Ch 163: The World’s Number One Resort

Tang Huai picked up his backpack and, upon returning to Sora Island, immediately contacted Frank.

Frank was the captain of the United Nations Pacific Peacekeeping Forces. The two had previously met during the Agave incident.

“Between 6 PM and 10 PM on January 15th, a total of 23 ships passed near Sora Island. Here’s the information you requested. There’s no customs clearance data, so they are likely smuggling ships…” Frank reported as he promptly contacted various ports within the Pacific region at Tang Huai’s request.

To his surprise, three days ago, a ship marked with the QA logo had indeed been spotted navigating around the vicinity of Sora Island for three days. After 9 PM, the ship completely lost contact.

It was a blacklisted ship.

“The QA logo seems to be from around Eritrea,” Frank speculated.

Based on the limited monitoring data, the QA flag resembled those from the Eritrean region, which was known for its chaos.

“Eritrea?… Thanks.” Tang Huai received the data and expressed his gratitude.

While Frank’s speculation might not be definitive, it was highly probable.

“No problem. With the upcoming global conference, there will be many more instances where we’ll need to coordinate with Sora Island.”

Frank waved it off. Last time, during the capture of Aubrey, he managed to claim some credit. Although he had only met Tang Huai once, Frank was very appreciative. With the global conference approaching, he had been appointed by the United Nations as the Pacific Operations Commander, an honor of the highest level.

Tang Huai and Frank chatted for a while before ending the call.

Tang Huai then opened the world map.

Eritrea, located in northeastern Africa, was relatively underdeveloped but held strategic importance as a Red Sea stronghold. It was known to be a rather chaotic region. The QA logo was specific to an area in Eritrea. Regardless of whether Yu You had been taken by a fishing boat from that region, Tang Huai decided he needed to go there and investigate.

“Chirp, chirp, chirp—” While Tang Huai was deep in thought, Da Zhuang’s anxious calls echoed from outside.

Tang Huai walked over to the window.

Da Zhuang, with its massive body, was swimming back and forth in the shallow waters around Sora Island, appearing visibly tense.

“I will find him,” Tang Huai assured as he gazed out over the moonlit sea.

Tang Huai appeared deep in thought, pondering why the ship had taken Yu You. Based on the intelligence Frank provided, the QA vessel had lingered around Sora Island for three days, indicating a deliberate plan…

Since they managed to take Yu You away, it suggested that he was still safe for now.

After some contemplation, Tang Huai packed his luggage. After arranging the operations of Sora Island, he departed for Eritrea with two AI bodyguards.

Eritrea was characterized by its highlands and plains, with abundant rainfall. It strategically guarded the Mandeb Strait, attracting countless merchants from all over the world.

After a day of travel, Tang Huai landed in Eritrea at 7 PM the next day.

“Mr. Tang.”

Outside the airport, a man in his thirties with a sharp and agile demeanor greeted Tang Huai warmly. His name was Rhett, originally from Canada, but he had grown up in Eritrea and was a well-known guide in the area.

Rhett was introduced by Frank.

Following a brief introduction, Rhett led Tang Huai and his two companions to a modest hotel.

“I’ve already checked. There are six ships with the QA logo in the Mandeb Strait. Three of them didn’t set sail. Two went to China, and only one crossed the Pacific—the Greattooth, a ship leased by Dada Shipping. It’s currently in Malaysia, which matches your description…” Rhett explained, entering the room after Tang Huai had settled in.

Though Rhett spoke lightly, gathering such detailed information had taken significant effort.

“How long until it returns to Eritrea?” Tang Huai promptly gave him $10,000, appreciating the smooth progress so far. Due to flying, he had managed to arrive much earlier than the ship.

“About the morning after tomorrow…”

“Ring, ring—”

“Hold on a moment.”

Rhett took the cash, but just then, his mobile phone rang. With an apologetic look at Tang Huai, he stepped outside to take the call.

“There’s a situation. The Greattooth has lost contact.” Five minutes later, Rhett returned, his expression grave.

According to information from Dada Shipping, the Greattooth had lost contact half an hour ago in the vicinity of Malaysia, an area scattered with countless uninhabited islands. The Greattooth was rented out to a supposed Arab businessman, but according to Dada Shipping’s investigations, all the provided information was false.

The ship’s tracking system had already been disabled, indicating that the renters did this deliberately.

Dada Shipping was quite anxious because the introduction came from a familiar source, and the deposit they received barely covered the cost of the ship. The Greattooth was a medium-sized yacht, and if they couldn’t retrieve it, the loss would be substantial.

“What are the coordinates?” Tang Huai didn’t dwell on Dada Shipping’s concerns and asked directly.

“Longitude 102°E, latitude 6°N…” Rhett was slightly taken aback but answered immediately.

Tang Huai handed Rhett another $20,000 for the information and then flew to Malaysia with his two bodyguards. Given Yu You’s unique constitution, Tang Huai didn’t want to make a big scene. After some thought, he consulted FD730.

Tang Huai wanted to use the system’s tools to locate Yu You, but since most of the tools were designed for use around Sora Island, there wasn’t a suitable search tool available.

He would have to rely on his own efforts.

Money talks.

Tang Huai stayed in Malaysia for two days and eventually learned from a fisherman that an unusual black ship had been wandering around the southern part of Malaysia.

The rented ship from Dada Shipping was also black, matching the size and description.

Tang Huai then hired several small boats to search the area around Malaysia and eventually pinpointed an island called Sule as the target.

“Mr. Tang, that’s Sule Island ahead. It’s currently rented by some South Africans…” In the clear, sunny weather over a bay on the southern side of the Malaysian archipelago, a young local man in his twenties explained to Tang Huai.

Tang Huai was generous and had a mysterious background. This job alone came with a $20,000 guide fee, more than his annual salary.

The young man was eager to serve.

After his explanation, Tang Huai used binoculars to look into the distance. About 3,000 meters ahead lay an island of about 50 square kilometers. The terrain was rugged with rocks, and several figures appeared to be keeping a lookout on the island.

At the island’s entrance, a medium-sized yacht was moored. With a black hull and white sail, its bow showed signs of impact damage—it was Dada Shipping’s missing vessel.

“Let’s go,” Tang Huai put down the binoculars and instructed the crew behind him.

The guide had called it a rental, but based on the chaos of the recent period, it looked more like the island had been forcefully occupied by this group…

Tang Huai’s boat approached the island.

The guards on the island spotted the boat, exchanged a few words, and then walked toward the shore with their weapons.

“Who are you?” A tall South African man in a yellow camouflage outfit called out warily as Tang Huai’s boat approached.

The tall man’s accent was typical of the Eritrean region, confirming Tang Huai’s earlier suspicions.

“I’m a Chinese merchant. My boat’s engine broke down, and I need to dock for repairs,” Tang Huai replied, using the excuse he had prepared.

“This place doesn’t welcome Chinese merchants,” the tall man said cautiously, without lowering his weapon. If Tang Huai had been on a more sophisticated boat, the man’s trigger finger might have itched even more…

With the commotion, two more guards approached, their expressions as fierce as the first.

The young guide swallowed nervously. Weapons, guards, and their vicious looks—all signs of drug dealers or a terrorist organization.

“Mr. Tang…” The guide started to regret coming here.

“Please,” Tang Huai remained calm and took a black bag from the AI bodyguard beside him, tossing it over to the shore.

“Thud—” The black bag hit the ground, making the guards even more tense.

“Just a gesture of respect,” Tang Huai said earnestly.

The three guards exchanged glances. The tall man cautiously approached, using the butt of his gun to nudge the bag open.

“Whew.” Seeing what was inside, the tall man breathed a sigh of relief. It was filled with bundles of green bills—fifty thousand dollars, to be exact.

The tall man inspected the bag and, after confirming there was nothing suspicious, looked back at Tang Huai.

“We will only stay for five hours,” Tang Huai reiterated.

The guards glanced at each other. The tall man boarded the ship, checked for anything unusual, and then disembarked.

Tang Huai and his crew remained unnervingly calm, nothing like a typical merchant vessel. Moreover, aside from the local guide, the others were all Caucasians. The tall man checked the guide’s credentials: American nationality.

Given the current maritime tensions, getting involved with Americans could lead to a series of complications. This was precisely why Tang Huai had chosen to rent an American merchant vessel.

The tall man stepped aside to make a phone call, then recorded a video of Tang Huai and the ship, sending it out.

“You, get off the boat,” he ordered, pointing at Tang Huai ten minutes later.

Neither side here was acting as an ordinary merchant or island resident. Both knew exactly what they were dealing with.

Tang Huai got off the boat.

The guards searched him, ensuring he was unarmed, then led him toward the island’s interior. A few more guards approached, keeping a close watch on the ship and its occupants.

Due to its low latitude, Sule Island was scorching hot, the ground burning like a furnace. But thanks to his prior experiences on Sora Island, Tang Huai was unfazed.

The island was small. Half an hour later, they crossed a ridge and arrived at a low-lying plain. Scattered across the area were seven or eight gray wooden huts, surrounded by guards. Some cold-eyed children were seen cleaning guns.

It was a scene straight out of a movie, depicting a lawless black market territory.

The guards walked ahead, with Tang Huai trailing behind. Shortly, they crossed the dirt path and reached the largest wooden house.

“Mr. Vance,” the tall man announced, entering the room. He then led Tang Huai inside.

The room was about 200 square meters and somewhat shabby. Guns lined the walls on both sides, while a massive wooden table occupied the center. Behind it sat an incongruously luxurious leather sofa.

Seated on the sofa, a man in his fifties, exuding the air of a leader, puffed on a cigar.

As Tang Huai entered, three fierce-looking Middle Eastern men were also present. With a gesture from the man on the sofa, the tall guard and the Middle Eastern men left.

Now, only Tang Huai and the man on the sofa remained in the room.

Tang Huai discreetly assessed his surroundings.

“Hello, Mr. Tang Huai,” the man on the sofa said, standing up after finishing his cigar.

He appeared to be of South African descent, speaking fluent American English.

“Mr. Vance,” Tang Huai responded, retracting his gaze.

When the tall guard had announced his arrival earlier, Tang Huai had already guessed who Vance was.

Abed Vance, originally from Eritrea, a notorious drug lord operating in Mexico and the Middle East—and previously, the trading partner of O’Brien.

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