To the average boy, this scene was inspiring. But to the Sea God males, seeing a goddess of their race being taken advantage of by a mixed-blood was deeply unsettling.
As Fanli and Xinghai returned to their seats, Alan swam over with a sly smirk. He leaned one hand on the back of a chair, utterly ignoring Xinghai’s presence. "Good afternoon, Fanli. I overheard you all discussing the Arcane Politics course earlier; I’m actually quite interested in that topic."
Back when Fanli was just a member of the Ocean Race, Alan hadn't found Xinghai particularly offensive. But now, looking at Xinghai and thinking about how he would cause a goddess to bear children who were biological dead-ends, he felt a wave of disgust and disdain. Naturally, his gaze conveyed exactly that to Xinghai.
Xinghai was no stranger to such looks. His parents had received them more than once. Before he had transformed himself into Su Shiye, the discrimination he faced—labeled as a "child cursed for defying the Deep Blue Divine Will"—had been a hundred times worse than this. He gave Alan a cool, indifferent glance but said nothing.
Alan cleared his throat and began to fish for a topic. "In a moment, the professor will likely perform a comparative analysis of the two market bailouts in Saint Yegana. The first was after the Abyss Resistance War, and the second was after the Resurrection Sea Financial Crisis. Both times, the Ministry of Finance released one trillion *fu*, but the allocation quotas were completely different. Have you researched this?"
Feisi, unable to stand his posturing, spoke up provocatively, "Are you trying to say that after the Abyss Resistance War, 500 billion went to near-bankrupt enterprises, 250 billion to small private firms, 130 billion to unemployed citizens, and 120 billion to subsidies for families and individuals? And that after the Resurrection Sea Financial Crisis, the subsidies for near-bankrupt and small enterprises dropped to 300 billion and 200 billion respectively, while the remaining 500 billion went entirely to individual subsidies?"
"Exactly. Good memory, Feisi. Do you know why?"
"Because over 50% of the subsidies given to companies were loans; as long as the enterprises were kept from bankruptcy, the money could be recovered. But subsidies given to individuals cannot be reclaimed. The reason the second bailout gave more to individuals was that after the Resurrection Sea Financial Crisis, Saint Yegana didn't have a significant advantage when compared horizontally to other sea regions, but vertically, compared to the period after the Abyss Resistance War, it had made a qualitative leap."
"Feisi has clearly done her pre-reading," Alan said, "but I have more thoughts on this issue that I’d like to discuss with Fanli. I hope you all don't mind?" Having said that, Alan turned his gaze back to Fanli with lingering affection, though his words remained strictly academic. "There’s another reason: during the Abyss Resistance War, there were more enterprises than there are now. The government didn't dare let medium-to-large enterprises collapse—especially the large ones, which took a very hardline stance—so the government was forced to sacrifice the welfare allocated to commoners. By the time of the Resurrection Sea Financial Crisis, the previous wave of bankrupt enterprises had been taken over by the Holy City government and re-capitalized. Those that survived were giants. Their survival capability was much stronger than small-to-medium firms, and they were least affected by the fluctuations. Does our 'Academic Goddess' think I'm right?"
Though she hadn't previewed the textbook, Fanli knew Alan Oda was quoting the 24,734th year, eighth issue of *Holy City Finance*. He might not have read the magazine himself, but this argument was first published there by the famous economist Lao Ping.
She had been busy lately and didn't really want to talk about schoolwork. Just as she was wondering how to make him shut up, Xinghai spoke.
"Young Master Oda is mostly correct, but simply providing Lao Ping's conclusion lacks a bit of original thought. Let me add a few points."
"Oh? And what 'thoughts' could you possibly have?" Alan arched a white eyebrow.
"First, in the year 24,470, the Saint Yegana government was an independent entity, producing 45% of the Light Sea's arcane energy and 37% of its industrial goods. Compared to other sea regions, it had a several-fold advantage. But since the founding of the Holy City Party, for every additional subordinate sea region, the government had one more external sea requiring fiscal support. The original, beautiful figures on Saint Yegana’s report card began to drop, especially the industrial output ratio. Furthermore, a massive influx of industrial products and lower-class merfolk from external seas—especially the Resurrection Sea, which had only submitted just before the crisis—affected Saint Yegana’s original average employment and wage data. The loss of economic power and discourse, the crisis of the absolute center of the Light Sea being challenged, and racial issues all led local citizens to feel hostility toward Saint Yegana’s subordinate regions. Therefore, after the economic crisis, to appease the public, the government chose to allocate more funds to individuals and families."
Alan was stunned. Every student nearby involuntarily looked at Xinghai. This perspective, this angle—it was far too unique; it was impossible for it to appear in a textbook. Yet, it made perfect sense. It made so much sense it sounded like the internal logic of a government leader.
"Second," Xinghai continued, "the Holy City officials and the Holy City Party officials are two diametrically opposed factions, each with the enterprises they support. For example, in the vessel industry, 'Merfolk Vessels' of Saint Yegana is backed by Holy City Party officials, while 'Holy City Sonic' is backed by Holy City officials. In the bailout plan, the Saint Yegana government weakened its investment in companies and shifted it to citizens and families. You should understand the reason."
While Alan was still trying to process the reason, Xinghai moved to the third point.
"Third, during the same economic crisis, the high-tax Storm Sea government allocated two trillion, but only 300 billion went to the public. This led the Winter Sea government, which had defected to them, to try and emulate them. However, the discipline of the Storm Sea populace is deeply rooted in the *Scripture of the God Gath* established by their 42nd generation clan and the All-Sea War ignited by the 178th generation. Other sea regions cannot simply copy them. Thus, the Holy City Party government went with the flow and widely publicized the data of both sides throughout the Light Sea. The propaganda was very effective. That same year, the vessels of the Antioch City Hall in the Winter Sea were bombed by protesters."
Xinghai didn't speak fast, but he was fluent throughout, never pausing once. It was almost like a speech given during a campaign for Dictator.
Because the volume of information was so large, Alan missed the next sentence as soon as he absorbed the previous one. It wasn't until ten seconds after Xinghai finished that he spoke, sounding sluggish and embarrassed. "Spouting these unverified academic statements and thinking you're clever... who do you think you are, the Dictator?"
Xinghai seemed to have expected that Alan wouldn't understand. His smile was faint but confident. "In short, one must think more when studying politics. Reciting from a book to woo the smartest girl in school is unwise. Of course, if you want to steal my girlfriend, you're welcome to compete fairly."
Fanli was speechless.
*Compete for a woman? Who could possibly out-compete you?*
"Tch, who wants to compete fairly with you?" Alan looked dismissive, but his momentum had vanished. "Is there even such a thing as 'fair' between us?"
"Fanli doesn't care about bloodlines. She understood the things I just said back in elementary school, so flaunting your IQ is useless. There are only two ways to pursue her: spoil her to death and be absolutely devoted. It’s actually quite fair."
"Tch, I'm not going to compete with a mixed-blood in the art of groveling."
"Then I'm sorry, Fanli is mine." Xinghai was still smiling, yet he exuded the cold, distant aura of a high-ranking ruler.
Alan swam away in humiliation.
In the distance, Liana, Kaimo, Liuxiang, and the others were once again shocked and bewildered. What was going on? Xinghai was back? And looking at his speech and mannerisms, he seemed to have returned to the person they first met. What kind of game was this guy playing?
By the end, Fanli couldn't help but look at Xinghai with admiration.
The former Dictator was right; Su Shiye was a natural politician. Everything he had just said was the logic he had used when making decisions, and subsequent events had proven him right.
She suddenly felt a bit sorry for Alan. The poor guy just wanted to show off, only to be crushed by a superior intellect and aura...
Even worse, Kundi heard that Alan had been humiliated by Xinghai. During the Arcane Politics lecture, she tried to save face for her fiancé by publicly challenging Xinghai during a debate. Xinghai roasted her so gracefully that she looked like she wanted to dig a hole in the floor with her tail fin and hide.
Being in a politics class with Su Shiye made Fanli feel a profound sense of helplessness.
A Dictator, just to show off in front of his girlfriend, coming to a university to bully children—it was truly too childish.
Yet, for some reason, after Su Shiye helped her using his Xinghai identity, the people who had been gossiping about her race went silent. Those who said she had betrayed Xinghai or cheated with a powerful mogul also shut their mouths. Not only that, but many students from Kundi's faction defected to her side, offering all sorts of sincere flattery.
The Xinghai who used to protect her was like a star—low-key and omnipresent. The Xinghai protecting her now was like the sun—the greatest source of light himself, whom everyone could only look up to with awe and reverence.
*Is this the charm of the Light Sea's greatest politician? He crushes people's faces and gains a massive following in the process...*
After school, she and Xinghai went shopping and had dinner hand-in-hand. He was the same as always—handling the transportation, the restaurant, the ordering, and the itinerary. Being with him meant she could just follow him empty-handed.
After dinner, he walked her back to her dorm, but he followed her into her room. Once inside, he reverted to Su Shiye and began to undress her...
*If this keeps up, he's going to turn me into a useless person.* Fanli patted her cheeks to wake herself up, then sat on his lap and said coldly, "In my territory, I'm on top."
"Fine." Su Shiye lay obediently on the bed.
An hour and a half later, Fanli was curled up on the bed, her physical strength exhausted, her heart racing. she felt her own powerlessness.
"Our Fanli is a bit of a formalist," Su Shiye said, looking at her with a smile in his eyes. "What difference does it make if you're on top? I'm still the one doing the work."
"Again! I don't believe it!" She sat on him once more.
"I just love you like this." He kissed her forehead. "Today, you can do whatever you want."
The passion was real.
The decadence was also real.
***
**Memory Fragment XI**
After the physical mutation and shock on my two-hundredth birthday ended, I regained consciousness. I felt as if something were devouring me from the inside out; a fish being roasted by the sun on a beach probably didn't suffer this much.
But compared to the physical torment, the mental blow that followed was even harder to accept.
When I woke up this time, I didn't see my brother immediately. To be precise, he had become so cold-blooded that he barely cared about my illness anymore. After celebrating my birthday, he launched a war and even went to the front lines personally, without the patience to wait for me to wake.
This time, the region he attacked was Geyameti, on the border of the Resurrection Sea.
The pretext was a cargo ship carrying 314 containers bound for Geyameti via the Star Sea. The Star Sea dispatched the Second Fleet to intercept and forcibly inspect it, discovering raw materials for military magic potions. The Dictator's government demanded an apology and massive reparations from the Resurrection Sea on the grounds of "betraying the Holy City and splitting the Light Sea." The Resurrection Sea refused. Saint Yegana declared war. Regarding this matter, the Governor of the Resurrection Sea used the word "shameless" twelve times when referring to my brother during an interview.
Of course, those were all empty words. Restoring peace often requires overcoming immense obstacles, but if one wants to start a war, there are a million easy ways.
By the time I woke up, my brother had already used large-scale biochemical weapons, arcane missiles, and advanced warships to level three cities along the way. Saint Yegana's military was so advanced that the Holy City Army entering the most backward border of the Resurrection Sea was like a nuclear bomb entering a world of cold steel. Initially, the death toll skyrocketed, like a machine counting krill caught in the Winter Sea. A week later, to prevent public morale from wavering, the numbers became "unavailable."
I didn't know what my brother was doing there or why he had suddenly gone mad with military expansion. However, every time he called me, his voice was incredibly calm, as if he had just gone downstairs to buy a basket of vegetables.
"What's the point of attacking the Resurrection Sea? It's so poor and traditional. The poorer they are, the more traditional they get; they're very difficult to deal with. Besides, the spiritual world led by the Sephi Clan is an empire without borders; it's hard for outsiders to invade their culture. Even if colonization succeeds, there's no profit to be had—the Holy City government will only end up paying them. Let them go."
I tried every rational angle to persuade him, but all I got in return was one sentence: "Rest well. This isn't something you should worry about."
During that time, I fell into self-doubt and condemnation once again: was helping my brother onto the path of the Dictator truly the right thing to do? Other Dictators might be stupid or greedy, but they wouldn't become a killing machine like the renowned Su Shiye. So many deaths—even if they ultimately bought absolute power, the unification of the Light Sea, and the liberation of slaves—the souls of the fallen could never return to life. Who would seek justice for them?
I knew it was inappropriate to bring up the push for equal rights now. After all, the Holy City's currency reserves were strained by both war and economic development. Issuing more currency would lead to inflation, and if other sea regions had second thoughts and engaged in speculative trading of minor currencies, Saint Yegana would suffer a huge loss.
However, I also lost the motivation to advise him.
The series of atrocities my brother committed against the Resurrection Sea finally sparked public outrage and brought about their revenge.
In the autumn of 24,682, Fengjin set out on a journey from the Winter Sea back to Saint Yegana. A Resurrection Sea commando unit surrounded her vessel and kidnapped her to Geyameti. They publicly threatened Saint Yegana, saying that if they didn't surrender and hand over military power, they would kill Princess Saint Ti Fengjin.
Hearing this news, I called my brother repeatedly until I finally heard his voice.
"Brother, hand over the military power." Hearing only silence on the other end, I said urgently, "Cities can be retaken, but there's only one Fengjin!"
"If I hand over military power and they counter-attack, the citizens of the nearby Star Sea will be in great danger."
"You always have a way to defend, don't you?"
"I'll think about it. I'm hanging up."
After the call, I couldn't find him; I lost contact with him completely. A few days later, new tragic news reached Saint Yegana: for the sake of the greater good, Princess Fengjin had committed suicide by jumping into the Abyss at Geyameti. The morale of the Holy City Army surged. Two years later, the Holy City Army captured the border capital of Geyameti in one fell swoop. The Resurrection Sea lost its sovereignty and became a colony of the Holy City Party.
The entire city of Saint Yegana cheered for the victory while mourning the heroes who perished in that bloody war.
Another month later, the Winter Sea troops found Fengjin's body on the Abyssal seafloor plains—bones that had been picked clean by scavengers—and transported them back to Antioch.
After Princess Fengjin's death, though Saint Yegana remembered her ultimate sacrifice, the mood was still more joyful than sorrowful. The Winter Sea was different; that was Fengjin's home. For two months after her death, the sound of wailing could often be heard in the streets of Antioch.
While sorting through the belongings Fengjin left in Saint Yegana, I found an encrypted letter she had left behind, specified for my eyes only. But perhaps because she had always harbored love for my brother, she hadn't given this letter to me while she was alive.
The secret in this letter was the cause of Carnation's death. After reading it, I knew the real reason my brother had started the war.
Childhood shadows are called shadows because they happen behind one's back and in the past.
When I was young, I always felt my brother was a child with a very upright moral compass. Even if he was looked down upon, he wasn't affected and maintained a pure, honest heart. But I forgot one thing: when a child's worldview is distorted, outsiders often can't tell. Because they are too young, they don't even know they've been hurt.
It's like a girl who is sexually assaulted as a child; she won't cry then, she'll just muddle through it in confusion. But when she grows up and understands what sex is, she will feel intense hatred and pain. No matter how optimistic she appears as an adult, she will never be able to establish 100% trust with the opposite sex.
It was the same for my brother. He looked normal and healthy, but the childhood shadows had long been branded into his soul.
It wasn't the war or our parents' deaths that changed him. He hadn't changed at all. Because his world had always been black.
One didn't need much of a brain to guess how hard he had worked while disguised as a Hunter Race member in the military. The psychological burden of fearing exposure was only part of it; more of it stemmed from the injustice and oppression of this world.
That was why he was in such pain when we embraced after our long separation.
This is why many say that the unfortunate spend their whole lives healing their childhood.
It turned out that in his heart, my brother had never forgiven this world.
This war he launched was so aggressive that it became a major mistake. The victory he won through hegemonism didn't result in the complete submission of the Resurrection Sea; instead, it brought about the rebellion of the Winter Sea the following spring.
***End of Memory Fragment XI***
Recently, Su Shiye had been frequently recalling three events from many years ago.
The first was his final conversation with Saint Ti Fengjin. Under the supervision of Resurrection Sea officers, she had connected with him via a phantom call.
Even in the phantom image, Fengjin was exceptionally beautiful, her long, straight white hair fluttering in the water like an angel. Seeing his face, her eyes reddened, but she quickly held back her tears. "You don't need to say anything. I know what you want me to do."
"Fengjin, I'm sorry. I have failed you. You can reveal my secret to the world. But I have no way to protect you."
"No, I won't reveal it, because I love you. I understand and support everything you do. Even if it means my death."
"I'm sorry," Su Shiye said wearily.
"Actually, we both know that if the person held here were Su Yi, you would hand over the entire Light Sea. You would give up your life. I know. So, I won't make things difficult for you anymore." She smiled slightly through her tears. "Goodbye, Lord Su Shiye."
She cut the call.
The second memory was after Fengjin's death. Fanli had experienced a breakdown and then suddenly became silent. She often stayed alone in the Well of Storms, staring blankly into the cold water at the boundary between light and darkness; it was her way of staying awake.
"Fanli, let's go back," Su Shiye had called out from behind her once. "It's too cold here."
She exhaled, and the bubbles that rose were like fragile lives, floating up one by one and quickly bursting. She looked at him for a moment, then simply shook her head. "No."
"Go back. That's an order."
An order left her with no choice. She slowly rose and swam past him, but he caught her wrist.
Su Shiye's palm was cold, and he simply held the position. It wasn't that he couldn't feel her sadness, but her indifference had repelled him countless times. With other women, no matter how cold or difficult, he could strike boldly with sugar-coated bullets and gentle traps, conquering them step by step.
Only with Fanli was he powerless.
In the Light Sea, he trusted no one. Therefore, he didn't believe anyone else could make Fanli happy or keep her in absolute safety.
He had thought that if she eventually had to marry, it must be under his control. Thus, he couldn't do anything to destroy his relationship with her. Countless times he had wanted to hold her, kiss her, possess her... but he had stopped himself. Because once he did, their already strained relationship might never be repaired.
He had hurt her too many times; he couldn't scare her with sexual impulses.
Now that Fengjin was dead, he thought he might have a chance, but clearly, she didn't think so.
Su Shiye had never restrained his desires in his life; even if he suppressed his ambition for a purpose, it was only temporary.
But with Fanli, he was truly on the verge of giving up.
He was willing to hide this impulse for a lifetime, forever playing the role of the elder brother. As long as she didn't leave him, as long as she didn't hate him.
Thinking of this, he took several deep breaths, let go of her hand, and patted her shoulder. "You're not a little girl anymore. Learn to take care of yourself. Don't make your brother worry too much, okay?"
"I understand, Lord Su Shiye."
The usual tenderness met the usual indifference.
Afterward, Fanli slowly swam away, her presence becoming thinner and thinner. Su Shiye leaned against a stone pillar in despair, watching the light play around the dilapidated dome.
The third memory was the conversation Anu had requested at the Temple of the Light Sea before heading to the battlefield.
At that time, they stood beneath the statue of Deep Blue. The temple was so vast and quiet that only the seawater and their breathing remained. It was five days after Fengjin's death, and Anu finally laid his cards on the table:
"Su Shiye, you know better than anyone how much I loved Fengjin. You also once solemnly promised me that even if you didn't love her, you would protect her and keep her from harm."
"I'm sorry. I did my best."
"No, you didn't! The Su Shiye I know isn't like this. The Su Shiye I know has flesh and blood, feelings and loyalty. He loves his hometown and the Light Sea, he's loyal to his brothers, and he's full of responsibility and care for his family... Even if he married, he would be responsible for his partner. Who is this cold-blooded, heartless Lord Dictator? I don't know him!"
"Anu, I didn't intend to sacrifice Fengjin on purpose."
"I know you didn't intend to sacrifice her. You just chose to save the masses and sacrifice her when faced with her life versus theirs."
"You still understand me. Although there was never love between Fengjin and me, years of companionship had created a familial bond. Sacrificing her pains me deeply as well."
"If you could make this choice under any circumstances, I wouldn't blame you. Su Shiye, tell me now with a clear conscience: if the person in Fengjin's position had been Su Yi, what would you have chosen?"
He asked the same question Su Yi had. No one could see his true heart, but those who did chose to turn against him. He felt even more exhausted. "Don't make such non-existent hypotheses."
"That's what I hate most about you. In front of those important to you, you never lie—even a white lie is beyond you. You can't answer this question, so let me answer it for you: you would choose to sacrifice everyone's lives to save Su Yi."
Su Shiye remained silent.
"Since you love Su Yi so much, why don't you marry her? Do you have to keep it hidden, turning your feelings into a twisted, illicit affair to be happy? Why use Fengjin? Why make her suffer for so many years, only to die in the loneliness of total abandonment?!"
"Anu, I don't want to discuss this topic anymore. Stop."
"Is Su Yi the only woman in this world who truly exists to you? Is everyone else just a foil? Are you yourself just a foil?!" Receiving no answer, Anu clenched his fists, his teeth gritted so hard the muscles in his gaunt cheeks contorted with regret. "I'm thinking, if the one who entered the Ethereal Body had been me instead of you, would everything have been different? Would Fengjin still be alive?"
"You couldn't enter this body," Su Shiye said calmly. "Because only I can use this body."
"Why?"
"Because those past failures weren't because their willpower wasn't strong enough. It's because only the consciousness of the Lord of Aether can enter the Ethereal Body." At this point, Su Shiye sighed. "—This is my original form."
"Wait... you are the consciousness of the Lord of Aether?"
"An incomplete one."
"In other words, back when you were hunted to death, it was all an act?"
"I truly was close to death then."
"But you did it on purpose. Otherwise, Academician Su Yi wouldn't have stolen the Eye of Flame for you."
Su Shiye said nothing.
"I always wondered why you were usually so fast—the fastest among our comrades—yet you were caught so easily that time." Anu suddenly laughed. "So, I finally understand everything. It wasn't this body that turned you into a demon. You simply returned to your demonic form. The Lord of Aether, hahahaha... the god who manipulates space and time, the creator of the law of the jungle, one of the two greatest heretical lords in the doctrine of the Endless Ocean, hahahaha... I am unworthy. I am unworthy! Lord Su Shiye, to have considered you my lifelong best friend was my own overestimation of myself!"
Su Shiye still said nothing.
"I'm finally at peace. My good brother Su Shiye was once called Xinghai. From the moment he entered the Ethereal Body, he was completely annihilated! I don't care how much power you have; I don't know you!" At this point, Anu pointed at the statue of Deep Blue and made a gesture of swearing an oath. "Now, I swear before our god, Deep Blue. Deep Blue above, I am grateful for our Lord's grace in creating the sea. I, Tan Anu, permanently sever my ties with Su Shiye. If I ever become friends with you again in this life, may I immediately die without a place to be buried!!"
Su Shiye didn't want to explain too much.
He had never intended not to protect Fengjin; her death was beyond his expectations. But it had already happened, and no amount of explanation would have any meaning.
On the day Anu left for the Geyameti campaign, Fanli came to see him. Since Fengjin's suicide, apart from the first time she fainted from crying, she had ignored him completely. Occasionally, when they met on special occasions, she treated him as if he were transparent, as if looking at him for a second longer would be a waste of her life. This time, her attitude was naturally no better.
"I don't understand why you've become like this," Fanli said in a rage. "Go out right now, call Anu back, kowtow to him, and beg for his forgiveness. Otherwise, Su Shiye, you will regret this for the rest of your life."
"Who do you think you are?" Su Shiye turned back, his pupils like a winter pond gilded by the setting sun. "Ordering me? You're in no position."
According to the regulations of the Light Sea Supreme Court, anyone dining officially with the Dictator had to sit at least five meters away. Fanli hadn't had private contact with him for a long time; this was the first time she had stood so close.
Yet, this distance felt further than ever before.
"Yes, I am in no position." Fanli smiled without a trace of emotion. "Then I shall take my leave, Lord Su Shiye."
Su Shiye wouldn't apologize, not because he couldn't lower himself, but because he knew Anu too well. Once Anu made up his mind, it would never change. That was why they had been brothers for so many years. Now that Fengjin was dead, their friendship and the meaning of Anu's life had reached their end.
When men become friends, not much needs to be said. When they turn against each other, it's the same.
After that day, Su Shiye prepared himself. He intended to grant Anu his freedom after the war ended, and they would never see each other again until death.
Su Shiye stood alone atop the ruins of the Liuli Legion's temple, overlooking the Holy City beneath the Emerald Mountains—a city that recorded 430 million years of civilization.
Saint Yegana, the heart of the Light Sea, was already his.
Was all of this truly what he wanted?
The position of Dictator, the Ethereal Body, the holder of the Light Sea's supreme power, the command of the Liuli Legion, the ability to turn fourteen Light Sea towns into ruins overnight.
He finally possessed the power to absolutely protect Fanli.
But the people around him had left him, one by one.
***
