Transform into a human

Yue Lai's desire to rescue this group of useless pirates wasn't out of any great kindness, but rather because he realized something—

The root of all this turmoil lies in Mr. Casti's murder and the pen he left behind. If what Mr. Bao said is true, then the suspected masterminds, Everley and the Pacific Group, hired some pirates to assassinate Victor Casti and used the serial murders to cover up their true purpose.

The annihilation of Bastard Fortress now confirms his suspicions. As the situation at the police headquarters deteriorates, those people will stop at nothing to silence him!

Therefore, preserving these remaining pirates is of paramount importance, as the murderer from back then might be among them.

Upon hearing Yue Lai's shout, the pirates finally regained some of their senses.

"It's King Kui! We're saved!"

"Is he really King Kui's boatswain?"

"The identities of the Windmill Pirates' boatswain and first mate are a mystery; anyone could impersonate them!"

"Which pirate would dare impersonate King Kui's man? Even if they escape today, they'll die."

"Fool! Even if it were true, he's just one person. How could the main force of the Windmill Pirates be in the Central Galaxy!"

They're hopeless!

"boom!"

Explosions echoed in reality once more, and many more figures disappeared from the Chain Crystal Network. The pirates' newly regained rationality vanished instantly—Yue Lai's efforts to gather the pirates had completely failed.

He could only return to reality, and as the "evidence" dwindled, his anxiety grew.

"The face hidden on Downton's body is a hidden weapon within a hidden weapon; my whereabouts cannot be exposed."

If that's the case, then this massive cover-up could only be a coincidence.

The opponent's original target was Xia Du, using the Qilin Staff as bait, but now they've dragged him into it too!

In the game of black and white, coincidence is a manipulable element. The side that gains the upper hand will be favored by fate, which is why Yue Lai was able to play with ease in the police station before.

This is the true meaning of "getting by": as long as you don't make mistakes, you can eventually win by just getting by.

But now he's actually at a disadvantage in the game?

How could this be! He himself is currently in the shadows, and Li has already obtained the decisive evidence for "Ji Yun's arrest". Taiyang Group and Avery are forced to stand on the stage. It can be said that they are only one hearing away from completely destroying them!

No matter how you look at it, you have the initiative and can be said to have the "advantage". So where does the "disadvantage" come from?

There must be something I've overlooked...

From Starport to Wave City, and the two riots of the Sea-Suppressing Sword...

Seeing Yue Lai's tightly closed eyes and his brows furrowed like buns, Xia Du's heart sank, and he even became careful with his breathing, afraid of disturbing Yue Lai's thoughts.

Sweat dripped down, but due to the loss of control of the gravity system, it floated in the air. Yue Lai suddenly opened his eyes and stared at the water droplets.

He now knows who was protecting him in secret!

Not belonging to either the Imperial or Central factions, involved in this incident, unable to show his face, and having a position to protect him... There is only one person who meets all these conditions!

If his speculation is true, Avery is definitely not the culprit, and the real mastermind must have already come into his sights long ago.

Who is it...?

The moment the barrier of perception was broken, the scoundrel's secrets were suddenly touched, and the black-and-white killing game brought a faint "connection".

It's one of the four chess pieces!

Xia Du is by my side, so Yue Hao and Li couldn't possibly be here. It can only be that woman named "Zara"!

"So this is where the piece landed."

"Unless one grasps the crucial point, this fish, transformed from a coincidence, will continue to hide in the lake of fate."

Yue Lai suddenly understood why the promotion ritual for a scoundrel was to successfully launch a black-and-white killing spree; it was a way of teaching him the true meaning of "playing the game."

A scoundrel can hide in the shadows, drift with the tide, live a life of quiet seclusion in the city, and even gain something for nothing through coincidence. But he must never, ever, ever be confused; he must always stand on the high ground of wisdom.

Suddenly, his long-stagnant cultivation began to loosen up. The resources he had accumulated over the long years of "Wandering Through Time" were almost bursting forth, just waiting for the formal breakthrough to the Master level. On that day, his cultivation would leap forward!

Returning to the present, the only people who can connect with him now, besides the pirates, are the soldiers in that fleet—Yue Lai leans more towards the latter.

He returned to the Chain Crystal Network, opened his personal space, and connected the longitude and latitude that stretched to the ends of the earth to the hidden piece that had been concealed for so long.

Taoyuan Combat Group, Lin ship, Silver Guardian.

Zara was boredly watching the "fireworks" filling the sky through the porthole—the bastard fortress, resembling a small town, was being destroyed bit by bit. In the past, this destruction maniac would have used it as a accompaniment to her drinks, downing three cups in a row. But now, all she wanted to know was what she wanted to do…

Just then, an account she had set to "Special Attention [Highest Level]" suddenly sent a communication request. Zara abruptly stood up, startling the officers around her.

"I'm fine. Captain Keating will be in command of this ship for the time being."

After a brief handover of command, she quickly entered the Chain Crystal Network and returned to that familiar space.

But this time is different!

A pine tree has grown within the chessboard in front of me, and beneath the pine is a chessboard made of polished stone.

"Perfectly matches the Empire's aesthetic standards. Could this constellation be an Imperial citizen? But how could a constellation prepared by the Empire for its struggle for Siren Godhood possibly contact me?"

Such a powerful figure would never lack manpower, so Yue Lai became even more mysterious in her eyes.

Suddenly, a blurry figure appeared behind the chessboard, tossing a blue ball of light around in its hand.

Zara quickly lowered her head, but couldn't help being shocked inside.

"Divine authority, it's divine authority...it's divine authority!!"

She will never admit her mistake!

The Chain Crystal Network was originally created by a dozen gods working together. As long as the authority is high enough, even divinity can be simulated. As a capable person from the Prodigal Son's Path, her body began to act strangely the moment the blue light sphere appeared.

That feeling… I wanted to tear myself apart, to release all the seawater from my body, so I could freely travel through time and space. But how can you know the joy of a fish if you are not one? No… my thoughts are starting to get muddled. It would be better if the world were in chaos, otherwise there would be no hope of survival…

Zara's gaze in reality gradually began to glaze over. Seeing this, Yue Lai slowly put away the Siren God's power.

He certainly knew what divine authority meant to ordinary humans. If it weren't for his special nature, he would have long been corrupted into a fish or a pool of seawater. Now, in this urgent situation, he had to put on a show of strength to intimidate Zara.

After a few more breaths, Zara slowly regained her senses. The first thing she did upon recovering was to close her eyes, and then, mimicking the ancient imperial etiquette she had learned from watching television dramas, she knelt down with a "thump":

"My lord, I confess my guilt!"

Yue Lai's face darkened.