76: Chapter 76 Xuanjizi, Whetstone

In the end, Examiner Xuanjizi failed to see Gold Rank Commander Xiao Xuan.

He waited for a full hour, but the one who finally arrived was merely a personal guard from the Commander's side.

The guard brought neither comfort nor an explanation, but a cold verbal command devoid of any emotion.

"The Commander says that Lord Xuanjizi has worked hard and achieved much, but has recently become exhausted in mind and spirit, and should take a good rest. All affairs of the Xuanji Battalion will be temporarily handled by Lin Feng as acting supervisor; no one shall make any mistakes."

These words were like ice from the Nine Heavens, instantly extinguishing the last flicker of hope in Examiner Xuanjizi's heart.

He returned despondently to his now somewhat deserted courtyard and slumped into a chair. On that old face, which had always prided itself on superior intellect and strategy, there appeared for the first time a look of bewilderment and... bone-chilling coldness.

He couldn't understand—where exactly had he gone wrong?

In terms of seniority, he was a veteran who had watched Commander Xiao Xuan rise step by step from a Silver Rank Emissary to the position of Commander.

In terms of ability, he had managed the entire Xuanji Battalion in an orderly fashion, without a single mistake for decades.

In terms of loyalty, he believed he had never harbored any treacherous thoughts.

But why would the Commander be so heartless as to strip him of everything for the sake of a green youth who hadn't even been in the division for half a year?

Was it simply because he had grown a bit too close to the Zhao family?

But in this Qing state, which high-ranking official didn't have dealings with the great families?

Water that is too clear holds no fish—would Commander Xiao Xuan not understand this principle?

Examiner Xuanjizi was completely baffled. He replayed everything that had happened in the Assessment Hall over and over again; every detail and every person's expression flashed rapidly through his mind.

Suddenly, a terrifying glint flashed within his cloudy old eyes. He felt as if struck by lightning and suddenly bolted upright from his chair!

He understood!

He finally understood!

"Good... what a brilliant move of 'killing with a borrowed knife'! Well played, Commander Xiao Xuan!"

Examiner Xuanjizi let out a shrill, bitter laugh, his voice filled with endless sorrow and indignation.

It turned out that from the very beginning, this was a setup!

A trap personally laid by Gold Rank Commander Xiao Xuan, targeting him, Examiner Xuanjizi!

That comment about 'upping the intensity' wasn't meant for him alone!

Po Jun's character was fierce and Red Lotus's actions were erratic; neither of those two were easy to deal with.

Commander Xiao Xuan had clearly issued similar orders to all three Silver-Rank Supervisors before the assessment!

The purpose was to see which of the three would be the first to jump out and act as the 'knife'!

And he, because of his private ties with the Zhao family, his contempt for Lin Feng, and his long-suppressed jealousy, had foolishly become the first and only one to step forward!

And the result?

That kid Lin Feng was simply a monster who couldn't be judged by common sense. He had kicked a steel plate and left himself battered and bleeding.

Meanwhile, Commander Xiao Xuan could naturally use the excuse of 'abusing public office for a private grudge and nearly stifling a talent' to rightfully kick aside this 'old official' who was too close to the great families and had long since earned his dissatisfaction!

This vacated a position that was neither too large nor too small, yet critically important, for the 'newcomer' he truly favored!

What a move!

What a truly brilliant move!

At this moment, Examiner Xuanjizi felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. He finally understood the immense gap that existed between him and the man who dominated the entire Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division.

Just as Examiner Xuanjizi's heart turned to ash and he fell into utter despair...

A personal guard knocked on his door once again.

This time, he still brought a verbal command, but the content had become somewhat meaningful.

"The Commander says that the Division encourages healthy competition; only through competition can there be progress. Young people are often too sharp and inevitably arrogant; they need experienced elders to occasionally temper them so they can become useful. However, everything must remain within the rules of the Demon Suppression Division."

Examiner Xuanjizi was stunned at first, but then a flame called 'hope' reignited in his dead, ashen eyes.

He instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Commander Xiao Xuan's words!

Commander Xiao Xuan was not satisfied with merely promoting Lin Feng.

What he wanted was to firmly grasp this 'peerless, malevolent blade' named Lin Feng—who was sharp enough to cut anyone—securely in his own hands!

And Lin Feng's arrogant attitude of looking down on everyone had clearly made Commander Xiao Xuan, a man of high status, feel displeased.

Therefore, he needed a 'grindstone'.

One that could make Lin Feng feel pressure, making him realize that he couldn't just do whatever he wanted in Qingzhou.

A grindstone that could create just enough trouble at the most critical moment to put Lin Feng in a bind, forcing him to bow his head and seek help from the 'Commander'!

And he, Examiner Xuanjizi, who had just been stripped of his post and was filled with resentment and indignation, was undoubtedly the best candidate for this 'grindstone'!

"I understand... I completely understand..."

Examiner Xuanjizi muttered to himself. The expression on his face changed several times in an instant, finally settling into a sinister smile.

"Commander, you want me to be the villain, the touchstone. You'll sit on the sidelines and watch the tigers fight; no matter who wins or loses, the one who benefits in the end will be you."

"If Lin Feng wins, I will lose all value and be kicked away by you. Then, you can step in to 'help' Lin Feng solve the trouble I caused, making him grateful and completely devoted to you."

"If I happen to win... no, I cannot win."

Examiner Xuanjizi shook his head.

He knew very well that even if he could kill Lin Feng...

Commander Xiao Xuan would intervene in the end.

"In that case..."

A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Examiner Xuanjizi's eyes.

"Then I can only make my move during the Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament. Even if the matter is exposed, with the Prince's thunderous intervention, I can be kept safe..."

...

The Zhao Family Estate.

Ever since Zhao Kai and Elder Kumu died miserably at the Demon Suppression Division's relay station, this estate, which once held immense power in the provincial capital, had been shrouded in a cloud of deathly silence.

Inside the study, the current head of the Zhao family, Commander Zhao Wuji, was listening to a servant's report with a livid face.

He was Zhao Kai's biological father, a powerful expert at the Peak of the Ninth Level of the Danyuan Realm. In the entire provincial capital, he was a grand figure whose every step made the ground tremble.

"Patriarch! That Lin Feng... that Lin Feng has officially been promoted to Silver Rank and is even acting as the Supervisor of the Xuanji Battalion! The Commander is biased toward him to the extreme!"

"Bang!"

Commander Zhao Wuji slammed his hand on the table, and the desk, made of thousand-year-old ironwood, instantly turned to dust.

"Too much! This is simply too much!"

"He killed my beloved son, slew my Enshrined Elder, and now he dares to climb upward by stepping on the face of my Zhao family! Does he truly think my Zhao family is made of clay?!"

Just then, an almost imperceptible streak of light flew silently into the study and landed in his hand.

Commander Zhao Wuji opened the note, and the fury on his face instantly froze, replaced by a cold, sinister smile.

"Examiner Xuanjizi... Heh, it seems a cornered dog will indeed bite."

He spoke in a deep voice toward the shadows behind him, "Go, tell Examiner Xuanjizi that my Zhao family is in on his plan. The Hidden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament... Hmph, I want to turn it into that little beast's funeral!"