Chapter 159: Chapter 158 The Cost of Stability Chapter 159: Chapter 158 The Cost of Stability “When I was at my wits’ end, I encountered soone who claid to be a ssenger from ‘Paradise.’ He said he could lend a hand… or rather, he could fulfill my wish.” Chaoyang looked at the mask, seemingly lost in distant mories, “If I had been well-off, I certainly wouldn’t have believed what sounded like a swindler’s tall tale, but for soone about to drown, even a straw was sothing I couldn’t afford to miss.”
“So I asked for his help, unreservedly. As a result, I was reborn. No longer worried about food and drink, I even had so surplus to help those in poverty. It could be said that without Paradise, I wouldn’t have everything I have now, which is also where the foundation’s na originated from. Upon hearing that the New Continent needed people for its developnt, I chose Magnificent Castle as my first stop. And then, as you have seen, Gate of Destiny has been running very smoothly, and the effects of the new dicine are indeed exceptional.”
“Most importantly, I didn’t open Gate of Destiny just for profit; the pricing of the dicines is also very considerate towards the poor. In my next plan to be promoted, I intend to make dical care accessible to every person in this city and ensure it’s affordable for everyone! I’m not a good person; I’m just fulfilling the agreent with Paradise… However, at such a ti, soone wants to sabotage the hard-earned situation that Gate of Destiny has created, to drag everyone back into the foul gutter, then what I must do becos very clear… ask them for help once again.”
Chaoyang slowly relayed the “story” he had fabricated long ago.
Indeed, he had anticipated that the city guard would investigate the dical company, so all he had to do was to disconnect Gate of Destiny and the temple from it.
As a defenseless dical company owner, how could it be wrong for him to seek help when threatened?
“…” Shandela picked up the mask, her face pale with anger, “By my thod, you wouldn’t be threatened…”
“And what about the temple? Are the nuns’ wishes not worth respecting?” Chaoyang retorted, “Indeed, you may not care about their treatnt, just as you won’t care about the miners thrown into the temple to die. These people didn’t die for any other reason but because the big companies designated Paradise dical to maliciously skimp and supplied the temple with substandard dical supplies, leading to an exceptionally high mortality rate among the patients there. These people are the real murderers!”
Shandela was at a loss for words for a long while.
But Chaoyang could understand; the laws of the ti were still very imperfect, and law enforcent only covered clear and direct cris like robbery and murder. As for indirect deaths caused by dical deficiencies and the like, unless it happened to nobility, reporting to the authorities was useless.
“So I can neither accept your proposal nor wait for the truth of the case to co to light. I only know that if I don’t act quickly, both the company and the temple will be ruined by the strife of public opinion.” Chaoyang took a sip of water, regretfully, “If you still have any questions, you might as well et the Paradise ssenger in person. He might give you a satisfactory answer.”
“He’s willing to see ?” Shandela asked in surprise.
“Why wouldn’t he be? If you encounter a dilemma you cannot resolve, I’m sure he will lend you a hand. Of course… as long as you can pay the price.”
“May I ask what you have paid?”
“The rest of my life,” Chaoyang said with deliberate piety, “I hope to build its ‘Paradise’ in this mundane world, allowing everyone to enjoy a life full of hope. I know this goal is far away, but deciding to start is always better than standing still.”
Shandela gazed at him, unable to discern the truth.
After a long silence, she finally said, “I hope so. How do I et him? This Paradise ssenger you speak of.”
Chaoyang pointed to the mask on the table.
“Today at twilight, when the sun dips below the horizon, atop the southwestern watchtower. If you go wearing this mask, you are highly likely to et him.”
He paused, then added, “Actually, I was the one supposed to et him, to express my gratitude to Paradise. But I think he would also not mind eting a new seeker.”
Seeker? What a joke, I am going to confront him!
Shandela opened her mouth but was unable to voice her thoughts.
She finally picked up the mask and left the room without looking back.
“You really did remove the responsibility,” said Ailuodi, peeking into the room from the outside as soon as the Commander left. “Do you think she will believe what the other ‘you’ said?”
“Whether she believes it or not doesn’t matter. Now that a real artifact of the Evil God has appeared in the city, that should keep her busy for a while. If she chooses to trust us, Paradise can have an extra hand; if not, she will just continue playing hide-and-seek with the City Guards, which isn’t much different from now, as long as she doesn’t trouble the Sanctuary and the pharmaceutical company.”
“Then why didn’t you et her imdiately instead of waiting until nightfall? Isn’t it better to strike while the iron is hot?”
“Because I was busy the whole night and now I want to clock out,” Chaoyang said, lifting the teacup and draining it in one gulp. “Even the Paradise Master needs to sleep first.”
…
Shandela spent the entire day in a state of restless anxiety. She first returned to the eastern suburb camp to deal with reporters’ interviews, claiming there had been a serious incident involving the Heretical Cult the previous night; she urged residents not to cross the security line and approach the camp area. Then she hurried to the lord’s mansion to report the attack on Heigang Company to the lord.
Earl Li Qiang was also sowhat surprised, “Are you sure this is related to the cultists? What does the Priest of the chanical Sect say?”
After thinking for a mont, Shandela ultimately decided not to reveal anything about Paradise. “She believes… there is a significant suspicion on the part of Heigang Company.”
“I see…” The Earl appeared thoughtful. “They do pay a lot in taxes…”
Shandela wanted to add more, but the lord had already made a decision, “Then let’s confiscate all of Heigang’s assets to compensate for the loss. Of course, this must be supported by evidence, you understand?”
She imdiately understood what he ant.
Just like the last ti suppressing the rebellious miners… If there was no evidence to be found, then they would fabricate it.
“…” Shandela lowered her head, “What if there really are cultists hiding among them, and it also involves the nobility?”
The reason the four major companies beca the four major companies couldn’t be separated from the influx of capital. If any inquiries turned up anything, it would be hard to say that it was solely the action of the company’s CEO.
That was her concern.
Li Qiang looked at her for a mont, then suddenly changed his expression, his eyes no longer as frosty as before, “You seem to have so misconceptions about .”
“No… my lord…”
“If we do not stop the miners’ rebellious actions, they will inevitably hurt the citizens who live here. Therefore, attributing the cult issue to them can both provide a reasonable explanation for the entire event and soothe the public’s mind.” He put down his pen, stood up from the desk, and walked away, “Tell … Commander, what is most important for Magnificent Castle?”
“… Stability,” Shandela answered.
“Correct, stability. Without a stable society, there is no prosperity. The people need an answer; they dislike waiting in fear and uncertainty, and rchants are reluctant to invest in an unpredictable environnt. Essentially, this matter is the sa. If, as the Priestess says, the cultists have surfaced, then we must strike back with the might of thunder, regardless of whether it’s the major companies or the nobility backing them. I will not be lenient because the cult is always the greatest enemy of stability.”
Li Qiang walked up to the Commander, patted her shoulder, “Go ahead and do what must be done; I will support you.”
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