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

Chapter 372 [The Unknown Truth]

With the guidance of the [Thread of Fate].

Xia En and his companion were like ships that had found a lighthouse on a vast ocean, having determined their direction and ensuring they wouldn't get lost in this wasteland.

As sixth-tier secret cultivators, the two naturally traveled at an extremely fast speed when they were going all out.

About ten minutes later.

They followed the directions and arrived at the foot of a towering snow-capped mountain.

Upon seeing the snow-capped mountain, Anbing suddenly realized the truth.

"So, the Lord of Cinder hid his research institute here."

Xia En asked, "Where is this?"

Anbing explained, "I told you before that there is another special product on the West Peak Plateau—[Arctic Ice Crystal Mineral]."

"And in this valley, there is a mine for extracting this ore."

"The Lord of Cinder probably hid this research institute underground in the mine."

"Since ice crystal ore is a strategic reserve resource of the Great Yan Kingdom, the mine is of particular importance, and even the location of this mine is strictly confidential."

"Only a very few people and the [Black Flame Walker] know about it, and the fact that he hid the research institute underground makes it even more concealed..."

The two were talking.

Suddenly, Xia En's expression changed, and he looked in a direction not far away.

There, several figures dressed in black robes were walking towards the valley.

The jet-black robe stood out starkly against the gray-white ice plain, giving it a sinister and eerie appearance that sent chills down one's spine.

Without a doubt, those were a group of Blackflame Walkers.

Among the Black Flame Walkers, there were also several people wearing hoods.

On the surface, it appears that they were forcibly brought here and deprived of their personal freedom.

Because these "prisoners" were not wearing black rock robes to conceal their presence, Xia En discovered their arrival immediately.

And after seeing this group of people.

Anbing's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

She gritted her teeth and said, "Those... are my people."

Xia En glanced at her with a hint of worry.

Regardless of whether the Lord of Cinder captured the Snow People out of revenge, research, or some other reason.

This matter itself has already touched upon Dark Ice's taboo.

No one would feel good when they witness their own people being arrested.

Xia En was somewhat worried that Dark Ice might act impulsively and attack the Black Flame Walkers.

Fortunately, Anbing eventually realized that this space was just a recollection of a past memory.

Those clansmen were merely fictional projections.

Therefore, Anbing simply bit her lip and suppressed the urge to attack.

However, her eyes inevitably held a hint of sadness and complexity.

"Captain Shane, don't worry about me. I can still tell what's important."

Noticing Xia En's gaze, An Bing said.

Her tone revealed determination.

"Moreover, I came here specifically to uncover the truth of this matter."

"This time, I won't run away anymore."

Hearing this, Xia En felt a little relieved.

However, there is still one problem facing them.

That is--

How could they get into this research institute located in the valley?
It is conceivable that such a research institute would have a strong defensive force.

A direct confrontation would clearly not be a wise move.

And there seems to be only one entrance to the valley; there are no other ways to sneak in.

This situation has left both Xia En and An Bing somewhat perplexed.

At this moment, the group of Black Flame Walkers had arrived at the entrance of the valley.

Immediately, guards emerged from the valley, seemingly to negotiate and verify the identities of the group.

The guards only allowed passage after someone from the Blackflame Walker produced something.

However, due to the distance, Xia En was unable to see clearly what they had taken out.

But to Xia En and the other person's surprise,

After sending the group of Ice and Snow People to the valley, not all of these Black Flame Walkers entered the valley.

Three of them returned the way they came, seemingly with other tasks yet to be completed.

Saw this scene.

Xia En and An Bing exchanged a glance, both seeing the same meaning in each other's eyes.

opportunity!

These Blackflame Walkers must be carrying some kind of token to confirm their identity.

If we can get our hands on it, we might be able to get into the valley!
After confirming their target, Xia En and his companion silently concealed their presence and followed behind the three lone Black Flame Walkers.

Although the Black Flame Walkers are the elite force of the Great Yan Kingdom, not everyone in them can be a sixth-tier Mystic Path practitioner, and there is still a considerable gap between their cultivation levels and those of Xia En.

Furthermore, they never expected that someone would be silently watching them in this desolate, icy wilderness.

Therefore, Xia En and An Bing successfully approached from behind them.

Amidst the howling of the cold wind.

Xia En could also vaguely hear their conversation.

"Boss, are we sure this is okay?"

The first to speak was a slightly immature voice.

"No matter what, the current [Ice and Snow People] are still citizens of our [Great Yan Kingdom]."

"Isn't it inappropriate to target them like this?"

"What do you know?"

Another rough voice followed.

"These people of ice and snow have never been honest and have always harbored ill intentions towards our Great Yan Kingdom."

"I've heard there have been several assassination attempts against the king behind his back; this is the retribution they deserve."

"Huh? Is there such a thing?"

The voice that had spoken earlier was unusually surprised.

"But... isn't our current Princess also a member of the [Ice and Snow People]?"

How dare they do such a thing?

The Black Flame Walker, who was referred to as "the leader," sighed.

"That princess is also a person with a tragic fate, caught between her family and the king... I'm afraid that's not a pleasant feeling for her."

At this moment, the other person who had been silent spoke up: "What you're saying are just baseless rumors."

"There is no evidence to suggest that those assassins were necessarily sent by the [People of the Ice and Snow]."

"More importantly... I see that many of the people we arrested were innocent people who were unaware of the situation."

"Wang's actions are probably somewhat inappropriate..."

The leader, the Black Flame Walker, chuckled.

That's why I said you all don't understand anything!

Have you ever seen what the inside of a research institute looks like?

Do you know what kind of life the "Ice and Snow People" lead inside?

The person who had questioned him earlier seemed somewhat surprised.

"Wait, you mean..."

The boss grinned and said, "Anyway, take my advice."

"Observe and think more about everything, and don't rush to conclusions."

"Moreover, the king's decision was beyond question."

All we have to do is obey his orders.

The boss's tone became somewhat fanatical.

"Because...he was right before, he is right now, and he will be right in the future."

"As for what others think, that's completely irrelevant."

"History and those who come after us will prove us right."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the two people beside him changed, and they were subtly moved.

But soon.

The leader, the Black Flame Walker, changed his expression and looked in a direction behind him.

"Who! Who's there?" Then, Xia En and An Bing emerged from behind the rocks where they were hiding.

Before appearing, Anbing removed her veil, her expression revealing a complex emotion.

Upon seeing that stunningly beautiful face, the three Black Flame Walkers' expressions changed drastically.

"Your Highness!?"

"But how is that possible?"

"Shouldn't the princess have been in the palace yesterday?"
The leader was somewhat incredulous: "How could she suddenly appear here?"

Anbing looked at the other person and spoke.

"Captain Baker, it's nice to see you again."

The petty boss named Baker couldn't help but feel a little confused.

He was just an unknown squad leader; when had he ever met Her Highness the Princess?
She even remembered his name?

What Baker didn't know was that in real history, it was he who was captured by Dark Ice during a mission.

Even the things he said before are exactly the same as what he said now.

However, now is not the time to think about this issue.

Baker frowned and asked, "Your Highness, did you hear everything?"

Dark Ice nodded.

“Baker, things have come to this point, you might as well tell me everything you know, that way you might suffer less.”

Upon hearing this, Baker resolutely shook his head.

"My life was saved by the king."

“After that I swore an oath to be loyal to the king forever.”

"Even if it's you, I will not compromise!"

As he spoke, Baker assumed a fighting stance.

Anbing sighed: "Since that's the case, then let's fight."

……

……

The battle ended in an instant.

Even though the three were extremely determined, they could only resist for a second longer in the face of such an absolute difference in strength.

However, after being captured.

Faced with Xia En's questioning, the three Black Flame Walkers tacitly and resolutely remained silent, unwilling to reveal any information.

The loyalty of the Black Flame Walker is evident.

After the body search, Shane found an empty wooden box.

Some familiar secret power still lingered on it.

Xia En couldn't help but show surprise: "This is... [Fire Seed]?"

Although it is somewhat different from the [Spark] given to them by the Lord of Cinder.

But Shane could also tell that it was indeed a wooden box used to hold the [fire seed].

As for why the [fire seed] inside disappeared, it's probably because—

After noticing Shane and his companion's arrival, Baker extinguished the fire beforehand.

"Is this [Flame] your credentials for entering the underground research institute?"

Shane looked at Baker with a questioning gaze.

Baker simply sneered at this.

"So what if it is? I've already extinguished this [seed of fire]."

"You want to infiltrate the underground research institute? I advise you to give up on that idea!"

"Only those whom the king trusts implicitly can enter."

"Ice coldly asked from the side."

"Am I not someone he trusts implicitly?"

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Baker fell silent.

Unlike their cold and hard attitude towards Xia En, the Black Flame Walkers looked at Dark Ice with somewhat complicated expressions, some even carrying a hint of shame.

after all.

Dark Ice is the current Queen Consort, and from a certain perspective, the King of Cinder's actions were indeed somewhat unfair to her.

"So... what if I said I have this?"

As he spoke, Xia En took out the [Fire Seed] he always carried with him and released a trace of its aura.

"what?"

Beck was immediately shocked: "You actually possess the [Fire Seed] bestowed by the King?"

The Flame itself is equivalent to the Lord of Cinder's token.

Moreover, the aura of the [Fire Seed] in Xia En's hand seemed to be even purer and more refined than theirs.

Could it be that this man is also someone trusted by the Lord of Cinder?

But if that's the case, why would they secretly investigate this underground research institute?

For a moment, Baker's thoughts became somewhat confused.

Shaen asked again.

"Now, can you tell me what the situation is really like inside the research institute?"

Dark Ice then asked, "Do you know what kind of life the [Ice and Snow People] lead in the research institute?"

"Weren't my people used as experimental subjects?"

Upon hearing this question, Baker's face showed a struggle.

But in the end, all he said was...

"Your Highness, I can only say that the situation inside the research institute may be different from what you expect."

"But you'll have to see for yourself to know the specifics."

Anbing was somewhat surprised: "Aren't you going to stop me?"

Baker gave a wry smile: "I would like to stop you, but it's impossible."

"If you really want to find out the truth, then go ahead."

Perhaps something that happened in the future affected him, or perhaps there was some deviation in the memory reproduction of [Da Yan].

Baker's attitude seems to differ somewhat from the actual history.

Anbing suppressed her surprise and nodded.

"I will."

Dark Ice then temporarily froze the three Black Flame Walkers, while she and Xia En headed towards the valley.

Although they went around in circles, they still managed to find a way into the research institute.

During the journey, Anbing took the initiative to bring it up.

"Captain Shane, how about this, you play the role of the [Black Flame Walker]."

"It might make our operation easier if I play the role of the captured [Ice People]."

Shane agreed to this.

After all, going to the research institute empty-handed is bound to be a bit suspicious.

But taking a prisoner along would make it seem legitimate.

On the way, Shane was also pondering the information revealed in the conversation between the three of them.

It's not hard to see that the Blackflame Walker also has some resistance to capturing the Ice and Snow People.

Moreover, not all Blackflame Walkers knew about the situation inside the research institute.

This demonstrates the high level of secrecy surrounding it.

Beck's last words left Shane somewhat puzzled.

It wasn't what Dark Ice had imagined...

Could it be that the "Ice People" who were imprisoned in the research institute did not necessarily suffer inhumane treatment?
However, Shane also clearly sensed that Baker harbored a certain blind trust and worship towards the King of Cinder.

His words were most likely biased towards the Lord of Cinder.

The truth can only be known by witnessing it firsthand.

Not long after.

The two arrived at the entrance to the valley.

Since their combat uniforms were modified from the [Black Flame Robe], once the hoods were on, they were almost identical to the [Black Flame Walker].

In addition, there's the unique aura emanating from the [Fire Seed].

The guard muttered "Pretty efficient" before letting the two enter the valley.

(End of this chapter)