101: Dianpo

The morning sun, peeking through a gap in the curtains, shone on Su Chen's face.

Su Chen sat up from the bed, looking around his familiar bedroom, feeling as if a lifetime had passed.

The frenzied roars of the beast tide, the rumble of the Purple Firmament Divine Lightning, the Moon Emperor's clone's icy killing intent… everything still felt like yesterday. But in reality, that brutal battle, which determined Jiangcheng's fate, had already ended a day ago.

He rubbed his forehead, recalling his conversation with the old general in front of the Security Department's encrypted communication screen yesterday.

Ultimately, he chose to accept the invitation and join the so-called "Pangu Project."

For Su Chen, joining an official organization indeed meant taking on corresponding responsibilities and inevitably being constrained by certain rules and procedures. But on the other hand, this identity would become one of the most effective aids on his path to revenge.

With the state as his backing, much information and many resources that would be difficult for him to obtain personally would become readily accessible. Moreover, he knew very well that, with his current strength, there must be Nascent Soul Realm or even stronger old monsters guarding within the official system, and cooperating with them at this stage was far wiser than opposing them.

Tomorrow, he would set off for Shangjing to come into contact with the most core secrets and power of this official body.

“Dong dong dong —”

A hurried and slightly impatient doorbell suddenly rang, interrupting his thoughts.

Su Chen frowned, pushed away Yue Yao, who had somehow wrapped around him again like an octopus and was sleeping soundly, casually put on a jacket, and walked to the door.

Opening the door, he saw a middle-aged woman dressed in a cyan Dao Hall uniform, with a rigid face and a cold expression.

Her gaze at Su Chen carried an undisguised scrutiny and condescension.

Before Su Chen could speak, she introduced herself in a stiff tone: “Su Chen? I am Zhu Tong, the coaching instructor of Hongsu Dao Hall and also Zhou Yuqing’s instructor.”

Hearing Zhou Yuqing's name, Su Chen's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, but his face showed no emotional fluctuation.

Zhu Tong stared at his reaction and continued, “She’s missing. Around the time the beast tide erupted, she completely lost contact.”

Su Chen's tone was flat, even carrying a hint of impatience: “She’s missing. What does that have to do with me?”

“Hmph,” Zhu Tong sneered, her eyes growing sharper, “The last person she contacted before she went missing was me! She said that after you became successful, you turned heartless and abandoned her, and she was going to find you to demand an explanation!”

She scanned Su Chen up and down, her words full of preconceived prejudice: “After all, although you, Su Chen, are not as dazzling as that ‘Thunder Emperor,’ you are considered a genius in Jiangcheng. Who knows if you did something to Yuqing to maintain your so-called ‘genius’ image, fearing that she would pester you endlessly and ruin your future?”

Her conclusion carried strong gender bias: “Men, once they have a little ability, they change their minds; none of them are any good!”

After hearing this, Su Chen not only didn't get angry but actually scoffed.

The next second, without any warning, he suddenly lifted his foot, moving so fast that Zhu Tong had no time to react!

“Bang!”

With a muffled thud, Zhu Tong felt a huge force slam into her abdomen. She was sent flying backward, as if hit by a speeding truck, screaming as she landed heavily on the ground outside the courtyard. The excruciating pain of broken ribs instantly surged through her, almost suffocating her.

Su Chen stood at the doorway, looking at Zhu Tong, who was writhing in pain on the ground, his voice devoid of any warmth:

“I don’t have time to deal with a crazy old woman like you.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that I’ve officially joined the Security Department and my identity has constraints,” he paused, the killing intent in his tone making Zhu Tong feel like she had fallen into an ice cellar, “just based on what you just said, you would already be a corpse. Understand?”

Su Chen was a man of his word. Since he decided to temporarily put on a “civilized” facade and abide by the official rules of the game, he would restrain himself to a certain extent. Even if someone offended him, he would try to handle it through “reasonable” official channels — for example, act first, then report.

Zhu Tong clutched her throbbing chest, staring at Su Chen in disbelief. She had never expected that this so-called “genius,” who looked so young, would be so arrogant and tyrannical, directly striking with such heavy force at the slightest disagreement! The intense pain and immense humiliation twisted her face.

“You’re crazy… you’re absolutely crazy!” she shrieked, gasping for breath due to the pain. “Zhou Yuqing was definitely killed by you! You have a guilty conscience!”

She tried to struggle to get up and leave, but found that her broken ribs made any slight movement excruciating, making it impossible for her to stand.

Su Chen didn’t bother to waste any more words with her and simply slammed the door shut with a “bang.”

Back inside, he shook his head, finding the situation absurd. He used the internal encrypted phone issued by the Security Department to dial a number directly.

The call was quickly connected, and Meng Cang's voice came through: “Hello? Su Chen!? What makes you want to contact me?”

He was clearly surprised that Su Chen had taken the initiative to call him.

Su Chen said indifferently: “Old Meng, it’s not that I’m criticizing you, but I really have to say a few words…”

Outside the door, Zhu Tong was trembling with pain and anger when she suddenly saw several cars bearing the Dao Hall Alliance logo speeding towards them, stopping not far away. The car doors opened, and Meng Cang, the President of the Dao Hall Alliance, actually got out himself and walked over quickly.

Zhu Tong looked as if she had seen a savior, enduring the severe pain, her face showing anticipation and surprise: “President Meng! It’s great that you’re here! That Su Chen, he…”

However, before she could finish speaking, Meng Cang, who had approached, had a livid expression and mercilessly raised his hand—

“Slap!”

A loud slap landed squarely on her face, completely stunning her.

Meng Cang was so angry that his beard trembled! Others might not know who the “Thunder Emperor” who saved Jiangcheng truly was, but he and Nan Mingde were among the few who did!

He couldn't afford to offend anyone, let alone this formidable figure!

This was the man who could single-handedly withstand a million-strong beast tide!

This Zhu Tong, in the Dao Hall, usually liked to form small groups for “her power” and “female independent awakening,” creating factions with extreme views. He had initially thought it was a minor matter and turned a blind eye.

Now it seemed she had completely lost her mind, daring to provoke Su Chen! This was clearly the result of his lax supervision!

“Zhu Tong!” Meng Cang’s voice was cold, carrying an undeniable authority, “I think you have overexerted your mind and need a long period of rest and recuperation. From today onwards, you no longer need to return to Hongsu Dao Hall, and your qualification as an Alliance coaching instructor is also revoked!”

Then, he no longer looked at the ashen-faced Zhu Tong, but turned around and bowed respectfully towards the gate of Su Chen’s villa, his attitude deferential.

The other Dao Hall personnel who had followed him immediately stepped forward and unceremoniously lifted Zhu Tong, who was slumped on the ground, dragging her towards the vehicles.

Zhu Tong was completely stunned; the burning pain on her face was far less than the shock and collapse in her heart.

She had never expected such an outcome!

Not only did the President not uphold justice for her, but he also bowed so humbly to that perpetrator, even directly stripping her of everything!

Endless grievances and anger overwhelmed her.

After the breakdown, an extreme obsession grew wildly in her heart.

She became even more convinced that Su Chen was the culprit behind Zhou Yuqing's murder!

And the Jiangcheng officials and the Dao Hall Alliance, because of Su Chen's potential and strength, chose to cover for him, colluding together!

“No… this matter cannot just be left like this!” She was roughly shoved into the car, but her eyes became unusually fierce and determined. “If there’s no fairness and justice in Jiangcheng, I refuse to believe there isn’t any in Shangjing!”

“I must… I must tell Yuqing’s sister about this! She will definitely have a way!”