Universe Infinite Canteen

Vice Officer Cui opened the bloodied sack in front of everyone, only to reveal that it was half-filled with densely packed ears.

Bloodied, human ears.

Seeing this, many at the dining table gasped in shock, some of the women even couldn't help but start vomiting.

Governor Zheng said smugly, "Since I, Zheng Kun, have become the military governor of a province, it is naturally my duty to protect the people. The five hundred bandits of Cier Mountain have been completely annihilated by our army, their ears cut off as a mark of military achievement. Now everyone can feel at ease when leaving their homes."

"Bravo! Governor Zheng is indeed swift and decisive, as caring for the people as for his own children. Where your military might is directed, petty criminals are brought to their knees," Director Ye clapped vigorously.

The others quickly joined in the applause, supporting the sentiment, and Governor Zheng then looked towards Ma Lu, "Principal Ma, what do you think?"

"I wonder if among those five hundred bandits on Cier Mountain, there were any innocent commoners," Ma Lu said.

Governor Zheng grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and said with deep meaning, "Of course, the people I killed were all bandits. It's impossible that there were any commoners among them."

"That's well said, but unfortunately, in the past few days, I've seen quite a few commoners outside the provincial government offices pleading their cases," a voice came from outside the hall.

Mayor Huang and the others followed the sound and saw an old man in his early sixties, not tall, and dressed in simple black commoner's clothes. They quickly stood up from their seats, shocked.

"Governor Li, you've also come!"

"I heard that someone was maliciously trying to acquire the Hou De Talisman Master School, so I rushed over to have a look.

"In East Mountain Province, we have only two talisman master schools. This matter must be taken seriously. I think the acquisition should not only require mutual agreement, but also the approval of the province."

Mayor Huang and the others were already feeling overwhelmed, not sure if it was because they hadn't checked the almanac before leaving tonight, with shock following shock.

First, the soon-to-be wife of the deputy commander arrived, then the military governor made a surprise appearance, and now the governor had appeared as well. The situation was getting bigger and was beyond their involvement.

Thinking this, everyone couldn't help but also look at Luo Xiangshi with a bit of resentment in their eyes.

Tonight's banquet was organized by Luo Xiangshi, and they all had been invited by him; yet he hadn't mentioned a word about the possibility of such high-profile figures attending.

Governor Zheng snorted coldly; he was not afraid of Li Xuebin. Although Li Xuebin was nominally the top official of East Mountain Province, one of them oversaw the military and the other the government; they were not in a superior-subordinate relationship.

However, the arrival of Li Xuebin indeed made things more complicated. At the very least, the acquisition of Hou De by Hero Group was no longer something he could decide on his own.

Governor Zheng narrowed his eyes, seriously sizing up Ma Lu for the first time. He had previously underestimated him, not expecting the young man to have such a significant backing, which explained why he seemed so unfazed.

Luo Xiangshi, who had also misjudged the situation, knew the moment he saw Li Xuebin that his plans for the night were likely to fail.

The developments had already spiraled out of his control. First, Shen Meng spoke up for Ma Lu, and now even Governor Li was supporting Hou De.

For Hero Group to force through the acquisition despite Principal Ma's opposition was now impossible.

Based on the investigations over the last month, Ma Lu evidently had no political connections in East Mountain Province, and the political assets left by the previous principals of Hou De had also dwindled over time.

Luo Xiangshi couldn't understand where exactly things had gone wrong; he had never offended Governor Li before and couldn't fathom why the governor would interfere at this moment.

But since Governor Li had spoken, Luo Xiangshi could only agree, saying, "Governor Li is right, I was impulsive."

After saying that, he had someone add another chair for the governor. Seeing the main party back down, Governor Zheng felt a dissipating interest in the event.

Moreover, he didn't really want to dine with Li Xuebin. The two had always been at odds, constantly struggling for power and influence, and had grown to despise each other.

Thus, Governor Zheng stood up, intending to leave.

However, at this moment Ma Lu suddenly spoke, "Governor Zheng, please stay a moment."

Governor Zheng had already started putting on his uniform with the assistance of Vice Officer Cui, but at Ma Lu's words, he narrowed his eyes, thinking that the latter might be trying to provoke him now that Governor Li was present, so he replied with a cold face.

"Principal Ma, although I have eradicated the gang of robbers on Cier Mountain, East Mountain Province isn't only troubled by this single nest of bandits."

His tone was significantly threatening, but Ma Lu replied, "Governor Zheng has misunderstood me, I was hoping Governor Zheng and Governor Li could act as witnesses together."

"What witness?"

Ma Lu didn't immediately answer, but turned his head to look at Luo Xiangshi, "Boss Luo, you've put on quite a show tonight, but it's not that you are truly interested in Hou De, or planning to develop in Ping City, right? You just want me to open that iron box for you."

"Iron box, what iron box?" Zheng's interest was finally piqued.

Ma Lu said, "The iron box left by Ye Wangshu, which Boss Luo sent someone to steal from my place. He also wanted to force Mr. Cao to sell the school for the sake of this iron box."

"Is what he says true?" Zheng raised an eyebrow, looking at Luo Xiangshi.

Luo Xiangshi's face was like still water as he replied, "Absolutely not. I haven't sent anyone to steal any iron box. Principal Ma has lost the iron box and is unfairly blaming it on me; this is totally unreasonable."

Governor Zheng naturally wouldn't take Luo Xiangshi's word at face value, but since they were allies, he turned to Ma Lu, asking, "According to you, isn't the iron box already gone? So what is he looking for?"

"I suspected that Boss Luo might send someone to steal the iron box, so I put an extra Secret Charm on it beforehand. Together with the original charm on the box, both need to be removed to open it."

Having explained, Ma Lu then addressed Luo Xiangshi, "If you think by acquiring Hou De and pressuring me through the school, I would help you remove the Secret Charm, then you are mistaken, Boss Luo.

"I'm not Cao Jinhua; I don't have such deep feelings for the school. To be honest, I'm not really concerned about what's inside the box, but your relentless pursuit and manipulation to obtain it has really upset me.

"And I am someone who holds a grudge. If you make me unhappy, I won't let you be happy either. Today, with everyone here, I'll just come out and say it.

"Whatever you do next, I won't remove the Secret Charm. If you push me too hard, I might just disappear. You've had someone following me for over a month. Isn't it true that you only manage to see me once a week at most?

"On other days, you don't know where I've gone, right? Not to boast, but if I really wanted to disappear, nobody in this world could find me.

"In any case, what's inside the box is neither here nor there for me, but as for you, Boss Luo, you may as well give up on ever getting your hands on it in this lifetime."