Biochemical Martial Arts: Supreme Heavenly Venerate

Chapter 539: Chapter 512: Marquis National Guardian (Three more updates, please subscribe)

About three hours later, Lin Rui’s consciousness returned to his own alien body.

At this moment, his alien avatar was dressed in a Second-rank python robe, wearing a golden crown, and tucked in his sleeve was an imperial decree he had received not long ago, along with a letter that Han Baxian had sent him from tens of thousands of miles away using a Flying Book.

This was Han Baxian explaining to him that the reason the Great Celestial Master regarded him as a temporary Minister of the Ministry of Rites was due to the Great Celestial Master’s distrust towards the group of officials at the Ministry and certain people in the court, thus he wanted Lin to keep an eye on them.

Lin Hao was the main investigator in the blasphemous event against the gods, and his position was beyond doubt. Moreover, as he held the position of Commander in the Spy Detection Bureau, he was relatively familiar with the Outer Heaven Demons and involved in negotiations, which could help the Song Court uncover the true face of the Outer Heaven Demon.

Lin Rui thought that the Great Celestial Master and Han Baxian indeed found the right person, since his understanding of the Earth Federation was truly profound!

His gaze unusual, he opened the interface of a mainstream news website using the Quantum Communication system.

The interface was filled with news related to the Great Song’s ultimatum, filling his view, but the headlines of these news seemed to suffer from schizophrenia, featuring two completely different stances.

“Government betrayal! The President visits the Great Song, intending to sell national sovereignty! Betraying the Federation’s meritorious Alien Walkers!”

“The Great Song’s ultimatum reminds me of the many unequal treaties forced upon small and weak countries by the Western powers with battleships and artillery in the nineteenth century.”

“If the Star Sea White Wolf is handed over, Alien Walkers will feel endangered!”

“Studying the Abyss, understanding the Abyss, mastering the Abyss—this is the inevitable path for humanity!”

“What’s wrong with the Longevity Association?”

“Is it acceptable to harm Federation citizens and conduct illegal human experiments for the sake of mastering the Abyss?”

“The origins and current situation of the Longevity Association decrypted.”

“Longevity Association—manipulating government behind the scenes!”

“It’s certain that the Longevity Association is the biggest drug dealer and pirate supporter of this century!”

“Does the Longevity Association study the Abyss for all of humanity or for private interests?”

“The President personally goes to Sky Extreme Star to mediate, it’s both courageous and a national humiliation!”

It was evident that two political factions with completely different stances were trying to control public opinion; one side was mostly the Longevity Association; the other side was probably in conflict with the Longevity Association, deeply resenting it or trying to avoid war with the Abyss.

As far as Lin Rui was aware, several very powerful political forces within the Federation were also fiercely struggling and attacking each other.

Lin Rui knew that Li Xianglong’s inclination was to declare the Longevity Association an illegal organization, eradicate it, and also arrest Zang Shaochen to hold him accountable, but the person should definitely not be handed over.

As for the scientific data related to the East Abyss, some of it could be shared, but not all.

The stance from East Asia was similar to Li Xianglong’s; they felt that they should not bow to the Abyss, and the rule of law of the Earth Federation should not be interfered with by external forces.

As for Lin Rui himself, he certainly wanted to eliminate the Longevity Association!

At the same time, Lin Rui knew whose bread he was eating, and he couldn’t bite the hand that feeds him.

Thus, the Longevity Association must die, but it also couldn’t let the Federation and humanity suffer too much, and he must prevent this war.

Lin Rui pondered that the Great Celestial Master didn’t know what he was thinking, actually letting him supervise the negotiations, wasn’t that practically letting him take charge of the negotiation?

As for that mere Minister of the Ministry of Rites, although he held a Second-rank official position and was a formidable Eighth Realm master.

But ask that Minister of the Ministry of Rites, see if he dares to speak loudly in front of the Commander of the Spy Detection Bureau!

However, the Federation’s delegation would not be formed until noon two days later; they might need to wait until the night after tomorrow to arrive in Luojing, just before the deadline of the Great Song’s ultimatum.

Lin Rui leaned over the desk, casually handling a few official duties that his senior brother Li Li and the alien body had not managed to deal with.

These were a few arrest warrants and search requests involving several high officials of the court, affecting the situation within the Great Song Dynasty, so Li Li could only give opinions and couldn’t decide for him.

After carefully reviewing the files, Lin Rui signed and stamped without a second thought, authorizing these documents.

After that, he stepped towards the gate of the Spy Detection Bureau.

Shangguan Tianyi and Ji Xueying immediately followed, keeping pace closely behind Lin Rui.

Along the way, everyone they met immediately straightened their expressions and stepped aside to bow.

“National Guardian Marquis!”

“My Lord!”

Even the third and fourth-rank officials bowed respectfully.

Previously, Lin Rui had a low position but significant authority, now not only is he the imposing National Guardian Marquis, second-rank with honors, but also the resplendent Capital Chief Priest at the Divine Palace, a third-rank Priest! His official rank surpasses the vast majority of officials in the court, naturally commanding extraordinary respect.

The key is that at this moment everyone in the court knows that Lord Lin is deeply trusted by both the divine beings and the Divine Palace!

Look at this divine position—third-rank Capital Chief Priest! Currently, among the 12 Divine Envoy candidates, only five people have received this honor.

From this, it can be imagined that even if Lin Rui steps down as the Commander of the Spy Detection Bureau, his future will not be diminished.

Just as Lin Rui reached the entrance of the Spy Detection Bureau, he saw a carriage hurriedly stopping on the street ahead, after which an official in a second rank bright red robe quickly alighted.

Far away, when he saw Lin Rui, the official first paused, then hurried over, bowing: “Junior officer, Minister of the Ministry of Rites Cao Xi, greets the National Guardian Marquis!”

Lin Rui chuckled, stepped aside slightly, “Minister Cao, there’s no need for such formality, and I dare not warrant such a greeting. We hold the same rank, and you are now essentially my superior; this formality seems excessive.”

He proactively reached out his hand and helped Cao Xi up: “Minister Cao, are you here to discuss the reception of the Heavenly Demon envoy delegation?”

“The subordinate officer is indeed here for matters concerning the Heavenly Demon envoy delegation!” Cao Xi stood up and explained, “My Lord, our dynasty always prioritizes divine ranks, you are a third-rank Capital Chief Priest, a real celestial being, how could I compare?”

While speaking, Cao Xi glanced sideways behind Lin Rui.

Behind the Commander of the Spy Detection Bureau, aside from the newly promoted Dragon Transformation, whose strength was unknown, Blood Saber Lady, there were also a ‘Sixth Realm Emperor Rank’ and three ‘Seventh Realm Super Kings’ of the Dragon Guard.

A total of four highly skilled Dragon Guards! Plus, there was another Seventh Realm Super Emperor Dragon Guard not present—among the historical Commanders of the Spy Detection Bureau, apart from this National Guardian Marquis, who else could have such an honor?

And then look at the dragon robe behind Lin Rui, as well as the Heavenly Demon Armor named ‘Heavenly Decree’ that could autonomously walk, much like the so-called robots of the Heavenly Demons, and the Nine Chapters pattern on the ‘Heavenly Decree’—it is not without reason that the outer court rumors that Lin Hao is the de facto Crown Prince.

So after receiving the Divine Palace’s decree, Cao Xi corrected his perspective, realizing that Lin Hao is indeed the real chief negotiator.

Cao Xi thought to himself, who is he? Although he holds a second rank and manages one of the nine ministries, his ministry predominantly handles foreign guests and court ceremonial matters; if it weren’t for the Great Celestial Master utilizing the Ministry of Rites this time to issue some sort of ‘proclamation’ to the Heavenly Demon Origin, he would practically be invisible in the court; how could he presume to be superior to Lord Lin?

How to negotiate, how to hold accountable, will certainly be guided by Lord Lin’s opinions.

Lin Rui nodded slightly, signaling Cao Xi to walk with him: “Actually Minister Cao, even if you hadn’t come, I would have sought you at the Ministry of Rites. Regarding the Heavenly Demon envoy matter, do you have any regulations?”

Cao Xi realized their direction toward the ‘Dragon Guard Capital’ and speculated it might be related to Xianyu Yan, the Dragon Guard instructor who disobeyed orders.

Soon afterward, Cao Xi shelved his thoughts: “I have already ordered the southern city post station to be prepared for receiving the Heavenly Demon envoy delegation, will listen first to what they have to say, then relay their intentions to the Divine Envoy and the Great Celestial Master.”

In short, he intended to avoid responsibilities and complications, acting merely as a tool conveying both parties’ intentions.

“Not suitable!” Lin Rui, hands behind his back, frowned slightly: “As far as I know, the so-called ‘President’ of the Heavenly Demons, holds a status equivalent to our dynasty’s Emperor, the supreme leader of all Heavenly Demons, necessitating equivalent reception. Have someone prepare the Imperial Courts within the Divine Arrival Palace as the residence for the Heavenly Demon envoy delegation, I will later deploy a battalion of Divine Guards and the Left Army Special Forces to surround the area for their protection.”

Cao Xi hesitated, “My Lord, as far as I am aware, the Divine Supreme is extremely furious due to the audacious acts of these Outer Heaven Demons, it seems we don’t need to provide them such substantial hospitality?”

“Ridiculous, our great Song, a celestial state above all, a nation of rituals!”

Lin Rui lightly snorted, his words carrying dissatisfaction: “This Heavenly Demon President personally coming to negotiate and mediate shows submission and weakness towards the Divine Supreme, and since this demon has the courage to enter enemy territory himself showing such heroic spirit, then our great Song should also treat them with courtesy, otherwise, it would only be ridiculed for Song’s lack of generosity.”

Lin Rui pondered that if they were to entertain as per Cao Xi’s plan, the public opinion on the Federation’s side would inevitably explode.

Cao Xi’s spirit tightened, a trace of admiration arising in his heart, thinking, fortunate to have consulted Lord Lin, this matter indeed lacked consideration from himself.

“And about how to hold accountable, how to negotiate, my plan is to wait until they are settled before speaking. At that time, I will personally visit and meet with their Heavenly Demon President, there’s no need for you to worry.”

By then, Lin Rui had reached the entrance of Dragon Guard Capital: “However, the detailed hosting arrangements will require some troubling efforts from Minister Cao, please ensure everything related to receiving the guests must be thoroughly examined, reliable and all hospitality materials repeatedly tested; let’s not cause any issues that might harm the face of our great Song.”

After finishing his statement, he patted Cao Xi’s shoulder and strode into the Dragon Guard Capital.