Slaying Dragons and Butchering Phoenixes

"I'm afraid that's correct."

As they spoke, Zheng Fan and Gao Lin moved to the reception area.

Zheng Fan personally boiled water and brewed tea to entertain Gao Lin.

A moment later, the aroma of tea filled the air.

Gao Lin's eyes flickered as he asked, "In your opinion, how many days will it take for that kid to return?"

Zheng Fan brewed tea and said, "It will take at least ten days to half a month."

"If things don't go smoothly, it might take another three to four weeks before we can be back."

"At least half a month, at most four weeks." Gao Lin picked up a cup of tea that Zheng Fan had placed in front of him, took a sip, and a smile gradually widened at the corners of his mouth.

I know what you're thinking.

Zheng Fan said slowly and deliberately, "When the commander left, I warned him that if he left now, he probably wouldn't be able to take care of the City Lord Election."

Gao Lin asked casually, "What did he say?"

Zheng Fan rolled his eyes and looked at the former regimental commander. "He said that I, Di, cannot disregard the safety of Undercity for my own selfish reasons."

He also said, "If you can't become the City Lord, then so be it."

Gao Lin's expression shifted slightly, a conflicting look appearing in his eyes. He struggled for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute expression.

Zheng Fan washed the cups and asked, "What are your plans next?"

Gao Lin stated frankly, "Before reopening the investigation, Luo Tianyi had already quietly gathered all the relevant evidence, enough to help him clear his name of being a smuggling parasite."

"This is just a formality."

"I think in another three or four days, he will be able to participate in the City Lord Election with a 'clean record'."

"At that time, the organizers will provide some compensation for the votes, and it is very likely that he will surpass Wu Shimo and that kid surnamed Di in one fell swoop."

Zheng Fan seemed unsurprised. "Luo Tianyi really did have a backup plan. I knew it! Why was he so low-key? Why didn't he react at all?"

"So that's what they were waiting for."

Gao Lin nodded. "Even I didn't expect him to be able to turn things around, let alone the others."

"Temporary..."

Zheng Fan poured a cup of tea and pushed it to Gao Lin: "He can't turn the tide for now, or rather, the City Lord Election has to be suspended until Commander Di returns."

"Back then, we didn't help anyone."

"But not now..."

"Continuing the general election now is unfair to Commander Di."

Gao Lin paused for a moment, then laughed, "Old Zheng, you want to get involved? But if I may be frank, even if you, the Chief of Staff of the Corps, were to speak up, you probably wouldn't be qualified to suspend the election, would you?"

"I know."

Zheng Fan took out a third teacup and brewed some tea.

Just then, a voice outside the door said, "How about adding me to the list?"

Gao Lin looked up, his pupils contracting slightly.

Fang Yao, the Minister of the Network Information Department, walked in.

This middle-aged man, who wasn't particularly tall or imposing, but was so refined and looked as if a gust of wind could knock him over, sat down with a smile on his face to Zheng Fan's left.

Gao Lin glanced at Zheng Fan, then at Fang Yao, and sighed softly, "I thought Mister Fang was a free spirit who never cared about such things."

Fang Yao took the cup of tea that Zheng Fan pushed towards him and smiled, "Old Zheng told me about Commander Di's situation this afternoon, and also shared his own insights."

"I think that makes sense. Since it's a general election, it has to be fair."

"We can't let Commander Di risk his life on the front lines while some people reap the benefits from behind."

"There are indeed many unfair things in this world, but I, Fang, cannot stand such injustice."

Gao Lin looked up at the Minister of Information: "But Mister Fang, do you think Wu Shimo and Luo Tianyi would agree?"

Fang Yao laughed, "These two are truly outstanding individuals."

"But if Mr. Fang says no, then even if he's a dragon, he has to kneel before me; even if he's a phoenix, he has to cower before me."

"I am but a humble servant, yet I have some experience in slaying dragons and phoenixes."

The more Gao Lin drank, the more he disliked the taste of the tea. He sighed, stood up, and said, "I will warn Luo Tianyi, but whether he listens or not, I cannot guarantee."

Zheng Fan stood up. "I'll see you off."

Gao Lin shook his head. "I still know the way, you guys keep drinking."

I walked out of the office.

Gao Lin gave a wry smile, "That guy Old Zheng, actually managed to get him to come out."

"The Former Dragon Rider, ' Heavenly Killing Star ' Fang Yao, who would have thought that this ruthless man who emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood would become an insignificant information minister in Xiao Xiao Undercity?"

"Di Zheng's Human Destiny is still on fire; Old Zheng actually pulled that guy surnamed Fang out to protect him."

With another sigh, Gao Lin finally left.

*

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Forbidden Zone 3.

The Great Moon hangs high in the sky.

Although the moonlight was bright, it could not penetrate the thick fog that shrouded the Forbidden Land area.

The ' White Dragon ' and other mechs walked through the thick fog, with all the lights on them turned on, but they could only illuminate a space of about twenty meters around them.

In the driver's seat, Luo Yan was driving the ' Unbounded Blazing Eyes '. Looking out through the panoramic window, apart from the scene appearing as if he were surrounded by flames, the thick fog did little to obstruct his vision.

Kang Shun's voice came through the communication channel. "This used to be Safe Zone, how come it's Mist Generation even here? It's unbelievable."

Yan Wenbo cautioned, "During the meeting this afternoon, I heard that Dr. Jia Miao issued a warning that Forbidden Zone 3 is evolving into a dead zone."

"Moreover, according to the Command Center's data model, the Forbidden Land area is expanding every day."

"This must be why the giant beasts in the danger zone came out and even attacked the Dragon Spring Base."

"You all need to be careful and not act rashly, do you understand?"

Over the communication channel, three or four people said in unison, "Understood."

At this moment, Luo Yan saw several mecha signals appear on the radar, displaying the words "Changping Legion, Class Two, Team Six".

Dugu Changxin's voice immediately came through the communication channel. "What are the Changping Legion doing here?"

Yan Wenbo said, "It should be the same cleanup task as ours, right?"

"Ignore them, we'll head back after clearing the target area."

At this moment, Kang Shun reminded us, "We've arrived near our target area."

At the same time, the radar also displayed the Spectrum Signal of the two behemoths.

All of them are orange, Mid-tier Giant Beast.

Code name: Zhishou Snake.

"Level: Intermediate Tier 2"

Type: Scale Insect.

"Features: Two heads, poisonous water, dream-like!"

Code name: Shaking the Ox.

"Level: Intermediate Tier 4"

Similar to: caterpillar.

"Characteristics: Divine power, shockwaves, thunder."

On the command console, information about the two giant beasts was displayed on the screen.

Yan Wenbo's voice rang out. "I'll deal with the two-headed snake. Xiao Luo and A Xin, you two deal with the big bull."

"Kang Shun and Xiao Bai, you two are responsible for providing support, while also being vigilant against other giant beasts approaching."

"Start the operation!"

The order has been issued.

Luo Yan immediately piloted the ' White Dragon ' and charged towards his target. The thick fog could not stop the mecha's advance, and it was slammed into the fog like a tidal wave.

Before long, even without ' Unbounded Blazing Eyes ' activated, Luo Yan could see a giant beast appear in the bright light.

The Shaking Ox, as a level 4 beast, is exceptionally large in size.

Lying prone on the ground with its knees bent, the forest seemed to be pressed beneath it like a green carpet, and deep blue stripes, like thunderbolts, covered the body of this giant beast.

As soon as the mecha appeared, the patterns on its body lit up, crackling with electric light.

A roar.

A bolt of lightning struck down from the fog-shrouded sky, heading straight for the ' White Dragon '!