Free Web NovelChapter 430: Chapter 47: The Shocking Secret of the Cruise Ship
(Thanks to book friend 20200215185316983 for the 100,000 reward, fifteen Alliance Hierarchs now!)
Originally in Bai Wu’s plan, he was to board the ship through the stele. After boarding, he would slowly explore the cruise.
It was supposed to be like a normal exploration after leaving the tower.
As the cruise entered the exterior of the Hei Wu, he thought he wouldn’t need to explore the ship anymore, but this note made it very clear.
"It seems this cruise hides quite a few secrets. However, the eyes seem to reveal, yet not reveal..."
Everything still depends on what Wen Hao has to say.
The cruise is extremely large; the terms sea city and sea bastion are used to emphasize its enormity.
Therefore, the cruise’s regional divisions can be broken down into many areas.
There are twelve combat zones, and the living areas number over a hundred.
Evil Fallen don’t need to eat, and even some have degenerated many organs, but Evil Fallen also possess unique digestive abilities.
For instance, Lin Wurou dissected Elijah. Bai Wu found that Elijah’s stomach was connected throughout his body.
Moreover, Evil Fallen are more indulgent, lacking certain parts doesn’t impact some of their desires, such as the Food Domain.
So, there are six seafood markets just inside the cruise.
And each place is crowded with people.
Sea creatures like fish and shellfish—some are Evil Fallen, others are creatures evolved to cope with the Evil Fallen.
The latter are rare and very expensive.
There are also various job positions inside the ship; with the currency promoted by Wen Hao, many services can be purchased within the ship.
In short, this is a moving island. The island has many things you’d find in human civilization’s cities.
The Ark began heading towards an unknown sea area, gradually moving away from Crescent Island.
Outside the ship, the boundless world cheered for the Light Arrow Knight who had saved humanity for the second time, marking a night bound to excite countless people.
Emotion is the most powerful weapon in this distorted world.
A concept once emphasized by Bai Yuan, it applies not only to Bai Wu but also to this world filled with ordinary humans.
It’s as if these positive emotions, even if they can’t erase distortion, can slow down the rate of its spread.
Within the small world inside the ship, Bai Wu slowly began to understand the ship.
Wen Hao took Bai Wu on a tour for about forty minutes, not even covering one-third of the massive ship.
Eventually, they arrived at the restaurant where Bai Wu and Wen Hao began to enjoy the gourmet food.
In the lavish dining room, the vast first level was occupied by only Wen Hao and Bai Wu.
The crew members all had their own duties, including several clerks who had also been assigned work.
Bai Wu always had an interest in eating.
"Is this Evil Fallen?"
The silver cover of the cutlery was lifted, and Bai Wu hesitated at the sight of the food on the table. His eyes quickly provided an explanation—
[Although it looks as if it’s been nourished by nuclear waste water, casually subjected to several virus mutations, you can rest assured, its texture is crispy to the bite with a Phoenix flavor. With Liu Bingshu around, you can’t imagine how healthy the food consumed on this ship is.]
Bai Wu paused for a moment, then laughed, not expecting that Liu Bingshu’s abilities could also be used in this way.
After some thought, it made sense; with someone able to control bacteria and viruses present, the ship didn’t have to worry about poisonings.
Wen Hao said,
"Bai, you have a human aura, unlike us, so rest assured, even though the ocean’s creatures are mostly Evil Fallen, and normal fish are rare, there are still some. The food I’ve prepared for you is still normal food; you can eat it with confidence."
"They’re different from humans, they’re on the verge of extinction not because of some negative attribute that occurs every four hours, but simply because they’re too weak."
"The power of the Evil Fallen has caused a significant decline in the survival rate of native creatures. It’s fortunate that they haven’t been completely wiped out after seven hundred years, thanks to the fact that many creatures, after becoming Evil Fallen, lack intelligence and still retain their former habits,"
"There are still many native fish in the ocean, but eventually, they will be gradually eliminated and become part of the Evil Fallen’s ocean."
These words referred to fish, but they also referred to humans.
Once, this cruise ship was filled with humans, but as some turned into Evil Fallen, others tried to resist.
But it was meaningless. The cruise ship was large, yet also small.
Eventually, the entire cruise ship was full of Evil Fallen, with no humans left. Perhaps it was the same outside of the cruise ship.
"Sometimes I wonder, is this a form of evolution? Maybe we are meant to carry a certain mission, to enable humanity to complete this evolution?"
Wen Hao voiced his inner doubts.
Bai Wu didn’t immediately refute, but seriously considered Wen Hao’s question before slowly saying,
"Some mechanical Evil Fallen have already mastered technology that can revive the world’s technology and even break through technological developments."
"Then, when the restrictions between areas are lifted, to some extent, Evil Fallen are more suitable for surviving in this world. If this world consisted of only Evil Fallen, then I can be certain that in the future, Evil Fallen would establish a new biological civilization."
"But..."
Bai Wu gave a faint smile and then took a different turn:
"The twisted rules brought by the Well have not been abolished, and not all humans have retained their reasoning, with only a few being of the intelligent kind."
It reminded him of when he first arrived at the High Tower, and the captain had said that some people regarded Evil Fallen Transformation as a form of evolution.
Although he had encountered quite a few intelligent ones, most humans’ transformation into Evil Fallen... were not of the intelligent kind.
"And who has the right to decide to turn a person into an Evil Fallen? Besides, humans have their own mechanisms for improvement, and I do not believe that Evil Fallen Transformation is a form of evolution. It may align with certain aspects of evolution, but it is not evolution."
"This is just a game played by the gamemasters. Whether human or Evil Fallen, the essence is still that of Earth’s creatures, except that the gamemasters are trying in some way to separate us."
Wen Hao simply had this viewpoint that perhaps humans were more suitable to become Evil Fallen but had not truly taken it as a principle.
Hearing Bai’s words, Wen Hao also realized his own limitations:
"You’ve mentioned before... our encounter, could it be a revelation of justice or could it be a conspiracy?"
"Yes, including your anger being provoked, attacking humans, maybe everything we do now is in the cause and effect someone else sees."
"Doesn’t that mean... it’s very hopeless?" Wen Hao couldn’t imagine.
Bai Wu’s words were somewhat obscure. But Wen Hao trusted Bai Wu very much, and this trust was related to various factors.
"Yes, it’s very hopeless. To completely eliminate the distortion, one must face two powerful opponents who have not even seriously made a move to this day."
What the farmer is doing, what Jing Liu is doing now, everything is unclear.
Of course, Bai Wu would not arrogantly assume a few Qs could measure up to the farmer’s trump card.
"Wen Hao, I don’t know how you became the captain, I’m only sure that this path is not easy. But during the years you were on the ship, the world has changed a lot. I will slowly tell you about my experiences and the insights I’ve gained from these experiences."
Bai Wu was clear on who he could trust, who he couldn’t, and who was worth winning their trust.
Wen Hao had been following Evil Fallen for these years, and though he still considered humans, he had become more accustomed to the identity of an Evil Fallen. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
He could retreat because he was human, or implement destruction because humans had bullied his crew.
Just like those executives, Wen Hao needed guidance.
Are humans definitely good?
Are Evil Fallen definitely bad?
Many things can’t be raised to the level of good and bad. Even just speaking of positions, humans are definitely not a target that must be eradicated by Evil Fallen.
So Bai Wu began to slowly narrate his experiences, explaining in great detail: Doomsday Puzzle pieces, Well Power, Tower Monster, Ark, flights, and many other things he knew, he told them all.
He wasn’t sure he could reverse Wen Hao’s thoughts, but at least he needed Wen Hao to understand some truths.
Wen Hao was also listening very carefully, and from time to time, Bai Wu would ask Wen Hao some questions to make him feel more involved.
Bai Wu was a man of great personal charisma; despite always finding others, including himself, mundane because of Bai Yuan, in reality, he was very convincing when he lied, and when he was sincere, people could clearly feel his earnestness.
Wen Hao hadn’t expected that, in just one short year, Bai’s experiences could be so extraordinary.
Wen Hao’s attitude towards humanity had changed a lot due to the events at the shelter.
"So you’re saying... distortion is the origin of everything, and humans are not our enemies... It’s just that for some reason, we have a strong desire for the negative emotions of humans. And this desire, perhaps fundamentally... is the origin of Evil Fallen, a deliberate design of that source of distortion?"
"Yes, Evil Fallen and humans slaughter each other, eliminating all humanity. In this process, humans either become Evil Fallen, die, or exist in a form of Semi-Evil Fallen."
Bai Wu continued:
"However, the existence that suppresses the source of distortion has obviously granted humanity a corresponding, and perhaps even greater, strength. Maybe that’s why the source of Evil Fallen, which we can call the Alpha of this Evil Fallen, wants to exterminate humanity."
"Bai, you mean to say... that humans actually possess greater potential? That they could even surpass the six Wells you mentioned?"
"Why not think even bigger? Perhaps they could surpass Alpha? However, humans and Evil Fallen have different upper and lower limits. Evil Fallen are generally stronger than humans, precisely because of this fact, and it’s much harder for humans to increase their strength compared to Evil Fallen."
"Under various limits, humans haven’t produced any exceedingly powerful beings, or maybe there is one... but whether they can contend with those of Well Level is still hard to say."
Bai Wu thought of two individuals, Xu Wei, and another whose existence was unknown, only known to possess the Ten Thousand Phantasmal Bodies.
Of course, the First Generation Masked Strange Person, Lin Rui, who grew up on the farm, might also have the corresponding strength.
And the Well Level being referred to here is Jing Wu.
Jing Er’s strength is notably stronger than Jing Wu’s, and the farm owner is probably even above Jing Er.
After Bai Wu had explained everything to Wen Hao, Wen Hao understood Bai Wu’s thoughts:
"Bai, don’t worry. Humans should not dare to provoke us again. My crew and I just hope to find a place where we can settle down; I won’t harm humanity."
Bai Wu made a seemingly casual but critical comment:
"Actually, it doesn’t matter much, since most people are innocent. Some humans deserve to die and if they die, then so be it. It’s hard to persuade a ghost who deserves to die, isn’t it?"
After a conversation, Bai Wu had a clear understanding of Wen Hao’s character. This was no longer the child from years ago; the current Wen Hao was giving face to Bai Wu.
Otherwise, of the tens of thousands of people on Crescent Island, perhaps not a single one would survive.
Bai Wu believed that if someone could be saved, he would try to do so, but he was more concerned with the game involving the source of Evil Fallen and the six Well Levels.
If someone insisted on courting death without any relationship with him, he would definitely not stop them.
Bai Wu’s last words made Wen Hao even clearer about Bai Wu’s stance.
He wasn’t absolutely siding with humanity, at least not overly and narrowly siding with humanity.
His greater mission might be to unravel the mysteries of the world’s anomalies.
"If my cruise ship can be of help to you, we are willing to assist you."
"Likewise, if the shelter can be of help to the cruise ship, we will definitely not refuse."
The leaders of the two forces reached an agreement, though Wen Hao felt some hesitation inside about whether to invite Bai to the forbidden area.
Bai Wu saw through Wen Hao’s hesitation, aware that Wen Hao might need his help, and the problem wasn’t a small one.
Combining what the eyes had mentioned, a point of entry that could contend with Well Power was inside the cruise ship, along with his intrinsic adventurous spirit—
Bai Wu was willing to give it a try:
"This ship, as a huge setting, must have many areas and its own special rules, right? You look worried; you must be hoping that I can help you, but you’re also not sure whether I can do it, worried that the setting’s rules might pose a threat to me?"
Wen Hao was startled.
Could Bai read minds?
Bai Wu’s modest traditional skill made it easier for Wen Hao to speak up:
"I’ll tell you everything I know. There are dangers in the cruise ship’s forbidden area and treasures hidden there. But Bai, it’s extremely dangerous. Whether you go or not, it’s your decision, and regardless of your choice, it won’t affect our friendship. The matters of the shelter in the future will be my own."
He truly spoke like someone who had been a captain, his words full of righteousness.
Bai Wu had already thought about it and responded with great loyalty,
"No, since I promised you, I’m willing to help you with your troubles. What’s danger to us? When have our experiences ever been without danger?"
Wen Hao didn’t speak, but just raised his glass and clinked it against Bai Wu’s. He pondered for about ten seconds before slowly beginning,
"I’ll start with history because there might be some things you, Bai, would be interested in."
"First of all, this Ark was a scam, did you know?"
Wen Hao looked at Bai Wu, who nodded,
"I know, because the Ark can’t reach the High Tower; the Tower isn’t visible at all on the nautical charts. And by the end of 2128, the High Tower had disappeared."
"Correct. After we had sailed for a while, Mr. Chen Jiang, the first captain, discovered the navigation route was fake. At that time, two Arks were sailing side by side. The other Ark insisted that the route was real."
Bai Wu remembered this part; Jing Wu had told him over the phone while at the casino. The destinies of the two Arks had diverged sharply because of this.
One Ark ultimately either drowned or, in other words, was destroyed.
The other Ark broke through the Black Mist, continuing the search for ultimate freedom.
Bai Wu couldn’t help but lament the fickleness of fate; one choice might be critical.
As expected, Wen Hao soon spoke of the other Ark’s sinking, but his account was slightly different.
"That Ark kept to the established route, but I am very sure... even if it was the beginning of doomsday, and many regional rules had not yet formed, that Ark would definitely not sink without reason."
Bai Wu sensed the key to the problem,
"Do you suspect that Ark’s sinking wasn’t due to a reef or iceberg collision but caused by someone?"
"Yes, the sinking of the other Ark wasn’t some kind of accident. It’s not suspicion, it’s what I believe to be the truth."
"What’s the basis of your judgment?"
Bai Wu had a faint feeling that he might encounter someone else he was looking for.
Wen Hao’s expression also became grave,
"Because this person later boarded this very ship, their power was extraordinary. Not to say 700 years prior, but even 700 years later, we wouldn’t be a match for him."
Bai Wu asked,
"What did he want to do, destroy the cruise liners?"
"That was one of his goals, but he failed. He said he was looking for something left by Jing San, but afterwards... he went to the Forbidden Zone and disappeared. Disappeared forever."
Bai Wu quickly grasped a few key points.
This cruise liner had a Forbidden Zone, and one would disappear upon entering it.
This person was looking for something left by Jing San?
Wait, Jing San? Wasn’t he on the ship’s manifest? And according to Jing Liu, Jing San had already been lying there since 2128.
What’s going on? Could it be that Jing San had visited the Ark before its official departure?
Who was looking for Jing San?
And why did Jing San come to this Ark, which was doomed not to reach the High Tower?
Bai Wu’s interest was piqued,
"Keep talking."
(More to come later)
