Chapter 875: Many Years Later

Many years later.

Great Liang.

A Psionic Aircraft streaked across the blue sky.

Its massive shadow swept over the dense, reinforced concrete buildings on the ground.

"Next, we report on a piece of current affairs news..."

At the intersection.

The beautiful anchor on the screen was reporting in a crisp, clear tone: "Today, our country's naval fleet visited the Thousand Island Country. On the basis of equality, friendship, and harmony, we signed a port lease and trade treaty with the Thousand Island Country... The Prime Minister delivered an important speech regarding this..."

"Don't go!"

"Where is the genealogy?"

Xiao Lin tossed his bicycle onto the lawn and lay straight down, letting the soft grass cradle his body. He caught the fragrant scent of nature with his nose, which was truly enough to make one drowsy.

"Did you just come out of the deep mountains? You're so dense... It's obviously cameras plus big data."

The Outer Dao consists of some home-based practitioners, Taoist temple Taoists, and the like; they worship the Taishang Dao Monarch, and some also worship the Red Moon Heavenly Venerable, the Light King Buddha, and the like.

Aaron skillfully handcuffed Xuan Xin: "You have the right to remain silent, but every word you say will become evidence in court."

Nighttime.

The chief within the Cabinet is called the 'Head Assistant' or 'Prime Minister', who is considered the highest power holder in the Liang State today.

The middle-aged man's eyes were full of despair.

Slap!

A stone flew into a shack made of broken cardboard boxes, seemingly hitting someone!

"Huh? A homeless person? A bankrupt?"

"Get lost!"

"Pan Miao, goodbye!"

The Daoist looked at Xiao Lin in the blankets and muttered to himself: "But no matter how difficult, this poor Daoist must defy the heavens to support the dragon... and revive our Daoist Lineage... ah!"

Today's Great Liang is the world's number one power; regardless of technology, education, or culture, it is far ahead, and it strictly enforces technological blockade measures.

Correspondingly, Great Liang does not recognize degrees from foreign diploma mills at all.

"Old Lin, you're late."

"Not great, do you want a beating?"

This was not just academic pressure, but also the constant nagging of his parents, forcing him to at least get into a university in the Imperial Capital and to actively prepare for the civil service exam after graduation starting from his freshman year, so that the probability of passing would be higher!

"Is the end of the universe really just civil service exams?"

How could a person live so long? This is unscientific!

Furthermore, the head of the Taishang Dao Academy has always been held by the Chief Scientist of Liang State; there is even a list on the internet as proof!

Xiao Lin subconsciously looked at his crotch, then felt somewhat ashamed and angry: "Don't you dare slander my beautiful feelings!"

"After you finish eating today, study hard!"

Xiao Lin's dad sat down and poured himself a glass of wine: "But don't say you don't want to go to college and want to work, otherwise I'll beat you to death!"

Although Chen Lulu is a top student, in reality, she doesn't have much confidence.

"The genealogy rotted long ago..." Xiao's dad rolled his eyes: "As for heirlooms... do you want the family's criminal record? Back then, our clan members were all descendants of prisoners..."

As for the true Taishang Dao Academy, that is the highest honor in Liang State, and only the most outstanding scientists, or rather, Daoist scholars, can join.

The middle-aged man stepped forward quickly, truly faster than one could imagine, and a large, filth-covered hand grabbed the back seat of Xiao Lin's bicycle: "I am not lying to you... I am the eighty-seventh generation successor of the Huan Zhen Dao! My ancestral Daoism can observe a person's physiognomy, discern Earth Qi, and support the Hidden Dragon... You are born with the fate to be the Emperor!"

'Now you want me to rebel and become Emperor?'

Xiao Lin scoffed and prepared to run away.

For example, in a certain mountain village, an old man dreamed that a divine person bestowed upon him a golden seal, so he woke up and announced that he had ascended to the throne as Emperor, killed a pig to treat the whole village to a feast, and then everyone became a Great General or a Grand Chancellor; even a kid in split-crotch pants was a fifth-rank official.

"I also want to join the Taishang Dao, but the Taishang Dao Academy," Chen Lulu laughed: "It's a pity... I still have to wait four years, and then try to take the exam."

"So you are mentally ill. Although I also have the surname Xiao, does that mean I have a country to inherit?"

Xiao Lin caught it, unscrewed the cap, and took a big gulp, only then answering: "I spent half the day playing cat and mouse with the teacher, and only then escaped from school... You guys tell me, why do adults have to arrange our lives for us? I want to grow up quickly and make my own decisions..."

The aroma of stir-frying filled the air from the pot, and on the table were a dish of stir-fried bitter melon with meat slices, a pot of seaweed soup, and a plate of braised pork.

However, Jin Bao's situation is special; he wants a diploma just to make it look better when he takes over the family business, that is all.

Jin Bao said solemnly: "With my appearance, seeing all the flowers in the world after going out is nothing but a trifle..."

Seeing his dad come out wearing an apron, he immediately asked: "Dad... let me ask you something."

Just as Xiao Lin was hiding in his blankets crying, lamenting that his beautiful romance was about to end before it even began.

On the lawn, a kind of unknown small pink flower was blooming, which smelled refreshing and pleasant.

But there are also clear records in history books that after the referendum to kill the first and last Emperor of Liang State, for nearly a hundred years, there were actually some laughable news stories in various parts of the world.

Of course he wouldn't die.

Everyone here was his close friend: the fat man Jin Bao, the top student Chen Lulu, and another girl, Pan Miao.

"That's true..."

Then, he saw his dad holding a feather duster and his mom sitting on the sofa next to him, looking furious.

His mom, who was serving rice nearby, complained: "If that were really the case, would your dad and I be squeezed into this small apartment?"

Xiao Lin lowered his eyes, not wanting others to discover that his gaze had actually been following Pan Miao, and suddenly remembered the background information about the Taishang Dao.

Xiao Lin's eyes lit up: "I didn't expect that I was also a descendant of the royal family. Does our family have any antiques passed down?"

"Old Lin, you don't know... It is said that when men from our Great Liang go outside, they must learn to practice Protection, otherwise there are female natives who want to marry you like crazy, just to get a Great Liang household registration..."

"You brat, why are you asking this?"

He couldn't help but ask with a fluke mentality: "Were our ancestors any high-ranking Nobles?"

Jin Bao threw a bottle of beverage.

It is also known as the Scientific God Sect!

There are even rumors in the streets that the Taishang Dao Lord is an old monster who has lived from the Liang Emperor era until now!

The Taishang Dao is also divided into the Outer Path and the Inner Courtyard.

This person is dressed like a vagrant; he is exactly that madman from the Huan Zhen Dao from before!

"Sigh... the Taishang Dao is too overbearing, actually legislating that the Taishang Dao is the only religion, while all others are illegal heterodox shrines... The Taishang Dao Lord severed the connection between heaven and earth back then, completely cutting off the link between the human world and the Underworld... Even the Hidden Dragon cannot obtain the Earth Dragon Qi, and with only a sliver of Heavenly Mandate left, how can it flourish?"

Once he saw Aaron's face clearly, Xuan Xin's pupils shrank to pinpoints: "You... you are... the Taishang Dao Lord? You actually haven't died yet?"

"Where is it bulging?"

At this moment, looking at Xiao Lin, his eyes suddenly lit up: "Dragon Qi?!"

That legendary first-generation Dao Lord who ended the chaotic times, unified the world, and returned Imperial Authority to the people—his bones have likely already turned to ash...

Because he was afraid of being followed by the vagrant, Xiao Lin deliberately took a long detour before returning home.

Slightly more advanced technologies are all under blockade and strictly prohibited from being leaked; violators will have their entire clan executed!

Precisely because of this, every citizen of the Great Liang has the mentality of a Celestial Empire, because when they travel by Psionic Aircraft, the natives of the Thousand Island Country might still be riding in human-pulled sedan chairs!

Xiao Lin rolled his eyes, too lazy to talk to this self-important fat man, and looked at the young girl Pan Miao.

Holding his chopsticks, Xiao Lin snuck a glance at the kitchen, still not daring to steal a bite.

Instead, relying on immortality, he has stubbornly held the trends and the helm of this world for a long time, right up until now.

"Taishang Dao..."

Chen Lulu said solemnly: "According to surveys, 99% of people, after growing up, actually miss their childhood!"

"Speak!"

A human figure climbed onto the balcony like an ape and arrived at his window.

After all, a madman combined with a vagrant—this Divine Attribute is too terrifying; you can't afford to provoke them!

Or rather, being a top student at the Dao Academy is not rare at all; only the top-tier academic geniuses have any chance of entering the Taishang Dao Academy!

"My mother pulled some strings so I could intern at a Taishang Dao temple near home, and then I can become an Apprentice Goddess... I hope to be promoted to a Female Daoist in the future so I can collect a stipend. This kind of Daoist registration is also very stable, second only to passing the civil service exam..." Pan Miao said softly, toying with the black hair at her fingertips.

Xiao Lin, carrying a schoolbag, sped along the street on his bicycle, indifferent to this news.

Such a political system has experienced several reversals since then, all of which were counterattacks from the former landlord and gentry classes, or even strange people like shamans and sorcerers.

Xiao Lin thought of that vagrant and inexplicably felt that the other party's words might, perhaps, possibly be true.

Xiao Lin completely lost interest, ate a piece of braised pork, and suddenly his eyes rolled: "Dad... what do you think if I go to intern at a Daoist temple after high school?"

Taishang Dao, the state religion of the Liang country!

The Hidden Dragon Xiao Lin protected his schoolbag with his body and shouted: "Hit me a little lighter..."

This middle-aged man's fingernails were full of filth, his hair was messy like a bird's nest, and his face was dirty, but only his eyes were bright and piercing.

She looked calmly at the river under the bridge and suddenly said: "I have already decided, I will join the Taishang Dao after graduating from high school!"

Besides, the crime rate for this kind of person is also very high!

While apologizing, Xiao Lin decided that after going back, he would be a concerned citizen and invite this Mr. Vagrant to experience the warmth of the Empire.

"Young man... you have a Dragon Qi mark at the bridge of your nose, which is vaguely related to the Liang country. You are a descendant of the Great Liang Emperor from back then!"

The middle-aged man ignored everything else, staring at Xiao Lin without blinking, as if he had seen some kind of treasure.

But the young man endured it, showing nothing on the surface; the four of them played happily until dark, then each went home.

"Shh!"

Alas... Xiao Lin was not happy.

But in the end, under the suppression of the Taishang Dao, they all turned to dust.

Thanks to his parents, he was born with a capital city household registration and could attend school and take civil service exams in this district... one could say he started at the finish line of many people.

Crackle!

"Ah... how did you find me?"

"Then forget it, I'd better just be an ordinary person."

However, this question of his seemed to have stirred up long-held memories for Xiao's father.

"Old Lin, we've been waiting for you."

"Not this one..."

"Xuan Xin of the Huan Zhen Dao, your business has been exposed, come with me for a trip!"

The truant boy's latest attempt at love was severely suppressed by his parents.

Xiao Lin muttered to himself and arrived under a large bridge.

"Ah!"

Xiao Lin immediately lost interest and sullenly prepared to wash his hands and eat.

After riding a stretch of road with Pan Miao, watching the girl's departing back, Xiao Lin felt a sense of loss and pushed his bike home, feeling dejected.

Ever since the referendum to kill the Emperor back then, the Taishang Dao Lord did not change the name of the country, but simply abolished the Xiao royal family and used a Cabinet system to lead the world.

'Terrible... that madman from just now made me forget about skipping class earlier...'

He is a happy truant high school student, attending Jinshi City Third Middle School.

He still remembered the ancient emperors in the textbooks, with their three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines; that was actually quite nice.

A fat man lying on the lawn waved his hand.

This feeling that everyone was about to go their separate ways made Xiao Lin feel lost, even with the urge to cry.

Pan Miao was wearing a pure white dress; her features were delicate. Although not stunning, when combined, they had a pleasing quality, like a girl next door.

Xiao Lin flew into a kick, sending the madman flying, and while mounting his bicycle, he sped away without looking back: "I'd have to be a fool to listen to your nonsense... don't look at what era it is now, being an Emperor, pfft!"

He suddenly let out a miserable shriek, his whole body convulsing as he collapsed to the ground.

Aaron made a gesture for silence: "Be serious, we're in the middle of an arrest!"

Xiao Lin saw a disheveled middle-aged man walk out and couldn't help but be startled, hurriedly apologizing: "I'm sorry, uncle, I didn't mean to..."

"Sigh... that's because you, Lin, still have hope; I've already given up." Jin Bao lay on the lawn, lazily saying: "I'm just waiting to graduate high school, then go work at my dad's company, and wait to inherit hundreds of millions in family assets!"

He took a sip of wine, squinted his eyes, seemingly savoring the taste, or perhaps reminiscing, and suddenly spoke: "Remember when I was a child, my father, who is your grandfather, once said... our Xiao family ancestors might have had some connection to the Liang Kingdom royal family... although the royal family was demoted to commoners back then, the genealogy still exists..."

Inside the bridge underpass, several bicycles had long been parked, and next to them was a patch of lawn.

And then, this matter was passed around as a joke, reaching the county seat, where it was easily extinguished by a group of Detectives and yamen runners.

'That was still hundreds of years ago!'

Walking along, he kept kicking the Shitou by the side of the road.

But Xiao Lin only listened to it as a joke!

"Jin Bao, you'll probably be sent abroad to study, but the best universities in foreign countries are all diploma mills, and the domestic side might not recognize them..." Xiao Lin tossed the drink back: "But having a diploma is still better than having none."

This person was exactly like those homeless people who had gone bankrupt.

Aaron was dressed like an ordinary Inspector, holding a Stun Gun in his hand: "It wasn't in vain keeping the descendants of the Xiao family all this time; they can always continuously catch fish."

'Is there anyone with yellow enough urine to go and wake him up with a spray...'

"Hundreds of years of influence and imprinting are enough!"

"I wonder how things are over at the main body?"

(End of this chapter)