After causing a major stir in Old Lington, Su Lun and Mr. Jing did not rush to leave and stayed a few more days.
As they had expected, the response from the Imperial Intelligence Service was swift. Just a few hours after the incident, Governor Hunter from the Governor's Mansion was urgently recalled to Lingdun City to assist with the investigation.
Establishing a teleportation circle and colluding with the enemy was a scapegoat no one could bear, not even Master rlin.
Therefore, the senior officials of the Governor's Mansion did not dare delay and left by ship that very day.
It was unclear where the warships that temporarily took over the defense of Old Lington ca from.
Su Lun and Mr. Jing leisurely dined and drank around the city and returned to "Akun's Soup House," where they often went to soak in the past, enjoying their ti leisurely.
It wasn't easy to return to Old Lington, and who knew when they would co again.
But it wasn't all leisure, as Mr. Jing's injuries still hadn't fully healed, and the integration of the Blood Ancestor's bloodline also required so ti, so they were not in a hurry to leave.
The dense dark spiritual power of Old Lington was the most suitable environnt for their cultivation.
Su Lun also took the opportunity to eliminate the followers of the Divine God secretly lurking in Old Lington to prevent future problems.
With the removal of the two biggest obstacles, the Governor's Mansion and the Unicorn Whale Chamber of Comrce, the investigation of intelligence beca much more convenient.
Su Lun entrusted the Reaper to the Cross Society with a list of personnel he had harvested before, and they found several key persons almost effortlessly.
He took matters into his hands, and the Reaper's ability to uproot was more than appropriate.
Catching one vine often allowed him to pull out a bunch of sweet potatoes from the soil, just like pulling one out.
Within a few days, he had killed over a hundred people.
Devotees, spies, opportunists... those related to the Divine Dinsion were finally cleared out.
A few days later, the main forces of the Coalition Empire and a temporary governor also arrived in Old Lington.
Su Lun rembered this knight commander from the Lanz family at the wedding, a direct descendant of Ekaterina.
He then felt relieved.
...
While Su Lun was causing a major stir in Old Lington, forces across the Coalition Empire received the news almost imdiately.
15 Holy Light Boulevard, the residence of the first court priest, rlin Gregory.
In a secret eting room, the old nobility urgently convened to handle the sudden incident reported from Old Lington.
"Master rlin, those from the Unicorn Whale Chamber of Comrce connected to us have all been taken care of. Others are being urgently dealt with by 'those people' over there, and they should not leave any leverage for the intelligence service."
"This matter really has nothing to do with us, and even a real investigation would not greatly affect us. However, the Governor of Old Lington will probably not be able to retain his position this ti."
"Don't worry, with Master rlin here, what's taken now will surely be returned double in the future."
"..."
The group of old nobility was not the least bit anxious, and the atmosphere of the eting was not tense.
They had received the news even before the royal family and had made arrangents beforehand.
The Unicorn Whale Chamber of Comrce secretly transporting mages to Old Lington was indeed a situation they had learnt about from various sources, but these crafty old foxes had long known the sensitivity of the matter and had never directly participated, rely turning a blind eye.
Those involved had been dealt with imdiately, and they were confident that they had left no traces that could burn them.
Thus, even going to the Empire's Court, there was entirely no evidence to prove their involvent in this matter.
No one could shake them.
As for regaining control of Old Lington, that too would happen eventually.
"Hey, you say... even our people didn't notice, so how did the 'Dawn Organization' discover those mages?"
"The Dawn Organization originated in Old Lington, they probably still have so people over there, so it's not surprising they found out. The tricky part is, if those guys keep holding on this tightly, it could have a significant impact on us."
"Yes, the Dawn Organization is strong and not regulated by the officials. If they really resort to assassination tactics or the like, it could be a big problem for us."
"There's also 'Fike Regadi'; his identity is problematic too..."
"..."
These longstanding nobles had exchanged their lost aristocratic rights for their current positions, their fear not of official judgnt but of the Dawn Organization, a neutral entity beyond empire control.
After all, the leader of that organization was a ninth-tier professional.
Moreover, they had recently been ambushed and severely damaged.
Around the round table, candlelight revealed several grim faces.
Just then, soone spoke up, "There's another piece of news: lately, at auction houses, the Round Moon Ball, and on the black market, there's been a high bounty for artifacts capable of healing Holy Light injuries. Moreover, there are indications that the royal family is also looking for these items."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room almost imdiately understood what it implied.
"It must be for finding healing artifacts for Mr. Jing. This also implies that his injuries are definitely not minor."
"This incident at Old Lington could very well be a retaliation from the Dawn Organization. Last ti Mr. Jing was attacked, she probably guessed there was a leak of information. From what it looks like now, she's certainly not going to let it go."
"Sadly, we didn't finish the job last ti; that left a major threat. Once he heals, it's going to be a significant threat to us."
"We've received word 'from over there' that it's almost confird that Mr. Jing is no longer within the Mafa boundary. We suspect he's sowhere healing or perhaps has secretly returned within the Luying territory, maybe even directly involved in the Old Lington affair. Who knows? He might return to Lingdun City any day..."
"This makes it even more imperative not to let them succeed. We think, if they're putting up rewards, we should too!"
"If only we could completely resolve this problem once and for all..."
"..."
Even Master rlin, sitting at the head of the table, appeared cautious when discussing the leader of the Dawn Organization.
No one dared to underestimate a ninth-tier professional, even if he had been severely hard.
Only a ninth-tier could threaten another ninth-tier, in terms of both strength and status.
Just then, soone suddenly said, "In the Andrei family vault, we have an artifact that's been sealed for five hundred years, perfect for treating Holy Light injuries. What do you say... should we leak so information out? If we could find the location of the leader of the Dawn, perhaps there's a chance to eliminate this problem completely?"
Upon hearing this, even Master rlin's eyes lit up, muttering to himself, "That won't be easy."
His eyes flickered briefly with a cold light, but then he added, "But it might be worth a try."
...
Several days later, on the Ruin West Coast.
Traveling from Old Lington to Luying, the liners were under strict control, so Su Lun and Mr. Jing could only teleport.
Lingdun City, the imperial city perpetually shrouded in fog, was much more grandiose compared to when they had left.
All major ports were bustling with navy ships, the coastline bristled with densely packed cannons like porcupines, the sky floated with large and small stear airships, and unseen in the sea, submarines patrolled back and forth...
These military asures nearly made the entire city impregnable, making smuggling here almost impossible.
On the sea, two figures stood.
Su Lun hadn't returned to Lingdun for a long ti, and seeing the current scene, he murmured, "Such a huge change..."
Through the shared vision of the black crows, he saw most of the city looming in the mist.
Since the planar war began, a massive influx of population and industry had moved to Lingdun from the Empire of Mafa, the city's area had expanded several tis over, turning it into a super tropolis.
The old city area was the previous Lingdun, and what used to be suburbs were now filled with towering buildings, dense industrial zones, residential areas, and walls of defense still under construction.
Mr. Jing, also having been on the Mafa front line for a long ti, hadn't returned for a while either. Although she was aware of the changes in Lingdun, she couldn't help but remark, "That Miss Yekaterina really has imperial talent; the way she's rged the forrly adversarial empires in such a short period shows no one could have done better than her."
Listenting, Su Lun also felt it made sense.
Not just anyone could be an emperor.
Just like if it were up to him to fight, he felt he was quite competent.
But to govern such a large and intricately sched empire, he admitted he wasn't cut out for that.
The two didn't say much more and teleported again, appearing this ti in a secret warehouse on the docks.
There, a black steam car had been waiting for so ti.
Seeing Su Lun and Mr. Jing appear out of nowhere, the cloaked figure waiting by the car door imdiately lifted his cloak, revealing a cascade of fiery red hair.
Who else could it be if not Sabina?
After Mr. Hei followed the Dawn Group on their adventurous departure from Lingdun, she had now beco the head of intelligence for the Mr. Jing organization.
Upon seeing Mr. Jing arrive, Sabina greeted him respectfully, saying, "Greetings, leader."
Despite wearing a very professional ladies' suit under her cloak, her impressive figure was still hard to conceal.
Mr. Jing nodded, "You've worked hard."
Not just anyone could maintain composure in front of Mr. Jing, the leader of the organization and a ninth-tier powerhouse.
Even Sabina felt an intangible pressure.
Hearing this, she breathed a sigh of relief, raised her head but did not dare to look directly at Mr. Jing, instead, she took a glance at Su Lun from the corner of her eye with a flash of brilliance in her beautiful eyes.
This glance seed to say nothing, yet it seed to say everything.
Su Lun looked back at his enchanting maid whom he hadn't seen in a while, responding helplessly.
How could he not have noticed that she had grown stronger? He muttered to himself, "Already a sixth-tier, not bad at all..."
Her rapid advancent was clearly not just due to the environnt and resources; Sabina certainly had worked very hard on her own training.
Su Lun very gentlemanly opened the car door for Mr. Jing.
The three of them got into the car.
For absolute secrecy, Sabina did not even bring a driver; she took the driver's seat herself.
Once inside the car, Sabina expertly started the engine, not feeling the least bit deaned even though one was her master, and the other was the leader.
While driving, Sabina reported, "Leader, everything has been arranged according to your instructions. The situation in Lingdun is very complicated currently. The intelligence collected is in the folder to your left."
Su Lun opened the brown paper bag and began sorting through the intelligence.
Sabina also reported, "The Unicorn Whale Comrce Guild has been completely disbanded, key personnel were silenced by unidentified forces ahead of our intelligence agency. The 'Heaven's Eye Sect' in Lingdun has also nearly been eradicated of followers, according to your instructions, I specially coordinated with the intelligence agency to leave a few deeply hidden individuals..."
"The control level in Lingdun City is very high right now, and staying at a hotel would definitely attract the intelligence agency's attention. Therefore, I have arranged for you to stay at my apartnt. The old faction probably already suspects my disguise in Lingdun as a mber of the Mr. Jing organization, so I have a plan. I plan to expose this identity, at which point the enemy will be able to trace this line of inquiries back to my door…"
"…"
Mr. Jing listened and nodded from ti to ti, not raising any objections.
Su Lun, on the other hand, maintained a calm deanor as he reviewed the intelligence.
Having been with Sabina for so long, he knew well that his maid always handled everything herself without needing him to worry.
She was the best intelligence officer, and she would surely complete everything she arranged perfectly.
As for those plans to lure the enemy, Su Lun analyzed all the clues in his mind and also felt there was no better plan than the one she had devised.
With that, the car drove steadily into the downtown area of Lingdun.
They needed to leave so necessary traces to provide so clues for certain enemies.
Su Lun observed all the way.
He noticed that the flow of people on the streets of Lingdun had increased several tis over compared to before.
Not only had the population increased, but the attire and disposition of the pedestrians had also changed drastically.
Previously, the streets were filled with workers, newsboys, shoeshiners, and vagrants, their attire and expressions as dull and lifeless as the mist in Lingdun.
Even motorcars were a privilege exclusive to the nobility.
But now it was different.
Motorcars were everywhere on the street, and ordinary people's clothing, though not particularly flashy, was adequate to keep warm. Their complexions were rosy and lustrous rather than the malnutritioned pallor of before.
The impression was as if the city's economy had suddenly leaped forward by decades.
Sabina seed to notice the surprise on the faces of Su Lun and Mr. Jing and said with a slight smile, "The Empress's thods are indeed very admirable~"
Mr. Jing glanced sideways, clearly interested in hearing more.
Su Lun gestured for her to continue, "Oh?"
Sabina then said, "After the formation of the Unified Empire, she not only subdued various forces with extrely clever tactics in a short ti but also vigorously promoted the chanical technology of Maafa that liberated industries requiring intensive labor, such as agriculture and most manufacturing. Furthermore, she widely used the superior seeds already researched by the Royal Academy, creating the miracle of multiple bountiful harvests a year; today, the Unified Empire is not short of food. Every factory, everyone, is preparing for the battle at the front lines. As long as people are willing to work or join the army, currently in Lingdun, no one will go hungry."
As she spoke, her tone revealed unmistakable admiration, "Many people are surprised that wars used to devastate lives and the lower classes suffered greatly. But now, the reality is contrary, everyone surprisingly finds that life is not only no worse than before, but actually better. Just as you've seen, the civilians across Lingdun and even the entire empire very much support the current empress, and the unity of the people's hearts is very strong. Every policy as soon as implented, faces almost no obstacles, attracting a large number of participants. Urban construction and military manufacturing naturally operate efficiently..."
Although it was just a brief introduction to the changes in Lingdun, Su Lun saw the planner's strong control and macro planning capabilities.
Even in casual conversation, Sabina suddenly said, "Leader, sir, have you noticed the best building on the streets?"
The two of them naturally noticed it very early.
Almost every street block has a small entry-level Alchemy Academy;
Then every few blocks, there is a mid-level Alchemy Academy;
Each major city district is sure to have an advanced Alchemy Academy...
This concentration of academies was an absolutely impossible sight in the old Lingdun.
In the past, alchemical knowledge was exclusive to the nobility, not even the lower private academies were open to commoners' children.
"Yes, that is the Alchemy Academy."
Sabina continued, "Her Majesty the Empress once publicly stated in the newspaper that the best newly built structures in the city must be Alchemy Academies. This not only allows everyone in the empire access to alchemical knowledge but in future wars, these academies will also serve as the last line of defense. This is the cornerstone of civilization, a national policy that will not waver for a hundred years."
Upon hearing this remark, Su Lun found it sowhat familiar—a visionary politician's perspective always bears startling similarities.
The best buildings in the district used to be the private residences of nobles, but now they are Alchemy Academies, schools where everyone can learn knowledge.
This is essentially a difference in the system.
Mr. Jing listened intently, but for the first ti, a trace of a different emotion flickered across his expression.
How similar this concept was to her thoughts?
She just hadn't expected that what wasn't achieved a thousand years ago—total alchemical reform for everyone—is now beginning to fully implent across the Unified Empire.
Only by expanding coverage of basic education can more alchemical talents be screened out.
Only with a sufficiently large base can those with hidden or rare talents have the opportunity to stand out and eventually stand where they should be.
This single national policy alone ans extraordinary significance for the imperial forces!
In the past, under the authoritarian system of the Luying Empire, probably only one in a thousand, one in ten thousand could systematically study alchemical knowledge.
Now with the comprehensive opening, professionals could instantly increase by a thousand tis, ten thousand tis.
And due to raised limits of planar laws, top professionals will beco increasingly nurous.
This has a very profound, positive significance for the plane and for civilization.
After listening, Mr. Jing looked at the rapidly passing buildings and people on both sides of the street, his gaze gradually deepening, sinking into deep thought.
...
Because Mr. Jing, the leader, was present, Sabina remained very serious throughout, with a serious expression as if reporting official business.
The steam locomotive reached the downtown area, and Su Lun got off midway.
Mr. Jing was acting as "bait," showing his face around, and naturally, he couldn't follow along.
Naturally, he couldn't go to a hotel, but Sabina had already arranged accommodations.
Looking at the key in the docunt bag, Su Lun knew it was the apartnt by the Lokwarren River owned by Rich Lady Lena.
"It's been a long ti, I wonder how everyone is doing."
Looking at the key, Su Lun smiled faintly.
He walked along the riverside toward the apartnt.
As he climbed the iron staircase and approached the door, Su Lun knew there was soone inside. Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door suddenly opened, and a warm body leaped into his arms.
It was Rich Lady Lena, warmly welcoming him, "Mr. Su Lun, long ti no see!"
Embracing the delicate body in his arms, Su Lun smiled gently, "Hmm. Long ti no see."
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