novelhk Page 109
Page 109
"I have seen two small sects with hundreds of years of history fight to the death in one night over a fragmented manual that is of dubious authenticity and is said to have been passed down from the Thirty-Six Thieves. Their lineage was severed."
"I have also seen some old grudges formed during the Jia Shen Rebellion ferment more than ten years later, eventually leading to a series of massacres that even alarmed the government in the mortal world."
Zhao Fangxu listened in silence. Although he had not witnessed these things firsthand, he had heard about them.
In the archives handled by the Tianjin Gate Guard, similar files had already piled up like mountains.
"These are just small-scale operations."
Zhang Yunyuan changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious.
"What's even more terrifying is that some extraordinary individuals who were lucky enough to grasp some of the basics of the 'Eight Extraordinary Skills' or related technologies during that great chaos did not die, but instead survived quietly like rats underground."
"They knew very well that they couldn't keep this secret, which could lead to their deaths, on their own. So they started forming cliques and sticking together for mutual support, creating secret organizations of varying sizes."
Zhao Fangxu's breathing became somewhat rapid without him realizing it.
He had a vague feeling that he was touching a massive, unprecedented iceberg hidden beneath the surface of the water.
"These organizations are becoming increasingly secretive and ruthless in their methods."
No longer content with small-scale operations, they began to systematically and deliberately extend their reach into ordinary society.
"They either support armed forces in the mortal world, providing them with superhuman abilities in exchange for money and protection;
They might secretly kidnap and experiment on others, attempting to unlock the secrets of 'power' from ordinary people or even those with supernatural abilities.
Zhang Yunyuan's gaze returned to Zhao Fangxu's face.
"Today's 'Pandora' black market is the best proof of this."
"Foreign forces, genetic mapping... these things have long since gone beyond the scope of traditional gangland feuds."
Their threat to ordinary society and to the safety of the entire nation is far greater than that of a mere street brawl.
Fine beads of cold sweat had already seeped from Zhao Fangxu's forehead.
Every word Zhang Yunyuan spoke was like a sharp scalpel, precisely dissecting the deepest, most untouchable festering sore in his heart.
Over the years, he has been stationed in Tianjin, ostensibly handling disputes between people from different backgrounds.
But behind the scenes, we are increasingly dealing with these kinds of heinous cases that are deeply intertwined with foreign forces and ordinary society.
He kept feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
At this moment, thanks to Zhang Yunyuan's guidance, all the clues were finally pieced together into a clear and shocking line.
"Traditional sect autonomy, relying on chivalrous code and moral constraints, is no longer able to cope with this new, more covert, and more destructive chaotic situation."
Zhang Yunyuan's voice, like a morning bell and evening drum, echoed in the quiet study.
"The world of superhumans needs a new order."
"A powerful force that can stand above all other sects, unifying intelligence, management, and law enforcement."
"Otherwise, the disaster in Tianjin today will be the calamity of China tomorrow."
He paused slightly, looked intently at Zhao Fangxu, and then changed the subject, asking:
"Does Boss Zhao know that decades ago, ten members of the Tang Clan left Sichuan to ambush the Biheren outside Mianshan Mountain? Only one out of ten survived and died a heroic death."
Afterwards, the Tang Clan fought with Bihe Ren for several years, almost wiping out the entire lineage of an entire generation.
Behind this incident lies the story of a patriotic businessman who spent his entire fortune to entrust the Tang Clan with a large sum of money to handle the matter.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fangxu's expression turned solemn, his eyes revealing respect and remembrance, and he said in a deep voice:
“I know what you’re talking about, Master. That wise and righteous merchant was my grandfather.”
On Zhang Yunyuan's usually placid face, his brow twitched almost imperceptibly, revealing a complex and indescribable emotion.
He paused for a moment, his voice lowering slightly:
"I have also heard that after the battle of Toutian Cave, your grandfather was subjected to a vicious revenge attack by Japanese assailants in Tianjin, and was assassinated several times..."
I wonder if he was alright afterward?
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fangxu's face instantly turned sorrowful. He took a deep breath, unable to hide his grief:
"I dare not hide it from you, Master... Not long after the defeat of Japan, my grandfather suffered a relapse of his old injuries and fell ill from grief and anger... He unfortunately passed away... It has been several decades since then."
A brief silence fell over the study, the air thick with a heavy sense of remembrance.
After a long silence, Zhang Yunyuan spoke slowly, his tone calm, yet seemingly containing a thunderclap:
"I was also present at the battle outside Mianshan Mountain."
Zhao Fangxu suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with disbelief!
Zhang Yunyuan continued, his voice not loud, but every word carrying immense weight:
"In the end, the Japanese freak who wielded the demon sword and committed the most killings, Eita Nikaido... was personally killed by me."
"what?!"
Zhao Fangxu was so shocked he almost stood up, his voice trembling:
"It's...it's you, Daoist Master?! We...we always thought he died from the desperate counterattack of some brave warrior from the Tang Clan...this matter had become an unsolved mystery! So that's how it is!"
Zhang Yunyuan waved his hand lightly, as if he had only done a trivial matter:
"It doesn't matter who killed them. What matters is that all those who died at the foot of Mianshan Mountain that day were upright and honorable heroes!"
Including your grandfather, who was also a hero with his country and family in his heart!
"Back then, I was moved by Boss Zhao's sincerity and the heroic spirit of the Tang Clan's warriors, which is why I decided to go alone to do my part."
His gaze returned to Zhao Fangxu, and his tone became meaningful:
"Now it seems that everything is due to fate."
That is why I am helping you today.
After this battle, you will definitely hold more weight in the eyes of your superiors, and your influence will be greater than before.
The time is ripe to promote the establishment of a 'unified management body'.
"You take care of yourself."
Zhang Yunyuan stood up. "I may come to you again to discuss the follow-up matters."
He stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
A damp night breeze blew in, ruffling his simple Taoist robe and messing up his disguised gray hair.
"Mr. Zhao, you are a smart man and a responsible man."
"I have said all I can say. You may decide your own course of action."
Chapter 126 A Sudden Enlightenment: The Initial Form of the All-Encompassing System
Zhang Yunyuan's words were like a bolt of lightning piercing the heavens and the earth, forcefully cleaving through all the fog in Zhao Fangxu's mind.
Above all sects...
Unified management...
These words echoed repeatedly in his mind, colliding and merging intensely with what he had seen, heard, thought, and felt in Tianjin over the years, and finally, they exploded!
He suddenly stood up from his chair, so excited that he knocked over the coffee table next to him, spilling tea all over the floor without even noticing.
His eyes blazed with an unprecedented, almost fanatical light, his breathing became rapid, and his chest heaved violently.
He finally figured it out!
The problem that he had been pondering for so long but could never find a solution to, now had an answer!
What he needs is more than a department that passively handles cases involving supernatural individuals.
What he wants to build is a super agency that covers the whole country and integrates intelligence gathering, personnel management, task assignment, law enforcement and arrest, and even logistics support, scientific and technological research and development, and foreign exchanges...
A behemoth that can bring all the powers of the superhumans under the control of the state, weeding out the bad and retaining the good, promoting the good and punishing the evil, uniting against external forces and maintaining stability internally!
This organization needs top-notch intelligence analysis experts, the most powerful superhuman experts, the most advanced technological equipment, and even its own economic resources and logistical system!
It aims to be like an invisible net, covering the entire land of China, leaving no place for those with ill intentions to hide!
It must be like a sturdy dam, firmly blocking all threats from abroad from entering the country!
It should be like a warm harbor, providing a safe haven for those who are willing to serve the country and have a sense of justice!
"It connects to everything..."
Zhao Fangxu muttered to himself unconsciously.
We govern the heavens and the earth, we govern people and affairs; wherever there are extraordinary people, there we are.
The concept of "accessible everywhere" was officially born at this moment!
Having figured this out, Zhao Fangxu could no longer sit still.
He bowed deeply to Zhang Yunyuan once again, this time with heartfelt respect for a wise mentor.
"A single conversation with the Taoist master is worth more than ten years of study! Fang Xu, I have learned a great deal!"
He immediately spread out paper and pen to write down this grand and clear idea in his mind.
The night is still very long.
He knew that what he was about to write might change the future of the entire Chinese supernatural world.
Having fulfilled his mission as a "pusher," Zhang Yunyuan looked at the man before him who had found his own path and felt a surge of emotion.
He knew that his appearance would bring forward the birth of the "All-in-One" organization by at least a decade.
Perhaps this is also a consequence I must bear for coming into this world.
He bid farewell to Zhao Fangxu.
"Why is the Taoist priest in such a hurry to leave?"
Zhao Fangxu snapped out of his excitement and quickly tried to persuade him to stay.
"You have done Tianjin a great service, and I have yet to repay even a fraction of your kindness..."
Zhang Yunyuan smiled and shook his head.