Lin Zhan remained silent, his eyes darting about.
His expression clearly conveyed his intent to conquer the Siberian Special Zone first, then dig up Yekaterina’s ancestral grave.
He wondered if her family possessed something extraordinary, for how else could she ascend to the Foundation Establishment realm in this era of obscure fortune, relying solely on her own strength?
After all, both Di Xin and Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng were considered exceptionally gifted individuals in China.
One was the last Human Emperor who, despite facing the myriad races and human traitors, managed to preserve humanity's legacy.
The other was the peerless emperor who ended centuries of war and division to unify China.
Even these two brilliant ancestors of China couldn't achieve Foundation Establishment through their own power; how could a foreign lass achieve it by herself?
If there wasn't something peculiar at play, even Ying Xuan and Zhang Haoran, those two imbeciles, wouldn't believe it. They had to capture these “polar bears.”
Di Xin, sensing the possessiveness in Lin Zhan's eyes, knew this brat wouldn't let it go.
He could only offer a silent prayer for his old flame… no, his adopted sister, his newly recognized adopted sister.
He prayed that this adopted sister wouldn't be so unlucky as to fall into this brat's hands.
Di Xin knew he couldn't dissuade Lin Zhan. Even if this scoundrel verbally agreed, he would surely dispatch others later.
Lin Shao’s promises always applied only to himself, never to his eighty million troops, hundred thousand Imperial Guards, five thousand death warriors, nor the assassins, spies, and secret operatives from various departments.
Especially not the one who was crowned the second most shameless person in China, a conniving little fatty who did everything but his job.
“Brat, I'm telling you, you can investigate how Yekaterina achieved Foundation Establishment, but don't resort to force and injure anyone. Don't ruin the relationship, or it'll be embarrassing for all of us.”
Helpless, Di Xin could only make a compromise, asking Lin Zhan not to harm anyone.
Lin Zhan shot Di Xin a disdainful look and said exasperatedly, “Couldn’t you have said that earlier? Otherwise, I was considering having Xiao Ji dispatch two Foundation Establishment experts from his family for me.”
Di Xin was stunned, then realized, “Damn it, I knew you wouldn't be so honest. You even dare to employ the notorious bandits like Long Que; aren't you afraid they'll betray you?”
Lin Zhan looked at Di Xin as if he were suffering from senile dementia, saying,
“Old ancestor, since when did you develop Alzheimer's? I had no idea. Your words make it sound like our family has a good reputation. We're all foxes from the same mountain; what are you trying to scare me with with tales of the strange?”
“We're all well-known figures in this world. Our family's lantern is lit for all to see. The Long Que fellows know this. If they dare to betray us after being tasked with something, aren't they afraid of our powerful figures going to their territory and extinguishing their incense burners?”
“Besides, I’m sworn brothers with their young master. Would they really not give me any face? What, is Xiao Ji working for free? Or do you think Xiao Ji’s father can no longer wield his sword?”
Di Xin looked at Lin Zhan and for a moment, he felt that this little scoundrel was actually making sense, leaving him speechless.
Then.
Lin Zhan, in front of Di Xin, took out his communicator and made a call.
A moment later, Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che’s voice came through the communicator.
“What is it, Lin kid? Do you need something from this old ancestor?”
Lin Zhan, hearing the confident voice on the other end, knew this old fellow had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment.
“Ancestor, it’s been so many days, have you and Ancestor Liu Xiu successfully ascended?”
Liu Che replied proudly, “Alas, I’m not talented. I only succeeded yesterday, taking a full two days. I am truly ashamed of everyone’s expectations.”
Lin Zhan was taken aback and thought to himself: this old scoundrel still wants to play coy. Let's see how I'll handle you.
Then, with a tone of disappointment, he said, “That’s indeed quite useless. Taking two days, even giving birth isn’t this slow. Are you doing justice to the organization, to China?”
Liu Che: Holy cow… Can you still be considered human? Even a dog that has evolved for so many years doesn't act as shamelessly as you.
“Speak quickly if you have something to say; otherwise, I’m hanging up.”
Liu Che couldn't help but think, one can’t be nice to this kid.
“Wait a moment, Ancestor Liu Che, I have a good opportunity for you. If our Great Shang’s Foundation Establishment experts weren't tied up, I would have done it myself.”
Liu Che recalled the various times Lin Zhan had tricked him, especially the most disastrous one where he and Liu Xiu were cajoled into testing a heavy cannon.
The cannon exploded prematurely, sending them both, high-ranking Kings, flying. Poor Xiu was bedridden for ten days, and even needed a nurse to help him use the toilet.
And during the attack on the Necromancer plane, this detestable brat directly threw them in to scout.
If not for the blessings of their ancestors, their spirit tablets would have been enshrined in the ancestral hall.
Thinking of this, Liu Che quickly shook his head and said, “No, I won’t do it, no matter how much you pay. You little brat, get lost, looking at your old man…”
Then Lin Zhan turned to Liu Che and said,
“Alright, ancestor, let’s get down to business. Empress Yekaterina of Siberia, who is our Ancestor Di Xin's old flame, achieved Foundation Establishment this year through her own power. I want you to investigate. If you don’t go, I’ll find someone else.”
Liu Che was stunned. He knew that the four Foundation Establishment ancestors of China, including himself and Liu Xiu, had all achieved their status by slaughtering countless powerful beings from the myriad races and connecting with the fortune of the human race.
Without the protection of these Foundation Establishment ancestors, they themselves, except for Di Xin who could barely achieve it on his own, would struggle, including Ying Zheng.
That little Siberian lass must have some secret, otherwise, how could she have achieved Foundation Establishment with just her own abilities?
“I’ll go. It’s not good for anyone else to handle this matter; it’s too dangerous. Only Liu Xiu and I will make the trip. We're family, after all. Don't worry, this ancestor will handle it perfectly for you.”
Liu Che knew that if this matter was clarified, China could have at least thirty Kings ascend to Foundation Establishment in a short period. Only a fool wouldn't want to do this.