Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Yang Hong was immediately taken aback.

...

The Yanjing Assembly Site, as the largest settlement after the apocalypse, wasn’t just characterized by its population and military strength.

Strictly speaking, living in the Yanjing Assembly Site was no different from living in a big city before the apocalypse—of course, this applied to those with a certain level of power, the standard being comparable to owning property in Yanjing before the apocalypse.

Electricity, water supplies, cable television, and even the internet had long been established within the Yanjing Assembly Site.

The military had even established a dedicated TV station for the entertainment of the ”property owners.”

For significant events like today’s, which could change Earth’s structure and influence the course of history, there was no reason for the TV station not to broadcast it live—after all, one couldn’t expect the property owners to mix with a crowd of refugees just for the foolish reason of seeing the Sea King.

If any conflict occurred, Yanjing itself would lose face.

...

Wen Yu instructed Star to switch on the television.

The television, with only one channel, was Wen Yu’s sole form of entertainment.

As expected, the screen was showing a live broadcast of the Sea King’s impending arrival in the capital.

An exceedingly beautiful female reporter, under military protection, was reading from a pre-written script in front of the camera, spouting clichés like, ”A small step for the Sea King, a giant leap for humanity,” ”a moment to witness miracles,” and ”a bright future.”

Her passionate expression made Wen Yu cringe.

In the post-apocalyptic world, being a reporter wasn’t easy. It required not only eloquence and attractive looks but also acting skills, and perhaps even a willingness to sleep with others.

”Life is tough...”

Hearing Wen Yu’s sigh, Yang Hong turned his head and looked at Wen Yu, puzzled.

You find life hard? You’re the most goddamn carefree one here...

Yang Hong silently judged in his heart.

...

Television, the internet, and similar media have always been the best tools for those in power to control public thought. This was especially true for government-controlled television stations—you wouldn’t see the truth from them.

So, Wen Yu and Yang Hong, along with Qin Tian and Wang Fucai whom Yang Hong had just summoned, ignored the pretty reporter’s nonsensical theories. They simply ate food and drank beer while waiting for the Sea King to appear.

They waited for two hours.

...

”They’re here.”

Hearing Yang Hong, the other three immediately focused their attention on the television.

In the distance, a convoy of military vehicles appeared in an orderly fashion on the horizon. The television broadcast showed military personnel making preparations—mainly dispersing the rubbernecking crowd gathered around the city gate and then forming orderly lines to welcome the Sea King.

From afar, vast numbers of military personnel streamed continuously towards the Yanjing Assembly Site, resembling the military parades of the pre-apocalypse era.

Unfortunately, from beginning to end, Wen Yu, who sat in front of the television, didn’t get to see the Sea King.

According to Tang Haofei, the Sea King Tribe looked somewhat similar to Ancient Demons, and every professionist who had survived until now had generally heard of Ancient Demons.

Perhaps to avoid causing a disturbance or to prevent any unpleasant incidents, the Sea King and his ten personal bodyguards never once showed their faces. They remained seated in an unknown military vehicle, moving towards the inner city zone with the main convoy.

Then, the live broadcast officially concluded with the reporter’s closing statement: ”Two days from now, the Sea King will officially sign the alliance agreement with the supreme leader of the Human Race, Commander Lin, at the People’s Square in the outer city zone. Yanjing TV will continue to provide live coverage of the event.”

...

Only after the television switched to another program did Wen Yu and the other three look at each other.

”Is that it?”

Everyone had expected the Sea King to make an appearance, perhaps sharing some thoughts on the benefits of the alliance between the Human Race and the Sea Clan, and his outlook for the future.

Unexpectedly, however, the damn program was completely anticlimactic; they didn’t even get to see the Sea King’s face.

Moreover, Wen Yu couldn’t sense any energy fluctuations through the TV screen, so he had no idea how many people the Sea King had brought or how powerful the Sea King himself was.

But upon reflection, this approach was the most logical. Given the Sea King’s high status, was there any need for him to show his face on television like some performer?

However, these matters had little to do with Wen Yu. His desire to see the Sea King stemmed merely from curiosity about another sentient race on Earth.

”Let’s disperse. Everyone get some good rest. As soon as this matter is concluded, we’ll leave Yanjing immediately.”

Wen Yu had spoken, effectively dismissing them. Qin Tian and the others couldn’t very well stay any longer, so they turned and left Wen Yu’s room.

...

The military vehicle drove all the way to the military headquarters in the inner city zone.

Countless soldiers had formed a tight cordon around the military vehicle carrying the Sea King. Only then did Tang Haofei leisurely step out.

He first turned to survey the surroundings. After a moment, Tang Haofei nodded, then turned back to the vehicle and invited the Sea King to disembark.

When the nearly five-meter-tall Sea King and his kinsmen stepped out of the vehicle, an invisible pressure enveloped the surroundings.

Whether in terms of sheer size or inherent power, the Sea King Tribe undeniably exerted immense pressure on the ordinary soldiers nearby.

”Let’s go and meet Commander Lin,” Tang Haofei said to the Sea King with a smile, ignoring the pressure emanating from the ten bodyguards.

The Sea King, while observing the surrounding architecture and environment with keen interest, nodded in response to Tang Haofei.

”I have long heard of Commander Lin’s great name. I trust this meeting will be most agreeable!”

Hearing the Sea King’s enthusiastic words, Tang Haofei responded with a smile.

”It certainly will be most agreeable!”

...

The meeting between the Sea King and Lin Haifeng resembled a summit between leaders of two superpowers from before the apocalypse.

Aside from the initial pleasantries, the discussions primarily revolved around the exchange of interests.

The Sea Clan needed Human technological data, while Humans coveted the boundless resources of the sea.

The specifics of their conversation need not be detailed; after all, for Lin Haifeng, this was merely a formality.

Once the ”Sea King Control” plan succeeded, everything belonging to the Sea Clan would become property of the Human Race. Therefore, Lin Haifeng truly didn’t need to expend much effort on such trivialities.

Roughly a few hours later, Lin Haifeng signaled Fang Bai to escort the Sea King out. Once only Lin Haifeng, Tang Haofei, and Fran remained in the room, Lin Haifeng finally spoke.

”Fran, did you see it?”

Fran glanced at the expressionless Tang Haofei, a look of sudden realization dawning in his eyes.

So, Lin Haifeng had taken care of the most crucial part of the entire plan long ago!

A flurry of thoughts flashed through his mind, but Fran responded quickly, his words flowing without pause.

”Yes, I saw. The heart-eating worms were successfully implanted. The plan is a success! And the Sea Clan didn’t detect a thing.”

Hearing this, Lin Haifeng nodded with a smile, then turned his head to look at Tang Haofei.

”Well then, are you prepared?”

”There should be no issues,” Tang Haofei replied, his face impassive, his tone devoid of any discernible emotion.

Even though he had been compelled to accept Lin Haifeng’s ”suggestion,” to claim Tang Haofei harbored no resentment toward Lin Haifeng would be a barefaced lie.

At the very least, this ”Sea King Control” plan had caused fissures to appear in the previously harmonious relationship between Tang Haofei and Lin Haifeng.

Lin Haifeng was well aware of this but didn’t bother to placate Tang Haofei. As long as the ”Sea King Control” plan succeeded, his own power would see another significant surge. At that point, no matter how outrageously he acted, Tang Haofei would be powerless against him.

On the contrary, Tang Haofei would then become his most powerful protector!

Lin Haifeng didn’t need Tang Haofei’s friendship.

He only wanted Tang Haofei’s power!

”What about Qin Tian and the Hunter’s Association?”

”Rest assured, everything has been arranged!”