Chapter 441
Talulah's eyes were unusually firm, showing none of the panic and tension one would expect when facing capture.
"Although I know the success rate is very low, I still hope to discuss something with you."
Shi Lei doesn't have the habit of making promises in advance; he usually makes decisions only after understanding the situation clearly.
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"I have many things to do in Londinium this time. Could you please grant me a few more days? Mister Shi Lei, I assure you, once all this is settled, I will go back to Lungmen Prison with you to atone for the sins I committed in the past."
He stared into Talulah's gray eyes, and seeing that she didn't seem to be joking, nodded in agreement.
"Can."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Lei slightly raised his right hand.
In an instant, he created several nail-sized Rock Constructs inside Talulah's body. This would allow for real-time location tracking, making it easier to pinpoint her location later.
Talulah quickly sensed the abnormality within her body, her face darkening like December frost. How come Shi Lei seemed even more powerful after more than a year?
Back in Ursus, he used to offer some scientific explanations. Those seemingly outlandish abilities could be somewhat justified with scientific theories. But now he doesn't even bother with that; he's just casting spells from a distance?
Talulah had no idea what the foreign object inside her body was. She guessed it was some kind of poison that required her to take an antidote periodically to prevent sudden death.
That's ruthless.
After leaving enough Rock Constructs inside her body, Shi Lei turned to leave the scene.
This surprised Talulah greatly, and a rare expression of emotion appeared on her usually tense face.
"You... you're just letting me go like this?"
He turned around upon hearing this, feeling utterly bewildered:
"Yes, didn't you ask for this yourself? Did you think I poisoned you?"
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant."
Shi Lei carefully examined her, noticing Talulah's complicated expression, and guessed that it might be related to the events in Chernobyl.
Before he transmigrated, he was just an ordinary office worker. He had never even killed a chicken, let alone murdered someone.
However, in the Battle of Chernobyl, Shi Lei personally took the lives of nearly 10,000 Rhodes Island members.
If Talulah felt she had done something wrong, she wanted to explain the situation clearly:
"I know you're a little resentful about what I did in Chernobyl. But I don't think there was anything wrong with it."
To be honest, I show more kindness to those infected than to others. I usually provide them with whatever they need, without expecting anything in return. These groups at the bottom of society are the victims of this era.
But the goodwill I extend is not directed at all infected individuals. If anyone dares to use the guise of revenge to pick up weapons and harm the weaker, innocent civilians, then I'm sorry, I will not hesitate to eliminate them.
You should know very well how many innocent Ursus people the Rhodes Island killed in Chernobyl. If any infected people believed that what they did was wrong, they would voluntarily leave the organization or stay away from the battlefield to avoid causing riots.
Therefore, Rhodes Island members who subsequently wreak havoc in the city will be considered thugs by me. If you feel there's anything wrong with that, feel free to..."
Before Shi Lei could finish speaking, the dented iron door was pushed open again, making a harsh, metallic scraping sound.
Red sensed something was wrong inside the house, so he went out to see what was going on.
The Rock Constructs fragments that Shi Lei sensed at the Self-Rescue Army's stronghold were on this man with the Red Blade.
If we were to trace its origins, it would likely be something he left behind when he built a fortress in Northern Ursus.
Before leaving with Rhodes Island, Red cut off a small piece of rock to carry with him. He probably thought it was a meaningful keepsake, unaware that it could be used for his location.
Shi Lei flew at low altitude to a certain distance before scanning out Talulah, who had the characteristics of Dolak.
In his original plan, he was simply surprised to find remnants of the Rhodes Island here. So he said goodbye to his girlfriend and the Doctor and came to check on the situation.
"Mister Shi Lei..."
Red stared at the man before him, his image beginning to overlap with that in his memory:
"Are you here to take Talulah away?"
Shi Lei remembered this infected person; back when the Rhodes Island encountered Inner Guards attack in Northern Ursus, everyone else was focused on saving their own lives, but he was the only one who led women and children to evacuate.
Back then, I wasn't even a minor leader; now I'd probably be a cadre in the Rhodes Island.
"Yes, but she asked me for more time. I agreed, and she'll take the person away when she's finished with her work."
Upon hearing this answer, Red bowed deeply to express his gratitude. This was not only thanks for the extra time, but also for the help the other party had provided in the past.
"Mister Shi Lei, thank you very much."
After saying that, Red took the knife and went back into the house, not lingering outside to disturb their conversation.
Once the outsiders left, Shi Lei turned his attention back to Talulah and continued their previous conversation:
Are you going to try to convince me now?
"No, that was a sin I committed. No matter who controlled this body at the time, it doesn't change the fact that I guided the infected to vent their anger. That's undeniable; it was my mistake."
Seeing her sincere apology, Shi Lei secretly thought that after more than a year of reflection, Talulah had matured considerably.
"Did you come to Londinium to provide relief and absorb the infected people here?"
Previous Rhodes Island lacked any action plan or goals. They only rescued the infected, neglecting the vast majority of ordinary people, which destined them to be short-lived.
"In addition to those infected, we will also provide assistance to those who are not infected. The enemy of the Rhodes Island should never be Originium-related illness, but rather the aristocratic class that guides public opinion and promotes the idea that those infected are inferior."
They exploited the working class and gradually realized their rule was unstable. That's why they used infected people as a target to divert attention from the impending class conflict.
The purpose of this trip to Londinium is to raise awareness among both infected and uninfected individuals in the area. Those who are still willing to travel with us then will be able to join us.
Ordinary Doctor can only treat physical ailments. But only Rhodes Island can cure the deep-seated problems of the mind.
I hope to guide the common people to see reality clearly and ignite the spark of resistance against the aristocracy. This phase won't last too long; once I'm done with this, I'll return to Lungmen with you."
This is exactly what Shi Lei thought.
He realized long ago that simply saving those infected wouldn't be enough. To reverse the situation, a bottom-up reform was needed.
Not only must resources be integrated and redistributed, but power must also be reshuffled in order to achieve the ultimate goal.
"That's right, the general direction is correct. So your trip to Londinium this time is not limited to helping the infected and the non-infected, but rather you want to plant the seeds of resistance deep in the hearts of the common people."
Talulah nodded, finding his summary very apt; it was exactly what she wanted to express.
"The lives of ordinary people should not be like this. Regardless of whether they are infected with Originium-related illness, we will do our best to find a completely new path."
Perhaps the Tide of the Times is unstoppable and will crush all those who try to resist. But until the final outcome is revealed, we will all choose to fight to the end.
Because we are Rhodes Island, because we represent the Vulnerable Groups. Because... we are alive.
We have won victories and we have suffered defeats. But right now we are fighting for our own destiny and future, and that is the meaning of the Reunion Rhodes Island. I am a sinner, so I am willing to sacrifice for them. Perhaps, this is why I must fight."
Such awareness is truly admirable.
"Slap, slap, slap."
Shi Lei grinned, generously applauding to express his praise. Talulah's words stirred his compassion, and he wanted to offer help in any way he could.
"The Rhodes Island is currently lacking water, food, or everything else. Perhaps I can help."
He brought a large amount of food and water from Liyue City to help Vulnerable Groups struggling to make ends meet.
The Rhodes Island probably doesn't have much wealth, so helping them if they urgently need supplies wouldn't be against our original intentions.
"No need, Mister Shi Lei."
Talulah shook her head, politely declining:
"The Rhodes Island and I owe you so much, we really dare not ask for anything more."
When the Rhodes Island captured Schuratzburg City, it was isolated by the surrounding Mobile Cities. In addition, local merchants maliciously inflated prices, resulting in a severe shortage of supplies.
It was Shi Lei miraculously appeared, purchasing food and water from other countries and bringing them over, thus solving the immediate crisis.
Without his help, Talulah and the Rhodes Island probably wouldn't have even reached Chernobyl.
She will always remember this kindness.
"Miss Talulah, don't be so definitive. These supplies aren't just for you; whether you accept them depends on the opinions of the other Rhodes Island members."
If you insist on not accepting help, I have another compromise. You can get supplies from other Duke, but there will be some danger afterwards."
Before Talulah answer, Jiu pushed open the door and went out.
The door wasn't closed to begin with, so you could hear the conversation between the two people outside even from inside the room.
"What dangers are there? Why don't you tell me?"
Shi Lei felt that the woman looked familiar, and after thinking for a moment, he remembered that she was Chen's former boss.
When he first crossed the Lungmen, he was definitely an unregistered resident. To repay Officer Chen for the meal he had given him, he went to the Lower City with him on the night he joined Penguin Logistics.
They happened to encounter the Lungmen Guard Department on a mission, and were ambushed and surrounded by infected people of unknown origin.
Shi Lei secretly shielded them with Jade Shield, protecting them from Originium-related illness. Later, it was said that Jiu resigned from the Lungmen Guard Department and gradually faded from public view.
As a result, she was infected. Not only that, she also became a member of the Rhodes Island.
It's just that fate is unpredictable.
"The danger, of course, comes from the Duke. I have an item that I can exchange for a large amount of supplies or other necessities from them. But whether they will kill me to cover it up after the transaction is completed is not guaranteed."
Upon hearing this, Jiu's expression became complicated, showing great interest in the item. More precisely, she was interested in the large amount of resources that could be exchanged for it.
What is so precious?
Shi Lei reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a weapon Breath of the Kings, which he had conjured out of thin air.
Considering that Jiu was from Lungmen and might not know the origin of this sword, he added an explanation:
"This sword is called the Breath of the Kings. It was the sword of Victoria Emperors and a symbol of power. Whether I am a self-proclaimed Duke or Duke who supports a puppet ruler to the throne, I need this item to enhance my prestige."
He nodded at nine o'clock, roughly understanding.
No wonder Shi Lei said there was danger afterwards. If the Duke involved in the transaction harbored rebellious intentions, he might eliminate all those who knew about it to avoid leaving any future trouble.
"So this sword is priceless, and you're just giving it to us for free?"
Jiu looked at Shi Lei with great respect.
When she was the head of the Lungmen Guard Department, she tried her best to promote the "Infected Residency Act." She encountered many obstacles during this period and eventually had to resign to protect her family's safety.
But Shi Lei actually acted as a go-between, persuading the Schwayer Group to set up a factory in the Lower City. After two and a half years of transformation, the Slums was given a new lease on life. It not only completely broke free from the shackles of gangsters, but also shed the label of being poor.
The lower rents and lower prices in the Lower City have attracted many residents from the Upper City who are under great financial pressure to return. With a larger population comes more business opportunities, which in turn allows the economy to take off.
Businesses are happy to reduce their venue and labor costs.
Residents of Upper City are happy to be able to spend less money.
The residents of the Lower City are happy to have gained more business opportunities.
The Longmen Governor is happy to have achieved good results and a good reputation.
Isn't a happy ending better than forcefully pushing for an infected person protection law and confronting the elite class head-on? Jiu is ashamed of himself for not being able to do this, and therefore he greatly admires and respects Shi Lei.
"Yes, continue."
Shi Lei tossed the Breath of the Kings over, and after the other party caught it, he reminded them of the precautions:
"Your possession of this sword must absolutely not be known to the Duke Kester. You may trade it with any other Duke. Afterwards, how you manage to escape safely with the supplies is up to you."
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Chapter 518 Asking for Trouble (Bonus Chapter)
"The Duke Kester must not know about this sword. Why?"
Jiu regretted it as soon as he finished speaking.
They had kindly offered the priceless Victoria National Sword in exchange for supplies. Yet she had responded with an accusatory tone, as if such a generous gift was a given. To prevent a rift in their relationship, she quickly tried to smooth things over:
"I'm sorry, Mister Zhongli. I didn't mean to offend you, please don't take offense. I just want to know the actual situation so that I won't give myself away when trading with other Duke."
The interpretation of the number nine is reasonable.
Shi Lei remained silent, considering whether or not to tell them that the Breath of the Kings was a fake.
Meanwhile, inside the house, members of the Rhodes Island were peeking through the gaps in the Wooden Board. One of them deliberately lowered his voice and whispered to his companion:
"Was that sword truly the Breath of the Kings?"