At dawn, we landed in Cliff City.

After the torrential rain ceased, everything was calm, and the streets, washed by the rain, were spotless, as steady as ever, with nothing happening.

Everything that happened during the storm seemed to have flowed away with the rainwater.

Aside from the crimson sewage gushing from the drains and some debris flowing to the ocean through the sewage pipes, nothing happened.

"I heard last night was quite chaotic?"

As Lv Yingyue stepped off the Flying Airship, she saw Tong Shan, who had been waiting for a long time, with scars not yet healed on his hands clasped behind him.

Tong Shan calmly replied, "It was just a major blackout; even though there were losses, it didn't cause chaos."

"How is the situation in the bureau?"

"A few minor issues, nothing major," Tong Shan replied. "Some personnel matters still need your decision upon your return."

"Did someone mess up?"

"Yes." Tong Shan followed behind her, pausing momentarily before reminding, "Some colleagues may no longer be able to perform their duties..."

Lv Yingyue glanced back at him briefly but kept walking.

Continuing forward.

Saying it like this was almost like speaking directly.

Working in the Security Bureau, injuries are commonplace. Naturally, disabilities are treated according to procedure, with all costs and expenses reimbursed. If one achieves merit, there are awards and allowances. If one performs poorly, punishment is only natural. Even encountering someone sitting idly collecting a salary, Tong Shan, who manages the affairs of Cliff City, would not be lenient.

Even if one were to die unfortunately, they would be a hero worthy of commendation and condolence. What couldn't be spoken of clearly?

Except for, traitors...

"Who?"

"The ones we can be sure of so far are Li Jingqiu, Chen Cheng, Sun Yiyi, Zhao Chengping, Feng Lingyun..." Tong Shan reported several names, "Besides them, a few others are suspected, possibly kept in the dark. But since they've ignored bureau rules and made mistakes, my opinion is it's better to let them go."

Upon hearing this, Lv Yingyue was startled, as if in a trance.

Setting others aside for the moment, Zhao Chengping was the Minister of Division Two. For so many years, although he was power-hungry and self-important, he hadn't made any mistakes before. Who would have thought that people's hearts couldn't withstand tests?

A few promises made them lose their senses.

"What about Yu Hanguang?"

Lv Yingyue curiously asked, "I thought he might also make a move."

"His stance is firm. Yesterday afternoon, he was the first to report Zhao Chengping's issues to me," Tong Shan replied. "It seems that since Master Ye reprimanded him last time, he's become much more alert. Last night, when maintaining order, he was fearless and even got injured."

Facing life and death, fighting without retreat, steadfastly guarding the southern power plant, maintaining the city's key institutions' power supply, it was a fierce battle through the night... he nearly got pinned to the wall.

In these times, those with firm, unwavering stances are indeed few. Aside from die-hard loyalists, more people find it hard to stabilize their positions and stands when storms approach.

Even fence-sitters unexpectedly showed such resolve at critical moments, surprising everyone.

But even fence-sitters leaned their way this time, highlighted with commendation and reward, surely could not be lacking.

"I saw the report mentioned there were still quite a few tough guys?" Lv Yingyue asked.

Tong Shan's eyes dropped with disdain, his face expressionless, "Just a bunch of money-blinded fools, occasionally a few were also dealt with by Chief Wen, unable to stir up any waves."

The night's turmoil was completely masked by the torrential rain and the night, as if nothing happened once dawn broke.

It's over.

Moreover, no matter how great the storm, in the moment Lv Yingyue arrived in Cliff City, it should all have subsided.

"This time in Central City, I was lectured by the old folks in the bureau for half the day."

Walking in front, Lv Yingyue sighed lightly, "Since the guarding position has been made permanent, the position at the Cliff City Security Bureau should be vacated.

The arrangements from the General Bureau were rejected by me; there's still a bit of time in the end, do you have any plans?"

"I am not suitable."

Tong Shan shook his head without hesitation.

Even though everyone knows he is the most suitable, and he has already held the position for such a long time, managing everything when the Governor is unable to handle affairs and the Director is in Central City, keeping the situation orderly while waiting for Lv Yingyue's return to take over.

But unsuitable is still unsuitable.

As long as he lives, the Tong family's surname cannot be removed, and the Tong family's influence will not end. An external assignment would be fine, but if appointed locally, the impact would be immeasurable.

No matter what Tong Shan wants, Cliff City would become the Tong family's utter dominion; even if he could control himself, he couldn't control all the family members.

He doesn't care about outsiders' perceptions and opinions, but this doesn't align with the Tong family's principles and style of doing things—sharing meals together, earning money together, living life together, everything is open to negotiation... the meals of the whole world can't be eaten by one person, the money in the world can't be earned by one person. If no one besides you can live, how would anyone still tolerate you?

Why plant the seeds of ruin for a fleeting glory?

After today, what the Tong family can get is already abundant; naturally, there must be considerations of gains and losses.

What is gained is the alliance tied to all the big and small cities of Hai Province and the indispensable mediating position; what is sacrificed is merely the prospect of an individual.

That's all.

"It truly is a bit of a grievance for you." Lv Yingyue sighed softly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.