Chapter 58: The End? Nonsense!

“This matter must be explained!”
The young man at the front spoke with a cold expression, his sharp gaze fixed on the members of the Research Institute.

The people from the Research Institute fell silent.
At that moment, bitterness overwhelmed them.
The dignified Research Institute, the most prestigious place in every city, had been forced into such a position.

Should they kill everyone here?
Nonsense!
Even leaving aside whether they could manage it, if they did, how would they answer to the powers behind these youths?
How would they explain themselves to all of humanity?
The brightest talents from half the district had come to the Research Institute to absorb spiritual energy—if all died, countless important figures would be enraged.

If they did not kill, how could they offer an explanation?

A dry cough rang out.
“Everyone, the responsibility for this incident does indeed lie with our Research Institute,” came a slow, deliberate voice.

An elderly man walked forward, carrying a severed head in his hand.

“You are… Director Deng!”
Someone cried out in surprise.

Old Li had already approached Fang Qingyun, whispering, “I’ve met him before. He’s the Deputy Director of the Research Institute, Deng Wen.”

“This young friend bore a tremendous burden of ten thousand pounds, all because someone was up to mischief,” Deng Wen declared, his words stunning everyone present.

He admitted it?
Were they planning to kill them all to silence the witnesses?

No—
After the initial shock, many turned their attention to the head Deng Wen held.

“This is the Director of our Research Institute’s Spiritual Pressure Chamber,” Deng Wen said, looking at the head and sighing softly. “Who would have thought he would be bribed and commit such deeds? When we found him, he had already poisoned himself, but even so, I took his head.”

“As for the others, they were merely fulfilling their duties.”

The Director of the Spiritual Pressure Chamber?
Everyone’s expression changed slightly.

Without question, the Spiritual Pressure Chamber was one of the most crucial departments in the Research Institute. As its Director, his status was extremely high, likely equal to an ordinary Deputy Director.

Was this the explanation the Research Institute offered?

Fang Qingyun glanced at the youths who had followed him out.
Their expressions had eased considerably.

It was no wonder.
They had followed Fang Qingyun out of concern for themselves.
What happened to Fang Qingyun could just as easily happen to them—they were fighting for their own interests.

Now, the Research Institute had given an explanation and sacrificed a high-ranking figure. They had no wish to pursue the matter further.

The Director of the Spiritual Pressure Chamber carried far more weight than any of them.
Moreover, this incident might well be genuine.
Such a high-level figure, dead in such a way—without solid evidence, those above would never let it rest.

Fang Qingyun looked to Old Li.

Old Li nodded slightly and said, “In that case, may we leave now?”

“Certainly,” Deng Wen smiled, his gaze drifting to the pitch-black lion, and added, “What happened today was a misunderstanding. Let’s leave it at that.”

“Then we’ll take our leave,” Old Li replied calmly. “If we linger here, who knows what the City Lord will think. Qingyun, Junhong, let’s go.”

Old Li led the two young men away in large strides.

No one stopped them; only silent stares followed their departure.
Especially the Research Institute members, whose eyes burned with anger and murderous intent.

As for the others, some chose to leave, while others returned to the Spiritual Pressure Chamber.

Once everyone was gone, the gentle smile never left Deng Wen’s face.
He remained as kindly as ever.

He glanced at the Research Institute member whose eye Fang Qingyun had destroyed and said softly, “Get an electronic eye, or have one transplanted.”

“Yes!”
The man dared not meet Deng Wen’s gaze, hurriedly nodding.

“Clean up the place. The rest is no concern of yours.”
Deng Wen tossed out these words, turned, and left without waiting for a reply.

Was the matter truly resolved?
Of course not.
The remaining issues would be handled among Flower City’s upper echelons. Not only Fang Qingyun, but even Old Li had no right to get involved.

…

“What are your thoughts?”
After leaving the Research Institute and getting in the car, Old Li finally let out a long sigh of relief.

“Furious. This isn’t over,” Fang Qingyun answered coldly.

Old Li forced a smile. “You may want it settled, but they don’t. Consider it—walls destroyed by you, people blinded by you, the Spiritual Pressure Chamber in ruins… do you think they’ll let it go? Or what could you do?”

Fang Qingyun turned, staring at Old Li in disbelief. “Has our race really come to this?”

They were clearly the victims!
These young, aspiring warriors—the district’s best—had suffered public persecution.

Old Li was silent for a moment. “Most are still good. But some, after long peace, find war too distant and begin to think differently.”

“And some are extreme, believing only their way is right.”

“The conflict between the Research Institute and warriors is one such case. Both sides are convinced that only under their leadership can humanity defeat the monsters.”

“Of course, there are always idiots who think sacrificing a few will save the many.”

“Flower City’s Research Institute may well have people like that.”

Old Li turned to Fang Qingyun, his voice grave. “You are too unusual.”

“You said you withstood ten thousand pounds of pressure. Your speed and strength exceed ordinary warriors by far. You’re nothing like a newly-initiated warrior. You also have a summoned beast. It’s no surprise that some with ulterior motives target you.”

“Damn it!”

Fang Qingyun cursed violently.

He understood Old Li’s meaning.
He was that “small portion.”
If someone could extract secrets from him, sacrificing him would be worthwhile for some—because it could raise many others.
It benefited the greater good!

Twisted reasoning!
Absolutely outrageous.

“Is there nothing we can do about this?”
Fang Qingyun’s voice was barely restrained anger.

He’d always had good circumstances in school, was well-off, rarely encountered trouble.
Now, confronted by such a mess, he was disgusted—deeply so, from the core of his being.
He almost wanted to spit in the faces of those Research Institute people.

“Old Zhao was injured!”

He glanced at Zhao Junhong, who seemed calm.

“You’re not angry?”

“I’m a noble.”

“You’re a—” Fang Qingyun was about to curse, then suddenly understood what Zhao Junhong meant.
As a noble, he was already accustomed to such events.

Zhao Junhong sighed softly. “I warned you before we came—not to think too highly of these people.”

“Well, if you’re not angry, why should I be?”
Fang Qingyun sneered coldly. “You’re the one who’s hurt, not me. If you don’t care, what’s there for me to say?”

Old Li looked worriedly at Fang Qingyun. “Qingyun, I know you’re frustrated, but you’ve only just broken through to warrior. And judging by your strength, you wouldn’t be…”

“Hmph!”
Fang Qingyun snorted, waving his hand. “Old Li, that’s my secret. Don’t ask. Just take me home!”

“Relax—I’m not stupid.”

Old Li and Zhao Junhong exchanged glances and nodded.

At the doorstep, Fang Qingyun suddenly said, “Old Li, I remember you promised me a second-grade weapon, right?”

“Yes.”
Old Li pulled at his lips. “This time, I won one from Fatty Wang. I promised to craft you a second-grade weapon. What kind do you want?”

“Also, Principal Sun said he’d give you a custom fourth-grade weapon. You’d better decide on the type.”

Fang Qingyun didn’t hesitate. “Give me a second-grade blade. For the custom weapon, I want a gun—a sniper rifle!”