Chapter 488 - 318: Manipulating Hearts (Part 3)
Not long after, resignation letters flew to Audrey like snowflakes:
Some employees, with faces full of guilt, confided their helplessness to Audrey.
Some were so scared that their voices trembled, just hoping to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible!
...
Watching the partners who once stood by her side in battle leave one by one!
Audrey’s eyes reddened, tears welled up, with no outlet for her grievances and sadness.
She found Lin Lang, her voice tinged with tears:
"Lin Lang, what should we do now? Everyone is... has left, the Church Court is too powerful, we can only obey..."
Lin Lang gently wiped the tears from Audrey’s eyes, but his gaze turned cold:
"Can’t beat them, so they start playing this game, right?"
"Fine!"
"Then I’ll play along with them."
...
Audrey was very anxious!
But she didn’t sit around waiting for everything to be done by Lin Lang—
The Audrey Grand Hotel belonged to Lin Lang, but it was also hers!
She must contribute her share of strength!
So!
She began her own actions—
She understood!
To resolve this crisis, she must first let the public know the truth, break the Church Court’s lies!
She made some pamphlets!
Detailing how the Church Court greedily coveted her properties, how they unreasonably demanded profits, and how she was forced to resist!
Then, she had trustworthy people help distribute them in the streets!
Meanwhile!
Audrey used her business connections to unite with some justice-minded merchants.
These merchants were also fed up with the Church Court’s economic exploitation!
Now that someone took the lead, they all responded one after another.
They decided to secretly prepare supplies to break the Church Court’s supply blockade...
...
Audrey busily arranged these matters in an orderly manner!
Lin Lang appeared much more leisurely.
Every day, he just ate, drank, and slept!
...
That day!
Another large crowd gathered at the entrance of the Audrey Hotel, demanding that Lin Lang surrender to the Church Court!
Audrey hurriedly rushed out!
Wanting to calm the crowd’s emotions!
But!
Lin Lang pulled her behind him!
And then!
With a casual wave, he retrieved a small portion of supplies from his storage Space—
Immediately!
A large pile of supplies appeared out of nowhere in the hotel entrance garden!
The scene was incredibly spectacular—
Food, water!
And all kinds of daily necessities!
Everything one could want!
Beside these supplies, was a mountain-like pile of gold coins!
Under the sunlight!
The gold coins shone brightly, almost dazzling to the eyes.
...
The originally agitated crowd instantly quieted down.
And Lin Lang stood in front of this magnificent scene, calmly surveying the surroundings.
Then!
He had someone hang a bounty announcement high, boldly declaring:
Kill members of the Church Court in black robes, receive one hundred thousand Gold Coins!
Blue-robed followers, five hundred thousand!
White-robed Envoys, one million!
Cardinals, ten million!
...
This news sent shockwaves throughout Phantom Star City.
The public, originally filled with resentment towards Lin Lang, and deceived by the Church Court, underwent a complete change of attitude.
Their eyes shifted from initial anger and dissatisfaction!
To shock and greed!
You should know, in Phantom Star City, these Gold Coins were wealth enough to change a person’s, or even a family’s, fate!
Some daring and struggling individuals began to stir—
After all, with the Church Court cutting off supply, their lives were already extremely difficult!
Why not take a chance!
Maybe they could claim that huge bounty and live a good life.
So!
Some people began secretly watching the movements of Church Court members, ready to act at the right moment...
...
And those minor forces that Audrey gathered, once oppressed by the Church Court!
Now they seem to see hope!
They are gathering together, discussing how to unite and resist the Church Court!
Not only can they eliminate harm for the people, but also obtain substantial rewards.
For a moment!
The streets and alleys of Phantom Star City are filled with a tense yet excited atmosphere!
People’s conversations are no longer about accusing Lin Lang, but about how to earn that tempting bounty!
...
The high-ranking members of the Church Court were stunned upon learning about Lin Lang’s astonishing wealth exhibition and the bounty order.
They sat around the massive conference table, looking at each other, the meeting room silent as the grave.
Previously, relying on their absolute dominance in Phantom Star City, they acted recklessly!
Never did they expect to encounter an opponent as tricky as Lin Lang!
Even more unexpected!
He actually possesses such enormous wealth, enough to rival the entire Church Court.
"This... how is this possible? How can one person’s wealth reach such a level?"
A Cardinal suddenly stood up, hands braced on the table, his voice quivering with shock.
"What should we do now? If he really incites the people against us, our power in Phantom Star City is afraid..."
Another bishop spoke worriedly, his voice growing fainter, his face full of concern.
The crowd fell into thought, unable to come up with a countermeasure for a moment.
They knew full well that Lin Lang’s actions had completely disrupted their plans!
As long as Lin Lang wishes, with his wealth and the rebellious sentiment he has stirred among the people, he can even overturn the Church Court’s dominance in Phantom Star City in a short time.
After a long time!
The archbishop of the Church Court sighed and spoke helplessly:
"We have no other choice but to seek help from headquarters. Headquarters is full of experts and resources, only if they send stronger individuals can they possibly deal with this Lin Lang."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Although seeking help from headquarters means their dereliction in Phantom Star City, possibly subject to punishment.
But at this moment!
Preserving the Church Court’s power in Phantom Star City is the priority.
...
The atmosphere in the Church Court’s meeting room remained heavy and oppressive.
Everyone was frantically discussing the crisis brought by Lin Lang.
Suddenly!
An envoy inadvertently glanced aside!
He unexpectedly saw a vague silhouette in the dim corner of the meeting room.
His heart skipped a beat!
A sense of foreboding surged up within him—
He instinctively rubbed his eyes, slowly turned his head, trying to see more clearly.
But!
When he finally saw the face of that silhouette!
His face instantly turned pale, his eyes widened, as if seeing the most terrifying thing in the world.
His throat seemed to be stuck by something, letting out a muffled cry:
"Ah... Lin... Lin Lang!"
This shout!
Was like a bombshell, instantly calming the originally noisy meeting room.
Everyone’s gaze simultaneously turned to that corner!
Only to see Lin Lang standing there quietly, his arms crossed, a subtle smirk at the corner of his mouth.
His eyes radiated a chilling confidence and composure.
He was dressed in a sharp suit, standing tall!
In the dim corner, he seemed like a Demon God emerging from the darkness.
...
"How... how did you get in here!"
A Cardinal jumped up in horror, pointing at Lin Lang, his voice trembling wildly.
His body tilted slightly backward, seemingly wanting to distance himself from Lin Lang to avoid that invisible pressure.
Lin Lang lightly shrugged and walked forward unhurriedly.
Each of his steps seemed to tread on everyone’s hearts, issuing a dull thud:
"There is no place in this world where I cannot go!"
His voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the empty meeting room.
"As long as I wish to come here, naturally, I can."
The people in the meeting room glanced at each other, filled with fear and doubt.
They couldn’t understand how Lin Lang bypassed numerous guards and silently entered this heavily guarded meeting room.
"What... what do you want here?"
Another bishop asked bravely, though his voice was also uncontrollably trembling.
Lin Lang stopped, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s, sweeping across each person present with a hint of disdain:
"I just came to tell you to stop struggling pointlessly."
He spoke each word emphatically!
"Your little tricks are useless against me. If you’re wise, surrender control of Phantom Star City peacefully, or else..."
He didn’t continue, but the threat was implicit.
Upon hearing Lin Lang’s words, the crowd was both shocked and enraged—
They had been wielding power in Phantom Star City for years, never threatened like this!
Yet!
Lin Lang’s formidable power and terrifying wealth made them dare not act rashly.
The meeting room plunged into silence.