Chapter 111

Chapter Thirteen: Key Person

　”Let’s start from when you first started your job.”

　”It was three years ago. Back then, I had just entered the mid-level of Second-tier spiritual energy, and my abilities were starting to become useful. At the same time, I lost passion for my previous job, so I wanted to find something more laid-back.” Liu Yaohua slowly explained.

　”Indeed,” Yuan Xiaoling nodded in agreement. “After working hard for over twenty years, it’s time to relax a bit.”

　Bai Ling quietly glanced at her, unsure what to say.

　After all, there was this Blonde-Haired Maiden with big chests who, since she was 18, spent her days lounging in bed relaxing.

　”Haha, back then, the environment for Spiritual Energy Manipulators wasn’t as… abundant as it is now. Back then, Spiritual Energy Manipulators were still considered somewhat rare commodities.” Liu Yaohua continued, “Just then, I heard they were hiring people, so I went to try it out.”

　Yuan Xiaoling raised an eyebrow. “Four Squares Academy?”

　”Yes, Four Squares Academy. All recruited Spiritual Energy Manipulators were trained and educated there back then,” Liu Yaohua shook his head. “To be more accurate, I think it should be called ‘discipline.'”

　”Discipline? That makes sense. If they want to form a team, discipline is indeed necessary.”

　Yuan Xiaoling was initially surprised, but upon careful thought, it made perfect sense. Low-tier Spiritual Energy Manipulators were manageable, but high-tier ones often had their own ideas and personalities—the stronger they were, the more pronounced it became.

　Not to mention the few Fourth-tier ones she currently knew—Wu Bian ran away when he couldn’t win; Xiong Mian charged recklessly into fights; He Shiyong was a silent avenger—all stubborn in their own ways.

　As for Fifth-tier Bai Ling, there was no need to elaborate—besides killing and more killing, it was about… certain other activities.

　Sigh, only Ningning (Yuan Xiaoling) was normal—Yuan Xiaoling couldn’t help but reflect.

　”So how did you end up leaving later on, and I heard it wasn’t for long?” she asked. “Did you feel uncomfortable or uneasy there?”

　”I definitely felt some uneasiness and discomfort, but more importantly…”

　As he spoke, Liu Yaohua revealed a hint of helplessness. “When they recruited me, the conditions were very appealing, but… before my training even ended, everything changed.”

　Yuan Xiaoling was taken aback. “The treatment changed? Why?”

　”Just bad timing, coinciding with the third outbreak of Spiritual Energy Manipulators.”

　”The third… what?”

　”Oh, you didn’t know.”

　It was only then that Liu Yaohua realized the two young ladies sitting in front of him were only 18 years old. A few years ago, they were still in middle school, real JKs.

　Even JC.

　”Miss Yuan, ever since the world began recovering from spiritual energy and the first Spiritual Energy Manipulator appeared, until now where a single city can form several factions, it has been a process,” he said. “After the first awakening of spiritual energy, Spiritual Energy Manipulators started appearing around the world, with a brief period of explosion. When the explosive phase ended, there were only hundreds worldwide.”

　Yuan Xiaoling understood. “That was the first.”

　”Then came the second. I’m not sure about other places specifically, but in our Tianhai City, there were already hundreds of Spiritual Energy Manipulators, and I awakened during that time.” Liu Yaohua said.

　Yuan Xiaoling calculated that if Tianhai City had hundreds of Spiritual Energy Manipulators back then, excluding the majority who were First-tier and early Second-tier whose abilities were almost useless, and those who weren’t willing to join, probably only dozens could be recruited. The Four Squares Academy would have been sufficient.

　”Then came the third, forming the current scale of Spiritual Energy Manipulators in Tianhai City. During my training, thousands of Spiritual Energy Manipulators suddenly appeared in Tianhai City. Goodness, you wouldn’t believe it—hundreds of people gathered outside the Four Squares Academy every morning, queues stretching onto the roads, and the numbers kept increasing.”

　Recalling these past events, Liu Yaohua felt quite complex. “I really admired them coming, but some even brought papers, like taking a civil service exam. Faced with this situation, the person responsible at the time was also at a loss, not knowing what to do, so they just dragged it out, meeting day after day. I was about to be officially hired, but suddenly everything became indefinite, and the treatment uncertain.”

　Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiaoling fully understood. “You couldn’t take it anymore and decided to leave?”

　”More or less.”

　Of course, there were other small reasons too, such as the increased successful employment cases, helping some big bosses as consultants, enjoying good food and drinks daily.

　Yuan Xiaoling digested this information.

　”You mean because there were more and more Spiritual Energy Manipulators later on, making management increasingly difficult, so they eventually gave up… but that doesn’t seem right. They could have pursued an elite strategy.”

　”Giving up on Spiritual Energy Manipulators? Oh, that happened later, and most likely has nothing to do with our Tianhai City.”

　At this statement, Yuan Xiaoling sat up straight. “Do you know the reason?”

　Liu Yaohua waved his hand. “Not exactly, but I’ve heard some things while drinking.”

　This was when his love for alcohol and garrulous nature proved advantageous. Usually, when he met other Spiritual Energy Manipulators, he’d sit in large eateries whether there was something to discuss or not, chatting endlessly.

　”After the numbers increased, they certainly implemented an elite strategy. I heard that in a certain city, there was a team entirely composed of Third-tier Spiritual Energy Manipulators. Their teamwork was invincible, everyone followed orders, strictly executing team tactics, functioning as one unit.”

　Yuan Xiaoling blinked. “And then?”

　Liu Yaohua: “And then, during the handling of a sudden incident, they encountered someone who broke through to Fourth-tier due to madness and were wiped out in a mutual destruction.”

　”…”

　”Additionally, there were many other incidents, big and small, such as property damage caused during battles, external compensation and adverse effects, internal difficulties in defining whether the use of abilities was intentional or excessive, under various pressures…”

　”Moreover, there’s something you might or might not have heard about—apparently, the heads of a few noble families discovered some secrets and have reached the legendary Sixth-tier realm.”

　Yuan Xiaoling nodded. “That’s true.”

　True, her grandfather was one.

　”That makes sense, and that’s one of the main reasons.” Liu Yaohua said.

　In summary, the reasons were complex, with multiple factors contributing to the abandonment by public entities. Additionally, Yuan Xiaoling believed another important reason was the randomness of it all—advancing was irrational, unlike science and technology which follows patterns.

　Grandpa Yuan was also puzzled; the family’s children were thrown into dense forests rich in spiritual energy for daily practical combat training for several years, and the highest they achieved was late Third-tier. However, the granddaughter left outside inexplicably reached Fourth-tier.

　”Do you know what happened at Four Squares Academy a year ago?” Yuan Xiaoling asked him.

　Unfortunately, the well-informed Liu Yaohua shook his head this time. “I don’t know, honestly speaking, I don’t even know when they abandoned efforts in Tianhai City.”

　”Not a year ago?” Yuan Xiaoling frowned.

　”I’m unclear. They didn’t completely abandon Spiritual Energy Manipulators; they just stopped further cultivation without explicitly stating it.”

　Liu Yaohua counted on his fingers: “First, recruitment stopped, expenses were cut, then departments and positions were reduced, personnel dispatched externally, and finally, only an office remained, existing in name only. Practices and progress varied across regions. Cities with noble families likely abandoned efforts earliest, while others like Tianhai City are unknown.”

　”Too indecisive.” Bai Ling couldn’t help but comment.

　She found it a bit boring to listen, understandable from her perspective—Third-tier, Fourth-tier, all seemed equally weak to her, why differentiate so clearly?

　”Hehe, that’s how it is,” Liu Yaohua felt he had finished speaking and finally picked up his cup for a sip of white wine. “If Miss Yuan wants to inquire further, I remember the leader at Four Squares Academy back then was someone named Dai Hengzhu… just don’t say I recommended you.”

　”Alright.”

　After listening to Liu Yaohua’s story, Yuan Xiaoling felt somewhat disinterested, calling Luo Zou Cheng and Wu Bian inside to replace her and discuss cooperation with him.

　The two men walked in, sat down on both sides of the table, smelled the strong aroma of alcohol, and became somewhat tempted.

　”Miss Yuan, have you finished discussing your main matters?”

　”Finished, drink up,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “just don’t forget to talk business.”

　With that, she and Bai Ling walked out, leaving the private room to them.

　Hearing that adults tend to finalize deals over drinks, let them enjoy. Even if they get drunk and agree to unreasonable terms, ultimately the final decision rests with Ningning, not the two of them.

　Outside, Bai Ling yawned first.

　”Tired?” Yuan Xiaoling stared at her, blinking.

　”Don’t know,” Bai Ling answered casually, “just found it a bit boring.”

　Always talking about Second-tier, Third-tier, Fourth-tier, not knowing the differences, made Bai Ling sleepy.

　Yuan Xiaoling puffed her cheeks and coldly hummed, “Who told you not to sleep properly last night, munching away there? You deserve it.”

　”…” Bai Ling’s lips twitched.

　She thought her lack of sleep was most likely due to that strange dream, and eating rice balls and steamed buns probably had nothing to do with it.

　On the contrary, it might improve sleep.

　Yuan Xiaoling moved aside and pulled out her mobile phone to call Li Li.

　”Hey, Miss Li, is there someone named Dai Hengzhu in your place? I want to ask him something, maybe find some clues.”

　There was silence on the other end.

　”Miss Li? Are you there?”

　”Cough, I’m here, just unsure how to respond,” Li Li’s voice sounded peculiar. “He’s my direct superior, responsible for all matters concerning Spiritual Energy Manipulators in Tianhai City.”

　”Oh, that’s fine then, he seems to be doing well,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “maintaining his career nicely.”

　But upon further thought, it wasn’t a promotion either.

　”Uh, I don’t know how to respond because…”

　Li Li didn’t finish, but Yuan Xiaoling understood.

　”Got it, I’ll figure it out myself.”

　After hanging up, Li Li carefully deleted the chat records on her phone and breathed a sigh of relief.

　Good grief, investigating matters related to Dai Hengzhu, and you’re asking the man himself?

　Meanwhile, on the balcony of the guesthouse, Bai Ling saw her quickly put down the phone and curiously asked, “Didn’t go well?”

　”Not exactly, just… temporarily unable to pursue that direction,” Yuan Xiaoling said, “but it’s not without gains. At least we know the key person involved in the matter.”

　Bai Ling thought for a moment, trying to recall the names she heard earlier. “Dai Horizontal Vertical?”

　”It’s Dai Hengzhu, the top boss of the Countermeasures Group Office, and…”

　Yuan Xiaoling had figured it out. According to Li Li, he had dealings with the Yun Family. But why would he allow subordinates to cooperate with her while collaborating with the Yun Family?

　”No problem, anyway, they invited us as guests before. Once we consolidate our territory, we’ll visit Four Squares Academy. We’ll surely meet him personally then and test him out.”

　Now, she and Bai Ling were no longer alone; they had forces beneath them, no longer worrying about being outnumbered.

　Time passed quickly in the afternoon. After several rounds of drinks in the private room, everything was discussed, and Wu Bian and Luo Zhou Cheng hadn’t messed it up.

　Through these two days of action, with precedents set, the remaining people weren’t as resistant. Basically, wherever they went, they took control, advancing towards the beach.

　One day, roommate Qiao Lili sent a message regarding finding people in videos, estimating it would take a few more days.

　Yuan Xiaoling said it wasn’t urgent; she was busy consolidating territory. Luo Zhou Cheng and Wu Bian became more proficient, later even bringing Liu Yaohua along. Often, they’d sit at a drinking table in a new place, and talks would proceed smoothly.

　”In fact, it’s also thanks to Miss Yuan’s contribution,” Wu Bian reported one day, feeling a bit conflicted. “Your actions on Dongdong Road, with pictures and videos, silenced many.”

　Bear in mind, most of these “bosses” controlling territories only possessed early or mid-Third-tier strength. That day, Yuan Xiaoling instantly defeated several late Third-tiers, showing incredible prowess.

　Through this event, Wu Bian finally realized that offense was indeed more effective than support.

　Great power brings miracles.

　A few days later, Bai Ling received news that she could move to the coveted beach hotel tonight.

　Thinking about it, the White-haired Maiden couldn’t help but feel…

　”Bai Ling, aren’t you super excited,” the soft voice of the Blonde-haired Maiden came from behind, “you can go… tonight, right?”

　Bai Ling’s lips twitched, nearly startled.

　Yuan Xiaoling’s surprise inspections were akin to face taunts from her previous life—unpredictable and unexpected, always appearing when you least expect it.

　”I’m not excited, just a little looking forward,” Bai Ling calmly replied, “and there’s a reason for it.”

　Yuan Xiaoling stepped in front of her, slightly leaning down, allowing the exposed Dabeitù and herself to look at her together.

　”Really? Really really really not because you want to get naughty?”

　”Of course not… but it is indeed a good way to relax,” Bai Ling tightened her expression, “recently, I’ve been troubled by something and need to fully relax my spirit, so I’m looking forward to it.”

　Regarding the strange dream from before, she hadn’t encountered it again. She pondered various reasons, thinking one possibility was that she had been too tense lately, constantly worrying about having the dream again.

　However, on the day she dreamed, she was very relaxed due to eating rice balls and steamed buns, so…

　”Yep yep yep, correct correct correct, everything you said is right, I’ll just pretend to believe you.” Yuan Xiaoling closed her eyes and nodded vigorously.

　Ningning didn’t believe it at all.