Chapter 120

Chapter 22: No One Understands Better Than You

　　The ceasefire agreement was established in front of everyone, signaling the end of this small-scale ambush battle.

　　The death of comrades was somewhat saddening, but most people here weren’t rookies. They had been through battles and witnessed life and death before.

　　On the contrary, Yuan Xiaoling felt more heartbroken, thinking to herself that it was hard enough gathering so many brothers together, yet one by one they were disappearing.

　　”Damn Yun Family! A bunch of annoying lunatics. If they wanted to accumulate emotions, why not just kill each other internally? Why drag us into risking our lives? They’re brain-damaged freaks, the biggest obstacle to world peace, masochists who lift stones only to drop them on their own feet. Sooner or later, they’ll destroy themselves!”

　　Yuan Xiaoling unleashed a fierce tirade, venting her frustration slightly. She turned around and saw Bai Ling quietly sitting in the driver’s seat, staring blankly at something in her hand.

　　”Bai Ling, what’s wrong?”

　　The white-haired maiden snapped back to reality, shaking her head. “Nothing much, just thinking about some things.”

　　”Thinking about what? You were so focused. You didn’t even get out of the car the whole time.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling leaned forward, looking at Bai Ling’s hand, where she discovered an acrylic figurine holding a long spear. Upon closer inspection—

　　”Ho, Han Xin! Where did you get this?”

　　”Found it,” Bai Ling placed the acrylic into the car box and stepped on the gas pedal. “Let’s go; we should head back.”

　　”You’re clearly changing the subject. Geez, I wouldn’t criticize your farming… hey hey!”

　　The car suddenly sped up, faster than when it was with Ningning, fast enough that Ningning couldn’t say anything anymore.

　　”Wait, let’s go to the Grand Hotel first; don’t head back to the beach yet!”

　　Fortunately, Yuan Xiaoling managed to interject in time. Any slower, and Bai Ling would’ve already driven towards the beach.

　　Back at the Grand Hotel, all the higher-ups from their side were already present, including Luo Zou Cheng, Wu Bian, and several battalion commanders.

　　Yuan Xiaoling hadn’t informed them beforehand, but everyone knew that after today’s incident, an important meeting was definitely necessary.

　　”So, let’s start by talking about today’s situation.”

　　With the meeting underway, everyone began discussing while Bai Ling found a corner seat to sit quietly and think.

　　Based on the analysis from earlier until now, the situation might be as follows:

　　The power rules of the Inner Stone of the Mind cover Tianhai City. In places with intense bursts of spiritual energy and emotions—like the battlefield of Spiritual Energy Manipulators earlier—some manipulators who died during the fight fit the power rules of the Inner Stone of the Mind.

　　Then, because she was too close to the incident location, coupled with her Fifth-tier Mental Power, she provided “energy” support for the manifestation of the rule.

　　But why was there only one young man among all those dead people? And why was it like that?

　　In her previous life, Bai Ling was busy escaping and fighting against Yun Family assassins, having little contact with “ghosts.” She only knew they were unconscious, indiscriminate attacking aggregations of emotions. It was the first time she encountered one with self-awareness and memory today.

　　Several figures flashed through the girl’s mind—the young man from earlier, Gong Tao brought back in the morning, and a few unknown captives left behind by the Milkwater Waterfall…

　　What do they have in common?

　　Bai Ling pulled out the acrylic from her pocket, recalling the young man’s final request, lost in thought.

　　During the meeting, after hearing a detailed explanation of today’s events, several people worriedly looked at Yuan Xiaoling.

　　”Miss Yuan, are you alright?”

　　She is the highest combat power openly on their side. There mustn’t be any problems.

　　”What problem? We both just tested our moves, neither of us used full strength,” Yuan Xiaoling coldly snorted. “Besides, there were more houses there, he had the advantage of terrain. Change the place, and who wins isn’t certain.”

　　Not to mention, if it rains heavily, Ningning could easily annihilate them.

　　Seeing her confidence, others felt reassured.

　　”So, Miss Yuan,” Luo Zou Cheng asked, “how do you plan to respond?”

　　Yuan Xiaoling pondered for a moment and said, “We have a week, and there’s still a lot we can do.”

　　”First, hand over business operations to regular folks, like their families. The garrison units and mobile units will focus solely on preparing for battle.”

　　The Yun Family’s Spiritual Energy Manipulators have already formed armies, doing nothing but fighting and training. Meanwhile, the garrison unit that got ambushed earlier was still debating whether to turn the idle convenience store into a mahjong parlor for extra income. As for their main duties, they probably viewed it as just part-time security work.

　　Therefore, during the initial response to the attack, their ability to cope and organize was extremely poor.

　　”That’s definitely true,” Luo Zou Cheng agreed. “And after today’s incident, they themselves have a grudge built up inside.”

　　Most Spiritual Energy Manipulators aren’t cowards. As long as there isn’t a huge gap in levels, they believe they can fight.

　　They can fight, but they were brutally ambushed, with revenge on their minds for next time.

　　”Good,” Yuan Xiaoling nodded approvingly. “Secondly, as before, we’ll shift our focus to areas closer to the seaside, maybe speeding it up a bit.”

　　Wu Bian raised his hand. “But Miss Yuan, according to the current urban planning, the conditions for a large-scale move to the seaside aren’t sufficient.”

　　The condition being population size. The city center of Tianhai City is located near the middle, slightly leaning towards the coastal area, with an east-west ratio of roughly 6.5:4.5. The further away from the city center, the fewer the number of people.

　　And the outermost ring of the west district is still a distance from the sea. Few people live by the sea permanently, and they’re unwilling to move there.

　　”This isn’t a problem. Don’t look at how bustling the city center is now,” Yuan Xiaoling waved her hand indifferently. “It’ll be different in a while.”

　　She still remembered Bai Ling telling her during their first date that those old squares would explode whenever needed, quickly becoming deserted. Therefore, with time, the city center will inevitably shift towards areas protected by major forces.

　　”As for weather-related matters, whoever has connections, prepare more artificial rain stuff, what are they called, rain enhancement rockets?” Yuan Xiaoling waved her hand forcefully. “If that old thing dares to come, just blast the sky as much as possible!”

　　None of the people present were experts in such matters, so Luo Zou Cheng agreed first and would consult experts afterward.

　　”Lastly, since the Yun Family plotted against us, we can’t let them succeed and obtain what they want,” Yuan Xiaoling turned around and glanced at Bai Ling, who was daydreaming (deep in thought), then said to the others, “I’ll discuss this with the professionals. All of you, go do your own tasks.”

　　After the meeting ended, Yuan Xiaoling hurried everyone out and then found Bai Ling in the corner.

　　”Don’t daydream anymore. Next, it’s up to you.”

　　”What do you mean ‘up to me’?” Bai Ling snapped back to reality.

　　”The fragment of the Inner Stone of the Mind. The Yun Family went through all this trouble just to get it. We’ll directly snatch it from them,” Yuan Xiaoling said. “You’re the only Fifth-tier Mental-type, perfect for the job.”

　　Bai Ling twitched her lips. “If only it were that simple. The Yun Family has been researching this cornerstone in Tianhai City for ten years and hasn’t managed to get it.”

　　”They are them, you are you. No one understands Mental-type better than you,” Yuan Xiaoling stated matter-of-factly. “Moreover, knowing they’ve researched for ten years, doesn’t that fall under standing on the shoulders of giants?”

　　”… But I don’t know what their research results are.”

　　Their research results aren’t giants; otherwise, they would’ve gotten the cornerstone by now. Bai Ling also hadn’t stood on the shoulders of these shorties because she didn’t know what they’d discovered.

　　”Anyway, it’s up to you. You’re definitely better than them,” Yuan Xiaoling raised her little fists. “Come on!”

　　”…”

　　That’s what she said, but the situation was unclear. The only time she came into contact with the cornerstone nearly trapped her inside.

　　Bai Ling reached into her pocket, touching the acrylic, with a hint of thoughts forming in her mind.

　　Only after the two of them left the room did the meeting truly conclude. Bai Ling was responsible for analyzing the Inner Stone of the Mind, while Ningning continued investigating Dai Hengzhu’s intentions.

　　Casually finding a bedroom, Yuan Xiaoling sprawled on the bed and took out her phone, just in time to see her roommate’s reply.

　　[Qiao Lili: You really know how to give me trouble, huh. Although these two aren’t hard to investigate, their subsequent work is confidential. Moreover, Li Yuehong passed away a year ago.]

　　[Ningning: Wait, who’s Li Yuehong?]

　　[Qiao Lili: … You don’t even know what Dai Hengzhu’s wife’s name is?]

　　Dai Hengzhu’s wife? Passed away a year ago? Four Squares Academy incident?

　　Yuan Xiaoling’s sharp little brain immediately made the connection.

　　[Qiao Lili: Let me tell you, these matters have high confidentiality levels. I deduced them through various indirect information, like the order records of a funeral home in Tianhai on those days and the visitor lists recorded by the cemetery.]

　　Wow, Yuan Xiaoling felt like she caught onto something.

　　[Regarding Li Yuehong’s information, it turns out she has a bit of a connection with us because she graduated from Tianhai University. After graduation, she became a civil servant, but soon after, her work entered a completely confidential state.]

　　[In comparison, Dai Hengzhu isn’t originally from Tianhai City. Based on various traces, he stayed in Tianhai City due to his wife Li Yuehong and together devoted himself to that confidential career.]

　　Because of the confidentiality of subsequent work, Qiao Lili couldn’t find out much more. Even a skilled cook can’t make a meal without rice. She remarked that you always boss me around, and when I return to Tianhai City early next time, I’ll eat until I make up for it.

　　At this point, someone else in the group also spoke up.

　　[Gu Hui: Indeed, I’ll also come back early in a while. Watching you guys be so enthusiastic these days, I’m sure I can help once I return.]

　　[Ningning: You’re all coming back early? Alright, stay safe.]

　　She didn’t oppose it. After all, the most chaotic phase of Tianhai City was prematurely ended by herself, and the upcoming conflict with the Yun Family wouldn’t reach the school. They needed conflicts between Spiritual Energy Manipulators to provide nourishment for the cornerstone and naturally wouldn’t be interested in ordinary people.

　　As for helping or whatever, Yuan Xiaoling didn’t pay attention.

　　”Li Yuehong, Li Yuehong…”

　　She thought for a moment, logged into the campus forum on her phone, and directly posted a thread.

　　[Yuan Xiaoling: Uh? Which leader is online? Asking a question.]

　　…

　　Bai Ling drove to Tianhai First High School. When she arrived, she realized it was summer vacation, but just as she was about to leave, she noticed that some grades had already started classes early.

　　For instance, the third year of high school and junior high school. These two grades had just entered their final year and would soon face the college entrance exam or the high school entrance exam, so the summer break lasted less than a month.

　　Standing outside the window of Class 5, Grade 3 of the junior high school department, Bai Ling watched the students inside diligently studying… well, not entirely diligently, as many elementary school kids were curiously looking at her.

　　A beautiful white-haired big sister suddenly appeared outside the window. Who could concentrate on studying now?

　　Bai Ling hesitated. Given the current situation, should she pause time and specifically pull Sun Qian out? But she didn’t know what Sun Qian looked like, so she’d have to control one student to ask questions separately…

　　Ring!

　　The class bell rang, and the students of Class 5 didn’t realize they had narrowly escaped. Instead, they excitedly looked at the door because the beautiful white-haired big sister actually walked in.

　　The teacher merely glanced at her and then packed up and left. Why bother with so much when it’s supposed to be summer vacation anyway?

　　Bai Ling picked the nearest student and asked who Sun Qian was. The little boy was so excited he babbled incoherently:

　　”It’s, it’s, it’s her.”

　　Then he pointed to a pure-looking little girl in the corner.

　　Amidst everyone’s curious gazes, Bai Ling placed the acrylic on her desk.

　　”A friend of yours gave it to you.”

　　Sun Qian lightly poked the acrylic and asked curiously, “Which friend?”

　　She didn’t recognize this beautiful big sister either.

　　Bai Ling didn’t answer but silently stood there.

　　Sun Qian wanted to ask if she didn’t know either but seeing the icy pretty face of the white-haired big sister, she didn’t dare to speak.

　　So the little girl seriously thought about it and tentatively asked, “Is it Ball Brother?”

　　”Who?” Bai Ling blurted out.

　　Sun Qian was confused by this counter-question, wondering if she wasn’t representing him.

　　”It’s, a friend who plays games together… sometimes chats when free.”

　　The little girl spoke softly and glanced around cautiously, avoiding being heard… only to discover that all classmates were watching and had heard everything.

　　…Alright.

　　”If there’s no one else, it should be him.”

　　”Really, Ball Brother, thank you,” Sun Qian said. “After school, I’ll log on to thank him.”

　　”No need.”

　　”… What?”

　　Bai Ling hesitated for a moment, took out her phone, and showed her a QR code for adding friends: “Add me.”

　　”Oh.”

　　After adding as friends, Bai Ling left amidst the reluctant gazes of the little classmates and stepped out of the school gate. Then she sent a message to Sun Qian on her phone.

　　[He was one of our warrior Spiritual Energy Manipulators who fell in battle. We’ll send you some compensation for the family members later.]

　　After saying that, Bai Ling turned off her phone and didn’t check what Sun Qian replied.

　　She told the little girl the truth, hoping she would remember him. Memory is the best epitaph.

　　Then she returned to the car and headed straight to the Grand Hotel.

　　…

　　Yuan Xiaoling’s post for help went smoothly, just as she expected. After all, a prestigious university, its leaders surely have some connections and know a bit about Tianhai’s circle.

　　So within minutes of posting, the principal personally came online and politely asked what she needed assistance with.

　　Yuan Xiaoling didn’t waste time, directly mentioning Li Yuehong’s name.

　　Subsequently, through the school’s historical archives and the memories of several elder leaders, Yuan Xiaoling roughly understood some information about Li Yuehong.

　　Excellent in studies, pleasant personality, and most importantly, a persistent heart. Regardless of the topic, she persisted tirelessly, achieving results, earning praise from many old professors.

　　Yuan Xiaoling grabbed a tablet computer, writing down all the known information, reading it several times.

　　There was quite a bit of information, which could roughly form a line.

　　She took out her phone, calling Wu Bian and Liu Yaohua to the meeting room, bringing multimedia projection equipment along.

　　Meanwhile, in the safe room of the Grand Hotel, the former journalist Wang Zhen sat trembling in the corner.

　　When Gong Tao was brought back in the morning, Wang Zhen was thrilled. He had been lonely and uneasy for so many days, finally having a roommate who seemed quite talkative.

　　Wang Zhen greeted him, asking what he ate in the morning, and unexpectedly, Gong Tao burst into tears, sobbing and saying he had eaten two fried dough sticks.

　　… Is eating fried dough sticks that heartbreaking?

　　Then Wang Zhen realized that this person’s emotional outbursts were somewhat random: discussing meals caused immense pain, talking about work filled him with joy, mentioning hobbies brought sorrow, and discussing his career made him brimming with confidence. He always regarded himself as a passenger in the backseat of a taxi.

　　Honestly, what Wang Zhen worried about most now was—would this guy bite?

　　Clang! The door suddenly opened, startling Wang Zhen, who jumped up from his chair.

　　The person who came in was a white-haired beauty, strangely glancing at him and then looking at the mentally ill person in the room.

　　Gong Tao had his hands suspended in the air, pretending to hold a steering wheel, glancing at Bai Ling and saying:

　　”Beauty, let’s share a ride. I won’t charge you. Pay however much you usually do.”

　　Apparently, he believed he was driving a taxi.

　　Bai Ling stared at him for a while, originally wanting to ask something, but realized she wasn’t good at chatting.

　　Facing others, she was accustomed to using mental invasion or ability suppression to force them to tell the truth. Now, facing a mentally ill person, she didn’t know what to say.

　　She thought for a moment and looked at Wang Zhen cowering in the corner.

　　”Hey, you.”

　　”… Yes!”

　　”You can’t keep eating for free. I have a task for you,” Bai Ling said indifferently. “Chat with him and try to pry out some information.”

　　Now, her task was to find similarities, finding commonalities between Gong Tao and today’s young man, such as some kind of attachment.

　　Wang Zhen’s heart skipped a beat. “Wh… what kind of information?”

　　”Anything goes, preferably something they particularly care about, like lovers, sweethearts, family, or secret admirers, if any.”

　　Leaving those words, Bai Ling departed.

　　Wang Zhen looked at Gong Tao, who was attentively “driving,” and swallowed dryly. He understood now—this was a psycho. Trying to get close to a psycho?

　　But remembering the killers he encountered outside before coming here and the bloody scenes, Wang Zhen gritted his teeth and steeled himself to approach.

　　”Hello…”

　　”Don’t greet me, we’re on the highway. Don’t distract the driver,” Gong Tao pursed his lips. “Less chit-chat, have a cigarette.”