National Guardian's Gone and We're Done

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Is This the New Bizarre Apparatus From the Lighthouse Empire?

「Great Jing Empire.」

「Green Forest City.」

Xiao Cangqing, a newly risen titan of power, was currently seated in his spacious office.

He had already gathered twenty King-level experts under his command. Within the Empire, these were all renowned figures.

They were either generals with illustrious military records or Martial Artists whose fame spread far and wide.

Yet now, they all ’willingly’ submitted at Xiao Cangqing’s feet.

With immense power in his grasp, Xiao Cangqing felt an unprecedented strength flowing through him, as if the entire world was under his control.

He had never felt so high-spirited, his heart filled with limitless hope for the future.

For days, Xiao Cangqing had been busy consolidating his territory. His sights were no longer set on a mere small domain.

He leveraged his understanding of the Great Jing Empire to meticulously plan his every move.

He dispatched wave after wave of spies to silently infiltrate the Great Jing Empire’s Royal City and gather the latest intelligence.

However, Ji Shengyue was not unprepared.

Security checks in the Royal City had become exceedingly strict, and any suspicious person was placed under close surveillance.

As a result, many of the spies Xiao Cangqing sent met unfortunate ends, perishing under the Royal City’s tight security.

”Xiao Cangqing, we’ve received word from the Lighthouse Empire. Their Martial Artist forces have arrived.”

”And they’ve brought many never-before-seen new types of uncanny equipment, as well as that terrifying Aerial Stealth Ship.”

Gao Yimin’s voice broke the silence in the office. She walked forward, holding a thick stack of photographs.

These photos had been taken by spies who risked their lives to get them.

In the photograph on top, a colossal warship dominated the view.

It was greyish-black all over, moored in the vast, boundless ocean like a gigantic beast lying in silent ambush.

This warship was the Lighthouse Empire’s pride and joy: the Aerial Stealth Ship.

Its name echoed across the seas, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it.

”Is this the new type of uncanny equipment sent by the Lighthouse Empire?” Xiao Cangqing asked in a low voice.

”Yes,” Gao Yimin replied. ”It’s said that a single fleet of these Aerial Stealth Ships is enough to annihilate a small empire.”

A grave look flashed in Xiao Cangqing’s eyes. He picked up the photographs and examined them carefully, one by one.

The photos included not only full-body shots of the Aerial Stealth Ship but also close-ups of its components.

He could see the densely packed gun turrets on the warship, as well as new types of equipment he had never seen before.

The design and craftsmanship of this equipment far surpassed his imagination.

’If this equipment falls into the hands of the Great Jing Empire, it will bring me a great disaster.’

The faces of the King-Sealing Level Martial Artists present were clouded with worry.

Most of them had been forced to follow Xiao Cangqing.

Under his coercion, there was no turning back for them.

Originally, just facing the threat of the Great Jing Empire had already put them under immense pressure.

But now, they had to face the powerful Lighthouse Empire as well.

With their strength, they stood no chance of contending with the Lighthouse Empire.

Only Gao Yimin and Dai Ju knew that behind Xiao Cangqing stood the mysterious and fearsome New World Organization, which gave them an indescribable sense of security.

A chilling voice suddenly echoed in the office, as if rising from the depths of the Nine Netherworld, making one’s blood run cold.

The voice was so cold and abrupt that all the King-Sealing Level Martial Artists present felt their hearts tremble as they exchanged glances.

’Could an expert from the Lighthouse Empire have snuck in unnoticed?’

However, the content of what the voice said did not sound like it came from the Lighthouse Empire. Instead, it was filled with mockery and disdain.

”You imbeciles. Do you really think you got these photos because your spies are so clever?”

”In truth, this is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated show by the Lighthouse Empire.”

The voice continued, its tone dripping with contempt.

It seemed to see through everything, stunning everyone present. ”This kind of photographic content won’t just be leaked to you; it will also be circulated among the surrounding empires.”

”It’s to make them recognize reality, to feel the pressure, and thus create the illusion that they can only develop peacefully by surrendering to the Lighthouse Empire.”

As the voice faded, the entire office fell into a dead silence.

The Martial Artists stared at each other, their eyes filled with shock and confusion.

They couldn’t for the life of them understand why someone would dare to so openly insult Xiao Cangqing.

Gao Yimin and Dai Ju, however, felt a stir in their hearts. They instantly thought of the mysterious New World Organization.

And just as they suspected, a figure slowly emerged from a dark corner.

It was the representative of the New World Organization, Guan Sect.

Upon seeing Guan Sect appear, Xiao Cangqing was about to ask about the execution of the mission plan for the Great Xia Empire.

But he never expected Guan Sect to strike suddenly, landing a vicious punch on his abdomen.

The force of the blow was staggering. A large bulge instantly swelled up on Xiao Cangqing’s back, as if a small mountain had been pressed against him.

Guan Sect did not stop. He attacked aggressively again, each punch landing solidly and worsening Xiao Cangqing’s injuries with every blow.

In just a few breaths’ time, Xiao Cangqing’s skin was split and his flesh was gaping, dripping with fresh blood.

”Guan Sect! Have you gone mad? Why are you suddenly attacking me?”

Xiao Cangqing roared.

However, Guan Sect continued his assault as if he hadn’t heard Xiao Cangqing’s furious roar at all.

Seeing this, Xiao Cangqing’s rage intensified. With a sharp flick of his sleeve, rows of sharp fishhooks instantly dropped from the ceiling, swiftly hooking into the back of Guan Sect’s head, his shoulders, arms, and back.

The hooks dug deep into flesh and muscle, even piercing the gaps between bones, completely immobilizing Guan Sect.

Guan Sect glanced at Xiao Cangqing, the corner of his mouth twisting into a cold sneer. His voice was like ice. ”You think you can fight me with these petty tricks? How utterly ridiculous.”

As he spoke, the five fingers of his right hand instantly turned black as ink and became unusually pliable, like the tentacles of an octopus.

They rapidly extended, transforming into a vicious whip that cut through the air as a blur, lashing violently toward Xiao Cangqing.

The whip struck Xiao Cangqing’s body with a sharp CRACK, as deafening as a string of firecrackers exploding.

A deep black welt instantly appeared on Xiao Cangqing’s body, a shocking sight like the mark of a venomous snake’s bite.

At the same time, the Mysterious Power within his body was drawn out by this force and began to spread uncontrollably.

The fishhooks that had been firmly embedded in Guan Sect now began to wobble.

Unable to withstand the force, they snapped and broke apart one after another.

Seeing this, a ruthless glint flashed in Guan Sect’s eyes. He raised his hand again, and another whip strike lashed out at Xiao Cangqing.

This time, the whip struck Xiao Cangqing squarely across the mouth. Several teeth flew out, and blood trickled from the corner of his lips.

The third lash was even more ferocious, sending Xiao Cangqing tumbling to the ground.

The latter discovered in horror that the Mysterious Power within him had suffered an unprecedented blow, as if suppressed by some invisible force.

’This makes no sense.’

’I know that both Guan Sect and I are at the Emperor Realm; we should be evenly matched.’

’Yet right now, the gap between us feels as wide as an insurmountable chasm.’

’What is this power that Guan Sect possesses?’

’Why can it so simply and brutally suppress my own Mysterious Power?’

’Why does it make the power inside me instinctively cower, like a mouse seeing a cat?’

”Th-this has nothing to do with us. We’ll just be leaving now.”

Gao Yimin and Dai Ju stood to the side, watching the scene unfold with hearts full of confusion and unease.

This was not a battle they could take part in, so they decided to leave.

They cautiously hugged the wall, backing away step by step toward the door.

Before they left, they even thoughtfully closed the door, trying not to disturb the fight.

The other King-Sealing Level Martial Artists had already scattered in an instant.

”Why are you doing this?” Xiao Cangqing struggled to sit up, his eyes filled with terror and bewilderment. He looked at Guan Sect, trying to find an answer in his cold gaze.

Guan Sect snorted coldly but did not answer Xiao Cangqing’s question.

He was convinced that Xiao Cangqing was a traitor, so of course, he offered no explanation.

A murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he prepared to finish off the betrayer.

Just then, Xiao Cangqing’s body suddenly trembled twice.

In a daze, Guan Sect saw a blurry, phantom-like image appear around Xiao Cangqing’s body.

Some powerful force was awakening.

Immediately after, a sharp glint of sword light flashed out from the phantom image, aimed straight at Guan Sect.

Its speed was suffocating.

Guan Sect’s face fell in horror. He tried with all his might to dodge, but it was too late.

A deep fissure appeared on his body, running from the top of his head to his feet.

The fissure widened rapidly, ultimately splitting Guan Sect in two.