82: The Vice Governor personally naming someone, is this a blessing or a curse?!

Li Dong clutched the "Secret Transfer Order" from the capital, his fingertips feeling a bit cold.

He Tianzheng, Deputy Commander of the Demon Suppression Headquarters. This name was like a boulder crashing into his already turbulent heart.

"Special selection? Highly confidential?" He muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the glaring words. "It doesn't come early, it doesn't come late, but it comes at this very moment."

"Warning: Key character information detected. Deputy Commander He Tianzheng is closely associated with the faction of Luo Yi, Commander of Qingzhou Prefecture. According to data analysis, the two share common benefactors in the capital."

The System's voice was as cold as ever, extinguishing the last flicker of hope in Li Dong's heart.

"Luo Yi's people... Heh, this is an invitation to a trap." He slammed the Secret Transfer Order onto the table, the paper making a dull thud. A Hongmen Banquet? Or did they truly think he, Li Dong, was a pie that fell from the sky, just waiting for him to take a bite?

He stood up and paced a few steps in the room. Had those people in the capital finally run out of patience and decided to intervene personally? Good, it saved him the trouble of investigating them one by one.

"Inspector Zhou!" He grabbed the Secret Transfer Order and, without a moment's delay, rushed straight to the Surveillance Division.

Inside the Surveillance Division, Inspector Zhou's eyebrows twitched when he saw Li Dong burst in, agitated, a document waving in his hand.

"What's wrong? Has the sky fallen?" Inspector Zhou put down the scroll in his hand and rubbed his bloodshot eyes.

Li Dong handed over the Secret Transfer Order: "Brother Zhou, look at this."

Inspector Zhou took it, unfolded it, and read it carefully, the weariness on his face quickly replaced by solemnity. "Demon Suppression Headquarters... Secret Transfer Order... Special selection?" He read it word by word, his pace slowing. "Issuer... He Tianzheng!"

"What's the background of this He Tianzheng?" Li Dong asked. Although he already had the System's answer, he still wanted to hear Inspector Zhou's opinion.

Inspector Zhou gently placed the Secret Transfer Order on the table, as if afraid of disturbing something. "He Tianzheng... one of the three Deputy Commanders of the Demon Suppression Headquarters, in charge of punishments and supervision, with immense power. More importantly," he paused, looking at Li Dong, "he is one of the highest-level connections Luo Yi could establish in the capital."

"As expected." Li Dong was not surprised.

"This transfer order came suspiciously." Inspector Zhou's fingers tapped lightly on the desktop. "It didn't come early or late, but precisely after you turned the Lin family and Luo Yi's arrangements in Qingzhou Prefecture upside down. Moreover, it's a 'special selection,' specifically naming you."

He looked up, his gaze profound: "Kid, this time, I'm afraid you've truly stirred up a hornet's nest in the heavens."

Li Dong didn't speak, waiting for Inspector Zhou to continue.

"However," Inspector Zhou's tone shifted, "it's not necessarily all bad. I heard that the Demon Suppression Headquarters selects some promising young people from various regions every few years for secret training. Such a selection is something ordinary people can only dream of. Your 'Extraordinary' rating in the New Recruit Camp, and your performance in the Earth Abyss later, especially that 'Spirit Transformation Demon Suppression Seal'... I'm afraid you've already caught the eye of some important figures."

"What do they see in me? Do they think I have too long to live, or that I'm easy to manipulate?" Li Dong twitched the corner of his mouth.

"Hard to say." Inspector Zhou shook his head. "The waters of the capital are a hundred times deeper than Qingzhou Prefecture. Inside the Demon Suppression Headquarters, factions are numerous, the First Prince, the Third Prince, the Seventh Princess... various forces are intertwined, and the cruelty of their struggles is beyond your imagination. Since He Tianzheng is Luo Yi's man, his summoning you to the capital has absolutely no simple motive."

He sighed: "Either they want to completely remove you, this thorn; or they value some of your abilities and want to recruit you for their own use. But no matter which, for you, it's extremely dangerous."

Li Dong fell silent. He understood Inspector Zhou's meaning. This capital was a den of dragons and a tiger's lair.

"So, should I go or not?" Li Dong looked at Inspector Zhou.

Inspector Zhou smiled bitterly: "How can I make that decision for you? Imperial decree, the Secret Transfer Order of the Demon Suppression Headquarters, we both know the consequences of defying it. But if you go, it's a near-certain death."

"I understand." Li Dong nodded. Of course, he understood. Not going was death, going might also be death, but at least there was a glimmer of hope, a chance to expose those rats hiding in the dark one by one.

"I must go to the capital." Li Dong's voice was soft but incredibly firm. "The Forbidden Experiment, the Soul-Devouring Demon Flower, the root of these matters probably lies in the capital. How can one catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger's den? If I don't uproot them, they will eventually resurface."

Inspector Zhou stared at him steadily, and after a long while, he slowly spoke: "You've decided?"

"I've decided."

"Good kid, you've got guts!" Inspector Zhou slapped his thigh. "Since you've decided, then I, your old brother, can't just stand by. In the capital, I still have a few old friends I can talk to. Although they might not be able to shield you from open and hidden attacks, they should still be able to pass on information and gather some news."

He lowered his voice: "Remember, once you're in the capital, be careful in everything. Don't easily trust anyone, especially those who actively show you kindness. With He Tianzheng, you must be extra vigilant."

"I understand," Li Dong replied.

After leaving the Surveillance Division, Li Dong's mood actually calmed down quite a bit. Since he had clearly seen the dangers ahead, there was nothing to hesitate about. The enemy had made their move, and he would meet it.

"System, how many merit points do I still have?"

"Current remaining merit points: 3210 points."

"That's enough." Li Dong's eyes flickered. Before going to the capital, he had to make thorough preparations.

He first meticulously copied several sets of the complete analytical data of the "core experimental data chip," as well as the core account book replica found in the Lin family's secret room, and the suspicious distribution map of the "Soul-Devouring Demon Flower" in the Prefecture and surrounding areas.

He found Inspector Zhou and solemnly handed him a copy: "Brother Zhou, please keep these things safe for me. If I don't return, I hope you can find a way to make them public."

Inspector Zhou took the heavy Storage Pouch, his hands trembling slightly: "You kid... Don't worry, as long as I, Zhou, still draw breath, these pieces of evidence will not be obscured! But you, you must come back alive!"

Li Dong nodded, then secretly contacted Zhang Wu, who was far away in Mu Shi County.

"Brother Li? You're going to the capital?!" Zhang Wu's voice was anxious. "Are those bastards trying to harm you? I'll gather people right away..."

"Don't be impulsive, A'wu." Li Dong interrupted him. "The matters in the capital are beyond your reach. I'll send you some things; find an absolutely safe place to hide them. Remember, unless something happens to me, and Inspector Zhou also..." He paused. "In short, this is the last resort."

"Brother Li, I..." Zhang Wu's voice was choked.

"Work hard. In Mu Shi County and other parts of the Prefecture, the clues about the Soul-Devouring Demon Flower must not be broken. Stay in contact with Inspector Zhou and wait for my news," Li Dong instructed.

"I understand, Brother Li! Don't worry, I'll handle things here in Mu Shi County!" Zhang Wu said, gritting his teeth.

After arranging these matters, Li Dong finally breathed a sigh of relief. The evidence was key; as long as these things existed, those people wouldn't be able to rest easy.

Next, he opened the System Mall and began to frantically exchange items.

"Aura Concealing Jade Pendant": After wearing it, one's aura can be greatly concealed, reducing cultivation fluctuations. Those not at least one major Realm higher will find it difficult to see through. Exchange!

"Thousand Illusion Mask": Can simulate changes in appearance and physique, lasting for twelve hours. Exchange!

"Substitute Puppet": Can take a fatal attack for the owner at a critical moment. This is expensive, but preserving life is paramount. Exchange!

"Seven-Turn Rejuvenation Pill": A sacred healing medicine; as long as one still has a breath, it can sustain life. Exchange two!

There were also various detoxification pills, escape talismans, barrier breaking pearls... Li Dong exchanged many practical items that could be obtained with merit points. He wished he could arm himself to the teeth.

Finally, he familiarized himself with all the newly acquired items one by one, then sat in meditation in the Cultivation chamber for several hours, pushing the Cultivation Technique, which was a Fusion of the Purple Firmament Divine Lightning Body Tempering Art and the Heavenly Pill Sky-Rending Demon Suppression Seal, to its limit, constantly consolidating his Realm and adjusting his state to its Peak.

The Bottleneck of the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment had already loosened; only a trigger was needed to Breakthrough to the Late Stage. But now was not the time to challenge the Bottleneck.

Before his departure, he returned to his temporary home.

Li Qingyan was drying herbs in the courtyard. Seeing Li Dong return, her eyes lit up: "Brother! You're back!"

"Mhm." Li Dong looked at his sister, the murderous aura in his heart softening considerably.

"Brother, how many days can you stay this time? The osmanthus cake I told you about a few days ago, that shop in the south of the city..."

"Qingyan," Li Dong interrupted her, "Brother might have to go on a long journey."

"Long journey? Where to? Is it dangerous?" Li Qingyan's smile froze, her small hands unconsciously clutching the corner of her clothes.

"To the capital, to do something." Li Dong tried to keep his tone light. "It's not dangerous, it's just... I might be gone for a while."

"The capital, huh..." Li Qingyan seemed to understand but not quite, but she could feel that the place her brother was going this time was not simple. She pursed her lips: "Then... Brother, you must come back soon. I'll wait for you in the capital. Once you're done, let's settle down in the capital, okay? They say the capital is very prosperous!"

The little girl thought her brother was just going to the capital on official business.

Li Dong's heart warmed, yet felt a little bitter. He stroked Li Qingyan's head: "Okay, when Brother is done, I'll buy you a big house in the capital and plant it full of the flowers you like."

"Pinky promise!"

"Pinky promise."

The siblings' fingers hooked together, like a silent agreement.

Li Dong didn't dare to stay long; he was afraid he wouldn't be able to leave.

Early the next morning, Li Dong changed into a neat, fitted outfit, slung his travel bag over his shoulder, and walked out of the gate of the Qingzhou Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

He looked back at this place where he had lived and fought for a considerable time, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Here were colleagues he respected, enemies he loathed, the sweat he had shed, and the merits he had earned.

The turmoil in Qingzhou Prefecture had temporarily come to an end.

But the capital, that enormous vortex that gathered all the power, schemes, glory, and wickedness of the entire Great Yan Dynasty, was opening its maw, waiting for him.

"He Tianzheng... Luo Yi... and those hidden figures behind you..." Li Dong narrowed his eyes, looking towards the end of the official road leading to the capital. "I'm coming. I hope you... are ready to welcome me."

Whether the road ahead held fortune or misfortune was yet unknown.

But he knew that this trip to the capital would be even more grand and eventful than Qingzhou Prefecture, and even more... a near-certain death!