LRAB Page 56
Page 56
Yuedan's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to carry an irresistible force, causing Kada to straighten his back involuntarily, even though sweat still slid down his forehead and dripped onto the carpet, forming a small wet patch.
"Sabra's death was due to his weakness, but it's no reason to stop advancing. Since the Siyue Chamber of Commerce dares to become our enemy, they must be prepared to bear the consequences. We have the support of an even greater force behind us. This force cannot be underestimated, and we will not be allowed to retreat."
Yuedan's tone was filled with undeniable determination. Kada swallowed. Although he was extremely reluctant, he also understood that the blind man before him, though unable to see the world, was fully aware of the rules of the game in the dark and could even control the key pieces. He forced a smile, trying to make his voice sound more resolute.
"Yes, Master Yuedan, I understand. I will continue to mobilize all resources to ensure the smooth implementation of the plan. However, regarding those bribed council members and nobles..."
"You don't need to worry about that."
Yuedan interrupted Kada and tapped his fingers on the armrest, making a rhythmic sound.
"I'll handle it myself and make sure their loyalty isn't shaken by temporary hardship. If they take our money and refuse to do their job, there's no way they'll get away with it!"
Kada nodded. Although he was still feeling uneasy, Yuedan's words were like a shot in the arm, temporarily giving him direction. He secretly vowed to persevere through this difficult period and wait for the dawn of victory.
"So, Master Yuedan, what should I do next?"
Kada asked cautiously, fearing that if he said a word wrong, he would cause Yuedan's dissatisfaction again.
"First, strengthen intelligence gathering. I need to know every move of the Siyue Chamber of Commerce. Second, secretly contact our allies in the major chambers of commerce and have them prepare themselves. Once the time is right, we will deliver a fatal blow to the Siyue Chamber of Commerce. As for funding, I will try to gain more support from higher-ups, but you must also find ways to increase revenue and reduce expenditure to minimize unnecessary losses."
Yuedan's voice was calm and clear, and every instruction hit the mark.
Kada wrote them down one by one
"Yes, Master Yuedan, I will immediately begin preparations to ensure everything goes according to plan."
After Kada finished speaking, he bowed deeply, then turned and left the room, with uncertainty about the future and a desire for victory in his heart.
Ideals are beautiful, but reality is harsh. The team Yuedan sent out to sabotage and assassinate was completely vulnerable when faced with Alpha and his men. They were completely wiped out in one night, and their story was even reported in the newspapers, a disgrace.
This series of failures, like a hammer, hammered down upon his heart, forcing him to confront the harsh reality before him. Seeing that his assassination attempt had failed, Yue Dan couldn't help but think of the most secretive and powerful being in the cult—the Son of Diabolos.
This special unit, composed of the cult's most elite members, possesses unique skills and excels at carrying out a variety of challenging missions. Yet, at the mention of this unit, a hint of bitterness curled Yuedan's lips. If it weren't for that damned Ruslan Barnett's dying attempt to trick him, causing the Sons of Diabolos to be annihilated by Shadow Garden at Midgard Academy, resulting in their severe devastation, how could Yuedan be left with no one to rely on and in such a passive position? Ruslan Barnett's trick was like a sharp dagger, piercing Yuedan's heart. He had lost not only a capable assistant, but also his voice within the cult's internal factions.
Kada, no, the chess piece of the Great Chamber of Commerce Alliance needs to be kept before the plan is completed, and it can be discarded after the plan is completed.
With the circulation of counterfeit money, it has attracted the attention of the kingdom, especially the trade competition between the two major chambers of commerce, which has attracted the attention of the Kingdom of Midgar.
But it was too late.
Alpha, who was sitting in the Siyue Chamber of Commerce hall, said with a joyful smile on his face:
"My Lord Shadow took the lead, surpassing the [Diabolos Cult] in advance. He used 703 to circulate counterfeit banknotes, collecting large amounts of real banknotes and gold from the Siyue Chamber of Commerce Bank, allowing it to overcome its credit crisis. However, the Great Chamber of Commerce Alliance, the Cult's main force, suffered a crushing defeat."
Tu Shanxue continued with a smile:
"Yeah, I really want to see Yuedan's face when he gets furious."
Tu Shanxue was originally Yue Dan's fiancée (Chapter 8.9), but that bastard believed the slander and was fooled by the [Diabolos Cult] and didn't know where to go. He also sacrificed the future of two tribes. If she hadn't met Lord Shangguan Wen by chance, Tu Shanxue didn't dare to think about how she would have gotten through those days.
"Do you want to do it yourself?"
"Yes, Alpha, I will personally sever this evil relationship."
Alpha nodded slightly and said:
"Thank you for your hard work, but don't be soft-hearted!"
"No, what needs to be cut has been cut off."
Soon, a letter of challenge appeared in front of Yuedan, along with a familiar smell.
"Xue Ji!!! You actually joined the Siyue Chamber of Commerce to deliberately go against me!!!"
This familiar smell and the declaration of war written in Braille undoubtedly made Yuedan, who was eager for power, furious.
In order to turn the tables, Yue Dan accepted the challenge from his ex-fiancée and came to a snowy mountain.
Chapter 117: Cutting off the past and becoming stronger Alice
Tu Shanxue looked at Yuedan who came to challenge him, and all the memories of the past came to his mind, and finally turned into a sigh.
Yue Dan walked in and felt the aura and strength of his former fiancée. Before they separated, he couldn't help but think of the legend of the fox tribe and said in anger:
"Xue Ji, you are now using the power of the legendary golden-haired nine-tailed fox to become someone else's hawk and dog to take away everything from me."
Tu Shanxue replied calmly:
"Everything? Of course, you have also taken the lives of many people in the tribe who were unwilling to follow you. Have you ever considered them? All they want is to live a peaceful life."
Yue Dan drew his weapon and said with a fierce look on his face:
"What's the point of a powerless waste surviving!"
This directly angered Tu Shanxue. Back then, she and the survivors persecuted by Yue Dan were just powerless waste.
"In my eyes, you are nothing more than the trash you described!"
Tu Shanxue's words were like ice, piercing Yue Dan's face. His grip on his weapon trembled slightly, a sign of anger and unwillingness. The air around them seemed to freeze, the confrontation between the two men filling the air with tension.
"Do you think you can defeat me with the power of the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox?"
Yue Dan sneered, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes. "Today, I'll show you true power!" Before he finished speaking, a dark red aura surged around Yue Dan. It was a forbidden drug he had acquired through his years of loyalty to the Diabolos Cult. Upon ingestion, it was powerful and distorted. He flashed, striking Tu Shanxue like a ghost, each strike carrying devastating force, intent on ending the battle as quickly as possible.
However, Tu Shanxue did not retreat. Her current strength surpassed Yue Dan. The power of the Golden Nine-Tailed Fox surged within her, transforming into a brilliant light that surrounded her.
She leaped and dodged lightly, and each counterattack was precise and deadly, showing extraordinary combat wisdom and skills.
Tu Shanxue's tail turned into a tail whip. With the added magic power, each whip had extraordinary power, whipping Yue Dan so hard that she could only dodge in embarrassment.
"It's useless. I can track your movements. You've been blind for so many years and you can't even judge auras. Didn't the Diabolos Cult teach you this?"
Hearing about the cult, Yue Dan was shocked and asked tentatively:
"Have you joined Shadow Garden, Yukihime?"
"I'm only from the White Tower in [Impossible City], I don't know anything about [Shadow Garden]."
Tu Shanxue keenly noticed that Yuedan, the old man, was carrying a communication or recording device, otherwise he would not have said these words.
"Goodbye, Yuedan."
These words were like a gust of cold wind, piercing the silent air on the snowy plain.
There was no hesitation or pity in Tu Shanxue's eyes, only determination and resoluteness.
Her fingers trembled slightly, which was a sign of the gathering of strength. Even when facing her former companions, she did not hesitate to use the upgraded version of the Six-style Middle Finger Gun - the "Flying Finger Gun".
Yuedan's body fell helplessly, and snowflakes quickly covered the undried blood on his body, as if nature was trying to erase the traces of this tragedy in this way.
The final glint of resentment and shock in his eyes was gradually frozen by the bitter winter chill, becoming eternal. Tu Shanxue stood there, staring blankly at the blood-stained snow, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the turmoil within her, but the chill rising from her heart refused to dissipate. She recalled the days she and Yuedan had spent together as children, those joyful laughter, those moments of mutual support, now transformed into the icy snow before her and Yuedan's cooling body.
Tu Shanxue took out a fire talisman, chanted a spell, and threw it at Yuedan's body, asking him to be cremated on the spot to prevent it from being found and recycled by the cult members.
----split line----
"I've mastered what Alexia calls Armament Haki and Observation Haki."
At the Midgard royal family's exclusive training ground, Alice, who had achieved great success in her training, excitedly spoke to her younger sister Alexia who was teaching her.
Alexia looked at her excited sister and felt reluctant to discourage her, as she was only just getting started. She hadn't mastered the initial steps, from partial entanglement to full-body coverage to internal explosions. But considering her sister's resources were inferior to hers, even having learned this far was impressive.
"Sister, this is just the beginning. Don't be too happy too soon. You still have a lot to learn."
Alice recovered from her excitement and answered seriously:
"You're right, I still have a lot to learn, Alexia, let's practice."
"Okay, sister."
Alexia nodded in agreement, and the two of them stood still, each adjusting their breathing, ready to begin their sparring session. In the center of the Midgar royal family's training grounds, Alice took a deep breath, her eyes gleaming with determination. She slowly raised her right hand, and a faint black luster began to gather at her fingertips, the first manifestation of her newly mastered Armament Haki. Though still unpracticed, it was enough to make her feel more powerful than ever before.
"I'm going to do it, Alexia!"
Alice let out a low cry and lunged forward, her right hand whistling like a gust of wind as she struck at her opponent's weak spot. Seeing this, Alexia smiled and nimbly shifted her body to the side, effortlessly dodging Alice's attack. At the same time, her eyes seemed to see through everything, her observation Haki allowing her to predict Alice's movements and respond with ease.
"Sister, your attack isn't precise enough," Alexia warned as she dodged. Alice wasn't discouraged; instead, she grew even more excited. She knew the gap between her and her sister, but it was this gap that fueled her drive to keep moving forward. She gathered her strength once more, this time with even greater force and precision, deftly changing direction to flank Alexia. Alexia smiled faintly, as if she had anticipated this move. She turned slightly, her right hand also condensing Armament Haki, gently colliding with Alice's palm. The two forces collided in the air, sending up visible ripples.
Alexia praised:
"Not bad, sister, you are making rapid progress."
Alice withdrew her hand, a satisfied smile on her face. She knew she still had a long way to go before she could become a truly powerful person, but as long as she kept working hard, she would one day be able to reach the same level as her sister.
At this moment, outside the training ground, a confidant of the Royal Capital Knights interrupted and said:
"Your Highness, Princess Eldest, Your Highness, the King has ordered you to immediately arrest Kada from the Great Chamber of Commerce Alliance. He is involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit banknotes..."
The two girls looked at each other, knowing that today's practice would end here.
Chapter 118 Hot Spring Daily
After ending the business war with the alliance of large chambers of commerce, Shangguan Wen proposed to take Baying on a hot spring date. His active invitation made Baying very excited. They had not gone on a date with Shangguan Wen for a long time. Although there were eight people together and not a couple, what was wrong with it.
"I don't know, Wen, where are we going on our date?"
"Of course it's Shikoshi Onsen. I worked so hard to dig this hot spring, but I still haven't enjoyed it properly."
Ita thought of the scene when Shangguan Wen took them to dig hot springs when they were young. She took out the videotape recorded that year and played it. When she thought of the young girls digging hot springs in the snow and ice, and then thought about the present, time passed so quickly.
Images streamed slowly on the projector, and memories filled with laughter and sweat came alive before her eyes. Yita chuckled and hit the pause button. She turned to look at Shangguan Wen, who was concentrating on making tea, a gentle glint in her eyes. "Wen, we were so naive back then, thinking we could dig a hot spring with just our bare hands. Looking back now, those times were both precious and ridiculous."
Shangguan Wen smiled slightly, and as the aroma of tea lingered, his eyes became filled with memories:
"Yes, back then you were all so young, yet you all possessed an indomitable spirit. Look at you now, you've all grown into 400-strong individuals capable of standing on your own two feet, and I'm lucky to have you by my side."
The other eight Kages, some lowering their heads and smiling softly, or gazing at one another, all swayed with the same emotions—a longing for the past, a cherishing of the present, and anticipation for the future. They gathered on cushions in the living room, the air thick with warmth and anticipation, as if even time had stopped for this moment.
Epsilon is full of happy memories:
"It's a good thing that Wen led us to build it. The hot spring water there is rich in minerals and is especially good for the skin. We must enjoy it this time!"
"Yes, and we also need to bring our swimsuits so we can take some good pictures!"
Beta continued, her eyes sparkling with a yearning for beautiful things, and she always found joy in the most ordinary days.
Shangguan Wen nodded gently, with a gentle arc at the corner of his mouth:
"Everything is ready: swimsuits, cameras, and our snacks. Let's just relax and enjoy our time together."
The next morning, the group drove to Siyue Hot Springs. Shangguan Wen looked at them, his heart filled with satisfaction and happiness—these companions who had accompanied him on this journey were his most precious treasures. When they arrived at Siyue Hot Springs, there were already quite a few people waiting in line.
Tu Shanxue, who had put on makeup and used magic to disguise herself, looked at the people in line, stroked her tail with some concern and said:
"There are so many people coming here. I wonder if my tail will be affected by the water."
She is a nine-tailed fox. Unlike Delta, Zeta and the others, she is a single-tailed beastman. She has to spend more time cleaning her tail fur than others.
Beta said with a sinister smile:
"Xue, if you don't want to, you can enjoy the artificial magic sunbath. We can just accompany Wen to the swimming pool to play in the water."
"Humph, who said that? At worst, I'll just spend more time cleaning the fur."
Tu Shanxue gently flicked her lustrous tail, her eyes gleaming with determination and a refusal to give up. She knew that as a nine-tailed fox, her tails were not only a symbol of her status but also the source of her power, each one imbued with considerable magical power. Despite the tedious task of cleaning, she never backed down.
"Beta, don't try to provoke me. I, Tu Shanxue, am not the kind of person who would back down because of a little difficulty. Not only will I go to this swimming pool today, I will also make my tail the focus of everyone's attention." There was a bit of arrogance and confidence in her words, which made Beta and others roll their eyes, but they also secretly admired her determination.
While the two were arguing, Alpha came over and gently patted Tu Shanxue's shoulder, saying with a smile:
"Xue, don't worry. Wen has already prepared a special waterproof magic film for you. It can protect your tail from moisture when swimming and keep your fur shiny. I'll go find it for you right away. Please wait here for me."
Tu Shanxue heard this, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, which then turned into a gentle smile:
"Alpha, you are always so considerate. I'll leave it to you. I'll wait here for you to come back."
Seeing this, Beta also stopped joking and said to Tu Shanxue seriously:
"Okay, Xue, Alpha has already gone to find a solution. Let's take this opportunity to prepare our swimsuits and not keep Wen waiting too long."
Soon, Alpha returned with a bottle of shimmering magic protective film. He carefully applied it to Tu Shanxue's tail, gently covering every hair as if covered in a thin layer of magic gauze. Tu Shanxue felt the care and warmth from her friend, and her heart was filled with gratitude.
As Shangguan Wen, Alpha, and the others successfully reunited in this carefully selected private area, an indescribable tranquility and luxury permeated the hot springs swimming pool. The private area was cleverly separated by a veil and greenery, maintaining a moderate degree of isolation from the outside world while retaining a sense of natural harmony. Soft light, filtered through delicate lanterns, shimmered on the water, creating a shimmering effect like a galaxy descending upon the earth.
Shangguan Wen, wearing swimsuit pants, stepped into the hot spring. A warm and soothing force instantly enveloped his whole body, as if it could dispel all fatigue and worries.
She looked around and saw Alpha and others sitting or lying on the edge of the hot spring, with relaxed and happy smiles on their faces. The occasional whispers and laughter added a bit of liveliness and vitality to this quiet space.
On the other side, other members of [Shadow Garden] were playing in a large pool not far away. They were wearing various swimsuits and were agile. They sometimes dived into the water and sometimes jumped out of the water, showing their extraordinary physical fitness and skills.
Each of these members has their own strengths. Although they are having fun, the alertness that occasionally appears in their eyes reminds everyone that even in such a relaxing moment, they must not forget their responsibilities and mission as a member of [Shadow Garden].
The members responsible for maintaining public order are scattered throughout the swimming pool. They act openly or covertly, like an invisible net, silently guarding the safety of this paradise.