Chapter 822 - 822: World Chess
Unaware, her former villainous friend, proud of knowing the deeper side of her, Ling Qingyu was baffled by Kate's strange expression.
She also received a questioning glance from Astrid and shrugged. The latter displayed disbelief in her eyes, but she really didn't know.
Ling Qingyu was speechless at Kate's sudden aura farming. This woman—when did she become so close and possessive?
Not that she minded too much.
The convoy reached its destination before sunset. It was still late afternoon, and they chose the nearest hotel. Ling Qingyu didn't mind being a spendthrift to stay comfortable as long as the hotel provided luxurious service and a high level of safety.
The group took a short rest before Ling Qingyu listened to Kate's and Astrid's suggestion to go out and roam around.
Poor William was the only man who refused to follow along, choosing instead to meet some old friends while in the state.
As expected, with Ling Qingyu's preference for women, William received no close protection at all.
William: Thank you very much!
All her bodyguards stayed very close to her. Perhaps only a few remained with Mo Yunxi and Yin Jingfei.
No one dared to be careless in a gun blazing nation wild with sociopaths. Last time, they solved a hate active shooter scenario by white supremacists. Just a few days ago, in the most southwestern coast, there was another shooting in the church.
The status was currently reaching the modern equivalent of the modern wild west. Controlling firearms seemed to be the utmost solution but that didn't mean that criminals wouldn't own guns and would find their ways to obtaining one.
Even Alyssia Continent was perplexed by the heightened gang operations like cartels selling drugs and seizing of illegal substances on a daily base. Heck, Country B and F announced that law enforcement had confiscated firearm on a rate of two each day.
Despite seizures and operations, there was no stopping. The funny aspect of Alyssia Interpol belonged to the fact that agencies utilized counter-terrorism units to combat organized crimes, totally copying the style of her Spirit Fox.
They should at least provide some ip reward to her for the genuine effective idea. Anyway, in Ling Qingyu's heart, no where was safe other than around the arms of her subordinates.
Of course, speaking of bodyguards, Kate left hers behind too. The more she learned about Ling Qingyu, the more speechless she became at her friend's paranoia.
However, considering the power wielded by her friend, it wasn't surprising for her to act like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Darkness arrived, and everyone returned to the hotel to rest inside a spacious private lobby.
Astrid, Kate, and William conversed nonstop about their business ideas and possible future cooperation, discussing market trends and economic valuations.
Ling Qingyu paid them no heed because she was listening to Athena's narration after reading Xiao Yue's report.
She raised a brow when she first read the file and the detailed plan behind it, as well as the benefits she would gain if such outrageous methods succeeded.
Yep, overthrowing the regime, even if the revolution resorted to extreme violence. The more isolated the country became, the more it would lean under her umbrella.
Ling Qingyu had no reason to refuse such an advantageous opportunity.
Nonetheless, where there were benefits, there were also risks. Risks and rewards always intertwined.
As a businesswoman, she understood that principle very clearly.
Like Tang Ziyi, she held some apprehension about the chaotic spillover—endless hatred evolving beyond control.
In fact, even without her intervention, things were already out of hand in the first place. It was only because the regime controlled all weapons that the people were merely surviving.
Once an opportunity to revolt arrived, along with the necessary means, they wouldn't hesitate to unleash a bloodbath to avenge the tens of thousands of comrades who had died before them.
Never underestimate the power of camaraderie forged through a righteous cause. They dared to give their lives as martyrs when they held no weapons. Once they wielded them, the power would be unimaginable if controlled and organized well by a strategic body.
And Xiao Yue intended to fulfill exactly such a responsibility and role.
After deeper contemplation, Ling Qingyu trusted the shortie's judgment and gave the green light.
As for certain acts that might constitute terrorism, Ling Qingyu snickered. Such narratives didn't concern her at all.
Not to mention, Xiao Yue would nip all threats in the bud within the Middle Kingdom. Her confidantes were already stirring the Middle Kingdom, and it seemed she would have to accelerate her efforts in Elephant Continent, Northern Tree, and Southern Bush.
So far, footholds such as the President of Country E and several nearby heads of state had already received some hints regarding her power and influence. The longer the mystery remained, the more beneficial it would be.
In Northern Tree, Kate was her aide, slowly encroaching on economic territory and establishing parallel rules. Ling Qingyu held no apprehension toward parallel systems so long as she wasn't engaging in evil activities such as drugs, human trafficking, and the like.
As for Southern Bush, where chaos and cartels ran rampant across the land, Ling Qingyu saw an opportunity to acquire large swaths of territory through underground means.
Cooperating with local cartels or even gangs might help her consolidate influence and power. Unfortunately, it would be far more effective than working with the government.
Nevertheless, Ling Qingyu hadn't lost her humanity and conscience enough to work alongside such a disgusting breed of people from the underworld.
Although darkness had always existed since ancient times and would never disappear so long as greed thrived, Ling Qingyu would rather destroy them to create short-term peace and order, even if the financial cost was immense.
Not to mention, her armed wing was already more outrageous than that of most nations, enough to handle such tasks.
Of course, she wasn't foolish enough to believe military means alone would solve these problems, but that would be a matter for another day.
Lastly, Alyssia Continent, where her mother was a citizen of Country F and a member of a powerful aristocratic family, stirred complicated emotions within Ling Qingyu's heart.
On one hand, her pragmatic mindset considered using her mother's surname to advance her goals.
On the other hand, she felt she shouldn't stoop so low as to exploit her one and only parent.
The Oceania region was sufficient with influence through the game of capital and intertwined economic interests to exert great sway over politics.
Large nations would have very small yet important logistical matters controlled by her. Smaller nations would be handled through massive investment power. Chaotic nations would require humanitarian intervention and military might. Every different region demanded its own specialized approach.
All in all, Ling Qingyu wondered if she had stretched her hand too far. Every continent was involved. The game of chess in her mind was about to manifest in reality very soon.
Perhaps her desires vibrated at a higher frequency and the universe responded to her.
Or perhaps Miss System was involved. Who knew?
William's words captured her attention.
"Do you know, I just received a private invitation from Maria to dine together after our reunion event?"
"Maria? That Law girl from Country M filled with justice and righteousness back in the day?" Astrid pointed out. "She's coming too?"
"Yeah, surprising, right? We haven't heard much from her in the past few years, just like our beautiful fellow classmate—Ms. Ling." William taunted.
"Hey, William. That's called being busy and fulfilled with life, unlike certain people who are so free," Ling Qingyu mocked back.
"My dear Qingyu, I feel like your words offended all of us," Kate chided, a devious smile appearing in her eyes.
Astrid chuckled and returned her focus to Maria.
The trio already knew what kind of person Ling Qingyu was. Even if she had changed tremendously since their last meeting, they felt her core nature remained the same.
It had merely been hidden before and was now displayed far more openly.