Everything is over.

In the face of absolute power, Ghost Shark’s so-called legion was like blades of grass, completely unable to put up any resistance.

In fact, Ghost Shark’s legion didn’t even display thirty percent of their strength, but that’s how battles are—momentum is crucial. Once you fall behind, no matter how much strength remains, it’s still futile.

Chen Feng sat on a chair, watching the captives in front of him.

These guys, who thrived in the apocalypse under Ghost Shark’s banner, now wore bitter expressions. Some were utterly baffled, not even understanding what happened when they knelt.

What exactly happened?

Did our side just lose like this?

A dozen warships, over seventy professionals, even among the ordinary people were plenty of fierce fighters. Yet the outcome was that this band of strong individuals knelt uniformly on the ground, meek and submissive, utterly clueless.

The number of captured prisoners was extraordinarily high. In a rough count, there were over eight hundred, and more than thirty surviving professionals besides the dead.

Unlike Order, under Ghost Shark, these captains had absolute authority over their ships. In the usual looting, they stored most resources on the warships.

And now, with these warships seized, the resources fell under Chen Feng’s name.

Food, fine wine, cigarettes, and women.

These were their riches.

On several warships, traces of half-elves were found, but undeniably, they all suffered tragic fates. Even the strong-willed Mata had red-rimmed eyes, showing a trace of anguish at the sight of her people’s misery.

Healing.

This would take some process.

Compared to rescuing the half-elves, Chen Feng had more important matters to attend to right now.

Chen Feng slowly stood up, glanced at the people before him, and then said in a deep voice, "You don’t need to know my name, because I don’t like introducing myself to dead people. So make a choice: join me and get a chance to live, or refuse and die right now!"

"Those who perform well can keep their ships. But your time is limited, only one minute, to choose between remaining loyal to Ghost Shark or accepting a new master?"

Chen Feng watched them with a smile.

He was in a good mood.

Not only because he defeated the enemy, but also because the Blazing Demon bloodline was further strengthened, and even the Fear Skill was now mastered.

Thus, he didn’t threaten them with slaughter.

Even though most of them had lost their humanity, they still had some use. As Order expanded, new enemies would emerge, and these guys could charge into battle; being cannon fodder was their ultimate fate.

One minute passed quickly.

Chen Feng got the answer he wanted.

Except for a few stubborn ones, who were executed on the spot, the vast majority—about ninety-nine percent—humbly lowered their heads; they looked much more obedient. Though they barely had any loyalty, Chen Feng only needed their submission. The true confidants were not among these people.

Mata stood outside, somewhat lost in thought due to her people’s situation. Clearly, she was still feeling guilty.

When Chen Feng came beside her, he gently patted her shoulder and said, "Once your people recover, have them identify those who committed the atrocities, arrest them, and execute them all!"

"Order has its rules. Even if some people have chosen to surrender, they must answer for their past wrongs. This task is yours!"

Mata’s expression turned serious, with a glint of coldness in her eyes. She nodded without hesitation.

These past days.

She often felt guilty about fleeing initially. She had wondered more than once if the situation would be different had she not traded with Ghost Shark then.

Of course, besides these thoughts, there was also doubt about whether joining Chen Feng was the right decision.

But now, Mata was finally certain. Even though she failed once, her second choice was absolutely correct.

What was once a formidable force like Ghost Shark in her eyes was all captured by Chen Feng like stray dogs, and now she even had the chance for revenge.

"Thank you!"

"I, Mata, pledge loyalty to you as my eternal master!"

Mata was finally moved. This time, she knelt on one knee before Chen Feng, her face full of determination and affirmation.

Chen Feng nodded. It was at this moment he realized he had not only gained her allegiance in body, but completely in spirit as well.

...............

Compared to the weaker captives on the deck, Order had also captured a few experts during the battle. These individuals were held in the ship’s cabin, heavily guarded, as he wanted to extract some detailed information about Ghost Shark from them.

The cabin was very dim.

The subordinates quickly lit torches, and when Chen Feng stepped in to take a look, surprise flashed across his face. In the large cabin, two humanoid creatures were detained.

The first was a woman covered in scales, her eyes a golden yellow; rather than human, she seemed more like a cold-blooded animal, essentially a snake.

Beside her was a man who looked equally peculiar, resembling a severely ill patient, with sunken eyes and a frequently contorting body. Most alarming were the cockroaches on his head, making a home of his body, large and small, evoking a sickening sensation.

Silver Peak!

Both were at the Silver Peak!

Like the fierce beasts before, they perhaps were among the elites within Ghost Shark’s forces.

The woman’s gaze was somewhat icy, while the man appeared indifferent. The so-called imprisonment didn’t scare them; instead, they looked at Chen Feng with a hint of provocation in this situation.

They witnessed the scene of Chen Feng persuading others to surrender. Unlike those weaklings, their strength was their lifeline. Logically, Chen Feng would make offers to win them over, and by then, they would gain more benefits and freedom than ordinary captives.

As for loyalty.

The fleet was virtually annihilated, and Ghost Shark’s power was uprooted. They had no chance for a comeback.

Though unwilling to admit, they had to concede that Chen Feng wielded power far beyond Ghost Shark.

After mulling over it, Chen Feng first approached the man, asking, "I want to know some details about Ghost Shark."

The man shook his head, showing an eerie smile, stuttering, "I don’t like it here; let me go, and I’ll tell... tell everything..."

"Splat!"

The man’s head was pierced, a Flame Longsword impaled through his face.

Dead.

With a burnt odor rising, this disgusting fellow crawling with roaches perished under his own arrogance.

The Snake-Scaled Woman was taken aback, perhaps too shocked by the rapid development. Even her cold pupils widened slightly, revealing a hint of fear.

Chen Feng lacked subordinates.

From the start, those who performed well would be cannon fodder; those who didn’t, sacrifices. In any case, Chen Feng never truly intended to recruit them.

The mistake lay in the man’s failure to grasp reality, using customary thinking to gauge Chen Feng, resulting in a lethal end as he paid with his life.

Chen Feng, with the Flame Blade in hand, approached the Snake-Scaled Woman, tilting his head and asking the same question, "I want to know..."

The Snake-Scaled Woman glanced at the fallen man, then at Chen Feng and the Longsword in his hand. Those few seconds felt agonizingly long. She hurriedly nodded before Chen Feng finished, shouting, "Don’t kill me... I’ll talk... I’ll say everything..."

Chen Feng laughed.

See, interrogation can be that simple!