Free Web NovelChapter 632: Chapter 224: Sacred Worm
This move piqued Li Xin’s interest as well. It’s not surprising for a Beijing-based organization spread across Liyue to have such an internal structure. Without such a rational framework, it would’ve already been a mess. Not only is the organizational structure tight, but they also have their own set of methods for managing Hidden Power.
"It’s all valuable information. Have you met their Grand Hall Master?"
"How could I? I’m just a newbie in the Inner Hall, currently under evaluation. To meet the Hall Master, one probably needs to refine the worm first." Qi Badao took a sip of wine and smacked his lips contentedly. "I thought I was a goner. Surprisingly, they very much appreciated me. Besides me, there were a dozen others who were selected. They say they’ve vetted our pasts, and all have passed character-wise, fitting the Hundred Martial Hall’s regulations, so we’ve been bestowed the Sacred Worm. They call it the Sacred Worm, it’s said to be a worm, but all of them have been refined. As long as you have perseverance, you won’t fall. So, the selection is very strict."
Speaking of which, Qi Badao seemed a bit smug, not expecting he too would be recognized one day.
Li Xin didn’t refute this. In his past life, many didn’t have the chance to choose their life paths, let alone in this world. Within his capabilities, Qi Badao is arguably loyal with boundaries.
"Have you been adapting to the worm during this period?"
"The one responsible for training us is the Hall Master Zhou Xu from the You Hall. Besides teaching us how to control it, like combating hunger, greed, and emotional instability, we also attend classes. Can you believe it? We, in the underworld, have such a day. It nearly suffocated me. They also help us refine our combat skills, not to mention the doctors aiding in our physical check-ups and conditioning..."
Qi Badao rambled on, quite excited, but he still managed to control his voice. The more Li Xin listened, the more he felt this organization was formidable. No wonder they could expand to this degree. The Outer Hall handles appearances, while the Inner Hall takes care of control and management. Knowing how to be low-profile, they continually cultivate manpower.
Among the lower-tiered Awakened, there are actually those with good talent. The Outer Hall continuously screens them, then brings them into the Inner Hall for cultivation, while also examining their quality.
This Grand Hall Master indeed has some skills.
"Do you think they’re connected to the Cabinet?"
"Ah, that I’m not sure. The purpose of the Hundred Martial Hall is to focus on the Beijing people, mainly for self-preservation, getting a meal, and not being bullied. It gradually developed to what it is now. The populace shouldn’t fight with officials. That’s the way it was in the Outer Hall. As for the Inner Hall, I feel it’s not simple, but I’m still learning."
From Qi Badao’s fierce-looking face, hearing the same "learning" as Xueyin, Li Xin kind of feels a sense of disorientation, but watching Qi Badao speak so earnestly, he doesn’t seem to mind.
"Have you graduated?" Li Xin smiled.
"Not yet. I’ve sorted out the basics, but I still need to return to my hall to do what needs to be done. Of course, my identity is different now. There are regular training and meetings. For now, I’m under Hall Master Zhou’s jurisdiction, and will later be assigned to a specific terrestrial branch." Qi Badao said.
Li Xin could tell Qi Badao was somewhat expectant, and overall, he seemed in good shape. If it’s truly as he said, this must be his opportunity. Such things were only available to the Church in the past, and they never reached people like him.
Seeing Li Xin remain silent, Qi Badao felt a bit worried, "Is something wrong?"
"There shouldn’t be. Listening to what you said, this is a very meticulous Secret Organization. Plus, you have quite the experience. If there’s something wrong, you should be able to sense it." Li Xin thought for a moment.
"Everything else seems fine, it’s just the worry that this worm might not be what they claim. I don’t want to turn into a monster." Qi Badao still felt apprehensive about this. No matter how good it sounds, after all, having something parasitic in the heart is concerning. And when he was in Celestial Capital, he was hunted down, and the grotesque, disgusting appearance haunted his nightmares for a long time.
Li Xin nodded. Actually, transforming the worm into the Original Embryo is only the first step. The path of cultivation is long, and it’s equally not easy afterward. There’s no need to dampen Qi Badao’s spirits at this point.
"How’s their usage of the worms? Any abuse?"
"There shouldn’t be. They call it the Sacred Worm, extremely precious, and only after rigorous selection will it be implanted. After implantation, they will monitor you too. If one loses control or falls, they will clean it up themselves." Qi Badao said.
"But in the Night Patrol’s investigation, many Fallen are disciples of the Hundred Martial Hall. Though, it seems they’re all from the Outer Hall." Li Xin said.
Qi Badao frowned slightly, "I’ll pay more attention to this kind of information in the future. I think I might have a chance to come into contact with it."
Qi Badao was quite adapting to the life in the Inner Hall, and he had already made good friends with the new brothers who joined the Inner Hall together.
"Be careful yourself, the origin and cultivation process of these worms are still unclear, it might not be as glamorous as it seems."
"Hehe, understood." Qi Badao laughed, enjoying the strong liquor.
His mindset was particularly good, originally planning to take one day at a time. Back in the Underground City of Celestial Capital, he never thought there would be a future, let alone now sitting in Dragon Capital, having become a disciple of the Inner Hall of the Hundred Martial Hall, and even backed by an unfathomable patron.
"Brother Li, are you still investigating the skinning case?"
"Yes, and no, the case is deep. You shouldn’t get involved, including the matter of worms. There’s no need to deliberately inquire. In both the Hundred Martial Hall and the Church, these are core secrets, and defenses are surely meticulous. Any misstep and you’re done for." Li Xin thought for a moment and advised, Qi Badao was just beginning, exposed to the Twelve Earthly Branches’ Hall Masters, and there might be someone higher up. To investigate such Hidden Power with a generation gap’s difference in knowledge is nothing short of courting death.
Qi Badao nodded, "I’m good at side inquiries, long-term ambush, just from the current contact, it aligns with past impressions, with the Hundred Martial Hall, the Beijing people can live like this."
Li Xin also agreed to this point. From Celestial Capital to Dragon Capital, what he saw and heard, the Hundred Martial Hall maintained a basic order for the lower tier. Of course, it’s not perfect, with no shortage of crime. But compared to chaos, it’s quite good; it passes the moral test.
"Remember Sister Yan from the Black Market bar? At the time, I wondered how a weak woman could hold that position." Qi Badao said.
"Inner Hall member?" ƒrēewebnovel.com
"Yes, she’s a Sub-Hall Master of the Twelve Earthly Branches, specializing in intelligence. That Old Kuang from Copper Market is also a Sub-Hall disciple and an intelligence dealer. Intelligence income is also a crucial source for the Hundred Martial Hall."
Li Xin wasn’t surprised, but in the plan to rescue Tang Gao, he heard from Lu Shuai that there was a part where he and Tang Chendan went to find Old Kuang. The process could be overlooked, as the intelligence received was either false info released in advance by the Night Patrol or that the Hundred Martial Hall was cooperating with the Night Patrol on this matter.
Putting on a full act, the Hundred Martial Hall’s relationship with the Night Patrol doesn’t seem entirely severed, or rather, the Inner Hall isn’t so hostile to the Night Patrol.
"Try to find out about this Hong Sister’s relation with Shadow Owl." After some consideration, Li Xin asked, "I’m now the acting captain of Shadow Owl." freewёbnoνel.com
"Congratulations Brother Li, always knew Brother Li was more than meets the eye..."
"Stop with the flattery, this position is actually a hot potato, perhaps that Hong Sister already knows what we’re up to." Li Xin looked at Qi Badao and said.
"Understood." Qi Badao smiled wryly, "My identity was scrutinized thoroughly, but they don’t mind if Inner Hall disciples have their networks as long as it doesn’t violate the Hundred Martial Hall’s rules."
Li Xin was stunned for a moment, he thought it was due to Qi Badao’s various performances that gained their trust. Now it seems the Hundred Martial Hall has a grander perspective.
"What’s the relationship between the Hundred Martial Hall and Luthor?"
"It’s said that the founding of the Hundred Martial Hall has close ties to Governor Luthor. He initially rose to power with the support of the Potter Family and the Isaiah Family, but after gaining power, he didn’t become antagonistic towards the Beijing people. Instead, he created a significant power balance, with the Hundred Martial Hall as a part of it. The Inner Hall still holds Governor Luthor in high regard, with many regulations and structures inherited from back then. It’s this connection that allowed the Hundred Martial Hall to develop." Qi Badao explained.
Li Xin looked at Qi Badao, seems the courses these days have been attentively attended, his own analysis of things now was quite articulate.
The connection between the Hundred Martial Hall and Luthor is one layer. If the Hundred Martial Hall were to be abolished, it would only allow the Church Court to grow unchecked, and within the Cabinet, the Lot people’s faction, led by the Potter and Isaiah families, wouldn’t be able to maintain balance.
