Chapter 1669 - 858: Snow and Wine (Part 3)

"Chairman Ling, a man of fortune and blessed in times of adversity, presents a string of Treasure Beads as a tribute, wishing you a long life, unparalleled accomplishments, and further advancement from your current heights!"

Ling Shuo lowered his eyes, a subtle smile seemed to appear on his face, and he nodded slightly.

Immediately, as everyone watched with envy, a second person leaped out, shouting: "Chairman, with your extraordinary talent and unparalleled vision, I offer a Jade Buddha and a hundred baskets of flowers to celebrate the prosperity of your Seven Cities, where flowers bloom amid blazing fires!"

"I offer a pair of Ruyi and a branch of the treasure tree..."

Voices rose in fervor, the crowd surged madly, and the dark forces from the Seven Cities seemed to boil, gathering at the stage below, eagerly pledging their loyalty!

Fearful of falling behind and being misunderstood.

Thus, the die was cast!

"Finally..."

Outside the crowd, a drop of cold sweat appeared on Ao Gao's forehead. Only now did his tense body finally relax.

After cautiously nodding to acknowledge Ling Shuo's gaze within the crowd, he bent down, pulled up the still-vomiting Meng Sang, walked to a corner, and took out his phone to make a call.

"William, it's me. Take it easy, I told you, don't panic yet!"

In concise words, Ao Gao relayed everything that happened. Before he finished, he heard William's roar, nearly bursting the earpiece: "I'll fuck these bastards, the Hidden Mist Reef and Iron Hook District are two-faced, secretly colluding, trying to trick me into taking the lead!"

"I..."

"Hold it in, whatever you do, hold it in!" sighed Ao Gao, repeatedly urging, "I'll be back soon! Wait for me, understand?"

He knew this idiot brother of his too well. If he didn't rush back now to hold him down, he'd start a fight any moment!

He dragged Meng Sang and headed out the door.

Just as he stepped out, he saw the hunched, elderly man who had been waiting for a long time in the corner — Elder Chu.

A smile spread over the old face, and Elder Chu nodded, "Chairman Ling just instructed, I've already contacted the Star Core Association's commissioner. Please wait a moment; they'll be here soon."

Ao Gao exhaled in relief, shaking hands boldly with those infamous "toxic hands" across the Thousand Islands: "There were many misunderstandings before, but now that Chairman Ling is willing to forgive and forget, I am truly grateful."

"The world is like a Desert Market, all about mutual help, no need for formalities," Elder Chu replied warmly with a smile, "In the future, if there's a chance, our families should get closer."

"Naturally, naturally."

Ao Gao nodded repeatedly, smiling broadly, almost enthusiastically enough to make a ball with Elder Chu's hand, ignoring the subtle glances from Himawan and Abadesa.

To hell with this and that, I've jumped ship, what now?

Your move!

.

.

First came the Disaster Beast, then the arrangement left by Mr. Ji was activated. An Ran made his move, and Superior showed divine power, testifying to such an exaggerated spectacle across the Thousand Islands.

After facing adversity, they naturally turned it into fortune. Now that the groundwork was laid, as it's said, if heaven presents opportunity and one does not take it, it will come back to bite. Ling Shuo, if he hesitated even a bit, might as well wash his brains down the drain.

No more pretending, cards on the table; I damn well aim to unite the Seven Cities, I intend to lead the Dragon Head!

So, now I will ask each of you, do you support me or not?

As expected, responses came like a tide.

In the Desert Market, the one with the strongest fist speaks the truth. Now that Ling Shuo holds the truth, with Mr. Ji's backing, and in front of him a monster drinking juice and memorizing vocabulary looks on askance, even with resentment in their hearts, what can they do?

Support, of course, support, even if they have to sell everything to show support!

Even though the banquet hall was in disarray, the atmosphere at this moment was even more intense than the previous splendor.

Wherever Ling Shuo passed, the crowd bowed like reeds before the wind, and within this invisible whirlwind, he walked directly to stand in front of Ling Liu.

With head held high, eyeing the old dog before him, Ling Shuo raised his glass and straightforwardly asked:

"Elder Ling, I want to be the Dragon Head. Do you support me?"

In the brief silence, amidst countless gazes, Ling Liu, eyelids drooping, still managed a slight smile: "With so many supporting you and Mr. Ji backing you, what difference would my support make?"

Even though Ling Shuo raised his glass in a gesture, he still had no intention of touching the glass before him.

"Eh, how can it be the same?"

Ling Shuo chuckled, wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and affectionately said: "To commemorate my birthday, you traveled so far, it wasn't easy. This sentiment, I have engraved in my heart!"

Ling Liu remained silent, unchanged in his smile, but finally raised his head to meet the gaze of this 'adopted son' who resembled him so.

The beast in the pool, once met with tumultuous weather, whether it turns into a dragon or worm remains to be seen; he never expected to nurture such a calamity with his own hands!

While lamenting inwardly, Ling Liu could barely contain his intent to kill.

But despite the malevolent thoughts surging within, Ling Liu still smiled, patting his arm: "Honoring the past is a good thing. In time, we'll cross swords eventually."

"No, whether true or false doesn't matter."

Ling Shuo shook his head, grinning: "What I mean is, since you're here..."

He paused, suddenly raising his voice for everyone to hear:

"Have a toast before leaving!"

"..."

For a moment, silence fell over the entire banquet hall.

Nobody expected that Ling Shuo, who had just gained momentum, even before fully ascending, dared to challenge his foster father now!

In silence, they locked eyes.

Ling Shuo waved his hand, and naturally, someone brought a tray with respect, offering a glass of filled white wine to the elder before him.

Waiting for his choice.

"What's the matter?"

Ling Shuo asked with a curious smile, "You're not willing, are you?"

Ling Liu said nothing.

The banquet wine, the Desert Market wine.

Even if it's the same glass, the meanings they represent are entirely different.

But now, before Ling Liu, both had become equivalent.

Blood and wine flow together.

If unwilling to toast, then it's a fight to the death. If unwilling to drink, then neither shall leave alive!

Refusing the toast means you won't walk out of here.

If the toast isn't given, then let the battle begin!

Ling Shuo endured the insult at the banquet, but the humiliation and loss of face suffered by Mr. Ji, he would not overlook even a bit.

From now on, regardless of whether he becomes the Dragon Head, as long as Ling Shuo exists in this world, he shall relentlessly retaliate against this old fool before him by any means necessary, until one of them from this world disappears.

In the silence, Ling Liu's eye twitched, unable to control it.

What a mad dog...

Indeed, found a good master indeed!

At that moment, he finally sensed that lofty gaze from the heavens, descending with cold disdain, overlooking the Dust.

So, he slowly raised his hand.

From the red fabric of the tray, he picked a small glass of full wine, lifted it, and brought it before Ling Shuo, solemnly and carefully.

"The child has achieved something; it's time for a drink."

The elder smiled, swallowing the humiliation and resentment like swallowing a blade, hoarsely saying: "Then I wish Chairman Ling, many more such days each year and more such moments each morning!"

And so, before everyone, he tilted his head and drank it all in one go.

Slam.

The empty glass fell back onto the tray, along with a lifetime of authority and fearsome reputation, washed away.

The old man had already turned to leave.

Arriving with formidable aura and swallowing mountains, leaving alone like a lone soul.

So disgraced.

"No escort!"

Ling Shuo lightly sipped the line of wine in his glass, the taste of power and hatred like flames, devoured into his belly, washing away the color on his face but burning his eyes crimson.

The corner of his mouth lifted, ferocious and excited.

He raised his glass again.

"Next one!"

He stepped boldly towards the crowd, the shadow behind him writhing like a ravenous beast, sharp-edged, grinning, greedily opening its maw along with its master to swallow the Seven Cities before it!

Tonight, the Seven Cities declared to the Thousand Islands, to the Endless Sea, and to the entire world.

In the countless beasts of strife and conflict, a new Dragon Head emerged.

Like a giant beast spreading wings rising from the mire, ascending to the heavens, showing its formidable presence.