Chapter 38: Apologizing with a Smile?
The Boshart Dike extended diagonally from the bank of the Yulan River, all the way to the river’s center. Yes, this Boshart Dike was truly peculiar, just like a pier. Reaching into the middle of the river, under the relentless erosion of the Yulan River’s waters for ten thousand years, even a mountain would have been worn down and collapsed over time.
Yet, the Boshart Dike had existed for over ten thousand years and remained intact.
It was indeed a strange phenomenon.
Because of its strangeness, the Boshart Dike was famous throughout the Yulan Continent.
On the 16th day of the 10th month of the 10044th year of the Yulan Calendar, at the lower reaches of the Yulan River on the border between the O'Brien Empire and the Yulan Empire, the Boshart Dike was usually a bustling place. But today, no one could get close to it.
Because…
Over ten Saint-level experts were maintaining order, forbidding anyone from approaching the Boshart Dike.
On the riverbank, a large crowd had gathered to watch.
“Over ten Saint-level experts! In my whole life, I’ve never seen so many Saint-level experts at once!” A burly middle-aged man’s eyes lit up with excitement as he kept gazing toward the Boshart Dike. “What’s going on today? Is something big about to happen?”
“Hey, those are Saint-level experts? No way.” More and more people gathered, but those who arrived later didn’t believe it.
“What do you know? I saw with my own eyes a bunch of Saint-level experts flying down from the sky and driving everyone out, not letting anyone onto the Boshart Dike,” said someone who had arrived early and witnessed the scene of the Saint-level experts descending.
“So many Saint-level experts. What are they up to? And who’s that bald guy sitting on the Boshart Dike?”
The crowd grew larger, all eyes fixed on the only person sitting in a chair on the Boshart Dike—a tall, bald man in a black robe, his face uncovered. In front of this tall, bald man was a round table laden with fine wine and delicacies.
“Another Saint-level expert is coming!” A cry of surprise rose from the crowd.
Many onlookers saw three figures flying in from the north. They slowed down as they approached the Boshart Dike and finally landed on it. The three walked side by side toward the tall, bald man and soon reached the round table.
“I didn’t expect three of you, ah. Truly sorry.” The tall, bald man in the black robe had a face full of rough flesh, but he forced a smile. “I only prepared two chairs for you.”
Then, the tall, bald man glanced into the distance, clearly using soul transmission. Immediately, a Saint-level expert, seemingly fetching a stool from somewhere, flew over quickly, placed the stool respectfully, and then retreated just as respectfully.
“It’s not your fault, Mr. Pomont.” Desri said with a faint smile.
Linley, Desri, and Olivier all sat down. Back then, when Linley had Buro send the message, he had only mentioned two Deity-level experts. Pomont was a bit surprised that three Deity-level experts had come. But Pomont didn’t care at all.
“So, the one who became a god a few days ago is also from their side,” Pomont thought to himself. “Just became a god? Hmph, a newbie Lower God like that—I could take on ten of them alone.”
Pomont’s gaze fell on Linley. Among the three, the only one he was wary of was Linley, because over three years ago, Linley had killed the Grand Warlock. “This Linley killed the Warlock and even survived his ultimate move without dying.”
Linley, Desri, and Olivier just watched Pomont.
“Haha…” Pomont let out a hearty laugh. “Mr. Linley, since you wanted to meet me, I naturally wouldn’t dare refuse. I wonder what business you three have with me, Pomont? Whatever it is, just say it. I’m a straightforward man.”
Pomont’s voice was loud.
But the distant crowd didn’t hear a thing, because Pomont was using his God’s Domain.
The God’s Domain was Pomont’s simple control over the surrounding elemental forces. Linley, Desri, and Olivier were all Deity-level experts, so they naturally didn’t care about such a basic use of the God’s Domain. Even if he went all out, it wouldn’t pose much of a threat to them.
The God’s Domain was what determined the gap between gods and Saint-levels, but once everyone was a god, it had little effect on each other.
“Mr. Pomont, you should know why we’re here,” Linley said, staring at him.
Pomont feigned surprise, then laughed, “Mr. Linley, you’re joking. If you don’t tell me, how would I know?”
Olivier beside him said coldly, “A hundred million people died in the O'Brien Empire. A hundred million! Pomont, you’re quite ruthless. What do you think the Yulan Continent is? A place you can slaughter as you please?”
“Mr. Pomont, we all understand. Don’t play dumb,” Linley added.
Pomont gave an awkward smile and said, “Oh, the deaths in the O'Brien Empire… Well, I admit it. That nearly a hundred million people were indeed killed on my orders. So what? Linley, all three of you have become gods. Do you still care about those ordinary people?” Pomont looked genuinely surprised.
“Are you joking?” Linley’s expression darkened.
Desri also spoke up, “Pomont, the Yulan Continent is our homeland. If we let you keep killing, everyone in our homeland will die. How could we three have the face to go on living? Pomont, tell us, how should this be resolved?”
How to resolve it?
Hearing this, Pomont chuckled inwardly: “Just as I thought, they don’t want to fight me either. That makes things easy.”
Olivier, however, snorted coldly beside him.
“Well, I’m really sorry about that,” Pomont said with a sigh. “How about this? Since you’re worried about your people dying out, I promise to stop after killing another hundred million. How about that? Another hundred million won’t mean much to the Yulan Continent.”
Another hundred million?
Linley, Desri, and Olivier all felt anger surge within them, their faces turning cold.
Seeing this, Pomont laughed, “Haha, just kidding, just kidding. You three can’t take a joke, can you? I won’t kill anymore. I promise I won’t kill any more of your Yulan Continent’s people. Is that good enough?”
Olivier’s face was icy, and Desri’s expression was grim.
Linley said coldly, “Pomont, let’s not waste words. Agree to two conditions, and this matter is settled.”
“Speak,” Pomont said, his rough face still wearing a smile.
“First, from today onward, you will not kill a single person from the Yulan Continent. Also, hand over all the souls of our Yulan Continent’s people that you’ve collected—whether already refined or not,” Linley said coldly.
Pomont’s smile vanished.
“Second, once this is resolved, you will immediately leave the Yulan Continent plane. You are not welcome here,” Linley finished bluntly.
Pomont’s face darkened.
“Leave the Yulan Continent plane?” Pomont said, “That’s not impossible, but don’t rush me. At least give me some time.”
Desri also spoke, “Pomont, hand over the souls of our Yulan Continent’s people you’ve collected. Whether they’re refined soul essences or unrefined souls—all of them! You have no right to use them.”
“I don’t have them. The souls have all gone to the Netherworld,” Pomont said flatly. “I can’t refine souls anyway. What would I do with them?”
Pomont was also getting annoyed.
He, Pomont, was someone even Muba and the Grand Warlock wouldn’t dare to bully. He had the Grand Warlock refine soul gold beads for him, and the Warlock didn’t dare to resist openly. If it weren’t for knowing about Linley’s background, would Pomont have humbled himself like this?
When the Grand Warlock died, Pomont was shocked and immediately began investigating Linley’s affairs.
Later, after capturing a disciple of the War God’s School, he learned that Linley was somehow connected to Beirut. That was why Pomont had never sought revenge against Linley all these years.
He didn’t want to be enemies with Linley.
Beirut’s terror was something Pomont could never forget.
“Gone to the Netherworld? Ridiculous!!!” Olivier stood up directly.
“Pomont, you’re lying,” Linley and Desri also stood up. All three were furious. This Pomont, after killing a hundred million people, acted as if nothing had happened, saying he’d just stop killing. He wouldn’t even hand over the souls or leave the Yulan Continent plane.
At this point, there was nothing left to discuss.
“Lying? How am I lying?” Pomont stood up too.
“We know you’ve been collecting souls. You had those Saint-level experts do it. Do you think we don’t know?” Desri said coldly.
Pomont suddenly turned his head and glared at Buro in the distance. “Buro—”
Buro immediately fell to his knees in terror, but his body was lifted into the air by the God’s Domain, unable to move.
“Die.” Pomont waved his hand, and a stream of gray divine power flew out, enveloping Buro’s body. Buro watched in horror as the death divine power approached, but he couldn’t move. As the death divine power engulfed him, he instantly turned into a pile of dust.
Linley, Olivier, and Desri all remained cautious, ready to act at any moment.
Pomont turned back to look at the three of them. “Linley, I’ll be straightforward today. I’m giving you face, Pomont. I won’t kill any more of your Yulan Continent’s people. If you give me face, then this matter is settled. If not… I don’t mind teaching you a lesson on behalf of Lord Beirut.”
“What kind of talk is that?” Linley sneered. “Pomont, you killed a hundred million people! A hundred million! And now you say you’ll stop killing, with no punishment at all, and call this settled? And you say you’re giving me face?”
Linley found it absurd.
This Pomont was far too arrogant.
“Oh, so you’re not giving me face, then.” Pomont’s face darkened.
He made up his mind: “This Linley is connected to Lord Beirut, so I can’t kill him. I’ll just teach him a little lesson. As for the other two… I’ll kill them outright. That should intimidate Linley. Don’t think I’m as weak as that Warlock!”
“It’s not that we’re not giving face, but you’re being too unreasonable,” Linley said, a murderous intent rising in his heart.
Olivier and Desri also began to have divine power swirling around their bodies.
“Damn it! I, Pomont, have been smiling and apologizing here today, giving you face, Linley. Who do I, Pomont, think I am? When have I ever smiled and apologized? You’re biting the hand that feeds you!” Pomont slammed the table. “Boom!” The table shattered into dust. Pomont’s rough face trembled with rage. “Fine, don’t blame me then. Lord Beirut, today I’ll teach this Linley a lesson on your behalf.” A dark green warblade suddenly appeared in Pomont’s hand.
“Whoosh!” “Whoosh!” “Whoosh!”
Linley, Desri, and Olivier all flew back into the air. Linley’s eerie purple bloodsoft sword appeared in his hand, Desri held a rapier, and Olivier wielded a sword of dark ice.
“Pomont, you call this apologizing with a smile?” Linley laughed in fury. “You call this giving me face? Killing a hundred million people from my Yulan Continent without paying any price, and you say you’re giving me face? And you say you’ll teach me a lesson on behalf of Lord Beirut? Who do you think you are to act on Lord Beirut’s behalf?”
“Besides, do you even have the ability to teach me a lesson?” Linley channeled wind divine power into the purple bloodsoft sword.
This time, the sword made no sound.
“This guy is truly despicable,” Desri said, also laughing in anger. Even Desri, the most mild-tempered of the three, was driven mad by Pomont.
Pomont gripped the dark green warblade, bared his teeth, and his expression turned ferocious.
“Die!!!” Pomont roared with savage fury. His voice still echoed, but his figure had already charged in front of Olivier. Pomont had long decided to kill Desri and Olivier, then give Linley a thorough beating.