Dozens of pirates rushed forward to tie up Fang Yun and Zhao Wen, while several others restrained Mei Hwa carefully so the girl wouldn’t be hurt.Fang Yun and his companion could see that the pirates bore facial features similar to Mei Hwa’s. That fact alone made Fang Yun decide to comply for the time being.“Take those two young men and lock them up with the other captives. As for the girl, put her in her own room!” ordered the pirate leader in a language Fang Yun and Zhao Wen had already learned.The two young men were herded into a cabin used to hold other prisoners. Inside, Fang Yun and Zhao Wen saw five merchants they had spoken to earlier in the voyage, now bruised and beaten, clearly for resisting capture.Fang Yun scanned the room, observing the other captives. They came from different lands and races—only two, like himself, were from the mainland of Hu. The rest were from distant corners of the world.Fang Yun gave a faint smile

The arrival of Fang Yun together with Mei Hwa — who, it turned out, was a martial artist as well — stunned the five merchants from the Chinese mainland who had been locked in the room. The other captives were equally shocked. Now their slim hope of survival had opened up, though it remained fragile — given that the number of pirates on the island reached into the tens of thousands. “Everyone stay inside. After we get out of this room, close the door tightly and hold it shut so no one can get in.” Fang Yun spoke to the five merchants she knew, instructing them to pass the message to the others. After taking a deep breath, Fang Yun approached the door fastened with heavy iron chains. With black flames issuing from his hands, Fang Yun melted the chains easily and quickly. Then the three of them stepped out of the room. Those still inside hurried to shut the door and brace it from the inside with whatever they could find.<

The man remained silent, unable to answer Mei Hwa’s question. His mind was clouded with overwhelming fear.“If I hadn’t considered the safety of the other passengers,” Mei Hwa said coldly, her tone laced with disdain, “you and your men would have already been slaughtered. Killing all of you would’ve been as easy as turning my hand!”With graceful but deadly precision, Mei Hwa drew her sword and aimed its sharp edge at Lin Fan’s throat. “You’ll receive your punishment for daring to disrespect a woman.”In one swift motion, her blade sliced through the air. Lin Fan’s left ear was severed cleanly and fell to the floor. He screamed in agony, clutching the bleeding side of his head.“Stop screaming!” Mei Hwa snapped. “You’re a man, not a coward. You’ve committed a grave mistake and must face the consequences!”Lin Fan immediately bit back his cries. He hadn’t expected such a brutal punishment. From all he’d heard, Princess Mei Hwa was supposed to be gentle and soft-hearted.Xun Zhao stood