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

Chapter 373 [Underground Research Institute] [Volunteers and Prisoners]

After passing through a passage leading underground, Shane and his companion officially entered the underground research institute.

But the scene before him surprised Xia En.

The walls and ceiling are silver-gray with a unique and technologically advanced sheen.

These features gave Xia En a strong sense of déjà vu.

he murmured softly.

"【Ember Sanctuary】?"

Indeed, the scene in this research institute bears a striking resemblance to the [Ember Sanctuary] he had previously visited.

It looks like it was built according to a template.

Furthermore, this sanctuary is the product of a collaboration between the Lord of Cinder and the Truth Society.

It's not hard to guess.

The Ember Sanctuaries located throughout the Seven Seas also bear the shadow of the Truth Society.

This made Shane feel somewhat absurd—

The Truth Society, which would later stop at nothing to achieve its goals, was one of the heroes of Project Ember, preserving the spark of civilization for humanity.

But then I thought about it.

Xia En understood why this happened.

After all, people change, and organizations change as well.

The original Truth Society may have indeed had the initial intention of leading people toward the truth.

However, as time went by, their pursuit of truth gradually became distorted, and they forgot that humanity is the foundation of civilization, which slowly evolved into the state of later generations.

Jane left the Truth Society because she realized that the Truth Society had become corrupt.

one way or another.

Looking at the research institute in front of him, Xia En's opinion of the "Truth Society" also changed slightly.

At least in this era, they don't seem to be synonymous with madness and danger.

at the same time.

Shane still maintains a telepathic communication with Jane.

Shane asked, "Jane, we've entered the underground research facility. Where are you now?"

Jane replied, "I heard from researchers nearby that the entire underground research facility appears to be divided into three areas."

"Area A is the living area, while Areas B and C are the areas for two different research projects."

"We are currently in the storage room of Section C."

"I see."

Xia En said, "Then you stay there and don't move around. We'll be there to meet you soon."

And this time.

On the other side of the passage, a researcher wearing a white lab coat walked towards us.

Xia En suddenly became a little nervous.

After all, they knew almost nothing about the inside of the research institute, and would be exposed with just a little interrogation.

Fortunately, the researcher only seemed a little puzzled.

"What are you doing here?"

"Why aren't you taking the newcomer to Area A yet?"

Xia En was a little embarrassed.

Because he didn't know which direction the researcher's "Area A" was located in.

If you go to the wrong place, it might arouse the other party's suspicion.

After thinking for a moment, Xia En simply said apologetically.

"Actually... this is my first time inside the research institute, so I'm not very familiar with this place."

"Excuse me, how do I get to Area A?"

"what?"

The researcher looked very surprised and asked.

"Who is your boss?"

"It's your first time at the research institute, and I actually let you act alone? That's outrageous!"

Xia En apologized in his heart, but still said, "My captain is Baker. He has other tasks to complete, so he'll be leaving now."

"He said I could ask someone at the research institute for directions."

"Oh, it's that guy Baker..."

Upon hearing the familiar name, the researcher's expression visibly relaxed, and his previous doubts vanished.

"Coincidentally, I have some connections with Baker, so I won't report him to the boss."

"Well then, I happen to be free right now, so let me take you to Area A."

Xia En looked grateful.

"That couldn't be better."

However, at the same time, a small doubt arose in Xia En's mind.

Isn't Area A a residential area?
Why were the prisoners of the [Ice People] taken there?
Or are they just temporarily placed in Area A, and will be sent to the experimental table when the time comes?

On the way to the living area, Shane simply asked the researcher in front of him this question.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this question...

The researcher immediately stared at Shane with suspicion.

"That's strange, how come you don't even know about this?"

"The 'Ice People' who were sent here were divided into two groups: one group consisted of special volunteers, and the other group consisted of prisoners who were being held in custody."

“I remember that all the Blackflame Walkers who were allowed into the research institute should know about this.”

"Could it be... you?"

Upon hearing this, Xia En's heart was immediately stirred.

volunteer?
prisoner?

Two groups of "Ice and Snow People"?
From these few words, he had already gleaned some of the truth.

The situation inside the underground research institute seemed to be quite different from what Xia En had expected.

However, it is clear that his question also aroused the suspicion of the researchers.

The most urgent task is to get through this crisis.

Xia En's mind raced.

He took out the wooden box containing the tinder again and said in a low voice.

"Actually, I am a special envoy sent by the Lord of Cinder."

"I'm here to eliminate a potential threat within the research institute. Please keep it quiet."

"special envoy?"

The researchers were clearly taken aback by the title.

But upon closer reflection, he did indeed notice some discordant voices within the research institute recently.

on the other hand.

It has the scent of fire, and it's genuine.

This at least proves that the stranger in front of him is indeed someone trusted by the King of Cinder.

Strictly speaking, Shane did not lie.

Didn't they participate in this infiltration operation at the request of Lord Cinder?

The only difference is that one is the former King of Salvation, and the other is the future King of Salvation.

And just then.

The three of them had already entered area A of the research institute.

Suddenly, a girl's voice rang out from not far away.

"Researcher Fate, what are you doing?"

Fate's thoughts were thus interrupted, and she turned around to greet him.

"Oh, Miss Wan, it's you."

"What brings you out for a walk?"

Xia En turned his head and was immediately startled.

Because the girl walking from not far away was the very girl he had met briefly in the City of Blazing Flames, the one Dark Ice called his younger sister—

Xiao Wan!

According to Dark Ice, he was captured by the Black Flame Walker and taken to an underground research institute.

Since then, his whereabouts have been unknown, and his fate is uncertain.

But at this time.

In Xia En's eyes, the girl not far away had a rosy complexion and a lively spirit.

There were no signs of abuse; in fact, her cheeks had become rounder.

It looks chubby.

Xiao Wan's appearance seemed to completely overturn Xia En and An Bing's previous speculations about this underground research institute.

at the same time.

Although Anbing was wearing a disguise hood, she couldn't see Xiaowan's face.

But upon hearing that familiar voice, her delicate body trembled involuntarily.

However, Dark Ice forcibly suppressed the urge to remove the hood immediately and listened quietly to how things were developing.

Xiao Wan explained, "I just finished training a few new employees, so I came out to relax a bit."

"……what?"

Xiao Wan looked at An Bing, who was wearing a hood, and felt inexplicably familiar with her.

But she didn't pay too much attention to it and said instead.

"Another new person has arrived."

"Come with me, I'll take you to register."

The researcher named Fate said to Shane.

"This is Miss Wan, the younger sister of the current Princess Consort, and one of the directors of Area A of the research institute."

“Every “Ice and Snow People” who come here must undergo his training before they can officially move in.”

director……

Training?

Hearing these familiar words, Xia En felt inexplicably strange.

Is this something a girl who has been kidnapped here should do?

"Alright, stop standing there."

Xiao Wan said generously, "Come with me."

soon.

After parting ways with Fate, Shane and the other person arrived at the door of a house in the living area.

Xiao Wan was somewhat surprised to see Xia En still following behind her.

"Why are you still here?"

"The person has been delivered; you can go do other things now."

Xia En asked frankly, "What kind of lesson are you going to give her?"

"I'm a little curious, can we go in and take a look together?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan's expression turned somewhat strange, but she still spoke.

"It's not impossible. If you want to see, then come in with us."

Unlike Fate before, Xiao Wan never doubted Xia En's identity.

In her view, anyone who could get into the research institute was already one of her own.

Enter the room and close the door.

Xiao Wan said to Xia En, "You can take off her hood now."

"The main reason for wearing this hood is to prevent them from remembering the location of the research institute."

As she spoke, Xiao Wan turned to look at An Bing.

"By the way, this clansman..."

"I haven't asked you yet, what's your name? Have you seen me before?"

"I feel like you look familiar..."

at this time.

Anbing removed her hood herself, and her black hair flowed out smoothly like water.

She looked up at the girl in front of her.

"Xiao Wan, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing her face clearly, Xiao Wan's eyes widened immediately.

"Sister Anbing, you...you? How could it be you?"

She never expected that Anbing would leave the palace unnoticed, infiltrate the underground research institute, and appear right in front of her like this.

Anbing's expression was extremely complicated, yet it also carried a hint of relief.

She smiled and said, "What, you don't even recognize me?"

Then, Anbing asked seriously.

"Xiao Wan, can you tell me what happened after you were kidnapped?"

"elder sister……"

Xiao Wan's face showed struggle, but in the end she sighed and said.

"Now that things have come to this, I can't hide it from you anymore."

"When I woke up, I found myself in this research institute, and my first reaction was naturally panic."

"But after watching a video, I changed my mind."

"Sister, I think you should take a look too."

As she spoke, Xiao Wan turned on a device in the room.

A video was then projected onto the wall opposite the room.

in the image.

A tall, upright figure walked towards us.

That handsome face belonged to the King of Cinder, whom both Xia En and the others knew intimately.

The Lord of Cinder looked over and spoke.

"I'm sorry to have brought you here without prior notice."

"But only by doing this can I trust and utilize your strength."

"I'll just say it."

"The Great Yan Kingdom, and indeed the entire world, is facing an unprecedented crisis."

"A cataclysmic flood that will sweep across the world is about to descend."

"And what I want to borrow is the icy secret power of you [People of Ice and Snow]."

"I hope... that you can cooperate with the researchers in the institute to conduct research on the secret power of ice and cold."

"Either store the icy secret power, or develop a more efficient secret technique."

At this point, the King of Salvage paused.

"Of course, the decision of whether or not to participate in the experiment is up to you."

"I will not force you to conduct experiments."

"But... this matter concerns the survival of the entire world."

"Now that you know this secret, you will need to stay at the research institute for a while."

"Once a certain contract technique stabilizes, I will let you leave."

The King of Cinder looked somewhat ashamed.

"I know this is a bit of a stretch."

"Forcibly bringing you here is certainly not something to be proud of."

"You are free to complain about me in your hearts."

"But I, Lord Cinder, would never lie about something like this."

"For the sake of the Great Yan Kingdom, and for the sake of this world, I implore you... to lend me a hand!"

As he spoke, the king of the Great Yan Kingdom bent his seemingly eternally straight back and said solemnly.

"please!"

The video ends here.

Xia En's emotions, however, remained unsettled for a long time.

He sensed the sincerity of the King of Cinder from these words.

Even though he wasn't a citizen of the Great Yan Kingdom, he couldn't help but be moved by it.

For the people of the Great Yan Kingdom, this feeling is probably even stronger.

That was a request from the king of a country!
It evokes a sense of urgency, like a scholar dying for someone who understands him.

After reading it, Xia En immediately understood why Xiao Wan had become the director of the research institute and helped the King of Cinder persuade the other members of his clan.

Clearly, she has made the decision to contribute to the research on the King of Cinder.

Every "Ice People" brought here has seen such images.

After Xiao Wan's persuasion, many of them naturally changed their attitudes and chose to contribute to the King of Cin's plan.

This is what Fitt meant by "volunteer".

Thinking about this, Xia En suddenly felt a little strange.

possible……

Is this what they call personal charisma?
If it were someone else, people might think this is alarmist and wouldn't believe it.

But for the King of Cinder to say these words makes one feel extremely open and honest.

That is probably why he was able to gain so much support.

But soon, Shane thought of the prisoners that Fate had mentioned.

What does that mean?
Hearing Xia En's question.

Xiao Wan said with a somewhat complicated expression.

"The Lord of Cinder also told us directly about the identities of those prisoners."

"In fact, they are also members of our clan."

"However, they are the die-hard faction within the family, and the Great Yan Kingdom harbors considerable malice towards them, even secretly sabotaging towns and assassinating officials within the Great Yan Kingdom."

"These people were sent here after they were arrested."

"It is said that the research institute conducts special experiments on people who should be executed."

(End of this chapter)