Chapter 2: Lian Ming
"Moonlit Phantasm True Scripture!"
Long Chen chose this particular cultivation technique.
This was a technique that could only be cultivated during the nighttime under the moon. The operator's power would be twice as potent as it was during the day. Naturally, there was a disadvantage that the operator would be weak during the daytime.
However, Long Chen still decisively chose this cultivation technique because this technique possessed a unique feature.
It could train Long Chen's mental energy, and he could create illusions instantly without requiring any symbols, inscriptions, or even hand seals.
Long Chen knew that the warriors utilizing illusions to fight were rather weak in the beginning, but their abilities expanded as they grew stronger.
Moreover, Moonlit Phantasm True Scripture was the best technique for Long Chen's current situation.
He was an official in prison and had an 8-hour shift during the day. By the time Long Chen's shift ended, it was nighttime. Long Chen could use that time to cultivate.
Fortunately, the speed of cultivation of the Moonlit Phantasm True Scripture in the night was nearly equal to the Nine Suns True Scripture during the day.
The Blue Quartz boosted the mental energy of the warriors. However, it had another use for Long Chen. Long Chen could cultivate the Moonlit Phantasm True Scripture using the Blue Quartz even during the day. He just had to keep the Blue Quartz connected to his body at all times.
"This amount of Blue Quartz will be expended in merely three days. I need to think of a way to earn more money so that I can buy more of this Blue Quartz."
Long Chen planned to use his knowledge about future events to his advantage.
While Long Chen was returning to his house, he heard a shout calling out for him, "Long Chen, you are still here? Why didn't you go to prison?"
This voice was really melodious and made one want to listen to her more. However, Long Chen's heart merely felt cold as he shivered slightly.
He slowly turned his head and stared at the woman behind him. It was his direct superior from the Prison: Lian Ming. Just why was he so unlucky to encounter this woman at such a moment?!
Lian Ming had long red hair hanging over a lean, wild face. She had a pair of beautiful emerald pupils set narrowly within their sockets. Her soft fair skin complimented her hair, making her appear extremely gorgeous.
Even though she was standing straight, one couldn't help but feel a hint of seductiveness and roughness from her.
She was clad in a light blue loose-fitting dress with a V-neck that showed off her bosom and neckline. Her robe was incredibly long, reaching all the way to her ankles. This robe was fastened around her torso with a navy blue belt.
Even though she was extremely beautiful and seductive, Long Chen knew better than to believe that she was a gentle woman. In his previous life, this woman had tortured countless prisoners and developed a strange passion for it.
Moreover, she used many beauty tricks to entrap high-ranking officials and become their wives. However, all her husbands were mysteriously killed one after another.
Thus, Lian Ming came to be known as the Poisonous Flower of Suqui. Long Chen was extremely fearful of this woman in his previous life.
Whether it was her status or power, it was incomparable to him.
"I was a bit sick today and felt I couldn't perform my duties efficiently, so I decided to take a leave. I was about to inform Captain, but unfortunately, I had something to take care of," Long Chen spoke a bit weakly.
Lian Ming seemed startled as she approached Long Chen. She touched his forehead and compared his temperature with her own. And indeed, Long Chen's body seemed unusually hot right now.
"You have a scorching temperature! What are you doing roaming in the streets?!"
Unconsciously or consciously, Long Chen's eyes fell on Lian Ming's deep cleavage. It was indeed a great bosom, and even Long Chen was a bit affected. However, he controlled his emotions quickly while tilting his head, "It's nothing."
"Did you get the pills for this illness?" Lian Ming worriedly asked Long Chen.
Her worry sounded genuine, and even Long Chen was startled. He wondered why this poisonous flower would be caring for himself.
However, he soon realized the reason for Lian Ming's current attitude.
'I unconsciously mixed this Lian Ming with the Lian Ming from my previous life. Her character changed after her husband and son were murdered by an escapee from the prison. However, her husband and son are still alive today. If my guess is correct, this incident should occur after three months.'
Long Chen remembered that incident vividly because he was the one who helped that convict escape. He had received the JRA's order to help that convict escape.
However, he never imagined that instead of going into hiding, this prisoner would actually target Lian Ming's family to take revenge on her.
When the fugitive was in prison, Lian Ming had naturally ordered her subordinates to torture, interrogate, and threaten this prisoner. In the Suqui Prison, this prisoner had seen true hell as he was destroyed physically and mentally.
The convict seemed to blame Lian Ming for that torture and wanted to enact vengeance. Thus, he used his contacts after escaping and found Lian Ming's family.
Once he found an opportunity, he entered Lian Ming's house and conducted a massacre. All the servants, maids, Lian Ming's husband and her dear son were slaughtered.
Lian Ming naturally didn't let this convict go like that. However, she soon realized that this convict was related to a higher-ranked official in the JRA.
However, Lian Ming was utterly determined to enact vengeance on this individual. Thus, she began to seduce high-ranking officials of the Zhongxing Kingdom. She used their influence to hunt the JRA members.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Lian Ming became a dark star of the JRA. She killed and tortured many JRA members while also thwarting the JRA's plans.
However, the JRA managed to kill Lian Ming just a bit before the great disaster. It was a significant event, and one of the leaders of the JRA had to take action personally.
It showed just how great of a threat Lian Ming had become to them.
'She is still not that unreasonable poisonous flower,' Long Chen thought.
"…I don't like to eat pills for light fever like this. Don't worry, Mrs. Lian. I will be sure to arrive on time tomorrow. If I may be so bold to ask, what is Captain doing here?" Long Chen quickly turned the topic to Lian Ming.
He wanted to prevent Lian Ming from inquiring about the Blue Quartz.
Long Chen's plan worked.
"You must be surprised to see me in this outfit. Well, it's a secret mission, but I guess there is no harm in telling you. I am on my way to a stakeout mission with another officer to capture Geng Ru," Lian Ming spoke.
"Geng Ru, huh?" Long Chen searched for information about this individual and soon spoke, "Isn't he that JRA spy who was exposed recently?"
"That's correct. Brother Yi Fen found his location. However, we want to catch his entire group, so we plan to be on the stakeout near their hideout," Lian Ming proudly revealed a secret plan.
In reality, this was because Lian Ming held a rather favorable impression of Long Chen. He was a diligent and honest clerk who did his job every day. There were never any mistakes in Long Chen's work. Moreover, he was a polite speaker and would never create trouble for her.
Lian Ming trusted him enough with crucial information, and he had never betrayed her trust.
"Why would they ask for Captain for this stakeout mission? Shouldn't this be the job of another department?" Long Chen asked curiously.
Lian Ming smiled in response as she spoke, "…You should know that the law enforcement department is always short of officers and warriors. I am a 4 Star Warrior. They believe I should come in case of an emergency."
"I see…" Long Chen soon understood.
He also managed to recall information about this incident from his previous life, 'Geng Ru…If I remember correctly, Lian Ming and her group of officials were ambushed by Geng Ru's gang. Lian Ming barely escaped alive due to her superior cultivation. The other members of her group weren't so lucky.'
"Alright, I am getting late. I will see you later," Lian Ming spoke while quickly heading towards the stakeout location.
Long Chen suddenly turned towards Lian Ming and said, "Captain, beware of rats. And take care of yourself."
Lian Ming didn't exactly understand what he meant, but she guessed he was talking about traitors.
"Hmph. That's obvious. You seem to forget who you are talking to," Lian Ming spoke and left the area.
Long Chen didn't plan to follow her. If he followed her and reached the site, he would most likely die.
At this moment, Long Chen held no cultivation and didn't possess any concealment techniques. It would be easy for Geng Ru's gang to find him. And it would be a disaster if Lian Ming or someone else was forced to sacrifice their lives for him.
Moreover, Long Chen was optimistic that his hint to Lian Ming would change the situation. Lian Ming was bound to be more attentive to traitors.
He recalled in his previous life that, Lian Ming was particularly distressed that she failed to notice the presence of a traitor.
If she had recognized the traitor earlier, she could have prevented their group from falling into that trap.
The traitor was an officer from the same department as Yi Fen. He did make suspicious moves during the stakeout, but Lian Ming ignored them.
Lian Ming always regretted that she hadn't taken action at that moment.
Long Chen gave that hint because it seemed ordinary enough. And he wanted Lian Ming to preserve the lives of her comrades.
However, Long Chen never expected, even in his dreams, that his hint would completely change the situation. Not only did none of Lian Ming's subordinates die, but she even managed to turn the tables on Geng Ru's gang and capture him.
This was an unprecedented feat!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone