We agreed to set sail, so you'd become the ruler of the deep sea?

Chapter 155 The Truth Society Appears, the Disappearing Black Swan!
"Captain Shane, please wait."

Upon hearing this, Xia En turned around and saw a man with a unique demeanor walking towards her.

He had dark gray hair and an unremarkable appearance, as if he would be easily lost in a crowd. The only memorable feature was the beauty mark under his right eye.

However, it was this ordinary-looking man who inexplicably gave Xia En a strong sense of unease.

My heart was racing, my hair was standing on end, and I even had the urge to run away on the spot.

This is a reaction that humans typically exhibit when facing a stronger opponent.

Xia En felt a chill run down his spine, but outwardly remained calm and asked, "...And who are you?"

The gray-haired man chuckled softly, "I have many names, but one of my favorites is—"

"The Manipulator, Ash."

Upon hearing this name, a tremendous wave of emotion surged within Xia En.

Even someone like him, who wasn't very familiar with the famous figures of the Seven Seas, had heard of this name.

Legend has it that the "Transformer" can create countless faces and perfectly replicate the abilities, talents, and personalities of others.

With this ability, he spent years lying in wait on several islands, either uncovering the deepest secrets of those islands, stealing precious treasures, or overthrowing the rule of the island's governor.

No one knows the true appearance of the "Thousand-Faced One".

Even if he appeared in front of Xia En, the face he wore at that moment would probably just be a mask.

The most crucial point is...

The "Thousand-Faced One" is an "Inspector" appointed by the Federal government!
In addition to the personal power of the governors on each island, the Federation also sets up "oversight bureaus" to provide checks and balances and supervision. However, no matter how well the rules are formulated, they will eventually deteriorate if they are not supervised.

Inspectors like the "Thousand-Faced Ones" are a means to prevent the Inspectorate from colluding with the Governors; in short... they are special agents!
Xia En looked at the man in front of her with suspicion, but she was more inclined to believe that he was telling the truth.

After all, there's no benefit to disguising oneself as a "Transformer".

So the question is, why did the "Thousand-Faced One" appear in the "Chaotic Sin Islands" and come looking for me?
Was it for the huge reward?
Is it the vampires' revenge?
Or is it that other high-ranking officials in the federal government want to contact me?

As if seeing through Xia En's thoughts, Ash said calmly, "I have no connection with those rotting vampires. I'm here to confirm some things."

"please say."

"My first question is, have you ever come into contact with or obtained the [Ember Treasure]?"

Upon hearing this question, Xia En's heart skipped a beat.

How did Ash know that he was connected to the [Ember Treasure]?
Is it because of the [Proof of the King of Cinder]?

Xia En replied calmly, "We have had some contact."

Ash seemed to already know the answer to this question, showing no surprise on his face, and continued to ask, "The second question..."

Have you ever seen a coffin made of special crystal?

Xia En frowned slightly.

If the first question about the [Ember Treasure] could be explained by the [Proof of the Lord of Cinder], the second question gave him a strong sense of foreboding.

It's obvious that this "Thousand Shapeshifter" Ash is after me!

Before Shane could answer, Ash threw out a third question.

"How much do you know about the background of the crew member known as the 'White-haired Banshee'?"

Xia En's gaze sharpened, and his tone was no longer as calm as before as he questioned her.

"Who are you, Your Excellency?"

Ash smiled faintly, "Didn't I already say? I'm just an ordinary 'Thousand Shapeshifter'."

At this moment, Xia En's vigilance had reached its peak.

In the Seven Seas, there are quite a few people who know about the [Ember Treasure], but whether it is the crystal coffin where Miss Ghost is located or Joey's background, these are secrets that only he knows.

The fact that the "Thousand-Faced One" could ask these questions so easily suggests either that he possesses the secret ability to peer into memories, or that he has connections to both.

As far as Shaen knew, there was only one force that fit the latter description—

The enigmatic and unpredictable Truth Society!
And the "Thousand Shapeshifters" are actually government officials of the Federation... It's not hard to guess that, similar to the situation with the vampires, the Federation is also infiltrated by the "Truth Society".

But compared to the vampires, the Truth Society is more mysterious and powerful, like an invisible hand controlling the evolution and course of history.

What is presented to Xia En now is only the tip of that massive iceberg on the surface of the sea.

"Captain!"

Just then, Joey's voice came from the deck of the Black Swan.

"Is everyone ready? When do we set off?"

not good!

Xia En's heart skipped a beat.

If Ash really is connected to the Truth Society, and he sees Joey in the present moment, no one knows what will happen.

Xia En suddenly turned around and looked at Ash.

Strangely, the gray-haired man who had been beside him just moments before had vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there at all.

"Captain, who are you talking to?"

As if sensing something, Faia came from the deck to Xiaen's side and looked at the spot where Ash had just been.

Xia En frowned and asked, "Didn't you see that man?"

"man?"

Feiya said uncertainly, "There did seem to be a figure next to you just now, but I have no recollection of whether it was a man or a woman, or what they looked like."

"Wait, was there really a second person here just now?"

His words sounded somewhat contradictory, yet they sent a chill down Xia En's spine.

Because, upon careful recollection, his impression of the "Thousand-Faced One" was rapidly becoming blurred and fading, and he even... couldn't remember the other person's name!
Xia En made a quick decision, taking out paper and pen from his spatial ring to record the information he still remembered.

You met a man who called himself "The Shapeshifter".

His hair was dark gray, and he had a beauty mark near the corner of his eye.

He asked you about the "Ember Treasure" and Joey, seemingly related to "...

As his expression grew increasingly serious, Shane's pen gradually came to a halt.

What is it related to?
Why would the other person ask about the "Ember Treasure" and Joey?

What specific questions were asked?
He doesn't remember anymore.

But a strong, ominous premonition, like a dark cloud, loomed over Xia En's heart.

Although he didn't know where this feeling came from, this intuition had saved his life several times.

Without hesitation, Shane led Feiya back to the deck of the Black Swan and gave the order.

"Let's set sail, let's go out to sea, right now!"

"And, full speed ahead!"

The crew members were somewhat puzzled, but their unconditional trust in the captain made them immediately obey orders.

"Yes, Captain!"

……

……

It didn't take long.

After a loud blast of its horn, the Black Swan set sail from the port of the Chaotic Sin Islands, heading ever onward toward the cold northern waters.

Soon after, an unremarkable pirate ship quietly followed behind it and left the port.

Because this pirate ship was not well-known and its hull was even smaller than the Black Swan, not only Shane, but even the other pirates of the Chaotic Sin Islands did not pay much attention to it.

But on this ship.

A slender woman with gray hair was watching the Black Swan ship ahead with great interest, a meaningful smile on her face.

“A living ship, a holy bloodline, an ember treasure…” “Captain Shane, you have truly given me many unexpected surprises. There must be an even greater secret about you.”

"However, the more this is the case, the less I can let you continue to investigate."

The gray-haired woman murmured to herself, "It's all the choice of [Truth]..."

Strangely, all the pirates on the ship seemed not to see the woman at all.

Before long, the small pirate ship followed the Black Swan away from the Chaotic Sin Islands and onto the vast, open sea.

"It's almost time."

Just as the "Thousand-Faced One" was about to make her move, the shadow behind her suddenly twisted and wriggled, and a man with seaweed-like black hair and strange tattoos on his face stepped out.

He was Mr. Heller, one of the seven deacons of the Chaotic Sin Islands, who had previously had contact with Shane.

Heller gazed at the gray-haired woman and asked calmly, "Ash, the Thousand-Faced One? Perhaps I should call you... the madman who pursues the truth, Truth Number 107—Gray Mask?"

Ash hadn't expected Heller's arrival, but upon hearing these words, she couldn't help but laugh mockingly.

“You insect of the Cult of the Deep, you dare call me a madman? The truly insane ones are you believers who want to drag the whole world into the deep sea.”

Heller didn't speak, but simply gazed at the other person in silence.

Strange tentacles quietly sprouted from the shadows beneath his feet and behind him.

Seeing this, Ash's smile gradually faded, and he asked in surprise, "You want to be my enemy? Why?"

Although the Truth Society and the Deep Sect have never gotten along well due to their beliefs, neither side wants to provoke the other, so no real enmity has been formed.

That's why Heller's behavior seemed so unusual at this moment.

"because of him?"

Ash glanced thoughtfully at the Black Swan not far away, a ripple of emotion stirring within him.

Even the Cult of the Deep has noticed Shaun's extraordinary abilities?
But their attitude seems to lean more towards protection?
Why is this again?
"It seems we have no choice but to fight."

Before Ash could finish speaking, a strange shadow enveloped her and Heller.

The next moment, the world spun around them.

The two of them found themselves on a deserted island.

Immediately, an exceptionally fierce battle erupted between them.

The terrifying power and fluctuations quickly spread throughout the island, causing violent tremors, cracks in the ground, and trees to fall like harvested wheat.

Finally, half an hour later, with a loud bang, the unfortunate island collapsed and sank into the sea.

……

……

No one knew about this battle on the high seas.

Shane is piloting the Black Swan at full speed northward.

For some reason, the ominous premonition that had been hanging over my heart had quietly dissipated by more than half.

Xia En didn't believe such a coincidence existed in the world.

He looked back at the Chaotic Sin Islands, which were gradually receding into the distance, and pondered to himself.

"The source of this sense of crisis is probably this [Transformer]."

"And since it involves both the [Ember Treasure] and Joey, could it be... the [Truth Society]?!"

Despite losing some of his memories, Shane still managed to deduce this from the limited information he had.

"So, it was Mr. Heller who helped me stop him?"

This speculation is not entirely unfounded. After all, in the Chaotic Sin Islands, the only powerful person Shaen knows is Heller of the Deep Cult.

Considering his previous displays of goodwill, this is truly the only possibility.

"If it really is him, we'll owe him a huge favor now."

Xia En sighed softly to himself.

At the same time, the slight sense of complacency he had felt earlier due to breaking through to the third rank had completely vanished.

Instead, there was a strong sense of urgency.

Shaen realized that as he came into contact with more secretive entities and his reputation spread, whether he wanted to or not, there would be entities like the Deep Sect and the Truth Society, each with their own agendas, coming to him.

To maintain our own safety and protect ourselves and our crew in this situation, the only way is to continuously improve our capabilities!

The example of the "King" in the Coral City is still clearly before Shane's eyes.

The "King" bears the fate of the entire kingdom, while as the captain, every decision he makes will determine the survival of the entire ship!

Suddenly, Joey looked at the sea in front of him and exclaimed in surprise.

"Captain, there's a whirlpool right in front of the ship!"

"……Um?"

Xia En immediately looked ahead.

On the azure sea, the water swirled and surged, forming a whirlpool hundreds of meters in diameter, constantly exerting a powerful suction that pulled the Black Swan into it.

This situation would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous for ordinary ships.

However, with the current performance of the Black Swan, it can easily break out of this vortex with just one acceleration sprint.

only……

Shane looked toward the center of the vortex.

The seawater there is exceptionally deep and dark, and exudes an indescribable sense of intimacy.

It's as if it's calling out to itself?

With the help of the [Deep Sea Favorite] class, it wasn't hard for Xia En to guess that this vortex was probably the work of the [Deep Sea Cult].

"Is this a backup plan left by Heller? Could it be that... even he wasn't confident he could hold off the [Thousand-Faced One] for long?"

After a brief moment of thought, Shane decided to act on his intuition.

Instead of escaping the vortex, he piloted the Black Swan towards its center at breakneck speed!

This unusual behavior also attracted the attention of several pirate ships nearby.

"Holy crap, has that ship's captain gone mad? He actually charged into the center of the whirlpool?"

"Wait... that ship is the Black Swan!"

"Is this vortex a killing move specifically designed to target him?!"

Amidst the astonished gazes of the pirates, the Black Swan, like a moth drawn to a flame, recklessly plunged into the center of the whirlpool and was quickly swallowed by the deep, dark waters.

Then, it disappeared.

"The Black Swan sank just like that? This...this is too..."

"Wouldn't all that bounty be wasted!"

In the days that followed, rumors began to circulate on the Chaotic Sin Islands that the "Black Swan" had sunk.

Strangely, when the pirate ships arrived at the calmed surface of the whirlpool to salvage the shipwreck, no one could find it.

Over time, the "disappeared Black Swan" became one of the strange and bizarre legends told by the pirates.

……

……

Let's rewind to the moment when the Black Swan was swallowed by the vortex.

After a violent jolt and turbulence.

When Xia En opened his eyes again, he saw a sea area with floating ice floes and sea fog.

(End of this chapter)