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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 55: Wrong Path, Deserve Punishment
"Give me back my phone so I can make a call!" Zhao Yuanjia shouted arrogantly, completely ignoring Azure Hawk's words. Azure Hawk intervened, which only made Zhao Yuanjia more confident that he would not be harmed. With his inherent arrogance, after a brief moment of fear, Zhao Yuanjia became even more overbearing.
Caught between two factions, Azure Hawk found himself in a difficult position, doing a thankless job that left him feeling both awkward and helpless. Zhang Qiu couldn't bear to see Azure Hawk, a man of such stature, being humiliated again and urged, "Just give it up; they won't listen to you."
"No way!" Azure Hawk remained resolute. "They absolutely cannot be allowed to get away with this; it's a matter of principle, and there's no room for negotiation."
After rejecting Zhang Qiu's advice, Azure Hawk's gaze met Prince Banan's once more. Prince Banan simply could not accept Azure Hawk's request. How could he easily let go of those who had nearly killed him? The thought of them living freely in the future made Prince Banan feel uneasy. However, he also couldn't ignore Azure Hawk's plea; how could he remain indifferent when his savior was desperately asking for help? Prince Banan was engaged in a difficult internal struggle, feeling as if a heavy stone was lodged in his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
"Give me back my phone!" Zhao Yuanjia raised his voice and strode aggressively toward Prince Banan, while soldiers stood with their rifles blocking the space between them.
Zhao Yuanjia was half a meter away from Prince Banan, and Zhang Qiu could clearly see the change in their expressions. The muscles in Prince Banan's face twitched as Zhao Yuanjia approached, prompting Azure Hawk to step forward anxiously. Prince Banan looked at Azure Hawk with disappointment; his former protector was now guarding his enemy.
"Return my phone and let us go. From now on, we can coexist peacefully and continue our cooperation. If you need more advanced weapons, I can help; the prices will be even cheaper than before. How about it? That should be sincere enough," Zhao Yuanjia said while adjusting his hair and squinting at Prince Banan.
Azure Hawk turned around and shot a fierce glare at Zhao Yuanjia; his words were clearly adding fuel to the fire.
Prince Banan fixed his gaze on Zhao Yuanjia but did not pay much attention to what he said; he was still caught up in his conflict regarding Azure Hawk. Seeing Prince Banan silent, Zhang Qiu stepped forward and said, "Do you think the initiative is in your hands?"
"You must be Zhang Qiu," Zhao Yuanjia said as he sized up Zhang Qiu, his eyes narrowing at the red string hanging around Zhang Qiu's neck.
"That's right; I am Zhang Qiu. You have repeatedly caused me trouble and even pushed me to the brink of jumping off a building. Today, I finally see your true colors."
"I didn't expect such a troublesome high school student. However," Zhao Yuanjia smirked ominously, "your jade pendant will eventually be mine."
"Delusional," Zhang Qiu gritted out through clenched teeth.
"I don't have time for you right now. Once we return to our country, you'll obediently hand over the jade pendant," Zhao Yuanjia said before turning his attention back to Prince Banan. "Your Highness, Tanzania is unifying north and south and is in dire need of development; we can't afford any more turmoil. If you let us go back, not only can we cooperate on weapons, but I will also persuade my father to invest here and set up factories. I believe this would be a win-win for both parties."
"Go to hell with your win-win scenario! Tanzania does not need friends like you," Prince Banan cursed loudly; Zhao Yuanjia was clearly insulting him. Tanzania indeed needed construction and investment but would never choose to collaborate with someone like him.
Zhang Qiu and Lucia were witnessing Prince Banan curse for the first time but were not surprised. Zhang Qiu thought to himself that Zhao Yuanjia's behavior truly resembled that of a madman.
"Prince Banan, don't act impulsively!" Azure Hawk warned anxiously, fearing that Prince Banan might raise his weapon again; he was tense and ready to step forward at any moment.
"Leave," Prince Banan suddenly said.
Zhang Qiu, Lucia, Azure Hawk, Zhao Yuanjia, and everyone present were stunned. Azure Hawk was the first to react, hurriedly pushing Zhao Yuanjia, saying, "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
"Get off me!" Zhao Yuanjia said dismissively, swatting Azure Hawk's hand away.
"Prince Banan, you..." Lucia looked on in disbelief, unable to comprehend what was happening. Was Prince Banan really letting them go?
Prince Banan looked at Azure Hawk, sighed deeply, and slowly said, "This is what I owe you; I'm repaying it now."
Azure Hawk was momentarily at a loss for words. After a while, he finally managed to say, "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me; if you must thank someone, thank yourself. This is what you fought for," Prince Banan shook his head, looking exhausted.
The War Maniacs nearly cheered upon hearing this news. The disheveled people suddenly looked revitalized, their faces glowing with excitement. They gathered around Zhao Yuanjia, exuding an air of invincibility.
Zhao Yuanjia approached Prince Banan but was stopped by soldiers. He smiled and said, "Since we know each other, can I have a cigarette?"
"Who has a cigarette? Give him one," Prince Banan said coldly.
A soldier pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lightly tapped one corner; a cigarette popped out. Zhao Yuanjia took one and placed it in his mouth before grabbing the entire pack and tossing it to his subordinates, saying to the soldier, "Sorry, I'm taking all your cigarettes. Hope you don't mind?"
The soldier watched helplessly as the half-pack of cigarettes he was reluctant to smoke passed between several people. He felt heartbroken but didn't dare refuse. Fortunately, Prince Banan said, "Go get a new pack tomorrow."
Zhao Yuanjia lit the cigarette and took two puffs before holding it up in front of him with a look of disdain. "What brand is this? It's so hard to smoke."
"Yeah, Brother Zhao, it's nowhere near as good as ours," someone chimed in from the side.
Zhao Yuanjia put the cigarette back in his mouth. The airtight room quickly filled with smoke. Prince Banan glared at Zhao Yuanjia with a dark expression while Azure Hawk urged again, "Hurry up and leave."
"This is none of your business!" Zhao Yuanjia pushed Azure Hawk's hand away. As he passed by Zhang Qiu, he deliberately bumped into Zhang Qiu's shoulder and smirked coldly, saying, "Hall Society, we'll take our time."
"Then let's see how this plays out," Zhang Qiu replied defiantly as he squared his shoulders to meet Zhao Yuanjia's gaze.
Zhao Yuanjia led the group outside when Prince Banan suddenly shouted, "Wait!"
At Prince Banan's shout, the soldiers with lowered guns immediately raised them, and the soldier by the door slammed it shut. Zhao Yuanjia and the other five turned back, their puzzled gazes directed at Prince Banan. He looked over them and asked, "What? Do you all want to leave?"
One person saw the door close and immediately said, "You told us we could go. Are you really going back on your word, Your Highness?"
Prince Banan replied sternly, "I promised Zhao Yuanjia could leave, but I never said you could!"
"Prince Banan, you..."
Prince Banan interrupted Azure Hawk, saying, "You saved my life; I return a person to you. That seems fair enough, doesn't it?"
"But..."
"No buts. A life for a life. Now that the Santanian people are equal, even as a prince, I cannot trade seven lives for one."
Zhang Qiu and Lucia exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts through their eyes. They had been wondering how Prince Banan had agreed so easily; it turned out he had set a trap waiting for them—this was indeed his style.
"You can't kill them!" Azure Hawk emphasized weakly. Azure Hawk found no further arguments to convince Prince Banan, and his words left no room for rebuttal.
The War Maniacs cast desperate looks toward Zhao Yuanjia. Prince Banan's shifting attitude made them feel as if they were thrown into the air only to fall heavily back down. The War Maniacs, who had amassed great wealth from war and death, displayed immense panic when faced with the threat of their own demise.
Zhao Yuanjia pointed at Prince Banan and shouted, "You can't do this!"
"I've made myself very clear; in short, there is only one spot available." Prince Banan paused for a moment before smiling and added, "Of course, you can choose to stay and let someone else leave."
"Prince Banan..."
"Don't say another word!" Prince Banan cut off Azure Hawk.
Zhao Yuanjia and the other five looked at each other in silence, oblivious to the cigarette burning down to their fingers. Watching the six of them frozen in place, Prince Banan continued, "So, who is leaving?"
"Brothers, I will come back to save you!"
"Brother Zhao..." The person closest to Zhao Yuanjia clutched his arm tightly and shouted, "You can't leave us here. We came out together, and we need to go back together. I can't die here."
Once again mentioning death, the others couldn't hold back any longer, pleading for Zhao Yuanjia to save them. Someone even shouted, "Brother Zhao, you stay behind and let me go. My girlfriend is pregnant; she can't be without me, and the child can't be without a father."
"Bullshit!" Zhao Yuanjia cursed loudly. "Who doesn't know you? You supported a streamer, got her pregnant, and immediately kicked her out. If I remember correctly, you've already replaced her with someone else. Now you have the nerve to say the child can't be without a father? Where were you when all this happened?"
Zhao Yuanjia forcefully shook off their arms. As others lunged at him, soldiers nearby pushed them back. The soldiers formed a barrier between Zhao Yuanjia and the others, and one shouted at him, "Brother Zhao, are you really that heartless? Brothers are blind!"
Zhao Yuanjia acted as if he hadn't heard and solemnly said, "Brothers, don't worry; I will definitely get you out."
After saying that, Zhao Yuanjia left under the escort of soldiers. The moment he stepped out the door, a dirty jacket was thrown at him.
"You took the wrong path; you deserve punishment," Prince Banan shouted loudly. "Someone, take them into custody and keep a close watch on them!"
"Yes!"
The soldiers immediately shoved the remaining five War Maniacs into a corner. They had long lost their earlier vigor and huddled in the corner, motionless and lifeless.
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