Chapter 860: The Rockflow Group's Self-Rescue Plan

Li Zongyu's speech didn't completely dispel everyone's doubts.

However, it did alleviate some of their tension.

The group dispersed back to their respective rooms.

As soon as White Mo returned to his room, he curled up on his bed, muttering to himself:

"Lies, all lies! They'll definitely kill us, they absolutely will!"

Xie Yunfan sat on White Mo's lower bunk, his gold-rimmed glasses with a cracked lens reflecting a sinister glint.

"We must find a way to save ourselves!"

"I refuse to live day by day in constant fear."

"Li Zongyu has probably already become that Zhang guy's accomplice. He has value to Zhang, but we don't."

"I won't bet my life on someone else's mercy!"

"Shut up!"

Che Haicheng suddenly shouted angrily, glaring sternly at Xie Yunfan.

He cautiously checked outside the door before locking it from inside, then sternly warned everyone:

"If anyone overhears this, you'll get us all killed!"

Xie Yunfan realized he'd spoken too emotionally and didn't argue back.

"So what do you suggest we do then?"

Che Haicheng lowered his voice, scanning each person present.

"Everyone here is exceptionally talented in their respective fields. If we work together, we can definitely find a solution."

"Now, clear your minds and focus on this problem!"

His voice dropped even lower: "We'll discuss more tonight."

At night when the middle deck lights went out, and Eisenmann had confirmed their room wasn't bugged—that would be the safest time for detailed discussion.

Everyone acknowledged Che Haicheng's experience and returned to their rooms to silently ponder how they might contact the Columbus Ocean fleet thousands of nautical miles away across the vast sea.

...

On Zhang Yi's end, he felt little about the numerous deaths in the lower deck cabins.

Fewer people actually made management easier.

Out of basic camaraderie, he at least ensured everyone's living supplies would be guaranteed from now on.

Truthfully, he'd witnessed the entire chaotic event from the beginning.

He understood everything happening in the lower decks better than anyone.

Nor did he plan to hold Lu Dahai, Rong Lei, Yu Gang and others accountable for instigating the chaos.

Within a day, the lower deck was largely cleaned up.

Though the bloodstains proved impossible to completely remove—even after dozens of scrubbings, faint traces and the metallic scent remained.

Yet to the lower deck survivors, the space no longer felt dark and damp but bright and warm.

As for Zhu Yunque and Su Nuanxi?

One was left nearly incoherent with terror, repeatedly fainting and completely limp;

The other suffered profound psychological shock and, now that Zhang Yi had seized her weakness, would likely never dare oppose him again.

Zhang Yi found this quite satisfactory.

Barring unexpected events, the Golden Edge should stabilize and return smoothly to the Jiangnan Region.

Even if minor troubles arose during the voyage, they wouldn't pose serious issues.

Yet ideals are plump while reality is bony indeed.

Zhang Yi believed everyone remaining aboard now lived comfortably with ample food and clothing.

Especially the Rockflow Group members—they'd suffered no hardships, with guaranteed food and warmth.

They were far better off than those who'd fought to the death in the lower decks.

Thus, they should logically remain docile with no reason to oppose him.

But human hearts are inscrutable.

Pure rational analysis doesn't always yield accurate predictions.

Take Che Haicheng, White Mo and their ilk—

When they'd appealed to the Columbus Ocean navy earlier, they'd received no response.

Yet despite Zhang Yi taking them aboard and providing food and shelter, they remained perpetually fearful and distrustful, never believing in him.

That night,

Thunder rumbled unusually outside—a harbinger of approaching blizzards.

Aside from Zhang Yi's quarters and the crew's working areas, nearly all other lights were extinguished.

In the Rockflow Group's section, Che Haicheng and the others quietly opened their eyes and rose from their bunks.

They gathered at Eisenmann's bed, with the cautious Che Haicheng even stuffing blankets around the door cracks to prevent eavesdropping.

Preparations complete, the group huddled together to discuss their escape plan from the Golden Edge.

"Friends, after a day's thought, has anyone conceived any brilliant strategies?"

Che Haicheng initiated the discussion.

Eisenmann crossed his arms, remaining silent as usual.

He'd already shared his technical suggestions—actual implementation wasn't his expertise as a software engineer.

The pickpocket Rudolf proposed:

"If we want communication devices, our only option is stealing from the crew. That's no problem for me."

"I can definitely swipe their comms without detection."

"But we're on a ship."

He shrugged helplessly.

"They'll quickly notice missing devices, and I can't vanish like on the Champs-Élysées."

Eisenmann rubbed his fingers, adding:

"To contact the Columbus Ocean fleet, I'd need at least thirty minutes uninterrupted with the equipment. You'd have to buy me that time."

Xie Yunfan adjusted his glasses.

"So we not only need to steal the communicator but prevent them from noticing for half an hour."

Eisenmann reminded:

"And we must return it undetected! Any suspicion would be disastrous."

Che Haicheng frowned.

"Meaning we need to distract them for forty-plus minutes, correct?"

Eisenmann nodded.

"Theoretically, yes."

White Mo shook his head.

"That's impossible!"

"Our only crew interactions are during meal deliveries."

"But they never linger or engage with us."

"Even if we stole a communicator, returning it would be equally problematic."

The group frowned in intense thought.

While hope existed, practical execution seemed unfeasible.

Everyone knew incapacitating a Golden Edge crewmember for forty minutes would be harder than ascending to heaven!

The crew were extremely cautious and held particular disdain for these foreign Rockflow members.

BOOM!!

Lightning suddenly split the night sky outside, striking the sea and illuminating the vast, terrifying ocean.

Yet Che Haicheng abruptly looked up, declaring with conviction:

"I've got a plan!"

Author's Note