Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Chapter 549: Chapter 116 Deep Blue (Bottom)_1

PS: A clarification, prompted by a reader: Tang Haofei refers to the Sea King’s people as Sea Demons. However, this group calls themselves the Sea God Family. Furthermore, as the invading Demon Tribe in the ocean has previously been called Sea Demons, I will consistently use ”Sea God Family” to refer to the Sea King’s people from now on.

...

They entered the city from above Deep Blue City.

The city in the ocean had no dome or city gates, not even city walls. From Tang Haofei’s perspective, the city named Deep Blue resembled a nomadic tribe’s gathering place.

Although the intelligence of the Sea God Family was not inferior to that of humans, their rise was too recent. Even by borrowing from human civilization’s concepts and structures, it was impossible for them to surpass humans in a short period—this was merely in terms of technology and the extent of their civilization.

Lagus led Tang Haofei and Walter, riding a Blue Scaled Dolphin toward the city center. Along the way, many members of the Sea God Family curiously peeked out from various buildings, looking at Tang Haofei and Walter with the same interest one might show a giant panda.

Strangely, however, apart from the members of the Sea God Family, not many sea beasts were gathered in Deep Blue City.

Lagus, at their side, explained, ”Our Deep Blue City currently only permits members of the Sea God Family and divine beasts who have pledged allegiance. After all, those other sea beasts lack sufficient intelligence, resist discipline, and invariably cause trouble...”

The class hierarchy was even more pronounced among the Sea Clan.

...

After bypassing the shabby and disorderly clusters of buildings in Deep Blue City, Lagus led Tang Haofei and Walter to the entrance of the structure at the very center of the city.

It was a towering edifice built of stone, its surface mottled green and purple. By conventional human aesthetic standards, aside from its considerable size, the place had no other redeeming qualities.

According to Lagus, this was Deep Blue City’s most precious jewel, its grandest structure, its most honored location—the sleeping chambers of His Majesty the Sea King...

Well, if this were on Earth’s surface, it would be nothing more than a dilapidated medieval warehouse...

...

There were no guards at the palace entrance. Lagus brought Tang Haofei and Walter to the palace gates and gestured for them to enter.

From their conversation en route, Tang Haofei had gained a clear understanding of Lagus’s status: Lagus was merely an ordinary warrior of the Sea God Family, holding no special position or rank within the Sea God Family. Naturally, he was not qualified to enter the Sea King Palace.

The two waved goodbye to Lagus. Watching Lagus’s departing figure, Tang Haofei composed himself and looked earnestly at the Sea King Palace.

Immense pressure and unknown energy fluctuations constantly emanated from within. The true power guarding the Sea King must all be inside the Sea King Palace! Tang Haofei realized.

”Let’s go,” he said to Walter, who seemed somewhat nervous. Tang Haofei then took the initiative to push open the heavy stone doors and walked into the Sea King Palace.

...

The light within the Sea King Palace was very dim, its only source a few Luminous Pearls. But the palace’s area was extremely small, so as Tang Haofei entered, he immediately perceived the internal layout and all the beings within: four members of the Sea God Family—three standing, one lying down.

A sense of familiarity originating from the depths of his bloodline surged through Tang Haofei in waves, clearly informing him that three of the four Sea God Family members were divine beasts!

The one who was not a divine beast lay on a large stone chair, calmly watching Tang Haofei, who had stopped at the entrance. His six eyes shimmered with an unfathomable luster, appearing both mysterious and wise.

”A human. Sequence Number 1 of the Human Race.”

The Sea God Family member on the stone chair stated Tang Haofei’s identity in clear and proficient Chinese. His six eyes then roved up and down, scrutinizing Tang Haofei thoroughly.

Then, before Tang Haofei could react, the individual who appeared to be the Sea King waved a hand grandly. ”Offer the distinguished guest a seat.”

A sense of exasperation filled Tang Haofei as he looked at the Sea King opposite him. This fellow’s demeanor is just like an ancient emperor...

It seems this Sea King has been profoundly influenced by Human culture...

...

Sitting on an uncomfortable stone chair, Tang Haofei ignored the curious gazes of the three Sea God Family divine beasts and directly addressed His Majesty the Sea King, stating the primary purpose of his visit—forming an alliance.

”At your invitation, Your Majesty, I have come bringing the goodwill of the Human Race and the desire to form an alliance. This is what you also wish for, correct?”

The Sea King nodded decisively. ”Indeed. I was the one who sent people to find you. However, I did not expect Sequence Number 1 of the Human Race to come personally. This is truly an unexpected honor.”

Without any obfuscation or political posturing, the Sea King expressed his wishes and thoughts very clearly.

”This is the draft I have prepared detailing our cooperation, written in Chinese. Please review it first.”

Without waiting for Tang Haofei to say more, the Sea King clapped his massive hands together. One of the divine beasts to his right approached, lifted a giant shell, and moved it beside Tang Haofei.

I initially thought these large shells were just decorations, but now it seems they’re the Sea God Family’s writing medium...

Furthermore, judging by the Sea King’s attitude, he seemed even more eager to forge an alliance than the Human Race.

...

After meticulously reading the densely packed text on the shell for some time, Tang Haofei looked up and took a deep breath.

Wary of potential dangers, Tang Haofei had not brought any negotiation experts or legal consultants on this visit. However, the document on the shell was very clear—Tang Haofei even suspected the Sea King was more adept at drafting such clauses and terms than he was.

”Shall we sign it now?” Tang Haofei asked the Sea King, feeling there was nothing wrong with the document on the shell.

The Sea King gently shook his head, rose slowly, and began pacing beside his stone chair. ”In fact, the Sea Clan and the Human Race can be considered natural allies. While our Sea God Family can live on land, it’s as difficult and uncomfortable as it would be for humans to live in the ocean wearing full gear. Moreover, with the demon plague imminent, I’m not optimistic about the current situation in the ocean. I don’t believe the Demon Tribe will abandon their attempts to seize our territories. There is absolutely no conflict of interest between our two races, and this is the fundamental reason I wish to form an alliance.

”And this document,” the Sea King pointed at the shell in front of Tang Haofei, ”is merely something without any binding force. I wrote this document simply out of respect for human rules and customs, to show my desire for an alliance and my respect for your race’s cultural customs!

”True alliances aren’t formed from a mere sheet of paper; actions speak louder than words. Compared to written words and useless chatter, I prefer to do something practical, especially when dealing with Sequence Number 1—the strongest individual combatant on Earth!”

Tang Haofei’s heart sank.

Damn it! For all his fine words, he just wants to make me his workhorse...

”I would like to request your help,” the Sea King stated, his posture humble and respectful, voicing the condition for the alliance.

Tang Haofei took a deep breath.

”Very well. But once it’s done, I need to see your sincerity! For example, dispatching a large army to break the siege of Yanjing!”

The Sea King smiled.

”My Sea Clan’s amphibious armies, numbering in the hundreds of millions, have been itching for a fight for a long time...”