"No, the accumulated buildup over the past decades suddenly accelerated about ten years ago. Up until earlier this year, it was all the first stage; only now is the second stage truly beginning.

The speed at which various things are surfacing in the sea is even faster than on land, so maritime transportation has been hit hard. Now we have to run escorts all the time.

But we were already aggressively developing land transport here, so the impact on us is comparatively smaller."

"Oh, so the reason they've been biting at our heels lately is all about the money..."

"Obviously. Why would anyone do something with no profit in it? It's all a struggle, everything's a fight, so we absolutely can't let the Church start tearing into us too. Let them tear each other apart internally for now."

"Is Old Meng going to get involved?"

"What's it got to do with us? Old Meng was already listed as a fugitive by the Scorching Sun Department. He's not one of ours. If they've got the ability to catch him, let them have at it—we promise not to say a word."

"Whoa, when did this happen?" Wen Yan blurted out in surprise.

"Before he went to Europa."

"..."

Wen Yan thought to himself, Cai Heizi really lives up to his name—he had his scapegoat plan ready all along.

"There's not much problem over here, you don't need to worry about it. Just remember, when you head to Guanzhong County, take the gift I prepared for you. After all, you're going there to give birthday wishes, can't have you showing up with some cheap crap."

"Minister Cai, next time you want to use me for something, just don't bring it up so pointedly. It's too obvious. That sword hilt is mine now—I'll give it or not, as I please."

"You little punk, it's only been a few days and you've gotten so slippery already!"

"When you've been set up enough times, your guard naturally goes up. Look, even you answer the phone more normally now—you're just applying the lessons you've learned."

"..."

Cai Qidong let out a long sigh.

"The first stage was related to the Demon Kin—we've confirmed that.

The second stage is going to focus on Nether Souls.

The reappearance of the Nether Soul Realm is a sign.

The emergence of the Soul Devouring Beast earlier was also a sign.

The day before yesterday, in Haidai County, there was a guy whose heart stopped for three minutes, but he ended up getting resuscitated.

After being revived, he went straight to the local underworld office.

Then the Scorching Sun Department took over, and found he had become a Professional—and a Soul Reaper, at that.

Luckily, he was from Haidai County and had good enough awareness. Otherwise, who knows if we would've even found out.

This is the first Professional related to the new stage that we've discovered so far.

That's a really strong omen too.

Now do you get it?

Lord Zhu is extremely influential among the Nether Souls—lots of connections, and it's not even about his power.

Among the signature figures in the Nether Souls, he's one of the very few who's willing to connect and cooperate with the Scorching Sun Department.

Maintaining and strengthening this relationship is crucial for keeping things stable going forward.

If you go in too officially, it won't work. You're the better pick for this job.

Get it?"

Wen Yan scratched his head.

"So basically, you want me to follow our predecessors' footsteps—go drink Lord Zhu under the table?"

"Pretty much, because things could go wonky real soon and get a lot more dangerous.

Out of all the ghosts and monsters, Nether Souls have always been the biggest headache.

It's like crime—you'll never get rid of it completely. It's always happening, but most of the time they're isolated incidents.

The job of the Scorching Sun Department is to make sure whatever happens with the Nether Souls stays isolated, and to keep the overall number of cases as low as possible.

So, we've got to win some of them over to our side. Can't let the Nether Souls band together against us.

Your mission is extremely important. Don't take it lightly."

"Alright, don't worry. The birthday present won't be embarrassing, and I guarantee Lord Zhu will like it."

After hanging up, Wen Yan returned home and pulled out the last remaining rib bone.

Presenting something as Old Zhu's personal belonging—no matter what, there's just nothing that can top this thing.

Lord Zhu was willing to risk it all to show up in person just to watch Hu Yuan die firsthand.

If there's anything that will please Lord Zhu and Old Zhu both, nothing beats this Tiger Bone.

If time weren't so tight, maybe after another year he could even have pieced together half a tiger's skull.

But gifting a rib bone would work just as well for now.

He checked the time. Only a few days left—good, better to go a little early, since showing up the day of wouldn't look good.

Before setting off, Wen Yan first took the scrap iron pieces, plus the cell phone and power bank he bought for King Guilong, and headed to West River to find him.

"The phone's for you. Don't dunk it in water, it'll break, and here's a power bank too. If you don't know how to use it, ask your people."

King Guilong immediately raised a water bubble and placed the phone safely inside.

Seeing King Guilong whip out that move, Wen Yan followed up:

"I'll ask around about running some electric wire down here for you, and maybe get you hooked up with broadband, make it easier to reach you in the future.

I'm heading out for a while. Just lie low and keep a low profile; if you keep your head down, the Scorching Sun Department will turn a blind eye."

"Got it." King Guilong nodded, though truth be told, he didn't understand much besides that last sentence. Stuff about broadband and wiring—he'd have to ask someone later.

"Let me ask you, recognize these?" Wen Yan took out the scrap iron pieces.

King Guilong stared at them for a while, then shook his head.

"Nope. All I can say is, this feels like a weapon once—a weapon that once struck down a dragon."

"The power inside, it's not a Dragon Clan curse?"

"No. If it were, I'd definitely feel it. I can sense that the power inside is only just beginning to awaken."

Wen Yan thought for a moment, then took out the Heart Protecting Scale.

"This scale you gave me—it blocked out the power in those scrap pieces. Those must be connected to the Dragon Clan somehow, right?"

"Definitely related."

"Alright, that's all for now. I'm heading off."

After Wen Yan left, King Guilong—who had been pretty down since falling to Flood Dragon status—suddenly perked up and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He had almost forgotten, back then, because he couldn't come up with a worthy gift in return and his pride was on the line, he gave Wen Yan his own Reverse Scale as a Heart Protecting Mirror in a moment of rashness.

Because only his Reverse Scale could withstand Hu Yuan's One-Hit Slaughter Technique.

And just now, he saw that Reverse Scale—still perfectly intact.

That's the Azure Dragon's Scale.

The Azure Dragon's Scale is still there, which means there's still a seed of hope left. Just because he's been demoted, doesn't mean he's out for good.

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