novelraw Chapter 563 - 262: Oh? How Do You Know We’ll Die?
Chapter 563 - 262: Oh? How Do You Know We’ll Die?
Yes!
Why?!
The pressure on the front lines is immense, but given City Lord Jiang Ying’s power and status, if she truly wants to clear the doors, sending a Tier Three attendant back to handle this "traitor" would be a mere trifle.
Even just a stern order could double the forces hunting him down.
But... it hasn’t happened!
The ones hunting him have always been those Tier Two "old followers," well-trained but no Tier Three experts have involved themselves.
It’s as if this "traitor"... has been intentionally left in the city?
Fang Qingyu gave him no time to breathe or reflect, immediately throwing out a second, sharper question:
"And..."
"Have you tried?"
Fang Qingyu’s gaze was sharp like a knife, as if it could unravel Jiang Chengyue’s soul.
"Have you truly... tried every possible way to persuade them?"
"Or did you just shout a few ’trust me’ at the workshop area capture, only to be forced to draw your blade and eventually flee in desperation?"
"Have you really... put in effort?"
"Boom——!!!"
Fang Qingyu’s continuous questioning felt like a series of heavy hammers, savagely pounding on Jiang Chengyue’s defenses.
He opened his mouth, producing a "ho ho" sound from his throat, yet unable to utter a single word.
His face turned ghastly pale, with beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Had he... really tried?
Aside from that emotional outburst in the council hall, apart from those futile cries during the capture...
Had he ever, like in the battle fields facing the Life Ghost Tide, desperately and wholeheartedly tried to awaken those lost brothers?
Had he ever considered whether those who once battled beside him and could entrust their backs to each other were also harboring the same doubts and pain deep within?
Had he ever attempted... through actions, not just words?
Fang Qingyu gazed at Jiang Chengyue, who looked desolate and drained of all energy, and withdrew his hand.
No longer speaking, he left behind a single phrase:
"Saving the Jiang Family..."
"Is not the duty of outsiders like us."
"An even greater responsibility, a heavier burden..."
Fang Qingyu’s gaze swept across Jiang Chengyue’s trembling shoulders.
"Actually... has always rested on your shoulders."
Having said that, Fang Qingyu no longer looked at Jiang Chengyue but turned to Wei Banmeng and the others, giving a signal with his eyes.
No words were needed; the four instantly understood his meaning.
The preparations that needed to be made were done, the rest, left for Jiang Chengyue to digest himself.
The group turned in mutual understanding, each heading towards their suite.
The doors opened and closed silently.
The luxurious living room instantly left Jiang Chengyue alone.
He stood rigidly as if carved from clay and wood, his spine hunched.
Fang Qingyu’s words, like a spell, echoed continuously in his mind.
Jiang Chengyue slowly crouched down, forcefully threading his fingers through his hair, his body trembling violently.
Despair? Shame?
Or... a faint spark forcibly ignited and unwilling to extinguish?
He bowed his head, his shoulders silently trembling.
No one knew what he was thinking at this moment.
Only the aurora outside the window cast changing shadows over his lonely silhouette, silently flowing.
...
Glazed Light City.
The bustling Central Street.
"Eternal Day Market."
The atmosphere was lively, filled with various exotic polar specialties, energy ore, Life Ghost materials, and advanced technology products displayed beautifully.
A few mercenaries wearing heavy Life Ghost Armor with fierce auras surrounded a stall and chatted excitedly in hushed tones while drinking tea.
"Hey, did you hear? Over at the ’Ice Fortress’! Northeast fifty miles! Beneath the glacier! Something big happened!"
"What’s up? Another Life Ghost Tide?"
"Nah! Way more thrilling than that! Martial Saint Ruins! Heard that the lair of the ’Cold Qilin’ Martial Saint fallen a century ago has been discovered! Contains opportunities for breaking through to Tier Three! And the Divine Weapons he left behind!"
"Whoa?! Seriously?! Is the information reliable? Where did it come from?"
"Absolutely reliable! My cousin is in the ’Snow Wolf’ Mercenary Corps, and their leader personally received the internal channel news! Reportedly, several top-tier Grandmaster teams have secretly headed there! Deep Blue Heavy Industries seems to be organizing personnel as well!"
"Hiss... Martial Saint Ruins! If true... that’s insane?! No way! I have to inform the boss! This kind of fortune, even if risking lives, must be pursued!"
Similar conversations quietly spread through various corners of the city.
Outside the "Crystal Opera House," a few well-dressed and composed noble scions gathered.
"The word is spreading fast. Even the ’Gray Rat’ black market is buzzing, issuing rewards and high prices for relic coordinates and internal information."
"Hm, no smoke without fire. With Deep Blue Heavy Industries involved, there’s likely some validity. Even without breakthrough moments, Martial Saint legacy is enough to drive people crazy."
"So... should we also try our luck?"
"Go! Of course, we should! Notify the families, gather manpower! Such a fortune, missing it would be a lifelong regret!"
...
City Lord’s Mansion, Ministry of Internal Affairs patrol command center.
A patrol captain in a Deep Blue uniform hurriedly walked in, face etched with seriousness and urgency.
"Report! Multiple regions in the city are experiencing abnormal rumors! Large amounts of news regarding ’Martial Saint Ruins discovered in the glacier sea area fifty miles northeast of the Ice Fortress’ are rapidly spreading among mercenaries, martial halls, and underground black markets! Upon observation, numerous unidentified martial arts grandmasters are assembling beyond the city!"