249: Chapter 249 Just One Step Away

When Yun Zhuoyue arrived, her face was expressionless.

But both Tang Long and Mad Dog could see that she was currently very angry.

Her eyes were so red that her pupils were invisible, as if she might kill someone at any moment.

Without the slightest courtesy, she sat directly on the sofa in Tang Long's living room, her heavy armor causing the sofa to let out a groan under the weight.

Tang Long first let out a sigh. "Group Leader Yun, I was also very shocked to hear the tragic news. Regarding Commander-in-Chief Qi's matter, please accept my condolences."

Yun Zhuoyue was noncommittal. After looking at him for a few seconds, she asked a question back.

"Then you should also know that I am very busy right now. Did you delay my time just to give me these lukewarm condolences?"

"Actually, I also want to ask you, what on earth are you doing?"

"Since you know so many people want you dead, why do you keep running outside the city time and again?"

"What trouble did you stir up yesterday, and why was President Qi involved?"

Seeing her getting more and more indignant and the warmth in the room turning colder, Mad Dog hurriedly spoke up to comfort her.

"Junior Sister, calm down."

"Besides, Brother Tang is also so heavily injured; how can this matter be blamed on him?"

"Those with the ability to assassinate President Qi..."

Before he could finish, Yun Zhuoyue delivered a backhanded slap, sending Mad Dog staggering several steps back, nearly crashing into the wall.

"Junior Sister?"

"When you went to break the Seal by yourself earlier, why didn't you remember I was your Junior Sister?"

"Since the Seal has already been broken, where exactly did Mistress go!"

"You and Tang Long have been up to a series of things lately; why didn't you tell me any of it?"

"Now you remember I'm your Junior Sister?"

"There are four Bishops here, so I can't do anything to Tang Long. But as for you, if killing a useless person like you could bring President Qi back to life, I would cut off your head without hesitation."

"Also, if I hear another half-sentence of lies or nonsense from you, I'll cut out your tongue!"

Half of Mad Dog's face was already highly swollen, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Yet, as brave as he usually was, he didn't dare make a single sound at this moment, merely standing by the wall while clutching his face.

Tang Long spoke up quickly, "Group Leader Yun, please calm your anger."

"No one wanted to see President Qi meet with such an accident."

"But if you say he was implicated because of me, I'm afraid I cannot agree."

"President Qi was a Spirit Map powerhouse. Someone capable of putting him to death in a short time, to use his own words from yesterday, would likely be at least at the Spirit Power Peak."

"Is such a person someone I can influence?"

Yun Zhuoyue said coldly, "Then you should also be able to guess some of the connections involved, yet until now, you haven't revealed any information to me."

Tang Long sighed. "I have some guesses, but without evidence, how could I say for sure?"

"Besides, if it really is a Spirit Map Peak powerhouse, what use is it if I tell you? To send you to your death?"

"Not to mention the connection through Brother Dog; even if there wasn't, I couldn't do that, could I?"

Yun Zhuoyue stood up at this moment, staring intently at Tang Long.

"In other words, you do indeed know who the killer is."

Tang Long shook his head. "I don't know the specific identity. But if you just think about who most wanted President Qi dead and whose interests his death benefits most, the direction basically won't be wrong."

"But if I may be blunt, even if you know who it is, you can't get revenge right now."

"Rather than rushing around like a headless fly, it's better to do what needs to be done."

Yun Zhuoyue was silent for a good while before asking, "What is it that needs to be done?"

"The thing the Emperor and the Governors of each city value most: controlling the army. The position of Commander-in-Chief of the Songcheng Military Headquarters is vacant and needs someone to fill it. Don't you want it?"

Yun Zhuoyue shook her head. "There's no use wanting it. I'm not even at the Spirit Map stage, nor have I served as a Main Division Officer; I don't have the qualifications. For such a heavyweight position, either the military headquarters will send someone, or one of the two division commanders, Commander-in-Chief Wang Jintang or Division Commander Song Yu, will be promoted to fill it."

"But you are Ye Baiqiao's Disciple. In this regard, they cannot compare to you."

"It's useless. Everyone who comes out of the White Clothing Society considers themselves a Disciple of the Six Marshals. Although I am a true successor, I am still not at the Spirit Map stage after all."

"The military has its rules, and these rules must sometimes be supported by strength."

"If the Commander-in-Chief of the Songcheng Military Headquarters isn't even at the Spirit Map stage, how could they convince the masses?"

Tang Long asked again, "How far are you from the Spirit Map stage?"

"One step away. But this step is almost impossible to cross."

"The Seven Kills Art I Cultivate is a Killing Technique composed of two Wuque Methods—Ice and Wind. Its cultivation difficulty is as immense as its power."

"When breaking through to the Spirit Map stage, one must endure the pressure of two Laws and merge these two Wuque Methods into the same Spirit Map, which inflicts unimaginable damage on oneself."

"I've already tried several times and feel there is no hope. This step is one I might never cross in my lifetime."

Tang Long rubbed his chin. "In other words, you have indeed touched the threshold of the Spirit Map stage."

"What if I could enable you to endure that damage and successfully Breakthrough to the Spirit Map stage?"

"Would you be willing to consider my suggestion?"

The red in Yun Zhuoyue's eyes quickly faded, replaced by doubt and disbelief.

After a few seconds, she couldn't help but sneer. "I know you have an ability that can heal injuries."

"But the vitality of different people cannot be equated. You are too weak; your methods are only useful for the weak. The vitality of an expert at the Open Origin stage or above is at least a hundred times that of an ordinary person."

"The pressure I endure when condensing a Spirit Map is not something you can imagine."

"Furthermore, I can tell you for certain that even if I successfully advance to the Spirit Map stage, it's impossible for me to directly take the seat of the Songcheng Military Headquarters Commander-in-Chief. Even if I did become the Commander-in-Chief, I wouldn't allow you to interfere in military affairs."

"Xu Chaoyang has great ambition. But if you, a Holy Messenger, grasp military power, you will only be more dangerous than Xu Chaoyang."

Tang Long let out a long sigh. "Group Leader Yun, so your impression of me is that bad. I thought we were friends."

"Why do you think I harbor sinister designs and ulterior motives?"

"It's truly heartbreaking that there isn't even this bit of trust between us."

Yun Zhuoyue asked back, "Is there?"

Tang Long waved his hand. "Just act as if I didn't say anything today. Go ahead and get busy with your affairs."

"When a certain division commander defects to Xu Chaoyang and all of Song City's military power is grasped in his hands, war will come immediately."

"At that time, perhaps you won't have the leisure to suspect me."

Yun Zhuoyue was startled into a shiver.

"What did you say?"

"War?"

"Governor Xu... would start a war?"

"I hope it's just my petty mind; perhaps Governor Xu is a kind person and has no such thoughts at all."

Yun Zhuoyue naturally knew that Xu Chaoyang was by no means kind. Recently, he had been vigorously expanding the City Guard, showing his immense ambition.

She just didn't quite dare to believe that Xu Chaoyang would be so urgent to start a war.

But she immediately associated it with the death of Commander-in-Chief Qi.

According to Tang Long's theory of who benefits, this matter could indeed be Xu Chaoyang's handiwork.

If he wanted to take complete control of the Songcheng Military Headquarters at this time, it was indeed highly likely he would use bribery. As long as one of Commander-in-Chief Wang Jintang or Division Commander Song Yu defected to him, it would be completely over!

At that time, with Xu Chaoyang allied with the Sangyu people, the war Tang Long spoke of might truly not be far off.

Thinking of this, she immediately changed her expression.

"Tang Long, do you really have a way to make me the Songcheng Commander-in-Chief?"

But Tang Long's expression also changed. "Group Leader Yun, I am a Royal Knight and also the President of the White Clothes Society. Out of basic respect, shouldn't you call me Sir Tang or President Tang?"

"As for making you Commander-in-Chief, you said yourself there's no hope. I'm not a god; how could I possibly achieve that?"

"Moreover, why should I help someone for no reason who doesn't trust me at all?"

————

Governor's Mansion.

Xu Chaoyang sat in a chair, staring blankly at the remains of his son, Xu Songling, motionless for a long time.

At this time, Chief of General Staff General Liang walked in and whispered softly in his ear.

"Governor, please do not be too overcome with grief. Take care of your health."

Only then did Xu Chaoyang snap out of his daze and let out a long breath.

"I'm fine. Have the guests arrived?"

"Both have arrived. According to your instructions, I have already told Chief of Intelligence Zhang Wei and Jian Ming to be ready in the back hall."

Xu Chaoyang shook his head. "Let them stay further away. Elder Zheng and Elder Jiang are sensible people; there should be no need to make things so unsightly."

"Yes."

General Liang immediately took out his phone to send a message, while Xu Chaoyang also straightened his clothes and turned toward the front hall.

On the sofa in a corner of the living room, Elder Zheng and Elder Jiang were both present. They didn't stand up when they saw him arrive, merely looking at him with strange gazes.

Xu Chaoyang didn't take offense, sitting down beside the two and refilling their tea.

He first asked Elder Zheng, "Elder Zheng, three divisions of over ninety thousand people consume a small mountain of food every day. The Governor's Mansion is under great pressure. From tomorrow on, I hope the Bounty General Office can double the supply of materials."

Zheng Buwan's smile was a bit cold. "Great Governor Xu, the quota for a National Defense Division is twenty thousand people per division. Your City Guard Divisions are overstaffed by more than half, and you're still recruiting hard; it would be strange if they didn't consume a lot."

"For nearly twenty years, to stabilize the situation and city defenses, I have always supplied at cost price, yet you let the Wei Family make a fortune as middlemen. Now you want to double it; is that appropriate?"

"I can provide the materials, but shouldn't the price be raised a bit?"

Xu Chaoyang nodded. "Money is not an issue. I have already had Financial Director Wei Cheng prepare. In the future, an additional thirty percent will be added on top of the basic purchase price. Do you think that's acceptable?"

Zheng Buwan narrowed his eyes. "Acceptable. But our cooperation is limited to materials. As for your other actions, my Zheng family will not participate."

Xu Chaoyang then turned to Elder Jiang, "Elder Jiang, regarding armaments, I'll have to trouble you."

Governor Jiang Shiqi let out a sigh. "Chaoyang, you are too impatient."

"Our two families have decades of friendship. Today, I want to advise you once more."

"Sons can be born again, but if the family business is gone, then everything is gone."

Xu Chaoyang smiled bitterly. "How could I not know the timing isn't perfect? But will that faint-hearted monarch give me time? It was certain people who pushed me into a corner step by step; I had no choice."

Elder Jiang shook his head. "Since you won't listen to advice, the Jiang Family will be like the Zheng family—weapons and equipment can be sold to you. But as for other things, you needn't speak of them."

Xu Chaoyang rose and gave the two of them a deep bow. "For you two uncles to be able to make this promise, Chaoyang is already very grateful."

"Accept my condolences."

"Take care of yourself."