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

Chapter 356 The Truth Revealed by Dark Ice! Decomposition Density Increases!
"A marriage arranged to lower the King of Cinder's guard..."

Xia En silently pondered the information revealed in An Bing's words.

From a rational perspective, this is completely understandable.

The Ice and Snow People, as the original inhabitants of the Far North, were a force to be reckoned with, even though their power was not as great as that of the rising Great Yan Kingdom.

In addition, there is their natural aversion and hostility towards the Great Yan Kingdom.

It is conceivable that the very existence of this family is a significant hidden danger.

If Yan Yan were a cruel and tyrannical ruler, then the best way to solve the problem would undoubtedly be just one word—

kill!

Just like in a certain country in Xia En's previous life, as long as all the local natives are killed, there will be no more such hidden dangers.

However, although Yan Yan before losing his memory was far more decisive and resolute than he was after losing his memory, he was by no means a cruel person.

They wouldn't do something like killing an entire family or exterminating nine generations of a person.

Therefore, marriage is undoubtedly the best choice after weighing the pros and cons.

This would not only ease tensions between the two sides and avoid unnecessary internal strife, but also allow the power of the [Ice and Snow People] to be used for the construction of the [Great Yan Kingdom].

The Ice People don't need to worry about being wiped out by the Lord of Cinder; they can still have their own territory.

From every perspective, this is a win-win situation.

If we were to name the only "victim" in this incident, it would probably be the woman who married the King of Cinder, now the Queen Consort of Great Yan—Anbing!
This marriage was purely an exchange of interests, with no feelings involved whatsoever.

However, in the face of the rise and fall of a family, personal feelings are perhaps the most insignificant factor.
Thinking of this, Xia En looked at An Bing with more sympathy.

This is probably why the Lord of Cinder's attitude toward Dark Ice seems so strange.

If Lord Cinder didn't value Dark Ice, he wouldn't have sent his capable subordinates to awaken her.

If Dark Ice truly valued her, why didn't Lord Cinder personally come to awaken her from the Eternal Coffin?
—This gave Shaen the feeling that… the Lord of Cinder didn’t want to face the Dark Ice himself.

Or perhaps he was subtly avoiding Dark Ice?

A thought flashed through Xia En's mind, and a new question arose.

What is the connection between this marriage and the origin of "A Fleeting Moment"?
Noticing Xia En and Joey's gazes, An Bing smiled and said, "Please don't look at me like that."

"In fact, after becoming the Queen Consort of the Great Yan Kingdom, my life was not difficult, and I did not need to be pitied."

"Xin... is a king, and also a responsible man. He has always been very good to me."

"He would take me for walks in the snow and ice, take me to see the city under construction, and show me the busy and energetic people."

“I saw many sights I had never seen before and ate all sorts of novel foods brought by those people… These were all first-time experiences for me.”

When talking about these past events, Anbing's tone unconsciously became somewhat lighthearted.

Clearly, this is a cherished and beautiful memory for her.

"These peaceful and wonderful days lasted for several years, and the Great Yan Kingdom became increasingly prosperous during this process."

"To be honest, I really did fall in love with him."

"I've also thought how wonderful it would be if time could stand still in that period of time..."

Then, Anbing changed the subject and said...

"But... one day, suddenly, when Xin returned from the outside world, his face was more solemn than ever before."

"I asked him what happened, but he just shook his head and didn't say anything."

"And from that day on, the salary changed."

"He started to get a little impatient and out of control, and became increasingly busy, as if something was chasing him."

"At the same time, Xin began to prepare various plans, such as shelters, and the stockpiling and collection of certain supplies..."

Upon hearing this, Shane and Joey's expressions changed immediately.

Clearly, the Lord of Cinder learned of the impending "world-ending flood" during this period and made various preparations accordingly.

Isn't this oppressive feeling of disaster like someone chasing him from behind?
Anbing nodded: "That's right, I only found out later."

"He was using every possible means to fight against the disaster that was sweeping the world."

"At that time, because he was getting busier and busier, I saw him less and less, and we gradually became somewhat estranged."

"Although I felt a little resentful, I could roughly guess that he was doing something extremely important, and I didn't have much resentment about it."

"But sometimes... I still feel a little lonely."

Xia En's expression was somewhat strange.

Judging from Dark Ice's words, although her relationship with Lord Cinder has experienced some minor setbacks, it doesn't seem to have reached the point of a complete break or turning into an enemy.

It was just a minor friction in their married life.

Even among women, Anbing is considered to be a reasonable type.

So what exactly caused their relationship to change, so that Dark Ice would show such a resentful expression when she heard the name of the Lord of Cinder after waking up?

Without Xia En asking, An Bing quickly explained the whole story.

"The incident was caused by this pocket watch called 'Fleeting Time'."

"Captain Shane, you should already know that this pocket watch has the ability to temporarily freeze time, right?"

Xia En nodded: "That's right."

Since Anbing could call out the name "Fleeting Time" so readily, and it was her mother's keepsake, she must know its function.

There's no need for Shane to hide this from her.

However, from this sentence, Xia En also gleaned another piece of information—

It seems that Dark Ice is unaware that [Fleeting Moment] can achieve something like time travel?
"Although there are significant side effects, and the period of cessation is extremely short."

"But the ability of [Fleeting Time] is also quite extraordinary, and can play a decisive role in the key moments of battle."

Anbing said with a hint of pride, "This artifact is a creation of our family."

"The power of [Freezing] is engraved onto the pocket watch in a special way, layer upon layer."

"That's how it achieved the effect of freezing even time and space."

"Similarly, this is also the credential of each patriarch of our family, equivalent to a 'crown' or 'scepter,' symbolizing legitimacy and authority."

"After each clan leader obtains [Fleeting Time], they need to input their understanding of the [Freezing] Law into it, which will continuously enhance its effect."

"...You might not believe it, but that's how I introduced [Fleeting Time] to Xin back then."

Anbing paused, then said with a hint of sadness.

"If only I hadn't mentioned it to him back then."

Joey asked softly, "What exactly happened back then?"

Anbing slowly said, "As time went by, Xin's impatience not only did not disappear, but became even stronger."

“In front of his subordinates and subjects, Xin is often able to conceal his emotions well and appear calm and composed.”

"It was precisely because of this performance that the people of the Great Yan Kingdom, though puzzled by what he wanted to do, still obeyed his orders and followed him as usual." "The dissenting voices that had initially arisen were also drowned out by the tide of public opinion."

Anbing revealed a smile that was half self-mockery and half sorrow.

"However... as Xin's bedmate, I can still occasionally see Xin's true side, which is why I can see his increasingly impatient mood."

Xia En listened to these words in silence.

He seemed to be able to empathize with the pressure that the Lord of Cinder was under.

Knowing in advance of such a world-destroying disaster would likely cause anyone to feel an extremely heavy sense of oppression.

Moreover, the situation of the King of Cinder is different from that of ordinary people.

Those who lack the ability to resist might simply give up when they know the end of the world is coming, choosing instead to indulge themselves and live for the moment.

But the King of Cinder chose the most difficult path—

Confront such a disaster head-on!

We'll do everything in our power to save this world!

He not only wanted to save more people from the disaster and leave behind the seeds of civilization for future generations, but also wanted to prevent the great flood from happening at its source.

In essence, this is already a confrontation with the strange and mysterious [Hui Si Ming].

With human bodies, we confront the gods!

The last person to do this was Augustine, who was known as the "King of Pirates"!

Shaen certainly wouldn't forget Augustine's dejected and gloomy appearance during the promotion ceremony.

After failing to defeat the [Filthy Fate], Augustine suffered an incredibly heavy blow and almost became despondent.

The pressure on the King of Cinder may be even greater than that on Augustine.

After all, Augustine only faced the loss of his own fleet and the disintegration of the Pirate Duchy.

But the Lord of Cinder carries the weight of the entire world's fate on his shoulders!

In order to prevent his subordinates and people from panicking, the King of Cinder could not reveal this secret to others and could only keep it buried in his heart, bearing it alone.

In time, even with the willpower of the Lord of Cinder, he might not be able to withstand it.

Dark Ice's words confirmed Xia En's guess.

One day, the pressure he had been accumulating seemed to reach its peak, and he muttered to himself—

"[Time is running out, we'll miss it if this continues... If only there were a spell that could freeze time...]"

"It was because I heard these words that I told him about the existence of [momentary time]."

"Upon learning of this, Xin immediately asked me to take him to the family to witness the effects of [Fleeting Time]."

"He was in such a hurry that he set off that very night."

“My mother was very surprised when she saw us in the middle of the night. She thought something terrible had happened. She was relieved after learning that it was ‘A Moment of Time’.”

Dark Ice's eyes suddenly dimmed, and she said softly, "I remember that scene vividly, because..."

That was also the last time I saw my mother.

"what?"

Joey gasped softly, "What happened?"

Instead of answering the question directly, Anbing continued.

"Although the time that the [Fleeting Time] can freeze is very limited, Xin still cares about it very much and even asked her mother for it."

"However, the [Fleeting Moment] is also of great significance as the patriarchal token of our clan."

"Therefore, the mother refused the salary request."

"And on the third day after that incident, my mother was found dead at home, and her [Fleeting Time] had vanished."

Upon hearing this, Xia En narrowed his eyes and said seriously.

"You mean, you suspect... that the Lord of Cinder killed your mother?"

"That's absolutely impossible, he's definitely not that kind of person."

However, Anbing's words surprised Xia En: "In fact, that's what I thought at first too."

"I also think that the person I know, Xin, would never do such a thing."

"But... what happened later gradually changed my thinking."

A bitter expression crossed An Bing's pretty face: "Not long after my mother's funeral, I witnessed..."

“A Black Flame Walker handed over the Fleeting Moment to Xin.”

“I brought up the matter directly with Xin and asked for the pocket watch back, but he refused.”

He said that the "Fleeting Moment" was crucial to his plan and could not be returned to our clan for the time being.

"Even then, I still trusted him and we agreed that he would return [Fleeting Time] to me after everything was over."

Anbing gritted her teeth, barely managing to squeeze out the words.

"But I was wrong, and very wrong."

“After that day, Xin’s behavior became increasingly mysterious and radical.”

"Sometimes he disappears for days on end. Not only me, but even the Black Flame Walker doesn't know where he is."

"At the same time, several people in my family have gone missing."

“Some clansmen who went out have inexplicably lost contact and disappeared without a trace.”

Upon hearing this, Xia En immediately realized something, and his expression changed drastically again: "Wait, you mean..."

Dark Ice nodded: "Yes, just as you think."

"This incident should have been investigated by the criminal investigation department of the Great Yan Kingdom, but because it involves the existence of the Ice and Snow People, they entrusted me to investigate it."

"During the investigation of the missing tribesmen, I discovered some traces of the [Black Flame Walkers]."

"At first, I thought it was the Black Flame Walker's involvement in this matter."

"But soon, I discovered..."

"Those Black Flame Walkers are the real culprits behind the disappearance of our people!"

“I witnessed firsthand how a group of Blackflame Walkers captured my people and took them to an underground research center.”

"And those tribesmen who went inside never appeared again!"

Upon hearing these words, Xia En's [Prying Eyes] suddenly reacted.

[A crucial, hidden message has been heard!]

[The mystery of the Great Yan Kingdom's demise has been solved with an increased density of 10%!]

You have received a gift from the "hidden"!

(End of this chapter)