Prefect and General, the Ecology of a Supernatural Dynasty

Gao Linzhi listened as he walked; the other players were eating rice noodles at a roadside stall.

"So, if we don't have the Longevity Water, there's no need to drive the other players out. On the contrary, we can make good use of them. In that case, we need to contact the Prefect."

"Oh right, didn't we do a mission before?"

"Yes, that task was to deliver a love letter from the young lady of the prefect's mansion to a scholar."

"Speaking of this makes me angry. It's ridiculous. I'm more handsome than that scholar, more reliable, richer, and of better character. That prefect's daughter is so stupid. Why doesn't she like me?" Another handsome player said indignantly.

"I'm quick-witted and thick-skinned, so why would I be interested in that scholar?"

"Of course it's because that scholar knows a couple of lousy poems. The magistrate's daughter has no shortage of money, handsome young men, or flattery. She's young and hasn't experienced the mundane life, so naturally she's pursuing a literary lifestyle," the other players explained.

"Speaking of poetry, I know it too," the handsome player said.

"Don't be ridiculous. Your poems were all generated offline using a computer; they just don't have the right feel."

"In the end, this young lady still doesn't understand the benefits of us players. She doesn't understand what true love is at all. In my opinion, this quest will definitely end in tragedy."

"That's right, it must have been the scholar who betrayed the young lady and was then killed by Prefect Liu."

"It must be this plot."

"Why don't we go after her and become the governor's son-in-law? That way, we can complete this current task."

Upon hearing this, Gao Linzhi couldn't help but sneer.

These guys are really dreaming.

"Speaking of which, I do have a chance, because I'm almost won over one of the maids in the prefect's household."

"That maid actually told me a long time ago that the master didn't have the Longevity Water either."

"I see. No wonder you said earlier that we don't have any Longevity Water here."

"Yes, the court is clearly cunning. They spread false rumors, pretending that Prefect Liu has it himself, when in fact he doesn't have it at all."

"No wonder so many ignorant players from other islands came here; we just told them there's nothing like it here."

"Fool, the more you say there isn't any, the more they'll believe there is. They'll just think we're reducing our competitors."

I don't believe it.

Then, Gao Linzhi saw a message appear in the event channel:

"Players from Sea Sky Island: Let me tell you all, the Liu family is deeply feared by the imperial court and has no right to distribute the Longevity Water. Your trip here is just a waste of time."

However, the next moment, someone immediately retorted sarcastically:

"This is like trying to hide something obvious; if you say there's nothing here, then there must be."

"Yeah, you're spreading false information to keep others away so you can have it all to yourself, right?"

"Even if what you're saying is true, how can we be sure? We'll have to go and verify it with our own eyes."

"That's right."

The players were speechless.

"Damn it, these idiots, they don't believe me at all!"

"Haha, I told you so! Do you think we're all still children? Do you think we'd believe everything you say? Wouldn't that be foolish?"

After hearing this, Gao Linzhi immediately shook his head.

His main purpose in coming to Sea Sky Island was to assess the strength of this prefect, whom the imperial court feared.

The Longevity Water is best obtained if possible, but don't worry if you can't; there are ways to exchange for it in the future.

After all, you can't just work behind closed doors.

He only improved two attributes and enhanced his skills. The extent to which these abilities can be effective can only be determined by comparing them with those of others.

Soon, he began to stealthily make his way towards the prefectural governor's mansion in the city.

The prefectural governor's residence is easy to find.

In the city center, the most prominent cluster of high-rise buildings is this.

Upon arriving at the prefectural governor's residence, the streets were deserted, save for patrols of soldiers.

Gao Linzhi was very curious about how the officials in the extraordinary world protected themselves.

After all, their target was obvious, and there's no such thing as government officials having good fortune protecting them in this world; everything is governed by the rules.

If a powerful figure dislikes someone, a single curse could kill even the emperor.

He then planned to sneak in through the main entrance.

The main gate was wide open, with layers of runes engraved on the two vermilion doors.

At that moment, beams of light suddenly flashed across the main gate.

"An assassin!"

The guards immediately cried out in alarm.

Gao Linzhi's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately retreated into a nearby alley.

The runes on the main gate appeared to be for reconnaissance and early warning purposes.

They were able to see through his stealth ability.

In contrast, the Imperial Observatory's tower also possessed similar abilities, but they were not triggered simply to lure him deeper into it as material.

It seems these reconnaissance runes are the first line of defense.

And at this time...

Gao Linzhi soon saw the guards of the prefectural governor's mansion mobilize.

A general in black armor swiftly emerged from the main gate.

The black armor was covered with various runes.

As soon as the other party appeared, the guard knelt down on one knee. "General Liu, there was a warning at the gate just now, indicating that someone is suspected of attempting to break into the prefect's residence."

A deputy commander was generally a third-rank official, responsible for guarding a certain area. He commanded a "deputy commander's battalion" with a strength of one thousand to three thousand men, and was responsible for the defense of a city.

It's considered quite good if a prefect has the rank of assistant general.

However, the fact that a mere warning at the main gate could directly alarm such a high-ranking general demonstrates that in this extraordinary world, a warning at the main gate is considered a very high-level alert.

That's normal.

These stationed soldiers are sufficient to handle opponents posing a low to medium threat.

Moreover, anyone who dares to sneak in through the front door must be incredibly bold and destructive.

General Liu looked around and asked, "What was going on around us just now?"

"I was on patrol just now and didn't see anything unusual."

"It's possible that a highly skilled individual has evaded our patrols and is attempting to sneak in through the prefect's gate to assassinate someone," one of the Patrol Team captains reported.

General Liu frowned immediately.

The capabilities of these subordinates should not be underestimated.

Those who are able to Protection the prefectural governor's mansion have all received various Mystic System training; they are not ignorant cannon fodder youths.

"Normally, highly skilled individuals wouldn't rashly offend the prefect's office. Who do you think this highly skilled person could be?" The adjutant looked at his subordinates.

"In my opinion, it must be those 'Descenders' again, those rebels who call themselves players," the Patrol Team captain replied after a moment's thought.

"Yes, that's what I think too!" General Liu's face flushed with anger. "Damn it, these Descenders are getting bolder and bolder."

"Don't they have any sense of hierarchy or respect in their minds?"

"This is the Prefectural Governor's Mansion. How dare you sneak in in broad daylight?"

"I really want to dig into their hearts and see what they're really thinking!"

"Yes, General, some players have always been very bold," the Patrol Team captain echoed.

"Those players dare to trespass anywhere. Last month, they caught another player at the library, but he immediately chose to commit suicide. It's really incomprehensible."

"Fortunately, most players are relatively well-behaved, otherwise, we would have a real headache."

"Yes, I've heard about them too. They say some people can be resurrected, but I don't know if it's true or not."

"Perhaps that's why they're so bold," General Liu sighed.

"This is the residence of the Prefectural Governor! Unauthorized trespassing is punishable by the extermination of your entire family!"

The Patrol Team captain added, "These Descenders have no concept of hierarchy; they only care about strength. If our defenses here are weak, they might break through."

"From a smaller perspective, it's better to arrest and kill them, or imprison and expel them; we can't let them stay in the city."

"Alright, you all keep an eye on this place. I'll get a few experts over right away. We must find that assassin and execute him on the spot. We haven't killed enough players yet; we need to make an example of him!" General Liu said angrily.

The Patrol Team captain nodded quickly and ordered the soldiers to intensify their patrols, with a post almost every five steps and a sentry every ten steps.

Gao Linzhi understood.

These soldiers are like alarm bells.

They serve no obstructive purpose; their only function is to act as a camera.

If a powerful figure comes to assassinate them, all they can do is shout or waste the other party's time.

That's all that can be done.

Their main role was to clear out the residents and prevent the scum from taking advantage of the chaos.

But this adjutant was far more capable.

The opponent is quite formidable.

[General Liu]

[Level: 55]

[Spear Master with skills above Expert Level, bordering on Master Level.]

Upon seeing this description, Gao Linzhi thought to himself that his current stealth abilities were still far from sufficient.

Generally, low to medium-level classified locations can be infiltrated.

However, once the level is high, it becomes impossible to infiltrate silently.

My skills need to be upgraded further; I need to upgrade them to the Expert Level or higher.

Now things are a bit tricky; we can't easily obtain intelligence.

He then hid in the alley and looked at the gate of the prefectural governor's mansion in the distance.

Not long after, General Liu turned around and went back to the prefect's residence.

Gao Linzhi did not leave.

He simply stood at the entrance of the alley, carefully watching the prefectural governor's mansion.

Sure enough, not long after, two rows of ceremonial guards appeared inside the prefectural governor's residence.

Two people walked out from the ceremonial procession, one in front and one behind.

The one behind him is General Liu, whom we just saw, and the one behind him is a civil official.

He was surrounded by many officials of varying ranks.

The civil official was dressed in black robes and wore a crown with several strings of beads hanging from it.

The crown has beads on the front and back.

Upon seeing this, Gao Linzhi frowned slightly.

He remembered that a mere prefect was not entitled to wear a crown adorned with beads.

Ancient methods of governance largely relied on ritual and law.

During the prosperity of a dynasty, there were rules and regulations governing everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation.

This was done to reduce resistance to governance from top to bottom, and to make the people numb and compliant.

Wearing a crown without tassels was the norm for officials.

The Liang Guan, Jin Xian Guan, and Yi Shan Guan are the only "work hats".

Simply put, only royalty and Feudal Lords were entitled to wear hats adorned with beads.

The prefect, however, also wore a crown adorned with beads, clearly considering himself a local tyrant.

Judging from the tacit approval of others, they clearly didn't see anything wrong with it.

This is simply human nature.

Just like when Cao Cao and his family usurped the throne of the Han Dynasty, they gradually created the fact of their usurpation, making others submit to them little by little.

Finally, it all fell into place naturally.

Even so, many people still oppose it.

It is clear that the purpose of these rituals and laws was to maintain a fixed rule.

Only Feudal Lords and members of the royal family were allowed to wear hats adorned with beads.

Ordinary officials simply wore a plain hat.

The other party is now using this method to differentiate themselves from other officials.

This is to tell others that on this land, he is the ruler.

In another time and space, this situation would be impossible unless it were the end of a dynasty.

Even at the end of a dynasty, most prefects did not have the courage to do so.

They're just waiting for the right opportunity.

Now, the situation on this island is more similar to that of the vassal states outside the borders of an offline dynasty.

They considered themselves far removed from the Central Plains dynasties, so they often violated etiquette and even privately proclaimed themselves emperors.

This is because the Central Plains dynasty wouldn't waste its military strength and launch a major war just for a title.

And the governor's mindset was clearly the same.

Gao Linzhi thought to himself silently.

And at this time...

The prefect looked around and then spoke:

"Since this expert wishes to see me, please have my friend come out to meet him."

"Liu has always been fond of his friends. If a friend needs anything, as long as it is within Liu's power, he will gladly offer them wealth and honor."

Upon hearing this, Gao Linzhi understood that this person indeed had great ambitions.

They can openly recruit even a malicious assassin.

This is the strategy of "a thousand pieces of gold for a horse's bones".

This is for show, to impress others.

I can recruit assassins with riches and honors, so if you have the ability, why worry about not being given important responsibilities?

In the final days of a dynasty, capable and ambitious leaders place an unprecedented level of importance on talent compared to normal times.

At this moment, a clerk beside him bowed and said, "My lord, it seems that the one Descenders will not be coming out."

"Hmph, why should my lord be so polite to these people?"

"Yes, these guys are all ignorant of hierarchy and ungrateful. They don't even know how to stand up and offer a toast at the table. If we take them into our household, they'll only cause trouble."

Several people, clearly his confidants, were whispering among themselves.

"Shut up! I have always valued talent and promoted people based solely on ability. It seems that I have not been noticed by that esteemed person. What a pity."

The prefect sighed, then turned and went back.

In that short period of time, Gao Linzhi saw through the other party's scheme.

Prefect Liu

[Substitute Puppet]

[Level 35]

Goodness!

It turns out this guy was also a stand-in.

Moreover, they were merely puppets created through deliberate manipulation.

The Substitute Puppet used by Gao Linzhi is the same model.

That's normal.

If he can do what he thinks of, why can't others?

Those guys offline also have stand-ins.

What about these regional leaders?

These local leaders, it's clear, will use substitutes whenever the opportunity arises.

As for those people in the Imperial Observatory, why didn't they have such substitutes?

Obviously, that's because they are all highly skilled technicians, and there are many things that stand-ins can't do.

For example, you can't study certain things without being there in person.