Biochemical Martial Arts: Supreme Heavenly Venerate

Just as the competition between Mingde University and the Second City University was drawing to a close, Jin Bolong, the chairman of Jinhao Real Estate Group, stood on the slopes of Taihua Mountain north of Luojing City, gazing down at the huge city below.

Although Taihua Mountain was more than 170 li from Luojing, Jin Bolong's mutated cultivation had reached the eighth level, and he was also a two-star reserve marshal of the federation, boasting remarkable eyesight that allowed him to clearly see every corner of Luojing, except for the imperial city, from his vantage point.

What he was looking at now was an extensive estate near the imperial city that spanned five courtyards, both interior and exterior.

Jin Bolong's gaze lingered on the sign bearing "Zhao Estate" at the main gate of the estate and the imperial plaque with the inscription "Venerable Elder of Purity and Honor" in the hall as it swept back and forth.

Shortly after, Jin Bolong let out a light chuckle with his hands clasped behind his back, "Imperial Censor Zhao Yang turned out to be Linghu Mingde? Interesting, very interesting indeed. It's beyond expectation. For centuries, everyone has been guessing the identity of this original mutated being, yet no one thought he would blend into the court, becoming the leader of the righteous faction of the Great Song Dynasty, standing tall in the court for over 700 years." Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Standing beside Jin Bolong was an elderly scholar, his hair white as snow though showing no signs of frailty, his eyebrows imbued with a scholarly air, and an aura of steady and dignified composure. "Chairman, this has yet to be confirmed; it is just a conjecture by Geng Tai and others at this point. The only evidence we have is a few 'Decaying Dragon Fungi' that have been found around the Zhao estate by the subordinates of young master Chen."

"Indirect evidence also includes Zhao Yan, who serves in his household, Nolan Wei, and Zhao Yang's granddaughter, Zhao Yingxu, who is about the same age as Fang Ranran," the elderly scholar continued.

Decaying Dragon Fungi is a unique type of fungus native to Tianji Star, usually found in the corners of residential walls and courtyards. They appear quite unremarkable, in black and white, and are a common sight.

However, once there are Martial Cultivators or battle dragons of the eighth level or above nearby that are declining, the Decaying Dragon Fungi not only change color but also shape.

It is said that Decaying Dragon Fungi can absorb not only the surrounding ether elements but also the free ether molecules between heaven and earth.

When high-ranking Martial Cultivators and battle dragons are in decline, not only do their spirits gradually disintegrate and collapse, but they also continuously emit ether elements. It is after absorbing these elements that the Decaying Dragon Fungi can change in color and form.

About seven hundred years ago, due to the careless travels of federal starships to Tianji Star, some unique fungi from Tianji Star invaded fourteen base cities, proliferating massively within them.

Decaying Dragon Fungi was one of them, and about three years ago, a mutated Decaying Dragon Fungi was discovered in a sewer about four kilometers from Linghu Mingde's residence.

At that time, some people thought of this two-star marshal who had stood tall in the world for hundreds of years, causing a sensation throughout the entire network. Everyone knew that Linghu Mingde, the mutated elder, had fallen into 'The Five Decays of Heaven and Man' and was not far from death.

And just a few days ago, a former colonel from the Western Information Bureau, heavily hired by Jin Tianchen's men, discovered an identical mutated Decaying Dragon Fungi outside the residence of Imperial Censor Zhao Yang.

"That's enough," Jin Bolong chuckled softly, "Whether Zhao Yang is Linghu Mingde or not, he is already old and feeble. It won't hurt to try, what loss would it be to me?"

His foundation on Tianji Star was not in Luojing, and this matter did not require him to expose his mutated identity, so he could fully afford the cost of failure.

At this moment, Jin Bolong received a report from the ninth base city

The elderly scholar also received the report and, after a moment, frowned deeply. "It seems that situation for the sixth young master is not good, perilous and fraught with danger. He must have offended someone, as the public opinion on the internet is quite abnormal."

Jin Tianchen was ranked sixth among his many cousins within the Jin family.

Hearing this, Jin Bolong laughed dismissively, "With the way my sister has raised him, it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Since that incident a year ago, Tianchen has only slightly reined himself in, his nature remains unchanged. However, this is actually a good thing. It's time for Tianchen to really settle down."

The elderly scholar understood what Jin Bolong meant by settling down, which was to curb his ambitions.

Deprived of extra sources of income, Jin Tianchen would have to rely on the family from now on and would no longer be a threat to the direct lineage of the Jin family.

In short, Jin Bolong preferred a Jin Tianchen like this, one who in the future could only become a pillar of military strength for the Jin family.

"Let the legal department and public relations department of the group step in to handle this, and subdue the public opinion as quickly as possible. The police and the courts have already reached a verdict on the case from a year ago, there's no need to stir it up again," he instructed.

Jin Bolong squinted his eyes, "And tell the intelligence department and cyber security department to find out who is stirring up trouble on the internet."

While he enjoyed Jin Tianchen's downfall, he would not allow others to bully his family member.

Two hours later, at the residence of Imperial Censor Zhao Yang, Fang Ranran, the arriving mutated being, met Zhao Yang, her grandfather, also known as Linghu Mingde.

Her face was pale with a look of guilt. "Grandfather, it's my fault for not handling things properly, I have let you down."

Fang Ranran had just received a message from Zhao Yang, saying that the Zhao family was being watched, and it was very likely related to the variants of Zhao Yan and Nolan Wei.

She instantly realized that this was a loose end left by an incident from a year ago.

"What does it have to do with you?"

Linghu Mingde slightly shook his head, his expression indifferent as he sipped tea, "It's that I have enjoyed peace for too long, which made my senses dull and thus revealed my tracks. There's also that young man from the Jin family, the method he left on those two is quite covert, probably the federation's latest technology."

Fang Ranran was even more ashamed, "Grandfather, I will handle the Jin family's affairs properly."

Upon hearing this, Linghu Mingde couldn't help but laugh, "Don't say foolish things, Ranran, what will you handle it with? Rely on your father?"

Fang Ranran was at a loss for words and bit her lower lip tightly.

She knew that ever since her mother's death, Grandfather Linghu Mingde had had a poor relationship with her father.

With Linghu Mingde's personality, he would rather die than ask Fang Xianzheng for help.

Moreover, given Fang Xianzheng's cold and merciless nature, he might not necessarily take any action for the Linghu family.

"This matter isn't as serious as you think,"

Linghu Mingde shook his head and put the teacup in his hand down, "Do you know why I didn't let your uncle inherit my Zhi Zhuang War Dragon, like those Great Song noble families raising a clan-guarding War Dragon to pass on to future generations? It's because the Great Song Emperor and the three Divine Envoys have always harbored doubts about my identity, they need my help but also guard against me."

Ranran was startled by his words, "How could that be? They all regard you with such trust."

"One mustn't judge solely by appearances, those people simply lack evidence, yet they rely on me to balance the political situation and check against the reformists. The moment they find a shred of evidence, disaster will come crashing down in an instant."

Linghu Mingde gazed toward the direction of the imperial city, "The reason I don't raise a clan-guarding War Dragon is precisely because the Zhao family has too many pots and jars, making it hard for future generations to easily let go, which could instead invite calamity. But as the saying goes, a sly rabbit has three burrows. Having been in the central imperial courts for so many years, I've already established another nest in Great Song's Northern Province, a true legacy that can be passed on to my descendants, unlike the current Zhao family, which is full of doubts in the eyes of those individuals."

Linghu Mingde scoffed coldly, "So what if my identity is discovered? It's just a matter of changing the legacy. I, Linghu Mingde, have roamed within and beyond the Tianji Star for more than seven hundred years, how could I be controlled by others?"

Fang Ranran first felt relieved upon hearing this, but then her brows furrowed.

She realized the magnitude and difficulty of the legacy her maternal grandfather had been managing. Could they really give it up just like that?

If they truly gave it up, what price would the Linghu family have to pay?

Fang Ranran thought of her aunt who was usually very kind to her, yet today she claimed to be ill and declined to see her, causing Fang Ranran's heart to ache.

"Silly child, don't overthink it. Your aunt is truly indisposed today. She has always treated you as her own daughter since she raised you," Linghu Mingde said with a pair of wise eyes that seemed to penetrate hearts, continuing to drink tea: "The situation hasn't reached the extent you imagine. Do you know that the new commander of the Imperial Censor's bureau will enter the capital within a few days?"

"The commander of the Imperial Censor's bureau?" Fang Ranran looked surprised, contemplative, "Does Grandfather intend to start with this person? I wonder if we could befriend or buy him off?"

She understood her grandfather's intention to lay groundwork in advance.

With Linghu Mingde's position in the Great Song court, even if he had slipped up, not just anyone was qualified to investigate. The court would surely have the commander of the Imperial Censor's bureau take charge of this case.

Linghu Mingde shook his head, "It is said that this commander of the Imperial Censor's bureau is very incorruptible. He has an excellent reputation as an official in his locale. After receiving the order to enter the capital, he journeyed north without delay, not stopping in any county along the way. Even when some officials waited to greet him on the waterway and board his boat to visit, the commander only treated them with polite ceremony, accepting only some modest gifts. We currently know nothing about this person and cannot act rashly."

At this moment, Linghu Mingde's tone shifted, "However, he took an adopted sister in Wang City, named Zhou Yunxi, whose great-grandfather was an old acquaintance of mine, her father is one of my subordinates, and she belongs to the reformist line in the court. Considering my position as Imperial Censor, I must offer some attention. When she and her brother arrive in the capital, you may take my greeting card and inquire, preferably inviting Zhou Yunxi to stay at our Zhao residence."

Fang Ranran listened while searching online for information about the new commander of the Imperial Censor's bureau and Zhou Yunxi.

She then paused, thinking to herself how coincidental it was that this Lin Shier, the commander of the Imperial Censor's bureau, was also a person from Wang City in Shazhou.