Hearing Li Gang's words, Zhou Huai felt a sense of anticipation.

What kind of good things could be in the Dongning Military Region's hidden treasure vault?

It shouldn't disappoint him, right?

Li Gang saw that he seemed interested, and the smile on his face grew wider.

"Let's go, the Governor has been waiting for a long time."

"I'll take you to him."

Zhou Huai nodded, controlling Student [N O V E L I G H T] Gandalf to follow behind Li Gang.

The two walked side by side down the corridor of the military region headquarters, and Zhou Huai spoke casually.

"Chief Examiner Li, are there any investigation results regarding Lu Qi?"

Upon hearing this, Li Gang's smile faded a bit, and he sighed.

"The clues currently at hand confirm that he was used by the Dawnbreaker Guild."

He paused, lowering his voice.

"It's just that the boy's Soul is now damaged; he's become an idiot."

"We can't get any useful clues from him."

Became an idiot?

Zhou Huai was a little surprised.

Zuo Daolin's methods were truly ruthless.

However, with Lu Qi becoming an idiot, it would be difficult to explain to the Liu Family.

Perhaps Lu Qi's biological father, whom he had never met, would even come knocking.

At that time, the Zhou Family might have a good show to put on.

Recalling Lu Qi's arrogant face in the past, seeing him end up like this was quite satisfying.

Zhou Huai didn't feel that he was heartless.

Who told that fool to set his sights on Ye Xi?

Li Gang's voice continued, carrying a hint of unwillingness.

"Although no clues can be found from Lu Qi."

"But I always feel that this Zhou Family and the Dawnbreaker Guild must have some kind of connection."

"Otherwise, why would the Dawnbreaker Guild specifically target Lu Qi of the Zhou Family?"

These words also enlightened Zhou Huai.

The actions of the Dawnbreaker Guild undoubtedly indicated one thing.

Someone in the Guild had a grudge against the Zhou Family.

While sabotaging the National Examination, they would also severely harm the Zhou Family.

Killing two birds with one stone.

But this didn't make sense.

Given the strength of the Dawnbreaker Guild members, if they truly had a grudge against the Zhou Family, destroying the Zhou Family would be a piece of cake.

Why go to such great lengths to play this trick of framing?

Unless...

The other party's goal was not to destroy the Zhou Family.

But to warn them.

But what did the other party want to warn the Zhou Family about?

Li Gang saw Student Gandalf lower his head in thought, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

"Did you think of something?"

Zhou Huai shook his head, his voice calm.

"Just idle thoughts."

He looked up at Li Gang.

"Then, Chief Examiner Li, have you continued to investigate the Zhou Family?"

Li Gang sneered.

"I naturally intended to continue the investigation."

"However, last night, as soon as I brought people back for interrogation..."

"Someone from the Imperial Capital Military Department put pressure on me."

He gritted his teeth.

"They told me to release the people as soon as possible and stop the investigation if there was no evidence."

"I had long heard that the Zhou Family and the Imperial City Liu Family had a close relationship, and that Zhou Feng even married Liu Yuru, the legitimate daughter of the Liu Family."

"But I never expected the relationship between these two families to be so close."

"They even went so far as to use their connections in the military to protect them."

Hearing this, the feeling of unease in Zhou Huai's heart grew stronger.

Now that he thought about it, many things indeed didn't make sense.

Liu Yuru.

The daughter of the Imperial City Liu Family's patriarch, a true noble lady.

Even divorced and with a child, she was still a coveted prize in the eyes of countless wealthy families in the Imperial Capital.

But why did she choose to marry down to Donghai City, to an unknown Zhou Feng?

Did she truly fall in love with Zhou Feng?

Judging by her past behavior of ordering Zhou Feng around and being bossy, it didn't seem like it at all.

The only explanation was...

There was an unknown bond of interest between the Zhou Family and the Liu Family.

This bond was even so important that the Liu Family would not hesitate to use military power to cover it up.

As they spoke, the two had already arrived at the door of an office.

Two guards stood at the entrance, their expressions solemn.

Upon seeing Li Gang, both immediately stood at attention and saluted.

Li Gang straightened his collar and gently knocked on the door.

"Thump, thump, thump."

From inside the door came a robust voice.

"Come in."

Li Gang pushed open the door, stepped aside, and gestured for Student Gandalf to enter.

Zhou Huai controlled Student Gandalf and stepped inside.

The office was spacious, yet the furnishings were exceptionally simple.

A huge solid wood desk, a few sofas for guests, and a bookshelf that reached the ceiling.

Other than that, there was nothing else.

A large man sat in the chair behind the desk, a warm smile on his face.

He looked to be at least three hundred pounds, his entire body like a mountain of flesh, filling the wide chair to the brim.

When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, and the fat on his face piled up.

He didn't look like a provincial governor, but rather like a friendly, chubby uncle who owned a butcher shop next door.

However, Zhou Huai dared not show the slightest contempt in his heart.

This Governor, whose real name was Hou Changfeng.

An S-Class Profession, Devourer.

His nickname was Humanoid Glutton.

Don't let his harmless smile fool you; in his younger days, he devoured more people than he killed.

It was said that in one battle, he once swallowed three Elite Bosses above Rank 50 in a single breath.

Facing such a fierce person, Zhou Huai behaved very respectfully.

He took a step forward and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Governor."

"Haha, you must be Student Gandalf, right?"

Hou Changfeng chuckled as he stood up from his chair.

As he stood up, a sense of oppression immediately washed over them.

He simply stood there, like an unshakeable mountain.

He looked Student Gandalf up and down, his smile becoming even more amiable.

"I saw your performance in the National Examination this time."

"Very good."

"Truly a hero born in his youth."

He shook his head with emotion.

"When we participated in the National Examination back then, our performance was far worse than yours."

Zhou Huai, controlling Student Gandalf, spoke neither obsequiously nor arrogantly.

"Thank you for the Governor's praise."

"It's not entirely my credit; my teammates also contributed a lot."

"Chief Examiner Li also gave me a lot of guidance."

As soon as these words came out, Li Gang, who was standing beside him, almost couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

He was overjoyed.

This kid, if you know how to talk, say more!

Upon hearing this, Hou Changfeng burst into even heartier laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

"Good! Very good!"

"Not arrogant or impatient, and also knows how to be grateful."

He pointed at Student Gandalf and said to Li Gang.

"I like students like you who are good at handling things."

He turned his head and called out towards the office door.

"Little Liu!"

A young man in an assistant's uniform immediately pushed open the door and stood at attention.

"Governor."

Hou Changfeng waved his hand, his tone casual.

"Take Student Gandalf to the Special Grade Treasure Vault."

He looked at Student Gandalf, his smile exuding a sense of generosity.

"As an exception, you can choose three items from inside!"

Hearing this, Li Gang, who was beside him, showed a surprised expression.

One item became three?

The Governor truly went all out this time.

Seeing this, Zhou Huai immediately controlled Student Gandalf and bowed again.

"Thank you for your generous favor, Governor!"

Hou Changfeng cheerfully waved his hand. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Go, go."

"Choose well, don't be polite with me."

Assistant Liu made a 'please' gesture to Student Gandalf.

Zhou Huai, controlling Student Gandalf, nodded to the Governor and Li Gang, then followed the assistant out of the office.

The door closed softly.

In the office, only Li Gang and Hou Changfeng remained.

Li Gang's smile had not yet faded, and he spoke with some hesitation.

"Governor, is sending three items at once... a bit too much?"

"The items in that treasure vault are all our accumulated family heirlooms."

Hou Changfeng sat back down in his chair, his mountain-of-flesh body sinking into the soft backrest.

He glanced at Li Gang and said with a chuckle.

"Li Gang, when did your vision become so short-sighted?"

Li Gang was stunned by his words.

Hou Changfeng picked up the teacup on the table and blew on the hot steam.

"If it weren't for Student Gandalf turning the tide in the National Examination this time and also winning first place..."

"Our Dongning Province would only barely break even this time."

"Otherwise, both you and I would be held accountable."

He took a sip of tea and continued.

"Furthermore, this Student Gandalf is an SS-Class Professional."

"His future prospects are limitless."

"If we don't take advantage of him before he grows up to do him more favors and build a good relationship with him..."

"Later, when he becomes a Marshal-level figure in the military, even if you want to give him something, he might not even bother to look at it."

After listening, Li Gang suddenly understood, and a layer of fine sweat beads appeared on his forehead.

He quickly bowed.

"Governor, you are far-sighted; your subordinate was short-sighted."