I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 1092 Departure
Zhang Chen couldn't just abandon Bai Ziling and run away, could he?
"Don't worry, I'll be with you," Zhang Chen said to Bai Ziling, constantly comforting her.

"You don't need to comfort me. I'm just going back a few months later, it's not like I'm not going back at all." Bai Ziling rolled her eyes: "It's quite a unique feeling to be here in the northern frontier."

Looking at Bai Ziling's expression, Zhang Chen realized he had worried unnecessarily. Compared to the long prison sentence before, this was just a few more months in the North, and he didn't have to work. It was practically a vacation for relaxation.

Zhang Chen put the letter away, then turned to Liu, the warden, and asked, "Want to have a few drinks?"

"It's a joyous occasion, so it should be celebrated in this way," said Inspector Liu with a loud laugh.

京都
Inside a secluded courtyard, a beautiful woman in her thirties, dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, stood with a gloomy expression. Beside her were five men in their sixties, who also had gloomy expressions.

"We finally brought Wang Haipeng down, but unexpectedly, this old guy found a chance to make a comeback. He really is like a centipede that dies but doesn't fall down." A hint of murderous intent appeared on the young woman's beautiful face.

"The engine he brought out was simply too good. Compared with all existing machinery, it was a revolutionary piece of equipment. After seeing the data, the Chairman praised it highly. We didn't even have a chance to refute or find fault." One of the old men sighed helplessly, his voice full of resignation: "Heaven has not abandoned this villain! Now he has not only made a comeback, but has also taken a step further. We have already been overwhelmed by him."

The woman frowned, her voice filled with resentment: "Wasn't there even a chance to stop it?"

"That engine is so superior; it's definitely not something Wang Haipeng could have invented. We've known each other for over twenty years; don't we know his capabilities? If we can find the engine's creator and make him change his story and slander Wang Haipeng, saying he's a fraud and stole someone else's work, then Wang Haipeng's crimes will be compounded, and he might even face execution." Although the woman was beautiful and exuded a woman's charm, radiating an aura of wealth and power, the coldness in her eyes marred this beauty, making her appearance somewhat incongruous and awkward. If she were a 95-point beauty, then with that cold aura ruining her beauty, she could only score 90.

"Jiang Ru, it's thanks to young people like you that our minds are so sharp. We old folks are no match for you; our brains can't keep up with the times anymore," an old man praised and flattered.
"Who else but you deserves the position of the next president?" another old man flattered.

Several elderly men, old enough to be Jiang Ru's grandfathers, shamelessly praised her. Jiang Ru remained calm and showed no embarrassment. She smiled and responded to their flattery: "As long as I ascend to the position of President, I will surely repay you all and your families handsomely."

“Wang Haipeng produced the engine while he was serving his labor in the North. The engine must be related to the North. We should send someone to go there and ask him about it. We must get this done and kick Wang Haipeng into the abyss, making him fall into a place of no return.” Jiang Ru’s voice revealed a hint of coldness.

Shanghai Machinery Department

Inside the prince's office, the prince was looking at the map on the wall with a thoughtful expression.

"Your Highness!"

Suddenly the office door opened, and the guard Zhang Jun rushed in, a hint of panic in his eyes: "Something terrible has happened."

"What is it? Don't rush, speak slowly. The sky won't fall!" The prince's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, filled with a calming power.

"Jiang Ru and the others are planning to find the creator of the engine and are trying to take down Zhang Chen. Once Zhang Chen falls into their hands, the consequences will be unimaginable and will be a fatal blow to you." Zhang Jun's voice was full of anxiety.

Unexpectedly, after hearing Zhang Jun's words, the prince's eyes remained calm and indifferent: "I had already thought of this."

"Then why don't you hurry up and summon Zhang Chen to Shanghai?" Zhang Jun said.

Upon hearing this, Wang Gong shook his head: "You probably don't know, but Inspector Liu secretly reported to me that after the Minister of the Mysterious Division arrived at the Daxing Mountain Hunting Grounds, instead of dealing with the troubles in the mountains, he personally visited Zhang Chen. Although Inspector Liu didn't know what the two talked about in the courtyard, he could tell from Wang Biao's words and actions that he was quite respectful to Zhang Chen... Do you know what this means?"

"If Jiang Ru lays her hand on Zhang Chen, she'll be asking for trouble!" Zhang Jun's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He then thought of Zhang Chen's mysterious and unpredictable martial arts skills, and a thought popped into his mind: "Could Zhang Chen be Wang Biao's disciple? If Zhang Chen is Wang Biao's disciple, and Jiang Ru lays her hand on Zhang Chen, then there's going to be quite a show. I'm afraid Jiang Ru will be so frightened that she'll wake up in the middle of the night."

The Mysterious Division! That's the most sought-after and mysterious department in the Great Han Kingdom right now. No one except the President can get involved.

North
The peach blossoms in the mountains are already budding, and the entire hunting grounds have returned to their bustling state. Zhang Chen is holding a watering can and watering the peach trees in the yard. Because the blast furnace is running, the temperature in the yard is very high, so the peach trees in his yard need to be watered frequently.

Looking at the peach blossoms on the tree, Zhang Chen sighed, "I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to eat peaches."

"I don't want to eat peaches. What's the point of staying in this godforsaken place?" Bai Ziling complained behind Zhang Chen, holding a small hoe and clearing weeds in the yard. "What kind of peaches can't you buy in Shanghai? You can even get peaches from across the Atlantic."

Hearing Bai Ziling's words, Zhang Chen shook his head: "The peaches planted by others are naturally different from the peaches I plant myself." Just as the two were talking, more than a dozen young men in suits and ties came to the gate. Instructor Liu lowered his head and said humbly: "Zhang Chen's yard is here."

"Alright, I understand. You wait outside." The leader, a young man in his twenties, gave the order to Instructor Liu in a condescending manner before walking towards Zhang Chen's courtyard.

Watching the young man's retreating figure, a hint of worry appeared in Officer Liu's eyes: "These people from Shanghai are probably up to no good."

Just now, this group of people suddenly barged into his office, showed their identification, and without giving him a chance to inform Zhang Chen, directly ordered him to lead the way.

"You are Zhang Chen?" Zhang Chen was admiring the peach blossoms in the courtyard when he heard an arrogant voice coming from outside the gate. The voice seemed to be asking a country bumpkin, and it was filled with a hint of disdain.

"Who are you?" Zhang Chen turned his head and glanced at the other person, scanning his legs. This person had some martial arts skills, but they weren't very good; they only had internal strength.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's question, the young man introduced himself: "I come from Kyoto and am a guard of the Senate. My name is Li Xun. I have come to ask you on the orders of Lady Jiang Ru. Now I have some questions for you, and you must answer them truthfully."

Bai Ziling glanced at Zhang Chen with a worried expression. Seeing that Zhang Chen still looked confused, she reminded him, "Jiang Ru is the president's wife, one of the vice prime ministers, and she controls the Senate."

Fearing that Zhang Chen might not know what the Senate was, he whispered, "You can think of the Senate as the former Imperial Censorate."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen suddenly understood, but he had never heard of Jiang Ru before, so he asked, "How old is the President this year?"

"Remarry." Bai Ziling quickly whispered, "The most crucial thing is that this vice premier and Prince Wang don't get along. I'm afraid the other party has ill intentions. You must be careful in dealing with them."

Zhang Chen gave the other person a reassuring look, then quietly looked at Li Xun. Li Xun asked, "Are you Zhang Chen?"

“It’s me.” Zhang Chen plucked a flower bud, showing no sign of being intimidated by the other party’s imposing manner, and replied.

"Did you make the engine?" Li Xun asked again.

“You’ve come to me, don’t you know this information?” Zhang Chen retorted, causing Li Xun’s momentum to falter. Li Xun glared at Zhang Chen and snapped, “I only need you to answer yes or no.”

“I’m not a criminal. You’re asking me this out of the blue. Do you have a cabinet order?” Zhang Chen asked.

Upon hearing this, Li Xun's breath hitched. He then took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said with a forced smile, "This is just my usual way of speaking. Please forgive me, brother."

Zhang Chen remained noncommittal upon hearing this: "Speak quickly, don't delay my pruning of the peach blossoms."

"Lady Jiang Ru personally sent me to bring you back to the capital. As long as you pledge allegiance to Lady Jiang Ru, she can directly promote you to the Senate, allowing you to rise rapidly in your career. Bringing honor to your ancestors will be no problem, and even your father and brothers will benefit from your success." Li Xun said.

“No interest, please leave.” Zhang Chen shook his head, choosing to refuse without hesitation.

Seeing Zhang Chen's lack of respect, Li Xun's expression stiffened: "This was personally recruited by Lady Jiang Ru. There are countless talents in the capital, but no one has had this honor. You are the first."

“Not interested,” Zhang Chen said calmly.

"You'd better reconsider. You probably don't know what it would mean for you, your family, and your childhood sweetheart if you refused Lady Jiang Ru." Li Xun's voice was gentle at this moment, but it was filled with an indescribable chill.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen paused, turned around abruptly under the peach tree, and looked at Li Xun.

(End of this chapter)