In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 186 Bloody Disaster

Hunyuan.

Inside the Taoist temple, Lu Zhao recounted his plan to manage the central and southern regions to his master.

He was observing the changes in the old Taoist priest's expression.

My master has mentioned many times that he has no ability to interfere with reality, but he can still bring in a giant beast.

From then on, Lu Zhao understood that his master was a complete liar. He looked like a wise and dignified immortal, but he could lie without batting an eye.

So far, the other party has not done anything to harm him, so Lu Zhao is still only in the stage of suspicion.

He would still do his best to carry out the tasks assigned by the old Taoist priest.

Upon hearing about the plan to develop the Indochina Peninsula, the old Taoist priest remained calm and said indifferently, "I don't know much about how the new dynasty's government operates, but the principle remains the same: the relocation of industry to the interior and the development of the Indochina Peninsula are mutually exclusive."

“If we want to manage the central and southern regions, then Nankaido should maintain its existing industrial strength, rather than relocating it.”

Lu Zhao's thoughts raced, and he immediately understood his master's unspoken meaning.

The strategy of expanding outwards in central and southern China was aimed at opposing the relocation of industries inland.

However, the two do not seem to be strongly connected, and even if external expansion replaces industrial relocation, it will only be temporary.

The situation is dynamic; development and change are the main trends. Political infighting is not a defensive tactic, and the federation is not a den of bandits.

The Chen faction wants to sabotage the plan to relocate industries inland, and then shift its focus to developing the Indochina Peninsula. Whether it succeeds or not is another matter.

As long as short-term interests are not harmed, everything is worthwhile.

Lu Zhao recounted his thoughts, and the old Taoist shook his head, saying, "You're only half right. If you ask me, Chen couldn't possibly crush Liu. Liu represents the central government and holds sway over the entire situation."

"But Liu can't be completely successful; authority is the greatest authority. Even if Chen and Liu are not equal in strength, there is still room for maneuver."

"In the end, most of the industrial relocation will be completed, and then the focus will shift to developing the central and southern regions."

Lu Zhaoru saw the light after the clouds had parted, realizing that the situation in Cangwu and the struggle between the Chen and Liu factions were not yet clear.

After his master explained it that way, he roughly understood.

He asked, "So the struggle between the two factions isn't about who stops whom, but about how much of a foundation the Chen faction can retain, and then recover through external expansion?"

"Ruzi can be taught."

The old Taoist priest nodded slightly and said, "Just like when the Jiajing Emperor cleared out the estates of meritorious officials, it wasn't that as soon as an imperial edict was issued, all those officials would obediently hand over their land."

"The thing that those in power should avoid most is thinking that power is unlimited and the system is invincible. How much benefit one can gain depends entirely on how much pressure one exerts."

"Remember, it's squeezing."

Lu Zhao understood and said, "This disciple has learned a lot."

From just one example of the strategist in the south, my master was able to glimpse the overall political situation and main contradictions in Cangwu.

As expected, this kind of thing still needs to be done by a master; trying to figure it out on your own would take forever.

The old Taoist priest changed the subject, saying, "And here is our opportunity. The Water Beast Cave is the biggest obstacle to conquering the Central and Southern regions. As long as we release a little bait, that Marquis Chen will be eager to bite."

"Once the behemoth is dead, the conquest of Central and Southern China can be put on the agenda."

Lu Zhao said, "Master, I am one of Liu Wuhou's men."

"In principle, the Federation doesn't have factions, and he didn't even tell you this information. Are you thinking of serving someone else's food before you've even sat down at the table?"

The old Taoist priest smiled, completely disbelieving his disciple's nonsense.

The man who could proclaim that he would control the world was not loyal to the emperor.

He said, “You can’t be part of Liu’s faction forever, and his political assets won’t be entirely given to you, but the Five Elements Elixir is necessary.”

“My disciple, you are now stuck on your own mental hurdle. Success or failure now depends on you.”

His calm voice echoed, as if it could strike the heart directly.

Lu Zhao took a few short breaths, said nothing, but already knew the answer in his heart.

For the country, developing the southwest is better than relocating industries inland.

One is to seek externally, and the other is to optimize internally.

Any contradiction that can be transferred externally is definitely better than one that can be optimized internally.

He personally also needs the Five Elements Elixir.

Moreover, even if the Five Elements Beasts die, it will at most only allow the Chen faction to preserve its foundation to the greatest extent possible, and the industrial relocation will still proceed.

If it weren't a secret, even if Liu Wuhou were told, he would still choose to kill the giant beast.

Because the stakes are so high, once the threat of the Water Beast Cave disappears, the South China Sea will become the only region that is close to the Ancient God Circle.

Lu Zhao said, "Master, I want to kill the Five Elements Beasts, but I don't want to aid the enemy. What do you think I should do?"

The old Taoist priest pondered for a moment and said, "Killing one is good, but killing five is bad. If the Water Beast Cave is completely destroyed, even a local official like him won't gain much benefit."

"And don't underestimate these people who have been working their way up in the court for many years. If two more giants die, they will try to seize control of the central and southern regions."

Lu Zhao took a deep breath, made up his mind, and asked, "Master, what should I do next?"

The old Taoist priest shook his head: "You don't need to do anything, just observe. I will let you make your move at the right time."

"By the way, what stage have you reached in your dragon energy cultivation?"

Lu Zhao replied, "I refine it with my life force every day, and I feel a growing fire in my chest. I don't know exactly how far it will go."

This ancient method of cultivation is not as intuitive as life development, which can calculate vitality through blood energy.

"Let me take a look at it for you."

The old Taoist priest extended his index finger and lightly touched Lu Zhao's chest, drawing out a fiery red aura.

The thickness and length of the index finger.

"It doesn't seem like enough; it'll probably take two months."

Lu Zhao asked, "Master, it's really good that this Dragon Qi Body Enhancement can guarantee my advancement to the fifth rank, but does it have any other functions?"

"Of course it does; the fire within the heart has a very important function."

The old Taoist priest smiled and said, "It can protect you from fire, and you will receive corresponding Five Elements defenses at each stage."

Lu Zhao's heart raced slightly as he asked, "What level exactly can it reach?"

If one is immune to the five elements, wouldn't that make one invincible?

In terms of the total number of supernatural powers, those related to the Five Elements are the most numerous, and many other categories of supernatural powers are also related to the Five Elements. Take fire as an example; if it increases the tolerance to temperature, it can reduce the damage from an explosion to some extent.

"As your life force increases, the unity of the five elements will result in a flawless body. At that time, I will teach you a method to further refine it, so that you can be immune to water and fire, and unharmed by the five poisons."

The old Taoist priest presented Lu Zhao with a broad and promising road, much like drawing a picture of a cake.

It seems that one doesn't need to sacrifice conscience or pay a price; everything is readily available.

“Cultivating both body and mind is a way to achieve balance. Go back and cultivate diligently.”

"Yes."

Lu Zhao turned and left.

Just as Secretary Liu and Marquis Liu would not discuss with him the relocation of industries and the management of the central and southern regions, his master would not discuss with him what other options were available besides killing the giant beast.

These things were never a choice for him.

He knew very well that he was powerless to break free.

The old Taoist priest closed his eyes slightly, and all the complicated information eventually turned into countless invisible threads, gathering at his fingertips.

The ways of the world remain unchanged throughout history, and the new dynasty is only slightly different from the Ming dynasty, but in essence, they are the same.

Killing the water beast was simple; he had a backup plan to lure the giant beast up, and a lone giant beast could easily be surrounded and killed.

Monsters that can run are troublesome; those that can't run are just sitting ducks.

He slowly got up and left the Taoist temple, walking silently to the small stone pond.

His reflection was mirrored in a clear spring.

The pursuit of power is nothing more than a means to gather all the things in the world in order to seek immortality.

Even after becoming an immortal, it is nothing more than an even grander cultivation journey.
-

July 1th, eight o'clock in the morning.

Two official buses arrived at the Cadre Academy early to pick up Lu Zhao and others and take them to Tuen Mun Island.

Inside the vehicle, Lu Zhao was half-reclined on the aviation seat. This vehicle was of a high standard and was usually used by officers of the rank of command when they went to local areas for inspections.

However, considering that there is a county-level official in the same class who is preparing to be promoted to the provincial-level official, it is reasonable.

The people present were no ordinary individuals; many had resumes no less impressive than Lu Zhao's.

Suddenly, someone poked him with their finger.

Turning her head, she saw Gu Yun and said, "Ah Zhao, your face looks dark today, it seems like you might have a bloody disaster. You should be careful."

Of all the people I've met this week, Gu Yun is the one I'm closest to. Firstly, they graduated from the same school and in the same year, so there's a natural sense of kinship. Secondly, Lu Zhao is handsome.

This is a very practical reason: men are naturally drawn to beautiful women. Especially in a small circle, where one is also an alumnus of the other person's school, there's a natural advantage.

Lu Zhao looked puzzled.

He began to suspect that the other person possessed a rare and extraordinary ability to interpret destiny.

This kind of supernatural power is extremely rare and also very unreasonable.

"How did you know, Gu?"

Gu Yun joked, "It's a state secret; someone of your level of superhuman ability can't know. If you want to know, we can try having a relationship with marriage in mind."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the car turned to look, and even the blind people perked up their ears.

In less than five days, he's already won over the only beauty in the whole class?
Gu Yun just looked a little sloppy.

Oversized white coat, messy hair, dark circles under his eyes, and a half-dead look in his eyes.

Even so, everyone still considers her a beauty, which shows that her facial features are not bad.

In addition, he has an intellectual air about him, and seems to know a little about everything and be able to answer any question.

Lu Zhao's expression remained unchanged; he was already used to it. He refused, saying, "Then I'm sorry, I already have a wife."

Gu Yun laughed and said, "Then forget it, I don't want to be a mistress."

She was simply attracted to him at first sight; it would be good if they could try to talk about it, but she wouldn't force it if it didn't work out.

It starts with looks, but once looks are over, character remains to be seen.

At this moment, Lu Zhao realized that Lin Xuemei seemed to be quite useful.

Food and sex are human nature, and this applies to both men and women. However, most normal people, once they know they have a partner, will not openly and persistently pursue them.

'But what is this bloody calamity I'm facing?'

At 11:00 a.m., we arrived at the heavily guarded Tuen Mun Island.

As far as the eye can see, it is a military stronghold, with fortifications, bomb craters, and scorched earth scattered along the long coastline.

The sound of artillery fire could still be heard in the distance, suggesting a localized battle was taking place.

The frontline commander on Tuen Mun Island had been waiting for a long time.

She hadn't originally planned to come, but after glancing at the list, she suddenly decided to come instead.

Before Lu Zhaoren even got out of the car, an unusually familiar sensation surged through his mind, but he quickly cut it off.

This is the result of his enlightenment; he has created a stone tablet, a spiritual palace, which can isolate him from the influence of his life essence.

But now Lu Zhao feels he desperately needs the ability to teleport.

No, if you're upright and have nothing to fear, why should you hide?
Outside, Li Dongxue shook hands with the old professor.

He then looked at one of the cars and asked, "Professor, is everyone here?"

"Done."

The old professor was halfway through his sentence when he noticed that two people were missing and asked, "Where are Lu Zhao and Gu Yun?"

At this moment, Gu Yun got out of the car and said, "Ah Zhao isn't feeling well..."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a chill run through her body, and her hair seemed to stand on end.

"What?"

Li Dongxue asked in a calm voice.

(End of this chapter)