The warship flew beneath the clouds of the Dark Star for a long while before finally descending, touching down upon a vast plaza.
A group of people had long been waiting there, having received word of their arrival. Wuyi, standing by the window, spotted familiar faces below, waving and gesturing towards them. A little burst of joy escaped her lips. "It’s Uncle Hao An and the others!"
Yu Feng broke into a broad grin. "This trip of ours was no small feat. Of course, Senior Hao An would come to greet us personally. Miss, I trust our rewards will be substantial once we return?"
"You and your rewards!" Wuyi rolled her eyes at him, a light laugh in her voice. "Rest easy. The ores we gathered this time are all rare commodities. You won’t be shortchanged."
Hearing this, the warriors gathered nearby immediately erupted in cheers.
With a dull thud, the warship settled firmly on the plaza, and the cabin door slowly swung open. Leading the way, followed closely by Chang Qi, a large group disembarked—magnificent and triumphant like victorious generals returning from war, brimming with honor and success, heads held high.
The elder called Hao An hurried forward to meet them, several Haik Family warriors in his wake. He clasped his hands in a salute as he approached. "Miss, you’ve had a strenuous journey. Everyone, you’ve all worked hard!"
"We were simply doing our duty. Uncle Hao An is too kind." Wuyi’s face held a gentle smile.
"Knowing the Miss has returned safely, this old heart of mine can finally stop worrying." Hao An’s face was etched with lingering fear. Everyone knew how dangerous it was to pilot a warship into a star field. Wuyi had been gone for a year or two, and many who cared for her had been unable to eat or sleep properly. Hao An was one of them. He warmly urged, "Miss, please return to the family compound as soon as possible. The Family Head and several Elders are all very concerned about you. Seeing you safe and sound will surely make them happy."
Wuyi pressed her lips together in a smile and shook her head. "There’s no rush. Let’s unload the ores from the warship first, then we can go back."
Hao An’s expression stiffened slightly before he quickly composed himself. He forced a smile. "This matter doesn’t require the Miss to oversee. Naturally, others will handle it."
Wuyi stood still for a moment, thinking, then nodded. "Very well."
Saying that, she turned and called out behind her, "You all, help transport the collected ores back."
"Understood!" Yu Feng and the others answered loudly.
"There’s no need. We’ll handle it ourselves." An abrupt voice suddenly spoke. The instant Wuyi heard it, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by a surge of wariness and distaste. Her beautiful eyes darted towards the side.
From the direction of the voice, a group of warriors was rapidly approaching. At their head was a short young man. His height was pitiful, reaching only about to Yang Kai’s chest. Despite his stature, he walked with a swagger, an air of arrogance about him. The warriors trailing behind him wore equally smug expressions, their gazes towards Wuyi’s group filled with undisguised contempt.
"Xie Hongwen?" Wuyi’s clear pupils contracted. She snapped, "What are you doing here?"
"Hehe, why can’t I be here?" The youth called Xie Hongwen chuckled. "This might be your Haik Family’s plaza, but it’s also part of my Shadow Moon Hall’s territory. I come and go as I please. Hmm, Wuyi sister, you’ve had a tiring trip. I hear you ventured deep into the star field this time and gathered quite a few rare ores."
"What does that have to do with you?" Wuyi’s wariness heightened immediately.
"What does it have to do with me?" Xie Hongwen laughed loudly, pointing at the warship. "The ores inside are now the property of my Shadow Moon Hall. Didn’t anyone tell you?"
Wuyi’s face drained of color instantly. Yu Feng and the others’ expressions also turned savage, their anger surging.
Wuyi turned her head to look at Hao An, hoping he would offer an explanation. Hao An’s face was full of guilt. He stammered for a long moment before finally sighing, "Miss... we can discuss this after we return. The Family Head will give you an explanation."
"An explanation?" Wuyi let out a cold laugh. In that instant, she grasped the entire sequence of events. Her passionate heart turned to ice. Her voice was frigid. "To gather these ores, over a hundred of us set out, and only half made it back. Does the Family know what kind of dangers we faced? Do they know we were attacked by waves of Black Rock Beasts? Do they know we almost never returned, nearly perishing as a whole? Who exactly were we risking our lives to gather these ores for? Now that we return laden with treasures, why are we unable to enjoy the fruits of our own hard work? All we can expect is ‘an explanation’?"
A barrage of questions left Hao An speechless, the shame on his face deepening as if he wished a hole would open up to swallow him whole.
Not only was Wuyi beside herself with fury, her slender body trembling, but the fifty-plus warriors behind her were equally united in their anger, their stares at Xie Hongwen nearly spitting fire. All their energy was surging inwardly.
Xie Hongwen remained unmoved, that nauseating smile still plastered on his face. He looked provocatively at Yu Feng and the others, as if daring them to make a move and escalate the situation.
"Miss, this is the Family’s decision!" Hao An, after holding back for a long time, finally managed to squeeze out a few words. He looked at Wuyi with a sincere, almost pleading expression. "I implore the Miss to consider the greater picture!"
Wuyi was not, after all, an ignorant little girl. Although she understood deep down that the Family had made this decision out of necessity, she was even more aware that refusing to compromise now would only bring greater catastrophe upon the people behind her. Her small fists clenched tightly, the anger on her face giving way to helplessness. She let out a heavy sigh. "I understand."
"Miss!" Yu Feng’s deep voice called out, as if he had something to say.