This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 537 - 282: The Agreed Deal - Misappropriation of Public Funds_2

Chapter 537: Chapter 282: The Agreed Deal - Misappropriation of Public Funds_2

He wasn’t too concerned about this matter; it was just some regional dispute or resource grabbing, after all. It wouldn’t be too arrogant to say he could sweep everything away, but saving someone randomly definitely wouldn’t be difficult.

Li Ming glanced at Dark Night and noticed the other’s casual demeanor, so he knew that he probably didn’t understand the complexities involved. He nodded immediately:

"No problem."

"Then have this Torch Group fix the network communication equipment and buy the materials as soon as possible," Dark Night stood up, intending to leave but then stopped, turned around, and sighed:

"Lord Azure Dragon, although I really don’t want to say this, I still need to speak frankly."

"I hope you can really fix my gun, otherwise it’s going to get ugly."

"Don’t worry, if I can’t fix it, my life is on the line," Li Ming assured with a heavy voice.

Li Ming didn’t take such threats to heart.

He could guess the situation Dark Night was currently facing.

Did he really have to stay here to fix the gun?

He did assassinate a Duke of the Star Abyss Empire, after all, and this area is the most dangerous.

Doesn’t he want to leave?

He must be unable to leave due to some reason, which puts him in a desperate situation.

In a position of absolute power, he was resorting to only subtle threats; this Dark Night was really quite reasonable.

Seeing that he had understood his intention, Dark Night nodded and turned to leave, probably to urge the people from Torch Group to repair the network communication equipment.

"There’s one more thing I need to confirm..."

Li Ming’s eyes flickered; with his ability, once the metal materials were absorbed, he could immediately repair that gun.

The reason for claiming a two-month timeframe was partly not to cause too much of a sensation.

On the other hand, it was because he planned to embezzle some public funds.

The recently acquired Talos’ Heart was still in the Folded Space, really making his heart itch.

Yet, he couldn’t possibly get sixty million metal energy in a short time, so he had to control Talos’ Heart using Dark Night’s metal energy meant for repairing the Star Slaying Gun.

This was to strengthen himself and increase the chances of obtaining the Core Relics.

Then, use the metal energy obtained from the Core Relics to repair the gun.

By the time the resource grab settled down, the timing should be just about right, which is why he said it would take two months.

Of course, this was the ideal scenario.

There were two problems with this plan.

First, he had to make sure he could gain access to the Core Relics.

Second, he had to ensure that the Core Relics contained enough metal energy.

Otherwise, if the metal energy turned out to be insufficient, Li Ming didn’t believe that with Talos’ Heart, he could stand up to Dark Night in arm-wrestling.

The first problem could only be addressed through strength and tactics—precisely why Li Ming was doing this, to enhance his own power and strategies.

As for the second point, it was relatively easy to confirm.

He too left the room. In the broken temporary base, sparks of electricity were erupting everywhere.

He reached a shattered ruin where Benny and Hubert were being held captive, guarded by Theo and a few others.

Hubert was a bit slow in reacting to what he was doing until the fight ended, and he figured out what had happened.

He was beaten black and blue, unable to lift his head, by the onslaught of Sandro and Ulrich.

Benny’s face was pale; the rollercoaster-like situation still hadn’t sunk in, and when Dark Night arrived, he was indeed, very excited, thinking that the situation was about to turn around.

Instead, reality slapped him hard in the face.

"Lord Azure Dragon..."

A rustling sound rose; Benny looked up blankly, only to see Sandro and Ulrich clearing a path for the approaching figure—it was Lord Azure Dragon.

Benny’s body trembled, shrinking back; he was genuinely afraid.

From Connet on the battlefield, he had roughly pieced together the full picture—Des, the entire Torch Organization, including himself, had all been played by Lord Azure Dragon.

Such tactics and displayed strength, how could they not frighten and intimidate him.

"Duke Benny..." Li Ming showed a gentle smile, casually sitting down on an exposed metallic column.

"I’m not very familiar with the situation inside the Core Relics. I wonder if I can get some answers from you."

Benny instinctively resisted, but swallowed his words before they left his mouth. He knew where his value lay; to speak now would be to render himself worthless.

"Can you... possibly..."

"Want to stay alive?" Li Ming interrupted, helplessly saying, "We have no basis for trust. If I promise you can live after you tell me, would you believe it?"

"Hand this old codger over to me." Sandro sneered, his knuckles cracking.

"We could directly search his memory, too." Ulrich added his two cents.

Benny’s face twitched, and through gritted teeth, he said, "There’s a micro nuclear bomb in my head that will automatically detonate if it detects the Power of the Mind."

"Lord Azure Dragon, I know what you desire. The Core Relics are not that simple; they represent the Ascenders’ last hope. It’s not a place where just anyone can walk in and become the savior of the Ascenders."

"You lack much information, very much so..."

Li Ming pondered, noncommittal. For him, anything he could control was all that mattered, regardless of the conditions or demands.

But he was indeed curious about the specifics inside.

"Take him along. I need to have a proper chat with Connet." Li Ming stood up and said, Sandro promptly moved forward to grab Benny.

Ulrich hesitated for a moment, and together with Jesaya, they subdued Hubert.

Only Theo stood in place, watching Li Ming’s retreat. "Can I leave now?"

Li Ming paused midstep, turned his head with a puzzled look, "Did someone stop you?"

Benny stared at the box in Theo’s hand, wanting but failing to speak.

"There should still be plenty of usable warships from Torch Organization," Li Ming stated casually, "Goodbye."

"You’re just letting me leave like this?" Theo frowned, somewhat disbelieving, even opening the box he held to ensure the Sublimator was fine.

"What else?" Li Ming was somewhat puzzled, "Do you want me to beat you half to death, too?"

"Safe travels, and may your vengeance be successful."

Theo intended to turn around and leave, yet his feet were firmly nailed to the spot.

Something wasn’t right, very much so. Although Azure Dragon clearly still had designs on the Core Relics, he let himself, holding the Sublimator, leave too easily. It was too bizarre.

He was no Ulrich to overthink, but the situation defied logic.

Scenes of what had just happened flashed through his mind; Azure Dragon was inscrutable, and leaving now might not be for the best.

"Forget it, I don’t want to leave anymore." Theo suddenly spoke again, Sandro turned back to look at him with surprise.

The words ’crazy bastard’ almost slipped out, while Ulrich remained calm, unsurprised.

Li Ming continued onward, his footsteps leading him into a metal corridor sparking with flames, only two words coming back: "As you wish."

Within the temporary base, many members of the Torch Organization were running around. Seeing their group, all couldn’t help but shiver.

Everyone knew these people were the culprits behind the base’s destruction, yet now they were moving openly within it, and no one dared to speak,

They made their way to the medical room, outside which the loyal soldiers of the Torch Organization were much more resolute.

Seeing them approach, no one retreated, their expressions determined.

However, an invisible force parted them down the middle, to either side.

"Clang clang"

The sounds of combat armor clashing echoed; no one could resist this force, their faces flushed with the effort.

At just the right moment, when Li Ming reached these soldiers, a path had opened up before him, and he walked straight through without pausing.

Sandro sneered, "After all these years, still a sycophant."

Ulrich couldn’t be bothered to respond, and Theo cast a dispassionate glance his way.

Inside the medical room of this temporary base, the basic facilities were clearly subpar, at least for a Level A life form, barely maintaining vital signs.

Within the medical pod filled with green life-sustaining liquid, only a small part of Connet’s body remained.

Upon their arrival, the Firework Apostle and the senior members in the room all looked over sharply,

A mix of emotions filled the air – fear, anger, hesitation. Ted stood up abruptly, his face sullen, "You are not welcome here."