Chapter 2596: Chapter 2596: Cooperation
"What do you think we should name our future child?"
Longwu snuggled in Julius Reed’s arms, having completely let go of her reserved demeanor.
She realized that once she opened up, there wasn’t really anything awkward about it.
On the contrary, it was Julius Reed who seemed awkward.
"How about calling them Jericho Reed?" Longwu blinked.
She and Grace River were similar, both with empress-like personalities.
One liked Julius Reed from the very beginning, while the other developed feelings halfway through.
The origins of that affection differed, so naturally, the outcomes were different too.
Grace River never hid her affection for Julius Reed, even if she didn’t say it, those who understood, understood.
Julius Reed understood too.
But Longwu was different.
Her rapid transformation made it difficult for Julius Reed to accept.
Or rather, he wasn’t quite used to it.
For a normal man, a woman with status, beauty, a great figure, and a dowry throwing herself at him would have long been accepted.
But Julius Reed was different; he was a cautious man.
Women?
They were all the same to him.
He’d seen plenty of beautiful women.
Gaining a wealth of experience over the years had made him a man who thought things through.
"Longwu, I feel like we might need some time. I admit, I don’t dislike you, and I even feel a tiny bit of affection, but time is necessary." Julius Reed leaned on the bed, not pushing Longwu away, and calmly said, "But no one can replace Hiddy’s place."
"Not even me?" Longwu pouted resentfully, resting her head on Julius Reed’s shoulder.
"No, not anyone." Julius Reed shook his head.
Hiddy held an extraordinary significance for him.
"Damn it." Outside the wall, Silvio Reed listened to everything.
He hadn’t expected Julius Reed to recover so quickly.
With Longwu by his side, the original plan to take out Julius Reed had to be abandoned.
Such a Julius Reed was a threat to him.
And with Longwu’s help, Silvio Reed felt his current situation was grim.
"In that case, I’ll have to take you back to Demarco Mount." Silvio Reed slowly disappeared, reappearing over a hundred miles away.
Someone was waiting there.
"Phone." Silvio Reed extended his hand, and his subordinate quickly handed him a phone.
After dialing a number, Silvio Reed, in human form, said into the phone, "Poison Quella Radcliffe."
After speaking, he crushed the phone and vanished.
Back when he was at Demarco Mount, he had built up many years.
Some loyal followers were inserted by him, and they remained undiscovered to this day.
Even after Demarco Mount knew Silvio Reed’s identity and conducted over a dozen rounds of purges, they still hadn’t entirely cleansed them.
"Lure the tiger away from the mountain."
Once Quella Radcliffe got into trouble, Julius Reed would definitely return to Demarco Mount.
At that time, whether he went to Boulevard to kill Merrill Caldwell or to the southeast to kill Nelson, it would ignite Julius Reed’s fury.
As long as Julius Reed was enraged, there would be an opportunity.
...
In the Taklamakan Desert.
Occasional sweeping sandstorms made the place look particularly desolate.
The desert wasn’t suitable for human habitation, and almost no one passed through it.
But who would have thought that six thousand years ago, this was the location of a great martial arts family?
And Marcellus Lopez, during the battle with this martial arts world, was framed by Silvio Reed and died in the Taklamakan.
Revisiting the old place, Marcellus Lopez stood silently on the desert at Taklamakan.
"Congratulations, General King."
Trent Marsh appeared in the sands, clasping his hands in a respectful greeting, "General King is poised to ascend the throne again."
"You still dare return?" Marcellus Lopez sneered, his back to Trent Marsh.
"I, Trent Marsh, have always been with the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance. As long as I’m not siding with Silvio Reed, I’m not your enemy."
Trent Marsh smiled, saying, "General King, when Silvio Reed became king, it was also with everyone’s support. There are too many people in the martial arts world, many of whom are exceedingly powerful. If you wish to be that king, you can’t kill them all, nor can they all submit to you."
"What are you trying to say?" Marcellus Lopez finally turned around, looking at Trent Marsh.
His feelings toward Trent Marsh were complicated.
This person lacked Silvio Reed’s treachery and even possessed a bit of courage.
But calling him a brute didn’t quite fit either.
"Nothing much, except that to become king, you need my help," Trent Marsh responded calmly.
Having emerged from the divine realm, he’d experienced quite a bit.
Julius Reed’s tactics and Silvio Reed’s deceitfulness had taught him a tough lesson.
"If you are willing to cooperate with me and promise to crown me in the future, so I can enjoy a territory of my own, I am willing to support you."
Trent Marsh said confidently, "The reputation of Trent Marsh needs no introduction, right? I am a banner; whether you admit it or not, my name in the martial arts world is widely known, whereas few know you, General King."
Marcellus Lopez stared straight at Trent Marsh and suddenly laughed, saying, "Very good, I like it. But what can you do for me?"
"It’s said Silvio Reed is dead, killed by Julius Reed at Drunken Man Pavilion," Trent Marsh offered a finger, "Our cooperation would make us the strongest. Next, I will lead the troops Silvio left behind and attack Demarco Mount. You only need to go southeast to wipe out Nelson’s forces, and we can gain fame in one fell swoop."
"Very well, I look forward to your performance," Marcellus Lopez nodded, "If you can take Demarco Mount, I’ll give you one-fifth of the territory."
"It’s a deal," Trent Marsh scoffed, "Julius Reed is injured, gravely so. From what I hear, it’s a miracle he’s not dead. Find a chance and capture him. I have some rapport with him; if I encounter him, I won’t kill him."
"I will kill him," Marcellus Lopez said coldly.
"Suit yourself, I’m leaving," Trent Marsh said as he walked away with his sword.
Once he left, Marcellus Lopez extended his hand, and a red orb hovered in his palm.
This orb was a gaseous mist.
It was also the residual mental telekinesis of the Blood Soul Emperor.
"If I could harness this power, could I sweep across the world?" Marcellus Lopez muttered to himself.
The Blood Soul Emperor’s mental telekinesis was in a deep sleep.
It was a means of self-preservation.
Waking up, no one knew when it would happen.
But Marcellus Lopez couldn’t wait any longer.
He attempted to project his telekinesis into the red gaseous orb.
The world turned blood-red.
In the center, a figure floated.
"Could it be the Blood Soul Emperor?" Marcellus Lopez asked bluntly.
"Can you enter my residual soul?" the Blood Soul Emperor asked, raising his head to look at the intruder before him.
"Just passing by, I’m quite sensitive to these auras... Or rather, my armor is very sensitive. So I happened to save you," Marcellus Lopez said calmly, "I hope you can assist me."
"Is that a request?" the Blood Soul Emperor refuted.
"An order," Marcellus Lopez replied forcefully.
