<h4>Chapter 1027: Chapter 1034: Honest Words After Drinking</h4>


    "I’m not here to celebrate, and I’m not in the mood for it either," said Ling Chen as he sat in a chair and took a sip of beer.


    "Since it’s not for celebration, why did youe to drink with me? Your brothers are all outside; why not go to them?"


    "I just wanted to have a chat with you. It’s that simple." Ling Chen looked into Lin Guodong’s eyes and said, "Actually, I know that even if I kill you, it won’t end this fight. The God Organization is just the beginning; there are many more I need to deal with. You should understand what I mean."


    Lin Guodong replied with a faint smile, "It seems you know quite a bit. Since you’veid it all out, I won’t hide anything either. You’re right, killing me won’t solve anything. As long as the southern Ling Family remains, this war will never end. But I want to ask you, Ling Chen, are you really ready to face another battle?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "I once asked you to attack someone and seize a metal briefcase, but you didn’tplete the mission. I wonder if you failed or Ling Tao said something to you."


    Hearing this, Ling Chen’s heart stirred. He asked, "Do you know Ling Tao?"


    "We’re all part of the Ling Family, of course I know him," Lin Guodong replied. "Judging by your reaction, I guess I was right. You’ve not only met Ling Tao, but he must have told you a lot."


    "He only told me that this war has been an internal struggle within the Ling Family from the start. Besides that, he didn’t say anything else."


    Lin Guodong nodded and said, "He did the right thing. Actually, he’s not telling you for your own good. Ling Chen, there are too many things you don’t know, and each of them is a secret. The deeper you go, the harder it is to extricate yourself. If I were you, I’d step back, continue to live freely, and not worry about these secrets."


    "What secrets?" Ling Chen pressed on.


    "I knew you would ask that," Lin Guodong said with a smile. "Everyone has a strong curiosity. But sometimes, curiosity can destroy you. Ling Chen, I won’t hide it; there are indeed some things I know, but I’m good at restraining myself. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know what happens next. But it’s like a quagmire, dragging one deeper. So I rationally restrained myself and stopped my curiosity. If you really want to know, I can tell you one thing. The source of the Ling Family’s internal conflict alles down to one person."


    "Who?"


    "Ling Gengqiu!" Lin Guodong slowly uttered the name.


    Ling Gengqiu?


    Ling Chen was shocked. He certainly knew who Ling Gengqiu was, his ancestor from several centuries ago. Ling Chen had read about Ling Gengqiu’s deeds in the records of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and had a clear understanding.


    "Ling Chen, do you want to know why the southern Ling Family secretly funds the God Organization, why they took over its power?" Before Ling Chen could ask, Lin Guodong spoke. "It’s rted to Ling Gengqiu."


    "Do you want to know why Ling Family members fight among themselves? That’s also rted to Ling Gengqiu. Everything you’ve experienced is inextricably linked to Ling Gengqiu, only you don’t know it. So, if you want to unravel all the mysteries, Ling Gengqiu is the key."


    "But... Ling Gengqiu has been dead for centuries, how is he rted to any of this?" Ling Chen was perplexed.


    It was iprehensible that someone who died centuries ago could spark conflict centuriester.


    "So what if he’s dead?" Lin Guodong said meaningfully, "How do you know he doesn’t exist?" Seeing Ling Chen’s mouth agape, Lin Guodong smiled slightly. "Like I said, this is a quagmire. If you keep asking questions, trying to understand one ’why’ after another, you’ll only end up driving yourself crazy. To put it harshly, the Ling Family members are all mad now, driven crazy by Ling Gengqiu. Anyone with a bit of sanity would withdraw in time and stop letting these matters trouble them."


    "Ling Chen, apart from everything else, you and I are both part of the Ling Family, and we share the same blood. So, as a family member, I’d advise you to stop! You’ve already done enough by destroying the God Organization. There’s no need to continue. Dying for Ling Gengqiu from centuries ago is far from worth it."


    Ling Chen directly faced Lin Guodong and asked, "If you’re still rational, why continue serving the Ling Family andmitting wrongdoings?"


    "By the time I realized, it was toote. My hands are stained with too much blood and lives; there’s no turning back for me. Besides, even if I wanted to, they wouldn’t give me the chance to leave. Ling Chen, if you n to continue intervening, you’d better build up your forces in East Sea City and strengthen yourself as much as possible. In the future, East Sea City will surely be a battlefield."


    Ling Chen frowned slightly and said, "Is that a warning or a reminder?"


    "I’m reminding you. Of course, you can also take it as a warning."


    "Would you really be that kind?" Ling Chen looked at Lin Guodong with skepticism. "Given your current situation, shouldn’t you be threatening me?"


    "If it were before, I would certainly threaten you, set conditions, and find ways to escape, but it’s all useless now."


    "Why?"


    "This is the second time you’ve caught me. Last time I escaped, they warned me that if it happened again, they would abandon me. They’re looking for elites, not useless people. So even if I escape this time, I won’t have any more opportunities. My fate would likely be confinement, or they’d kill me because I know too much. Ling Chen, no matter how you intend to deal with me this time, it doesn’t matter to me. My fate is already sealed."


    "I won’t kill you, nor will I keep you locked up here."


    "Then what do you intend to do with me?"


    "Since you’ve told me so much just now, I’ll send you to a good ce. If it goes well, you might just enjoy your twilight years peacefully."


    Lin Guodong smiled, "If such a good thing is possible, let me tell you one more secret."


    "Alright, it’s a deal. I’ll do my best to help you." Saying this, Ling Chen finished his beer and left the room.


    Walking down the spacious corridors of the base, Ling Chen lowered his head, still pondering Lin Guodong’s words.


    Ling Gengqiu!


    Why was everything so connected to him? It was truly baffling.