Chapter 603: Chapter 603

Waves rolled to either side of a black-hulled freight ship trimmed in white. Crates were piled in batches on the deck, hogging most of the space. Only the sliver of space between the cargo and the iron rail served as a passage, along which a few crewmen paced to and fro.

At the bow, a plump elder dressed like a wealthy merchant gazed deeply into the distance. He continued to brood as he leaned on a purple-wood cane.

Footsteps approached from the stern. A young man who faintly resembled the elder halted a step behind him. He wore a tailored black suit and sleek shoes, his blond hair combed immaculately. He looked every inch a scion raised in lifelong luxury. Even standing still, his poise was effortlessly refined.

"Father, are you still worrying about those Blue Enforcers? Honestly, I think there's no need. The Blue Enforcers may be the largest underworld force in a century, but compared with the Yale royal family and the power we wield, they are nothing."

"Our Yale Kingdom is comprised of five great islands. The main island hosting the Yale royal family covers twenty thousand square kilometers, and the other four together match that size again. To be frank, one or two of the side islands working together could wipe the Blue Enforcers out and toss them in jail within minutes..."

The elder shook his head, and spoke quietly. "Otis, you are only seeing the surface. Though you are my son and I have let you overhear much, I have kept certain important secrets from you. Now that you have graduated and joined me in holding a minor post in the Execution Bureau, it is time you learned a truth known to only a handful..."

The blond youth frowned slightly, puzzled. The elder spared him a glance and went on.

"Tell me, by influence alone, how would you rank the powers in the eastern archipelago straddling the Southern and Northern Reef Continents?"

"I'll include foreign forces," Otis thought briefly and replied, "First is the Hongli Federation, second the United States of Yana, third the Tuke Archipelago Federation, and fourth our Yale Kingdom."

He finished and looked at his father.

"Wrong," the elder said, shaking his head. "There is another who ranks first."

"What nation could be stronger than the Hongli Federation and the United States of Yana? Only the Blue Star Empire compares, and it lies far away with limited reach..."

Dread flickered in the elder's eyes as he spoke. "Not a nation, but an organization called the Ripple Order! For over a millennium they have spread their roots through the archipelago, wielding terrifying influence. You could say the entire region is their turf. At their peak, they even thrust their influence into the Hongli Empire's south and Yana's north..."

"If the Yale Kingdom is the apex for a kingdom, then the Ripple Order is that tier for the archipelago at large. They are royalty above royalty, nobility above nobles. A century ago, they could rearrange any government with a flick of the wrist. Now, though they are quieter, they still hold the greatest power in these islands. Should a government disobey or displease them, the Ripple Order will back rebel forces as a harsh warning..."

The blond youth jolted, suddenly grasping why a group which had been minor for so long, with only a few strays, had surged into the greatest underworld force of the last century in a mere year or two. It also explained why the Yale Kingdom authorities handled them with kid gloves and never launched a full purge. The throne and government both feared the Ripple Order!

"So the Blue Enforcers are backed by them!! The Ripple Order faction is displeased with us?!" Otis fired his second question.

"More or less," the elder sighed. "In the last three to five years, we have deepened trade with the Hongli Federation. Thus, our royal family has made contact with the Hongli Federation's Black Ops Agency. In short, by cozying up to the Black Ops Agency, we have angered the Ripple Order. They used the pretext to demand Princess Katie's hand. However, the king refused. A few years ago, he even sent her to the Hongli Federation to mingle with its high society. He secretly wanted the Black Ops Agency to shield her. After all, Princess Katie is the king's beloved youngest daughter..."

"I wondered why the princess who became the 'Pearl of the Eastern Archipelago' at sixteen was suddenly whisked away to the Hongli Federation. Every young and gallant man in Yale Kingdom was left heartbroken..." The youth spoke emotionally, clearly one of those gallants.

Otis then cleverly connected the dots. "Father, then this voyage isn't really to the Hongli Federation, is it? We have other business?"

"Correct." The elder faced the blue horizon again. "We are bound for the Eternal Archipelago and the Ripple Order's headquarters that has remained unchanged for a millennium!"

"And we're going because...?" Otis asked.

"To present tribute. We’re going with vast resources that the Ripple Order covets. It is merely a stalling gesture, diplomacy by pretense. The royal family and the Black Ops Agency began talks six months ago, but success still eludes them." He continued, "Within months, the pact will form, and within half a year, the Black Ops Agency will surely shield us. What you and I must secure is that half-year's grace..."

He patted his son's shoulder with grave warmth. "Otis, the world is far crueler than you think. The weak are merely meat while the strong survive. Be it the Ripple Order or the Black Ops Agency, each is a behemoth compared to our Yale Kingdom. On a global scale, they rank among the very strongest. We can only live in the cracks, courting both sides. Of course one cannot rule out those giants keeling over someday, though the odds are slim..."

"When that day comes, perhaps life will ease for us. Hahaha... In any case, I curse them! I curse the entire Ripple Order. I would rejoice if they were erased overnight!" He laughed, then sighed deeply. "Alas, wishful thinking. For now, let's be humble children on the Eternal Archipelago. The very thought gives me a headache..."

Suddenly, a chain of sonic winds tore through the sea like an intercontinental missile. It streaked a few hundred meters off the freighter's flank. The hull rocked wildly, and a fountain of water fell like rain, splattering the deck.

Ten-meter waves rose as though a sea monster had sped past them, nearly capsizing the vessel. Thankfully, the heavy cargo steadied the ship at the last second.

Young Otis clutched the rail with one hand and his father with the other. "W-what on earth?!"

His fitted suit was soaked, and his perfect hair was now plastered to his brow like a drowned pup's. He looked decidedly bedraggled.

"Something just flew past!"

The pale elder had glimpsed a blur in the air. Otis's eyes widened. "What could fly that fast?!"

On deck, the few crew who had seen the flash pieced their memories together. In the end, they could only agree on a single detail. It had been a bird, a fearsome raptor whose wings blazed with fire. They had also seen a mysterious human silhouette hovering within the flames. Of course, the truth was uncertain. At such speed, what lingered on their retinas might have been an illusion.

The elder shook his head, toweling his hair dry. "Strange, truly strange."

"Wait, hold on!" He seemed to realize something as his head snapped in the direction of the the mysterious silhouette.

Otis's attention followed. "What is it, Father?"

"Otis, that thing's trajectory points straight at the Eternal Archipelago!"

Eyes wide, the elder hurried to the captain to ask about the remaining distance. When he found out they were only four hours out, he ordered full speed toward the archipelago.

Elsewhere, on Eternal Island...

A century had passed and the island was no longer ringed in mist. Only a band of natural storms remained. The Ripple Order headquarters on the island had transformed into a sprawling industrial complex. Satellite compounds dotted the surrounding ports. Its style now leaned toward modern civilization. Clearly, they kept pace with the times.

Figures in robes hurried back and forth along the lanes.

Elite Ripple Practitioners, Bloodthirsty Ripple Practitioners, even Ripple Masters were present. Their robes differed: Masters in silver-white, Bloodthirsty in crimson, Elites in dark green, and commoners in black.

Over the century, the order had clearly evolved anew. Its hierarchy and structure were stricter than ever.

At the heart of the island, a figure in a golden robe sat cross-legged beneath a towering yet partly withered tree. A Supreme bone ring gleamed on his right hand. Elemental lights flowed across its surface, radiating a dreadful aura that prickled the skin.

An aide beside him offered a dossier. "Lord Thunder Spirit, this is the latest on the Hongli Federation's east..."

Thunder Spirit opened his eyes, majesty etched between his brows. He took the report and skimmed it. It described matters concerning the Golem Sect. It noted the Sect's rampant expansion, its sharp conflicts with other martial halls, and some swirling undercurrents. Even the Black Ops Agency seemed drawn into its affairs.

Blue lightning seemed to crackle in Thunder Spirit's eyes. "Excellent, an opportunity. The Black Ops Agency and the Yale Kingdom are plotting together in secret, thinking I'm unaware? Heh, our people sit high in the Yale Kingdom's government. I already granted them a chance by warning them. Had they meekly delivered Princess Katie as an apology, their dealings with the Black Ops Agency would have been forgiven..."

"But they did not! They sent her to the Hongli Federation to deepen their relationship. Bold indeed! Hmph, was it not for my wounds..." Thunder Spirit reached up to test his right shoulder. "But now I am almost recovered. This is a chance. The Black Ops Agency's gaze is fixed elsewhere, so we should stoke that fire..."

"Your meaning, sir?" the silver-robed subordinate asked.

"Simple. Escalate it. Pose as Golem Sect's disciples and kill rival martial hall trainees. Then pose as rival martial halls and slay the Golem Sect's disciples. Let full war erupt; the Black Ops Agency's focus will be utterly drawn to them."

"We’ll then take the chance to replace the Yale Kingdom's royalty. They've sat high for centuries. It's time for others. This operation will likewise shock the entire archipelago, displaying the influence of the Ripple Order that none can ignore..." Thunder Spirit's tone was low and his direction clear. The details would vary, but the stroke remained.

The plan's first step was to provoke the Golem Sect in disguise.

"Lord Thunder Spirit, what if we are exposed during the assault? I do not know those martial folk well, yet days ago, the Golem Sect's master faced many alone at the Eastern Exchange Tournament and showed fearsome strength. Such an opponent may be no trifle..." the silver-robed Ripple Master murmured, visibly wary.

"No matter. If we get exposed, I will face this so-called Golem Sect's master. I have healed in seclusion for five years so I’ve begun to crave some exercise. Let him come, I shall act." Clad in brilliant gold, Thunder Spirit spoke with absolute confidence. Pride gleamed between his brows. He believed himself stronger than anyone alive.

Any Spirit stage who bore a Supreme bone ring stood forever among the world's elite. Why fear a mere sect master?

Suddenly, layered thunder rolled through the clouds above.

A figure plummeted toward the mother tree like a flaming meteor.

Cassius glanced at the Supreme Ring on Thunder Spirit's finger as an oddly amused look crossed his face. "I hear... you intend to stop me? The weakest Supreme bone ring bearer in history?" The most update n0vels are published on NoveI[F]ire.net

"Has Pale Origin's power faded? The mother tree doesn't seem to be providing enough nourishment to its bone rings. That should be a Supreme bone ring, yet it looks half-baked... You're weaker than the ancient husks I saw in paradise that have rotted for millennia..."