For weeks after that visit, the court buzzed with whispers. The Crescent Bandits, who had terrorized imperial waters for years, suddenly disappeared from the sea. Merchant ships returned home intact, their flags unburned, their cargo untouched.
No one knew what happened, but the imperial merchants rejoiced. They were the ones who had been facing the brunt because the Crescent Bandits never targeted regular ships.
The imperial ports of Nanhai and Jiangzhou, once half-empty and haunted by rumors of ghost ships, were alive again with the thunder of cargo and laughter.
In the palace, reports stacked on Long Cheng's desk like mountains. He read them all in silence, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.
"Your Majesty," Li Wan said, bowing low. "It seems Captain Li has kept his word."
Long Cheng set the report aside. "Not Captain. Not anymore."
Li Wan blinked, confused.
"He gave his ship to Black Rabbit and retired."
Li Wan's head shot up. "Retired? But that ship.."
