Storm of Gods

Chapter 158 The Bird Society's Survival Crisis

Simmons remained tight-lipped about the secret castle, though he didn't know much in fact. After returning home, he paid his respects to his grandfather, Earl George. After being demoted from Duke to Earl, the old man had actually lived a happier and longer life. He was one of the few elderly people in Heldan, and he looked listless, as if he might pass away at any moment. Yet, he had been like this for over twenty years.

Old George didn't like his sons and daughters very much, but he liked Simmons and Celia very much. However, when he heard that Simmons wanted to ask about the Secret Castle, he sent Celia away, which angered Celia so much that she threatened to give away all the wine that Old George had hidden.

"You mean Avogadro?" Old George, who spent his days idly sunbathing and fishing, suddenly opened his eyes.

“Yes, Grandpa, that’s the title. That’s what His Highness the Prince said, but it seems like Zheng Shengxun didn’t dare to say it.” Simmons recounted the situation without embellishing it.

Old George lay back in his chair, his eyes narrowing again. "How did you two meet?"

Simmons recounted his experiences in the secret castle, his encounters at the Tianjing Academy, including the major events that occurred in Tianjing, his meeting with Li Xin at the Carp Dragon Inn, and his intentions. Simmons spoke in great detail, yet the old count showed no impatience, even stopping to ask questions at certain points.

It took Simmons a long time to finish explaining the whole process. "Grandpa, here's the gist of it. If it weren't for what happened today, I would have continued to work with him as I see fit, just as a friend. But now, things have gone beyond my comprehension, and I'm worried it will cause trouble for the family."

Old George sighed softly.

Simmons moved closer and sat down. "Grandpa, please don't be angry. If I did anything rash, please point it out and I'll correct it."

“Silly boy, I’m not sighing, I’m happy, I’m feeling sentimental. Your father’s generation was full of self-righteous, good-for-nothings. It’s only because I’m still alive that the Zheng family wiped them out as soon as I died. They act like everyone knows about their dirty deeds. In your generation, Celia is a girl with a good personality and brains, and she’s not lacking in courage and decisiveness. Unfortunately, it’s all fate, and you can’t stop it,” Old George said excitedly. “You’re different, you’re lucky!”

Simmons was completely bewildered by what he said, while Old George chuckled and asked, "Were you frustrated for a while because you didn't awaken your special abilities when you started your first life?"

Simmons did not refute, and seemed somewhat ashamed.

"For those who can cross the threshold of demigod, what is indispensable is not ability, but enhancement. It may seem ordinary, but it is actually related to the foundation. As for ability, who says there won't be variables?" the old man said with a smile.

Simon's eyes shone, but only for a moment before settling down. The old count narrowed his eyes. "Not bad, more mature than before. It's a one-in-a-million chance, but that's the meaning of the existence of divine relics and sacred lands. Life is like rolling dice; you have to bet your chips to have a chance."

The old count didn't continue on this topic. "Everyone outside says that the George family declined under my rule. Do you think so too?"

Simmons thought for a moment, "Grandpa, I vaguely know that a big secret happened in Heldan back then. If you choose the wrong side, it's not just a matter of being demoted. Our family is still doing well. Although our power has weakened, our foundation is still there, and we can still rise again."

"It's quite remarkable to be able to make such a judgment from fragmented information. I can tell you, I did it on purpose back then, including letting the Zheng family grow powerful. There are some things you can't know now, and I'm not sure either. In short, this is the best decision for our family. It's better to live a miserable life than to die. I just saw a glimmer of opportunity in you, but the matter is too big to say. You can handle it from here on out. Anyway, I won't live much longer, so I'll gamble with you on something big." Old George was like a child at this moment. "The bigger the stakes, the more you'll win."

Simmons smiled wryly, "Grandpa, don't say that. Now I'm even more uncertain. Even if I'm going to gamble, I want to know what the stakes are."

“Celtis wouldn’t think that way. The stakes are the survival of the entire family. If we win, our George family will regain its glory, and even surpass its peak.” Old George said with a smile.

"Do we really need to go this far?" Simmons frowned.

"What's so big about it? Rise and fall, success and failure are the natural order of things. Everyone's bound to have this day sooner or later. Enjoy it! That's how I lived, and that's why I'm still alive and well. Now it's your turn. Do what you want. Don't try to figure things out of your own understanding. I'm not dead yet; I'll be watching." Old George seemed unusually happy, or perhaps excited. The George family always did exciting things, and after all these years, the old man felt he could witness one more major event before he died.

One second he was excitedly tossing his hair like a young man, and the next he was slumped over and asleep, leaving Simmons both amused and exasperated, as if he had said something but also felt like he hadn't said anything at all.

After carrying his grandfather to bed and covering him with a blanket, Simmons quietly slipped out. Since his grandfather didn't object, he would do as he pleased.

The warm morning sun shone on Li Xin's buttocks. Ah, it felt so good. He had eaten his fill yesterday. The deliciousness of the ingredients was one thing, but this kind of spiritual energy diet was really amazing. His whole body was full of energy, and he rarely felt this fulfilled.

dong dong dong...

A white owl stood on the windowsill. Li Xin rubbed his eyes, and the owl knocked on the window again. Li Xin opened it, and the owl's eyes were full of impatience. It dropped the letter and fluttered away.

The messenger from Bird News, Li Xin opened the letter, "Return to Bird Society immediately."

At the end, there was a symbol for a night watchman, indicating that it was a night watchman's mission. Li Xin didn't dare to delay, so he immediately jumped up, changed his clothes, and rushed out. He hailed a convertible and gave the horse a two-herd tip before letting it run on all fours. It took him more than ten minutes to arrive at the fifth branch of the Hexbird Newspaper, 309 Hexbird Newspaper, 85 Maher Street.

When Li Xin arrived at Bird Society, the workers in the factory area were still working hard and making a lot of noise. After passing through the factory area, it was much quieter when he arrived at the editorial department. After Li Xin went in, he found that people were already waiting. "Li Xin, you're here. Hurry up, we've been waiting for you."

He pointed to the conference room, and Li Xin ran over and knocked on the door. The door opened, and the room was full of people. The atmosphere was a bit heavy. At this time, the president of the Marxist Philosophy Society was sitting at the head of the table, with Christy standing to the side. When she saw Li Xin arrive, she gestured for him to sit at the end.

“Christie has already told you all about the dire situation facing our Bird Newspaper. I can tell from your expressions that you don’t seem to care much. So let me be more direct. Most of the Bird Newspaper’s overseas branches are self-sufficient in operating funds. If the Bird Newspaper goes bankrupt, you will all have to go back to Longjing to find new jobs,” Ma Zhe said calmly. “You should all have a good idea of ​​when you’ll be going back. So use all the resources and connections you’ve accumulated over the years. The Bird Newspaper must obtain the same reporting rights as the Heldan Daily, or it will be doomed. The tasks have been assigned: one member of parliament for each of you. You must secure them. If anyone fails to complete the task, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

These past few days, Ma Zhe has been working on this public relations effort to expand the reporting rights of Hexbird News. However, the head of the council has a whole host of reasons. Ma Zhe can sense that the other party doesn't want to shoulder the burden alone and needs more people to share it with him. The event expenses won't be small, but you can't have money without being alive, and the other party is clear about that.

It was clear that President Ma Zhe was furious; he even had blisters on his lips. He had also truly felt the other party's counterattack. With the help of Hexbird Newspaper, life was much easier. Otherwise, with the Night Watchers' meager operating funds, they would be living like beggars in Heldan, where prices were so high.

“Next is the Night Watchers’ mission. Christy, you explain it to everyone,” Ma Zhe said gently.

Christie smiled charmingly, "The president has really gone to great lengths for everyone. First of all, I'd like to say a few words to praise the newcomer Li Xin. Although he has only been reporting to Bird News for a short time, he has already come up with his own solutions to the predicament. Regardless of whether the solutions are effective or not, they are indeed a novel approach worth trying. Bird News is the foundation of everyone, so let's not hold back at this time and let's show our enthusiasm."

Li Xin was both amused and exasperated. He didn't even know if his own affair would work out, and doing this was like putting himself on the hot seat.

No one spoke. It wasn't that they didn't want to take action, but the Herdan Daily was coming on strong. Getting the councilor on their side was no easy task; it would cost a fortune, and there was no way to get reimbursed for it. But everyone knew that was the current situation. If they really dragged the newspaper down, things would definitely get tough for them.

Go back? There's no room left in Longjing. Besides, almost everyone gets married and has children in Heldan, which takes anywhere from a few years to more than ten years.

(End of this chapter)