Chapter 566: Shadows of Protocol
by xennovelWhen Lu Xin re-entered the meeting room, he immediately sensed a change in the atmosphere.
Everyone who had been present earlier was still there. Even Miss Sun, who had hurried back in a panic, had now changed into a black cheongsam with heavy bandages wrapped around her legs and sunglasses masking her face. She didn’t rush to speak, but showed no sign of retreat—simply taking her usual seat and silently watching Lu Xin.
Group Leader, too, had words on his mind, yet he held them back as if waiting for Lu Xin’s cue.
The man who had been desperately trying to speak moments before now seemed oddly calm.
“How is your discussion coming along?”
Lu Xin stepped further into the room and positioned himself beside Group Leader, not sitting down but posing a routine question.
His tone and expression were unremarkable, yet others exchanged worried glances as though facing an imminent threat. Finally, a man clad in a black suit stood up to speak. Lu Xin recalled that he had introduced this man to Miss Sun when she entered, a young official in his thirties who, despite his age, clearly held significant stature in Heichao City.
“Sir…”
Nodding at Lu Xin, the official lowered his voice, “I apologize, but may I ask what your identity is…”
Lu Xin nodded in acknowledgement and replied, “It’s alright. I am the captain of the Qinggang Special Pollution Cleanup Support Team—Single Soldier.”
He then glanced at Gecko and said, “That gentleman is our vice-captain.”
“Ah?”
Gecko, having been identified, tilted his head coolly and nodded subtly at the others in the room.
His expression and posture exuded the poise of a seasoned expert.
Yet inwardly he felt a twinge of unease: “How did they manage to single me out?”
“With so many watching, shouldn’t I have remained hidden instead of being singled out?”
“…”
“As expected…”
Upon hearing Lu Xin’s self-identification, a heavy tension fell over everyone.
Everyone present had already come face-to-face with Han Bing and were aware that she represented the Qinggang Support Team. As astute individuals, they knew the formidable reputation of this team. Yet they were clueless about its exact numbers or their respective positions. Although someone had inquired earlier, Han Bing had brushed it off with a casual laugh.
Thus, only Han Bing and Red Serpent were visible among the support team personnel to the watchful eyes of the crowd.
Now that Lu Xin and Gecko had both declared their identities, it did little to surprise anyone; a subtle heaviness settled in.
From the beginning, the captain had aligned with Group Leader while the vice-captain stayed close by his side.
Doesn’t that clearly indicate their support for Group Leader?
And doesn’t it also imply that Qinggang’s aim is to sever Heichao City’s very roots?
Many began to feel a rising apprehension.
The young official from Heichao City, dressed in a black suit, gulped as if his throat had closed, though he quickly masked his unease with a formal tone: “I see. Please pardon our Single Soldier Captain; Heichao City has been thrown into disarray by this sudden attack. Once order is restored, we will immediately express our gratitude to Qinggang.”
“Furthermore, the assistance provided by your expert group will be forever remembered by us…”
“…”
How considerate…
Lu Xin, contemplating, nodded slightly and said, “No need for eternal gratitude—the payment will be made as agreed.”
“…”
The black-suited official’s composure shattered for a moment before he managed to say, “It will be as you say.”
Lu Xin nodded in satisfaction, “That’s good enough.”
“…”
What is with this unexpectedly harmonious atmosphere?
“But…”
After regrouping his thoughts, the young official continued, “Heichao City has its own laws and administrative system, along with its regulations. Despite the current chaos, now is precisely when we need to clarify matters and swiftly restore order and vitality. The appearance of you—Group Leader—and the Single Soldier Captain has left us somewhat confused…”
“I have a few questions to ask…”
He produced some documents he had just organized on the table and said, “When Group Leader barged into our meeting demanding to take charge of the Heichao Administration Hall, was that his own idea or a demand from Qinggang?”
“Also, he mentioned rooting out the black grass business in Heichao City—a matter I fundamentally agree with.”
“Cracking down on black grass is our shared responsibility.”
“However, these concerns are inherently Heichao City’s own affairs, matters we must handle step by step.”
“Yet Group Leader seems to dismiss our opinions. Is he implying he represents the Single Soldier Captain?”
“…”
After his questions, he gently set the documents aside, his face calm as he earnestly fixed his gaze on Lu Xin.
He had left no stone unturned in his inquiry…
Lu Xin smoothly understood the point he was making.
With every standpoint clearly stated and positions drawn, it seemed he was now pressing Lu Xin to take a stance.
If Lu Xin represented Qinggang, the Alliance would instantly face intense pressure.
If he represented himself, the implications would be far graver.
An Ability User forcing an entire city—this was a colossal issue.
In that case, he would no longer be the captain of a Qinggang support team; he would become the Ability User assaulting Heichao City.
He acknowledged the clever rhetoric at play, aware it also exposed his own vulnerability.
Not one for eloquence, he simply couldn’t outtalk others.
So he quietly turned to the black-suited official and said, “I have one question.”
“Uh…”
The official had intended to say, ‘I should be the one asking first,’ but under Lu Xin’s steady gaze, the words failed him.
After a brief pause, he finally managed, “Please, Single Soldier Captain.”
Lu Xin nodded and asked seriously, “In Heichao City, is engaging in the black grass business also illegal?”
“This…”
The black-suited official was momentarily perplexed—not because the question was challenging, but rather because it was so simple.
He glanced around, seeking hints from others, but Lu Xin’s unwavering stare left him no choice but to reply meekly, “Of course. Heichao City strictly prohibits black grass.”
Lu Xin nodded again and added, “Does that mean anyone coming into contact with black grass must be punished?”
“This…”
The official couldn’t grasp what Lu Xin was implying and sensed something was off, so he hesitated to answer rashly.
In a situation of mental overload, a few words spilled out, “We can’t simply label it so. Black grass is a unique substance—it can be used to produce medicine or even cure patients. Its trafficking is undoubtedly wrong, but given its multifaceted uses, we must consider it judiciously. Even in Central City, the laws regarding black grass are complex and…”
“What you say is correct,” interrupted Lu Xin, his gaze unwavering. “But I’m just asking: is it illegal to deal with black grass?”
“…”
The black-suited official, struggling to maintain composure, could only nod.
His gaze, losing some control, shifted awkwardly toward Miss Sun and a few others.
At that moment, Lu Xin’s eyes also turned to them as he softly said, “He didn’t object to what was just said, did he?”
“…”
Silence reigned in the meeting room.
Although his questions seemed reasonable, no one dared respond for fear of falling into a trap.
Lu Xin nodded and said, “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Single Soldier Captain…”
Just then, the official in the black suit could no longer hold back and, gathering his courage, blurted, “The question you asked earlier…”
“The question never really existed,” Lu Xin replied softly, “After all, isn’t the purpose behind dealing with black grass obvious? Don’t others know it better than we do?”
“…”
The black-suited official’s composure shattered again, his expression turning peculiar.
But Lu Xin had no intention of further explanation. He turned to Group Leader and said, “According to regulations, I cannot interfere in Heichao City’s affairs. While I support your determination, I’m afraid I cannot help you any further in this matter.”
Group Leader froze, his expression a mix of shock and confusion.
Everyone around him was equally stunned, as if they hadn’t fully grasped the situation.
At the same time, Lu Xin turned and left the meeting room.
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what was happening.
Meanwhile, throughout Heichao City, mysterious figures were beginning to make decisions based on the news that had just spread. They were now heading toward the Administration Hall in the Second Satellite City, each with their own mix of emotions.
Some sat in sleek black sedans, their gazes icy and indifferent.
Others, clad in tight red ninja attire, strolled nonchalantly across the rooftops of various buildings.
Some slipped through obscure shadows, eyes cold and averse to light, yet brimming with undeniable confidence.
The moment they received the news, they were all in a daze.
They had been fully prepared—so why was the situation unfolding so differently?
Could it be that Qinggang’s Ability Users felt the pressure and decided to yield?
“…”
At that moment, as Lu Xin emerged from the meeting room, his shadow began to spread along the corridor.
The guards in the hallway subconsciously rubbed their eyes—how could it be that with the sun blazing outside, the corridor felt as if it were plunged into darkness?
“I know you’ve always wanted to leave but never had the chance,”
Lu Xin murmured to the expanding black shadow as he walked, “Now I give you your opportunity.”
“I know that during your previous executions, through the essence of the Scarecrow, you penetrated the minds of everyone in this city and haunted them like a nightmare. That very foundation allowed you to become the spirit overlord of this city; you can remain in their psyche and mete out punishment when they violate the law.”
“Let’s call it…”
He pondered for a moment before finding the right words, “an appropriate airing?”
“…”
In the increasingly darkened corridor, a hollow laugh suddenly echoed—growing louder, more joyous.
“Are you serious?”
“You’re handing over this city to me directly?”
“…”
“Don’t laugh like that—sounds devilish,”
Lu Xin replied softly, then nodded, “I’m certain.”
“And I’m also sure that I haven’t violated anything; I merely provided the law with the deterrence it deserves.”