Chapter 362 The Only Chance to Survive
Everyone frowned, staying silent.
Larry was a mystery to the new Eight Heavenly Dragons, but Frank and Idris knew him well. They had been with Larry for many years and knew he was a man of integrity, never one to commit heinous acts. Yet now, he was being targeted.
"Why the long faces?" Larry asked calmly, looking at them. "It's no big deal. Being in this position, I took money, and that's breaking the law. I can't blame anyone but myself."
Frank's eyes were red as he asked, "Larry, what do we do now?"
The others were equally worried, especially the Eight Heavenly Dragons. They had just started following Larry, and now all this was happening.
Larry remained calm. "There will be a thorough investigation. At best, I'll be dismissed; at worst, I'll go to prison or even face execution..."
"Larry..."
Larry raised his hand slightly, cutting Frank off. "It's okay. I'll take the fall for everything. You won't be in trouble. After I'm gone, Southwild will depend on you."
He looked at the group in front of him, giving them instructions. His departure was inevitable, not by his own resignation but by dismissal. Yet, he couldn't let go of Southwild. With its 140 cities, it was a lucrative piece of land. If someone from above were to take over, they would exploit it to the fullest, so he had to make things clear.
Turning to the Eight Heavenly Dragons, he said, "You only take orders from the Dragon King. After I leave, if someone is sent to manage the 48 cities, keep an eye on them. Don't let them go too far, and you can refuse any excessive demands."
Larry spoke as if giving his last words, each sentence draining his energy. By the time he finished, he was sweating profusely.
Seeing Larry's state, Frank asked worriedly, "Larry, your health?"
Larry waved his hand slightly. "It's nothing serious for now. I won't die anytime soon. Go rest. I need some time alone."
"Yes," they nodded.
"Wait!" Larry called out again as they were about to leave. They stopped and looked at him.
"If I don't make it, within the limits of your power, help Chloe. She's also been poisoned. She might be fine for now, but the poison will grow, and when it does, she won't survive. If I die, find Alistair and ask him to spare Chloe."
After giving his instructions, Larry leaned back on the couch and waved them away. "Go on, go on."
They left with tears in their eyes, leaving Larry alone in the vast, silent mansion. The emptiness was almost eerie.
Larry leaned back on the couch. He wasn't afraid of death. Since the day he joined the army, he had accepted the possibility of dying. But he still had many things left undone. He wasn't ready to die just yet. But this was fate, and he had no choice.
He closed his eyes and slowly drifted into sleep.
He didn't know how much time had passed when he suddenly opened his eyes.
"Who's there?" he demanded, trying to get up, but his body was weak. He barely managed to stand before collapsing back onto the couch.
He stared at the figure standing before him, a person in a black robe. It was night, and the lights were off, so he couldn't see the person's face clearly, only a rough outline.
"What's wrong with you?" a slightly hoarse voice asked from the darkness, tinged with surprise and confusion.
Larry picked up a remote and pressed a button. The room instantly lit up, revealing the man before him. He was about forty, with a round face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, standing like a fierce tiger. His sharp gaze was terrifying, like an eagle's.
Larry felt this man was not just a person but a predator. He rarely felt this way, only when facing true masters. This meant the man before him was a formidable expert, someone who could evade the Black Dragon Army's guards and enter the mansion unnoticed.
Larry spoke weakly, "Just a little problem."
"You're a renowned healer. Can't you fix a little problem yourself?" the man questioned.
Larry didn't answer. He didn't know who this man was, but he had a good guess. At this time, only one type of person would come looking for him: someone from the King.
He had been reported, and the public was outraged. The King had to announce an investigation. But Larry was crucial to the reforms, and the King wouldn't abandon him. He would send someone to understand the situation.
"What do you want?" Larry asked calmly.
The man in the black robe was Shadow, the top official and the King's personal bodyguard, a true master, even stronger than Larry.
"The King sent me to guide you. You have one chance to survive."
Larry nodded slightly. "I know. The Execution Sword, right? Hand it over to save my life."
"Yes," Shadow confirmed. "With the Execution Sword, you have the power to execute first and report later. The people you killed were all corrupt and deserved it. The King will have their crimes investigated again. The money you took will be confiscated. You've committed a crime, but it's not a capital offense. You've done great service for the country, so your merits will offset your faults. You'll likely be demoted to a commoner."
Larry listened intently. He had anticipated his way out since the moment he knew he was in trouble. He had been waiting for the King's people to arrive, to see how the King would decide. He also wanted to know what role he could play in the upcoming reforms and purges.
"But you can also do this..." Shadow whispered something in Larry's ear.
"This is the King's plan. After the reforms and purges, when the court is stable, the King will step back, and the new King will clear your name. You'll still be the Dragon King, and the 140 cities will still be yours."
Larry nodded. "Got it."
"Be careful," Shadow advised before turning to leave.
Larry lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around his fingers. After finishing it, he struggled to stand, leaning against the wall to reach the fridge. He took out a bottle of water and returned to the couch. He tried to open the bottle but was too weak. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't twist the cap off.
He laughed at himself. "Larry, you call yourself a healer, but you can't even fix your own body. I hope I live to see the new King take the throne. If the world is at peace, I won't have any regrets."
He tossed the water aside, too weak to return to his room, and fell asleep on the couch.
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