114: Chapter 115 The Boundary Line

Lu Jin looked at that sharp edge, his voice steady as a rock: "Then first acknowledge that the Internal Affairs Office of the Old System is here."

Pei Chengxu's expression changed slightly, and the Messenger Fire at his cuff jumped unconsciously, as if startled by those words.

Young Master Pei Tiange didn't look at him, merely speaking indifferently: "Chengxu."

Pei Chengxu lowered his head, his voice carrying a few hints of imperceptible tension: "Present."

"In the record just now, regarding the entry for the Sun Gold Adjudication Internal Affairs Office, add that the Pei Family Investigative Party has been informed."

Pei Chengxu remained silent for half a breath. This half-breath was very short, but many people by the Frontline Fire Platform heard it; it was like a drop of ink falling into clear water, the spreading ripples making everyone hold their breath.

For the first time, the Pei family did not push away the words 'Internal Affairs Office of the Old System'.

The Black-Armored Recorder put pen to paper quickly, the tip scratching across the surface with a hurried rustle, as if wanting to nail this moment into the archives forever.

Instructor Han Tiecheng looked at Young Master Pei Tiange, his gaze carrying a hint of re-evaluation: "You are actually more willing to let go than your family's executive level."

Young Master Pei Tiange said: "If the hand grips too tightly, things will shatter."

After he finished speaking, the fourth Sun Gold fine line dropped half an inch toward the Dark Gold Return Buckle, like a probing tentacle, cautiously reaching toward the core.

Wen Zhao's hand pressed on the Line-Marking Nail, his knuckles turning white.

Lu Jin raised his hand to stop it, black fire burning silently in his palm: "Only shadow copies are allowed."

Young Master Pei Tiange looked at him, his gaze calm: "You won't hand over the original buckle?"

"No."

"The Living Registry Anchor?"

"Not giving it."

"The collateral examination direction for the Outer Gods Fine Bone?"

"The Temple will write a public collateral examination. Look at the public records."

Young Master Pei Tiange was quiet for a breath, as if digesting this invisible wall. Then he said, his tone carrying a hint of realization: "You're only letting me see the outer layer."

Lu Jin said: "You've just entered the field; you're only worthy of seeing the outer layer."

This time Qiao Ye couldn't hold back and let out a laugh, the sound exceptionally crisp in the silent workshop back trough.

Instructor Han Tiecheng also gave a low grunt, like an old wolf finally seeing a flaw in its prey.

Pei Chengxu's Face darkened, clearly not expecting Lu Jin to be so dismissive of their Face.

Young Master Pei Tiange, however, looked at Lu Jin with no anger in his eyes, only the realization of having met a worthy opponent. After two breaths, he nodded: "The boundaries are clear. I accept the first four terms."

Qiao Ye raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but press: "What about the fifth term?"

Young Master Pei Tiange looked at him, his gaze holding a deeper meaning: "The fifth term remains to be seen."

Instructor Han Tiecheng sneered: "You're quite good at leaving an opening."

Young Master Pei Tiange said: "If the road is sealed too tightly, it's easy for it to collapse."

Nail Bone grunted, the gray-copper fire flickering in the broken axle: "That sounds more like bridge-repair talk."

Wu Fu immediately said: "Don't think he understands workshops."

Nail Bone said: "I'm not blind."

Lu Jin didn't respond to these words. He raised his hand, pressing the Half-Gate Fire Line down an inch. In the second layer of the Battle Chart, three points—Duan Jun's Living Registry Anchor, the Cold Mirror Archive Index, and the Return Buckle Reverse Line—lit up simultaneously, like three lamps being lit one after another in the deep night.

Lu Jin looked at Young Master Pei Tiange, his gaze piercing: "Apply to write into the Military Court War Affairs. The Pei Family Investigative Party may accompany the next Well Heart Line outer-edge exploration. Status: Accompanying Witness. Permissions: Public Line. No touching the Half-Gate Main Control, Living Registry Anchor, Outer Gods Gray Casket, or the original return buckle."

Instructor Han Tiecheng looked at him: "You've gone and written it for me?"

Lu Jin said: "To save him from writing it."

Instructor Han Tiecheng laughed and cursed, raising his hand as a new record appeared on the iron fire order. The firelight danced on the surface of the order like a branded scar.

Young Master Pei Tiange watched the record being made. He didn't object or add any words; he just waited for the record to settle before saying softly: "Lu Jin."

Lu Jin looked up.

Young Master Pei Tiange looked at the Half-Gate Fire Line, his gaze finally no longer concealed, revealing his deepest intention: "You won't hand over the main control, the Living Registry Anchor, the original buckle, or that lamp. Since you won't hand them over, I'll just have to walk a stretch of the path with you personally."

As these words fell, the area fell silent for a moment, as if all the wind had been sucked in by that sentence.

Lu Jin looked at him, his gaze showing no retreat, only a silent contest.

Young Master Pei Tiange indeed hadn't come just to seize. He wanted to secure this line, to put the Outer Gods Fine Bone, the old buckle, the Cracked Furnace Fire Seed, and Duan Jun's living record back into an order the Pei family could handle. If Lu Jin was willing to enter his framework, he would provide resources, permissions, and the keys to the Sealed Sample Repository. If Lu Jin was unwilling, he would still follow—following decently, following in compliance, until he found a position where he could close the gap again.

And the boundary Lu Jin had drawn was like a blade held horizontally between the two of them.

With the edge facing north, it was Young Master Pei Tiange's order.

With the edge facing south, it was Lu Jin's justice.

Neither would take a step back first.

The sound of the wind rose again from the depths of the Grey Fire Well, as if some ancient existence had opened its eyes in the darkness, quietly watching these two groups of people, watching this gamble whose winner had yet to be decided.

Ning Yanqiu stood by Lu Jin's side, the Cold Mirror Auxiliary Seal in her sleeve heating up slightly, like a sword yet to be unsheathed, waiting for the next moment to be drawn.

Young Master Pei Tiange turned around, the Yaojin Fine Command slowly closing behind him like a bird folding its wings.

And that bird's eyes remained fixed on Lu Jin's back.

Watching extremely closely.