ASER - Chapter 84
Chapter 84: Predicament
In the distance, when the Danzhou Patrol Army warship made short work of the mercenary airship, Vulture and the others, seeing the warship belonged to the Danzhou Patrol Army, were so frightened they immediately landed their aircraft and hid in the forest.
Upon receiving the scout's report, Vulture's expression was utterly foul.
Did this Chen Ran give birth to a daughter? Damn it, he gave birth to a cunning prodigy!
Those words she spoke earlier were aimed directly at them, the Fierce Bandits. One could well imagine who the main target of the upcoming regulations for the Jinxiang Area would be.
It was their organization!
After Vulture relayed the message back, Shuang Jin and the others, who were in a meeting, fell into a dead silence.
"The new Danzhou Governor-General is?"
"It should be Chen Ran. Although the imperial court's announcement hasn't been made yet, the procedures should all be completed. That's why he can mobilize the Danzhou Patrol Army."
Fuck!
Are this father and daughter pair latching onto their organization and not letting go?
Shuang Jin unconsciously put himself in the victim's position, without considering who the instigator was.
"Weren't the Cui and Wang families supposed to be using their influence to prevent his promotion to Jinling? How did he suddenly become Governor-General? This is a high-ranking official at the deputy provincial level with real power over both civil and military affairs!"
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's the third most powerful person in Jinling.
However, in Danzhou, he only ranks fifth. The second is from the Song family, the third from the Wang family, the fourth is Jiang Chao's father, and the fifth is Chen Ran.
This Chen Ran's promotion is damn well like riding a rocket.
Shuang Jin was only a department head in the organization, not the leader. He didn't understand the changes in officialdom either. And this transfer order had clearly not been made public yet, but Chen Ran already wielded real power. His descent upon the Jinxiang Area was the first of the "three fires" a new official lights, and incidentally, to rescue his third daughter.
This first fire was an incredibly opportune one. Especially after A'Diao's speech, he directly won over the hearts of the wilderness cultivators in the Jinxiang Area, stabilized the order, and then used the crisis of the underground lairs to integrate the cultivator groups with the Danzhou Patrol Army…
Within a single day, they were brought together as one, and he had also forcefully declared his political presence.
Moreover, if the underground lair crisis was resolved, it would undoubtedly be a huge political achievement—he would have accomplished a great service even before officially taking office.
With the situation like this, having them assassinate A'Diao was clearly unrealistic. Most importantly, she had now been rescued by the Danzhou Patrol Army. If they wanted to kill her, would they have to bomb the warship?
That would be courting death.
What to do?
In the oppressive silence, their leader Li Yuanshu on the other end of the network connection stroked his mask and said in a deep voice, "Those mercenaries were likely sent by the Cui Clan. This time they failed, and people were captured. Regardless of whether Chen Ran can find evidence linking them to Cui Yong, Cui Yong will be restless."
A thought struck Shuang Jin. "Boss, are you saying we should join forces with Cui Yong…"
Li Yuanshu sneered. "You're overthinking it. Now that Chen Ran has reached an agreement with the Song family to implement wilderness regulations, branding us as traitors to humanity, Cui Yong wouldn't dare to use us even if he needed attack dogs. If any trace were found, not to mention the annihilation of his entire family, even his eldest son, who has already attached himself to a prominent Kyoto family, would be executed. He'd have to be brain-dead to choose that path."
Besides, as a villain, he was self-aware. His Fierce Bandit Organization was gathered for profit, a motley crew. It was impossible to ensure that secrets wouldn't be leaked. The Cui Clan had already been thoroughly humiliated by the Chen family several times and was being closely watched by the Imperial Court's Security Department. Cooperating with them would be like handing a knife to the Chen and Song families. Cui Yong was a seasoned high official; how could he make such a mistake?
Shuang Jin actually understood this too. So, what then?
Originally, they were just worried about A'Diao retaliating behind their backs. Now, great, she really had retaliated!
They had killed countless people to seize treasures, but they had never encountered someone so ferocious.
She was just a third-year high school rookie!
"It's not A'Diao who's formidable, it's Chen Ran, the Song family, and Jinling Academy behind her. If I'm not mistaken, this is the three of them laying out their plans in Danzhou. Just watch, the Academy and they will definitely have synchronized actions next—we are the chicken that will be killed."
Li Yuanshu's gaze was incomparably wise, but he added, "But we still have a way out. It's nothing more than consolidating and withdrawing from Danzhou. After all, other provinces aren't as stable as Danzhou. But the Cui Clan has no way out—and the Cui Clan has already made a move against us before. Whether it was an accident or something else, Cui Yong made his fortune through martial prowess. He will also take advantage of the current public developments, seize the opportunity to eliminate us before Chen Ran does, to gain prestige and scheme for other official positions. This puts us in a pincer."
"Then we'll strike first to gain the upper hand. Expose his dirty laundry, let the Cui and Chen families fight it out. That way, they won't have time to deal with us, and we'll have time to consolidate and retreat."
The Cui Clan also relied on death warriors to assassinate wilderness teams in various underground lairs and plunder Spirit Cores. They might not be much cleaner than us. Some evidence is also in our hands, precisely so we can negotiate with these powerful figures if necessary in the future.
Now is clearly such a time.
Before, they fought for Spirit Cores and wealth. Now, they fight for time.
Li Yuanshu made the arrangements, initiating a meticulous counterattack plan against the Cui Clan.
"Remember, be cautious. Make Cui Yong believe that Chen Ran and A'Diao are behind all this!"
"Let them fight like dogs!"
Li Yuanshu's face was grim, a sinister ruthlessness in his eyes.
The airship hadn't taken off yet. Inside the cabin, Ding Mao returned after finishing his report. He saw Lao Wang looking terrified as he watched A'Diao continuously vomiting blood. The accompanying doctor, however, remained composed.
Ding Mao had originally come here on superior orders to handle matters and pick someone up. He didn't know much about the new Governor-General's daughter, but he knew she was a student at the Academy.
Good heavens, just a student and she dared to come to the Jinxiang Area alone? Wasn't that courting death? And she even needed them, the dignified Danzhou Patrol Army, to pick her up. What grand airs!
So, before coming, Ding Mao and the others had a very poor impression of her, and even looked down on her a bit, thinking she was just a spoiled young lady who wasn't very bright.
But now… their worldview had been reshaped.
Originally, according to the orders of the new Danzhou Governor-General Chen Ran, the Jinxiang Area was not to be completely controlled. Instead, a wilderness town under the complete rule of law was to be established. As long as one entered a certain area, massacres would be prohibited. This would serve to intimidate all parties, and also establish a central order, to curb the increasingly chaotic and rampant massacres in the wilderness.
This was conducive to his comprehensive control over the security situation in the Danzhou wilderness areas—using the most chaotic Jinxiang Area as a breakthrough point, to set an example for other regions.
But to make these wilderness teams, which had already become "rampant," obey, the first step was iron-fisted suppression, which Ding Mao had just accomplished. The second step was the most difficult: to fundamentally change their thinking, to make them abandon their past habit of frantically slaughtering their own kind to seize Spirit Cores, or at least instill some awe in them.
The first step was very difficult. Ding Mao was a rough soldier; how could he possess such psychological tactics and persuasive skills? He had originally thought they would have to wait for Lord Governor-General to personally arrange for a confidant to brainwash them. Unexpectedly…
His own daughter not only brainwashed these people, she even pried open their skulls and replaced their brains.
Ding Mao understood. Her rhetoric was divided into three stages—First, criticize their evil deeds, but then bring in the Academy to acknowledge their original intentions through an ideological framework. Second, name the source of chaos in the Jinxiang Area, implying that these people, fearing the imperial court, spontaneously shifted blame, isolating those Fierce Bandit groups. Third, reveal the hidden fatal crisis in the Jinxiang Area, forcing these chaotic teams to unite and fight together.
Third Miss, so calculating and shrewd?
Ding Mao, who had initially been somewhat indifferent to A'Diao, now felt a genuine sense of worry and urgency. He inquired about her condition from the medical officer. The medical officer's diagnosis was that her injuries were indeed very severe, her foundation was damaged, and she needed emergency treatment and long-term recuperation.
Ding Mao's heart grew heavy upon hearing this, but he still politely and respectfully said some conventional words, and finally, along with a few subordinates, bowed and exited the airship.
The airship took off, heading for Jinling.
On the airship, Lao Wang received a call. He answered, bowing slightly. When Chen Ran asked about A'Diao's condition, and whether she could take the call, Lao Wang instinctively glanced at A'Diao. She made a small 'X' gesture with her finger. Lao Wang immediately said she was unconscious and couldn't talk.
Chen Ran said nothing and hung up. But shortly after, five million star coins were transferred into A'Diao's account.
A message also arrived with words of concern, ending with— "Since I have been appointed Governor-General of Danzhou, according to court treatment, a Small Spirit Gate will be bestowed upon our residence to nourish the household. During your recuperation, you can return to the family to use it; it should speed up your recovery. Also, even if you recover in the future, should you encounter such danger again as today, you must immediately seek help from the family. Although your father is mediocre and incapable, I at least hold some official position and can naturally protect you somewhat."
You see, no matter how pleasant the words, they aren't important. The benefits must be delivered!
Chen Ran was hypocritical, true, but once he realized the importance of their mutual interests, he would exquisitely provide all the conditions for cooperation she truly desired.
Money, resources, and the privileges of an official's family—besides these, he had nothing else to offer her.
It could be said that after A'Diao was admitted to Jinling Academy, proving her aptitude and intelligence, Chen Ran knew he had to re-evaluate his attitude towards her.
She provided him with assistance in his official career, so he reciprocated with benefits, thereby allowing her to become stronger, and in turn, she could help the family…
This was actually the established model for all prominent families in the Tang-Song Nation. It's just that in other great households, there was at least some genuine affection. After all, blood ties are the closest bond. But for the Chen family… life is like a play, all depending on acting skills.
Lao Wang then saw a message on his own phone. After a pleasant surprise, he whispered to A'Diao that he had been promoted to a minor steward in the family, primarily responsible for all affairs in her, the little master's, courtyard. His salary and benefits had been raised by several levels. In the future, he could walk with a swagger in the Chen family.
The joy of an honest man is simple and unadorned, nothing more than promotion and a raise.
Tsk tsk, when that old dog Chen Ran decided to be considerate, he was truly considerate.
A'Diao smiled. After Lao Wang left and locked the door, she, smelling of medicine and seemingly at death's door, nimbly sat up, picked up snacks and milk tea from the coffee table, and started eating.
There were many things to do today. Handling everything from top to bottom, she was truly starving.
However, she didn't know how the Fierce Bandit Organization would retaliate against the Cui Clan next. Perhaps they would even try to slander Chen Ran. But it didn't matter.
As A'Diao ate, she carefully considered her next steps.
First, she had to wait for the Jinxiang Area battle to arrive.
Everything would be settled on that day.
Meanwhile, Chen Ran, still in Lingcheng, had already arranged all matters in Lingcheng. The next Prefect of Lingcheng was someone he had recommended, naturally from his network, but also promoted only after his careful assessment.
A thousand-li dike can be destroyed by an ant's nest. The current excellent situation in Lingcheng was something he had painstakingly built. It was also his future foundation. He would absolutely not allow some idiot to ruin it. Therefore, Chen Ran had cautiously observed for a long time, and confirmed from all aspects that this person could be controlled, would not dare to act presumptuously, and could inherit his policies, not changing orders capriciously and harming Lingcheng's situation. Only then did he let go.
However, during the process of entrusting Lingcheng, he had also begun to lay out his plans for Danzhou. The plan was originally well set, but he suddenly received A'Diao's call in the morning.
This troublemaker, as soon as she opened her mouth, asked about his health. If he wasn't feeling well, he must be hospitalized for surgery, absolutely must not delay treatment. She didn't want the black-haired to send off the white-haired (he still had a lot of hair, and it was very black).
Not a single good word from her mouth.
Chen Ran told himself this third daughter had a boundless future, and he couldn't casually reprimand her. He could only endure it. Finally, in a gentle voice, he asked how she was doing now, and why she had suddenly called…
She opened her mouth and said she needed him to send someone to pick her up.
Huh?
Chen Ran instantly and keenly sensed something. He then asked for the location.
Jinxiang Area.
Oh, Jinxiang Area.
Chen Ran knew he couldn't say it over the phone, but he couldn't ask much at the moment either. After all, if the imperial court really investigated, every communication channel would be turned upside down.
Smart people don't need to collude explicitly.
Chen Ran had already decided on the policies for the Jinxiang Area. He immediately moved up the schedule and arranged for people to go.
If the mercenary assassination could still be figured out, he truly hadn't expected A'Diao's subsequent remarks…
Chen Ran had just hung up the phone here, and had also instructed the butler to improve Lao Wang's benefits to win over A'Diao, when calls from other officials started coming in.
All sorts of praise, flattery, and gestures of goodwill.
Now that he was Governor-General, he still possessed the demeanor of a high official. Chen Ran handled it appropriately. But as soon as he put down his phone, he gulped down a large cup of coffee.
To calm his nerves. My Chen family's genes are indeed awesome!
After thinking for a moment, he picked up his phone again.
News traveled fast on the Academy's side as well. Qu Jiangnan already knew. When she was praised, both overtly and covertly, by some influential figures in society, she merely smiled, and then went into the Principal's office.
You taught her?
Principal Jiang Zhou: "Didn't you teach her?"
Qu Jiangnan: "Usually, for such high-sounding words, outsiders would either think you taught them, or Chen Ran did."
That doesn't sound like you're praising me.
The two looked at each other for a moment. Alright, understood.
Either Chen Xun taught her, or she herself…
If it was the latter, then that would be very interesting indeed.
Is she a prodigy?
A whole family of cunning foxes.
Qu Jiangnan: "She probably deliberately set the stage for the Academy. How are you going to take this opportunity?"
She asked how to take it, not whether to take it.
Because the opportunity in the Jinxiang Area was very important for the Academy.
Principal Jiang Zhou smiled and tapped his phone.
"I'm waiting for the little fox's father to come find me."
Sure enough, the phone rang.
Qu Jiangnan understood and left. As she closed the door, she wondered: How did A'Diao see that Jinling Academy was in an awkward position?
Meanwhile, in the Principal's office, after Principal Jiang Zhou finished his call with Chen Ran, he rested his chin on his hands, looking at the calligraphy on the wall that read "An old steed in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand li." He quickly wrote three names on a piece of white paper with a fountain pen, but his pen tip hovered over them, and he muttered to himself: "She clearly caught up to Tuoba, passed the third layer, yet pretended to be low-key. Now she's suddenly so high-profile. So contradictory. She must be after something. But her talent is indeed very strong. It seems Qu Jiangnan is also hesitating whether to teach her ultimate techniques."
"If she is taught, then things will be different. In another two or three months, the academies from other provinces probably won't be able to hold back anymore; they will definitely stir up trouble."
"A fight is inevitable… This one absolutely cannot be lost."
"Then let's observe further in this Jinxiang Area battle, see what else she can do."
He was getting old, talking to himself like a lunatic. But if someone were beside him, they would have noticed he had clearly written down three names.
Among them were A'Diao and Tuoba. Who was the third one?
And this name was ranked ahead of A'Diao.
On the airship, A'Diao, full and satisfied, let out a burp, and then began to sort out her gains from this trip.
Although she was bandaged by the doctor like a pig's trotter, A'Diao's movements were not slow. After releasing 101 to block any aura, she poured out her spoils to inspect them.
750 Grade-1 Spirit Cores, 250 Grade-2 Spirit Cores, 90 Grade-3 Spirit Cores, 15 Spiritual Vessels, 4 Forbidden Items (including the Red Arc Gauntlet), a pile of star coin cards (useless, can't be transferred), and a pile of equipment.
A'Diao's heart pounded a few times, but she quickly realized that this haul from Bald Eagle and the others wasn't actually that much. It couldn't compare to the last time when Zhang Ze had brought all his plundered wealth. The resources on them should only be from recent plundering; otherwise, there should have been far more than 90 Grade-3 Spirit Cores.
Never mind, it was still a huge gain for her anyway.
She casually fed all these Spirit Cores to the "toilet."
Level 4 to 5 requires 1000 energy points. Level 5 to 6 requires 10000 energy points.
In other words, she could directly level up to Level 6!
From a bird-hunting rifle to a cannon!
Level: 6 (Current Energy 4500/50000, requires 45000 more energy points to reach Level 7. Note: Level 5 grants a 10 cubic meter storage space, Level 6 activates the innate Spiritual Vessel transformation ability.)
Mental Power: 1,502,410.
Synchronized Spiritual Energy Release: 70 wisps.
Exchanged Skills:
1: Little Fist Pummel You to Death (Lv10)
2: Lingering Gaze (Lv10)
3: Talisman Proficiency (Lv2)
Following that are 101, 202…
Exchangeable Skills:
1, XXX Turn into a Pig (Attack Curse type skill. When the target turns into a pig, their original body completely enters the pig's state. Although they can still use Daoist techniques and other methods, their physique is 100% like a pig. Exchange requires 500,000 Mental Power, upgrade once for 200,000 Mental Power.)
2, Unable to Control Emotions - Gift Package. (Pervert-type skill. Can cause the target's body to randomly enter a certain special state, domineeringly and forcefully controlling them to produce corresponding words and actions. Exchange requires 1,000,000 Mental Power, upgrade once for 500,000 Mental Power.)
3, Daoist Arts Proficiency (Exchange requires 1,000,000 Mental Power, upgrade once for 500,000 Mental Power)
4, Person Not Found 303 (Can create a small dimensional space that seals off all traces of a living being's body, allowing one to hide within. Exchange requires 1,000,000 Mental Power, upgrade once for 500,000 Mental Power, costs 50,000 Mental Power per use, lasts for five minutes.)
5, Mental Power and Spirit Power Mutual Conversion Ability (No exchange needed, passively permanent, but conversion incurs a 5% Mental Power loss.)
A'Diao finished reading its contents. How to put it? She felt a bit inflated, perhaps. Similar to having 10 million in your pocket, and thinking of going to the most famous gigolo club in Kyoto, ordering one to play with, ordering another to watch her play, and another to serve tea and water.
Just that inflated, like a hydrogen balloon, and then she floated away.
Get instant access to all the chapters now.
Comments
Post a Comment