Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 233

Qiu Tu walked curiously to Secretary Bai's side and looked down to see what Secretary Bai was writing.

Upon seeing the result, Qiu Tu was speechless.

Old Bai actually kept a diary there...

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Chapter 266 Goodbye Fang Tangtang (10,000 words, please vote!)

However, Old White's diary was clearly different from ordinary diaries.

Other people's diaries are all about which school has girls with white thighs, or which school has girls wearing shorts that are too short today;

Or perhaps you're just idling around today, listening to music in a brothel;

Or perhaps... the witch is so radiant.

But Lao Bai's writing is exceptionally profound...

"September 16th, light rain."

"As the sun extinguishes and falls into darkness, on the other side of the world, it is also burning brightly in the clear sky. Therefore, the sun is always the rising sun and the morning sun."

"So... when one day I silently walk into darkness, will there be another person on the other side of the world who emerges from the darkness and walks towards the light...?"

"Who is that person? Is he me? And is he really me?"

Qiu Tu lowered his head and finished reading Lao Bai's cryptic yet philosophical diary. He looked at Secretary Bai with a dark expression and said, "Lao Bai, if you're feeling unwell, just tell me. I'll risk quitting this deputy minister position to get you out of here."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai smiled and closed the diary, then said with utmost clarity, "You're not the kind of person who would sacrifice your future for someone else."

"Besides, I don't feel unwell. I'm fine."

Qiu Tu pointed to the clear blue sky outside the window and said, "Are you sure? Your diary says 'light rain'."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai chuckled and shook her head, saying, "How do you know it's not drizzling right now?"

Are you sure the world you see with your eyes is real enough?

Qiu Tu: .....

Secretary Bai used to speak in a roundabout way; you had to carefully consider his meaning and insights to understand them.

Now that Qiu Tu has captured them, things have become even more complicated.

Qiu Tu even felt that since he had captured Secretary Bai, she seemed to have acquired a transcendent aura.

He seemed to have fulfilled all his missions and wishes, and had lost all desire and pursuit for anything. He was indifferent to power, wealth, life and death.

It was precisely this change that made Qiu Tu feel somewhat uneasy.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu tentatively asked, "Old Bai, do you know some secret? Are you making some preparations in advance?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai turned around, looked at Qiu Tu, and shook her head, saying, "Qiu Tu, I've said everything I needed to say and done everything I needed to do."

"So, there's really nothing more I can tell you."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu scrutinized Secretary Bai with a deep gaze, trying to discern any clues from her expression.

But Secretary Bai's expression remained completely calm, showing no change whatsoever.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu pondered for a moment and then decided to conduct a trial run according to the plan.

So he said, "Old Bai, do you know that Lariro can possess a follower she chooses and then share sight and hearing with her follower?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai nodded slightly and said, "I know."

He explained gently, "Actually, not only her, but most evil gods have this ability."

"The reason the Sanctuary names some special Tier 4 and 5 Cataclysmic creatures 'Evil Gods' is mainly because of their exploitation of the power of faith."

"Possessing believers is just one of the common abilities of evil gods."

"Some fifth-order great evil gods also possess the ability to perceive the thoughts and ideas of their believers."

Hearing Secretary Bai's words, Qiu Tu nodded in understanding. It seemed that La Riluo hadn't lied to him about this information.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu continued, "Did you know that when you were a spy, La Ri Luo was possessing you and even read your diary?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai smiled and then nodded, "That's possible."

"But... there's no information in my diary, so even if she reads it, she won't get any clues."

Despite saying that, Secretary Bai had no intention of handing the diary over to Qiu Tu for inspection.

Although Qiu Tu still had some doubts, he didn't insist on having an inspection since the person in front of him was Secretary Bai.

He paused for a moment, then continued tentatively, "Last night, I contacted Larilu."

"Although she is being devoured by the director, she can still send messages to the outside world."

Secretary Bai shook her head and said, "It's no use. She can only contact two types of people."

"Firstly, there are the believers who wield the 'Mimicry Coin,' a communication-type cataclysmic artifact."

"Secondly, there were the important believers she had labeled as 'believers'."

"As for the former, she didn't have many 'mimicry coins' in total. Apart from the one you have, I've already taken them all back."

"As for the latter, I have spent the last six months figuring out the list and handing it over to the director."

“Besides Zheng Tao and me, who are both from the shelter, the director had already sent people to wipe out all the important believers before carrying out the devouring plan.”

"After that, I deliberately made Zheng Tao oppose you and fanned the flames, sending the early episodes to your side to attract your attention."

"Once the director's plan is exposed, given your personality, you will definitely put Zheng Tao under control."

"So... now Lariluo has no way to contact anyone other than you."

At this point, Secretary Bai couldn't help but ask, "And would you work for Lariluo?"

Hearing Secretary Bai's words, Qiu Tu's gaze became somewhat complicated.

Indeed, no one should be underestimated.

I always thought Secretary Bai was harmless, but it turns out she's a master strategist!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but say deliberately, "Haha. Then it depends on La Riluo."

"If the price she offers is high enough, I might be able to do it."

At this point, Qiu Tu casually added, "Moreover, yesterday she gave me 10 things she hoped I could help with."

"Some of them are difficult, and some are very simple."

"I actually wanted to do some small things for her that I could, but... she just made empty promises without giving me anything practical, which really didn't motivate me."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai seemed completely unconcerned.

He said gently, "The director isn't a big gambler. He won't act unless he's more than 90% sure."

Qiu Tu said calmly, "Old Bai, do you think Zhao Ji's intervention was within his expectations?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai's expression finally changed slightly.

However, he suppressed that change almost instantly.

But Qiu Tu still clearly noticed the change in Lao Bai's expression.

'It seems that "Sōhime" is indeed somewhat special to these high-ranking members of the shelter....'

Is this "Sōhime" quite famous in the shelter?

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but recall the fact that the shelter had moved the capital of Dongye Prefecture to Dongcheng City.

Once Dongcheng becomes the capital of Dongye Prefecture, Huang Shangzong and a group of experts will be stationed in Dongcheng.

Could it be... that this is also to guard against Zehime?

Is Zehime really that powerful?

Thinking this through, Qiu Tu hesitated for a moment and then played a trick of retreating to advance.

He looked at Secretary Bai, then smiled and said, "Alright, Lao Bai. I don't see you're in the mood for a chat. I'll be going then."

"There's still a ton of stuff to do at the ministry."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai indeed failed to complete the stretch in the end.

He looked at Qiu Tu with a serious expression and said to Qiu Tu, "Qiu Tu... Zhao Ji is far more terrifying than you can imagine."

"She is almost certainly one of the most powerful evil gods discovered in the Sanctuary."

"If you cooperate with Larilu, even if you back out, it will be difficult for Larilu to target you."

"But if you get involved with 'Sōhime' and she notices you..."

At this point, Secretary Bai paused for a moment before emphasizing, "Your soul may be toyed with by her for all eternity, suffering in the flames."

Old Bai's words are quite credible.

Therefore, upon hearing this, Qiu Tu's eyes revealed a thoughtful expression.

It seems this "Sōhime" is indeed quite extraordinary...

Was Larilu's request for her to inform Zehime simply a plea for help, or did she also intend to plot against her?

With that thought in mind, Qiu Tu memorized Lao Bai's information and got up to leave the guard room.

But the moment Qiu Tu placed his hand on the doorknob, he stopped again.

With his back to Secretary Bai, he said without turning his head, "Old Bai, although I can't release you, I do have a way to arrange for the guards to switch shifts late at night."

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Secretary Bai smiled and glanced at him. Then he said softly, "Thanks. But... never mind."

"I'm fine now."

After saying that, he sighed, "People are always chasing after something in their lives. But after chasing and chasing, they find that it's all for nothing."

"Only when you let go of those material possessions and truly find your inner self will you find true peace..."

Qiu Tu: .....

To be honest, Qiu Tu felt he understood Lao Bai less and less.

The Zen-like wisdom and profound meaning in those words left him bewildered and unable to understand them.

So he simply stopped trying to decipher the meaning behind the old man's words and pushed open the door of the guardhouse and walked out.

Just then, Lao Bai suddenly spoke up to Qiu Tu again, saying, "Qiu Tu... the various high-ranking members of the shelter all have their own political views and their own philosophical systems."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu paused involuntarily.

He turned to look at Old Bai.

Then I saw Lao Bai sitting there, head down, as if he had never said a word.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Qiu Tu vaguely felt that it was drizzling around Lao Bai.

The rain fell gently, dampening Old Bai's clothes and hair...

Qiu Tu: ....

Even after leaving the detention room, Qiu Tu was still immersed in the fantasy that had suddenly appeared in his mind.

'Political stance...philosophical system...'

Thinking of the old man Wang he had met before, and his insightful words, Qiu Tu seemed to have vaguely grasped something...

'Philosophy...Spirit...Catastrophe pathways...And the boundless ocean of the mind....'

Is there any connection between these things?

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but recall Lao Bai's various strange behaviors.

Qiu Tu had a feeling that Lao Bai was brewing something big.

That matter seems to be almost as significant as Yan Chen's advancement...

.....

Time flies, and soon another day has passed.

On this day, several major events occurred within the Investigation Bureau.