Chapter 735: Chapter 548: The Summons
Jiang City.
West Garden Villa District.
The West Garden Villa District is located at the core of the Inner City. A year ago, a villa here would start at over a hundred million New Coins.
Now, with the housing prices plummeting, finding someone willing to take over at twenty or thirty million would be considered good.
Villa No. 193.
This is a two-story villa with a total area of over five hundred square meters.
Before dawn, Zhang Dongguang got up early. After a simple wash, he went downstairs to the living room to make tea.
While making tea, he casually turned on the TV.
With some sound, the empty villa didn’t feel so lonely.
His wife passed away twenty years ago, and his children are not around. Zhang Dongguang is already used to this free and lonely life.
Morning TV programs are mostly the news. After picking a news channel, he watched for two to three hours until he felt it was time for breakfast, then simply made some noodles.
After the meal, he continued watching TV.
The time reached one o’clock, which is already lunchtime, but he didn’t feel hungry.
"Ding dong, ding dong"
The doorbell rang. Zhang Dongguang got up and opened the door.
Outside the door was a dry and skinny old man with a sallow complexion, looking not in the best spirits. The old man carried some transparent packing boxes and came in.
"Close the door casually."
Having been old buddies for decades, there was no need for courtesy.
Next door, the solitary Old Li, according to habit, brought over some cooked food and small dishes. The two didn’t go to the dining room, intending to eat on the table in the living room.
"A little drink?"
Zhang Dongguang said as he brought out the bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen.
"Of course, how can one eat without wine?" Old Li said.
Zhang Dongguang didn’t waste words and took a good bottle from the liquor cabinet.
The two watched TV while eating and drinking.
Growing old, the appetite wasn’t good either. They didn’t eat much food but almost finished the wine.
"Damn it."
Soon, the irritable Old Li couldn’t help but curse.
These days, there’s not a single good news.
The Space Gates continue to be shut, and the casualties during transfers are uncountable. The TV station doesn’t even dare to show specific images.
On the news, the number of deaths among participants is increasing. Watching each colored portrait turn grey feels uncomfortable.
The current death toll among participants has reached 317, and more than a hundred have opted out.
From Hua Country, seventeen people have chosen to withdraw.
"If you’re afraid to die, don’t participate, wasting spots."
Zhang Dongguang angrily cursed as well.
Disappointed but not surprised! If one withdraws due to injury, it could be understood, but some have given up out of fear.
If afraid of death, why join the King Becoming plan?
Many want to obtain a spot but have no chance; some forces are even willing to spend billions to buy a slot, with no avenue available.
A spot is so precious, yet now some choose to forgo it.
If one gives up earlier, it could be forgiven. Back then, the state could replace them, but now, as the King Becoming plan has already started, to give up is to be eliminated.
"But, the alien race is crazier this time."
Zhang Dongguang sighed.
"To gather in the ancestral tomb of others, how could they not go mad?"
Zhang Dongguang raised a glass of wine and drank it all in one go.
"It’s a pity I’m old, or else I could’ve killed a few aliens."
Zhang Dongguang’s eyes showed a trace of desolation. Once a Guardian of Jiang City and a Martial King strongman, now at the age of 140, with his body functions declining and past injuries haunting, he lives each day in confusion.
"You’ve had your glorious moments, what’s there to sigh about? Having worked hard for most of your life, you should enjoy retirement."
Old Li offered a comforting word.
He wasn’t a Martial Artist, so he didn’t share Zhang Dongguang’s sentimentality.
"Sigh."
Zhang Dongguang shook his head and sighed, finding life meaningless and directionless.
A king can live at least 150 years, and at 140, he has about ten more to live, but a life without direction is indeed very dull.
"Where have Lin Feng and the others gone? Why is there no news at all?"
Seeing his old buddy a bit downcast, Old Li asked.
He deliberately tried to change the subject.
This topic was also one of the most heatedly discussed in recent news.
"I don’t know, but they must be up to something."
The topic change was effective; Zhang Dongguang became a little interested.
In the Avengers Alliance: Lin Feng, Yun Kai, Dong Yunan, and Yun Tianqi are all natives of Jiang City.
In other base cities, it might not be so dramatic, but in Jiang City, the Lin Feng squad has long been a topic of daily chat and the focus of news media.
They are the pride of over a hundred million people in Jiang City.
Their actions constantly tug at the hearts of Jiang City people. Now, with no news, it’s inevitable to speculate and worry.
"These youngsters are too daring. Entering the Land of Fallen Gods is already full of challenges, and they even want to defecate inside the Holy Hall. I wonder how they plan to manage that in the end."
Old Li expressed concern.
Defecating in the Holy Hall sounds thrilling, truly satisfying, yet it will undoubtedly drive the alien race insane.
Now that strongmen from the alien race are mobilizing en masse, it somewhat relates to the Avengers Alliance.
"Indeed, being too daring, but I still believe they can do it. Lin Feng is not a reckless person."
Zhang Dongguang said.
Lin Feng’s rise has always been a captivating story among the people of Jiang City. It can’t simply be described as a miracle.
Since he dares to say such words, he must have some confidence.
The lunch lasted over two hours, and Old Li, just an ordinary person, felt drowsy after the meal. If not for wanting to spend more time with his old buddy, he would have gone to nap early on.
"I’m heading back."
Unable to withstand any longer, Old Li got up to prepare for his afternoon nap.
"I’ll walk you out."
Zhang Dongguang was about to see his old buddy out, when suddenly, his phone beeped with a message. Zhang Dongguang glanced at it, his body shaking with excitement.
"Old Zhang, why so happy? Is your great-grandson coming?"
Old Li asked, puzzled.
Old Zhang’s most treasured is his only great-grandson, his precious darling. It’s only when the great-grandson comes that he gets this happy.
"No."
Zhang Dongguang shook his head, handed the phone to Old Li, and said with a smile, "Thought I would wait to die, didn’t expect to have one last moment of brilliance before that."
Old Li stared at the phone, his expression changing, and after a while of silence, wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say.
The message was from the military.
It was a summons.
"Shouldn’t you be happy for me?"
Seeing Old Li’s grim face, Zhang Dongguang asked.
Old Li hesitated, finally giving a helpless smile, "Not sure if I should congratulate you, but if it were me, I’d surely go."
The military is calling for volunteers nationwide. These volunteers must first have the strength of a king; secondly, they should be over a hundred, with physical defects or hidden injuries.
The military would protect the volunteers as they enter the Land of Fallen Gods.
The purpose of entering the Land of Fallen Gods is straightforward: to ensure the smooth progression of the King Becoming plan and intimidate the Alien Race King and even the Emperor.
The Land of Fallen Gods allows both kings and emperors to enter.
Zhang Dongguang is old, his bodily functions have declined, and his strength is less than a fifth of his prime, but nonetheless, he is a Martial King strongman.
He has developed a Pocket World within him.
The Pocket World, like the Life Soul, can be detonated.
Though the Land of Fallen Gods may not suppress the powers of entrants, space isn’t stable.
If an Alien Race King appears, self-detonation can result in mutual destruction.
The contents of the message were clear, no disguise. The task and outcomes were laid bare, bare to the point of being cruel.
No concealment, no coercion.
Participation is entirely voluntary.
"That’s it, I’ll certainly see many old friends this time."
Since retiring, Zhang Dongguang has never felt such blood boiling. His previously frail body seemed to regain some vitality.
"Don’t worry, we’re just deterrent bombs, won’t fight easily."
Seeing his buddy’s concern, Zhang Dongguang patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "If I can drag an Alien Race King to hell, that’d be incredible."
Zhang Dongguang also knew he was likely on a one-way trip.
But what of it.
He’s lived long enough.
Sometimes, living too long isn’t a blessing.
To drag an Alien Race King with him to death, what an honor that would be?
"Then I wish you a safe journey."
Old Li said, not knowing why, but this time his tone carried a hint of envy.
