Chapter 688: You Clearly Just Don’t Want to Give It to Us

"If she can navigate these waters, that’s her own skill. Why do you make it sound so suspicious, Young Master Huo?" Jiang Yue scoffed.

"Miss Jiang, I meant no offense. It’s just that one can’t be too careful. We need to be a little more cautious."

Huo Liran stared at the other vessel. ’How dare she be so rude to me? I’ll make her pay for this later.’

Hearing the argument beside her, she turned and retorted, "How is it not suspicious? Her boat came from over there, yet she said the coast is behind us. Who knows if she’s trying to get us all killed."

"Does she even know who you are? Besides, she’s already left. If you really think she’s trying to harm you, why did your Second Uncle order our ship to chase her? Are you that eager to be harmed?" Jiang Yue laughed in exasperation.

It was obvious who was trying to harm whom, yet Huo Liran had the audacity to turn the tables and accuse others.

"You talk a big game. Let’s see if you refuse to drink the water and eat the food my Second Uncle gets." Huo Liran huffed resentfully, turning her head to look at Ye Qianning’s boat.

"We wouldn’t drink stolen water anyway," Jiang Yue retorted with a dismissive curl of her lip, her gaze also following the boat as it grew more distant.

With the wind at its back, the small boat was faster than the large one. No matter how hard the large ship gave chase, it couldn’t seem to catch up.

Huo Tu was getting anxious. "Increase our speed! How can we not even catch a small boat?"

"Second Uncle, come with me for a moment." Huo Feng tugged on Huo Tu’s arm.

"What is it?"

Huo Feng led him aside. "Second Uncle, if we catch up to her, you absolutely cannot act rashly."

"If she obediently shows us the way and shares her fresh water and food, I naturally won’t give her any trouble. But if she refuses... well, then we’ll just have to let her feed the fish."

"This woman seems to be a trained martial artist. Second Uncle, have you forgotten how she silenced you and Liran a moment ago without anyone even seeing how she did it?" He hadn’t even seen how she’d struck.

Huo Tu subconsciously touched his mouth. "It was indeed a bit strange."

"Until we know what she’s capable of, it’s best to prioritize a peaceful approach."

Huo Tu snorted. "Have you been brainwashed by that brat from the Jiang family?"

"Of course not. I just think that woman is no ordinary fisherwoman. She recognized the merchant ships from Beili. We should figure out who she is before we make our next move."

Hearing this, Huo Tu seemed to realize something as well and nodded slightly. "Fine. For your sake, Second Uncle will try courtesy before resorting to force."

The winds on the open sea change quickly. Within an hour, the direction had shifted. What had been a tailwind moments ago had turned into a headwind in the blink of an eye.

Sailing into a headwind, with no cannons to power it forward, Ye Qianning’s boat gradually slowed.

The Huo family’s large ship, however, was completely unaffected and caught up to Ye Qianning’s boat in the blink of an eye.

’EEK EEK EEK EEK.’

The little monkey bared its fangs at the large ship.

"Stop the boat."

The large ship forced the smaller boat to a halt.

Ye Qianning remained seated in her rocking chair, looking slightly lethargic. "Is there something else?"

"Miss, we were rude just now and disturbed you. Please forgive us. We’ve simply been at sea for too long and have grown desperate." Huo Feng said from the deck, his face a picture of apology.

"Continue straight in this direction, and you’ll reach the shore." Ye Qianning was always more accommodating to those with manners.

"Yes, but we have very little fresh water left on our ship. I was wondering if you might be able to spare some for us, miss?"

"Unfortunately, I don’t have any stored fresh water on my boat either."

’No stored water?’

’Who is she trying to fool?’

’How could she be so carefree, sailing on the open sea without any fresh water?’

Huo Feng’s expression stiffened.

Huo Liran pointed at her furiously. "How could you not have any fresh water? You clearly just don’t want to give us any!"

"You’re half right." And indeed, Ye Qianning had no intention of giving them any.

"You...! Second Uncle, she obviously has fresh water on her boat!" Huo Liran whined to Huo Tu.

Huo Tu’s face darkened as well. "We’ll know whether she has any or not once we get on board and search."

’Search?’

"Search my boat?" Ye Qianning laughed. "And who the hell do you think you are?"