Chapter 52

Gao Deng: "You don’t need to promise that it will never happen again, just ensure it doesn’t happen during this Pigeon Operation. We can let bygones be bygones for the past." —— in a magnanimous manner

Cheshire Cat: "Why? This isn’t the time to be a gentleman; she’s scheming against us."

Gao Deng: "It’s not that I’m being magnanimous, but to maintain an alliance in the future, it’s better not to force someone to say obvious lies. Otherwise, neither side will feel good. It’s better to take a step back and ensure the successful completion of the Pigeon Operation first. I believe Her Highness can meet such a low requirement, right?"

Amazon Princess: "I will, I will. I can even swear a deadly oath to guarantee it."

Gao Deng: "Great, please swear then. I’ve never seen a curse or deadly oath with actual power, so today I can finally broaden my horizons." —— in an excited manner

Amazon Princess: "..." —— unable to refuse

Cheshire Cat: "..." —— speechless

I (narrator): "The old man really knows how to seize the moment and make her dig her own grave. Princess, you’ve been outsmarted."

@

The Amazon Princess, with no choice, had to swear a deadly oath with actual effects.

Amazon Princess: "Director Gao is indeed exceptionally intelligent and full of schemes. Please give me a pseudonym with the surname Dai to help me complete the subsequent operation." —— respectfully

Gao Deng: "Your Highness flatters me. As for the pseudonym with the surname Dai... (thinking for a moment) how about 'Dai Li'?"

Cheshire Cat: "Huh?"

Amazon Princess: "What’s the story behind the pseudonym 'Dai Li'? Why did it elicit such a reaction from Cheshire Cat?"

Gao Deng: "The pseudonym has the same pronunciation as the former head of the 'Terrifying Shadows' organization. That’s why it’s surprising. The 'Li' in 'Dai Li' is the 'Li' in 'Jasmine,' not the 'Li' in 'Bamboo Hat.' " —— writing the two characters in the sand to explain the difference

Cheshire Cat: "But it still sounds awkward."

Gao Deng: "It’s better than 'Li Desheng,' right?"

Dai Li: "Dai Li... it sounds nice. I’ll use it."

Gao Deng: "If Princess Dai likes it, that’s great. Please lead the way."

Dai Li: "Sure, our first stop is the Tidal Clan village near here — Seashell Village."

I (narrator): "First stop? Tidal Clan village? Are you here for sightseeing or to fight?"

@

Cheshire Cat: "Tidal Clan village — Seashell Village? Isn’t our ultimate goal Hippolyta Port? Is it on the way?"

Dai Li: "It’s not the shortest route to Hippolyta Port, but it’s generally on the way." —— awkwardly

Gao Deng: "Didn’t Dai Li say she had a plan to execute first? Why are you asking so many questions?" —— reproachfully

Cheshire Cat: "What’s wrong with asking? I need to know the plan to cooperate with her. You don’t know it either, right?" —— confused

Gao Deng: "Knowing the plan to cooperate with her? Come on, with your IQ of 9, can you even act well? It’s better for you not to know, so you won’t mess up. As for me, I’ve already figured it out through deduction."

Dai Li: "You, you, you really didn’t read my mind? How did you guess the details of what I planned to do (without telling Cheshire Cat) so clearly? (carefully checking her mind, finding no traces of magic or superpowers) Are you bluffing, claiming you know my plan to make me confess?"

Gao Deng: "How could I bluff Your Highness? After using the surname Dai to test you, I’ve already guessed your plan with about 90% accuracy. If you don’t believe me, come closer, and I’ll tell you."

Dai Li: "..." —— secretly on guard, half-believing and half-doubting, leaning in

Gao Deng whispered a few sentences in Dai Li’s ear.

Dai Li: "..." —— in admiration, "Director Gao is indeed a top talent of the Shield Organization, able to foresee the future. I’m convinced."

I (narrator): "What did the old man say? My lip-reading program can’t even analyze it, all because he’s wearing a cloak and a scarf over his mouth. Speaking of his outfit, doesn’t he think it’s a bit out of place? This is a beach, not a desert."

@

Gao Deng: "Foresee the future? Does Her Highness think I have the power of prophecy?"

Dai Li: "Aren’t you?"

Gao Deng: "Of course not. How could I dare to touch such dangerous witchcraft? I deduced your plan through reasoning and years of experience. After all, I’ve been in charge of testing the loyalty of alien members in the organization for a long time, and I even have one (Kent) at home. Practice makes perfect."

Cheshire Cat: "..." —— sulking

Gao Deng: "Don’t sulk. You’ll understand Her Highness’s plan soon. The important thing now is to act well."

Dai Li: "Director Gao is right. You’ll know soon. Let’s go." —— leading the way, the group set off

15 minutes later, on the way to the Tidal Clan village

Gao Deng: "According to the information you gave us, the Tidal Clan is a race that resides on Paradise Island, and your Amazon tribe is the true owner of Paradise Island, right?"

Dai Li: "Yes, the Tidal Clan is a favored race of the sea god Poseidon. They have gills and can survive underwater, but they need to raise their young on land to allow their gills to develop fully. To ensure the safe and normal reproduction of the favored race, Poseidon and Hippolyta negotiated and made a pact. The Amazon tribe protects the Tidal Clan’s safety on land, while the entire Tidal Clan is loyal to Hippolyta and accepts the rule of the Amazon tribe, thus residing on the coast of Paradise Island."

Gao Deng: "So, besides the village we’re going to, there are other Tidal Clan villages on Paradise Island?"

Dai Li: "Not just villages, there are towns as well. The largest town of the Tidal Clan, Giant Scale City, is our second stop. It’s also the headquarters for governing and managing Tidal Clan affairs."

Cheshire Cat: "What are these merfolk capable of? Your previous intelligence didn’t specify. Can they, like the mermaids in foreign ancient myths, use their songs to bewitch sailors and lure ships to crash and sink?"

Dai Li: "Mind control? The Tidal Clan doesn’t have that kind of power, or they wouldn’t need our Amazon tribe’s protection. Their greatest ability is controlling the tides and the flow of seawater. Also, they’re not half-human, half-fish with fins and webbed feet. They walk on two legs and are similar to ordinary humans on land."

I (narrator): "So the Tidal Clan is an amphibious species similar to frogs, except their young live on land, which is the opposite of frog tadpoles. Do they look like frogs...? Sigh, I thought I’d see beautiful mermaid princesses, but it turns out to be frog princes. How disappointing."

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