Chapter 100: Hou Changfeng

Hearing what Li Gang said,

Zhou Huai also felt a bit of anticipation in his heart.

What kind of good things could possibly be inside the bottom-of-the-chest treasury of the Dongning Military Region?

It shouldn't disappoint him, right?

Seeing that he seemed tempted, the smile on Li Gang's face grew even thicker.

"Let's go, Lord Governor has been waiting for a long time."

"I will take you to see him."

Zhou Huai nodded, controlling Gandalf to follow behind Li Gang.

The two walked side by side in the corridor of the military region headquarters, and Zhou Huai spoke seemingly casually.

"Chief Examiner Li, regarding that Lu Qi, is there any investigation result yet?"

Hearing this, the smile on Li Gang's face subsided a bit, and he sighed.

"Based on the clues currently mastered, it can be concluded that he was utilized by the Dawnbreaker Guild."

He paused, lowering his voice.

"It's just that kid's Soul is damaged now, and he has become a fool."

"And no useful clues can be asked out of him."

Become a fool?

Zhou Huai felt somewhat surprised in his heart.

Zuo Daolin's methods are truly ruthless.

However, with Lu Qi becoming a fool, it would be difficult to explain to the Liu Family of the Imperial Capital.

Perhaps Lu Qi's never-before-seen biological father would even come knocking on the door.

By then, the Zhou Family would probably have a good show to stage.

Recalling Lu Qi's arrogant expression in the past, falling to this end now was quite satisfying.

Zhou Huai didn't think he was cruel.

Who told that idiot to set his sights on Ye Xi?

Li Gang's voice continued to come over, carrying a bit of unwillingness.

"Although no clues can be found from Lu Qi there."

"But I always feel that this Zhou Family and the Dawnbreaker Guild definitely have some kind of entanglement."

"Otherwise, why would the Dawnbreaker Guild specifically find Lu Qi of the Zhou Family?"

This sentence also awakened Zhou Huai.

The behavior of the Dawnbreaker Guild undoubtedly illustrated one thing.

Someone in the guild held a grudge against the Zhou Family.

While sabotaging the National Examination, pit the Zhou Family heavily.

Killing two birds with one stone.

But this didn't make sense.

With the strength of the Dawnbreaker Guild members, if they really had a grudge against the Zhou Family, wiping out the Zhou Family would be nothing more than lifting a hand.

Why go to such great lengths to pull this kind of framing trick?

Unless…

The other party's goal was not to annihilate the Zhou Family.

But to warn.

But what did the other party want to warn the Zhou Family about?

Seeing Gandalf lowering his head in contemplation, a flash of approval crossed Li Gang's eyes.

"Did you think of something?"

Zhou Huai shook his head, his voice calm.

"Just random thoughts."

He raised his head and looked at Li Gang.

"Then Chief Examiner Li, have you guys continued to investigate the Zhou Family?"

Li Gang sneered.

"Naturally, I originally intended to continue investigating."

"As a result, I just brought people back for interrogation last night."

"Someone from the Imperial Capital Military Department put pressure on me."

He gritted his teeth.

"If there is no evidence, let me release the person as soon as possible and stop the investigation."

"I had long heard that the Zhou Family and the Liu Family of the Imperial Capital had a very close relationship, and that Zhou Feng even married Liu Yuru, the legitimate daughter of the Liu Family."

"But I never expected that the relationship between these two families would be so close."

"Even sparing no effort to use the relationship of the Military Department to protect them."

Hearing this, that wrong feeling in Zhou Huai's heart grew even stronger.

Thinking back now, indeed many places didn't make sense.

Liu Yuru.

The daughter of the head of the Liu Family of the Imperial Capital, a true body of a wealthy young lady.

Even if she divorced and still brought baggage, she was still a hot commodity in the eyes of countless imperial capital wealthy families.

But why did she deliberately marry downwards to Donghai City, marrying an unknown Zhou Feng?

Could she have truly fallen in love with Zhou Feng?

Looking at her past commanding and bossy attitude towards Zhou Feng, no matter how one looked at it, it didn't seem like it.

The only explanation was.

Between the Zhou Family and the Liu Family, there existed an unknown profit bond.

This bond was even important enough to make the Liu Family spare no effort to use military force to cover it up.

While speaking, the two had already arrived in front of an office door.

Standing at the door were two guards with solemn expressions.

Seeing Li Gang, the two immediately stood at attention and saluted.

Li Gang tidied his collar and stepped forward to gently knock on the door.

"Dong, dong, dong."

Inside the door came a vigorous voice.

"Come in."

Li Gang pushed open the door, stepped aside, and made a "please" gesture towards Gandalf.

Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf and stepped inside.

The office was very spacious, but the furnishings were exceptionally simple.

A huge solid wood desk, several guest sofas, and a bookcase reaching all the way to the ceiling.

Besides that, there was nothing else.

A massive-bodied man was sitting in the chair behind the desk, a warm smile hanging on his face.

He looked to be at least over three hundred jin, the whole person like a mountain of flesh, stuffing that large chair full.

When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into a slit, and the fat on his face piled together.

He didn't look like a provincial governor, but rather like a fat uncle next door who ran a butcher shop.

Yet Zhou Huai didn't dare to underestimate him in the slightest.

This Lord Governor's real name was Hou Changfeng.

S-Class Professional, Devourer.

Nickname Humanoid Taotie.

Don't look at how harmless to humans and animals he smiles now; when he was young, he devoured more people than he killed.

It was said that he once swallowed three elite BOSSes with a Rank exceeding 50 in one go during a battle.

Facing such a fierce person, Zhou Huai appeared very respectful.

He stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Lord Governor."

"Haha, you must be Gandalf?"

Hou Changfeng stood up from the chair with a smile.

As soon as he stood up, that sense of oppression instantly rushed towards them.

He just stood there casually, like an unshakeable mountain.

He looked up and down at Gandalf, the smile on his face growing increasingly amiable.

"Your performance in the National Examination this time, I have seen it."

"Very good."

"Truly heroes come from youth."

He shook his head with emotion.

"When we participated in the National Examination back then, our performance was far worse than yours."

Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf and spoke neither servilely nor overbearingly.

"Thank you for the praise, Lord Governor."

"It's not entirely my individual credit; the little partners in the team also paid a lot."

"Chief Examiner Li also gave me a lot of guidance."

As soon as these words came out, Li Gang, standing next to him, almost couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

His heart bloomed with joy.

This kid, if you know how to speak, say a bit more!

Hearing this, Hou Changfeng burst out into an even more hearty laugh.

"Hahaha!"

"Good! Good indeed!"

"Neither arrogant nor impetuous, and knowing how to be grateful."

He pointed at Gandalf and said to Li Gang.

"I just like students like you who know how to handle things."

He turned his head and shouted toward the office door.

"Xiao Liu!"

A young man wearing an assistant uniform immediately pushed the door open and entered, bowing to await orders.

"Lord Governor."

Hou Changfeng waved his hand, his tone casual.

"Take Gandalf to the Special-Grade Treasury."

He looked at Gandalf, the smile on his face revealing a sense of boldness.

"The things inside, as an exception, let you choose three pieces!"

Hearing this, Li Gang on the side also showed a surprised expression.

One piece turns into three pieces?

Lord Governor really made a massive investment this time.

Seeing this, Zhou Huai immediately controlled Gandalf to bow and salute again.

"Thank you for your deep kindness, Lord Governor!"

Hou Changfeng waved his hand happily.

"Go on, go on."

"Choose well, no need to be polite with me."

Assistant Xiao Liu made a "please" gesture toward Gandalf.

Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf, nodded to signal the Governor and Li Gang, and then followed the assistant to leave the office.

The door was gently closed.

In the office, only Li Gang and Hou Changfeng remained.

The smile on Li Gang's face had not yet faded, and he spoke with some hesitation.

"Lord Governor, sending three items all at once, isn't it… a bit too much?"

"The things in that treasury are all family fortunes we've saved up for a long time."

Hou Changfeng sat back in the chair, his meat-mountain-like body sinking into the soft backrest.

He glanced at Li Gang and said with a smile.

"Li Gang, ah, when did your vision become so short-sighted?"

Hearing this, Li Gang was taken aback.

Hou Changfeng picked up the teacup on the table and blew on the steam.

"If it weren't for Gandalf turning the tide in the National Examination this time and winning the top scholar title."

"Our Dongning Province can barely balance merits and faults this time."

"Otherwise, both you and I will be held accountable."

He took a sip of tea and continued.

"In addition, this Gandalf is an SS-Rank Professional."

"His future prospects are boundless."

"If we don't take advantage of the time before he grows up to sell more favors and build a good relationship with him now,"

"When he becomes a marshal-level figure in the Military Department in the future, even if you want to give things to him, he might not look down on them anymore."

Hearing this, Li Gang came to a sudden realization, and a layer of fine sweat oozed from his forehead.

He quickly bowed.

"The Lord Governor is farsighted; it was this subordinate's short-sightedness."