In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 21 Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West of the River
The news of Lü Jinshan's big argument with Zhang Like quickly spread throughout the entire border station.

The border guards were used to this.

This wasn't the first time. At first, Lu Zhao caused trouble by himself, but later he saved Zhang Like's life, so the two of them started causing trouble together.

The station's leaders couldn't do anything about the two of them. Within the system, apart from promotion, there were really no other means to suppress Lu Zhao and Zhang Like.

Lin Zhiyan had also heard the news and said, "Zhang Like is quite loyal and sentimental."

The deputy asked, "Team leader, this Lu Zhao is quite capable and has a clean record. Should we bring him in to help? After all, there might be more fugitives coming later."

The exact number of remains of the remains in that Ming Dynasty prince's tomb is still unknown, and the remains are likely to have ended up overseas.

One of these routes leads to Miye Sanjiang. There are many roads leading to Miye Sanjiang in the South China Sea region, and Mayiling is one of dozens of such roads.

The county's orders were to have them stationed there and assist the local authorities in intercepting fugitives.

"We can try to win them over, but we can't do it on our own initiative."

Lin Zhiyan smiled faintly, his thin lips curving upwards. Lu Zhao's information was laid out on the table, and looking down at him, it seemed as if he already held him in the palm of his hand.

"Develop your spiritual power outwards; within a kilometer range, the accuracy reaches the millimeter level at 500 meters, and you can see with divine vision within 100 meters. Senior Lu is a talented person, but someone who is too arrogant is difficult to deal with; we need to keep him in check."

The deputy said no more.

It seems that the other party made Team Leader Lin very unhappy during that meeting.

dong dong dong.

There was a knock on the door, and Zhang Like pushed open the door to the temporary office of the special task force.

Lin Zhiyan clasped his hands together, feigning ignorance, and asked, "What brings Captain Zhang here?"

"I would like to ask Team Leader Lin for a favor."

Zhang Like, thick-skinned and with a fawning smile, said, "I have a very capable comrade under my command who will be of great help in the upcoming arrest operation. However, his application to join the team is stalled due to disciplinary issues."

Lin Zhiyan clarified, "Captain Zhang, are you referring to Lu Zhao?"

Zhang Like asked expectantly, "It's good that Team Leader Lin knows. What do you think?"

"Unfortunately, the task force does not have the authority to coordinate, and we need to apply to higher authorities."

Lin Zhiyan shook his head, feigning reluctance.

“Others definitely won’t work, but Team Leader Lin will surely have a way.” Zhang Like chuckled and rubbed his hands together like a fly, completely disregarding his pride.

In theory, Lü Jinshan is one level higher than Lin Zhiyan, but their respective levels of authority are not comparable.
The former, at most, governs the Ant Ridge area, while the latter can radiate throughout the entire West South China Sea region.

Lin Zhiyan said, "Does Captain Zhang mean that he wants me to overstep my authority to dispatch Lu Zhao, thus offending Station Chief Lü and my colleagues in Fangshi?"

“That’s serious, that’s serious.” Zhang Like waved his hands repeatedly. “Lu Zhao is just an unknown nobody. It shouldn’t involve such a far-reaching issue.”

Lin Zhiyan asked, "Where is he now?"

She probed outwards with her spiritual power but did not sense Lu Zhao's presence.

"I'll bring him here right now!"

Zhang Like immediately turned around as if to leave, and Lin Zhiyan sighed slightly, saying:
"No need, I have official business to attend to later. Tell him to come see me when he's free."

Zhang Like understood and told Lu Zhao to wait outside the door.

He felt things were in jeopardy again. Lu Zhao wasn't completely inflexible, but he was very resistant to giving up all the initiative.

If Lin Zhiyan makes it clear how he can help, then Lu Zhao will accept.

The problem is that this happens when you need something from someone; the party in a position of power won't give you any initiative whatsoever, and they just want you to be subservient.

"I'll go inform him right away." The door closed.

Lin Yanzhi understood that this was all Zhang Like's doing, and couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

She still hoped that Lu Zhao would take the initiative to beg her, as it would be a very pleasant thing to make him lower his proud head.

However, that would also mean that the legendary spirit of the Imperial Capital had been smoothed out.
-
On the other side, Zhang Like hurriedly found Lu Zhao.

At this moment, Lu Zhao was inspecting his beat-up pickup truck, which often broke down due to daily bumps and knocks on mountain roads.

Zhang Like then explained the situation, saying:

"Aren't you really going to give it a try? Team Leader Lin isn't bad-looking either, and it's not like you're really going to have to sell your body."

Lu Zhao lay under the car inspecting it and said, "What you're implying is that I still need to ask them for help, and whether they agree depends on their mood."

"At least it's an opportunity."

Zhang Like pulled Lu Zhao out and said, "Wash your face and clean yourself up. Don't let this face go to waste. When you see Team Leader Lin, will you pretend to have a deep voice?"

Lu Zhao politely declined, saying, "She's busy right now, and I'm busy right now too."

The other party's meaning was quite clear: they wanted him to wait outside, and whether they could help was another matter entirely.

In the past, Lu Zhao would have gone, but now it's unnecessary. It's not that he can't accept cooperation, but he can't stand people who are arrogant and condescending.

Neither Chen Qian nor Lin Zhiyan are worth Lu Zhao begging for.

Zhang Like got a little angry, his voice rising slightly: "If you keep arguing with me today, I'm going to lose my temper!"

“I begged and pleaded with everyone I could to find a way out. I approached the head and deputy head of the special task force. You may be aloof, but what about your family? Your mother has heart disease, and your niece has a promising talent for life development. All of these require a lot of money.”

"Then I'll answer seriously. First, if I hunt more monsters, it will be enough to cover my family's expenses. Second..."

Lu Zhao paused for a moment, then said calmly, "If the country needs me, I will accept any assignment, and I will not hesitate to go through fire and water."

A week ago, Lu Zhao bowed his head to Chen Qian, but it was to no avail. That was the first and last time he had ever bowed his head in his life.

From then on, he would never bow his head again.

His loyalty is to the country and the people of this land, not to power itself.

"You... hey!"

Zhang Like wanted to say something more, but for some reason his anger subsided. He said helplessly, "I admire you for this. You're stubborn with everyone, but sometimes you have to know when to back down."

Perhaps Lu Zhao is right, and should be right, but most people in this world are too materialistic, which makes Lu Zhao seem like an oddball.

This is precisely where Lu Zhao's charm lies, and why Zhang Like never got angry even after being refused help three times.

"The only thing I can't learn in this life is to bow my head."

Lu Zhao leaned against the car hood, lit a cigarette, and exhaled towards the setting sun.

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; whether it is a dragon or a worm, let's see thirty years from now."

"I will have the last laugh, I firmly believe it."

The sunset glow reflected on his face, outlining a smile that was the opposite of the rising sun.

At this moment, Zhang Like realized that he was old, and remembered that Lu Zhao was ten years younger than him, yet seemed a hundred years younger than the world itself.

When humanity was the dominant species in the world, there was once a group of warriors on this land, as radiant as the rising sun, who led China to its zenith.

Lu Zhao seemed to have come from that vibrant era.

(End of this chapter)