Dead silence.

Only the echo of a clock swayed in the hollow room.

From Minerva's overview, Zhou Cheng had long been drenched in sweat. At this moment, he tried several times to speak, but the words failed him. Despite his best efforts to mobilize his spiritual essence to invigorate his spirits, what he felt instead was an ever-clearer and immense fear.

It wasn't just Minerva.

It felt like something even more ferocious and hideous was lurking behind these fleeting illusions, casting a disdainful glance.

What White Deer resisted most about Tian Yuan was that, like a lock, everyone within it had their own designated place and chains binding them, their individual significance endlessly diluted by the group, unable to transcend their prescribed roles.

Chains and authority share the same origin; order and shackles coexist.

Even for those not following Tian Yuan, merely being within it would lead to a gradual assimilation, transforming into a mass-produced product, faceless and generic.

But now, when Wen Wen cast aside the chains, and just as he began to feel like he could shatter these damned links, what he felt was the ironclad nature of the Ruins Path.

The majesty and terror of something merciless!

Even as a Chosen One, the gap between them was immeasurable, as vast as the heavens are from the abyss.

What degree was this… Rebirth, or… transcendence?

In his gradually clouding thoughts, his consciousness plunged into a void, his expression rigid, unable to extricate himself, as if even he was about to become part of that iron stone.

Until, a low voice sounded.

Footsteps.

So gentle.

From the resounding, deep footsteps, yet distinctly different, it made one unconsciously want to listen closely. Upon realizing who the newcomer was, he instinctively straightened up, greeting respectfully on both sides of the corridor.

"Mr. Lei."

"Mr. Lei, good afternoon."

"Chairman Lei, hello."

"Hello everyone, hello."

The figure who walked in leisurely entered the company, a warm smile on his face, his short hair slightly graying, his beard meticulously groomed, waving his hand to indicate: "Continue on with your work, no need to mind me."

Thus, he walked straight toward the reception room.

Ignoring the suffocating pressure that filled the room, he pushed the door open and couldn't help but be slightly astonished.

"Oh my, look at what's happened here. How did it end up like this?"

Lei Yaoxing sighed wistfully, looked at the furious woman, and smiled: "Supervisor Wen, don't be too harsh on your subordinates."

"Really?"

Wen Wen was indifferent, merely glancing at the sweating Zhou Cheng: "Why do I feel like he seems to be troubling me?"

"Is that so?"

Lei Yaoxing looked puzzled, turned his head, and glanced at Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng, trembling, instinctively knelt on the ground as the terrifying pressure disappeared. He tried to crawl forward, but after being glanced at by Lei Yaoxing, he dared not approach any further and merely prostrated on the ground, knocking his head in terror, speaking incoherently.

"Brother Xing, I did it all for the society, Brother Xing, I, I absolutely have no selfish motives…"

Lei Yaoxing sighed, waved his hand, and Zhou Cheng didn't even dare to explain further.

"I apologize, Supervisor Wen. The society has its rules; how can the subordinates dare to make decisions on their own without my stance? Otherwise, if they're caught, it's betrayal, punishable by severe methods."

"Ha—"

Wen Wen sneered, "Using a scapegoat to say all the unsavory words, and now you come out to play the good guy. Isn't that a bit cliché?"

"There's no way around it. When Minerva comes knocking, who wouldn't be afraid? We can only tightly hold onto Desert Market as a lifesaver."

At this moment, under Wen Wen's indifferent gaze, Lei Yaoxing still smiled as before, not caring about the ruthless atmosphere, calm and seemingly ready to compromise. Yet, when he mentioned "Minerva," there was a subtle pause, as if hinting something.

Wen Wen asked directly: "Was it your people involved in the White Slip Gang matter?"

"Not related to me." Lei Yaoxing shook his head decisively: "Am I crazy to handle a Chen Xingzhou and hire a bunch of unruly lunatics?

I think there must be some misunderstanding."

"Is everything a misunderstanding?"

Wen Wen nearly laughed, "It seems everyone says that, but so far, over a hundred people have died in these 'misunderstandings.' I hardly know whom to believe anymore."

"If it's settling Chen Xingzhou, I wouldn't need to hire others."

Lei Yaoxing loosened his coat, hung it up, and directly walked to a liquor cabinet in the corner, poured himself half a glass of whiskey, drank it in one gulp, and spoke calmly: "Supervisor Wen is a straightforward person; I trust you. So, I'll share some insider news with you—there has been a lot of unrest these days, not just you who can't stand it. A few elders from other places in Hai Province have started to mediate. Tonight, we'll negotiate at Mingyue Building, both sides will cease, why continue the struggle?"

Wen Wen was momentarily stunned, her gaze at Lei Yaoxing growing more peculiar.

Accountants cooking the books and drivers who were sidekicks were one thing, but two illegitimate sons, four or five close associates, and heads of the gang had been killed by Chen Xingzhou, and Lei Yaoxing was actually agreeing to dialogue and cease hostilities?

Was he able to tolerate this?

But at this crucial point, Lei Yaoxing must endure.

As the eldest foster son personally raised by Lei Wuye, he ranked the highest.

In terms of position, he was Lei Wuye's most relied-upon arm; Chen Xingzhou was merely a public accountant and subordinate, used to make money. In terms of power, he was undoubtedly the strongest in the whole of Cliff City, having integrated many of Lei Wuye's subordinates. Even if all his younger siblings combined forces, they could barely hold their own against him.

After this crucial moment, once he had suppressed all opponents, even without Lei Wuye dying, he would naturally become the principal decision-maker, the rightful heir.

Stepping back now would naturally lead to a broader world, and after this period, he could simply wipe out his entire family.

He could even show some magnanimity, allowing Chen Xingzhou to continue working for him, just as he had once made money for Lei Wuye, relying on him heavily. Without the White Slip Gang to do the dirty work, Chen Xingzhou's Spring City hometown association would be like losing a hand. Later, when stripped of its wings and disciplined a bit, could it really cause any more waves?

"Please, Supervisor Wen."

Lei Yaoxing placed a glass of whiskey in front of her, his smile tranquil: "We'll have to rely on you a lot in the future."

Unfortunately, there was no response.

Wen Wen didn't even glance at it, just slowly stood up, adjusted her cuffs, and patted the dust off her body: "Very well, since it's unrelated to internal Desert Market affairs, then Northern Mountain group can proceed with their operations."

No matter if Lei Yaoxing did it or not, he said it has nothing to do with Wen Wen, but she didn't believe a word of it. All she wanted was that statement, after which nobody could use the stances between the Security Bureau and Desert Market against them anymore.

Lei Yaoxing's smile stiffened slightly for a moment, not knowing if it was due to Wen Wen's attitude or her decision, but ultimately, he said nothing.

He just reminded her, "Supervisor Wen, you forgot something."

"Those are just copies, have fun tearing them up."

Wen Wen waved without looking back, pushed the door open, and strode away.

In the now silent reception room, Lei Yaoxing sat down, slowly sipping his strong liquor. With a casual flick, the crumpled envelope unfolded, revealing the blank paper inside.

Not a single word.

"Hey…"

He couldn't hold back, scoffed coldly, and sighed lightly, "The Security Bureau really is full of hidden talents."

After finishing his drink, Lei Yaoxing stood up and left.

Throughout, they never looked again at the unfortunate fool cowering in the corner, terrified.

And he didn't dare stop either.

The dull sounds continued incessantly, while the increasingly thick blood spread from the gray concrete.

From the spreading scarlet, it seemed as if a ferocious deer was looking back.

Such was the witness.

This slaughter, presented for the Superior.

.

.

Three minutes later, Tong Hua, who had been waiting for a while, received a call from Wen Wen.

"Okay, that bastard Lei Yaoxing really doesn't dare to admit he's connected to those people. Start taking action. Capture them and finish them off!"

The cold voice on the phone replied, "If caught at the station, crush them on the tracks; if at the harbor, drown them in the sea. I want none of them to leave Cliff City alive, understand?!"

"Huh?" Tong Hua paused, not shocked by Wen Wen's resolve, but by something else, "Sis, aren't you going to show up?"

"I wish I could."

Wen Wen sighed helplessly, "But guess who's sitting across from me right now?"

"Ah—"

Tong Hua immediately reacted, yelling angrily at the other end of the phone, "Tong Shan, what are you playing at?!"

"Following orders, just do as Supervisor Wen commands, and don't act on your own," came another voice, calm to the point of being rigid, "During work, refer to positions, Resident Tong. As the department head and acting bureau chief, I just have some matters regarding the position of the Security Bureau to discuss with Supervisor Wen."

"During~work~refer~to~positions~~"

Tong Hua angrily mimicked her brother's words in a mocking tone, about to respond, but then the call was abruptly hung up, sending her into a further rage.

In a state of extreme anger, she seethed repeatedly.

It showed her tremendous endurance.

Rolling her eyes helplessly, she cursed, "In the future, you'll definitely find someone as rigid as you, who'd need to write a report even to get into bed!"

She had known since childhood that this brother was different from her.

Not just different from her, but from everyone in the family; when everyone else was spiritedly gossiping and seeking fun, he never lifted his head to join, in the vast Tong family, he wasn't close to anyone. He decided on his own school, his own major, his own job, his own life, independently awakening, enjoying his single-player games all by himself.

Ever since he joined that department, his poker face seemed more natural day by day.

A piercing stare, that's what sport-playing did to him.

A perfectly good person, ruined by sport-playing!

"Forget it, let's get to work."

After hanging up the phone, she signalled to Old Zhang, who was comfortably lounging in the shade nearby, rubbing her hands together as she approached the site.

"Come on, let me see—who's the daring soul causing trouble in the Northern Mountain District?"

Through the records of Ether Path, all that had happened became visible to her, but unfortunately...

It was all blurry.

Like watching a 120P surveillance video on a 120K/S bandwidth, fragmented and flickering, sometimes jumbled, sometimes indistinct.

As she traced the clues to the vicinity of the scene, in a complex shanty area, it became difficult to track the other party's whereabouts.

Cold sweat dripped from Tong Hua's forehead, and she started to get nervous.

Damn it, we're dealing with professionals!

Following Tong Hua, who was aimlessly circling the shanty area like a headless fly, Old Zhang remained calm, taking care of the prosthetic on his leg, unwilling to always step in the mud. Inevitably, Little An couldn't help but comment:

"Sister Tong Hua, you're weak."

"Where am I weak?! Where am I weak! We've always been this strong at Ether Path, haven't we?" Tong Hua immediately broke down, hopping mad, her mouth full of 'the opponent has professional jammers,' 'too many missing frames,' 'too many people in the shanty area causing signal interference,' and so on, adding a merry mood to the group.

Until Tong Hila chased and lost track again, at which point she was nearly losing her Little Pearls.

And then Old Zhang, leisurely strolling with a large fan, casually pointed to the network of complex cables overhead, the dense wiring, and various... cameras.

"Why don't you shake someone down and ask?"

Old Zhang curiously suggested.

"No!"

Tong Hua immediately tensed, angrily retorting, "Even if I have to search for people till I drop dead here, even if I have to jump off this building, I'll..."

Half an hour later, before Ji Jue's car had even fully stopped, he heard a deafening greeting.

"—Good afternoon, Brother Ji Jue!"

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