Chapter 301: Pulling Strings

Chapter 301: Pulling Strings

Inside the villa, the atmosphere was stifling.

More than a full day and night had passed since Kuanghuan was captured.

No one had come to the villa to offer condolences; it was eerily silent.

It was as if everyone had forgotten Kuanghuan.

In the military camp.

The general, clad in his uniform, wore a complex expression.

He had just finished a phone call with his superiors.

At that moment, his aide asked, "Should we inform Kuanghuan's family?"

The general shook his head. "Kuanghuan's family is no longer rational. Saying anything now is useless.

They only care about their own interests, never putting the nation's interests first.

On such a grave matter, reasoning with them is impossible."

As soon as he spoke, it was the old moral blackmail.

The state is a tool of the ruling class, especially in the Kingdom of Qinyuan, where the royal family and the Seven Martial Stars govern together.

Hearing this, the aide nodded.

He naturally understood the general's meaning.

"The higher-ups want this matter kept as quiet as possible, handled with a low profile," the general said again. "If Kuanghuan's family seeks me out again, find an excuse to brush them off."

"Understood," the aide replied. "This time, Kuanghuan brought it on himself. If he'd just stuck to selling arms, he wouldn't have gone to the front lines."

The general nodded in agreement.

If they had followed their plan for arms sales, Kuanghuan would never have run into trouble.

In his view, Kuanghuan, besides selling weapons, was insatiably greedy, dabbling in other businesses, which led to his capture by the enemy.

They had refrained from punishing Kuanghuan for his crimes, which was already generous.

Now, with Kuanghuan captured, they were put in a passive position. In his eyes, this was a grave mistake.

"He probably won't die, but some flesh wounds are inevitable," the general said indifferently.

The Kingdom of Wugui was hostile to Qinyuan. If they captured Kuanghuan, he would surely suffer physical pain.

Whether he'd return with all his limbs and organs intact was another matter entirely.

...

Inside the villa.

Kuangxi looked at the frail man before her, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

Over this period, she had investigated some of Qi Yuan's information, only to learn that he was an apprentice at the Mingwu Resonance Martial Arts Hall.

His meeting with her brother had been a stroke of luck.

As for other details, she could uncover nothing.

She was, of course, unaware that Qi Yuan's improved robot Zero-One had hidden and disguised his online identity.

What others could find was only the most basic information.

"So... Kuanghuan is currently in the Saqing military camp in Wugui?" Qi Yuan said softly.

According to Kuangxi, Kuanghuan had been captured while collecting Youlong Root.

Youlong Root was a key material Qi Yuan needed.

But this plant grew in Wugui. Kuanghuan had taken the risk to go there, only to have his whereabouts leaked and be seized by Wugui.

"Yes, we begged the generals above, but they all made excuses.

Mr. Qi, do you know any influential figures who might be able to communicate with Wugui and get my brother released?

The Kuang family is willing to pay... any price!" Kuangxi said earnestly.

Kuanghuan was the family's hope and held the title of viscount.

Her brother had no children. If he died out there, the hereditary viscountcy would likely pass to another branch.

"I don't know any influential people," Qi Yuan replied truthfully.

He had only been in this world for three months.

Today was the first time he had left Tianyue City.

How could he know any powerful figures?

Indeed, upon hearing this, both the young woman and Kuangxi showed disappointment in their eyes.

"I'm already very happy that Mr. Qi came," the young woman couldn't help saying, thinking of others' reactions, her heart filled with even more resentment.

But then Qi Yuan said, "Actually... I'm quite formidable.

Arrange a private car to take me to the front lines. I'll go rescue Kuanghuan."

Qi Yuan said this lightly.

Kuanghuan had fallen because of him.

Kuanghuan was his underling and worked for him.

Naturally, he had to rescue him.

He was a good man, lawful and kind, with no need to craft a selfish persona. He did as he pleased.

Having cultivated immortality for so long, he had yet to clash with a modern military.

Now that he had the chance, he would go and have some fun.

After all, when his strength improved and he returned to his peak combat power,

he could punch stars out of the sky. Bullying ordinary people then would be no fun.

"Mr. Qi... personally going to rescue him?" Kuangxi was stunned.

This answer caught her off guard.

Not just her, but Kuanghuan's wife was also stunned.

"Yes, I'll go myself and bring him back from the camp," Qi Yuan said casually.

To him, this matter seemed trivial.

These words left Kuangxi utterly at a loss.

Usually, their approach was to have some big shot use diplomatic means or exchange interests to get her brother back.

Rescuing someone directly from Wugui's military camp... no one had ever thought of that.

With Qinyuan's military strength, it could indeed steamroll Wugui.

But the Ancient Witch Kingdom was no pushover either.

How could Qin Yuanguo start a war just for a Carnival?

"Mr. Qi... you can't be serious, can you?

That's the Wugui Kingdom's military camp, with a whole regiment inside!"

According to the Wugui Kingdom's military system, a regiment has about three thousand soldiers.

Three thousand soldiers, equipped with all kinds of advanced weapons—tanks, armored vehicles, drones, even fighter jets.

Breaking into such a camp to rescue someone is nothing but a dream.

Yet Qi Yuan said he would go save him—how could they not be astonished, finding it utterly unbelievable.

"Hmm, I know.

I'll rescue him; you just need to arrange a car," Qi Yuan said confidently.

The young woman was stunned.

Ecstasy was also dumbfounded, not knowing how to respond.

Seeing their reactions, Qi Yuan said helplessly,

"Madam, you don't want Carnival to suffer in that camp, do you?

Don't waste time. Prepare the personnel and send me to the front lines.

As for how I'll rescue him, feel free to imagine whatever you like."

Qi Yuan always saved time and never spoke idly.

The young woman and Ecstasy couldn't help exchanging a glance.

Both were now bewildered—the day's events had unfolded too strangely.

They felt that even if they were dealing with a madman, it would seem normal.

But Carnival's wife could only nod vigorously at that moment: "I'll have someone arrange immediately to send Mr. Qi to the front lines.

Mr. Qi... if the mission proves impossible, please ensure your own safety!"

Carnival's wife put it very tactfully.

If he couldn't save him, then let it be—don't get himself caught up in it.

Ecstasy then said, "Since my brother trusts you, I entrust this matter to you, sir!"

Carnival had once told his wife that if a critical situation arose, Qi Yuan was like him.

Thus, Ecstasy and Carnival's wife were willing to arrange for Qi Yuan to go to the front.

"Hurry up and arrange it. I'm in a rush," Qi Yuan said.

This time, heading to the front lines, judging by the distance, would take a few days.

The martial arts tournament was set to begin in just two days.

He was definitely not going to make it back. "Alright, I'll arrange it immediately. Please wait a moment, sir," Ecstasy said, then turned and left.

Now, only Carnival's wife and Qi Yuan remained in the room.

Qi Yuan glanced at the young woman and said, "I have some matters to attend to. I need to make a call."

Qi Yuan took out his phone and dialed.

On the other end, Yang Shan's voice came through.

"What's up, kid? Why are you calling me?"

"I'm here to pull some strings," Qi Yuan replied honestly.

Though he wasn't a privileged figure and didn't enjoy special treatment,

with his mental illness certificate, bending the rules a little... shouldn't be a big deal, right?

"What strings?" Yang Shan was confused.

"A business partner of mine got into some trouble. I need to go abroad to fish him out," Qi Yuan explained the situation.

"You're serious? Your martial prowess is decent, but if you run into gene warriors, you probably won't cut it," Yang Shan said, not knowing what had happened.

He feared that after reaching the peak of martial arts, Qi Yuan might grow arrogant and dare to challenge some untouchable beings.

Qi Yuan ignored him and continued, "I won't be able to attend the martial arts tournament in two days.

Can you help me get a direct pass to the national level?"

Qi Yuan didn't have time for the Tianyue City tournament.

He was thinking of going straight to the national competition.

As a martial arts peak expert, Yang Shan was somewhat famous in the martial arts circle.

That's why Qi Yuan sought his help.

Yang Shan mused, "Your strength is indeed enough to skip the city-level competition and go straight to the national one.

Tell you what—after you come back, I'll take you through a special channel to enter the national tournament.

But... you'll need to prove your strength. You'll have to fight someone."

"No problem," Qi Yuan said, relieved.

If that hadn't worked, he'd probably have had to visit the tournament's organizing body.

That would have been too troublesome.

As long as it could be resolved, it was fine.

About half an hour later, Ecstasy returned. She looked at Qi Yuan, her voice tinged with respect: "Mr. Qi, the travel arrangements are set.

We'll take a car to the airport, then fly to Dian City, where we'll switch to a car with a dedicated driver.

The journey will take about two and a half days."

"No problem," Qi Yuan nodded.

He'd treat it as a trip.

...

Two days passed.

Qi Yuan sat in the car, his gaze calm.

The driver was a burly man, with a gun holstered at his waist.

This burly man was one of Carnival's trusted men, a member of the mercenaries.

Now, the car drove along the main road. The burly man focused on driving but occasionally glanced back at Qi Yuan.

He didn't know Qi Yuan's identity, but he'd been told from above that Qi Yuan was going to rescue his boss.

He was puzzled, wondering how Qi Yuan would manage it.

Just then, Qi Yuan suddenly spoke.

"Stop the car."

The car screeched to a halt, and the burly man’s eyes flickered with confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“Something interesting—I never thought I’d run into it here.”

Qi Yuan stepped out of the sedan.

In the distance, the terrain stretched like a desert, weeds mingled with patches of yellow sand.

The air was dry, and with each gust of wind, sand and dust swirled up.

Not far off on the ground, an occasional mineral water bottle could be seen, along with a condom hanging from a tree.

Qi Yuan stopped before a plant, his expression turning serious.

“This is Cuilong Grass—a fine thing for purifying bloodlines.”

Purifying bloodlines had its uses even in the cultivation world.

Some cultivators who inherited the blood of ancient savage beasts would use Cuilong Grass and other materials to refine their lineage.

But for ordinary cultivators, it was useless.

Their path of cultivation had nothing to do with bloodlines.

Qi Yuan himself had no use for Cuilong Grass in his cultivation.

Yet in the martial arts, it might prove valuable.

Since he had encountered it, Qi Yuan would not be polite. He bent down and dug up the Cuilong Grass.

The burly man beside him looked puzzled, his confusion deepening, adding another layer to his sense of Qi Yuan’s strangeness.

“Alright, let’s get back in the car and move on.”

Qi Yuan spoke and returned to the vehicle.

Now, he wore a trench coat, and his hair had grown considerably longer than three months ago.

If it grew a bit more and he changed into ancient robes, he could pass for a man of old.

The burly man continued driving, speaking as he steered. “The road we’re on now is the smugglers’ route.

Soon, we’ll join a convoy of smugglers from the Yuelang Kingdom, pretending to be one of them, so we can enter the Wugui Kingdom.”

“Oh… aren’t the two kingdoms at war? How can smuggling still go on?” Qi Yuan asked.

“Because the smuggled goods are high-end—things the nobles of both kingdoms need.

Take Timi wine, for example. It’s a specialty of Yuelang, brewed with the unique spring water from Tila Mountain.

This wine is especially popular among the upper echelons and nobles of Wugui.

So even with the war, those high officials and nobles will ban smuggling of other goods, but not Timi wine.

Thus, the smuggling caravans nowadays actually serve the high-ranking nobles of both kingdoms.

The common folk may fight and die, but the upper class… they still need their lavish lives, don’t they?” The burly man’s words carried an indescribable tone.

After all, in this world, he belonged to the common folk, the bottom rung.

“No wonder everyone wants to be a power and a noble,” Qi Yuan couldn’t help but remark.

“Even the upper crust of Wugui lives so extravagantly—I can’t imagine what life is like for those families of the Seven Martial Stars.” The burly man’s eyes were full of envy.

His boss, Viscount Carnival, was already a big shot in his eyes.

But compared to those of the Seven Martial Stars, he was nothing.

Qi Yuan smiled, uninterested in all that.

About two hours later, the car stopped at a small town.

The burly man said to Qi Yuan, “Mr. Qi, just follow my lead later.”

On the road, the burly man had already told Qi Yuan what was about to happen.

Everything was arranged by the burly man.

“Alright.” Qi Yuan nodded.

Then the burly man said, “Mr. Qi, it’s still not too late to back out. Once we join the convoy, we won’t be able to return directly.”

These words were also what Carnival’s wife had told him to say to Qi Yuan.

Once the decision was made to go forward, there was no turning back.

The two kingdoms were still at war; running around the front lines could get them killed by drones.

“After we rescue Carnival, we’ll come back.” Qi Yuan smiled. “Let’s hurry—quick and decisive. The air here is too dry; I don’t want to stay long.”

Hearing this answer, the burly man didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

Because on this journey, he had to follow all the way.

If Mr. Qi went to his death, he would surely die too.

In a way, he actually hoped Mr. Qi wouldn’t go.

But if Mr. Qi went, he would follow.

His life was given by his boss.

He would give it back to his boss.

For him, the world was that simple.

(The chapter ends)