?
Looking at their captain, whose head had just been blown open, the remaining Black Mermaids were all startled.
They never expected this human to act so decisively-killing without even saying another word!
Seeing their shocked expressions, Liu Yang knew he had established enough deterrence. He looked at the surviving Black Mermaids and spoke coldly:
"Your captain dared to threaten me, so he died. Now, I will ask the questions, and I expect truthful answers. Otherwise, his fate will be yours."
"In your dreams! We will never submit! You dared to kill our captain-the Black Mermaid clan will never let you get away with this! Even if we die, you won't have it easy!"
"You don't even realize what kind of race you've provoked! We Black Mermaids are an ancient race that has existed for thousands of years! Our elders are far stronger than you. Just wait until you see how you die!"
Liu Yang frowned.
He hadn't expected these ugly creatures to remain so stubborn even on the brink of death.
It seemed there was no need to keep them around any longer.
Although there were female Black Mermaids among them, they were far too ugly for Liu Yang to even consider keeping.
With a single glance from Liu Yang-
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Over a dozen Black Mermaids had their heads blown apart instantly.
In the end, only one female Black Mermaid was left alive.
That female Black Mermaid spat in outrage, "You... you actually dared to kill our captain and slaughter the rest of our clan! Damned human! You are now the sworn enemy of the Black Mermaids! You're dead!"
Even as the sole survivor, she refused to submit.
Liu Yang couldn't care less about her attitude.
He simply extended two fingers and walked toward her.
Seeing him approach with two fingers outstretched, the female Black Mermaid panicked. "What... what are you doing? Even if you forcibly violate me, I will never submit to you!"
Realizing she had misunderstood, Liu Yang scoffed with disdain. "Keep dreaming! Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself in the reflection? You're as black as a ghost. Even if you were completely naked, do you really think I'd be interested in a hideously dark creature like you?"
While Liu Yang certainly enjoyed women, he preferred beautiful ones. Who would be interested in something this dark and repulsive?
The Black Mermaid shrieked, "You... you're discriminating against black skin! And against fish! You racist!"
"Slap!"
Liu Yang slapped her across the face, sending her crashing to the ground and knocking out several of her sharp, shark-like teeth. He cursed, "Damn it, it's one thing when pretty human women throw a tantrum, but a fish like you dares to lecture me? Don't you know my fist specializes in beating mouthy females?"
With her face swollen high, the Black Mermaid finally shut her mouth, terrified.
Liu Yang placed his fingers directly onto her forehead and activated Soul Chain.
This was his first time using Soul Chain on a non-human creature, and he wasn't entirely sure if it would work.
Five minutes later, a system prompt sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Soul Chain has been successfully applied!]
At that moment, the Black Mermaid's gaze transformed completely. The anger and fear from before vanished, replaced by total, unreserved obedience.
Liu Yang commanded, "Tell me about the Black Mermaid clan."
"Yes, Master!" The female Black Mermaid nodded submissively and began to explain:
"Our mermaid race is an ancient species, divided into the Black Mermaids and the White Mermaids.
We have existed for thousands of years. During peaceful times, we usually hid in deep waters, staying as far away from humans as possible. Ever since ancient times, humans have viewed us as monsters, killing us whenever we were discovered.
Although our physical strength far exceeds that of humans, our technology and weapons could never compare to yours.
After all, no matter how strong a body is, it cannot withstand human destroyers, aircraft carriers, or nuclear submarines.
As a result, our living space was constantly compressed.
However, now that the apocalypse has struck and the human population has plummeted, we no longer need to hide.
We were just hunting sturgeons when you suddenly appeared, Master..."
Liu Yang asked, "The mermaid race is divided into White Mermaids and Black Mermaids? How are the White Mermaids different from you?"
The female Black Mermaid answered, "White Mermaids have much paler skin. Their upper bodies are identical to human women with no differences-they lack our sharp teeth and claws, and they look far more human.
To the Black Mermaids, the White Mermaids are impure. Our two factions are irreconcilable enemies. In fact, our clan just captured the princess of the White Mermaid clan!"
Hearing this, Liu Yang felt somewhat puzzled. "You're both mermaids, so why are you sworn enemies? And why did you capture their princess? Are you just jealous of their looks?"
The Black Mermaids were undeniably ugly.
While their upper bodies were humanoid, their features were entirely non-human. Their noses were flat like apes, their teeth sharp like sharks, their eyes slit-pupiled like cold-blooded reptiles, their faces covered in wrinkles, and their cheeks lined with protruding bone spurs.
They completely defied human aesthetic standards.
The female Black Mermaid replied, "I don't know the exact origin of the feud either. We were taught from childhood that White Mermaids are our enemies.
As for capturing the White Mermaid princess, it was to obtain her half of the underground palace treasure map."
"Underground palace treasure?" Liu Yang was surprised.
She continued, "Yes, the legendary treasure of the Mermaid Underground Palace. The palace's location can only be found with the full map, but it was split into two halves-one held by the Black Mermaids, and the other by the White Mermaids.
Now that the apocalypse has broken out and humans can no longer control the oceans, this is our best chance to retrieve the treasure! Once we obtain it, the mermaid race can be revitalized and become the strongest race in the world!"
Liu Yang's interest was piqued.
A treasure capable of revitalizing an entire race and making them the strongest on Earth?
He didn't know whether these mermaids had been brainwashed or if the legend was real, but if it was true, how many incredible items were inside?
If he could claim it all for himself, wouldn't that be incredible?
Liu Yang made up his mind.
He had to get his hands on that underground palace treasure map!
As long as the map was in his possession, no one else could touch the treasure, meaning everything inside would eventually belong to him.
Liu Yang ordered, "Take me to your hiding place."
The female Black Mermaid hesitated. "Master, our main base is deep underwater in the sea. Since you are human, you might not be able to breathe under water..."
"In the sea, huh...? But I still want that map," Liu Yang said, a conflicted expression appearing on his face.
He was certainly tempted by the treasure, but despite his physical stats being dozens of times higher than an ordinary human's, he still lacked the ability to breathe underwater.
If he went into the deep ocean, he wouldn't be able to display his full strength.
The female Black Mermaid suggested, "Master, I can try to help you steal the Black Mermaid clan's half of the treasure map. However, the White Mermaid half has yet to be found. The elders are still interrogating the White Mermaid princess, but there are no results yet..."