Chapter 101 – When the Roses Bloom (19)
◎ He panicked ◎
Kansu claimed he could take them out, and it wasn’t a joke.
His awakened ability was rather bizarre, often ridiculed by friends as useless. However, Kansu himself felt it was okay. He didn’t enjoy violence; his only interest lay in studying the award-winning projects of urban planning competitions. His biggest dream was, “The world is so vast, and I want to see it.”
Previously, due to the stringent access restrictions of Mu City, this dream had been indefinitely postponed. Unexpectedly, after the apocalypse, his tunneling ability granted him freedom, reigniting hope.
Kansu spent a good half-year digging through hundreds of winding passages beneath Mu City, more complex than the municipal hall in Luli Port. Without his guidance, an ordinary person might never find their way out.
Leading Irene and the others, Kansu arrived at a secluded alley. After confirming no one was watching, he pried open the manhole cover: “The way out of the city is somewhat special, and it’ll be a bit of a hardship to use the sewers.”
The girls, having endured torment, had already toughened their spirits and didn’t complain about the hardship. Silently, they queued up and climbed down. Finally, Kansu, meticulously restoring the manhole cover, couldn’t help muttering, “Initially, I just dug randomly, but somehow people always came down for exploration. Hey, guess what happened? They got themselves lost! When I found out, the bodies had swollen like balloons…”
The girls showed disgusted expressions, prompting Kansu to quickly change his tone, “Sorry, sorry, I won’t talk about it. I just wonder why these people have such strong curiosity? Later, I had to dig all the entrances in hidden places…”
The sewer was dim and damp, occasionally with unidentified flying insects, water rats, and bats passing by. Eventually, they lost all sense of direction and had to rely on Kansu. Irene kept her gun aimed at him, not entirely dropping her guard. If Kansu showed any suspicious behavior, she’d immediately disable him.
About an hour later, Kansu stopped at a dead end, “You guys stay back a bit. I sealed this place last time, need to dig again.”
Lin Youyou and the rest stepped back as Kansu’s hands emitted a faint sandy-yellow glow. He turned into a rapid drill, swiftly digging into the ground. Soon, sunlight penetrated as a hole about half a person’s height appeared out of nowhere.
Lin Youyou used both hands and feet, struggling to climb out, realizing they were near the lifeline.
She glanced around, confirming the direction to Shaye base, “Let’s go.”
Under the sunlight, Lin Youyou’s face gleamed, unaffected by the traces of dirt, radiating her beauty.
Kansu stared at her for two seconds, “Miss, you seem familiar. Have we met somewhere?”
Lin Youyou initially thought, “Not good,” but then quickly composed herself. In moments like these, she couldn’t afford to appear guilty. She straightened up, hands on her hips, and scolded assertively, “Don’t think that just because you helped us, you can casually strike up a conversation. I’m not interested in you!”
Kansu was startled by her shouting and hurriedly tried to explain, “I-I wouldn’t dare! It’s just that… I also want to go to Shaye, but I don’t have any way in. Can you take me with you?”
After Kansu finished speaking, he smiled innocently. In fact, he could have used this as a bargaining chip, demanding Irene and her group’s compliance within the city. However, he didn’t. It wasn’t until he had safely escorted all the girls out that he foolishly asked his question. This guy truly lacked any cunning or hidden agenda.
Lin Youyou coincidentally received a message from Song Ke, her lips curved slightly, “Of course.”
At Shaye Base, Zhuang Qingyan browsed through the list of awakeners, occasionally pulling up a few profiles and making notes on the screen. He pondered various combinations in his mind while Song Ke idly counted his eyelashes with her hands resting on the wheelchair’s back.
Lin Mo poked his head in, “I’ve detected, the people you mentioned seem to have arrived.”
“Great, I’ll go greet them.” Song Ke instantly brightened, leaving Zhuang Qingyan behind as she rushed toward the base’s gate.
Traces of the previous war still lingered, amid rolling sand dust, a female awakener with a cannon in her left hand and an empty right arm emerged. Her gaze was resolute, her steps steady, followed by dozens of disheveled girls supporting each other.
Above the base, Zhang Ci confirmed their identities and nodded, signaling, “Let them through.”
Rita’s team had prepared hot water, clean towels, and coats at the end of the drawbridge. Irene took a towel, wiped her face, and looked up at the imposing city walls. Emotions swirled within her. As a native of Mu City, she had never imagined that she’d end up leaving her home and relying on refugees from elsewhere.
“From now on, this will be your home,” Rita held the youngest, Marsha, and said solemnly.
The girls, who had endured fear and worry throughout the journey, couldn’t hold back their tears any longer and began sobbing uncontrollably.
*
Mu City, Miao Lun’s private residence.
“Useless!” The boiling teapot was knocked over, and a tea cup flew, crashing heavily toward the two kneeling figures on the ground.
Godanwei’s forehead was hit, instantly turning red from the scalding, while Hu Chao, positioned next to him with his head close to the ground, was drenched. Neither dared to move.
Miao Lun’s eyes narrowed into a straight line, brimming with unquenchable fury. “You can’t even capture a group of women! What use are you to me?”
Zhang Wanyao was kneeling by his feet. Miao Lun suddenly erupted in anger, and the overturned teapot happened to fall towards her. Despite dodging quickly, her hand was still scalded red.
Marie, in the corner, intended to step forward, but Zhang Wanyao shook her head, her expression indifferent, as if nothing had happened.
“Sir, those deserters didn’t leave through the city gates…” Godanwei attempted to defend himself.
Miao Lun snorted coldly, “Are you questioning Mu City’s defenses? Tell me, faced with the encirclement of weapons from all directions, do you think those damned women grew wings and flew away, or did they turn into eels and slither through some hole?”
Godanwei cried foul in his mind. He had checked thoroughly, but the people did indeed vanish right under his nose. He couldn’t shirk responsibility. Glancing at Hu Chao, Godanwei looked for any sign of support, but Hu Chao remained as silent as the dead. In such moments, he always achieved a new level of cowardice, enduring beatings and scoldings without a word of complaint.
Miao Lun’s nostrils flared as he breathed heavily, his chest heaving violently. The Rose Army was the fruit of his labor, meticulously selected and nurtured with considerable time and effort. Now, with nearly half of them lost, Miao Lun seethed with resentment.
Was that ‘Sly Fox’ so omnipotent? Could they find people so accurately and effortlessly take them away?
Miao Lun’s sinister gaze glanced at the most beautiful rose on the ground. Zhang Wanyao’s fingertips trembled, yet her demeanor remained as composed as ever.
Outside the door, a servant cautiously knocked three times. “Sir, General Nai Kang has arrived.”
The people in the room were momentarily stunned. Why would Nai Kang come here?
Nai Kang always summoned warlords in the Reunification Palace. Besides, this place was merely a private residence, not the gathering place of the Miao family. Having just suffered a defeat in Shaye, his sudden appearance here was highly unusual.
Miao Lun said coldly, “Get up.”
Godanwei and Hu Chao immediately stood up, obediently positioning themselves behind him.
As the door was pushed open, Miao Lun’s face had already resumed its smiling demeanor.
Nai Kang, with a dignified appearance, walked in. He wasn’t moving fast, but his inherent aura from long-held authority inexplicably lightened the atmosphere.
Nai Kang took the main seat, resting his arm on his knee, and for a while, he remained silent. The room was as silent as a tomb.
“Why did the General come here today? Any instructions?” Miao Lun spoke nonchalantly, maintaining his composure.
“Ruan Wenjun is dead, and his Iron Eagle team is leaderless. Divide it between you and Mu Qin; more usable manpower,” Nai Kang spoke.
“Thank you, General,” Miao Lun graciously accepted.
Nai Kang stared at him deeply for a while before continuing, “Furthermore, promote someone from among those minor warlords to take Ruan Wenjun’s place. Handle this matter yourself.”
This was a blatant delegation of power to Miao Lun. Promoting a high-ranking warlord held lucrative opportunities, and Miao Lun could use this to consolidate his influence. Over time, his power would only grow stronger.
Nai Kang’s second statement finally brought a hint of joy to Miao Lun’s face.
“Are your people reliable?” Nai Kang glanced at Hu Chao and Godanwei.
Miao Lun was well aware that Juralamani had died in Shaye. He thought Nai Kang might have his eye on one of his private soldiers. “If the General likes, feel free to take them. Among my subordinates, loyalty is unquestionable.”
Nai Kang waved his hand, seemingly just asking casually, “No need, keep them.”
Zhang Wanyao trembled all over, barely able to control her emotions. This was her first time seeing Nai Kang up close, and her hatred intensified. The enemy was right in front of her; she couldn’t contain her feelings. Tiantian’s face kept flashing in her mind, and she wished she could rush forward and kill Nai Kang right then and there.
Marie sensed her trembling and moved closer to her.
A tear fell from Zhang Wanyao’s eye, and her knee suddenly twitched.
Marie acted swiftly, grabbing her immediately. Her sixth sense warned her that if she didn’t stop Zhang Wanyao, something terrible might happen.
The commotion drew Nai Kang’s attention. He cast an indifferent glance, passing over the trembling Zhang Wanyao and Marie.
Nai Kang was well aware of Miao Lun’s unsavory hobbies in private, including the Rose Army’s seemingly glorious but actually bloodstained and dirty operations. However, Nai Kang didn’t care. Miao Lun was a clever person, and clever people are inherently difficult to control. But he brazenly exposed his weakness for lust, never intentionally hiding it, which in turn became a challenge for Nai Kang to exploit.
To ascend to the position of the top warlord in Mu City from an ordinary person’s status required a depth of thought that couldn’t be underestimated, especially when coupled with a keen sense of self-preservation.
Satisfied, Nai Kang left. His visit seemed merely to exchange inconsequential words.
Miao Lun looked in the direction where Nai Kang disappeared, his eyes narrowing slightly as a faint smirk played on his lips.
*
Shaye Base.
Zhuang Qingyan, Zhang Ci, and Song Ke were in a meeting when Lu Xiaoyu barged in, controlling the wheelchair.
“I have some bad news and some worse news. Which one do you want to hear first?” Lu Xiaoyu asked.
Zhuang Qingyan lifted his head, his expressionless gaze meeting Lu Xiaoyu’s. The others remained silent, no one answering his question.
Disappointed, Lu Xiaoyu shrugged. “Okay, seems like you guys don’t get humor.”
“The first bad news is that Nai Kang has issued new laws, a region-wide warrant for the arrest of four S-level awakeners from Shaye. In other words, from now on, we are also gloriously wanted fugitives. The path of forging admission permissions is no longer viable,” Lu Xiaoyu stated.
His icy gaze flickered, projecting a deciphered string of text in front of everyone. “The second, even worse news: I intercepted several one-way confidential messages. They were ‘Request for Intervention’ orders sent by Nai Kang. I have strong reason to suspect that the Alliance has already received them.”
“What’s a ‘Request for Intervention’?” Song Ke asked, puzzled.
Zhuang Qingyan’s expression grew more serious. “The District Magistrate holds the highest authority within their jurisdiction. In the event of an uncontrollable situation, they can relinquish a portion of their interests and request intervention from the Alliance. The Alliance then dispatches ‘Special Envoys’ to briefly intervene in local affairs and help the magistrate ‘resolve the issue.’
Song Ke caught on immediately, “Is Nai Kang panicking?”
A person so domineering voluntarily bowing down and relinquishing the magistrate’s supreme position to request Alliance intervention was itself unthinkable. Could Juralamani’s death have hit him that hard?
Zhuang Qingyan smiled faintly, “I believe this opens up another approach for us. If Nai Kang has made this decision, it seems that his remaining two puppets might not match Juralamani’s strength.”
“However, these are just speculations. Given the current situation, within the next three days at most, the Alliance’s Special Envoys will arrive in Mu City. They might not send just one S-level. When they arrive, it might be challenging to deceive or outwit them,” Zhuang Qingyan warned.
A chill ran through everyone. Their plan involved assassination, not recklessly confronting S-level awakeners!
“We’re out of time; we need to quickly get into the Reunification Palace,” Zhuang Qingyan concluded decisively.
