He tore up the A card, signifying that the Ji Family was now in name only. Then he put the 2 aside, representing the rather special existence of Qi Lin. The remaining 11 cards were divided into three parts. The K separate, the Q followed by 4 cards, the J followed by 3 cards, and the 10 alone. These correspond to the Shi Family, the Lin Family, the Li Family, and the Luo Family respectively. This is a very clear distribution, and as long as one is not blind, everyone can understand it.
"First, let's look at the current situation of the Inner Ring Council families. After the fall of the Ji Family, setting aside the special case of Qi Lin, there are only 11 powerful families left in the Inner Ring Council. This may seem like a large number, but in reality, it is quite small. Because the council families are not united, we cannot be seen as a whole."
Speaking of the lack of unity, the leaders of the three great families glanced at each other. From their eyes, it was evident that even now, none would bow to the others.
Lu Luo shook his head with a smile, "Alright, no need to glare at each other now. Can you please listen to what I have to say?"
"Go ahead," one said.
"Speak," said another.
The three families all had a measure of recognition for him, which made Lu Luo's subsequent work much easier.
"We all know that the current Inner Ring is divided into three factions. The Lin family faction, at the helm of Grand Map Armament, includes a total of 5 families. The Lin family once was the most formidable, so their foundation is the deepest and their hidden networks the most extensive. Then there is the Sea Star commerce faction, led by the Li family, which consists of 4 families. Although their development is not as ancient as that of Grand Map Armament, it excels in endurance and stability. Such conditions have given them significant strength, making them a core power within the Inner Ring."
Everything Lu Luo was saying was common knowledge, but they still wanted to hear what he thought about the remaining Shi Family.
"And then?" someone asked.
"Lastly is the Shi Family, which has control over Blue Sky Biotechnology. The Shi Family is an extraordinary family; with impressive methods, they have snatched the position of Alliance Council Speaker from the Lin Family."
"Hmph, it was nothing but despicable tricks," someone scoffed.
One could see that Lin Zhiqi was somewhat angry and unconvinced when this matter was brought up. But Lu Luo merely smiled. The victor is king. The Shi Family's victory over the Lin Family was due to their own skills, irrespective of the means used. As of now, a win is a win. Perhaps the Shi Family is in a dire situation now, but that does not invalidate their past victory.
"I'm not too clear whether the Shi Family used despicable means or not. However, the Shi Family has indeed reached a desperate situation. The Shi Family now has no allies, am I right, Miss Shi Tingyu?"
The tall Shi Tingyu slightly frowned, unclear on what Lu Luo was ultimately driving at. He beat around the bush so much, was it just to expose their weaknesses? This seemed a bit foolish, and she didn't believe Lu Luo would do something so imprudent.
"Perhaps there's some truth to what Mr. Lu Luo has said, but I still don't quite understand what he is trying to convey? And hasn't the Luo Family always been an ally of our Shi Family?"
Lu Luo smiled. Perhaps the Luo Family had always been an ally of the Shi Family in the past. But in reality, from the moment Luo Xuemin pushed him forward, the Luo Family and the Shi Family had already gone their separate ways. With Lu Luo's character, it was inevitable that he would lead the Luo Family onto a path completely different from the Shi Family's.
"Yes, the Luo Family has always been an ally of the Shi Family, but this can also be said in reverse. The only ally left for the Shi Family is the Luo Family. How ridiculous it is for a family of the Council's Speaker to have only one ally left?"
Shi Tingyu frowned, finding Lu Luo's approach somewhat inappropriate. Moreover, she questioned again whether Lu Luo's attitude at this moment could truly represent the Luo Family.
"Mr. Lu Luo, although I greatly admire you, admiration is one thing, and business is another. Some things, sometimes, cannot be talked about so casually."
Lu Luo had no particular fondness for Shi Tingyu; now that things had come to this point, there was no need for him to hold back. "These years, Blue Sky Biotech has done quite a few unconscionable things, such as biotech research and the like."
"Biotech research is for the future development of the Alliance, is that considered unconscionable?"
"Biotech research surely isn't unconscionable, but what kind of biological entity is worth discussing. If the biological entity is improper, wouldn't that be considered unconscionable?"
Lu Luo didn't specify what kind of biological entity he meant, but everyone present wasn't foolish. Clearly, Lu Luo was talking about human experimentation. Rumors of Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals' involvement in human experimentation had always been circulating, but most of the time, others couldn't find concrete evidence. Even if they did find evidence, Blue Sky Biotech might very well suppress the matter. Just like the situation at Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals' East Ring base, if it weren't for Lu Luo, it would have remained the same forever. Blue Sky Biotech and the Council together used slum-dwellers for various experiments, creating a large number of pregnant women to produce the Fruit of Life.
Lu Luo didn't openly mention these things, but Shi Tingyu wasn't willing to back down at this time. "Lu Luo, you need to understand your own position and that of the Luo Family. Whatever you say, you'd better have evidence."
"Evidence is always for those who care to see. For those who are indifferent, seeing it makes no difference. I truly don't believe you, as a core member of the Shi Family, are unaware of what Blue Sky Biotech has done. As for the specifics, there's no need for me to spell it out, right? You must have read my investigation report many times, and you should know where I took my territory from."
The sudden confrontation between Lu Luo and Shi Tingyu caught many people by surprise. However, they did not speak up. It was a time for them simply to watch the show.
"Don't go too far, Lu Luo..."
"Am I going too far? If you can't even accept what I'm saying, then I'm afraid we can't proceed with today's business. So, do you need me to continue? If I can't continue, then there's no need to talk now. Let's see who has the bigger fist. Come on, let's continue the fight we didn't finish earlier."
Lu Luo's assertiveness left Shi Tingyu at a loss; today's situation had completely spiraled out of her control. However, at this point, all she could do was nod. "Fine, I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer."
Lu Luo smiled; Shi Tingyu was still quite rational. If she had kept obstructing him over and over, then the Luo Family might as well have thrown in the towel completely.
"Under normal circumstances, the Luo Family and the Shi Family are unified; they are allies who advance and retreat together. You all should know this. However, unfortunately, the person representing the Luo Family this time is none other than me. As a citizen of the Fourth Ring, I have endured much suffering brought upon me by Blue Sky Pharmaceuticals. So, speaking purely from my personal desire, I am not willing to ally with the Shi Family. But what are personal desires in the face of a massive entity like a family? Trivial, wouldn't you say? Heh. No matter, you just need to listen as I continue."
Li Luoya and Lin Zhiqi exchanged glances; the conversation now completely followed Lu Luo's lead. They nodded one after another, tacitly allowing Lu Luo to go on.
"In the normal state of the Inner Ring, it's a tripartite standoff where everyone exhausts each other, pouring all their resources and energy into infighting. The internal strife is vicious, but should you be forced out, you'd all turn cowardly faster than one could say 'scared,' am I right?"
As Lu Luo said this, the others' faces turned sour as they lowered their heads. What Lu Luo said wasn't wrong; the Inner Ring was indeed locked in endless infighting. The sustained and escalating internal strife greatly sapped the combat strength and potential of the Inner Ring. It was a terrible state of affairs, but no one wanted to stop.
"I know you're all afraid of running into trouble, scared of becoming the next Ji Family. But have you ever considered if you keep infighting like this, all the Inner Ring families will end up like the Ji Family?"
At that moment, Lin Zhiqi stood up. Currently, the Lin Family holds absolute dominance in the Inner Ring. Especially with companies like Grand Map Armament under their control, they have always overshadowed the others in terms of combat foundations.
"What you're saying doesn't make sense. Even if the infighting continues to the very end, there will ultimately be a victor. The victor will reap all the fruits of victory and bring an end to this strife."
Lu Luo looked at Lin Zhiqi and smiled. His mind flicked to the chubby Lin Zhiming, the man who had also taken an interest in Qi Xinzhu. Although he had an agreement with Li Tanya, he wasn't particularly fond of the Lin Family. Of course, this wasn't the time to turn hostile; he still had to be reasonable.
"Indeed, at the end of the infighting, if there are no external enemies, a victor will indeed emerge. This victor will harvest all the fruits of victory and become the new master of the Inner Ring. But aren't you mistaken about something, Young Master Lin? Why do you think that the victor of your infighting will definitely be you?"
"Our Lin Family has the greatest strength..."
"Compared to the Church, your Lin Family is nothing."
"What?"
Hearing Lu Luo mention the Church at this moment made many fall into an involuntary silence. Zhang Yifan frowned slightly; Luo Xuemin had already spoken to him about this situation before. If the Judgment Chief unites the Church, the ones needing consolidation would not be the Fourth Ring, but the Inner Ring. What would happen to these Inner Ring families? At the time, Zhang Yifan thought it was a completely illogical idea. But now, looking at Lu Luo, it seemed he had also considered this.
"How could the Church possibly make a move against the Council? The Church and the Council have coexisted peacefully for over 400 years..."
Before Lin Zhiqi could finish, he was interrupted by Lu Luo once more. "Is that what you all think? Do you all think the same way?" Lu Luo looked at these people and also turned his gaze towards others. "When you think about these matters, have you ever thought about the Judgment Chief? Her personality, her assertiveness, and all that she has endured in the Inner Ring."
As Lu Luo said this, he grasped Bai Yuetong's fingers, and Bai Yuetong, understanding his meaning, held onto Lu Luo tightly. At this moment, Lu Luo brought up Bai Qingshuang. Naturally, he required Dumb Hair's approval, but Dumb Hair had always been utterly unreserved towards Lu Luo.
"The Judgment Chief's experiences in the Inner Ring?"
"The Judgment Chief was once an ordinary woman living in the Fourth Ring, and this is something many people should know. Her life has been like a legend and a miracle, each leap being so incredible. Beyond admiring her strength and experiences, shouldn't you also consider the suffering she has endured throughout these experiences?"
At this, everyone looked at each other; for to them, the Inner Ring was a natural paradise. They were the finest elites of their families, so life in the Inner Ring had never involved the word 'suffering' for them. But the Judgment Chief's experiences were different. Ever since she arrived in the Inner Ring, she had been enduring hardship. From being tormented by Lu Hong, giving birth to Bai Yuetong, to joining the Church, all her experiences were marked by suffering.
"With these experiences, does the Judgment Chief really have a favorable impression of the Inner Ring? You believe that the Inner Ring Church and Council have been living in peace for 400 years, but have you ever thought, in these 400 years, has there ever been someone like the Judgment Chief? Someone who could potentially become the Pope of the Inner Ring?"
"Pope? How is that possible, the Church doesn't have such a position."
Lin Zhiqi replied with some disbelief, yet his expression didn't seem as certain as his tone. Everyone knew that if the Judgment Chief truly became the leader of the Church, with her status and prestige in the Church, becoming the Pope would be an easy feat. "A Pope, a Pope who has suffered in the Inner Ring, do you think she would have a favorable impression of the Inner Ring? Do you really think the Judgment Chief will get along well with you Inner Ring Council families and then create another peaceful 400 years? Have the Judgment Chief help you clear the obstacles in the outer rings, so you can continue to be the bloodsuckers of the entire Wasteland Alliance? Be realistic, brothers, it's time for a change. If you do not consider reform at this time, then the moment the Pope dies will mark the beginning of the Inner Ring Council's collapse."
Lu Luo's words were filled with persuasive intent, but these people were no ordinary characters either. After hearing Lu Luo's speech, some pondered thoughtfully, while others showed disbelief. However, what Lu Luo said clearly made sense. When all was said and done, the Judgment Chief's personal attitude was a very significant factor.
"If infighting is meaningless, then how should we choose?"
The speaker was Li Luoya, a woman who had affections for Lu Luo, which Lu Luo was very well aware of. Therefore, she was the most easily swayed, because of her family interests and because of Lu Luo.
And until this moment, Lu Luo had not withdrawn his Sequence Force. Under the influence of the Observer's twisting power, Lu Luo spoke slowly, "Redefine and distribute interests. Establish trade with the outer rings before the death of the Pope. The Alliance Council must at least return to being a whole entity!"
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