"Get that woman, Shen Mengchu, out here now!"
"We demand protection!"
"We gave up our opportunities for you; you must protect us!"
"You're backed by the government; you must consider the welfare of the common people!"
"I am the president of the Chamber of Commerce; I am an elite. You should prioritize protecting me!"
...
As the crowd outside grew increasingly agitated, the security forces proved completely ineffective. After all, it wasn't yet time for total chaos, and they were too hesitant to act.
When the crowd realized the security personnel were nothing more than mere decorations, their disturbances escalated. A few unruly women even resorted to physical altercations.
Just as Xu Que descended the stairs, Cao Bin and the others arrived in a hurry.
"Xu, what should we do?" Zhang Hao urgently asked.
"Kill them all," Xu Que replied indifferently.
What?
Cao Bin and the others were stunned, utterly unprepared for Xu Que's order to take lives.
"Why hesitate?" Xu Que shot a glance at Zhang Hao and the others before calmly advancing toward the crowd.
As Xu Que approached the unruly mob, Zhao Xian and the others also came rushing down.
"What's going on?"
Before Zhao Xian could finish speaking, Xu Que had already made his move!
"Whoosh!"
With a swift strike, the head of one woman was sent flying, and the rioters froze in terror.
"You like to cause trouble, do you?"
"Whoosh!"
With another quick slash, the body of a so-called chamber of commerce president was split in two.
"You like to hit people, do you?"
Another sword swing followed.
With every word Xu Que spoke, another life was claimed.
In an instant, the once unruly mob scattered in all directions like water splashing into hot oil.
None of them wanted to die, none of them were fearless, and those who remained in place were walking straight into their doom.
As the crowd fled in panic from the International Plaza, the once-bustling lobby grew eerily silent.
Xu Que turned and coldly addressed the few remaining security guards, "What are you standing there for? Pack up these bodies, they're of use to me later."
What?
The security guards were stunned. How were they supposed to clean up this mess? Shouldn't they call the police first?
Seeing their inaction, Xu Que sighed, "Fine, you're all fired. The company doesn't need useless people."
Just as Xu Que finished speaking, one of the security guards hastily retorted, "Who do you think you are, what are you doing—"
"Whoosh!"
"Thud!"
Before the guard could finish, Xu Que struck, sending him to his death.
Everyone stood in stunned silence, staring at the blood pooling on the floor. How had another one been killed?
"You!" Xu Que pointed at Cao Bin, "Get these bodies packed up. I have use for them."
"Ah, yes, Xu!" Cao Bin immediately snapped into action, signaling his men to get the tools.
"Don't just stand there! Are you trying to die?" Xu Que pointed his sword at the remaining guards.
"We're leaving now!" one guard cried before hurriedly running out of the building.
With the first guard fleeing, the others soon followed, leaving their posts behind without a second thought.
Xu Que sheathed his sword and surveyed the room. "Anyone who sees trouble brewing, kill them on sight! Do you hear me?"
"We hear you!" Kun Shao shouted.
Xu Que narrowed his eyes and asked again, "Do you hear me?"
"We hear you!" came the unanimous response.
"We're not part of the government, but we're not pushovers either. Anyone here who wants to leave, feel free, but know this—if you ever think of coming back, you'll find me, Xu, with no mercy."
Xu Que offered no explanation for the killings, nor did he elaborate on the world's rules. Soon, all the laws and equality would be discarded—only the strong would rule.
Walls, wolves, domination, enslavement, and sin—everything would be controlled by those with power.
Xu Que grabbed his phone, ready to head upstairs, when suddenly, a brick shattered the glass.
"Kun Shao, go and kill everyone outside. Not one of them gets to live!" Xu Que ordered while dialing a number.
"Got it, just watch me, I'll deal with them all!" Kun Shao rolled up his sleeves.
"Xu, shouldn't you inform the government first?" Zhao Xian asked, somewhat concerned.
"I'll report to them now. You go ahead, just leave two alive. The bodies, pack them up!" Xu Que said.
Zhao Xian understood. The less Xu Que cared, the more terrifying he became—because you could never predict when he would strike.
As Kun Shao led his men outside, the rioters immediately began to panic.
Before they could escape, Kun Shao gunned one of them down.
Chaos erupted outside as they realized their escape had only cost them their lives.
"Hello, Old Peng, it's all taken care of here. I'll head to the harbor and West District soon," Xu Que said with a smile.
Old Peng was still in a daze. Just moments ago, he was worried about Xu Que's safety, but now everything had been resolved so quickly...
"How did you deal with it?" Old Peng asked, puffing on his cigarette.
"Kill them all," Xu Que answered nonchalantly.
"What?" Old Peng dropped his cigarette in shock.
"Yes, of course, kill them all. What, should I have left them to celebrate the New Year?"
"That's not..." Old Peng was left speechless, still trying to process Xu Que's words.
"Old Peng, I know what you're worried about. We already made it clear in the contract, and I believe you'll thank me later," Xu Que reassured.
"Thank you? You little troublemaker!" Old Peng sighed deeply, trying to calm himself, "That was a matter of life and death, do you understand?"
"Of course I do. But have you thought about it? Anyone who allows foreign forces to stir up trouble has already betrayed their country and their beliefs."
"But still, it's a matter of human lives! If this blows up, I fear..."
"Old Peng, don't worry. Just wait three more days, and you'll understand. By then, no one online will mention this, and if they do, it will only be in support of us," Xu Que reassured him.
Old Peng sighed again, then said after a pause, "Fine, we're in this together now."
When Xu Que heard this, he smiled and said, "Old Peng, have the soldiers in the West District deploy according to the coordinates I provided. As for the existing rift, I'll close it today."
"Got it, no problem." Old Peng paused, then asked, "Is the rift in the harbor really impossible to close?"
"Yeah, it's too high-level, even more so than the one in Shangjing," Xu Que replied.
"So if it erupts in 71 hours, won't that...?" Old Peng trailed off, his concern clear.
"Don't worry, Old Peng. I'll make sure it won't erupt normally in 71 hours, or if it does, its impact will be reduced," Xu Que assured him.
"Can you really do that?" Old Peng asked eagerly.
"Pretty much, but I'll give it my best shot," Xu Que responded.
"Alright, I'll pass the word along."
After finishing his conversation with Old Peng, Xu Que sent a message to Shen Mengchu, then headed back downstairs.
Upon seeing the twenty or so black garbage bags, Xu Que smiled at Kun Shao and the others.
"Qi Shan, here's what we need. Just toss a bag into each one," Xu Que pointed to the bags.
"Got it," Qi Shan immediately understood.
Originally, Xu Que had planned to find some thugs to handle the job, but to his surprise, someone had volunteered to do the work for him. If he didn't accept, it would be rude, so Xu Que decided to take them all without hesitation!