Chapter 272: with translation of chapter title

It's a shame his older brother was beaten so badly he had to be helped to walk; how could he possibly know everything that happened here?

Fei En, feeling the warm blood in his palm, also felt regret, but the knife had already fallen, and the relationship, completely destroyed, had no chance of repair.

So he not only didn't call for a doctor quickly, but instead increased the pressure with his fingertips, completely cutting open Ge Lei De's trachea.

"Hehe… hehe…"

Amid the sound of frothing blood, Ge Lei De's gaze shifted from pleading to anger and back to pleading, finally settling on despair.

Fei En's face slowly revealed a somewhat mad smile, his smile making his fingers begin to tremble.

"Don't blame me, Ge Lei De; we're both slaves to power, our blood… is merely a ritual to please the master, hahaha!"

But just as he, gradually becoming excited, was about to declare victory, Ge Lei De's gaze suddenly focused into a point.

His black silhouette suddenly surged forth, unleashing unimaginable power and speed, his sharp fangs directly piercing the defenseless Fei En's chest.

Fei En widened his eyes, unable to believe what he saw, but the foreign sensation in his chest was all too clear.

"You…"

However, a fatal wound is a fatal wound; this is no miracle, merely Ge Lei De's desperate last-ditch effort.

As for what drove his counterattack, besides the anger from being insulted, there was also a childish, ridiculous thought that made him regret it immensely.

——If Fei En could die alongside him, perhaps his older brother might still have a slim chance of survival?

That fatal blow exhausted his last bit of strength, his confused mind gradually blurred, and he never moved again.

As one of the three major houses of Inner City, the head of the Song Lu family affiliated with the Adventurers Association, Ge Lei De, died just like that in the Mountain Folk Mercenaries' arena.

Neither clear nor clear, neither bright nor white, his whole life he's been a confused fool.

"Damn it… damn it!"

Fei En instinctively shoved Ge Lei De's head aside, with enough force to tear that ugly boar's head clean off the broken neck.

But seeing the opponent's ruined body collapse helplessly, he immediately regretted this reckless decision.

Because he lost the packing, the wound began to spurt blood wildly, like two kids having a peeing contest.

Even professionals haven't escaped their biological nature, especially for ordinary professionals who haven't changed jobs yet; if they lose too much blood, they will still die.

So he hurriedly pressed his right hand hard on the wound, dragging his weak body out of the hall in a stumbling gait, hoping to seek help from his subordinates.

Fortunately, as the base of the Mountain Folk Mercenaries, he already had skill in governing troops, and he further strengthened the area's security; soon someone discovered him, seriously wounded.

"Sir? Sir, what's wrong with you? Holy shit!"

Seeing their usual invincible leader now deathly pale and extremely disheveled, this mercenary, who could be called a fervent follower, shouted in fright.

"Assassins! Assassins! Everyone, lock down! Catch the assassins!"

No denying he has a great voice; in his panic, his final utterance actually sustained an E6 note for a full ten beats.

"Fuck your mother, don't shout, don't…"

Fei En, who had just been reveling in ecstasy, suddenly felt his vision go black.

Oh my god, everything that just happened on the fighting stage could be a dark history; I really dare not publicize it.

But this little brat's voice is too penetrating; the whole garrison was howled by him, chaotic footsteps thundering, steadily approaching.

The young mercenary, after taking a deep breath, finally realized the boss might have just said something, and asked curiously.

"Captain, what did you just say?"

Fei En: I test…

"Nothing, forget it, let's destroy it…"

Because of his robust physique as a 38th-level professional, the timely treatment by the field medic, and the meticulous follow-up treatment at An De Lu Hospital, Fei En, whose heart had been pierced, managed to save his life.

But due to weakness from drinking the berserk potion, the severe injuries from desperately fighting Ge Lei De, and this nearly fatal horrific wound, he could only lie in bed for the following period.

The negative impact of Mi Yang's death had not yet been digested, and Chairman Bao Li Si disappeared after an outgoing visit, causing the entire Adventurers Association to be shaken.

A state cannot go a day without a leader; this huge loose organization also needs someone of sufficient weight to control it, so all the association's high-ranking officials immediately went to find Ge Lei De's whereabouts, hoping to promote him on the spot and quickly stabilize the wobbling organization.

But even more thought-provoking, even chilling, the entire Song Lu family searched high and low, yet couldn't find their own family head; the original joy turned into heaven collapsing and earth splitting.

"This…"

All three "heirs" have disappeared; although the association still has other administrators, not a single weighty figure capable of commanding respect remains, so whoever steps forward becomes a target of suspicion.

The Adventurers Association instantly fell into a state of leaderless chaos; the whole organization nearly came to a halt, the industry trembled, and even colleagues around the same conference table began to look strange, each lost in thought.

And the news that the Mountain Folk Mercenaries' headquarters had imposed martial law the previous night also came out at this time; no need for gossipmongers to hype it, it immediately linked to the major upheaval that had occurred in the Adventurers Association the previous night.

Could it be that Chairman Bao Li Si, after negotiating with the Easterners of Outer City, didn't return directly to the temporary building, but instead went—whether willingly, forcibly, or even unable to move—to some other place?

No matter what, in Sunshine City, the only ones who can currently deal with both Chairman Bao Li Si and Ge Lei De openly are, aside from the Minister of Taxation Ke Li Si Ting, only that iron-blooded mercenary leader stationed at the Inner City arena, renowned for his martial prowess…

In the heavy, oppressive atmosphere, finally the elder of the Feng Zhao family let out a sigh, resentfully speaking.

"It seems the envoy of the Mountain Folk Mercenaries will arrive soon; those who want to take a gamble can stay, the rest should pack up and hurry away…"

But just as they were grieving as if they had lost their parents, having already flung open the doors of the temporary building in preparation to welcome the royal army, another piece of gossip arrived.

"What! Fei En was beaten into serious injury and left bedridden?"

"What! Fei En let people do him in bed?"

"What! Fei En was done by someone in bed…"

"Damn, you guys be serious… wait, this I'm interested in, explain in detail, fast horse plus compile!"

At first, some people thought this was just the drunken ramblings of a tavern drunk, after all they could spin anything out of their mouths.

If one really believed their nonsense, wouldn't Ji Ming have to write enough to fill his own body, one person occupying half of some APP's domain and achieving total tag dominance?

But soon the Mountain Folk Mercenaries Alliance issued a statement, they truly acknowledged that alliance leader Fei En had suffered an assassination at the station, temporarily recuperating there, and related affairs were handed over to the deputy officer to handle.

"Ah?"

As soon as those words were spoken, Sunshine City erupted in an uproar again; after all, some had previously speculated whether Chairman Bao Li Si had been knocked down by Fei En, and now in the next second he too had knelt?

Could it be that the entire rumor immediately flowed toward Ke Li Si Ting, but soon after another piece of news spread, saying that last night she was organizing and processing the personnel team, having interrogated nearly all the high-ranking officials, and she had a solid alibi.

But no matter what, the Adventurers' Association fell into disarray, several executives announced their resignations, and several wagons were parked below to help them haul away the cardboard boxes they were packing up.

Adventurers' Association

The Mountain People Mercenary Alliance entered a self‑protective sealed state, with large numbers of mercenaries stationed outside the arena, posting a guard every five steps and a sentry every ten steps, strictly controlling entry and exit, and temporarily cutting off contact with outsiders.

Mountain People Mercenary Alliance

Two of the three inner city factions have been crippled, and everyone's attention has turned to the Business Union, which remains intact and has not made any major moves.

Inner City, Business Union

"What are you looking at? Do you really think we haven't suffered any losses?"

Although the city‑wide wind and rain have brought endless melons, the major taverns in the Inner City have yet to report any news, but the Outer City also experienced a minor clash last night.

Inner City, Outer City

In short, the Eastern people who have been jumping around in the Outer City recently carried out a second sweep; the process is roughly as follows.

Outer City, Eastern people

"Behead! — meaning players thoughtfully bring their own knives and axes; when they capture a gang boss, they can behead him on the spot without needing a gallows, and they even get three for the price of one, with no extra charge."

No specific names.

"Surrender! — meaning after the ringleader is executed on the spot, the remaining gang members all have an epiphany, choosing to join the White Wolf's team, even voluntarily guiding players to make use of the extra beheading opportunities."

White Wolf

"Heavy Blow! — meaning players burned down eighty‑one casinos and thirty‑two clubs in one night, dealing a heavy blow to Sunshine City's underground world's commercial capacity, rescuing countless men and women who were coerced and defrauded into huge debts and forced to repay them by various means."

Sunshine City, Underground World

"Strongest! — no need to explain; players can easily crush the Mountain People Iron Hammer Mercenary Group, let alone these exploitative little helpers of vermin essence; they faced not even the slightest obstruction along the way, it was as easy as chopping vegetables."

Mountain People Iron Hammer Mercenary Group

Furthermore, amidst the mass slaughter, their knives didn't just take lives; they also destroyed the various exploitative taxes and levies set up by these beasts, with countless IOUs burned in public.

No names.

Since then, the atmosphere in the Outer City has been cleared; the midnight alleys have never been as quiet and clean as today, with townsfolk moving from joy at home to excitement on the streets, finally spontaneously forming a celebratory parade.

Outer City

Perhaps life remains hard, but at last someone has come to help share the burden…

No names.

Perhaps the bandits affiliated with the Mercenary Alliance suffered the most casualties in this incident, but those who were burned most severely and cleared out most thoroughly were undoubtedly the Black Gloves who obeyed the Business Union.

Mercenary Alliance, Business Union, Black Gloves

Suo La nearly burst into tears upon hearing this terrible news, leaning against his young female companion's soft side for a long time before regaining his composure.

Suo La

"This... industry... them..."

His expression was rather confused, but translating it into plain language gives roughly——

No names.

Damn it, these are all my most important blood pumps! If I keep tolerating this, my reputation is trivial, but losing money could cost me my life!

No names.

This is no longer an ordinary external criminal force; we must strike hard—I will send Kristin over to blast them all to smithereens!

Ke Li Si Ting

Although Kristin, as the "former dynasty princess," may not be someone he can command, this doesn't prevent him from sending his second‑in‑command from the processing team.

Ke Li Si Ting

This assassin, who secretly does his dirty work, appears unremarkable and barely noticeable, but he is actually the founder of the assassin mercenary organization "Black and White Grid", a formidable level‑32 entity.

Black and White Grid

Otherwise, relying solely on that so‑called subordinate—really more of a partner—this centaur monster, Suo La fears he won't even sleep soundly at night; if they bear a grudge over some minor point and charge in with a single punch to kill him, what would we do?

Centaur Monster

"Understood, I will handle this matter for you."

After a slight bow, the top‑tier assassin "Hei Bai", wearing a black mask and white light armor, escorted the envoy party out of the Inner City, wanting to see what this law‑less barbarian group actually wanted.

Inner City, Hei Bai, envoy team

But since Hei Bai has a more important mission, and Kristin isn't interested in taking a lone stand at the top of the Business Union, today the Business Union can't deploy forces abroad and must continue normal operations.

Hei Bai, Ke Li Si Ting, Business Union

Thus, the major upheaval that everyone expected to happen today instead ended in a rather strange, awkward, and wronged manner, as Sunshine City spent another day perched on a powder keg.

Sunshine City

As evening approached, the envoy from the Business Union finally arrived at the White Wolf ancestral temple.

Business Union, White Wolf, ancestral temple

However, unlike the previous Boris, their attitude was quite awful; had it not been for the spearmen intervening to stop their wagon, they might have trampled a helpless little werewolf to death.

Bao Li Si, spearmen, little werewolf

After getting off the wagon, the envoy team leader became even more arrogant, shouting and boasting, full of conceit; in short——

No names.

"Tell you all, you better not be dissatisfied, huh? Our Business Union's boss is the boss!"

When it comes to bullying the market and men and women, you youngsters are still far behind us; learn a bit—what does it mean to be genuine!

No names.

"Ow…"

The players instantly flew into a rage—nine out of ten who can make it to the table in this game aren't cowards in real life either; we're all born with a silver spoon, so who are you playing at being a tyrant with?

No names.

Too bad the union envoy doesn't understand what those luxury cars and yachts they mention are, and the rich‑brother player doesn't get why a bunch of NPCs that are just data could be so arrogant.

Union envoy, Rich Brother player

So it was a disagreement that escalated—"two Buddhas ascend to heaven, three Shang Yu..."—anyway, they ended up arguing until they were glaring, eyebrows flying, and broke off relations.

No names.

But the Business Union came prepared this time; Suo La knew these Easterners weren't convinced, and Hei Bai was watching from the table.

Business Union, Suo La, Hei Bai

He had discovered that the highest level among these players was barely in the low twenties; although their average quality was frighteningly akin to a regular army, they truly lacked a top‑tier master to hold the line.

No names.

You're all useless, huh? Well, today it's my turn to show my face!

No names.

He snorted coldly, flicked his finger, and a flying dagger plunged into the shoulder of the middle‑aged man opposite him.

No names.

"Death God: What? I go bankrupt running a tiny company, today I was just dragged in to make up the numbers—why are you stabbing me with your knife? Stab them, they've got money!"

Death God

"You're about to make a move, right?"

This didn't stop the players who had long wanted to overturn the table from drawing their weapons, but before acting they instinctively glanced at the target's level, only to find it displayed as 【？？？】.

No names.

"What does that mean? … The level gap is too big to display!?"

"How so, now you realize you're weak?"

Seeing the Easterners' shocked faces, Hei Bai slowly rose to his feet, preparing to cleanse this clueless white‑faced lot from left to right, and then… and then…

Hei Bai, Eastern people, white face

"Ah no, why can't I stand up today?"

He then realized that, at some point, a pair of hands wearing black gloves had pressed down on his shoulders, and looking up along his arm armor, he saw……

No names.

Player: "Whoa, Mysterious Merchant?"