Chapter 57: Chapter 57: War Council
"Horrific Murder Case at Cang City First People’s Hospital!"
...
"Murderer Has Been Apprehended by Police. Residents, Please Do Not Be Alarmed."
After the investigation was over, Liu Ming leaned against a wall on the side of the street, scrolling through his phone with his right hand. He looked at the comments below and muttered:
"There were just too many witnesses this time. Even the organization can’t completely cover this up. They can only hide parts of it and report it as a simple murder case. Big Bro... how much longer do you think we can hide the Spiritual Qi resurgence?"
"We hide it as long as we can. If we can’t, then we just go public."
"We managed to cover up the last Spiritual Sect attack, didn’t we? What’s the big deal about this one?"
Liu Chang was also leaning nearby. With his right hand on his chin and his brow furrowed, he seemed lost in thought. His reply to Liu Ming was somewhat absent-minded.
"How can this be the same?"
"During the last Spiritual Sect attack, there were no substantial casualties among the ordinary people. It was easy to brush off."
"But this time, a resident was killed on the spot. Even if no information is being released officially, what about unofficially?"
"The internet is so complex now; ordinary people aren’t that easy to fool. For all we know, videos of it have already gone viral on everyone’s phones."
As a former police officer who transitioned into the special organization, Liu Ming was very sensitive to these matters. Once the general public lost their sense of security, it could easily trigger uncontrollable incidents.
"Alright, little bro, everything you’re talking about are just minor details."
Liu Chang waved his hand impatiently, pushing himself off the wall to stand up straight. He changed the subject, asking:
"Who do you think killed that guy from the Spiritual Sect?"
"If Bailan’s intel is correct, it should be the mysterious master again. Everything that’s happened recently is related to him."
Liu Ming knew his older brother didn’t like to get bogged down in details, so he dropped the subject and simply answered his question.
"So it really is him?"
The corner of Liu Chang’s mouth curved into a smirk.
He recalled the day of the Spiritual Sect attack when he’d sensed the mysterious master’s energy fluctuations. The master was definitely much stronger now than he was back then. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to kill a Tier Four Sequencer, even if that Sequencer was just a cheap imitation.
Liu Chang roared in his heart:
’I fucking want to fight a genius like that.’
Liu Ming glanced at Liu Chang’s expression and could practically guess what his older brother was thinking. He spread his hands in a helpless gesture and said:
"Big Bro, don’t even think about asking the organization to help you investigate the mysterious master. That goes against our established operational protocols."
"Don’t worry, I won’t cause any trouble for you, little bro. A challenge like this is only fun if I find him myself."
Liu Chang clenched his right fist, his heart pounding—THUMP-THUMP. He looked completely fired up. After a long moment, he turned his head to look at Liu Ming and suddenly said:
"Little bro, remember to report what happened here to headquarters."
"Also, I just saw Bailan take Su Xing to the hospital. As Su Yu’s older brother, he’s still just an ordinary person. Once this is all over, send some people to the Sword Hall to watch over the two brothers and prevent any accidents."
"That was already part of the plan."
Liu Ming nodded. He had proposed protecting Su Xing a long time ago.
However, the repeated attacks from the Spiritual Sect had left the Southern Cang City special organization, which already lacked top-tier members, unable to spare the manpower. That situation should change once things settled down.
"Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you then."
Liu Chang nodded. He brought his right hand up beside his face as if to snap his fingers. Turning to Liu Ming, he said, "Well, I’m off then." With a loud SNAP, Liu Chang vanished on the spot.
...
Su Xing took Su Yu from Bailan and, after saying their goodbyes, finally began the journey back to the Sword Hall.
Su Yu sat in the car, his eyes fixed on the view outside the window, lost in thought. Perhaps after so many days in the hospital, seeing the same things day in and day out had left him utterly weary.
The driver was very fast this time, reaching the Sword Hall in just over ten minutes. He dropped off Su Xing and Su Yu, then sped away.
"Big Bro, can you tell me what happened now?"
Su Yu followed Su Xing back into the Sword Hall before slowly asking his question. Su Xing glanced at his younger brother, took a couple of steps to sit down in a chair, poured a cup of hot water, and then said:
"Didn’t I already tell you?"
"I ran into a guy from the Spiritual Sect and killed him."
"Big Bro... you make it sound as simple as grabbing a popsicle from the fridge. How could killing a Tier Four Sequencer be that easy?!"
Su Yu was speechless.
He knew his older brother wasn’t lying to him, but he was baffled. How on earth did his brother level up so quickly?
He was only Tier Three when he was protecting him before, and now he could kill a Tier Four. That leveling speed was completely off the charts.
Su Xing took a sip of hot water, glanced at Su Yu who was still standing, and said with a smile, "What’s wrong? You’re not happy your big brother is getting stronger?"
"It’s not that I’m not happy..."
Su Yu mumbled quietly.
It was just that before, when he was at Tier Two Peak and his older brother was Tier Three, he felt like he could still catch up. But now his brother could kill a Tier Four outright. It gave Su Yu a sour feeling of ’why are you so damn amazing?’ It was like that feeling of wanting your friend to do well, but not *too* well.
However, this "sourness" only lasted for a moment.
In the end, Su Xing wasn’t just a friend; he was Su Yu’s own brother. Su Yu was genuinely happy that his brother was so powerful. He took a phone out of his pocket, handed it to Su Xing, and said:
"Big Bro, take a look."
"This is the latest news from the organization."
Su Xing took the phone and noticed its design was different from a normal one. It had something like an antenna on top, and the body was especially thick, as if made from some special alloy. It was incredibly hard; it could probably withstand his full strength for a few seconds without shattering.
"The Spiritual Sect in the north is mostly pacified. The strategic focus will now shift to the south."
"All organization members located in the south are to report to the organization’s main building at 0600 tomorrow for a strategy meeting."
"Sender: Li Yu."
Su Xing glanced at it, handed the phone back to Su Yu, and picked up his cup of water again. He blew on it gently before asking:
"What do you think this meeting will be about?"
"Who knows?"
Su Yu waved his hand. "After the meeting’s over, I’ll definitely tell you, Big Bro. After all, I’m still counting on you to save my sorry ass."
"Tsk. You might not need me in the future."
Su Xing took a sip of hot water and smiled at Su Yu. "After all, once the strategic focus shifts to the south, you guys shouldn’t be as short-staffed as before. The people assigned to protect you might even be in place by tomorrow."
"True, but I’d feel safer with you protecting me, Big Bro."
Su Yu said with a smile.
Hearing this, Su Xing just waved his hand and said, "I’m going to practice my sword," ignoring Su Yu’s cheeky behavior.
...
「The next day. 6:00 AM. The organization’s headquarters.」
The conference room was packed with people. There were members from the north as well as local members from the south. They all sat in silence, waiting for Li Yu’s meeting to begin.
Li Yu sat at the head of the table, his expression grim. He tapped the table and cleared his throat twice before speaking:
"For this strategy meeting, I don’t intend to discuss how we’re going to crusade against the Spiritual Sect."
Li Yu’s first sentence took everyone by surprise. The crowd exchanged confused glances. If they weren’t going to talk about fighting the Spiritual Sect, what was there to talk about? They couldn’t just be here to shoot the breeze!
But Li Yu’s second sentence was even more shocking, like a bombshell dropped right in the middle of the conference room.
"Brothers, the Spirit Realm is showing activity."
