Dragon Gate Swordsman

"Also, if there is indeed someone in Ursus who harbors ill will towards Longmen, the most likely person would be a noble who is not doing very well."

"Not doing so well?"

"Well... they are the only ones who would think about using aggression to earn military merit and get promoted."

Kanelian, who had just joined the company, naturally had no prestige to speak of, but through Chongxiao's introduction, everyone knew that she was a traveling scholar. In terms of knowledge and vision, she was probably better than most people in this room.

Her words also made it clear that the enemies Chongxiao would face on this trip might be more difficult to deal with than expected.

The Ursus people, the nobles, the local tyrants, the hidden ambitions, and those who are extremely hostile to the infected and those who sympathize with the infected, with all these BUFFs piled together, I am sure that even if Wei Yanwu himself takes action, it will not be effective.

“How about…I report to Director Xie and go with you?”

"Don't even think about it, Starbear."

Chongxiao waved his hand quickly. "The more people involved in this kind of investigation, the bigger the target. Besides, I have hired a bodyguard and prepared a cover identity."

The bodyguard was naturally Yaoguang... She was a traveler with no power or influence and no money. It would be very troublesome if she was really troubled by Chongxiao, a senior inspector. Therefore, even though she was unwilling in her heart, she had to agree to the job of bodyguard.

As for the cover identity, it is an Ursus caravan introduced by Guo Shan. The members are relatively reliable and they will go to Chernobyl together.

No one present knew about this arrangement, so Chongxiao gave a brief explanation.

"The female knight of Casimir? When will you recognize…"

"Yesterday, at the ore processing plant."

"..."

Xingxiong narrowed his eyes slightly and glanced back and forth at him a few times, "You are really good. You can easily meet such a person on the street."

Is it because she is judging others by her own standards? Besides, I only made her agree by threatening her.

Chongxiao really wanted to explain it clearly, but looking at Xingxiong's expression, he thought it would be better for him to just keep his mouth shut.

At this moment, Haoyun seemed to suddenly remember something, "Oh, Chongxiao, there is one more thing..."

"what?"

"I have interrogated many Ursus terrorists, and there is not much useful intelligence, but some of them mentioned a certain word."

He scratched his head and tried to pronounce the correct syllables, "Azazel."

Azazel?

Chongxiao carefully searched the Victorian language he knew and the Ursus language he had just learned, but did not find the corresponding word in them.

"What is that?" someone asked.

"I don't know, but it's definitely related to oripathy... Most of the prisoners who mentioned this word are infected."

In this case, an investigation is indeed necessary.

Chongxiao secretly memorized this word in his heart... If he couldn't find a direction to investigate from the nobles after arriving in Chernobyl, then following this clue might yield some results.

Chapter 67: Black Robe Man, Sudden Situation

Different from the prosperity and bustle of Longmen, Chernobyl is a city that is "cold" in every aspect.

The cold wind blowing from the frozen soil of the north enveloped the streets of all sizes. The various buildings were dominated by dark tones. Even the pedestrians coming and going on the streets had a look of indifference on their faces, as if everything they saw had nothing to do with them.

When Chongxiao truly entered this mobile city, he suddenly understood why Lady Audrey, a powerless woman, wanted to cross the wilderness with her daughter and escape to the completely unknown Longmen.

"Tell me where to go next."

"Let's find a place to stay first."

After separating from the caravan introduced by Guo Shan, Yaoguang was the only companion left of Chongxiao, and her tone was still a little cold and she didn't look happy.

The misunderstanding about hiring infected people to work in the ore processing plant has basically been resolved. At least the application is entirely voluntary, which is enough to prove that Chongxiao and Ursus have completely different thoughts.

But don't expect her to not mind if someone uses "despicable" means to force her to be a bodyguard.

Even Chongxiao took out a portion of his own private money and raised the commission to a rather astonishing level.

The streets of Chernobyl are straight and there are not many high-rise buildings. In terms of development level, it is not at the bottom among all mobile cities, but it is not far away if you want to go.

Like half of the mobile cities in Ursus, the economic pillar here is also mining development, while also engaging in equipment casting and sales... Many of the standard equipment of the Lungmen Guards were ordered from here.

As for the light industry and crop planting, which are the basis of people's livelihood, they can only be said to just meet the needs of citizens. However, the large-scale breeding of tumor beasts by the Ursus people has helped a lot, so there will be no famine.

Chongxiao and Yaoguang quickly found a five-story hotel.

"Nothing specific for now. I just need to be on guard against people who might sneak in when I'm not here."

"...Didn't you hire me as a bodyguard?"

"Yes, but I need you to protect the secrecy of this operation."

Speaking of business, even though his relationship with Yaoguang had not improved much, Chongxiao had to explain to her clearly, "Don't let anyone know that I'm from Longmen. Also, if anyone is targeting me here, kill them and then notify me."

Yaoguang pondered for a moment, then nodded.

No matter how despicable it is, if you agree to be a bodyguard, you have to act like a bodyguard.

She had no idea what a senior inspector from the Guard Bureau had come to the neighboring country of Chernobyl to investigate, and she was too lazy to ask, but obeying her employer's instructions was basic professional ethics.

Seeing this, Chongxiao felt relieved.

He did not take Yaoguang's resentment to heart. This Knight Casimir was obviously still a little young and hot-tempered. Once the jewelry industrial system centered on the ore processing plant was truly operational, she would understand his painstaking efforts.

Before that, all we have to do is try our best to keep Yaoguang in Longmen.

After putting down the luggage, Chongxiao wrapped the rebel with cloth and went to the town hall of Chernobyl.

There was not much information about the nobility in the action guide prepared by the inspection team. This was because after Ursus had experienced the "Great Rebellion" and the baptism of modern industry, the social structure was undergoing significant changes, and it was difficult to truly define the concept of "nobility".

According to Xie Ming and Haoyun's speculation, the reformists in Ursus who focus on the development of people's livelihood should not have any ideas about Longmen. It is a very unwise choice to make enemies with a booming economy and secretly attack it.

Then the first group to be investigated should be the old-school aristocrats who have been blessed by their ancestors, have a certain amount of wealth and power, but have no future.

Only these people would think about using war to plunder wealth all day long and be deeply trapped in the "tradition" of Ursus and unable to extricate themselves.

The Chernobyl City Hall has information about these old-school nobles, and it is open to the public for consultation... After all, according to tradition, these noble titles are not a burden or a nuisance, but a symbol of honor.

For Chernobyl, which is still a relatively new city, they are eager to frame the works and exhibit them to the public, just like some cities competing for the ownership of cultural history.

Flipping through the Ursus language quick guide, Chongxiao dressed up as a tourist from Dayan and walked into the door of the city hall.

The architecture of Ursus is known for its overall heaviness and magnificent decoration, but Chernobyl has basically only retained the former. The huge town hall looks very simple and is divided into different areas by garden corridors.

There are window areas for handling public affairs, display areas for urban culture, and office areas for municipal agencies that are not open to the public, etc.

The locals of Chernobyl naturally wouldn't think there was anything wrong, but outsiders like Chongxiao would be troubled... The Ursus language quick guide mainly introduces daily expressions, and the markings on the signboards are very written.

Looks like I need to find a kind person to ask.

Chongxiao, too lazy to think, looked around and then walked towards an Ursus girl who was sitting on a bench not far away.

The reason for choosing her is simple: she is pretty and looks well-educated, and she should be young... If I don't look for such a pleasing girl, would I look for those burly Ursus guys?

"Hello, ma'am."

"……Hello?"

The Ursus girl who was reading a book raised her head and looked at Chongxiao with some confusion.

As mentioned just now, the girl was indeed very beautiful: her long white curly hair hung down behind her, loosely covering the semi-circular ears unique to the Ursus people. Her delicate facial features and quiet temperament made it easy to tell that she was a well-educated young lady, which made Chongxiao think of Lin Yuxia.

However, he was also a little surprised... Judging from the innocence in the girl's blue eyes, she seemed younger than he expected.

It’s not Chongxiao’s fault that he made a mistake, it’s just that the Ursus people develop their bodies early and well. Look at Wan Shengsheng’s figure, Chen Huijie, Shi Huaiya, Ajiu Texas were all killed instantly. Can the mature Xingxiong be “competent” with him?

"Excuse me, how do I get to the city cultural exhibition area?"

"Sorry, I can't hear you clearly..."

Embarrassed, Chongxiao had to slow down his speech and say it again. Although he had a good talent for languages, it was really too much to expect him to master Ursus in just a few days of practice.

Fortunately, the Ursus girl was very patient. After she understood, she even stood up and said that she could take Chongxiao with her.

"I'm sorry to bother you."

"It's okay. I'm just waiting for someone here. I don't have anything else to do. Are you a tourist in Chernobyl, sir?"

"Yes, I am from Yan Country. My name is Chongxiao."

The Ursus girl then said her name, but because it was too long and not a common noun, Chongxiao only understood the first part.

Natalia, in Ursus, means natural and amiable, which perfectly fits the image and temperament of a girl. To put it more intimately, it is Natasha.

Fortunately, the last name is not Romanov... He secretly complained that he didn't quite understand.

What surprised him even more was Natalia's real age.

14! ?

This TM14! ?

Chongxiao couldn't help but glance at the girl's obviously bulging chest. She was only 14 years old and already had this level of talent. If Lin Yuxia and Shi Huaiya knew about this, they would probably jump off the building...

The Ursus people are so terrifying!

"Here it is, sir."

"Many thanks."

After politely saying goodbye to Natalia, Chongxiao walked into the city's cultural exhibition area.

Unlike Dayan, who is humble, gentle on the outside, and strong on the inside, Ursus is a typical "strong on the outside, strong on the inside". Even though he no longer advocates war and plunder as much as he did in the past, he still regards invaders as heroes.

In other countries, these people are more likely to be classified as war criminals.

Ursus is currently ruled by a group of reformers led by the young Emperor Fedor Vladimirovich, who advocates peace and cares about people's livelihood, but he does not have enough ability and strength to change the deep-rooted ideas of the Ursus people.

Therefore, even though Chernobyl’s leader is Marquis Boris, who is also a reformist, he often has to act according to the wishes of the old nobles.

For example, this urban cultural exhibition area is open to the general public.

In fact, more than half of the statues here are monuments to achievements that have nothing to do with Chernobyl, and briefly introduce the many old noble families that settled here.

And this is the "suspect list" that Chongxiao wants to check.

"Viscount Frederica, Viscount Ivano, Viscount Kusk... Kusk?"

I remember that the leader of the delegation representing Ursus to the capital was Baikal Kursk.

Staring at the gilded statue in front of him, Chongxiao fell into deep thought...

According to the deeds written on the plaque of the statue, the Kursk family is a "traditional powerful family" among the Ursian nobles and has served the emperor for decades. The current Grand Duke of Baikal is the Marshal of the Third Army of Ursus, and is definitely a person of real power.

No wonder he is qualified to represent the country and go to the capital to attend Ying Zhen’s coronation ceremony.

Chongxiao secretly wrote down the information of these three people... They were all representatives of the old nobles, and they all had certain industries in Chernobyl. They were the most likely masterminds behind sending the militants to Longmen.

The next thing to do is to conduct a targeted and specific investigation to see who has the closest relationship with the caravans that frequently travel to Longmen.

……

After lying on the bed and looking at the ceiling for half an hour, Yaoguang suddenly sighed, then got out of bed, put on his clothes and walked out of the room.

It is worth noting that it is early summer now and Longmen has begun to prepare for the hot summer. Although the temperature in Chernobyl is much lower, it has not yet reached the level of a cold winter.

However, Yaoguang's outfit was extremely heavy, with hard leather armor plates lining the inside and a long coat in the style of Casimir.

This outfit completely covered her entire body except for her hands and head, and even her female figure could hardly be seen.

On the way to Chernobyl, Chongxiao had expressed his curiosity about this outfit, but Yaoguang, who had never had a good impression of him, naturally avoided answering.

In fact, this is not out of cleanliness or modesty, but resistance...

Margaret Linguang, this is her real name.

From being a highly-anticipated champion of the knightly tournament to a solitary traveler, from being the eldest daughter of an ancient and glorious knight family to being a bodyguard who sells his power for money, the gap can be imagined.

A whole year has passed since she left the territory of Grand Knight Casimir, but Margaret still hasn't adjusted her mindset.

She attributed all her losses to an accidental infection with oripathy, and the purpose of her travels was to see what kind of life those infected people who had the same experience as her were living.

The result can only be described in four words: shocking.

Margaret never thought that there was anything wrong with the chivalry he adhered to, even after leaving the Grand Knight Territory... Winning the 22nd Knight Championship a year ago was the best proof of that. As for whether the Supervisor would revoke his honor because of his identity as an infected person, that was not within his consideration.

She still remembered that her uncle Mauna had taught her not to care about false reputations, as the identity of a sports champion could not bring real glory to the Linguang family.

But... Uncle, if even winning the knight tournament is not true glory, then what else can I do?