34: Chapter 36: A Virus Sweeping the World, Three Cities Conquered in a Single Day!

"What, what?!"

"You're saying this was cast by the royal family of the Li Tang Dynasty?!"

The high-ranking official in military uniform felt as if his head was about to explode.

Wasn't it just about confirming the dynasty to which the ancient sword belonged?

How could it blow up such a massive bombshell?!

The royal family of Li Tang?

Since when did the ancients possess this kind of power?! Did they really take him for a soldier who had never read history books?!

No matter how powerful the Great Tang was, with all nations coming to pay court, it wouldn't be exaggerated to this extent!

The military official's face darkened.

After recovering from his brief shock, his gaze carried a hint of gloom, feeling as though this guy was trying to fool him into thinking he hadn't read books.

Just as he was about to make trouble.

"Hmm?"

The leading official slightly signaled with his eyes, telling him to stay calm and not be impatient.

While forcefully suppressing his own shock.

He spoke and asked Zheng Fei, "What basis do you have?"

The royal family of Li Tang was not the main point.

But being able to lock the target onto Emperor Xianzong Li Chun, locking onto a single person in the long river of history, was no simple feat.

Perhaps Zheng Fei truly had some insights?

Curiosity inevitably welled up in the official's heart.

"Don't tell me it's just because of the experience of seeking immortals and asking the Dao; in the long river of history, emperors interested in these things are not uncommon."

"Of course not!"

Zheng Fei shook his head.

Seeing that several officials did not fly into a rage on the spot.

Only then did he dare to continue speaking, "Gear Science has described the age of the ancient sword, stating it has withstood a thousand years without wear or decay… Counting back from the present time, that means the ancient sword is at least a product from before the 10th century…"

"The ancient sword possesses imperial aura, which means it is very likely related to emperors of past dynasties…"

"Suppressing Chang'an forever… We have already taken advantage of Li Li's coma to try multiple times. If he is transferred out of Xijing to recuperate in other more prosperous places, the ancient sword will disperse and vanish after leaving the area, then respawn at its original address…"

"That is to say, under the unconscious state of the compatible user, the ancient sword will not leave the local area of Xijing. The 'Chang'an' in 'Suppressing Chang'an forever' is likely not an adjective, but a noun, referring specifically to this region…"

"Xijing, which is ancient Chang'an, was the imperial capital of the Great Tang in ancient times. We can basically lock it down: the ancient sword has a great deal to do with the Great Tang, and the ancient sword's imperial aura likely comes from the royal family of the Li Tang Dynasty…"

"And most importantly, regarding the phantom of the emperor that once appeared in the sea of fire, based on the image obtained from sketching, I consulted professional scholars of ancient cultural studies. The imperial crown with hanging beads worn by this emperor can basically be identified…"

Zheng Fei spoke eloquently. The words he uttered seemed absurd at first glance, but upon careful thought, one would find them well-reasoned and supported by evidence. They were not pure delusions, but targeted deductions.

The gazes of several officials also shifted from initial suspicion to hesitant belief later on.

Zheng Fei also spoke to summarize.

"Before the 10th century, one of the past emperors, the ancient capital of the Great Tang, the imperial crown style…"

"Inferred based on these conclusions."

"The ancient sword is extremely likely related to the past emperors of the Great Tang. Among them, Emperor Xianzong, who brought about the third restoration of the Great Tang, ruling with vigor in the early period and seeking immortals and the Dao in the later period, I personally think has the highest probability!"

Zheng Fei pressed his lips together as he stated his conclusion.

Under a series of corroborating pieces of evidence, several officials were somewhat dazed.

"Actually…"

"There is one more point."

"The compatible user of the ancient sword, Li Li, his surname 'Li' happens to be the 'Li' of the Li Tang Dynasty."

Zheng Fei dropped another massive bombshell.

"You mean that the inheritance of the ancient sword is likely a bloodline succession? Based on bloodline recognition rather than anything else?"

The leading official frowned into deep wrinkles. He personally strongly resisted the theory of bloodline supremacy.

Everyone is born equal, and no one can be high above others.

This aligns with Daxia's developmental view.

"Perhaps…"

Zheng Fei gave an ambiguous response.

This idea was actually something he derived from Zhao Jinlong.

His extraordinary power happened to be passed down through bloodline inheritance.

Who could say that the ancient sword's recognition of the compatible user wasn't because they were descendants of the Li Tang Dynasty?

"Hmm…" The official nodded. "Then let's shelve this for now. Li Li's identity will be your responsibility. Aside from the basic political vetting, tracing back his ancestors is also very necessary… Li Tang, Li Tang…"

Towards the end, his voice grew quieter and quieter, until only he could hear it clearly.

Raising his head, he looked at Zheng Fei's high-spirited fighting will.

The leader couldn't help but let out a soft sigh inwardly.

"The younger generation is truly formidable!"

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, before he could speak.

Knock—

Knock—

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock suddenly sounded on Zheng Fei's side.

Moreover, the frequency was getting faster and faster.

One could even hear a hint of urgency.

"This?"

"Leaders…"

Zheng Fei stood up nervously. Before he could voice his apologies and self-blame, a gentle voice sounded in his ears first.

"Hmm, it's fine."

"Today's matters have basically been discussed. Let's end it here for now!"

"It's us old fogies talking too much and affecting your rest. You've been working hard all day, and now you have to start getting busy again. Thank you for your hard work…"

The leading official wore a hint of apology on his face.

Far from being angry about the interruption, he instead actively understood Zheng Fei's difficulties, and his gentle words warmed one's heart.

"It's only right, it's only right."

The highly infectious voice made someone's nose sting a little.

"Hmm, then let's leave it at that for now. Right, today's matters, especially the origin of the ancient sword… before there is conclusive evidence, we still need to keep things tight internally."

"Yes!"

Zheng Fei nodded heavily.

Understanding the hint, he knew this meant the leader acknowledged his guess and intended to survey and investigate in this direction, hence it needed to be classified as a confidential project.

"The code names 'Divine Invasion' and 'ancient sword covenant' are both temporarily classified as Class A events."

With the appearance of Gear Live.

The significance and weight of Class A events were also gradually rising.

Several officials slightly nodded, and after nodding in agreement, they successively disappeared from the screen display.

The meeting ended, and the officials dispersed.

After the figures logged off one by one and the screen turned pitch black.

Zheng Fei took a deep breath, picked up the completely cold coffee by the desk, and drank it all in one gulp.

After barely refreshing himself.

He then stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked over to the door to open it.

Click—

Creak—

The door opened.

What came into view was the anxious expression of the Branch Captain.

As well as the dense crowd of leaders behind him, all with solemn expressions and gloomy faces; nearly half of Xijing's governing team was here.

The Branch Captain was merely pushed out by them to knock on the door.

"What happened?"

Zheng Fei's expression tightened. Could the incident of 'Divine Invasion' not be over yet? Did another twist happen?!

Has the seal failed, and the apocalypse descended upon the mortal realm?

Or did the ancient sword go out of control, erupting with boundless fierce flames?

With a panicky heart, Zheng Fei forcefully suppressed his inner unease and waited for the other party's response.

"Director Zheng, it's bad, something major is bad! The influenza virus is spreading in Xijing, and in just over a day, it has already spread to three districts of Xijing involving over a million people…"

The voice rang out.

Someone's apprehensive heart finally relaxed by a fraction.

"Influenza virus?"

"Oh~ It's not a divine invasion, not an ancient sword running out of control? Then it's fine…" As Zheng Fei spoke, his heart suddenly tightened.

Wait!

Something is wrong!

If it were just an influenza virus.

Why would they come looking for him when the sky was just starting to brighten?

He was in charge of anomalous matters.

He didn't manage local government affairs, and matters of health and epidemic prevention had nothing to do with him either.

Could it be?

This flu is related to anomalous phenomena?!

Zheng Fei's heart gave a jolt.

His relaxed heart instantly grew tense again.