Thus, witnessing the end of this struggle, the re-aggregation of Desert Market, and even, the birth of a new leader.

The covert killings that had lasted half a month finally ended.

From within the winding trail of blood.

No, perhaps the killings had never ended, they were just temporary, merely a pause.

And now, before the ancestral hall, leader Chen Xingzhou had already raised his hand, pausing slightly, and in that moment, all sounds ceased, and silence reigned once again.

Only a hoarse voice echoed within the ancestral hall.

"Thank you all for supporting me to be the leader for this decade. I am not Lei Wuye, and the leader's position is not a toy for Chen Xingzhou alone.

Ten years later, if there are talented newcomers who wish to rise to the top, or powerful friends who want to contend for the position, or powerful dragons from across the river who want to unify the underworld, I will welcome them all then. At that time, we shall see the true mettle beneath our hands.

But for these ten years, the Desert Market of Cliff City will be my Chen Xingzhou's Desert Market! The business of Desert Market will be my Chen Xingzhou's business! The brand of Desert Market will be my Chen Xingzhou's brand!"

From the cold aftermath of his words, Chen Xingzhou's face showed no warmth, only a coldness and cruelty surpassing that of Lei Yaoxing, as he asked, "Did you all understand?"

Complete silence, no further sounds.

From the distant, fine rain, the beasts, like straw in the wind, meekly bowed their heads, no longer daring to show any resistance or objection.

"Very good."

Chen Xingzhou nodded slightly, and finally, clapped his hands, "Today's matters are concluded, Desert Market is back on track. Lastly, let's offer another stick of incense to Lord Lei."

Thus, under the stewardship of Chen Xingzhou, the funeral continued.

One after another, sticks of incense that flickered and burned inserted into the incense burner, converging into a shadowy, ocean-like glimmering light, akin to the wild eyes of Cliff City's dark creatures.

Beside the incense burner, the trembling officiant lifted the bronze instrument, and numbly struck it.

Thereupon, the sounds resonated distantly, echoing amidst the rain.

As it had once been.

Perhaps the future would not differ in any way.

.

A month before, at Yingtai Mountain, within the ancient hall, the same echoing sounds vibrated.

Afternoon light spilled from the sky, fragmented by window lattices into countless slanting threads, piercing the darkness like blades, illuminating Chen Xingzhou's face.

In the gloom, the seated, elderly figure indifferently toyed with a chess piece, his voice cold.

"Indeed, in recent years Lei Wuye's actions have become increasingly obsolete, with Desert Market rendered stagnant under balanced forces, occasionally disturbed by a few mosquitoes, utterly unamusing."

The one called Hermit queried, "What do you think?"

"Forsaking the essence for minute details."

Chen Xingzhou replied without hesitation, "Survival of the fittest is the true principle of White Deer, and the survival of the strongest is the motto of Desert Market."

He paused for a moment, then said bluntly, "The wilderness needs no Tian Yuan, nor does it need the increasingly rigid rules of Lei Wuye. I think, after experiencing this turmoil, though it may decline, a new selection will also bring forth many new seeds, right?"

The Hermit chuckled derisively, "That does sound interesting, after all, natural selection is also a part of the wilderness. But what if one day... you become the prey surrounded by a pack of wolves?"

"What difference does it make?"

Chen Xingzhou questioned doubtfully, "Regardless of victory or defeat... the one who sits in that position again, wouldn't he just be another me?"

For ten years, he would at least have ten years, to build the Desert Market of Cliff City into the model he envisioned, where the cruel cycle established by Chen Xingzhou would merge with the wilds of Cliff City over the long stretch of time.

Even under his influence, challengers would continuously appear, endlessly... but wasn't this precisely the essence of Desert Market?

Should all go well, after ten years, he might simply retire, stepping behind the scenes.

The cruel cycle of Desert Market would continue, observed from his overview.

The Hermit remained silent.

The shadowy figure in the darkness seemed to finally lift its head, and for the first time, looked directly at him, "With such determination... strive a bit harder, and forty years from now, you might just become the leader."

"You flatter me."

Chen Xingzhou bowed his head, "The esteemed position of leader is something I truly dare not fantasize about."

The leader seemed to smile, "Then what do you desire?"

Chen Xingzhou fell silent.

For a long time.

As if gathering courage, he finally spoke softly, "When I was fourteen, someone divined my fate, saying my life was like sailing against the current, if I did not advance, I would fall back, so I changed my name to Chen Xingzhou.

All I seek is the freedom to advance or not, to act or not, nothing more."

"Ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha—"

It was as if he had heard the world's greatest joke, the Hermit could no longer contain himself, laughing heartily, leaning forward and backward, the chess pieces on the table rolling onto the floor, their clattering sounds unending.

A black chess piece landed in front of him.

As if bestowing a gift.

"Get out, Chen Xingzhou."

The Hermit waved his hand, his final words to him, "If you can really climb back from Hell, then think about freedom."

Chen Xingzhou turned and left.

Thus a month passed, winds howled and clouds surged, tides came and rain fell.

As the rain gradually thinned and dispersed, the same heavenly light fell down, illuminating Chen Xingzhou's face and the black chess piece in his hand.

From the subservient bows of many subordinates and tamed beasts, their respectful greetings and farewells, everything became so solemn and dignified.

"Freedom."

Chen Xingzhou clutched that chess piece, staring at the gradually clearing sky, "Old Lin, do you think I am free now?"

"Who knows."

Old Lin shook his head indifferently, "It depends on whether you still feel someone is standing in your way."

Indeed, who else could there be?

Perhaps temporarily tamed, no one dared to defy Chen Xingzhou's orders, yet foreseeably, the path ahead would be fraught with countless obstructions.

Doubt, testing, provocation, even challenges and conflicts.

Those who bowed their heads now might become his enemies in the future.

Even though Chen Xingzhou had overcome the odds, rising through Dragon Gate in just half a month, unlike before. His tactics and plans were indeed fearsome, but his power had not yet been fully proven... And those other chiefs beyond Cliff City, might they just let go of this piece of fat that was almost in their mouths?

New challengers would likely appear soon, more numerous, more dangerous, more troublesome.

Though he had already climbed out of one quagmire, he had fallen into another, deeper and larger... How long would he struggle to ascend?

"Freedom."

He scoffed at himself with a laugh, such an overreaching desire, how could the leader not laugh?

But at least for now, the chess piece was in his hand.

He clenched his fist.

No more words.

From his contemplation, he looked towards the gradually departing crowd, and the silhouette of a young man in the distance.

Ji Jue.

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