Chapter 119: Senior Qianshouwan, you don

After Yuan Liuzhai announced the dissolution, the group of 'captains' immediately left the First Squad's headquarters room.

The amount of information they received at today's headquarters meeting was overwhelming, so much that their brains could barely keep up; for now the only thing they must do is quickly relay the information they obtained to the forces behind them, then convene a meeting so that the heads of those noble factions can decide their next moves.

As for Araki, he was now standing in front of the Twelfth Squad's headquarters leader Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan, smiling at him.

"Ah la, isn't that the captain? It's been a long time~"

Xiuduo Luo looked at Araki who had sought her out, and a captivating smile traced her beautiful face.

"Senior Xiuduo, what are you talking about? Just a few days ago, when I asked you to custom‑make a headquarters haori for my three disciples, didn't we just meet?!"

Araki, seeing Xiuduo's 'forgetful' demeanor, smiled and reminded her.

Indeed, the clothes on Jingle and the others were paid for by the Four Maple Court family, and were personally tailored by Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan.

"Ah la, it does seem that way~"

"Sorry, I've been forgetful lately."

Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan looked at Araki, smiling as she spoke.

"Then Captain Araki, this time you came to me for the purpose of tailoring clothes for your disciples, or perhaps for others?"

Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan asked Araki.

"No, this time it's for something else…"

"In any case, it's crowded here; Senior Xiuduo, shall we step aside to talk?"

Araki looked at Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan and said cheerfully.

"Ah la~"

"If you're not afraid of that person from your household, then let's go to my Embroidered Chamber and chat~"

After hearing Araki's words, Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan first glanced at Araki, then glanced at Mao Zhi Hua Lie in the distance; she narrowed her eyes slightly and teased Araki.

"Then I shall obey respectfully."

But Araki, upon hearing that, gave a gentle smile and accepted Qianshouwan's invitation.

"……"

This left Qianshouwan speechless for a moment, while tacitly acknowledging Araki's arrival.

As for Mao Zhi Hua Lie, she still maintained a 'principal consort' demeanor and paid no mind to what Araki and Qianshouwan said.

On the other side…

After the head of the Gang Yidai family returned to the Gang Yidai clan, he grabbed the Zanpo Blade in his hand and began smashing the furnishings displayed in his own living room.

"Scoundrel! Shi Tan that guy really makes me furious!"

"Does Shi Tan not know that once he took the Gang Yidai surname and offered his last drop of blood to the Gang Yidai clan, that is his destiny?!"

The head of the Gang Yidai family gripped the ancestral Zanpo Blade 'Yanluo Jingdian', his eyes blazing with fierce anger.

"Head of the family, what's wrong with you?"

"Head of the family, are you alright?"

The vassals of the Gang Yidai clan, seeing the head vent his anger as soon as he returned, rushed to his side and kept urging him.

"Huh…"

After hearing his vassals' pleas, the Gang Yidai head let out a long sigh, then shouted at the assembled vassals: "Gather a clan council and bring all the elders and Shi Tan's father to me; I want to discuss Shi Tan's matter thoroughly!"

"Understood, as you command!"

The vassal who received the head's order dared not speak further and immediately headed toward the courtyard where the elders were.

"Scoundrel Shi Tan! Today I'll teach you what it means to face elders you cannot offend."

The Gang Yidai head decided to use his authority as one of the Five Great Nobles to give Shi Tan a proper lesson.

Just as the Gang Yidai head returned to the clan and began grand preparations to deal with Shi Tan, Araki had already followed Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan to Qianshouwan's Embroidered Chamber…

However, although Qianshouwan called the place she occupied a 'Embroidered Chamber', in reality it resembled a massive 'laboratory' filled with various experimental instruments.

Compared with the Technology Development Bureau founded later by Pu Yuan Xishu, its scale was smaller, and this huge Embroidered Chamber belonged solely to Qianshouwan.

"Arrived~"

After Qianshouwan entered the laboratory's door code, Araki and Qianshouwan finally stepped into the so‑called Embroidered Chamber; Araki narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the dim lab piled with instruments.

"Captain Araki, my Embroidered Chamber looks a bit messy; I hope you can bear with it~"

Qianshouwan walked ahead of Araki, speaking to him as she walked.

"No problem."

Araki heard this and gave Qianshouwan a gentle smile.

"Hehe~"

In response, Qianshouwan merely smiled faintly.

Then the two continued forward until they reached the innermost part of the lab, where Araki and Qianshouwan finally came to a slow halt.

"Oh?!"

Just after Qianshouwan and Araki entered the lab's interior, a man stationed at an instrument, constantly fiddling with various tools, seemed to sense something and slowly halted his movements…

"Yo! Nie Jianli, you're still chasing that unrealistic 'dream'~"

Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan looked at the man's back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke in a tone that sounded like a mockery.

"I already told you, when you return, keep it down a bit and don't disturb my research!"

"Also, you should change that arrogant tone of yours, okay? Stop looking down on everyone all the time!"

As Xiuduo Luo Qianshouwan finished speaking, the man with short blue hair who had been turned away from Araki and Qianshouwan finally turned around, revealing his golden eyes and a strange mask that covered his entire face.

"Hm? Who are you…"

The man, whose appearance and demeanor were extremely odd, after turning and seeing Qianshouwan and Araki, first narrowed his eyes slightly, then showed a look of sudden realization.

"I see…" The man, whom Xiuduo called Nie Jianli, said with a mocking tone to Qianshouwan: "Is that so? So even you, Xiuduo, have reached the age of bringing men home? As expected, you're just an ordinary mortal~ nothing like a true genius like me!"

Hehe~

Upon hearing that, Qianshouwan's charming mouth corner showed a hint of contemptuous smile, and her slender jade‑like hand, at some unknown moment, pinched a cold‑glowing 'Embroidered Needle'.

"A man with an unguarded mouth will have his tongue sewn shut."

Qianshouwan, holding the 'Embroidered Needle', warned Niejianli.

"Hmph……"

Niejianli, hearing that, prudently closed his mouth, admitting that he truly was not a match for the old woman Xiuduo Qianshouwan.

"Captain Araki, please don't mind, because besides completing my own 'research' each day, I also have to fulfill the Twelfth Squad captain's tasks, so I spend most of my time away from my Embroidery Room…"

"However, the work inside the Embroidery Room cannot be halted. Moreover, to prevent anyone from attacking my cute 'research' subjects while I'm away, I keep a vicious dog in the Embroidery Room to guard the premises."

Qianshouwan smiled lightly at Araki while explaining Niejianli's identity.

"Vicious dog? That's quite an image."

Araki gave a gentle smile after hearing Qianshouwan.

Surveying the entire Soul Realm, comparing Niejianli to a vicious dog and making Niejianli helpless before a woman, Xiuduo Qianshouwan is truly one of a kind~

Indeed, Araki naturally knows the true identity of that nervous blue‑haired man: he is the future Twelfth Squad captain, the second‑generation director of the Technology Development Bureau, and also the man who claimed 'MVP' in the Millennium Blood War Arc, popularly called 'Nieda' Niejianli.

But the one before me hasn't yet endured the Maggot Nest's trials; he's merely a science madman, nothing more.

"Then, Captain Araki, what exactly have you come to discuss with me?!"

Xiuduo Qianshouwan looked at Araki and asked with a cheerful smile.

"Well……"

Araki's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing that, and he did not immediately tell Qianshouwan.

"Niejianli, you really have no foresight~"

"Since the esteemed guest has arrived, shouldn't you quickly step aside?"

Thinking Araki hesitated to inform because Niejianli was present, Qianshouwan gently rebuked Niejianli.

"You woman…"

Niejianli, hearing Qianshouwan, felt veins bulge on his forehead; he despised Qianshouwan immensely, but due to certain constraints he couldn't openly clash with her now, so after a moment of thought he merely endured.

"Fine, if I must avoid, then tell me how far to avoid. Should I temporarily leave this Laboratory? Or the Serene Spirit Court? Or perhaps simply leave the Soul Realm for a while! Coincidentally, I've been wanting to venture into the Living World or the Void Circle…"

Niejianli, after hearing Qianshouwan, spoke to himself.

"No, I think Mr. Niejianli need not avoid."

Araki, after hearing Niejianli, gently shook his head.

"Hm?!"

Niejianli's eyes showed confusion.

"A 'vicious dog' like Mr. Niejianli is indeed safest staying within the courtyard."

Araki did not answer Niejianli's doubt, but spoke to the Xiuduo Qianshouwan beside him.

"Ara~"

"You understand well~"

Qianshouwan merely gave a light smile after hearing Araki, evidently their thoughts aligned.

"What does that mean?!"

At this moment Niejianli's gaze showed a hint of bewilderment; he still hadn't grasped the meaning of the exchange between Qianshouwan and Araki. It wasn't until over a hundred years later, when Qianshouwan was promoted to Zero Squad and Niejianli was personally locked into the Maggot Nest by the pre‑promotion Qianshouwan, that he finally understood—though that is a story for later…

"In fact, my purpose in visiting Senior Qianshouwan is to have her, based on her Laboratory, recruit like‑minded individuals and establish a brand‑new institution centered on 'Technology Development' and 'Innovative Technology'. As for its name, how about calling it the 'Technology Development Bureau'?!"

At this point, Araki looked at the Xiuduo Qianshouwan before him and finally revealed his purpose for seeking her out.

"'Technology Development Bureau', huh?!"

Qianshouwan, after hearing Araki, narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, surveyed Araki from head to toe, and let a faint smile play on her rosy lips.

"I wonder, Brother Araki, why you so desire me to disclose my techniques?!"

After the assessment, Qianshouwan asked Araki.

Indeed, in Qianshouwan's view, Araki asking her to found the 'Technology Development Bureau' amounts to making her years of research public to the entire Serene Spirit Court, which is unquestionably excessive for researchers of this era.

"I am not asking Senior Qianshouwan to reveal her techniques, but hoping she can leverage the Soul Realm's power to more swiftly complete the techniques she has yet to finish…"

Araki, upon hearing that, gave Qianshouwan a gentle smile.

"Oh?!"

Qianshouwan, after hearing Araki, showed a thoughtful expression.

"Honestly, with Senior Qianshouwan's achievement of developing the 'Death Overlord Gear', she could have joined Zero Squad long ago. The reason she hasn't been promoted isn't due to lack of seniority or accomplishment, but because she has been engrossed in research, leaving no time to consider 'promotion' or 'royal special agent' matters…"

Araki first boasted to Qianshouwan.

Then, looking at Qianshouwan, Araki continued: "But with the Serene Spirit Court's resources involved, I think your research pace could accelerate considerably. In that case, you could leave the Serene Spirit Court earlier, unburdened, and head to the Spirit King Palace! Once you arrive at the Spirit King Palace and officially become a member of Zero Squad, you'll find that the projects you researched in the Serene Spirit Court aren't as crucial as you imagined."

At this point, Araki paused, then asked Qianshouwan: "After all, Senior Qianshouwan, you wouldn't want your research to hinder your promotion to Zero Squad, would you?!"

"This…"

Qianshouwan hadn't expected Araki to state outright that she possessed the qualification to be promoted to Zero Squad.

For a moment Qianshouwan hesitated; if an ordinary person said that, she would likely dismiss it as a painted 'big cake' and scoff. But coming from Araki of Zero Squad, its credibility surged. As Araki said, once she officially becomes a member of Zero Squad, everything in the Serene Spirit Court will seem far less important…

"Qianshouwan, will you agree to him?!"

Just as Qianshouwan hesitated, Niejianli suddenly spoke.

"Hm?!"

Qianshouwan, hearing that, cast a puzzled glance at Niejianli.

"You needn't trouble yourself with the 'Technology Development Bureau'; leave it entirely to me to manage. You only need to make good use of the resources the Serene Spirit Court pours into you and finish your research promptly~"

Niejianli seemed delighted at that moment, a mischievous grin on his lips as he earnestly addressed Qianshouwan.

"You have a heart~"

Upon hearing that, Qian Shou Wan's beautiful eyes flashed with a sharp light, as if in a brief instant he saw Nie Jianli through completely.

A few minutes later, Qian Shou Wan lifted the corner of his mouth and nodded at Nie Jianli.

Hehe~

Nie Jianli only gave a light smile at this, but said nothing.

Nie Jianli naturally wasn't that kind‑hearted; he just wanted to get rid of Qian Shou Wan, that 'Great Buddha', quickly!

In Nie Jianli's view, once he sends Qian Shou Wan away, whether it's this 'Twelfth Squad' or the so‑called 'Technology Development Bureau', they will both become his assets. When Qian Shou Wan goes to the 'Spirit King Palace', everything of the 'Twelfth Squad' will be under his control, and then the vast 'Jingling Court' will no longer have anyone to block his research.

However, the pitiful Nie Da at this time still didn't realize that the day Qian Shou Wan is promoted to the 'Zeroth Squad' will be the day he is locked up in prison.

"I see~"

"Then let's do it that way."

After Xiu Duo Luo Qian Shou Wan received Nie Jianli's devoted assistance, he pretended to hesitate for a few seconds, then immediately agreed to Araki's request, deciding to open his 'Embroidery Room' and 'Technology' to create the so‑called 'Technology Development Bureau'.

"Then let me first thank Senior Qian Shou Wan for his assistance~"

Araki gave a gentle smile upon seeing Qian Shou Wan's agreement.

From then on, with Araki's involvement, the 'Technology Development Bureau' will appear several hundred years earlier than in the 'original work'. And as Araki draws Qian Shou Wan in, the 'Twelfth Squad' will return to the control of the 'Primordial Flow', and the 'Gotei 13' will increasingly resemble Araki's shape.

"Araki, come to think of it I have some doubts and would like to ask you~"

Just as Araki obtained the answer he wanted and was about to leave, Qian Shou Wan suddenly called him back; she seemed to have a question she wanted to ask Araki.

"You say…"

Araki looked at Qian Shou Wan, smiled and nodded, indicating that Qian Shou Wan could speak freely.

"Araki, whether I take out my own 'Technology' or set up a 'Technology Development Bureau', these matters that benefit the 'Gotei 13' shouldn't be done by you, the captain of the 'Eleventh Squad', right? This should be the responsibility of the 'Chief Commander' himself, shouldn't it?"

Qian Shou Wan, with a faint smile on her face, asked Araki seemingly casually.

"Haha, that's true~"

"Just think of it as I'm doing this so my future work can be easier, so I moved it forward by several decades and finished now the work I was supposed to do in the future~"

Araki, after hearing Qian Shou Wan's question, gave a smile with a hint of 'mystery'.

"I see~"

"Then let's wish our future 'Chief Commander' that the current work goes smoothly~"

Qian Shou Wan, indeed clever, immediately understood the meaning in Araki's words, showed an unsurprised expression, and then congratulated Araki.

"I'll borrow your auspicious words."

Araki merely returned a smile.

"Future 'Chief Commander'?"

As for Nie Jianli, who was standing beside Qian Shou Wan and heard the entire conversation between Qian Shou Wan and Araki, he was stunned again and again, as if he had inadvertently overheard some 'incredibly troublesome' information that he shouldn't have heard.

"I constantly feel like I've fallen into someone's trap."

Nie Jianli squinted and muttered to himself, a vague premonition slowly rising in his heart; he always felt he was being set up.

Five thousand~