His arms suddenly froze, and even he was startled by the malicious thoughts that had suddenly surfaced. He was a PhD who had received a higher education—how could he have become so vulgar and base, with nothing but vicious, evil thoughts in his mind? Had those excessive aphrodisiacs unknowingly changed his body, even affecting his brain…? This thought sent a chill down Hunter Carter's spine.

　　A crisp "smack!" rang out, and Hunter Carter felt a burning pain on his back as a beautiful female warrior swung a whip and lashed it hard across his bare shoulders and back.

　　Hunter Carter cried out in pain, turned around, and glared at her furiously.

　　Her name was Sarah Lane, the very one who had cried out in surprise when Hunter Carter explained the function of the pistol that day. Among the many female warriors, she was also the one who most enjoyed harassing and abusing Hunter Carter.

　　Hunter Carter opened his eyes and saw Grace Lane standing not far behind Sarah Lane, coldly watching their actions.

　　Sarah Lane keenly sensed the change in Hunter Carter, turned around, her face instantly pale with fright. She reacted quickly, raising her hand and slapping Hunter Carter hard across the face: "You filthy, disgusting thing, how dare you molest me!"

　　Hunter Carter was knocked to the ground by her slap, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

　　Sarah Lane raised her whip to strike again, but was unexpectedly stopped by Grace Lane, who grabbed her wrist.

　　"Sister, don't interfere. Today I must beat this shameless scoundrel to death!" Who would have thought this vixen's acting skills were so impressive.

　　Grace Lane had already seen everything that had happened just now, and said coldly, "Sarah Lane, we've been sisters for years—why put on an act in front of me?"

　　When Sarah Lane heard Grace Lane say this, she immediately realized that Grace Lane had seen everything clearly. She quickly switched to a pitiful expression: "Sister, I was just playing around, teasing this guy a little. Please, don't tell the master about this..."

　　Grace Lane said expressionlessly, "Don't go near this slave again. As for what to do, I know what I'm doing!"

　　Sarah Lane nodded obediently and hurried away. As she turned, her face immediately twisted into a look of deep resentment. She had long been jealous of Grace Lane's favor with the master, and now that Grace Lane had ruined her fun, she was furious. When she reached the corner, she secretly looked back, only to see Grace Lane reaching out to help Hunter Carter up from the deck. She cursed inwardly, "What's so great about you? You must have your eye on this slave."

　　Hunter Carter wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said softly, "Thank you!"

　　Seeing his disheveled state, Grace Lane couldn't help but feel sympathy and said gently, "If you're in a lot of pain, you should go back to your cabin and rest early."

　　Hunter Carter shook his head. "I'm fine, but thank you for your concern!" Seeing Grace Lane, the desire that had just subsided in his heart suddenly surged up again. Hunter Carter hurriedly stared out at the sea to distract himself, not knowing when his ordeal would finally end.

　　Grace Lane asked softly, "Are you really not a spy from the Lande Empire?"

　　Hunter Carter replied in a low voice, "I'm not!"

　　"Then why do you have a sheepskin scroll personally written by the Lande Emperor, with his seal on it?"

　　Hunter Carter turned away, not daring to meet Grace Lane's gaze. "I've already said, those things were given to me by someone else, but you all just don't believe me."

　　Grace Lane sighed softly, "Unfortunately, the master has no fondness for you at all. I doubt she would believe anything you say."

　　Hunter Carter couldn't help but curse, "Women everywhere are all big-breasted and brainless. If I really were some damn spy from the Lande Empire, what kind of schemes could I possibly pull off hiding on a little island?"

　　Hearing his crude words, Grace Lane's pretty face flushed slightly.

　　Seeing her charming expression, Hunter Carter couldn't help but be moved. Fortunately, he still had a shred of reason left, or he would have rushed over and pulled her into his arms.

　　"What's your name?" Grace Lane asked softly.

　　"Hunter Carter! Tang as in Tang people, Lie as in hunter!" Hunter Carter couldn't help but feel a fondness for the gentle Grace Lane, thinking to himself that if he had met the gentle and lovely Grace Lane at the hot spring back then, he probably wouldn't have ended up like this.

　　As he was lost in thought, Grace Lane suddenly pressed both hands to her temples, her delicate brows furrowing in pain.

　　Hunter Carter asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

　　Grace Lane replied softly, "My headache is acting up again. It's nothing, I'll endure it and it'll pass." She had suffered from headaches since childhood, and they flared up several times a year. This time, the pain was even worse. Grace Lane gripped the ship's railing tightly, her forehead already beaded with fragrant sweat.

　　Seeing her flushed face and the fine blood vessels visible in her beautiful eyes, Hunter Carter asked in a low voice, "Is your head throbbing and your mouth dry?"

　　Grace Lane nodded through the pain.

　　Summoning his courage, Hunter Carter said, "If Miss Yan trusts me, could you let me see your wrist?"

　　Grace Lane hesitated for a moment, but still extended her fair wrist to him. Hunter Carter took hold of Grace Lane's smooth, jade-like wrist, his heart pounding wildly. It took all his effort to steady himself. He could tell from her pulse that it was floating and weak, and he already had a good grasp of her condition. He asked in a low voice, "Is your tongue red, with a yellow coating? Is your urine dark yellow?"