Chapter 299: The Hour of the Dragon (2)

Chapter 299: Chen Time (II)

In Guan Mountain City, the Office of Pacification.

Yang Bai Ze wore the sixth-grade heron official robe, sitting upright on the platform behind the high terrace.

A neural nerve bundle dangled from beneath the plaque inscribed with "Mingjing Gao Lian," connecting to the brain-machine interface at the back of his skull.

"So you're saying that Huang Yue, the Commander of the Guan Mountain City Pacification Office, was executed by the Jinyiwei on charges of involvement in the firearms smuggling case?"

Within this Yellow Millet Dream Realm, only a snow-capped peak soared into the heavens, its base rooted in the earth.

Yang Bai Ze stood atop the summit, beside a blooming cherry blossom tree.

"No, Your Excellency. There is more to it."

"Oh, what secrets lie beneath?"

The speaker stood with their back to Yang Bai Ze, gazing at the obscured world below the clouds, their vermilion official robes fluttering in the wind.

Though their face remained unseen, the dark, flowing beard extending beyond their silhouette betrayed a strong retro aesthetic.

"Those not of our kind must have hearts unlike ours."

"A different race? You didn't mention that in your report to the court."

"What everyone knows need not be spoken aloud."

"Since you know it's a matter of mutual understanding, why tear open this veil of silence?"

"The new policies are about to arrive; the old rules must be shattered!"

Yang Bai Ze's expression was resolute. "Moreover, allowing these mixed-blooded individuals into the empire's exclusionary institutions is a colossal joke."

"These are all legacy issues from history."

The man neither confirmed nor denied, his voice low: "When the Japanese district was first established, the empire, to better control these barbarian lands, had no choice but to turn a blind eye, allowing the Japanese district's sequence to re-enter the Pacification Office at all levels."

Yang Bai Ze picked up the thread, his tone uncharacteristically cold: "It's not just an issue—it's a hidden danger! It must be eradicated!"

"Are you not afraid that your hardline approach will invite retaliation, making you a target for all to shoot at, dying in this desolate land?"

The man's voice grew heavier: "A tree that stands out in the forest will be broken by the wind. One who stands above others will be opposed by all. A bird that sticks its head out will be shot, young man!"

"If students must look back and forth, echoing others, they need not come here. Besides, the Japanese district is already imperial territory—I am willing to remain buried here, guarding the empire's borders and keeping the barbarians at bay!"

The clear voice echoed across the summit, reverberating through the layered clouds.

In the end, it rolled like thunder, deafening to the ears.

"No wonder you're a student of Pei Xingjian. Your style mirrors your teacher's—a reckless tiger official!"

The man laughed heartily: "Since that's the case, I shall grant you, young tiger, the chance to ascend the mountain and leap to the clouds!"

"From this day forth, Guan Mountain City shall be the first trial ground for the new policies in the Japanese district! Yang Bai Ze, act as you see fit—the court's pressure, I shall shield you from it myself!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Yang Bai Ze remained calm and composed, bowing respectfully.

"However,"

The man's tone shifted, his voice sinking: "Though my teacher and I were classmates at the Donglin Academy, inseparable in friendship, I must ask you—how do you plan to implement the new policies?"

"Three points: the Confucian Temple, the Jinyiwei, and the Bright Official Robes!"

"What of the Confucian Temple?"

"Spread the empire's culture to educate and tame the Japanese. Those who comply shall be citizens; those who resist shall be rebels! Rebels—kill them!"

"What of the Bright Official Robes?"

"Open the empire's bureaucratic ranks to recommend and regulate the gentry through Confucian order. High-ranking officials depart; low-ranking ones remain in their homeland! Those who resist—kill them!"

This dialogue atop the mountain was calm in tone, yet each word carried a chilling frost.

The Yellow Millet Dream Realm shifted with the builder's emotions—the once-pure clouds suddenly turned ink-black, and in the blink of an eye, a torrential rain poured down!

"Using the Confucian Temple as the beginning and the Bright Official Robes as the end, the two are interlocked. Not bad. What of the middle, the Jinyiwei?"

Yang Bai Ze's voice rang sharp, decisive: "With the Jinyiwei as the spearhead, eradicate the four major companies of the Japanese district, crush the remnants of the old Japanese regime, and destroy their dreams of the former nation!"

"Destroy their dreams of the former nation. What a phrase—destroy their dreams of the former nation!"

The man laughed aloud, "The empire is fortunate to have young men like you. When you return to the imperial capital and join the Inner Cabinet, you shall surely inspire the New Donglin Party!"

Yang Bai Ze smiled faintly, shaking his head: "I have no desire to join the New Donglin Party."

"Oh? You refuse to rely on this towering tree?"

Yang Bai Ze raised his right hand, slowly brushing away the pink cherry blossoms on his shoulder.

"This tree—it would make fine kindling!"

"And the flowers?"

"Let them fall like Wu the First Emperor's teachings, scattered along the road, unbound and free!"

"Good!"

The man's laughter grew even more boisterous, piercing the air and clouds, lingering long before fading.

"By the way, what was the name of the Jinyiwei who killed for you?"

Yang Bai Ze blinked: "Your Excellency, according to military regulations, first-line Jinyiwei do not inquire about their real names, only their aliases."

"What was the alias?"

"Lord of the Yan Mansion, Yan Jun!"

The rapid postal route connecting Guan Mountain City and Kōbe City wound along the earth like a coiled giant dragon.

The distance lamps on either side flickered rhythmically, and a black off-road vehicle bearing the "Dragon Scale" emblem of the Hengshi Group sped along the dragon's spine.

"Xiao Bai, we didn't extract any useful intelligence from Hengshi Qiu He's mind—how can you be so certain Gong Qinghong is in Kōbe City?"

Fan Wujiu asked worriedly: "It takes an hour and a half to reach Kōbe City. If we come up empty-handed, time will be even tighter!"

"Though Hengshi Qiu He doesn't know Gong Qinghong's exact whereabouts, his memories show he promised to gift a batch of firearms and ammunition to Honghu afterward. The quantity is substantial, and Guan Mountain City's stock is far from enough. To replenish, they must transport from elsewhere."

Xie Bi'an explained patiently: "The nearest port city to Guan Mountain City is Kōbe City. Moreover, I received word that the Hengshi Group's smuggled weapons into the Japanese district were offloaded at the shore near Kōbe City. If I were Gong Qinghong, I would go directly to Kōbe City to fetch the goods, to avoid unnecessary complications!"

"You're not Gong Qinghong, though. What if that brat doesn't think like you?"

Xie Bi'an clenched his teeth: "A fool's mind is full of oddities, but a wise man's thoughts are consistent."

"Ah, so that's how it is."

Fan Wujiu, sitting in the passenger seat with his buttocks puckered, nodded half-understanding.

"But..."

He surveyed the interior of the car and grinned: "Why are we four the only ones charging into the dragon's den? Kōbe City isn't our territory. If we're going to capture someone elsewhere, at least let me bring some brothers from the first office—strength in numbers, right?"

"You know it's a foreign land?"

Xie Bi'an finally couldn't hold back, rolling his eyes in exasperation, cursing in his native Liaoning accent: "If you bring all the men from the first office, do you think we'd even enter Kōbe City's jurisdiction before the local Jinyiwei and garrison sniff us out and swarm out?"

Fan Wujiu wore a bewildered expression. "Jumping out is good enough, brother. Mutual aid within the household. Could they dare help Honghu obstruct us? Impossible."

"You're being reckless, how many times have I told you to use your brain less and your bird more? Now is the time when our household is universally shunned. They can't even hide, how could they possibly help?"

Fan Wujiu's eyebrows arched, a chilling aura of menace crossing his face. "Do you mean they want to steal credit?"

"Of course! A case that even the Imperial Army has issued a notice about, whoever solves it will earn great merit. Moreover, there are probably many in the shadows who don't want the case solved!"

Xie Bi'an's face turned as pale as frost. "Gong Qinghong's life can only be reclaimed by our Canshan City Jinyiwei to restore our honor. It must never fall into others' hands!"

"If we mobilize entirely, the target would be too large. Once they get wind of it, they might scare the snake away. If Gong Qinghong hears the news and flees in advance, this lead will be completely severed. Then, Old Gui's life might truly be lost in the Thousand Household!"

Malice surged in Fan Wujiu's eyes. "They dare! Those useless wretches in Jinzao City, whoever dares stand up to claim someone from me, I'll cut them down first!"

"Therefore, this operation must be swift. Not only do we race against Gong Qinghong, but also against the Thousand Household!"

Li Jun, sitting in the back seat, listened quietly to their conversation, inwardly marveling.

No wonder Fan Wujiu had praised Xie Bi'an as the top Jinyiwei Second Office Director in the enemy territory. Though he had fallen into Gong Qinghong's trap, his subsequent handling was flawless and decisive.

With such a subordinate, Li Jun, the acting Thousand Household Commander, felt utterly at ease.

"By the way, Brother Jun."

Xie Bi'an turned to look at Li Jun beside him. "When you and Xiao Hei raided the White Emperor's hideout to capture Huang Shi Qiuhe, I led men to search his old lair and indeed found much."

"What did you find?"

Since Gui Wang Da was summoned to the Thousand Household, Xie Bi'an showed a smile for the first time. "Fifty million in silver and cash, and many Huangliang hosts with fixed link permissions. The subordinates' analysis reports seem to be specifically for bribing Imperial officials, involving many Jinyiwei and Xuanwei officials from other major cities."

"How much money?!"

Fan Wujiu, who had just sat back down, sprang up again, then seemed to remember something, his face dejected as he sat back, muttering to himself.

"So much cash... What a pity, all this stolen goods must be reported. At the Thousand Household, not a single hair will remain."

Listening to Fan Wujiu's muttering, Li Jun and Xie Bi'an exchanged a peculiar smile.

"The Canshan branch, didn't leave any survivors?"

"They were all killed."

"What about the scene?"

"It was disguised as Honghu's usual methods, no flaws on the surface. But if an expert investigates, they might still find some traces."

Li Jun nodded. "That's enough. Notify all brothers to keep their stories straight. The destruction of the Huangliang Group's Canshan branch was due to Honghu thugs taking advantage of the chaos, with no relation to our household's investigation."

Xie Bi'an beamed. "What about the property they lost?"

"The Canshan City Jinyiwei deeply regret and blame themselves. They will surely strengthen their crackdown on Honghu in the future and strive to recover the losses for the Huangliang Group!"

"Understood. If the Thousand Household asks, we answer the same?"

"We have done our best."

Li Jun sighed long and after a moment of contemplation, whispered, "Give one million to Yang Tongzhi of the Xuanwei Office. Courtesy demands reciprocity; others have helped us, we cannot be impolite."

Xie Bi'an replied, "Understood."

"Also, a brother died in the shed area. According to Old Gui's rules, we should send more money back. Don't be stingy; our household won't lack funds in the future."

"I understand."

Xie Bi'an nodded heavily, his eyes flashing with an unusual light.

"Brother Jun, besides the financial records, we found something that might be useful to you."

Useful to me?

Li Jun's brow twitched in confusion. "What is it?"

"A six-grade martial arts injector. I personally checked it; it hasn't been tampered with. It should be prepared by Huang Shi Qiuhe for himself."

Xie Bi'an smiled slightly, revealing a luxurious injector with intricate patterns in his palm.

"But the accompanying note only mentions a refining technique, and the attribute is uncertain."

Li Jun reached out to take it, and in the instant it touched his hand, a delighted smile appeared on his face.

His genes stirred with joy, proving that this injector carried a wood-based martial art!

Without hesitation, Li Jun inserted the injector into his neck and pushed it all the way in.

[Fuyuan Jingjia (Six-grade Refining) completed, replaced with Qieku Suojin (Seven-grade Perfection)]

[Fuyuan Jingjia upgraded to Six-grade Early Stage (80/100)]

[Consumed 220 mastery points, Fuyuan Jingjia upgraded to Six-grade Perfection]

[Remaining mastery points: 94] (Originally 194, 30 for killing Huang Yue, 90 for killing Huang Shi Qiuhe.)

The 'Shu' derived from Qieku Suojin after Perfection is a nearly pain-nerve-eliminating endurance ability and resistance to hallucinations.

This ability allows Li Jun to maintain focus and clarity in combat, preventing pain and similar hypnotic techniques like the Dharma Realm from interfering.

After replacement, the 'Shu' ability is permanently retained in the genes, just like the Eighth-level Fist and Bone Separation.

As for other basic enhancements like physical resilience, they are replaced by the more dominant Fuyuan Jingjia.

At this moment, within the body beyond sight, a violent transformation was occurring.

Li Jun's originally smooth skin seemed covered with a hardened keratin, scales flickering in and out, giving his expression a slightly fierce look.

This is the new ability formed after Fuyuan Jingjia's Shu, still inheriting the pure traits of the martial sequence, with only one characteristic: toughness!

He even vaguely felt that his current self could withstand a direct hit from the 'Fire Dragon Rising from Water' within ten zhang.

The transformation lasted a full quarter of an hour before Li Jun finally returned to normal.

His slightly darkened complexion also regained its rosiness, and the liver energy lost from using 'Shilonghu' was replenished.

"Thank you, Xiao Xie."

Xie Bi'an grinned. "Brother Jun, you don't need to be polite. Just call me Xiao Bai from now on."

The back seat atmosphere was harmonious, while the front was grim.

Fan Wujiu, sitting in the passenger seat, wore a worried face, muttering under his breath. "Didn't expect it, didn't expect it. Xie Bi'an, you kid with thick eyebrows, are secretly a sycophant too! This is bad, I'm going to lose favor in front of Brother Jun."

As soon as he finished speaking, a red-eyed dart shot across. "It wasn't Ma Ye who hurt you. Have you ever been favored?"

"You don't understand!"

Fan Wujiu grumbled. "It's not me saying this, Old Ma, do you know the way?"

"You damn well ask a living ink armor if they know the way? Haven't you heard of the saying 'Old Ma Knows the Way'?"