In just half a day’s time, Su Mo had seen the words “Marine Hunting Plan” multiple times.
From the literal meaning of these three words, he speculated that this was probably a large-scale operation by the foreign races against humans.
However, the wasteland was so vast. How were the foreign races supposed to coordinate themselves and quickly gather together to launch an onslaught on the humans when the ocean emerged?
Moreover, even if they could predict the gathering points and coordinates of most of the humans on land, how confident were the foreign races at keeping track of the coordinates of humans on the sea and then intercepting them?
Su Mo didn’t even have to crack his head to figure out the numerous loopholes and problems this plan would have.
None of this was achievable, and even if it was, there was no chance of it being carried out perfectly. Even if there were spies among humans who were able to an uninterrupted flow of information around the clock, the entire endeavor was still nothing but a pipe dream.
Unless…
The target of the marine hunting operation was not humans in the first place!
“Marine hunting operation…”
Upon hearing Su Mo’s question, Connie put on a complicated look and she seemed to be at a loss for words for a while, seemingly unsure where to start.
The shocking story behind these three words would flash across her mind from time to time.
Occasionally there was also a hint of disbelief. It was as though the plan was just a fantasy that was not worth mentioning.
Eventually though…
After staring at Su Mo for some time, she licked the blood on her paws that had not yet fully dried. She looked outside at the bright sunshine and a hint of longing was evident in her eyes.
Connie did not answer, but made a request.
“Can I go outside… Oh right, can I have my staff back?”
“If I have my staff, I can provide you with the answers you’re seeking!”
Following the demise of the kobold clan, the lion clan had been having a tough time surviving in the wasteland, with their population gradually dwindling.
Fortunately, the welfare disaster brought with it an increase in the number of plants, allowing the lion clan to forage for fruits, barely keeping them alive.
Connie would contemplate the future of the lion clan every night.
After all, there was no way for her to receive the Lion God’s instructions unless the summoning portal was opened. She only had herself to rely on.
Connie did get any rest until her clan lost the battle against Hope Village’s militia and was captured.
During the day, she pretended to be compliant to Chen Shen, acting as if she was about to surrender but, in truth, she had been frantically thinking of a way to escape.
At night, she slept with great unease, fearing that Su Mo would open the door and end her life with two bullets.
The continuous torture proved to be a challenge for the Lioness who was already not very smart to begin with.
Therefore, after deciding to join Su Mo and the human race wholeheartedly, Connie shed all false pretenses and ideas of escape and became honest.
It was to the point she seemed innocent, just like an animal, and even started making minor requests of her master.
“Sure. We’re friends now. As long as you’re willing to turn over a new leaf, no one under my watch will lay a finger on you!”
“I can guarantee your safety over here.”
After seeing the yearning in Connie’s eyes, Su Mo gladly agreed to her minor request.
Now that she had been given the right of asylum, Su Mo could easily take away Connie’s powers and leave her completely unable to resist.
Therefore, there was no longer a need to keep her locked up.
He released her in hopes that the Hope villagers would see it, which in turn would boost their morale.
Clap, clap!
He clapped his hands and saw two militia members opening the door. The light from outside poured in. Connie’s face carried with it a trace of detachment from the world.
A few days ago, the lion clan was on the verge of being annihilated. Under her leadership, they put up their final struggle.
Now, she led the last of the lion clan and surrendered to their previous prey—the human race.
Connie did not know if she had made the right choice, but when she looked at the man standing in front of the wide-open door, bathing in sunlight…
She nodded hard and slowly clambered to her feet, huffing and puffing hard.
“Open the door and don’t keep her locked up from now on. She’s now our…”
“Friend!”
Su Mo stressed the word “friend”.
The two militia members had witnessed the interrogation carried out by Chen Shen over the past few days, so after being reminded by Su Mo, they quickly understood and unlocked the gate immediately with a look of admiration on their faces.
“Also, go to Chen Shen and bring her staff back.”
After instructing one of the militia members, Su Mo gave orders while looking at the bustling scene over at the shipyard in the distance. He watched the militia member leave before turning around and returning inside.
“Let’s go. Your staff will be returned to you very soon. It’s time you go out to this peaceful world and take a look!”
Life is precious, but love is even dearer.
However, could both be discarded for the sake of freedom?
Whether it was for humans or foreign races, neither of these feelings were compelling enough for them to give up their freedom.
However, when the Lioness walked out, under the envious gazes of the two clansmen, she was enlightened!
“So this is what freedom feels like.”
“Turns out that this is the salvation we’ve been looking for!”
She let Su Mo lead the way. After taking a look at the two clansmen who were still bound, Connie followed Su Mo without stopping in her tracks.
There were not many twists and turns on Iron Rock Mountain, so they quickly reached the top of the mountain.
As there were no large mountains or other structures obstructing their view from the top, they could see everything around them.
They continued walking until they reached the cliff at the top. Su Mo sat down, his feet hanging off from the cliff.
“Take a seat. This will be your home from now on. Don’t be shy.”
He waved his hands and made a few casual arrangements. Before Chen Shen arrived, Su Mo pulled up the chat panel and saw the constant flow of new messages from the foreign races.
The sun was warm.
The wind was gentle.
Connie went over to the spot Su Mo pointed out and imitated his sitting posture, hanging her feet off the cliff and swaying them gently.
The wind brushed past her fur, creating waves and ripples.
That did not distract her in the slightest, because within her line of sight…
Lay the magnificent shipyard in the distance!
The shipyard was hundreds of square meters from end to end, and the scaffolding was dozens of meters high. Its reflection caused a blue-green light to be emitted under the sun.
The light shone on the ground, as if the shipyard was floating in invisible waters, breathing like a sentient being.
Looking down from the scaffolding to the right were two or three hundred humans densely packed together. From that height, they looked like ants on the ground.
The view from the top was stunning.
Sitting on top of the cliff, Su Mo quietly observed the chat channel. The Lioness Connie looked down in fascination; he did not know what was on her mind.
After a while, he heard rushed footsteps and turned around. Chen Shen could be seen clutching a staff in his hand, running so hard that his forehead was drenched in sweat as he appeared around the corner.
When Chen Shen saw Connie from a distance, there was a touch of consternation on his face, which quickly dissolved into a knowing expression.
“I have the staff, Big Brother Su…”
“She’s…”
“She’s our friend from now on. Send out my orders that no one is to view her any differently from now on!”
Connie turned around after hearing what Su Mo said and happened to meet Chen Shen’s eyes.
Over the past two days, the human and the Lioness had spoken about many things. Connie learned a lot about Su Mo from Chen Shen as well.
Connie was not the slightest bit ashamed of surrendering and, after a slight nod, Chen Shen took two steps forward and crouched down beside them to report.
“Big Brother Su, based on the information we got, the leadership from the Zeus Shelter… have been mercilessly killing others!”
“A simple interrogation revealed the countless number of people who have died by their hands…”
After spitting out those words, Chen Shen’s tightly clenched left fist slowly loosened, revealing a single finger.
“One hundred?”
“One thousand!”
‘F*ck! That many?”
When Chen Shen saw Su Mo clenching his fists, he quickly lowered down his body and continued to speak in a hushed tone.
“They began to wander the land ever since the second disaster ended. They simply gave up planting after the third disaster. They migrated and robbed everyone along the way. Also, the Huaxians in their group weren’t coerced at all.”
“They took the initiative to surrender… and willingly became traitors when those brutes from the Zeus Shelter attacked the Huaxian shelter.”
Chen Shen tried his best to speak as softly as possible when he said those words to avoid arousing Su Mo’s anger.
However, Su Mo’s expression remained sullen after hearing what he said.
Compared to the foreign races, these guys knew humans extremely well and would not hesitate to kill their own kind.
A thousand humans fell into their hands, which meant that each person here was responsible for at least ten human lives.
On Earth, even the most wanted criminals were not this ruthless.
“Big Brother Su, please give me the permission to deal with these people once and for all!”
“We can’t let these beasts off so easily!”
“They will have it easy if we simply slaughter them!”
Su Mo listened to Chen Shen’s furious roars and mulled it over. His taut muscles relaxed and nodded.
Hope Village had fought a war. Now it was time for bloodshed.
There was no need for mercy when it came to dealing with these people.
As a leader, Su Mo needed only to see the results. Good results were all that mattered!
After obtaining Su Mo’s permission, Chen Shen stepped back reverently and straightened his back, running back toward where he came from.
However, a murderous aura could be sensed emanating from every fiber of his being.
“Here, this is your staff. Can you tell me what the marine hunting operation is all about now?”
After quickly snapping out of the negative emotions brought about by the actions of the brutes from the Zeus Shelter, Su Mo handed the staff over and returned to his normal, but slightly cold, expression.
Seemingly sensing Su Mo’s bad mood, Connie skipped the unnecessary details and, after receiving the staff, she gently pressed the top of its head.
Sss…
A curtain of light extended along the head of the staff, about 30 inches in size, flashing yellow.
This light curtain was clearly visible even under the bright sun. Su Mo was unsure what kind of technology was being used here.
“Old Su… Su Mo, you will be pulled into a different space—do not resist!”
“Don’t you worry, their target… isn’t humankind!”
Before Su Mo could ask any questions, images began to slowly appear on the glowing screen following Connie’s rhythmic tapping of her staff. A voice rang out.
“Greetings to the other terrestrial races in the wasteland. I am the clan leader of Cursed Tiger… Clark!”
