NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 458: 【361】From Now On, Severing All Ties of Gratitude and Friendship (Seeking monthly votes, recommendations, and genuine support)_1
Chapter 458: 【361】From Now On, Severing All Ties of Gratitude and Friendship (Seeking monthly votes, recommendations, and genuine support)_1
It was just after five in the evening.
Pei Jinye, after experiencing the deluxe package of travel accompanied by two escort fighter jets, finally arrived above Savage Mountain City.
“Savage Mountain City gets its name from the character for mountain. It used to be a great mountain, and as more people settled here over time, it slowly evolved into the rudiments of a city. After more than three thousand years, it has reached its current scale.”
One of the young women accompanying him introduced Savage Mountain City very seriously. It was clear that she was searching for the words on the spot.
Pei Jinye wasn’t very interested in listening. He looked down at a stretch of forest they were passing, through the airplane’s window.
“This is Sun and Moon Mountain,” the young girl hurriedly added, sneaking a glance at the note in her palm while Pei Jinye was distracted.
Pei Jinye looked very intently.
Even the high-altitude reconnaissance couldn’t locate Jiang Xinrun and his group.
To be honest, when Han Sen first asked him to come over, he thought it was because the matter of the Spirit Ore had been exposed.
But Han Sen told him this trip was merely a visit to Elder Cui’s ancestral home to make some early acquaintance with the people there.
Suddenly.
An alarm sounded inside the plane.
Pei Jinye slightly raised his eyebrow.
It was then that Xing Tian’s voice came through, “Savage Mountain City’s airport below has encountered a firefight, and the identity of the attackers currently cannot be determined. Your plane is at risk of being shot down. I suggest we redirect to Ghost Mountain Market next door; I can immediately establish contact with the airport there. We expect to be able to land in seven minutes, but it requires your permission.”
“Permission granted.”
Pei Jinye did not object.
“Inform Mr. Han immediately about the situation in Savage Mountain City.”
“Understood.”
Pei Jinye turned to look out the window at the flames bursting below.
Savage Mountain City seems even less peaceful than Da Peng City.
Xing Tian’s voice transmitted again, “Sir Pei Jinye, Sir Han Sen has been informed of your current situation and is requesting to speak with you. Do you want to take the call?”
“Connect.”
The moment the call connected, Han Sen’s voice came through instantly, “I am aware of the situation in Savage Mountain City. React accordingly. The item in the old house is crucial; it must be delivered. You are the only person I can trust right now.”
Pei Jinye was slightly startled.
Although he did not know why Han Sen suddenly sounded so despondent, Pei Jinye knew he wasn’t lying.
And all he felt was a pang in his heart.
The situation in the Central State must also be far from optimistic.
The old Mr. Han was not like this.
“I’ll do my best, and also, I have asked Xing Tian to contact the people from the Cui Family.”
That was all Pei Jinye could say.
He was never the type to sacrifice his own life for someone else’s problems, even if… he had the ability of Death Replay.
The incident in Savage Mountain City was unexpected.
He had already sensed the missiles targeting the plane he was on; the situation on the ground was probably more severe than he had imagined.
Pei Jinye sighed.
He hadn’t walked away immediately, which was already showing a lot of face to Han Sen.
The plane reached Ghost Mountain Market’s temporary airport in eight minutes.
The higher-ups from Ghost Mountain City Hall and the Military Department had already made an appearance. Although surprised to see a young man wielding the “Imperial Sword” of Central State, they thought his youthfulness was too out of the ordinary.
Those who were unaware of Pei Jinye’s background didn’t dare to be presumptuous, merely assuming he was related to the highest echelons.
“Greetings, Mr. Pei. My department has been ordered to escort you. You may tell us any needs you have,” said a middle-aged general in a deep voice.
They were clearly aware of the adjacent city’s turmoil.
What they didn’t expect, though, was for this “envoy” with a potentially massive background to simply request rest at the most luxurious local hotel.
The middle-aged general was taken aback, looking towards the city hall people, who didn’t dare to slack off. As hosts, they knew all too well the most suitable place for him to stay.
“Mr. Pei, do you have any other requests? Would you like us to get in touch with Savage Mountain City for you? We have a secure line,” inquired a senior official from the city hall with a congenial smile.
“I’m just a flunky following orders; for specifics, I have to wait for further notice from above. Everyone, please, you may go. The weather is rather chilly; don’t catch a cold,” Pei Jinye replied with an affable smile.
Nobody could tell that Pei Jinye was once the Big Demon Head who killed without blinking an eye.
The people of Ghost Mountain Market didn’t know him and were forced to lead him to the hotel in half-believe.
The hotel was a villa-style luxury establishment.
All three floors inside and out had already been occupied by the security personnel that came with Pei Jinye.
…
“Mr. Pei, would you like some tea?”
A young girl’s voice came from outside the door.
Soon, a genteel voice answered from inside, “Of course, come in.”
The young girl walked in with the tea cup in hand.
“Please close the door behind you.”
Pei Jinye’s amiable voice came again from inside the bedroom.
There was a hint of mockery in the girl’s eyes as she obediently closed the door and steadily walked towards the bedroom, which was emitting a fragrant scent.
She covered the seven-step distance quickly but firmly.
Soon she could see Pei Jinye, who was reading a book with his back to her. A fleeting red glow sparked in her eyes.
“Sir, your tea is ready.”
“Creating chaos in Savage Mountain City and not wanting me to make contact with the Cui Family – that’s your doing, isn’t it?” Pei Jinye calmly flipped the pages and asked leisurely without turning around.
The young girl suddenly stiffened on the spot.
But she regained her composure quickly, nodding shyly, “Mr. Pei, what are you talking about?”
“Slap.”
A crisp sound came from beneath the young girl, and she cried out in surprise, her face flushing red.
Pei Jinye closed the book and looked at her with a smile, “Nice feel, pity it’s not original. But it’s my first time seeing someone get that area… enhanced. I’m really curious if you have ‘Revive the Ming’ tattooed down there.”
“…” The young girl couldn’t understand what Pei Jinye was saying at all. She quickly assessed her surroundings and then, with a sudden knife appearing in her sleeve and a cold smile, she lunged at Pei Jinye directly.
However, to her surprise, the moment she made her move, her hand was already clamped by someone.
A numbing pain spread through the base of her thumb.
The pointed blade in her hand dropped with a clang.
The young girl watched helplessly as the knife slipped from her grasp and then widened her eyes in shock as it suddenly plunged into her shoulder under some unseen force.
“Thud.”
Crimson blood spurted from her shoulder.
The girl’s expression changed, but she didn’t even have the chance to groan before Pei Jinye pressed a hand firmly over her face.
“Enter the dream.”
Infinite darkness descended in an instant.
And then a surge of memories flooded in.
…
…
“Intelligence indicates that Cui Min’s days are numbered. Once he’s dead, nothing will stop us from pushing for major changes in biomedicine.”
“Why would he send people to the Cui Family Ancestral House? We’ve searched it many times and found nothing… Could this be a smokescreen?”
“Never mind that for now. We have to nip any and all uncertainties in the bud.”
…
Pei Jinye slowly opened his eyes.
“So much for trust; turns out I’m just the bait, huh?”
If the woman’s information was indeed true, it would certainly confirm that theory.
Indeed, Pei Jinye had come to trust his own judgment.
When they first met at Dawn Tower, Han Sen was unwilling to say more.
While flying over Savage Mountain City, Han Sen gave not one superfluous explanation…
“So, do you really know or not?”
Pei Jinye drew back his gaze.
Security personnel had already rushed in, panicked.
“Mr. Pei, are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
No change was visible on Pei Jinye’s face.
Only then did everyone notice the slumped figure in the corner. Someone stepped forward to check for a breath and then their expression changed.
Dead!!!
“Search her room. This woman tried to assassinate me; there might be a link to Savage Mountain City,” Pei Jinye said calmly, putting on his Star Ring.
“Good evening, Mr. Pei Jinye,” Xing Tian’s voice arrived just in time.
Pei Jinye slowly smiled, “I’m not well at all.”
“Sorry, may I ask what happened?” Xing Tian paused, “I’m sorry you encountered this issue. I have conducted a comprehensive investigation into the identity of the assassin. The related report has been uploaded to your private mailbox. Please check it.”
Pei Jinye remained indifferent, “Does Mr. Han know about this?”
“I’ve privately sent it to his mailbox. However, at this time, he’s in a meeting so it will take some time before he’s informed,” Xing Tian replied.
“Have you made contact with the Cui Family?” Pei Jinye asked again.
“I’m sorry… There’s been interference from an unknown magnetic field,” Xing Tian responded.
“Then we wait, until contact can be made,” Pei Jinye stated calmly, with no intention of going alone.
Now that an assassin had been among his escorts, it was hard to imagine how many more might target him if he stepped out now.
…
…
Meanwhile.
Inside Dawn Tower.
Ah, seriously, what was Grandfather thinking? Why did he have to invite the granddaughters of his friends to come home and study with her?
They were just here to share her misery!
Luckily, there was the pleasing First Son to look at, otherwise, she would have gone crazy listening to those boring heavenly books every day.
Lin Qingluo glanced at the three dispirited girls from the general’s family with sympathy, sighed quietly, and focused on the lecture.
*
On the 16th day of the first month, Lin Jinyu took his four brothers, bade farewell to their elders, and returned to Mystic Canyon.
Feng Yi accompanied his mother and sister on the journey, escorting them back.
Wang Meng and Shitou stayed behind, responsible for supervising the six young boys’ martial arts training in the Duke’s residence.
Little Twelve and Little Thirteen also happily joined the martial arts training under their brothers’ lead.
The two young boys imitated their brothers’ movements, practicing the Lin Clan’s basic martial arts techniques. Their clumsy and cute appearance made the entire Martial Arts Arena burst into laughter.
Once the New Year passed, Lin Yixuan couldn’t stay in the palace any longer, so he sneaked out of the palace under various pretenses and came to Duke of Zhen’s residence to practice martial arts with Wang Meng and Shitou.
During her breaks from studying, Lin Qingluo also came to the Martial Arts Arena to stretch her body and teach the teenagers.
With her brothers away, she was the eldest sister.
The six younger brothers were very obedient.
Whenever their sister came to the Martial Arts Arena, they would joyfully gather around her, like six happy little horses, frolicking around her.
Little Eight Lin Jinhao was eleven years old, and Little Nine Lin Jinlei was ten. The two believed their martial arts skills were top-notch among the brothers, so they often entangled their sister to spar with them when their brothers were not around.
Pretending to learn from each other, they couldn’t even touch the corner of their sister’s clothes.
However, the two were not discouraged and became more motivated after every failure, displaying the Lin Clan’s characteristic fearless spirit.
**
Wei Shumin was very considerate and grateful for Lin Qingluo’s kindness to her. She took great care of her little mistress’s diet and daily life.
Lin Qingluo often joked with her, saying that a ten-year-old girl was worrying like a thirty-year-old aunt.
If one didn’t know better, they would think she was her sister!
Zizhu was still as carefree as ever, following Wei Shumin around every day, happily circling around her mistress.
Her simple and honest smile made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable.
With the company of the two maids, Lin Qingluo had given up on the idea of selecting new maids. She clearly told her grandmother and mother that the two girls were enough and that there was no need to add more people.
The old lady initially disagreed, feeling heartache for her granddaughter.
However, when her beloved granddaughter displayed a sweet smile and called her grandmother sweetly, her heart would melt instantly.
All her reluctance was left behind, and she held onto her precious granddaughter tightly, not wanting to let go.
Ye Xue’e knew her daughter was right and let her make her own decisions without imposing any restrictions.
Thus, the matter of choosing new maids for the Fluttering Snow Residence came to an end.
…
Pei Jinye had little thought for these irrelevant arrangements.
Because at the moment, Xing Tian was asking him, “Sorry, Mr. Pei Jinye, but I seem to detect disappointment on your face.”
“Tell me, how many of the people surrounding this place are actually ours?”
Pei Jinye stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
A red dot had appeared on his forehead.
At the same time.
Among the crowd responsible for the guard, a partner suddenly pulled out a sharp dagger and stabbed at their mate without warning.
Silence reigned as slaughter unfolded.
Xing Tian’s voice was as mechanical as ever, “I’m sorry, Mr. Pei Jinye, but this city seems to be sick.”
“Seems?” Pei Jinye’s expression appeared unchanged, “I see you’ve come to understand human beings quite well.”