Xiao Cha has always loved guns and cannons, and she was overjoyed to receive a set of advanced Blue Star armor.
She carried the armor to her bedside and placed it there, as if she would hug it even while sleeping.
At the same time, the girl should naturally use this momentum to try to break through the [Marrow Cleansing] barrier.
She herself was quite confident, but this feeling of happiness was far from being "heart-pounding" or "exhilarated"...
Early the next morning.
Lu Li was the first to get up and went to the courtyard to practice martial arts.
Wan Qing came out a while later and was startled by the cold air.
She breathed warm air into her palms and swung her youthful, beautiful body, quickly feeling no longer cold.
The two practiced together for a while, even playing with the Tong Shao in the yard, but Xiao Cha still hadn't gotten up.
Lu Li glanced at the girl's room and asked, "Is there any hope?"
"It's a bit risky..." Wan Qing shook her head and said, "It's too rushed. She's not actually ready."
As soon as she finished speaking, the door to Xiao Cha's room opened.
She walked into the courtyard in her armor, then dropped to the ground with a thud.
"Eating Blood Exchange realm supplements and drinking Spirit Tea, I still can't break through... I'm such a waste."
Lu Li walked over, extended his hand, and said, "It's alright, I can practice on my own without taking up much time. Don't forget I Body Follows Will!"
Wan Qing came over as well, extending her other hand and saying, "It's not difficult for me to reach the Bone Forging."
The two of them worked together to pull Xiao Cha, who was feeling down, back to her senses.
She muttered, "I was so close to letting my Internal Breath seep into my bones, why couldn't I?"
Just then, Tong Shao ran over to comfort him, saying, "Take it easy, it's alright. Anyway, nobody's counting on you..."
"You brat!"
Xiao Cha bared her teeth and claws, grabbing at Tong Shao, who screamed and turned to run away. The two frolicked and laughed in the courtyard.
Tong Shao, who had been cooped up at home all day, was excited to have someone to play with, and his face turned as red as an apple. He started sweating in no time.
Lu Li watched with a smile for a while, then suddenly asked, "Tong Shao... can't we go out yet?"
Wan Qing sighed, "We should still be careful. It would be troublesome if the Tooth Brokerage found out. Fortunately, the girl grows up quickly; if we can keep it a secret for a year or two, no one will recognize her."
"The Tooth Brokerage... damn it!"
Lu Li glanced at Xiao Cha, who was wearing battle armor, and the two puppets in the warehouse, pondering whether he could destroy [Tooth Brokerage] once and for all.
Wan Qing knew what Lu Li was thinking, and said softly:
"The Tooth Brokerage people are numerous and powerful, and their leader is still at the [Blood Transformation] level. This level is known as the 'human tank,' possessing the strength of 60,000 jin, making them extremely difficult to deal with."
Lu Li, "The Marrow Cleansing stage only requires 6,000 jin of strength, right? How can a single realm have a difference of nearly tenfold?"
"Yes, a blood transfusion is a qualitative change."
Just as Wan Qing finished explaining, Xiao Cha ran over and said:
"Are you talking about blood transfusion? This level requires stimulating the spine and brain marrow; one wrong move and you'll become an idiot or paralyzed. Taking such a huge risk is obviously impressive!"
Lu Li said, "We were talking about the head of the Tooth Brokerage. I'm considering assassinating him... Oh, right~"
As they were talking, Lu Li suddenly had a brilliant idea. "Aren't you lacking in Fighting Spirit? You could try to find a solution from that angle."
After each case, the Police Flower would clench her legs together and her face would turn red. This method must be reliable!
Xiao Cha hesitated, "This is difficult... The Tooth Brokerage's promotion of [Ice Soul Powder] has caused a conflict with the forces that deal in opium."
The two sides have just had several battles and are now at loggerheads, Tooth Brokerage is gathering its best men to be on guard. Uncle Chen even brought this up yesterday when he came over."
Lu Li didn't say anything, just watched with a smile.
Sure enough, Xiao Cha quickly got into the zone, her beautiful eyes becoming sharp and clear as she carefully considered:
"As the saying goes, when the crane and the clam fight, the fisherman profits; when old and new poisonous creatures are locked in combat, it is the perfect opportunity to snatch chestnuts from the fire..."
"I'll go find out some information! We'll discuss it when I get back."
Xiao Cha took off her armor and disappeared in a flash.
Wan Qing smiled and said, "She looks so energetic! Young Master knows her very well."
"It was just a sudden inspiration; hopefully, it will come true."
Lu Li gave a casual reply, then looked at the Tong Shao that was crawling into the armor, protecting it with his mind to prevent the little girl from getting hurt.
At this moment, Wan Qing suddenly said in a low voice:
"Young Master... if it's convenient, please ensure that Ye Zhichao, the head of the Tooth Brokerage, dies a swift and painless death."
Lu Li's expression shifted, and he glanced at the gentle and graceful woman out of the corner of his eye.
She stared futilely at the gloomy sky with her blind eyes and whispered:
"This man was originally a high-ranking general in the government army. Ten years ago, when facing the People of Izumo, he abandoned the city without firing a single shot and fled five hundred miles in one night... handing over the city's food and ammunition to the People of Izumo, which ultimately fell on our heads."
Lu Li already knew that 10 years ago was the Jiawu Year War, and Wan Qing's city was Lüshun.
We really can't let Ye Zhichao die too easily!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, Ye Zhichao, the head of the Tooth Brokerage whom the two were talking about, was standing at his front door, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a distinguished guest.
A short while later, a slight tremor came from the ground, and a humanoid mech more than two meters tall walked over!
The breastplate is painted with the Rising Sun Flag and has a serial number 404, which is the same one I saw in the Izumo Concession.
However, at this moment, this imposing mecha was following behind a refined and elegant middle-aged scholar.
The scholar, with a two-foot-long Peach Wood Sword hanging at his waist, was Fan Shouyi, the deputy envoy of the Divine Heart Society.
Upon seeing this, Ye Zhichao's expression changed—this person could actually command Izumo's armored forces! How close must their relationship be!
He quickly adopted a more humble posture, stepped forward, and clasped his hands in a fist salute:
"Lord Fan, it is an honor to have you here. I have not been able to greet you properly. Please come in!"
"No need for such formalities, Leader Ye. We'll just stroll around as we please."
Fan Shouyi, with his hands behind his back, strolled with Ye Zhichao in the garden.
We arrived at an artificial lake, where many red carp were swimming.
Fan Shouyi couple more times, and Ye Zhichao then handed him a can of fish food.
"Lord Fan is truly a man of great talent and unassuming abilities. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."
Fan Shouyi handful of fish food and threw it in, attracting a scramble among the fish, while saying:
"I have come to your door today on behalf of Colonel Ito [Blade Shadow], with two matters at my request."
Ye Zhichao said solemnly, "Please give your instructions."
Fan Shouyi said unhurriedly, "Firstly, Colonel Ito is very dissatisfied with your progress and has ordered you to deal with the opponents and open up sales channels before the end of the year."
Ye Zhichao's expression changed. "Of course I'd like to, but the forces in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region are all involved in opium cultivation, creating enormous resistance..."
Fan Shouyi stroked his beard and said, "The gentlemen have already discussed this matter. We will follow the rules of the martial world and have a real fight. The winner will be king."
"You've done one?" Ye Zhichao was slightly taken aback...
"That's right." Fan Shouyi nodded.
"The date is set for the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month. No one will interfere with you then, and those above the Blood Exchange realm will not make a move. Leader Ye can do as he pleases, whether it's to win them over or to kill them, and solve the problem once and for all."
He then pointed to the mecha behind him and continued, "This is Colonel Ito's aid to you."
With the help of the mecha, Ye Zhichao was full of confidence. "I obey!"
Then he asked, "Sir, you just mentioned two things. What is the second one?"
Fan Shouyi laughed and said, "I need you to compile statistics on all the 'geniuses' Spirit Refinement near Jinmen over the past 30 years."
"30 years..."
Ye Zhichao's eyes darted around, and he instantly understood what was going to be done: to use the simplest and most straightforward method to find out the [Four Spirits]!
This is a complicated matter, but the Tooth Brokerage is the most suitable candidate because it is so well-connected.
Fan Shouyi said solemnly, "Even Minister Aoki cares about this matter, so you must handle it with utmost care!"
"True Lord Aoki!!!"
Ye Zhichao's face showed a look of shock! This was a [Manifestation] True Lord!
He said in a trembling voice, "I, Ye, will certainly do my utmost! I'll get this matter settled before the New Year!"