Chapter 365: Private Island

Chapter 365: Chapter 365: Private Island

Screams echoed one after another throughout the underground base.

Perhaps to accommodate the Insect Clan, the underground base was built with high ceilings and wide-open spaces, giving the insects plenty of room to move.

There were several hundred Chao Si. Ye Ming had brought nearly a hundred subordinates with him. Some had already left to escort the captured enemies, while others were escorting Shi Lan and his group. Now, only about sixty remained, and it was difficult for them to handle these Chao Si, whose strength was close to S-level.

Thankfully, Shi Lan had warned them in advance that an insect containment area here held many of the creatures. Just in case, Ye Ming had his subordinates bring their Mecha.

In the beginning, his subordinates were caught off guard, and several were scratched or bitten by the insects.

Ye Ming shifted into his beast form, his body nimbly leaping between the members of the Insect Clan to rescue his men. He then quickly reminded them, "Use your Mecha."

These were, after all, subordinates he had carefully selected. Their mental fortitude was excellent. Aside from a brief moment of panic at the start, they quickly calmed down, with the Eldest Prince serving as their backbone. They methodically deployed their Mecha and began to attack the Insect Clan.

Initially, Ye Ming had thought about keeping this base intact, believing they might discover more things.

But with the appearance of so many Chao Si, he had no choice but to destroy it. He couldn’t let the Chao Si escape. Especially since this base was located near the city center; if they got out, countless civilians would be injured.

Ye Ming deployed his own Mecha as well. The other Mecha spread out, blocking the Insect Clan’s escape routes.

Soon, the underground base was filled with the roar of cannon fire. Fragments of insect corpses and blood splattered everywhere.

The base’s walls were made of a corrosion-resistant material and remained undamaged. Chunks of black, rotting flesh exploded in the air, leaving mottled green bloodstains everywhere. Mixed with the gruesome chunks of flesh from the cannon fire, the air filled with the acrid stench of burning plastic.

The once spacious underground area suddenly felt cramped, packed with so many Mecha and insects. Under the fierce barrage, the Chao Si began to panic. They scurried about chaotically, with one smashing through a wall and burrowing into the earth beyond.

The Insect Clan had a natural burrowing instinct.

"Not good."

Ye Ming frowned and tried to give chase. He intercepted a few of the insects, but a dozen or so Chao Si still escaped through the hole, vanishing in an instant.

With no other choice, Ye Ming could only block the opening for now and lead his subordinates in finishing off the remaining insects.

With the help of the Mecha, they eliminated almost all the S-level Chao Si. Aside from those that had escaped, the ground was littered with the mangled corpses of the insects.

The underground base was already ablaze from the cannon fire. Ye Ming and his men had been enduring the high temperatures from inside their Mecha. If not for the Mecha, their human forms would have been instantly scorched.

But the temperature in the base was still rising. After dealing with the Chao Si, Ye Ming quickly blasted an escape route with his cannons and led his men in a retreat.

They emerged into a vast sea. Seawater surged through the hole they had created, flooding the underground base and quickly extinguishing the flames within.

About a hundred meters from the shore was an island. For a moment, Ye Ming couldn’t tell where they were.

It had been dark when they entered the base; now, the sun was already out.

He led his men to the island and discovered what appeared to be a military training camp.

The perimeter was surrounded by a group of well-trained soldiers. Upon seeing so many Mecha appear, the island’s sentries quickly sounded the alarm.

"Who are you? Why are you trespassing on a private island?"

The leading captain stepped forward. Ye Ming found the man’s face somewhat familiar; he was one of his father’s men.

He retracted his Mecha, stepped out, and said to the man, "Captain Xing, it’s me."

Captain Xing narrowed his eyes. When he saw it was Ye Ming, his heart skipped a beat. "Eldest Prince, what are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.

As he spoke, a hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.

Ye Ming had heard him call it a private island, which meant it was most likely also his father’s property.

So, ignoring the man’s expression, he said calmly, "It’s like this: Father sent me to check on the situation here."

"How could that be?"

Captain Xing was completely bewildered. Just then, he received a message on his chip. He lowered his gaze to read it for a moment, a ruthless glint gradually appearing in his eyes. When he looked up, however, he was still smiling. "I see. Since you’ve come in person, Eldest Prince, you should indeed come in and have a look."

He then added, "However, this is the Monarch’s private territory. I’m afraid the Mecha and the people inside cannot enter. Only you, Eldest Prince."

"Mm, alright."

Ye Ming didn’t say much more, just nodded.

Although his subordinates didn’t understand his intentions, they instinctively trusted the Eldest Prince and remained where they were without moving.

Seeing this, the smile on Captain Xing’s lips widened. He stepped aside and gestured with his hand.

"Eldest Prince, please!"

Ye Ming walked inside.

"If I may ask, Eldest Prince, what is it you’ve come to inspect this time?"

On the way, Captain Xing walked calmly half a meter behind and to the right of Ye Ming, chatting with him while pointing the way.

Ye Ming replied nonchalantly, "Father asked me to inspect the training situation here."

Back inside his Mecha, his field of vision had been broad. While he didn’t know the island’s exact purpose, the layout he’d seen along the edge looked very much like a military training ground.

"Oh, I see. Well then, I’ll take you to inspect it, Eldest Prince."

Captain Xing’s smile tightened slightly. Walking behind him, he raised his eyes just a little.

’If I didn’t know the real situation, I might have actually been fooled by the Eldest Prince.’

’How could the Monarch possibly send the Eldest Prince to inspect training results? He even ordered us to find a way to kill him.’

Captain Xing had rarely seen the Monarch so furious. It seemed the Eldest Prince had truly angered him.

As he thought this, he lightly rubbed his fingertips together, contemplating the best time to make his move.

In Captain Xing’s view, the Eldest Prince was indeed an outstanding heir. However, he was too indecisive, lacking the Monarch’s ambition. For the Empire to prosper, it needed an ambitious heir like the Monarch.

He followed slowly, lost in these thoughts, and didn’t notice the slight flutter of Ye Ming’s eyelashes as he walked ahead, concealing the cold glint in his eyes.

Captain Xing didn’t make a move the entire way. ’I have to kill Ye Ming on this island,’ he thought, ’so it doesn’t matter what he sees.’

A dead man tells no tales.

And as Ye Ming walked, he was indeed getting a very clear look at the island’s interior.

Just as he had guessed, it was indeed a military training camp—or more accurately, a military base.

It had complete training grounds, offensive and defensive zones, and was patrolled by both robotic and human guards.

The facilities were comprehensive; there was even a study area.

Even from a great distance, Ye Ming could hear the sound of reading coming from the study area. He looked in that direction, and his feet began to carry him there naturally.

Captain Xing glanced over but didn’t stop him.