Chapter 870: Surrender

Che Haicheng and his group continued to arrogantly provoke Zhang Yi and the other crew members. They shamelessly wiggled their butts, flipped middle fingers, and burst into wild laughter, venting their pent-up frustrations from the past half month.

Even though Zhang Yi had provided them with ample food to prevent starvation on Rockflow Island, they still detested him. In their eyes, Zhang Yi and the crew treated them with excessive arrogance, like herdsmen tending livestock. The saying "give them an inch and they'll take a mile" perfectly described their attitude. They clung to fantasies of some idealized distant salvation while nitpicking those who actually helped them.

But none of that mattered anymore. As Kurim vanished into the rain, Zhang Yi made his decision.

"Wait! I want to speak with your commanding officer! I can give him what he wants!" Zhang Yi shouted loudly.

At these words, Kurim's figure reappeared. "Had a change of heart?"

Zhang Yi took a deep breath. "We're just an icebreaker ship - we can't possibly oppose the Columbus Ocean Navy. Since we have no choice, we might as well cooperate voluntarily for better treatment," he said with complete sincerity.

Everyone on board wore stunned expressions. None had expected Zhang Yi to surrender without resistance.

Zhu Yunque stared at Zhang Yi with wide eyes, angrily exclaiming, "Zhang Yi! How could you? Is this how you repay my uncle's trust?"

Zhang Yi cursed inwardly: Damn woman, completely lacking situational awareness!

Fortunately, Kurim didn't recognize Zhang Yi's name.

Che Haicheng's group showed no surprise, exchanging smug looks as if this outcome was expected. After all, who would dare oppose the mighty Columbus Ocean Navy at sea?

"Now that's more like it! A wise man submits to circumstances!" Che Haicheng laughed uproariously.

Xie Yunfan adjusted his glasses and teased, "Your Chinese idioms keep improving!"

Che Haicheng glared. "Nonsense! This is our great New Rohan's six-thousand-year cultural heritage! What's it to you?"

Ignoring Zhu Yunque's murderous glare, Zhang Yi calmly told Kurim, "I won't resist pointlessly. You came for that thing, right? I've gathered substantial information, but I can't tell you directly."

Since the intelligence was already compromised, he might as well use it as bait. "I need to speak with your commander personally about this!"

Everything was observed by Klean Connor, captain of the Copernicus. "Is he talking about the Divine Source?" Connor's eyes gleamed with excitement. After consideration, he radioed Kurim: "Accept his terms! Disarm him completely and bring him aboard."

To them, the Golden Edge was just a fish waiting to be gutted. With Zhang Yi willingly surrendering and offering valuable intelligence about the Divine Source, Connor couldn't resist the temptation. Obtaining this information would mean massive military merit.

Following orders, Kurim demanded Zhang Yi surrender all weapons and accompany them to the Copernicus. Zhang Yi remained cautious but complied, setting down two pistols. Two soldiers thoroughly searched him before handcuffing his hands.

Seeing this, Old Tian and others reluctantly threw their guns onto the deck. Reactions varied across the ship - Zhu Yunque seethed with anger and confusion, thinking: Some Jiangnan War God he turned out to be! Her disappointment left her feeling anchorless. If her identity was exposed and captured by Columbus Navy, it would bring immense shame to the Jiangnan Region. Death would be her only option. She could only hope Zhang Yi wouldn't reveal her.

The Rockflow Group members displayed mixed reactions - some pensive, some worried, others visibly pleased, reflecting their diverse perspectives.

Only Che Haicheng's group reveled in triumph, laughing uncontrollably. Old Tian's crew remained expressionless. Those doubting Zhang Yi simply didn't understand what kind of man he was. Hadn't countless people fallen victim to his schemes over time? A man utterly devoid of martial pride, exceptionally cautious yet ruthlessly cunning. Anyone letting their guard down around him would... well.

"Don't touch my crew if you want the information," Zhang Yi told Kurim.

Kurim snorted. "We're the Columbus Ocean Navy!" Renowned as the world's strongest with strict discipline, this wasn't empty boasting. Currently needing Zhang Yi's cooperation, they naturally wouldn't harm Old Tian's group.

To protect both his crew and the Divine Source intelligence, Zhang Yi had to take this step. Kurim's powerful hand gripped Zhang Yi's arm as he ordered some soldiers to guard the ship while taking Zhang Yi to the Copernicus.

During transit, Zhang Yi observed Kurim's remarkable ability - rainwater moved with him, allowing seamless travel through storms. No wonder they'd boarded the Golden Edge without any vessel approaching.

After Zhang Yi's departure, an eerie silence fell over the ship. No one knew what would happen next, with only the cold-eyed Columbus soldiers standing guard, completely ignoring Old Tian and the sailors' resentful looks. Absolute strength bred absolute confidence - the hallmark of the world's premier navy.

Soon, Zhang Yi arrived aboard the state-of-the-art Copernicus cruiser, armed with multiple autocannons and conventional missiles. Its destructive power rivaled a top-tier Delta-level superhuman! Though as machinery, it had weaknesses - its interior defenses weren't nearly as formidable.

The Copernicus represented the greatest threat. Exactly why Zhang Yi had made his choice.

Author's Note