chapter 34 sensation

Soon, a hint of dawn appeared on the horizon. The sun slowly rose from below the horizon, illuminating the pitch-black earth. Last night, Ellison Jiang had visited the three major families. He had killed their family heads, carrying their severed heads to pay homage to his grandfather and the departed spirits of the Jiang family. Today was a momentous day in Jiang Zhong and even the Five Major Districts. The successor ceremony of the Carefree King had not been officially announced, but this morning, news had come out that the ceremony would take place at noon today in a military base in Jiang Zhong. This caused quite a stir. Countless people were trying to secure invitations, and the official announcement of the succession date had come as a surprise. Then, another major news story swept through Jiang Zhong. "Good morning, dear viewers. This is the Jiang Zhong News Channel. Last night, the renowned tycoon Jake Wang was found dead in his home, with his head severed. Carter Zhao and Jacob Zhou also died in their homes, and all three deaths shared a similar pattern: they were bound to chairs and had their heads severed." "The relevant authorities have initiated an investigation." "For further updates, please stay tuned to our channel." This news sent shockwaves throughout the area. Jake Wang, the head of the Wang family and one of the four major families, was worth several billion. Carter Zhao, the head of the Zhao family, and Jacob Zhou, the head of the Zhou family, were also incredibly wealthy. What was going on? Why were these prominent figures brutally murdered, especially with the Carefree King's succession ceremony happening now? It seemed like a direct challenge to the Carefree King! Everyone was discussing this matter. Adding to the tension was the recent death of Midas Xiao, the head of the Xiao family. With the heads of all four major family leaders now dead, was this a coincidence or a deliberate act? In Jiang Zhong City Hospital, Cara Xiao had been promptly brought to the hospital. Her severed hand had been reattached, but she would never regain full strength in it. With her face covered in bandages, she lay in a hospital bed. "Cara, something big has happened. The heads of the Wang, Zhao, and Zhou families were all found dead, their heads severed while they were tied to chairs," said an important member of the Xiao family. "What?" Cara Xiao's body trembled at the news. Dead? "Cara, who could have harmed you like this? Does it have anything to do with Dad's death? Are the people who killed the other three family heads the same ones who hurt you?" Cara Xiao was pale with fear. She urgently advised, "Big brother, quickly lead the Xiao family members out of Jiang Zhong, as far away as possible. Don't ever come back." Austin Xiao was puzzled and asked, "Cara, what are you so afraid of? Who could do this? Today is the Carefree King's succession ceremony. It's like a direct challenge to him. How can the Carefree King allow this?" "Don't ask questions. Listen to me and go quickly. Otherwise, the Xiao family will be wiped out," Cara Xiao replied with fear in her eyes. She was truly terrified. This was the Black Dragon they were dealing with. What was the Carefree King compared to that? If the Carefree King dared to interfere, she believed he would also meet his end. Austin Xiao nodded and said, "Alright, I'll immediately arrange for our family members to leave. But what about you?" Cara Xiao shook her head slightly. "It's useless. I've committed an unforgivable sin. No matter where I go, it won't make a difference. Big brother, just go and don't worry about me." Black Dragon, Cara Xiao knew who he was. He was someone standing at the very top of the real power pyramid. Escape? How could she escape, and where could she go? She believed that no matter where she fled, Black Dragon would find her, and she would be in grave danger. However, if she could obtain the painting "Dwelling in the Mount Huayue,” perhaps she could redeem herself, save her own life, and even protect the Xiao family. Austin Xiao didn't understand why Cara Xiao was so afraid, but he knew she must have information about who had killed their father and the other family heads. He couldn't help but think of one particular family: the Jiang family. They were the only ones who had an irreconcilable feud with the Xiao family and were connected to the destruction of the Jiang family ten years ago. He wisely refrained from asking further questions and simply left. Cara Xiao lay on her hospital bed, feeling utterly defeated. She had always wanted to restore the Xiao family to its former glory. Now she knew that hope was lost. If the Xiao family members could escape with their lives, that would be a stroke of luck in the midst of misfortune. "That Black Dragon is truly terrifying. He seems determined to annihilate all four major families, but it makes sense. Anyone who experienced what happened ten years ago would hold deep-seated grudges," Cara Xiao muttered in despair. Meanwhile, at a military base. The Carefree King, wearing a military uniform adorned with five stars, was briefed on recent events by one of his trusted subordinates. "King, something happened last night. Several people were killed. These people are..." "Hmm?" The Carefree King furrowed his brow. "Was it Black Dragon?" "It should be Black Dragon. I've investigated, and Black Dragon is the person Camellia Tang rescued from the flames of the Jiang family ten years ago. His appearance was disfigured by the fire, and somehow he got a new face. He ended up in the southern wilderness, became a common soldier, and within just ten years, he accomplished numerous feats and was recognized as Black Dragon, leading a million-strong army of Black Dragons." Hearing this, the Carefree King pondered, "Does he have any grudges with the four major families?" "My investigation reveals that the destruction of the Jiang family ten years ago is closely related to the Xiao family, and that massive fire also had implications for the other three major families in Jiang Zhong." The Carefree King contemplated this information. He had known that Ellison Jiang had killed Olav Xiao because Olav Xiao had made advances towards Ellison Jiang's wife, Camellia Tang. But he had no idea of the intricate web of events involved. Camellia Tang had saved Ellison Jiang from the Jiang family's inferno ten years ago, and the Xiao family was responsible for the Jiang family's downfall. "King, how should we handle this matter? Your succession ceremony is today, and Ellison Jiang has caused quite a stir. If we don't provide an explanation to the public, it might tarnish your reputation," the subordinate advised. The Carefree King wore a bitter expression. "An explanation? How can I explain this? Do you expect me to send a massive army to hunt down Black Dragon? I don't have the courage for that. Report it and see how higher-ups handle it." "Yes." "Wait..." "King, is there something else?" "Never mind," the Carefree King said after some thought. "Let's suppress it for now. Find a scapegoat to blame this on Ellison Jiang." "King, please consider this carefully. Black Dragon has submitted a resignation request and returned to Jiang Zhong. This may just be the beginning of his revenge. We can suppress it once, but can we do it repeatedly? If this escalates, it could cause a major uproar. Moreover, this is within your jurisdiction. If blame were to fall on you, the consequences..." "Suppress it!" The Carefree King took a deep breath. Who was Black Dragon? He was the commander of the southern wilderness, a military genius with unmatched strength and unparalleled medical skills. He believed the higher-ups wouldn't give Black Dragon a hard time. If he reported it, the higher-ups might even suspect him of trying to frame Black Dragon. If that happened, he couldn't bear the consequences. "Understood, I'll figure something out and notify the media to provide an explanation," the subordinate said before leaving. The Carefree King was lost in thought. He knew that the higher-ups were aware of Ellison Jiang's background, yet they had allowed him to return to Jiang Zhong and had even transferred him here. "What is the higher-ups' intention in all of this?" The Carefree King sighed deeply, unable to fathom their motives. ..