Martial Ascent to Divinity-Chapter 581 - 563: Poison Pill

Supervision Office.

Two inspectors made phone calls together to persuade the person on the other side.

"Have you considered the possibility of withdrawing the lawsuit?"

"This matter has a significant impact. You originally don’t have much evidence. If it goes to court and you lose, the consequences are severe."

"I think the other party seems to be severely depressed as well. If they go crazy and come after you, it will be difficult to handle..."

"Without evidence, we’re very passive and under a lot of pressure..."

The two inspectors advised for a long time, then hung up the phone and exchanged glances.

Tens of thousands of wrongful cases each year are none of their business.

Criminals at large are none of their business.

Innocent people in prison are none of their business.

Genuine victims having mental breakdowns are none of their business.

Innocent lives destroyed are none of their business.

But now Zhou Leng is threatening with his life, so they have to consider carefully.

After all, the Huang Meng Sect just slaughtered certain places in Rucheng, and in one place alone, at least 35 people are gone. Who knows if this Zhou Leng is colluding with the Huang Meng Sect?

Better safe than sorry.

Martial Guard Bureau of Rucheng.

"Prepare, we might need to initiate the poison pill plan."

"Ah? But... the higher-ups aren’t blind. Once it’s activated, they’ll surely find out it’s you, and by then..."

"As evidence shows, the snake-luring plan was a complete failure, even triggering more intense internal conflicts. If they don’t care, I’ll make them care."

"Chief Wang, if you really make up your mind, I’m not afraid of any disciplinary action. But you’ve worked hard to reach this position..."

"We can’t let our world be trampled by them."

"Yes!"

Seventh Division.

"Report as usual, talk about the five clans separately. Their demigod is holding a meeting. Lower the intelligence level, as it’s still in the reconnaissance stage and no conclusions have been reached."

"Understood."

Ward.

The screen of the demonized watch lit up in the distance, silenced, and Zhou Leng didn’t look at it.

After a while, a Martial Guard at the door came in with the demonized watch and handed it to Zhou Leng.

"Chief Wang asks you to take the call."

Zhou Leng took it.

"Prepare today. There’s an important event to attend tomorrow, but keep everything confidential until the news release at seven on the Heavenly Vision."

"My body..."

Zhou Leng glanced down.

The internal organs had long healed, but the skin and flesh of the chest and abdomen had only half recovered, leaving a large hole.

Originally, from the bladder to the neck, it was one complete hole.

Now the wound is gourd-shaped, much smaller, now able to hold two large bowls.

"Having injuries is good. Go with the hospital bed."

"Hm?" Zhou Leng didn’t quite understand.

"The weather outside, can your body withstand it?"

Zhou Leng looked out the window. In the lunar month of Xiongjing, the trees were withered, the ground was covered in dried yellow leaves, and snow was everywhere.

Even without True Qi, the current body can withstand temperatures of minus one hundred degrees.

"No problem, just need to keep the chest and abdomen warm."

"This joke’s a bit hellish. All right, rest well."

"I... want to go back to Rucheng tomorrow."

"Why?"

"To go to the Ancient River Research Bureau and leave something there."

"What thing?"

"You’ll know by then." Zhou Leng was in low spirits, not interested in talking about the Celestial Tier Trial.

"Okay, after tomorrow’s event, we’ll directly arrange for you to return to Rucheng, and then?"

"Then give me a few days. I want to be alone in the mountains for a while."

"Your injuries..."

"What troubles me isn’t the physical wounds."

"All right, tomorrow we’ll arrange a demonized plane with accompanying demon spirit masters to protect you and send you directly to the Ancient River Research Bureau. Also, don’t forget to watch the Heavenly Vision news at seven tomorrow."

Rucheng.

In a shabby old building, Xue Chengsong lay on the sofa, reeking of alcohol, his clothes filthy, and his face full of stubble.

He watched the image projected by the demonized watch, gritting his teeth.

On the screen was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with a square face, dignified appearance, full of righteous spirit, wearing a gray-black jacket.

"Gao Tianlong..." Xue Chengsong squeezed out a name from between his teeth.

Ruda Dormitory.

Xu Qingjin silently sent a message.

"No matter what, we’re family."

"No matter what happens, contact me first. Don’t ignore me."

"The two of us, we’ll walk together. Just like when we were kids, always hand in hand."

"Next time we meet, let’s get married."

Yunhua Martial Arts Academy, School Hospital.

Zhang Xinglie took off his hospital gown and changed into camouflage clothing.

The left sleeve hung empty, his right hand propped on a crutch as he slowly moved forward.

He laughed, "This crutch is a demonized weapon. As a kid, I admired Iron Crutch Li and thought being handicapped was pretty badass. Hey, didn’t expect my dream to come true."

Beside him, a radiant girl was carrying a luggage bag, smiling gently.

Zhang Xinglie continued to ramble.

"Although I’ve lost my limbs, my life is saved. I hear Mountain and River Origin is worse off than me, and Zhou Leng... sigh, he hasn’t contacted me until now; it looks like the blow was too severe. I know him too well; if he saw me like this, he’d definitely feel terribly guilty."

"I won’t see him for a while..."

Zhang Xinglie’s voice was somber, but then he laughed: "After being discharged, I need to work harder and quickly advance to Grandmaster."

"I still have one arm, one leg..." He suddenly lowered his head, and after a long time, he slowly lifted it, smiling on his face.

"Zhou Leng’s martial arts path is cut off, so I have to continue his cultivation."

"In a while, I may be focused on cultivation for a long time, so the time I spend with you will become gradually less."

"Hmm..." The girl nodded lightly.

Zhang Xinglie smiled and spoke, and the girl listened.

After a long while, the girl suddenly said, "Let’s have a child."

"Ah?" Zhang Xinglie turned his head to look over.

"Let’s have a child." The girl’s face flushed red, her gaze resolute.

Not far from Yunhua Martial Arts Academy. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Liang Baiyin was also sending messages.

"Brother Zhou Leng, my classmates and I all believe in you!"

"I know you too well; you couldn’t have done something like that!"

"I heard you’re in Xiongjing Hospital, but I don’t know where exactly."

"If you want someone to accompany you, Baiyin is ready to chat anytime, available 24/7!"

"No matter what others say, in my heart, you will always be the best Brother Zhou Leng!"

Countless messages accumulated in Zhou Leng’s Martial Faith.

Always unviewed.

These days, Zhou Leng has been constantly adjusting in the Celestial Tier Trial.

To leave a perfect trial ground for future generations.

Also to regain the feeling of possessing True Qi.

The minor year, on the day twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month.

News regarding the "Hero Honor Ceremony" had started warming up several days earlier, with major media outlets reporting eagerly.

Some martial arts, military-themed self-media bloggers speculated which heavyweight heroes would be honored.

Every Hero Honor Ceremony is accompanied by an on-site award.

Every hero honored in the Hero Honor Ceremony is renowned throughout the world.

Currently, Dragon Country’s most famous Martial Saints, Grandmasters, Innates, etc., are all honored before the hero monument, without exception.

The hero monument honoring is considered the highest honor for a martial artist.

Since Dragon Country leads the Demon City Army by the Martial Mansion, each time, all the elders from the Supreme Court of the Martial Mansion are in attendance, and they even invite retired elders and retired meritorious officials.

As usual, the day before the hero monument honoring, the Martial Mansion issued a notice to its subordinate organizations, requiring all personnel to watch the news on Tianvision at 7 p.m. on the twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month.

In response to the Martial Mansion’s call, universities and enterprises nationwide would also issue relevant notices, organizing personnel to watch.

Major online media would also prepare in advance, and when the news began at seven o’clock, they would concentrate traffic, push the homepage, and ensure each browser sees it at least once.

Not just domestically.

Because Dragon Country is already the strongest nation on Blue Star, countries worldwide have been striving to learn and research Dragon Country.

There are even organizations such as "Tianvision Seven O’clock News Research Association," specializing in researching Dragon Country’s martial arts and policy trends through the country’s most important news program.

Every hero monument honoring invites dignitaries from various countries, and sometimes even honors foreigners who participated in the battle.

Therefore, major global platforms also broadcast the honor ceremony.

On this day, things were particularly calm.

Many people noticed that those many hot news attacking Zhou Leng quietly fell off the list, some even deleted.

In some private forums, explosive rumors about Zhou Leng started circulating, but many didn’t believe them.

The publishers of these rumors, without exception, regardless of others’ disbelief, all said, "Wait for the seven o’clock news tonight."

Nearing seven o’clock, Tianvision issued a news reminder.

Today’s seven o’clock news will be extended by about 30 minutes due to the "Hero Honor Ceremony" broadcast.

Upon hearing this news, many speculated why it was extended so long, because generally, extending twenty minutes is the limit.

Extending 30 minutes, totaling over an hour, is rare in history.

Previous hero monument honorings typically extended only about fifteen minutes.

Before the news broadcast began, more and more rumors circulated online.

Many following current affairs, either sat by the TV or held phones, waiting for the seven o’clock news.

At 7 p.m., the familiar voice sounded, and familiar news images appeared before everyone.

At this moment, all Dragon Country’s online platforms, popular broadcasts, homepage content, all switched to the seven o’clock news.

All channels nationwide on TV also broadcasted simultaneously.

The news started normally, the host said today is minor year, mentioning some New Year topics.

Then narrated that today the Hero Honor Ceremony was held, with only some footage, the formal content left for the end of the news.

The third item left many puzzled.

Unexpectedly on minor year, during such an important day, the Cyber Office sternly crackdown on online exposure, rumor-mongering, false accusations, its tone heavier than imagined.

Afterward, it was the usual content, first domestic news, then martial arts news, followed by Demon City news, and finally international news.

Many rarely watched the seven o’clock news regularly, gradually lost interest, and went to watch other things.

Some wanted to see who this year’s heroes were, occasionally left but soon returned for a glance.

At 7:30, the Tianvision news screen changed.

A martial arts hero monument stood tall in the massive Xiongjing New Tianmen Square, an aerial perspective showcasing the square’s vastness and the hero monument’s grandeur.

Before the hero monument, countless flowers bloomed in the winter.

A long red carpet extended several hundred meters.

The military band marched forward, playing heroic music.

In the resounding song, the honor guard laid flowers before the martial arts hero monument under the host’s commentary.