Chapter 92: Chapter 92: Arrangements and Breakthrough

Han Qiubai listened quietly to Wang Jie’s report, offering no comment.

That they had gotten no valuable information from Zhang Lei was well within her expectations.

When the Illuminati recruits, they first screen potential candidates. The suitable ones are initiated into the cult. The rest are drained of their money and then consumed as sacrifices.

So, rather than being a recruit, Zhang Lei was more like a lamb they had captured for slaughter.

Once Wang Jie finished his report, Han Qiubai announced the results of her own investigation.

She knocked on the table, drawing everyone’s eyes to her. "According to my investigation," she began, "most of the Illuminati cultists hiding locally have already withdrawn. Over the past six months, they had taken control of three casinos and four prostitution rings.

These were their sources of income and intelligence. The specific locations and characteristics of key personnel are as follows...

Therefore, there’s no reason to let these gray areas continue to exist. Mr. Wang, draw up a plan. Coordinate with the Public Security Bureau and shut them all down. During the interrogations, focus on extracting the number of cultists and their descriptions. Even if they’ve already left, we at least need to know which rats have gotten into our house."

Wang Jie and the others shot to their feet.

"Yes!"

Han Qiubai thought for a moment before adding sternly,

"Mr. Wang, I know Tianning is a rather insular place, and that certain things have been allowed to exist for their own reasons. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t pay them any mind.

But where the Illuminati is concerned, if anyone dares to stick their nose in or get involved, I will personally see them to their grave. I need you to spread this message. As for who you spread it to, I’ll leave that to your discretion."

"Yes!"

Han Qiubai then left the Martial Arts Administration Bureau. Shielded by her profound power, her departure went completely unnoticed.

The moment Han Qiubai was gone, Bu Xiuwen slumped into his chair.

"Chief, that little girl’s got some serious bite. Scared the hell out of me."

Wang Jie, who was just about to sit, nearly lost his composure when he heard that.

A vein throbbed on his forehead. "Xiuwen," he said in a chilling tone, "do you know what the distinguishing trait of an Inner Qi Martial Artist is?"

Bu Xiuwen looked lost. "That they live a long time?"

Wang Jie clenched his fist. "The fundamental trait of an Inner Qi Martial Artist is extraordinary perception. At its most basic level, they can hear a pin drop from a hundred meters away."

It didn’t register with Bu Xiuwen at first. "That’s badass... wait, what?" he said, unconcerned.

Then he shot to his feet, eyes wide as he stared at Wang Jie. "You don’t mean... she heard everything I just said?"

Wang Jie nodded gravely.

Bu Xiuwen looked like he wanted to cry but couldn’t. "Then what do I do... I... why can’t I just keep my big mouth shut?"

Wang Jie thought for a moment before offering a sincere suggestion. "Why don’t you step down as field team leader for now? Go be a regular team member, lie low for a while?"

At this, Bu Xiuwen shot Wang Jie a reproachful glare and said nothing, a look that made Wang Jie’s skin crawl.

Wang Jie turned and quickly gathered his files. "Fine, forget I said anything," he said, not looking up. "Send out a notice. We’ll hold a meeting to discuss the plan and carry out Mr. Han’s orders."

To be honest, Wang Jie had felt a lot less pressure ever since Han Qiubai appeared. He knew his martial arts skills weren’t high, nor did he possess any exceptional talent. He had only reached his current position because he was cautious and reliable.

His talent was in maintaining stability; in other areas, he was truly lacking. If it came to a direct confrontation with the cultists, he’d be less useful than Bu Xiuwen.

In the entire Martial Arts Administration Bureau, Bu Xiuwen was the only one with any real combat prowess. He wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but he could fight. That’s why successive bureau chiefs had kept him firmly planted in the position of field team leader.

They were afraid that if something were to happen, they’d at least have someone who could hold the line.

Ever since hearing about the Illuminati’s incursion, Wang Jie had started sticking close to Bu Xiuwen when coming to and from work. Why? Was it because he enjoyed the man’s charming conversation?

Of course, Bu Xiuwen himself seemed completely oblivious to the real reason. He just thought his boss’s brain was full of mush.

...

The chaos of the outside world didn’t affect Yu Fei in the slightest. He maintained his daily rhythm of arduous training without a moment’s rest.

On the day before the school holiday, while practicing his stance techniques, Yu Fei suddenly felt a tingling numbness in his bones and could barely keep his balance.

He stopped his training and began walking slowly toward Yan Sea’s office, dialing Mr. Yan’s number as he went.

Du Mingxuan glanced at the time. It was only around seven. Usually, Yu Fei started training at 5:30 a.m. and didn’t stop until 7:30. He had finished early today for some reason.

He watched Yu Fei’s heavy footsteps, thinking something might be wrong.

A Martial Artist’s training wasn’t always smooth sailing. Improper practice could sometimes lead to injury.

After a moment’s thought, he stopped his boxing forms, intending to go over and ask what was happening.

Before Du Mingxuan could take a step, Li Mengyao had already rushed to Yu Fei’s side. She took his arm, fussing over him with a worried expression.

Du Mingxuan didn’t stop, either, and also made his way over.

"Fei, what’s wrong? I’ll take you to the nurse’s office."

Yu Fei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He waved his hand, gently refusing Li Mengyao’s support.

He looked at them both and said seriously, "I’m fine. I just had a breakthrough. I’ve already notified Mr. Yan and was on my way to see him."

The two of them were stunned by this news.

Li Mengyao said excitedly, "Another breakthrough? Does that mean you’ve perfected the bone stage?"

Du Mingxuan gave him a thumbs-up. "Fucking awesome..."

The guy was an absolute monster. They were still struggling at the flesh stage, while Yu Fei was already so far ahead he was out of sight.

Yu Fei smiled at them. "Don’t worry about me. You two go on with your training. I’ll inform our homeroom teacher."

Before Du Mingxuan could say anything, Li Mengyao firmly took Yu Fei’s arm again. Supporting him, she said to Du Mingxuan, "I’ll take him. Don’t worry."

With that, she started pulling Yu Fei in the direction of Yan Sea’s office.

Yu Fei was helpless. He couldn’t very well shake her off, and he didn’t have the heart to refuse the girl’s kind intentions.

On the way, Li Mengyao said frankly, "Don’t be so awkward about it. You gave me one precious Vitality Elixir after another and I didn’t refuse. Just give me a chance to do something for you in return."

Yu Fei looked at the girl’s blushing cheeks, unsure if it was from the active flow of her Qi Blood during practice or for some other reason. He teased her,

"I don’t think you want to help me. I think you’re trying to take advantage of me."

Li Mengyao’s face instantly turned a deeper shade of red. "Bah! You’re the one taking advantage of me!"

Feeling the soft pressure against his elbow, Yu Fei thought it was hard to say who was taking advantage of whom.

Li Mengyao escorted Yu Fei to Yan Sea’s office but didn’t go inside. She had a feeling Yan Sea didn’t particularly like her. Oblivious to her thoughts, Yu Fei said goodbye and knocked on the door.

Yan Sea was dressed in his usual black martial arts uniform. His expression softened slightly upon seeing Yu Fei.

"Perfected the bone stage?"

Yu Fei nodded. "Yes, Teacher. While I was practicing my stances just now, my bones went numb and I lost all my strength."

"Good, very good. I’ll bring both vials of Bone Tempering Liquid. Come with me to the nurse’s office. I’ll explain the precautions on the way."