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Chapter 365: Chapter 362: Swap Out
South Heavenly Gate Project Team.
At this moment, at the most central communication console, a man in his early thirties had just finished communicating with the other party.
Not far from him stood Lan Yuntian, the person in charge of the South Heavenly Gate project team; Li Xingzhou; Qiu Yuyu, the sociologist; and Zhao Shanhe, the head of the Defense Bureau.
As for Xie Yusheng, who was originally responsible for communicating with the "Qian Star person," he was waiting in another room, seemingly unaware of what had just occurred here.
"That ’Qian Star person’ made his demand, hoping to acquire repulsion shield technology and laser cannon technology from us. Since this was our first attempt at communicating with him through a different person, I did not propose any trade terms."
With a slight smile, the man said, "Overall, the communication was completed to perfection; the ’Qian Star person’ showed no emotional or attitudinal changes due to the switch in our liaison, continuing as usual."
"This is consistent with the conclusions drawn by our Qian Star social structure research team. Just like how many of our own people can’t distinguish the facial differences of foreigners, Qian Star people are also unable to differentiate the person exchanging information with them. Furthermore, since we have never actually met face-to-face and only communicated via voice, the so-called familiarity and relationship-building is utterly groundless," Qiu Yuyu said with a smile.
"That’s a relief."
Although Li Xingzhou still looked cold, he did not say anything further.
"The information I have allows better communication with this Qian Star visitor. Even if professional jargon is involved in the communication, I can respond immediately. Additionally, with several doctoral titles in sociology and psychology, I can better guide him during our conversations to obtain technology that meets our demands and satisfies us more," explained the man, sensing the discontent hidden in Li Xingzhou’s heart.
Li Xingzhou didn’t reply and instead turned and left the room.
Once outside, he walked down the corridor, glanced at Xie Yusheng in the opposite room who was kept in the dark just in case, and with a twinge of guilt, looked away.
But he had not walked far when Bai Xiangyang, also part of the South Heavenly Gate project team, approached him. Glancing towards the communication console, he frowned and said, "Old Li, what’s the backstory of this Zhao Qilin kid who replaced Xiao Xie to take over the communication with the Qian Star person? That’s one of the most crucial positions in our South Heavenly Gate project team..."
"Yes, the most important position in the South Heavenly Gate project team, and also the easiest position to achieve results. If the Qian Star person releases just one or two pieces of advanced technology, it could promote him to higher office..."
Li Xingzhou took a look at Zhao Qilin, who was chatting with Lan Yuntian and Zhao Shanhe at the communication console, then glanced at the oblivious Xie Yusheng. "Just like this youngster, who in a few short years, ascended from an obscure nobody to a Level 7 public officer."
A Level 7 public officer, although still unable to obtain noble status or enter the Noble Council to become a true high-ranking member of the kingdom, had a significant status...
It wouldn’t be a problem for them to serve as a deputy mayor in some small cities.
In a kingdom where power far outweighs wealth, such status and office are priceless even to a billionaire.
To be precise, being able to govern, even as a deputy, makes amassing a fortune of billions an effortless task.
Even a Level 8 public officer could easily ruin a company worth over a billion.
"So, this Zhao Qilin, is he here to pad his resume?"
"The son of Zhao Changhong, the Cabinet Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Level 2 official, what do you think?"
"General Zhao!?"
Bai Xiangyang’s eyes widened.
Though not yet a Level 1 official, General Zhao was only fifty-five years old this year.
He was exceptionally young in the political arena.
And his background was shockingly substantial.
Vice-Chairman of the Noble Council and Duke Rong, Zhao Tianfeng.
The Central Earth Kingdom is a monarchy.
The Noble Council has authority over the Cabinet.
More precisely, the Cabinet is formed under the instruction of the Noble Council.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter much whether they are Level 1 or Level 2 officials to those deeply rooted nobles.
The core power and resources of the kingdom have always been in the hands of the Noble Council.
Within the Noble Council, aside from the king who oversees military and political affairs and also serves as the chairman, the highest statuses are held by three dukes and one founding viscount.
Standing behind Zhao Qilin is his father, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhao Changhong, and behind Zhao Changhong is Duke Rong, Zhao Tianfeng.
No wonder they can interfere with plans such as the South Heavenly Gate project team.
They’re paving the way for Zhao Qilin.
If it weren’t for the critical role of the project team leader, the scion of the Zhao family could have replaced not just Xie Yusheng, who is a core member but otherwise unimportant, but directly parachuted in as team leader.
Or at least as a deputy leader.
In other words, they’ve already shown considerable respect to them.
"As long as you’re aware. Don’t talk too much about it. In the following months, he will continue handling the communication with that ’Qian Star person.’ Unless there’s an accident, this is pretty much settled," Li Xingzhou sighed.
Bai Xiangyang glanced at Xie Yusheng in the other room, who appeared completely unaware.
And said nothing more.
Even if Xie Yusheng was replaced and gradually excluded from the core of the South Heavenly Gate project team, his status as a Level 7 Public Officer was already enough to place him above countless others, so he suffered no loss.
In the future, once the South Heavenly Gate project team decrypts the information, he could be reassigned, possibly as the deputy head or even the head of a provincial meteorological station or observatory.
"Alright, the laser cannons and repulsion shields represent the most cutting-edge technology from Xie Yusheng’s South Heavenly Gate Chronicles that he has provided us. We’ve had the data on these technologies prepared and packaged for a while now. Next, we will send it over. After we dispatch it, Xie Yusheng’s South Heavenly Gate Chronicles can rightfully be sealed upon completion."
Li Xingzhou said, "Hasn’t he always wanted enough time to perfect his South Heavenly Gate Chronicles? Just as he steps down from the core team and before the project team has decrypted the information, he can devote himself to studying his game. Who knows, maybe one day it can indeed be released."
Bai Xiangyang nodded, not adding anything more.
...
Gu Jinlai was unaware of the events transpiring on Blue Star.
Having requested the transfer of laser cannon and repulsion shield technologies from Blue Star, he had made haste to Mu State with the greatest speed.
Upon arriving in Mu State and setting the Qiantian Purple Qi Technique into motion, his observations of Lucky Qi became even clearer.
Wherever his gaze settled, the overwhelming Lucky Qi truly seemed like the weight of Mount Tai, intent on completely swallowing Southern Mu State, East and West Mu State, and even Beimu State that bordered Blue State.
Especially...
Very strong!
The Demonic Qi emanating from the Three Thousand Marshes was potent!
This energy was more than double the strength of the Qi to the south of Tianhe!
And when battling the Mu State Demons, the strength of their own Qi was more than triple that of the Mu State Demons.
...
"Lucky Qi does not determine everything, at the very least, the boost that war spiritual artifacts bring to Lucky Qi is not as significant as imagined. More often, Lucky Qi depends on people’s confidence in battle and leans towards idealism."
This was what Gu Jinlai pondered in his heart.
He arrived at the command center with Zhou Yi and Zhang Lihuo.
Without waiting for the various Primordial Spirit True Monarchs and Demon God Warriors present, or those connected via the Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirror, to speak, he directly said, "First, organize a full retreat. For the time being, abandon Southern Mu State! The demons from Three Thousand Marshes are predominantly amphibious. They’ll need some time to adapt to Mu State’s environment, which gives us an opportunity."
"Yes."
Voices of agreement came through the Thousand-mile Light and Shadow Mirror.
Among them, Fang Linghai of Cold Moon Palace suggested, "Hall Master, to the south of Mu State lies the expansive Three Thousand Marshes stretching for tens of thousands of miles. But beyond the marshes is a renowned human sanctuary—the Cangshan Mountain Sacred Land! We could send envoys to join forces with the Cangshan Mountain Sacred Land, catching the demons in a pincer move from both sides to counter them."
"Cangshan Mountain Sacred Land? That power is not one to be taken lightly."
Lu Zhanxian frowned, "When the Infinite Sacred Land perished, Cangshan Mountain Sacred Land, fearing the might of Qiantian, came forth to establish relations. But due to the Three Thousand Marshes lying between both sides, and considering at that time Emperor Qian thought that Daqian had suddenly expanded three to four times in size and needed time to assimilate, he chose to peacefully coexist with the Cangshan Mountain Sacred Land. However, a hundred years ago during Qiantian’s major disturbances, they sent several powerful beings to probe us... Of course, at that time, the Abyss Lord hadn’t vanished and Master Wushi’s afterglow remained. Upon learning that a few earthly True Immortals with divine weapons had nearly shattered Sun State in their battle, they immediately retreated... Contacting them now, it’d be terrible if they ended up kicking us while we’re down."
Hearing what Lu Zhanxian said, Fang Linghai opened his mouth as if to say something.
But in the end, he was unable to refute.
Seeing this, Gu Jinlai spoke gravely, "I will consider whether to contact Cangshan Mountain Sacred Land. As for now... what about the detailed information on Three Thousand Marshes?"
"The intelligence is outdated by more than a decade. In all these years, the power of the Three Thousand Marshes’ demons must have expanded a lot, so it’s not of much reference value."
Fang Linghai said.
Cold Moon Palace was the force closest to the Three Thousand Marshes, but due to Mu State’s presence in between, there had been almost no communication.
They were not able to produce any effective intelligence, not to mention other forces.
"Without intelligence, then we must probe by ourselves! It’s a great chance to test our new weapons!"
Gu Jinlai declared.
Zhang Lihuo knew what these new weapons Gu Jinlai spoke of were.
In reality, they weren’t very high-tech.
It was merely high energy explosives refined from traditional gunpowder, incorporating artifact refining techniques from the Heavenly Master.
According to Gu Jinlai, they were called aerial bombs.
Out of the eight Mystic Bird fighting machines acquired over the past few months, two had been transformed into early warning aircraft, two into manned craft.
And another two had been converted into bombers.
"Even though the demons in Three Thousand Marshes are primarily amphibious, caution is still necessary regarding Demon King Level demon birds."
Zhang Lihuo said, "Supreme Elder, it’s better to first ascertain the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses before bombing them."
"I understand."
Gu Jinlai nodded.
He then used the True Spirit Manifestation Method to split into four True Spirits, piloted two aerial combat fighters, and two bomber-type fighters, soaring into the skies and heading straight for Southern Mu State.
