You're Strong But Now You're Mine-Chapter 561 - 559: Loyalist IF: Le Yin Qin’s Funeral (Part 2)

"Damn old fossil!"

Gray-haired Wei Wei muttered as he left the Platinum Tower. Chen Rift, who was about to report his work to the principal, heard Wei Wei's complaints and quickly entered the Platinum Tower to the seventh floor after he left. He found the principal and said, "Principal, I just heard Wei Wei outside swearing 'damn old fossil'."

"Such a thing happened!" Cha Huan was furious. "I toil night and day, give my utmost, striving tirelessly... Is it too much for me to make him an executive committee member for the first nationwide unified college entrance examination? Call him back!"

"Alright!" Chen Rift hurried to call Wei Wei back. Cha Huan rudely questioned him, "Were you just outside swearing 'damn old fossil'?"

"Yes," Wei Wei said. "I heard, Principal, that the Cabinet is obstructing the first college entrance examination, and I'm the only representative from the Imperial Academy in the Executive Committee. Who can't see that these nobles are still trying to interfere with college admissions, blocking the common people's path to advancement? So I couldn't help but swear 'damn old fossil'. Principal, who do you think 'damn old fossil' is cursing?"

"So that's how it is." Cha Huan realized, looking to Chen Rift:

"Then Director Chen, who do you think 'damn old fossil' is cursing?"

...

...

After a sweaty Chen Rift finished his report and left, a teasing voice suddenly echoed on the seventh floor of the Platinum Tower, "Principal, I didn't expect you to finally grow up, congratulations indeed, congratulations indeed."

A man in a black agent uniform jumped in from the window on the seventh floor. He appeared to be an ordinary low-level agent, yet he wore an extremely strange helmet that wrapped half his head, leaving only his mouth exposed.

"Oh, my, isn't this the popular favorite of the Imperial Court, Cabinet scholar, White Night Central Committee's second recorder, Yanjing Patrol and Punishment Department's director An Ju, a truly rare guest." Cha Huan said calmly, sipping tea slowly. "I don't recall you having an appointment to meet."

"Just call me Faceless... But I didn't need an appointment to find you before." Faceless pulled out a chair to sit down. He paused, looking down at the chair under his butt, "Has it really been so long since I came... You've actually added a second chair?"

"Can't be helped; too many people have been coming to discuss work lately."

"Isn't this your office? Has no one asked for your advice in the past decades?"

"You're right, the administration used to be managed by Zhu Yan, and even if I worked, it wouldn't be in here." Cha Huan said, "In these past few years, I've sat here more than in all the previous decades."

"Who'd have thought that the once proud Dead Mad Martial Pillar would run errands for the imperial court?" Faceless laughed.

"I couldn't refuse the century-long plan he proposed," Cha Huan said softly. "Even though I might not see the future he described in my lifetime, even just getting closer to it fills me with passion... I even started to lament why I was born so early; if only I were a bit younger, could live a bit longer..."

"Principal, you'll live to a hundred; why lament?"

Cha Huan let out a cold laugh, "If anyone truly lives to a hundred, that person shouldn't be me."

A moment of silence enveloped the seventh floor until three seconds later when Faceless slowly said, "Ordinary people believe when they see; great people see because they believe... Even if he dies, he has laid the foundation for everything and drawn the blueprint for the future. As long as we follow steps to advance, inherit his ideas, continue his work, we will eventually reach the shore we promised despite all the challenges."

"Surely, at his end, he will hear the laughter of children, see the glorious peace and prosperity."

Cha Huan glanced at him, "Speaking of which, how's the 'Immortal Seed Program' progressing?"

"Negotiations with the Barbarians... and Demon Race are still difficult. Stony holds a firm grip on the ownership of Blood Essence Stone, unwilling to let go. Even if we make more concessions in the Xia Mu Autonomous Region, they refuse. If negotiations fail, we can only establish the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts Academy in the Xia Mu District."

"Cooperation with the Barbarian Race... decades ago, such a thing would've been impossible. Both the public and the court would've had only one solution: suppress with force, kill all the Barbarian Race, and retrieve Blood Essence Stone from their corpses." Cha Huan sighed.

"Times have changed; developing productive forces is the primary requirement, even if it means suppressing other contradictions." Faceless said. "The Western Continent has hundreds of millions of tireless Undead workers, where everyone is a Necromancer. We can't compete with them in manpower; the best choice is to find another path. If we cannot use even the unique manpower of the Barbarian Race, Shining's national power cannot catch up with the Western Continent."

"Moreover, the cultivation of Immortal Seeds relies on the Demon Race. The Demon Race has strong vitality, healing ability much higher than humans. The blood offered by one Demon far surpasses a dozen ordinary humans. After all, the last Behemoth is dead—we can use demon blood to cultivate Immortal Seeds freely without worrying about a second 'Demon Blood Mutation'."

Cha Huan couldn't help but sigh, "Smiling could not have imagined that his death would become a significant factor in Shining's consideration to collaborate with the Barbarian Race."

Faceless continued, "Furthermore, the development of the Jin Hui and Xia Mu districts needs the Demon Race. The Elf and Titan Autonomous Regions are already part of the next five-year plan, but for the moment, the Imperial Court has no need for them. We can steadily bring them into Shining's system... Yes, as he put it, to lead all races and form a Shining community of shared destiny."

"Shining is growing," Cha Huan said softly, "after two thousand years of comfort-zone tenure, Shining finally dares to try new things."

"You're the same, Principal," Faceless laughed. "You used to loathe and not tolerate petty people like Chen Rift who spout mischief. In the past, someone like him wouldn't have lasted in the Imperial Academy, let alone seize a position in academic affairs?"

"Times change," Cha Huan said. "Fairness is most crucial in human rights, and human rights fairness begins with educational equity... If Skyrim People can't have a place in the educational system, how can the Skyrim region trust the Imperial Court to treat all equally and resolve past gripes?"

"Is there no better candidate?"

"Truly none. Skyrim has been chaotic for too long; ambitious ones know that knowledge can't save Skyrim, so they all engage in martial arts. Most people's educational level only reaches reading a few popular novels. Chen Rift is a distant relative of Chenfeng, and due to frail health and family backing, he's had the resources to learn academics. But even so, his level doesn't reach the first-year students of the Imperial Academy."

Cha Huan shrugged, "However, he's not without genuine skills. The scholarship fund he manages operates well, with increasing enrollment of Skyrim students yearly. He's well acknowledged by the students. In comparison with his political scheming and ambition, those are minor faults."

"Most importantly, with him here, other students won't dare excessively bully and exclude Skyrim People."

Faceless said, "Principal, you've finally understood the technique of balance. Historically, if the Imperial Academy's students were mostly from the core regions of Jindi, Chenfeng, Xiamu, and Le Yin, that would lead to educational imbalance, which would eventually lead to political imbalance and a repetition of history. Only by maintaining balance can we achieve sustainable and healthy growth." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Balance exists between all things."

Cha Huan put down his teacup and silently stared at Faceless for a while.

"What do you want to say?"

"Balance has already been broken." Faceless stated, "Qin Le Yin is dead. The remnants of the old era are set to make a comeback. We need to seize more power."

"I knew it, tomorrow is his funeral, and you chose to come to me now; it's obviously not to invite me to a meal." Cha Huan sneered, "Master power? Your White Night Party has already become the backbone of the Imperial Court, officials from the Outer District and the White Night Party are virtually indistinguishable from one another and from each other; within a few years, in Glorious Light, it will be impossible to be an officer without being from White Night!"

"It's all thanks to him," Faceless sighed, "He perfected our political program, gave us our identity, united our grassroots to gain power... If he could live another twenty, no, ten years, with him steering White Night, by then White Night would certainly mature completely, and I could die with no regrets!"

"But he died too early, and White Night is too young... though thanks to his help, White Night can openly enter the central heart of the Imperial Court, speak for the majority, and influence the governance of Glorious Light, White Night lacks the tempering of storm and tempest, like a child meticulously protected, destined to be swallowed by the wicked world sooner or later!"

"Jade unpolished will not be a useful tool; anything gained easily will be lost just as easily!"

"In fact, signs have already appeared, corruption cases within White Night are growing more frequent, even the Discipline Inspection Department has seen corrupt elements... The power of the remnants is so strong, even though Qin Le Yin once toured Glorious Light, wielding the Holy Sword and beheading countless, leaving only one in ten of the world's noble families, people trembling, landlords skinned and stuffed, scheming merchants hung from lampposts, it's still not enough!"

"Even the most perfect system will be found with flaws, and even the most brilliant spirit cannot compete with human greed," Faceless said, "Only with absolute violence can the future be timely corrected! The weapons of criticism cannot replace criticism with weapons!"

"What do you mean?!" Cha Huan's face drastically changed.

"Holy Sword Glorious Light!" Faceless said, "Why did Qin Le Yin dare to subdue the five districts single-handedly? Why could he make the noble families surrender, the nobility bow, the landlords fear, and the masses follow with just one command? Those who died at his hand were no less than ten thousand; if not for White Night having talents reserved in various places, many places would be nearly unmanaged due to his killings, yet even like this, no one dared to revolt, no one dared to resist, all obediently underwent judgment. Even those who ran away were few, more chose to commit suicide at home before his arrival!"

"Only because he wielded the Holy Sword Glorious Light!"

"With the Holy Sword, even the martial pillar shivered in his presence, a thousand armies and ten thousand guns were trifles."

"With the Holy Sword, the masses followed orders fanatically, and the noble families dared not stir a hint of rebellion."

"Even though since that day he hasn't swung the sword again, everyone knows that if they dare harm the people and exploit the masses, that Holy Sword will once again fall!"

"Thus, we need the Holy Sword Glorious Light!" Faceless's voice carried fervor, "Only with the Holy Sword suspended above all lives can it shine on the world, suppress the demons and monsters!"

"The Holy Sword will naturally be hung," Cha Huan said, "Her Majesty the Empress—"

"The Ming family doesn't have the ability!" Faceless said, "They are the supreme royal family, born to enjoy riches and honor, they cherish life, seek stability, covet power; they are not the populace! No one will believe they will wield the Holy Sword, no one!"

"Don't forget, it's been less than ten years since Emperor Xianzong died. If those remnants really feared the royal family with the Holy Sword, why did they dare regicide? Because they know, even if the new emperor holds the Holy Sword, they will surely use political means to seize power rather than risking an early demise with Holy Sword Glorious Light!"

"Principal, have you read that serialized sci-fi novel in Youth Daily? Do you know what threat level is? If Qin Le Yin's threat level is 100, the Empress's threat level is not even 10! This is established on the premise that all rumors outside are false, and the Empress doesn't have a child of Qin Le Yin... If she really has a child, the threat level might not even be 1!"

"The Holy Sword, only when held by someone daring to wield it, has the potential to shine," Faceless said, "So not only the royal family, but also the Qin family won't do."

Cha Huan sneered, "So should it be you who holds it?"

"Neither you nor I would suffice," Faceless said, "But we can design a usage process according to the Holy Sword's inheritance method, ensuring that when necessary, we can send someone to wield the Holy Sword; and let the entire nation know that the Holy Sword has never been idle, Glorious Light always protects all lives!"

"What do you mean... Do you think Qin Le Yin told me how to wield the Holy Sword Glorious Light?!"

Cha Huan finally heard the subtext in Faceless's words and cursed loudly, "An Ju you bastard kid, why don't you ask Her Majesty the Empress? She surely knows why Qin Le Yin, as an outsider, could share the Holy Sword with the emperor!"

Faceless said, "Qin Le Yin undoubtedly knows the Holy Sword Glorious Light is meaningless in the hands of the royal family; if he wanted to leave insurance for Glorious Light, who else but the principal qualifies as his insurance?"

"Flattery gets you nowhere, bastard kid," Cha Huan snorted, "Qin Le Yin died neatly, didn't leave me a will, and didn't make me any sort of insurance... I suspect wearing the helmet too long has hindered your brain development; I'm half-buried, even if he left insurance it wouldn't be on me."

"Perhaps tomorrow's funeral... "

"No, no, this absolutely won't happen!" Cha Huan waved his hand like swatting a fly, "If he wanted to tell me something, he'd have definitely told me when he was alive, not died and then hinted at it like a fool... Do you think he wore a helmet like you? Would he convey such crucial information to me in such a risky way?"

"Actually, in your heart, you also know, Qin Le Yin was mostly just a chance encounter; his miracle is unrepeatable. If it could be repeated, he would have prepared in advance."

Faceless stood silent for a while, then said, "If he really left something, tomorrow's funeral is the most likely occasion. So, principal, please keep a close watch."

"What you just said is very accurate, you are indeed like a child delicately cared for," Cha Huan mocked, "He tried everything while alive to keep you from relying on him, or the Holy Sword, yet you still remain a group of big babies."

"You don't understand."

"Then go ahead, I'm one of the smartest people in the world, possibly the smartest."

Faceless was silent for a moment, then said, "Actually, I also know, factionalism, pulling together, grouping for warmth, interests transfer, political marriages, blood ties, inheritance, these are all inevitable societal norms; White Night will inevitably fall into the same cycle. Over the past two thousand years, such things have happened countless times, breaking the old, then creating another old version."

"But this time it's different, because he was here, because we were here. Even if we leave, they still have to build academies, create associations, repair the Medical Bureau, care for the masses, fear the masses, have to care about the feelings of the masses... However, if more chips can be placed on the side of the masses, it can make the opposite side fall slower."

"Why can White Night branch out like bamboo shoots after a rain in various regions? Why are people willing to join White Night, voice their opinions, and resist the unjust world?"

Faceless stood up and said, "Because for the first time they discovered the Holy Sword Glorious Light is willing to stand on the side of the majority. The Holy Sword gave them courage, gave them hope, and we White Night... are simply the embodiment of the Holy Sword."

"Sorry to disturb, I don't have money to invite the principal for dinner, I'll be leaving first. See you at the funeral tomorrow."

Saying this, Faceless directly jumped out the window to leave.

Cha Huan remained silent for a long time, sitting in his position without saying a word. His gaze suddenly turned to the photo frame on the desk, which holds a black and white photo of an old man and a youth with arms around each other's shoulders, like two expired children.

After a while, he suddenly let out a mocking laugh:

"The damned are alive, and the ones who shouldn't die have died."