Xu Chuyao turned her head to glance at the White-haired Twilight Lord, who remained silent, eyes downcast, lost in thought.
Forget it, it’s just fifty. Let it go.
Lately, the numbers have been in the hundreds and thousands, even one-time bonuses above ten thousand. Xu Chuli was numb to such a small gain.
“Let’s go back first.”
After the group boarded the stretch sedan, they realized someone was missing.
“Where’s Sinuo?”
To be honest, in a team where almost everyone was a late-stage Three Defense Spirit Power User, little Sinuo did seem to lag behind. But since he came out with them, Xu Chuli couldn’t just lose a person.
“He already went back, returned to the small estate,” Chuyao explained. “These days, he’s been helping people from the Holmes Family investigate old matters. Apparently, there was some new development today—even Miss Holmes called just now. He wouldn’t be of much help here anyway, so I sent him back.”
Xu Chuli felt both relieved and a little uneasy.
“Those old matters? The ones we discussed a few days ago…”
“Yeah, those,” Chuyao nodded, glancing at Yu Jing, who, fortunately, said nothing.
Maybe it was because she’d waited too long, or because the truth had become too distant, but Yu Jing was no longer as shocked or emotional as she was in her youth.
But Xu Chuli knew things weren’t that simple.
Crap, did Sinuo and Beti figure it out?
“Quick, let’s go back and check!”
The office of the interrogation unit—after the director left, the door closed quietly.
Besides the anti-theft lock, the core was reinforced with a layer of stone and metal, and all the gaps filled with cement-like material, ensuring not a single sound would escape. The real security, however, came not from the physical barriers, but from the Earth Element abilities of the person inside.
Though his life was nearing its end, until the day of his actual death arrived, Monrose was still a Four Defense, highly respected Earth Element Spirit Power User.
“You can come out.”
His tone was crisp. From the wall came a blond man, striding out.
“Why didn’t you act just now?”
No one had expected that the notorious, multiple-offender Swina, with a list of thousands of victims, had been hiding in the institute office all along. While Monrose and Xu Chuli were talking, he’d been in the next room the entire time.
Last time, his ambush had been foiled by two young women. This time, the opportunity wasn’t easy to come by, but Swina still didn’t make a move—because it wasn’t just Xu Chuli and Shen Ning here; there were two more senior Three-Stage teachers.
If Monrose didn’t act, he couldn’t, either.
At this, Monrose shot him a cold, squinting glance. “If I make a move against her, do you think I’d still survive?”
“True.”
“Enough, Swina, just drop it.” Another man stepped out from the adjacent room, “The old man’s wishes are far from fulfilled. How could you expect him to act openly? That’s not in line with the code of the Supreme Society. As for you, we’re helping you achieve your wish before asking you to do something for us.”
This man wore a local-style mask, tall and thin, easily recognizable as the person who had always represented the Society in dealings with Monrose.
Swina grunted.
Indeed, if Monrose acted against Xu Chuli, he’d be revealing his own position and, within a day, would draw the higher-ups’ investigation. He’d lose all hope for an extension of his life. So there was nothing to be gained.
“But if you don’t help, we’ll have trouble too,” the masked man said.
Monrose fixed him with a dark, shrewd gaze. “Of course I’ve left some margin, but what about your side?”
What he meant was the special plane arrangement in a few days; but if they wanted his help, the Supreme Society had to offer something in return. Just like he’d said to Xu Chuli earlier, everyone knew he’d insisted on bringing her here. If anything happened, whether or not he was directly responsible, he couldn’t evade accountability.
“No problem,” the masked man replied quickly, “I’ve already spoken with the higher-ups. On the day of the flight, we’ll immediately arrange for you to enter the Soulstone World. As long as you follow the steps of the experiment, you can shed your flesh and enjoy a new life.”
At these words, a secret thrill flashed in Monrose’s eyes, and the old body finally seemed to relax a little.
“What do you need me to do?”
“It’s simple, just have the flight crew follow our arrangements.” The masked man gestured at Swina, “The Society has prepared several people for Miss Xu; besides him and a certain young assistant, there’s one more who’s decided to take action personally.”
“In the Society, her code name is ‘Penguin.'”
When the car arrived back at the estate, Xu Chuli got out and saw all sorts of documents and records spread out in the courtyard. Sinuo and Beti each sat in a corner, even the usually aloof Uncle Yabu was involved.
“Boss, you’re back! Quick, quick! We’ve made huge progress!”
Seeing her return, Sinuo waved his handwritten notebook excitedly, standing up with effort. He’d been sitting so long his legs had gone numb, so he tottered over. “Look, look at this!”
Xu Chuli took the notebook and saw a big, bold character on the page—
Money.
“Are you applying for funding?”
“No, that’s our conclusion,” Sinuo said enthusiastically. “We compiled information from the two attacks by mysterious assailants and added some other reliable and unreliable records, and found the most significant common point.”
At that moment, Yu Jing also approached, her eyes a bit nervous.
“That’s right. Money.” Sinuo said firmly, “The Holmes Family’s loss was a treasure, and back when your boss was targeted, the victim was also a wealthy individual.”
Yu Jing’s hand trembled slightly. “They’re a group after money.”
“No, they collect money.” Beti walked over from the side, quietly correcting him.
“What do you mean?”
Now it was Sinuo’s turn to ask. He gestured absentmindedly in the air, looking very theatrical: “Boss, don’t know if you ever heard this in class, I often mention it but people call me a conspiracy theorist…”
“Alright, get to the point,” Xu Chuli said.
“Ahem, alright. Actually, when I was little, my dad and I used to talk about this: Our current society recovered too quickly, almost unnaturally so.”
“To be precise, some processes that should have taken time and procedures were rushed through,” Beti interjected. “Compare before and after the war—economic systems basically picked up right where they left off, with no restructuring. The new currency issued after the war wasn’t truly new; the early-stage currency and other commonly used things could be exchanged for new coins at set rates.”
She snatched the notebook from Sinuo, slapped a newspaper clipping inside, then handed it back and gave him a sidelong glare.
Kids these days, always cutting up other people’s newspapers…
“There are advantages: it’s convenient, no need to reconstruct everything, and no worries about public acceptance. The new system integrates quickly into society. But the drawback is…”
Beti shrugged her shoulders, letting down her golden ponytail. After days of work, she was finally done, only to realize she felt powerless.
“The drawback is, the money isn’t in your own hands,” Sinuo continued. “If they want to enjoy the benefits of the existing system, they have to accept this.”
Who are “they”?
No one present asked, because everyone already knew the answer. Beti bent down, pulled out an old newspaper, and showed it to everyone.
[“Universal Pioneer News (special issue): To all humanity, let us rejoice—we have ushered in a new era.
The great Pacifier Council has decided: We will soon end chaos, reject invasion, and restore the prosperity of pre-Spirit Power human society.”]
The Pacifier Council, the highest authority among Spirit Power Users at the time, was said to have more than a dozen members, but in reality, only a few truly held power, with the strongest one as the leader.
In fact, no matter what the newspapers and teachings said, all the seasoned Spirit Power Users understood why society was the way it was—it was simple. People wanted it this way.
Prosperous cities, advanced technology, lively crowds, perfect public services. The higher their rank, the more they enjoyed these. Under the leadership of the strong, the world became as it is now.
Spirit Power schools always told their students that everything was because people desired it… Nothing wrong with that, except omitting who “they” were.
“They wanted to achieve their goals too quickly. With limited years to build, there’s little time to enjoy the results,” Beti pointed at the character for “money” in Sinuo’s notebook. “But if the money isn’t in their own hands, and if they simply seize it, it would be like overturning their own claims.”
Sinuo obediently handed her the notebook and stood with his hands behind his back, clearing his throat: “When I was young, my dad told me the Pacifier Council had a secret Spirit Power squad. No one knew their names or details, but they would appear anywhere, collecting funds for the Council and dealing with people they disliked but who hadn’t committed any crimes.”
Xu Chuli’s gaze was calm, her face expressionless, and her lips maintained a faint smile.
“So what do you think, Boss? My theory’s reasonable, right? I call this the Ghost Protocol.”
“Well named, but don’t say it so loudly next time,” Xu Chuli said blandly. “You should know the Ghost Squad is pure conspiracy theory, and it’s classified info. Still, you shout about it—”
Sinuo paused, instinctively reaching to cover his mouth, but soon realized something and looked worriedly at his department head.
Yu Jing looked somewhat distraught.
“But… but if they were following orders, why would they oppose us, who also received orders?”
“Probably because the person who assigned your task didn’t know,” Beti lowered her voice. “If the Ghost Protocol is real, very few know of it. Even within the Pacifier Council, only a handful are authorized.”
Yu Jing closed her eyes in pain; she understood now. Someone in the Supreme School knew the truth, which was why they forced the case to closure.
“So those people now…”
“They probably aren’t working as ghosts anymore; their mission is done,” Beti offered her analysis. “In recent years, many mid- and high-level leaders have parachuted into departments—probably their new jobs.”
So, the nemesis she’d hunted for years were now high-ranking officials. Not only powerful, but with status and clean records. With them in such positions, how could she ever get revenge?
Yu Jing seemed to collapse, her frail body nearly unable to stand, ears buzzing, all her years of endurance coming to a silent end.
So cruel!
Xu Chuli gently hooked a hand over her shoulder, brushing aside the hoarse sob from Yu Jing’s throat.
“Don’t worry, boss.” The Thunder Girl said, “These people are nothing; we can settle accounts later, right, Shen Ning?”
Named so suddenly, Shen Ning tilted her head. Though she didn’t fully understand what was said, these things were too complicated for a mining girl, but since her friend said so, she just nodded.
Nod, nod.
“You guys…”
“It’s nothing, just a small matter.” Xu Chuli smiled sweetly, revealing a canine tooth. “We’ll settle it in the end.”
She might be reassuring her old boss, but she wasn’t wrong. After all, these people had already become part of the Supreme Society. One way or another, they’d be taken down.
“I’ll keep you posted, boss. I’ve got a prime suspect, and she’s up to something unforgivable. When we get back, I’ll report directly to the minister—the Ghost Protocol won’t save her!”
We’ll be going home soon!
Arranging a special plane wasn’t hard. With Monrose’s influence in the City of Rain, it only took a word.
But he still delayed it for two more days, during which he carefully studied the research institute’s briefing.
[When you enter that world, you’ll see a stretch of white lightning, and feel no gravity, as if your body isn’t your own. Wait patiently; when a door appears nearby and draws you in, you may find yourself on an island. That’s when you can use your Spirit Power again. But danger comes with it—there are many people there, and outsiders are highly targeted. You’ll have to fight your way out…]
This was written personally by his most trusted former assistant, currently chief of security at the institute, so he believed it completely.
[Tomorrow someone will come to put you to sleep. There’s no other function, just so you’re synchronized when the door opens, making it easier to pass through. There won’t be any side effects.]
Monrose had long known about the need to be unconscious to enter the Soulstone World, so he certainly didn’t object.
He put down the report from the Research Institute and looked down at his aged body.
Months ago, he’d resolved never to be buried in the grave with this decaying shell. Now, finally, he was about to make it. The wrinkles on his face couldn’t help but tremble with excitement.
“Sir Banliel,” came the secretary’s refined voice from outside. “The special plane you requested has been arranged.”
“Good. Notify Miss Xu in Center City—she may depart tomorrow at any time.”
But thinking of that Thunder Girl’s behavior in the office a few days ago, Monrose added, “Of course, only after dawn.”
If he didn’t say it, she really might show up at 00:01 demanding the plane take off.