novelraw Chapter 380: The Reason Behind It
Chapter 380: The Reason Behind It
……
Vermilion Bird Academy, Dean's Office.
Ye Hongyu's face was as dark as water.
Before her, several holographic projections clearly materialized.
These projections varied in form and attire, representing several core departments of Daxia's highest authority:
An elderly man wearing a black robe with golden parliamentary patterns, his face solemn and imposing, naturally commanding respect, from the Supreme Council.
A military general with stars on his shoulders, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, his entire being exuding an aura of iron and blood, a general from the Military Department.
And a middle-aged man wearing the distinctive dark blue uniform of the Aberrant Purge Division, his expression cold and stern, a powerful Deputy Director of the Aberrant Purge Division.
Behind them, each followed by one or two others.
Though they hadn't spoken yet, an intangible pressure had already begun to permeate the air.This was an emergency cross-departmental high-level remote meeting convened due to the Reforge Fruit incident.
The meeting had just begun.
The Aberrant Purge Division's Deputy Director took the initiative to attack first: "Dean Ye Hongyu, regarding the matter of Chen Qing, Guest Advisor of Black City, gifting a Reforge Fruit to your academy's Professor Wang Mingyuan, you must already be aware.
Let's be frank. Based on our preliminary analysis and judgment, this Chen Qing is 99% Su Zhan, the one who should have died in the Mist years ago!
First question, please answer clearly: before this, were you aware that Su Zhan was not dead?
Were you aware that he survived under the identity of Chen Qing and became an Aberrant?"
Ye Hongyu slightly raised her phoenix eyes, her gaze calm and unrippled: "I was not aware."
On this matter, she must, and could only, deny it.
"Not aware?"
The military general snorted coldly, his voice like a great bell: "Dean Ye, I'm afraid a simple 'not aware' isn't enough to brush this aside!
Back then, at the critical moment when Specialist Qin Bai had already apprehended Su Zhan and was about to conduct the final interrogation, it was you, Ye Hongyu, using your identity as Dean of Vermilion Bird Academy, who forcefully secured seven days for him!
And the result? Right at the final moment of the seventh day, the Transcendence Society attacked Vermilion Bird Academy!
The entire incident was chaotic, and Su Zhan, amidst that chaos, entered the Mist and vanished without a trace ever since.
At the time, we all thought he was dead. A Stream Realm second-order kid with a completely ruined foundation was undoubtedly doomed.
But now, not only is he alive, he has returned as Calamity-level Aberrant Chen Qing.
And with a single Reforge Fruit, he unwittingly exposed his inseparable connection with Wang Mingyuan.
Dean Ye, you tell us, can all of this really be a coincidence?"
The elderly man from the Council spoke in a relatively calm tone: "Dean Ye, back then, the Council supported your request under pressure.
We were willing to believe you were acting for the stability of the academy, to uncover the truth.
But now, the facts are laid bare before us.
Su Zhan is not dead, and is confirmed to be an Aberrant.
This proves our initial suspicions about him were not unfounded.
If he had been dealt with promptly back then, how could today's hidden danger exist?
A being with a dual identity, once hailed as a hero, now a Calamity-level Aberrant—if his identity is fully exposed, the impact on public faith and Daxia's stability would be catastrophic!
The responsibility for this lies with you, and with Vermilion Bird Academy!"
The Aberrant Purge Division's Deputy Director took over, his tone grim: "Dean Ye, it was precisely those seven days you fought for that led to the birth of this immense threat capable of shaking the nation's foundations today.
We need a reasonable explanation, and furthermore, Vermilion Bird Academy must provide a clear stance and unreserved cooperation in the subsequent handling of this matter!"
Several gazes focused on Ye Hongyu.
Waiting for her response.
Ye Hongyu raised her hand and lightly adjusted her sleeve:
"Cooperation? Stance? Gentlemen, at this point, what practical significance do such verbal promises hold?
Since you have already concluded that Chen Qing is Su Zhan, that he is an immense threat intolerable to the world, and are determined to take action.
Then, whether I express support or voice opposition at this moment, would it affect your final decision even slightly?
If I say I oppose, will you stop?
No.
Since that's the case, why go through the unnecessary trouble of demanding a so-called stance from me?
If you wish to act, then by all means, proceed.
Asking for my opinion is merely a formality, so why bother?"
The military general's face darkened, seemingly wanting to say more, but was subtly stopped by a look from the Council elder.
The Aberrant Purge Division Deputy Director's expression grew even colder: "Dean Ye, please be mindful of your position. Vermilion Bird Academy is Daxia's Vermilion Bird Academy. Safeguarding Daxia's stability is an inescapable responsibility of every department and every high-ranking official.
Your detached attitude is deeply disappointing."
The Council elder spoke slowly: "Dean Ye, this matter is of utmost importance, it is no longer an affair of a single academy.
We hope, and believe, that Vermilion Bird Academy can distinguish between primary and secondary matters, and prioritize the greater good.
Past oversights, the Council may choose not to investigate further, but going forward, the academy must at the very least refrain from creating obstacles or sending the wrong signals."
His words stopped there, not voicing any more severe condemnation.
At their level, unless they were to completely tear off all pretenses, certain lines would not be easily crossed.
Today's objective of accountability had been achieved.
They had conveyed the unified stance and resolve of the higher-ups to Ye Hongyu and Vermilion Bird Academy, and applied sufficient pressure.
Going too far would be counterproductive.
Ye Hongyu did not refute further, leaning back into her chair again, and said flatly, "What needed to be said, I have said. If there is nothing else, gentlemen, let us conclude this meeting here."
She gave no promises, nor did she engage in further intense confrontation.
This non-committal attitude was in itself a response.
The projections of the several high-ranking officials exchanged glances but did not persist further.
"We hope Dean Ye will act appropriately."
The Aberrant Purge Division Deputy Director said coldly as a final remark.
Subsequently, the several holographic projections flickered one after another and quickly vanished.
The office returned to quietness.
Ye Hongyu sat there alone, her expression grave.
……
Black City.
Deep within the City Lord's Residence.
Inside a quiet room.
Before Mo Yuan, a virtual screen lit up, displaying the image of an elder with blurred features. His identity was self-evident.
"City Lord Mo."
The elder spoke first.
"What matter requires you to contact me personally?"
Mo Yuan's tone was indifferent. He was fiddling with a smooth, warm black jade chess piece in his hand, not looking directly at the screen.
"It concerns your highest-ranking Guest Advisor, Chen Qing."
The elder got straight to the point, his tone intensifying: "After rigorous investigation and assessment by our side, it has now been confirmed that this individual, Chen Qing, is extremely dangerous. His existence poses a severe threat to Daxia's security and stability.
We hereby formally demand that the Black City side immediately transfer Chen Qing to our custody for handling."
The chess piece rotating in Mo Yuan's hand stopped. He slowly raised his head, his deep eyes looking at the elder on the screen, his face revealing no emotion:
"Since Chen Qing entered my Black City, he has abided by the rules, brought glory in the arena, and possesses exceptional talent. He is the highest Guest Advisor I personally appointed, entitled to all corresponding rights and responsibilities.
You, with empty words, merely say 'extremely dangerous,' and expect me to hand him over?
Reason.
Give me a convincing reason."