Chapter 1623: Dying When He Shines the Brightest
Shen Yuanbiao was dumbfounded. “Big-Big Brother, what did you say?” he stammered.
Looking at his expression, Shen Yuanbiao almost doubted whether his wise and mighty big brother had gone crazy after suffering a series of heavy injuries.
“I said, either we don’t investigate at all, or we investigate thoroughly!”
Shen Yuanbao sneered. “It’s not that easy to pin all the blame on the Shens!”
“But, this, this…”
Shen Yuanbiao was still at a loss, or rather, he pretended to be at a loss.
“Don’t you understand?”
Shen Yuanbao snorted coldly. “If the scope of the investigation is limited to the Red Creek Creek Project, we will become the target of public criticism. The other eight mega corporations won’t help us out of the situation. They may even add insult to injury and stab us in the back.
“After all, if Universe Corporation falls, their market and profits will be astronomical. Even if they can only get one-eighth of it, some people will be tempted.
“And we can’t compromise with the Azure Alliance. At least we can’t be the first to compromise. That would also be a sign of weakness.
…
“Besides, I think the Azure Alliance is in a difficult position now.
“I believe that the Azure Alliance doesn’t want to completely fall out with the nine mega corporations. It just wants to use the underground black market to show its strength and attract more supporters. That way, its proposal will be approved by the Survival Committee without issue, and that will increase their influence greatly. Then, in the Survival Committee’s next election, they’ll probably choose a few more members from the Azure Alliance.
“The problem is, the shocking inside story of the Red Creek Project has been exposed. On top of that, there’s my attempted a.s.sa.s.sination, as well as people with ulterior motives, who are secretly fanning the flames. Countless pairs of eyes are staring at the Azure Alliance to see if they are brave enough to uphold justice.
“If the Azure Alliance cowers at this point, they will be nothing more than a group of people who bully the weak and fear the strong in the eyes of the ordinary citizens. They are just fishing for fame.
“Therefore, even if the Azure Alliance knows that lifting the lid off the Red Creek Project might lead to unpredictable consequences, they can only bite the bullet and persevere.
“Alright, since they want to play all aspects, we might as well play a big game. I want to see if the fire will continue to burn until the other eight mega corporations and cultivation families get involved. These people who want to watch the fire from the sidelines and reap the benefits will still be as immovable as a mountain!”
Shen Yuanbiao somewhat understood.
However, he was plagued by even greater worry.
“Big Brother, if we do this, won’t it cause too much of a ruckus?” Shen Yuanbiao asked nervously.
“How can we get the nine mega corporations to firmly unite if the ruckus isn’t big?”
Shen Yuanbao coughed lightly. He lowered his head and looked at his slightly shriveled and heaving chest. It was as if he was talking to his younger brother and also himself. “While I’m still alive, I still have the strength to make a scene. Of course, I have to solve all these problems for you. Otherwise, once I die and rely on you, won’t Universe Corporation and even the Shen family become lambs at the mercy of others?”
“Big Brother…”
Shen Yuanbiao looked really anxious. “Big Brother, you have already cultivated to the point of transcendence and sainthood. You can at least fight for Dragon City for another thirty to fifty years. There’s no need for such talk!”
“Forget it. You don’t have to comfort me.”
Shen Yuanbao sighed softly. “I know my own body the best. Over the past decades, there have been mountains of corpses, seas of blood, raining bullets, and cruel practices that have pushed me past my limits. I’ve already tortured this body that’s riddled with holes. It’s time for it to rest!
“A year ago, I was the first Deity Realm fighter to rush into the monster civilization’s ultimate lair in the depths of the Hidden Mist Domain. I acted like a crazy demon, who was not afraid of death. Do you know why?
“Hehe, to tell you the truth, it was not because I was stupid or because I was so n.o.ble that I was willing to sacrifice everything for the Dragon City civilization.
“It was because I was aware that my peak had long pa.s.sed, and my cultivation life was coming to an end.
“Every day, I feel my heartbeat grow weaker than the day before.
“Every day, I can find a new wrinkle and a new color spot on my face using my extraordinary vision.
“Every day, I can feel my spiritual meridian, which was originally un.o.bstructed like a flowing river, gradually become stagnant or even blocked. In the past, I could instantly trigger my ultimate skill like a knee-jerk reaction, but now, it takes me half a second to prepare, and I can barely activate it.
“All these facts repeatedly tell me that I am already old. No matter how much I take care of myself, just like Battle G.o.d Lei Zongchao, who locked himself in an airtight turtle sh.e.l.l, it’s impossible for me to return to my youth and peak. I can only watch myself grow old, die, and decay bit by bit.
“No, that’s not the life or end that I want.
“That’s why I was the first to charge at the monster mastermind. While I was still able to fight, I fought it to my heart’s content. Even if I had died on the spot, I would have died without regrets!
“Sigh, thinking about it carefully, I really should have fought harder back then and perished together with the monster mastermind on the spot. That way, I wouldn’t have to face today’s dogsh*t trouble, and the public would have a higher opinion of me, right?”
Shen Yuanbao looked heartbroken and regretful.
Shen Yuanbiao and Meng Chao exchanged glances. Both of them seemed enlightened.
“Life and death are determined by fate, while wealth and honor are determined by heaven. Back then, for a can of beef produced on Earth, you and I risked our lives with others. Who would have thought that we could live so long and create such a big business?”
Shen Yuanbao sighed. “How many of our old brothers and old friends who fought with us back then, and even our enemies who were once extremely strong and arrogant, have all fallen into pools of blood between the broken walls? In terms of strength and strategy, how much stronger can we be than them?
“In the end, G.o.d has treated me well. I, Shen Yuanbao, have been able to get to where I am today for a long time. The only things I’m worried about now are you, the Shen family, and Universe Corporation.
“Forget it. Let’s not talk about these useless things. The younger waves of the Yangtze River will overtake the older waves. My children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Perhaps I really shouldn’t think too highly of myself. Without Shen Yuanbao, the sun will still rise as usual tomorrow!”
After he spoke to that point, Shen Yuanbao carefully groped around his waist for a while. He took out a pouch that had been washed until it was white. He held it before his eyes and studied it for some time. Then, he slowly extended it toward Shen Yuanbiao.
Shen Yuanbiao’s pupils suddenly contracted into two needle tips, and his breathing abruptly became rapid.