"How many times have I told you? As long as the security check is completed, we will let you through. Are you deaf or just not thinking straight?"
"I heard it very clearly, and I understand it very well! To put it bluntly, it's hopeless!"
The official representative of Xianzhou Luofu spoke in a formal and measured manner, and even though he was angry because the other party refused to cooperate, his tone remained calm and even.
But the respondent's emotions were quite rich.
Even sunglasses couldn't hide the spittle flying from his mouth, his tone rising and falling. Behind him was a team of fully armed company employees, who looked to be at least a junior executive.
"If you continue to withhold my goods, I will file a lawsuit directly with your general!"
"First, the Shipyacht Department has always had a clear rule that all ships landing in Xianzhou Luofu must undergo cargo inspection, and the Interastral Peace Corporation has no special privileges. Second, since Mr. Scott is so insistent, let's get straight to the point—yesterday, thieves attacked the division's senior management, and based on the clues, we deduce that the weapons they used were energy cannons produced by the company."
"Ha?!"
"We have reason to suspect that your company is providing weapons of mass destruction to illegal groups. The inspection of the goods is also for further investigation. Please cooperate."
Hua Yi was watching the spectacle.
At this moment, he wasn't the only one watching the spectacle from afar; many Xianzhou people gathered around, discussing the matter animatedly.
The fact that the attack is linked to the Interastral Peace Corporation is big news.
"You suspect that I led a group to attack your Shipyacht Department's management? This is an insult to me... no, to the company! I'm going to sue you for defamation!"
" Xianzhou Luofu certainly believes in the position of Interastral Peace Corporation. It's just a normal sharing of clues. If Mr. Scott can use the company's internal channels to find the location of the energy cannon or the transaction records, Xianzhou Luofu will be very grateful."
"You don't even know the weapon's serial number, and you expect me to find it? There are plenty of weapons that fit the description of a portable energy cannon and a crimson beam!"
This is a farce.
In fact, the higher-ups at Xianzhou Luofu all understood that if the Interastral Peace Corporation really took action against the Xianzhou Alliance, it would not be so simple, and they would use such conspicuous weapons and leave clues directly behind.
Some people are trying to confuse the public and disrupt the situation.
"We have conducted a preliminary scan of your company's goods and found that they contain not only mechanical structures but also biological materials. In accordance with the regulations governing Shipyacht Department, the examination of biological products must be thorough, and you even opened the boxes for me to inspect."
"Impossible!"
"Otherwise, we have reason to suspect that your company is harboring suspects."
"Nonsense! Biological materials and living organisms are two different things!"
"Perhaps the company used some kind of signal jamming device to block the originally complete biometric information. If you want to clear yourself of suspicion, this is the best way, Mr. Scott. The matter is no longer just about the goods themselves, but also affects the future cooperation and mutual trust between Xianzhou Luofu and the company."
General Jing Yuan devised a plan to kill two birds with one stone: to use the argument in public to alert the enemy and urge the people behind the scenes to accelerate their actions, while also indirectly putting pressure on the company.
Ideally, the company employees on Xianzhou Luofu would agree to cooperate in order to gain more the Order during this turbulent time.
At least don't hold others back or cause trouble.
However, he failed to anticipate that there was indeed a problem with the cargo being transported by the company's ships.
Hua Yi looked at the container being protected by company employees, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the outer wall and see the mecha filled with blood mist inside.
Having already been secretly investigating the attack, the Xianzhou Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry had increased the number of soldiers patrolling the streets several times over.
At this number—it was a close call, but no real danger.
At the very moment Hua Yi reached his conclusion, a strange, unnatural roar, unlike that of a machine, emanated from inside the container.
A machine, or rather a standing combat machine, roared like a wild beast, tore open its casing with its claws, and leaped toward the company employee closest to it, launching an indiscriminate attack.
"What's going on?!"
Scott, the company's specialist, shuddered, completely unprepared for this turn of events.
The fully armed staff behind him, with their backs to the container, were also unable to react immediately.
The beast mech's claws approached, delivering a powerful blow that even the company's standard light armor struggled to withstand.
Seeing that bloodshed was imminent, the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry displayed extremely high combat skills, striking in the blink of an eye.
The blood-soaked fighting machines might be evenly matched with one or two Cloud Knight soldier, and the battle could even affect the onlookers in the distance.
But what was present was the entire Cloud Knights squad.
Several array blades slashed down at the berserk mech simultaneously. The first blade withstood the immense force of the claws, the second struck the mech's body, and then came the third, the fourth...
Thump.
The massive mech, twice the height of a person, was cleaved away. In mid-air, it could not withstand the vibration and Cut Off force of the array blades and was instantly destroyed into fragments.
"Mr. Scott, we need an explanation. You want to put something so dangerous in Xianzhou Luofu?"
"This... this really has nothing to do with us! If we hadn't been attacked by the Buli Ren halfway through the journey, we wouldn't have stopped in Xianzhou Luofu at all—you must have triggered the [cargo]'s defense procedures!"
"Since things have come to this, it's better to be honest about everything."
"I really don't know how this thing started moving... I swear to the Amber Lord!"
"That's enough. According to regulations, prisoners and weapons involving dangerous creatures should be transported to the Imprisonment Jail for further processing; it's the safest place in Xianzhou Luofu. As for Mr. Scott, please have a seat at the Department of Terrestrial Measurement."
Chapter 334 Playing the Chess, Jingliu
According to normal procedures, ordinary suspects are handled by the Department of Terrestrial Measurement, while serious offenders are imprisoned in the Imprisonment Jail under the jurisdiction of the Ten Lords Bureau.
A company employee brought dangerous goods into Xianzhou Luofu Wharf, causing the mecha to go berserk on the spot and nearly spill blood on the street. The fact that the employee wasn't immediately thrown into jail suggests that Xianzhou gave the company some face.
Knowing that both sides are super powers, even if there are occasional frictions in trade exchanges, they would not provoke and sabotage in this way.
It must have been an accident, but those containers were still sent to the Imprisonment Jail. Xianzhou Luofu wouldn't allow such dangerous fighting machines to remain near the living area.
Hua Yi originally needed to consider how to do good deeds discreetly, so as to avoid innocent bystanders or the loyal members of the Six Departments dying tragically.
The Imprisonment Jail is located within a special cave, and even if one manages to sneak in without proper procedures, it will cause some trouble.
As for displaying his power to intimidate Xianzhou Luofu, he would say, "Look everyone, I could kill many people with a single slap, but I haven't done so. This shows that I am truly full of goodwill. In the face of absolute power, schemes and tricks are meaningless." — By then, the situation will escalate, affecting far more than just one Xianzhou.
Fortunately, General Jing Yuan General of the Divine Creation was truly wise, insightful, and fearless in the face of great events. He was given high trust and was willing to take all the risks.
Hua Yi can now enter the Imprisonment Jail at any time.
It's best to follow the proper procedures and be escorted by the Judge of the Ten Lords Bureau. In case of an emergency, you can also use the general's token to break in directly. If anything goes wrong during the process, Jing Yuan will be fully responsible.
His judgment was not based on simple trust in the Astral Express's stance or gratitude for saving the Shipyacht Department members, but rather on subjective emotions.
Last night, or even earlier, Jing Yuan probably began his investigation, gathering information about the Herta Space Station and possibly the current status of Jarilo -VI, in order to understand himself as much as possible.
After weighing the pros and cons, they stopped making unnecessary probes and directly expressed their stance.
Dealing with intelligent people is convenient. If that intelligent person is also a decision-maker who is knowledgeable, experienced, and has extraordinary courage, then the communication is even more pleasant.
Even without witnessing Jing Yuan's every move and consideration firsthand, Hua Yi could deduce Qiqi and knew that the other party had already shown the utmost sincerity within reasonable limits.
Then I will try my best to express my opinion.
Hua Yi deftly took out his Smart Terminal and first sent a message to Dan Heng, who was staying behind on the Astral Express.
"A great war is about to break out in Xianzhou Luofu. I personally suggest you return to Scalegorge Rivers to prevent the Dragon Master of the Abiding from making another mistake."
"You... I will set off immediately."
This wasn't a straightforward affirmative answer; Dan Heng's facial expression must have been quite interesting.
After switching to the chat interface, Hua Yi typed to Himeko again.
"We're heading to the Imprisonment Jail tonight, and our peaceful daily life will be temporarily over. Let's take this opportunity to stroll around and buy some food and drinks."
"... If you were talking about some other normal place, I would have thought we were going on a picnic, or that the Express crew is about to be thrown into jail?"
"Turbulence is about to break out; let's go and help."
"Good."
After contacting both sides, Hua Yi put away his Personal Terminal, calmed his mind slightly, and relied on the [Hunt] rhythm to search for a specific target he had never met before.
In a remote area of Xianzhou Luofu, three Foxian were gathered together.
They were dressed in uniforms from the Department of Terrestrial Measurement and the Shipyacht Department, as well as armor from the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry, respectively. It seemed they had bumped into each other by chance while on their way to investigate the attack and were exchanging something.
The woman who appeared at the alley entrance made them all stop talking at the same time.
She had long, light blue-gray hair, with a blue silk ribbon tied around her hair in a circular bun. A black eye patch with a silver moon pattern covered her eyes, making her look like a blind person.
However, the feet, clad in over-the-knee boots, paused briefly at the alley entrance before walking straight in.
Their steps were swift, without the slowness or caution of those they could not see.
"Young lady, please don't obstruct us from carrying out our official duties."
The woman didn't speak, but quickened her pace, and was about to get close.
The three, sensing something amiss, exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with ferocity—
Suddenly, a cold, icy blue light ripped through the air, delivering a fatal blow.
"A blade of grass beneath the sword, hiding its head and revealing its tail."
The woman's voice was cold and indifferent. Her Sword of Ice was spotless, and three corpses lay at her feet.
No longer resembling Foxian, something tore through the disguise from within, revealing a ferocious beast's head.
Even without life, their terrifying fangs and powerful bodies remain awe-inspiring, making them natural apex predators.
These are not Foxian's things; the woman has killed countless of them.
A dress made of sky blue and smoky blue fabric, with a light-colored petal-shaped pleated skirt and silver shoulder armor connected to floral sleeves. Even though half of her face was covered by an eye patch, her stunning beauty was still undeniable, making her seem like a fairy from the moon.
Blindfolding his eyes would prevent him from being overcome by the sights and falling into demonic possession upon returning to the Xianzhou. Instead, it would allow him to ignore the external deception and keenly perceive the fishy smell.
With a light flick of her cold sword, the corpse shattered into tiny ice shards that drifted away in the wind. The woman turned her head and looked at the guy at the alley entrance.
"Little brother, you've seen something you shouldn't have seen, aren't you going to run away?"
" The Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry Flawless Light, one of the Five Heroes of the Clouds, travels among humans, eliminates the Buli Ren, and contributes to the peace of Xianzhou Luofu. I don't think there's anything I shouldn't be seeing."
Hua Yi got straight to the point, causing that bright, moon-like face to twitch slightly.
"Don't misunderstand, I am Nameless on the Express. I am not from Xianzhou Luofu or any of the Xianzhou, and I have no intention of reporting on anyone who has discovered a traitor to the Xianzhou."
"The little brother is not Long-Life Species, but he knows quite a lot."
Although the stunningly beautiful woman, who resembled a fairy in the moon, was tall and slender for a girl, Hua Yi was still taller than her.
You keep calling me "little brother," you're something else!
Can't you just ignore the age difference and judge people by their appearance for once?
"What brings Miss Jingliu to Xianzhou Luofu?"
"Kill."
"Is it Kill Blade? That Stellaron Hunter was captured by General Jing Yuan. Whether he stays in prison or escapes depends on the situation. You know the current situation in Xianzhou Luofu. Buli Ren disguised himself as Foxian and infiltrated various parts of Xianzhou Luofu. Yesterday, he even launched a large-scale attack on key officials of the Shipyacht Department. Why don't we kill some others first?"
"It's been too long since I've drawn my sword, and just now I almost stirred up demonic energy to commit evil. Why do you think I would act as you expect?"
"This is indeed a problem—among the Stellaron Hunter, there is a Kafka who possesses the power of [Word Magic] and can exert mental manipulation through words. I tried to learn it, and I originally had a similar ability."
Hua Yi slowly stepped forward and walked from the alley entrance toward Jingliu.
In a daze, it seemed as if the scene of Jingliu killing Buli Ren was about to be repeated, only with a different character.
"Listen to me, please, stay rational."
Chapter 335 Come with Me
The Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry, shining brightly in the history of the Xianzhou Alliance, though scattered in different places, are still told legendary stories by storytellers, captivating listeners' hearts and minds.
But that's all in the past. The current Jingliu is no longer the Loufu Sword Master, but a "traitor" whose name has been erased. Even though he suppresses the Mara-struck with his extraordinary mind, he is only walking on the edge of a cliff and can no longer retreat to the flat road.
One wrong step and you'll fall into the abyss.
In my childhood in the Xianzhou [Cangcheng], I witnessed the living stars bred by the Plague of Abundance devouring my hometown. People screamed on the long street, struggling and rolling in the despair of the end of the world, but the golden branches continued to grow in everyone's nostrils.
Later, he arrived at Xianzhou Luofu, practiced swordsmanship, participated in battles, and witnessed the Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry and the Abundance followers fighting to the death, while he himself struggled in the blood and mud at a young age.
The Wing Creators ' Feather Guards, the Buli Ren Nest Father, and the Mountain-High Artifact Beast —gradually, countless Abundance followers fell beneath the Jingliu Sword.
However, at the very end of the heroic tale, the Emissary of Abundance suddenly gathered a large army and invaded the Xianzhou Alliance, with all Cloud-to-Cloud Cavalry joining the battle.