Chapter 2494: My Wife Is a Pirate 24

Bu Changji knew the approximate location of the treasure vault.

These days, Jin Chen had unintentionally or intentionally revealed many clues to him, and with his own keen sense of terrain and direction, he already had a clear idea.

He worried that Fang Yun Yao, in his desperation, would spill the secret of the treasure vault to Yue Ling.

Therefore, they must act tonight, strike first, and cannot let all their preparations go to waste.

Bu Changji gave the signal, and in a moment the pirates gathered on the desolate, muddy flats.

Bu Changji found the entrance that Jin Chen had cleverly concealed.

After jumping down, there was first a narrow, muddy downward passage, then suddenly the view opened up to reveal a heavy stone gate, inside which lay hidden numerous mechanisms.

Fortunately, they had already obtained some information from Fang Yun Yao and made thorough preparations.

Although there were some dangers along the way, they managed to press forward smoothly and finally entered the true treasure vault.

Inside the vault pearls glowed and treasures dazzled the eyes—all rare curiosities accumulated over the years by the imperial court and Prince Jing's Manor.

The pirates cheered and began to transfer the treasures into boxes in a tense but orderly manner.

Bu Changji stood amid the dazzling riches, yet his face showed none of the joy he once felt upon successfully finding treasure.

These priceless treasures lost their luster in his eyes.

Bu Changji's thoughts were filled with one thing: how would Jin Chen look at him when he woke up?

Would he despise him as a deceiver, an impostor, a thief who had stolen the treasures that rightfully belonged to Fang Yun Yao?

At that moment, Hai San and the others on lookout at the entrance rushed in, their faces panicked.

"Boss, it's not good! General Yue, accompanied by many government troops, is coming this way in broad daylight—surely Fang Yun Yao told him!"

Bu Changji's eyes turned cold; he set aside all his tumultuous thoughts and said in a cold voice, "According to the original plan, we leave via the secret passage."

"The entrance won't be found by them anytime soon." He paused, then added coldly, "From now on, there's no need to leak any information about the vault or our movements to Fang Yun Yao."

Hearing this, the pirates immediately sped up, hoisted the heavy treasure chests, and left the storeroom through the secret passage.

At dawn, Bu Changji returned to the stone tower in the east.

Jin Chen still slept quietly on his bed, breathing evenly.

Bu Changji lay gently beside Jin Chen, his fingers fondly tracing the handsome brows and eyes, then lowered his head and placed a kiss—carrying the cool sea breeze and infinite complexity—on his cheek.

He breathed in deeply the comforting scent from Jin Chen, then slowly closed his sore eyes.

Fatigue surged like a tide, yet the string in his heart remained taut.

The sky was about to brighten.

—

Light filtered through the narrow windows of the stone tower, grudgingly casting a few faint rays.

The task of delivering breakfast had been passed around among the pirates for half a day; feeding a prisoner was normally easy, but when the prisoner was Jin Chen, it became especially troublesome.

Nobody wanted to face that killing god whose gaze could freeze a person to death.

In the end, this unlucky duty fell without question to Hai Shisan, who had already had several encounters with Jin Chen and could be considered experienced.

Hai Shisan held a coarse pottery bowl, shuffling step by step to the outside of the makeshift stone cell where Jin Chen was detained, and gave himself several mental pep talks.

He tremblingly pushed open the creaking wooden door.

As he lifted his eyes, he was suddenly confronted with a pair of deep, dark eyes.

Jin Chen was leaning against the stone wall on the bed, his hands bound with rope, yet he showed no sign of distress, lazily glancing over.

"Damn it!"

Hai Shisan was so frightened his soul nearly left his body; his hand trembled and he almost dropped the bowl.

He hurriedly set the bowl on the wooden table by the door, recalled Bu Changji's repeated warnings, hastily rubbed his hands on his clothes, squeezed out a smile uglier than a sob, and stammered, "Um… you… when did you wake up?"

"We… our boss said that for now you'll just have to stay here, don't be afraid, the boss won't hurt you…"

The softer his voice became, for Jin Chen's gaze was so icy it made his scalp go numb.

Jin Chen paid no heed to his excuses; the oppressive aura around him surged forth.

"Where is Bu Changji?"

Hai Shisan immediately clamped his mouth shut, as if he'd rather die than speak.

After a few seconds of stalemate, feeling the atmosphere too frightening, he couldn't help but whisper softly, "The boss will be done with his work soon… then he'll come see you."

"Um… you… you'd better think it over yourself… even if you aren't the Heir Apparent, our boss won't mistreat you, just stay put, okay?"

He was trying to convey the boss's meaning.

Although it sounded more like pouring oil on the fire.

Jin Chen: "……"

He was practically laughing from anger.

Was that what he cared about?

What Bu Changji's head is filled with all day long, bringing him here just for this matter.

If only I had known I wouldn't have fainted last night!

Jin Chen listened to Hai Shisan's halting persuasion, while moving his wrists behind his back to test the elasticity of the binding ropes, estimating in his mind how much force would be needed to break free.

At the same time, he casually probed, "You lot were busy all night last night—were you going after that treasure vault?"

Hai Shisan, in a state of high tension, couldn't think straight and blurted out, "... Ah? Yeah, yeah… but don't get the wrong idea!"

He suddenly realized he'd let slip, and hurriedly tried to cover, "We're not those shameless pirates; we also rob the rich to help the poor!"

Jin Chen lowered his eyes and said nothing more.

He lifted his eyes, his gaze sharpening again, his tone firm and justified: "I want to see Bu Changji. Now, immediately."

"Go tell him, or I'll starve myself to death here."

Hai Shisan: "!!!"

This is unbearable!

If the boss finds out he let people starve to death, he'll definitely skin him alive!

"Don't be impulsive! I'll go right away—I'll go report to the boss!"

Hai Shisan tumbled and crawled his way out of the stone chamber.

After confirming Hai Shisan had gone far away, Jin Chen's eyes narrowed, he exerted force with his wrist behind his back, and the sturdy hemp rope snapped instantly.