“While the Superpower Research Department does have Orirocks, we don’t have many, and we definitely would not sell them.
“In fact, some martial arts clans, martial arts schools with a long history or even certain governments possess Orirocks, but… their value are inestimable, and anyone getting their hands on one wouldn’t sell them.”
Jiang He did not get much from his conversation with Mu Wanqiu.
Still, he at least knew what that was now: a crystallization of pure Universal Force. Most importantly, it also contained Strength of the World, which was incredibly useful for the cultivation of rank-nine elites.
Buying it… would be difficult.
No one would sell such good stuff even if they had stock.
“It’s quite close to the spirit stones mentioned in novels, and the best ones at that.”
“Well… I might not be able to buy them now. I’ll have to ask around for locations of Secret Realms or heritage sites and see if I can get my hands on some.”
Jiang He breathed a long sigh. It seems that his priority now was to find Orirocks.
After seeing off Mu Wanqiu, Jiang He returned inside his mansion.
Sora had already prepared dinner. Two plates of stir-fried wood-ear over Feral beef was placed on the table, an alluring aroma wafting from them.
Even so, dinner was plain and dull.
The problem of Orirocks was troubling.
Still, after having his fill, Jiang He felt his head turning foggy.
“My body…”
He quickly closed his eyes to stretch his senses carefully over his body, and realized that his bones, muscles and blood had all improved a little, improving his overall physique.
One should note that when it comes to physique alone and Jiang He’s Indestructible Diamond, rank-nine martial artists—aside from those who underwent stress straining—were a class beneath him. In fact, most rank-seven grandmasters would not even scratch him even if he just stood there and allowed them to do as they wished.
And that physique had improved slightly again after two plates of stir-fried wood-ear over beef. Despite the improvement being tiny, it was quite horrific already.
“Mutated black wood-ear…
“A supplement for iron?”
Jiang He studied the mutated black-wood ear again, and could not help coming to a realization.
It feels like the ‘iron’ mentioned there meant something else. It was not the iron that helped anemia, but… a steeling of the body, strengthening it.
***
Meanwhile.
An off-road vehicle was slowly driving towards Lingzhou City.
The chauffeur, a rank-six martial artist has a rather strong aura.
Seated on the black seat was a middle-aged man wearing black training clothes, and appeared around forty years old. He had withdrawn his aura, and felt no different from a normal person.
He was leaning sideways, his eyes closed as he slept soundly with a loud snore.
In fact, it was deafening.
The chauffeur grinned. Still, he was used to the VIP’s snores, although it would be awkward if someone heard him.
“Mister Zhou, we’ve arrived at Lingzhou City.” The chauffeur called out then.
The middle-aged man opened his groggy eyes to look outside.
“We’ve just reached. We hadn’t reached the Martial Arts Department (MAD), did we? I’ll sleep a bit more, just wake me up when we arrived there… Zzz~~~”
The chauffeur chuckled bitterly, and soon reached the MAD of Lingzhou City.
He was about to wake Mister Zhou when he noticed that the snores had stopped. He then turned to find that he was sitting cross-legged, his back straightened and appearing imposing with that black training uniform and his hair that was oily bright.
After all, the deputy of the strongest authority of the MAD ought to have some stature.
Noticing his chauffeur’s blank look, Zhou Ning flatly asked, “What are you spacing out for?”
Coming to his senses, the chauffeur quickly got off the car and opened the door for him, saying respectfully, “Mister Zhou, if you please.”
Nearby, Duan Tianhe, Cheng Dongfeng, Chen Jingzhou and other core personnel of the Lingzhou City’s MAD welcomed him.
Chen Jingzhou laughed heartily. “Old Zhou!”
“Commander Chen!”
Since the rank-nines in the country were few, they were all basically acquainted. Moreover, since Chen Jingzhou was a military elite while Zhou Yu was a MAD elite, they certainly knew each other.
“Welcome, Deputy Zhou, for overseeing the work in this branch.”
Duan Tianhe walked up to shake hands with Zhou Yu, who smiled. “You have done fine work lately, Chief Duan. My hands are sore from collecting reports from this city back at Jingdu.”
“Thanks to your fine instruction, Deputy Zhou.”
“Even Minister Wang mentioned that you’re a prodigy, Duan Tianhe. But don’t forget to say a few nice things about me.”
Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng’s mouth twitched.
Why are those two flattering each other? He was weirded out from the politics in their words, and so promptly said, “Did Minister Wang really praise Old Duan, Deputy Zhou? I can’t believe it…”
Zhou Yu laughed and said, “Minister Wang’s own words were: That bastard Duan Tianhe’s has a plain disposition and average martial arts talent, but he is quite serious about his work, and most importantly he has luck on his side.”
A chorus of laughter broke out then as Duan Tianhe’s face turned green.
Still, such words really sounded like Minister Wang, and he was right when one thought about it.
With so many storms plaguing Lingzhou City recently, it would have fallen long ago if Jiang He didn’t suddenly pop up. Even Duan Tianhe had received commendations from headquarters, benefiting from Jiang He’s accomplishments.
That being said, Duan Tianhe’s competence was not to be doubted. Although most of the nearby towns and villages around Lingzhou City had not been evacuated, everything was being carried out without a hitch. Outside the city, the high-voltage fences were already constructed, and the MAD’s Warrior Assessment Policy, mission policy and scouting of martial artists or Awakened amongst civilians was accomplished perfectly.
After a few exchanges, Zhou Yu then turned to Cheng Dongfeng and barked, “Cheng Dongfeng, you brat. What are you doing here? Staying here permanently after doing some work?”
“Weren’t things quite difficult here at Lingzhou City a while ago?”
Cheng Dongfeng scratched the back of his head.
On paper, he was attached to MAD headquarters.
Moreover, Zhou Yu also kept his rebuke to a single line, before adding, “Minister Wang said that you don’t have to go back if you don’t want to. Stay here and support Duan Tianhe, and he’ll also appoint you as vice chief of Lingzhou City’s MAD.”
Cheng Dongfeng scowled. “Vice or not, you put it as if I’m beneath Old Duan. I don’t need that title—just increase my salary and work benefits.”
“By the way, I’ve ascended and become a rank-seven grandmaster already. Didn’t the MAD put out a policy that grants grandmasters free housing? I don’t even have a property to my name…”
How much does a house even cost?
All a grandmaster would have to do was kill a few Ferals.
Still, everyone understood since it was Cheng Dongfeng talking. He’s not called the gold-digger for nothing!
Hence, the group chatted as they walked, and Zhou Yu only spoke seriously when they reached Duan Tianhe’s office. “Actually, the main reason I’ve come is to meet Jiang He. Minister Wang is very interested in the kid, so tell him to meet me, Chief Duan.”
Duan Tianhe immediately stepped out of the room and dialed Jiang He’s number.
Beside them, Cheng Dongfeng was taken aback, and was about say something but stopped himself.
Telling Jiang He to meet you?
From what he knew about the kid’s attitude… if you provoked him, you might not get to meet him even if you visited him personally.
And just as expected…
A minute later, Duan Tianhe returned inside with an awkward smile. “Deputy Zhou, it seems that nobody is answering Jiang He’s phone. Should I try contacting him tomorrow?”
Pfft!
Cheng Dongfeng almost could not hold back his laughter.
Nobody answering?
No way I’m buying that.
Jiang He directly shot back ‘no’ and hung up, didn’t he?
***
Over on the third floor of Jiang He’s mansion.
He was lying down on his side beside the eighty-squared meters pool, which he now pretty much used as a bathtub.
Lowering his phone, he was at a loss for words.
Who was that?
He did not hear clearly, but the guy actually demanded that he go to meet him, acting all high and mighty.
Who do you think you are!?
