Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost

Chapter 773 - 773: Only been back for three minutes and was taken away again_1

Wang Linchi stayed at the Department of Earth Defense for five days before being released. He was released, firstly, because he wasn't a suspect, and secondly, because the Department was already overflowing with people. After much ado, they couldn't find anything wrong with Wang Linchi, so they let him go.Even though he was released, he was warned not to leave Eastern State Martial University unless absolutely necessary and that he could be summoned at any time.

However, Wang Linchi suspected a third reason: the nobleman's death.

The nobleman's death hadn't caused much of a stir publicly, but Wang Linchi understood one thing—the matter was not as simple as it seemed. It was kept quiet because it was too sensitive to be widely reported.

With the nobleman's matter coming to light, the issues with the Department of Earth Defense will soon subside, Wang Linchi thought. His reasoning was straightforward: if the Department's activities were downplayed, it likely meant most of their forces had been reassigned to the River City District. Conversely, if they continued their high-profile arrests and interrogations, Wang Linchi could rest even easier, as this would signify he was no longer under suspicion.

Still, there were many strange aspects to this situation.

Liao Xun came here, obviously for me... The Meng Family... Wang Linchi mused, looking at the news. The entire Meng Family household of three had died in an 'accidental' car crash, while other Meng Family members had perished in a fire during a family gathering. This was far too coincidental; Wang Linchi suspected they had been silenced.

Liao Xun had come here to atone for his past failures; Wang Linchi knew without a doubt that Liao Xun was after him.

So that nobleman even had designs on my body, huh? Wang Linchi complained inwardly. But there might be some trouble ahead.

Wang Linchi suddenly remembered something. The nobleman's body might be gone, but the widespread contaminated water was highly suggestive. If his Poison Skill could cause such severe vomiting and diarrhea, could someone with malicious intent make the connection? That was possible.

I still need to be more cautious.

Once my Microscopic Ecological Body is fully reconstructed, things shouldn't be this troublesome.

He had never considered painstakingly cultivating step-by-step to reach the strength of a Martial God. That was far too troublesome compared to taking a shortcut to the top. Human body modification, genetic reconstruction, and similar methods—this was the Righteous Path. The poor rely on mutation, the wealthy rely on technology. The path was already clearly laid out for him. It would be foolish to cultivate traditionally; without a 'plug-in,' he was bound to lose.

After returning to his dormitory, just as Wang Linchi planned to resume his usual charade of diligently cultivating while actually slacking off, Mao Xu, the principal of Eastern State Martial University, paid him a visit.

"You're back." Mao Xu had a kind and friendly expression.

Given that the other party was a Martial King and hadn't offended him, Wang Linchi had no intention of using any of his underhanded methods against him.

"Yes, this time..." he began, briefly recounting his experience. Mao Xu was clearly here to inquire about his situation at the Department of Earth Defense; otherwise, why would he visit?

After listening, Mao Xu narrowed his eyes. "This time, you were used as a pawn. Fortunately, the matter carried significant implications, so no one dared to handle it perfunctorily." After listening to Wang Linchi's account, Mao Xu actually felt a lingering fear. If not for this unexpected incident, the Department of Earth Defense, acting like mad dogs, would have undoubtedly implicated the entire Eastern State Martial University through Wang Linchi.

However, he couldn't tell Wang Linchi this, so he could only offer vague, perfunctory responses. He had only come to gather information and had no intention of helping Wang Linchi. Although Wang Linchi had returned, the matter wasn't over, even if the death of a certain nobleman had currently overshadowed it.

"Will it affect my future studies?" Wang Linchi asked, his tone feigning worry.

"It shouldn't. After all, you're a victim too," Mao Xu said, offering a courteous reassurance. He wasn't actually sure if it would affect Wang Linchi's studies. If any real problems arose, he would be the first to cast Wang Linchi aside. The two were not well acquainted, so there was no need for him to do more.

"Alright, I understand," Wang Linchi said, appearing genuinely comforted.

Mao Xu asked a few more details before leaving directly. Wang Linchi, however, paid it no mind. Not even three minutes after Mao Xu left, someone else entered.

The visitor was completely concealed by a large, black cloak, wore a black mask over his face, and even had black gloves on his hands.

"Great Zhao Night Guard. Come with me," the person said in a hoarse voice. To Wang Linchi, it sounded as if the man's vocal cords were fused.

"Do you have any proof?" Wang Linchi asked. He had never heard of the Great Zhao Night Guard, but he was certain this visit was connected to the nobleman's death.

However, the other party did not respond and, without hesitation, made a move on Wang Linchi. The Great Zhao Night Guard was apparently an organization similar to the Embroidered Guards or Dongchang—a clandestine group unknown to most. When Wang Linchi questioned them and didn't immediately comply, they offered no explanation and simply took action.

Seeing this, Wang Linchi did not resist and allowed himself to be taken away.

A Martial King... Is the foundation of Great Zhao really so profound? Wang Linchi mused, sensing his opponent's strength. Such strength could make one a prominent figure anywhere, yet here it was, embodied in an anonymous, death-sworn warrior. It seemed the Great Zhao Country wasn't as appreciative of talent as it purported to be.

After he deliberately let himself be captured, Mao Xu immediately noticed that something was amiss. By the time he returned to the dormitory, it was empty. After carefully inspecting the traces, his expression grew grave.

So it's those black-skinned dogs.

Everyone despised these Night Guards. As death-sworn retainers of the nobles, empowered by the Great Zhao Country with the privilege to 'execute first, report later,' anyone they captured would suffer immensely, even if they managed to survive. It was considered a good outcome if even one in a hundred survived their custody. More importantly, this group of Night Guards excelled at making groundless accusations and implementing collective punishment.

He wasn't surprised that Wang Linchi had been captured. His fear was being implicated himself; whether he could survive that was another matter entirely.

This won't do. I need to make some arrangements, find out if those black-skinned dogs have targeted me, Mao Xu thought, his expression grim. The groundless accusations were already present; collective punishment was likely imminent. Once he was implicated—no, it wouldn't even require direct implication. If Wang Linchi were simply manipulated into saying something, he would be in trouble too. In his eyes, it would be very easy to lead a young man like Wang Linchi into saying what they wanted.

The Great Zhao Night Guard had little impact on ordinary people, as they served the nobility, and the general populace would never encounter them. However, for Martial Artists like them, especially those with a certain status who had contact with the outer circles of the nobility, the Night Guard was nothing short of a disaster.

...

Wen Jian, Bureau Master of the Eastern State Department of Earth Defense, wore a gloomy expression.

"This is an order from above, Bureau Master Wen. Please come with us," a Great Zhao Night Guard said coldly. More than one Great Zhao Night Guard had come to 'request' Bureau Master Wen's cooperation. There were five of them in total, and their leader possessed the strength of a Martial Emperor—an opponent Wen Jian absolutely could not resist.

"This has nothing to do with me!"

"I want to see the Head Bureau Master!!!" he roared in a low voice.

Wen Jian was, of course, aware of the Great Zhao Night Guard's reputation. If he were truly taken in, even if he managed to emerge, the lingering consequences would permanently halt his martial progress at the Martial King level. Not a single person who entered their custody came out whole; at the very least, they would be crippled. Therefore, he knew he had to use every means at his disposal.

"The Head Bureau Master has already gone south to deal with the Earth Caves," the leading Great Zhao Night Guard stated.

Wen Jian understood the implication: he had been abandoned. A nobleman had died in River City, an incident so significant that even the Head Bureau Master couldn't shield him and had chosen to turn a blind eye. Indeed, one couldn't bear to watch Wen Jian being taken away, but one could choose not to look.

Hearing this, Wen Jian's expression turned to one of utter despair. What terrible sin had he committed to become entangled in such a dreadful mess?

"I want to know why!" Wen Jian demanded through gritted teeth.

"Liao Xun, who once served that nobleman, recently died at the hands of your Eastern State Department of Earth Defense," the Night Guard revealed, offering a slight concession due to Wen Jian's status.

Hearing this, Wen Jian was both shocked and furious, his mind instantly conjuring a maelstrom of schemes and conspiracies.

"Doesn't that mean—" Before he could finish, the Great Zhao Night Guard completed his thought.

"Precisely. Everyone in the Eastern State Department of Earth Defense must cooperate with the Great Zhao Night Guard's investigation," the man affirmed.

"But what about the Eastern State's Earth Caves?!" Wen Jian exclaimed, shocked. "If everyone is pulled out, who will deal with the Earth Caves?"

"That is incomparable to the matter of the nobleman. Besides, the authorities will make their own arrangements for this," the Night Guard replied.

"Time's up. Let's go." The Great Zhao Night Guard had no intention of conversing further with Wen Jian; dawn was approaching.