I meet all the requirements for becoming a god in this world!

Chapter 97: The Plan Begins! [4k Chapter!]

The room was filled with the aroma of tea.

Gao Heyun held her teacup, her gaze fixed on Cheng Laiyun's face.

Those phoenix eyes were as calm as a deep pool of water, revealing no emotional fluctuations.

"A tremendous achievement?"

She repeated those four words, her voice still indifferent.

Cheng Laiyun nodded, placed the teacup on the table, leaned forward slightly, and said with a smile, "Lord Gao, I remember you said that the duties of the Regent's Office are to supervise all officials and inspect the whole country."

"I suppose you can handle any case, right?"

Gao Heyun simply nodded slightly, her phoenix eyes still fixed on him.

She wanted to know what Cheng Laiyun was really up to.

Cheng Laiyun was already immune to Gao Heyun's gaze. He raised an eyebrow and said, "What if, I mean, what if?"

"There was a high-ranking official of the fifth rank, a regional governor, and a Confucian scholar with supernatural powers bestowed by the sage. He embezzled and stole the Mohist sect's most precious treasure, and also colluded with the demon race, intending to kill a court official—"

He stopped there.

He almost said Zhang Hong's name out loud.

Gao Heyun narrowed her eyes.

In that instant, the temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

"Zhang Hong—" Gao Heyun murmured softly, her face expressionless, then looked up and continued to stare at Cheng Laiyun with a heavy gaze.

"There must be irrefutable evidence."

Officials appointed by the imperial court would not tolerate such slander from a commoner.

Cheng Laiyun was not surprised by Gao Heyun's words.

He smiled, took out the farewell letter from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Gao Heyun.

"This is Wu Qiufeng's last letter."

"Wu Qiufeng?"

"The Right Guard of the Prefectural Office is responsible for guarding the bone storehouse."

Speaking of Wu Qiufeng.

Cheng Laiyun's smile vanished, and his voice was calm: "He's dead. His mother and younger sister are all dead."

"The murderer is Zhang Hong's son, Zhang Lai."

"So, I killed Zhang Lai right in front of Zhang Hong."

Gao Heyun was somewhat surprised.

She had always thought Cheng Laiyun was someone who valued his life.

He accepted the letter.

Her gaze swept over him from head to toe, her face expressionless.

But Cheng Laiyun noticed that the fingertips holding the letter tightened slightly for a moment.

After reading it, she put the letter down and shook her head: "This letter alone is not enough."

"Of course not."

Cheng Laiyun stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside: "Lord Gao, were you aware that a plague broke out in Qingzhou a few days ago?"

"Know."

"The source of that plague was the venom of the black viper of the demon race."

Gao Heyun's brow twitched slightly: "The Black Viper of the Demon Clan—"

"Yes, it was the source that the Medical Sect found—then they came to borrow the Spirit Tracking Disc to search—and finally—"

Cheng Laiyun turned around, looked at Gao Heyun, and fed her everything he knew, little by little.

His voice lasted a long time.

He didn't rush to say everything at once, but rather little by little.

He tried his best to recount everything he had encountered, seen, and speculated about during his time in Qingzhou.

An eerie silence fell over the room.

Gao Heyun remained silent for a moment.

"Zhang Hong's son is dead, killed by you."

She looked up at Cheng Laiyun again, her beautiful face showing a complex expression: "How dare you?"

Cheng Laiyun stopped smiling, looked out the window, and his voice lost its usual incoherence.

This was perhaps the first time since he transmigrated that he had been so serious: "Not just me, anyone would have done the same."

As long as he is a Chinese person who grew up under the red flag and was born in the spring breeze.

Of course, he didn't say the second half of that sentence.

"Zhang Hong's purpose in doing all this."

"It was to kill someone."

"Who?"

Cheng Laiyun slowly turned around and uttered three words: "Zhou Linghe".

Gao Heyun finally frowned.

"A martial arts prodigy of the Wuji Sect, a 27-year-old fifth-ranked cultivator, the runner-up in this year's martial arts examination, and bestowed with the divine power of life bone by the Sage."

He was appointed General Advisor of Qingzhou and concurrently Commander of the Prefectural Office, and took up his post half a month later.

Cheng Laiyun said, word by word, "Lord Gao, Zhang Hong has been in charge of the military and political affairs of Qingzhou for so many years. Do you think he would welcome someone like this to share his power?"

Gao Heyun did not speak.

But her gaze towards Cheng Laiyun had changed: "But why should that snake help him?"

Cheng Laiyun smiled.

That smile carried a hint of sinister intent, a touch of ruthlessness, and an indescribable—smugness.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Xuanzhu."

Gao Heyun's gaze suddenly sharpened.

Cheng Laiyun shook his head, a meaningful smile curving his lips: "But what Zhang Hong promised to that snake must be the Xuanzhu."

After a moment of silence.

Gao Heyun spoke again.

"Where's the evidence?"

Cheng Laiyun shrugged: "No."

Gao Heyun's brows furrowed even more.

Cheng Laiyun remained calm and continued, "But I have a clue that you can verify yourself."

"explain."

"Liuma Town".

Cheng Laiyun's gaze deepened: "If you investigate, Your Excellency, you will surely find something."

"That snake must be in Liuma Town."

Gao Heyun stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.

Then, she stood up.

"lead the way."

Cheng Laiyun was taken aback: "Now?"

"Now."

Gao Heyun had already reached the door. She turned back to look at him, her phoenix eyes showing no hesitation.

"What you've said, whether true or false, will be a tremendous achievement if it's verified."

"But what if it's fake—"

She didn't finish speaking.

But the meaning is already very clear.

Cheng Laiyun grinned and stood up.

"Don't worry, Lord Gao. I, Cheng Laiyun, may not be good at much else, but I'm an expert at giving credit to people."

The night wind was biting.

Cheng Laiyun followed behind Gao Heyun, the two of them hurrying towards Liuma Town.

The moonlight shone on the two of them, casting long shadows.

Cheng Laiyun suddenly spoke up: "Lord Gao."

"Um?"

"If this is verified, how will Zhang Hong die?"

Gao Heyun paused for a moment.

She didn't turn around, but simply said, "Colluding with the demon race is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family."

Cheng Laiyun grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

It looked somewhat eerie under the moonlight.

But it also exudes a sense of exhilaration.

"That's good."

Outside Liuma Town, all was deathly silent.

The pandemic is long over, but the lockdowns continue.

The town was completely surrounded by a wooden fence, with a yamen runner on duty every few feet.

Gao Heyun glanced at it, and without any hesitation, she flashed over the fence.

Cheng Laiyun followed closely behind.

The two traveled through the town, stealthily making their way to its heart.

The further you go in, the colder and more gloomy the air becomes, with a faint, almost imperceptible, fishy stench.

Finally, they stopped in front of an abandoned ancestral hall.

That fishy, ​​foul smell was coming from the ancestral hall.

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing, and silently approached each other.

Through the crack in the dilapidated door, Cheng Laiyun saw what was inside.

A giant snake, ten zhang long, was coiled in the center of the ancestral hall. Its body was as thick as a water vat, and its scales were as black as ink.

Its eyes were closed, as if it were asleep, but with each breath, a faint black mist seeped out from the gaps in its scales.

Black viper.

A fifth-rank great demon.

Cheng Laiyun's pupils contracted slightly.

That's it!!

After using the Forgotten River Spell to empathize with the deceased, the black viper in my memory was exactly the same!

He looked at Gao Heyun.

At this point, nothing more needs to be said!

Gao Heyun's gaze also fell on the snake, her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Then, she turned her head slightly and glanced at Cheng Laiyun.

The look in his eyes was so subtle that it was almost imperceptible.

But Cheng Laiyun understood it.

Let's go! Don't alert them!

The two quietly left the ancestral hall and Liuma Town, returning to the grove of trees outside the town.

Cheng Laiyun looked puzzled: "The black viper wasn't on guard against us just now, why didn't Lord Gao take the opportunity to attack?!"

Gao Heyun raised an eyebrow: "You didn't know?"

Cheng Laiyun remained bewildered: "Should I know?"

Gao Heyun slowly turned her head, her phoenix eyes fixed on him: "What if it wasn't that I didn't act, but that the time wasn't right?"

"At what time?" Cheng Laiyun feigned ignorance.

Gao Heyun's lips curled up, and she just looked at him quietly.

Seeing this makes me laugh.

The confusion and bewilderment on Cheng Laiyun's face vanished instantly.

Instead, a smile gradually appeared.

Eyes facing each other.

Just like Sun Ce and Zhou Yu.

it is more than words.

Offering help in times of need is definitely more satisfying than adding to someone's already good fortune.

Gao Heyun and Cheng Laiyun were determined to take advantage of the huge favor that Wuji Sect had done for them.

The next few days.

Gao Heyun took over Qingzhou in a high-profile manner, and as the Inspector General of the State, she publicly investigated the "theft of the Mo Sect's Mysterious Pearl".

Xu Miaozhen was stationed at the Tiangong Academy.

Gao Heyun led a group of people around Qingzhou City every day, "searching for clues".

There was no movement from Zhang Hong's side either.

Everything seemed calm and peaceful.

As time slowly passed.

On the Qujiang River, south of Qingzhou County.

A large ship slowly appeared in the night.

Zhou Linghe stood at the bow of the ship, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a long sword hanging at his waist, his face as cold and stern as iron.

He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with sharp, defined eyebrows, eyes like cold stars, and a strong jawline. He exuded a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

"~~and," Zhou Linghe turned his head indifferently and looked behind him.

There, a huge black flag fluttered in the wind.

The flag was jet black, embroidered with a black tortoise and snake pattern in silver thread.

The Northern Black Water Banner, one of the Five Banners that Suppress the World!

The reason why the Great Yuan Dynasty was able to unify the six kingdoms in just seven years was, besides the supernatural beings, the most important factor it relied on was these five banners.

When two armies clash, this flag is placed at the rear of the army. The flag will then continuously absorb the blood and energy on the battlefield to help the soldiers recover their strength.

However, the Great Yuan Dynasty has not fought any wars against foreign powers for nearly a thousand years, so the deterrent significance of the Five Banners of the World is far greater than its practical significance. This banner was given to Zhou Linghe by the Grand Chancellor Zhang Linzheng before he took office, so that he could more quickly intimidate his soldiers.

"I will certainly not fail Zhang Xiang's trust."

Zhou Linghe's voice carried a hint of respect.

Zhang Linzheng.

Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince.

The head of the State Regent.

A master of Confucianism and Taoism, the pillar of stability for the Great Yuan Dynasty today!

He was able to gain the favor of Prime Minister Zhang.

Zhou Linghe will repay this kindness with utmost loyalty!

At this moment, he gazed at the distant, faintly visible giant city, his brows furrowed slightly.

Qingzhou County City will soon be his new post.

However, just as he was lost in thought...

"boom!"

The river surface suddenly exploded!

A huge black figure rose from the bottom of the water, bringing with it towering waves!

It was a black viper that was at least ten zhang long, with a body as thick as a water vat, scales as black as ink, and a pair of vertical pupils that shimmered with a ghostly green light!

Zhou Linghe's pupils contracted sharply, and he retreated rapidly!

The black snake was incredibly fast; its tail swept across, carrying immense force as it slammed into the ship!

"Bang!!!"

The ship shattered instantly, sending wood chips flying everywhere!

Zhou Linghe flipped in the air and landed steadily on a piece of driftwood on the river.

He drew his long sword from his waist, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Demon race?"

His voice was deep, and his gaze was fixed on the giant snake coiled on the surface of the river.

The black snake flicked its tongue, a hint of mockery flashing in its vertical pupils: "Zhou Linghe?"

Its voice was hoarse and sinister.

A demon race that has gained sentience!

Zhou Linghe felt a chill run down his spine and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

He gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, and his aura surged.

The ship wrecked.

It broke into several pieces of driftwood.

One of them drifts far to the north, where the giant black flag still stands.

Zhou Linghe stepped onto another piece of driftwood, his body covered in blood, his hand holding the knife trembling slightly.

His left shoulder was struck by the snake's tail, shattering half of his bone. Blood streamed down his arm, dripping onto the river and spreading into dark red patterns.

However, the giant snake opposite him wasn't much better.

The left vertical pupil of the enormous snake's head has been destroyed.

Many of the snake's scales had fallen off, and blood flowed from the black snake into the Qujiang River.

One person and one snake.

A silent standoff.

The tense atmosphere felt like it was going to choke someone.

Zhou Linghe took a deep breath.

He knew he wouldn't last much longer.

"What are you still hesitating for—" the black snake spoke in a human voice, turning its head to look at the water not far away: "If you don't come out now, I'm leaving."

The voice carried a threat.

Upon hearing this...

Zhou Linghe's heart sank.

A fifth-rank official against a fifth-rank official is a fair fight.

But if anyone else comes—

"boom!!!"

Suddenly, water splashed several meters high on the surface of the water.

A figure suddenly emerged from the water.

Standing in mid-air.

He was dressed in a blue scholar's robe, his beard and hair were gray, and he exuded a righteous aura.

He landed beside the black snake, standing shoulder to shoulder with the giant serpent, his gaze turning cold as he looked in their direction.

Lord of Qingzhou Commandery.

Zhang Hong!

The moment he appeared.

Zhou Linghe's pupils suddenly contracted.

I've figured everything out.

"Zhang Hong!!"

"You dare!!"

Zhou Linghe's voice was weak and angry.

No one could have predicted it.

Zhang Hong actually dared to defy the world and attack me here?!

"Zhang Xiang, I will never let you get away with this!!"

Zhou Linghe knew he was doomed today, and a cold smile appeared on his face.

He stood on the water's surface, knife in hand, his gaze indifferent.

"Hehe." Zhang Hong chuckled calmly, casually glancing at Zhou Linghe's disheveled state: "The one who killed you today was the Black Viper of the Demon Clan."

"What does this have to do with me, Zhang?"

As he spoke, he slowly took out a pill from his pocket, flicked it with his finger, and accurately flicked it into the huge mouth of the black snake.

He glanced at the giant black snake and said, "Hurry up."

After the pill entered his mouth, the black snake's injuries began to heal rapidly.

Without hesitation, it raised its tail high again, sweeping across with immense force!

That immense force stirred up the surrounding river water!

A spray of water several meters high exploded with a roar.

Zhou Linghe's pupils contracted sharply, and he swung his knife with all his might to block.

"Bang!!!"

The blade shattered, shards flying everywhere!

Zhou Linghe was swept away and crashed into the river, rolling several times before finally coming to a stop.

He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his vision went black.

The black snake slithered closer, its vertical pupils filled with mockery.

It's like a cat watching a mouse that can no longer run.

Zhou Linghe, bracing himself against the driftwood, struggled to lift his head.

He gazed at the brightly lit city of Qingzhou in the distance and suddenly felt like laughing.

On his first day in office, he was about to die on the river before he even entered the city gate.

"What a pity—" he murmured, "In the end, Zhang Xiang was misplaced—"

Just as the thought of death was taking root in his mind.

"call out!"

A whooshing sound ripped through the night sky!

A long sword, like a shooting star, struck precisely at the black snake's raised tail!

"hiss!!!"

The black snake cried out in pain, letting out a mournful hiss, and its tail snapped back!

Zhou Linghe suddenly looked up.

A figure in black robes descended from the sky and landed in front of him.

Gao Heyun.

She held a long sword, her phoenix eyes were as cold as frost, and her whole body exuded a chilling murderous aura.

The moonlight shone on her, outlining her slender and upright figure, like a drawn sword, its sharpness fully revealed.

"Commander Zhou." Without turning her head, her voice was as cold as clashing ice: "Can you still hold on?"

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