Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

But... he had to answer. Qin Shiyuan’s life was now in Tang Haofei’s hands, controlled by the tube connected to Tang Haofei’s wrist!

So Qin Tian shook his head. ”That question is too profound. Ideals and principles... I think perhaps neither can be abandoned.”

Hearing Qin Tian’s reply, Tang Haofei grinned. ”Since you find this question too profound, let me ask you another one.”

”Look, your sister is in danger now, and you want to save her, right?”

Qin Tian nodded.

”That is your temporary ideal at this moment.”

”However, if—and I mean *if*—to accomplish this, you needed to do things you originally wouldn’t want to do... For example, betraying certain principles of yours. Say, mass murdering ordinary people—if not murdering ordinary people is one of your principles—or betraying your friends. What would you choose?”

Qin Tian fell completely silent. He wasn’t stupid. Tang Haofei’s words about ideals and principles had made his heart sink.

Things were changing...

After a long moment, Qin Tian shook his head. ”Sorry, I don’t know.”

Tang Haofei nodded slightly, as if he had received a satisfactory answer from Qin Tian, and murmured softly, Yes, the choice between ideals and principles... Who knows... I don’t know either...

Then, Qin Tian noticed Tang Haofei’s gaze seemed to drift...

「More than ten days ago...」

It was probably right after I returned from the Sea Clan... Yes, that’s right. On that very day, things took a turn! Tang Haofei thought with certainty.

BANG!

BANG!

In the vast office, two flashes of white light were followed by the thuds of heavy objects hitting the ground. Two figures landed face-first, making intimate contact with the floor of the Guardian’s office.

”This blasted item...” Tang Haofei couldn’t help but curse.

When he went to the Sea Clan, he had no positioning item and had to walk. But on the way back, with preparations made beforehand, he no longer needed to rely on his legs.

He took a deep breath, greedily drawing air into his lungs to relieve the respiratory discomfort from his prolonged stay underwater. Then, he raised his head to survey the long-unseen surroundings.

Overall... everything was the same. Wen Yu hadn’t changed the office layout.

”You’re back. Good work.” Fran, who had remained in the office, saw Tang Haofei and Walter and nodded with a smile.

”Old man, you’re here. Where’s Wen Yu?”

”Some issues arose at the Eastern City Wall, so Wen Yu went to sort them out. He just left not long ago. Why, do you need him?”

Tang Haofei shook his head. ”No need. I want to rest for a bit first. I’m not complaining, but that blasted place of the Sea Clan didn’t even have a bed. I haven’t slept well these past two days.”

Seeing Tang Haofei deliberately stretch, Fran said with a smile, ”Want to rest? I’m afraid that’s not possible right now.”

”Lin Haifeng needs to speak with you.”

Tang Haofei, unsuspecting, nodded. ”Good timing. I also need to report to Lin Haifeng about the diplomatic situation. Walter, come with me.”

”Wait,” Fran stopped the hurrying Tang Haofei. ”Lin Haifeng is looking only for you!”

...

”Only me?”

”Yes, only you,” Fran confirmed.

Lin Haifeng is looking for me, so there must be something to discuss, Tang Haofei thought. Although he didn’t understand why Lin Haifeng had specified ”only him,” these were trivial details.

Telling Walter to go and relax, Tang Haofei didn’t bother with anything else and headed directly to the military headquarters.

「In the vast office.」

Only Tang Haofei and Lin Haifeng were present. However, the atmosphere between them was unprecedentedly tense.

After a long moment, Tang Haofei’s face tightened. He slowly raised his head and questioned in a tone like an impending volcanic eruption, ”The Sea King Control Plan? Did I hear you wrong, or have you gone mad?”

”You heard correctly, and I haven’t gone mad. I’ve already explained the reasons to you, and now I’ll explain them again.”

Lin Haifeng continued, ”The overall power of the Sea Clan far exceeds that of the Human Race. Moreover, fundamentally, they are just beasts. Have you ever considered who would lead if our two races formed an alliance? Therefore, the Sea Clan must be controlled. A simple treaty isn’t enough to put my mind at ease regarding them. I must have methods to influence the Sea Clan’s highest echelons of decision-making, to sway their choices in certain special circumstances.”

Hearing Lin Haifeng’s ”grand pronouncements,” Tang Haofei scoffed. ”The Sea Clan is very sincere about the alliance between our two races! What do you think you’re doing with this? Trying to sow discord between us? Or is this merely for yourself? To grasp even greater power?”

”Seriously, I think you’re mad!”

If not for the experiences of his past life, Tang Haofei at this moment would have unhesitatingly labeled Lin Haifeng a Demon Tribe spy!

”Do you realize that if anything goes wrong with this, forget an alliance—the Human Race and the Sea Clan could end up in an all-out war!”

Tang Haofei’s furious tone had no effect on Lin Haifeng. Lin Haifeng slowly poured himself a cup of tea, as if contemplating something. After a moment, he slowly raised his head.

”Let me ask you a question, one I’ve always wanted to know...”

”How do you define your own identity? Do you consider yourself to have more Human attributes, or more Divine Beast attributes?”

The seemingly simple question actually carried many underlying implications. It might have been mere curiosity, or perhaps an attempt to guess Tang Haofei’s thoughts. But in the current atmosphere and topic of their conversation, it all translated into something that infuriated Tang Haofei, yet left him helpless.

Lin Haifeng was forcing Tang Haofei to choose a side!

...

After a long pause, Tang Haofei gave a clear response. ”Divine Beast! I am a Divine Beast! I’m different from you! You can fight solely for the Human Race, but I can’t! My responsibility isn’t just to Humans, but to this Earth, this world! So, cut out your pointless tricks, or else...”

”Or else what? Will you kill me?”

The counter-question left Tang Haofei speechless.

Lin Haifeng couldn’t die. If Lin Haifeng died, all the hard work Tang Haofei had invested in elevating him to his current position, all his previous efforts to consolidate the Human Race’s strength, would be for nothing! What’s more... Lin Haifeng wasn’t just representing himself now...