But Lu Yun knew one thing: they certainly lived longer than a Grandmaster of Huajin.
’Two hundred years? Or three hundred? He had no idea.’
A person’s lifespan was destined by the heavens. True, everlasting life was nothing more than a fantasy.
After all, even a Grandmaster of Divine Intent, said to have "transcended mortals," was still of flesh and blood.
Lu Yun drew his gaze back and took one last look at himself in the mirror.
Before long, every newspaper office in Yanjing City was in an uproar, caught up in a frenzy of their own making.
As the printing presses ran frantically, stack after stack of brand-new newspapers were rapidly spat out from the assembly line, then hurriedly bundled, loaded onto trucks, and distributed by the workers.
Soon, the contents of these papers would surely set all of Yanjing City ablaze with discussion.
Whether it was that "photo of the century" from the President’s Mansion banquet, the mysterious fire at the Consulate, or the bizarre incident in Purple Qi City where a eunuch was killed and the guards were left unconscious.
Each of these incidents was enough to make the front-page headlines, let alone several happening at the same time!
On the most prominent spot of the Yanjing Daily’s front page was a black-and-white photograph that took up one-third of the layout.
In the photo, a brilliant crystal chandelier illuminated the well-dressed guests around it.
Two figures in the crowd were particularly eye-catching. The President was smiling, his body leaning slightly forward as he tilted his wine glass downward.
Across from him sat an old man, calmly raising his wine glass as if accepting a toast from a junior.
Below the photo was a striking headline: [A Meeting for the Ages: A Cordial Encounter Between Mr. Lu Yun, Advisor to the Yun Port City Martial Arts Demonstration, and the President]
It wasn’t just the Yanjing Daily; there was also the Yanjing New Report, the Yanjing Daily Gazette, the Western Union Daily, the Latest Morning News...
In any case, every major newspaper published this photo on its front page.
It was just that their accompanying headlines were each more exaggerated and outrageous than the last.
The Yanjing New Report: [SHOCKING! The President Himself Proposes a Toast! Who Is This Mysterious Old Man?]
The Western Union Daily: [Exclusive Exposé: The New Power Broker in Daxia New Country—Advisor Lu of Yun Port City]
The Latest Morning News was even more audacious, running with: [The Next Military Governor of Yun Port City? This Old Man Is More Than Meets the Eye!]
As for the second-rate tabloids, they really went wild. Some wrote "Shocking Insider Story! Why Did His Excellency the President Bow to Offer a Toast?", while others wrote "A Bizarre Mystery! The Secret Relationship Between This Old Man and His Excellency the President".
The three elements of fake news: timeliness, truthfulness, and accuracy.
The three elements of real news: taking things out of context, fabricating stories, selective editing, and grabbing every last eyeball.
This was a principle the reporters of Yanjing City had mastered completely.
In any case, from this day forward, Lu Yun’s face and this photograph would be thoroughly circulated throughout the entire Daxia New Country.
After all, how many people in all of history could make His Excellency the President, who was about to declare himself emperor, personally bow to offer a toast?
Around nine in the morning, two black cars slowly drove out of Shenteng Mansion and headed straight for Yanjing Railway Station.
However, not long after the cars set out, teams of soldiers armed with live ammunition could be seen everywhere on the streets.
There was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five. Every intersection was manned, and they were carefully inspecting passing pedestrians and vehicles.
Because too many incidents had occurred last night, Yanjing City had been placed under martial law by order of the President’s Mansion.
The Great Britain Consulate had exploded, and the Empress’s representative, Count Thorne, along with Consul Hannibal, had been killed.
Added to that, the Chief Eunuch in Purple Qi City had been murdered, and the gate guards left unconscious.
And then there was that "photo of the century" that had set the entire city abuzz.
The President was clearly enraged. No, he was more likely terrified.
When the Li Family’s convoy arrived at the railway station, they were met with, as expected, even stricter checkpoints.
At the entrance and exit, rows of soldiers armed with live ammunition stood with their guns at the ready, warily scanning everyone who approached.
All passengers, regardless of age or gender, had to get out of their vehicles for inspection.
Luggage was to be searched, papers checked, and identities verified.
Even the exclusive entrance for the first-class carriages was guarded by dozens of armed soldiers.
At this, Li Zhen and Lu Jingjun, who were sitting in the front car, both frowned.
The two cars stopped silently as they approached the entrance to the passageway. Lu Jingjun didn’t say a word; he simply pushed open the car door and got out.
The military officer in charge of the post immediately raised a hand to stop him. "Halt! You can’t enter here! You have to go over there for inspection!"
He pointed toward the area where regular passengers were queuing. It was packed with people, and the line stretched out of sight.
Lu Jingjun stopped and gave him a look, speaking coldly, "President’s Mansion, General Affairs Office. Step aside, now."
The officer froze for a moment, then subconsciously took another look at the young man before him.
He was dressed in a Western suit, handsome and with an extraordinary air about him—he certainly didn’t seem like your average dignitary!
Then, he glanced at the two black cars behind him, trying to see who else was inside.
’The General Affairs Office? That’s one of the top ten departments in the President’s Mansion, a bureau with real, tangible power.’
At this thought, the arrogant look on the officer’s face instantly turned to one of respect. "So you’re an official from the General Affairs Office! My apologies! My apologies!"
But immediately after, a troubled expression appeared on his face. "It’s just that I’ve received an order from my superiors. Today, everyone, no matter who they are, must undergo inspection."
"You see..."
Before he could finish, the sound of orderly footsteps approached from behind.

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