Chapter 72 Seven Dark Days
I know that if I don't make things clear today, they definitely won't cooperate.
James looked around and waved for Hatcher to ask most of the people to leave, leaving only Xia Ming behind.
Even the security guards, who were determined to prioritize safety, were persuaded by Elder Xia's words and waited outside with the others.
Once they were the only ones left sitting face to face in the room, James picked up the map again and drew a line next to it with a pen.
"Professor Xia, this is our original route."
Xia Ming looked thoughtful. "If we follow this direction, we will reduce a lot of dangers and avoid many dangerous areas along the way."
"Captain, please tell me your reasons for doing this?"
He thought about it a lot, but still felt he couldn't convince himself.
James gave a wry smile, his eyes filled with urgency. "If we follow the original route, it's too late!"
"We absolutely cannot take the treasure before them; if that happens, we might as well take a gamble."
James knew very well that they came from the same sea and the same continent, and how arrogant and self-centered those people were.
It was another desolate, uninhabited sea area; people could do anything there, from murder to unloading cargo.
"You mean?"
Xia Ming gradually understood, and sure enough, the news he heard later dealt him another heavy blow.
It turned out that they had received a reply from the head office two days earlier, saying that several other companies would soon take over the Pacific Ocean area.
If they dare not take any further action, then the treasure from this sunken ship will be taken by whoever finds it, or even worse, it will be a contest of strength to seize it.
"Professor Xia, you don't understand how those bigwigs will stop at nothing to get this huge sum of money. It's not just us, even you wouldn't be spared if you messed with them."
He spoke with great determination and ruthlessness, his eyes revealing deep fear.
Xia Ming wanted to open his mouth to refute, but after thinking about it, he didn't say anything.
“Even so, we really can’t take the risk. Captain’s route has too many dangerous areas; it’s practically a disaster zone.”
Even now, he still feels a bit panicked; if the ship sails up there, it will be a dead end.
"Perhaps we could take a different route?"
James kicked over the table and chairs, his expression a mixture of anger and frustration. "Don't I know? Don't I know? I know everything!"
He saw things more clearly than anyone else, and he knew better than anyone else that there were no shortcuts.
Let's take a gamble!
“I have a crew with thirty years of sailing experience and professional equipment. If we can get through this crisis, I can give you one-thousandth of the treasure that follows.”
Xia Ming's expression turned cold after hearing the first half of his sentence.
He had already made some preparations; after all, if they couldn't reach an agreement, then there was no point in continuing the negotiations.
But the second half of his sentence made him pause his dangerous thoughts. He quietly lowered the pen he was holding and the murderous intent in his eyes gradually subsided.
James had no idea about the little old man sitting across from him.
An ordinary-looking old man, with only a scholarly air about him, suddenly had the thought of killing him.
Xia Ming remained silent for a moment, and after verifying the information several times, said he needed an hour to consider it.
James agreed, and then they got to work.
They were contacting the opposing warships, gathering together to discuss something, and an old blind man was standing on the deck muttering to himself.
The foreigners found it very strange.
I don't understand what they're doing.
Everyone understood, because Old Xia told them what happened as soon as he got back.
After all, it was a matter of life and death, not only concerning the lives of their thirty-four people, but also the lives of another warship and three hundred compatriots.
With fewer than four hundred people on both ships combined, it would be easy for them to disappear at sea.
"I still think it's too dangerous. The situation at sea is treacherous, and if something goes wrong, it's not like being on land."
“That’s right. Although we have learned to swim, it’s obviously not that simple. If someone falls in, who can hold on and swim to land?”
Luo Yin listened to their argument the whole time, and the researchers, soldiers, and other comrades present began to express their opinions.
Some people say this trip is dangerous, no wonder his mother has always told him to be careful when he gets near water since he was a child.
Some people are worried that the other party is lying. What if they really find a treasure but don't give out that one-thousandth?
Some people looked at the vast sea and sighed incessantly!
As for Luo Yin, one of the parties involved, besides worrying about listening to their various opinions, she was also busy arguing with Old Man Chen.
After all, only metaphysics could offer her some hope right now.
"Mr. Chen, please take a look at the current trend!"
Brother Du looked very sincere. He had calculated the outcome several times before he came, saying it was like taking a risk, but the result was indeed good.
But this time it's different, and his own private speculation is not good.
When he saw the message, he was stunned for a moment, but he quickly calmed down and decided to recalculate until he was satisfied. However, the next few times were all the same strange.
Realizing he could no longer get involved, Du Yuetian immediately went to find Brother Meng.
Meng Shaoyuan, who was taught by his family, only knew a little about feng shui and geomancy. While following that dangerous route, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
He hurriedly found Xiao Du and Sister You, and the three of them whispered among themselves before calling over Old Chen.
Old Man Chen then learned about the strange events from the others, which led to what happened next.
"Go aside and fetch Elder Xia and Comrade Zheng."
Luo Yin paused, not telling her the situation, and even after looking closely, she couldn't see any change in his facial expression.
The people nearby had already run off to call for help.
Xia Ming is the core leader of the team, and Comrade Zheng is the person in charge who just came from the next ship.
The two men approached Blind Chen with polite attitudes, with Old Xia showing particular eagerness and closeness.
"Old Chen, did you call us here with some results?"
"Well, since you're asking about the future, I'm not too sorry for you. The road ahead is full of hardships and storms, and man-made disasters are rampant, but as long as you stay calm and focused, you can still get through it. The outcome is that you'll be lucky to survive!"
"This, this isn't a serious illness!"
Xia Ming lowered her voice but couldn't suppress his exclamation.
Those who had kept some distance noticed the change in his expression and guessed that something was wrong.
“We can’t leave, otherwise Comrade Zheng, you should take your men back and not follow us.” He made the worst-case scenario plan, which was not to drag more people to their deaths.
Xia Ming looked at his companions with red eyes and said, "I'm sorry, everyone!"
Chen the Blind Man's eyes seemed to have more white, and his lifeless pupils became a little clearer, but they quickly dimmed again.
"What are you saying, Professor Xia? You can't say such hurtful things. We are soldiers who take it upon ourselves to protect our country. Our mission in this operation is to cooperate with you. How can we leave you here?"
Political Commissar Zheng firmly disagreed; he had come up here to facilitate discussions on the next steps.
After all, he was much easier to communicate with than their captain.
"Alright, stop arguing. When I said 'nine deaths and one life,' I meant there was still a sliver of hope."
Blind Chen casually interjected.
But these words sounded like a turning point to them.
Is there a chance for things to turn around?
"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed, and I know no more." After saying this last sentence, he fell silent, then plopped down on the ground, refusing to say anything no matter who asked.
Old Xia was so angry that he secretly muttered about him for a long time, but he knew that Old Xia would not say it again.
Yu Lizhu secretly told Luo Yin that the old man must have touched that thing again, because he looked completely weak.
Luo Yin asked what it was, and Sister You shook her head and said she didn't know, but she explained that a skilled feng shui master could use it to make more accurate calculations.
The result of this calculation was that the ship started moving again an hour later that day.
The Maria led the way, with another large ship crashing within a hundred meters behind.
They officially entered the famous deep-sea area on the west coast.
This route allows them to arrive a full ten days earlier, greatly increasing their chances of gaining the upper hand; however, they will need to endure seven dark days to reach the treasure's location from here.
They later called it the Dark Week!
Since the ship set sail, everyone on board has been on high alert, with all personnel fully prepared, carrying life jackets and other essential supplies.
Eating, going to the toilet, and sleeping were all arranged in groups of a few people.
It is precisely to ensure that we can unite and work together in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
On their first day in the deep sea, they clearly saw what it meant to be as deep as a pool and as dark as ink.
My impression of the sea is one of gentle sea breezes, sparkling waves, and sun-drenched beaches where seagulls take flight; but the sea in front of me is all I can see, dark and murky water that doesn't seem very deep.
Anyone who stands on the deck and looks down will instinctively feel a sense of fear that makes their legs go weak.
It was a fear of the soul, a fear of the body.
From that point on, everyone silently stopped bowing their heads and instead raised their chins slightly.
Everyone who passed by subconsciously raised their chin, and this habit unknowingly spread to everyone on the ship.
The surrounding darkness and desolation did not stop the ship's course. The Maria sailed steadily forward as much as possible, but it could not avoid the whirlpools in the deep sea along the way.
It's like a land-based trap, sucking ships into the eye of the sea and pulling them down and down until the entire ship is dragged to the seabed, capsizing and becoming nourishment for the eye.
"Everyone be careful, pay attention!"
"Here you come, Fox, show us what you've got. The guys are counting on you this time."
James cheered him on from the sidelines, pushing stacks of US dollars on the ground and making it clear that he would receive money every day he survived.
This is not only a reward for their hard work, but also bait for overcoming difficulties next time.
An older but muscular Western man confidently replied, “Captain, don’t worry, this is a minor problem. I can handle it all by myself.”
"Haha, that's right, this money is definitely ours today."
The other assistants who were helping out were equally unceremonious.
As the vortex drew ever closer, everyone watched intently for its next move.
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