Chapter 1717 - 882: Brotherhood and Filial Devotion (Part 3)

Sure, here is the translated text:

The roar was continuous, the booming crashed, and finally, the wretched and tragic screams.

Underneath the peeled soil and rock, within the penetrated fissure, the color of blood emerged.

"Ling Li!"

Wan Deng screamed amid the siege, shouting, "What exactly are you doing! You damn..."

No one responded.

Inside the collapsing hall consumed by flames, amidst the ruins, Ling Shuo stood rigidly in place, disbelief plastered on his wide-eyed expression, mouth agape, spewing forth emerald green poisonous blood.

When he lowered his head, he saw the hand extended from his chest.

Just when the Mermaids launched their assault, as Ling Li called upon the Souls he had bound, intending to sweep away all this trash with Withering...the hunched figure hidden within the shadows of Flame Light extended a hand just at the right moment.

Blood Vibration!

It pierced the spine, dug out the heart, and protruded from the chest.

The five fingers covered in emerald green and mold spots slowly tightened, the long-planned strike not only shattered the heart but thoroughly smashed the Soul.

Ling Li didn't even have the strength to turn back, only hearing a hoarse voice bidding farewell:

"Chairman Ling sends his regards."

Bang!

The corpse fell, into the flames, not yet burnt to ashes since it was immediately devoured to the last by the insane residual spirits he had bound and shackled.

Soon, the out-of-control residual spirits rose to the sky, crying and screaming as they headed to distant places.

Throughout, Elder Chu remained indifferent. After glancing at the situation on the field, he stepped back, merged into the shadows, and was never seen again.

Flames continued to spread, gradually covering the entire hall and most of the mountain.

The fiery light burned throughout the night.

The next day, the brutal devastation of the Rot Swamp Branch and the tragic death of Wan Deng spread across Desert Market, causing a great stir in the West Sea.

Last night, Wan Deng was still celebrating with champagne, yet less than three hours later, his head was already chopped off, hung on the flagship of the Broken Reef Branch, declaring to all.

Then the replacement for the spokesperson of the Broken Reef Branch occurred, under the unanimous support of all members, Qiao Sike became the new spokesperson, spent all the remaining savings in the branch to send the former spokesperson to Hope Hospital for rescue. Afterwards, he started hunting down all remaining people from the Rot Swamp Branch!

For a while, the situation over the West Sea grew increasingly chaotic, yet amidst such chaos, everyone completely felt no pressure.

Both thrilling and numb.

It's numb because, with so many lice it doesn't itch, everyone's busy forming alliances and backstabbing while fighting on all fronts, rendering these temporarily unrelated matters irrelevant.

The thrill lies in the fact that yesterday's leftover scrap of Qiao Sike, how did he sit on Wan Deng's head today sipping champagne?

Not even long after, a video from a drone and several rumors from the Broken Reef Branch once again stirred waves amidst the chaotic situation.

Seeing the scenes of horrific firepower and those exoskeletons, which were completely like wild Power Armor, almost everyone had a blackout before they could sit still.

Under Qiao Sike's live demonstration and Wan Deng's testimony, the weaker rebels unwilling to stay subordinate, ambitious ones whose timing had come, and those strong ones who temporarily felt at ease thinking they controlled the situation...almost everyone's gaze was disturbed by this unexpected power.

Are you saying, you can buy equipment like this just by spending money?

You bloody should have said earlier!

Isn't it just money?

It's like no one has any!

Not even waiting until afternoon, just within five minutes of the video circulating, the Coast's calls were already bombarded, unknown how many people carried cash, precious metals, and various asset proofs, rushing to Seven Cities, forming long queues in front of Ling Shuo's office.

There were those flaunting their status, those speaking with cunning and charm, those tearfully emotional, various performances took turns on stage, entangled relentlessly.

Dad! Give me a sniper! Please!

"Surely, surely, everything's possible!"

Ling Shuo smilingly fondled each sent dog's head, holding a product catalog in his other hand, generously expressing, "No one comes in vain!"

On one hand tearfully accepting payments reaching over ten times the price, on the other helping Ji Jue clear out the nearly dust-gathering inventory.

Alongside, following Mr. Ji's instructions, stirring up the situation desperately!

What? Your big brother was killed by someone? That's intolerable! Brother, take this container of RPGs first, ask me for more if needed.

What? Someone wants to kill your big brother? That's simply delusional! Brother, how about checking out the Coast's most advanced drone defense system?

What? You are the big brother? That's impressive, how about the Coast's security escort service? This is slightly troublesome, alas, it's not a matter of just adding money, no, I really didn't mean that...then I'm afraid I'll have to apologize.

The meetings went from dawn till dusk, talking till the throat was dry, smiling till the legs couldn't close.

Amidst his busy schedule, when Chairman Ling raised his teacup to moisten his throat, recalling his past of bowing low before the old dog, shedding bitter tears, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

What does it mean for a wise bird to choose a tree to roost? What does it mean to be a sage knowing the times? How could life be the same with anyone?!

"Next."

He set down the teacup, a smile floated back on his face, welcoming the visitor opening the door, proactively extending his hand: "Welcome..."

Boom!!!!!!

At 1:41 PM, the second day of selections at Desert Market, the Seven Cities Trade Association Headquarters building exploded.

Under the assault of human bombs, two died, forty-seven were severely injured.

Ling Shuo was unscathed.

Within Seven Cities, the access granted by Ji Jue allowed automatic connection to the Lighthouse, wearing that ring meant even if the Headquarters building exploded to ashes, not a single hair on him would fall.

Though grey-faced as unavoidable, business suffered some impact.

Most importantly...those two who came wearing bomb vests to Ling Shuo's office had credentials from the Shiye Islands!

"William's people?"

Ao Gao arrived hastily, face ironed blue, resolutely shook his head to refute: "Impossible, we absolutely were not aware of this! Chairman Ling, though Shiye isn't huge in wealth, it certainly wouldn't commit such treacherous acts!"

"Brother Ao Gao rest assured, nothing happened, right?"

Ling Shuo slightly smiled, "If Brother William had a grudge against me, he wouldn't send this kind of people, it was merely a notification to prevent you from being manipulated."

Seeing his smiling demeanor, Ao Gao's expression grew even heavier.

Right now, it's less of a notification, more of a questioning.

After all, even if speaking endlessly, those bombers indeed held Shiye's token standing before Ling Shuo, moreover...he dared not say those people were indeed sent by him to make purchases!

Heading out in the morning while patting chest assuredly promised to definitely drink well with Seven Cities, surely returning with great goods. By afternoon he ended up pulling the cord in Ling Shuo's office, how the hell does Ao Gao explain this?

It's simply inexplicable!

Moreover, after such incident, should Ao Gao not provide an explanation?

Perhaps, this was exactly the aim of the mastermind behind the scenes...regardless of truth and innocence, planting a thorn in the relationship between Seven Cities and Shiye.

This might merely be the beginning, with a whole set of swift combos following behind!

If he mishandles this now, if something happens later, even a hundred mouths won't clear his name!

In a moment of hesitation, Ao Gao's thoughts churned rapidly, suddenly grasping Ling Shuo's hand with concern: "Chairman Ling, is your body alright?"

"Cough cough, just minor issues, doesn't really matter."

At the moment Ling Shuo puzzledly so, he saw Ao Gao's serious demeanor: "How can you say such words? Chairman Ling handles myriad affairs daily, carrying the business of Seven Cities on your shoulders, how can you not pay attention to your health?"

He paused for a moment, suddenly turning and looking behind him.

"Meng Sang!"

Meng Sang at the doorway raised his head in confusion, only feeling a mysterious heaviness in his heart.

The familiar feeling suddenly damn well emerged!

Oh no, why is it me again?!

He nervously peeked:

"Ah?"

"Come here!"

Ao Gao solemnly admonished, "When did you become so unruly? Seeing elders, not offering a greeting?!"

Having called his foolish child over, tossing him about before Ling Shuo for a while, he finally spoke: "Seven Cities and Shiye are already brothers, Chairman Ling is naturally like your uncle!"

He paused for a moment, smiling kindly: "Since Chairman Ling isn't feeling well, stay and serve tea and water, fulfill your filial duty!"