Chapter 315
Chapter 315
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 315
>Chapter Title: The Matter
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Chapter 315: The Matter
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> Hearing Tuoba Danqing say this, Li Huowang’s spirits immediately lifted. All the effort he’d put in before to join the Bureau of Surveillance—what was it for if not to gain their trust and obtain intelligence on North Wind?
>
> Since the pillow had been delivered right to his head, how could he not lean on it? “Oh? Brother Tuoba, what’s happened this time?”
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> A slip of paper was handed to Li Huowang. It recorded events that had taken place in a county town within Great Liang.
>
> As he read the bizarre acts listed above, Li Huowang’s brows gradually furrowed. “This sort of thing... could it be the Sitting and Forgetting Dao?”
>
> The moment he thought that, Red Zhong beside him couldn’t sit still any longer. With a face full of disdain, he said, “Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean Sitting and Forgetting Dao? Which line on this paper even touches on the Sitting and Forgetting Dao?”
>
> “So anything that goes wrong is the Sitting and Forgetting Dao’s fault, huh? Why don’t you just say that the once-every-few-decades natural disasters are their doing too!”
>
> Li Huowang ignored him and quickly scanned it before pocketing the slip of paper. He immediately turned to Tuoba Danqing and said, “Don’t worry, Brother Tuoba. Leave this matter to me! Since I’ve joined the Bureau of Surveillance, and they need me, I naturally have no choice but to step up!”
>
> Seeing how readily Li Huowang agreed, a peculiar glint appeared in Tuoba Danqing’s eyes. “Brother Er, so straightforward? You’re not even asking about the reward? Heh heh heh, aren’t you afraid I’ll shortchange your lifespan?”
>
> “Of course not. I trust you, Brother Tuoba. And for the sake of our Bureau of Surveillance, what’s a little reward?”
>
> Hearing these lofty words from Li Huowang, Tuoba Danqing held his wine cup and looked at him with a half-smile.
>
> “Clink.” He set the wine cup down on the table. “To put it bluntly, we couldn’t care less what that old emperor is called. We joined the Bureau of Surveillance just to make a living and have a backer.”
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> “Brother Er, I truly treat you like my own brother, but your reason for joining the Bureau of Surveillance seems different from ours, doesn’t it?”
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> With those words, the previously relaxed atmosphere instantly grew tense.
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> “Watch what you say. You agreed too quickly—he’s getting suspicious.” Red Zhong chimed in helpfully from the side.
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> The drunken Li Huowang quickly sobered up. He knew he had to answer correctly now. One wrong step, and this Bureau of Surveillance connection might snap!
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> Various images flashed through Li Huowang’s mind before freezing on a book. “The Deceit Sutra!”
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> “Why did I join the Bureau of Surveillance?” As he spoke, Li Huowang’s breathing grew rapid, his eyes brimming with hatred and killing intent. “To deal with the Sitting and Forgetting Dao!”
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> “They deceived me! Deceived everyone in that Cross Temple of the Aojing Sect! In the end, they got everyone killed except me.”
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> “I hate them! I heard the Bureau of Surveillance deals with the Sitting and Forgetting Dao, so I joined! As long as the Sitting and Forgetting Dao isn’t eradicated, my heart won’t know peace!”
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> With that, Li Huowang crushed the ceramic wine cup in his hand.
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> Though the reason was fake, the hatred was absolutely real.
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> Seeing Li Huowang’s intense reaction, Tuoba Danqing sighed and set down his wine cup. “So that’s how it is. I heard about that incident in Si Qi. Who would’ve thought it involved Brother Er Jiu.”
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> “Sigh, Brother, I’ve made you recall unhappy memories. Brother was wrong. I’ll punish myself with three cups.” With that, Tuoba Danqing raised his wine cup and downed it in one go.
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> After three cups, the drunken Tuoba Danqing returned. “Brother, rest assured. Since you’re at odds with the Sitting and Forgetting Dao, Brother will look out for you. From now on, any Sitting and Forgetting Dao matters go to you first. Here’s to you avenging yourself soon!”
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> Li Huowang wasn’t just acting this scene to pass muster. He had other goals.
>
> Leaning forward slightly, his expression agitated, he asked, “Brother Tuoba, I’ve heard there are secrets about the Sitting and Forgetting Dao within the Bureau that outsiders can’t know. Now that I’m in the Bureau of Surveillance, might I take a look?”
>
> This was Li Huowang’s true aim. If he could strike while the iron was hot and get it today, that would be ideal.
>
> At those words, Tuoba Danqing’s face showed a hint of difficulty. “Aiya, Brother Er, I know you have a blood feud with the Sitting and Forgetting Dao, but that’s top-secret, heavenly-grade stuff. You’re just a gui-rank pawn right now. Even if Brother gives you face, you’d need to be at least a geng banner yourself.”
>
> “So, as long as I reach geng banner rank in the Bureau of Surveillance, I can access all the secrets on the Sitting and Forgetting Dao?”
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> “Of course. The Ministry of Rites has records of every clash with the Sitting and Forgetting Dao over the past millennium. They guard them so tightly, afraid those lunatics might come alter them or burn them down.”
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> Li Huowang nodded firmly, his eyes resolute. In this moment, he had his goal: rise to geng banner in the Bureau of Surveillance as quickly as possible and obtain all information on the Sitting and Forgetting Dao.
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> After running the information through his mind once more, Li Huowang asked again, “May I ask, Brother Tuoba, how are promotions within the Bureau calculated?”
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> Tuoba Danqing picked up a piece of tender chicken and popped it into his mouth, chuckling. “Knew you’d ask that, Brother Er. I know you want revenge, but you have to eat one bite at a time. Don’t rush.”
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> “Promotions in the Bureau of Surveillance are all personally approved by the Bureau Director, the master of the Registrar.”
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> “Generally speaking, they keep track of every task you take and every job you complete. When they think you’re ready, they’ll bump you up a notch.”
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> “Oh, and don’t think promotions are tied to strength. Unless you’ve risked your life for the Bureau, no matter how strong you are, you’ll stay a lowly gui-rank pawn.”
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> “It’s fast at first, slower later. You did well last time. Keep it up, and in half a year at most, you’ll hit ren squad.”
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> “Sigh, don’t underestimate these step-by-step climbs! Different token, different status, different perks from the Bureau. Plenty join not just for the pay.”
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> “Half a year?” Li Huowang couldn’t wait half a year. Ren squad in half a year—who knew how long until geng banner.
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> “Brother Tuoba, half a year is too long. Is there a faster way? Even with less pay—it’s fine. Until the Sitting and Forgetting Dao is gone, my heart won’t rest!”
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> “Mm.” Tuoba Danqing pondered, cradling his wine cup.
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> “Alright, I’ll make an exception this once. There’s a tricky matter here that was mine. Solve it, and I’ll put in a good word with the Registrar. Should get you to ren squad.”
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> At that, a subtle smile crept onto Tuoba Danqing’s face. “When you get back, kid, I’ll show you the perks of a higher status!”
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> His goal achieved, Li Huowang smiled and lowered his wine cup slightly to clink against the other’s. “Thanks for looking out, Brother Tuoba. To you!”
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> With the talking done, the wine was quickly finished. Two incense sticks later, Tuoba Danqing staggered to his feet and headed outside.
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> “Alright~ Remember to go early. I’ve given you the address—don’t miss the time. Oh, and that Blind Chen is squatting in the City God Temple in Yinling City waiting for you. If you want to return that mirror, go find him yourself.”
>
> (End of chapter)