HPDBC Chapter 198 Redemption of the Iron Wall
Chapter 198 Redemption of the Iron Wall
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The "Gray Rock City Attack" was like a storm; although Liu Ji, the core figure, was completely wiped out, its impact was profound and lasting.
It reinforced Lin Tian's supreme and unshakeable legendary status;
It taught all players a lesson about the dangers hidden beneath the calm surface;
It prompted major factions to undergo internal purification and to take sides more clearly;
It also made those players at the top more clearly aware of the chasm-like gap between them and Lin Tian, as well as the diversity of the rules and dangers of this world.
The political landscape on the mainland is undergoing subtle yet profound changes due to this failed sneak attack.
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The "Gray Rock City Attack" was like a plague, rapidly eroding the foundation of the Ironwall Guild.
They were once on the rise, thanks to their resilience during the second wave of the Scourge and the reputation they had built among local players in Grayrock City.
The "Gratitude Ceremony" spearheaded by President Wan Heng should have been a step towards even greater heights.
However, Liu Jin's earth-shattering sneak attack, and Lin Tian's subsequent divine and imposing rage, shattered all of this.
After the incident, the reputation of the Ironwall Guild plummeted.
The world channel was filled with ridicule and skepticism towards them:
"Iron Wall Guild? I think it's a sieve guild. They recruit all sorts of freaks and monsters?"
"The person who even dared to plot against the powerful Lin Tian was hiding in your guild, and you didn't notice anything amiss? Who believes that?!"
"Be careful when teaming up with the Iron Wall guys in the future; who knows if they have another Liu Ji on their team!"
Newcomers who were originally interested in joining hesitated, some long-term allies became ambiguous in their attitude, and even a few core teams left the guild in anger, believing that the guild management's negligence had brought them shame.
In the player community of Grayrock City, the Ironwall Guild has almost become synonymous with "potential danger".
The atmosphere inside the council chamber was as oppressive as the sea before a storm.
Wan Heng seemed to have aged ten years overnight. He was no longer the spirited guild leader who tried to climb the ranks, but more like a redeemer burdened with heavy shackles.
He looked around at the few remaining core members below the stage, and every face was filled with frustration, fear, and even a hint of resentment.
"Gentlemen," Wan Heng's hoarse and heavy voice broke the suffocating silence,
"I know everyone is feeling terrible. Our Iron Wall is at a critical juncture, facing life or death. All of this stems from my oversight and my impatience!"
He slammed his fist on the table, his remorse evident in his expression.
"That scoundrel Liu Ji exploited my vanity and our awe of the strong, almost dragging our entire guild into an abyss of no return! It's already an immense act of mercy that Boss Lin Tian didn't hold a grudge against us! But we can't pretend nothing happened!"
He suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, yet burning with a desperate resolve.
"We must save ourselves! We must atone for our sins! Internal cleanup alone is not enough; we must demonstrate sufficient sincerity and action to prove to Boss Lin Tian and to everyone that our Iron Wall Guild is not a group harboring malicious intentions. We know our mistakes, we dare to admit them, and we are capable of correcting them!"
In the days that followed, the Ironwall Guild began a painful process of self-redemption, akin to scraping away bone to remove poison.
First, an extremely rigorous internal rectification was carried out.
Wan Heng personally took charge and established an investigation team to conduct three rounds of comprehensive screening of nearly a thousand members within the guild.
It's not just about verifying talent information, but also about assessing their character and loyalty through task records, team performance, and even indirect evaluations from other members.
Any member who is even slightly suspicious, or who has been reported for misconduct, regardless of their ability, will be expelled without exception.
In just a few days, the number of guild members decreased by one-third, but those who remained were the core members who had been tested and still felt a sense of belonging to the guild.
However, internal purity alone is not enough to salvage a reputation.
What they need is a "pledge of allegiance" that can truly move that being and demonstrate their repentance and loyalty.
At a core meeting, Wan Heng made that difficult yet bold decision.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"I've decided to dedicate the entire Ironwall Guild, regardless of cost or sacrifice, to helping Boss Lin Tian!"
"Finally, we hereby publicly declare! From this day forward, our Ironwall Guild voluntarily becomes the most loyal subordinate force of Boss Lin Tian, with absolutely no disloyalty! All our actions will be guided by Boss Lin Tian's interests! We seek no reward, only... an opportunity for atonement and loyalty!"
The council chamber was completely silent.
This decision means that the Ironwall Guild will give up the possibility of independent development and tie its future fate entirely to Lin Tian.
But no one objected.
Having gone through this ordeal, they all realized that in this world where strength reigns supreme, without the protection of the strong, their guild would find it difficult to move forward.
Being able to rely on someone like Lin Tian, even if it's just to gain his slightest bit of recognition, is far better than struggling to survive on their own.
This is not only redemption, but perhaps also an opportunity for rebirth.
"I agree!"
"Let's do it! Rather than disbanding in disgrace, let's give it our all!"
"Yes! Let's show our sincerity to the fullest!"
The resolution was passed swiftly.
The Ironwall Guild, a machine that had just undergone a major internal reshuffle, began to operate with unprecedented efficiency.
The guild warehouse's accumulated gold coins and materials over the years were dumped in large quantities, and clues about those rare materials were frantically sought in the auction house and black market.
All the elite teams were reorganized, and their targets were no longer ordinary dungeons and monsters, but forbidden areas that were extremely dangerous and could yield special items;
A vast intelligence network was established, with each member becoming an information gatherer.
At the same time, Wan Heng personally drafted a statement with extremely humble wording and a very sincere attitude, which was released to the public through official channels.
In the statement, he once again expressed the deepest remorse on behalf of the Iron Wall Guild for the "Liu Ji Incident," and formally announced that all members of the Iron Wall Guild would henceforth serve Lin Tian as their master, follow his lead without question, and be willing to do anything to wash away the stain and regain his trust.
This statement has once again sparked discussion on the mainland.
Some scoffed, believing that Iron Wall's actions were a desperate attempt to curry favor with powerful figures; others secretly admired their decisiveness and courage.
All the efforts, all the resources, all the expectations, ultimately pointed to that lofty name—Lin Tian.
Ironwall Guild, a force that once plummeted to rock bottom, is now attempting, with an almost obsessive attitude, to carve out a path to redemption through its actions.
They placed all their hopes on that humble loyalty, hoping it might reach the hands of the ruler and earn a meager mercy.