บท 37: Federation Framework
บรรณาธิการ: Atlas Studios
Days later, Wang Baole had memorized about seventy to eighty thousand inscriptions. The reason he was so fast had to do with the Crystal Memory Pills and the memory enhancement pills Liu Daobin had given him.
Although the effects of those pills were good, there were just not enough. It left Wang Baole depressed. Even as Head Prefect, there were not enough of these pills to go around even if he had Spirit Stones. Simultaneously, the students from the Inscriptions Hall had a high demand for them. Therefore, purchasing more was taking quite some time.
Even if he used his authority as Head Prefect, he was unable to match the speed at which he expended the pills. Most importantly, Wang Baole understood that it was not a long-term solution since the Qi Fostering Art had explained that pills were only effective in the early stages. Things related to memory would quickly result in a drug resistance, and ultimately, one had to rely on one's own hard work.
It was only worth it if he could obtain pills that were even more effective, ones that could aid him in memorizing more than a hundred thousand Inscriptions, even if they did have a limit. As such, he contacted Xie Haiyang, but even Xie Haiyang required time to obtain higher-quality pills. However, he did tell Wang Baole that Ethereal City had an underground black market that he might be able to obtain some from.
He also told Wang Baole the method to enter the underground black market. However, he finally warned Wang Baole that although Spirit Stones were a common currency in the black market, there were certain priceless treasures that one could only obtain through an exchange of goods.
Also, he needed to hide his identity as that place was filled with all sorts of characters. If he was not careful, he might attract trouble.
Just as Wang Baole was vexing over the problem of memorization, Liu Daobin came once again.
The moment they met, he immediately came forward and spoke politely.
"Head Prefect, Sun Qifang's case has been investigated thoroughly. There are indeed some problems with the case."
"What problems are there?" Wang Baole put down the inscription dictionary in his hand and pressed his burgeoning forehead. Just as he was about to take a bottle of Ice Spirit Water, he realized that Liu Daobin had already taken the initiative to hand him a bottle from his bag. Such a caring act left Wang Baole very pleased.
"This Sun Qifang is quite a pitiful person. It was only a trivial case of theft, and before he succeeded, he was caught. As a result, Jiang Lin used this as a way to exhort half his Sun family's fortune. Jiang Lin threatened to send Sun Qifang to the Dao College's courts for internal judgment if his request was not met. Head Prefect, now that their family has heard that you have reformed the department, they took the initiative to seek me. They asked if we could be merciful on this matter. Head Prefect, what do you think about it?" asked Liu Daobin with a whisper.
Wang Baole got a clearer picture of the situation after being briefed. He had a general guess about the case, and now that Liu Daobin had investigated and confirmed his conjecture, he came to a decision. Sun Qifang was indeed at fault, but Jiang Lin had gone too overboard. He sighed deeply and raised his head to speak to Liu Daobin.
"Sun Qifang is indeed at fault in this case. However, the punishment does not need to be so severe. Take disciplinary action on him and put him on probation in the college. He can be let off once he shows signs of rehabilitation."
"Head Prefect, you are strict and impartial! I'm impressed!" Liu Daobin marveled as he cupped his fists.
Liu Daobin's words delighted Wang Baole greatly. He slowly drank the Ice Spirit Water on the table.
Noticing that Wang Baole was in a good mood, Liu Daobin took a few steps forward and whispered into Wang Baole's ear, "In order to express their gratitude, his family is willing to donate half a kilogram of 90% pure Mystic Silver Sand to our College Discipline Department."
"Mystic Silver Sand?" Wang Baole blinked. He knew about it. It was a kind of material that was often required in the refinement of high-quality Dharmic Artifacts. He took another look at Liu Daobin and knew that Liu Daobin had received a form of bribery. However, Wang Baole had his own judgment of this case and knew that, even if Liu Daobin was biased, he would not dare twist facts.
In addition, the Sun family was skilled at navigating about interpersonal relations. They had not given it in private to him, but instead gifted the College Discipline Department. Furthermore, he had already decided on handling the case impartially, so it was not a form of bribery or extortion. Therefore, he picked up the Ice Spirit Water and considered his words before replying.
"Daobin, do you know the one thing I regret most in my life? It's becoming Head Prefect!
"I didn't want to become Head Prefect at all. That way, I would not encounter so many troubles. That way, I would have lots of time to study. Whatever, I'll leave the matter of the gifts to our College Discipline Department to you. However, make sure not to do it without thought. Everything has to be done justly!" Wang Baole said with a sigh, as he swept Liu Daobin with his gaze. These words were things he had learned from the high officials' autobiographies.
Liu Daobin hurriedly gave the affirmative to expression his loyalty, as well as indicate that he remembered Wang Baole's teachings.
Wang Baole smiled before having a short chat with him. Finally, he yawned, to which Liu Daobin immediately understood. He respectfully took his leave.
Once Liu Daobin was gone, Wang Baole sat there and finished the Ice Spirit Water in his hand in one gulp. His mind was still ruminating over Sun Qifang's case. Although the case was settled, Wang Baole realized that the four great Dao Colleges held a very high status in the Federation from this matter! The power a Head Prefect had over the students was enough to make a family clan enter a fix. Although it was not a big and powerful family clan, the general implications were enough to prove the extraordinary status the Dao College had!
In fact, Wang Baole had heard of some of these matters in the past and knew that although the four great Dao Colleges appeared separate, they were a complete system akin to the Federation. They were bound together for good or ill. It appeared like a massive entity and enjoyed an extremely high status in the Federation. Be it the former or present Federation President, they had come from the four great Dao Colleges. There were even innumerable official positions that were helmed by graduates of the four great Dao Colleges.
It could even be said that more than half of the Federation's positions were part of the four great Dao Colleges' system. However, there was another party that maintained a balance within the Federation; they were the seventeen-member Senate!
The seventeen City Lords of the seventeen main cities formed the seventeen-member Senate. They could decide on the main governmental policies of the Federation and could restrict the Federation President. Of course, this also was intrinsically tied to one's cultivation and the number of experts.
Although both parties seemed to balance each other, appearing united outwardly but divided at heart, there were other factions from all over the world that resembled nobles that forced them to be united.
The noble-like factions had formed an independent system among themselves due to the history of the beast wars as well as their retrieval of the cosmic ancient sword's fragments.
Wang Baole paid attention to the news and knew that they were the Trilunaris Corporation, Galactic Dusk Sect, Plume Manifestation Connate Sect, and the Five Generation Sky Clan!
These four factions seemed submissive to the Federation on the surface, acknowledging that they were part of the Federation, but in fact, they were highly autonomous and were part of a separatist regime!
Although any faction could not resist the Federation in its entirety, their combined forces were enough to make the Federation apprehensive.
Now that he was Head Prefect, Wang Baole finally got a deeper understanding of this power. After some thought, he determined that the way he had dealt with the situation was fine and that he had a clear conscience. With that, he patted his belly in satisfaction and picked up the inscription dictionary to continue memorizing the inscriptions.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. When Liu Daobin came again, he brought with him the Mystic Silver Sand. Each sand particle was resplendent and glaring to the eye. They appeared like gems when they caught the light and appeared extremely hard. After Wang Baole saw them, he felt that these items were extraordinary.
"Head Prefect, this Mystic Silver Sand is given by the Sun family to thank the College Discipline Department for being impartial. Head Prefect, I shall defer its handling to you."
Wang Baole took a look at the Mystic Silver Sand and then back at Liu Daobin. There was a deep, knowing look in his eyes that made Liu Daobin somewhat nervous. Sweat began dripping from his forehead, and only after some time did Wang Baole say coolly, "Just this once!"
Upon hearing Wang Baole's words, Liu Daobin immediately gave the affirmative. He did not notice that his back was already wet. Wang Baole's cold gaze had given him immense pressure. He knew that Wang Baole was acutely aware of the dealings he had with the Sun family. Although he had benefited from the Sun family, he had investigated the matter justly and did not show partiality for Sun Qifang.
He gradually understood Wang Baole's principles and knew that Wang Baole's principles were different from his father's judgment. He had made a mistake from the very beginning. Wang Baole's mention of propriety was that he had to go by established norms while doing the investigation and not ask for bribes.
When he came to this realization, Liu Daobin drew a deep gasp. He looked at Wang Baole with an even deeper sense of reverence. He knew how to act in the future.
Wang Baole did not take all of the Mystic Silver Sand; instead, he divided a portion for Liu Daobin so that he could give it to the rest of the College Discipline Department.
After sending off Liu Daobin, Wang Baole did not look at the Mystic Silver Sand. He knew that such refinement materials were not of much practical use to him for the time being.
What I need the most now are some high-quality memory supplements. Wang Baole thought for a moment and decided to take some of the Mystic Silver Sand to exchange them for better pills at the underground black market.
To do exchanges in the black market, one needed to conceal one's identity to prevent any unnecessary trouble. Wang Baole was cognizant of such common knowledge. Therefore, he disguised himself and left the Dao College.
On the way, he looked down at his figure and scratched his head.
This won't do. My figure is too slim. It's easy for others to recognize me… The vexed Wang Baole gritted his teeth and found a store to buy a set of tight clothing. After putting it on, he felt that the effects were not particularly effective with his flesh bound tightly inside his clothes.
Sigh, it's time to lose weight… Wang Baole was somewhat vexed. He felt that he was the person hardest on himself when it came to losing weight, but he could not slim down for some reason.
No, I will continue to lose weight from tomorrow! Wang Baole's eyes effused a look of determination. He bought another seven or eight sets of clothes and wore all of them. Finally, he disguised his figure completely and finally wore a loose robe.
From his body's shape, even someone familiar would hardly be able to recognize him at a glance.
However, it was just so tight that Wang Baole found it difficult to breathe. But in order to prevent his identity from being exposed, he put up with it. He found a mask to wear as his entire person changed drastically, and he rushed for the underground black market.
From today forth, I will not eat meals. I'll be dieting! On the way, Wang Baole walked very stiffly, afraid that he would burst his tight clothes accidentally. Therefore, he resolved once again to lose weight. However, the moment he made up his mind, he could not help but pause when he passed by a snacks shop.
This is… Wang Baole licked his lips as he looked at the advertisement stand placed outside the shop. There was a poster hung on it that showed the latest snacks. He struggled for a moment.
Since I start dieting tomorrow, it shouldn't matter if I buy some more today. With this in mind, Wang Baole quickly bought a few bags. He walked as he ate, and when he finished it, the satisfied him had arrived at the underground black market.
The pill exchange process went smoothly. Soon, Wang Baole had exchanged for a sufficient number of high-quality pills and left the black market. As he walked in the bustling Ethereal City to find a place to take off his tight clothes, he suddenly heard a scream from further down the street he was on.
"Quick, dodge!"
"Heavens, how can you drive a cruiser like that?"
"It's falling!"
The shouts came from countless passers-by on the road. The yells in the sky were piercing to the ears as Wang Baole quickly looked over after recovering from his shock. He saw a cruiser emitting thick smoke and plummeting straight to the ground as though it had lost control.
The cruiser was too fast. Even though people fled in panic, there was still some people who failed to dodge in time. One of them was a seven or eight year old girl who was carrying a backpack. She stood rooted to the ground in fear. Before she could even cry, the cruiser had plummet right down at her.
Even though the young girl did not suffer a direct hit, her body was battered and bruised. Immediately, she was covered in blood as she flew out, and by the time she landed on the ground, she was barely breathing.
The bloody face made the hearts of everyone who saw her tremble. The crowd who saw the scene broke out into an angry uproar. When Wang Baole rushed over and saw all of this, his expression changed. Rage filled his eyes when he noticed the people walking out from the crashed cruiser.
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