Chapter 450: The Truth And The Contact (1)

The tall and well-built man who entered appeared to be in his thirties. He had a handsome and trustworthy demeanor that radiated masculinity. His name was Zhu Kunyu.

He shared a connection with Huang Fulai. They had been roommates during their university days, occupying the bunk beds in the same dormitory. They were also close partners in cultivation, striving together during those formative years.

Once, under the light of a lamp, they had sworn an oath to dedicate their lives to the rise of Great Xia. After completing their graduate studies, they had entered the political world at nearly the same time, though their careers had diverged since.

"We once promised to support each other, to achieve greatness together... and to never forget each other in times of fortune." Zhu Kunyu spoke as he playfully punched Huang Fulai’s chest. "I heard about your situation, so I came to see you as soon as I got off duty. What do you think? Am I a good brother or what?"

"You’re thoughtful, Old Zhu." A rare smile crossed Huang Fulai’s face.

Seeing his old friend’s familiar grin on this midsummer morning brought him the first glimmer of warmth since arriving in Haijing City.

"Come on, are we brothers or not?" Zhu Kunyu said with mock indignation.

"By the way," Huang Fulai asked, "I remember you only transferred to Haijing City six months ago. You were working in the Market Administration Office in Anjing District before that. Did you get promoted recently?"

The two had kept in touch in the past, and Huang Fulai knew that Zhu Kunyu’s career in Haijing City hadn’t been particularly smooth. By all accounts, his position should have made it impossible for him to pull strings and gain access to the tightly monitored Lijing Hotel.

This was one reason why Huang Fulai hadn’t reached out to Zhu Kunyu upon his arrival. He hadn’t wanted his troubles to drag down an old friend.

Zhu Kunyu grinned proudly. "Clearly, you don’t know! I’m now the Director of the Police Department for Anjing District!"

"Really?" Huang Fulai was stunned. "When did this happen?"

Haijing City was divided into six districts, including Anjing District. Although just a single district, its size, population, economic scale, and virtually every other measure far exceeded that of Xu Base City. Becoming the Director of the Police Department for Anjing District was a meteoric rise. It was a position that made one a prominent figure in Haijing City.

"Why would I lie to you?" Zhu Kunyu smiled faintly and added, "It happened just a month ago, so I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet."

"That’s fantastic!" Huang Fulai clapped his hands, genuinely delighted for his old friend.

Excitedly, he said, "I remember back in school, you were more inclined toward martial arts and always preferred solving problems with strength. A position in the Police Department suits you perfectly. With your talent and ability, you deserved this promotion long ago."

Zhu Kunyu’s face lit up with a wide smile, and he said with deep emotion, "Exactly! Over the past month, I’ve truly felt like a dragon in the sea who’s finally able to unleash his ambitions. It’s also made me realize that if you want to hold office in a supercity like Haijing, you absolutely need a solid backer."

Huang Fulai nodded slightly. The sentiment was tinged with helplessness, but it was undeniably true.

Zhu Kunyu then leaned forward, grinning, and asked, "Do you know who my backer is?"

Huang Fulai paused to think for a moment before replying, "I’d guess someone at the city leader level?"

Haijing City, a massive metropolis with a population of tens of millions, was overseen by seven city leaders, who were each responsible for managing various aspects of the city’s operations. Each city leader wielded immense influence. Naturally, the seven city leaders also had an informal ranking.

"You’ve still got that knack for guessing, just like back in university," Zhu Kunyu said with a nod. "You’re right. I’ve been promoted thanks to the support of the Seventh City Leader, who was transferred to Haijing City just six months ago. And actually, you know him too."

"I know him?" Huang Fulai was taken aback.

Zhu Kunyu grinned and decided to reveal the secret. "It’s none other than our old mentor, Professor Xue Xuanqi."

"Professor Xue?" Huang Fulai exclaimed in shock.

Professor Xue Xuanqi had been his graduate advisor and one of the people he respected most.

"Professor Xue came to Haijing City six months ago?" Huang Fulai said, astonished. "How did I not hear anything about this?"

Zhu Kunyu took a sip of water and chuckled. "Actually, I only found out a month ago myself. It turns out that Professor Xue entered politics five years ago and was quietly transferred to Haijing City a year ago."

"I’ve stayed in touch with him all these years," Huang Fulai said, frowning. "But I didn’t know any of this."

Zhu Kunyu explained with a smile, "That was intentional on his part. When he first arrived in Haijing City, he didn’t notify anyone, and his appointment process was kept relatively low-profile. He had two reasons. First, Haijing City’s situation is extraordinarily complex, unlike any other base city, so he needed to invest significant effort to establish his position. Second, Professor Xue wanted to covertly assess his former students and identify those truly worth supporting and promoting."

"Does he know about your visit here?" Huang Fulai asked.

Zhu Kunyu nodded. "It was Professor Xue who sent me. The pass I used was signed by him. Do you really think the authority of the Anjing District Police Department Director would be enough to get me into this hotel?"

Huang Fulai’s spirits lifted. This meant he, too, was one of the people Professor Xue had chosen.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

As if confirming his thoughts, Zhu Kunyu added, "Don’t worry. Professor Xue holds you in high regard. He’s already started making arrangements and will clear your name. In fact, about the situation in Xu Base City..."

"Hold on for a moment," Huang Fulai said urgently. "I have an extremely pressing matter that I must ask Professor Xue to intervene in."

Zhu Kunyu smiled faintly. "Let me guess; you want to ask Professor Xue to help rescue the young man in black who was taken away?"

"Exactly!" Huang Fulai exclaimed. "After all these years, you still see right through me... Old Zhu, I swear to you, that young man is a once-in-a-century prodigy in ancient martial arts. On top of that, he possesses the heart of a pure child and has the bearing of a Saint. No matter the cost, we must find a way to save him."

"You hold him in such high regard?" Zhu Kunyu was visibly surprised.

He looked at Huang Fulai and couldn’t help but tease him, "Old Huang, you’re like a Bodhisattva trying to cross a river right now; you can barely protect yourself. And yet, you’re worrying about a stranger you’ve only met a few times?"

Huang Fulai recounted the events that had occurred during their journey to Haijing City. After finishing, he added, "Old Zhu, tell me honestly. Doesn’t such a young genius deserve to be saved?"

After hearing the story, Zhu Kunyu was deeply shaken.

"What a righteous young man, cutting down treachery with the blade of justice!" He slammed his hand on the table and praised loudly, "In times like these, geniuses with the demeanor of ancient sages are exceedingly rare. This is a true prodigy in ancient martial arts and absolutely worth saving."

But then, his tone suddenly shifted.

"However..."

"However, what?" Huang Fulai pressed anxiously.

Zhu Kunyu slowly sat back down. "However, you’re too late."

"Too late?" Huang Fulai’s heart sank, his face paling as he stammered, "Does that mean he’s already been harmed? It’s all my fault..."

Zhu Kunyu quickly reassured him. "It’s not what you think. Not many people know about it, but we’re brothers, so I won’t hide it from you. The young man was taken to the dark prison and handed over to Flaying Blood Magistrate Guan Zhongliu..."

Huang Fulai's heart sank. He had heard rumors about the dark prison and its warden, Guan Zhongliu back in Xu Base City. The tales of his cruelty were chilling. It was said that even granite would be squeezed for juice in the dark prison, let alone flesh and blood. Many ancient martial artists had fallen into Guan Zhongliu’s hands, and none had ever made it out unscathed.

Now that the young man in black was in the clutches of this living King of Hell, it was likely he was already enduring unspeakable torture. The thought made Huang Fulai increasingly anxious.

"I know you’re worried, but calm down for a moment," Zhu Kunyu said, pressing a firm hand on his shoulder. He continued, "Things aren’t as you or anyone imagines. It’s said that the Kong family and other prominent clans connected to Xu Base City secretly paid Guan Zhongliu to severely torture the young man. At the same time, someone instructed Guan Zhongliu to use brutal methods to force the young man to confess, implicating you in the process. From there, they planned to link it back to Professor Xue..."

"Enough of the suspense!" Huang Fulai interrupted, his tone sharp with impatience. "Just tell me; what’s happened to him now?"

Despite his usual composure as a politician, known for his patience and self-control, Huang Fulai found himself uncharacteristically flustered. When it came to the young man in black, he couldn’t help but lose his composure.