In the afternoon, Guan Tong and Uenoshi packed their belongings and left the manor.

A car was waiting at the gate.

The window rolled down, revealing Sigaochin’s face.

“Get in, I’ll give you a ride.”

They got into the car. Guan Tong said, “Thank you for your help, Commander Sigaochin.”

After Yelanka stabilized the situation, she officially appointed Sigaochin as commander of the Xisiya corps. Such a position had to be given to someone she trusted completely.

“I don’t think I ever properly thanked you,” Sigaochin said, her gaze through the rearview fixed on Guan Tong, “You and Miss Uenoshi helped us a great deal this time. If you ever need anything from me later on, just say the word.”

“All right.” Guan Tong did not bother with formalities, nodding, “I’ll remember that.”

Above the manor, Yelanka watched the car carrying the two of them grow smaller and smaller, a wave of melancholy washing over her.

Sigaochin escorted them to the outskirts of the capital, after which the two would continue on their own; they did not plan to take a plane or other public transport.

“We’ll head on ahead, then.”

“Wait a moment.”

Sigaochin stepped in front of them, her expression slightly complicated.

“There are a few things I want to say to you — not because anyone told me to, but because I want to say them myself… The Administrator, she hardly has friends. During the time you were here, although there were some crises, I know she was actually very happy inside.”

Guan Tong and Uenoshi were silent.

“So, for selfish reasons of my own, I hope you’ll visit Xisiya often to see her.”

Sigaochin looked at Guan Tong, knowing he was the one Yelanka truly worried about. “The Administrator told me you founded an organization dedicated to uncovering the truth of the Doomsday Rules. If you’re ever ostracized, you can develop here. Xisiya will always welcome you.”

Guan Tong understood the implication behind Sigaochin’s invitation: both Yelanka and Sigaochin were offering for his Trace Origin Travel Troupe to establish a foothold in Xisiya. That would certainly be beneficial. Still, given the current small size of his organization, talking about major bases or large outposts was premature.

“Thank you for the invitation. We’ll keep it in mind,” Guan Tong said.

Sigaochin nodded without saying more, turned, and returned to the car to drive back.

The two watched the vehicle depart. Uenoshi said, “I think her offer is worth serious consideration.”

“Oh?”

“Because the country’s Administrator, Yelanka, seems to trust you completely. She’s cleared domestic threats and now holds power. With someone like her offering support and protection, you wouldn’t need to worry about developing your organization.”

“You mean there might be concerns elsewhere?”

“Right. Even in your homeland Beixing, trying to establish a base might cause trouble.”

Guan Tong considered for a moment and replied, “There’s no need to think about that now. We’ll wait until the organization grows. Let’s go to the Twin Stars Bar.”

They went to the bar and found Black Star. He had finished collecting Mind Power for the day and looked somewhat surprised to see Uenoshi as well.

After the transaction, Guan Tong told Black Star, “We’ll be leaving Xisiya today.”

“You two are leaving? Then the long-term commission for Mind Power collection—”

“That long-term commission won’t stop. Keep collecting. I’ll have someone else pick it up.”

By “someone else,” Guan Tong naturally meant Shadow after being made physical and transformed; clothed, Shadow looked no different from a human. If necessary, Guan Tong could also use Body Swap to come over himself. Compared to the Mind Power received, the daily cost of maintaining a phantasmal presence was negligible.

“All right, I understand.”

At that moment White Star walked over, glanced at Guan Tong and Uenoshi, and seemed about to say something.

Black Star frowned at her, and she held back.

Before leaving, Guan Tong said to Black Star, “If you find anyone selling devices that can store Mind Power, ask around for me. I’ll pay a high price.”

“Okay, I’ll keep an eye out.”

“That’s settled then.”

After leaving the bar, Uenoshi said, “That woman, White Star. She looked like she wanted to tell you something but was stopped by Black Star’s glance.”

“I noticed too,” Guan Tong said. “But since she didn’t speak up, there’s no need for us to pry. As long as my commission continues without issue, there’s no need for extra complications.”

“Mm. Where to next?”

“Beixing,” Guan Tong told her. “I have some business to attend to, and I want you to visit someone.”

“Who?”

……

In Beixing, the recently concluded Rule Challenge No. 16 did not cause significant disruption to this vast nation.

Under strong official control, all contestants passed the challenge successfully — although they could not claim ranking rewards, at least no one suffered a Mind Power upper limit decline due to forfeiture.

For many people, a neutral result was satisfactory.

Especially after the explosion attack at the Suroma finals, even more people believed Beixing made the right decision. Some even felt schadenfreude toward what happened in Suroma.

Turning a killing competition into a ticketed spectator event, even if many bought tickets, does not equal broad public support.

Even within Suroma, countless people had cursed the official announcement to sell tickets from day one and continued until the final explosion kept them shouting.

Many added photos from the scene and screenshots of the Fire Thief bishop into hellish joke compilations; some even publicly agreed with the bishop named “Hess,” saying Suroma should not have turned such slaughter into entertainment.

Regardless of the clamor online, the majority opinion remained that the Fire Thief Worship Cult had proven, by various means, to be a serious threat to humanity and must be eradicated.

The Human Consortium also issued a statement hours after the explosion, saying it would not tolerate such acts and would swiftly launch a severe crackdown on cultists based in Fahe.

“All countries will send elite Ascendants to form a Joint Action Team; small countries are no exception. In fact, several small countries are most eager.”

In the Countermeasures Research Office, Gao Liangwei was in his office discussing the matter with Zhang Minglu.

“They truly should be eager,” Zhang Minglu said. “Compared with major powers, small countries are more easily infiltrated by the Fire Thief Worship Cult, even targetable for large-scale attacks.”

“If it weren’t for geographic factors, the cult would have likely struck those small countries already. It’s only because Fahe and the Suroma Empire share a continent that some containment was possible.”

Gao Liangwei asked, “Do you have candidates for the team we’ll send from Beixing?”

“We should settle on a team leader first. Last time, when the responsible party and I contacted Guan Tong to finalize the matter, I thought we should follow what was discussed and have him lead.”

“Shadow’s strength is unquestionable, but his recent actions in Xisiya—”

Seeing Gao Liangwei’s serious expression, Zhang Minglu understood some of the reasons behind the concern.

Beixing had been collecting intelligence on Xisiya. In recent days, Xisiya’s new Administrator Yelanka had carried out arrests, trials, and executions with startling speed and breadth. Intelligence indicated a powerful Ascendant was assisting her behind the scenes — that person was Shadow.

In the previous contact, Guan Tong had said he had matters to handle in Xisiya. Combined with later intelligence, it became clear one of his actions was helping Yelanka consolidate national power.

Such deeds are not trivial; a top Ascendant’s influence could change a nation’s political landscape, which some people were uncomfortable with.

Zhang Minglu hesitated, then said, “Director, although I agree his behavior is problematic, times are changing so rapidly that maybe everyone must learn to accept it… Forgive me if this oversteps, but if we alienate a top Ascendant like Guan Tong over grudges, it will be a tremendous loss for us.” 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

“Don’t worry, Dr. Zhang. The top levels understand that clearly. Otherwise, why do you think the Falling Petals Plan investigation was frozen?” Gao Liangwei replied.

Zhang Minglu was momentarily taken aback; he had forgotten that case. Indeed, if the Falling Petals Plan investigation had continued, there would have been cause to act against Guan Tong.

“The top levels’ stance is explicit now: not just Guan Tong, but other Ascendants domestically are included. As long as they don’t commit major, morally abhorrent crimes, even if their behavior is somewhat unorthodox, they won’t be pursued.”

Gao Liangwei added, “By the way, do you remember Li Meng?”

Zhang Minglu nodded. “The former director of the Yunhua City Police Department, later in charge of investigating the Qingmei Society kidnapping case. Of course I remember him.”

“I requested and got approval from above to bring him into the Countermeasures Research Office. For the upcoming operation against the Fire Thief Worship Cult, I plan to have him coordinate personnel and command the Beixing contingent.”

Zhang Minglu approved. “I support that. He was a police director and rose through merit in the field. He must have experience in urban security operations. Plus he knows Guan Tong fairly well, so collaboration will save a lot of time.”

“That’s precisely why I had him join,” Gao Liangwei said. “Draft me a team roster, and also find out if Guan Tong has any needs.”

“Understood, Director.”

……

Pinglu City Comprehensive Therapeutic Center.

In the corridor, a young doctor in a white coat led Uenoshi and said as they walked, “Her moods are generally stable, but every few days she experiences a more intense episode. We worry she’ll self-harm. In severe cases we must use sedatives.”

“Frequent sedative use… that can’t be good for the body,” Uenoshi said.

“There’s nothing we can do,” the young doctor said helplessly. “At present, medicine hasn’t been developed for her condition. We’re at a loss. But she is an Ascendant; her body is much stronger than ordinary people’s, so sedatives won’t harm her as much.”

Uenoshi nodded and followed the doctor to a room marked “Special Withdrawal Room.” A nurse was coming out as they arrived.

“How is she today?” the doctor asked.

“Not bad.” The nurse looked at Uenoshi, who wore sunglasses and a mask, puzzled. “Who is this?”

“She’s here to see her. She has a visitation permit from a higher department.”

“Oh, then please come in.”

The nurse opened the door and Uenoshi entered.

The room was spacious and bright, but Uenoshi’s eyes were drawn to strange sketches covering the walls and sheets of draft paper scattered across the floor.

A woman in a white patient gown sat on the bed, staring blankly out the window.

“Suzuki, someone’s come to see you.”

The nurse called softly. Suzuki stiffened and turned her head.

“You two can talk. We’ll step outside,” the nurse and doctor said as they left the room.

Meeting Suzuki’s searching gaze, Uenoshi removed her sunglasses and mask. Seeing her pupils and face, Suzuki brightened and stood up in delight. “You’re—Y—Uenoshi!”

“Suzuki,” Uenoshi said, “How have you been?”

“I…”

Suzuki looked at Uenoshi and her eyes quickly filled with tears.

“I’m okay, I’m okay… Thank you, thank you for coming to see me…”

Uenoshi knew Suzuki had no friends here; no one normally visited. The knowledge made her feel a little uneasy.

“Guan Tong asked me to come,” she said. “He had some matters to attend to and couldn’t come with me. But he’ll visit in the next few days.”

“Really?” Suzuki’s tears flowed freely. “He still remembers me… I thought, I thought you’d all forgotten me…”

“…”

Uenoshi awkwardly walked to her side and gave her a hug to calm her.

After a while, Suzuki’s mood settled considerably. She wiped her cheeks with a tissue and, sounding ashamed, said, “I’m sorry, Uenoshi. I might disappoint you…”

“You mean… you couldn’t quit?”

When Suzuki admitted she was addicted to spores, Guan Tong had used the Countermeasures Research Office’s connections to send her to the withdrawal center in Pinglu, hoping she could break the addiction.

But based on what the doctor had said earlier and Suzuki’s words now, it looked likely the attempt had failed.

Suzuki nodded, pain on her face. “Every few days, that intense craving for spores returns. I try to control it, but I can’t. I distract myself by drawing profiles, but when that doesn’t work, the doctors give me sedatives… Lately, the sedatives are becoming less effective. I’m afraid…”

Uenoshi listened intently, then comforted her, “Suzuki, don’t overthink it. There will be a way.”

Suzuki shook her head. “Thank you, Uenoshi. I know you’re comforting me… The nurse said spore addiction is hopeless. There have been cases of severely addicted patients dying at the withdrawal center.”

“…”

“Uenoshi, I have only one wish now. I want to return to Sakura Prayer Country and see my former colleagues at the Police Department one last time… to say goodbye. Can you help me?”

To Uenoshi, those colleagues and superiors at the police department were among the few familiar people Suzuki still had.

“Of course. I’ll tell Guan Tong… No, when he comes to see you, you can tell him yourself.”

“All right, thank you, Uenoshi.”

Uenoshi stayed with Suzuki for a few hours before leaving. As soon as she stepped out of the withdrawal center, she called Guan Tong.

“How is she?” Guan Tong asked.

“Suzuki is in very poor condition,” Uenoshi said heavily. “After spore addiction, willpower alone seems ineffective. There’s no targeted medicine. Beyond sedatives, doctors can’t do much. Severe addiction deaths have already occurred here. If we don’t find a method quickly, Suzuki will follow the same path.”

“…I understand. I’ll think of a solution as soon as possible. I’ll try to save Suzuki’s life… No, I’ll try to save all spore addicts.”