 Chapter 57: “Xun Qing, You Have No Chance Left.” / The White Lotus Falls
A tall man wearing a cloak and a mask stood in the dim light. Most of his face was covered in shadow.
Father Xun was clearly apprehensive about this mysterious gland trafficking organization’s leader. He had never actually met the true boss of the group.
Du Xun saw Shen Zhuo, whose gland had been pierced to extract a small amount of blood. The veins on his hand bulged with tension.
He held back his anger, his voice distinctly different from usualâdeep and oppressive: “This is the last deal.”
Father Xun furrowed his brows. Although he knew that there were only a few registered S4 and above Omegas in the empire, he was aware that the gland trafficking organization had many other methods. For instance, they could find children with the potential to differentiate into high-tier individuals.
“Have you not found a suitable child yet?” Father Xun asked. “I know itâs difficult, but we are willing to pay.”
“Itâs hard,” Du Xun said coolly, motioning for Ji Weishen to step back.
“You must have a way. If all else fails…” Mother Xun bit her lip. “If Shen Zhuo were to have a child with a high-tier Alpha, wouldnât that child have potential to be above S3?”
“We can wait,” she added.
Du Xunâs gaze, cold through his mask and cloak, fell on Mother Xun. “So, you already have a plan?”
Just as she was about to speak, her husband stopped her with a gesture. He didnât fully trust this mysterious boss.
“In any case, please believe that our cooperation will bring you great profit,” Father Xun said. He couldnât gauge the manâs thoughts but had no reason to doubt that he was the true leader. After all, every time they dealt with this group, they wore the same attire, making it impossible to tell who was real.
He half-joked, half-seriously continued, “Weâll help you cover all traces of your actions. Even the military wonât be able to trace anything. Isnât that lucrative enough?”
Father Xun noticed the man hesitate, thinking he had piqued his interest. He cast the bait a bit further.
“In the future, we could collaborate on other ventures. Donât you think?”
Father Xun held a position that gave him veto power over legal cases in the Ministry of Justice. Such power was completely abnormal, and behind the facade of righteousness lay a dark, damp underworld, teeming with corruption driven by money.
Du Xun had long wanted to cleanse the empire of political corruption, but he had never had concrete evidence. Xun Qiru, this old fox, had hidden too well. To do what Xun suggested, there had to be more people involved behind the scenes.
“The military is already watching us. No traces? You think Iâll believe that?” Du Xunâs voice was cold.
Xun Qiru chuckled. “Thatâs only because youâre too weak. Twenty A-tier Alphas canât even handle one Omega, and youâve also injured other students.”
At that moment, Xun Qing arrived, blindfolded and led by a cloaked figure, interrupting their conversation.
“Mother, step back. Father and I will handle this,” Xun Qing said, ripping off the blindfold and glaring at Du Xun.
“Long-term business isnât about us; itâs about whether you want it or not,” Xun Qing said mockingly. “If you act recklessly, itâs no wonder the military is onto you.”
Du Xunâs gaze, through the mask, was cold. Xun Qiru held Xun Qing back, remaining calm.
“I said there would be no traces, and there wonât be,” Xun Qiru declared. “As long as you cooperate, I promise weâll all benefit. After all, weâre not the only ones in the empire who want high-tier glands.”
Du Xun rubbed his fingers together, as if sensing something. Just as he was about to raise his hand to issue the âarrestâ signal, Xun Qing suddenly looked at Shen Zhuo, who had been placed back in the cage.
“This is the S3?” Xun Qing approached the cage, squatting down to be at eye-level with the “unconscious” boy.
“Father, can his pheromones be erased and replaced with mine?” Xun Qing asked, not turning around. He had a strange feeling of familiarity with this figure.
“Of course. Your compatibility rate with him is 85%,” Father Xun replied.
Xun Qing touched the bandage on his neckâa replacement A3 gland installed after his entrance exam. While replacing a gland again in such a short period would damage his body, he couldnât wait any longer. The Xun familyâs royal palace dance festival was the perfect public stage.
The negative rumors surrounding him had been suppressed by his father, but that was only a temporary solution. The only way to defeat an S5 was with an âadvancing gland.â It was his only chance for a comeback, at least before the public destroyed him.
Just as Xun Qing opened the cage, intending to pull the boy out for a closer look, he heard his father say, “What do you mean by this?”
Xun Qing spun around to see the “boss” extending his right hand from his cloak, holding a pitch-black gun aimed directly at Xun Qiruâs head.
Xun Qing reacted quickly, pulling the boy out of the cage and holding a small knife from his sleeve to Shen Zhuoâs neck.
“Donât move! Careful with your merchandise. That S3 gland must be worth a lot, right?”
The “boss” removed his cloakâs hood and untied the maskâs string with one hand. A cold, cruel face filled with intense murderous intent was revealed. His blue-grey eyes were terrifyingly cold.
The safety of the gun clicked off, aiming squarely at Xun Qiruâs forehead.
“Du Xun…!” Xun Qing gasped in disbelief.
He was so shocked that his mind went blank, his hand holding the knife trembling uncontrollably. He looked over at his father, who also appeared to be in shock.
“Father… we…”
Xun Qiru placed a hand on Xun Qing and his already-crying wife. “Commander Du, what a well-played act.”
The middle-aged manâs face cracked as he forced himself to calm down. “Is there still room for negotiation?”
Du Xun coldly uttered two words: “There isnât.”
Xun Qiru, an ordinary A-tier Alpha, had no chance against Du Xun. But at the very least, he had to protect Xun Qing.
Slowly, the middle-aged man raised his hands to chest height, signaling that he was ready to be cuffed. Ji Weishen also removed his cloak and stepped forward with handcuffs.
It was only then that Xun Qiru realized this was all a military sting operation.
“You truly had a good plan,” he muttered.
Just as the handcuffs were about to click onto his wrists, everything suddenly changed.
“Donât move! Let go of my father, or Iâll kill him!” Xun Qing screamed, pressing the knife deeper into Shen Zhuoâs throat. Blood began to seep from the wound.
This action drew both Du Xunâs and Ji Weishenâs attention. Just as Ji Weishenâs movements paused for a second, Xun Qiru pulled a gun from his chest and pointed it at Ji Weishenâs heart.
Xun Qiru smiled triumphantly. “Drop your gun.”
Du Xunâs expression remained unchanged, as if his subordinate being held at gunpoint wasnât a big deal.
“We can still talk, Du…” Xun Qiru began.
*Bang!*
Du Xun looked down coldly, his eyes filled with disdain as if he were gazing at an insect.
Smoke rose from the barrel of the gun, still hot.
Du Xun hadnât even flinched. He had pulled the trigger, and the bullet hit Xun Qiru squarely in the forehead.
Xun Qiruâs body collapsed with a thud, instantly becoming lifeless flesh. His mouth was wide open, frozen in the expression of terror he wore in his last moments.
Du Xun turned his head, his cold gaze falling on Xun Qing.
“!!”
Xun Qing couldnât believe it. Du Xun had actually shot, and his eyes were bloodshot with rage.
“Father!!”
Before Xun Qing could slit his hostageâs throat, his wrist was suddenly grabbed by the “unconscious” boy. Shen Zhuo twisted his arm, and Xun Qing screamed in pain.
His wrist was nearly crushed, forcing him to drop the knife. It clattered to the ground.
The hostage removed his hood and mask, tossing them aside. His dark eyes were calm and icy.
“Shen… Shen Zhuo…!” Mother Xun cried out, now restrained by Ji Weishen.
“Itâs over,” Shen Zhuo said coldly, holding Xun Qingâs wrist tightly. Blood continued to seep from the long but shallow wound on his neck.
“Iâll kill you, Shen Zhuo! Iâll kill you!!” Xun Qing screamed, thrashing, as his free hand reached for Shen Zhuoâs throat.
Shen Zhuo sidestepped his attack and grabbed his arm, slamming his knee into Xun Qingâs elbow joint.
Xun Qing howled in agony, his left arm going limp like a puppet with its strings cut.
“Die!” Xun Qing shrieked.
As Du Xun aimed his gun at Xun Qing, who was still trying to lunge forward, Mother Xun, tears streaming down her face, screamed:
“You canât kill my son! Heâs pregnant!!”
But Shen Zhuo had already grabbed Xun Qing by the throat and slammed him to the ground. Xun Qingâs face was pressed against the floor, dust clinging to his hair.
He glared at Shen Zhuo, his eyes wild. “Youâll die a horrible death!”
The Omegaâs eyes were bloodshot, his deranged laughter echoing through the room.
“You canât kill me! Iâm carrying the heir to the throne!!”
Even as Xun Qing was cuffed, he remained defiant.
“I piloted the Oracle! I commanded the simulation battlefield and defended against the enemy!”
“All those honors are mine! Hahaha!”
Shen Zhuo looked down at him. “Youâve lost your mind, Xun Qing.”
Xun Qing had long since lost all reason. Ever since he began plotting to gain control of the Shen familyâs armory, he had thrown everything else away.
“Once I get out of here, it will all be erased. No one will know… no one will know!”
He was practically screaming, his hair a mess, looking every bit the madman he was.
“Iâm the most powerful Omega!!”
Shen Zhuo lowered his gaze. Xun Qing, pinned beneath him, was like a cornered beast.
Suddenly, Shen Zhuo felt a deep sense of pity. Perhaps this was just human natureâgreed, hatred. Or maybe Xun Qing was simply a puppet of his own script.
But regardless of the reasons behind it all, what he had done meant that punishment was inevitable.
“It wonât be erased,” Shen Zhuo said softly.
Xun Qing froze, his eyes trembling as he stared at Shen Zhuo.
At that moment, the dark walls around them collapsed with a rumble!
Like a theater stage, the layers of seating rose, revealing all the guests who had come to the royal palace dance.
Each face was filled with a different emotionâfear, anger, contempt, horror…
It was everything Xun Qing didnât want to see.
His pupils shrank.
“No…”
“No… donât look at me like that…”
The fortress Xun Qing had built in his mind finally crumbled. Tears mixed with dust, dirtying his face as he buried his head in his hands.
“Donât… it wasnât me…”
“Donât look at me…”
His sobs were hoarse and broken, tears pooling on the floor beneath him, shining brightly in the dim light.
“You wonât die now,” Du Xun holstered his gun and walked over to Shen Zhuoâs side. “Youâll give birth to that child in prison.”
“For the crimes of intentional harm, collusion with a gland trafficking organization, and more.”
Du Xunâs gaze was cold. “Youâll be tried in a military court.”
He paused for a moment, then added:
“Xun Qiru, for colluding with officials for illegal transactions, abusing his position, and disobeying military orders to harm military personnel.”
Du Xun noticed the hatred burning in Xun Qingâs eyes but remained calm, like a frozen lake in the mountains.
“He was executed on the spot.”
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