Let them offer their loyalty!

Hearing the driver's words, Jia Shu rubbed his sore wrists that had been shackled in handcuffs, then stretched out his hand to receive the specially made communicator from the driver.

The driver continued to start the vehicle, driving towards the desolate Disaster Zone.

Watching the window view change from bustling street scenes to ruins and broken tiles, Jia Shu pulled out the antenna of the specially made communicator, then pressed a number.

This specially made communicator clearly was not ordinary, as it could make ultra-long-distance calls. However, the downside was that connecting took a certain amount of time.

So the green jeep had driven almost a kilometer before the communicator was connected.

A man's voice, full of vigor and slightly oppressive, came through on the other end, "Young Jia?"

Hearing the man's words, Jia Shu's smile disappeared in a second, his expression becoming serious and respectful, "Elder Huang."

Hearing Jia Shu's words, the man laughed heartily and said, "Out now?"

Jia Shu respectfully replied, "Yes. And I need to thank Elder Huang for your help."

The man spoke heartily, "It's nothing. Those were just trifles. In doing great things, one mustn't sweat the small stuff!"

"However... I do have to say something to you," the man continued sternly, "Have you been living too comfortably recently? Letting a nobody get you into such a sorry state!"

"When I heard Small Tang's report, I really wanted to drag you back and remake you!"

"Was this how I taught you all back then?!"

"Always scheming! Can't you handle things with integrity?"

In Xinjie City, Jia Shu was known as the devil who could stop children from crying, and both at the Investigation Bureau and the Political Department, he was a major figure whose smile made everyone afraid.

Yet in front of this man, he was being scolded like a grandson...

Even so, his face still bore a full expression of respect as he earnestly spoke, "What Elder Huang has taught is correct..."

Huang Shangzong snorted coldly, speaking with robust vigor, "In actions and intentions, be forthright and upright. Even when dealing with subordinates, prefer open strategies over secretive schemes!"

"Dominate through power, crushing with sheer strength!"

Jia Shu bowed again, nodding, "Yes, Elder Huang."

Seeing Jia Shu's good attitude, Huang Shangzong finally didn't seem so angry. He said heartily, "It's only because you held the line. Even though you made a mess of things, at least you didn't lose sight of the important principles!"

"Otherwise, I wouldn't even bother giving you another chance."

After finishing, Huang Shangzong offered comfort, "Let's call it even on this matter. Later, have Old Ji take you to Jingnan City. There, reflect and contemplate on what you have done during this period."

"At the earliest next month, or at the latest the following month, Dongye State will be officially established."

"At that time, I will become the Speaker of Dongye State. Once I settle in, I will look for an opportunity to make arrangements for you."

Hearing Huang Shangzong's words, Jia Shu quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Elder Huang."

After finishing, he paused, then added in a soft voice, "I've troubled you."

After hanging up the phone, Jia Shu held the specially made communicator, his gaze somewhat distant as he looked at the scenery outside the window.

Then he recalled the "special" relationship between himself and Huang Shangzong.

Contrary to the rumors on the grapevine, in fact, the relationship between Jia Shu and Huang Shangzong was pure and simple; both were normal men, and they certainly did not share any sort of illicit relationship.

The bizarre rumors were all due to the contrasting personalities of Huang Shangzong and Jia Shu.

Huang Shangzong was energetic and bold in action, grand in demeanor, and protective of his own. His style of doing things was more overt than covert. He liked to overpower others with swaying momentum and to break rules with brute strength!

On the other hand, Jia Shu seemed gentle and shrewd, favoring intrigues and schemes...

Therefore, no matter how outsiders viewed them, these two didn't seem to belong to the same kind, let alone come together.

However, in reality, Jia Shu and Huang Shangzong genuinely shared a teacher-student relationship.

When Jia Shu was studying at the Military Officers' Academy, Huang Shangzong discovered this promising disciple and took him under his wing to begin his cultivation.

After Jia Shu graduated, Huang Shangzong first had him stay at the school as an instructor to accumulate experience for two years, then transferred him to the Investigation Bureau to start focused training.

Throughout the teaching period, Huang Shangzong always imparted grand and righteous paths.

But for some reason, Jia Shu, who studied earnestly and contemplated deeply, ended up taking a narrow, less-traveled path.

At first, Huang Shangzong was a bit shocked and doubted that Jia Shu was learning those devious schemes from someone else. But upon closer observation, he discovered that some of Jia Shu's methods did indeed bear some resemblance to his own...

Being broad-minded by nature, and adding that, other than his style of conduct, Jia Shu's capabilities were still excellent and no issues were heard about his character, Huang Shangzong didn't much mind...

Having recalled his relationship with Huang Shangzong, Jia Shu's gaze grew somewhat profound.

Although he hadn't completely ruined his prospects this time, he had taken a severe fall.

This accident had abruptly halted his rise in both rank and strength.

In the race for opportunities brought by the Cataclysm, this could very well cost him all chances of further advancement.

With this thought, a chill surfaced in Jia Shu's eyes.

'This matter cannot just be left at that.'

'I can't let all this time be wasted.'

'Even if I can't get a promotion for the time being, my strength must still break through.'

'Therefore, I must "Devour" Qiu Tu to become a Third Order Cataclysmic.'

'Only by becoming a Third Order Cataclysmic, will my abilities undergo a transformation. Only then can I truly glimpse the Domain that belongs to High Order Catastrophists.'

Thinking this, a cold glint flickered in Jia Shu's shadowy eyes.

As he watched the scenery swiftly receding outside the window, he remembered a "trump card" about Qiu Tu that he held in his hands.

As Jia Wei had said, Jia Shu's ability was "Shadow Devouring". This ability required devouring those who "have secrets" in order to continuously improve.

Thus... this ability also granted Jia Shu the power to "see" the magnitude of a person's secrets.

As early as when Qiu Tu had traversed and "first met" Jia Shu, Jia Shu was shocked.

He discovered that Qiu Tu was enveloped in a thick "darkness". That "darkness" was so vast it nearly covered the entire corridor, obscuring all vision.

But it must be known that Jia Shu had seen "Qiu Tu" before, and at that time, "Qiu Tu" didn't have a whiff of "darkness" about him, meaning he didn't have a shred of a secret.

As a result, having not seen him for just one day, Qiu Tu had acquired such a huge secret, which immediately piqued Jia Shu's curiosity.

That's why Jia Shu kept a continuous watch and tested Qiu Tu. Eventually, he discovered Qiu Tu's secret—he wasn't the original "Qiu Tu", but a soul from who knows where that had taken up residence in "Qiu Tu's" body.

And all of this was likely related to Larilo's arrival.

It was precisely for this reason that Jia Shu had been deliberately bringing Qiu Tu and Larilo together during this time to see what kind of chemical reaction would occur.

Now, although he had played his hand poorly, his "trump card" was still in play.

All he had to do was reveal this trump card, and Qiu Tu would 100% come under investigation by the Security Department and the Disciplinary Department; he would likely, like Jia Shu, lose his official identity.

In that case, wouldn't Qiu Tu, as an ordinary person, be at the mercy of Jia Shu's devouring?

'I can't give Qiu Tu any more time to grow. Strike the snake at its vital point, when cutting weeds, you must remove the roots!'

'If I don't take him down now, before he has taken off completely, it's hard to say if there will ever be another chance...'

Thinking this, Jia Shu made a silent decision in his heart.

He planned to call Yan Chen as soon as he arrived in Jingnan City and discuss the matter with her.

Based on his understanding of Yan Chen, as long as there was enough benefit, Yan Chen wouldn't care about the life or death of such a minor chief!

Just as Jia Shu was thinking this, he suddenly noticed the green jeep slowing to a stop.

He snapped back to attention and looked up to see that, not far ahead on the broken road, some ragged disaster survivors wielding sticks had moved many stones to block the road and set up a checkpoint.

In the Era of Disaster, the roads between cities were made from the decrepit highways of the pre-disaster era. It was common for disaster survivors to set up checkpoints along the way and charge a toll.

Typically, disaster survivors would scatter when they came across a large convoy, but if they encountered ordinary travelers or a small car, they would definitely try to extort a significant amount—unless those travelers or drivers had weapons.

Being a driver for Elder Huang, Old Ji was certainly no ordinary person.

Seeing the scene unfold, he decisively pulled out his handgun, leaned out the window, and fired a shot into the sky!

A loud "bang!" of the gunshot.

The disaster survivors who had blocked the road indeed scattered in all directions!

Although Jia Shu didn't see anything unusual, a vague sense of unease lingered in his heart...

It was as if something bad was about to happen.

His mind raced, trying to find any clue or unconsidered detail he might have missed.

But before he could think it through...

Suddenly, two groups of assailants burst out from both sides of the road!

They were hooded with uniform black knit balaclava hats, wore patches of worn tactical vests, carried rifles, and without hesitation began to wildly shoot at the jeep!

In front of the high-speed bullets, the jeep's doors and windows were as easily pierced as if made of paper!

Hundreds of bullets were fired unrestrained, raining upon Jia Shu and Old Ji!

Perhaps because the scene was so sudden, neither of them had even the chance to use their Cataclysmic abilities before they were riddled with holes!

As the bullets tore into Jia Shu's body, there wasn't a trace of pain on his face, only shock and disbelief!

After all... in his heart, he believed he should have had an unlimited future!

He was supposed to have the chance to devour Qiu Tu, to become a Third Order Catastrophist, to explore the world that belonged to High Order Catastrophists!

He should have been able to make a comeback and be active in the political scene of the Planning Area again!

How could he possibly die so abruptly here!

Who would dare commit such an outrage, daring to assassinate him at such a time!

Was it Qiu Tu?

But where would he get these large-caliber weapons specifically designed for Second Order Cataclysmics?

Was it the United Front?

But if the United Front wanted to attack him, they wouldn't know the exact timing of his expulsion to set up in advance, would they?

Then who was it....?

In that moment, time seemed to slow down.

At a certain instant, Jia Shu suddenly had a flash of realization and knew the answer!

It was Liu Xiongyuan!

Had he finally discovered the secret of that year's case?!

With this in mind, and thinking of Jia Wei who fell into Qiu Tu's hands, and how smoothly he had passed this incident...

A look of sudden realization finally appeared on Jia Shu's face...

'Indeed... when cutting weeds, you must remove the roots...'

'I understand this principle, and so does Qiu Tu...'

As he thought this, Jia Shu's body finally collapsed heavily onto the car!

The bullets continued to pour out ceaselessly; the two groups of assailants shot wildly as if it cost them nothing.

Finally, after shooting for over twenty seconds, the jeep exploded with a "boom!" and burst into flames, completely engulfed in fire.

Seeing this, the black-clad teams skillfully pulled out their instruments for a scan, and after confirming there were no survivors, they signalled each other and promptly withdrew!

From their appearance to Jia Shu's death, and then their departure, it all took less than a minute, a display of extremely well-trained execution!

Meanwhile, on a small hill not far from this section of road, a man wearing a clown mask and a suit watched the event unfold, clutching his stomach, and burst into wild, "hahaha" laughter.

While laughing, he said, "Brother, brother, so you have your day too?!"

"Hahahaha! So you have your day!"

As he laughed, tears streamed down his face, and his voice grew fierce, "You have your day too!!"

Just then, suddenly, an aged voice came into his ear, "Found you..."

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