Chapter Twelve: The Return of the Kidnappers

Liu Yunfei told Xiaowei over the phone that he was going out of town with friends for two days and asked not to be called constantly. If he couldn't make it back in time, he requested Xiaowei to help him ask for leave.

With everything arranged, Liu Yunfei soared on his somersault cloud, swiftly arriving above the Red Sea. The Star Cluster was still within sight; as long as he found the artificial island, he could easily locate the ship. Liu Yunfei landed on the deck, resumed his true form, and descended the stairs to the main hall.

The old prince was having coffee with Shalina. Seeing Liu Yunfei return so quickly, he felt both surprised and relieved. After all, they were not yet free from danger; the kidnappers could return at any moment, and they were powerless to resist.

The old prince invited Liu Yunfei to sit and personally poured a cup of freshly brewed coffee, placing it before him. "Dear Chinese friend Liu, I have already made arrangements. We are now heading for Jeddah, the largest port city on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. It will take about eight hours to arrive. Our navy is on its way as well but will need three hours to rendezvous. We could also request support from the nearby American carrier strike group, but that would take even longer. What do you think?"

"There's no need for the carrier group; after all, they're just kidnappers. The navy should suffice. For now, the key is for everyone to be careful during these next three hours," Liu Yunfei replied.

"I agree. Shalina, please show our esteemed guest to his room and see if it meets his satisfaction."

"Yes, father. This way, Yunfei." Shalina had changed into a long robe, which still could not conceal her alluring figure. She wore a headscarf that covered her hair and face, leaving only her large eyes and long lashes visible.

Shalina lifted the hem of her robe slightly as she led the way. Liu Yunfei followed behind, catching a faint, delicate fragrance she left in her wake. He couldn't help but notice the way her rounded hips swayed left and right, making him feel as if he'd had a bit too much to drink. His face flushed slightly, and he lowered his gaze to the stairs.

They soon reached the third floor, where the best guest suite on the ship was located—a room grander and more luxurious than even the master bedroom, complete with a private open-air space like an atrium. In the center sat a bathtub just large enough for one, though Liu Yunfei couldn't tell if it was meant for bathing or for swimming. Surrounding it was a circle of chairs, prompting him to wonder if the setup was for a solitary bather to be watched by an audience.

Liu Yunfei wasn't particular about accommodations; in any case, it was far superior to his own room at home. He turned to Shalina and said, "It's excellent, thank you. I'm very pleased."

"If you need anything, just call me. My room is right next door," Shalina replied softly. She was about to leave but then returned, placing her right hand over her heart and bowing her head in an Arabian gesture. With a hint of shyness, she said, "Thank you a thousand times over. If it weren't for you, I would only have death to preserve my honor."

Liu Yunfei waved his hand generously. "No need for thanks. It was the least I could do. Go get some rest." Treating her like an old friend, he gave her shoulder a gentle pat, feeling its softness and resisting the urge to linger. He smiled awkwardly and saw her out.

As night was likely falling in New York, Liu Yunfei picked up the ship's phone and called Park Minji, explaining that he'd been busy lately and unable to attend her classes.

Liu Yunfei had no intention of resting. Dusk was approaching, and if the kidnappers were to return, it would be within the next three hours, before the navy arrived. He went to the atrium, leaped onto the Star Cluster's deck, and relaxed at the bow, propping his feet on the large plexiglass windshield and resting his arms behind him, feeling at ease. The golden sunset reflected on the deep blue sea, the yacht slicing through the azure expanse like a giant pair of scissors through pure blue fabric. The sight filled him with such exhilaration that he felt the urge to sing aloud.

Looking up, he saw the sky filled with seagulls, as they weren't far from shore. In the afterglow of the setting sun, the birds looked golden as they darted and called, playing joyfully, plunging like arrows into the water to hunt.

In the distance, another flock joined the hunt, among them a black shape that circled and then flew away. Liu Yunfei paused—it was a bat.

He stood up, stepped on his somersault cloud, and rose into the air, spotting three speedboats racing toward him from straight ahead. He hurried back to the yacht and rushed to the main hall. "Everyone, be careful! Get to the hall—the kidnappers are back!"

At Liu Yunfei's shout, everyone sprang into action. He took the guns he'd seized from the kidnappers out of his light jade slip and handed them to the old prince, who distributed them among the male servants. Shalina hurriedly ran down the stairs; Liu Yunfei found a small pistol and pressed it into her hand. Looking up, he saw Shalina's large, bright eyes fixed on him, filled with tender affection. Their gazes met, and Shalina bravely held his gaze until Liu Yunfei, suddenly shy, smiled and turned away to the deck. Watching him go, Shalina couldn't help but smile herself, thinking, "This timid fellow, I will make you fall in love with me."

Liu Yunfei reached the foredeck, stood at the very tip of the railing, raised his head, and opened his arms, letting the salty sea breeze whip his clothes and beat against his chest. He felt as if the world itself was within him, his spirit soaring. As the three dark dots drew closer, he shouted, "Come on, wind and waves!"

More than anything, Liu Yunfei wished for a weapon to hand, envying his senior brother Sun Wukong and his magical staff that could change size at will.

As the speedboats approached, Liu Yunfei could clearly see them forming an inverted triangle, five men on each, all armed with AKs. Henry stood in the middle of the rear boat, watching through binoculars. Liu Yunfei extended his middle finger in a contemptuous gesture, which was answered by a barrage of bullets.

The ferocious gunfire shredded Liu Yunfei's clothes but had no effect on his body—the bullets ricocheted away, not even leaving a mark. The sheer force of the barrage made him sway, and he could hear the hull of the Star Cluster being peppered with bullets. He realized he couldn't let them sink the ship.

Liu Yunfei bent his knees and launched himself toward the nearest speedboat. Another hail of bullets met him in midair, slowing him only briefly. Twisting his body, he spun rapidly, the force of his movement sending whirlpools spinning across the sea below.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Yunfei landed on the foremost speedboat, where the kidnappers, confronted with his courage, were already pale with fear.

On the last boat, Henry raised his right hand and shouted, "Black Phantom!" Henry's figure flickered, and a black shadow leapt into the air. On closer inspection, it wasn't Henry himself but a conjured double, identical in appearance, darting at Liu Yunfei and jabbing at his eyes with its fingers.

"What a vicious move," Liu Yunfei thought. For a body as hard as steel, the eyes were often the most vulnerable spot. But Henry was mistaken—Liu Yunfei's eyes, though not as sharp as Sun Wukong's fiery gaze, were not so easily harmed.

Seeing his tactic fail, Henry manipulated his puppet to circle Liu Yunfei rapidly, searching for an opening to strike a fatal blow.