Feng Ting understood after a moment’s thought. Indeed, the conditions she proposed were the most advantageous for her.
She had grown up in Qishan and then made her way to Lingcheng; it was likely she had encountered trouble with the Chen family.
One wouldn’t have thought Chen Ran was that kind of person.
However, within the current imperial court, a large portion of bureaucrats staunchly protected their own and their families’ interests. Finding an official who would be completely fair to a daughter born of a concubine was likely as rare as a phoenix feather.
Technology was advancing, the era was progressing, but human hearts, conversely, seemed to be regressing.
This was the drawback of a feudal-style dynasty.
“Alright, we’ll do as you say.”
Feng Ting was not one to equivocate, and there was no time to waste. The current Spirit Gate might not entirely belong to just the two of them; the division of benefits could be discussed in detail later.
After all, Chen Ran’s people and those from the Cishi’s Office were likely on their way.
Feng Ting was an official, currently holding an eighth-rank position, so he naturally knew the orthodox method for a Spirit Gate to recognize its master. During the transfer process, he told A’Diao something—Chen Ran’s personnel were mainly focused on catching an internal traitor, while some had been lured away by cultists from other heretical sects. As for the people from the Cishi’s Office… they had been running around like headless flies all night, also being led astray by people from the Prefectural Sima’s Office. However, the commotion here was too great; they would soon realize what was happening.
A’Diao asked, “The transfer will take about half an hour. How long will it take for you to fully complete the recognition process?”
Feng Ting replied, “One hour.”
Actually, he could choose not to absorb it. He hadn’t absorbed the one in Qishan County, leaving it for the county magistrate to handle. That was because Qishan County’s political structure was simple; the magistrate was the top authority, and he was essentially second-in-command, the two having worked together harmoniously for many years. But a county was different from a city. The population ranged from hundreds of thousands to over ten million, and the political system was much more complex. If he didn’t claim ownership, it was uncertain whether it would end up with Chen Ran, the Cishi’s Office, or someone else swooping in to reap the benefits. The Lingcheng Garrison had too little say in Lingcheng, especially since he was only a Deputy Commander.
Moreover, even if he didn’t care about the benefits, his subordinates who risked their lives following him deserved at least a share.
This Small Spirit Gate was much stronger than the one in Qishan County, and the authorities would offer far greater rewards for it.
A’Diao felt that a total of one and a half hours was not excessive. As long as things worked out, although she had faced great danger today, her gains would also be immense.
But… it hurt so much.
When facing a life-or-death crisis, one’s concentration was absolute, and potential erupted, but this also greatly consumed one’s vitality and spirit. Now that the situation had eased somewhat, she felt the injuries and pain in her body surge forth all at once. Her nerves throbbed as if they were about to snap, and she felt on the verge of fainting. However, it wasn’t yet time for the dust to completely settle.
This Spirit Gate was not yet completely in Feng Ting’s hands, and she couldn’t rest easy. So, she held on, enduring and watching over it.
It wasn’t just her; the dozen or so men from the Garrison above also knew the situation. They were all men who worked desperately to support their families. Now, seeing that the greatest benefit was about to fall into their own hands—even a small share could make up for several years of hard work—how could they not be overjoyed? They also felt much more grateful towards A’Diao. Thus, they diligently guarded the tunnel entrance and instructed their colleagues in the factory above to be cautious, sending out scouts to monitor the surroundings.
Time ticked by, minute by minute. A’Diao’s phone showed that 70 minutes had passed. Just as victory seemed within reach, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from above.
A young man ran to the opening above and jumped straight down, anxiously saying, “Sir, Xiao Hei, who was scouting the outermost perimeter, just sent an alert. Someone is coming—one person. This is a camera snapshot. Then, Xiao Hei screamed and went silent. I suspect he was attacked! What do we do?”
He had jumped down because Feng Ting was currently circulating his vital energy in a grand cycle to claim the Spirit Gate and couldn’t operate the walkie-talkie, optical computer, or other devices. He had to open the system to show him the photo.
Feng Ting saw it, and A’Diao, who was beside him, naturally saw it too.
It was a very blurry shadow, similar to the standard official-issue flying devices—both were personal aircraft. However, the thing beneath this person’s feet was much simpler than what the authorities used. At first glance, it was just a flat, triangular, flying-fish-shaped device, but it had a strong metallic texture and emitted a faint golden flowing light.
A’Diao was, after all, a village girl. Although she had learned a variety of things since childhood, her time had been spent on making a living, so she hadn’t had much time to immerse herself in the dazzling world of the internet, and her horizons were limited. She quickly calculated based on the device’s capture speed and the blurriness of the photo, “This thing’s flight speed is at least three times that of your flying devices. It’s not cheap. Plus, someone who dares to attack you so openly…”
“Is either someone within the official hierarchy or a henchman of a powerful faction’s elite.”
Regardless of which it was, the other party clearly wasn’t afraid of them; rather, it was they who needed to fear the other party.
“Then what do we do? Sir hasn’t succeeded yet…” The young man gritted his teeth. “Sir, keep going! We’ll go up and hold them off.”
Calculating from the time their scouting colleague was attacked and the flight speed of that person’s aircraft, the opponent should be arriving very soon.
A’Diao had gifted them a fortune. Having been under the lackluster management of the old Garrison Commander for years, everyone had watched the world-changing advent of Spiritual Energy’s resurgence. Many had ventured out to strive for themselves. They had finally, by a stroke of luck, gotten Feng Ting, a capable leader with a promising future. They were just starting to feel hopeful. If this opportunity was snatched away, when would such a chance come again?
Continue to languish in their posts like salted fish for decades?
Feng Ting had no other choice. His expression turned cold, and he suddenly increased his Spiritual Energy output.
“Hold them off up there for five minutes.”
“Yes!”
The young man went up. A’Diao, however, looked at Feng Ting’s face, which had suddenly become much paler, and felt extremely worried.
It was still the early stages of Spiritual Energy’s resurgence. Even if Feng Ting was outstanding, he, like her, was essentially a grassroots figure. The resources they had obtained in the early phase were limited, and so was the Spiritual Energy within their bodies. The reason it took an hour was that his internal Spiritual Energy wasn’t strong enough, requiring time to circulate and slowly maintain the Spiritual Energy supply for the recognition process. Now that Feng Ting wanted to shorten the time, it meant depleting his internal Spiritual Energy, which would cause damage.
But fortune is sought in danger.
He was an eighth-rank official, after all. Even if it wasn’t certain whether he possessed a Spiritual Vessel, he had at least seized an opportunity with a Small Spirit Gate from Qishan County. The men from the Garrison were all employed civil servants, in a much better situation than herself. Yet, even they had to strive so desperately.
What about her?
A’Diao didn’t offer Feng Ting any futile dissuasion, merely feeling a sense of shared anxiety and empathy.
She didn’t even know if she could continue her studies.
While A’Diao was in a daze, feeling uneasy, she suddenly heard the sounds of fighting and screams from above.
Holy crap, they’re here?
Only two minutes have passed!
Could that flying device accelerate even more?
Before A’Diao could react, she heard a buzzing sound—the Spirit Gate had completed the recognition process. But Feng Ting’s face was deathly pale, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood.
Completed?!
Escape quickly!
If they escaped, the opponent couldn’t kill him and thus couldn’t take away this Small Spirit Gate. As long as Feng Ting registered it with the authorities first… securing the merit would be enough. As for how the Small Spirit Gate would be allocated later, that would depend on the authorities’ plans and wouldn’t need to involve them.
Just as Feng Ting and A’Diao climbed up and were about to escape through the tunnel, a voice suddenly came through the walkie-talkie: “Come out, or I’ll kill your subordinates. It’s just a mere Garrison. Even if they all died in this Demonic Spirit turmoil, it would be quite normal, wouldn’t it?”
This was a threat, an absolute threat. And the other party seemed confident they could manipulate the official system to make it happen.
A’Diao was terrified. This was possible?
Was the opponent’s background that powerful?
A’Diao swallowed hard and subconsciously looked at Feng Ting. She saw on his face both weary weakness and helpless indifference.
What to do?
If they went up… it would be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—a futile effort. And wouldn’t they be silenced?
Feng Ting finally took a deep breath. “Let’s go up. There’s no other choice. Perhaps we can exchange it for some other benefits.”
To watch his subordinates be killed—even if he could escape and gain benefits in the end, he wouldn’t be able to live with himself.
A’Diao lowered her head. Indeed, there was no other choice.
This was just the way of the world.
“Later, I’ll carry you up. Act weak and scared,” Feng Ting specifically instructed.
Clever people didn’t need explicit coordination. A’Diao knew he was doing this to help her disengage, so that the newcomer wouldn’t notice she was also a participant.
At the brewery, the other members of the Garrison had already rescued the children and administered first aid. Two of them had even taken all the children and other seriously injured individuals to a vehicle and sent them to the hospital. The rest had stayed behind to clean up.
While cleaning up, they were also waiting for Feng Ting to claim the Small Spirit Gate.
Everyone was full of anticipation, but unexpectedly… Xiao Hei had an accident, and the young man came up from the tunnel. They were preparing to face the terrifying figure who was about to arrive, having already mentally prepared themselves.
The opponent might be very powerful and aggressive, but they were, after all, members of the Garrison and personnel of the imperial system. As long as they clearly stated their identity, the opponent might…
Bang! When the main door was torn apart, the young man and the others were utterly shocked.
He came too quickly!
And the opponent attacked as soon as he entered.
By the time A’Diao and Feng Ting emerged from the tunnel onto the factory floor, they saw that most of the Garrison members were injured and lying on the ground. Among them, the young man lay there, clutching his broken left leg, his body contorted in pain.
Overwhelmingly dominant.
But the first moment A’Diao saw the opponent, a thought arose in her mind: I’ve seen this person before.
Previously, on her first day in Jinling when she went to the Ministry of Revenue to handle some matters, she had first arrived at the airship dock. That fashionable lady had lowered her head… a group of members from Jinling’s official-ranked families had brazenly walked past to greet someone. The young man among them was this person.
It was just that back then, this person was dressed in rich brocade and fine clothes, but now he wore sleek, modern armor with a gleaming metallic sheen, standing on that flying-fish-shaped, shuttle-disk-like aircraft. There was no other feeling, just one word—money.
At close range, A’Diao recognized the aircraft. Even with her limited exposure, she had seen it in ubiquitous advertisements. This type of aircraft was called the “Flowing Light Flying Fish,” and the aircraft alone cost seven million Star Coins. Looking at the patterns on the man’s armored suit, it was likely a set with the aircraft, making the price even higher.
It wouldn’t stop at ten million Star Coins.
Was this a person? This was a large, walking pile of Star Coins.
A’Diao’s heart trembled. After Feng Ting saw this scene, his eyes darkened, but he spoke, “We are all from the Garrison. May I know Your Excellency’s identity? Was it you who attacked Xiao Hei?”
“You don’t need to know my identity. So that person is called Xiao Hei. Don’t worry, he’s not dead, just knocked unconscious by me. There’s a Small Spirit Gate below, and you’ve already claimed it, haven’t you?”
As he said this, he glanced at A’Diao.
In the end, he still believed Feng Ting was the one who had claimed it, because he could see that Feng Ting’s weakness was due to depleted Spiritual Energy, likely from rushing to claim ownership when he sensed his arrival.
But what use was it?
He found it laughable, and this expression showed on his face.
A’Diao sensed his gaze and felt a chill in her heart, wishing she could disappear on the spot. But when she thought about the Small Spirit Gate being taken by him… would Feng Ting and the others still be able to give her the promised benefits?
Probably not. It wasn’t just a matter of benefits; their very lives were likely in danger.
A’Diao lowered her head, staring blankly at a certain spot. Her eyes seemed a bit glazed over. That’s right, that thing is… I’ve got it!
A dark glint flashed in her eyes.
“Voluntarily offer the Small Spirit Gate to me, and I might not kill you. Otherwise…”
The man didn’t say more, but a smile played on his lips. He tapped the mechanical watch on his wrist. The light patterns on the Flowing Light Flying Fish beneath his feet changed color, turning blood-red, as if it had charged up. Then, aperature-like openings on its scales appeared, revealing several launch ports, clearly capable of firing multiple attacks simultaneously. A’Diao didn’t understand what kind of attacks they would be, but Feng Ting and his men probably did.
That was why Feng Ting’s face turned pale.
But before he could say anything, he suddenly saw the “fragile victim” he had “carried” up sway unsteadily, abruptly clutch her chest, and suddenly vomit blood. Then, she hastily grabbed his arm…
“Officer Feng, give it to him! Quickly, give it to him!”
“You’ll only lose a Spirit Gate, but I’ll die!”
“I don’t want to die, I really don’t want to die, I…”
Her voice grew weaker and weaker, her eyes gradually losing their light. It was a swift yet distinctly perceptible process of decline. Then, her emotions reached a peak—fear, unease, guilt, and pleading all combined, ultimately draining all her strength. As if struck by sudden death, she seemed to lose her soul, then her eyes rolled back, and she weakly collapsed… fainting just like that.
Feng Ting: “…”
Impressive.
Historically, there were three major acting systems—collectively known as Meisibu—and several major schools, such as the Experiential School, the Presentational School, and the Method School.
He didn’t know much about art, but his wife at home once had a dream of becoming a star and had spoken about the characteristics of the Experiential School. He hadn’t understood it then, but he understood now.
This young lady A’Diao was probably an enthusiast of the Experiential School, because she perfectly embodied the principle—when I deceive others, I even deceive myself; when I feign madness, I truly believe I’ve gone mad.
When she said she would faint, she truly made her entire body achieve a state of “fainting.”
Impeccable.
The moment she fainted, A’Diao received a reminder from the toilet.
From Feng Ting +799!
From Cui Run +299!
But she couldn’t be bothered with that anymore; she was completely immersed in her performance.
She had fainted. How could a fainted person still calculate Mental Energy?
If she were a tree, she would have to stand motionless, enduring the wind and rain.
If she were a flower, she would have to be delicate, helpless, and pitiably beautiful.
If she were a tea plant, she would have to release a green, fragrant tea aroma…
This was her performance.
But so this person is called Cui Run?
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