Chapter 165: Track
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The mermaid’s sense of smell was extremely sharp. Even when he was unconscious, he could remember the smell of the people approaching her.
Zhou Ling nodded in agreement. “Lan Yin and I discovered you. As for why Lan Yin has the scent of a mermaid, she will explain it herself. However, before that, we need you to answer our questions. As an imperial slave, how did you become aware of the alliance’s military distress signal?”
“Slaves?”
Liao Ning’s eyes widened in surprise. She knew that mermaids were the backbone of the empire’s army, but she had no idea about their status as slaves within the empire. The revelation shocked her.
The mermaid turned to Liao Ning and replied calmly, “We are deemed too powerful. They fear us.”
Liao Ning was intrigued by the mermaid’s calm demeanor. She couldn’t help but ask, “But don’t you feel any resentment or anger? Mermaids, as the rulers of the sea, are treated as mere war machines by the empire and are considered the lowest class of slaves.”
The mermaid shook his head gently. “No.”
Liao Ning found it difficult to comprehend the lack of emotions in the mermaid’s eyes. She turned to Zhou Ling, hoping for some explanation.
Zhou Ling clarified, “It’s the empire’s doing. They have used elven potions to suppress the emotions of most merfolk, leaving them without resentment.”
“I see,” Liao Ning murmured, fascinated by the mention of elven potions and their magical properties. As the myths of her previous life depicted, Liao Ning became increasingly fascinated by the unique races within the empire.
Zhou Ling took a seat beside the mermaid’s bed and continued, “Now, we need to understand why the small commercial spaceship you were on was attacked and how it ended up in the alliance’s territory. Furthermore, we are curious as to how you became aware of the alliance’s military distress signal.”
“If I reveal this information, will you allow Lan Yin to explain why he possesses the mermaid aura?” The mermaid raised a finger and pointed directly at Lan Yin, who was seated before the bed.
As the mermaid moved, Liao Ning caught sight of his palm. Thin membranes connected the spaces between his fingers, forming translucent and beautiful webbing. The light blue color of the webbing reminded Liao Ning of braised duck claws she used to enjoy in her previous life, momentarily distracting her thoughts.
Unaware of Liao Ning’s food-related musings, Zhou Ling agreed, “I promise
Lan Yin will provide an explanation in return.”
Rather than immediately responding to Zhou Ling’s promise, the mermaid stared at him for a prolonged moment before finally nodding.
The three of them prepared to listen to the mermaid’s story, but his response was concise and straightforward. “It was Zhou Ye who instructed me to pilot the spaceship to the Alliance. He taught me that distress signal and instructed me to transmit it immediately upon entering Alliance territory. He claimed that someone would come to retrieve me. However, I was unexpectedly attacked before I could enter the Alliance.”
“What did you say? Who asked you to come to the Alliance? Repeat it!” Zhou Ling’s voice trembled with disbelief and agitation.
The mermaid was taken aback by his reaction. Seeking assistance, he glanced at Liao Ning with her cold, silver eyes, inexplicably choosing her over Lan Yin, who shared a similar aura.
Liao Ning, too, was stunned upon hearing the name “Zhou Ye.” The individual Su MO sent to the empire had reported no findings regarding Zhou Ye and his wife. So, why was this mermaid claiming to have been summoned to the Alliance by someone with the same name? Could it be mere coincidence?
Lan Yin felt that the situation was far too coincidental as well. Both he and Zhou Ling were Alliance soldiers, making it illogical for them not to be the same person.
“Ling, take a moment to calm down,” Liao Ning advised, gently patting Zhou Ling’s shoulder, reminding him to regain composure.
Zhou Ling realized he had let his emotions get the better of him. He quickly composed himself and queried the mermaid, “You mentioned that the person who taught you the distress signal, Zhou Ye, where did you encounter him?”
“On the Golden Rice Planet,” the mermaid replied, oblivious to the significance of his words..
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