were very fast and soon approached the cruise ship, then dispersed to both sides, encircling the ship. One man on a boat raised a megaphone and began to shout at the cruise ship in English, while occasionally pirates fired their guns into the air as a warning.

Seeing that real pirates were attacking, the passengers on the cruise ship instantly fell into chaos, with some screaming and others crying.

Some passengers found it strange since this route had always been very safe, with very few incidents of pirate attacks, questioning why so many pirate ships had suddenly appeared.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have very unfortunate news to share, we are surrounded by pirate ships!"

Neo, the cruise ship’s owner, quickly appeared before the passengers, his face showing grief and anger.

"Neo, isn’t the cruise ship equipped with a lot of weapons? Get your crew to take up arms and drive those despicable pirates away!"

A passenger shouted loudly, and other passengers began to voice their agreement.

Seeing the passengers’ fervor, Neo exchanged glances with several of his subordinates and then shouted loudly, "Alright, I’ll lead some men to fight the pirates myself! I hope we can drive them away! Ladies and gentlemen, please stay here and don’t move to avoid being hit by stray bullets!"

After speaking, Neo left a few of his men to comfort the passengers and led some others to rush out.

Soon, the passengers on the cruise ship could hear loud gunshots outside; clearly, the crewmen had engaged the pirates in a gunfight.

Hearing the gunshots, the passengers were even more panicked. Some clasped their hands together, murmuring prayers silently hoping that the pirates would be driven away.

Although most of the passengers on board had bodyguards, their bodyguards were not very skilled and unable to effectively dodge bullets, so they wisely stayed by their employers’ sides, and dared not venture out to help fight the pirates.

The sound of gunfire lasted for a while before suddenly stopping, some passengers heard the pirates start to shout again.

Many passengers on the cruise ship understood English and after listening for a while, they finally understood the pirates’ intentions.

It turned out that the pirates were not attacking the cruise ship to kill and rob, but to demand a woman named Lin Yu be handed over to them, after which they would leave.

The passengers wondered, glancing around.

Although the passengers did not know what conflict existed between the pirates and Lin Yu on the cruise ship, trading one person to save everyone’s lives was undoubtedly a deal worth considering.

"I know who Lin Yu is! She’s the woman sitting next to Li Jinlin! She’s Li Jinlin’s bodyguard!"

Zhao Shengshi suddenly pointed out Hu Baimei, shouting from a corner of the restaurant.

Hearing this, the passengers’ eyes were all drawn to Hu Baimei, who was disguised as Lin Yu.

At that moment, Hu Baimei was sitting with Fang Bai and Linghu Qianjiao at a dining table, enjoying their breakfast as if the pirate attack happening outside had nothing to do with them.

Suddenly, Neo, along with a few of his men, retreated into the restaurant, looking very bedraggled.

"Mr. Neo, what happened outside?"

"The pirates are too numerous and their firepower is fierce, and we are almost out of ammunition... it looks bad!"

Neo said, looking dejected.

"Then... what do we do? If the pirates board the cruise, will they kill all of us?"

A passenger asked, his voice trembling.

Neo said, "The pirates just announced that they do not intend to kill anyone, they just want a woman named Lin Yu. As long as we hand over Lin Yu, the pirates will retreat. Otherwise... we might all die..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a hush fell over the dining room, and once again, the passengers’ gazes fell on Linghu Baimei, as the pirates’ shouting from outside became even clearer.

"Miss Lin, my entire family is on this cruise. If the pirates come on board, they will kill us. Please... please... save us... save us..."

A female passenger suddenly rushed to Linghu Baimei’s side, knelt in front of her, and began crying and pleading.

Linghu Baimei sneered and, with a mocking look, asked the woman, "You mean, let me step forward voluntarily and let the pirates take me, so you all can be spared?"

The female passenger nodded repeatedly.

"Why should I do that?"

Linghu Baimei said, annoyed.

The woman paused and then cried, "I know... I know it’s selfish of me, but... but just one person, you, can save so many of our lives!"

Linghu Baimei curled her lips and said, "Sacrifice myself for others? Hah... I’m not that noble! Besides, what do your lives have to do with me?"

The female passenger was at a loss for words and continued to cry, lowering her head.

Her words, in fact, represented the sentiments of most of the passengers present. Hearing Linghu Baimei refuse to exchange her life for those of others, some passengers appeared visibly anxious.

Pirates are usually brutally vicious; if they were to board the ship, these wealthy passengers would likely face death.

Zhao Shengshi pointed at Linghu Baimei and shouted, "If we hand over this woman, we can all survive! Let’s not hesitate anymore, let’s subdue her and hand her over to the pirates!"

Zhao Shengshi’s words resonated with many passengers onsite; the eyes of the male passengers on Linghu Baimei had already turned bloodshot as they clenched their fists, ready to spring into action.

The female passengers also looked at Linghu Baimei with hostility, believing she had brought them bad luck.

For a moment, nearly all passengers were united in their resentment towards Linghu Baimei.

"Miss Lin, it seems the consensus is clear, we have to impose on you!"

Seeing the passengers agitated, Neo, along with a few of his men, walked up to Linghu Baimei and pointed a gun at her.

"Mr. Fang, I almost feel like killing someone, what should I do?"

Linghu Baimei ignored Neo and looked across at Fang Bai, transmitting her message to Fang Bai through the Thread Condensation Sound Transmission Technique.

After advancing to a Heaven Level Expert, Linghu Baimei had easily mastered the Thread Condensation Sound Transmission Technique.

"Now is not the time to kill."

Fang Bai similarly responded to Linghu Baimei with the Thread Condensation Sound Transmission Technique and then said, "Let me handle this!"

He stood up, gazing directly at Neo, and said lightly, "Mr. Neo, Lin Yu is my bodyguard. It’s not quite right for you to move against her without my permission, is it?"