Free Web NovelChapter 410: Chapter 27: Xie, can you translate what the New Era means?
After leaving the third level, inside the massive elevator, Bai Wu pondered two matters.
"The captain still hasn’t returned, and judging by the time that’s passed, he has been surviving outside the tower for seventy days. Even during the decades I spent soul wandering from drinking Well Water, there were few instances of such extended continuous time..."
What if Gu Qingyu is dead?
When Bai Wu mentioned this possibility to Jian Xi, it wasn’t out of the blue. Even with absolute confidence in the captain, the passage of seventy days made it impossible not to worry.
But with the vastness outside the High Tower, where to even start looking? If the captain is still alive, how has he endured the past seventy days?
Could he have encountered another stroke of luck?
The second matter.
Since drinking the Well Water, Bai Wu had discovered that he could control the power of the Evil Fallen. He used the Obliteration Black Hole against Jing Wu and Jing Er.
This meant that the Well Water had twisted a boundary value.
This boundary value put Bai Wu in a state that was not quite Semi-Evil Fallen, yet he possessed their capabilities, and there might even be more possibilities.
Red Lotus Karmic Flame, Evil Fallen entries, and even Guardian Spirits—things that should not exist in the High Tower, Bai Wu found he could use all of them.
Only the Angel Envoy still could not establish a connection with Zero within the High Tower.
Zero’s technology could establish communication outside the tower, but the High Tower’s location seemed too remote?
Bai Wu didn’t ponder for too long and soon arrived at the fifth level.
Xie Yingjie, Wang Jue, and Zheng You were about to engage in a conversation with him.
Just like hundreds of years ago, after killing their opponents, they would begin to discuss how to divide the world among themselves.
Bai Wu found it dull, but he had to go.
His speed was fast, and it wasn’t long before he arrived inside the Xie Family’s tech building.
Zheng You, Wang Jue, and Xie Yingjie were already waiting for him there.
From Bai Wu’s appearance to dealing with the Pang Family and then the Qin and Liu Families, he had hardly delayed, and now the fate of the two Pang members, Pang Hai and Pang Li, was unknown, having been taken by Cain.
As for what Cain did with them, Bai Wu didn’t care.
On the twenty-second floor of the Xie Family’s tech building, Bai Wu, Wang Jue, Xie Yingjie, and Zheng You sat in four corners.
The high-definition 3D imager displayed the tragic state of the lower three levels of the High Tower.
In front of Bai Wu was a proposal for taking over the Qin Family’s business.
Without opening the proposal, Bai Wu looked at the packaging, confident that this thing existed long beforehand.
Zheng You spoke:
"Let’s not delay the important matters, shall we? Shall we get straight to the point?"
Xie Yingjie glanced at Bai Wu.
Bai Wu guessed what this topic was about, and without immediately reacting, he calmly nodded and said:
"I thought my business was finished, but now it seems you have other arrangements? Handing me, a mere commoner, the proposal to manage the Qin family’s affairs, that’s not quite appropriate, is it?"
Zheng You smoothly took over the conversation:
"There’s nothing inappropriate about it. Throughout the High Tower’s history, it’s been the strongest who are in command. We started out as seventy-two individuals and fought our way down to where we are."
"Now that you possess power that is even greater than that of a ruler, and considering you alone turned the tide, your image is well-suited for us to construct a new regime."
Bai Wu nodded with a smile, careful not to reveal his true thoughts.
At this moment, on the third floor below, countless corpses were decaying under the light, but inside the high-tech building, he was sitting comfortably, starting negotiations with these elite beings over the allocation of territory.
It was a kind of magic Bai Wu had never experienced before.
He didn’t show any disgust, because he still wanted to know what these people really thought.
Wang Jue said:
"Since we’re getting right to the point, I might as well share my views. The industries of all families on the third floor below have been destroyed in the riot, but we all have backup plans for our projects."
"My suggestion is to maintain the previous territory allocations. However, for the Pang Family, the Liu Family, the Qin Family, and the Zhong Family, we need to plan carefully. The Qin Family and the Liu Family’s territories could be given to Bai Wu alone, and the three of us could inherit the Pang Family’s and the Zhong Family’s territories. How about that?"
Wang Jue believed his cake-splitting proposal was full of sincerity.
Zheng You was also very satisfied with this proposal.
Bai Wu was certain to be placated.
He could see that the advice Zheng Yue initially gave was correct, that not fully siding with the Qin Family was indeed a good choice.
This young man’s strength was so overwhelming, it had already changed the traditional balance of power. To continue their rule, they had no choice but to make concessions.
But now, with four out of the eight families having incurred losses, even if Bai Wu monopolized the possessions of two families, on the whole, they still came out ahead.
Therefore, Zheng You quickly said:
"I think it’s quite reasonable. Professor Xie, what do you think?"
Xie Yingjie didn’t speak. He didn’t have the skill to avoid harm or the endless vigor, neither the intuition to dodge danger nor the physique to withstand it.
But he understood Bai Wu better than anyone here, and he was well aware that the smiling, affable Bai Wu at this moment was very dangerous.
"I don’t know. Whatever Bai Wu’s views are, those are my opinions," he said.
Old fox.
The word flashed through the minds of both Zheng You and Wang Jue simultaneously.
However, their expressions remained cordial as they both looked towards Bai Wu:
"If you’re not satisfied, we can also concede the Zhong Family’s territory to you. With greater ability comes greater responsibility. Handing over most of the power and business of High Tower to you, we believe, is being responsible for the High Tower. For seven hundred years, High Tower has never had a hero as a ruler. Your arrival will surely accelerate the rebuilding of the lower three levels," said Zheng You sincerely.
Bai Wu laughed out loud:
"In this war, it just so happens that the dead were not closely related to me. When I went to wrap things up on the third level a moment ago, I found that the core members were alive and well. It seems that your two families deliberately offered help."
Zheng You and Wang Jue felt much more at ease in their hearts. As long as Bai Wu was willing to acknowledge the favor, they were all on the same side.
Since they were on the same side, there was no need to be apprehensive about conducting business. As long as they could come to a satisfactory business arrangement, and as harmony led to wealth, not only would Bai Wu no longer be the enemy, but he could even become their shield.
Following this, Zheng You began to outline the detailed distribution plan, indicating which family would own which industry, which family would manage which area, and which family would handle what affairs.
The crying on the third floor below didn’t cease because of the arrival of light; maggots tumbled in the putrid corpses, and the smell of charred buildings continued to waft in the air.
A little girl walked down the street, long having lost any trace of her parents. The so-called arrival of light was nothing but the unveiling of fear that had been hidden behind a curtain of darkness, now laid bare for all to see.
Wang Jue was adept at gauging people’s words and expressions, especially with her ability to avoid harm. At this moment, she didn’t sense anything amiss about Bai Wu, which made her even more certain that this business talk could be successful.
It wasn’t until Zheng You finally said, "The Investigation Corps could also use a revamp, or why not rename it the Exploratory Legion? In any case, it’s still under your control," that she felt reassured.
Before that, in terms of catering, manufacturing, supervising, and banking institutions, Zheng You had offered a very detailed plan, and he was excited.
The expansion of power was always exciting.
But just when Zheng You and Wang Jue were pleased, Bai Wu’s expression gradually became calm:
"I thank you for your care, allowing my friend to survive. And today, I confirmed something."
Wang Jue felt a pang of unease, always feeling that Bai Wu’s tone was about to change.
Indeed, her ability to avoid harm did not spare her this time, her bad premonition came true:
"It turns out... killing rulers isn’t too difficult after all."
Zheng You’s face changed, and he quickly piled on a smile:
"Hahahahaha... Bai, my young friend, indeed a rare talent we’ve seen in recent years."
"Maybe. Although I don’t regret my choice, the events of the past thirty days have enlightened me. Since rulers aren’t that hard to kill, why shouldn’t I kill you?"
Bai Wu’s hands were crossed as she watched Wang Jue and Zheng You with a smile reminiscent of Bai Yuan’s.
Xie Yingjie was still expressionless, with none of the expected composure, nor the surprise of the unexpected. His face was just an iron mask, showing no emotion.
Bai Wu said:
"It’s really nice to hedge your bets. If I hadn’t returned, you would still be sitting here today, with Qin Ye as the new target. You’d be discussing how to divide up the Yan Family, Zhong Family, and Xie Family."
"Then you’d detail the tasks, industries, and territories each family is responsible for. Very nice. I even wonder, how would you describe this day?"
"Ah, perhaps in the future, you would call it a new era of the High Tower?" fгeewebnovёl.com
"How ironic. The train of human civilization finally emerges from the tunnel, but where would the passengers know the tracks are circular, that the so-called new era is just a return to the starting point of the old era, that the so-called revolution brings no systemic or structural changes, just five people high above, changing seats."
"Some lose their place, others’ seats widen. Is this the new era? If this is the change my team leader sought, just moving the rulers’ behinds to another seat, then it’s an utter insult to a hero like him!"
"Old Xie, translate for me, what’s called the new era?"
After Bai Wu’s spirited speech, she turned towards Xie Yingjie.
Xie Yingjie was now very clear about Bai Wu’s thoughts:
"Could there be anyone who doesn’t know what the new era means?"
"I want you to translate for me, what the hell is the new era!"
The huge sword "Envy" was fiercely slammed by Bai Wu onto the exquisite 3D projection table. The expensive table instantly cracked. The city division map displayed on the table immediately lost all light and shadow.
Bang!
Wang Jue and Zheng You were actually shaken.
Xie Yingjie said:
"The new era should be about the rebuilding of social classes, the optimization of systems, the redistribution of power, the breaking down of inherent class barriers. Not a reprint of the old era."
"That’s what the hell is called a new era." Bai Wu clapped.
Wang Jue and Zheng You were feeling uneasy.
"Wang Jue, Zheng You. Although you bet on both sides and I really dislike such people, my friends did indeed survive thanks to you. In consideration of them, I won’t kill you, and I might even let you keep your positions."
"But before you establish a new system that I recognize, you better not think about dividing up the wealth. So next, how about I do the distribution, regarding the reconstruction of the three bottom levels of the High Tower, regarding post-war compensation."
"The talent selection system will be handled by the Xie Family and Yan Family, your Wang Family and Zheng Family can keep your businesses. As for the other families, I’m indifferent. Whether you want to annex or trade them, it’s none of my concern, and I don’t care about the future of the High Tower at all, but from today on, you are no longer emperors within the High Tower, at best, you’re just the operators with more power."
Bai Wu stood up; this tedious meeting was over for her.
Sweat had actually broken out on Zheng You’s forehead.
Bai Wu recognized Wang Jue, although the first time she met Wang Jue, Wang had been wearing a veil.
But in front of Prayle’s Eye, there was no disguise. If there were, it would only be a riddle wrapped in the enigma of Prayle’s Eye.
Bai Wu stood beside Wang Jue:
"Your Talent Sequence is quite interesting, Evasion. So guess, will I kill you now, or not?"
Wang Jue’s pupils shuddered.
The tangible murderous intent made her feel a bit suffocated, she did not doubt that Bai Wu would draw his sword the next second.
Evasion seemed to lose its effect at that moment; she actually could not feel Bai Wu’s inclinations at all.
Her usually accurate intuition suddenly failed to function entirely.
Bai Wu patted Wang Jue’s shoulder:
"Remember one thing, I, Bai Wu, am a man of my word. I’ve said that I would be grateful to the Wang Family for having saved my friend. But this debt of gratitude only applies once."
Bai Wu walked away.
Wang Jue suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
This man seemed to have already transcended the laws of cause and effect, when he asked a question that was so simple that even Xie Yingjie and Zheng You knew the answer...
Wang Jue found herself unable to reply.
In that moment, she truly believed something... Bai Wu was going to kill her.
A long time after Bai Wu had left, silence in the room finally broke.
Zheng You said with a bitter smile:
"I originally thought that in this game, you and I were the biggest winners, but now it seems like all the scheming was in vain."
"You always knew who he was." Wang Jue looked at Xie Yingjie, her gaze somewhat resentful.
Xie Yingjie rarely felt the emotion of being ’satisfied’ any longer, but he had to say, at this moment, looking at Wang Jue’s expression, he felt a sensation more pleasurable than killing Qin Ye.
"Yes, I always knew what kind of person he was. You all think that he built the refuge and killed the rulers in order to gain power."
"Is it not so?"
"Of course not, he is a free spirit, and he could be as indifferent to the lives of the common people as we are. But this indifference is fundamentally different. He is unbound, while we are callous."
Wang Jue fell silent, while Zheng You, thinking about his own kid’s transformation, seemed to gradually understand.
Maybe it was precisely such a person who could make Zheng Yue, that lazy son of his, persuade him all night long.
He suddenly found it ironic that he, having been a fence-sitter for seven hundred years, could not see as clearly as the younger generation of his own family.
"Bai Wu, he has never been one of us. He might not be a hero, but he’s definitely not a schemer."
Wang Jue was somewhat unwilling to accept this, but in the end, fear suppressed her reluctance.
"In the end, you are the biggest winner."
"If you still harbor the idea of a winner, you will never be able to be friends with people like Bai Wu. My Xie Family is not the winner, we are only friends of Bai Wu. That’s all."
Xie Yingjie stood up:
"But one thing you did get right, a new era has dawned."
