People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

Therefore, he did not try to stop them, but instead followed his plan and went straight for Chongyue.

Seeing this, a triumphant smile appeared on Chongyue's lips.

“Mr. Jeston, you should not know that in the martial arts of Yan, there is a skill called ‘Striking a Tumor Through a Mountain’.”

"A short burst of force, I concede!"

Before Jeston could react to Chongyue's voice, the punch had already blocked his Iron Shirt technique.

At first, Jeston only felt a sense of unease, because the punch didn't seem to have any power; it was more like a test, a feint. Forget about some mystical technique of striking through a mountain; even something as simple as denting his armor like that would be difficult to execute.

But the next second, he corrected his mind.

"Ding!"

This is the sound of a punch striking iron, and the sound of invincibility.

"puff--"

With a sudden burst of force, the blow, seemingly aimed at the same area, struck Jeston squarely in the abdomen, causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood and fly backward uncontrollably.

The outcome will be decided at this moment!

At this moment, the military officer also wrote his last entry:

"In a duel at the Rose Arena, Grandmaster Chongyue defeated Mr. Jeston by one move."

Chapter 377 Shi Huaiya: Put the whole hotel on Ers

Kazimir, Kavaleriaki, Swire Hotel.

The Swire Victoria Hotel is a chain hotel founded by the renowned Swire family of Victoria, with branches throughout Terra, including Victoria, Lonmen, and Kazimierz. The Swire family has a vast business empire spanning real estate, finance, cosmetics, casinos, and more, making them a prominent business family in Terra.

But the social environment of Victoria, as everyone knows, meant that this wealth could only bring the Swire family very limited political standing, even though they never stopped donating to the nobility, the political rewards they received were meager. The current head of the Swire family, Adams Swire, is already an elderly man, yet he has still not obtained a "knighthood" in Victoria.

According to reliable sources, Adams Swire is planning to relocate his family's business from Victoria to Longmen, a city thousands of miles away known as the new financial center and open window of China, to seek refuge with his friend, Governor Wei Yanwu of Longmen. Perhaps in the near future, the Swire-Victoria Hotel will be renamed the Swire-Longmen Hotel.

Many believe the Swire family's relocation is due to the recent Lentinham turmoil, which has gradually impacted Victoria. However, the Swire family's plan to shift their focus from Victoria to Lentinham actually began long before the Lentinham turmoil. Commentators point out that this move by the Swire family will cause Victoria to lose hundreds of thousands of jobs in the future, putting hundreds of thousands of employees at risk of layoffs, and will inevitably incur the hostility and obstruction of several Grand Dukes of Victoria. Their relocation plan is unlikely to be easily realized.

[A renowned five-star commentator from Kazimir, a patriotic entrepreneur, and president of Rose Newspapers commented: "As an entrepreneur who prioritizes the well-being of the people, abandoning the land that nurtured him and his company, betraying the employees and people who trusted him, and instead investing in other countries—such behavior is undoubtedly shameful!"]

[For more detailed insider information about this event, please subscribe to *Rose Weekly - Financial Weekly* (18.99 marks/month). *Rose Weekly - Financial Weekly* will take you to see the world and understand finance!]

Reading the magazine in her hands, Miss Beatrice Swire paused, a surge of anger rising within her. She looked at the manager beside her, who was already drenched in cold sweat, crossed her legs, and demanded:

"Who gave you permission to put this kind of thing in the hotel?"

"Placing publications that are detrimental to your own hotel in your own hotel—are you complaining that you're making too much money, or that your hotel's reputation is too good?"

"We are the designated hotel for this World Games. Do you want this kind of rumor to be seen by VIPs and athletes from all over the world, and for this lie to spread throughout Terra?!"

The general manager, a Rupert, had his ears drooping completely and his tail tucked between his legs. Faced with the accusations from the Swire family heiress from headquarters, he dared not utter a single word of rebuttal, and could only nod repeatedly while wiping the sweat from his brow.

“Miss Swire, this is my fault, my fault. I will arrange for someone to order a batch of new magazines from abroad and ship them over immediately.”

"Is it Miss Shi? It's Shi Huaiya... Oh, you read it right."

Shih Huai-ya awkwardly twirled her hair.

Back in Lungmen, she was either called "Char Siu Cat" by that damn pink-faced dragon, or "Miss Poetry" by Hoshiguma. After a while, she got used to correcting herself.

Suddenly being assigned a mission and going on a long trip, and being called by the correct name for the first time, felt a bit strange.

However, she did find the general manager's proposed solution somewhat strange. She spoke up, stopping the general manager who was about to leave to make changes, and asked:

Why order from overseas?

The general manager gave a wry smile and replied with some helplessness:

"Because it's not available for order domestically."

Shih Huai-ya rolled her eyes. What she said really did make sense.

The general manager clearly realized that his words were somewhat ambiguous, and quickly tried to remedy the situation:

“Miss Shi Huaiya, you may not know this, but it’s a long story.”

"How many chain hotels do you think there are in Kasimir?"

Shi Huaiya raised an eyebrow; she really didn't know that.

She was ordered by Governor Wei Yanwu to come to Kazimierz to participate in the upcoming World Games.

This mission was originally supposed to be led by Pink Intestine Dragon... I mean, Chen Huijie. Unfortunately, that guy must have had some kind of brain fart, because he suddenly brought a company called Rhodes Island with a so-called "Lungmen Slums Infected Persons Handling Plan" and knocked on Wei Yanwu's door.

What happened after that, Shihwaiya didn't know, but she heard some rumors that the good-tempered Governor Wei had argued with Pinky Dragon for a whole day and night for the first time, and finally reluctantly agreed to let Rhodes Island intervene in the problem of the Lungmen slums [where there were many illegal immigrants and unidentified people staying].

Infected? How could something like that appear in Lungmen?

My great Lungmen is thriving and peaceful. There are no "social cancers" like the infected, who are universally recognized as causing chaos. All we have are unidentified lingerers and illegal immigrants who have infiltrated the slums.

Shih Huai-ya was certainly aware of the intricacies involved in these terms of address, but she wasn't involved in the matter and didn't care about whether someone was infected or not.

She was a neutral party, feeling neither much pity nor hatred for the infected. Despite her privileged upbringing and having joined the Guard Bureau as a police officer, she had only seen infected people a handful of times.

As for Pink Intestine Dragon wanting to get involved in this mess, all she can say is, respect and best wishes.

However, the work of being a "representative" that should have been done by Chen Huijie could only be entrusted to him.

Why is it that among these second-generation members of the Dragon Gate, Lin Yuxia is involved in the underworld and rarely shows her face, and Chen Huijie is too stubborn and inflexible, leaving only her?

Without conducting any preliminary research, Swire could only give a vague answer:

"Several hundred?"

The general manager shook his head:

“Thousands! Miss Swire, there are thousands of large-scale chain hotels alone! In this city of Cavalliaki alone, there are more than thirty hotels that are comparable to ours.”

"Why do you think it was us who were chosen as the designated hotel?"

Shih Huai-ya wasn't stupid; since the general manager had spoken up, the answer was obvious.

There must be something going on inside.

She had encountered similar situations quite often in Longmen. One thing might seem like a bidding process with fair competition, but there were many hidden tricks involved. For example, if a dozen companies were competing to build a fountain, and Wei Yanwu made a request that the fountain be designed in the Victorian style, then who would win the bid? Was there even a question?

Is there any family with a more authentic and legitimate Victorian flag than the Swire family?

This is the principle of open bidding and precise selection.

Why did the Grand Knight, leading more than thirty companies, specifically choose their company this time?

Shih Huai-ya lowered her head again, glanced at the magazine in her hand, and already understood the gist of it.

Internal strife? That's a traditional skill!

The Supervisory Commission didn't want the Business Federation to profit from this and further expand its influence, so it bypassed all the hotels under the Business Federation's umbrella and chose a different hotel—one whose roots weren't in Kasimmierz, so it wasn't afraid of the Business Federation's sanctions, but which was internationally renowned and respectable. The Business Federation was indeed disgusted by the Supervisory Commission's decision, but there was nothing they could do. This was the only way they could retaliate.

To be honest, it's a bit petty to make sarcastic remarks in the newspapers and dig up dirt on others.

But the business association was ruthless in that it could get all the newspapers and magazines in Kazimierz to attack them together. This quantitative change led to a qualitative change, and suddenly their petty actions took on a meaning that was "condemned by all and the trend of the times."

Having figured this out, Shih Huai-ya could only manage a wry smile and wave her hand at the general manager:

"Alright, alright, about the magazines, let's remove all of these first, and then we'll wholesale some classic works from the bookstore."

Classics are things everyone praises, but nobody actually reads. In the fast-paced, entertainment-obsessed world of Kazimierz, the idea of ​​settling down to read a book is practically nonexistent. Those classics are piling up in bookstores, practically sold in bulk.

The general manager also came to his senses. Having been disciplined by the fast pace of Kazimierz society for so long, he felt that the bookshelves in the hotel room could only hold fast-paced magazines and newspapers.

But actually, classic works and novels are alright, aren't they?

Not all the guests are from Kasimir; they might not even be used to those flashy magazines!

"I understand, I'll do it right away."

The general manager gave Shih Huai-ya a grateful look, then turned around, took out his phone, and started contacting a delivery person.

With so many books, is he supposed to move them all by himself?

The general manager's order is to be relayed down!

The general manager called back halfway through the conversation to ask for feedback:

"Ms. Swire, what kind of books do you think we should buy?"

Swire pouted and pondered for a moment:

"Too serious is bad, too entertaining is also bad..."

A sudden inspiration struck her, and she snapped her fingers:

"Grandpa was talking about that book every day for a while now... what was it called again...?"

"Oh right, the Chronicles of Erzley. Go find that book."

"This name sounds like... a history book?"

The general manager hesitated for a moment. But Shi Huaiya decisively made the decision:

"Just buy it. I've read a bit of this book before, and although I don't understand many parts, it's quite interesting."

"I heard the author recently released a second book, but I've been so busy lately that I haven't read it yet. Perfect timing, buy me a copy too. It'll help me pass the time."

Chapter 378 The Allure of Journalism!

Theoretically speaking, losing the first match is not something Ernst should be happy about.

But this depends on the situation.

The first defeat to the Mace was a crushing defeat; back in Kjerag, he wouldn't be able to hold his head up high for at least a month. Even imposing tariffs on trade with Kalan would be seen as a childish tantrum. If that happened, Ernst would have to seriously consider whether it was necessary to transfer directly from Casimir to Colombia after the Games, instead of returning to Kjerag.

He still remembered the invitation from the President.

However, if the first battle is lost to Shigetake, then the situation will be different.

Ernst only learned about the background of the Yan Kingdom martial artist in front of him afterward.

There is no first place in literature, but there is a second place in martial arts. The title of Grandmaster is not something that just anyone can bear. In the past life, the saying that all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin was debated for many years. Yet Chongyue can openly and honorably bear the great title of "Master of Martial Arts, Teacher of Warriors" and represent the Yan Kingdom in battle. This kind of prestige is something that ordinary people cannot match.

Does losing to him really lower the value of Jeston's credentials?

No, not necessarily.

Left-handed Knight lost to Black Knight, and Marna was completely outmatched. But did this affect his rising market value, making him one of the top ten favorites and seeded players every year?

Jeston was knocked down by Saria with three punches, and so was the Flame Demon. Has Jeston's value decreased?

No, it's Saria whose purity has greatly increased because it took Jeston and Chongyue three moves to defeat her!

On the contrary, it belongs to Tiangang.

Although Chongyue is a major obstacle, making the championship a pipe dream, Ernst isn't angry. Firstly, there's only one Chongyue, and the official competition will be held in groups, not in a ring. As long as luck isn't too bad, with so many countries and so many forces, it's unlikely that anyone will be grouped with Chongyue.

Who knows, we might even see the mace and Chongyue fighting each other.

Ernst was optimistic; instead of punishing Jeston, he rewarded him!

"Chongyue covered part of your medical expenses, and the rest will be reimbursed by the Shelag government. Just focus on recovering; our medical standards are top-notch..."

Ernst glanced at the medical device whose workings were unclear, but which was emitting green light onto Jeston's abdomen, and at the several medical sorcerers holding staffs surrounding Jeston, and pursed his lips.

To be honest, he felt that the scene of a group of people surrounding a person lying on a bed didn't look like treatment; it was more like a shamanistic ritual.

I wonder if Jeston, when he opened his eyes and heard the words, "You're awake, the surgery was a success," subconsciously checked his various parts.

Is this...is this in accordance with the rites of Zhou?

Well, maybe this is just the magic of Originium Arts. Even the Terrans themselves don't understand what Originium Arts is all about, so what are they thinking?

"Our medical technology is very advanced, very advanced. There are still a few days before the main competition starts, don't worry, there's still time."

After calming Jeston down, Ernst left the ward, called Hinterlea back from paying the bill, and returned to the hotel.

Unlike Chongyue, who arrived early, booked his own room, and disliked sharing accommodations with others, Ernst was not picky and checked directly into the Swire-Victoria Hotel, which had been prepared by the Kanseikai.

The room was luxuriously decorated, with three bedrooms, a living room, and two bathrooms. Aside from being a little small and having only one balcony, it could definitely be described as a lavishly furnished apartment. Ernst was very satisfied with the room, while Hinterlea pouted in disappointment but didn't say anything.

After all, this was both unexpected and reasonable.

She was quite shy; she secretly took a sip of the drink to "test for poison" for Ernst, managing to justify it as legitimate. But seeing Ernst completely unsuspecting and unaware as he opened his mouth to drink it, she still blushed deeply. If she were really asked to do something like a night raid, she probably could stand in front of Ernst's door all night, mentally agonizing over how to open the door silently, even conjuring up names for her grandson, but still unable to reach out and twist the doorknob.