Chapter 164: Ghost Slash

"Yu Hu is actually a Dao Foundation realm powerhouse?!"

Inside the Chief's office, Gu Zhenhui, who was listening to his secretary's report, wore a look of astonishment.

"That's correct, and Garrison Commander Wei said that Yu Hu has also mastered the high-tier force, the Cold Evil Drifting Snow Force, and has at least integrated three types of implants," the secretary said.

Gu Zhenhui's expression turned grim; he had not expected Yu Hu to be hiding so much.

"Which Dao Foundation does the Cold Evil Drifting Snow Force belong to as a high-tier force?" Gu Zhenhui asked suddenly.

The secretary replied, "I asked Garrison Commander Wei, and he said it is 【Cold River Snow】."

"【Cold River Snow】? Does the Xingcheng Stop-War Academy have the cultivation method for this Dao Foundation?" Gu Zhenhui continued to ask.

The construction of a martial Dao foundation is not just about absorbing five different implants in the correct order; it involves extremely complex cultivation methods. Each stage requires different nurturing techniques for different implants, and it also involves a series of issues such as interference and coordination between the different implants.

Therefore, the cultivation method for every type of Dao Foundation is extremely precious—it is the most top-secret of secrets!

Gu Zhenhui wanted to know how Yu Hu had gotten his hands on this top-secret cultivation method.

The construction of the foundation of the Martial Dao is not simply a matter of absorbing five different implants in the correct order; it involves extremely complex cultivation methods, with different nurturing techniques for different implants at each stage, as well as a series of issues regarding the mutual interference and coordination between different implants.

"Go investigate immediately!" Gu Zhenhui's eyes were fierce.

"Yes, I will go make the call right now." The secretary turned and left.

Soon, the secretary returned to the office:

"My lord, according to the secret file records of the Supervisory Academy, the Xingcheng Stop-War Academy only has cultivation methods for seven types of Dao Foundations, and 【Cold River Snow】 is not among them."

Slap!

Gu Zhenhui slammed his palm onto the desk and stood up at once:

"It is not strange that he, Yu Hu, could obtain the resources needed for cultivation, but Dao Foundation cultivation methods are all top-secret. Since the Xingcheng Stop-War Academy does not have the cultivation method for a Dao Foundation like 【Cold River Snow】, where did Yu Hu get it from?"

He turned to look at the secretary:

"Tell the Supervisory Academy to investigate immediately. Investigate all intelligence related to 【Cold River Snow】. I want to know who gave Yu Hu the cultivation method!"

"My lord, according to the secret archives of the Supervisory Academy, the Xingcheng Stop-War Academy only has seven types of Dao foundation cultivation methods, and 'Cold River Snow' is not among them."

The secretary nodded in acknowledgment, "Does my lord suspect that Yu Hu is still colluding with other factions?"

Gu Zhenhui sat back down and looked at the secretary:

"It only took him a little over ten years to go from a low-level street thug to where he is today. If he were just a Force-Practicing Martial Master, that would be one thing, but it turns out he is already at the Dao Foundation realm. How many people in this world reach the Dao Foundation realm without any background? I don't believe he has no one behind him!"

In fact, for these past years, Gu Zhenhui had been having the Supervisory Academy investigate this matter in secret, because he had always suspected that Yu Hu had someone supporting him, but the Supervisory Academy had been unable to find a single trace after investigating for so many years.

Now that Yu Hu had been forced to reveal his trump card and exposed the clue of 【Cold River Snow】, Gu Zhenhui would naturally not let it go.

"Also, this time, Li Lei, the captain of the First Brigade of the Inspection Academy, timely prevented a large-scale gang fight, protected the safety of the citizens in the Wuguang District, saved hundreds of people, and seized over a hundred illegal firearms. He has performed a great service!"

Gu Zhenhui said to the secretary:

"Go draft a document to commend him in the name of the Administrative Hall, and then notify the people at the Internal Affairs Academy's Chief Official Division and the Inspection Academy. I want to promote Li Lei!"

The secretary was startled and instinctively said, "My lord, but Li Lei was only just promoted ahead of rank not long ago. He is already a Grade 9 official; if he is promoted again, he will be an official appointed by the imperial court."

There are 5 grades for first-class officials and 4 grades for second-class subordinate officials, so a Grade 9 official is the peak of the second-class subordinate officials. One more promotion and he will cross the second dragon gate of the officialdom and become an official appointed by the imperial court!

A city's government can directly appoint second-class subordinate officials, but third-class appointed officials must be reported layer by layer to the higher levels.

First, it is reported to the 'Prefecture' level, and after the prefectural government approves it and stamps it with their seal, it is sent to the 'Province' level to complete the final approval and confirmation.

After the provincial government confirms it, they will send the roster to the Imperial Capital, where the Cabinet Secretariat will enter it into the registry, and finally issue the appointment plaque with the official's name and the golden seal representing their own power.

Only then is an imperial court official truly born.

Li Lei had just been promoted ahead of rank from a Grade 6 official to a Grade 9 official less than two months ago. With such a resume, unless he had performed a monumental service, even if Gu Zhenhui forcibly pushed the approval through here in Xingcheng and submitted the list, the government in Datong Prefecture would never approve Li Lei.

First-class officials have 5 ranks, and second-class subordinate officials have 4 ranks, so a rank 9 official is the pinnacle of the second-class subordinate officials; rising one more rank will cross the second dragon gate of the officialdom and become an official appointed by the imperial court!

Gu Zhenhui said indifferently.

He knew that it was impossible to forcibly promote Li Lei right now, but he still had to make the attempt.

Although Li Lei had taken a neutral stance during the great battle in the Wuguang District this time, it had shown Gu Zhenhui an excellent opportunity to check and balance Wu Yihua.

Currently, the Tiger Blade Gang firmly controlled the Inspection Academy, and it was very difficult for the Chief's faction to insert their own people.

Since that was the case, it would be better to support a neutral Li Lei, use Li Lei to check and balance Wu Yihua, and siphon away the Tiger Blade Gang's authority in the Inspection Academy.

Even if Li Lei might potentially target the Chief's faction in the future, it was still better than letting the Tiger Blade Gang be the sole power in the Inspection Academy.

"There is more."

Gu Zhenhui continued to issue orders; the Chief's moves were not yet over:

"The Tiger Blade Gang's momentum has plummeted; now is the time for us to counterattack. Let's start with the Martial Lecture Hall."

"The Martial Lecture Hall?"

Since that is the case, it would be better to support Li Lei, who remains neutral, and use Li Lei to keep Wu Yihua in check and divide the Tiger Blade Gang's authority in the Supervisory Court.

He had thought that Gu Zhenhui would start with the Judicial Academy and the Court of Justice, the two places that had been competing with the Tiger Blade Gang, and take the opportunity to win over some officials from the Tiger Blade Gang's side.

He had not expected Gu Zhenhui to start with the Martial Lecture Hall.

"Have the Supervisory Academy prepare to take action. Clear out everyone the Tiger Blade Gang has buried in the Martial Lecture Hall for me!"

Gu Zhenhui said with murderous intent in his eyes.

The Martial Lecture Hall was a place with a semi-official nature, jointly managed by the Inspection Academy and the Stop-War Academy, so the management personnel inside were also subject to the supervision of the Supervisory Academy. Once any non-compliant behavior was discovered, the Supervisory Academy had the power to take them away.

Over the years, the Martial Lecture Hall had almost been treated as the Tiger Blade Gang's backyard. There were far too many management personnel inside who were in violation of regulations. The Supervisory Academy had long since obtained a lot of evidence, but due to the Tiger Blade Gang's momentum, and the lack of an opportunity to strike a fatal blow, they had never acted.

Now that the Tiger Blade Gang's momentum had greatly diminished and they had revealed flaws, Gu Zhenhui decided to take action against the Martial Lecture Hall!

The secretary had followed Gu Zhenhui for many years and saw something else in these two moves of Gu Zhenhui's.

"It seems my lord wants to win over Hao Yi."

The secretary thought to himself.

The strength Hao Yi displayed this time was shocking, and he believed Gu Zhenhui definitely wanted to win over this Dao Foundation realm powerhouse as much as possible.

Showing favor directly to Hao Yi would not have an obvious effect and would be considered a lower-tier move, so Gu Zhenhui chose to start from elsewhere.

Whether it was promoting Li Lei or cleaning up the Martial Lecture Hall, both matters were related to that young man named Li Fei.

From this conflict, it could be seen that Hao Yi cared very much about this student of his and was someone who protected his own.

Therefore, both of Gu Zhenhui's moves were beneficial to Li Fei.

The secretary's guess was correct; Gu Zhenhui did indeed have this intention.

As long as he could win Li Fei over, he believed that in the future, the Dao Foundation powerhouse Hao Yi would at least not stand in opposition to him.

Showing favor directly to Hao Yi would not have an obvious effect and would also be a lower-tier strategy, so Gu Zhenhui chose to start from elsewhere.

Gu Zhenhui said finally.

From this conflict, it can be seen that Hao Yi cares very much about this student of his and is someone who is very protective of his own.

The secretary exited the office.

Before long, the orders issued from the Chief's office once again stirred up waves in Xingcheng.

The next morning, Li Fei arrived at the Martial Lecture Hall as usual.

He walked into Hao Yi's office with familiarity, and then he froze.

Because inside the office, besides Hao Yi, there was also a woman sitting there wearing green clothes with a long braid.

It was Shangguan Xiao!

"Master."

Li Fei first bowed to Hao Yi, then looked at Shangguan Xiao: "I presume this must be my Martial Aunt?"

Shangguan Xiao looked at Li Fei with a playful expression and said with a smile:

"Senior Brother, is this the student you took in? He really looks honest and steady at first glance; he's a good child."

A bit more of a smile appeared on Hao Yi's face as he spoke:

"Xiaofei, she is the Junior Sister I mentioned to you yesterday, your Martial Aunt, Shangguan Xiao."

Li Fei immediately bowed to Shangguan Xiao:

"Student Li Fei, greetings, Martial Aunt."

"No need for such formalities."

Shangguan Xiao stood up, picked up a rectangular wooden box from the side, and walked in front of Li Fei:

"This is the first time Senior Brother has formally introduced his student to me; I cannot go without a gesture. Here, this is a meeting gift from your Martial Aunt."

As she spoke, she handed the wooden box in her hand to Li Fei.

Now that the relationship between her and Hao Yi had basically been exposed by the Tiger Blade Gang, she did not need to deliberately hide it anymore, so she specifically ran to the Martial Lecture Hall today to take a look.

One reason was to 'formally' meet Li Fei.

The second was to give Li Fei a gift.

Li Fei was startled and instinctively looked at Hao Yi.

Hao Yi's eyes held a smile: "Since your Martial Aunt is giving it to you, just accept it."

"Yes, thank you, Martial Aunt."

Li Fei took the rectangular wooden box from Shangguan Xiao's hand, not expecting it to be quite heavy, likely weighing at least seventy or eighty jin.

"Open it and take a look."

The second reason is to present a gift to Li Fei.

Li Fei was startled and instinctively looked at Hao Yi.

Hao Yi's eyes held a smile: "Since your martial aunt is giving it to you, just accept it."

"Yes, thank you, Martial Aunt."

Li Fei took the rectangular wooden box from Shangguan Xiao's hands; he hadn't expected it to be so heavy, estimating it to weigh at least seventy or eighty jin.

"Open it and take a look."

Shangguan Xiao said with a smile.

Li Fei undid the clasp of the wooden box and opened it, revealing what was inside—

Inside lay a large blade with a total length of one point five three meters!

The hilt was black and forty-seven centimeters long; the blade was a palm wide, snow-white, and exuded a cold glint.

At the junction of the hilt and the blade was a ghost face with fangs, looking as if a malevolent ghost had opened its mouth to "spit out" the long blade.

Li Fei took a liking to the style of this large blade at first glance, finding it very familiar.

Shangguan Xiao noticed the pleasant surprise in Li Fei's eyes and said with a smile:

"This blade is an exotic weapon crafted primarily from the bones of a Rank 5 superior exotic beast, the Ghost-Swallowing Beast, supplemented with the body tissues of other exotic beasts. It weighs seventy-nine jin. I heard from your senior brother that the Dao foundation you intend to cultivate in the future is the 【Primordial Heavenly Gold】. This exotic weapon is best suited for metal and fire-attribute power, making it very suitable for you, so I am gifting it to you."

Although the Great Lan Dynasty is far inferior to Western countries in terms of technology such as firearms, airplanes, and artillery, it is far ahead of the rest of the world in the research and application of exotic beasts.

Setting aside martial arts, the Great Lan Dynasty can refine the body tissues of exotic beasts into various weapons, defensive gear, and even magic tools and magic treasures!

Among them, weapons refined from the body tissues of exotic beasts are named exotic weapons.

An exotic weapon refined primarily from the body tissues of a Rank 5 exotic beast is a Rank 5 exotic weapon; this is many times more precious than a Rank 3 protective suit!

A Rank 3 exotic beast is enough to rival a martial master at the early stage of Qi Transformation, a Rank 4 exotic beast can match a martial master of Power Refinement, and a Rank 5 exotic beast is on par with a powerhouse at the Dao Foundation realm!

"Master Aunt, this is too precious."

After listening to Shangguan Xiao's introduction, Li Fei immediately felt the wooden box in his hands become incomparably heavy.

"Eh, just accept what your Master Aunt gives you, why be so polite!"

Shangguan Xiao said magnanimously.

"Yes, this student thanks Master Aunt for the gift of the blade!"

Li Fei bowed to Shangguan Xiao once more.

If Hao Yi were not present, he would have called her 'Master's Wife' no matter what.

"You child, you are just too formal."

Shangguan Xiao smiled and helped Li Fei up, pointing at the blade in the wooden box:

"I obtained this blade by chance, and I don't even know its name. Now that the blade is gifted to you, you should give it a name."

Li Fei looked down at the ghost face with two long fangs on the hilt, a flash of light appearing in his eyes:

"Then this blade shall be called—Ghost Sever!"

"Ghost Sever?"

Shangguan Xiao was startled, immediately recalling Li Fei's identity as the 'Green-Faced Ghost'. The more she thought about it, the more she felt the name was appropriate, and she looked at Li Fei with deep meaning:

"A good name!"

Hao Yi, standing to the side, also associated the name 'Ghost Sever' with the 'Green-Faced Ghost' upon hearing it. However, he did not suspect any connection between Li Fei and the 'Green-Faced Ghost', but instead recalled the dispute he and Li Fei had originally had because of the 'Green-Faced Ghost'.

"This child, after all, still admires that Green-Faced Ghost."

Hao Yi sighed inwardly.

While Shangguan Xiao was gifting the blade in Hao Yi's office, many cars had already stopped outside the Martial Arts Hall.

These vehicles belonged to the Supervisory Court as well as the City Guard!

Subsequently, people from the Supervisory Court and the City Guard entered the Martial Arts Hall together, full of aggressive momentum.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Soon, gunshots rang out inside the Martial Arts Hall.

(End of chapter)