Two simple words, yet they seemed to cause the temperature in the room to drop by several degrees.
The room fell silent for several seconds. Wan Qianhong stared into Bai Feifei’s eyes, momentarily speechless.
“You...”
On that harmless-looking face, the girl’s eyes held a cold indifference toward life. Wan Qianhong knew she wasn't joking.
Seeing that she was having a hard time accepting it, Xu Mo didn't bother wasting more words. He continued.
“When the poison runs too deep, a gentle simmer is pointless.”
“But I suppose you won't be able to accept that for now. Let’s stick to a method you can handle first.”
“You personally still want to go down into the mine to investigate, right?”
“Yes,” Wan Qianhong nodded firmly.
“Then why did the Inner City demand you return? Can’t you resist? I seem to recall you have a pretty solid background.”
Wan Qianhong completely overlooked how Bai Feifei knew about her background and simply followed the line of thought.
“The people from the Inner City just told me to return, saying this level of danger requires stronger personnel.”
“By all rights, I’m in charge of Outer City affairs here in the East District. I have a certain amount of discretionary power. The only one who can truly order me around is my teacher.”
“My teacher is the Prophet who interviewed you back then, Prophet Liu Yun.”
Xu Mo naturally knew this basic information; it was exactly why he was asking Wan Qianhong.
In Dawn City, there were no resident Great Saints, and Eternal Sleepers were even less likely to appear in a starter zone like this. A Prophet was already the peak level of combat power.
In a world of high-level combatants, strength equaled power and status. Logically, Wan Qianhong’s backing should be extremely formidable.
So, Xu Mo asked, “So, what does your teacher say? She doesn't plan on backing you up?”
Wan Qianhong said, “I tried to contact her, but for some reason, I can't get through. I don't know if it’s a signal issue...”
Xu Mo: ?
Hearing this, Xu Mo sat up straight, looking at Wan Qianhong as if she were some kind of genius.
“In other words, the only person qualified to order you around in this matter is your teacher. Otherwise, you can make any decision you want on your own.”
“And your teacher hasn't sent you any instructions, and her phone is completely unreachable! Correct?”
Wan Qianhong nodded. “Correct.”
Xu Mo looked at her clear, dim-witted eyes, momentarily speechless.
How had he never noticed before that this woman was like this?!
“So, you’d rather believe a Prophet’s phone has no signal than believe she’s giving you a hint to do as you please?”
Wan Qianhong blinked blankly, still not quite understanding. “But the Inner City said...”
Xu Mo cut her off directly.
“Who gives a damn what the Inner City says? Is there anyone in the Inner City who can do anything to your teacher?”
“Many things in the Inner City are just too complicated; she can't easily take a stance without a clear result.”
“She’s the only one who can order you. By not contacting you, she’s already hinting for you to handle it yourself. She’s taking the fall for the responsibility!”
Wan Qianhong’s mouth hung slightly open. She had seemingly never considered this perspective.
“Huh?”
“‘Huh’ what?!” Xu Mo felt his blood pressure rising.
He found it strange how these people, with the political savvy of a Border Collie, had managed to become leaders in such a chaotic world.
It’s all damn nepotism, isn't it?!
“Fine, I’ll just ask you this: do you want to just go back like this?”
“Of course not!”
“Then that’s that. Here’s what you do...”
As he spoke, Xu Mo scooted forward and leaned in close to Wan Qianhong’s ear.
Wan Qianhong felt “Bai Feifei’s” breath against her ear and couldn't help but feel her ears flush red. Even her body stiffened slightly.
Xu Mo whispered his instructions into her ear. Her expression turned serious, and she nodded repeatedly.
“When will the people from the Inner City arrive?”
“Probably very soon. They’ll be traveling through the night. I only came to you because time was tight.”
After their exchange, Wan Qianhong gave Xu Mo a serious nod and left the room.
Xu Mo sprawled out on the bed in a star shape again, a surprised smile on his face.
It really was quite strange. This time, Wan Qianhong was actually standing so firmly on his side. What was different from before?
It seemed the only difference was the emergence of Bai Feifei’s self-awareness.
“This woman seems to like you quite a bit. You’ve got a way with the ladies.”
Xu Mo teased Bai Feifei while lying on the bed.
No response came from his mind. Clearly, her consciousness was still in a deep sleep.
“Good that you’re asleep. Sleep a bit longer; it’ll give me more time.”
“A lot of people will be coming this time, huh... You’re usually too soft-tempered. Watch me help you build a proper reputation this time.”
Xu Mo sat on the bed, talking to himself and chuckling. His smile gradually became somewhat twisted.
...
The moment Wan Qianhong stepped out of the room, her expression instantly returned to one of firm determination.
She found Yang Shuo and her other subordinates and quickly issued orders to construct defensive, earthquake-resistant structures and expand some of the housing modules to take in the miners who had been brought out.
Yang Shuo froze for a moment and asked, “Boss, the people from the Inner City are about to arrive for the handover. Didn't you say before...”
“Handover?” Wan Qianhong shot him a sharp look.
“The affairs of the East District’s Outer City are under our jurisdiction. If the Inner City wants to send reinforcements, that’s naturally for the best, but we will continue to do what we must.”
Yang Shuo’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “So, we’re not leaving?”
“Did I ever say we were leaving?!”
“Yes! Understood!”
The East District team moved into action. As the sky darkened and night approached, the ground rumbled once more.
Only this time, it wasn't an earthquake.
Massive searchlights lit up at the edge of their vision. A truck roared toward them with the force of a mountain, driving into the temporary camp Wan Qianhong and the others had built.
Men in Scavenger uniforms jumped off the truck, holding various weapons, with armor covering their vital points.
This team looked even more elite than the one Wan Qianhong had brought; they had an aura of being ‘expensive.’
From the passenger side, a man in combat boots with a somewhat gloomy look between his brows jumped down. He walked up to Wan Qianhong and said with a smile, “Wu Jinyi, Captain of the Special Action Team.”
Wan Qianhong just nodded at him, saying nothing.
To think this annoying fellow would be the one leading the team...
“Don’t be so serious, Miss Wan. We’re old acquaintances,” Wu Jinyi said with a smile.
“I just noticed you’ve set up a prison and locked up all the mine foremen?”
“They are criminal suspects,” Wan Qianhong said coldly. “According to the miners, they’ve done enough to earn a firing squad.”
“Eh,” Wu Jinyi waved his hand. “You’re still as impulsive as ever.”
“It’s just internal conflict among the commoners. Besides, desperate places breed desperate people. It’s possible those miners are just talking nonsense without evidence.”
“Let them go. They work for the Inner City; even if they have no merit, they have their share of hard work.”
“If I recall correctly, East District affairs are under my jurisdiction,” Wan Qianhong snapped back.
Wu Jinyi’s cheek twitched. He let out a cold laugh and said, “Fine, no problem! While you’re here, you naturally have your leadership style.”
“But I’ve arrived now. District Head Wan, you’ve worked hard. You can take that sinner named Bai back to the Inner City to rest.”
Wan Qianhong acted as if she hadn't understood, frowning as she asked, “What does your arrival have to do with me?”
Wu Jinyi: ?
“The higher-ups said our Special Action Team is here to replace you. Didn't you know?”
“Which higher-ups?” Wan Qianhong didn't yield an inch. “I haven't received orders from Prophet Liu Yun. Without her orders, I can still make my own decisions regarding East District affairs.”
Wu Jinyi’s face gradually darkened as he realized Wan Qianhong’s intent.
“District Head Wan, playing dumb is just boring now...”
“You and your people are clearly no longer sufficient to handle the sudden problems here. This is the collective opinion of the representatives. I’m sure Prophet Liu wouldn't want to see you being so headstrong.”
“We even brought an Edgerunner with us this time!”
Before Wan Qianhong could speak, a door to a nearby room was suddenly kicked open from the inside! A curse rang out from within:
“What the hell is an Edgerunner anyway?!”
Rate on N.U.
