Ark, they don't revolve around you

"Is it Marquis Pingsui?" Zhuang Ning said before he could.

Zhongyue was not surprised why he knew this, and nodded and replied, "Yes."

Pingsonghou's residence had several ancient trees planted. I didn't know what species they were, but they were at least a hundred years old. An old man set up a chessboard under the tree, and a boy sat opposite him, sitting upright and looking a little afraid of the old man.

This is Pingshou Hou’s son, Zuo Le. When Pingshou Hou dies in the future, he will inherit his father’s title. Although he was born in Rome, he chose to join the Simuitai and be a small candle holder.

Seeing the two people coming, Zuo Le hurriedly stood up and saluted. He also grew up in Yumen and had a sense of admiration and awe for the master.

What surprised Zhuang Ning was that Zuo Le actually bowed to him respectfully. It should be noted that although Rhodes Island had cooperation with the court, it was a temporary job without a contract. Zhuang Ning's position was still delicate in the eyes of an official.

"This is my personal salute to you, sir." Zuo Le said seriously, "Sir, half a year ago, you told the Grand Tutor about the abnormality of the current Great Yan. At that time, people mocked you for being ignorant, but now it seems that you are the only one in the Great Yan court who is sober."

Zhuang Ning roughly guessed what he was referring to. Half a year ago, he sent a secret letter to the tutor, which led to the whole process of performing in Yumen.

After Zuo Le finished his ceremony, he took out the scroll from the box. The scroll was wrapped with a golden ribbon, which was the highest level in Dayan’s messaging system.

"Just yesterday, the Shanhai Clan went out in full force and attacked eight locations in the heart of Da Yan. All they attacked were fragments of the Year." Zuo Le whispered, "Five of them were caught off guard and killed immediately. This incident completely shocked the court. After all, although the Shanhai Clan was rebellious, there has not been such a tragedy since the ringleader was executed."

"As you said, that person intends to wake up the Year Beast early." Zuo Le observed Zhuang Ning's expression.

Zhuang Ning was quite direct: "What did the Grand Master do?"

"The Grand Tutor has passed on His Majesty's order, ordering Yumen to immediately enter the heart of Dayan and inquire about the progress of the Shard." Zuo Le glanced at his father. "In addition, the Tianji Pavilion is also in a state of preparation for war. The Ministry of War, the Privy Council, and the generals have all ordered mobilization. We will never let the Shanhai Clan be so rampant."

Zhuang Ning nodded. After all, the Grand Tutor was the last pillar of Dayan. His quick reaction was impeccable. How could a powerful Duke be an ordinary person?

"What do you want to say to the Rhodes Island Master?"

Zuo Le hesitated for a while, then whispered, "Grandmaster just told me to wait."

This is ridiculous. Zhuang Ning predicted the enemy's actions half a year in advance, but was told to wait. There was neither reward nor order. It was obvious that he was afraid.

Zhuang Ning didn't think so. After all, a company is an outsider, and this is completely expected.

"Just stay on standby at Rhodes Island. The Grand Tutor told me that you can move freely, Doctor. Here are your pass and verification certificate." Zuo Le added, handing over a thin piece of metal with Zhuang Ning's information entered into it. It was equivalent to the highest level pass.

This was beyond Zhuang Ning's expectation: "Taifu is so generous?"

"The Grand Master asked me to tell you that Yan doesn't trust Rhodes Island, but he believes in you."

Do you believe me... Zhuang Ning smiled: "I will live up to my mission."

This is the effect of word of mouth. In the three and a half years since he woke up from the sarcophagus, although Zhuang Ning did not leave his own influence in various countries, the affairs of Rhodes Island had spread.

Especially Zhuang Ning’s own deeds, those in power all knew that he was a "flawless" person. After all, he supported Queen Victoria without asking for power, and saved Kazdel from war without pursuing more. Such a person is just like a pure "good guy".

This is an intangible asset. Because of the reputation guarantee, the Grand Tutor will give great trust to an outsider. It is not difficult to see Zhuang Ning's influence from Zuo Le's humble tone.

"Doctor." Pingsong Hou also edited, "This matter has nothing to do with you. I'm sorry to have you involved in the farce of Da Yan."

A sentence suddenly popped up in Zhuang Ning's mind.

He also wants to thank me...

In the end, except for his second brother who saw his true colors, everyone thought he was a good person, because Rhodes Island had been doing these resentful actions under his command for the past three and a half years.

Good, that's good... Zhuang Ning said sincerely: "This matter is not unrelated to me. Although Rhodes Island is small, it has cooperated with your dynasty after all. What's more, the Shanhai people have pointed their fangs at me. I have no choice but to fight back."

"Yes." Pingsong Hou sincerely said, "It is indeed a relief to have you here, but we must be careful, as the people in the mountains and seas have evil ambitions."

Is he testing my next move? This old man doesn’t seem that sincere… Zhuang Ning said calmly, “It is known that the Shanhai Clan is going to take action against the remaining ‘Them’.”

He paused for a moment and said quietly: "I intend to go south to meet Xi at Yumen. The reason why the Shanhai people were able to succeed is because their strategist defeated the Sui Pian one by one and gathered the remaining Sui Pian in one place. Even that person cannot easily succeed."

"Doctor, are you going to Jiangnan?" Zhongyue had been silent until now, and now he opened his mouth to speak, "To pick up Xi?"

"I only recognize Xi among the rest of the people." Zhuang Ning's voice revealed his worry. "Xi is a loner, I'm afraid it won't help if I go, but after all, Xi and I are good friends, so I have to keep her safe."

"But I heard from Nian that you burned Xi's paintings, and she no longer wants to see you."

Xi was a very unique girl. She painted as she pleased. She would burn her priceless paintings after she had finished drawing them, but she would not allow others to touch her paintings without permission.

"It was just a misunderstanding." Zhuang Ning shook his head. "Misunderstandings can always be resolved. Grandmaster, you have more than just Xi to protect. I'll leave the rest of the Sui Pian in your care."

This is how the two sides acted separately. Zhongyue finally nodded: "Take care, Doctor."

He also wrote an edited version at the end, but it was a thank you: "It is her luck to meet you this year."

Zhuang Ning returned to Rhodes Island. The office center was now very empty. In order to show his magnanimity, he generously asked the operators of Rhodes Island to obey the official dispatch of Dayan.

As for the attack on him last night, Zhuang Ning did not tell anyone else, and the only person who knew about it was Scout.

It seemed that the interrogation was over. After Zhuang Ning invaded their consciousness with the Lord of Evil, the assassins were on the verge of collapse, and they got the information they wanted without much effort.

"Doctor, this is the distribution of Shanhai Clan's strongholds, plans, and their personnel composition." Scout reported in an orderly manner. He did not sleep all night last night.

In return, they gained a lot. If they handed this information to the Grand Tutor, I'm afraid the Shanhai people would be gone soon, right?

"Have they all been uploaded to PRTs?" Zhuang Ning asked.

"Yes, and it has been encrypted. No one can view it unless you have permission." said the scout.

"Very good." Zhuang Ning lit up the reports and watched the white papers turn into ashes under the curling smoke.

Scout was stunned: "You won't tell the court officials?"

"The Shanhai Clan has infiltrated the imperial court quite deeply. Scout, you must remember that those who claim to be official and upright must not be trusted. Who knows if this will be discovered by the enemy?"

Zhuang Ning gave his own reasons, but he just didn't want the Shanhai people to disappear so quickly. Such a useful organization must of course continue to exist.

He pulled out the pistol hanging from his waist: "Where are those people being held?"

"The detention room on the ground floor."

"Take me with you." Zhuang Ning smiled slightly, "Let's get rid of them, and you can go and have a rest. You will be exhausted for a while."

Solitary room.

The muzzle of the gun spewed out fire and light, and each bullet killed a person. Even if someone begged for mercy and shouted that he could still be of use, Zhuang Ning seemed not to hear and kept pulling the trigger.

There were fifty-three people in total, and he slaughtered them all in less than ten minutes. It was truly cruel.

There was no other way. Zhuang Ning didn't want anyone to know they had been here, so he could only destroy the bodies. However, after killing them, he belatedly realized that he wanted to throw these guys into the incinerator.

Zhuang Ning's voice sounded more apologetic: "Scout, keep working hard. You can really rest after you finish this."

"I'm not that fragile, Doctor." The scout said, and obediently accompanied the Doctor to move the bodies.

This took another half an hour.

Watching the flames rise, Scout finally spoke out what he had been holding back: "Doctor, you can give these to me, and there will be less blood on your hands."

"I don't mind." Zhuang Ning shook his head. He looked radiant after killing so many people. "Besides, I am your commander, so I have to take some responsibility."

Scout felt that the doctor had changed again this time. He subconsciously revealed this and Zhuang Ning laughed out loud.

A soothing melody flowed in the crematorium, and he listened while watching the bodies disappear in the high temperature.

“I just find it so comforting to do good things.”

Zhuang Ning seemed to be talking to himself, "This is my heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror, and everything I do is justice."

Chapter 7 Sunset

"Sir, this is Huiqi Mountain."

Zhuang Ning nodded when he heard this, and looked up at the mountain shrouded in clouds and mist. It was cloudy and rainy. August is the rainy season in Gouwu, and the moisture in the air seems to stick to his body.

The last time he came here was a year ago. Zhuang Ning had a good memory and could even recall the weather at that time. It was just like today, surrounded by dark clouds, the sky and the earth were dim, and it seemed as if it would rain at any time.

At that time, Zhuang Ning was stimulated by Nian's words in Yumen, and felt a kind of world-weary fatigue in his heart. Thinking that the handover of the Shard in Rhodes Island was almost completed, he simply wanted to go on a trip.

He didn't call anyone, not even notifying the scout, and only brought the terminal and dry food.

Yandi was completely unfamiliar to him. The journey from Yumen to Gouwu was not short at all. Dayan was not his hometown, and traveling was not a safe thing. There were many bandits in the wilderness, so this was a very bold move.

But he was not so afraid of accidents. He had experienced more brutal wars, begging bandits, natural disasters, and even survival in the wilderness, so what could these things matter?

Maybe Zhuang Ning wanted to take someone with him at that time, but he couldn't say a word when looking at the operators. He only said one word to PRTs while packing his luggage.

The journey only took a month. After returning to Rhodes Island, no one except Kal'tsit and the scout who served as his guard noticed that he was gone. The shock made him feel more helpless than the fatigue of the journey.

On the other hand, this is a good thing. Even if he leaves for a short time, Rhodes Island can still function. This is a sign of the maturity of the organization.

But this also proved that the doctor himself was not that important. Most of the people related to him were not there, either on missions, or simply left Rhodes Island. He suddenly felt that it would not be so difficult to accept if he left for a longer time, or even disappeared completely.

Zhuang Ning wiped away that emotion and smiled. Rhode Island was just a place to rest, not a home. Wasn't his feeling pretentious? If he wrote it into a book, I'm afraid readers would scold him for being ignorant.

"Scout, you go to town and rest. I'll go find Xi alone." he said.

This time he was not here for tourism. Since his second brother had started to hunt down his kind, Xi was among them. Zhuang Ning represented not only Rhodes Island, but also a part of the Great Yan court. His mission was to protect Xi's safety.

The wolfish ambitions of the Shanhai people are obvious. They want to awaken the Sui beast by hunting all the Sui pieces. Zhuang Ning must take her to meet Chongyue.

He will do his best, and what happens along the way is none of his business.

Scout obviously didn't expect the doctor to ask him to act alone. He hesitated and said, "Doctor, I must be responsible for your safety."

"But you have to listen to me, right?" Zhuang Ning said softly, his eyes blinking, his voice gentle but absolute, his will not allow anyone to refuse, not even a scout.

But he smiled again: "Besides, Xi won't see you. She is autistic. When have you ever seen her appear in the corridor of Rhodes Island?"

Scout recalled and it was true. The girl named Xi was as obsessed with her territory as a tiger. Except for the Doctor and Nian, who were qualified to enter and exit her room, she would not allow anyone to approach.

Zhuang Ning pointed at the mountain and said, "Once you enter Huiqi Mountain, it will be her territory. Even if the Shanhai Clan invades, they will have to be careful. You can rest assured. I'll be fine."

He put on the heavy bag and waved to the guards and guides: "Come pick me up here tomorrow, and I will bring Xi with me then."

After saying that, he didn't look at the two people's eyes and walked towards the mountain path.

Huiqi Mountain is not steep and there is a road. The townspeople at the foot of the mountain all know that there lives a strange master of calligraphy and painting here.

From time to time, masters of calligraphy and painting, or some dignitaries would come here just to ask for a painting, but they usually returned empty-handed, and before leaving, they sighed that the painting of this immortal was not what we mortals deserve.

However, Zhuang Ning knew that this was just because the extremely autistic girl didn't like anyone disturbing her peace and comfort, so she deliberately used her paintings to make things difficult for others, and most people would give up.

She is just like that. People who don't understand her will think she is aloof, while people who do understand her will just secretly curse her as a narrow-minded social phobic.

Zhuang Ning and Xi also had a delicate relationship. The girl came to Rhode Island because of the New Year. In contrast to the former's talkativeness, she was completely unaware of the changes in the outside world. Her conversation habits still retained the style of the last century, and she didn't even know what a movie was.

In addition, she has an aloof personality, or as Zhuang Ning said, she is a little arrogant and a little spoiled, which makes her unpopular with others even worse, and few people can talk to her.

As for how the two of them could get closer, this was probably inevitable. Xi would occasionally talk to Zhuang Ning because, as a so-called doctor, she had a lot of power in Rhodes Island, and she had to ask Zhuang Ning for anything she wanted.

If it weren't for this reason, they shouldn't have socialized. Zhuang Ning was very busy, and Xi wouldn't communicate with someone who wrapped himself in black clothes all day long.