Chapter 51 - 52: Contacting Gu Tianming

Chapter 51: Chapter 52: Contacting Gu Tianming

"And one more thing..."

Gu Yihan looked at Shen Manyun, her tone turning meaningful.

"If other women out here on the sea knew that Lin Ji has such abilities and could provide them with such protection..."

"I’m afraid countless women more beautiful and younger than us would be lining up, begging Lin Ji to take them!"

"Teacher Shen, you’re not losing out at all by following the captain."

"In fact, you could say this is the most correct decision you’ve made in your life."

"The captain has given you this opportunity now. If you don’t accept it..."

At this point, Gu Yihan glanced toward the door and the room next door.

"You might end up completely neglected, just like Su Qingyue."

"When that happens, you won’t even know where to go to cry."

"Besides, the captain is doing this to improve our overall strength, to ensure all of us can keep on living!"

After saying this, Gu Yihan stood up and patted Shen Manyun’s shoulder.

"Think it over carefully."

"You only get one chance. Missing it could mean the difference between life and death."

Gu Yihan turned and left the room, leaving Shen Manyun alone on the bed, lost in thought.

She bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes filled with struggle.

Although Gu Yihan’s words were harsh, they struck like a heavy hammer, completely shattering the fragile moral barrier in her heart.

In this post-apocalyptic world without laws or moral constraints... 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Survival was the only truth.

And to survive, one must attach themselves to the strong.

Moreover, this strong person could not only give her a sense of security but also provide her with power and dignity she had never known before.

Shen Manyun took a deep breath, as if making a certain resolution.

The night was deep, and the sea breeze carried a slight chill.

Because Lin Ji was going to "upgrade talent" with Shen Manyun tonight, Gu Yihan tactfully did not return to the captain’s quarters.

She stood alone on the deck, letting the sea wind tousle her long hair.

Having grown up in a wealthy family, she was accustomed to the sordid affairs of high society.

She didn’t react hysterically like an ordinary girl might about her man being with another woman.

But there was still a hint of bitterness in her heart.

Yet she also understood clearly that Lin Ji was doing this to enhance the entire team’s strength, to ensure that she and the other women could survive in this cruel world.

This tug-of-war between rationality and emotion made her feel particularly heavy-hearted tonight.

After confirming that no one was around, Gu Yihan quietly opened the Logbook of Navigation.

Actually, as early as during the day, she had seen a pinned message in the all-region Chat Channel.

[Recruiting powerful Awakened to join the Apocalypse Guild! Excellent benefits!]

[Posted by: Gu Tianming.]

When she saw her father’s name, her heart skipped a beat.

She hesitated for a long time but ultimately, as if guided by some unseen force, saved that contact information.

Now, looking at the gray avatar, Gu Yihan’s finger hovered over the screen for a long time without tapping.

Gu Yihan bit her lower lip and finally opened the chat window.

[Gu Yihan: Dad... is that you? It’s Yihan.]

The moment she sent the message, Gu Yihan felt her heart leap into her throat.

The reply came almost instantly.

[Gu Tianming: Yihan? Is it really you?]

[Gu Tianming: There have been too many people impersonating you these past two days. If you really are my daughter, tell me what gift I gave you on your eighteenth birthday.]

Looking at that question, Gu Yihan’s eyes instantly reddened.

That familiar caution and probing—it was indeed her father’s style.

[Gu Yihan: It was a custom-made compound bow, engraved with "Hanhan." You had it specially crafted by a master to celebrate my national youth archery championship.]

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then, a message filled with obvious excitement came through.

[Gu Tianming: Good! It really is you! That’s wonderful! I knew my daughter wouldn’t die so easily!]

[Gu Tianming: Where are you? Are you hurt? Has anyone bullied you? Send me your coordinates, I’ll send someone to pick you up right away!]

Seeing her father’s urgent reply warmed Gu Yihan’s heart.

But she didn’t rush to agree, thinking instead of her current situation.

Lin Ji was her captain, and he was also her man.

Revealing coordinates without permission was a major taboo.

And... she didn’t think reuniting now was a good idea.

[Gu Yihan: Dad, I’m with a few friends now, and we’re safe. Our ship has already been upgraded to Level 3, so there’s no need to worry for the time being.]

[Gu Tianming: Level 3? Not bad! Looks like your little team has some strength.]

[Gu Tianming: But it’s too chaotic out there. I’m worried about you, a young woman. It’s safest to send me your coordinates as soon as possible and reunite with me.]

Gu Yihan refused again.

[Gu Yihan: Dad, I don’t have the final say right now. And the Dead Silence Fog is so thick on the sea, it’s too dangerous. Let’s talk about it another time when there’s an opportunity.]

The other side seemed somewhat displeased but quickly changed the subject.

[Gu Tianming: Alright then, take care of yourself. Do you need Evolution Points? Just list any item, set the price at 10,000, and I’ll transfer some Evolution Points over for you to spend.]

Gu Yihan felt another surge of warmth and tentatively asked:

[Gu Yihan: Dad, how are things on your end?]

[Gu Tianming: Haha, your dad has awakened an A-grade talent, [Dominion Aura], which boosts the combat power of all my subordinates. And I’ve got a tough guy under me who awakened an S-grade talent.]

[Gu Tianming: Right now, we have an LV4 main ship, along with 7 LV3 escort ships, and we’ve got over a hundred Awakened under our command.]

[Gu Tianming: Oh, and I found your brother too. He awakened an A-grade talent, [Thunder Sword Control], and he’s leading a team to clear out Sea Monsters right now.]

Seeing this string of boastful achievements, Gu Yihan felt a mix of emotions.

As expected, this was the Gu family’s foundation.

Even in the apocalypse, as long as there were people and resources, they could still rise rapidly to become a regional power.

[Gu Tianming: By the way, Yihan, what talent did you awaken? As long as you come back, I’ll definitely focus on training you.]

Looking at that question, Gu Yihan’s finger hovered over the screen for a long time without pressing down.

She thought of her E-grade talent, [Wind Listening], which only reported the weather.

Although Lin Ji later upgraded it to a C-grade Wind Blade, this was something Lin Ji had bestowed upon her. At her core, she was still that useless talent.

[Gu Yihan: I... awakened an E-grade talent.]

The moment she sent the message, Gu Yihan felt her heart clench.

A long silence fell on the other side of the chat window.

A full five minutes passed before a reply came again.

[Gu Tianming: ...E-grade, huh. It’s okay. In times like these, just staying alive is enough.]

[Gu Tianming: Take care of yourself. I have things to handle here; I need to go meet up with your brother first. Once we’re settled, I’ll figure out a way to find you.]

After that, his profile picture instantly turned gray.

As for the matter of sending Evolution Points mentioned earlier, it was never brought up again.

Gu Yihan looked at the grayed-out avatar and smiled self-deprecatingly.