Chapter 133: Lu Bu: "You're My Best Senior Sister!"
A few days later, inside the Holy Gate's headquarters.
The room was filled with people. Xiao Yan's gaze casually swept across the white clad woman sitting not far away. He rolled his eyes in frustration. As expected, that bastard Lu Bu had charmed another senior sister!
Beside him, Liu Fei smirked and said, "Come on, let me introduce her to everyone. This is Qi Jing. She entered the Inner Academy two years before me, so she's your senior sister. She's ranked 27th on the Strongest Ranking."
"Many thanks to Senior Sister for your assistance!" Lu Bu said with a hearty laugh.
"You flatter me, Junior," Qi Jing replied with a faint smile. "Even without me, Junior would have managed to get through this crisis."
"Senior Sister, there's no need to be so modest. Without your help, the Medicine Gang wouldn't have been in such a miserable state. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word, and I'll do everything I can!" Lu Bu said, patting his chest confidently.
"Really?" Qi Jing's eyes lit up. Lu Bu was a fourth tier alchemist having his help would be a huge boon.
"Of course." Lu Bu nodded, smiling.
"Then I'll thank you in advance, Junior," Qi Jing said with a grin.
"Oh, by the way, Lu Bu," Liu Fei said nonchalantly, as though asking casually, "I've heard you're on good terms with Senior Sister Han Yue. Why hasn't she shown up this time?"
"Oh, well… maybe Senior Sister Han Yue is preparing for the Strongest Ranking competition," Lu Bu said with a chuckle, not paying much attention.
"That makes sense…" Liu Fei sighed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She said in a tone of mild regret, "Even though Senior Sister Han Yue is a seven star Dou Spirit and ranked 18th on the Strongest Ranking, her faction is even stronger than Senior Sister Qi Jing's. She must have her own difficulties, though… I've heard she has a decent relationship with Senior Brother Lin Xiuya."
"It's a shame my cousin is in seclusion and can't help me out. Otherwise, I'd be able to assist you like Senior Sister Qi Jing did!"
Lu Bu: "…"
As expected, the Inner Academy doesn't have green tea types just kind, understanding senior sisters!
"Thank you, Senior Sister Liu Fei. You're the best senior sister I've met in the Inner Academy!" Lu Bu said sincerely, even including Zi Yan in his praise.
"Really?" Liu Fei beamed brightly. "Junior, you're such a jokester. What about Senior Sister Zi Yan? She's the one who treats you the best."
Nearby, Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er both shot Xiao Yan a furious glare. Don't you dare get close to Liu Fei!
Xiao Yan scratched his head in confusion, utterly baffled by the situation in the room.
"Ahem… Lu Bu," Lin Yan interrupted, breaking up the conversation. "What's the plan now? The Medicine Gang is gone, and your Holy Gate is the only faction selling pills in the Inner Academy."
Lin Yan's meaning was clear: the Medicine Gang had been detestable, but their actions were understandable. Earning Fire Energy without much effort was tempting, and if he had been in their shoes, he might have done the same.
The Holy Gate might not seem like the Medicine Gang now, but who's to say it wouldn't become the same in the future? After all, the Medicine Gang had once been vibrant and full of promise, just like the Holy Gate. Look where that led.
"I've thought about this," Lu Bu said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "The Medicine Gang may be disbanded, but the alchemists are still around. The Holy Gate has no intention of recruiting them, nor will we stop others from doing so."
"If you're interested, Senior Lin Yan, you can gather a few alchemists to form your own faction and compete with us."
"Also… I plan to talk to Elder Hao and ask him to involve the academy's instructors in overseeing any factions that sell pills. They'll ensure quality control and prevent another Medicine Gang situation."
After listening, Lin Yan scratched his head and chuckled. "Lu Bu, with you around, I bet those alchemists won't have an easy time!"
"If it were easy, they'd end up like the Medicine Gang," Lu Bu replied with a shrug.
"Fair enough. I've never formed a faction before, but with graduation coming up, it sounds like fun." Lin Yan laughed.
After chatting briefly, Xiao Yan was dragged away by Nalan Yanran and Xiao Xun'er. Liu Fei and Qi Jing stayed a little while longer before taking their leave.
Lu Bu got up to see Lin Yan off, walking him out of the Holy Gate.
On the way, Lin Yan hesitated for a moment before asking, "Lu Bu, what did Bai Cheng talk to you about yesterday?"
"Just some minor matters. Nothing worth mentioning," Lu Bu replied with a smile. What they discussed, of course, was the root cause of everything.
The attacks by the Medicine Gang and White Gang had been sudden and seemingly without reason. The Holy Gate did have conflicts with them, but not to the extent that warranted such drastic measures especially considering that its leader was a fourth tier alchemist.
There were also other strange coincidences: Zong Zhengcai, ranked eighth on the Strongest Ranking, happened to emerge from seclusion at this time. And let's not forget the usually unremarkable Green Gang.
The second in command of the Green Gang had been the one to deal the heaviest blows. According to Bai Cheng, the reason the White Gang had allied with the Medicine Gang was Bai Shan's suggestion. Coincidentally, Bai Shan had recently become acquainted with a senior from the Green Gang.
For Lu Bu, solving this wasn't difficult: Close the gates, release Zi Yan!
Forget Yan Hao and Zong Zhengcai if Liu Qing or Lin Xiuya showed up, they'd have to listen obediently.
But Lu Bu didn't take that route. Instead, he chose to handle things himself. Why? Because the more chaotic things became, the more likely the mastermind behind it all would slip up. And sure enough, during his first interaction with Zong Zhengcai, a clue had surfaced.
"I'm curious to find out who's behind all this," Lu Bu said with a chuckle. With a tap of his toe, he disappeared into a blur, vanishing without a sound.
The Green Gang itself wasn't important. Neither was the person pulling the strings. What mattered was whoever had ordered this entire scheme.
…
By dusk, as the golden sun set and a yellow orange glow lit up the horizon, the students of the Inner Academy remained focused on their intense training, paying little attention to the beautiful scenery.
Before long, the sunset faded, and night began to fall. Just before the darkness fully set in, a small sparrow flitted out of the Inner Academy toward the surrounding forest.
Under the cover of night, the sparrow appeared no different from any other, fluttering about as if seeking a place to sleep. Within moments, it reached the border between the Inner Academy and the forest.
At that moment, a hawk swooped down, its sharp talons ready to snatch the sparrow.
But suddenly, both the hawk and the sparrow froze in midair as though caught by an invisible force.
A shadow flickered among the trees as Lu Bu stepped forward. His fingertip lightly touched the sparrow's belly, and with a small motion, the bird's beak opened, spitting out a tiny scroll.
Carefully unrolling the paper, Lu Bu read the message:
"Direct contact with the target established. Ready to proceed at any time."
"Tch… I knew there was something fishy," Lu Bu murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Raising his hand, he placed his finger on the hawk's head, channeling a trace of his soul power to create a small, invisible mark hidden beneath its feathers.
Sighing softly, he muttered to himself, "I, Lu Bu, am a kind and honest man. Who in the world has it out for me? Life is so hard…"
Restoring the paper to its original state, he placed it back in the sparrow's beak and withdrew his soul power.
Moments later, as if nothing had happened, both the hawk and the sparrow resumed their flight. The hawk snatched the sparrow and soared into the distance, disappearing into the night.
(End of Chapter)
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