Endless Ocean: Survival Begins with a Dugout Canoe-Chapter 98 - 95: The Black Society’s Conspiracy

Yinping Sea Region.

The Black Society patrolled the seas above their former homeland, just as they always had. The weather was calm, the ocean’s surface perfectly still, without a single ripple.

The incident involving the lost Map of the Endless Sea had come to a close. The matter had been settled: the former Third Governor, Great Wilderness, took all the blame and had been secretly executed.

As his superior, Yan Dao Lin still bore some of the responsibility. That, combined with the incident of Demon Sword’s martyrdom, led to his suspension from all duties. Although he still held the empty title of "Admiral of the Sea," he could no longer command any resources.

But he wasn’t worried.

True politicians understood that the political arena was like a sea voyage—it was never smooth sailing.

Ups and downs, turbulence and turmoil—that was the norm.

"Walk until the water’s end, then sit and watch the clouds arise." This was one of Yan Dao Lin’s creeds.

BEEP.

The communicator in his hand rang again.

Yan Dao Lin picked it up.

[Jinshan: My old friend, don’t stay down in the dumps. For the sake of our many years of partnership, I can share a genuine secret with you, free of charge. It’s top-secret intelligence that could allow you to rise again and could even produce an S-rank Awakened for your country. Interested?]

’Top-secret intelligence?’

There was no one else in the office. Yan Dao Lin lit a cigar and casually propped his feet up on his desk.

He and Jinshan’s Captain Robert were old acquaintances. Over the many years of the Wandering Era, he had given Jinshan a great deal of business, providing them with countless Dome Crystals and Pure Dome Crystals.

A little free help during his downfall seemed only natural to him.

Only by rising again could he ensure that Jinshan would reap even greater profits.

[Go on, Captain Robert. You know I don’t like playing games.]

Before he could even send his message, the communicator received a new one.

Unlike the previous message, this one was specially encrypted.

Only Yan Dao Lin knew how to decrypt it.

Yan Dao Lin put down his cigar, picked up the decoder beside him, and after a few quick operations, he finally saw the contents of the intelligence report.

[Jinshan: The current patriarch of the Albert Clan of the King-level Wandering Ship ’Twelve Stars,’ Wright de Albert, is recruiting Awakened to hunt an A-rank sea beast. In truth, however, their real target is likely not the A-rank beast, but an S-rank one at a secret coordinate Albert discovered during his earlier adventures. The Awakened they’re recruiting are merely a means to distract the S-rank beast. Wright de Albert has been preparing to hunt this S-rank sea beast for three years...]

[Jinshan: No one besides Albert knows the S-rank beast’s coordinates, but if you join the team, you’ll naturally have a chance to see it. I imagine, old friend, that with your wisdom and strategic mind, you know what to do, don’t you?]

Yan Dao Lin pondered for a moment.

He deleted the message he hadn’t sent and typed out a new line on his communicator.

[Albert has been preparing this in secret for so long. What makes you think I can steal the fruits of his victory? Besides, don’t Jinshan, and even Lighthouse, desire another S-rank Awakened?]

After a long while, Yan Dao Lin finally received a third message.

[Jinshan: My friend, I’m just an intelligence chief. I don’t have the power or the means to get involved in something like this. Of course, I have no idea if Lighthouse will participate. It’s just that success depends on human effort, and destiny is in your own hands. Whether you can snatch that low-hanging fruit will depend on your methods.]

[Jinshan: I sincerely hope for your return. Jinshan’s business still needs your patronage. Besides, our partnership has always been a pleasant one, has it not?]

Yan Dao Lin narrowed his eyes, weighing the pros and cons of the matter in his mind.

They had their own Hunter terminals and intelligence network, so he was naturally aware that Wright de Albert had used level-five clearance to post a bounty for strong fighters to hunt an A-rank sea beast. He just hadn’t paid it any mind.

’To think their target was actually a mysterious S-rank sea beast...’

’Recruiting experts from around the world was just a way to tie up the beast? All so their own people would have a chance at the final kill?’

’Hmm...’

’If I prepare well enough and make sure I’m not used at the critical moment, there’s definitely room to maneuver.’

And taking a huge step back, even if this intelligence from Jinshan turned out to be unreliable—if Wright de Albert’s goal was truly and simply just a single A-rank sea beast—the only thing he would lose was a bit of time. The cost of failure would be almost negligible.

But if their target really was an S-rank sea beast, then—

with the wisdom and methods of the Vortex People, there was a real chance to steal the fruits of victory!

They had plenty of experience in such matters.

A fox-like glint shone in Yan Dao Lin’s eyes. This matter was worth scheming over. Lighthouse probably wouldn’t miss this opportunity either and would surely make a move. The captain of Jinshan hadn’t shared this intelligence out of simple goodwill; nine times out of ten, he wanted to use the Black Society’s power to muddy the waters and create an opportunity for his own Awakened.

’But—why couldn’t the victor be the Black Society?’

Everyone knows the proverb: when the sandpiper and the clam fight, the fisherman profits.

But who the final fisherman would be was yet to be seen.

The Black Society currently had only two powerful A-rank Awakened available. To be safe, it was best to send "Iwami" on this mission.

Of course, he would have to discuss this mission with "the Lord."

Without "the Lord’s" approval, he had no authority to deploy "Iwami."

...

「In the First Governor’s office.」

"My Lord, that is the entire situation."

Yan Dao Lin reported the intelligence he had just received, his expression as normal as ever. His tone was clear and confident, with no trace of humility or any attempt to "atone for his past failures with new merits." He spoke as if he were discussing a trivial matter.

After finishing his report, he clearly stated his opinion: Jinshan might be trying to use them to muddy the waters and fish in the turmoil, but they, in turn, could use Jinshan. As long as the intelligence was true, the scales of victory could tip in their favor.

S-rank sea beasts were strange and difficult to kill. This time, they could turn the tables and use Wright de Albert of the Twelve Stars, leveraging his forces to seize the final prize.

The First Governor contemplated for a long time.

"This is indeed a great opportunity for our Vortex Country!"

"Lord Yan Dao, I want you to handle this matter personally! I will have Iwami cooperate with you fully!"

Yan Dao Lin stood up and gave a military salute. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"My Lord, it is I who will be assisting General Iwami. I will do everything in my power to help him return victorious."

A fall in the pit, a gain in your wit.

He would never fall into the same trap twice.

"Very good. You are all pillars of the empire. Go, and act freely!"

"Yes, sir!"