"From that day on, I swore to God, even if I fall into Hell, I must find the murderer and tear him to pieces!"
Fang Cheng leaned against the throne, quietly listening as Shanks unveiled this bloody scar.
His face was hidden in the shadows cast by the light, showing little emotion.
In this chaotic and dark mutant world, strength and desire are intertwined.
Who among us hasn’t carried secret sha and blood debts?
Why should I be any different?
Fang Cheng’s gaze darkened slightly, resting his hands on the armrests, he spoke coldly:
"Who is the murderer?"
Shanks slowly straightened his back from the ground, raising his face.
His features tightened with extre hatred, his gaze fierce as a beast cornered:
"It’s definitely that man in the gray trench coat! And my brother, worse than a beast!"
"I don’t know that man’s real na, but I know he founded a mysterious organization, recruiting top-notch mutants worldwide."
"Back then, when I was handling family affairs, I searched the entire castle but couldn’t find my brother’s body."
"However, I found a half-burned diary in his room’s desk."
With tear-streaked face and a slightly trembling voice, Shanks said:
"That diary recorded the na of that organization."
"What organization?"
Fang Cheng’s eyes flickered, then he asked.
"Id-eal-Land!"
Shanks, gritting his teeth, forced out the words slowly through clenched teeth.
Hearing this na, Fang Cheng’s fingers clenched tightly around the armrest, leaving shallow marks on the pure gold surface.
Then he slowly raised his eyes, a sharp glint in his gaze:
"What else was recorded in the diary?"
Seeing Fang Cheng’s apparent interest in this organization, Shanks furrowed his brow and scoured his mories carefully:
"After all, it was a fragntary diary, with lots of scattered contents. In between fragnted phrases, my brother often fervently repeated a phrase, they want to destroy the decaying order and create a wonderful New World."
"He also wrote: ’The ants of the old era are unworthy to walk with dragons, only by washing the earth with blood can the true Ideal Land be ushered in...’"
Recalling details intently, Shanks then added:
"Besides those mad ravings, the diary ntioned several place nas. The Frozen Tundra in Siberia, the Amazon Rainforest in South Arica, and Xia Country, East Capital..."
At this, Shanks’ tone deepened, looking at Fang Cheng:
"The diary ntioned the East Capital area as one of their main bases, concealing sothing they deeply desire, and mbers of the organization often operate there secretly."
Shanks took a deep breath, wiping tears from his face, he continued:
"In the past fifteen years, for revenge, I’ve wandered the world, crawling and struggling in the underground Black Market, chasing their traces like a dog."
"Until half a year ago, I stumbled upon news. The Ideal Land seems to be secretly engaging with Xia Country’s military high command, collaborating on so dangerous experintal project."
"And the Bloodthorn rcenary Corps has long been Xia Country’s stealthy hand, handling various unspeakable dirty work for them."
Shanks clenched his fist, bones cracking with a "crack" sound:
"So, I changed my appearance and actively joined the Bloodthorn rcenary Corps, working for them."
"I just wanted to use this relationship to trace the source, approach the military high command, and ultimately uncover the truth about Ideal Land, finding that man and my possibly still alive brother!"
Here, Shanks’ voice suddenly stopped.
He opened his mouth, montarily at a loss for words.
The atmosphere in the vast hall beca subtly nuanced.
Reality is often filled with dramatic irony.
Shanks endured and lay dormant for a year, just about to touch core secrets.
Yet, a week ago, on that night at the Silver Wing Building rooftop, he encountered the sudden ergence of Fang Cheng.
Leading mbers of the Illuminati, Fang Cheng uprooted the entire Bloodthorn rcenary Corps with overwhelming force, leaving no one alive.
Shanks’ scarcely established connection was also brutally severed by Fang Cheng’s fists.
After a mont of silence, Shanks’ face didn’t show any grievance.
He simply lowered his eyes again, staring at the marble floor underfoot.
Having just vented, his mood seemingly cald down, he slowly spoke:
"Chairman, over the fifteen years of investigation, the deeper I dig, the more I sense the terror of Ideal Land."
"That organization is like a behemoth lurking in the deep sea, its influence spanning the globe. And that man is as formidable as a legendary Demon God."
Then, Shanks raised his head again, eting Fang Cheng’s calm gaze, and said resolutely:
"If you think, to provoke such terrifying enemies for a newcor like would bring doom to the Illuminati, I won’t insist on you avenging ."
Straightening his back, he pressed his right hand firmly on his left chest again:
"The vow Shanks made just now is irrevocable, I remain willing to serve you, as your most loyal servant!"
Fang Cheng sat high on the throne, his gaze serene as water, looking at the red-haired man kneeling at the steps below.
As the man’s emotions fluctuated, he spoke with solemnity, his voice echoing with authority within the hall:
"I don’t care who you were, or what enemies you have."
"Once you join the Illuminati, you are mine, and your enemies are mine as well."
"Whether monsters lurking in the dark, nobles in reality, or that organization called Ideal Land, without my permission, none shall take your life."
"Even if the sky falls, I, as the leader, will bear it first!"
These firm and succinct words hamred into Shanks’ heart.
The domineering and protective aura made this fugitive, who licked blood off knives year-round, his eyes instantly tinged red.
"Chairman... Shank... Shanks, willing to die for you!"
Trembling with excitent, choking with emotion, he could barely speak.
Then, he raised his head high, staring at the figure on the steps, making a resolute vow once more:
"From now on, you are my one and only lord, my only sun!"
"The sword in my hand will clear every obstacle for you, as long as your blade points, even if it leads to the Abyss, I will fight for you until my last drop of blood!"
The vows resonated among the stone pillars, lingering for a long ti, as if becoming an eternal imprint carved deep in the hall.
Fang Cheng nodded slightly, graciously accepting this weighty "Destiny Contract."
Seeing this, Shanks finally let his tense body completely relax.
He took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his surging emotions.
Suddenly, rembering the only token he currently held, he hastily added:
"Chairman, the secret account of the Masked Guest at the Swiss Bank, I can tell you now, the password is..."
"No need to tell ."
Fang Cheng raised his hand, waving casually to interrupt him:
"Tomorrow, when the Professor checks your wounds, tell him directly, and let him handle that money entirely."
Shanks froze for a mont, then nodded heavily:
"Yes, understood, sir."
Fang Cheng watched the edges of his phantom consciousness flickering slightly.
This was clearly a sign of recovering from serious injury with unstable Spirit.
"Your physical injuries haven’t healed yet, your consciousness shouldn’t stay detached for too long."
Fang Cheng waved his sleeve, causing a breeze to lift Shanks from the foot of the steps:
"Go back and rest, heal up, there will be plenty for you to do later."
"Understood."
With a solemn expression, Shanks made a deeply respectful bow.
In the next mont, his figure transford into countless golden light points, dissipating swiftly within the colorful shadows, leaving this Inner World.
The great hall reverted to its spacious and silent state.
Fang Cheng remained seated on the Golden Throne.
He looked up, his gaze cast towards the deep starry sky of the do.
The originally marginalized and dim Star, at this mont, had broken from its previous trajectory.
It traversed the starry sea, firmly settling in the center of the sky.
Close to the golden sun representing Fang Cheng, it emitted exceptionally bright brilliance.
"It’s indeed effective..."
The corners of Fang Cheng’s mouth slightly tilted upward, he murmured softly.
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