Chapter 262: Backer, Jia Weiting

Chapter 262: Backer, Jia Weiting

Delivering supplies to the rebels?

Zhang Hengshan felt something rolling in his throat, wanting to speak, but unable to utter a single word.

They did indeed provide some living supplies to certain people in the west, but those were refugees!

Living was already extremely difficult for them, how could they possibly be rebels?!

Zhang Hengshan spoke softly, "Brother Zhang, we're from the same hometown. Is there a misunderstanding here? Where did this arrest warrant come from?"

The person in charge showed no emotion, "This arrest warrant was issued by the District 4 government. Don't resist, resistance will only lead to a bad end."

Zhang Hengshan's heart sank. Although the person had already become unfeeling, the implied meaning in those words was already quite strong.

He took a deep breath and said, "I need to make two phone calls!"

The person in charge impatiently said, "You can make those calls on the road. Take them all away!"

With a wave of his hand, the guards behind him, who had been eyeing them with malice, pounced and escorted all the accompanying employees, including Zhang Hengshan, into the temporary detention cabin.

The cabin was dark and cold, without even a light. After calming his employees with a few words, Zhang Hengshan began calling a few friends he knew in the government.

But without exception, their phones were either turned off or they refused to answer, plunging Zhang Hengshan into complete despair.

As expected, there was a big shot targeting them.

Zhang Hengshan's mind was in a daze, unable to understand who was targeting him.

Their Zhongshan Logistics was just a medium-sized logistics company, how could they possibly offend those big shots...

In the darkness, Zhang Hengshan's deputy moved closer and whispered, "Boss, the person earlier said our crime was delivering supplies to the rebels. Could it be that someone doesn't approve of us helping those refugees?"

Zhang Hengshan's heart suddenly stopped, then sank into an abyss without a bottom, unsure if it was for his own impending fate or that of others.

Those big shots... had they become so intolerant that they couldn't even allow this?

The atmosphere in the detention cabin became increasingly gloomy.

This daze lasted for over half an hour, and some employees were already saying goodbye to their families, feeling that this life-and-death situation was unpredictable. Sobbing could be heard, but no one blamed Zhang Hengshan.

Because they too had once been among those refugees.

Just then, the cabin door that held them captive was opened, and a ray of sunlight suddenly poured into the dark room from the door crack.

"Are you employees of Zhongshan Logistics?"

Someone stood with their back to the light at the door and spoke to them gently, "You can come out. The charges against you have been dropped."

Stepping out of the cabin, although only half an hour had passed, Zhang Hengshan felt like he had been through a lifetime, and the light was blinding.

The person who opened the door was a young officer, looking slender with a thin face, fine eyebrows, and long eyes. He appeared clean and fair, even with a hint of vulnerability, looking like an easy target no matter how you looked at him.

But not long after he walked over, the spaceport official who had left arrogantly earlier, looking embarrassed and flustered, rushed over.

"Your Majesty, we just received the order to drop the charges..." the person in charge said with a bitter voice.

The young officer glanced at the person in charge and smiled, "If I remember correctly, there should still be charges against you."

The person in charge's pupils suddenly shrank, and he quickly walked over, just like Zhang Hengshan earlier, and spoke softly, "Can we talk in private? I feel there's some misunderstanding here."

The young officer smiled, "I'm sorry, I'm on official duty."

He waved his hand, and soon several martial artists in military uniforms, expressionless, came over and escorted them into the dark cabin.

"Let me confirm, are you Zhang Hengshan of Zhongshan Logistics?" the young officer asked politely, looking at Zhang Hengshan.

"Yes... yes, I am Zhang Hengshan!" Zhang Hengshan shuddered.

The young officer took the initiative to come forward, shook his hand, and smiled, "The charges against you and Zhongshan Logistics have been dropped. You can leave. Moreover, the Federation is very grateful for what you have done in the west during this period. You and your company will receive commendations and support from the Federation."

Zhang Hengshan was stunned.

Within half an hour, they were first accused of serving the rebels, temporarily detained, then released, and even had someone representing the Federation officially express appreciation for their actions during this time...

What level of confrontation was hidden behind this half-hour?

Just thinking about it made him feel a chill.

It was as if two colossal beings were wrestling in the dark, and they were merely ants caught in the crossfire.

Zhang Hengshan took a deep breath and asked with a hint of hope, "May I ask... is the Federation going to step in to mediate the western conflict?"

The young officer nodded firmly, "Yes, but not to mediate, to quell the chaos!"

"Quell the chaos...?" Zhang Hengshan muttered.

Whose chaos?

The western part of the Federation?

Here, mountains surrounded the area, with various complex relationships... had the Federation officials finally decided to intervene?! Zhang Hengshan's heart raced.

He too was from the west, so he knew how difficult it was to make a living there. He had been earning a living by taking risks and even providing basic living supplies to refugees in certain areas by delivering goods to certain aristocratic families.

He bade farewell in a daze and boarded his own spaceship.

"Boss, should we still deliver this batch of supplies?"

His deputy hesitantly asked in a low voice beside him.

Zhang Hengshan snapped back to his senses and said, "Deliver! Of course, deliver! That person just helped us because we were helping others!"

"Full speed ahead! I want to deliver this news to Yan Yaotou and the others!"

Zhang Hengshan personally piloted the spaceship, fearing that something else might happen, like being told they were accused again...

They arrived at the wilderness of a planet at the fastest speed.

"Uncle Zhang!" A young girl stood in the distance, waving at them.

Zhang Hengshan was surprised to find that those who used to hide underground were now above ground, and they seemed to be...

Relocating?

Zhang Hengshan and the others approached and learned that the planet had already been "liberated" by the Federation's military.

The civilians here would have two choices: one was to go to the future urban area designated by the Federation on the planet, and the other was that young people under twenty years old would have the opportunity to leave the planet and study elsewhere.

"Uncle Zhang, I'm planning to go to the central region for my studies. I'm just one year away from stepping into the martial path." The young girl clenched her fist, her large eyes filled with determination.

Zhang Hengshan felt a sense of relief. He knew the girl's father, who was once one of the most brilliant talents in the Federation, but in the end, he died in a foreign land.

"By the way, Uncle Zhang, we met Ji Jingqiu earlier!" The girl suddenly shared this news with him excitedly.

"Ji Jingqiu?" Zhang Hengshan was a little stunned.

If he remembered correctly, the internet had been abuzz with news about this person recently.

Some said that he could resist the Heaven People as soon as he entered the Heart Image, and there were rumors that he was also Commander Mu's heir, which was why he personally entered the situation, traveling in the western part of the Federation...

Zhang Hengshan suddenly thought that the reason this planet had achieved "liberation" might be related to Ji Jingqiu?

...

Chengxin brushed her messy hair, and the city lights flickered at the edge of her vision, appearing somewhat hazy.

The nights on this planet were a bit chilly, and she gently exhaled, forming white mist.

"No problem, everything is arranged on the ship. Just sign here."

A middle-aged, robust man approached and handed her a confirmation slip.

Chengxin held the pen and asked, "Where will they be sent?"

The burly man sent by the Xingchen Group smiled and said, "These children will be sent to the charity organizations under the company's name. Basic education is not a problem, but how far they can go depends on themselves."

Chengxin nodded; this was already a good outcome for those children.

"Did you see Ji Jingqiu in the west earlier?" The burly man suddenly asked in a gossipy whisper, "What's he like in person? Some people online say he's very humble, while others say that as a martial artist, his talent is so overwhelming that it can't be concealed. Ordinary people find it difficult to even look at him directly when they meet offline!"

Chengxin signed her name and handed the slip back to the burly man, feeling a bit distracted as she looked up.

That was already a week ago, wasn't it?

Chengxin didn't know what had happened after that, but it seemed that this city, and even the entire planet, had suddenly become "peaceful."

A large number of people from the Federation had flooded into this planet, and some had even contacted her, asking if Ji Jingqiu had said anything to her...

"The issue with these children is resolved. Where are you heading next? Are you going to continue moving forward?" The burly man asked casually.

"Mhm." Chengxin smiled, "I plan to keep traveling."

"Then be careful and avoid the red-marked areas on the map." The burly man said solemnly, "The Federation government has officially announced that it will resolve the western conflict. It's expected that certain places will be more chaotic than before, but as long as we endure this period, the storm will pass, and the sky will clear."

Chengxin nodded, thanking him for his concern.

The burly man suddenly sighed, "Even if I say this, you're still going to go, right?"

Chengxin pursed her lips and smiled without saying a word.

In fact, those who came to find her also promised that if she needed anything, she could contact them, and the official side would provide her with priority protection at any time.

Chengxin was well aware that whether it was the Xingchen Group or the official's preferential treatment, the more chaotic the place, the more people like her would be needed, right?

The night breeze brushed past her cheeks and then blew towards the distance.

She glanced sideways, following the direction of the wind, and her vision became hazy, as if her mind was wandering beyond the physical world.

Having come this far, Chengxin understood that this world was too vast, and many people and things were beyond their control.

Just like the direction of the wind, the grass would bend accordingly, and most people, including them, were like wild grass swaying in the wind, unable to decide their own fate.

But Chengxin believed that there must be some people who were like towering peaks and majestic mountains that even the fierce wind couldn't shake.

And those who relied on these towering peaks and majestic mountains, even if they were walking on a dark path, would still feel at ease.

...

...

An immense pressure rose from the horizon, sweeping and spreading like a storm, instantly engulfing most of the planet and continuously emitting a profound and deep pressure akin to the sea.

"Ji Shizhi, are you here to seek guidance or to reason with our Xiya Xiao Family?"

A dignified middle-aged man stood in the void, with leaden clouds beneath his feet, surging like a tidal wave. Within the roiling clouds, a faint silhouette of a dragon with a double-winged Dharmakaya emerged.

The dragon soared, and the cloud sea gathered, as thunder roared. A bolt of lightning tore through the cloud sea, as if about to open up a path in the void.

Opposing him was a vast and boundless aura, like the descent of heavenly will, occupying half of the planet in a confrontational stance.

The two sides' realms collided violently, shaking the heavens and the earth. In some places on the planet, people looked up in panic, but they could only see the shadow of the double-winged dragon Dharmakaya casting a vast and overwhelming shadow.

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The two realms clashed and entangled in an instant, tearing apart the tranquil void.

"Truly...the younger generation is awe-inspiring."

Xiao Tianhe from the Xiao Family sighed. He couldn't suppress Ji Jingqiu in the realm's battle, which was simply inconceivable.

"You've already overwhelmed four Heaven People along the way, and you're still not satisfied? Could it be that you really want to be completely hostile to the various families in our west?"

"Ji Shizhi, is this worth it?"

The Xiya Xiao Family, an ancient family that could be traced back to the planet's era ten thousand years ago, still had two Heaven People in the clan, even though the strongest member had left the Federation. One of them had entered the Second Stage, and this person was Xiao Tianhe himself.

"Today, we're not here to reason, only to determine who's superior." Ji Jingqiu stood in the air, speaking calmly.

"Good, let's determine who's superior! It's a pity, Ji Shizhi, if it were another occasion, I would be more than happy to share a few drinks with you."

Even the Xiao Family's Heaven Person couldn't help but be moved by Ji Jingqiu's demeanor, which was like the sun rising from the water, vibrant and rising, while also containing a domineering aura that swept away everything.

Such a demeanor was worthy of the title of the Federation's top talent. He couldn't help but sigh, and then his expression turned cold.

Ji Jingqiu had come to disrupt the "territories" of the numerous western families. They could either bow their heads or resist; there was no third option.

Ji Jingqiu looked up, and the leaden clouds in the sky were reflected in his pupils, deep and mysterious like a dark pond.

In the Xiao Family's realm, the dazzling divine lights stood tall in the void, falling like a curtain.

These were the "factions" of the west.

They were like tigers accustomed to authority, containing calmness, power, and influence, but at the same time, they also emitted the stench of new and old illnesses.

Even from a distance, Ji Jingqiu could smell the putrid stench of decay.

They were old.

Ji Jingqiu took a step forward and replied, "Our paths differ, so we cannot be allies!"

The heavens shook violently!

An overwhelming aura rose into the sky, spanning mountains and seas, and in an instant, the cloud-filled sky was torn open, revealing the heavenly light.

The two dojos clashed fiercely!

The land trembled, and even the rivers and mountains quaked! At this moment, not to mention the heart-image shackles of the Xiao family, but even the other celestial warriors were shocked, never expecting that Ji Jingqiu could hold his own against his clan uncle using only his dojo.

No...

Ji Jingqiu seemed to have the upper hand!

...

...

Federation Capital.

"Currently, the First Military Department, the Third Military Department, the Security Bureau, the War Command Department, and some experts from the civilian sector have all been dispatched to the west."

"How is the situation on the Celestial Path?"

"The front line is stable, but more and more warriors are returning, and a large number of them are flooding into the west. In terms of stability, this is not a good thing. I suggest opening up the 'Nine Provinces' quota and letting these restless fellows go and make their mark in the Nine Provinces."

Federation President Liu Zhong nodded slightly, "This suggestion is feasible. We can discuss and establish a charter after the fact."

Someone suddenly spoke up, "The Tai Su Palace and the Ten Thousand Warriors Association have also started to return. The Ten Thousand Warriors Association has even contacted us, proposing to allow some of the warriors who have made contributions on the Celestial Path to enter the official system and continue to serve the Federation."

Liu Zhong furrowed his brows.

This request was reasonable, but knowing the nature of the Ten Thousand Warriors Association over the years, he was reluctant to agree easily.

"Let's put it aside for now and discuss it later," he said in a deep voice.

"Understood."

"What's the situation with the Abyss?" Liu Zhong asked the elderly director of the Religious Administration Bureau.

The old director, usually laid-back, now focused and said, "The Divine Kingdoms of the Twelve Divine Lords are still shrinking. This offensive is not only from the Four Demons but also from the turmoil within the Heart Ocean itself."

"What did the Divine Lords say?"

The old director smiled bitterly, "The Divine Lords didn't even bother to respond. They are paying attention to the situation in the west. They only said that this is the destined fate, and we should prepare for the Heart Disaster. They have upheld the Federation's barrier for thousands of years, and its collapse is inevitable."

The old director shook his head and said, "The Divine Lords' attention to Ji Jingqiu far surpasses that of the Abyss."

Liu Zhong frowned and said, "Is the previous proposal still valid? Can we build a new defense system for the Abyss with the Supreme Buddha's 'Eternal Joy and Purity' as the core?"

The old director replied in a deep voice, "It's difficult. The Supreme Buddha's condition is extremely poor. Even if it can be resolved, with the Supreme Buddha's status, it cannot protect all of the Federation's territories!"

The Supreme Buddha, a deity, even with unique divine abilities, cannot compare to the Four Divine Sovereigns and the Twelve Divine Lords combined.

"What is the attitude of the Divine Lords?"

"They haven't given a direct response."

"Then... what about Ji Jingqiu's divine abilities?" Liu Zhong paused, "Wasn't it said that Ji Jingqiu's innate divine talent can suppress the Heart Ocean's invasion? Can he not resist the Heart Ocean's encroachment?"

"The fog is just one form of the Heart Ocean's invasion and cannot represent the whole picture," the old director said with a furrowed brow. "We have already tested several Heart Disasters that can bypass this divine ability of his."

Liu Zhong rubbed his temples and sighed, "Can anyone bring us some good news? For example, how far has our Venerable One's heir pushed in the west?"

"Is Ji Jingqiu really the heir to Mu Shuai?" someone in the room couldn't help but ask.

"This news has been confirmed by the Mu family. He is not only the heir to He Shuai but has also cultivated the 'Flame Mansion Buddhist Hell Meditation Diagram,' becoming the de facto heir to Mu Shuai."

"No wonder Grandmaster Mu is so supportive of him..."

Someone murmured.

"The latest report from the west is that Ji Jingqiu has 'conquered five cities in a week,' consecutively subduing five thousand-year-old martial arts families! Even Xiao Tianhe from the Xiao family was defeated by him yesterday."

"As of now, he has fought his way through the West District 5 and is about to reach the most chaotic West District 6."

Someone sighed, "With a divine armament leading the way, unless there's a celestial warrior with a top-tier demigod armament, who can stop him? His unstoppable momentum has been established."

Liu Zhong suddenly proposed, "Should we consider bestowing the title of Marshal upon Ji Jingqiu?"

For a moment, the leaders of various departments hesitated.

The Federation had never bestowed the title of Marshal upon a heart-image warrior before. Of course, this wasn't the most important issue. The most crucial factor was that Ji Jingqiu had never held an official position.

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate?" someone asked tactfully, "It's not a question of whether Ji Jingqiu is qualified or not. But we have no 'reason' to bestow the title of Marshal upon him. We can't just give him the title of Marshal out of the blue."

"But isn't the western pacification a good excuse?"

"He may not even care about this honorary title now. Do we need to assign an army group to his command?"

Someone shook their head, "He is at a crucial point in his martial arts cultivation and should not be distracted. Instead of assigning an army group to him, it's better to provide him with two celestial guardians."

Someone spoke up, "Where does he need celestial guardians... Right now, the Mu family treats him as a half-ancestor, and that's not an exaggeration."

The group discussed in low voices, and in the end, they realized that there wasn't much more they could offer Ji Jingqiu.

Liu Zhong smiled nonchalantly, "Then let's put this proposal on hold for now. I just had a sudden idea that if the Federation could have another 'Ji Shuai' in the future... it would be something worth looking forward to."

The group was startled.

...

...

Li Family.

Li Yinghai's expression turned grim as he said, "You want me to send Jia Weiting from the Divine Might Corporation to the East 3 Star? Why me?!"

"Because you had dealings with Ji Jingqiu in the past," the Li family elder said calmly. "You don't need to feel burdened. This is our initial gesture of goodwill towards Ji Jingqiu, and we'll see how things develop from here."

Li Yinghai felt like he was about to black out, with an urge to vomit blood. In his mind, Ji Jingqiu's words seemed to echo.

'Brother Li, I'm waiting for the day when you bring Professor Jia to me.'

A prophecy fulfilled!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end