The First Order

Chapter 970: Condolences

Translator: Legge

In the wilderness, Luo Lan and Zhou Qi were cooped up in a spot downwind. The two of them were waiting for a Qing Consortium soldier who was undercover in the Central Plains to send over transportation. Surely they weren’t going to walk directly to Luoyang City, right? How long would that take them?

They had already bypassed the Wang Consortium’s northern defensive line by traveling only through the wilderness, so the threat from the Wang Consortium was not too great.

The only thing they needed to worry about was that it could get troublesome if their planted spy had defected and brought the Wang Consortium along to capture them.

Zhou Qi muttered, “You and Qing Zhen also know that the Wang Consortium’s AI has control of the satellites. What if it discovers our whereabouts?”

“So what if we’ve been discovered? The Wang Consortium is currently pursuing the expeditionary army, so how would they have time to bother with us?” Luo Lan said nonchalantly, “If anyone really does come and capture us, we can just run into the mountains. Would two supernatural beings not be able to outrun them?”

Zhou Qi scorned, “You only awakened a short while ago. With your physical fitness and weight, you might just be unable to outrun them.”

“I’ve already awakened my power for close to half a year, so why are you still looking down on me?” Luo Lan said unhappily.

But at this moment, the sound of an off-road vehicle’s engine could be heard in the distance. Luo Lan cautiously poked his head out to have a look. When he realized there was only one person approaching, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Luo Lan jumped out from his hiding spot. “Over here, over here!”

It was a young man who came over. When he saw Luo Lan, he immediately got out of the vehicle and stuffed the car key into Luo Lan’s hand. “Boss Luo, Mr. Qing Zhen couldn’t get in contact with you. He’s very anxious and thinks that something might’ve happened to you!”

Luo Lan was stunned. He took out his satellite phone and saw that it was dead. “Is he looking for me urgently?”

He was just on the phone with Qing Zhen half a day ago. Normally, if it weren’t urgent, Qing Zhen would definitely not have called him at this time.

The intelligence agent said, “We’ve received news that Mr. Jiang Xu of Hope Media has been assassinated in Luoyang City. So, Boss Luo, your plan to head to Luoyang City has been canceled. Mr. Qing Zhen requests that you return straight to the Southwest in case anyone targets you.”

Luo Lan was stunned. He found it very difficult to believe this news. “Jiang Xu is dead? When did that happen?”

“Two hours ago.” The intelligence agent said, “Everyone suspects it’s the Wang Consortium’s doing. After all, they’ve assassinated a lot of people. The Wang Consortium has totally gone crazy. You mustn’t go to Luoyang City at a time like this.”

“What did Qing Zhen say? Does he also think it was the Wang Consortium that did it?” Luo Lan asked.

“Mr. Qing Zhen said that he can’t be sure,” the intelligence agent said and shook his head.

Luo Lan lowered his head and pondered things. To be honest, the moment he heard about Jiang Xu’s death, he subconsciously thought it was the Wang Consortium that had killed him as well. After all, the Wang Consortium had been responsible for so many assassinations in recent times. Kong Erdong, Kong Donghai, and Zhou Xilong of the Zhou Consortium were all targets of the Wang Consortium. The deaths of these well-known people were only a microcosm of the Wang Consortium’s plans. The Wang Consortium’s frequent use of assassinations meant they did not intend to hold back anymore. Would a proper consortium keep resorting to such underhanded methods?

Moreover, the articles Jiang Xu had written over the past month were extremely detrimental to the Wang Consortium. Almost the entire Alliance of Strongholds now felt that the Wang Consortium’s strategy to swallow up the Kong Consortium and the Pyro Company in this war against foreign enemies was too disgraceful and did not live up to the social responsibilities a consortium should have.

Everyone was very disgusted by the Wang Consortium’s act of fishing in troubled waters. Internally, even the Wang Consortium felt the same way.

Therefore, the Wang Consortium had a motive for killing Jiang Xu.

But the problem was that if Jiang Xu died, everyone would think it was the Wang Consortium’s doing. In that case, why would the Wang Consortium still want to kill Jiang Xu at this time?

Would this behavior not infuriate everyone who was already unhappy with them?

If Jiang Xu did not die, everyone would only be annoyed with the Wang Consortium. But if the Wang Consortium killed Jiang Xu, this annoyance would instantly escalate to anger!

Was Wang Shengzhi a fool? Of course not. No matter how they might loathe the things he did, he was still one of the smartest people in the entire Alliance of Strongholds. The Kong Consortium and the Zhou Consortium had been extremely irked over how he recruited their refugees. So how could he possibly make such a rookie mistake?

Was he deliberately trying to inflame public sentiment? Wang Shengzhi would not do something that stupid, right?

The situation had become a little confusing. Luo Lan did not feel like he could figure it out.

The intelligence agent said, “Boss Luo, hurry back to the Southwest. I’ll make a trip to Luoyang City to investigate this case and give you a satisfactory answer.”

But Luo Lan shook his head. “No, I have to go to Luoyang City.”

The intelligence agent was stunned. “It’s too dangerous for you to go to Luoyang City at this time. If Jiang Xu was really killed by the Wang Consortium, it means they will no longer care about your status and potentially make a move on you. Our nuclear test site has already been destroyed, so the Wang Consortium has nothing to fear anymore!”

“No.” Luo Lan said, “The mission to Luoyang City has been put on hold for the time being, but I still have to pay my respects to Mr. Jiang Xu. By my calculations, I’ve been a reader of his articles for about eight years. Although I didn’t manage to become friends with the old man, I’ve always respected his character. Now that he’s suddenly departed, I want to go and send him off.”

The intelligence agent was stunned. He did not expect Luo Lan would risk his life to go to Luoyang City just so he could send Jiang Xu off.

How much courage would he need to have to make a trip to Luoyang City in such dangerous circumstances?

Luo Lan looked at the intelligence agent and assured him with a smile, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to die. I still have Zhou Qi to protect me.”

Next to him, Zhou Qi rolled his eyes. “Bro, Luoyang City is only a few hours away from the Wang Consortium. I can’t protect you there.”

“Would it kill you to speak a little less?” Luo Lan said unhappily, “I’m also a supernatural being, so I don’t need your protection anyway. If anyone tries to kill me, you should just run away first, alright?!”

Zhou Qi rolled his eyes again. “What’s the point of saying such spiteful words? You might as well just offer to pay me more!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll pay you more.” Luo Lan did not know whether to laugh or cry. He turned to the intelligence agent and said, “I have a very dangerous mission for you.”

The intelligence agent immediately stood at attention. “Please give me your orders. I’ll definitely complete whatever mission you have for me no matter how dangerous it is.”

“Alright, the Northwest Army should still be pursuing the expeditionary army in the North. I need you to relay the news of Jiang Xu’s death to Ren Xiaosu, the future commander of the Northwest Army.” Luo Lan said in seriousness, “If he learns about it, he’ll definitely go to Luoyang City.. At that time, even if the Heavens want me dead, it’ll have to depend on his mood.”