113: Crescent Island

"Understood." Jiang Yuan nodded.

When the mercenaries heard this, a glimmer of hope instantly erupted in their eyes, thinking that this wealthy man was going to talk about law or humanitarianism.

However.

Jiang Yuan unhurriedly adjusted his cuffs and sighed softly.

"I am a good person."

He looked at the group of fierce bandits kneeling and begging for mercy, his lips curling into a cold arc:

"But I also know one principle."

"If you don't uproot the weeds, they will grow back with the spring breeze."

Since you harbored the intent to kill me, even if it was just an attempted kidnapping, it is a capital offense.

Swish—!

Before his voice even faded, only an afterimage remained in place.

There was no unnecessary chatter, nor any ritual of judgment. This was merely a one-sided cleanup.

Crack.

Crack.

The crisp sound of bones breaking was exceptionally piercing in the silent desert.

Jiang Yuan's figure moved like a black bolt of lightning, weaving rapidly through the crowd.

With every pause, a figure would collapse limply.

Even though they had guns in their hands, and even though they were once elite mercenaries, in the face of this speed that exceeded human limits, their movements were as slow as a slow-motion replay.

In just over ten seconds.

The last squad leader kneeling on the ground looked at Jiang Yuan, who had suddenly appeared before him, his mouth agape in terror, the words of plea stuck in his throat.

Snap.

Jiang Yuan's fingers lightly grazed his throat.

The world went quiet.

Across the entire sand dune, besides the sound of the wind, there was not a single other noise.

Jiang Yuan stood in the desert strewn with corpses, glanced down at his still-pristine suit, and turned to walk toward the smoking Rolls-Royce.

The car door opened.

Alisa, pale-faced, threw herself into his arms, trembling all over; she was clearly terrified.

Jiang Yuan gently patted her back, his tone so tender it was as if he weren't the same god of death from a moment ago.

"It's okay."

"Just took care of a few annoying flies."

"Let's go, let's go back to the hotel and take a shower."

For the next two days.

Jiang Yuan acted as if nothing had happened, taking Alisa out to fully relax.

They went to the newly built MSG Sphere.

That largest spherical building in the world possessed the highest resolution LED screen on Earth at present.

When Jiang Yuan led Alisa into the VIP box, the interior of the giant sphere was playing deep-sea themed visuals.

That immersive sense of oppression made it feel as if they were truly in the ten-thousand-meter deep sea.

A giant whale swam overhead, and the deep blue light and shadow reflected on Alisa's face, allowing her to temporarily forget the fear in the desert.

Happy times are always short-lived.

On the morning of the third day.

An urgent call from New York shattered this tranquility.

Alisa's father's condition had suddenly worsened, and there was some turmoil within the family due to this high-stakes gamble in Las Vegas. As the sole heir, she had to rush back immediately to take charge.

At the private airport.

"Jiang, are you really not coming back to New York with me?"

Alisa hugged Jiang Yuan tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"No."

Jiang Yuan helped her adjust the collar of her trench coat and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"I still have some private matters to attend to."

"Go on, handle the family matters, and we will see each other again very soon."

After seeing Alisa off.

Jiang Yuan did not linger.

He got into the arranged private car and headed straight for the Port of Los Angeles.

There, a superyacht named "Poseidon" was ready and waiting. This was a mode of transport he had conveniently purchased with the money he had won.

————

Three days later.

South Pacific, deep in the high seas.

This place was far from any continental shelf or shipping lane, and the seawater presented an ink-blue color so deep it was heart-palpitating.

The Poseidon plowed through the waves, leaving a long white wake on the surface of the sea.

Jiang Yuan was dressed in white casual wear, holding binoculars, standing on the top deck.

The sea breeze howled, carrying a salty, fishy scent.

"Boss, it's just ahead." The captain pointed at the radar screen, his tone respectful.

As the yacht rounded a massive coral reef, the sea fog ahead dispersed.

An island standing alone above the sea surface slowly unveiled its veil.

At that moment.

Jiang Yuan lowered the binoculars, a flash of astonishment in his eyes.

New Moon Island.

Just as its name suggested, the entire island was in the shape of a perfect crescent moon.

Both ends curled inward, forming a natural deep-water sheltered bay; it was simply a masterpiece of nature's uncanny workmanship.

On the outer side of the island were black basalt cliffs reaching up to a hundred meters, like a natural city wall, resisting the surging waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Yet in the inner bay, it was calm and tranquil.

Snow-white beaches stretched for several kilometers, the seawater clear to the bottom, presenting a dreamy Tiffany blue.

In the center of the island was a lush, primeval forest; one could even see a silvery-white waterfall cascading down from the highest peak, pouring into a freshwater lake in the heart of the island.

This was a completely undeveloped virgin land.

No docks, no buildings, no signs of human habitation.

It was even difficult to find detailed markings of it on satellite maps.

"This is my territory."

Jiang Yuan took a deep breath; the air was filled with the scent of freedom and wildness.

Compared to the debauchery in the city, this desolate land, full of infinite possibilities, made him feel even more excited.

Here.

There was no need to obey the laws of any country.

There was no need to care about anyone's gaze.

As long as he wanted, he could establish his own rules here, or even... his own kingdom.

The yacht slowly docked on the calm surface of the inner bay.

Although there were no docks here, thanks to the assault boat that came with the Poseidon, supplies were quickly transported to the snow-white beach.

Crates of compressed rations, fresh water, generators, and a few military tents.

It looked like Jiang Yuan was about to engage in a grueling wilderness survival here.

"Boss, do you really not need us to stay as well?" The captain looked at the desolate island, asking with some concern.

"Although the scenery here is nice, it is the high seas after all. In case you encounter pirates or extreme weather..."

"No need."

Jiang Yuan stood on the beach, the sea breeze blowing his clothes.

His expression was calm, but his tone was unquestionable:

"Leave the satellite phone, and then you can return."

Seeing that the boss had made up his mind, the captain dared not say more.

Although he felt it was crazy to leave a billionaire alone on a desert island, the money Jiang Yuan gave was simply too much—enough to make them shut up and unconditionally execute orders.

"Then... good luck, Boss."

Half an hour later.

Accompanied by the roar of the engines, the Poseidon turned its bow and sailed out of the crescent bay.

Gradually, that white yacht turned into a small black dot, eventually disappearing completely at the edge of the horizon.

The world was finally quiet.

Only the sound of waves hitting the beach and the cries of seabirds in the distance remained.

Jiang Yuan looked around.