Chapter 863: Chapter 56: You Have an Intelligence Network, I Have Prophet Psychic! (6600)_3
The Guard Squad does not need to listen to excuses, sobs, or the scornful curses born of fear and hatredâthey do not care about these things. They are the Lordâs sword and shield, existing solely to carry out their duties.
He cannot escape.
"Dad?"
The drunken question arises as Gama hears the sound of his son Levin walking down from the bedroom on the second floor.
Turning his head, a disheveled man with stubble, holding a bottle of alcohol, asks bewilderedly, "What happened outside? Why... *hic*, is there screaming?"
He belches from the alcohol.
"...Go back to your room."
Gama is silent for a moment, then turns to look at his son: "Go drink your liquor, donât come out!"
"Take Little Dahl with you, donât come out!"
Suddenly, the drunk man is jolted awake by his fatherâs stern gaze. Clutching the bottle of alcohol, he leans against the wall, looking at a puzzled Little Dahl, who doesnât understand why he isnât having dinner, and then glances at Gama.
Suddenly, he comprehends: "Has it happened?"
Levin sets his bottle down, stands up straight as best as he can, showing a face of relief, a sense of âfinally itâs my turnâ dawns on him: "Then let me go. Dad, Little Dahl still needs someone to take care, and I, this good-for-nothing... wonât be able to."
"You know youâre a good-for-nothing, yet you expect to take the rap?"
Gamaâs voice is harsh as he exclaims: "Itâs lucky youâre a good-for-nothing, probably will save your lifeâat least stop drinking, take good care of Little Dahl. If itâs too hard, just move further south to the countryside, itâs better than losing your life."
"Dad..." "Grandpa..."
Gama calms down; he has no time for regrets or listening to the instinctive pleas of his family. The static noise from the Magnetic Storm Armor, worn by the Guard Squad, is drawing near, the footsteps of the Guard Squad have already reached the doorstep.
Thump, thump, thump.
The knocking begins.
Gama moves away from the window, away from the warm, fragrant kitchen, and soon he will leave his home... and very likely, never return.
But still, he steps forward.
"Is this the household of Supervisor Gama?"
The voice of the guard outside is calm, even showing a hint of warmth, but does not provide any comfort. Gama opens the door; he doesnât blow his cover at first, but pretends to be unaware: "Members of the Guard Squad? May I ask what this is about..."
"Gama, letâs be clear and speak plainly."
The round-faced man hears a familiar voice; Old Farrel steps out from amongst the guards, with Scott, the Lordâs deputy, standing by his side.
The old manâs dark golden eyes meet the astonished Gama; Farrel smiles calmly, nodding slightly to his old friend: "All of todayâs actions are centered on you. This is your only chance to live."
"You donât have the right to refuse, unless you wish to see your son and grandson die before your eyes. I never skimp on threats, because I do not want anyone to misjudge the Lordâs resolveâthink about Celine, this is my final piece of advice."
"Next, I speak, you listen."
...
In the last decade of the year 773 in the Era of Tara, the large-scale spy capture operation in Xia Hui Territory was the most attention-grabbing event for locals after the rekindling of the Sacrificial Flame on Holy Mountain.
Within just one week, hundreds of âspies,â âscouts,â âcriminals,â and âsympathizers of the Rebel Highlandersâ were arrested in Xia Hui Territory. Quite a few of them were indeed caught by mistake, but their regular activities raised significant suspicions, such that even their relatives and friends had to admitâafter all, who else besides a night angler would not return home at 3 a.m. but go fishing instead? Even their families would suspect that they were up to some secret mission, wouldnât they?
The list was long, and most of those listed were quite respectable. Some were former officials of Xia Hui Territory, some were relatives and friends of civil servants recently recruited; while these people may not necessarily be spies, they had followed past customs of lining their pockets with supplies from the municipal hallâs warehouse, amassing ill-gotten gains. They thought this was the norm, that it would be strange not to do so, and that perhaps the Lord wouldnât care. But the fact proved that all their actions were under the Lordâs scrutiny.
And the Lord did care.
Most of the corrupt and bribe-takers were removed from their official posts and sentenced to hard labor. There was no shortage of tough labor waiting to be done in the territory, and the sentenced did not dare to protest, for their fate was already favorable; after completing the hard labor and pledging to reform, they could still remain in Xia Hui Territory.
As for the actual spies and scouts... forget about staying in Xia Hui Territory.
They couldnât even remain in this world.
"...In these difficult times, how many of our compatriots in South Ridge canât get enough food? Both the Mountain People and the Imperial People are in dire straits due to the food disaster."
"Some say that the residents of Nauman City still have enough food, but the Mountain People are starvedâthis is incorrect. I have traveled all the way from the Imperial Capital and seen the situation in all the major cities and regions of South Ridge. Whether itâs Nauman City or Twin Trees Town, the prices of all food-related goods have risen by more than 80%, and life is tough for everyone. In this respect, everyone is the same, suffering due to the biowarfare of Fiery Flame Land."
"Only our Xia Hui Territoryâdue to my spending a substantial amount to purchase grains from Central Great Plains and grain-fruits from Canaan Moore, the food prices in our territory are relatively stable, and reconstruction work is quite smooth. But this has become a thorn in the enemyâs side."