True Solution of the Sword Dao
Chapter 451 - 413 Meeting 2

Chapter 451: Chapter 413 Meeting 2

The current head of the United Front Work Department is a B-level Peak powerhouse who was transferred over from Griffin. Such top-level powerful departments require the director to be the strongest one; otherwise, he won’t be able to suppress other unit leaders, especially the heads of some special forces and legions. Quite a few of them are abnormally strong. They would never follow the command of someone weaker than themselves.

This B-level Peak powerhouse faced Lin Fei without any of the fear seen in other powerhouses, only respect. The man had a large beard and bore a resemblance to a pirate captain. His clothing was an odd style of black silk, and at his waist hung a slender silver fencing sword. Had he worn a pirate hat, he would’ve been the spitting image of a Caribbean pirate from the Middle Ages.

His deputy director was a pale-skinned man with flaxen hair. Although the man had ordinary features and a well-proportioned body, he too wore a silver western fencing sword at his waist. However, his posture differed from the bearded director’s, carrying the solemnity and seriousness of a cheetah poised for attack.

Lin Fei swiftly walked to the main seat and slowly sat down. Two black-clad women stood behind him like guards.

"Aside from my own subordinates, I’m not very familiar with the heads and deputy heads of the United Front Work Department and Special Operations Department. Please introduce yourselves," he said indifferently.

The four below seemed to have anticipated this.

Higashi Shijuro and Toyota Reiyo from the Special Operations Department both stood up and bowed to Lin Fei, and then Higashi Shijuro respectfully said,

"Special Operations Department Head, Higashi Shijuro, Sect Master of Japan’s Five Unities Method, has seen Lord Yan Fei."

A step behind him, Toyota Reiyo also bowed her head respectfully and said, "Deputy Head of the Special Operations Department, Head of the Golden Japan Base, Toyota Reiyo, has seen the Lord."

Lin Fei could feel their fervent reverence for him.

A black-clad woman behind him moved her lips slightly.

A soft voice automatically reached Lin Fei’s ears.

"Lord Councillor, these two have inquired about your battle achievements and personal information several times in private. They have an almost pathological adoration for you. They’ve said in private that ’serving a powerhouse like you is their greatest honor and glory.’"

Lin Fei’s heart stirred slightly.

However, his face remained impassive.

"What’s the situation at the Japan branch now?"

Higashi Shijuro and Toyota Reiyo then reported on the situation at the Japan branch.

In present-day Japan, the various secret factions still constitute the greatest underground military force, not in terms of number, but in terms of quality. Japan, a small island nation, has produced quite a few notable powerhouses due to the resolute character of its people.

Just like Watanabe Yotsuha, who had previously been repulsed by Lu Xiuya, and these two individuals here, and from their tone, it seemed that in Japan, people like them weren’t even at the Peak.

Lin Fei was truly surprised.

"Lord Councillor, I am somewhat aware of the affairs you have overseen in the Capital City of Hua Nation. The Tower of the Dark Night contacted us a while ago, hoping to join forces with us for an assault on Hua Nation, but I politely declined. However, some other sects were swayed by their overtures," Higashi Shijuro said solemnly.

"The Tower of the Dark Night?" Lin Fei’s fingers gently tapped on the armrest of his chair, producing a crisp sound that echoed rhythmically in the room.

"Their Tower Master is just a B-level junior. However, it’s likely that their backers aren’t so simple."

"Their backers might very well be the Church of the Hand of Radiance," Toyota Reiyo said in a low voice.

Lin Fei’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He had heard the name Church of the Hand of Radiance before from Spider. It was said to be a constant thorn in the side of the Holy See in the Vatican, yet it had never been completely eradicated. Unexpectedly, it might be the power behind the Tower of the Dark Night.

"The Church of the Hand of Radiance? Who has specific information?"

Lin Fei looked over the people below.

A golden-haired, blue-eyed man from the Artifact Family stood up. With a smile, he said, "I know a bit about this church."

"Speak," Lin Fei commanded.

The man bowed slightly towards Lin Fei before speaking, "The Church of the Hand of Radiance is indeed the backstage support of the Tower of the Dark Night. But they are not just that. Behind the Tower of the Dark Night is a massive organization—The Alliance of Cities. And the Church of the Hand of Radiance is actually just one of the factions within the Alliance."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s faces revealed shock.

The Alliance of Cities was an entity in the Inner World that could directly confront the Temple of the Gods, representing the original residents’ strength. With such immense power, it was no wonder that even knowing the Tower of the Dark Night was the rival of their supported Tower of Glory, the Holy See still couldn’t touch them.

Lin Fei also fell silent for a moment, quickly organizing the related information.

"I’ve heard that two of the Holy See’s three great Knight Orders have been active in the outer world recently. Do you know their purpose?"

The golden-haired man nodded.

"Of course, they will not sit idly by as the spokesperson for the Alliance of Cities invades the eastern Hua Nation. So, this time, the Tower of the Dark Night’s intrusion into Hua Nation will actually be a direct confrontation between these two forces. According to what I know, the Holy Light Knight Order and the Judgment Knight Order from the Holy See will enter Hua Nation soon, ostensibly to spread the light in the East but actually targeting the Tower of the Dark Night."

"So, the two should be in a hostile relationship?" asked Lin Fei.

"Yes," the man replied.

"The Tower of the Dark Night’s purpose is to secure a foothold for the strong of the Alliance of Cities, while the Holy See aims to counter the Church of the Hand of Radiance. It seems, then, that we and the Holy See are actually on the same side," said Lin Fei softly. "Send someone to make contact with the representatives of the Holy See. Let’s see if there’s a possibility for cooperation."

"Understood."

"Then there’s the issue of the Divine Artifact, how much longer until it’s in our possession?"

The golden-haired man said in a low voice, "For that, I would defer to my companion, Kenya. He knows much more about this matter than I do."

He then sat back down in his place.

Meanwhile, the bald, dark-skinned man with scars stood up and walked to the center.

"I am Kenya, and I apologize, Lord, regarding the True Lies Divine Artifact components. Due to the disappearance of two components, the other three major Artifact Families have heightened their vigilance. Our infiltration is estimated to be ineffective in the short term."

"Does that mean there’s been no progress?" Lin Fei raised an eyebrow.

"Not exactly." Kenya bowed his head, faintly feeling a heavy pressure gradually weighting down on him.

"Just give us a little more time. We will definitely find the hiding spot of the Divine Artifact components. Please grant us a little more time!" he pleaded.

Lin Fei watched him for a moment.

After a long while, he finally said,

"Alright, one month. I’ll give you another month, if there’s still no news..."

"Your subordinate is willing to accept punishment!" Kenya’s forehead was already sweating. Although Councilor Yan Fei wasn’t known for a bloodthirsty temperament, that didn’t mean he was very kind. A Grade B powerhouse shouldn’t appear so pitiful in front of one of his incarnations, but for some reason, facing the councilor was like a mouse facing a cat for Kenya—a feeling of natural predation that unconsciously made him tense.

Then, after a series of inquiries, it was the turn of the second division, the United Combat Department.

The large-bearded pirate and his deputy minister stood out and walked to the center.

"United Combat Department Minister Julius sends his regards to the Lord."

"Deputy Minister Czech, sends his regards to the Lord."

The two men greeted with a deep voice, one after another.

Lin Fei didn’t really feel like dealing with these two men from Griffin. He was about to recall them and stop them from speaking.

But big-bearded Julius spoke first.

"Lord Yan Fei, Lord Griffin has already directed us to transfer the ministerial and deputy ministerial positions of the United Combat Department to Minister Yuan Yicheng and Deputy Minister Ye Yuhua. This meeting is our first and will also be our last attendance. Czech and I will soon return to report on our duties."

Lin Fei was slightly startled; he wasn’t aware of this. It seemed Griffin indeed knew how to act appropriately by willingly transferring the control of this division.

"Understood, you both have worked hard."

"We dare not," Julius and his companion returned to their seats, seemingly devoid of any sense of loss for the power they had relinquished. But what they actually thought deep inside was unknown.

Next, were the various subordinates reporting their work, progress, and tasks one after another.

Lin Fei was busy until after nine o’clock at night before the meeting was completely over.

After the meeting ended, everyone left on their own, all except for Sis.

Sis, who hadn’t been seen in a long time, followed behind Lin Fei and walked slowly out of the conference hall.

The two women in black knew to leave on their own accord, leaving just the two of them behind.

"It’s been a long time, Sis." Lin Fei walked ahead with a smile.

Sis actually felt a bit uneasy inside as well.

The potential and temperament that Lin Fei possessed might deceive others, but it couldn’t trick him.

His fanatical and paranoid affection for Lin Fei led to a crazily mesmerized familiarity.

So the answer to whether Lin Fei was indeed Yan Fei was most clear to him. He had even fought directly with Lin Fei in the past.

What was really bittersweet for him was that Lin Fei had risen from Grade D to Grade A in just a little over two years...

He had once wanted to protect Lin Fei, but now he could only become one of his subordinates, an insignificant one at that.

"Indeed, it has been a long time, Lord," Sis responded respectfully.

"Are your injuries all healed?" Lin Fei glanced at him, aware of the current dissatisfaction in his heart. "I’ve kept your assistance in mind. So you need not worry. The relationship between you and me will inevitably be closer than with others."

"As the Lord says," Sis replied promptly, though still with an undertone of bitterness.

Lin Fei shook his head slightly.

"Actually, your staying behind alone is fortuitous as I have a matter that I’d like you to handle."

"Please command me, whatever it is! I’ll give it my all!" Sis stated, and it wasn’t mere bravado.

In the past, Lin Fei’s single sentence had sent him to investigate Aisaha. He indeed went on that investigation, even while injured, and if not for the timely appearance of the spider, Sis would probably be dead by now. This revealed just how deep his distorted feelings for Lin Fei were.

Lin Fei was also exploiting this fact, choosing to entrust the matter to him. Such deep emotions also signified his profound loyalty to Lin Fei. Aside from the Sword Canon powerhouses, Sis was perhaps the last person who would betray him.

"It’s the same initial task, you go to the Trial Knights’ Order and if possible, you kill the man Aisaha. Preferably through ambush or some calculated scheme of betrayal. I don’t want to see you being chased by the Holy See and then require my intervention to save you."

Sis bowed his head.

"Yes. It’s said that people of the Holy See have extremely severe punishments for those who betray the glory of the Lord..." he chuckled softly.

"Well said," Lin Fei nodded, satisfied. "If you succeed, I will grant you further opportunities."

Sis’s eyes brightened.

"Thank you for your generosity, Lord." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we invite you to cast your recommendation and Monthly Ticket votes at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)