Chapter 108 – When the Roses Bloom (26)
◎ The best ending written by fate ◎
In the choking smoke, coughs echoed incessantly. The chain explosions orchestrated by Punk were timely halted, yet the scene remained engulfed in smoke and fire.
Some surviving water and earth elemental awakeners attempted to extinguish the flames, but their efforts were futile. The fire at the Reunification Palace grew fiercer by the moment.
Zhang Ci dispersed the thick smoke and glanced in the direction of Song Ke, vaguely spotting the silhouette of a tall man.
The man’s body swayed, then slowly collapsed forward. A slender pair of hands caught him.
Song Ke opened and closed her mouth, speaking anxiously. Zhuang Qingyan leaned against her shoulder, offering a comforting smile. He lifted his fingertips, extinguishing a small tuft of her burning hair, then retrieved a wheelchair from the storage space. With Song Ke’s support, he sat onto it.
Gaster, Odin, and Lu Xiaoyu, among others, slowly rose. After a while, four fully armed starships returned, hovering again above the Reunification Palace. Would Nai Kang and Punk’s successive deaths push the situation irreversibly into the abyss? Would the Special Envoy declare war? Tension gripped everyone.
Amidst the crackling sparks and explosions, Zhuang Qingyan’s clear voice pierced through the smoke, echoing in everyone’s ears: “Special Envoy, according to Article 22, Clause 9 of the Alliance’s wartime emergency regulations, as the disadvantaged party, I have the right to request ceasefire negotiations.”
Odin couldn’t help but glare at him. Shameless! You assassinated the magistrate, took out an S-level awakener, took every advantage, yet you shamelessly declare yourselves “disadvantaged” while turning District C55 into chaos?
Unfortunately, Zhuang Qingyan was never one to have a sense of shame.
Park Jae-woo’s eyes lit up inside the starship. Good, finally someone who understands. Negotiation is what’s needed.
The holographic projection descended slowly, and Park Jae-woo’s image appeared clearly in front of Song Ke and the others. As a smooth and cautious politician, he wouldn’t risk coming down personally, especially now when even the starships weren’t safe.
“Chief Park,” Zhuang Qingyan quickly ran through the Alliance officials’ files in his mind, matching the person before him with the information. He raised an unexpected eyebrow upon recognizing Special Envoy Park Jae-woo.
“Do you know me?” Park Jae-woo looked surprised, gazing at Zhuang Qingyan. The young man’s face was unfamiliar; he was certain they hadn’t met before.
Zhuang Qingyan had prepared a different set of words, but upon realizing the Special Envoy was Park Jae-woo, he instantly changed his approach. “Former Magistrate of District C30, known for integrity and dedication during your tenure, promoted exceptionally to the Alliance’s Regional Affairs General Bureau due to outstanding achievements. Chief Park’s reputation resounds, even among us insignificant folks.”
Park Jae-woo received a hefty dose of flattery, feeling immensely pleased, yet his expression remained stern, maintaining a firm and upright demeanor. “Since you seem so well-versed in Alliance laws, you should understand the consequences of killing a District C magistrate. Let’s not touch upon Punk’s matter for now. You all must come back with me and face trial at the Alliance’s highest court.”
“Chief Park planned to bring us back for a trial?” Zhuang Qingyan smiled, “In that case, your performance report wouldn’t look good.”
Park Jae-woo cursed inwardly: Damn it, my performance report looks this bad, all because of you guys!
Zhuang Qingyan’s expression became meaningful. “Actually, I have a better suggestion. Chief Park, why not listen first?”
Park Jae-woo nodded without affirming or denying, “Go ahead.”
“The Magistrate of District C55 should have been replaced long ago,” Zhuang Qingyan dropped a bombshell.
“The magistrate’s excessive power isn’t beneficial for the Alliance’s development. Nai Kang’s control over C55 for twenty-seven years led to countless tragedies. Chief Park, during your visit, witnessing the dire situation of the Mu City people, deeply troubled you. Considering the long-term development of the nation and its people, you decided, in the name of justice, to remove Nai Kang from duty and stabilize the situation in Mu City.”
“Doesn’t this report sound much better?” Zhuang Qingyan’s smile deepened.
If Nai Kang were still alive, he would definitely have vehemently denounced Zhuang Qingyan’s nonsense. Unfortunately, he was long gone; the dead have no say, and history has always been written by victors.
Song Ke, pushing the wheelchair, looked utterly confused. Somehow, with Zhuang Qingyan’s words, it seemed like the achievements were all attributed to the special envoy, and they had nothing to do with it? However, after such a long time, she had gotten used to it. Whenever Zhuang Qingyan spun tales, silence was the best response.
Park Jae-woo didn’t comment on Zhuang Qingyan’s words. Instead, he pointed out another crucial issue, “How do we explain the former magistrate’s death?”
The chaos in District C55 could be glossed over, but Nai Kang’s public demise while seeking refuge—this, reported to the Alliance, was something they couldn’t avoid.
Park Jae-woo looked directly at Zhang Ci, “From what I know, the main reason for Nai Kang seeking refuge was a rebellion. You are the leader of the refugees, Qiong Qi, right?”
Zhuang Qingyan’s expression revealed a hint of surprise, “What Qiong Qi? What rebellion? There’s no refugee leader. Thanks to Chief Park’s dedicated governance, Mu City is clearly peaceful; the people have returned to their hearts.”
Park Jae-woo was momentarily speechless. He didn’t dare exaggerate things this much even to himself.
But suddenly, he realized that if the report mentioned “rebellion” and “refugees,” as a special envoy, he’d have to take responsibility for suppressing the rebellion and show concrete results. Wouldn’t that be trouble for himself? This person was right—there was no rebellion in District C55 from start to finish!
Park Jae-woo humbly sought advice, “If it wasn’t caused by a rebellion, then Nai Kang’s death…?”
“Of course, it was a personal vendetta,” Zhuang Qingyan tapped the wheelchair lightly with his fingertip, speaking without hesitation, “The one who killed Nai Kang was an obscure team of awakeners—V587.”
Song Ke stared blankly, wide-eyed and unable to comprehend. How did it end up that, in the end, the blame was still on them?
In the holographic projection, Park Jae-woo fell into contemplation, then slowly lifted his head, his expression solemn and commanding. “I will stay in District C55 for three days to reorganize internal affairs. During these three days, I do not want any one of you to appear in front of me.”
“Rest assured, Chief,” Zhuang Qingyan chuckled loudly.
A covert deal was thus struck, diffusing the imminent war, allowing Song Ke’s team and Shaye’s awakeners, to leave unharmed.
Fan Yiwen and the others were dumbfounded. They had known this person was a big talker, but they hadn’t imagined he could even hoodwink a special envoy!
Gasta and Odin exchanged a glance, smartly choosing to remain silent, offering no opinion. Roy and another younger S-level awakener showed discontent and disbelief on their faces. They couldn’t fathom the deeper meaning behind the clash between Park Jae-woo and Zhuang Qingyan, nor why the deaths of Nai Kang and Punk were glossed over so lightly. Why let these people go?
In the world of Alliance politics, being an awakener wasn’t enough; intelligence mattered too. Everyone there had hundreds of schemes in their minds. Obviously, Zhuang Qingyan was more familiar with the rules of the gray area than they were.
Park Jae-woo, on the starship, gazed into the distance below where the four S-level awakeners walked away together, and behind them was the burning Reunification Palace.
Park Jae-woo sighed deeply, “Shaye… Mu City… it seems there will be a significant change in the Alliance’s next regional ranking assessment.”
The old District C had collapsed, and new flames were spreading. Would Shaye replace Mu City in the future? Time would tell.
Park Jae-woo’s gaze returned to Song Ke. This person’s power probably surpassed the S-level. If she couldn’t be utilized by the Alliance, she would inevitably become a significant problem in the future, just like Nai Kang’s fate—a lesson to be learned.
*
The moment they stepped out of the Reunification Palace, Song Ke’s terminal flashed a notification: “Remaining validity of your admission application: 0 days 0 hours 0 minutes. Please update it promptly, otherwise, you will not be allowed to stay in the city.”
Coincidentally, fifteen days ago, they had forged their identities and entered the completely unfamiliar Mu City with an uncertain future. Fifteen days later, Nai Kang was dead, the assassination target successfully eliminated, and right as they were about to leave, this fake admission application happened to expire.
Just like the best ending written by fate.
…
The next day, at Shaye Base.
Fang Zhixu finished examining Zhuang Qingyan’s legs, looking grave. “It’s not optimistic. The excessive injections have affected your left leg’s nerves. The symptoms of muscle atrophy will only worsen. It’s in both legs now, but it’ll soon spread throughout your body if delayed further.”
Since the morning, Zhuang Qingyan had lost sensation in both legs, unable to stand even with crutches.
“What… what can be done?” Song Ke asked anxiously.
“Let’s go back to Tongwan. I’ll contact my colleagues at 119 Hospital to arrange surgery as soon as possible,” Fang Zhixu mentioned the hospital without hesitation.
Lin Youyou hesitated to speak, looking worriedly at Fang Zhixu. “Are… are you okay?”
Although Fang Zhixu’s eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles, clearly indicating lack of sleep, his current expression was too calm, so calm that it seemed abnormal. When Zhang Wanyao died in his arms, Fang Zhixu’s breakdown and pain were beyond words. Lin Youyou was concerned about his mental state.
“I know what you’re worried about, but I… I promised her,” Fang Zhixu held a small vial around his neck, his eyes showing tenderness and nostalgia. Ayao only changed the way she accompanied him. What he needed to do now was take her home and then listen to her, to live well as she wished.
Knock knock.
As the door rhythmically tapped, Song Ke had just said, “Come in,” and a group of people squeezed in, all seniors and fellow practitioners from the martial arts school.
Surprisingly, the one leading was Mo Yan, wrapped in bandages all over his body. Despite enduring pain, he hooked his arm around Song Ke’s shoulder, grinning through gritted teeth, “Little junior sister, heard you had a rampage at the Reunification Palace yesterday! It’s frustrating, ahhh, I missed it! I don’t care, I want to spar with you and analyze!”
“Such vanity, you and little junior sister in a fight means you getting beaten up. You insist on glorifying it as an analysis,” Rita bluntly dismantled his facade.
Zhang Ci lounged against the door frame, casually observing the people in the room bickering and playing around. He wasn’t wearing his Taoist robes today but regular clothes, the kind he used to wear during training sessions back at Yue Mountain. When he was with the people from the martial arts school, he wasn’t Qiong Qi; he was just their simple eldest senior brother.
Song Ke’s hair was messed up by Mo Yan’s rubbing, leaving her in a sorry state, only her eyes visible, making it impossible for Song Ke to retaliate.
“Ah!” Mo Yan suddenly exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” Others looked nervously, fearing he might accidentally touch an injury.
Mo Yan said, “I suddenly remembered something.”
Fan Yiwen said, “Just say it, why startle everyone.”
Mo Yan grinned mischievously, “Now that Nai Kang is dead, the base can develop peacefully. Zhang Ci, did you and the junior sister take care of things?”
“It’s been so hard raising the adopted daughter; do it quickly, don’t let that outsider steal her away!”
Fan Yiwen instinctively glanced at Zhuang Qingyan’s expression. Mo Yan, not having been part of yesterday’s action, wasn’t aware of the situation, but they saw it clearly: the junior sister and that “outsider” were clearly embracing each other.
Fan Yiwen awkwardly coughed a couple of times, signaling Mo Yan with a meaningful look, but Mo Yan didn’t catch on. He was still muttering to himself, “By the way, what do you need for a wedding? Should I get some new light screens as gifts? Hey, Zhang Ci, say something.”
Zhang Ci, lost in thought, interrupted by Mo Yan, slightly straightened up and looked at Song Ke.
Others realized he was about to speak and quieted down.
Zhang Ci slowly spoke, “Song Ke, have you ever considered staying in Shaye?”
ML: am I invisible to you all?