Not just Ji Jue, but everyone present fell into silence, including Lei Yaoxing who stared over, his expression twitching momentarily as if he sensed something.

But he didn't even have time to think, because the second car had already stopped at the entrance.

It was a luxurious car, just like the ones Mr. Lou often used, equipped with top-notch illumination!

The man who stepped out was somewhat chubby and ordinary-looking, unremarkable except for the designer brands he wore and the luxury watch on his wrist, but his appearance once again tightened the atmosphere at the scene.

Even more so than before.

"Long time no see, Mr. Tong."

Lei Yaoxing shook hands with the newcomer. The CEO of the Tong Group nodded slightly and handed over a wreath.

"My old man said he's known Mr. Lei for years and asked me to deliver this on his behalf."

Lei Yaoxing briefly fell silent for a moment and then stepped aside,

"Please."

So, Tong Shengnian stepped forward, lit two incense sticks, prayed silently for a moment, and then, ignoring the invitation from the master of ceremonies, turned and walked to the back of the hall.

As Ji Jue's eyelids twitched wildly, he seated himself next to an elder from the Chongguang Church.

And the Tong family!

Following that, the next vehicle to arrive was an understated yet luxurious Empire-made Shadowglow, from which a short-haired middle-aged woman with stern makeup emerged.

Ji Jue had seen this woman before.

In Professor Ye's workshop...

When Professor Ye had introduced him to her, Ji Jue's smile was even brighter than that of a kindergarten baby... because she was the manager of the Artisan Association·Taiyi Ring in Cliff City, representing them with full authority!

At this moment as well, after paying her respects, she didn't leave but walked towards the back, greeted the elder briefly, nodded at Ji Jue, and then stayed silent.

Ji Jue's scalp tingled more and more.

And the next to appear were also damn heavyweights...

The local president of the Star Core Association, the secretary of confidential affairs from the city hall, a special delegate from the governor's mansion, the business manager from Yongji Bank, and the heads of Huan Yu Heavy Industry and Boundaryless Communication.

Until finally, disregarding all manners, a car parked directly at the entrance of the funeral hall.

Well, it wasn't a great car, nor was it terrible, but at that point, it hardly mattered because it bore the insignia of the Cliff City Security Bureau.

The young man who stepped out adjusted his sleeves and strode in boldly.

He paid no mind to Lei Yaoxing, cared even less for Lei Wuye, and didn't even bother to offer incense.

He didn't spare the coffin a glance.

From start to finish, his face was expressionless, his originally handsome features now carried an air of cold aloofness, as if dismissing everyone from three thousand miles away as he walked in carelessly.

Thus, facing many angry stares, he greeted Tong Shengnian briefly before directly and straightforwardly sitting next to Ji Jue.

Ji Jue's face twitched again and again, wishing only to duck his head as Chen Yubo had done.

Before he decided to shift his seat, he heard a voice beside him.

The indifferent man turned to look at him, his expression faintly warmer, "Ji Jue?"

"Uh... hello?"

Ji Jue nodded, scrutinizing the unfamiliar face, "May I know your surname?"

"No need for formality, Tong, Tong Shan."

The acting director of a department in the Cliff City Security Bureau introduced himself, shaking hands with Ji Jue: "Before coming here, Supervisor Wen specifically asked me to look after you. Now it seems, there's no need for me to worry."

"Uh..."

In a flash, Ji Jue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if all pressure had vanished.

Damn, such a big shot sitting right next to me, even if Lei Yaoxing pulled a knife, I wouldn't lose a single hair!

Isn't this what safety feels like?!

As he hurriedly scrambled to bond over their mutual connection, he heard Tong Shan speak: "It's not just Supervisor Wen, my silly little sister often mentions you too."

"Ah?"

Ji Jue instinctively sensed danger, "What about me?"

Tong Shan paused briefly, his lips curving slightly, "The stuff about Brother 'Famous Sayings'—need I repeat it?"

Ji Jue's face twitched uncontrollably.

I knew it! Dammit, I knew it!

Nineteen years of innocence, and one misstep leads to eternal regret!

Can't we just skip over this?! Suddenly, why do I feel like it's going to haunt me for a lifetime?!

"Cough cough, that's embarrassing."

"I don't find it amusing."

Contrary to Ji Jue's expectations, Tong Shan instead shook his head solemnly, so earnest that Ji Jue almost thought he was joking: "I think what you said was very good, and what you did wasn't bad either.

These days, there are too few people who dare to speak their minds and then actually act on their words."

He suddenly asked, "Interested in joining the Security Bureau?"

"Uh..." Ji Jue's face twitched again, he had intended to say he was already an informant, but from his perspective, being an informant probably couldn't even count as relevant, could it?

Tong Shan said, "I know the second department is in a mess, but you don't need to worry. The first department is always welcoming you. No, with your abilities, you could probably go directly to the third department."

Apart from logistics and finance sections, the Cliff City Security Bureau has three main departments, commonly referred to simply as first, second, and third by everyone for convenience.

The second department, which is the largest and most complex public security department and is in charge of the security in various districts of Cliff City, is usually what everyone encounters. This is also why Wen Wen self-mockingly calls herself a "beat cop."

The first department, currently headed by Tong Shan, falls directly under the head of the bureau, serving as the elite civil servants of the Federation, responsible for the defense and security of important figures in Cliff City.

The leading role is played by the Heavenly Origin System. Its internal management and discipline are far stricter than the second department. Similarly, the compensation and benefits are frighteningly generous. Wild followers of Heavenly Origin dream of passing the civil service exams to get into it, and once in, it's a lifer's career. Plus, only members of the first department can access the Federation's official Heavenly Origin Matrix and various inherited techniques...

You see, the Empire and the Federation are the only two massive bases of Heavenly Origin in the whole world!

The third department he mentioned is the smallest and also the most mysterious section, the technical maintenance department, handling the maintenance of important facilities in Cliff City, including but not limited to large-scale war constructions or various alchemy items... even Heavenly Artisan and Taboo Creations. The internal staff, backed by the Federation's supplies, don't even flinch at ordinary material consumption.

If this were six months earlier, securing an offer from any of these departments would have made Ji Jue ecstatic enough to hardly keep his legs together. But now, regrettably, he cared about it no longer.

Tide Sound Workshop is my home. My heart has only one sun, Professor Ye!

Ji Jue shook his head without hesitation, "I'm currently prioritizing my studies, sorry."

Tong Shan nodded slightly, unsurprised, but solemnly handed over a business card, "If you're interested, contact me anytime."

"Definitely."

Ji Jue carefully stored it away, then only then did he feel the increasingly solemn and oppressive atmosphere in the farewell hall.

Unconsciously, the surroundings had filled up entirely!

Moreover, looking around, there were representatives from all walks of life, high and low, respectable and not—yet notably, not a single one from the Desert Market.

First, elders from the Chongguang Church graced the occasion, then Tong Shengnian from the Tong family, Tong Shan from the Taiyi Ring, and representatives from the Cliff City Security Bureau, all like giant stones tossed into a pond, creating chaotic ripples and undercurrents.

When all these people were seated here, this funeral was destined not to be just an internal matter of the Desert Market.

Rather, it seemed more like...

...a questioning summons?

Ji Jue's heart suddenly filled with speculations, but perhaps, only this could explain everything that had happened.

A half-month of covert warfare was indeed too long.

And with the struggle spiraling out of control, the affected areas were not limited to the Desert Market. From the Chongguang Church's hospitals and aid efforts, the Tong family's business and operations, Taiyi Ring's material transport and contraband control, to the Star Core Association's neutrality and unity, the operations of the city hall, the safety of the governor's mansion, and most importantly... the order and stability of Cliff City.

Admittedly, as long as human nature prevails, the wild, chaotic wilderness is inevitable. But now, blood has spilled too much on the wilderness, overflowing into the world outside, reaching everyone's doorstep.

And when another visitor entered the hall after offering incense and sat down, the entire hall fell into dead silence, where one could hear a pin drop.

The middle-aged man who bore some resemblance to Tong Shan sat leisurely down, dressed in casual suit, his demeanor handsome and unrestrained, exuding a distinct air of charm.

After nodding to Tong Shengnian, he affectionately patted Tong Shan's shoulder and sat beside him, "Ashan, long time no see."

"Uncle Four, hello."

Tong Shan solemnly nodded in greeting.

"Ah, relax a bit, Uncle Four was hesitating whether to call by official titles or not, isn't this more interesting?"

Uncle Four casually waved his hand with a playful smile, entirely devoid of solemnity, "Ahua ate several more bowls of rice in anger after he last came home. Your sibling relationship is really interesting."

Beside them, Ji Jue and old Tang observed with measured calm, seated straight without daring to breathe heavily, discreetly shrinking back.

The moment he made his entrance, Ji Jue had already recognized the pin on the other's chest...

A pin from the Hai Province Reading Club.

It seemed like a harmless club to outsiders, but who would think that this peculiar place is the biggest intelligence exchange organization in Hai Province, formed by Ether Chosen Ones?

The man Tong Shan referred to as Uncle Four was none other than the Ether Chosen One of the Tong family, currently the president of the Hai Province Reading Club, Tong Ting. At this moment, his presence here represented all the Ether Chosen Ones of Cliff City.

Among the many visitors present, the Tong family occupied three pivotal roles: industry, the Security Bureau, and the Ether System, subtly revealing the tremendous, intimidating influence the usually low-profile Tong family wielded…

However, unexpectedly, Tong Ting was not as headstrong or bold as Tong Hua; he neither activated the ether eye nor looked around furtively. After greeting Ji Jue formally and complimenting the youth, he didn't say much else.

As one visitor after another came, paid their respects, sat down or left, the farewell hall, initially looking somewhat spacious, now became so crowded that it was hard to find a spot.

Busy staff members even thought about bringing in more stools, but Lei Yaoxing, silent throughout, raised his hand and waved.

No more guests would be coming.

Or rather, the last guest had just arrived before him.

"Sorry, I was delayed on the way, I'm a bit late."

The man in the wheelchair, looking slightly pale, coughed twice, instructing the master of ceremonies beside him, "I had someone buy some fresh flowers before coming, please set them up for me."

Behind him, the one-armed elderly man waved his hand, retracting his umbrella, and sparse raindrops tippled down, carrying a faint crimson hue.

"Brother!"

Chen Yubo, shivering at the back, finally raised his head, his eyes lighting up almost to the point of tears upon recognizing the arrival.

Yet apart from him, no one else spoke.

Only the soft grinding sound of the wheelchair moving across the floor echoed through the hall.

The mortuary hall silenced, the rainfall subtle.

"Long time no see."

Chen Xingzhou calmly raised his eyes, addressing Lei Yaoxing, "Young Master Xing, are you well?"

At that moment, it felt just like that time.

From within the humid, oppressive coastal breeze, lightning streaked across the clouds in the distance.

Thunder rolled across the sky conveying celestial movements.

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