novelraw Chapter 413: How Could I Be Worthy?
Chapter 413: How Could I Be Worthy?
Li Su paused, his tone turning slightly grave. "Finally, regarding your dual identity, the higher-ups have already prepared relevant public opinion contingency plans and a full set of explanation protocols. If you decide to voluntarily disclose it at a certain point in time, you only need to notify me at least twenty-four hours in advance. We can then activate the contingency plan to ensure any potential public opinion shockwaves are kept within a controllable range."
Su Zhan was very satisfied with this.
The higher-ups had considered things very thoroughly.
Once his identity was exposed, it was bound to cause an earth-shattering uproar. Having official backing to guide and buffer the situation would save him countless troubles.
"Very good, thank you for your trouble."
"The matters I need to convey are these."
After finishing, Li Su stood even straighter. "Mr. Su, do you have any other requests or personal wishes you need conveyed to the higher-ups? For matters within my authority, I can coordinate directly. For matters beyond my authority, I will report them upward immediately."
Su Zhan had been waiting for this very sentence. "Then, tell your superiors this: I want Qin Bai, brought before me."
Not a trace of surprise appeared on Li Su's face; he had long anticipated this question. He responded immediately, "Understood. Regarding Specialist Qin Bai... the former specialist's handling, the higher-ups already have preliminary opinions. I will now formally report your request to the Council of Elders. Please wait a moment; you will receive a reply very soon."
"Go."Su Zhan said indifferently.
Li Su bowed once more and turned to leave.
Su Zhan closed the door, his gaze profound.
Dealing with Qin Bai was both to settle past grievances and the first step in formally establishing his own status and voice. How the higher-ups responded would directly reflect their true level of regard for him.
He stood by the window, quietly waiting for the answer.
Li Su's request process was even faster than anticipated.
Less than half an hour had passed.
The encrypted communicator on Su Zhan's wrist vibrated.
He answered it.
Li Su's voice came through clearly. "Mr. Su, your request has been approved by the Council of Elders. Qin Bai is currently under control and will be escorted to your designated location as soon as possible. The relevant procedures are being processed. There will be a result by tomorrow at the latest."
This reply was within Su Zhan's expectations.
A Qin Bai who had already been treated as a discarded pawn, versus a Su Zhan with limitless potential. How the higher-ups would choose was obvious.
This efficient approval further confirmed the weight he now carried.
"Acceptable."
Su Zhan responded succinctly.
"In addition..."
Li Su continued to convey, "Regarding your upcoming itinerary, the higher-ups fully respect your wishes. According to convention, graduates of the Five Great Academies typically need to go to the border or other important posts to serve Daxia in the military for at least three years. However, your situation is extremely special. Coupled with City Lord Mo Yuan's guarantee, you possess complete autonomy of action and are not bound by this regulation."
Su Zhan was not surprised by this.
Given his current strength as an Ocean Realm expert and his status as a Special-Grade Strategic Advisor, fulfilling ordinary military service obligations would clearly be inappropriate. The so-called autonomy was merely acknowledging an established fact.
"I understand. I plan to return to Black City today."
Su Zhan stated his plan.
Black City not only had Mo Yuan overseeing it and a relatively free environment, but more importantly, it was a place he had once operated in as 'Chen Qing,' possessing unique resources more suited for his subsequent cultivation and plans.
"No problem. Do you need us to arrange a dedicated aircraft or teleportation array for you?"
Li Su handled matters thoughtfully.
"Unnecessary. I will go on my own."
Su Zhan declined politely.
"Very well. Then, I wish you a smooth journey. If you have any needs, please contact me at any time."
Li Su said no more, ending the call efficiently.
After ending the communication, Su Zhan delayed no further.
He called Teacher Wang Mingyuan and Feng Jue, among others, briefly explaining his intention to leave.
Although everyone was reluctant, they understood he must have important matters, simply agreeing to meet again in Black City in the future.
Once packed and ready, Su Zhan took one last look out the window at this prosperous Capital.
This place had witnessed his most dazzling return, his ascent to the pinnacle of honor, and the initial establishment of his new status in Daxia.
Su Zhan's figure flickered, and he appeared on the hotel's rooftop.
The wind at the high altitude whipped at the corners of his clothes. Looking down at the Capital's architectural clusters below, resembling models, Su Zhan's eyes were calm.
The next moment, with a thought, the spiritual energy around him naturally circulated, lifting his body slowly into the air.
He did not use his aberrant form. At this moment, he was acting purely as the human awakened individual, the Grand Competition champion, Su Zhan.
Although the higher-ups had prepared contingency plans, the secret of his dual identity was clearly not yet the time to be casually exposed to the public.
After reaching a sufficient altitude, Su Zhan's gaze locked onto the direction of Black City.
The vast, ocean-like Ocean Realm spiritual energy within him surged powerfully, providing him with an endless source of propulsion.
Even with just conventional aerial flight, his speed drew a faint air trail in the sky.
But it wasn't fast enough.
In Su Zhan's eyes, a faint silvery stream of light quietly flashed.
Time Abyss Pupil, accelerate.
His speed suddenly and drastically increased.
His figure in the air almost transformed into a blurred thin line, piercing through the cloud layers, traversing the vast mountains, rivers, and lands with astonishing efficiency.
This was the foundation of an Ocean Realm expert. Combined with the assistance of his SSS-grade Life Soul, long-distance travel was now effortless and enjoyable for him.
The scenery below rapidly receded.
Mountains, rivers, towns—all became fleeting glimpses.
The powerful wind pressure was enough to tear steel apart, but when it touched the natural spiritual energy shield formed around his body, it obediently slid to both sides, not even managing to ruffle the hem of his clothes.
Su Zhan felt the surging power within him and the wind whistling past his ears, his heart utterly tranquil.
The increase in strength brought not only a change in status but also absolute freedom of action.
The journey from the Capital to Black City, a route that once required extreme caution and consumed days, was now merely a pleasant long-distance flight.
...
At a certain branch of the Aberrant Purge Division.
Inside Qin Bai's private office.
Qin Bai sat alone behind the large desk. The ashtray in front of him was already piled high with cigarette butts.
The whites of his eyes were bloodshot.
The moment of reckoning was approaching.
When the door was pushed open silently, Qin Bai didn't even look up.
What was coming would always come.
Two people stood at the doorway.
They wore simple, unadorned gray martial attire, but merely standing there, they seemed like two immovable mountains.
The spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from them were unmistakably those of two Ocean Realm, third-stage experts.
One had a stern, rigid face, his eyes devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
The other appeared slightly gentler, his gaze firmly locked onto Qin Bai.
"Former Specialist Qin Bai."
The rigid-faced man spoke without the slightest trace of emotion. "By order of the Supreme Council's Council of Elders, please come with us."
Qin Bai slowly raised his head, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Heh... Two major Ocean Realm, third-stage figures personally coming to fetch me. How could I, Qin Bai, be worthy of such treatment?"
His heart was ice-cold.
Deploying two experts whose realms far surpassed his own made it clear they were guarding against him making a desperate, cornered attempt to break out by force using his Ocean Realm cultivation.
The higher-ups... had already shown him no mercy whatsoever.