Chapter 197
"Alright, alright, let's get back to the point. I came here today because I've found a solution."
Xi frowned upon hearing this, harboring strong skepticism:
"You're not suggesting that this has anything to do with Rhodes Island, are you? I don't think they have the ability to stop 'Year' from awakening."
You should know very well that as part of 'Year,' we cannot fight against the original body. Some of the older brothers have already accepted their predetermined fate.
One day, the original body will awaken. The consciousness of all our brothers and sisters will dissipate, eventually coalescing into a completely new entity. Perhaps it will fight to the death with the Great Yan, or perhaps it will escape to another place to eke out a living. But what does that have to do with us?
Faced with Xi's resigned and helpless words, Nian gazed at the distant mountains and sighed:
"As part of 'Sui,' we cannot fight against the main body. But what if there is something in this world that is more powerful than Sui?"
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Xi stared at Nian with a strange expression and shook her head, saying:
"Have you been sleeping too long and gotten brain-dead? On this land, what Great Beast is more powerful than 'Sui' now? There might have been before, but those Great Beasts that refused to submit to the Great Yan True Dragon all died in that massive hunt. As for the remaining Great Beast, some were sealed away, and some fled. Who dares to say they are more powerful than Sui?"
Nian knew her sister would think that way. Hearing Xi tease her for being silly, she immediately retorted:
"That's why I said you're too out of touch. You're like a frog in a well, staying inside the painting all day without any contact with the outside world."
Xi frowned again, still unwilling to believe it:
"You're not telling me that Rhodes Island has the power to defeat 'Year' in its true form, are you? I only recently heard about this organization. If they were really that powerful, how could they be some nobody?"
"Hahaha, I knew you'd get the wrong idea. I never said it was Rhodes Island; it was you who subjectively tied that connection to the matter."
Rhodes Island is a place where you can have a lot of fun. I originally thought I could find the answer to 'Year's' awakening there. Unfortunately, after staying on the island for several years, I still haven't received a definite answer.
There's a man who might know the answer, but he's mortally wounded and currently recuperating in Stone Coffin. Perhaps one day when he awakens, I'll visit him personally. Perhaps, we can discover a path that has never been explored before.
Xi sized up her older sister, who seemed somewhat impatient, and voiced her doubts:
"If it's not Rhodes Island, then who is it? I don't believe there are Great Beast stronger than this land."
No more suspense, the answer was given:
"There's an old saying in the Yan: 'There are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens.' When I was traveling across this land, I once saw a fragment of a Great Beast that was even more powerful than 'Sui'. Its existence may have been traced back to before 'Sui' was born."
I don't know the other party's real name, but he inadvertently revealed an ancient title.
Xi's interest was piqued; she leaned forward, her graceful body swaying, and couldn't help but ask:
"What title?"
Looking into her eyes, he solemnly said:
"Dragon King."
Ah???
Xi's eyes revealed great confusion.
From the day she was born, she had never heard of any legends about the Dragon King on this land.
It's not surprising that Nian reacted this way to his younger sister:
"Don't tell me you believe it; I didn't believe it at first either. But it does exist, and its potential is enormous. You should understand the meaning behind it; only the lord of all dragons is called the Dragon King."
It's been almost a year since I last visited, so I can't confirm when that fragment will awaken the original body. I also don't know if it will offer any help after it does awaken the original body.
That the Doctor from Rhodes Island isn't very reliable; he's still asleep in his Stone Coffin. Maybe he'll wake up in a few years, or maybe he'll never wake up.
And this fragment of the 'Dragon King' Great Beast is currently the only one who has a chance to stop the original body from reviving.
I won't sit idly by and wait to die. No matter the cost, I'm willing to take this risk and try.
"Stop, wait a minute."
As Xi heard this, she gradually began to understand.
She suddenly realized something, her neck jerked back, and her eyes became extremely strange:
"What you just said was just to tell me that there are fragments of the 'Dragon King' on this land. Why don't you go there yourself? What's the point of coming here to find me?"
Seeing his seemingly simple-minded younger sister suddenly become clever, no longer the dull-witted girl who had long secluded herself in the Scroll Realm, Nian's lips curved into a wide smile of deep satisfaction.
"Hehe, my dear little sister, you've finally grown up. The reason I came here this time is to send you to the Archon fragment. Firstly, to observe him. Secondly, I want to build a good relationship with him so that we can cooperate in the future."
"Tsk, I don't want to!"
Xi saw through Nian's sinister face and bared her teeth in disgust:
"You went to all that trouble to call me out, and even gave me my painting..."
"It was burned just to talk about this? Why do I have to be the one spying on and currying favor with the Dragon King to find that so-called answer? Why don't you go instead?"
I knew she would say that, and I laughed:
"I've been traveling all over This Ship and haven't had the time. This task is perfect for you!"
Genshin Impact Hanging Image - Blindfolded Hide-and-Seek. jpg
261. Eat me or eat her? (3K)
"I'm not going. If you want to go, go by yourself. Just leave and don't bother me."
After Xi finished speaking, she prepared to return to her Scroll Realm, but then she heard her sister chanting incantations and making hand gestures:
"Heaven has a furnace, earth produces metals, their brilliance gleams and their cold tempering illuminates the clear clouds..."
In an instant, Nian unleashed the forging ability of the 'Year' beast fragments, creating a massive double-bang firecracker, eight feet long and three feet wide, unlike any other in the world.
"Good sister, why are you in such a hurry to leave? How many years has it been since you went out to see the world? Sigh, don't blame your sister for not making this clear beforehand. As long as you dare to unroll the scroll, I'll use this to blast you out."
"You!"
Xi bit her lip, her heart filled with rage.
How can a sister sell her younger sister and be so self-righteous about it?
"I haven't dealt with anyone in years, why do I have to go? Can't you go by yourself?"
"The Dragon King's Fragment knows I work at Rhodes Island, so it would be too abrupt for it to stay. Besides, my forging skills aren't suited for surveillance. You're different; you can observe secretly within the Scroll Realm."
"My dear sister, you never leave the house. You really should go out and see the world. I'm not targeting you personally; after careful consideration, I've decided you're the best person for this."
Xi Ying parted her lips slightly, wanting to say something, but couldn't find a suitable reason to refute Nian's suggestion.
For her brothers and sisters who are also Sui Beast Fragment, and for herself, making sacrifices to strive for a better future is not something unacceptable.
If they encounter a fragment of the Dragon King and their conversation falls apart, they can simply hide inside the Scroll Realm, thus cutting off all contact with the outside world.
Do your older brother and sister know about this?
The two people Xi mentioned were her Ling Jie, who traveled the world, and a Grandmaster who worked in Jade Gate.
Nian shook his head and responded truthfully:
"I don't know, I haven't notified them yet. Rhodes Island's This Ship has been traveling between different countries this year, treating infected people everywhere. The total time spent in Yan is less than a month. I had to beg and plead before I could get two new Operator to come and find you."
Nian knew that this young lady, Xi, was skilled in painting and possessed the ability to enter a world through her paintings. Coming alone, she risked getting trapped within the Scroll Realm. Breaking the illusion was possible, but it would take a considerable amount of time.
So she summoned two "tools" to her door and voluntarily entered the World in the Painting. She then possessed the badge she had given to Melantha, which allowed her to finally catch her sister, who was a homebody all year round.
Xi let out a breath, her attitude softening considerably.
The reason why she had to go had been made very clear that year. On matters concerning the life and death of her brothers and sisters, compromise and concessions were necessary:
"Fine, continuing with the status quo is just a slow death anyway, it's meaningless. One day, the main body will awaken and devour all of our consciousness and bodies."
You want to use me as a pawn, to plant me next to that Archon fragment to keep an eye on him? No problem, I accept.
But if you want me to flatter it, fawn over it, or even pander to it, that's absolutely impossible! I'd rather be killed by you, burned alive, or die inside the painting than do that!
For some reason, seeing Xi's confident expression, Nian couldn't help but want to laugh.
"Hehe, then it's settled. His house is actually quite big."
"Alright, I'd like to see just what kind of abilities this Archon fragment, which you're so eagerly anticipating, possesses."
The two sisters finally reached an agreement on this matter and refrained from further conflict.
After tidying up briefly, Xi followed Nian down the mountain.
It's late December 1995 now. The journey from Gou Wu City to Lungmen takes about half a month. Based on the time, we'll arrive just before the New Year.
Rhodes Island's This Ship will dock at Lungmen during the first month of the Yan's calendar to resupply.
When the time comes, we'll send Xi to Shi Lei's place to be cared for. She'll play for a week or two before boarding the ship and leaving.
Now let's turn our attention back to Lungmen.
Two weeks have passed since the failed attempt to kidnap Lisa.
Suspect Cha Mou was prosecuted by the Lungmen Guard Department for violating Article 239 of the Lungmen Criminal Code. He was tried in court and sentenced to imprisonment.
During this period, Shi Lei focused on investigating the remaining members of the Cat Gang organization. Through Penguin Logistics' vast intelligence network, they actually managed to find some who had slipped through the net.
However, they were all ordinary employees in the Cat Gang before, without any involvement in management. For example, the real estate agents at Tailless Cat Real Estate were all from the lower classes. They had no Blood Sea Deep Grudge for Shi Lei.
After the Cat Gang suddenly disbanded, some of them stayed in the Upper City to look for work. Others, after being unemployed for several months, came to work on construction sites in the Lower City.
After verification, these Feline had no prior history of illegal or disorderly conduct. After confirming they posed no danger, Shi Lei...
The investigation was suspended.
Aside from that, the only remaining potential threat might lie within the Schwayer Group itself. However, these individuals are not suitable for public investigation; they must be monitored covertly.
After several months of construction, a small to medium-sized factory has been built in the Lower City. The open jobs have attracted a large number of local residents.
In fact, the employment rate in the Lower City is much lower than that in the Upper City. In an average family, it is very likely that only one person has a long-term, stable job. And this person needs to support the whole family on a meager salary.
However, the situation has improved now.
During this period, they will work odd jobs on construction sites. Once the factory they helped build is completed, they will have priority for internal interviews. The influx of people from the Lower City into the factory will greatly alleviate the financial burden on their families.
As one of the first companies to establish operations in the Slums, the Schwayer Group played a crucial role in boosting the local economy. They not only enjoyed rent discounts but also received tax breaks, significantly reducing their factory setup costs and allowing them to profit from the experience.
Merchants are always driven by profit.
The Schwayer Group's case has undoubtedly set a good precedent, and more and more companies will likely relocate their factories from Yan to Lungmen Lower City. This will not only save costs but also eliminate the transportation and maintenance expenses associated with shipping products, enabling direct sales from the production site.
Businesses are making money, and people are getting jobs. Public security has improved, and people are having more and more hope.
As a former cancer in Lungmen, a lawless and chaotic area, things have visibly improved.
Some thank the Lungmen Guard Department, some thank the Longmen Governor, some thank the Schwayer Group, and some thank the Rat King. But only those who know the truth understand who made the Lower City what it is today.
January 15, 1096, 5:00 pm
There are less than two weeks left until the Spring Festival in the Yan. Shi Lei, who is about to go on holiday, has received one last major commission before the New Year: to serve as a bodyguard at the Schwayer Group's high-level annual meeting.
The location is the same as last year, at the Victoria Grand Hotel. The floor is also the same, still the third floor.
Turn left after exiting the elevator; that's where personal security guards, regular management, and outstanding employees stay.
There is a door at the very back of the outer area, which leads to the inner area where Schwayer Group executives and celebrities from all walks of life gather.
Shi Lei, dressed in a suit, stood beside the main entrance between the inner and outer areas, ensuring the safety of all guests. To save time, he had everyone covered in transparent Jade Shield.
For this year's Schwayer Group annual meeting, Blake surprisingly only hired him as a bodyguard.
Apart from the people checking invitations at the hotel entrance, there were no other security personnel in sight.
Forget Rhine Lab and Iron Shield Security, step aside. Hiring Shi Lei for several times the price is far more reliable and cost-effective than hiring a whole team.
Guests can enter at 5 PM, and the event will officially begin at 5 PM. Shi Lei only needs to stand here for three hours, and he can receive hundreds of thousands of yuan by the time it ends at 8 PM.
Not long after, Swire, the little tiger dressed in a black evening gown, came up to you and greeted you:
"Hello, Mister Shi Lei."
"Hello, Miss Beatrix."
"The annual party is so lively, and you're still working. Don't you feel a little sorry for yourself?"