novelraw Chapter 409: Why...
Chapter 409: Why...
"Mr. Su Zhan, please don't be nervous."
The leader was an elderly professor with graying hair, and his tone was quite amiable:
"We will now conduct a series of non-invasive tests. You simply need to simultaneously manifest your Aberrant Form and Life Soul. The entire process will not cause you any harm or discomfort."
Su Zhan cooperatively nodded and, following the instructions, stood at the core position of the testing area.
……
Inside the Vermilion Bird Academy's temporary residence in the Capital.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
Wang Mingyuan sat on a chair, but his gaze kept drifting toward the direction of the Lingxiao Pavilion outside the window, worry etched between his brows.
Feng Jue stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, eyes closed as if resting.
Xu Hao and Liu Ziming, meanwhile, were pacing back and forth in the room, unable to sit still."It's been several hours already, and there's still no news..."
Liu Ziming couldn't help but mutter: "Brother Su won't have any trouble, right? Those old fogies aren't easy to deal with."
"Shut up. Wait quietly."
Feng Jue didn't even open his eyes, his voice cold.
Wang Mingyuan sighed: "Have faith in him. That kid... since he dared to go, he must have been prepared."
Even so, his worry did not diminish in the slightest.
They understood all too well the sensitivity of the secrets Su Zhan carried—they concerned his dual identity, the terrifying source of his power. If not handled properly, the consequences would be unthinkable.
The door to the room was gently knocked.
A man dressed in Black City's distinctive attire bowed slightly to the four men inside the room:
"Gentlemen, City Lord Mo Yuan has ordered me to deliver a message. Mr. Su Zhan has passed the Supreme Council's review. All is well, and he will soon be officially granted the title of Special-Grade Strategic Advisor.
The City Lord says: The storm has settled. You may all rest easy."
These brief words were like parting clouds to reveal the sun, dispelling all the gloom within the room.
Wang Mingyuan let out a long, deep sigh, finally releasing a breath of stale air he had been holding in his chest for so long. His back, which had been tightly strung, finally relaxed as he leaned back into his chair, a relieved and gratified smile spreading across his face: "Good... good! Excellent!"
Liu Ziming slapped his thigh hard: "I knew it! Old Su definitely had it handled! Special-Grade Strategic Advisor? That title is domineering enough!"
Xu Hao also heaved a heavy sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face: "Brother Su... he always manages to stir up such huge waves, and yet always lands safely."
Feng Jue slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face.
The messenger guard, having completed his task, bowed once more and quietly retreated.
Wang Mingyuan looked at the gradually darkening sky outside the window and said softly: "Now, we can truly... celebrate properly for him."
The heaviest stone weighing on their hearts had finally been lifted. Their concern and worry for Su Zhan could, at this moment, be completely set aside.
Transformed into feelings of pride and joy for him.
……
Aberrant Purge Division, a certain branch.
Qin Bai's private office.
The heavy curtains were tightly drawn, shutting out the outside light.
The spiritual energy screen on the desk emitted a glow, illuminating his twisted, ferocious face.
Qin Bai's eyes were bloodshot, frighteningly red, fixed intently on the topics about Su Zhan displayed on the screen.
【Special Bulletin! The Council Officially Grants Su Zhan the Title of Special-Grade Strategic Advisor! Enjoys Highest Authority!】
【The Hero Returns! Su Zhan May Lead Daxia into a New Era!】
【In-Depth Analysis: Su Zhan's Rise and Daxia's Boundless Future Possibilities!】
【Public Opinion Poll Shows Su Zhan's Approval Rating Has Surpassed Historical Peaks!】
【Su Zhan Fan Support Club Announces Grand Celebration Event to be Held in the Capital!】
……
"Heh... heheh..."
Qin Bai let out a low, hoarse chuckle.
How much effort had he expended to pursue and capture Su Zhan?
He had even dared to clash head-on with Mo Yuan, suffering endless humiliation in Black City!
He firmly believed Su Zhan was a hidden danger that must be eliminated, a malignant tumor shaking the nation's foundations!
But now?
That Aberrant he saw as someone who must be removed at all costs had not only returned openly and brazenly, but had also ascended to the top of the Grand Competition under the world's gaze, hailed as a hero by hundreds of millions of citizens.
Now, he had even received the formal recognition of the Supreme Council, granted the title of "Special-Grade Strategic Advisor"—a position Qin Bai himself could only look up to.
Status, prestige, power... Su Zhan possessed everything!
And he, Qin Bai, had become a complete and utter joke! A clown trying to block a chariot with his measly arm!
"Su! Zhan!"
Qin Bai ground the name out between his teeth, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, his fingernails digging deep into his palms. He didn't even notice the blood seeping out.
He knew he was finished.
Not in the sense that he would be immediately dismissed from his post, but that in this game against Su Zhan, he had lost completely, utterly defeated.
With the backing of the Supreme Council and Mo Yuan, with the overwhelming support of public opinion, Su Zhan had become a towering tree, and Qin Bai could no longer shake him even a fraction.
He could imagine the looks in the eyes of his colleagues and subordinates within the Division at this moment—they must be filled with pity.
This comprehensive collapse—from his beliefs to his career to his personal dignity—drove him almost insane.
Qin Bai suddenly swung his arm, sweeping all the items on his desk to the floor with a crashing, shattering sound.
He panted like a trapped beast in the dim office, his chest heaving violently, dangerous glints flashing in his blood-red eyes.
"I won't let this go... I won't..."
Qin Bai muttered to himself.
Even though he knew the tide had turned, that stubborn obsession accumulated over years had seeped into his very bones.
He might no longer be able to confront Su Zhan directly in an official capacity, but the unwillingness lurking in the shadows would never simply dissipate.
This malignant tumor had already taken root and sprouted in his heart.
Qin Bai slumped back into his chair, collapsing into the shadows.
Why?
Why was it that he, Qin Bai, who had diligently performed his duties, devoted his life to eliminating the threat of Aberrants and maintaining Daxia's purity, ended up like this?
Hiding like a defeated dog in a dark corner!
Why could Su Zhan, a being neither human nor monster, an Aberrant, an "error" that should have been eliminated, stand so openly in the light, receiving endless adoration?
What gave him the right to break the rules, to stand above the established order?
It's not fair!
He remembered the unwillingness in that young man's eyes when he personally arrested Su Zhan back at the Vermilion Bird Academy.
Back then, he was the hunter, Su Zhan the prey. The order was on his side.
But now?
The identities of hunter and prey had completely reversed!
Su Zhan had become someone even the Council sought to win over, someone the masses worshipped.
And he, Qin Bai, had become that inconvenient stumbling block, a joke!
"What right... what right..."
Qin Bai gnawed on these three words repeatedly, his gums threatening to bleed.
He firmly believed his judgment was not wrong!
Su Zhan's very existence was the greatest destabilizing factor.
The dual identity was the original sin.
Those not of our kind must have different hearts!
This was an ironclad rule!
But why... why was everyone else blind?
Those old fools in the Council were bewitched by his power, the masses deceived by his performance, even an existence like Mo Yuan stood on his platform!