Chapter 682: Lost Direction, a Shortage of Fresh Water

"Uncle, it’s been so many days. If we can’t find our way soon, I’m afraid we’re all going to die at sea." The speaker was the man standing on the left.

The man’s name was Huo Feng. He looked to be twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in a blue, wide-sleeved robe and a white jade hair crown that appeared to be quite expensive.

"We’re running low on fresh water. Even if everyone takes just one sip a day, we won’t last more than seven days." Another man’s lips were already chapped.

"Uncle, at a time like this, if we abandon some people, perhaps we can last a few more days. We might even find our way." The speaker was a woman in an ornate outfit.

She wore a primrose-yellow, close-fitting uniform, marking her as a trained martial artist.

"Fourth Sister, we all set out to sea together. We will all return together." Huo Feng frowned, his tone filled with displeasure.

The two men and one woman who had yet to speak also frowned at her words.

"Big Brother, this is no time for empty loyalties. One extra sip of water might be all it takes to survive until we escape these waters." As she spoke, Huo Liran looked toward the middle-aged man above her. "Uncle, you need to make a decision."

The middle-aged man, Huo Tu, was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "That is an option."

"What kind of bullshit option is that? Abandon people if you want, but if you dare touch anyone from my Jiang family, I’ll be the first to object." The woman standing opposite Huo Liran stepped forward.

"Jiang Yue, are you suggesting we should abandon people from my Huo family?" Huo Liran shot a cold glare in her direction.

Jiang Yue scoffed. "It was your Huo family that came up with the idea. So if anyone’s getting abandoned, it should be your own people. As for the Jiang family, we drink together if there’s water, and we die together if there isn’t."

"You..."

"Fourth Sister, that’s enough," Huo Feng cut her off. "Miss Jiang is right. We drink together if there’s water, and we die together if there isn’t. The Huo family are not cowards who cling to life and fear death."

Huo Liran fumed, "Big Brother, I’m only thinking of what’s best for all of us! To put it bluntly, servants are just servants. How can their lives possibly compare to ours?"

"Liran," Huo Feng said, his expression darkening.

Jiang Yue crossed her arms. Hearing that, she turned to the man beside her. "Second Brother, there’s no point talking to people like this. I’m leaving."

Jiang Chenyi nodded, then turned to face Huo Tu. "Mr. Huo, the Jiang and Huo families set out on this voyage together. No one could have predicted we’d hit a storm and lose our bearings. The most important thing now is to find our way, not sit here discussing how to abandon our companions."

"Brother Jiang, don’t take Liran’s words to heart," Huo Feng said, patting his shoulder reassuringly. "This is her first time away from home, and she’s frightened by what’s happened. Rest assured, the Huo family would never abandon its companions."

"Brother Huo, I trust you. But let me make one thing clear," Jiang Chenyi said, his eyes fixed on Huo Tu. "If anyone dares to harm a member of the Jiang family, I, Jiang Chenyi, am not to be trifled with."

Huo Tu let out a hollow chuckle and stood up. "Nephew Jiang, those words make it sound as if you don’t trust me."

"Not at all, Mr. Huo. I’m simply issuing a warning. Should anyone get any funny ideas, they would do well to remember what I’ve said." Jiang Chenyi retracted his gaze and turned to leave the room.

Silence fell over the room.

The smile vanished from Huo Tu’s face, his eyes growing dark and sinister.

"Uncle, are we really just going to wait here to die?" Huo Liran asked, her face crinkled in a frown.

"Don’t you worry, Liran. Your uncle has a plan."

"What plan?" Huo Liran asked.

Huo Tu said nothing, his gaze drifting toward the doorway.

"Uncle, Brother Jiang is not to be provoked. Don’t you get any ideas," Huo Feng warned, knowing his uncle’s ways all too well.