Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 562: Finally Joined the Gang

"Sorry, I got carried away and forgot about the boat’s schedule. But don’t worry, Du Jun has already spoken to the captain and the boat will be back soon. It may be a bit of an inconvenience, but it’s the least we can do for a friend like you, who has stuck with us through thick and thin. Friends like you are truly hard to come by." Gu Fan spoke sincerely, while Ouyang Jin simply sighed and nodded in resignation, "Fine, don’t bother turning the boat around. I don’t want to endure any more of your tricks to keep me here. I’ll be your guide."

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan grinned, "Thank you, thank you for agreeing to guide us again. I’m sure with you on board, everything will go smoothly. Also, I want to correct one thing. I never planned to forcibly keep you here. I actually intended to let you go. I had no intention of using any cunning tactics just to retain you." Just as Gu Fan finished his earnest speech, Lin Xi rushed over, "Gu Fan, I am ready to cast the spell. If Ouyang Jin still doesn’t agree, I’ll do as you wish..."

As soon as Lin Xi arrived, she spotted Gu Fan and Ouyang Jin standing together, and her words came to an abrupt halt. The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. Lin Xi chuckled nervously and hurriedly made her escape.

"Hahaha, Lin Xi really has a habit of leaving her sentences hanging, now I have no idea what she was trying to say." Gu Fan was clearly playing dumb, which only added to Ouyang Jin’s disdain for him.

Back in the cabin, everyone seemed thrilled that Ouyang Jin was joining them, but he seemed unenthusiastic, merely asking, "So, why are you guys stirring up trouble here of all places instead of enjoying your days of peace at home? Also, share all the information you know. If you want me to stay, then you need to fully trust me."

Gu Fan nodded, "Sure, we will tell you everything you need to know."

Following this, Gu Fan disclosed everything about the Shennv Xuanhui, the secret of the old house, the six tenants and all related affairs to Ouyang Jin.

"No way, who are you guys, really? You encounter such bizarre things." Ouyang Jin gaped, looking like he was struggling to digest all the absurdity he’d just heard. However, having accompanied Gu Fan on expeditions to the Outer Regions and Yuxueyun Mountain, he believed Gu Fan’s words to be true.

Ouyang Jin then produced a pen and paper, began scribbling, as everyone watched him curiously, assuming he was concocting a plan. All the while, he conversed, "Initially venturing into the Triangle Sea Area was dangerous enough, now you’re saying it involves big bosses and Shennv Xuanhui and all, makes it doubly perilous. Hence, a base price of at least three hundred thousand yuan is non-negotiable."

"What?" Everyone was taken aback by Ouyang Jin’s exorbitant demands, but he simply sported a smug expression, "Can’t be helped, my value was proven during the Outer Region and Yuxueyun Mountain episodes. So a raise in my fees is justifiable. Additionally, this time is genuinely riskier, three hundred thousand as the base is just about right."

Gu Fan nodded, "Alright then, three hundred thousand it is. As long as it’s worth the cost. So, Du Jun, you can pay up."

Hearing this, Du Jun rolled his eyes, "You agreed so easily because you’re not the one paying."

Lu Yi interjected, "Whose money it is shouldn’t matter here. We’re all in this together, helping each other. We should all contribute however we can."

Du Jun sighed, "Seems like you still don’t know this guy. He said three hundred thousand is just the base price. Who knows how he’s going to jack up prices along the way."

Ouyang Jin took this remark personally, "Hey Du Jun, that’s not fair. I’ve helped you guys a lot. Is my integrity and reliability being questioned? Once paid, everything’s negotiable. That’s my professional principle."

With such a skewed professional perspective, everyone sighed. Who knew what kind of strange events would accidentally ensue, offering him reasons to inflate his prices?

Gu Fan pulled Du Jun over to one side, "Let’s not fuss over the money and get down to the real issue, you understand what I mean, right, Du Jun?"

Du Jun replied, "Fine, I can pay that money without flinching. The problem is, I can’t stand being ripped off. If he tries to increase prices without reason, I’m not responsible."

"Don’t worry, we will accept reasonable price increases. But if they’re unreasonable, well, hehe, in terms of bargaining, Ouyang Jin is no match for us." After saying this, Gu Fan wore a knowing smile, looking like he was up to something, which sent shivers down Du Jun’s spine.

Okay, back to the matter at hand, Ouyang Jin pointed to the map of the Triangle Sea Area, his face solemn, "You need to be prepared. The Triangle Sea Area is very strange. Of the over three thousand islands, we only know for certain that one-third of them are safe, and they’re all around the periphery. No one knows what lies on the islands in the middle."

This prompted Lu Yi to question, "So after all these years, hasn’t anyone surveyed every single island?"

Ouyang Jin shook his head, "Hardly, the Triangle Sea Area is often covered in fog, making the weather unpredictable. That increases the difficulty of exploring the islands. For instance, a team is sent to survey a specific island, but encounters a thick fog midway and loses all contact with the outside world. We have no idea what happened to them, where it happened, or if they even made it to the intended island."

Upon hearing that, everyone’s spirits sank, especially Lu Yi who blurted out, "No way, are you saying it’s really as dangerous as the rumours of boats going missing in the Triangle Sea Area?"

"It’s true, which is why any vessels venturing into the Triangle Sea Area stick to the perimeter of the three thousand islands. No one risks shortcuts through the middle. As of now, none of the boats who dared, returned successfully." Ouyang Jin’s words had everyone chilled to the bone, feeling highly uncomfortable.

As Gu Fan scanned the map of the Triangle Sea Area, he too was faced with a somber realization. They had returned safely from their previous two expeditions, but what about this time? Gu Fan was afraid that, due to a single mistake, they might lose an important comrade, and spend the rest of their lives in guilt and remorse. But something else that was crucial was the whereabouts of the boss and Qian Feng.

Gu Fan dreaded reaching their goal and, similar to a mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole lurking behind, end up being outsmarted.

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