"Are you saying that the entire area below Bloody Eagle Cliff has been set up with Thunder Formation, and also, is heavily guarded by a large army?"

Zhou Ping'an and Tang Tang looked at each other.

Their expressions darkened slightly.

"What did the field operatives say?"

"Our past brothers didn't plan to confront them face to face, just wanted to sneak in covertly, but they suffered heavy losses and several were injured," he said.

The reporting Police Security was a former member of the Third Group, considered a confidant.

As they practiced over time, vying to complete missions and earn points for rewards, this group had gradually grown much stronger.

Among them, some lucky ones had received awards of three Blood Fortifying Pills.

They progressed faster in their cultivation than the others.

Like the one before them now, named Zhang Liping, slightly overweight, whose cultivation had already reached the Great Achievement of Muscles and Bones. He was known for being quiet and unobtrusive.

There were actually quite a few people like him in the Third Group, and even among the over thousand special operation Police Securities.

Originally, they might have felt some apprehension about the future, thinking that following a reckless leader could darken their prospects.

However, after these days, they had mostly come to understand the situation in Dongjiang.

Their spirits had surged.

Anyone would feel restless realizing their power was advancing rapidly every day like flying on a plane, and they would realize that this was indeed the greatest opportunity in their ordinary lives.

At this time, who could choose the wrong path?

If they did, one could only say, "The Buddha does not ferry those without fate."

Zhang Liping spoke calmly and quickly. "Not only did we see the special combat team of field operations, but we also saw the elite transformation private soldiers from Hongguang Group, whose strength, I estimate, generally constitutes B-level, with as many as several dozen people. We were just approaching when they spotted us."

"Following the captain's instructions, we saw that the situation was bad and immediately retreated, not wishing to engage in combat. However, the field operations team leader, a Captain named Wang, conveyed a message that it was General Chu's order that the area around Bloody Eagle Cliff had been designated a war zone and was not to be entered without permission," he added.

Zhou Ping'an listened thoughtfully.

Checking the movements outside the city and monitoring their digging progress was something he had instructed Tang Tang to arrange before he headed to Proluo State.

He realized that he might have underestimated the determination of the field operations side.

Were they planning to monopolize the situation?

No, they had formed an alliance with Hongguang Group.

He wondered what terms they had agreed upon.

"Did you notice anything unusual in that captain's tone?"

"Very angry, like he was suppressing some emotions. I felt that if our people hadn't retreated in time, a fight would likely have broken out."

"I understand. Note down his merits for now and take good care of his injuries," Zhou Ping'an decided.

He wouldn't intervene unless it was a crisis life-threatening or disabling.

He would just send them directly to the hospital.

After practicing martial arts, their bodies slowly became tougher, and minor injuries or sicknesses didn't really affect them much.

Even without going to the hospital, with just a bit of care and good food and drink, they could recover quickly.

Zhou Ping'an didn't need to act as a nanny.

However, the news just relayed by Zhang Liping was of more concern to him.

Tang Tang's eyes flickered slightly. "Could it be that the artillery battalion commander has died from serious injuries? And Colonel Chu, unable to swallow this setback, has held a grudge against you?"

"It's about time," he mused.

Zhou Ping'an cast a surprised glance at Tang Tang.

He thought to himself, "Senior Sister really is meticulous. If anyone thinks her methods are fierce and aggressive, mistaking her for someone reckless, they'd be wrong."

On the contrary, Tang Tang was observant and cautious in her thinking.

He hadn't told her that he had sabotaged the artillery commander, yet she had guessed it just from a few small clues.

"Don't I know you? On that day, although you didn't show much anger, I knew that anyone bombarded with five or six cannons would be furious. A gentleman must avenge such offenses..."

Tang Tang broke into a proud smile, adding, "So, Shen Dalin is doomed, no doubt. Whether he's an important military officer in field operations or not, just the fact that he conspired with the Zhao Family to ambush us means we cannot spare his life."

"And Chu Zhengming, even though his rank is only that of a colonel and he hasn't been knighted or made a general,

having overseen field operations in Dongjiang for many years, facing off against ferocious beast hordes and coordinating relationships, his position carries significant weight.

Calling him a high-ranking bureaucrat might be an exaggeration, but as a military leader, he holds considerable power."

"To extort two hundred million in military funds from such a man, and also kill his trusted subordinates, it's impossible for him not to feel stifled. His disdain for us is totally justified."

"Senior sister is wise, deciphering the mind of Colonel Chu thoroughly. 'A female Zhuge' suits you well," Zhou Ping'an listened to Tang Tang's coherent speech.

He hurriedly offered a compliment.

"Stop it, I don't believe you couldn't see it.

Truthfully, after cultivating the new foundation technique, especially after infusing energy, my Qi-Blood is abundant, and my mind feels much clearer," Tang Tang spoke excitedly in a low voice, as if uncovering a great secret.

She didn't know if this was just her experience,

or if it was the same for everyone who practiced.

"If the Qi-Blood is strong, the spirit is vibrant; it's all interrelated.

You felt the effects were outstanding, not solely because of your cultivation—my acupuncture certainly played a critical role," Zhou Ping'an laughed to himself, thinking about how he had spent time and effort to regulate and accelerate her cultivation.

Of course, it wasn't for nothing.

Due to the robust vitality infusion, the transformation of the body accelerated, otherwise, how could Tang Tang, Dong Mingyue, my sister Zhou Lan, and others have grasped the Wave Stacking Jin so quickly?

And mastered superior footwork as well?

There aren't that many martial arts geniuses.

Even my senior disciple, Lan Xiaotian, is just beginning to refine his muscles after having just surpassed bone tempering.

And that's after consuming two Blood Fortifying Pills to reach this stage.

His martial arts aptitude is actually quite impressive.

Even if he were in another world, he could still be considered a genius.

Logically, the kid is young and still in elementary school; his body isn't fully grown, so he shouldn't rush into bone tempering and muscle refining—it might affect his height later on.

However, Lan Xiaotian is tenacious. After learning the True Inheritance, he became extremely passionate...

Zhou Ping'an believed that motivation is crucial. He shouldn't suppress his disciple's intrinsic ardor.

The disadvantages of premature cultivation might seem insurmountable to others, tough to resolve.

But for him, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

With higher cultivation in the future, he could completely compensate for it.

Allowing him to quickly form combat ability was also a good thing.

Being his disciple, the dangers were naturally much greater compared to ordinary people. It wouldn't be good if he continued to be frail.

He thought that young people needed to experience more and endure hardships to strengthen their will.

Zhou Ping'an did not give him acupuncture massage to forcibly improve his strength.

In this regard, even Tang Tang was not as good.

"I still want acupuncture," he said.

Speaking of acupuncture, Tang Tang's eyes shimmered seductively as she quickly pleaded.

"No, I'll just give you a quick acupuncture session. Don't act like Lan Fengjiao."

Zhou Ping'an felt that his heroic senior sister, when acting coquettishly, indeed seemed a bit frightening.

There was always an illusion that she would shoot him in the back.

Previously, Tang Tang only smiled like that when she was deceiving criminals and preparing to shoot.

Disgusting.

Zhou Ping'an watched his senior sister's charming and alluring face, his mood slightly rippling.

...

"Professor Wang, you came here personally; we were actually planning to visit you. Oh, Professor Zhuang is here too?"

This time, Tang Tang was genuinely surprised.

Professor Zhuang Ziwen from Linhai University's History Department had been quiet ever since coming down from Wenshan.

He publicly claimed that he had caught a cold in the mountains, which was hard on his health.

This time, he did not follow the group that went out of the city to explore the ruins.

Of course, it might also be to avoid suspicion.

After all, his student Jacob had acted disgracefully during the incident at General Wenshan's Tomb.

The incident was related to more than ten lives.

After Jacob fled, as his teacher, it was difficult for him to shirk blame, naturally involving himself somewhat.

"This time, my old friend and I came to visit Captain Tang and Deputy Team Leader Zhou, merely to make introductions. It's just unfortunate that Younger Brother Dong has passed away and can no longer drink with me. It really is a pity.

Thankfully, his disciple has surpassed him, fulfilling his lifelong wish ahead of time, which makes me quite happy for him," said Professor Zhuang with a face full of sorrow.

Speaking of Dong Qingshan, his speech faltered and his eyes reddened, nearly shedding tears.

His attitude was not beyond Zhou Ping'an's expectations.

During the excavation of General Wenshan's Tomb, Master Dong, as it happened, was pulled in as an assistant by Professor Zhuang. Though the two were not in the same circle, they had a good relationship in daily life.

Exploring an ancient tomb and bringing an old friend with considerable skills as a guard wasn't strange.

The strange part was about the dozens of people who entered the General's Tomb that day.

Apart from the personnel from Taihe Pharmaceuticals.

Only the two people around Professor Zhuang gained the most benefit.

To say that he wasn't hiding any secrets was also hard to believe.

"Master Dong's incident indeed causes deep grief, thank you Professor Zhuang for your concern.

Actually, just a phone call would have been enough, how could I not show respect to the two professors?

I have long forgotten about Wang Yijun's issue; whether he stays or goes doesn't matter, Professor Wang need not worry too much,"

Upon hearing this.

Wang Tonggu's expression suddenly eased, and he sighed deeply.

"Thank you, Inspector Zhou, for your generous understanding."

In his mind, he thought that avoiding trouble was better than seeking it. The Wang family in Linhai had a large and profound foundation, but ultimately, power has its limits and a dragon cannot suppress the local snakes.

The other party was not only a local snake.

From his behavior in Proluo State, he might even be considered a fierce tiger on his own territory.

Even if the Wang family wanted to confront him, whether they could succeed was uncertain.

As the saying goes, 'It's better to resolve an enmity than to settle it.' If minor conflicts could be overlooked, it would prevent establishing a formidable enemy for the master family.

With this understanding, Wang Tonggu made some more small talk, then took his leave.

As for Professor Zhuang, aside from showing closeness when he first came in.

When asked about pre-Qin history, especially the deeds of Madame Zhao Yue, he indicated that he hadn't studied this area much and shifted the topic.

Soon, he also left.

"What do you think?"

After seeing off the two, Zhou Ping'an asked softly.

"Professor Wang intends to reconcile; he didn't bring up Wang Yijun's arm reattachment from beginning to end, nor did he mention Wang Feng's death. He probably doesn't want to pursue these matters further."

"That's right."

"As for Professor Zhuang, not only did he hide some things, but he was also testing us."

Tang Tang felt heavy.

"You felt it too? It's very likely that Professor Zhuang knows more than we imagine. Maybe he's waiting for the right price. Let's not startle the snake; have someone keep an eye on him."

Zhou Ping'an felt that he might find a breakthrough concerning the ruins with Professor Zhuang.

Any forceful attempt might lead to unpredictable dangers.

He did not believe that his current strength allowed him to ignore all risks.

Besides, every time he thought about forcefully entering that cave, he would feel a chilling sensation.

This was the reason he held his troops back.

"I just hope that the field operations and Hongguang Group don't recklessly spark any uncontrollable disasters."

Zhou Ping'an's gaze wandered into the distance, looking towards the west side of the city.

He withdrew his gaze and continued to cultivate his True Qi.

In his arm, where the Broken Mirror was, the light was dim, still four days away from gathering enough energy to traverse.

Cultivating at this time by taking pills, accumulating more True Qi, made him stronger.

As for the ruins outside.

Zhou Ping'an planned to explore the periphery when it got dark. He would not enter yet.

There was no need to hurry at this time.

...

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