The crew-cut youth was very stout, clad only in a thin short-sleeved T-shirt. His arm muscles bulged like rocks, exuding incredible strength and power, while in his eyes, Fang Yi seemed somewhat ’frail.’
However, Fang Yi wasn’t in the mood to bother with these trivial matters or the crew-cut youth’s provocation, ignoring it altogether and asking Li Xue, "Where’s the boat?"
For the trip to Xianghua City, everyone had planned to travel by boat. As far as Li Xue was concerned, it would be great to encounter kidnappers en route, as it would mean a direct confrontation, without the need to search for the enemy’s lair.
Li Xue pointed to a fisherman’s boat and said, "There it is."
Fang Yi nodded, then headed straight for the boat.
The crew-cut youth was left behind, feeling quite discontent. A young man beside him said, "Zheng Squad, this Fang Yi is too arrogant, don’t you think? I didn’t see anything impressive about him. Yet he had Deputy Director Bai waiting here for him with us. What a big shot."
The crew-cut youth was Zheng Squad, whose real name was Zheng Shaoyang, from the Drug Enforcement Team. He said coldly, "Who cares if he’s a big shot or not, this time I will make Li Xue understand that only I am a real man, that only I, Zheng Shaoyang, am worthy of her."
"Yeah, Zheng Squad, you’re young and promising, no doubt about that."
"We must make Deputy Director Bai regret this."
"When the time comes, we’ll set a few traps for this Fang Yi—won’t let him off easy."
The drug enforcement guards all chimed in, offering their suggestions to Zheng Shaoyang.
Once everyone was on the fisherman’s boat, which was manned only by the fisherman whom Li Xue had hired, they estimated it would take until the next morning to arrive at their destination. Having boarded the vessel, Fang Yi immediately looked for a spot to rest.
As for Cai Qin, she followed Fang Yi silently, sticking close to wherever he was.
Fang Yi lit a cigarette and sat down on a wooden plank bed, with Cai Qin sitting down beside him. Fang Yi couldn’t help but glance at her.
Cai Qin had donned her familiar black combat outfit, and for convenience, she had tied her black hair into a neat ponytail, giving her a spirited and vigorous appearance.
Fang Yi said, "Rescuing people is my business. Why did you follow?"
Cai Qin replied, "I’m here to help Li Xue. If she hadn’t asked me, I wouldn’t have come."
Fang Yi asked, "Does Deputy Director Zhao know about our operation?"
"I kept it from him," Cai Qin said.
As night fell, Fang Yi left the cramped room and went to the rear deck of the fisherman’s boat.
The motor of the boat, which ran on gasoline, made a clattering noise and belched thick smoke.
The deck was reeking of fish, though Fang Yi didn’t mind.
Canglan River was a tributary of Yuyun River, which spanned thousands of kilometers across many regions and served as a trade link between Xuan Cang and Guangling City. Taking the Canglan River to Yuyun River was the fastest way.
Leaning on the railing, Fang Yi looked at the fairly gentle current when suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind. He turned around to see the crew-cut youth and several others approaching with an intention to encircle him.
Fang Yi slightly raised an eyebrow and remained silent. Zheng Shaoyang took out his credentials and spoke first, "I’m the captain of the Drug Enforcement Team, my name is Zheng Shaoyang, and the people behind me are the guards. I’ve heard from Deputy Director Bai that you’re quite skilled."
Fang Yi responded indifferently, "I might be a bit better than you guys."
That remark immediately drew snickers. Zheng Shaoyang also smirked, calling out, "Yang Wei!"
A robust young man stepped forward, looking at Fang Yi with a smirk full of provocation.
Zheng Shaoyang said, "Yang Wei, he says he’s a bit better than all of you. Do you accept that?"
"Hell no!" Yang Wei glared steadily at Fang Yi, clenching his fists as if warming up, with his knuckles cracking and a sneer on his face, "I challenge you."