All trading ships have at least a level six helm.
Facing a storm like last night’s is no problem for them, so besides serving as maritime trading hubs, they have another use, providing shelter for ordinary crew members.
Of course, that comes at a cost.
Sules spent a total of 51 Copper Shells to shelter the seventeen crew members from the two-legged ship, plus another 10 Copper Shells for docking fees, making it 61 Copper Shells altogether.
To be honest, it still made her heart ache.
Especially since, on Xiao’s ship, there were a few people she felt really didn’t deserve to stay.
Once everything was finally settled, the stormy night drew to a close.
Sules lay in bed, pondering how to maximize the unexpected gains from today, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
***
Early the next morning, the sky had already cleared.
Sules got up, washed, and went to find Xiao.
Since his own ship was gone, Xiao hadn’t really slept either.
By the time Sules found him, he’d already been standing on the deck for some time.
Due to last night’s storm, there were far more people on the trading ship than usual, and the deck was crowded.
Sules pursed her lips, motioning, “Let’s talk in your room.”
Xiao nodded readily.
Xiao lived alone, so the two went straight to his cabin.
Sules got right to the point, “What do you plan to do next?”
Xiao rolled his eyes and smiled, tossing the question back to her, “What else can I do? I’ll follow your lead, Captain, for a month. After the rainy season, I’ll find a new path ashore.”
He was a man in his thirties, with a slightly flat nose, small eyes, and thick lips.
When he smiled, he looked honest and simple, without a trace of cunning.
But Sules knew better.
There was iron on Xiao’s ship. Iron isn’t something just anyone transports; it’s usually moved by merchant ships for trade.
Although Xiao’s ship was rather basic, it was clear he had ambitions.
And anyone who wants to run a merchant ship surely isn’t simple-minded.
Sules thought for a moment, then spoke more directly, “Now that I’ve gotten your ship, I actually need a vice-captain to help operate it. I thought it over last night and have some development plans. You’ve lost your original ship, and it’ll be hard to get back on your feet. Why not sign a contract with me for a few years? That way, I can carry out my plans, and you won’t lose your ship. Isn’t that a win-win?”
Xiao hesitated, then deflected: “Captain Sules, you’re right. It’s just that I’ve only just lost my ship, and I’m uncertain about the future. Besides, I have to think about my crew, don’t I? So I might need more time to decide.”
Sules’ gaze darkened. The clash of merchants often happens in an instant. Although Xiao said he needed time, she could already sense his intent to refuse.
As captain, Xiao knew his ship better than anyone.
If she could keep him and his original crew together, it would definitely improve the efficiency of her plans.
But hearing Xiao’s words, she realized she needed to prepare for the possibility that he wouldn’t stay.
Still, Sules had never expected to win Xiao over with just one negotiation.
There was still a month left on the contract—no need to rush.
At this, Sules smiled, “You’re right. I’m the one being impatient. No problem, take your time to consider. For the next month, you’ll stay in my waters with me. Our territories overlap, so we’ll just sail together.”
She stood, extending her hand to Xiao with a meaningful handshake: “We have plenty of time ahead.”
***
Every extra day on the trading ship meant more expenses, so to save money, everyone packed up and returned to their own territory that same day.
Claire was so exhausted that night, she didn’t say much to Sules.
It wasn’t until the next day that she truly realized Sules now owned two ships.
“Sules, aren’t we a bit too lucky? Isn’t this a blessing in disguise?” she said, a little emotional.
Sules smiled and nodded, “It really is lucky.”
But the next second, Claire frowned, “But, come to think of it, isn’t this taking advantage of others’ misfortune? I feel a bit uneasy about it.”
Sules wasn’t surprised by her reaction. In the game’s setting, Claire is the classic lawful good type—a good person, through and through.
She calmly explained, “No, you have to understand—without me, those ten people would have gone down with that ship. Now, though they’ve lost their ship, they’re still alive. This was a mutually beneficial trade, not me taking advantage of them.”
Claire thought it over and had to admit Sules was right.
On the surface, it seemed she profited, but thinking it through, it was really an equal exchange.
Sules picked up the megaphone and called out to Xiao Victor on the neighboring ship, “Xiao Victor, stop your ship for a moment. I’m coming aboard to take a look.”
Since acquiring the two-legged ship, she hadn’t set foot on it once.
Xiao complied and let Sules board.
As the captain is absolutely protected on her own ship, Sules didn’t bring anyone with her—she went alone.
The crew, formerly under Xiao’s command, were all a bit uneasy around the new captain.
Only the first mate and the boatswain seemed unfazed.
They had always been Xiao’s confidants. Most likely, when the month was up, they’d leave with Xiao and start over elsewhere.
Naturally, they had no reason to curry favor with Sules.
The rest of the crew looked nervous and uneasy.
The memory of last night’s storm was still fresh, and their frantic struggle for survival had not been a pretty sight.
They didn’t know what their new captain thought of them.
Regardless, switching ships is never easy for any crew.
These people tried their best to behave, hoping to make a good impression on Sules.
Sules didn’t think much of these people.
It’s only human to panic at death’s door, but as a captain, she didn’t want subordinates who would drag the captain down with them.
Unless something unexpected happened, she planned to dismiss these crew members once they reached land.
But there was no need to show her intentions now.
Sules simply nodded to them and began inspecting the ship.
Both Xiao’s and her own ship were level 2 vessels, with similar structures, differing only in the details.
For instance, Xiao’s cabin had no partitions, and five beds were squeezed inside.
Clearly, it was arranged for maximum space, not comfort.
Her own ship, arranged by the system, was designed for comfort and sturdiness.
In the short term, it might be less efficient than Xiao’s, but in the long run, it was safer and more reliable.
After she’d finished her inspection, she returned to her own ship.
Claire and the others immediately surrounded her, “Captain, captain, how’s the new ship? Is it up to standard?”
Sules smiled and nodded: “It’s reliable. There won’t be any problems with development.”
Everyone cheered up at once.
The better Sules’ ship developed, the more valuable they’d become.
Ying Yi Ci De and Shan My, who had only signed two-month contracts, were already considering renewing.
After all, Sules seemed trustworthy, and there was no need to adapt to a new ship again.
Now that she’d acquired another ship, it was like taking a big step forward. In this situation, there was even less reason not to renew.
Sules had actually been thinking about this.
Shan Mu was no problem, but Ryan Laide and his brother—she hadn’t planned to renew with them.
Her goal had always been to get the magic array blueprints from their family.
Once she had them, the brothers would probably realize they’d been used, and keeping them on board would only bring trouble.
***
Over the next few days, the two ships sailed together.
Xiao watched Sules and her crew closely.
From his perspective, only Sules and Adolph stood out.
The others were all ordinary rookie sailors—not worth noting.
Sules was someone whose actions didn’t match her age.
He’d seen this clearly during their negotiation. Sules had the air of a seasoned merchant.
As for Adolph, though their interaction was brief, Xiao could tell he was a high-level fisherman.
For someone of that caliber to stay on Sules’ humble ship was, in itself, a curious thing.
While Xiao was observing Sules, she was also keeping an eye on him.
From what she’d seen these days, Sules noticed something interesting: Xiao’s crew wasn’t united.
The signs had been there for a while.
Back when she asked Xiao to pick two people to survive with him, he’d chosen the first mate and the boatswain—his loyal followers.
The rest of the crew, having been abandoned, had started to stick together.
Though no one mentioned that night again, it was clear the ten crew members had split into two factions.
One had the power, the other had the numbers.
They maintained a fragile peace.
But anyone could see that, when the month was up, they’d go their separate ways.
There was no way for them to keep working together.
Sules didn’t care much about the other crew, but she did want to keep Xiao.
However, after watching him these past few days, Sules was sure—Xiao had absolutely no intention of staying.
This left her a bit frustrated, and she wanted someone to talk to. But Ryan and the other two were about to leave, so they weren’t suitable for deeper conversations.
Claire and Annabella were both too kind-hearted and lacked the necessary cunning—also not the right people to discuss these thorny matters with.
In the end, Sules realized the only one she could talk to was Adolph.
She knew Adolph wouldn’t be interested in her little schemes, but even so, she figured she could try to get some advice from him.