Wash and scrub, scrub and wash. Scrub away the charred traces on the floor, gather the office furniture that had been broken into several pieces and toss them into the corner, then wipe the lingering static from the windows.
A massive cleanup like this was truly exhausting.
Xiao Rong put down the damp towel she was holding, reached out to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and said casually, “Does us doing this count as destroying a crime scene?”
The supervisor standing beside her gave her a light swat on the back of the head. “Don’t talk nonsense. Watch your mouth, or you’ll invite trouble!”
***
In an office upstairs that hadn’t been affected by the battle, Department Head Zang of the Management Department was meeting with several special envoys.
“I am grateful to you all for exposing the mole in my department so early. This Zhuang Shuiyin…”
“It’s Zhuang Yuan,” Xu Chuyao corrected him. “Zhuang Shuiyin was just a fake name.”
In truth, Zhuang Yuan was also a fake name, but when discussing truth versus falsehood, one had to look at their current identity. Since the person had been executed under the identity of a rebel, then Zhuang Yuan was his real name.
“Right, Zhuang Yuan,” Department Head Zang corrected himself. “I thank you all. I just have one small question. I wonder if today’s operation was your own intention, or if there are further plans? We would like to cooperate as early as possible.”
Then, he saw the stunning Big Thunder Beautiful Girl across from him smile. Her smile was sweet and bright, looking as if she were extremely happy. Her small mouth parted to utter two words:
“Stop prying!”
***
After leaving the Management Department and boarding the return flight at the airport, Xu Chuyao was in a great mood.
“The matter is finally resolved.”
She could rest for a while now.
It was true that Wen Shengqing had given her the full list, wanting her to take out all seven high-level members of the Supreme Society. However, people weren’t stupid. After Zhuang Yuan’s incident today and with so many witnesses in the Management Department, the news would have spread long ago. The remaining six would surely be huddling together for warmth, perhaps even clinging to the Council and refusing to let go.
They weren’t fools, and Xu Chuyao wasn’t a fool either. How could she kill them once they banded together? She couldn’t win a fight like that. She had no choice but to retreat for now, hide her edge, and wait for a better opportunity.
If she used this reason, Wen Shengqing wouldn’t have much to say. No matter how he looked at it, it couldn’t be considered slacking.
Xu Chuyao stretched her limbs, preparing to have a good sleep on the plane. Just as she relaxed, she suddenly noticed someone quietly tugging at her hand.
She turned around and saw that it was indeed the “female lead,” Shen Ning.
“What’s wrong? What is it? If something’s up, just say it.”
“Keep your voice down.”
Shen Ning gave her a strange look and signaled with her eyes toward the Head Teacher in the front row. Her meaning was clear: they were speaking privately and shouldn’t disturb others.
“Fine, fine. I’ll be quieter. What do you want?”
“I wanted to ask you, what happens next? Is it impossible to take action for the time being?”
Hearing this, Xu Chuyao’s expression changed, as if she no longer recognized her own sister.
“Shen Ning, you… you actually thought of that?”
The girl’s face flushed red with anger.
It was because she truly hadn’t thought of it; her Reflection had reminded her.
“Just say whether it’s true or not!”
“Yes. Don’t be so loud, the Head Teacher is sleeping.”
Xu Chuyao pouted her small lips, thinking to herself that it was Shen Ning who had just told her to be quiet, yet she was the one whose voice got louder as she spoke.
‘Hmph, the female lead and her fickle moods.’
“Then you’ll be free for a while, right?” the girl asked, her eyes shining as she whispered. “Do you want to come play at my place for a few days?”
Shen Ning wanted to drag her sister along for the [New Wedding Trip].
If nothing else, there were at least many system rewards.
‘Just use the system as a shield,’ her traditionalist Reflection mocked her as always. ‘You clearly just miss her yourself.’
***
The death of the Deputy Department Head of the Management Department in his own office building caused quite a stir.
Although the Management Department usually remained low-profile, a Deputy Department Head at the mid-stage of the Four Defenses had died, and he had died on his own turf. Anyone with eyes could tell this was an internal execution; otherwise, why would no one have come to his aid?
Consequently, discussions broke out everywhere. Everyone was guessing what crime Zhuang Shuiyin had committed, but no one could find an answer.
At the same time, several high-ranking officials from other departments quietly disappeared. The people in those departments didn’t know if they should report it, because Stage 4 experts usually acted quite casually. They often took personal leave, and it was normal for them not to show up for ten days or half a month.
However, the current period was very sensitive. That incident had just happened recently, and news of it had spread through every department. Everyone was on edge, and even a single day’s leave for an individual would become a focus of attention.
Therefore, the six people were quickly exposed. They came from various departments, and even a Deputy Department Head of the Security Department had gone missing because of this.
To address this, Long Jun specifically called Xu Chuyao.
“I know the incident at the Management Department was done by people from the Academy. I won’t ask about the clandestine work you’re doing, but what’s the situation with the person from our department? Is she also one of them?”
Xu Chuyao inquired for more details and discovered that the Deputy Department Head of the Security Department was named Li Rui’er. She pulled out the list and checked; it turned out to be the woman codenamed Jasmine.
While others were lost in a fog, Long Jun could guess the truth at a glance because he was the one who had helped Wen Shengqing deliver the message to Xu Chuyao in the first place, and he had been promoted because of it.
“Yes, that’s right. She’s one of them, and a relatively strong one at that.” Xu Chuyao switched hands on her mobile phone while continuing to pack her luggage with the other. “How did the Council react?”
“How could they react? The Council is currently preoccupied with an even bigger matter.”
Long Jun replied subconsciously, but then he suddenly realized something. This conversation made it seem like he was reporting to the girl. The roles were practically reversed. However, after a moment of hesitation, he continued speaking.
“Regarding the death in the Management Department, the Council’s reaction has been very strange. Whenever it’s mentioned, a few people’s faces turn incredibly ugly and they don’t say a word. Others who intended to discuss it saw the situation and shut their mouths as well. So, overall, everyone is keeping quiet about it.”
He had just been promoted and was alone in the Council. His information channels were blocked, and no one would tell him what was going on. Thus, he simply said it over the phone, letting the clever Xu Chuyao help him analyze it.
“It means several people in the Council are also involved. Back then, Zhou Tian, who was executed, was one of them.”
“Hiss—”
Although he had his suspicions, confirming it still made Long Jun feel a chill in his heart.
“I’ll stop here; I’m packing my things.” Xu Chuyao’s lazy voice came through the line. “The remaining few have been scared off and are huddling together. I can’t do anything to them for the time being, so I’m taking a vacation. I wish you success in your work.”
With that, she hung up the phone.
In a small dormitory at Shengling Academy, Shen Ning emerged from the display room and peeked her head through the door. “Are you ready?”
Since they were going to the Daystone world for the [New Wedding Trip], Xu Chuyao felt it wouldn’t be right to go empty-handed. She needed to prepare some things—not exactly meeting gifts, but something to hand out as “wedding candy” to everyone.
So, she had packed some snacks in her bag, like milk tablets and chocolate beans.
“All packed.” Xu Chuyao hoisted her backpack. “Let’s go.”
***
On the other side, Long Jun hung up the phone. After resting for a while at his residence, he stood up and headed for the Council Hall. He had told the girl on the phone that the Council was preoccupied with a bigger matter. In reality, he didn’t know the specifics; he only knew that everyone had been somewhat somber and tense lately. The whole Council felt as if a storm were brewing.
Furthermore, there was a meeting today—a particularly important one that required everyone’s attendance.
However, he had still underestimated the importance of today’s meeting.
Every member of the Council was present. All forty people were accounted for. This was the first time he had ever seen such a sight. Wen Shengqing had also come, but he wasn’t sitting in the main seat as usual. Instead, he sat to one side, flanking the elderly man in the head seat along with the others.
Long Jun’s heart pounded with shock, but he quickly reacted. The old man was likely the legendary Speaker—the founder who had stabilized the Council and the victor of the war era. His real name was unknown; people only knew him as the Old Speaker.
He was now in his seventies, and since he hadn’t been involved in affairs for some time, he had rested well and looked to be in high spirits. However, as soon as he spoke, he left everyone stunned.
“Since everyone is here, you likely understand the agenda of today’s meeting. At my age, I should have retired to enjoy my life long ago. It is not right for me to keep occupying this position. Therefore, today we will formally reorganize the Council. If anyone has any opinions, please raise them.”
Long Jun’s eyes widened. He hurriedly looked at the others, only to find that everyone was calm, though their expressions remained as solemn as ever.
‘Wait, am I the only one who’s surprised? Oh, right, I’m the only newcomer.’
He quickly lowered his head and remained silent.
The Old Speaker looked around. Seeing that no one took the initiative to offer an opinion, he spoke for himself. “Regardless of how we reorganize later, there must be a leader. We can discuss the complicated details afterward. Today, let’s first select a successor.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a portion of the people in the Council immediately looked toward Wen Shengqing. He was already second only to one and above ten thousand. During the time the Old Speaker had been away from affairs, he had been the one making the decisions. Furthermore, Marshal Wen was the strongest person present.
Wen Shengqing’s expression remained unchanged, but he adjusted his sitting posture slightly. Clearly, he felt that he was a shoo-in for the position.
Right at that moment, Zhou Tian and three others stood up and raised their hands toward the head seat.
“Old Speaker, we believe there are only two people qualified to take over—Marshal Wen, and… that one!”
The atmosphere in the Council changed instantly.
Marshal Wen was certainly qualified; that was obvious and went without saying. But for “that one” to suddenly crop up—who were they referring to?
The councilors who weren’t in the know looked at each other. Wen Shengqing’s expression darkened, while the Old Speaker looked somewhat sentimental.
“Are you referring to… Little Sheng?”
“Indeed!”
Led by Zhou Tian, the four people stood tall with their heads held high and answered loudly.
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