Chapter 119 - 99: Tallying the Harvest

Chapter 119: Chapter 99: Tallying the Harvest

Another two days passed, and he had spent 30 Energy Points.

Lu Jing’an had also finished upgrading all the entries that could be combined.

[Sound Transformation] + [Cause and Effect Following Sound] = [Cause and Effect with Sound] (Orange).

Sound Attacks no longer required an external medium. With a mere thought, sound waves would take form on their own.

Furthermore, it resonated faintly with the unseen threads of causality, drastically increasing its detection range and precision while actually reducing the energy consumed.

[Underwater Hibernation] + [Water Concealment] = [Water Bottom Ghost] (Orange).

The green-tier abilities fused and evolved into an orange-tier one, causing a qualitative leap in his underwater stealth and concealment capabilities.

He had truly become an aquatic phantom that came and went without a trace, choosing its victims to devour.

As for [Mind Control] and [Tiger Roar in the Forest], calling it an upgrade wasn’t quite right. It was more accurate to say one was devoured.

[Mind Control] devoured [Tiger Roar in the Forest]. The entry’s tier didn’t change, but it gained a mental shock ability.

He had spent seven days sorting through all his gains.

Lu Jing’an was more satisfied than he had ever been.

It was no exaggeration to say that this single haul was greater than everything Lu Jing’an had accumulated bit by bit before.

’It’s true what they say... Build bridges and pave roads, and you’re left with naught but bones; kill and burn, and you’ll wear a golden sash...’

Lu Jing’an had been quiet for these seven days, but the front courtyard of the Water Patrol Bureau, and indeed all of Yin Mountain County Town, had been anything but.

Although Lu Jing’an hadn’t made an appearance, the tale of "Director Lu vanquishing evil for the people and slaying the Water Demon" had already spread through countless mouths, embellished and exaggerated, to every street corner and alleyway.

The dockworkers, the common folk who had lost family to the Water Demon, and even ordinary townspeople who were simply grateful for the return of peace.

Every day, people would arrive carrying cured meat, live fish, and eggs, or clutching wrinkled Copper Coins.

They gathered at the entrance of the Water Patrol Bureau, hoping to catch a glimpse of "Lu Qingtian" and express their gratitude.

Some village elders even took the lead, proposing to pool money to build a living shrine for Lu Jing’an, where he would be honored with incense offerings.

The Water Patrol Officers walked the streets with their chests puffed out in pride.

Their black uniforms seemed to be coated in a layer of light.

Even the public security officers, whom the common people usually cursed as "black-skinned dogs" under their breath, received far fewer dirty looks these past few days.

After all, the common folk were confused and couldn’t tell which group in black were the heroes who had slain the demon.

They wouldn’t want to accidentally curse their benefactors.

The Lu Family’s reputation flared up like oil on a fire, reaching an unprecedented peak.

Through it all, Lu Jing’an maintained a clear-headed detachment.

’In times of chaos, a great reputation is a heavy burden.’

’He didn’t want to be put on a pedestal and made into a moral paragon. That would be no different from spinning a cocoon to trap himself.’

Lu Jing’an preferred to remain behind the scenes, calmly watching the tides ebb and flow.

’The fervor would eventually fade. People always had to go back to scrambling for their next meal.’

The collapse of the Xiaoshan Li Family was more swift and complete than anyone had anticipated.

The Provincial Government’s special investigation team moved with lightning speed. In just a few short days, they had substantiated more than ten major crimes committed by the Li Family, including tyrannizing the countryside, extortion, colluding with bandits, smuggling opium, and showing a flagrant disregard for human life.

When a wall is about to fall, everyone gives it a push. The gentry and merchants who had once done business with or had friction with the Li Family now scrambled to come forward.

Some presented evidence, others tearfully recounted their grievances.

They were terrified that if they were a step too slow, they would be labeled Li Family cronies and dragged down into the abyss with them.

It takes generations to build the prestige and wealth of a century-old Noble Family.

But its collapse can sometimes stem from the fatal mistakes of just one or two of its leaders.

And in an instant, the pillars rot, the beams give way, and the entire edifice comes crashing down.

Li Chongshan was holed up in his ancestral home, his eyes sunken deep in their sockets.

The sharp, brilliant light once in his eyes had been replaced by the dying embers of madness and despair.

He was like a caged beast, awaiting its final moments.

The Liu Family of Lou Mountain was also being tossed about in the storm, but compared to the Li Family’s utter ruin, the Liu Family’s fate was more akin to being sliced by a dull knife—a slow, continuous bleed.

They finally cast aside the last shreds of dignity befitting a century-old Noble Family.

Through various channels, both overt and covert, they sent signals to the Lu Family, pleading for a discussion.

Their posture was humbler than ever before.

Meanwhile, in the Provincial City, the pieces on the chessboard of power were being rearranged.

Secretary Hu was formally appointed as the Minister of the Provincial Garrison and Public Security Bureau.

It was a position of great power and influence, marking his official entry into the province’s core circle of power.

The plan to "merge the three counties and establish Xin City" was fast-tracked.

The first concrete step was the swift establishment of the "Three-County Special Municipality Public Security Bureau."

Its headquarters were to be located in Yin Mountain County.

The position of Minister fell, with little suspense, to Minister Hu’s trusted subordinate, Zhou Renli, the former director of the Provincial Government’s Confidential Affairs Office.

Lu Huaiqian was appointed Deputy Minister, tasked with assisting in administrative affairs.

On the afternoon the appointment telegram arrived in Yin Mountain, the black telephone in Lu Huaiqian’s office rang.

"Brother Huaiqian, this is Renli."

Zhou Renli’s voice, enthusiastic yet restrained, came through the earpiece.

"The Provincial Government’s decision was so abrupt. They’re forcing me into a role I’m not ready for. I’m quite humbled by it, really.

My main purpose in going is to learn and gain some local experience.

Who doesn’t know that stabilizing the future of Yin Mountain, and indeed the three counties, will depend on a capable man like you, Brother Huaiqian?

I’m just a temporary placeholder, to help with the transition.

In the future, this great burden will still fall on your shoulders, Brother Huaiqian..."

Lu Huaiqian held the earpiece, his face expressionless. His voice was as calm and steady as the water in an ancient well.

"You’re too modest, Brother Renli.

The Secretary-General and the Provincial Government must have made this arrangement with great foresight, taking the entire situation into account.

My own talents and knowledge are limited. I only know to do my best.

I will certainly do my utmost to assist you, Brother Renli, in stabilizing the region.

I will implement the new policies from our superiors and live up to the trust they’ve placed in us.

If you and I work together with one heart, we can cut through metal. That is the proper way forward."

His words were perfectly proper and high-minded, his attitude impeccable.

He accepted the other man’s overtures of goodwill without showing a hint of weakness or resentment. The balance he struck was perfect.

Finally, the two men settled on the specific date and travel route for Zhou Renli’s arrival.

Lu Huaiqian’s tone remained even and polite:

"Rest assured, Brother Renli. In three days, at Noon, I will personally lead a guard detachment to the Yin Mountain County border to welcome you, Minister."

On both ends of the line, both men likely wore formulaic smiles.

But in the depths of their eyes, there wasn’t a trace of warmth.

’Although he knew this was the outcome and was even willing to help bring it about, that didn’t mean Lu Huaiqian had to like it.’

’As for Zhou Renli, he had no intention of just burnishing his credentials.’

’He intended to be a nail, driven firmly into place here in Xin City.’