Then let them offer their loyalty!

Page 391

He told Tang Feifei about both ways to become the ruler of the region in detail.

Tang Feifei knew the method of refining ley lines—it was a method provided to the Eighth Shelter by other shelters.

Tang Feifei really didn't know about the "regional central hub".

So when they heard that there was a central hub that, once refined, could directly control the entire region, they were overjoyed.

Tang Feifei immediately understood why Qiu Tu was able to become the regional leader ahead of all other families and forces.

Upon hearing that the central hub of this region could only be refined within the region itself, Tang Feifei was startled! Then... she understood why Qiu Tu had volunteered to be the captain of the suicide squad.

And now I understand... why Qiu Tu continued fighting alone in the "Boundless Sea of ​​Hearts" after bringing the other suicide squad members back...

Everyone thought Qiu Tu was a hero, and that he would not return until he completed his mission.

Looking back now... Qiu Tu was actually meant to refine the "regional central hub" within the boundless sea of ​​his mind.

Thinking of this, and of the same emotions she and others had felt recently, Tang Feifei felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

She realized that Qiu Tu was a man who planned three steps ahead for every one he took, always killing two or three birds with one stone. He had everyone completely bewildered.

If people really have past lives, then Tang Feifei thinks Qiu Tu's past life must have been a fraudster!

After explaining in detail how to become the "Regional Master" to Tang Feifei, Qiu Tu began to urge Tang Feifei to go to the "Boundless Heart Sea - Bright Moon Region" to refine the regional central hub.

Tang Feifei was somewhat tempted, so she limped back to her room to change her clothes.

As a result, just as she got up...

Suddenly, as if startled, Qiu Tu sprang up from the sofa and took seven or eight steps back.

Tang Feifei was startled, then looked at Qiu Tu with some confusion.

She then noticed that Qiu Tu had a deep frown, and his face showed undisguised seriousness and disbelief.

"What's wrong?" Tang Feifei also noticed that Qiu Tu was acting strangely, so she remained on guard and asked in a cold voice.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu looked up at Tang Feifei and asked in a deep voice, "Feifei, did you see or sense anything just now?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Feifei was slightly taken aback, and then her mental energy swept across the entire villa.

But... nothing was gained.

She couldn't help but shake her head.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu's expression turned even more unpleasant...

Because, although Tang Feifei didn't see it, he did...

here we go again....

That yellow fog from yesterday morning is back again...

Moreover, it's unclear whether the yellow mist slowed down or Qiu Tu's strength increased...

This time, Qiu Tu saw things much more clearly than yesterday.

He sensed that the yellow mist that flickered twice in front of him wasn't gas. Instead... it seemed to have a shape, like a branching tree...

It was only because the flashing was too fast that Qiu Tu felt a hazy yellow light.

What's even more terrifying is that... after the yellow mist flashed by, Qiu Tu felt as if half of his mental energy had been drained away.

In that instant, he felt utterly exhausted, as if he couldn't muster the energy to do anything.

That feeling made him feel terrible...

More importantly, even so, his "crisis sense" failed to take effect.

There are two possibilities: the first is that his "crisis sense" is ineffective against this cloud of yellow fog... the second is that this cloud of yellow fog poses no threat to his life.

The first possibility is too small. The second possibility, however, exists.

But... Qiu Tu leans more towards a third possibility: that cloud of yellow mist poses a threat to his life, but... it's not the right time yet.

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu's expression became even more serious...

'What on earth is going on...?'

.....

at the same time.

While Qiu Tu was completely baffled.

Dongye State, Parliament Building, Speaker's Office.

Huang Shangzong also listened to the report from Ellie, the twin-tailed girl who was the head of the Third Department of the Attendant's Office.

He sat upright in the large chair, like a majestic mountain peak.

His muscular physique stretched his uniform so taut that it bulged, and combined with his broad, resolute face, it made him appear both imposing and profound.

He tapped his thick knuckles lightly on the armrest of the chair, his eyes deep in thought. "So... after all your investigation, although you haven't found out who exactly advanced to the fourth tier... you've found out about Qiu Tu?"

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, the twin-tailed girl Ellie nodded, a sly expression on her face. She said, "Yes, Speaker."

"This really is a matter of luck."

“Yesterday, when I went to play with Xue’er, Yan’an came too.”

Xue'er is Huang Shangzong's biological daughter.

And Yan Yan... is Yan Chen's pitiful daughter whose identity was repeatedly replaced...

The three grew up together because they were all born in a shelter, were of similar age, and had family elders who were all "academics".

Although their personalities are quite different—one is innocent, one is quirky, and the other is reserved—they've always had a good relationship and are considered best friends.

They often eat and sleep together.

Ellie said, "Before leaving, Yan Yan gave me a letter, saying it might be useful to me."

"The letter said... more than two months ago, when Dongye Prefecture was established, Qiu Tu secretly came to Dongcheng City late at night."

"Then he checked into the hotel with his secretary, Tan Huimin. But they left in a hurry after only a few hours."

"Yan Chen was staying in Dongcheng City at the time because of the establishment of Dongye Prefecture and had not yet returned. There are only a few hotels in Dongcheng City, so they happened to stay at the same hotel."

"And even more coincidentally... one of Yan Chen's trusted confidants returned from an outing and happened to see Qiu Tu checking out and leaving." (Chapter 310)

"Because Qiu Tu was too famous in the Investigation Department, and his appearance was too outstanding, his confidant recognized him immediately."

"Afterwards, at Yan Chen's behest, the confidant investigated the hotel staff and confirmed Qiu Tu's identity and check-in and check-out times."

"And they even went inside the room."

"Although Qiu Tu cleaned it very well, there are still remnants of catastrophic power in the room. Moreover... there are no signs of 'use' on the bed, sofa, toilet, and other places."

"At the time, Yan Chen suspected that Qiu Tu's purpose in coming to Dongcheng City was impure, but because he had no clues or leads, he could only keep it to himself."

"After learning that I was investigating the followers of Zhao Ji, he suddenly realized that Qiu Tu had a relationship with Zhao Ji."

"I came to Dongcheng City two months ago to contact Zeji."

Ellie paused at this point.

She looked at Huang Shangzong, then grinned and said, "After receiving this whistleblower letter yesterday, I found his thinking quite interesting."

"Especially... he has little information and is unaware of some inside stories. But the Attendant's Office is clear on the fact that... Lariluo has been under Qiu Tu's control ever since her fall."

"Although Qiu Tu reported this control to Vice Speaker Dai and filed it with the New Territories City Security Department, it still feels a bit strange."

"Therefore, we have reason to suspect that he does indeed have some kind of relationship with Zhao Ji, or even... is a follower of an evil god."

Upon hearing Ellie's words, Huang Shangzong's thick eyebrows furrowed slightly. He pondered quietly for a moment, then asked, "Is it possible that Qiu Tu is the one who advanced to the fourth-tier Cataclysm?"

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Ellie paused for a moment, then said cautiously, "That shouldn't be possible, right?"

"How long has he been a Cataclysm?"

"Even with extraordinary talent, or possession by an evil god, it's impossible to advance this quickly, right?"

"That's an exaggeration."

Huang Shangzong was deep in thought...

“Last night he used some kind of method to trap Xie Yue’s consciousness and soul.”

"A third-tier Cataclysm trapping a fourth-tier evil god? Isn't that even more outrageous?"

At this point, Huang Shangzong paused, then said, "Investigate him."

"Let's see if he is a fourth-order Cataclysm."

"Yes!" Ellie quickly replied upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words.

Huang Shangzong leaned back in his chair, pondered quietly for a while, and then spoke again, "Ever since Jia Shu died, Xue'er has been very sad..."

“For the past two months, she has been begging me to go and see where Jia Shu works.”

"I didn't agree before."

"Now that the Speaker's inspection is complete, the evil gods in the New Territories have been expelled, and 'Boundless Heart Sea - New Territories Area' is under Tang Feifei's control. The entire situation has stabilized."

"Since you're going to the New Territories for an investigation this time, why don't you take Xue'er with you?"

"We can use her as a cover on the surface."

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, the twin-tailed girl Ellie bowed again and replied, "Yes."

After saying that, as if she had thought of something, she asked, "Could Yan Yan come along?"

"I need to investigate Qiu Tu, so I might not have time to spend with Xue'er."

Upon hearing Yan Chen's daughter's name, Huang Shangzong frowned slightly, recalling the audiotape about Yan Chen that Yu Zhengyi had given him a few days ago...

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each! Only three days left until the end of the month, please vote with my monthly tickets! I'm not voting anymore!

Chapter 391 Become a Catch-Off (10,000 words, please vote!)

The tape contained a conversation between Yan Chen and Qiu Tu on the night Jia Shu died.

During the conversation, Qiu Tu explicitly stated that Jia Shu might be in danger, and that Liu Xiong Yuan might be preparing to ambush him.

He also suggested that Yan Chen go to rescue Jia Shu.

However... after hesitating, Yan Chen chose to abandon the rescue of Jia Shu, without even... reminding Jia Shu.

It was this decision that ultimately led to Jia Shu being killed by Liu Xiong Yuan.

Because this recording was made secretly, and it's impossible to confirm whether the two people in the recording are really Qiu Tu and Yan Chen—they could be two people with similar voices—it cannot be used as real evidence.

Even if this recording could be used as evidence, given the identities of Huang Shangzong, Liu Xiongyuan, Yan Chen, and Qiu Tu, it would be useless.

At their level, the life and death of an ordinary person with no status in the planning area is really not a big deal.

Even if this person was once a high-ranking official in the Investigation Department, "once" is still "once".

Once someone leaves, their influence fades. After being dismissed from his post, apart from his closest friends and family, no one will want to seek justice for him.

However... Huang Shangzong happened to be Jia Shu's closest friend and relative.

Jia Shu was one of his favorite students, and he also had a vague romantic relationship with his daughter.

Although the two did not date, judging from his daughter's loss of appetite and 10-pound weight loss after Jia Shu's death, he knew that his daughter was deeply in love.

So even though Huang Shangzong didn't want to pursue the matter any further, every time he returned home and saw his daughter's haggard appearance, an inexplicable fire would still ignite in his heart.

Of course... he wasn't the kind of person who would conclude that Yan Chen was the culprit based solely on a recording.

During this period, he gained a certain understanding of the situation in the New Territories before and after Jia Shu's death through various materials and channels.

He believes the recording is authentic.

I also believe that Yan Chen did ultimately give up on Jia Shu.

However... all of this was clearly orchestrated and driven by Qiu Tu.

To put it bluntly, Qiu Tu had a clear understanding of Yan Chen's personality and the situation in the New Territories City, and then deliberately laid everything out in front of Yan Chen, making Yan Chen give up Jia Shu on his own.

Yan Chen did indeed cause Jia Shu's death, but Qiu Tu and Liu Xiong Yuan are still implicated.

Therefore, the only purpose of this recording was to add another person to Huang Shangzong's list of people he disliked.