"What?" Jessica, stunned by Emma's words, instinctively froze and asked, "What did you say?"
It wasn't just her.
Even Zhao Tingshan, Alexander, and others who were exchanging pleasantries looked utterly astonished.
Emma's news was completely contrary to everyone's "psychological expectations."
For a moment, they couldn't muster a strong reaction that matched the news, only a stunned silence.
Emma, disregarding everything else, reported again with a trembling voice, "Latest news! The Rhode team has been annihilated in the Blackwater Forest!"
This time.
Whether it was Jessica, Alexander, or Zhao Tingshan and the others, they all heard clearly what Emma was saying.
They finally had a reaction that matched this news.
That was blankness—
No one knew how long it had been.
Jessica, who had been staring intently at Emma, suddenly raised her hand, grabbed Emma's collar with a whoosh, and trembling, sternly reprimanded, "You, you're talking nonsense! How could the Rhode team, with every advantage, be completely annihilated in a single night!?"
Last night—
The Rhode team was suddenly attacked by "unknown assailants" in the Blackwater Forest!
Before last night, the Rhode team, with a total of 197 members, directly lost 152 people in this exceptionally brutal battle.
Of these, 81 were killed in the surprise attack on the camp (over ten were killed by Li Qianfan alone).
71 were killed on the battlefield while being encircled and pursued.
The remaining 45, including Rhode himself, after repeatedly failing to break through, were driven into the Blackwater Forest by the "unknown assailants."
It was estimated that for a long time to come, they might have to personally experience the taste of hunger and cold.
The eight master-level experts assisting the Rhode team (from the Temple of War Gods) fled north into the Great Snowy Plains beyond the Blackwater Forest and their whereabouts are unknown.
The total of 71 hostages originally captured and held by the Rhode team were all successfully rescued and have already embarked on their journey eastward.
The above news—
Was exclusively reported by the dark web (website).
And a large number of documentary photos were attached to prove the authenticity of this news.
Those photos were primarily of the corpses of the fallen members of the Rhode team. All the deceased members of the team had their clothes stripped off and were hung upside down on tree branches at the edge of the forest.
How the Rhode team treated their enemies, they were now treated the same way!
The clarity of the photos was very high—
Staring blankly at her phone, Jessica was completely stunned.
Those who were stunned with her included Zhao Tingshan (negotiation team).
But Zhao Tingshan and the others' stunned reaction was due to indescribable ecstatic joy.
However.
Zhao Tingshan and the others quickly came to their senses.
They could no longer control themselves, suddenly hugging each other fiercely, jumping up and down on the spot, and roaring at the sky.
They had no need to conceal anything.
From the first negotiation to the present, Jessica had always maintained a condescending demeanor in front of them.
It made them feel extremely stifled.
After being so stifled for so long, they suddenly received good news they couldn't believe!
So, did they still need to consider how Jessica would feel during their revelry?
Looking at Alexander, one of the intermediaries.
He was naturally also shocked by the reversal of the Eastern Landers.
However, this matter did not involve significant interests for the Moses family, so after expressing appropriate shock, Alexander walked up to Li Xiao.
"Old Li, oh Old Li." Alexander said with a face full of emotion, patting his shoulder.
He and Li Xiao had been "brothers" for over twenty years, and they understood each other very well.
Some words didn't need to be spoken.
A pat on the shoulder was enough to create a spiritual resonance.
They were definitely a pair of good buddies—
After Zhao Tingshan calmed down a little, Alexander, as the intermediary, walked over and shook his hand in congratulation.
Although Alexander hoped that Zhao Tingshan would be the one on the losing side, he absolutely couldn't lose the demeanor of one of the Four Great Powers.
"Thank you, thank you for your congratulations, Mr. Alexander." Zhao Tingshan's hands, holding Alexander's, trembled vigorously for more than a dozen times before he walked up to Li Xiao.
Our own people.
No need for thanks.
A powerful embrace could represent everything.
Of course.
Zhao Tingshan still had to shake hands when celebrating with Su Ziyu.
He laughed heartily, "Ziyu! Su Ziyu! Since I met you, I've found that good luck has followed me! Uncle Zhao doesn't say much, if you ever need me in the future, just make a call. I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly for you!"
What was Zhao Tingshan's status?
Someone like him never made promises easily.
Although the future mistress of Dragon Ruins might not necessarily need him.
Su Ziyu naturally bowed and thanked him, repeatedly saying that she would trouble Uncle Zhao less in the future.
One rejoiced, while the other grieved.
As happy as Zhao Tingshan was, Jessica was equally "sad."
Even though the ironclad facts were right before her eyes.
Jessica still refused to believe that the annihilation of the Rhode team was a reality.
She just kept murmuring, "The camp's defenses were practically impregnable, and the advantage was ours, how could it have ended up like this?"
This question—
Li Xiao walked over, his face filled with the gentle kindness of an elderly father, and patted her shoulder, "Jessica, please accept my condolences. You must forget the unfortunate past and look forward to a bright future."
Jessica—
He comforted her just as she had "comforted" her elderly father-in-law before.
However, did she really need to accept her condolences?
She really wanted to give Li Xiao, her father-in-law, a fierce slap.
Li Xiao acutely sensed her inner thoughts, gave a sheepish chuckle, and wisely turned to leave.
Alas.
He was afraid of harming the innocent!
If she hadn't been pregnant, Li Xiao's mouth, which had long been blessed with eloquence, would never have stopped until Jessica was driven to hang herself.
As soon as Li Xiao left—
Su Ziyu walked over, "Respected Madam Rhode, it seems that you and my Uncle Zhao will have to engage in arduous negotiations regarding the siege of the Blackwater Forest. After all, with as many as 45 of your people trapped inside the Blackwater Forest, the world's attention is closely focused on them. I personally hope they can escape the sea of suffering soon and reunite with their parents and children."
Su Yujie, who was well-educated, was never one to kick someone when they were down.
That was because, in the past, she rarely had such opportunities!
Now that she had the chance, she naturally wouldn't miss it.
Jessica, who had just been rebuked by her father-in-law, was so angry she wanted to vomit blood.
But the next second.
Jessica quickly adjusted her mindset, "Ms. Su is right, heh, hehe."
As she forced a smile and shook Su Ziyu's hand, she roared inwardly, "What are you so proud of? You pathetic cuckold! Do you know whose child I'm carrying? Do you know how many times I've made your husband crawl on my back like a dog, desperately trying to please me!?"
After such a roar, Jessica felt much better.
This only proved that the Ah Q spirit therapy was not only prevalent in the lower echelons of the Eastern Land but also had a large market among the top ladies of the Western Land.
Due to the sudden occurrence of this event.
The negotiating parties, who had originally planned to return home, all changed their plans and returned to their respective residences.
As soon as they closed their doors, they began making frantic phone calls.
After returning to her room, Su Ziyu embraced Mo Hongti, and the two sisters discussed having a good drink at noon.
However—
When they saw Xiuzi suddenly knock and enter with a grim expression, they immediately realized something had happened.
On the lawn.
Su Ziyu and Mo Hongti quickly walked to Li Xiao's side, "Dad (Uncle), what happened?"
"Ziyu, Hongti." Li Xiao, who was silently smoking while facing the direction of the Blackwater Forest, turned to look at them and said in his usual gentle tone, "Qianfan has had an accident. Wujiang personally called me a few minutes ago. I had intended to keep it from you, but considering your relationship with Qianfan, I decided I should still tell you."
The two girls, who had just been gloating over Jessica, immediately faced retribution!
Su Ziyu's small face turned pale, "Dad, what happened to Qianfan?"
"Don't worry." Seeing her body tremble, Li Xiao knew she was thinking of "death," so he quickly said, "Qianfan's life safety should not be in danger currently. But he might have to, suffer a bit."
Was Li Qianfan's current situation simply suffering a bit?
Anyone who dared to say that in front of Li Qianfan would definitely be kicked!
Before he could wake up from the darkness of being knocked unconscious, he felt pain.
His shoulders ached severely.
The calves of both his legs also throbbed with piercing pain.
There was also a faint crying sound—
Li Qianfan, who had been unconscious for an unknown amount of time, finally slowly opened his eyes.
Then he saw the shifting, seven-colored light that moved like a spirit snake.
"This is the aurora."
"This crying sound is from Madam Murong."
"How long have I been unconscious?"
Li Qianfan stared at the dreamlike aurora in the distant sky for a full ten seconds before attempting to slowly lift his head.