National destiny: Starting with a coffin, building an aircraft carrier is broadcast live globally.

That's incredibly blunt.

Wonka's smile faded slightly as he slowly put down the bottle.

"Mr. Zhang, I understand. You want to dominate our conversation just like you did before."

"Perhaps we have a slightly flawed understanding of 'dominance'."

Renyi smiled and walked up to him, stopping across a small round table.

"In my hometown, we call this being open and honest."

"It's simple: I can give you what you want, and you can give me what I want... A win-win situation, isn't that good?"

"Oh?"

Wonka sized up the man before him, as if appraising a product. "I thought you were in cahoots with that guy outside..."

He was naturally referring to Noah.

"He promised me eternal life, Mr. Zhang San, what can you give me in return?"

"He gave you a bill you can't afford."

Every word struck Wonka like a hammer blow: "And I also know that you found a new, more powerful 'investor' to avoid paying the bill."

The other person immediately tightened their grip on the cup.

"Nyarlathotep?"

"puff--"

The glass goblet slipped from his hand and shattered on the thick Persian carpet.

Luckily, the wine hadn't been poured yet, otherwise it would have been wasted.

Wonka's face drained of all color as he stared intently at Renyi, his gaze no longer feigning gentleness.

"Who...are you?"

His voice was terribly hoarse.

It's not surprising that this person could learn about Noah's past from him, but what about "Nyarlathotep"...

There's no way a third person could know about that except for him and Jasmine!

"Who I am is not important... What is important is that you should now understand that you also cannot afford to pay Nyarlathotep's bill."

He met Wonka's gaze with ease and composure.

Have you ever seen a roulette table? The house never loses because he sets the rules.

"I think you've come to your senses by now. He's not helping you fulfill your wishes at all; He's just playing a never-ending game, and you are the most hardworking and ridiculous pawn on His chessboard."

"Every time we start over, it's not just the bait and snails that are worn down, but also you and your wife's. How long do you think... you can hold on?"

These words...

It directly peeled away the hard shell that Wonka had built with greed and desire, revealing the already rotten interior.

Yes, he had indeed noticed it long ago.

With each cycle... his and Jasmine's memories would become a little blurrier, and their emotions would become a little more indifferent.

He was fanatically pursuing immortality.

Despite all their efforts, they despairingly discover that they are getting further and further away from "truly living".

Despite being a person, he is like a wind-up toy, tirelessly repeating the same script, with the only audience seemingly being the unseen, intangible, yet omnipresent "He".

...This is not the immortality he wanted at all!

"Bang."

The picture frame on the table was turned upside down by a hand. Wonka walked to the chair by the window and sat down, placing his hands folded over his stomach.

"I do not accept threats, nor do I want to do business with you anymore, no matter who sent you."

"A deal? No, no, no... Mr. Wonka, I'm seeking a partnership."

Renyi earnestly corrected:

"I am different from Noah and Nyarlathotep; I don't care about the meager gains on this wrecked ship."

"It's just that we accidentally boarded the wrong ship and are now disembarking, that's all. Your wariness of me is a complete waste of your energy."

Wonka didn't respond.

But the violent heaving of his chest betrayed the emotions he was trying so hard to suppress.

After what seemed like a long and careful consideration, he finally spoke:

"How would you like to collaborate?"

If they give in, it means they've been manipulated.

Without even bothering with any preamble, he immediately threw out an unreasonable demand: "Give me control of this ship."

For a time...

The ticking of the antique grandfather clock on the wall became the only sound source.

Arbitrary actions are not about demanding benefits, but rather "reconnaissance by firepower"—

If Wonka readily agrees, that would be absurd; he was just putting on an act. If he flies into a rage, it means he really does, and we should be wary.

"I'm sorry, I can't do that."

With his mask removed, Wonka seemed to be stating a fact that had nothing to do with him.

"This ship is not my creation; I am more like... a 'part' of it. I can control it, but that doesn't mean I can transfer it to you like property."

It makes sense and is consistent with speculation.

"It's okay, that's not important. Now, I'll give you a new option." He steered the conversation back to dinner.

"I've already taken away the siren from your cold storage room on the second basement level."

Wonka: "...?!"

"Stop trying to seduce her, keep your dog under control, and cooperate with me."

Wonka's face gradually regained color, and his eyes behind his glasses were filled with malice.

"Mr. Zhang San..."

Do you understand what you're saying?

For the first time, his tone carried a clear murderous intent.

That siren was not only the main course in the script, but also his and Jasmine's hope.

However, his anger was ignored.

He flipped the wooden picture frame over and placed it facing Wonka.

"Your method is wrong; you won't succeed even if you try a thousand more times."

"shut up!"

Wonka abruptly stood up from his chair, and black shadows seeped out from the cracks in the floor, coalescing into several faceless bodyguards.

"What? You want to fight?"

He casually turned around and leaned against the edge of the table.

"Without me as a 'variable,' you'll only be able to look at photos and reminisce about me for the rest of your days."

The shadowy bodyguard's movements froze in mid-air.

Wonka was breathing heavily, staring at Random with eyes that seemed to want to devour him alive.

But he eventually sat back down dejectedly.

"See, isn't this better?"

Smile freely.

He knew that Nyarlathotep's scheme was essentially a scam that used wishes to trap people. The relationship between the living ship and Wonka was perhaps similar to that between the Touch of Fate in Golden Anchor and the priest.

The ship's fuel was the twisted and corrupted desires of its guests and Wonka.

As long as the wish remains unfulfilled, the game will not end. By continuously capturing unlucky souls who stray into the game, He can continuously draw nourishment.

Then... the solution is simple.

What if Wonka's wish really came true?

When the ever-growing desires are satisfied at their source and the fuel is drained, what will happen to this ship trapped in a Möbius strip?

"What do you need me to do?"

Wonka had calmed down, and the faceless, shadowy bodyguards silently dispersed, blending into the floor.

Stand up straight and put the photo back in its original position.

"It's very simple."

"First of all, the banquet must still be held, the grander the better."

After all, besides Wonka, the guests' desire for immortality also needs to be fulfilled tonight, so as to ensure that the ship's fuel is completely drained.

"Secondly, where is the captain's cabin?"

Wonka pushed up his gold-rimmed monocle, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"Mr. Zhang, you're quite humorous. Aren't I the captain? This is the captain's cabin."

Shake your head gently:

"Don't play dumb."

"I'm talking about this monster with a cruise ship shell, where is its 'brain' or 'heart'... its central nervous system?"

[Gugugu sent me a "God" certification, I'm a God (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎)]