Chapter 477: Return to the Capital

Capital Airport No. 2.

It was already dusk. Under a blood-red sunset, the metal-built airport gleamed as the silver fighter jets reflected rippling red light.

The usually quiet airport had grown unusually restless.

A large contingent of Military soldiers closed in silently, while several well-informed Third-Stage Awakened individuals arrived from all directions, casually ‘strolling’ around to gather intel.

There was nothing unusual about the landing fighter jet; even the flight report didn’t mention any top-level officials.

Yet, once the jet touched down, the entire Standby Airport brimmed with people – or, rather, informants.

“Is Yenir back?”

“The new Honorary Committee Member?”

“What is he doing here now? Wasn’t it said he deliberately left the Capital to lay low?”

“Yeah, I heard that this kid… or rather, this guy used some excuse to get out of the Capital.”

“Who knows… perhaps it’s because of that incident a few days back…”

“What incident? I only know Committee Member Lu brought back a load of spirit energy ore just days ago!”

“What, you haven’t heard? I bet Yenir got so pissed he rushed back to complain.”

“Tsk tsk. If it were me, I’d complain too. But who knows if he went mad with anger… going up against Committee Member Lu is a one-way ticket to trouble…”

“Shh, mind your words. If this guy ends up complaining to the Prime Minister and making a scene, it might actually work! Throwing a fit might even give the PM a headache…”

Whether out of gossip, mockery, or sheer curiosity.

Once word leaked from within the Air Force that Yenir had returned to the Capital, scores of Awakeners from various factions flocked over, all eager for the spectacle.

Many even started betting on whether Yenir would immediately cause a ruckus once he stepped off the jet, crying out that his stuff had been snatched.

….

From the best vantage point in the crowd, a plainclothes Third-Stage Awakened observed Yenir disembarking from the jet without a trace of emotion.

Unlike the others rushing to greet him with friendly chatter, his gaze was fixed on scrutinizing Yenir’s gear.

Unfortunately, beneath the black-red combat uniform, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Even the image of Yenir we’d expected – storming out all furious after landing – appeared uncharacteristically calm and oddly composed.

“Committee Member Lu, I’ve got a sighting of Yenir.”

“It’s just him and his Protectors – no one else in sight.”

“His strength seems unchanged, and he isn’t carrying any extra equipment.”

The short-haired youth quickly messaged Lu Tianming, his eyes betraying a hint of puzzlement.

He knew that although Committee Member Lu outwardly appeared indifferent to Yenir, in reality he had personnel watching every person linked to him.

He had come to secure the firsthand details.

Yenir inexplicably went to Far Frontier and then rushed back. Who’s to say nothing significant went down?

“So his strength remains the same?”

At the Capital Core, on the balcony of a three-story villa, Lu Tianming stared off into the distance, his furrowed brow hinting at hidden concerns.

“Keep a close watch on his movements now that he’s back, and report to me at once if anything arises!”

“If all goes as expected, he’ll probably head straight for the Prime Minister – or maybe even the Military?”

He let out a cold laugh.

Once he confirmed that none of his men had noticed any extra gear or a boost in Yenir’s strength, Lu Tianming breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

While others had no idea why Yenir went to Far Frontier, he was privy to some insider details.

“That kid apparently wanted to hunt down some special mutated materials… or rather, certain ones.”

“It’s probably linked to his talent, the one that can amplify abilities!”

“But judging by his demeanor, he didn’t manage to grab anything…”

Gripping the railing with both hands, Lu Tianming slowly raised a hand to light a cigarette, taking a satisfying drag as his mood lightened.

Enhancing one’s innate talent with special mutated materials wasn’t unusual among Awakeners after the apocalypse.

Some unique talents even demanded a specific environment to truly flourish.

He had a rough sense of Yenir’s talent – intel hinted that the kid might have a mental attack ability, which made him extremely wary.

After bribing the Military in the East Sea Battle Zone, he got his hands on records showing that Yenir once unleashed a mental storm over the East Sea!

“Bypassing defenses? At least a hundred meters away! Instant activation, plus a control effect—truly a bizarre talent!”

“The records even showed he could instantly seriously injure a peer Awakened… and if he got stronger, a single misstep might even cause me trouble!”

Exhaling a smoke ring, Lu Tianming chuckled lightly, clearly unfazed by it.

In his estimation, that little bastard had the nerve to challenge him solely because he banked on that ability!

Beyond the Third Stage, an Awakened’s toughest attribute to improve is willpower. And this kid, supposedly an all-rounder, had every attribute on point! If he further amplified his talent, who knows what Yenir would do to me!

“Planning to use mental shock to control me and then launch a sword technique to break through my defenses?”

“Not a bad idea, but unfortunately, it’s useless…”

“Among peers, maybe it could indeed be a threat to me…”

While muttering to himself, a flash of white light emanated from Lu Tianming’s hand, revealing a small white crystal.

He knew well: dismiss it strategically, yet value it tactically.

Although he doubted Yenir’s mental attack would affect him, to be safe – in case that little bastard further honed his talent to his detriment – he had splurged on a will defense device!

Now it appears it might have been a bit wasted.

“Committee Member Lu, that kid doesn’t seem to have come back due to the ore incident…”

“I think he… seems oddly calm, almost giving off an eerie vibe…”

Observing Yenir in silence, his reporting subordinate hesitated briefly before sending word.

He noted nothing unusual about Yenir, not even a trace of anger – as if he was completely oblivious to the ore incident.

“Isn’t he here to complain?”

“Ha, leave him be and let him play along! If it’s not about this incident, what’s brought him back?”

“Keep him under surveillance, and dispatch a few to go provoke him!”

“Aren’t the flags ready? Get them delivered to his place; say it’s to thank him for Yenir’s support of our Army!”

“I bet this kid can’t keep his cool!”

Snuffing out his cigarette, Lu Tianming coldly fixed his gaze beyond the city.

If possible, he wouldn’t mind dragging two of Yenir’s underlings out of the Hospital for a public shaming.

He had his pretext ready – blaming Yenir for lax discipline, letting his men engage in corruption, thereby harming national interests!

Too bad Zhao Hongtu was shielding them; otherwise, with such humiliation, he was 90% sure Yenir would have already attacked him!

“Three months?”

“I can’t wait that long!”

Little did anyone know, at that very moment, he and Yenir were thinking exactly alike.

Strangely, both were eager to strike first – ready to dispatch the other without delay!

“A Third-Stage Advanced taking on a beginner?”

“He could crush Yenir with a single flick of his finger!”