Chapter 9


    We Don’t Coerce


    “Didn’t you mention exchanging the treasures on the ship for our freedom?” one of the pirates


    questioned.


    “Did I really say that?” Gu Xiaonan looked puzzled.


    “Young hero, you’re not ying tricks on us, are you?” another pirate anxiously asked. “You just told


    your master that we could use the money on the ship to buy our lives.”


    Gu Xiaonan tapped his head. “Ridiculous! Those treasures were obtained through wrongful means and


    should be returned to the rightful owners. How did they be a means to buy your lives?”


    The pirates were left speechless. It was at that moment they realized they had fallen into a trap set by


    the other party.


    The pirate chief seethed with anger. Zhao Ba quickly intervened, saying, “Chief, don’t be angry. Let’s


    find a solution. The young hero’s words do hold some truth.”


    “Hmph!” The pirate chief huffed in response.


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    Zhao Ba smiled gently and suggested, “Young hero, we are currently penniless. Why don’t you have


    our Chief write a letter requesting ransom, and ourrades can send the payment?”


    Gu Xiaonan waved her small hand dismissively. “There’s no need for such trouble. Since you don’t


    have money, you can work to repay your debts.”


    “Dream on!” the pirate chief roared defiantly.


    “Mr. Song, this man here is unwilling toply. Please toss him off the boat. We won’t force him,” Gu


    Xiaonan’s eyes shifted toward the boatman.


    “Alright, young master,” the boatmanplied.


    The pirate leader was left speechless. What an ingenious way to avoid forcing others to work for him.


    This region of the sea was treacherous and perpetually shrouded in fog. It was infested with numerous


    sea creatures that would devour any unfortunate souls who dared to venture into the waters. Even if


    they were not bound, the chances of survival were slim if they were to jump into the sea.


    “Young hero, we agree! Please instruct the boatman to release the chief!” Zhao Ba shouted.


    “Can you vouch for his intentions?” Gu Xiaonan inquired.


    “Yes! Yes!” Zhao Ba vigorously nodded, signaling to the pirate leader.


    The pirate chief was forcefully pressed against the railing, while the turbulent seawater surged below,


    resembling a menacing beast with its gaping, bloodied maw. At that moment, the pirate chief


    experienced the gripping fear of impending death, his face turning pale.


    After battling with his inner turmoil, the pirate chief clenched his teeth and made a difficult decision. “I


    will work for you!”


    “Young hero, look, the chief has agreed!” Zhao Ba eximed happily.


    “Don’t release them!”


    Suddenly, two individuals emerged from the cabin. It was the man and woman who had previously


    been bound to the mast. Having regained consciousness after being affected by Gu Xiaonan’s singing,


    they were saved by the boatman and hidden in the cabin.


    Upon overhearing the conversation, they couldn’t bear to remain silent any longer. Witnessing Gu


    Qingluan and the others about to release these ruthless pirates, they feltpelled to intervene.


    The man who took the lead was handsome, dressed in clean garments that exuded elegance.


    He approached Gu Qingluan, cupping his hands and bowing respectfully. “I am Gu Jinrong of the Gu


    family from the Kingdom of Chengyuan. This is my younger sister, Gu Jinyue. We are deeply grateful to


    you for saving our lives. If it weren’t for your intervention, my sister and I would have perished at the


    hands of the pirates. Those who havemitted such heinous acts should not be shown any mercy.”


    The names Gu Jinrong and Gu Jinyue struck a chord with Gu Qingluan. She raised an eyebrow in


    recognition. “The Gu family?”


    Gu Jinrong’s expression turned serious, but he smiled. “Yes, we are from the Tianjing branch of the Gu


    family. My father holds the second position within the family hierarchy.”


    No wonder their names sounded familiar. They were from the second branch of the Gu family, an old


    acquaintance of hers. Gu Qingluan’s lips curved into a yful smile as she looked up and observed the


    two of them. Previously, they had been tossed around by the pirates, their hair disheveled and their


    clothes in tatters. Due to the distance and her vague memories of their appearances from several years


    ago, she hadn’t recognized them until now.