Chapter 293: Church's Journey, Lin Hao's Gratitude
"A bunch of fools!"
In an underground cave unknown to anyone.
Upside-down conical stones were everywhere, with hooded figures crawling and kneeling on the ground.
"We barely managed to create a diversion, letting those useless members of the Snake Spirit Sect attract attention."
"And now, you tell me that traces might have been exposed?"
A figure standing in the center of the cave scolded coldly. The face under the hood was vaguely discernible as a woman's.
The black robe bore the design of a black raven spreading its wings, her tall nose and eyes emitted two red glows, her extraordinarily fair skin and facial features indicating she wasn't of the Red Country's race.
"Yes, Master Wanderer."
"Goma and the others might have only encountered an accident. I'm certain that no one knows our true location yet."
The hooded envoy on the ground trembled as he spoke, causing the hooded woman who spoke earlier to squint her eyes.
"So what?"
"You should know very well that I hate explanations."
As her words fell, the envoy suddenly widened his eyes.
An eerie green phosphorus fire appeared out of nowhere, setting him ablaze. Soon, all that remained were shrill screams endlessly echoing.
The hooded figures all trembled on the ground. To the naked eye, the Fourth Rank middle-level envoy's body vanished without a trace, leaving only scant residue and ashes.
"Don't let this happen again."
"Now leave."
The hooded woman said coldly, and they nodded repeatedly, retreating quickly as if granted amnesty.
The entire cave was left with only her until at last, a black bat silently flew past.
.....
"After going down, I'll have Peng Gang allocate some personnel to return to Nanjiang."
"Additionally, I'll inform the military to assist in the investigation."
In the Union Building, Chu Shihong spoke solemnly, not opposing Chen Feng's conjecture and suspicion.
The appearance of these churches was too abnormal, and he felt some urgency and pressure.
"Hmm, that's best."
Chen Feng nodded, although he didn't understand why these church people came to Nanjiang, it couldn't be for anything good.
Immediately, the two discussed the topic in detail for nearly ten minutes.
At the end, as Chen Feng was about to leave.
"Wait, there's another matter."
"Oh?"
"You know Yaoxing Academy, right?" Chu Shihong asked with a nonchalant smile.
"I know."
Chen Feng nodded.
It was the academy where Chen Yun was sent by the Nanjiang Research Institute for advanced studies, located in Yun Gang.
It was one of the few advanced academies in the Red Country, having multiple research projects on modification technology.
Moreover, he heard the academy was apparently planning to establish a branch in Nanjiang.
"Indeed, the martial arts path discovered in the north has caused quite a stir, receiving significant attention from above."
"Moreover, Martial Artists from the Holy Sect went to Red Capital Academy, conducting exchanges, showcasing, and proving some things."
Seeing Chen Feng's confusion, Chu Shihong laughingly explained.
"So, recently, various academies have added relevant martial arts research topics, even offering special martial arts courses."
"It's the same with Yaoxing Academy. They hope to contact you, possibly needing you to demonstrate special aspects of martial arts..."
Chen Feng frowned upon hearing this.
He disliked the feeling of being researched by others.
"Rest assured, it's not what you think."
"They're just recording some comparative data, like the destructive power, punching power, physical strength limit of martial arts, etc., as a reference for their subsequent martial arts courses or research projects."
Understanding Chen Feng's personality, Chu Shihong gently explained, finally adding a sentence.
"Moreover, they've also shown sincerity in their attitude by offering compensation."
"Two Advanced Life Potions, and I'm just passing the message. Whether you agree or not is up to you..."
"No problem."
Chen Feng nodded.
"I would gladly contribute something to the martial arts research in the Red Country."
Upon those words, the two exchanged looks.
One nodded with a gentle smile, and the other maintained an upright and resolute gaze.
Eventually, the talks concluded.
Chen Feng then left the building and boarded a car.
Along the way, the street display floated in mid-air, and the huge screen on the exterior wall broadcasted the news.
[Recently, our city's Joint Council, Councilman Xu Heng, in the suburb of our city was attacked by the Church of the Dead, currently confirmed to be deceased...]
[Councilman Xu Heng was twenty-five years old, born in Yun Gang, the only son of Xu Hai, the director of Jade Biotechnology, elected as councilman last month...]
[...]
"Quick action."
Chen Feng glanced at the news broadcast outside the window, people on the roadside paused to watch, looking surprised.
Some shook their heads, expressing condolences.
He opened his phone, browsing through related news notifications.
After a brief glance, he put it down, closing his eyes to rest until the vehicle stopped.
"Senior Brother, someone's waiting for you."
The driver said, and Chen Feng saw the figure waiting at the Martial Arts Hall entrance.
With neat short hair and wearing a combat uniform, the black crystal emblem on the left chest and the empty left sleeve were striking.
It was Zhao Meng from Black Crystal Group, carrying a square metal briefcase.
"Master Chen."
"Zhao Meng?"
Chen Feng got out of the car and walked closer, somewhat puzzled.
As he had already perceived what was inside the metal briefcase.
A piece of Dazzling-level Vajra, measuring over ten centimeters.
"Someone entrusted me to deliver this to you."
Zhao Meng said with a smile, and Chen Feng slightly hesitated.
In the next moment.
The other person took out a new black phone.
"The item has been delivered."
"Goodbye, Master Chen, take your time with it."
Zhao Meng smiled faintly, handed him the briefcase and the phone, and then turned to walk toward the group flying car waiting by the roadside.
Retracting his gaze, Chen Feng felt his phone vibrate, an unfamiliar number was calling.
Already having a guess, he chose to answer.
"Feng Zi, it's me."
The voice sounded, incredibly familiar.
Chen Feng smiled inexplicably and walked into the Martial Arts Hall.
"Is everything going smoothly?"
He could sense the exhaustion in the other person's voice.
Resolving Xu Heng, along with Zhong Yan, also met their end here.
Although the Church of the Dead was thrown out as a decoy, insightful people knew it must have something to do with the other party.
So, he knew Lin Hao had been running around a lot these days.
"Barely okay."
"Some uncles still have old sentiments. They didn't dare to bet before, but now seeing the signs, they have started to express something....."
From the flying device, Lin Hao said with a smile, Chen Feng heard and nodded lightly, roughly understanding.
Jade Biotechnology is not a united block, Xu Heng and his father Xu Hai also have enemies.
Otherwise, Lin Hao wouldn't have quietly grown back then, receiving support from the Yun Gang Black Market and step by step developing Tianhao Security.
"This matter is too big, I can't show up to find you."
"The things Zhao Meng brought are a token of my appreciation, please don't refuse."
Lin Hao genuinely said, not asking Chen Feng why he knew about his situation and appeared on time.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Feng did not refuse.
"Alright, I'll accept it on behalf of Green Demon and them."
He knew if he didn't accept it, Lin Hao would feel bad.
Moreover, he indeed needs a lot of Advanced Metal to nourish the growth of Steel Bones.
"Good."
"Additionally, could you also thank White Giant and them for me?"
Lin Hao added, in a gray suit, leaning back on the leather chair with a meaningful smile of gratitude.
Chen Feng heard and fell silent, knowing the other party might have already guessed about his relationship with Green Demon.
After all, when he escaped back to Nanjiang from the Southern Martial Arts Tournament, the other party had some guesses.
"Mhm."
Nodding in response, Chen Feng did not say more on the matter.
They chatted a few words idly, he learned the other party was on his way to Yun Gang.
A bit surprised, as such actions indeed pose some risk.
"The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish."
"The more it's like this, the less likely they are to make a move on me."
Lin Hao explained with a smile, and a few figures inside the flying device smiled upon hearing this.
The middle-aged man, Lu Jian, reading a magazine, Aunt Mei with short hair drinking coffee, carrying the briefcase.
Uncle Liu silently observing the scanning and alert systems of the flying device, occasionally personally handling some instruments.
Chen Feng grasped the meaning, knowing the other party was likely heading to the headquarters of Jade Biotechnology to take advantage of the situation and reclaim some things.
Moreover, he also guessed.
The other party was likely trying to help distract attention, minimizing others' suspicions.
Without further questioning the tacit understanding, he suddenly thought of the Church of the Dead matter.
"Isn't it a coincidence."
Upon inquiry, Lin Hao put down the coffee handed by Aunt Mei and recalled: "Xu Heng discovered traces of people from the Church of the Dead by chance near the new factory of Jade Biotechnology in the suburbs."
"Possibly planning to use it as closure, he sent people to annihilate that branch, hoping to use the remains as the final smoke screen for this matter."
"I also luckily learned of it, coincidentally, and used it along the way."
He explained in detail, Chen Feng felt relieved.
Indeed, it wasn't far from his previous guess.
He was about to hang up the phone.
But.
"Feng Zi."
Lin Hao's tone inexplicably grew more serious.
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
The words fell, silence lingered for a few seconds.
Until finally, with the sound of a beep from the disconnected call, the phone hung up.
Lin Hao smiled and put down the phone, glanced outside the window at Nanjiang Suburb below.
The newly constructed gray-black high walls, the increasingly prosperous future of the new city.
With a feeling of admiration, although going to Yun Gang next may bring quite a few troubles, he already saw a new vast land.
And recalling all the past experiences, from meeting at the Martial Arts Hall to today.
"In this lifetime, the most worthwhile...."
"Is having you as a brother."
....
Beep!
In the Quiet Room with tightly closed doors, Chen Feng stood there, putting down his phone.
"This guy...."
From weak to now, the help of Tianheng Society from outside, the assistance of Zhao Jianlong and Luo Hui.
On this journey, the two of them have supported each other through quite a lot.
Even several times Lin Hao disregarded the risk, helping him wipe away related traces.
So, if there's truly any gratitude, it's that both have something owed.
Click!
Then, shaking his head to put away the sigh,
The metal briefcase was set down by him, revealing the Dazzling-level Vajra inside.
He knew this was something Lin Hao must have paid a considerable price to obtain.
So.
Buzz!
Raising his hand to activate, Steel Bones sprang into action.
He absorbed all the Metal Essence without hesitation, watching the panel's constant prompts and the growth in Steel Bone Progress once again.
"Friends.... strength."
"I need to protect the stronger strength I seek in my heart."