Chapter 765

Yang Shan couldn't help glancing at the cat that spoke human speech, then forced his gaze away from it to Pan Yun's face and said, "Dawn is coming."

Dawn is coming; they'll be docking soon.

Pan Yun glanced at Quanzhou Harbor, now drawing ever closer, smiled in reply, and sheathed her sword.

The lively fish were sent to the kitchen, ending their fish lives.

Stewed chicken, fried fish, grilled fish, steamed fish, stir-fried bean sprouts, cabbage fish soup…

The aroma filled the entire ship, even drifting to other vessels.

Miao He woke up, her stomach growling loudly.

She immediately got out of bed, sniffing the air as she walked, following her nose all the way to the ship's edge, staring at the lead vessel ahead, utterly baffled: "Why are the delicious smells over there?"

Seeing Miao Zhen stared at her in silence: "You can smell it from that far away, with the sea wind blowing?"

Miao He: "Can't you smell it?"

"I can't," Seeing Miao Zhen pulled her toward the kitchen: "We're about to dock—just eat something."

The fleet slowly docked; though many berths were available, Yang Shan ordered other ships to dock first, leaving their vessels at the back of the line.

The cabin door, locked all night, opened. The cook brought in the prepared meals, placed them one by one on the table, wiped his hands, and set down a jug of wine: "Eat up."

The four saw the table of food and stared blankly: "This… this is last meal?"

The cook didn't confirm or deny it, only said: "We've docked. Don't think about escaping—everyone here is ours. You can't run. Obey, and you'll suffer less. We'll save effort too. It's better for everyone."

With that, he turned and left, closing the cabin door.

The four left behind stared at each other, motionless.

Xiao Hong, who had followed the cook in, remained in the room, now sitting at the table, staring at the feast and swallowing saliva.

But no one could see her.

Now, as long as she wore the item Wang Feiyin gave her, she could eat—and likewise transform the food into qi to nourish herself.

Xiao Hong looked hopefully at the four, wishing they'd rally, get up, and eat—perhaps she could sneak a bite.

But the four, suddenly learning they would soon die, had no appetite—even the strength to drink water was gone.

They had tried so hard—was death still their only fate?

The brocade uniform guards outside the door muttered: "Killing them like this is a waste."

"Do you think my lord doesn't want to use them for glory? But before we docked, the message arrived—these four, my lord must kill."

"Who? Who has that much power? Last night my lord was determined to extract the mastermind—now, overnight, everything changed."

"Shh—can't say it. Can't say it."

Inside, the four grew more desperate, a tide of resentment rising in their hearts.

Why?

They hadn't revealed any vital information. They'd been loyal enough. They never intended to betray their master—why kill them?

On what grounds?

Why can they kill at will? The money was mostly theirs—they walk away unscathed!

The four's faces twisted.

The ship buzzed with activity—people moving, things being carried.

The brocade uniform guard outside knocked on the door and urged: "Hurry up and eat. Meal collection in half an hour."

Then he told another guard: "We've docked. The Maritime Trade Office's eunuch Cao has rewards—I'll go claim mine first, then come back to relieve you."

The guard agreed; one left.

Soon after, someone called out: "Come quick, lend a hand! The Navy office's inventory team is here—some items are hard to carry ashore, come help out!"

The guard outside also left.

As soon as he was gone, the four fell silent. Then the bandit sitting near the door leapt up, grabbed the door handle, and yanked—only for the door to clang loudly. Chains outside had locked it; any movement made a racket. Nearby soldiers came over and kicked the door twice, barking: "Behave! Move again and we'll throw you overboard to feed the fish."

The other three also moved, crowding to the door, peering through the crack.

They could see soldiers constantly carrying things onto the deck.

Their cabin was at the stern—people passed constantly, but none stopped.

A position no one noticed… unless you moved, then you'd be seen.

The four laughed bitterly: "If we die here, even our corpses won't be found."

They tried twice—each time the chains outside clanged loudly, drawing shouts from the soldiers.

They gave up, silently sat on the stools, staring at the lavish feast, feeling no desire at all.

"We're about to die—what's the point of eating this?"

"Of course it matters!" another disagreed, snatching chopsticks and shoveling food into his mouth, sobbing: "Even if I die, I'll die full. Maybe next life I'll be reborn well."

One bandit sneered: "You're delusional. Even if you stuff yourself to death, you won't be reborn well. We've killed and robbed—accumulated so much sin—we'll only be reborn worse!"

"Bullshit. They're worse than us. They took all the money from killing and looting—they're more guilty. What's it to me?"

"Don't worry—they'll be reborn well. The sin rests only on us."

"Why? Why? We all sinned—why only us bear the guilt?"

The second bandit sneered again: "Because they're nobility, and we're lowborn! Before the King of Hell, they get three extra points of favor."

The other two didn't believe it—crying as they bowed their heads and shoveled rice, soon choking themselves.

The third bandit downed two cups of wine to swallow his food, but kept hiccuping.

He hiccuped and wept: "I don't know if Senior Sun's promise to me still holds—after I die, will my wife and children…"