Chapter 2663: Lian Qingkong
The "unfound" National Treasure, only a small portion of the Gao Family Genealogy, indicates that Xu Huo’s speculations are almost entirely correct. Thus, the Yu Country Government didn’t fail to acquire the National Treasure; they obtained an incomplete part, the useless portion, which can’t be used to negotiate with the descendants of the two surnames.
The elder who could carry an incomplete version of the Gao Family Genealogy and casually give it away—his identity was almost certain. He should be Lian Qingkong.
But this isn’t good news. The Gao Family Genealogy has been hidden for years and is now casually handed to an Outer Zone player, suggesting that the genealogy has lost much of its value, and the Yu Country Government isn’t concerned about the information leaking.
The loss of value in the Gao Family Genealogy is likely due to two reasons: one, the Yu Country Government has found a way to restrain other Player Organizations, ensuring that Outer Zone players won’t cause them much trouble; two, the government is preparing to overturn the table.
Lian Qingkong hasn’t appeared much in public in recent years, suggesting his health has long been failing. What kind of illness could confine such a powerful Advanced Player? Likely, it is regression.
This excellent leader, possessing both strong player forces and political acumen, will surely undertake something significant before his death. Judging by his state, he doesn’t seem to have lost his mind, making it unlikely he’ll let Yu Country descend into chaos. Most probably, he’ll choose to exert all efforts to alleviate the current predicament of Yu Country.
A half of the Gao Family Genealogy has been given away, likely indicating that the government’s plans have little to do with the descendants of the two surnames...
The latter half of the genealogy, which even Lian Qingkong couldn’t find, is also unlikely to be located by Xu Huo in a short time, especially given the circumstances with limited time.
Sure enough, before nightfall, news spread throughout the Capital City that Lian Qingkong was critically ill.
In recent years, Lian Qingkong had rarely appeared in public, and when he did, it was for a very short time, which was already suspicious. There were previous rumors about his poor health, but the government handled them swiftly, preventing any major waves. No player dared to test Lian Qingkong directly, with only a few probing attempts using the National Treasure as a cover, all ending inconclusively.
But this time, the rumor seemed very convincing, and the government was powerless to stop it.
The small ripple quickly escalated into a massive vortex, with not only local players taking action but those stranded Outer Zone players as well. If Lian Qingkong died, it would affect the instances in Yu Country. While it’s uncertain whether the instances would disappear, if they did, many people would suddenly be teleported into high-risk random instances. Therefore, Lian Qingkong dying unexpectedly at the hands of local players couldn’t be allowed.
The Yu Country Capital has become the vortex center. Overnight, ordinary people vanished from the streets, and everyone was cautiously guarding against everything around them.
But the next morning, Xu Huo still went to the government building with Beibao, requesting to see Lian Qingkong.
This time, the government did not refuse him, using the Teleportation Device in the government building to take them to the sanatorium where Lian Qingkong was recuperating.
Today, he lay in bed with his hands and feet inserted with needles, over a dozen bags hanging beside the bed continuously delivering nutrient potions into his body.
"Haven’t I already given you what you wanted?" Lian Qingkong said.
Xu Huo gazed at this dying elder, "This trip is primarily at the behest of someone."
He made way for Beibao behind him.
Beibao looked sadly and disappointedly at the person on the sickbed, unable to speak a word for a moment.
"Good child." Lian Qingkong gently called Beibao to come closer, smiling, "I’ve read the messages you sent several times. I didn’t reply due to personal reasons. Don’t take it to heart. It has nothing to do with you."
"I’m very sorry that when you left your homeland, it was already torn apart, and now that you return, it remains the same."
Instantly, tears rolled down Beibao’s face. Though she had no deep bond with Lian Qingkong, witnessing the hero, who maintained Yu Country through his efforts, in such a state, saddened her immensely. She instinctively felt Yu Country’s fate mirrored the elder’s, about to plunge into darkness.
At this moment, all questions lost their significance.
"Stay here. It’s not stable in Yu Country in the coming period. It’s safer for you here." Lian Qingkong called someone to arrange Beibao’s stay.
When Xu Huo remained the only one in the room, Lian Qingkong said again, "You have other purposes, don’t you?"
"Yu Country Player Organizations are numerous, each with their minds and refusing to bow to anyone. The government paying hefty costs to subdue them individually would be best by eliminating those most ambitious people or equally weakening each player organization’s strength, keeping them from opposing the government."
"Of course, aside from them, it’d be better to take away those stranded Outer Zone players too..." Xu Huo paused, "Once you’re gone, the path for the new Chief Governor will be smoother."
"You’ve guessed it." Lian Qingkong wasn’t surprised and wasn’t afraid of him leaking the information, "Humans are easy to manipulate animals. As long as the benefits are enough, they’ll venture into any danger."
Xu Huo smiled, "Mr. Lian, are you talking about me? If I dare to come, I certainly can leave. In Zone 039, apart from the instances, nothing can keep me."
Only now did Lian Qingkong slightly straighten his face. After a pause, he said, "You have five days left."
Five days mean Lian Qingkong will inevitably complete his plan within those days, or he might only have five days left. Once he’s dead, the existence of the "Illusory Spark" instance may no longer be assured.
"I need you to arrange someone for me. I plan to go to Gao Hui’s hometown, Mie City, to retrieve the National Treasure." Xu Huo said, "Preferably a confidant of the next Chief Governor."
Lian Qingkong’s eyes slightly darkened, "Your actions will take away many people."
"You’ve held the position of Chief Governor for twenty years. Don’t you understand there’s no permanent solution?" Xu Huo said, "The government arranging people to go with me means I’ll return within five days. By then, not just domestic players but more stranded players will come. You can’t be sure that your related instance will definitely disappear once you’re gone, right?"
Lian Qingkong sighed, as the brightly lit sanatorium suddenly plunged into darkness. All light disappeared without a trace, and even sounds were drastically reduced. Unable to see or hear clearly, sensory perceptions were diminished. Being immersed was like being submerged underwater, making the body feel heavier.
Xu Huo knew that Lian Qingkong harbored murderous intent. He sat in place, raised his hand slightly, and the Time Force gushed down. Though he couldn’t yet control the limits of the Time Force at will, showing enough force was sufficient.