On the warship, not only were Shen Tu and the others present, but members of the Five Directions Trade Association were there as well.
Hua Youmeng, Xia Jingwu, Yao Qing, Haitang, Gao Hong, and the rest all gazed at Yang Kai, their eyes filled with both worry for him and uncertainty about their own futures.
All of them had been scraping by on the cultivation stars belonging to Purple Star. Though they had never formally joined Purple Star, they might as well have been half its warriors. Now, suddenly forced to flee with no hope of ever returning, they had no idea where to go or what to do next.
But they knew that after Yang Kai's rampage through Purple Star, there was no longer any place for them there. If they didn't leave, death was the only option.
Apart from the Five Directions Trade Association members, Li Nuo of the Sky-Piercing Auction House and the beautiful woman known as Aunt Chun were also on the warship, along with several other warriors from the auction house.
At this moment, Li Nuo and Aunt Chun gazed at Yang Kai, their faces brimming with gratitude.
The reason was simple: the Sky-Piercing Auction House had always been a hidden outpost planted on Purple Star by the Heng Luo Trade Association. Back when Yang Kai had stumbled upon Shen Tu's imprisonment, the person Shen Tu had asked him to deliver a message to was Li Nuo.
After all this commotion, the Sky-Piercing Auction House could no longer maintain its foothold on Purple Star either. That was why Yang Kai had long ago instructed the Five Directions Trade Association, Li Nuo, Aunt Chun, and the others to prepare themselves—once Shen Tu was freed, they would leave Purple Star immediately.
The arrangements were sound enough, and the plan had gone flawlessly. Everything had hinged on Yang Kai's seemingly endless trump cards and his own formidable combat strength.
"President Hua, let me introduce you—this is Shen Tu, son of the president of the Heng Luo Trade Association!" Yang Kai said with a chuckle, gesturing toward Shen Tu.
Hua Youmeng was stunned, utterly astonished. She hadn't expected that the man who had just scrambled aboard the warship in such a wretched state could have such an extraordinary background. Xia Jingwu and the others were equally thunderstruck, staring at Shen Tu without blinking.
Shen Tu broke into a grin and said casually, "Since you're all friends of Brother Yang, you're friends of Shen Tu from now on!"
"That's exactly what I wanted to hear," Yang Kai said with a smile. "President Hua and her people have been dragged into this mess by me and have no choice but to leave Purple Star. They don't have anywhere to go for the time being. If it's not too much trouble, Brother Shen Tu, could you look after them once we reach Water Moon Star?"
"What could be easier?" Shen Tu thumped his chest, looking every bit the man ready to take on the world. "I have a fiefdom of a million li on Water Moon Star now, with seven cities of various sizes. If none of you object, you're welcome to come with me to my fiefdom and serve as the general managers of a trade association, handling all manner of commerce."
"A fiefdom of a million li..."
"Seven cities..."
"General managers of a trade association?"
Everyone from the Five Directions Trade Association froze, mouths agape. They could hardly believe what they were hearing.
Before meeting Yang Kai, the Five Directions Trade Association had been an obscure little merchant guild. Associations like theirs were a dime a dozen in Purple Star City, struggling away at the very bottom, never knowing when they might dissolve.
But now, a single word from Shen Tu could elevate them to the very pinnacle—allowing them to taste a goal they could never have reached even after centuries of struggle.
With this advantage added to the over two hundred million Holy Crystals now in Hua Youmeng's possession, it would be difficult for the Five Directions Trade Association not to thrive.
"Is… is… is that really appropriate?" Hua Youmeng's flushed face trembled with excitement as she looked at Yang Kai hesitantly.
"What's not appropriate about it?" Shen Tu laughed heartily. "The Heng Luo Trade Association has always been founded on commerce. Water Moon Star has even more merchant guilds of all sizes than Purple Star City. Since you're all merchants by trade, that aligns perfectly with our founding principles. Handing things over to you means I can worry less, and I'll be counting on all of you going forward."
Yang Kai smiled at Hua Youmeng and said, "Brother Shen Tu has already made the offer—don't decline, President Hua."
Hua Youmeng still looked as though she were lost in a dream, a vision of a bright future reflected on her face. She hesitated to respond for a long moment. It wasn't until Xia Jingwu gave a light cough that she finally offered a graceful bow, her expression filled with gratitude. "In that case, many thanks, Young Master."
Shen Tu waved his hand dismissively. "No need for formalities, President Hua. We're all one family now. No need to stand on ceremony."
Li Nuo stepped forward and linked her arm through Hua Youmeng's, saying intimately, "Sister Hua, I'll also be working on the Young Master's territory from now on, so please look after me."
"You're too kind, sister. If anything, I should be the one saying that."
Inside the warship, some revelled in the joy of their narrow escape, while others gazed ahead with longing toward a brighter tomorrow. The atmosphere couldn't have been more harmonious.
Yang Kai's brow furrowed. Sensing something, he glanced back over his shoulder and let out a soft humph. "Looks like Purple Star isn't giving up yet."
Shen Tu's expression shifted. "What's happening?"
"Ten warships are closing in behind us. All superior-grade Void-class, and the lead one is Void King-class!"
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone's face changed drastically.
A Void King-class warship was a rare find anywhere. Even the Heng Luo Trade Association didn't have many, and neither did Purple Star. It wasn't hard to deduce that whoever was aboard that Void King-class warship could only be Kuang Shi Zong!
As for the Heng Luo Trade Association's warship, although it was superior-grade Void-class, if they engaged the enemy in the void of space, they would be hopelessly outmatched in both speed and firepower. One clash would likely reduce them to rubble.