Chapter 559: Chapter 46 Settling Dust (Part 1)_2

Hadrian had left.

The sun gradually rose, casting light upon Aorus’s back. The young man’s face, bathed in shadows, shone against the light.

Budman leaned against the wall, smiling wretchedly.

Rashamon grasped his collar, shouting with unprecedented madness, “Tell me the truth, Budman!”

It was over. Everything was ruined this time.

Just thinking about John’s expression after confessing everything made Budman feel like the world was utterly fucked. He had messed up again, and was about to lose everything he cherished.

But he knew this day would come. He was mentally prepared.

“Alright, boss, I’ll tell you,” Budman said with a bitter smile, “actually, I—”

The captor cut him off.

A force restrained his heart and sealed his throat, rendering him unable to utter a complete sentence. He suddenly remembered that night he met Aorus, the agreement Aorus had given him. Budman had signed the Impermanence Skill agreement, and he could not disclose the secrets of the operation… including the reason he killed! He couldn’t tell Rashamon the truth unless he wanted to destroy himself!

“Ha ha… hahaha!”

“Budman!”

Budman laughed again amidst Rashamon’s furious roars.

How could he keep making mistakes? Why did he always make the worst choices? The boss had always said, hadn’t he, that Aorus, that scum, was not to be trusted. Yet, he had sought out the Supreme Crown… he persuaded the boss to join the operation… in the end, it was his operation that led himself to a dead end.

From the beginning to the end, he had dug his own grave and personally filled it with the last spade of soil.

“I’ll tell you, boss, I’ll tell,” Budman continued with a laugh, “actually, I just wanted their power. I’ve been coveting it for a long time, but you never approved. When Kova messed things up, I took the opportunity to kill him, just like that.”

Rashamon looked at him in utter shock.

“You—”

Budman grabbed Rashamon and threw him to the ground.

“I told you, John, I fucking didn’t want to be involved anymore,” Budman said cheerily, “too bad! This operation has failed, and Wing of Death has completely turned into a hopeless place. I need to find another way out now!”

Rashamon got up from the ground and, like a wild beast, lunged at him.

“Budman—!!”

The captor punched him, knocking him unconscious. He laughed loudly as he walked out the door, shouting amidst the curious gazes of the gangs.

“I’m done! This lousy organization and stupid Rashamon have no future. From now on, I’ll start my own faction, be my own boss! Anyone who wants a change, follow me; those who don’t, stay with the idiot Rashamon and wait for death!”

The captor roared with crazed laughter: “Everyone, let’s part on good terms! Hahahahaha!”

He remembered Rashamon’s words. He brought it upon himself—got what he deserved. It truly fit.

Budman continued laughing louder and louder, unable to stop, laughing like a ridiculous clown.

“A bunch of bastards!”

It was the morning after Demon had dominated the skies, at the urgently repaired official building of Cangshou on the 66th floor, where officials from all departments of the Empire stood in line like students, their heads drooping as they listened to the echoing roars throughout the space.

Mr. Qin was cursing.

“A week’s observations have been an eye-opener! Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I could never have imagined that the capital could deteriorate to such an extent! Where is the authority of the government, the face of the Empire?! It’s shameful that you still have the nerve to wear these official robes and officiate in this place!”

The unlucky fellow in the front row wiped the spit off his face, thinking that everyone had tried their best, but with Rainbow Winged Lord pressing down from above, they couldn’t leave this building no matter how much they struggled…

As for the 42 people who went out last night on their own? From last night onwards, no one had seen them again.

Mr. Qin’s scolding lasted about forty minutes, stressing at the end, “…public safety is of utmost importance! The upgrading of security personnel’s equipment, the establishment of relevant laws and regulations, and the cooperation of departments must advance together. If the Country and the United States do not cooperate, find a way to make them cooperate!”

“Yes!”

The ministers saluted together and filed out. Qin An took a sip of tea and said irritably, “Come in.”

The office door opened again, and several elderly men dressed similarly to Qin An entered, stood properly, and bowed their heads in shame, saying, “Grandfather.”

Qin An’s face was grim, and he said nothing. His younger brother, Qin Wu, stepped forward and berated the younger generation, “Still know to call Grandfather?! We just went to stabilize the heavens for His Majesty for a few years, and you lot have managed our home into a complete mess! Little Qian was such a good child, what has she become now! How much have the other children degenerated? Fucking bastards!”

The elderly man at the head of the line, with a face full of wrinkles, remained silent, not daring to speak. Another slightly younger lady (perhaps over 70) whispered, “Grandfather, it’s Qin Ming…”

“What about Qin Ming? Qin Ming reached the Extreme Realm in both Heavenly Return Skill and Impermanence Skill, sword in hand, wandering the world, he’s the pride of the Imperial Qin family!”

Mr. Qin slammed his tea cup onto the table, unable to contain his temper any longer.

“He just lost one battle to Immortal Pure Land, look at what you’ve all become! Just as Qin Ming said back then, how can a family that bases its reputation on martial prowess stand without strength? Without a strong heart, all the skills are truly useless!”