37 Gunfight

The morning on the island began with the cries of a baby.

Qiao Yuyan hid within the dense canopy, snakes and insects weaving through the branches, occasionally crawling over her unnoticed as she fixated on a clearing a hundred meters away.

In the clearing, seven camouflage tents formed a circle.

Several men in camouflage combat uniforms emerged from the tents. Their skin tones varied, and their faces bore deep fatigue as they muttered curses in their native tongues.

The man leading them kicked one of the tents. “Tell that brat to stop crying!”

Inside the tent, a woman’s voice trembled with sobs as she stammered in the common language, “I–I really can’t do anything else. The little prince’s formula is finished. He’s been hungry since yesterday…”

The man who kicked the tent was burly, his muscles bulging beneath his uniform, his face covered with a thick beard.

Seeing him, Qiao Yuyan narrowed her eyes, her heart tightening with caution—Rex.

His strength ranked among the top three in the DK organization, ruthless in his methods. With him around, utmost caution and careful planning were necessary.

Qiao Yuyan controlled a spider-shaped reconnaissance device to climb onto the tent and slip through a gap.

Inside one of the inner tents were a man and a woman. Facial recognition on Qiao Yuyan’s glasses began scanning.

Soon, the data matched: these two were the head of the Sarri royal guards and the little prince’s nursemaid.

The spider robot continued moving inside the tent and found a baby in the corner—it was the Sarri little prince.

The little prince lay on the ground, only a blanket beneath him, quietly sobbing with distress. His mouth moved repeatedly, clearly starving.

The other six tents held supplies—one filled with a modest amount of food, and another stocked with weapons.

The remaining five tents were living quarters for the thirteen people.

Qiao Yuyan silently calculated: she had already dealt with two people by the shore, one was at the watchtower, leaving eleven here.

The enemy numbered many, and with the little prince trapped in their midst, large-scale weaponry was out of the question.

It seemed this mission could only be won through cunning.

The little prince inside the tent gradually quieted as his cries waned from exhaustion.

Several DK members took some hard bread from the supply tent and stood listlessly at the entrance, crumbs falling from their mouths.

“How much longer will that so-called king take to bring the money?” A scarred man chewed fiercely, muttering curses indistinctly.

“Do you think they’re trying to trick us again?” Another man’s eyes were bloodshot, worn thin by days of waiting.

“It’s been five days already…”

For five days, they had guarded the island, nerves taut. As food dwindled, everyone’s temper grew volatile.

Three men wearing traditional Sarri attire stood before a tent, watching the DK members warily.

They exchanged glances and slipped into the tent where the head of the guards was.

The thick canvas blocked sunlight, leaving the tent dimly lit, filled with the mingled scents of sweat and the milkiness unique to infants.

They approached the head of the guards and whispered in Sarri, “Sir, I fear the DK people harbor ill intentions.”

“What harm could they cause? Only we know the ransom exchange method. They wouldn’t dare,” the guard chief dismissed the concern with a wave. Lowering his voice, he added, “Once we go out tomorrow to collect the money, there will be others waiting. Then…”

Qiao Yuyan touched her chin thoughtfully. Indeed, money was a powerful motivator; both sides wanted to claim the two hundred million ransom for themselves.

She smiled faintly at a silent man standing in the corner among the DK members on the screen. Mixing with DK but with such poor composure—then you’ll be my target.

The three guards sighed helplessly and gradually left the tent, returning to their quarters.

Though the guard chief spoke lightly, regret filled their hearts. Once privileged royal guards in Sarri, living comfortably and honored, they were now reduced to kidnapping the little prince out of greed.

But regret came too late; there was no turning back.

“Eh?” The man walking ahead suddenly stopped, crouched in surprise, and picked up a voice recorder from the dirt.

The three exchanged uneasy looks, sensing a bad omen.

“Play it,” the last man entering zipped the tent shut.

They gathered around and pressed play.

“Cut them all to pieces and throw them into the sea…”

“They’re all ours…”

The recorder’s voice was intermittent; their expressions darkened.

“What do we do?” The youngest man looked terrified.

This was his first time facing such ruthless bandits, and the recorder’s contents shattered his resolve, leaving him shaken.

“Wait, Jiya,” the eldest man gripped his shoulder firmly, trying to calm him, “this tape is suspicious. It could be a trap.”

“What trap? We’re the only ones on this island. They’re just trying to intimidate us.” Jiya was in full panic, unable to heed the older man’s words.

He paced anxiously in the tent's open space, pulling at his hair, muttering under his breath.

Suddenly, he drew a pistol from his waist and dashed outside. “No, I won’t wait here to die. I’ll fight!”

The other two tried to stop him but were too slow.

By the time they stepped out, Jiya was already in front of Rex.

He raised the gun, aiming it at Rex, finger tightening on the trigger. “You despicable scoundrel, breaking the deal and planning to kill us to keep the ransom!”

“Jiya, what are you talking about? We would never do that,” Rex feigned a smile. “Put the gun down. Let’s talk.”

“Stop pretending! I know all about your scheme!” Jiya, driven mad by the recorder’s contents, refused to listen.

“What’s going on, Jiya? Don’t be rash,” the guard chief hurried out of the tent at the commotion.

Jiya said nothing but played the recording again. The voices of the two cliff guards drifted from the device.

Everyone present was shocked simultaneously. Rex’s face changed drastically as he shouted, “Trouble! Someone’s infiltrated us.”

At his words, the DK members quickly raised their guns, scanning their surroundings warily.

Their movements triggered Jiya’s already frayed nerves, snapping them completely.

The guard chief saw Jiya’s expression and yelled, “Jiya, stop!”

But Jiya no longer heeded any words.

Gunshots rang out—Jiya and a DK member fell, blood spurting from their foreheads.

“I planned to deal with you tomorrow, but if you’re eager to die, don’t blame me for being ruthless,” Rex sneered coldly at the three remaining Sarri men and waved his hand. “Take them out.”

They could no longer be spared. Hoping to manipulate DK through negotiations was a pipe dream. The nursemaid, also Sarri, would be spared. That was enough.

As for the intruder who had snuck onto the island, Rex dismissed him entirely. After dealing with these few troubles, there would be plenty of time to find and torment him.

The DK members immediately turned their guns toward the three Sarri men.

The guard chief cursed the escalating tension. He wanted a peaceful split with DK, but not like this.

Now they were three against five battle-hardened bandits, vastly outgunned. A direct confrontation was hopeless.

Yet with no way back, they had to brace themselves and fight to the death.

Gunfire erupted, igniting the camp into chaos.

Seizing the confusion, Qiao Yuyan silently crept to the back of the tent, pulled a dagger from her pistol, and sliced open the canvas.

Outside, the gunfire was relentless. Bullets struck the tent’s fabric with muffled thuds.

Inside, a woman clutched the baby tightly, eyes wide with terror at the sudden intruder.

The newcomer was swathed head to toe in black cloth, her slender silhouette unmistakably feminine.

“I was forced into this!” The woman fell to her knees with a thud, holding the child out to Qiao Yuyan in desperate supplication. “Please don’t kill me. I beg you, I really had no choice…”

Though nearing forty, her panicked demeanor stirred pity.

“Give me the child.” Qiao Yuyan holstered her gun, unfastened the baby carrier on her back, and gestured for the woman to pass over the little prince.

Fear flickered in the woman’s eyes. Hesitant, she crawled over and placed the little prince into the carrier.

Surprisingly obedient, the little prince gazed quietly at Qiao Yuyan without a sound.

Qiao Yuyan bent down and secured the safety straps.

Suddenly, a fierce glint flashed in the woman’s eyes. She drew a hidden dagger and stabbed at Qiao Yuyan’s unsuspecting back.