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Ilinulay's voice was filled with disbelief, as if he could never have imagined the person before him would dare to raise a hand against him.
As he stood there, his face frozen in shock, the hand that had slapped him swung again, even harder this time.
Slap!
Another resounding slap left Ilinulay stunned.
"You... you're a complete bastard!"
The tearful voice rang out as Yilu slowly rose to her feet, her eyes bloodshot, tears streaming down her face and dripping onto the ground with soft splashes.
No one could remain calm after enduring what she had suffered.
For Yilu, everything she had experienced was like an unimaginable nightmare.
Her own father had executed her mother, and when she grew up, he treated her like merchandise, trying to sell her off cheaply to others.
'This man is worse than an animal!'
"Lordling, let us handle the beating."
Jason's voice softened considerably as he addressed Lordling, pulling the young man behind him before glaring down at Ilinulay once more. His eyes were icy, his voice colder still.
"For a creature like you who has abandoned all humanity, even killing you would be too merciful."
"Break his limbs!"
Pirates were never friendly, kind, or compassionate. In the eyes of the world, they embodied brutality, ruthlessness, and bloodshed!
At that moment, Jason and his companions demonstrated to Ilinulay exactly what pirate methods meant.
"Aaaaaahhhh!"
A series of agonizing screams erupted as crimson blood streamed across the ground, quickly pooling into a small river.
Ilinulay lay limp on the ground, all four limbs broken and useless. In addition to his arms and legs, multiple ribs had been shattered by the trio's relentless assault.
They showed no mercy to such a foe, aiming to leave him bedridden for life.
The agony of his shattered bones nearly made Ilinulay lose consciousness.
"Ba-bastards!" he hissed through gritted teeth, blood gushing from his mouth with each word. "I won't let you get away with this!"
He swore to etch the faces of these men into his memory. If he survived this day, he vowed to use every means at his disposal to exact revenge.
"Let's go!" Jason and his men finished their work and prepared to leave.
Meanwhile, the area surrounding Ilinulay's palace, spanning several kilometers in all directions, had already been completely encircled by a massive force of black-clad figures.
"Are we ready?" the middle-aged man in black asked, estimating the time.
"Fully prepared. Our men are in position around the perimeter and ready to launch the attack at any moment."
Nodding in satisfaction, the middle-aged man pondered for a moment, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
"No need to breach the palace. Order the attack to commence immediately."
His subordinate hesitated, taken aback by the abrupt order.
"A direct attack?"
"Yes. Starting today, the Ilinulay family will be wiped off the map!" the middle-aged man snarled.
Marine Headquarters had descended into chaos: pirates had infiltrated, and the army was retreating. In this precarious moment, everything seemed to happen with a twisted inevitability.
"Attack!"
With another fierce shout, the middle-aged man made his decision.
His subordinate still hesitated, his entire body trembling. He knew all too well the terrifying firepower surrounding the Ilinulay estate. With a single order, this magnificent palace would be reduced to rubble in an instant, and the fate of those inside was all but certain.
"What? You don't have the guts to give the order?" the middle-aged man sneered, sensing the subordinate's hesitation.
"Sir, they're Celestial Dragons!" the subordinate whispered fearfully.
"You spineless fool! Without the guts to devour your enemies, you think you can climb any higher? Keep dreaming!"
The middle-aged man spat out his words, his voice seething with anger.
He had mustered every ounce of courage to issue this order. Celestial Dragons were, after all, Celestial Dragons—not just any cat or dog. He was acutely aware of the immense risk he was taking.
But having made his decision, he would not waver.
"Go give the order, or I'll kill you right here and now!"
Under this threat, his subordinate gritted his teeth and reluctantly departed.
When the black-clad guards heard the command, a flicker of fear appeared in their eyes. Yet, after three breaths, their trembling hands reached for the pitch-black cannon barrels.
Every one of them knew the consequences that would follow once they unleashed this attack.
However, they had no choice but to obey their superior's command. Disobedience meant instant death.
An eerie silence descended. Around Ilinulay Palace, few realized what was unfolding as everything proceeded in hushed secrecy.
Three kilometers away, atop a small mountain, Kimluns lay prone, constantly swallowing his saliva.
"Madness! These bastards have real guts!"
He could clearly see the dense array of miniature cannon barrels encircling Ilinulay Palace. Each blast from these cannonfire was no weaker than a full-fledged artillery strike. A quick glance revealed at least a thousand barrels. When they all erupted, the earth-shattering impact would shock the world.
Because beneath the cannonfire's destructive rain weren't just vicious pirates, but also noble Celestial Dragons!
"Has that guy gone insane?"
Hiding behind the mountain, Kimluns grew increasingly convinced that this incident was far more extraordinary—and terrifying—than he had imagined.
The water runs far too deep!
Through his binoculars, Kimluns clearly saw that even the black-clad guards were tense, their hands trembling as they loaded the cannons.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl as the black-clad guards, shaking visibly, stuffed the cannonballs into the barrels.
Then, another man stepped forward, swallowed hard, raised a torch, and shakily extended it toward the fuse.
"They're really going to do it!" Kimluns clenched his fists, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, a cyan light streaked toward them from the Marine Headquarters. In an instant, it was already hovering above Ilinulay Palace.
"What's that?" Kimluns couldn't help but gasp, swinging his binoculars upward to track the luminous streak through the air.
The streak moved with astonishing speed. After a momentary pause, it plunged toward Ilinulay Palace.
He desperately tried to follow and see clearly, but the blur remained elusive.
Chī chī chī!
At that very moment, fuses were lit across countless cannon barrels, and the acrid smell of gunpowder filled the air.
Compared to the regular military, the crude cannons used by these black-clad Guards were mere obsolete relics, capable of only a few shots but still packing a considerable punch.
"This is like a miniature Buster Call!"
Kimluns gasped, his eyes widening as he prepared to witness the spectacle.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deafening explosion shattered the silence of the Ilinulay complex. It was immediately followed by a thunderous barrage as thousands of cannons roared in unison, shaking half the skies.
Hōng hōng hōng hōng!
A piercing, air-splitting shriek pierced the din, and the acrid stench of gunpowder smoke rapidly filled the air.
Inside the Ilinulay Palace, Jason and his group, who had just stepped out of the main hall, jerked their heads up.
"What's that?!"
Their faces paled instantly.
(End Of This Chapter)