Chapter 227: The Era

May 22nd, evening.

When the high-level officials of Datong Prefecture and the officials of the provincial capital investigation team were having a meeting, Li Fei returned to Martial University and walked directly into the exotic beast breeding area.

Because it was late at night, he encountered many patrolling guards and checkpoints along the way, but Li Fei held the token given by Shi Caiming and went through unimpeded.

Soon, he arrived at the foot of the small mountain where Shi Caiming lived again.

After looking up at the top of the mountain, Li Fei began to climb.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the large lawn he had visited before.

The night was very good, and the bright moonlight shone on the lawn, so he could see clearly without using electric lights.

Still near the edge of the cliff, Shi Caiming was sitting on a recliner drinking.

Li Fei somewhat doubted if this principal had nothing to do every day but smoke and drink?

"Principal."

Li Fei walked over, came to Shi Caiming's side, and bowed.

"Want a cup?"

Shi Caiming pointed to the wine pot on the table and said to Li Fei.

"No, Principal, I have serious business."

Li Fei said solemnly.

"Oh."

Shi Caiming shook his head with some regret, raised his cup toward the moon overhead, and then drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.

"Principal, earlier, Chen Xiang, a special-grade lecturer at Martial University, colluded with Western spies and intended to murder me. Just now, Chen Xiang confessed that he was instigated by Professor Xu Jing of Martial University!"

Li Fei told the truth he had forced out of Chen Xiang.

Hearing that the person behind the scenes was Xu Jing, Li Fei immediately associated it with many things.

For example, back then it was Xu Jing who took him to 'break into the mountain gate'; was this also the other party's plan?

By first probing Gu Xianfeng's background through the first exchange with him, to prepare for the second strike?

And there was the grudge between Xu Jing and Hao Yi back then; Xu Jing almost had his state of mind shattered by Hao Yi, breaking through to become a Martial Arts Master thirty years later than expected.

If one wanted to talk about revenge, Xu Jing indeed had this motivation.

So this time was it a cooperation between Xu Jing and the provincial capital side? Both sides getting what they needed?

Li Fei couldn't think of what the ultimate plan of both sides was for the time being, but he knew Xu Jing's ultimate goal was definitely aimed at Hao Yi!

So he came directly to find Shi Caiming, hoping to solve Xu Jing through this principal.

"Is there evidence?"

Shi Caiming turned his head to look at Li Fei and asked very casually.

"Chen Xiang can serve as a witness."

Li Fei said.

Before coming, he had already negotiated with Chen Xiang in the dungeon of the General Supervisory Academy.

The other party now had no choice but to help Li Fei identify Xu Jing.

"A witness alone is not enough."

Shi Caiming shook his head.

Wanting to convict a professor of Martial University, and also a Martial Arts Master, was not an easy thing to begin with.

Not to mention insufficient evidence; even if the evidence were sufficiently sufficient, and it could really be confirmed that Xu Jing had collusion with Western spies, he might not necessarily be sentenced.

This was different from Gu Xianfeng's encounter.

The investigation team endangered the entire officialdom of Datong Prefecture; to save the official hats of everyone, Governor Bian Jingru could make up his mind to take action against the Tiefeng Sect.

"At least we should be able to take Professor Xu Jing away for investigation for a period of time, right?"

Li Fei continued to make an attempt.

Shi Caiming looked at him: "Although I am the principal of Martial University, Martial University is not something I can decide on my own. Professors at Martial University all possess 'virtual titles' equivalent to imperial officials, and Martial Arts Masters like Xu Jing can even enjoy the treatment of seated officials.

Regarding the affairs within Martial University, I have the right to handle them, but outside the school, I have no power to order any lecturer to do things for me, let alone handle a professor."

Li Fei naturally understood this point; in order to prevent the twelve universities from becoming 'independent kingdoms', the imperial court had as many restrictions as it had support for the twelve universities.

Although Shi Caiming was the principal of Martial University and had a large group of experts under his command, in theory, he really didn't have the power to mobilize even the lowest-level lecturer to do private things for him.

If a lecturer or professor at Martial University committed a crime, it could only be handled by the government.

So Li Fei was using both approaches; he came to find Shi Caiming, while Xia Huan reported the matter to Qu Xun and Governor Bian Jingru.

"But you are the principal of Martial University, a Grandmaster; as long as you are willing, there must be a way."

Li Fei looked at Shi Caiming with expectant eyes.

He actually didn't have the qualifications to demand Shi Caiming do anything; the only thing he could count on was Shi Caiming's appreciation for Hao Yi back then.

The other party protected Hao Yi back then; would he be willing to extend a helping hand again now?

Shi Caiming smiled and pointed to the wine pot on the table.

Li Fei immediately poured him another cup of wine.

Shi Caiming drank a sip of wine and changed his posture on the recliner:

"Did Hao Yi not tell you about the events back then?"

Li Fei was startled and shook his head: "Teacher didn't tell me."

"Back then, I sacrificed this old face to protect him, and reached a promise with those people: Hao Yi must never step into Datong Prefecture city again for the rest of his life! If he violates the agreement, whether he lives or dies, I can no longer intervene."

Shi Caiming looked at the moon overhead, his eyes deep as he spoke.

"..."

Li Fei was silent.

Because there had always been Shi Caiming, this Grandmaster, blocking in front, the person behind the scenes hadn't taken action against Hao Yi.

Now that Hao Yi had taken the initiative to come to Datong Prefecture city, Shi Caiming couldn't block in front anymore.

If this was the case, Li Fei really couldn't demand this old man do anything more.

The other party had already done what he could, and given the support he could give.

Martial Security Guard, token, materials.

He stepped back and bowed deeply to Shi Caiming:

"Thank you, Principal, student takes his leave."

After speaking, Li Fei turned and left.

Under the night, the old man continued to drink alone toward the moon.

The young man went down the mountain alone.

"How was it?"

After returning to the dormitory, Li Fei called Xia Huan to ask about the situation on the other side.

"It has been reported to Chief Supervisor Qu and the Garrison Commander, and they have agreed to launch an investigation into Xu Jing."

On the other end of the phone, Xia Huan's voice came.

Hearing this, Li Fei breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Having worked so hard for so long, inferring all kinds of truths, it was finally of some use.

"However..."

Xia Huan's voice was hesitant.

"However what?"

Li Fei's heart sank, and a bad premonition arose.

"However, the Zhang Zongyang case has already been closed..."

Xia Huan told Li Fei about Xiao Rui being caught tonight and the Western spies being caught afterward:

"The big shots above have already held a meeting and decided to publicly execute all the masterminds of the Zhang Zongyang case tomorrow at noon, by slow slicing..."

The receiver in Li Fei's hand made a cracking sound, being squeezed into a crack, almost shattering.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down:

"Tomorrow... can you take Xu Jing away tonight?"

Xia Huan said: "I can suggest to Chief Supervisor Qu and let him discuss it with the Garrison Commander."

Li Fei said in a deep voice: "Please tell Garrison Commander Bian for me, as long as he can make Xu Jing unable to appear at the execution ground tomorrow, I will owe him a favor!"

With his current identity as the number one speed of breaking through in history, this favor of his was still quite weighty.

"Alright, I will definitely pass on the message!"

Xia Huan replied.

After hanging up the phone, Li Fei fell into deep thought in the room.

Things had reached this point, and he had done what he could.

The rest... was actually simple!

At a certain moment, Li Fei stood up and walked out of the door.

May 23rd, 9:00 AM.

Datong District, Rongguang Square.

This was a square with an area of over ten thousand square meters, and the government usually chose to hold major events here.

Early this morning, the General Inspection Academy sealed off the entire square and began to arrange the venue and build a high platform.

This posture showed that something major was happening, so civilians gradually gathered around, preparing to watch the excitement.

At 10:00 AM, two high platforms had been built in the center of Rongguang Square.

One was a viewing platform for a group of officials to sit.

The one in the center was the execution platform, used to slice the criminals.

At this time, the main gate of the Zhige General Academy also opened, and a convoy drove out.

This convoy was escorting the criminals to be executed today.

In the convoy, the head of the Zhige General Academy, two helmsmen, and a group of regular martial arts masters were all in the convoy.

Besides this, several great mages of the Qi Transformation stage from the Zhengfa General Academy and several Dao Foundation offerings from the General Supervisory Academy were also in the convoy.

With such a lineup, even a Martial Arts Master could be resisted for a while!

In addition, to ensure this execution didn't have any accidents, several professors and over a dozen special-grade lecturers from Martial University were also in the convoy.

Among them was Xu Jing, this Martial Arts Master.

All the high-level officials of Datong Prefecture and all the officials of the investigation team were also in the convoy.

When this convoy drove out of the Zhige General Academy for a few hundred meters, it was suddenly intercepted.

The car blocking the road was from the General Supervisory Academy.

Personnel from the front of both sides began to negotiate.

Soon, someone reported to the big shots in the vehicles behind.

"What's going on?"

In a dark gold 'Qilin' car, Yan Shijin frowned and asked.

The official who came to report bent over outside the car window and said:

"Lord Yan, it's the General Supervisory Academy; they want to take away some people from our convoy."

"Who do they want to take away?"

"Take away Professor Xu Jing of Martial University."

"What did you say?"

Yan Shijin raised his volume.

Soon, the officials of the investigation team all got out of the cars, and the high-level officials of Datong Prefecture also all got out.

"Lord Bian, what is the meaning of this?"

Yan Shijin walked to Governor Bian Jingru and questioned him very impolitely.

Governor Bian Jingru's expression was as usual: "Lord Yan, don't be anxious, let me ask first."

Then he called Qu Xun and questioned him: "What is going on with your General Supervisory Academy? Why do you have to take people away at this time?!"

Qu Xun apologized hurriedly: "I'm really sorry, the matter happened suddenly, and I just found out too."

Governor Bian Jingru: "What exactly is going on?"

Qu Xun: "Our General Supervisory Academy just found an important clue related to Western spies, so we need to invite Professor Xu Jing of Martial University to return to the academy with us to assist in the investigation."

"Related to Western spies?"

Governor Bian Jingru frowned, "How could a professor of Martial University be related to Western spies?"

Qu Xun whispered: "My lord, have you forgotten, didn't Martial University have a special-grade lecturer before..."

"Oh."

Governor Bian Jingru showed a sudden realization, then turned to look at Yan Shijin with a troubled face:

"Lord Yan, you should have heard about the Martial University matter before; today we are executing Western spies. If Professor Xu Jing really has involvement with Western spies, look... is it not very convenient to let him continue to follow us to the scene?"

Yan Shijin looked coldly at Governor Bian Jingru and Qu Xun 'acting' in harmony.

He had to admit that Governor Bian Jingru played this hand very beautifully.

Inviting Xu Jing to go to the execution scene together was to ensure the safety of the scene.

But if Xu Jing himself had involvement with Western spies, then inviting him to go would instead make it impossible to guarantee the safety of everyone at the scene.

Just as Yan Shijin was silent, a somewhat lazy voice came over:

"How come I seem to hear someone wants to arrest me?"

Everyone turned to look, only to see Xu Jing, who was wearing white clothes today, walking toward this side.

A smile was still hanging on his face.

"Professor Xu, it's not arresting you, just inviting you back to assist in the investigation."

Qu Xun said politely to Xu Jing.

Facing a Martial Arts Master, and also a famous 'killing maniac', Qu Xun was also somewhat afraid.

"What if I say no?"

Xu Jing said with a smile.

Governor Bian Jingru's expression was as usual, looking at Xu Jing:

"Is Professor Xu publicly defying law enforcement?"

"Law enforcement? You don't have the qualifications to enforce the law on me."

Xu Jing spread his hands.

Governor Bian Jingru's eyes changed, and his tone also became severe:

"What does this mean?"

Xu Jing took a document and a token from his bosom:

"I am now an honorary offering of the Feng Province Zhige Department; Datong Prefecture does not have law enforcement power over me."

This made everyone present feel a shock in their hearts.

Because the meaning represented in this was truly too much!

Governor Bian Jingru was the calmest; he stared fixedly at Xu Jing and said in a deep voice:

"But you are still a professor at Martial University."

"Oh, this..."

Xu Jing showed a relaxed smile upon hearing this, "I already submitted my resignation notice today."

Martial University.

Li Fei found the team of Martial Security Guards assigned to him, then rode that dark gold 'Qilin' and left Martial University, heading toward Rongguang Square. 【227-16

As the three cars just drove into the Datong District, someone blocked the middle of the road ahead.

The Wu An Wei inside the cars all tensed up, placing their hands on their sword hilts, ready to get out of the cars at any moment.

Li Fei also appeared somewhat nervous today.

He touched his chest and asked in a somewhat hoarse voice, "Who is it?"

"Wearing monk robes, it seems to be a monk."

The Wu An Wei sitting in the passenger seat said.

"A monk?"

Li Fei was startled.

"Amitabha."

Just at this moment, the monk blocking the road ahead pressed his palms together and chanted a Buddhist name.

His voice clearly penetrated the windows of the 'Qilin' car and entered the vehicle:

"I am Master Yunshen of Baoyun Temple. Entrusted by someone, I ask Benefactor Li Fei to stop; do not go any further today."

"It's Master Master Yunshen of Baoyun Temple!"

The Wu An Wei inside the car revealed looks of surprise.

"Master Master Yunshen?"

Li Fei inside the car revealed a look of confusion, as if hearing this name for the first time.

"Can we break through?"

He asked.

The Wu An Wei inside the car turned to look at him:

"Sorry, the order we received is only to protect your safety. If the other party does not take the initiative to attack you, we will not take the initiative to attack anyone."

"This..."

Li Fei gritted his teeth, his eyes anxious.

On the other side, Master Yunshen stood in the middle of the street, his gaze deep, a trace of sorrow appearing on his face.

He was naturally entrusted by Hao Yi to come and stop Li Fei.

That night, Hao Yi said to him: "My student cannot be like I was back then!"

So he entrusted this last thing to his good friend.

Master Yunshen looked up at the sky above.

It was cloudless for ten thousand miles, and the sunlight spilled down.

"You all always said back then that this era might become my era."

"But in fact, my era never arrived. Even if it really did, it only stayed in Datong Prefecture and was cut off back then."

This was what Hao Yi said to Master Yunshen this morning before setting off.

"I am going to put a full stop to that era that was cut off back then."

Hao Yi said this at the end, then turned and walked out of Baoyun Temple.

The hour of noon was approaching, and the sunlight was at its peak.

Begging for monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)