Chapter 230

Tonight in Center City, all major traffic routes had been cleared out; as early as forty minutes ago, the broadcast station had reported this news.

Mo Zhen Ting arrived at the State Hotel by military aircraft; he received the highest standard of reception, with even the no-fly zone opened up, allowing several fighter jets of the Seventh War Corps to escort him.

"Commander, this time you will stay in Hengzhou for a month. Originally it was about ten days, but during the voyage a large-scale radio burst occurred, causing considerable damage to the warship's exterior."

Inside the military aircraft, Mo Zhen Ting, sitting with eyes closed cultivating his spirit, listened quietly to the adjutant's report, his fingers tapping lightly; when the thirteenth tap came, he opened his eyes and said:

"Will this radio burst last for a month?"

"About eighteen days."

Mo Zhen Ting nodded and said:

"Then remain in place for rest and reorganization; all soldiers will rotate duty shifts, each arranged with about four days of leave."

The young adjutant gave a military salute, then withdrew to convey the order.

The Seventh War Corps' high-ranking officers, compared to other war corps, were more youthful; among them, graduates of Southwest United constituted the majority.

In recent years, the saying that the Seventh War Corps is the "Southwest Faction" has spread ever more widely, and been recognized by ever more people.

"Commander Mo, you have two meeting requests. One from the Governor's Mansion and one from the Education Bureau."

Illusory light and shadow leaped, condensed, forming the image of a youthful, beautiful young woman.

She likewise wore the war corps uniform, white knee-high boots and a knee-length pencil skirt, paired with neat short hair covering her ears, appearing heroic and spirited.

This is the active consciousness entity exclusive to the Seventh War Corps, attached to the division headquarters where Mo Zhen Ting serves, named "Hai La".

"Let's see the Governor's Mansion representative first."

Mo Zhen Ting considered for two seconds, then gave his answer.

"Is the Education Bureau meeting postponed, or deferred?"

Hai La asked.

"Postponed to..."

Mo Zhen Ting hesitated for an instant, then corrected himself:

"Deferred."

He had long served in the division headquarters; promotion to division commander was a foregone conclusion.

He was already the Seventh War Corps' undisputed new generation leader.

Regarding the division headquarters' conventions for inquiries, Mo Zhen Ting naturally understood them.

"Postponed" and "deferred" express two different attitudes.

The former means temporarily unsuitable to meet; the latter means there is no intention or necessity to meet.

"Understood."

Hai La nodded.

Adjust the schedule accordingly.

Dismissing Hai La, Mo Zhen Ting gained space to be alone.

He took off his cap and sat straight-backed in the chair.

His gaze passed through the porthole, fixed on the bustling metropolis he knew incomparably well.

Compared to the Bei Dou Xing Yu where small-scale conflicts never cease, Hengzhou New Star, situated in the borderlands, exuded a long-lost air of peace.

"Hengzhou..."

Mo Zhen Ting's feelings were inexplicable.

He had just accepted the conferment of the golden spike shoulder insignia, and also received a division headquarters commendation document, held up as a model.

Without doubt, he was the Seventh War Corps' rising star general.

Originally he should have gone to garrison the No. 2 Fortress Tian Xuan in the Bei Dou Xing Yu.

But Mo Zhen Ting temporarily received an artificial radio message from the division headquarters, assigning him to Hengzhou to assist in the defense for the Great Expansion movement.

"Is this the division headquarters' assessment of me?"

Mo Zhen Ting pondered.

Commanding a division is a massive threshold in a military career.

Cross it, and the future may allow one to step into the military department building, becoming a galaxy titan commanding an army group.

Fail to cross it, and one must endure in the division headquarters until retirement for the rest of this life.

No room for further advancement.

Therefore, after receiving the commendation, Mo Zhen Ting's every word and action were very cautious.

Especially coming to Hengzhou, as a "return home in glory", he was unwilling to be overly high-profile in anything.

"A son meeting his father is only right and proper. But the war corps' future division commander speaking with the Education Director still requires meeting minutes."

Mo Zhen Ting shook his head.

He had endured hardships to reach today; this step, no matter what, he had to cross.

The next day.

The Governor's Mansion's official vehicle arrived at the State Hotel.

As before, Tai Jun appeared in person.

The meeting between the two sides was not at the Governor's Mansion, but Tai Jun personally came to the State Hotel, showing how much he valued this war corps rising star who came out of Hengzhou.

"Commander Mo, let's sit down and talk."

Upon seeing Mo Zhen Ting for the first time, Tai Jun felt the other's spiritual field power was extremely solid, like some kind of rigid body; no matter what pressure was applied, there would be no change whatsoever.

As the active consciousness entity ruling Hengzhou, Tai Jun himself naturally emitted spiritual fluctuations similar to a magnetic field, subtly probing the outside world.

But approaching Mo Zhen Ting, facing him directly, Tai Jun discovered his own spiritual fluctuations were like wave after wave of sea waves, crashing against a copper wall and iron wall, leaving not the slightest trace.

"Is the Governor still in seclusion? Truly a pity; Zhen Ting, as a junior of the Seventh War Corps, originally still wanted to pay respects to the predecessor."

Mo Zhen Ting was quite courteous, without the unruly temperament rumored of a War Corps General.

Feng Wuyang had once served in the Seventh War Corps, and even rose to Chief of Staff at the headquarters.

In terms of seniority, he should address him as "Old Chief."

"Governor Feng has been toiling day and night for the Great Expansion Movement, exhausting his mind and energy."

Tai Jun's expression didn't change as he slightly embellished Feng Wuyang's obsession with the Great Universe Server's national war with verbal artistry.

"Instructor Mo has graced Hengzhou New Star with his presence and voluntarily taken on the heavy responsibility of coordinated defense; both emotionally and logically, Governor Tai should receive him personally. But he truly cannot spare the time, so he sent me to convey condolences on his behalf."

Mo Zhen Ting waved his hand and laughed generously:

"Zhen Ting was dispatched by headquarters to do his duty. Moreover, Hengzhou is Zhen Ting's hometown; to contribute to his hometown is something Zhen Ting could only wish for — where is the hardship? It is Governor Feng who has the courage to push for a full-scope Great Expansion, mobilizing and gathering massive manpower and resources, planning development for Hengzhou, seeking a future — Zhen Ting admires him!"

The Administrative New Star's annual resources are partly funding allocated by the Imperial Capital Center, partly self-solved.

A full-scope Great Expansion Movement consumes resources at an extremely terrifying speed.

This act belongs to behavior that seeks welfare for future generations, and is not beneficial to one's own merit evaluation.

"The Imperial Capital's Council has already proposed a revitalization plan for the Four Alliances Region; if Hengzhou does not actively forge ahead and seize the opportunity, how will it gain a foothold in the New Dongxia in the future, and shoulder the mission of the First Line of Defense?"

Tai Jun's tone was flat as he began to cut to the main topic:

"Regarding this coordinated defense, the Seventh War Corps' Professional Army will hold the border areas of the Western Front and Eastern Front, clearing out vassal creatures that may form a 'Black Tide'."

Mo Zhen Ting agreed readily; what he commands is precisely the Seventh War Corps' Professional Army, named "Wind Scythe".

What they excel at most is cleaning up battlefields, using large-scale firepower coverage.

They are called the Professional Army with "the lowest casualties and the worst rescue".

Because they like to burn hostages and bandits to ashes together the most.

"Additionally, the codename for this Great Expansion Movement has already been set."

Tai Jun raised his head, looking Mo Zhen Ting straight in the eye:

"Personally drafted by Governor Tai, called the 'Plow Court Plan'."

"It was personally drafted by Governor Tai, called the 'Plow the Court Plan'."

……

"We're home."

Qin Shi stepped onto the Taian Urban Circle, already several days later.

This time he entered the station at night, avoiding many lively scenes he found embarrassing.

"Senior Sister, you go to the Dao Guan first; I want to make a trip home."

Qin Shi, carrying large and small bags, stuffed them into the official vehicle's trunk.

"Alright. Within Taian, no one can harm you."

Yu Weiwei smiled serenely:

"Even if Master isn't here, with your status, the Patrol Department would at least dispatch three professional Fifth Rank Senior Inspectors, or frontline operatives for protection."

Qin Shi laughed wryly, having to admit that the feeling of being a Chaoyang-level genius was indeed quite refreshing.

In the past he read online literature; some third-rate authors artistically processed the First Generation Ten Greats' experiences, often writing about them being hunted by the Chaos Camp's Secret Sect cultists.

In reality, Martial Prodigies who reach that level almost all have powerful combat power serving as security.

Unless they themselves like adventure or prefer solo travel, it is hard for them to face life threats.

Unless one personally enjoys adventure, or prefers to act alone, otherwise, it is difficult to face a threat to one's life.

Qin Shi's Spiritual Field Power expanded; his greatly improved Mental Realm plus his life magnetic field easily captured several human figures.

All were experts who had entered the Professional Realm!

They wore plain clothes; some looked like travelers, some like staff members.

"Deliver the things to the Talent Apartment."

Qin Shi said to the driver.

He habitually used his life magnetic field to "scan".

Discovering this middle-aged, Mediterranean-haired driver uncle was also a hidden expert around Professional Rank Sixth Dan.

"Truly all-round protection from head to toe."

Qin Shi leaned back in the rear seat; returning from Central City to the Taian Urban Circle, he felt no discomfort at all.

Although Tai Jun's countless sub-consciousnesses could let people enjoy various convenient life services.

But he would prefer the current life state more; the lowered window let in cool wind, roadside trees retreated rapidly on both sides, traffic shook out streaks of light, high-rise buildings and advertising billboard lights intertwined.

The official vehicle delivered Qin Shi to the Talent Apartment; by specification, he should move to a standalone villa district with a better, quieter environment.

But because everything came too fast — from the Patrol Department's Heng Jian Operation starting out, to winning the championship at the Hengzhou Hundred Strong Competition — the procedures weren't even finished before Qin Shi had already publicly appeared in Central City, becoming a Chaoyang-level genius.

"This is for Big Sister, this is for the youngest. Then Little Zhou, Brother Yuan, Brother Yu..."

Qin Shi sorted the gifts packed in large and small bags into categories; there were all kinds of things.

From mechanical war dogs configured with basic firepower units, down to nutrient solution packages.

All together spending several hundred thousand, but Huo Erwen, from a Patrol Department Secretary background, reminded him that these could go on the official account.

After traveling hard for several days, Qin Shi didn't feel tired; he washed up, changed into loose clothes, came to the living room, took out several cans of sealed energy liquid from the fridge, treating them as functional drinks, feeling his cells greedily absorb them, replenishing part of the consumed stamina.

Once body and mind adjusted to optimal state, Qin Shi sat cross-legged on the mat, began dual-tasking, operating the Meditation Method and Ru Shen Ti.

As he repeatedly jumped back and forth several times, his understanding of the Professional Realm deepened; the intense light radiance surging in his hundred bones was like a sea, rising and surging with the rhythm of his breathing.

And in this process, the great limits throughout his body were also resonating, like copper tubes vibrating gently, tempering body and mind.

"Lao Zhou has been in the Professional Rank for several days, his domain still hasn't fully condensed, stuck around First Dan. If I take that step, relying on continuous accumulation and insight, maybe I'll directly 'skip ranks'."

Qin Shi vaguely grasped where that trace of opportunity lay; his body contained too many things, creating powerful numbers but also leading to a serious problem that cannot be ignored.

Qin Shi vaguely Bu Dao that Trace of Ji Hui, his body contained too many things, creating powerful Shu Zi but also leading to a serious problem that could not be ignored.

That is a lack of integration!

"The difficulty of spanning two paths is indeed great. Not just traversing them, but penetrating, accommodating, and mastering them."

Qin Shi's spirit entered the Inner Landscape, found Super Xiao He returning from mining, and raised his question.

How should a situation like his be resolved.

"Refine! Refine to the death!"

Super Xiao He said huffily:

"Your path has gone too smoothly, lacking strong opponents to serve as whetstones. In combat, you often rely on numerical crushing, unable to force out your potential.

My suggestion is, either you go find a powerful rival you cannot defeat, take more beatings; or spar with the previous generation's experts, experience the feeling of being crushed."

Qin Shi's gaze showed a suspicious look; he always felt Super Xiao He had been somewhat emotional lately, and giving such advice was purely to watch him take a beating.

"He Lanchan was the same back then. Otherwise why do you think he always liked to run his mouth in battle, provoking his opponents."

Super Xiao He's face was full of seriousness.

Trash-talking is to get beaten even harder?

Qin Shi half-believed half-doubted, lowered his head and pondered for a moment, and felt Super Xiao He's words were not without reason.

Thanks to Lao Liang and Lao Zhang's blessings, he indeed had never suffered any major setbacks.

Fighting peers was no pressure; opportunities to fight the previous generation were few.

"Had I known this earlier, I should have properly laned against Yu Li, stirred up his fighting spirit."

Qin Shi once again deeply felt regret; the only one who had posed him a significant threat was that Star Cup Youth Group first place, the new generation's Sun reputed to surpass all peers.

The others, like Lao Zhou, Zhang Hai, were a bit lacking.

If he sought official experts, considering their identities and status, they would inevitably not go all out.

As for the Nanhuang Dojo's Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, their hands were heavy, but they lacked suitable sparring partners who walked the Martial Path.

"How about I place an order on 【Killed It】, see if there are any experts?"

Qin Shi suddenly remembered the 【Dark Web】 application he hadn't used in a long time.

He opened 【Killed It】.

Posted an order.

【Urgently seeking Professional-Grade Expert, ferocious in combat, brutal fighting style preferred!】

Immediately after, Qin Shi publicly wrote out his general information.

He is a cracked version, able to fabricate identities at will.

This time ordering as a customer, with backend verification, it should not be treated as a sting operation post.

……

……

"Interesting. To break through to Professional-Grade, they've started actively seeking abuse."

Ying Huang in Center City opened her Mobile Terminal, looking at the "Popular Order" pinned to the top with high views, shook her head and smiled:

"Old Li, do you have any capable 'new blood' under you? In their prime, the standout kind among Professional-Grade."

Old Li frowned in thought, then nodded:

"Actually know a few. Hengzhou is the First Line of Defense; in the past there were many Merchant Ronin doing smuggling, even more illegal Black Households doing mercenary security; quite a few people are stranded because of the Blockade, truly worried about where to earn a living."

Ying Huang tapped her fingers, accepted the order, and signed up.

……

……

Seeing off Tai Jun, Mo Zhen Ting sat alone in the high tower, immersed in cultivation; this future General Star of the Seventh War Corps, unexpectedly, also spanned the Martial Path and the Spiritual Path.

The Hundred Bones operated, tempering the Life Light Radiance; simultaneously his spirit was vast like a blazing sun patrolling the sky; the two intertwined, distributing a terrifying Breath that made one's heart palpitate.

"Hai La, any abnormalities in the backend monitoring?"

Mo Zhen Ting's eyebrows raised, he slowly opened his eyes, blinding light flashed, like furious lightning crossing the sky, displaying his powerful cultivation.

"Yes, Instructor Mo. That 'Youth Spark' you focus on, suspected of logging into 【Dark Web】 and posting an order."

Hai La appeared in an instant, as if always awaiting orders.

If one were to say, in Center City, which place can evade Tai Jun's gaze.

It would probably be the State Hotel where Hai La is.

Also an Active Consciousness Entity.

Hai La, belonging to the Seventh War Corps Division Headquarters, possesses the Permit Authority to shield against all of Tai Jun's prying methods.

"Heh."

Mo Zhen Ting glanced over it twice, did not reveal much emotion, merely said:

"Taian Urban Circle has outstanding people; Deputy Officer Song and the others aren't on leave? Let them go there and have fun."

(Chapter End)