In a flash, Bopibi slammed the Black Light Scepter down with force. A dark gleam shot from the scepter, pressing an overwhelming, palpable energy onto Gu Xichen, locking down the space around him completely. Bishop Andre intoned the Holy Name of God, and a halo of light, as tangible as white marble, bound itself tightly around Gu Xichen. Countless strands of energy, resilient as steel rebar, coursed over his body, trussing him up securely. Furthermore, these energy streams seemed sentient, fiercely plugging the vital acupuncture points on Gu Xichen’s body, completely sealing off the circulation of his zhenqi.
A grimacing elder in black robes beside Bopibi sneered. He produced a pallid, greenish human skull and flung it towards Gu Xichen.
Seven beams of emerald light erupted from the skull’s seven orifices, freezing Gu Xichen’s own seven senses. Instantly, Gu Xichen felt his mind reel; his vast spiritual power seemed to solidify like curing cement.
Meanwhile, a white-robed elder beside Andre cast forth a white feather, releasing billions of incandescent white motes of light that relentlessly pinned down every pore on Gu Xichen’s body. Each mote drilled into a pore, weaving a vast white net beneath his skin, utterly precluding any possibility of his soul escaping his body.
“You dare harm me?” Gu Xichen roared, rage making his hair stand on end.
Joanne clapped his hands, a gesture of weary exasperation. Spreading his palms, he offered Gu Xichen a strained smile. “Xichen, your father and I are old friends. I mean you no ill will. Listen to me: surrender all the specialized alloy formulas recorded on the second bamboo slip, and you can leave unharmed.”
Gu Xichen glared at Joanne, his teeth grinding with a loud ka-beng! The green light emanating from the skull held a sinister, wicked power, and Gu Xichen found even the ability to summon Xin Jia and the others sealed away.
Furious and desperate, Gu Xichen struggled, but his body felt as if it were lashed down by dozens of great mountains—there was no budging an inch.
Bopibi and Andre had never possessed such overwhelming strength before. But today, it was as if they had ingested some potent elixir; their slightest movements unleashed such terrifying might!
Gu Xichen let out a low grunt, closing his eyes, utterly silent.
Bopibi smiled sinisterly, mocking him. “Colonel Gu Xichen, it is the explicit demand of every high-ranking official in the entire Federation that you release the data contained within the second bamboo slip. Even if this matter escalates to the Global Dark Alliance Council, we are in the right! At most, we will offer you substantial compensation, but the data on that slip must be made public!”
Bishop Andre smiled brilliantly, triumphantly tapping the ground with his scepter, chuckling with smug satisfaction. “The three constituent parts of the Dark Alliance made an oath in the founding days: any gains acquired by one party in the outer reaches must be shared with the other two. This data on the bamboo slip is something you must hand over.”
Bopibi cackled strangely. “As for your master, I regret to inform you that twenty-four hours ago, we received intelligence that all experts of the Asian Dao Alliance at or above the Nascent Soul stage have gathered at Lao Jun Valley. They claim to be guarding some rare, exquisite elixir against a 'Pill Tribulation.' That concoction won't be fully refined for at least another month, leaving you completely isolated until then!”
All the masters of the Asian Dao Alliance at or above the Nascent Soul stage gathered at Lao Jun Valley? No wonder no representatives from the Dao Alliance were present here.
Gu Xichen knew the truth in his heart. Perhaps guarding the ‘Void-Shattering Pill’ was part of it, but more likely, the Asian Dao Alliance was gathering at Lao Jun Valley to divide the heavenly materials and earthly treasures plundered from Pluto. Dozens of ancient exotic beasts, coupled with the concentrated terrestrial spiritual essence accumulated over ten thousand years within dozens of Inner Earth Divine Lakes—these were treasures beyond measure for any cultivator. The Nine Nether Dao Assembly would undoubtedly secure the lion's share, but how much the other sects would receive would require careful deliberation and negotiation.
Thus, the Dao Alliance masters had all fled to Lao Jun Valley; there was no possibility of any aid reaching Gu Xichen.
Heckumms cleared his throat lightly and addressed Gu Xichen with detachment. “As for your subordinates, you already commanded them to rendezvous in Copenhagen, meaning you are presently alone.”
Those four Major Generals!
Gu Xichen understood now. Ever since he and Du Lang were assassinated, everything had been unfolding according to someone else’s playbook. These people had thoroughly analyzed his character and behavioral patterns, knowing his utmost concern was the safety of those close to him. That was why, upon receiving threats concerning the four Major Generals, he would dispatch Peng Hua and the others to Copenhagen to protect the assets of the Hardwater Corporation!
He sighed, shaking his head. “Don’t tell me Alexander’s arrogance was also your doing?”
Heckumms fell silent for a moment, contemplating before shaking his head. “No, the conflict between Alexander and Tartarus was purely coincidental. But since we intend to seize the second bamboo slip from you, we naturally seize every opportunity available.” Heckumms’ words were brutally direct; he intended to take Gu Xichen’s second bamboo slip by force.
A Senator from the Upper House stood up. He inclined his head toward Gu Xichen with studied composure. “Colonel, we urge you to consider the interests of the Federation! To utterly crush the Romans, we need you to surrender the second bamboo slip! The research capability of one Hardwood Corporation simply cannot compare to the entire Federation. With the data you provide, Federation warships will be vastly superior to the Roman fleet—this is the Federation’s optimal chance to unify the solar system!”
Another Senator from the Upper House rose, speaking with measured gravity. “Of course, we will not allow your personal interests to suffer. Therefore, we are prepared to offer you ample compensation—trillions upon trillions in cash.” The Senator looked at Gu Xichen sternly, as if this trillion in currency could easily buy the man himself.
A Representative from the Lower House stood and nodded reservedly to Gu Xichen. “The interests of the Federation transcend all else. Esteemed Mr. Gu Xichen, we hope you consider this carefully. To jeopardize Federation interests for the sake of personal gain, I, representing five billion citizens of the Federation, condemn such shameless conduct!”
A white-haired, solemn-faced elder stood up. He coughed violently several times, then pointed accusingly at Gu Xichen. “Gu Xichen! You are a citizen of the Federation! The Federation nourished you! Now the Federation requires your contribution! And what have you done? Your actions are solely aimed at monopolizing the Federation’s warship market! Such conduct is utterly shameless! On behalf of countless cultural workers of the Federation, I despise this disgraceful behavior!”
One after another, influential figures of the Federation stood up. They represented the doctors, nurses, police officers, soldiers, teachers, lawyers, judges, cooks, sanitation workers—all the common people—furiously condemning Gu Xichen’s selfish act of hoarding vital documentation and disregarding the Federation’s welfare.
According to these luminaries, if Gu Xichen refused to surrender the second bamboo slip, he would be impaled on history’s pillar of shame, spat upon by billions of Federation citizens for countless ages!
Not a single voice spoke up in Gu Xichen’s defense.
The Senators, Generals, and Federation officials whose patronage lay with the Asian Dao Alliance all lowered their heads. Not a single one dared utter a sound.
The Dao Alliance had no representatives present, whereas the Church and the Pantheon Alliance had dozens of masters assembled.
Their linchpin, Du Lang, was absent; he was currently interrogating Major General Alexander. On the opposing side were Joanne, Heckumms, Prince Frederick, and Speaker Cocotte—nearly eighty percent of the core figures in the Federation’s military and political structure.
A snake cannot move without a head. Even if these individuals knew Gu Xichen was a key figure in their faction, they lacked the ability, the competence, and certainly the nerve to rise and speak for him!
Looking at the paralyzed, sealed figure of Gu Xichen, who else would dare intervene?
Finally, Gu Xichen managed a bitter smile, shaking his head repeatedly. “I never imagined I would be seen as such a monstrous villain.”
Joanne’s smile grew even more benevolent and approachable. He nodded rapidly. “If you refuse to cooperate, Mr. Xichen, you will be immortalized in the Federation’s history textbooks as its greatest traitor.”
Gu Xichen remained silent, furrowing his brow as he sifted through the cause and effect of this entire situation. It had erupted too suddenly, too swiftly. Amidst this tempestuous onslaught, he hadn't grasped the full sequence of events.
Who orchestrated this complex web of alliances and maneuvers behind the scenes? Who could exploit the assassination attempt from two hours prior to arrange something so flawless? Who possessed the sheer power to assemble nearly the entire high echelon of the Federation?
Gu Xichen knew Alexander’s assassination attempt was not truly about the supposed bamboo slip or the control codes for the ultimate defense system.
The assassination attempt by the werewolves and minotaurs was genuinely aimed at seizing the control codes for the ultimate defense system near Du Lang.
But the two incidents had been perfectly juxtaposed. Gu Xichen had intended to exploit the situation to utterly crush Major General Alexander—to make him bear the entire treasonous weight of the blame! However, his opponents had used this moment to swiftly execute a comprehensive plan. Their efficiency was startling: the assassination attempt occurred two hours ago, and two hours later, this multitude had gathered in the Federation Headquarters Grand Meeting Hall, waiting for Gu Xichen to ‘walk into the trap.’
Furthermore, these events provided them with the perfect pretext to seize the second bamboo slip from Gu Xichen—a pretext that even the Corpse Emperor could not challenge afterward!
For the sake of protecting Gu Xichen’s safety, for the security of the second bamboo slip, for the safety of the Federation, they demanded Gu Xichen surrender the slip.
Heckumms mentioned that the spy had leaked the existence of Gu Xichen’s second bamboo slip. Therefore, even if that spy didn't exist, the Romans must certainly know of this knowledge by now! This forced Gu Xichen into a decision: either surrender the slip so it could be properly safeguarded by the Federation, or...
Or Gu Xichen would be killed by Roman assassins, his brain seized to extract his memories!
Seamless. Airtight!
In order to maintain the Federation’s strategic superiority over the Romans, armed with the preceding justifications, they could boldly expropriate everything they needed from Gu Xichen.
No matter how powerful the Asian Dao Alliance was, could it stand against the entire Dark Alliance? No matter how many influential figures the Asian Dao Alliance controlled, could they oppose the entire Federation?
Therefore, Gu Xichen had no choice but to surrender the second bamboo slip!
Understanding certain causal links, Gu Xichen managed a bitter laugh.
He shook his head forcefully. “Very well. I will hand over all the alloy formulas recorded on the second bamboo slip! But I demand a sufficient price!”
Joanne smiled, exchanging quick glances with many in attendance; they nodded in agreement. Joanne asked kindly, “And what price do you demand?”
Gu Xichen opened his mouth and unleashed a torrent of demands; his exorbitant counteroffer stunned everyone present.
A 'lion's big mouth'—what do you suppose Little Gu was extorting from them?