Beijing, Beidou Headquarters
Yang He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his throbbing temples.
Since joining the Council of Elders, his workload had grown exponentially. Even decision-making responsibilities previously handled by Nangong Xuan had been delegated to him while the elder traveled abroad.
But Yang He knew better—Elder Tianxuan wasn’t on vacation. He was out killing people.
The recent chain of incidents all traced back to foreign forces. A bloody demonstration of power was necessary.
Politics could be brutally simple at times: Whoever was stronger called the shots.
Harsh, but undeniable.
With Qin Xun severely injured, Beijing lacked a powerhouse to anchor its authority. Though the other standing elders were formidable, urgent matters had pulled them away, leaving only B-rankers to hold the fort.
They couldn’t match the威慑 of Qin Xun or Nangong Xuan, but they sufficed for keeping petty troublemakers in line.
Yet the challenges kept coming.
Recently, the Longshan Ruins had unveiled new treasures. Domestic outlaws and foreign opportunists, seizing Nangong Xuan’s absence, had forced entry through alternate ruins.
Yang He immediately dispatched teams to suppress them—with limited success. The Council of Elders seized the chance to challenge his authority, even attempting to oust him. Only their fear of Nangong Xuan’s retaliation stayed their hand.
Still, resistance to his actions grew daily.
Why did Nangong Xuan favor me so? Yang He wondered. Just for my loyalty?
He feared his dedication outweighed his competence…
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Enter.”
“Commander Yang, reports from Xihai Province indicate a university student named Su Mo discovered a rare spatial spirit stone deposit while training in the ruins.”
Yang He shot to his feet. “Scale?”
“Still unconfirmed, but preliminary data suggests it surpasses all known deposits.”
A triumphant grin broke across Yang He’s face. “Excellent. Notify Xihai—lock down intel, reinforce security. I’ll mobilize additional personnel immediately.”
“Understood.”
“Wait.” Yang He’s eyes narrowed. “Keep this from the Council… for now.”
“But… they likely already know.”
“Let them be the ones to bring it up.”
“Commander, you’re planning…?”
Yang He’s voice turned icy. “Do your job. Ask no questions. Your reward will come after success.”
“Yes, sir.”
Xihai Ruins
As Xia Nation’s richest resource site, the Xihai Ruins brimmed with rare ores and spirit herbs—assets meant for centralized national distribution.
Yet in recent years, corrupt elders had woven a black-market network, trading access to foreign and domestic bidders.
Nangong Xuan’s resurgence had curbed but not crushed the scheme—too many high-ranking Beidou figures were entangled.
Which explained why the newly stationed guards were immediately approached by a smug group flashing “Xihai Access Permits” stamped with the Council’s seal.
“Hard work, brothers!” Their leader distributed cigarettes with a greasy smile.
The guard captain frowned. After eighteen years on duty, he knew the drill—normally, he’d wave them through.
But yesterday, Beijing had issued a ironclad decree: “No entry without the Beidou Seal.”
That seal symbolized supreme authority, traditionally held by the Tianxuan Elder. With the position vacant, Nangong Xuan served as custodian—and had delegated partial control to Yang He.
Though Yang He’s inexperience drew quiet scorn, none dared openly defy an A-ranker’s proxy.
So the captain stood firm. “New orders. No entry without the Beidou Seal.”
The leader’s face darkened. “My brother-in-law is Elder Han. Reconsider.”
Sweat beaded on the captain’s neck, but he repeated: “No entry. Beidou Seal only.”
A bark of laughter. “The Tianxuan Elder’s been missing for ages! Who even knows where the seal is? Just do your real job and let us in!”
When the captain stood his ground, the leader grabbed his collar. “Open your damn eyes! I’m Elder Han’s family! You’re nothing!”
A punch flew toward the captain’s face.
Though both were D-rank, the leader’s entourage of E and F-rank thugs surged forward. Chaos erupted.
The captain radioed for backup—only to be told to “handle it yourself.”
Handle this?! If I could, would I be begging for help?!
As despair set in, a blade screamed through the air—halting a hair’s breadth from the leader’s throat.
A grimy but sharp-eyed youth gripped the hilt, his disheveled hair doing little to mask his piercing intensity.
The leader’s knees buckled.
The boy’s voice rang clear:
“Beidou Law Article 6: Those who endanger Xia Nation’s security—”
“Shall be executed on sight.”