After bidding farewell to Dealeyano, Yang Zicang found a secluded spot, used the Feilü Inn key, and returned to Room 407.
As soon as he opened the door, he first looked towards the side door. He furrowed his brow.
Could it be that Zhao Anlong hadn’t managed to rent this room? Didn’t he say he had already leased all the rooms he could?
Though it was indeed impossible for Wager to keep only one or two rooms for himself on an entire floor… but how did that pot get in…
Thinking this, he planted his feet on the soft carpet and headed downstairs.
Upon reaching the stairwell, he suddenly heard a faint voice from below—it was Bai Yuan.
“Friend, are you a distributor? When did you get here? “
Thinking of the Full Moon Angel behind the other party, and having seen the strength of the Sage Serafiel with his own eyes, Yang Zicang now felt more respect for that unknown Full Moon Angel who had helped him.
There were so many things he simply couldn’t figure out.
He walked down the stairs.
……
Bai Yuan had just walked out the door when he ran into a boy eating a small cake. After being startled and chatting with him for a while, he only then realized that the president had actually managed to bring a distributor into the inn.
The sound of footsteps came closer.
“Ah, President Yang, you’re back. “
Bai Yuan turned around with great trepidation, looking at Yang Zicang approaching from the second floor.
It had only been a short time since they last met, yet the man before him seemed increasingly distinguished, commanding a sense of awe.
“Bai Yuan, where have you been lately? “
He immediately raised his hand, “I was the one who filmed and provided the firsthand material for the first report on the ‘Vilania Border Battle, the emergence of the Doom Creeper. “
This kid was quite reliable after all.
Seeing the dark and rugged look of Bai Yuan’s skin, as if he’d been working on a construction site every day, Yang Zicang approached with a sigh of relief and patted him on the shoulder.
“You’ve had a rough time. Don’t stay at the hotel for now; come with me to a place. “
“Where to? ” Bai Yuan asked, a hint of joy in his heart.
Yang Zicang didn’t seem to suspect him.
“Let’s go to the Grand Duchy and see exactly what they’re up to. “
“Huh? “
Bai Yuan’s jaw nearly hit the floor in shock.
……
Under the sun, Bai Yuan—now in a change of clothes, sporting a fake beard and a new half-length wig—reluctantly followed Yang Zicang off a small boat at sea, and took an airship to quickly arrive at Shanhang City, the capital of the Grand Duchy.
He had no idea why Yang Zicang was so determined to bring him along this time.
This time, Yang Zicang’s target was straight to the Grand Duke’s palace.
In the midst of the strong afternoon sunlight, the flying carpet hovered at the very pinnacle of this complex.
Before long, people below noticed the strange object in the sky. Bai Yuan patted Yang Zicang, who was sitting calmly on the edge of the flying carpet.
“There are planes coming over there. “
“I hear them. ” Yang Zicang spread a pensive mood as he watched the twin-propeller biplanes, which were only just newly invented in the early 20th century, approach from within the stark blue sky and heavy white clouds.
“Let’s head down. “
With that, Yang Zicang rose and stepped forward, falling from the air alongside Bai Yuan, while their flying carpet instantly transformed back into a silk scarf.
The propeller planes circled overhead. The pilots and mechanics leaned out from their cockpits to see two tiny figures below land on the ground, where a crowd of armed guards quickly swarmed around them.
“Who… ah! Is—is that the Hero, sir! “
In the full light of the sun, two figures straightened themselves.
The people nearby instantly recognized the man from White Violet City who, until only yesterday, had spared no effort to save their kin. To see him descend from the sky at this very moment made their hearts skip a beat; they quickly dispatched messengers to report to the Highest Commander.
It wasn’t long before Leonhard nervously greeted this arrival, the Fogfolk who had dominated the nation’s headlines for the first half of the year.
At long last, he had arrived.
The doors of the meeting hall swung fully open, with two solemn guards standing at attention at the entrance. As Yang Zicang and his escort entered, his eyes fell at once upon the room’s opposite end, settling on that very man for whom Principal Yao was willing to forgo the wonders of the Psychic Hotel and return to this place with all her heart.
“Hello, Buchen. I never expected our first meeting to be at a time like this. ” The future ruler of the nation, a man of fine appearance, met his gaze with a warm look.
“Due to the urgency of the matter, I had to resort to such a crude measure. Your Highness, the Crown Prince…Your Highness. “
Yang Zicang gave a faint smile as he stepped forward, and someone naturally led them to suitable seats.
Leonhard spotted the two personal guards of his father rushing in from the doorway. More record-keeping personnel were also hurrying in from all directions.
“I wish to know where my friend, Ms. Yao, is now. “
-｛Distributor Rocky Tataming indicated ‘Delicious.’｝
“Ms. Yao is currently very safe. She has been secretly brought back to us. “
Hearing the word ‘secretly,’ Yang Zicang could feel the natural confidence radiating from Leonhard.
The staff member who had set down the tea beside Yang Zicang said softly:
“If you’re worried about Miss Yao, we can take you to her residence after the meeting concludes. “
Having said this, she stood up and positioned herself beside Yang Zicang, like his personal secretary.
Bai Yuan surveyed the room. In the brief span of time, at least a dozen more working and security personnel had entered. Some held paper and pens for recording, others took their positions at various spots in the room. The arrangement was solemn yet courteous, all while protecting the Crown Prince at its very core.
Bai Yuan gently shook his head. If they really wanted to do something, the maniac beside him could still manage it. Getting involved as a mole between Hong Haocheng and Yang Zicang really wasn’t a wise choice.
“I presume Mr. Bucheng’s visit today is out of concern for the preparatory matters regarding our nation’s scientific heritage. “
“No, I want to know the meaning behind that article in this morning’sTranquil Watcher Gazetteof yours. “
“What? ” Everyone in the room looked at each other with a hint of blank confusion, then turned their gaze in unison toward the man who was descending from the sky.
Leonhard, thinking the visitor had come about last night’s sneak attack, for once revealed a look of surprise in front of the crowd.
“Gazette article? “
……
Before long, Vanderloo, fully dressed in formal attire, came rushing in hastily.
How strange, he thought.
That “bait ” news, which the escaped Fogfolk had claimed would absolutely bring Yang Buchen here, had miraculously made that very person appear today.
And he had bypassed all normal audience requests to go straight to the royal palace!
As soon as he entered the room, he bowed to the Crown Prince, but then his smile froze on his face.
On the chair against the right wall, beside the White Violet Hero… was that someone who looked vaguely familiar…?
Bai Yuan was nearby, examining the details with his cup of tea tilted to hide his face, being cautious not to draw this person’s attention.
“Damn it… ” Had he been marked by this era? Surely this guy wouldn’t recognize him. He stole a glance at the man staring back at him.
“Vanderloo, explain to our hero about the misunderstanding concerning this morning’s propaganda report. “
Leonhard said sternly, then turned gently to Yang Zicang and said:
“Mr. Buchen, perhaps it was an issue with the wording in the newspaper that made you misunderstand our criticism of how you saved our people. That wasn’t the case at all. “
“Yes, yes, it was all my fault for not choosing the right commentator. “
Vanderloo, with his habitual flattery, walked toward Yang Zicang and the group who had paused their conversation.
As he walked, he looked at the stranger beside Yang Zicang—someone who turned their face further away, covering their entire face with a hand.
Then, his heart jolted! Damn it! It was this guy!
What was going on? Vanderloo’s mind was in turmoil. Could it be that the Fogfolk were plotting something new?
He instantly felt that everyone in this room was being deceived!
It was as if an invisible darkness enveloped the entire office, and he was the only one now aware of the conspiracy!
Vanderloo felt as though, in this very moment, he had become the arbiter of everyone’s fate here.
Expose them, or wait for the right moment?!
“Damn it. ” Bai Yuan saw the guy with his jaw practically on the floor and felt like kicking him.
“What’s wrong with you? ” Yang Zicang asked Vanderloo, who had approached but remained silent with his mouth open.
So it was this guy who was responsible for the report. He had met the Vice Finance Minister’s son at the last medal ceremony.
“Ah, yes… ” Vanderloo took a breath.
A tense anxiety swelled in Yang Zicang’s heart.
He felt an indescribable emotion churning within his chest.
Anger, hatred, and a… anxiety over whether this was news about Hong Haocheng.
Blackven Enquist could find no news of Hong Haocheng, but if the latter had been hauled up in the eastern waters rather than the southern Mist Sea area, like he himself had been, then he would have to pass through here.
Leaving behind some clues would only be natural, wouldn’t it?
Seeing that the other man only stared at him in surprise without responding further, Yang Zicang said directly:
“Let me be frank. I believe you know I’m searching for leads regarding the person in the painting. Do you know where he is? “
Leonhard sat opposite at the table, his eyes flickering slightly as he listened to Yang Zicang’s solemn inquiry.
So this man really wasn’t here to cause trouble for him, but was here because of some newspaper.
Just what was that Vanderloo fellow up to?
Leonhard studied this man before him—forced into a court post by the Minister of Finance, now left all alone while his entire family had relocated southwest.
“Ah, I, well… I’m because— “
Vanderloo glanced at Bai Yuan by Yang Zicang’s side, then finally restrained himself and said:
“Take this. “
He fumbled anxiously with his hand reaching into his pocket, pulling out a scroll—the very one he had prepared before leaving, handed to him yesterday afternoon by that Fogfolk man.
‘What do you people want? If you want a show, then I’ll play along!’ Vanderloo encouraged himself inwardly as he unfurled the rolled-up painting.
The instant the portrait was laid open, an almost tangible, icy killing intent erupted abruptly from Yang Zicang’s person!
The water in the teacup on the coffee table trembled with ripples. Vanderloo, closest to him, turned paper-white in an instant, as if an invisible hand were stroking his skin. Bai Yuan’s hand shook, and in his already tense state, he nearly splashed the tea onto the floor.
All the guards in the room felt goosebumps rise on their skin, and they shifted their feet slightly to shield the Crown Prince in their midst.
“That painting…? ” the Crown Prince said, staring at it.
The hand at Yang Zicang’s side clenched tightly into a fist, his knuckles turning white. The surging power within him threatened to break free, but he slowly suppressed the lethal aura of his secret technique back into his chest.
He spoke deliberately, word by word, his voice thick with anger:
“Tell me where this person is. If you can bring me his corpse, I can give you the investment you want. “
A buzz of commotion rippled through the room. Leonhard and a record-keeper immediately stepped closer for a better look.
In the painting Vanderloo held, it was none other than Hong Hao—depicted in an unrefined, rustic likeness, weathered by the harsh environment, wholly devoid of any artistic polish.
“He… he’s in… ” Vanderloo realized his mistake. Yang Buchen’s reaction and questions had already piqued the Crown Prince’s curiosity to the fullest.
But he didn’t want to expose the truth now. After all, even if he did, the Crown Prince might still get the answer from that woman from Fogford. In the end, he wouldn’t be praised; instead, the Crown Prince would ask him what he had been doing. Such experiences were all too familiar to him.
Especially now that he was utterly isolated and without support, if he couldn’t leave with the Crown Prince, he might be left behind permanently.
Vanderloo knew the owner of this room didn’t care about him. Calculating in his mind, he gambled on the possibility of not being abandoned at this very moment…
“……“
Seeing the look on this guy’s face, Leonhard knew that this useless son of a vice-minister was once again mulling over some terrible idea.
“Where?! ” commanded Leonhard, his blonde hair majestic.
Vanderloo shot a glance at Bai Yuan, who was peeking at him out of the corner of his eye. He then turned his head to look at the Crown Prince, who was ‘kept in the dark,’ and said evasively:
“He’s already gone to sea; it’s been at least two months. “
Something clogged within Yang Zicang’s chest. He slowly sat down.
……
Outside the door, an old scholar with a white, upturned mustache on his lip waited for a long time before finally seeing the legendary Mist State hero walk out of this reception room designated for distinguished international guests, talking in low tones with a group of people.
He wanted to step forward immediately, but a staff member immediately approached and motioned for him not to go yet.
Leonhard, accompanying Yang Zicang, said in conversation:
“As long as we get through this crisis, we promise that in the future we can assist Mr. Buchen in your pursuit of your enemy. The prerequisite is that you become the honorary chairman of our preparatory committee. “
“You’re really going to Next Era Land in the next two years? “
The faces of Hong Haocheng and Yao Xiaoqin kept appearing in Yang Zicang’s mind. After silently contemplating for a moment, he asked the handsome man before him without holding back.
Seeing this man’s face, he couldn’t help but think.
How would others make this choice—whether to invest or not?
“You know the current situation. That small corner in the southwest alone cannot sustain the kingdom. ” Leonhard said.
“We will find a way to move to the next era, open up new territories, and over the next hundred years, migrate tens of millions of the survivors’ descendants there. “
Talking about tens of millions of people as if it were nothing.
A tall man beside them, whose identity Yang Zicang didn’t know, also added persuasively:
“Sir Hero, you must believe that no matter what, a nation’s reconnaissance capabilities will always be far stronger than an individual’s. I hope your friendship with our kingdom can continue into the next era. “
Yang Zicang silently cursed in his heart.
Standing in front of the welcome carriage outside the palace gate, Leonhard extended his hand and shook Yang Zicang’s hand:
“So regarding this investment, I would like to ask you to consider it more seriously. Later, we will have the special committee send the filtered technical files to you for review. “
“I’m quite busy, so let’s leave it at that for today. “
Yang Zicang walked towards the carriage heading out of the palace, and Vanderloo quickly followed to take the front passenger seat. With someone like him around, foreign guests generally wouldn’t worry about any explosive devices in the car.
After Yang Zicang and the other sat down in the back, Vanderloo, still unwilling to give up, turned his head to look at Bai Yuan, who was gazing at the scenery outside.
Seeing Yang Zicang look at him coldly, Vanderloo chuckled lightly and nodded. His head quickly turned, searching for something to say: “Gentlemen, how about a bite to eat before you go? “
The driver couldn’t help but cast a glance at Vanderloo.
Outside the car, the crowd waved at the Hero gentleman in the back seat, watching the elegant sedan, over five meters long, slowly start up and glide forward. Suddenly, a figure in a gray-black suit darted down the side stairs from the crowd, rushing to the car window in the blazing sun.
“Sir Hero! I am the Vice Chairman of the Science Heritage Preparatory Committee, Wolfgang Klausner, Imperial Councilor! “
This elderly gentleman, with weathered features and a neatly trimmed full-line white mustache on his lips, gripped the window frame with both hands and said with a mixture of urgency and gravity:
“Please, give me five minutes. “
The car came to a stop.
……
Beside the rear seat, now surrounded by these court officials who had hurried back, the Imperial Councilor, speaking clearly and swiftly from the open car door, made his case.
Behind him, government recorders silently captured the scene forever: snapping a photo of the elder standing by the open car door, while the young man in the rear seat browsed through the documents the elder had handed in.
“Right now, we’re not only struggling with how to filter the available technologies, but unexpected incidents keep occurring. “
“Two days ago, an expert had his eye poked out by a suddenly sprang-off steel wire while observing a machine. “
“Then, the day before that, regarding the heavy artillery process technician we were seeking—by the time we tracked down a few of the old masters, we found that one of them had just hung himself not long before. “
Yang Zicang silently listened while flipping through the technical archives selected for preservation in his hands.
Unlike the brief index provided by the Free Confederation of Carinthia, this piece of paper detailed breakthroughs in blood bank technology, outlining its contributions to the short-term preservation and standardized application of blood in both warfare and medical transfusion.
It also briefly described the method for preparing the required sodium organic acid salt to initially prevent blood coagulation.
“The preparatory committee is currently struggling; some people who initially agreed to participate have already fled. “
The young man continued turning the pages in his hands.
It contained a collection of diagrams with similar shapes but densely packed with variations in data and dimensions.
Flipping through page after page, Yang Zicang felt as if he were perusing an epitome of a bygone era.
“Without the help of the Fogfolk, I think our preparatory committee can only sham in some unsuccessful work results before the general meeting convenes. “
Yang Zicang looked at Leonhard, who was standing far behind him.
The scene at the hospital involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
“Why does it have to be me? ” Yang Zicang turned to look at the person beside him.
“Don’t we have other Fogfolk to invest? There are no more than fifty countries worldwide, and only about twenty genuinely capable of building a committee. “
Before the old gentleman could speak, a palace guard who should not have been present in such a setting spoke up beside him:
“The world is in chaos everywhere, and many Fog People no longer choose to cross the continent to return to us in the East. Securing investment protection from the Fog People is very difficult. “
In Yang Zicang’s mind emerged the figures of those people within the Grand Duchy who were entangled with him, including the discomfort he felt inside due to a certain lady’s approach and subsequent withdrawal, as well as information about a hotel leak at sea.
There might be other reasons for calling him back.
-｛Distributor May Valkyrie is paying close attention to my current life experience with an investigative mindset.｝
Yang Zicang, holding the thick documents in his hands, also thought about Stephanie’s side, where there should be preparations for a larger-scale Scientific Vein.
“Sir, I wonder if the state of your world has ever encountered such a situation. Is there a need for someone to step forward and hold up all these things that are on the verge of extinction? “
Yang Zicang’s finger turning the pages paused slightly.
Bai Yuan turned to look. The bespectacled man outside the car, who had spoken those words while holding a pen and making notes, hesitated as if to speak but then said:
“I’m sorry, it’s just a professional habit I’ve developed from working as a journalist. “
Fragments of names from past memories flashed by, from ancient times to the present—countless famous ones along with many blurred names, and the symbolic monuments and statues.
“Yes, it will. I don’t even know their names. “
Yang Zicang smiled lightly, rotated his arm holding the document, and fake-offering it placed before the old gentleman like a courteous handover gesture.
The council member responsible for the preparation of the scientific heritage looked uneasily into the gentle gaze of the White Violet Hero.
“Just like last time. “
｛I extracted the Heroic Flash: The One Who Breaks Through Fate’s Barriers.｝
It was as if countless ethereal images flickered before his eyes.
“What did you say? ” Wolfgang Clausner had just begun to ponder the meaning when his attention was caught by a faint glimmer before him.
It was as if the world he saw had suddenly turned cool and clear.
The corner of the paper before him stirred lightly in the breeze, making a rustling sound long unnoticed by him.
｛I am beginning to make hedging investments against reverse possibilities in the future, in order to connect all the same hopes.｝
Then everyone saw that on the fingertip of the White Violet Hero, a cross-shaped starlight seemed to glitter and flicker.
A few seconds passed before everyone present realized they had involuntarily held their breath.
｛I invested in the Scientific Vein operations of the Grand Duchy of Herz-Holzburg in the future.｝
｛The historical cataloging of “The Heroic Flash: The One Who Breaks Through Fate’s Barriers ” begins to overwrite toward future anchor points.｝
“Your Scientific Preparation Committee should be able to proceed smoothly. “
After Yang Zicang finished speaking, the guard instinctively closed the car door before realizing what he had done.
“Let’s go. ” Bai Yuan said impatiently to the driver.
“Whoa, whoa! ” The man driving obediently started the car. After moving forward a short distance, the people in the back only then suddenly realized that the strange radiance from just now was likely what the Fogfolk called their “investment.“
The councilman in charge of scientific heritage clutched a file, stepped forward, and ran after the car in surprise.
“Sir Hero! “
People behind started running, chasing after the car as they shouted.
“Should we stop, sir? ” The driver glanced at the rearview mirror.
“No need. Just keep going. “
Setting aside all worries and calculations, Yang Zicang closed his eyes and leaned back comfortably in his chair. Suddenly, he realized that the spiritual pattern in his mind had faded another notch.
It had already absorbed twenty percent. Could it really be just because he had imitated a state of mind?
……
The sun rose and set.
In the night, Yang Zicang, dressed in a long coat, descended from the airship, his leather shoes stepping onto the cold, solemn territory of the Stephen Empire.
Dereiano, shouldering a three-finger-wide longsword and wearing a knitted coat, followed closely behind him down the rope ladder and stood at his side. Then came Zorro, Ang Jins and Commissioner Matiu, along with the few members of the Motave research team who hadn’t returned home in years.
Finally, Hailikoni disembarked from the airship, dressed in a tight black coat. Also present was a thin woman with small freckles on her face, named Jennifer, a diplomatic delegate from the Hevinsock delegation.
These two were the main leading figures of this diplomatic mission, and Yang Zicang served as the civilian representative of the “World Ark International Relief Committee ” within the team.
Feeling the chill in the air here, Yang Zicang nodded to the woman who had just descended beside him.
This was the plan for the visiting delegation formulated by Haili Koni, after hearing Motaf’s account, combining it with what she knew about Yang Zicang, and contacting Ambassador Kynes to confirm more details.
Haili Koni, acting as the special representative of the Special Command for Homeland Defense and Technological Heritage of the Kingdom of Heivenzike—currently the most prestigious nation in the international arena—led the delegation on a scientific and cultural exchange visit to the Empire of the Steffen Lion, a country that had previously been isolated and even subject to a high-level information blockade.
This was already considered a major diplomatic event on the international stage.
Therefore, even though the delegation was not large in diplomatic scale, the caliber of its members clearly demonstrated how highly the Kingdom of Heivenzike regarded Steffen.
For the Steffen people, this semi-voluntary visit also preserved their face.
……
With the arrival of this group, within certain ancient noble estates, high-standard residences in planned communities, and official mansions in Keruun, the capital of Steffen, many vehicles began to frequently stop at the gates, carrying this news to the leading figures of various departments.
“The ambassador has finally managed to invite that Fogfolk. “
“It seems Heivenzike truly values this man, willing to assist him on a semi-official basis to come to our Keruun. “
This was the scene at the home of the President of the Keruun Academy of Military Science after he learned the news.
Sitting in a chair with a thin velvet blanket draped over his legs, Haimasen listened to the report from the student with a short crew cut and a high nose bridge standing before him.
“The experts on the preparatory committee will surely be invigorated. They’ve had enough hardship lately. “
Haimasen sneered dismissively: “Nothing ever goes smoothly. These scientists are far too superstitious about the curse of the era. It seems the Science Department hasn’t done enough to publicize the concepts and guiding principles of the Prime Minister’s speech. “
The student ignored the Academy President’s sarcastic remark, which he dared to say only within these walls, and calmly asked:
“Teacher, if Yang Buchen of the Fogfolk directly enters the core of the committee, would that be detrimental to advancing the preservation of our technical catalog? “
“He won’t enter the core of the preparatory committee. “
The Academy President calmly lit a cigarette, turned his head, and gazed at the city’s nightscape outside the window.
“Why? ” the student with the crew cut said, somewhat puzzled by Haimasen’s calm demeanor.
“Because we don’t really need him much around here anymore. “
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