14. Information Exchange [Modern Warship in a Cultivation World]

As the Event Horizon sailed away, leaving the stationary Soaring Phoenix of the Azure Mist Sect far behind, Imogen sighed, looking at the clear horizon. “Let’s try to avoid any and all ships until we find a port,” she ordered quietly as she left the Command Information Center for some much-needed fresh air on the deck.

The Anti-Submarine Rocket had worked wonderfully against the bizarre creatures that swam like torpedoes, yet there was no guarantee their other weaponry could take on a warship of this world, given the profound unknowns about their capabilities. Even if the Event Horizon could successfully destroy the stationary ship, there was no logical benefit in escalating the situation and being labeled an open enemy in the native’s conflict. Imogen concluded that evasion and retreat were the only sensible options until they could properly ascertain their current situation.

As she stood at the railing, she saw Pax walking up to her.

“Don’t,” she warned, holding up a hand. “I’m not in the mood to talk about how big of a tactical failure that was.” She opened a can of coffee and took a long, hot sip.

“I wasn’t going to,” Pax said, gently taking the can from her hand for a sip before she could protest. “In fact, I don’t even think it was a failure. Isn’t survival the objective here, rather than defeating the opponent?”

“So,” Imogen asked, changing the subject, “I saw our little guest out on the deck. What’s that about?”

Pax sighed. “He followed Jessica. He’s still tagging along with her. After seeing the ship’s evasive capabilities and that missile first-hand, I think he’s understood his position a bit and is willing to cooperate.”

“I didn’t feel that way at all,” Imogen countered, taking the can back. “Your soft spot for children is showing, Pax. He is a trained soldier of this world. He is most certainly collecting information on us by playing cooperative.”

Taking a deliberate sip, she added, “He will escape at the first viable chance he gets and try to relay information on our ship and weaponry to whatever faction he’s from.”

“That might be true,” Pax replied with a confident smile. “But we also desperately need the kid right now to gain intel on where in the hell we even are, right?”

_______

“Why do you keep following me?” Jessica said, a note of irritation in her voice as she walked through the corridor. Lu Mingfe was trailing closely behind her, with Officer Nolan walking deliberately beside the young man.

“I told you, I only trust you on this ship,” Lu Mingfe said non-chalantly.

“So you are an observer like the ones in the Imperial Dynasty’s court? Recording the Imperial Family’s deeds?” Lu Mingfe continued, returning to their brief conversation from the sickbay. He genuinely wanted to ask about the strange cannon that blasted the Netherfins in a single hit, the exotic mechanisms of the ship, and their true origins. Yet, he knew he wouldn't get an honest answer about military matters. The next best thing was probing for more information about Jessica herself: though, of course, any special interest in her was purely secondary to gathering intelligence.

“Something like that,” Jessica conceded, irritated by his relentless proximity. She was itching to get to the Command Information Center to document the aftermath of the Event Horizon’s first battle, but with Lu Mingfe tagging along, she couldn't possibly enter the highly secured area.

“Miss Jessica is what we call a Reporter,” Officer Nolan offered, stepping into the conversation and walking side-by-side with Lu Mingfe. As a veteran in maneuvering conversations and negotiations, Nolan fully understood Lu Mingfe’s intentions and was playing into the exchange to build critical trust. This was a tried-and-true method for an Affairs Officer, and he wasn't about to abandon it now.

“A Reporter? What kind of role is that?” Lu Mingfe asked, stopping and turning to face Officer Nolan, who offered a patient smile.

“In exchange, tell me this: What was that we saw on the deck? What were those creatures that attacked us from the other ship?” Officer Nolan asked, putting both his hands behind his back in a stance of open negotiation.

Lu Mingfe’s expression instantly turned into the most bewildered look Officer Nolan had ever seen. “What? Wait a second… Don’t tell me…”

“You people don’t even know what a Spirit Beast is?!” Lu Mingfe exclaimed.

_______

Aboard the Soaring Phoenix, the small scout ship remained stationary, a study in quiet, seething tension even minutes after the Event Horizon vanished over the horizon. Young Master Bai Zixuan stood motionless at the prow, looking toward the direction of the escape.

“Young Master,” Lin, one of the older, more cautious disciples, tried to reason with him. “Do we give chase? It’s been a while since they disappeared, but if we send some of our men flying, we will eventually find their trail.”

“No, let them be,” Bai Zixuan said with a stern finality, turning to face his disciples. “We can’t be sure what kind of weapons they have after the display they showed us. That single attack was terrifyingly efficient.”

“So we are letting the Demonic Sect bastards just leave?” Kai pressed, his youthful frustration eclipsing his caution compared to the silence of the older disciples.

“They weren’t from the Demonic Sect,” Bai Zixuan corrected him, a knowing smile touching his lips.

Kai looked confused. “What do you mean, Young Master? The demonic Qi… and the hiding?”

“If they were, and possessed such weird and unknown weaponry, a single attack that killed two Netherfins shot from a cannon that fires into the sky, the Demonic Sect bastards would not have just hid behind their tails and run,” Bai Zixuan stated, his deduction cutting and precise.

“So… who are they?” This time Lin asked, seeing that Bai Zixuan was not upset by the questioning.

“I believe they are someone who wishes to stay neutral in this great conflict, much like those of the Sovereignties,” Bai Zixuan postulated. “It might even be one of their ships infiltrated by the demonic sect spy that we spotted.”

He explained his reasoning in a calm, teaching manner. “There is no other reason for them to retreat if they had the capability to put up such a fight. There is no reason for them to turn and run when it was us who began the aggression first. True power holds its ground.”

“So what are we going to do now, Young Master?” Kai asked, his curiosity replacing his earlier frustration.

“We will abandon our current course and return immediately to the Azure Mist Sect,” Bai Zixuan replied, his expression hardening with the gravity of his decision. “Even if we believe the opponent was not an ally of the Demonic Sect, a bizarre incident like this needs to be reported to Father.” He then commanded the workers to shove more coal, ordering the ship to reverse course and speed away.