The Bronze Plan has temporarily come to a close, and Manstein organized the task process into a report to submit to the Cassel Board of Directors.
However, there was something that bothered Manstein — the board's attitude toward Lu Mingfei seemed rather intriguing.
Normally, after Lu Mingfei's sudden appearance, his astonishing combat strength, and his deep familiarity with the Bronze Purgatory Seven Deadly Sins, an inspection would be carried out to confirm the stability and safety of his S-rank bloodline. But surprisingly, the board had no reaction this time.
It was as if they had known about it in advance, even instructing Manstein to hand over the "Bronze Purgatory Seven Deadly Sins" directly to Lu Mingfei for safekeeping.
Manstein furrowed his brow. His instincts told him that there seemed to be some kind of "tacit understanding" or perhaps even an agreement between the board and Lu Mingfei.
Beyond that, he couldn't figure out why the board was handling Lu Mingfei's case in such an unusually calm manner.
"Hilbert... what exactly are you plotting?" Manstein leaned over the desk, setting down his pen, and massaged his tired brow. Just as he was about to rest, a knock on the door interrupted him. He straightened up and looked toward the door. "Come in."
The person who entered was Nono, her hair tied in a high ponytail, wearing faded blue jeans and a white tank top that exuded a youthful energy.
"Professor Manstein, the board called and requested the immediate retrieval of the 'Dragon Bone' from the King of Bronze and Fire," the young woman said as she handed over a file.
Noticing the exhaustion from the intense work in Manstein's demeanor, she asked with concern, "Professor, do you want to take a break?"
"After this busy period," Manstein waved his hand, sighing. "Besides, leaving the Dragon King's remains at the bottom of the river doesn't sit well. It's better to pack them up and bring them back soon."
"True, the board probably can't wait to 'meet' the Dragon King," Nono nodded approvingly.
The hybrid secret faction had existed for over a thousand years, but this was the first time anyone had truly killed the "Dragon King." No one could resist the urge to see it for themselves.
Moreover, Manstein was right.
The longer Norton's Dragonbone Cross stays at the bottom of the river, the more unstable factors it will accumulate.
If it attracts the attention of certain mad secret societies, things could go wrong. It's better to resolve it as soon as possible rather than drag it out.
"Alright, I'll arrange the salvage operation as soon as possible."
Nono added.
"Thank you, Nono," Manstein nodded. After a moment of thought, he asked, "How's everyone else doing?"
"Caesar and Chu Zihang were sent back for treatment. Xia Mi is still on leave, and Lu Mingfei said he'll go to Cassel after handling things." Nono briefly updated him on everyone's current situation.
Manstein fell into a brief silence, his brows furrowed as if considering something. Finally, he lowered his voice and asked meaningfully, "What do you think of Xia Mi?"
"Which aspect are you referring to?"
Nono seemed to have anticipated the question and wasn't surprised by Manstein mentioning Xia Mi.
"Everything."
Manstein spoke gravely, "I need your judgment. You're the expert on this."
Nono had a special ability: she could profile someone's psychology. The deeper her understanding, the more accurate the result would be.
This was exactly why Manstein asked Nono; he already had some suspicions but needed stronger evidence.
"Xia Mi is hiding some secrets."
Nono lifted the strands of her hair, her bright eyes glimmering with a faint light as she entered a state of profiling:
"She knows a lot about the Dragon Clan. During the time on the ship, she subtly pointed out key issues several times. She also carries a trace of sorrow over the death of Dragon King Norton. It's very likely that they knew each other, but considering Norton's human identity, there's no connection between them."
At this point, she paused and didn't continue the profile.
Manstein naturally guessed the reason for Nono's pause. A deep furrow formed between his brows, his face full of worry as he sighed:
"I understand. For now, don't tell anyone about this. I'll report it to the principal personally."
"Alright."
Nono nodded lightly, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't say the words she was thinking.
She suspected that Xia Mi and Chu Zihang had known each other for a long time, and that there was some sort of hidden secret between them.
Although Xia Mi hid it well, she couldn't escape Nono's keen eyes. Every time she looked at Chu Zihang, there was always a subtle emotion in her clear eyes, something that was barely perceptible.
In the pitch-black night, an old man, wearing a flower-patterned robe, walked into a subway tunnel with wooden sandals.
A green mist, like an incoming tide, surged towards him, and the biting cold from it made the old man shiver involuntarily. He wrapped his flower-patterned coat tighter around himself.
"Ugh, it's really cold. I should have dressed warmer." The old man muttered in complaint.
"I'm almost ninety, and I still have to run around doing other people's dirty work. What a heartless boss. At least, considering my injuries, they should've given me a few more days of rest."
In the damp tunnel, a chilling wind blew, creating a mournful, low wail. The path ahead was pitch dark, as if it led to the underworld.
Suddenly, a series of faint sounds came through the tunnel, carried by the cold wind.
"Oh, are they here to welcome me?"
The old man stopped walking, hands tucked into his sleeves. He looked up at the depths of the tunnel, his golden pupils glowing.
Despite the lack of light in the tunnel, his exceptional vision allowed him to clearly see the creatures hidden within the patterns of the tunnel's rock walls—bat-like beings stretching their small bones, unfolding membranous wings, their clawed fingers at the tips of their wings, and their bodies shining with a bronze-like luster.
Clearly, those creatures were awakened by the reckless intruders of the tunnel. Countless golden eyes, full of hunger and greed, lit up the darkness of the tunnel like candles.
"Kamaitachi? How rare, I thought these things were extinct."
An old man's eyes flickered with surprise, but it quickly faded, and he calmly said, "Hey, can you understand human speech? I'm here to visit your master. Can you please move out of the way?"
But clearly, these "beasts" couldn't understand him, and even if they did, they wouldn't listen.
The "Kamaitachi" that had just awakened were incredibly eager for fresh blood.
Just like Caesar's Word Soul, named after these monstrous beings, these "Kamaitachi" also had the power to control wind.
The tunnel was filled with them—thousands, maybe tens of thousands—screeching in unison, their sharp cries reverberating through the tunnel like a resonating echo.
"Tch, looks like negotiation is off the table."
The old man sighed deeply, his face full of helplessness as he said, "In that case, I'll have to kill all of you."
Suddenly, a pitch-black corona appeared without warning. The terrifying gravitational force emitted by it pulled the flying Kamaitachi towards it.
The entire tunnel seemed to shake as fierce cracks spread out from the old man's feet, stretching to the walls in all directions.
The Kamaitachi were dragged towards the black corona by the gravity, but before they could get close, they were incinerated by the intense heat.
The old man—no, Uesugi Koeru—his double eyes burning with molten gold flames, stood as if an unstoppable force, releasing his Word Soul 'Black Sun.'
Step by step, he advanced deeper into the tunnel. Tens of thousands of Kamaitachi screamed in panic, but they couldn't escape the pull of gravity, all being dragged into the flames and reduced to ashes.
Finally, a tall figure appeared at the end of the tunnel.
"Human. Are you provoking me?!"
The aura of authority was like a tsunami, instantly filling the entire tunnel, creating a violent gust of wind.
"The true master has finally shown up. I thought I'd have to wait longer."
Uesugi Koeru retracted the Black Sun and then looked at the tall figure, lowering his head slightly in respect. "I am Uesugi Koeru. It's an honor to meet you, King of the Earth and Mountain!"
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