Nobody told me this wasn't a game.

Oh?

That simple?

Sakura waited a moment, but Zuo Chang didn't seem inclined to say anything more; his answer was just one word.

This is really...

Is the next thing going to be "going to take a shower"?

Sakura Karen roused herself and wrote again: "So... may I join your plan, Lord Tenno? I'm very curious about that 'ruins,' and I'm convinced that something I'm after is there."

Zuo Chang asked, "What are you chasing?"

"I don't know, it's just a feeling."

Sakura was in high spirits and replied quickly.

Zuo Chang thought for a moment. It was impossible for him to agree, but he was not in a hurry to refuse: "As the project progresses, I will inevitably need more manpower. General Ying, perhaps there will be a way to use you in the future."

"what."

"Understood, Your Majesty. I hope you will remember my willingness to assist you when needed."

Zuo Chang did not reply at all.

He stood up and said, "I'll go scout out the Heavenly King City."

Mayumi propped herself up: "I want to go too."

"I only have one sacred artifact on me right now, so you'll just be waiting outside if you go."

"Um--"

Mayumi knew this, she just wanted to whine, "Father, be careful."

"know."

Zuo Chang picked up the Warrior's Sword, which was lying across the table, and walked out the door.

……

……

"hiss."

A low hiss escaped between his teeth.

Bai Lin looked at the tiny cuts on his fingers and put down the blade he was sharpening.

He's not focused right now.

Zuo Chang has announced that the focus of the next operation will be to control Tianwang City.

This means they will be fighting against "Arc Light," the current overlord of Tianwang City.

Arc Light, you shameful traitor, the enemy of White Scale!

A month ago, when Bai Lin had just arrived, he would have been very excited about it!

but now……

"Is this about to spark another conflict?"

Looking at the wound on his finger, Bai Lin felt a wave of weariness wash over him.

He turned his head and looked at the city lord's mansion behind him.

The renovation of Sky City is basically complete, and all areas are usable, but Zuo Chang and his entourage are staying in the City Lord's Mansion.

Not for any reason.

Just for the sake of creating a lively atmosphere.

During this period of living together, Bai Lin truly rediscovered the old days. The gentle and proper General Asuka, the seemingly cold but warm-hearted Chief Rose, and those lovely juniors.

Everything that was lost has been regained, and life seems to have returned to its original course. Even the once cold and hard Heavenly King has become kind and gentle.

Bai Lin found someone to rely on, and was also relied upon by others.

He was never a heartless person.

The care and concern surrounding him had softened his resolve for revenge.

just now……

Should we drag them into the abyss of hatred as well?

Bai Lin certainly hadn't forgotten his fallen comrades; his hatred for Arc Light still remained.

But one is one, and two is two.

What does his hatred have to do with Asuka Blood Rose and Mayumi Kazekuni?

If he wants revenge, it should be his own business. Why drag others into it?

"What was the Heavenly King's mindset when he chose to occupy Heavenly King City?"

"If it's just for the 'ruins,' there's no need to start a 'war.' Anyway, that place requires a sacred artifact to enter, and how rare are sacred artifacts? Even the Heavenly King General back then only had ten!"

in case……

Bai Lin is saying that if the Heavenly King General chose to launch the war because of his own affairs, then wouldn't he also bear responsibility?

The chains of hatred cannot be broken.

Involving unrelated people only adds to the sorrow.

"Yo."

A voice sounded from behind my head.

Bai Lin turned his head and saw Zuo Chang standing behind him with his hands in his pockets: "What's going on? A dignified Knight King, a super strong expert of the fifteenth realm, could he have broken his own finger while sharpening a knife? Could that whetstone in your hand be a sacred artifact?!"

"...It was just an accident."

With a flick of his thumb, Bai Lin's wound instantly healed. For someone at the Fifteenth Realm, such a minor injury was practically nothing.

He stood up and said, "General, you've come at the right time. How much of your plan to occupy Tianwang City is to avenge me?"

Zuo Chang glanced at him: "About 70-80%."

"There's no need for that! I can handle my own feud with Arclight; I don't need to trouble you."

"..."

Zuo Chang looked Bai Lin up and down, his gaze as if he were looking at an idiot.

Bai Lin was annoyed by his gaze but couldn't show it: "General, what are you looking at?"

Zuo Chang shook his head repeatedly: "I heard that we're going to take over Tianwang City. Feibiao is training her retainers, Qiangwei went to Youtong City to recruit capable people, and the Saintess went back to coordinate the forces, planning to send two standard squads over. Fenggu works ten hours a day, and these past few days she's been practicing her necromancy after get off work. Everyone is showing tremendous enthusiasm. Why do you think that is?"

Bai Lin lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Zuo Chang continued, "They all want to avenge you! You cherish them and don't want them to be in danger; you should be able to imagine that they are also willing to make efforts for you. This is a very good situation. I believe that the people's hearts are with us, and taking Tianwang City is a sure thing. What do you think?"

Bai Lin was silent for a moment, then said, "I just feel..."

Zuo Chang waved his hand repeatedly: "Don't think about it. You are the commander-in-chief of this operation. Even I need to follow your orders. I forgot to mention earlier that Dr. Electronics is also very enthusiastic—all seven satellites that Sky City can currently use are pointing at Tianwang City! Instead of wasting time looking around here, you should analyze the intelligence and formulate a suitable strategy."

He then stepped toward the delivery device.

Bai Lin stood there for a moment, very dissatisfied with Zuo Chang's arrangement!

This Heavenly King General...

That's so domineering! They weren't even listening to him!

but……

A strange warmth welled up inside me.

Bai Lin stood still for a moment, then walked towards the Mystic Plaza where the Electronics Doctor was located.

Chapter 245 The Book of the Rootless

Within the Heavenly King's City, prosperity remains unchanged.

After the death of the previous city lord, Qian Wuyi, it was expected that there would be a great upheaval. The wealthy merchants in the city fled immediately, hoping to avoid the storm.

But it still has to be the Divine Sound Society!

The high priest's arc-shaped broadcast across the entire area was truly awe-inspiring.

Putting aside other things—

The sight of armored soldiers arrayed in formation and fire dragons bowing their heads was not only grand but also inspiring. Coupled with the great reputation of the Divine Sound Society, it deterred any rogue from making any rash moves!

After that, Zuo Chang interfered and used his authority as a general to raise the tax rate at the train station.

All the adventure guilds, large and small, in Tianwang City were worried. With the tax increase, their earnings from adventures had become negligible. What used to be enough for one dungeon run now required two!

But the arc light has immense power.

The city lord's mansion posted a notice stating that the Divine Sound Society would make up for all the extra taxes paid by the various adventurer groups!

thereafter.

Arclight then rebuilt the "Pitch Black God Statue," stealing the general's authority and directly adjusting the tax rate at the Heavenly King City train station to—

duty free!

As a result of these actions, the number of adventurers in Tianwang City not only did not decrease, but actually increased.

What Zuo Chang found even harder to accept was that the adventurers were very supportive of Arc Light.

They generally believe that Arc Light is a reasonable and good general, very suitable for leading 96511.

As for that guy named "Zuo Chang"...

Ah!

How long can a nobody like him dangle under the splendid Divine Sound Assembly?

If you have milk, you are a mother.

Zuo Chang can understand.