Chapter 57

After emerging from the Dark Realm space, Zhu Ming, Wenren Tu, and Yun Zouchuan didn’t immediately disperse.

“Boss, where did your bow go?”

Yun Zouchuan poked Zhu Ming’s shoulder curiously. Inside the dungeon, Zhu Ming had kept the bow slung on her back the whole time, very conspicuous. Such a large object couldn’t be easily hidden.

Zhu Ming flexed her shoulder blades, also puzzled. “Maybe it flew off on its own?”

Before entering the dungeon, the Zhuque Bow hadn’t been in her hands. It wasn’t there upon exiting either. But perhaps that was for the best; the Zhu Family wouldn’t discover it, saving her some trouble.

Yun Zouchuan didn’t have a weapon either. The only one who’d brought a weapon out was Wenren Tu, but unfortunately, this knife was rather useless to her.

Habitually, Wenren Tu pulled out her little notebook to record everything that had happened in the dungeon: the explicit and implicit rules, the game flow, matters needing attention, unsolved mysteries, and participant details.

Since the three hadn’t been together the whole time, Zhu Ming and Yun Zouchuan kept her company while she wrote, supplementing observations from their individual perspectives.

They recorded right up until the moment everyone submitted their answer sheets before the giant Six-Armed Goddess statue, just before the final exam.

Wenren Tu twirled her pen, thinking: “I still feel there’s something off about the Ruler Group. Did Sun Ningning have a mental lapse? Sacrificing herself?”

But Zhu Ming knew more. She recalled what Yin Yu had said: “She might not have been willing. Bai Lianxue very likely has a Mind Control type ability. That would explain a lot of things.”

“She controlled Sun Ningning into jumping in voluntarily?” Wenren Tu was secretly alarmed. “That kind of ability is hard to guard against.”

This dungeon had forced everyone to appear under their real names. Wenren Tu highlighted Bai Lianxue’s name with emphasis, indicating she would report it upon returning.

“When are you reinstated?” Zhu Ming asked.

“Once my suspension’s over,” Wenren Tu mumbled.

Yun Zouchuan, who had been at school and completely unaware of Wenren Tu’s suspension, looked utterly confused. “What happened?”

“Nothing, just a minor issue.” It wasn’t exactly glorious, so better not to bring it up and be a bad influence on the kid.

Wenren Tu yawned. “The living conditions in the dungeon were way too harsh, not a drop of oil or fat. I’ve starved myself thin. How about it, let’s go out for a feast tonight? My treat.”

The rich girl was treating; the two broke friends naturally wouldn’t refuse. But after four hours of desperate struggling in the dungeon, all three were tired. They agreed to go back to their rooms to rest first and head out in the evening.

Zhu Ming tossed aside the ill-fitting clothes she’d borrowed from Sun Ningning, showered, and slept for a while.

Once they’d gathered some energy, the three caught a cab and headed out. Wenren Tu had pre-ordered a whole roast lamb that afternoon. The three ate until their bellies nearly burst before returning, completely satisfied.

The last two days of the National Day holiday passed quickly. Yun Zouchuan crammed her homework furiously and just managed to finish it before school started again.

Wenren Tu’s suspension ended right as the holiday did, so she also left. The entire studio was left with just Zhu Ming, all alone again.

No, wait, almost forgot there was one more person: the studio’s little volunteer, Tang Qiaoqi.

“Boss Zhu!”

When Tang Qiaoqi came over, Zhu Ming was just about to head out. She’d signed up for an archery hobby class and was preparing for her lesson.

“Yo, if it isn’t our Qiqi-chan. Why are you looking at me like that?”

Tang Qiaoqi gave a dry laugh internally. She had intended to keep a closer eye on this studio during the holiday, but who knew Zhu Ming and Yun Zouchuan would vanish without a word? Failing to find them, she had almost suspected they’d realized they were exposed and fled.

“Boss Zhu, where did you go before? I tried calling, but couldn’t get through.”

Zhu Ming shrugged. “Went for closed training.”

“Closed training for what?”

“That kind of stuff, obviously.” Zhu Ming gave a mysterious smile, ruffled Miss Qiqi’s hair, and said, “I’m heading out. Come back next time.”

With that, she coolly rode off on her little three-wheeler, leaving a puff of exhaust and Tang Qiaoqi behind.

…

Anomaly Management Bureau.

Wenren Tu brought her report to see her superior. She’d just been reinstated and didn’t know if the Minister had any further instructions.

Her superior was a cheerful, straightforward Big Sister, surnamed Qin. After flipping through the report, she couldn’t help but praise her: “You got suspended, yet you still went out finding work yourself. Don’t you know how to take a break?”

Wenren Tu shrugged. “I had free time anyway. Plus, it was coincidence; a friend received an Invitation Letter.”

“These two friends of yours, Zhu Ming and Yun Zouchuan… are they really not interested in joining our Management Bureau?”

“Don’t even think about it, Ma’am. At best, they might act as external consultants. Besides, the younger one is still in school.”

Minister Qin had actually received a refusal before, so another rejection wasn’t surprising. She shook her head. “Hopefully, the kid will change her mind after graduation.”

“Oh right, Minister, does the name Bai Lianxue ring a bell? Is there a file on her in our records?”

Minister Qin said, “Leave that matter alone. Actually, having you back today makes me very happy. I expect your team members are too. But this mess you caused… the Director knows about it. She wants to see you the moment you return.”

Wenren Tu’s scalp prickled, a bitter look instantly appearing on her face. “Understood. I’ll go right away.”

To avoid the Director—who was also the Wenren Family Head and her own maternal cousin-aunt, Wenren Bai—Wenren Tu had been steering clear of the Wenren Family during her suspension. But what had to come, would come. She still had to go get scolded.

Sigh. Truthfully, Wenren Bai wasn’t overly strict, but for some reason, Wenren Tu just found her intimidating.

After dawdling for a bit, Wenren Tu still trudged slowly towards the Director’s office.

People kept passing her by on the way. It was noon, and everyone was heading to the cafeteria for lunch. To reach Wenren Bai, one also had to pass the cafeteria area.

“Hey, look, look. Isn’t that the very famous someone from Field Operations?”

“Wenren Tu?”

“Yeah. I heard she beat two people so badly they pissed their pants, and only got suspended for a week.”

“Why? That’s way too lenient.”

“Shh! She’s coming over here.”

The two gossiping quickly lowered their heads, pretending to focus on their food, stealing glances out of the corner of their eyes as Wenren Tu disappeared around a corner without changing expression. Then they resumed chatting.

“Don’t you know? She’s not just famous in Field Ops, she’s famous in other departments too.”

“Because of the Wenren Family?”

“What else?” The person smirked, winking and frowning. “Who else in the Bureau dares to act so wild, not dressing properly every day, showing off her belly button everywhere? It’s because she’s from the Wenren family. Ah, born with a silver spoon. We can’t compete.”

“It’s not that exaggerated, is it? Sure, her surname’s Wenren, but her ability… I mean, the other Wenrens in the Bureau aren’t like this. And she’s just a peripheral member of the Wenren family. Doesn’t have that many privileges, right.”

“Naive, aren’t you? You clearly don’t know the whole story.” The person looked up, saw people at the next table casting curious glances, and quickly pulled their friend away, tray in hand.

Having finished their meal, they were about to leave the cafeteria and walked while talking: “Did you ever stop to think? According to Wenren family tradition, her dad’s surname is Wenren but her mom’s isn’t. And her ability is electricity-based, not the Wenren family’s traditional metal-based ability. So why does she bear the Wenren name?”

“Because she’s highly talented?”

“Not at all. I heard her current parents aren’t her biological ones. Actually, she’s connected to a huge scandal in the Wenren family from over twenty years ago!”

“Just tell me clearly, okay? What big scandal? How come I’ve never heard of it?”

“Of course you haven’t. Since it’s a scandal, the Wenren family naturally covered it up. I only heard about it from another friend of mine in the Wenren family.”

“Spill it, quickly.”

“Actually, her birth mother’s surname is Wenren. She inherited her ability from her father. And her birth father is also…”

The two figures drifted further away, their voices fading into nothingness.

Around another corner of the cafeteria.

Wenren Tu, who never dressed properly, leaned against the wall, the hem of her shirt tied into a butterfly knot, revealing her toned, muscled waist.

Expressionless, she stared ahead, her gaze unfocused and hollow, like a soulless shell.

How annoying.

After a moment, Wenren Tu patted her own cheeks and continued her sluggish journey to find the Director.

Finally arriving before the Director’s office, Wenren Tu hesitated for two cycles before finally gathering the courage to knock. But just as her hand was raised, she heard a familiar male voice from inside.

Her hearing was excellent. But sometimes, she felt maybe being too excellent wasn’t a good thing.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier that Tutu hit someone?”

Wenren Bai’s calm voice replied, “Her superior already dealt with it.”

“No, no, outsiders don’t understand the gravity of this.” Wenren Hu—Wenren Tu’s current father—said, “Family Head, for the sake of my many years of service to the family, even if without great merit, I’ve worked hard. Please agree to this: transfer Tutu to the Internal Affairs Department.”

Internal Affairs?

Wenren Tu suddenly felt a wave of absurdity wash over her. She was doing great in Field Ops, her performance uniquely outstanding among the rookies. Why should she be transferred to Internal Affairs!

Furious, Wenren Tu raised her hand, hesitation gone, ready to slam it against the door.

But then Wenren Hu spoke again: “Sometimes, watching this child, I truly fear she’ll become as stubborn and narrow-minded as him one day. Her ability inherently affects her temperament, making her prone to extremes. Ever since we learned about this incident, her mother hasn’t slept well for several nights, too scared to even call the child, afraid of angering her.”

Wenren Tu’s hand, pressed against the door, didn’t move for a long time.

“Is this your decision?” Wenren Bai continued asking.

Wenren Hu gave a bitter laugh. “This is the Management Bureau! Tutu dared to beat someone so badly they were hospitalized. Absolutely lawless. In this, she’s exactly like him. Her mother and I ask for nothing else, only that she lives a life without causing trouble or committing crimes, safe and happy. But the older she gets, the more rebellious she becomes. I can only swallow my pride and beg you: restrain her nature a bit. Don’t let her back on the front lines, don’t let her use her ability. Prevent her from straying further down a path that will ultimately harm others and herself.”

Wenren Bai’s expression remained utterly unmoved. After a moment of contemplation, she said, “Understood. I will speak with her about this matter. You may return now.”

Wenren Hu knew this was a dismissal. The Family Head’s authority was absolute. He had no choice but to take his leave.

Leaving the office, he was the worried old father who’d poured his heart out for his rebellious daughter, face full of concern. The moment he left, he was once again a polished, poised businessman.

Wenren Hu nodded politely and departed with a smile, not letting anyone perceive his true reason for visiting the Management Bureau. Truth be told, had Wenren Bai not been avoiding returning to the main family residence lately, he, a man without any abilities, would rather not have come here at all.

After Wenren Hu left, Wenren Bai continued handling official business. About half an hour later, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Wenren Tu had arrived.

The lighting in this office was excellent. Wenren Tu could see clearly: Wenren Bai wore an immaculate uniform, her hair was pulled back in an equally immaculate style, and a black eyepatch covered her left eye.

Yes, the Director of the Anomaly Management Bureau was not only a woman just 31 years old, but also a woman wearing a single eyepatch.

“Have a seat.”

Wenren Tu sat stiffly across from her and asked, “Cousin-Aunt, you wanted to see me?”

Although their age difference was only seven years, large families had this hang-up: emphasis on seniority.

“Address me as Director.”

“Yes, Director,” Wenren Tu replied, dragging out her syllables.

Wenren Bai looked at the woman before her, furious but not daring to speak out, and thought: at her age, she’s no longer a child. Putting down the document in her hand, she asked, “Are you willing to work in the Internal Affairs Department?”

Wenren Tu gnawed on her lip idly for a long moment before asking, “Why?”

Wenren Bai said coolly, “You only need to answer: willing or not?”

“By family rules, as long as it’s your order, I must obey unconditionally.” This was why Wenren Tu had never particularly liked Wenren Bai. Not just because of her strictness, but also because of this rigid, ancient system—a system Wenren Bai was unquestionably an advocate of.

Wenren Tu retorted sarcastically, “Since I only need to obey, why not just tell me directly: should I go or not?”

Being provoked like this was something Wenren Bai had experienced countless times. She wasn’t angered. She simply fixed her sharp, single-eyed gaze upon Wenren Tu, staring until Wenren Tu almost couldn’t maintain the expression on her face, before stating calmly: “My opinion is, you should.”

The moment those words fell, silence reclaimed the office.

Sitting alone as if awaiting judgment, Wenren Tu’s eyes slowly reddened. In that moment, it seemed the brash, prickly outer shell fell away, revealing a fragile interior.

“In the end, it’s still because of my… my ability.” Deep marks were gouged into her palms from her nails. Wenren Tu nodded slowly. “I understand.”

But Wenren Bai remained unmoved by her vulnerability, still asking calmly, “So, are you willing to work in the Internal Affairs Department?”

“I am willing.” Wenren Tu forced a pained smile. “Isn’t it just Internal Affairs? It’s fine. Much safer than risking my life in dungeons.”

Leaving the office, Wenren Tu walked a few steps before crouching down against the wall.

She fumbled for her phone, tears falling silently, unconsciously. Instinctively, she wanted to call Zhu Ming, but hung up right before the call connected.

She couldn’t just call her like this. Zhu Ming would definitely go confront Wenren Bai.

She had spent her whole life pretending not to care. She didn’t want all that effort to be undone in a single moment.