Chapter 159 - 158: Nuclear Peace Plan, Jiang Yini

"There is a saying in the old language, arriving without departing is impolite."

Jiang Yini gave a faint smile, speaking with a sly tone.

"These Lizard Men who proclaim themselves as the holy Dragon Clan, aren’t they using Parasite Insects as weapons? Let’s just play along with them, and let them know what a real nuclear flattening is."

Li Jing revealed a smirk but remained silent.

He thought to himself, it would be better to avoid this woman, Jiang Yini, in the future.

Something like a nuclear warhead isn’t something that one can just invoke lightly.

Even if Jiang Yini has decision-making authority, the weapon wouldn’t easily end up in her hands.

After all, she’s merely a Local Bureau Chief; she doesn’t have that much power.

Twelve.

This is just his portion, it was unknown how many Jiang Yini still had in her possession.

This woman was not only ruthless, but her network and authority were also unimaginable.

"Originally, I wasn’t planning on taking action so soon due to the lack of high-end combat strength, and we would need additional manpower. However, since you, Li Jing, are powerful enough, there’s no need to wait."

Jiang Yini started to speak.

"Those Lizard Men are hidden in the depths of the underground beyond our exploration, we can’t expect more gains. Plus, they must be plotting something. We can’t give them too much time. I don’t like surprises, but I do enjoy giving them. Five hours after the underground exploration team finishes evacuating, we’ll immediately take action."

After speaking, she looked over and said,

"I and my deputy, Wang Chong, will take responsibility for the east and the north. You will handle the south and the west, planting the nuclear warheads as deep as possible underground for detonation, six in each direction. We aim to finish within three hours. Any questions?"

"Three hours?"

After some thought, Li Jing silently nodded.

With his Sword Controlling, getting to the extremities of the deep underground would take at least an hour and a half.

But this wasn’t his full speed.

Comparatively, using the Linglong Tower as a setting device was much quicker.

He could make a round trip to the south and the west within two hours, and still have plenty of time leftover.

Li Jing honestly didn’t really like Jiang Yini’s nuclear strategy.

If all four sides got bombed, where was he supposed to go to fight monsters?

But he couldn’t deny the issue with the scheming of the Alien Civilization.

To avoid more problems down the line, it might be better to bomb as planned.

If they waited for the Lizard Men to cause trouble, who knows what kind of twists and turns would develop, most likely resulting in numerous casualties.

He put away the suitcase containing the twelve nuclear warheads, then Li Jing asked,

"How do you detonate this thing?"

"The passwords have all been entered, you just need to inject Spiritual Qi to activate the array inside."

Jiang Yini replied.

"Remember to take it as deep as possible, also be careful yourself. This thing is not a joke when it explodes, you need to evacuate immediately after triggering it."

"Don’t worry, I value my life a lot. I’m not that reckless."

Li Jing chuckled, and asked,

"After we’re done, do we just retreat, or...?"

"Of course, we retreat. What, you want to explore the Secret Realm?"

Jiang Yini rolled her eyes, saying,

"What I’m targeting is not only the deep underground. During our operation, there will be other personnel setting up along the way in various caverns, placing a miniaturized, delayed nuclear warhead every six caverns and a secondary explosion array every three caverns. After we finish evacuating and trigger the detonation, everything within several hundred thousand kilometers centered around these ruins will collapse, not a thing will be left."

"..."

Li Jing was silent.

This woman, she was really ruthless.

With her idea, it was not very different from bombing most of the Secret Realm.

What a shame...

He wanted to seize the opportunity to break through to the Fifth Boundary.

Jiang Yini didn’t know Li Jing’s thoughts, but seeing his regretful expression, she guessed he was reluctant to let go of the Secret Realm.

"You’ve already agreed to take a position at our Jianghai Management Bureau. In the future, you will have opportunities to explore Secret Realms, so there’s no need to obsess over this one."

Jiang Yini continued.

"Small Secret Realm number 107 is a bit special; our Jianghai Management Bureau can’t handle it alone. This time, every local Management Bureau that participated gained considerable benefits and now owes our Bureau a favor. In the future, if a Secret Realm appears in other Earth Realms and we want to get involved, they can’t and won’t refuse."

Hearing this, Li Jing raised his eyebrows and nodded in agreement.

Secret Realms were quite rare.

Now that one appeared here in Jianghai, who knows when another one will appear in the future.

However, if he widened his scope to include the whole country, the chances would be significantly higher.

Being affiliated with the Management Bureau allowed him to participate in exploring Secret Realms legitimately in the future.

"Alright, I’ve said all that needs to be said."

Jiang Yini waved her hand, speaking.

"You go rest first, I will notify you when it’s time to act."

...

After saying goodbye to Jiang Yini and returning to his own tent, Li Jing sat down to rest for a while.

Just as he was about to call Su Qiong over for a bit of a dispute, the latter sneakily poked his head into the tent from outside.

Upon lifting his gaze and seeing Su Qiong, Li Jing’s mouth twitched slightly.

Well, well, look who’s coming voluntarily.

On the other side, Su Qiong, seeing that someone was in the tent, sheepishly entered.

"Um, I came to apologize."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing smiled and shook his head.

"Don’t worry about it, I know you had no choice. I won’t blame you for this."

"So you don’t blame me?"

Su Qiong’s eyes brightened.

"What would be the point in blaming you?"

Li Jing shrugged and said.

"You’re seeking me out, it can’t just be to apologize to me, right?"

"Yeah."

Su Qiong agreed, and came to sit down.

"I also came to say goodbye to you. Our Xiang City Division is planning to withdraw. After this time, I don’t know when we will see each other again."

"That’s not a problem."

Li Jing smiled and said.

"We can still keep in touch with each other, and you are always welcome to visit my place."

"A visit?"

Su Qiong blinked, then nodded his head.

"Okay, I will definitely come if I am free."

...

Meanwhile.

In a tent belonging to Jianghai Management Bureau, Jiang Wenqian sat on the bed, deep in thought.

Having finished a meditation session, Tong Gaojie opened his eyes from his cross-legged position on the floor.

Seeing Jiang Wenqian looking distracted, he voiced his curiosity.

"Wenqian, you are not seriously interested in Brother Li, are you?"

Jiang Wenqian turned her head upon hearing him.

"Don’t you think he’s outstanding?"

"..."

Tong Gaojie was speechless.

He had asked casually, and she had given him such a response.

There was a hint of something before, but now it’s totally off!

Looks like his superior has really fallen in!

However, one can’t blame Jiang Wenqian.

Jiang Wenqian has been a solo act since birth, never having had a boyfriend before.

Being in the Four Realm.

It’s lonely at the top. Tong Gaojie knows from personal experience.

He’s a male and he feels that way.

What about Jiang Wenqian, a woman?

A Four Realm female cultivator like Jiang Wenqian would need to find someone better than herself, right?

How many men in this world could be more outstanding than her?

The circle of Four Realm individuals is small.

In all of Jianghai, a thousand would be an exaggerated count.

And Jiang Wenqian is not lacking in talent.

She’s only just entered her thirties.

She definitely can’t compare with Jiang Yini, a monster, but she can still be considered exceptional.

In the world of cultivators, age is not an issue.

But Jiang Yini definitely wouldn’t accept a Four Realm person who is decades older than her. Even if it was Tong Gaojie himself, he wouldn’t accept him.

Compared to having a Four Realm partner who is several decades older, he would rather choose a Three Realm one who is a few years younger.

With a wordless shake of his head, Tong Gaojie said.

"Brother Li is indeed good, but as you saw just now, even Director Jiang personally guarded him on the ground. We don’t know even Director Jiang came into the secret realm, that shows how much she values Brother Li. You want to get him, it might be a little difficult."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenqian frowned and puzzledly asked.

"Are you suggesting that Brother Li is Director Jiang’s catch?"

"..."

Tong Gaojie was speechless.

He didn’t quite dare to respond to that remark.

But he felt that this was highly unlikely.

Who was Jiang Yini?

This woman, who was monstrous in her own right, God only knows where her standards are.

Li Jing was indeed outstanding.

But to gain Jiang Yini’s attention, he still had a long way to go.

Li Jing showed enormous power, almost comparable to that of the Fifth Boundary.

But clearly, he was from the Four Realm.

And those familiar with Jiang Yini knew that she came from a prominent family, and marriage wasn’t something she could just decide all by herself.

Clearing his throat gently, Tong Gaojie spoke.

"I didn’t mean that way, I just think that with Brother Li’s unexpectedly extraordinary strength within the Four Realm, and with Director Jiang personally looking out for him, his background must be pretty extraordinary. If you want to get involved with him, you might want to give it a lot of consideration. He could perhaps be from a major family out on a training expedition."

He then added,

"Moreover, you should know that Brother Li is a patrol officer of Xiang City. Whether we can see him again..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Yini’s voice resounded outside the tent.

"Li Jing is not from Xiang City, he is from Jianghai and serves the North City District Inspection Division."

At this, Tong Gaojie started, swiftly getting up.

"Director, please enter."

Jiang Wenqian was also in a bit of a fluster, quickly clambering down from her bed.

Upon hearing the response, a smile on her lips, Jiang Yini entered the tent.

Upon seeing his director, Tong Gaojie greeted awkwardly.

"What brings you here, Director?"

"I have something to discuss with you."

Jiang Yini said briefly, glancing at Jiang Wenqian who had an awkward smile on her face.

"Li Jing doesn’t have any special background, but if you’re interested in him, Wenqian, you had better be aware of the big trouble he’s in."

At these words, Jiang Wenqian’s face reddened, and then she looked troubled.

Li Jing is in big trouble?

What...

Looking over doubtfully, she plucked up the courage to say,

"Director, about Brother Li..."

But just as she started speaking, Jiang Yini giggled.

"I remember Wenqian, you and I are of the same age. I’m afraid you’re calling him Brother Li by mistake, Li Jing just turned twenty-one this year."

"Tw...Twenty-one?"

Jiang Wenqian was wide-eyed.

Tong Gaojie had also wanted to ask a question.

Jiang Yini mentioning Li Jing’s major problem couldn’t be said in haste.

Li Jing had saved his life.

If he could help, he would certainly have to do so.

But upon learning of Li Jing’s actual age, Tong Gaojie was slightly befuddled.

Twenty-one years old?

He’s that strong at twenty-one?

Isn’t this even more monstrous than their own director!

Gazing at their dumbfounded expressions, Jiang Yini smiled.

"Don’t ask too much about his affairs. Normal interaction is no issue, but be wary not to get too involved."

After issuing this warning, she continued,

"I came to tell you that I have hired Li Jing as an action advisor for the Jianghai Management Bureau. There will be many opportunities for interaction in the future. If you two are willing, I can arrange for you to be under his command."

Tong Gaojie and Jiang Wenqian would, of course, not take Jiang Yini’s warning lightly.

They might not trust others, but their own director, they did.

Upon hearing that Li Jing had been hired as an action advisor for the Jianghai Management Bureau, the two exchanged knowing glances. Tong Gaojie spoke up,

"It is thanks to Brother Li that Wenqian and I are alive today. If the Director can arrange for us to be under him, of course we would not refuse."

"Since neither of you object, let’s consider it settled."

Jiang Yini smiled slightly and sat down.

"Captain Tong, you can leave first. I would like to have a private chat with Wenqian."

"Alright."

Tong Gaojie nodded and left.

Jiang Wenqian, left alone in the tent, looked cautiously at Jiang Yini.

"Director, you wanted to see me..."

"I’m familiar with Li Jing, but only regarding his background."

Jiang Yini started speaking calmly.

"I’m actually quite curious about his own level of ability. Now that we have the time, why don’t you tell me in more detail about the process and how he behaved when he rescued you."

"This..."

Jiang Wenqian hesitated, nodding and beginning to recount everything she’d seen.

Listening to her account, Jiang Yini didn’t interrupt at all.

After hearing everything, she fell into a long silence.

When she previously heard Li Jing talk about his "combat achievements", she felt he was somewhat exceptional.

Now, after hearing the detailed process from Jiang Wenqian, she could truly confirm.

Li Jing is truly exceptional.

Through the whole process, effortlessly, all kinds of instantaneous kills.

Such combat capability, stating that he is unbeatable in the Four Realm would not be an exaggeration.

He could probably even hold his own against a Fifth Boundary.

Lucky enough to recruit him early on!

Otherwise, she would have missed out!

That old fox, Chen Jing, quietly hiding such a gem, was there an ulterior motive?

While pondering, Jiang Wenqian spoke nervously.

"Director?"

"Hmm?"

Interrupting Jiang Yini in her thoughts, she looked up with a gentle smile.

"I’m sorry, I was lost in my thoughts. You take a good rest, Wenqian, I have nothing else to ask."

...

In the blink of an eye, five hours passed.

The Management Bureau staff who had gone underground to explore returned, and some of the camp staff started moving to the Secret Realm entrance.

Li Jing had waited in the tent for a long time, at last receiving Jiang Yini’s message.

Upon receiving the news, he got up and left the tent.

At this time, Jiang Yini and Wang Chong were waiting at the entrance to the underground.

Seeing Li Jing coming over, Jiang Yini spoke to introduce.

"This is my deputy, Wang Chong."

Li Jing nodded on hearing this, extending a friendly hand.

"Nice to meet you, Deputy Director Wang."

"Nice to meet you."

Wang Chong extended his hand to shake Li’s hand, smiling as he said,

"I heard about you from Director Jiang, welcome to the Jianghai Management Bureau. We should keep in touch."

"Sure."

Li Jing smiled.

Just as he was about to say something, Jiang Yini interrupted,

"We are all friends here, no need for formalities."

Saying this, her demeanor changed, and she smiled coldly.

"We should go and present our gift."

"I hope the recipient will like it."

Wang Chong chimed in with a malicious grin.

"It’s the thought that counts. Li Jing, remember to be quick. We wouldn’t want to keep the host waiting."

Seeing both of them, one grinning and the other looking sly, Li Jing responded noncommittally and inwardly gawked.

They do say that appearances can be deceiving.

Jiang Yini, looking outwardly adorable, was calculating inside.

He was prepared for that.

So far, he had met many two-faced people.

Unexpectedly, Wang Chong, looking kind with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, wasn’t a walkover either.

It seems like he needed to maintain some distance from these two in the future...

...