281: New leader takes over

Hearing the Leader's words, Pan Han fell silent.

This matter was indeed strange.

It felt like the system had deliberately arranged it.

The Leader, who had lived for nearly 600 years, had his organs immediately begin to fail as soon as he was bound.

It sounded as if he had been abandoned by the system!

If that were truly the case, it would indicate that the system was selecting those it bound, so what was the system's purpose?

"Hey, system, stop playing dead. What exactly is going on?" Pan Han asked in his mind.

He asked seven or eight times, but no one responded to him!

"Damn it, the system's playing dead again!" Pan Han had just cursed when the Leader interrupted him.

"Mr. Pan, don't hesitate. Time is running out. If you don't explicitly object, I'll go announce it now."

"There's no need to be so urgent, is there?"

"My system just notified me in my mind that I only have 48 hours left to live!" The Leader gave a bitter laugh.

"What's happening? Coming into contact with me actually accelerated your death?" Just moments ago, he had said he could live for two weeks, and now only two days. Pan Han was a bit bewildered by the situation.

Why was the Leader's system in such a hurry?

"It doesn't matter. I've enjoyed several hundred years; one should be content. Now, my last wish is to hand the Knight Order over to you. Then I can leave in peace." With that, the Leader tremblingly extended a finger.

"What do you mean?"

"The system just prompted me again: I can only live for 1 day! Mr. Pan, please don't hesitate any longer, or I might leave with regrets."

Holy cow! In just a few seconds, he could only live for 1 day?

What kind of damn system is this, playing a countdown game??

"Alright, alright, I promise you." If he didn't agree, Pan Han was afraid the Leader would die right before his eyes. Then it would be completely inexplicable.

"Thank you, Mr. Pan. I can leave in peace." The Leader's face suddenly glowed with health, and his voice was full of vigor.

"Leader, all of this is happening too fast. I'm not sure I can do a good job." From getting off the plane until now, it hadn't even been a few hours. Pan Han felt like he was dreaming.

"Young man, just do your best. Don't force it." After speaking, the Leader collapsed onto the sofa, a look of happiness on his face.

"I'm finally free." A low murmur came from the Leader's mouth.

Pan Han looked at him, not knowing what to say.

For an old man to be so happy before he passed, perhaps it was the best outcome.

Slowly, the Leader picked up the phone and called the elderly black man in.

He whispered a few words into his ear. The old man was stunned at first, then tears slowly welled up in his eyes, his mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he shook his head non-stop.

"Go, A Huang, go do what you need to do first. Don't be sad." The Leader waved his hand, dismissing the elderly black man.

"In ten minutes, all members of the Knight Order will receive the news. You, Pan Han, will become the new Leader."

"That fast? Didn't you say we'd start with the Vice Leader first?"

"There's no time!" The Leader slowly stood up and walked to Pan Han's side.

Slowly extending his hand, he looked at Pan Han with kindness, stroked his head, and smiled, saying, "Take me home. I want to see my homeland one last time."

Pan Han hadn't expected the Leader's last wish to be to return to his hometown.

The idea of 'fallen leaves returning to their roots' is deeply ingrained in the subconscious of Dragon Country people.

This frail old man, who had left home in ancient times and spent centuries abroad, was finally free.

At this moment, he was no longer the Leader, nor was he the person bound by the system; he was simply himself, an ordinary person.

"Okay, Leader." Pan Han couldn't bear to look away and readily agreed.

"Now that you are the Leader, please call me A Hui!" The Leader's complexion turned rosy again, but his body began to stoop and shrink, his face started to wrinkle, and his hair instantly turned white.

"Ah, this!" Seeing the Leader's transformation, Pan Han finally believed that his time had come.

A scent of death permeated the air; others couldn't smell it, but Pan Han could clearly perceive it.

"My life has been extraordinary. I left home young, struggled in foreign lands, and built this foundation. I've slaughtered eight clans, destroyed ten nations, killed countless people, yet also saved countless lives. I married three times, but repeatedly saw my family members off, and have no descendants to this day. And I never saw my own parents and relatives again. Now, I came naked, and I leave naked. It's good." The Leader stroked Pan Han's head, slowly recounting his life, a stream of hot tears flowing down the furrows on his face.

Just then, A Huang, along with the villa's servants and security guards, rushed into the room.

They all knelt before the Leader, every one of them weeping bitterly.

"Mr. Pan, the shortest time these people have been with me is seven or eight years. After I'm gone, please treat them well. If they truly aren't convenient to use, give them a generous severance package; do not harm them." The Leader looked at the sea of bowed heads before him, then turned to Pan Han with expectation.

"A Hui, please rest assured, I promise you!" In this moment, Pan Han was filled with emotion.

Pan Han had witnessed all sorts of scenes of slaughter, but he had never experienced such a farewell. There was no reason for him not to agree.

"That's good. That's good." The Leader nodded repeatedly. After speaking, he walked over to A Huang.

He slowly helped the tearful A Huang to his feet, gently wiping away his tears, and said, "You all know I have a long life, but there must eventually be a farewell. Don't take it to heart; I am very happy now."

"Leader!" A Huang called out solemnly.

The others also followed suit, calling out.

"Hahahaha! Everyone, quickly get up, there's no need to be sad. I have no regrets in this life. Thank you all for your years of loyalty. I'm leaving first this time; let's meet again in the next life!" The Leader's eyes were tearful as he laughed, walking among them and helping each one up.

Seeing the Leader personally helping them, everyone stood up and gathered around him.

"Everyone, quickly go pay your respects to your new Leader. He is more powerful than I am and will surely lead you to continue to develop and grow stronger." After speaking, the Leader looked at Pan Han.

A Huang and the others remained motionless. Pan Han felt a bit embarrassed and waved his hand, signaling everyone to relax.

"What, are the Leader's words no longer effective?" The Leader said, half-joking and half-reproaching.

Seeing the Leader say this, A Huang and the others could only come forward to Pan Han and kneel down.

"Everyone, quickly get up, there's no need for such formalities." Pan Han helped A Huang up with one hand.

"A Huang, has the announcement been sent?" the Leader asked.

"Reporting to the Leader, it has been sent. All Knight Order members worldwide have received it simultaneously," A Huang replied, choked with emotion.

"That's good! That's good! Go prepare the plane; I want to return to Dragon Country."

"Yes, Leader!" A Huang kissed the Leader's hand and reluctantly departed.

"Everyone, you may disperse. The new Leader and I still have things to discuss." The Leader waved his hand, signaling everyone to return to their posts.

Everyone took turns kissing the Leader's hand, then reluctantly left.

"Mr. Pan, when I left, our Dragon Country was the world Leader. I hope you can help our homeland reclaim the top position in the world."

"Ah! This... this is too far-fetched, isn't it? I haven't even thought about that!" Pan Han was still just a recent graduate, after all. He hadn't really studied world affairs much and hadn't considered this aspect yet.

He had thought about recreating the Tang Dynasty capital before, but that was just indulging in the fantasy of being a local emperor.

"No rush. The tide of the world is vast and mighty; you can act according to the situation." The Leader looked at Pan Han with a warm smile, his eyes full of affection.

"Alright, enough of this. Accompany me back to the country."

With that, the Leader took Pan Han's hand and walked out the door.