In the silence, the only sound was the sound of pages being turned over.
Shen Qian looked neither too fast nor too slowly, and the surprise in his lowered eyes became increasingly intense.
Yes, he was completely surprised by himself.
Forty-two scavengers.
There are 18 people from the seventh to ninth dans of beginner martial arts, 11 people from the first to fifth dans of intermediate martial arts, and the remaining thirteen people are all above the sixth dan of intermediate martial arts!
There are even two people who have reached the ninth level of middle martial arts.
The difference between their death times is not more than half an hour.
But Shen Qian knew that the system actually only took seven minutes.
Fortunately, unless the prince took action, it would be impossible to calculate such an accurate time, otherwise it would be even more impossible to explain.
At this moment, Shen Qian suddenly understood why Chai Haotian had stopped recording and even classified this file as top secret.
This is actually a kind of protection in disguise.
Try to erase Shen Qian's traces in this matter as much as possible, and also cover up this appalling battle.
"Thank you."
Shen Qian closed the file and gave it to Chai Haotian, while sincerely thanking him.
"I think your Qi is probably at the level of a martial artist who just broke through, right?" Chai Haotian put the file into the space crystal, and it seemed that he wanted to keep it personally, and asked at the same time.
Shen Qian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized.
He was almost deceived by his habitual thinking.
He knew that he was a second-level novice martial artist, but others didn't know... Obviously in Chai Haotian's eyes, he had killed so many people as a novice martial artist.
...But it still seems appalling.
"City Lord Mingjian, we just broke through not long ago." Shen Qian admitted.
Chai Haotian just stared at Shen Qian for a long time, and then let out a long sigh.
"I really wanted to accept you as my adopted son at the beginning, but unfortunately, now I'm a little too deliberate." Chai Haotian shook his head and expressed his thoughts straightforwardly.
Shen Qian looked sideways for a moment.
I regard you as the city lord, but you actually want to be my father?
"Chai has only seen such a talented and beautiful person like you in his life!"
Chai Haotian clasped his hands and said, "I won't ask you how you did it. Just pretend you have never been out of the city tonight."
"Thank you City Lord!"
Seeing that there was no need to bother explaining anymore, Shen Qian breathed a sigh of relief.
Chai Haotian was silent for a few seconds, and then he suddenly raised his head as if he had made some kind of determination.
"Shen Qian, do you want to take up a position in the City Lord's Mansion?"
"Take a temporary job?" Shen Qian was startled.
"Well, it's just a casual job in the Secretariat. It won't delay your schooling, but you can come to the City Lord's Mansion to perform your duties in your free time. The Secretariat is a very special department, and you can be exposed to many things up and down."
Chai Haotian explained.
"Why?" Shen Qian vaguely guessed something, but he wasn't too sure.
"In the blink of an eye, it has been almost ten years since I came to Jingcheng. According to the rules, my term is about to expire. It is time to look for the next successor."
Chai Haotian didn't hide anything and said softly.
Train me to be the next Lord of Jingcheng?
Shen Qian looked up in surprise, feeling that Chai Haotian was a little hasty.
"I know that you have a bright future as a prince. It is also the time when a young man is in high spirits. You may not be interested in the position of Lord of a City. But there are many things that you don't understand. You can listen to them before making plans."
"City Lord, please speak."
When Shen Qian heard this, he could only nod.
"The city lord must be a mountain and sea, but not every mountain and sea is qualified to be a city lord. In addition to strength and character, there is actually another very important reason. Do you know?" Chai Haotian asked.
"Is it related to 'Tao'?" Shen Qian asked immediately after hearing some words from Shi Dingyan and others before.
"Not bad."
Chai Haotian nodded, "There are thousands of ways in the world, but there are actually not many roads that lead to the sky. Among these roads, there is one that has existed since ancient times and can be seen and even easily touched by everyone." Tao'."
"The way of an emperor?" Shen Qian thought for a moment and then realized it.
"Or it can be called the King's Way for short."
Chai Haotian nodded, and then continued, "The way of the Lord of a city is actually the way of the people, and the way of the people can also be regarded as a kind of king's way. The king's way is easy to open, but it is difficult to go for a long time. The same is true for the people's way, but if you Become the lord of a city, and you will directly build the foundation of the road and rise up!"
"Sorry, Lord Chai, I don't quite understand, what is 'rising from the road'?" Shen Qian frowned.
"Mountains and seas are based on Tao. Tao is the ultimate standard for measuring the strength of mountains and seas, and Tao... has heights."
"Height?"
I have to say that Shen Qian was really immersed in this topic.
It just so happened that he had recently obtained Tantaiqin's Dao Dao context. It would be beneficial if he knew more about this aspect.
Although... a novice warrior discussing Taoism with mountains and seas always feels like something is strange.
"Where is the end of the road?" Chai Haotian seemed happy to talk more with Shen Qian.
"Tongtian."
These were Shi Dingyan's original words, and Shen Qian moved them over directly.
"Since we want to reach the sky, isn't it normal to have a certain height?" Chai Haotian said meaningfully.
"Is this height...the height I thought it would be?"
Shen Qian's expression became a little strange, and he subconsciously glanced at his feet.
"Similar to that."
Chai Haotian smiled faintly, "Take Jingcheng as an example. On the day I took up my duties in Jingcheng, I became enlightened in one day, and my path was three feet high."
"How strong is Sanzhang...?"
Shen Qian obviously has no idea.
"Well, the road between ordinary mountains and seas is no more than two feet."
"That's still good."
When Shen Qian heard it, he probably had some feelings.
In other words, Daogao Sanzhang has exceeded the average level.
"Shen Qian, you may not understand what a special realm the mountains and seas are now. Ask, find the way, clear the way... Every step must be done with caution. I have seen countless talented people, but they disappeared behind the mountains and seas. Everyone."
"It's hard to ask questions, it's hard to find the way, and it's even harder to open the way!"
Chai Haotian looked at the starry night sky, his face full of emotion.
"Some people initially make great progress and seem to be prospering, but they just pass by like a shooting star. They soon stop moving forward, and even struggle for decades without making any progress!"
"There are also people who can't even take the first step. In the end, they have to go against their true intentions and choose to follow other people's ways. But that is almost equivalent to giving up the future, just to gain the status of a strong man in the mountains and seas. ..."
Shen Qian nodded slightly, thinking of Lao Liu for no reason.
Liu Changqing has probably been stuck on the first step for a long time. He has been missing recently. He is probably holding back his energy to seek a breakthrough. He doesn't know when he will succeed.
"But as the lord of a city, he can perfectly avoid most of these problems."
Chai Haotian turned to look at Shen Qian, his eyes alert.
"You don't need to open your own path, but you don't have to follow others' paths. You still have a bright future. The most important thing is that you can become a mountain and a sea in the shortest time!"
"Just like me, it only takes one day, and I can even become a strong man in the mountains and seas in a very short time!"
"Weren't you Shanhai before you became the city lord of Jingcheng?" Shen Qian asked doubtfully, "As long as a high martial artist can run for the city lord?"
"That's not true." Chai Haotian shook his head, "Although legally speaking, peak warriors are qualified, but the reality is that Shanhai has to queue up if he wants to run."
"But if you become a mountain and a sea, don't you already have the Tao?" Shen Qian was even more confused.
"Who told you that there can only be one path?" Chai Haotian smiled.
How many roads can I take?
Shen Qian's pupils shrank.
At this moment, many confusions were solved in his mind.
For example, Shen Qian still can't figure out what path Big Brother Gao is on.
For example, Shi Dingyan, the way he walked was probably related to "ritual". Lao Liu accidentally let it slip, although Shen Qian couldn't understand it either.
But if you think about it carefully, it fits well with some of Shi Dingyan's daily performances.
As for the boss Gao, Shen Qian felt extremely mysterious, as if he knew everything.
Maybe the teacher has taken more than one path.
"Of course, there are very few mountains and seas that can walk more than two roads, and even fewer have achieved success. Most people can't even walk one road, let alone two."
"And once there are too many ways, it's easy to get confused, so most people won't do this."
After Chai Haotian finished explaining, he stared at Shen Qian and said with a smile, "Although it is normal for Shanhai to run for city leader, you are special. I have enough confidence that the Martial Arts Department and the Chief Secretary will give you recognition and let you become a high-level martial artist." Serve as city lord."
"You already have a part of Jingcheng's luck, and coupled with your unprecedented terrifying talent, nothing can stop you from rising to power!"
At this point, Shen Qian has roughly understood Chai Haotian's thoughts.
The other party allowed him to enter the city lord's palace to perform his duties, just to pave the way for him.
If Shen Qian agrees, it will mean that he can be promoted to Shanhai as quickly as possible, greatly shortening the growth time.
"City Lord, what you just mentioned are all the benefits of becoming a City Lord, but... what about the disadvantages?"
Shen Qian was unusually sober.
If the city lord is really so good, it would be difficult to explain why none of his eight senior brothers and sisters have taken this path.
"Your xinxing has improved a lot compared to when I first met you."
Chai Haotian praised it without hesitation, then raised his hands and said: "Of course there are disadvantages, that is, once you take over the public opinion of your city, you and the city will have a mutually beneficial relationship."
"Public morality is very special. If the city is prosperous, your morality will rise steadily due to the support of the people. But once public opinion collapses, you will be tortured, and you may even be counterattacked by the morality. The most serious result..."
"For example, the Lord of Lu City, although he was not in Lu City at the time, he also fell when Lu City fell."
Isn’t this just living and dying together?
Shen Qian understands.
In fact, he himself also analyzed another possible drawback.
That's the promotion in the future.
It is true that civil roads can be quickly increased in height, but urban development will eventually encounter bottlenecks.
No matter how awesome you are, if you turn a third-tier city into a first-tier city, your path may be very high, but I'm afraid it's still far from reaching the sky.
The people in a city are just one city. Since the people's way is the same as the king's way, it will come to an end and it will include the people of the world.
This is almost impossible to do under the current social background.
"City Lord Chai, there is one more thing I don't understand. Why...you want to help me like this?" Shen Qian didn't quite understand.
It stands to reason that Chai Haotian is about to step down as city lord, but in fact there is no need to think so much anymore.
"Probably because I really hope that this city will get better and better. Of course, it may also be because I myself am also influenced by the people's ethics and will unknowingly consider the future of this city at all times."
Chai Haotian's eyes swept across the city's lights, filled with depth.
"I...may not take this path."
Infected by Chai Haotian's words, Shen Qian did not hide anything anymore.
It is enough to bind one system, but binding the lives of the entire city would be too heavy.
"Actually, I also guessed it." Chai Haotian's eyes were slightly sad, "Who of the top geniuses like you are not aiming for princes who can reach the sky?"
"But City Lord, please rest assured. I, Shen Qian... although I don't want to be a City Lord, I am also from Jingcheng." Shen Qian said softly.
"That's right, I'm in trouble."
Chai Haotian took a deep breath and put away his dejection, "Classmate Shen Qian, I hope you don't change your original intention. Maybe Jingcheng... will really need you sometimes."
"It's our duty to do what we can." Seeing Chai Haotian's solemn words, Shen Qian also replied solemnly.
Chai Haotian seemed quite satisfied with Shen Qian's attitude, and casually chatted with Shen Qian for a few words before ending the conversation.
"This restaurant was originally closed, but we came to visit late at night, and the boss came here specially. It's not good to let people go all the way in vain. I still have important things to deal with. If Shen Qian is not in a hurry, you can stay. Try the specialties here, they are one of a kind.”
Chai Haotian smiled and said, "In addition, although tonight's incident will not be recorded publicly, there must still be rewards. According to normal reward standards, the total reward for these forty-two scavengers is one thousand and thirty-nine." Sixteen thousand..."
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"So many?"
Shen Qian was surprised.
The scavenger bounty he had received before seemed to be only five thousand yuan each...
Oh, I forgot, the level of those two scavengers is only below that of a novice warrior.
Thinking of this, Shen Qian felt relieved.
The average bounty for a Chinese warrior is several hundred thousand, which is considered normal.
After all, middle martial artists are rare and strong among social martial artists.
"It's just that this money has to come from the municipal government, so I took it upon myself to make a small change and only allocate 10 million to you."
"It's a small thing."
Shen Qian, who was in a great mood, naturally readily agreed.
"By the way, does Lord Chai know where these scavengers came from?"
Shen Qian remembered his previous questions and couldn't help but ask.
"It remains to be investigated."
Chai Haotian hesitated and shook his head.
Shen Qian vaguely felt that the other party had something else to say, but it was hard to ask.
……
After bidding farewell to Chai Haotian, Shen Qian looked at the boss waiting eagerly next to him, and actually stayed, intending to try the specialties of this garden restaurant, which is famous throughout the city.
Facing a table of feasts, Shen Qian even opened a bottle of 1977 red wine extravagantly.
"With fine wine by your side, why drink it alone?"
Shen Qian had just sobered up and was about to pour the wine into a cup when a chuckle sounded out.
Shen Qian turned around and saw a long-haired young man carrying a wooden sword on the edge of the rooftop, looking at Shen Qian with a smile.
"Fifth Senior Brother?"
Shen Qian stood up in surprise.
The person who came was none other than Ling Xiao, whom I hadn’t seen for some time.
"The breath has grown significantly again, which is good."
Ling Xiao looked at Shen Qian, nodded with satisfaction, then sat over and poured himself a glass of wine.
"Fifth Senior Brother, why did you come back to Jingcheng?" Shen Qian and Ling Xiao clinked glasses and wondered at the same time.
"Of course it's because of you." Ling Xiao smiled again.
"Me?" Shen Qian was stunned.
"The formation that captures the sky."
Ling Xiao simply spit out four words.
Shen Qian reacted instantly, because he had taken back the Dao Stone, and the boss Gao Ya wanted to arrange a heaven-capture formation that could benefit all people of cause and effect.
When it comes to cause and effect, they, the direct disciples of the big brother Gao, are naturally the first to bear the brunt.
"Junior brother, I really didn't expect that before I could help you, I would benefit from you first." Ling Xiao said with emotion.
"Damn, Fifth Senior Brother, what you said is too outrageous. Didn't you help me before, Bu Ya Gu?" Shen Qian waved his hand.
After saying that, Shen Qian was moved in his heart, and then asked, "Will all the senior brothers and sisters come back this time?"
"Well, at least most of them, there may be some who really can't leave." Ling Xiao nodded.
Shen Qian's curiosity suddenly aroused again.
There are eight senior brothers and sisters, and he has already dealt with four of them.
The third senior brother is elegant and reliable, the fifth senior brother is chic and reliable, the eighth senior sister is soft and reliable, and Lao Liu... don’t mention it.
But I don’t know what the other four’s legs look like?