"Hello? Are you there?"

Thirty minutes later, inside the ambulance, Huai Shi was receiving emergency medical treatment, getting bandaged and stitched up. Holding a phone borrowed from the Jinling Social Security Bureau, he dialed Ai Qing's number.

After a brief busy signal, the call connected.

Inside a silent conference room.

"Ah, I've received the updates from the scene," Ai Qing said, her tone still calm. "Well done. Compared to some, you've really made them lose face, huh?"

Following the teenage girl's words, the expressions of many attendees faltered, yet they could do nothing about it.

No matter how much idle talk there was, could anyone's actions be as impressive as his?

Even after being kidnapped, he'd managed to turn the tables, taking out Green Day members during a live broadcast. He not only salvaged the crucial reputation of the Jinling Branch but also gained significant leverage in subsequent negotiations with the Social Security Bureau...

Huai Shi's performance had been so slick that the attendees were still debating whether this was just a basic operation or something more, and if they should just sit tight for the moment.

There was no helping it; Ai Qing's perpetually calm expression was too bewildering.

Even if her heart was raging to the point of going berserk, her face remained so composed that no change could be detected. Now, receiving a call from Huai Shi, her demeanor showed no trace of triumph.

Instead, it was as if she were sharpening her knife eagerly, her calmness sending a chill down one's spine.

"Hmm?" Huai Shi sensed something was off. "It seems like I messed something up again, didn't I?"

"Don't worry, just rest up," Ai Qing reassured as she lowered her gaze. "I'll take care of the rest."

With that, she hung up the call.

"Let's continue—"

She twirled her phone, lifting her eyes filled with malice. "As for how to screen for internal traitors colluding with the enemy, I have an idea..."

After three hours of honing, the blade was finally unsheathed.

And so, the meeting continued.

.

.

"You're really okay?"

Huai Shi was taken aback by the disconnected call but quickly shrugged it off, pushing the matter out of his mind.

As long as Ai Qing could handle it, that was good enough. With her negotiating his compensation, he didn't need to worry about getting a raw deal.

Leaning against the wall inside the ambulance, he began to rest.

In fact, this entire ordeal turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him. Although he ended up in a bit of a mess, the intense struggle and subsequent healing had unexpectedly consumed his overabundant vitality.

After this release, he finally felt at ease controlling the Plague Halo.

He'd even figured out a few tricks to using it.

In any case, bidding farewell to the unsightly helmet and hazmat suit was certainly cause for celebration... Ever since his advancement, he hadn't slept for two or three days.

It was like he'd downed a case of Red Bull; he couldn't sleep even if he wanted to. Now, he was finally able to rest and eagerly anticipated finding a place for a blissful slumber.

Then, he heard a knock on the ambulance door.

"Sorry to disturb you."

With a warm smile, 'Older Cousin' stepped into the ambulance, sitting across from Huai Shi. "I've already learned about the situation at the scene from Mo San, but there are a few more details I'd like to clarify."

"Please go ahead."

Huai Shi nodded politely. "May I ask, how should I address you?"

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself..."

Older Cousin paused for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and extended his hand. "My surname is Zhu. I'm Zhu Hongchen, Qingyu's older brother. I currently serve as the Director of the Jinling Social Security Bureau... Everyone calls me Older Cousin."

Qingyu?

Huai Shi was stunned for a moment before realizing—Zhu Qingyu... that was the White Emperor's Son's name! He was shocked. "Doesn't that mean..."

As if anticipating his astonishment, Zhu Hongchen chuckled. "Doesn't mean what?"

Huai Shi swallowed hard, forcing down the words 'older brother-in-law,' and managed a strained smile. "Doesn't mean... you're quite formidable, huh!"

He now understood why people called him Older Cousin. He really was an 'Older Cousin' in the literal sense. The White Emperor's Son's brother—a truly heavyweight character!

Thinking of his foolish actions when he met the White Emperor's Son, he began to feel a headache coming on; he was screwed; Older Cousin was probably here to beat him up.

Zhu Hongchen was amused by Huai Shi's hesitant expression and chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Qingyu has already explained it to me. Kids don't understand anything; it's just a misunderstanding."

Huai Shi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Young man, just try not to be so reckless in the future."

He patted Huai Shi on the shoulder, a peculiar smile on his face. His gaze carried a hint of satisfaction and scrutiny, which felt somewhat unsettling.

"It seems Master Xuan Niao was right; you are someone who bears the Sky's Command," he mused softly, then suddenly asked, "Are you sure you won't consider joining the Social Security Bureau? Back when your great-grandfather Huai Guang was exploring the Border, our Social Security Bureau was one of his sponsors. Our cooperation goes back a long way."

"Uh..."

Thinking of all the formidable individuals in the Social Security Bureau, Huai Shi looked reluctant. "Well, you see, I'm doing pretty well where I am now, and I don't plan to switch jobs anytime soon."

"True, the Social Security Bureau can be quite complex at times and might not suit you. Everyone has their own path, and that can't be forced." Older Cousin nodded understandingly, thought for a moment, and then directly asked, "If it's okay, could you tell me—what's your relationship with Teacher Luo?"

"Teacher Luo?"

Huai Shi was startled. "Who's that?"

"You don't know them?" Older Cousin frowned in confusion. "Then where did you learn the Yu Step?"

"...Wait a minute!"

Finally, Huai Shi realized what he was talking about and was somewhat incredulous. "The Teacher Luo you're talking about, wouldn't happen to be Luo Xian, would it?"

Older Cousin looked as if he'd seen a ghost, stunned for a long moment. Then, as if understanding something, he couldn't help but burst out laughing. "No, no, no, you're mistaken. Xiao Xian is Teacher Luo's daughter.

Ha ha ha, I see now. I think I can guess what happened. No wonder she came to me asking a bunch of questions about Xinhai the other day after returning from the Chef Demon competition... Did you two meet?"

"It's a long story," Huai Shi shook his head and sighed.

"Were you challenged?"

"Yeah, I almost messed up." Huai Shi smiled bitterly. "I thought I was already impressive enough, but it turns out I was still a frog in a well... I'm truly sorry for learning your technique without permission. I'll visit another day to explain."

"No, it's fine. If Teacher Luo knew, she might actually be quite pleased," Older Cousin said nonchalantly, waving it off. "To learn the Yu Step, even an incomplete version, just by dueling Xiao Xian—that shows remarkable talent... To be honest, I've been considering how to win you over from the Astronomical Society.

Speaking of which, what do you think of our Sister Mo San?" he continued, bending down with his elbow propped on his knee and wearing a mischievous smile. "You see, if you're looking for a stricter superior, our Social Security Bureau has those too, you know."

"It's not the same thing, thank you!"

Huai Shi was at his wit's end. Why is everyone in your Social Security Bureau so keen on poaching people?

After cracking a joke, Older Cousin stood up, patted Huai Shi's shoulder, and said, "Get some rest now. I won't bother you any longer. Someone will be here soon to take you back.

Good luck in the rookie contest, young man. I'm rooting for you."

Before leaving, he even made a 'keep fighting' gesture.

Hey, big brother, are you really the bureau chief?

...However, Huai Shi could now understand even more why he was called Older Cousin. He had absolutely no airs and was so young; there was no sense of distance with him at all!

.

.

"What a shock, why is it you?"

Ten minutes later, Huai Shi saw Li Jian Amber's face, wearing an expression of utter despair.

Through the car window.

The recklessly driven sports car hurtled towards him, braking sharply at the last second to stop right in front of him. Li Jian Amber leaned out, calling hastily, "There's no time to explain, get in the car!"

"...Have you been thinking about that line for a long time?"

"I already said there's no time, hurry up and get in!"

Li Jian Amber was alarmingly frantic. She reached out, dragged Huai Shi in through the window, and slammed her foot on the accelerator, sending the car roaring off.

With half his body dangling outside and the other half sprawled over Miss Amber, Huai Shi struggled awkwardly. After finally climbing into the passenger seat and buckling his seatbelt, he looked back, panting. "Are all Yingzhou people as enthusiastically unrestrained as you?"

"Are all Dongxia people as fond of snarky comments as you?!"

In the midst of the wild drive, Li Jian Amber turned to shoot back, her gaze so sharp it seemed like it could ignite sparks. "How can you still be joking around at a time like this?"

"In American action movies, they always crack a joke at times like these to lighten the mood; otherwise, the atmosphere gets too heavy," Huai Shi adjusted his seat, asking nonchalantly, "What's happened?"

"The Astronomical Society Jinling Branch was attacked by Green Day."

"Crap!" Huai Shi nearly jumped through the car roof. "Then what are we waiting for, let's hurry!"

"So now you're panicking?" Li Jian Amber snorted.

"No joke! My Inspector is still there. If anything happens to her, what about my salary this month!" Huai Shi immediately pulled out his Axe Short Knife, wishing he could charge all the way from Confucius Temple to Old Street right now. "Those Green Day bastards have really crossed the line!"

"...But they were quickly suppressed," Li Jian Amber glanced at Huai Shi. "If the sky falls, taller people will hold it up. It's not your turn to play the hero on a rescue mission, so relax."

Just as Huai Shi breathed a sigh of relief, he heard the teenage girl in the driver's seat continue, "But, the attack caused an explosion..."

Instantly tense.

Huai Shi's eyes widened.

"Thankfully, there were no casualties."

As if she had a habit of pausing dramatically mid-sentence, Li Jian Amber, seeing Huai Shi's relief, quickly added, "However, during the chaos, a member of the Astronomical Society was taken hostage..."

Huai Shi felt completely deflated. "I'm begging you, can you please just tell me everything at once?" he pleaded.

"Don't worry, the kidnapper was shot dead on the spot by your Inspector. Anyway, the deputy director who was taken hostage was apparently quite traumatized," Li Jian Amber chuckled maliciously. "After all, he was nearly shot in the head by one of his own people. That's bound to leave a pretty big psychological scar, don't you think?"

"So, what does any of this have to do with me?" Huai Shi was resigned. "You're not here to pin the blame on me, are you?"

"You're overthinking it," Li Jian Amber slammed on the gas, the car speeding up. "After their failed attack, Green Day retreated, but they left something behind at the scene..."

She paused for a moment, looking deeply at Huai Shi.

"—It was addressed to you by name."

Feng Ping, that bastard, is trying to screw me over!

Huai Shi was instantly on alert.

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