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Even before seeing Jia Shu's dismissal notice this morning, Liu Fuping knew that Qiu Tu would definitely come to find her.

So when she saw Qiu Tu signal to her, she immediately got up and walked out.

Coming to the corridor outside and seeing no one around, Liu Fuping spoke in a low voice without waiting for Qiu Tu to speak, "People from Eastern City have already been sent over. But they need the exact time and location to take action."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu nodded slightly, then said, "I will give you that tonight."

Although the decision was already made, Liu Fuping was clearly still a bit worried.

She looked up at Qiu Tu and asked, "Is it really Jia Shu?"

After a moment's thought, she said, "Actually, when Jia Wei was telling his story yesterday, I wanted to talk to you about it."

"Do you know why Director Liu has been targeting Yan Chen all these years and never once targeted Jia Shu?"

Qiu Tu also became a bit curious upon hearing this.

He couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

Liu Fuping replied, "Three reasons."

"First, in that case, even though Jia Wei is Jia Shu's brother... Jia Shu has always supported executing his own brother."

"At the time, many rumors claimed that Jia Shu was cold-blooded, sacrificing his kin for his own future and greater good."

"So Director Liu had no reason to target him."

"Second, aside from yesterday, Jia Wei had never told anyone else that there was another culprit. Let alone Director Liu, even the case investigation team wasn't given the slightest hint."

"So from the beginning to the end, there was no second suspect in that case. No one would think there was another suspect."

"Under such circumstances, could it be the pressure over the years has been too great, causing him to become mentally ill and experience hallucinations?"

"Or perhaps, he just wanted to use someone else's hand to kill Jia Shu, deliberately splashing dirty water on him."

"After all, Jia Shu wanted to lead him to a dead end back then."

After mentioning two suspicions, Liu Fuping continued, "Third, and most importantly, it's said that Jia Shu's background is not simple, he seems to be highly favored by a big shot in the Sanctuary."

"His rise to power over the years was supported by that influential figure."

Hearing this, Qiu Tu laughed and said, "So Yan Chen doesn't have the support and protection of influential figures?"

"Director Liu still went after him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fuping hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said, "It's not the same."

"Yan Chen has backers too, but... they're just normal support relationships."

"But Jia Shu... seems to have, well, you know... a different kind of relationship with that big shot..."

Liu Fuping didn't finish her sentence, but Qiu Tu already understood what she meant.

Qiu Tu was surprised for a moment.

Although Qiu Tu always disliked the saying "no smoke without fire" for fueling rumors, in official circles, many such bits of gossip truly followed the adage...

'Could Jia Shu have some illicit relationship with Huang Shangzong?'

'That does complicate matters.'

Indeed, as Liu Fuping explained: normal patronage and this kind of unusual relationship are different.

If Jia Shu indeed ends up dead, the fury that will arise is completely different.

However, just as he thought yesterday, Qiu Tu and Jia Shu are now in a deadlock. One of them is destined not to survive.

Therefore, even if the path ahead is fraught with danger and full of hardships, Qiu Tu has no choice but to continue on!

Moreover... it's not he who will make the move. When the sky falls, Director Liu will bear it! What is there for him to fear!

Thinking this, Qiu Tu felt somewhat reassured.

After confirming with Liu Fuping that everyone was in place, Qiu Tu turned around and left the investigation team, continuing with his plans.

He went to the second floor rooftop and found a secluded corner. Then he took out a specially made communicator and called Qin Shuman.

Lately, Qin Shuman seemed very busy.

This time, it took seven or eight rings before Qiu Tu's call was answered.

Upon answering, the somewhat tired voice of Qin Shuman came from the other end, "Qiu Tu... what's up?"

Qiu Tu didn't start with business matters, but first showed concern for Qin Shuman, "Another all-nighter?"

At that moment, Qin Shuman stood in the corridor, with a large office behind her.

Inside the office, many people were working overtime, processing and analyzing information.

Rubbing her temples, Qin Shuman replied wearily, "Yeah... The intelligence work has just gotten on track recently, coinciding with the incident at Moonlight Lake."

"The aura around Moonlight Lake has been getting stronger and seems about to condense."

"To avoid Moon Crescent Lake falling into the hands of the Evil God or United Front, the military here has joined forces with the Eastern City Military Department to surround it thoroughly."

"But even so, whether it's the Investigation Bureau, City Hall, other city departments, or even the United Front and Evil God Cultists, everyone is frantically probing for intelligence."

"So, we've been clashing with them constantly."

Hearing Qin Shuman's words, Qiu Tu asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"

After briefly thinking it over, Qin Shuman replied with a laugh, "There's nothing you need to do. This matter is too complicated, involving too many powers."

"It's like a giant storm that could swallow everyone."

"So, it's best not to get involved if you can avoid it."

After chatting briefly with Qiu Tu, Qin Shuman's mood evidently relaxed considerably.

Leaning against the wall, her already long legs appeared even straighter, and with her army green military uniform, she was the picture of a valiant female officer in the corridor.

"You must have called me for something else today, right?"

Hearing Qin Shuman's words, Qiu Tu responded with a "hmm" and said, "Yes. I'm ready to proceed with the plan."

On the other end of the phone, Qin Shuman clearly paused. She fell silent for two seconds before saying, "Stay safe. The whirlpool you're in isn't much smaller than mine."

Qiu Tu solemnly hummed in acknowledgment.

Then Qin Shuman went on to say, "I'll have Lin Zuo send the items to you."

Qiu Tu replied, "Thanks."

Qin Shuman smiled and said, "What's there to thank for? Do we need such formalities between us?"

Just as she said this, a girl's voice suddenly came from her end, "Major! There's new developments, we have news from Moonlight Lake...."

Upon hearing this, Qin Shuman quickly said, "Qiu Tu, wait for me, I'll get back to you."

After saying that, she hurriedly hung up the call.

Listening to the "beeping" sound from the phone, Qiu Tu's gaze flashed with contemplation: Is there finally a result from Moonlight Lake?

Then, this great storm that has involved so many powers, is finally about to fully take shape....

With this in mind, Qiu Tu couldn't help but think of the soon-to-be-established Dongye State....

This is likewise a huge storm sweeping across the entire Planning Area.

Two massive storms coming together, it's hard to tell whether it will be a blessing or a curse, what impact it will have on me....

'I must resolve the matters with Jia Shu and Larilo as soon as possible.'

Thinking so, Qiu Tu dared not delay any longer.

He took out his communicator and dialed another number, preparing to execute the last and most crucial step of his plan....

...

Xinjie City Investigation Bureau, Bureau Chief's office.

As usual, the curtains were tightly drawn, not a sliver of sunlight coming through.

Under the gloomy desk lamp, Yan Chen quietly smoked.

Lately, Yan Chen felt a bit drained.

First, the Moonlight Lake found between Xinjie City and Eastern City had attracted the coveting of various powers, requiring him to expend immense effort to protect the interests of the Investigation Bureau, Xinjie City Investigation Bureau, and his own through complex alliances and maneuvers.

Then, the Qin Family, his valued source of strength, was uprooted, significantly reducing his surrounding influence, making all his prior plans ineffective.

Next came the trouble from the Disciplinary Department, which utterly severed his right-hand man, Jia Shu.

And lastly... Qiu Tu's public betrayal.

As Yan Chen's most promising confidant over the past two years, he actually had high hopes for Qiu Tu.

Seeing Qiu Tu, he felt as if he were looking at his archrival, Liu Xiongyuan: similar humble origins, similarly extraordinary abilities, and the same dauntlessness in combat.

It was precisely because he understood his archrival so well that Yan Chen appreciated Qiu Tu all the more.

He felt that if Qiu Tu could survive the midway and eventually grow into someone like Liu Xiongyuan, he would have a true great general!

But who would have known, it seemed he was cursed when it came to these types of people.

Just because he didn't "publicly" intervene to help Qiu Tu against Jia Shu, Qiu Tu actually... openly defected!

Yan Chen truly felt wronged.

He just wanted to teach his subordinates not to be too indulgent, to toughen them up a bit....

But who knew that his attempt at toughening up would completely drive Qiu Tu away.

Moreover, he left so thoroughly.

Thinking about Qiu Tu's duplicity towards him these past few days, thinking about Qiu Tu's public affront to his face, thinking about Qiu Tu's visit to Tang Feifei's office, a nameless fire burned in Yan Chen's chest!

To be honest, sometimes Yan Chen truly wished he could have Qiu Tu tied up in the office, then point a gun to his head and make him choose once and for all! Ask him, where exactly does he fall short compared to that woman Tang Feifei!

"Damn it!" The more he thought, the angrier Yan Chen got. He muttered a curse under his breath and grabbed the expensive-looking purple clay teapot from the desk, hurling it towards the ground in front of the desk!

Just as the teapot was about to collide with the floor, about to shatter and send water splashing everywhere

Suddenly.... the office door opened, and the teapot froze in place, just a millimeter from the floor.

Yan Chen paused mid-action, then looked up at the office door.

At the entrance stood his other right-hand man, Secretary Bai.

Secretary Bai waved his hand, and the teapot flew back to its original trajectory towards Yan Chen's desk. He then advised Yan Chen, "Bureau Chief, now is a sensitive time, and if the staff find out about your loss of control, it might cause even more widespread panic...."

Hearing Secretary Bai's well-reasoned advice, Yan Chen's eyelids drooped, concealing once again the profound depths of his gaze.

He uttered a soft "hmm" and, while straightening up the nearly shattered purple clay teapot on the desk, inquired, "Is there something you came in for?"

Hearing Yan Chen's question, Secretary Bai stepped forward, then lowering his head, he whispered, "This is why I've come to consult with you. Qiu Tu... wants to see you."

"Who? Qiu Tu?" Yan Chen nearly thought he misheard the name.

He looked up at Secretary Bai.

Seeing Secretary Bai nod, his gaze remained impassive as he asked, "What does he want with me?"

"Shouldn't he be seeking out that woman Tang Feifei?"

At the end, Yan Chen even snorted through his nose, expressing his dissatisfaction with Qiu Tu's betrayal.

Secretary Bai said softly, "That's why I'm consulting with you."

"Qiu Tu said over the phone... that he has never betrayed you."

"He deliberately took advantage of the previous opportunity to go undercover at Director Tang's place, intending to gather intelligence for you."

"He originally planned to go undercover a while longer before reporting back to you.

"But last night, he obtained two extremely important pieces of intelligence. He thought they would be of utmost importance to you. So, he had no choice but to risk exposure to meet with you."

At this point, Secretary Bai paused and then added, "Moreover, he said that due to his delicate position right now, he can't come to your office. So, he'd like to arrange a meeting elsewhere."

Upon hearing Secretary Bai's words, even with Yan Chen's cunning and scheming, he struggled to keep control of his facial expression for a moment.

He looked up with an incredulous expression, staring at Secretary Bai as if he were some fool...

Qiu Tu hadn't betrayed him? He was undercover? Are you telling me some kind of fairy tale?

------

I'll be adding more chapters today, 3 chapters, 11,000 words. Desperately asking for Monthly Tickets!

We'll continue with daily 10k words tomorrow.

But there's a party tonight, I might drink late.

Updating at 4 a.m., 5 a.m. might not be possible. Likely, the update will be at about 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. tomorrow, with 3 chapters at once.... let's just say I'm readjusting my schedule.

So, there's no need to wait in the early hours. You can all read together tomorrow evening haha.