The Azure Dragon Festival's Invisible Qi Energy

Rain on the day of the "Azure Dragon Festival" is a good omen.

Chinese people have always liked to seek good fortune, especially at the beginning of the year. Whether officials or ordinary people, everyone present had a happy expression on their faces.

However, the group from the Prefectural Office couldn't muster a smile.

Today, it should have been their responsibility to coordinate with the police station, traffic department, and other units to maintain order and guide the public.

But the scene was chaotic. There were only a few people on the west side, while the east side was packed with people, with a cacophony of braying donkeys and shouting people.

The reason for this chaos is that no one is in charge.

The third-in-command of the Prefectural Office) was called "Dushi".

Right now, this clerk surnamed Huang frowned and instructed Chen Zhizhong, who was standing beside him:

"Why hasn't Counselor Wang arrived yet? Go and call him to urge him!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhizhong's expression turned somewhat grim.

Although he had secured a sinecure, he still retained his official rank. This man treated him like a servant, behaving rudely and disrespectfully.

Fortunately, Xiao Cha chimed in, "I called and asked, they left early this morning."

Her jurisdiction was near the platform, where she stayed with the officials of the Prefectural Office).

The young woman knew perfectly well that Counselor Wang was unlikely to make it.

Those present also vaguely realized this, and their expressions immediately varied.

Only Huang Dushi showed a hint of joy, and coughed lightly, saying:

"Since Lord Wang is unwell, I will presume to take charge! Colleagues, listen to my command! I am in charge now! Disperse these lowly people immediately!"

Upon hearing this, everyone knew that Huang Dushi was going to take this opportunity to cause trouble.

Counselor Wang was negligent first; if Huang had remained calm and handled the situation well, he would have made a good impression on the Governor and others...

Perhaps I can really get there first and be promoted to "Tongpan"!

But to achieve this, in addition to personal ability, one must also have a high level of prestige, enough to make the various police stations obey orders!

Huang Dushi had clearly overestimated himself. Seeing that everyone was dawdling and not moving, he repeatedly shouted:

"What are you all standing there for! Get to work!"

It's easy to see that this kind of behavior indicates he's not very popular.

Officials, including Xiao Cha, all wore a mocking look in their eyes and dispersed indifferently.

Half an hour later, it was 7 a. m.

The situation did not improve; instead, the chaotic crowd spread towards the stage.

Offending an important person is a very serious matter!

On the platform, a square-faced official in a robe frowned as he watched the chaos unfold.

This man leaped down from the sky and arrived at the Prefectural Office. His stern gaze swept over the area, and he coldly said:

"What, does your Prefectural Office want to fail?"

As the highest-ranking person present, Huang, sweating profusely, bowed and said:

"Your Provincial Administration Commissioner, it is Counselor Wang who has been absent without cause..."

The Provincial Administration Commissioner snorted coldly, cursing inwardly that the mud was useless and could not be plastered on the wall.

He's not here to assign blame; his priority is to solve the problem.

The Provincial Administration Commissioner's gaze passed over Huang, the Prefect, and fell upon the other officials of the Prefectural Office.

I want to choose someone with seniority, who can command respect, and who is also capable...

He looked around and finally said to Chen Zhizhong:

"Old Chen, you need to handle this situation quickly. The Governor will be here in half an hour."

Chen Zhizhong bowed and said, "This humble official will obey Lord Xu's orders!"

Witnessing this scene, Xiao Cha felt secretly pleased:

[Ha~ That guy surnamed Huang wanted to show off, but he ended up showing his backside! Uncle Chen is a veteran of the police station, he'll definitely get things done.]

[The high-ranking officials have all left the city; Lu Li should go find Xie Junbai now...]

~~~~~~~~~~

Just as Xiao Cha had predicted, Lu Li had already arrived at Xie Junbai's residence.

Xie Junbai's rank is definitely high enough, but he wasn't invited to such a grand event as the Azure Dragon Festival, which shows how unwelcome he is.

Moreover, this person has very little background in Jinmen; the house he chose was just an ordinary mansion, with no lead even in the walls.

Lu Li activated his Heavenly Eye and easily found the person in question.

A figure radiating intense light, as if about to burst into flames, appeared; it was Xie Junbai.

He was holding something in his hand that emitted a strong blue spiritual light; it was clearly no ordinary object!

"Treasure? Looks like I can also rob some treasure while I'm killing people."

Lu Li was quite satisfied, and then a thought struck him.

Metal balls flew out of the suitcase he was carrying, forming a Metal Giant Hand.

Meanwhile, Xie Junbai was in his study, gazing intently at a "red date".

The dates, packaged in a jade box, were glossy and looked as translucent as rubies.

Xie Junbai sniffed at it greedily, not even daring to touch it, let alone eat it.

"It's laughable that a bunch of people are targeting me. As long as I give this Spirit Fruit to the Governor's daughter, the position of vice magistrate will be my for the taking!"

The title of Tongpan may not sound as prestigious as that of "Divine Constable," but it carries substantial real power over the public security, procuratorate, and judicial organs of a region!

His power far surpasses that Divine Constable a Ministry of Punishment!

Xie Junbai carefully closed the jade box, thinking about sending it to the Governor's daughter at noon...

It was at this moment that he sensed an intense killing intent enveloping him!

But the next second, his killing intent turned into greed, coveting his own Spirit Fruit!

"You scoundrel!"

Xie Junbai slammed his hands on the table, sending dozens of heavy steel rings flying into the air!

With arms outstretched, these "steel rings" automatically slip onto the arms, forming arm guards.

Iron Wire Fist!

Xie Junbai shot out like lightning and arrived in the courtyard, where he faced Lu Li across the raindrops.

Upon seeing the iconic spell, "Metal Giant Hand," he immediately roared:

"You people of the Jiu Shan Sect! How dare you! You openly assassinate a court official right under the Son of Heaven's nose!"

A thunderous roar echoed in all directions. Xie Junbai immediately defined the nature of the matter, secretly pleased with himself.

By hiring the Jiu Shan Sect to assassinate a high-ranking official of the imperial court, Counselor Wang was essentially cutting himself off from the world. He might just be able to save the Spirit Fruit for himself!

The more he thought about it, the happier he became, and he was determined to take down Lu Li and make this case airtight.

"Prepare to die!"

Concentrating his mind and Internal Breath into his fist, Xie Junbai unleashed a punch, sending an invisible Qi Energy towards Lu Li!

This translucent elliptical shockwave streaked through the air with a sharp whistling sound, reaching a speed of 300 meters per second.

Lu Li said with great interest, "It is... <Military Way Killing Fist: Heavy Artillery Bombardment>!"

This is Grandmaster level martial art; Chen Zhizhong once gave me the manual. No one in my family meets the requirements to cultivate it, so I never expected to find it here.

With a thought, Lu Li manipulated the "Metal Giant Hand" to meet the attack.

After Spirit Refining Fetal Breathing, this spell was naturally greatly enhanced.

Not only does it reach a speed of 60 meters per second, but its surface is also reinforced with a layer of "Honeycomb Shield"!

At that moment, the giant hand and the shockwave collided head-on, resulting in a deafening explosion.

The "Honeycomb Shield" flickered, but the giant hand remained unharmed.

Lu Li nodded and said, "The shockwave of this Military Path Killing Fist has explosive power comparable to an RPG, but its penetration is average."

He gave a fairly good assessment, but the opponent's attack was actually just a test.

Just as the explosion occurred, Xie Junbai had already channeled his Internal Breath and mental focus into the "steel ring" on his arm.

Immediately afterwards, he flicked his arms and simultaneously unleashed two shockwaves! Shockwaves wrapped in steel rings!

He actually fired the steel ring like a cannonball!

The <Military Way Killing Fist> was already quite powerful, but with the addition of steel rings as its carrier, it became countless times more terrifying!

Furthermore, Lu Li noticed that the steel ring had a "checkered pattern," resembling the outer casing of a hand grenade.

It's obvious without even thinking that it must have been ejected as shrapnel after the explosion.

At the same time, Xie Junbai himself pushed off with both legs and charged forward under the cover of the shockwave!

The battle has officially begun.