Chapter 236: Chapter 234: The Calamity of Imprisonment
"And so, our branch of the family came to the 3rd Floor of the Abyss and settled on an island."
Mo Ling listened, growing even more confused.
’Emperor?’
’Seeking immortality?’
"When did that happen?"
Looking at the simple cloth clothes on Bai Zhou, Mo Ling felt like he wasn’t from this era.
However, just then, Mo Ling suddenly thought of the clock on the Moon Altar that was running backward.
Connecting that to his current bizarre situation, he came up with an entirely new theory:
’Have I traveled to another era?’
The moment he thought of this, Mo Ling asked Bai Zhou, "What was the name of the emperor who sent you out to sea to seek immortality?"
Hearing Mo Ling’s question, Bai Zhou froze for a moment. He opened his mouth but no sound came out, as if he was very reluctant to answer.
But it wasn’t long before he sighed and answered, "Zheng. Our emperor was named Zheng."
Hearing this, Mo Ling could no longer suppress the shock in his heart:
"Surname Ying, of the Zhao Clan, with the given name Zheng?"
"Yes." Bai Zhou nodded. "Have the people on our island told you this?"
"They have." Mo Ling nodded stiffly.
While he was dealing with Bai Zhou, Mo Ling’s mind was in turmoil.
’What time period have I actually come to?’
’2,200 years ago? The Qin Dynasty?’
’Why is Bai Zhou here too?’
’And what’s the deal with this Fishman Race prison?’
’Is any of this real?’
He was completely in the dark.
After sizing up his situation, Mo Ling forced himself to calm down. He decided to subtly probe Bai Zhou for more information.
"Why did the Fishman Race capture you?"
"Weren’t you captured too? They capture everyone," Bai Zhou replied as if it were obvious.
’They capture everyone?’
This seemed completely different from the Fishman Race Mo Ling remembered.
’Could it be that the Fishmen from 2,200 years ago were completely uncivilized?’
But judging by the prison’s level of technology, they didn’t seem uncivilized at all. In fact, they seemed far more advanced.
"How were you captured?" Mo Ling continued to ask.
However, upon hearing this question, Bai Zhou fell silent again. His mood sank, and a look of despair crossed his face.
"It was what you’d expect."
After that simple reply, Bai Zhou said no more. He lowered his head and retreated into the corner.
The shadows swallowed him, just like when Mo Ling had first arrived in the prison, making him completely invisible.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Mo Ling didn’t know what he’d said wrong. One moment, Bai Zhou had been enthusiastic, and the next, he had become like this.
Just as Mo Ling was about to let Bai Zhou cool down for a bit, Bai Zhou spoke again from the corner. "It’s almost time. They should be here soon. Don’t say anything; just let me handle it."
’They? Does he mean the Fishman Race?’
While he was still wondering, the door at the end of the corridor suddenly made a noise. Several fully armed Fishmen pushed it open and walked toward the deeper part of the prison.
The way these Fishmen were dressed was completely different from what Mo Ling remembered. Their bodies were covered in thick, runic components that interlocked, forming an intricate suit of armor.
Each component varied in size and shape, but all of them fit the Fishmen’s bodies perfectly, as if they were custom-made.
Not only that, but some detached components also floated around the armor. They seemed to have other functions, orbiting the Fishmen like satellites and vigilantly guarding the surroundings.
As soon as they entered the prison, these components scattered, locking their focus on every single prisoner.
One of the components even flew over to the cell Mo Ling was in.
Bai Zhou’s whispered warning came from behind him. "Don’t do anything stupid. Stay away from that thing."
His tone was extremely tense, as if he was worried Mo Ling might do something dangerous to the component hovering at the cell entrance.
Utterly confused, Mo Ling had no choice but to do as he was told and slowly back away.
However, the component phased directly through the iron bars of the cell and came inside, continuing to stare fixedly at Mo Ling.
The runes inside the component began to glow faintly, as if something was brewing within.
Seeing this, Mo Ling could only stand his ground, not daring to move a muscle.
The Fishmen in the corridor didn’t stop at any other cells; they walked straight to the door of Mo Ling’s.
They waved a hand, and the iron bars of the cell slowly dissolved. The hovering component moved to one side, but it remained aimed at Mo Ling.
Looking at the Fishmen before him, Mo Ling suddenly recognized the one in the lead.
Although all Fishmen looked very similar, after spending a long time with them, one could begin to spot the subtle differences.
"Jeff?" Mo Ling couldn’t help but ask.
That’s right. The Fishman in the lead was Jeff.
Mo Ling had no idea what kind of place he had come to or why he kept running into familiar people.
’Is this some kind of illusion, or has time truly reversed?’
’If this is real history, why are there people here who shouldn’t appear until the future?’
At that moment, Jeff, whose name had been called, didn’t answer. Instead, the Fishmen beside him reacted violently.
"Address him as General Jeff!"
They directed the components floating around them, which quickly surrounded Mo Ling.
Just as they were about to attack, Jeff raised a hand, stopping them.
"You can speak the Fishman language?"
This was the first question Jeff asked.
"I can," Mo Ling nodded.
"What race are you?" Jeff continued to ask.
"The Square Race." Mo Ling’s mind raced, and he used the name Bai Zhou had guessed earlier.
Jeff nodded thoughtfully. "A race I’ve never heard of. You can speak our language. That’s good..."
After that simple remark, Jeff said no more.
This version of Jeff carried a subtle air of superiority. Every movement exuded nobility, and he spoke with calm composure. Aside from his appearance, he was like a completely different person.
’General Jeff?’ Mo Ling recalled what the other Fishmen had said, and a theory formed in his mind.
’It seems the current Jeff holds no ordinary status within the Fishman Race.’
When he spoke, the surrounding Fishmen didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly.
It wasn’t until Jeff had been silent for some time that the other Fishmen moved again.
This time, however, they weren’t targeting Mo Ling, but Bai Zhou in the corner.
"Come here."
After that cold command, Bai Zhou immediately came to stand before the Fishmen.
One of the Fishmen waved his hand, and a floating component swerved and plunged viciously into the back of Bai Zhou’s neck, burying itself deep in his flesh.
Bai Zhou collapsed in pain but then staggered back to his feet. Blood gushed from the wound, flowing freely down his back.
Then, the component in his neck began to glow faintly, and the bleeding quickly stopped as the blood coagulated.
Bai Zhou’s face was pale and his lips were bloodless, but he still forced himself to stand steady. His body swayed, and beads of cold sweat quickly formed on his forehead.
When he spoke again, it was in fluent Fishman.
"Thank you, my lords, for this gift."
