I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse-Chapter 836 - 926: Pirates Incoming? How Can We Be Sure They’re Really Pirates?

Look at this kid, with such a valuable S-level authority, he is so protected that he’s not even allowed out the door. Poor him.

Jing Shu nodded naturally, "That’s only right. You’re part of our team, so you have to listen to me. When I saw you a few years ago, you were such a cheerful young guy. How come you’re so downcast now? I’ll introduce you to a beauty just like you, I’m sure you’ll hit it off."

Zhang Lang’s antenna on top of his head straightened again, and he smiled happily, "Good!"

The captain of the first squad is called Hei Long. He’s a gloomy young man who, at a young age, is shrouded in a black cloak, obscuring his body. However, the recent information introduces him as clearly not normal.

He stood out with a sinister voice, "Zhang Lang going out on patrol with you isn’t possible. What if he encounters danger? He is safest staying on the ship; otherwise, we can’t guarantee his safety."

Jing Shu frowned and asked, "What level are you?"

Hei Long was momentarily stunned.

Jing Shu continued, "Oh, an A-level truly can’t guarantee his safety. Don’t worry, I’m at least S-level. It’s much safer following me than following you, no matter where."

"You!!" Hei Long stared at Jing Shu with a sinister look, angrily turned around, and flicked his cloak, but then heard some words that nearly drove him crazy.

Jing Shu shrugged her shoulders and said to Yang Yang, "You saw it just now. Two squads protecting Zhang Lang could easily lead to disagreements. How about just handing Zhang Lang over to us entirely? Spare the hassle of splitting responsibilities. Moreover, having two squads could shift the blame if something goes wrong."

Everyone inhaled sharply at this comment. How audacious! And daring to ask the taskmaster to reassign tasks? Aren’t you afraid Captain Qi of Code Seven will have objections? And it’s about protecting an S-level mission, how can you make it sound so simple?

Besides, do you think just saying that will get their agreement? Shouldn’t such a major issue be reported and discussed...

However, what no one expected was that Adviser Yang nodded seriously and said, "Alright, your squad protecting Zhang Lang is more than enough. If an incident happens in your squad, it would probably mean total destruction for us. We don’t need others."

Everyone was shocked into silence, and they glanced at Captain Qi, who had maintained a stern face. Was it really okay not to consult him at all?

Besides, no one expected Adviser Yang to have such a high opinion of this big sister. Is she really that impressive?

The key point is that Captain Qi ultimately said nothing, and then Yang Yang called Hei Long over, "Since that’s the case, we’ll add more shifts to your schedule... But the additional merit rewards and special subsidies for protecting the S-level mission will be gone. The 20th squad will handle it fully."

What? Protecting S-level Zhang Lang comes with extra merit rewards and special subsidies?? The first squad members, who were just delighted, immediately became deflated again. Why wasn’t this mentioned earlier! Is it too late to ask for a change now?

Hei Long’s expression changed several times, but in the end, he said nothing more. Today, they had become a joke; anything more would only add to the ridicule.

The rosters were rearranged, and Yang Yang asked everyone to report the personnel information of each brought vessel, evaluated their Combat Power Levels, and organized scattered ships into numbered fleets. They would be needed at times.

Afterward, Yang Yang led everyone to familiarize themselves with official ships and route planning, stipulating that if there was time each afternoon, they would hold a meeting for work summaries and records before finally announcing the end of his speech.

Code Seven then stood up and said, "Let’s follow the adviser’s plan. Everyone remembers our main task this time, which is to get rich together. If conflicts arise, resolve them by authority level. If that doesn’t work, see whose fist is bigger. Of course, I have the right to decide all plans and adjudicate all disputes because my fist is the biggest." Saying that, Code Seven raised his fist.

The entire audience indicated no dissent; after all, Captain Qi of Code Seven was the highest commander in battle — what he said goes.

Just as Code Seven indicated that the meeting could adjourn, a voice suddenly came from the room’s speaker:

"This is Patrol Craft No. 2. Over two hundred miles ahead in the Vietnam direction, we’ve spotted five suspected pirate ships, three cargo ships, and two armed with cannons. Repeat..."

Upon hearing this, everyone present began to feel excited — business came knocking so soon!

Especially the elite members of the second squad, who were more excited, as today was their turn to patrol!

Yang Yang, however, gestured calmingly and said, "Everyone, don’t get excited. It’s just that a fleet has been detected, but ships sailing on the sea aren’t necessarily pirates, right? With piracy rampant, trade fleets are also heavily armed."

This statement, although unpleasant to hear, made a lot of sense — after all, pirates aren’t fools. It’s not like they’d paint a big skull on their ship to announce to the world: come get me, right?

"Yeah, so what do we do? Send someone up to take a look?"

"Even if we look, it doesn’t mean they’re pirates."

Yang Yang gestured again with a smile, "Second squad, you guys approach them with your vessel, asking for help, and then do this and this, like so and so..."

The elite members in attendance showed a look of sudden understanding and mischievous smiles appeared on their faces. Ah, isn’t this just entrapment?

You act all rich and defenseless on the sea to test humanity! As soon as they dare to make a move, they’re surely pirates. What? You’re legitimate traders? Then why are you robbing little old us? Well, we’re just defending ourselves; it’s not like we’re intentionally robbing you.

However, in the apocalypse, many powerful trade fleets from other countries doubled as pirates, catching fat sheep while transporting goods and sometimes robbing other fleets.

Someone then asked, "What if we run into genuine traders who also help us?"

Yang Yang answered, "Then escort them safely. Good people will always be rewarded, right? Non-pirate merchants can receive a bit of protection from us."

The second and third squad, taking their fleets, set out. As it was their first time raiding—oh, I mean targeting pirates—they weren’t very experienced, so they dispatched two elite squads just in case.