Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Young Man from Upper Realm_1
Leaving Director Qian Yan’s office, Wang Linchi had been promoted from a regular office worker to the office director.
However, upon thinking it over, it didn’t feel like much of a change; it was just a position on paper. Other than an improved salary and benefits, he still had no real power.
Regarding recruiting new people, this would likely be difficult. After this incident with the Shadow Covenant, the entire Yi Ning Prefecture was in the midst of a thorough self-investigation.
Wang Linchi was lucky. As a victim, he was cleared of any suspicion.
Even Director Qian Yan himself was implicated. After all, if a shadow could infiltrate the Soul Seed Bureau, didn’t that imply more shadows might still be lurking within?
In response, the Yi Ning Prefecture and the Peacock Sword Sect grew even more cautious. The fact that the shadows were willing to expose themselves to silence someone strongly indicated the Gigantic Secret Realm’s immense importance. It also seemed highly probable that Wang Linchi held some advantage related to this Secret Realm.
Consequently, while Wang Linchi remained unaffected, the entire Yi Ning Prefecture entered a period of turmoil.
In the afternoon, Wang Linchi outwardly continued to drink tea and read the newspaper, but his mind was focused on perfecting the Nine Revolutions Golden Core Soul Forging Skill and the Taoist Embryo and Original Infant Spirit Aspect Secret Technique. He had collected a considerable number of Soul Forging Methods and Soul Secret Techniques, which was beneficial as it allowed him to draw upon their respective strengths to compensate for any weaknesses.
Given that he was only at the White Porcelain level, he couldn’t rush his progress, so he might as well focus on constantly strengthening his foundation.
If he could achieve a rapid breakthrough, he certainly wouldn’t be idling like this.
Close to the end of the workday, Li Xijian entered the room, bringing with him a young man and woman.
Judging by their restrained auras and attire, which differed slightly from that of Yingzhou locals, these two were likely outside reinforcements, probably here to investigate the Shadow Covenant.
"Li Jinzhang, couldn’t you have waited until after work hours to show up?" Wang Linchi teased.
"What difference do work hours make to you? It’s not like you dare to go home after work anyway," Li Xijian retorted playfully. "I haven’t even offered to stay late and work overtime with you, yet you’re the one complaining first." Then, he introduced the two guests, "These two are personnel sent from the Domain. Please recount your encounter with the shadow for them."
Wang Linchi had guessed right, though he hadn’t expected them to be from a higher-level Domain.
Yingzhou belonged to the Southwestern Jing Room Domain.
The entire Great View was divided into the Four Sides Twenty-eight Domains, meaning it was split into four regions, each containing seven major Domains.
The Court governed local territories by managing these Four Sides and balancing the power of the Twenty-eight Domains.
In the southern region, besides their Jing Room Domain, there were also the Ghost, Willow, Star, Stretch, Wing, and Axis Domains.
Wang Linchi then reiterated the situation.
"So, the other party didn’t say why they wanted to kill you?" the young man questioned.
"Correct, Ruan Tian didn’t say, and that unknown shadow didn’t speak either."
"But Li Jinzhang, I recall you captured the assailant. Didn’t you manage to get anything out of them during interrogation?" Wang Linchi asked, turning to Li Xijian.
"Nothing was revealed. Even after using a Soul Device to extract memories—an act that destroyed the shadow’s Soul Resemblance—it was confirmed that the shadow hadn’t lied. It truly knew nothing," Li Xijian stated openly.
Forcibly reading an Awakener’s soul or memories using a Soul Device or Soul Skill would indeed destroy their Soul Resemblance.
After all, the soul is the very foundation of the Soul Resemblance.
"That is indeed regrettable." Wang Linchi didn’t press further for clues. Questioning them further in front of these two strangers might make him seem suspicious.
"In that case, why didn’t you apply for protection from the Six Doors?" the woman questioned.
"The Six Doors aren’t as safe as the Soul Seed Bureau," Wang answered truthfully.
It was only because this particular Shadow Space Boundary was unusual; otherwise, the Soul Seed Bureau would have detected Ruan Tian’s use of the Soul Device—the Shadow Amulet—the moment it was activated. He wouldn’t receive such comprehensive protection at the Six Doors.
The woman’s expression turned sour at his words, but she didn’t say anything.
Wang Linchi guessed she was likely from the Six Doors within the Jing Room Domain. She might be capable, but probably lacked practical experience.
"Wang is right. The security within the Soul Seed Bureau is far more comprehensive than at the Six Doors. After all, the Six Doors primarily serves as a place for arrest officers and constables to conduct interrogations and discussions," Li Xijian interjected, noticing the woman’s displeasure and quickly trying to smooth things over.
This was simply a fact. If someone like Wang were transferred to the Six Doors, they might be dead by nightfall.
Even the Soul Seed Bureau had been infiltrated by shadows; the less stringently screened Six Doors likely harbored even more.
"We are preparing to send you to the Jing Room Domain for protection," the man stated, resuming the conversation.
"That’s likely unworkable. Given how highly the Shadow Covenant values Wang, he’d never make it there safely. Not unless you can get the Domain Master personally involved," Li Xijian immediately refused on Wang Linchi’s behalf.
He knew exactly what they were thinking. Sending him to the Jing Room Domain was merely a pretext; their true aim was to use Wang Linchi as bait. While they might successfully lure out the Shadow Covenant, what if a Morning Star-level shadow appeared? How would they possibly contend with that?
If Wang died, they would lose their crucial early advantage regarding the soon-to-emerge Gigantic Secret Realm. What then?
Indeed, this Gigantic Secret Realm was on the verge of appearing. The Peacock Sword Sect’s recent efforts hadn’t been in vain. Unfortunately, their activities had been exposed, and a major upheaval was now inevitable.
Even the Domain Master was too preoccupied to intervene, and the Court was also busy mobilizing its forces.
Yingzhou had truly become the epicenter of a massive storm this time. The Governor was swamped and incredibly stressed.
Li Xijian couldn’t comprehend why, with such a critical situation unfolding, only two young people had been dispatched. He seriously doubted their ability to handle it.
Compared to these two youngsters, he had far more confidence in Yan Ming King and his Ming King Palace. At least in their operations, they hadn’t made a single misstep in all these years.
He resolved that for this Gigantic Secret Realm, they absolutely had to involve Yan Ming King.
He couldn’t say this aloud, of course. These two young people from the Jing Room Domain were proud and fiercely competitive, like stubborn donkeys that had to be coaxed along gently.
"It’s just the Shadow Covenant of a minor prefecture; how powerful could they possibly be?" the woman said, her annoyance growing.
"I personally don’t have an issue with it; death isn’t the worst outcome for me. However, if this plan fails and alerts the enemy, especially given that the Gigantic Secret Realm is involved, are you two—or rather, the connections behind you—certain you can bear that responsibility?"
"Don’t let your arrogance endanger your elders."
"The Court views this matter with utmost seriousness," Wang Linchi stated calmly.
Wang naturally understood their intentions, so he had retorted sharply, invoking the Court’s authority.
"Humph, you don’t need to worry about it. This matter is..." the woman, believing that her plan was seamless, started her rebuttal.
However, before she could finish, Li Xijian interrupted, "This matter must be reported to the Domain Master via the State Shepherd. If the Domain Master approves, only then can it be implemented."
Appeals to higher principles hadn’t worked, so Li Xijian resorted to leveraging authority and connections.
Although the two young people were somewhat unwilling, they still agreed to Li Xijian’s approach in the end.