More importantly, his own woman was about to apply to the higher-ups to send experts to kill him.
Just thinking about it gave Qiu Tu a headache.
This misunderstanding seemed a little too big.
He truly hadn't expected a tiny mishap involving Yi Yi, the Emerald Shadow Dragon, yesterday to cause so much trouble!
But after thinking carefully about Qin Shuman's judgment, Qiu Tu felt that she wasn't wrong.
Investigative agencies had always followed Occam's Razor Theory: entities should not be multiplied without necessity.
In other words, unless there were other clues or intelligence, everything should be verified according to the simplest hypothesis.
Make complicated matters as simple as possible.
So, in Qin Shuman's mind:
Last night, she had personally seen someone riding a Fourth Order Calamity Creature, the Emerald Shadow Dragon—someone capable of controlling a Fourth Order Calamity Creature was most likely an evil god—today, Qiu Tu had discovered that two evil gods had infiltrated New Realm City—therefore, the evil god riding the Emerald Shadow Dragon was most likely one of those two evil gods.
After that, Qin Shuman had naturally concluded that New Realm City had likely been invaded by two evil gods and a Fourth Order creature.
Mm. The entire deduction was perfectly logical.
It was just unfortunate that it wasn't the truth.
Instead, Qiu Tu had gotten caught in the crossfire.
As he thought about it, Qiu Tu's mind began turning, considering how to resolve this matter.
After thinking for a while, an idea gradually formed in his heart.
A moment later, he looked at Qin Shuman with a serious expression, nodded firmly, and said, "I think you make sense."
The first step in deceiving someone was never to deny them, but to affirm them first.
Because affirmation made it easier to gain their approval.
Qiu Tu seriously analyzed, "If things are really as you guessed, then New Realm City and the Boundless Mind Sea Expansion Plan may soon face an enormous crisis."
"The destructive power of two evil gods and a Fourth Order Calamity Creature is too great."
"More importantly, these are only the evil gods we've discovered. Could there be a third or fourth evil god hiding in the shadows?"
Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Qin Shuman, who had possessed Su Xiaowan, stirred slightly.
She stroked her chin and considered it seriously before nodding faintly.
Seeing that he had moved Qin Shuman, Qiu Tu changed the subject and revealed his true purpose. "So... I think we should prepare for multiple possibilities."
"First, write up the request for reinforcements. But hold off on sending it."
"Then... continue investigating. See whether any other evil gods or Cataclysm Creatures have infiltrated New Realm City."
Qiu Tu said in a tone of concern for Qin Shuman, "As department superiors, we need to keep our heads. We can't report upward the moment we get a scrap of intelligence."
"If we say that two evil gods and a Fourth Order Calamity Creature have invaded, the higher-ups send reinforcements, and then it turns out there are other evil gods in the shadows..."
"If something happens to the reinforcements then, will the responsibility fall on you or me?"
"So, go back and investigate as well. See whether the Security Department has found any other clues or abnormalities."
"And I'll go report to Director Tang and continue investigating too."
"Once we both have results, we'll compare them. After confirming there are no issues, we'll report upward together."
Hearing Qiu Tu's reasonable suggestion, Qin Shuman nodded slightly and said, "That makes sense."
She had clearly taken his words to heart. "I'll go back now and have Lin Zuo submit the intelligence report, see whether there are any clues related to evil gods."
After saying that, she looked at Qiu Tu with a hint of mischief in her beautiful eyes and said, "Then... thank you, Minister Qiu~"
Seeing Qin Shuman's adorable expression, Qiu Tu's heart stirred, and he even felt the urge to kiss her.
They had known each other for so long that they already understood one another exceedingly well. Perhaps sensing Qiu Tu's thoughts, Qin Shuman secretly laughed and stepped on his foot. "Hey! What are you thinking? This is Xiao Wan's body!"
"Don't mess around~!"
Qiu Tu cried out softly in pain. Just as he was about to retaliate, he discovered that Su Xiaowan was looking at him blankly.
She seemed to have just woken up and was still somewhat dazed.
Seeing Qiu Tu, she blinked in confusion and asked blankly, "Minister Qiu? What are you doing on my bed?"
Qiu Tu:
Qiu Tu lightly flicked her forehead and lowered his voice. "What nonsense are you talking about? Look where you are."
After saying that, Qiu Tu ignored the girl as she clutched her head with an even more bewildered expression and walked into the office.
If he hadn't guessed wrong, Su Xiaowan had still been sleeping in bed this morning when Qin Shuman possessed her.
She had probably woken up halfway through, taken a look, seen Qin Shuman controlling her body, and simply gone back to sleep.
This muddleheaded girl was really adorably silly.
Thinking that, Qiu Tu walked into Tang Feifei's office.
The two women had probably chatted for quite a while just now, so tea was still set out on the coffee table beside the sofa.
Tang Feifei leaned back on the sofa, holding a teacup without drinking from it, lost in thought.
Her wheat-colored face was filled with worry, making her look somewhat grave. Her dark brown eyes were narrowed, making her expression difficult to read.
When she saw Qiu Tu enter, Tang Feifei raised her head and looked over.
Her beautiful eyes were calm as she asked, "Did you run into Director Rain Butterfly?"
Qiu Tu gave a soft "Mm" and didn't hide it from Tang Feifei. "I exchanged some intelligence with her."
Tang Feifei nodded slightly, then coolly gestured toward the sofa. "Judging by your expression, your intelligence isn't good news."
Hearing that, Qiu Tu smiled. "That depends on how you look at it."
With that, Qiu Tu sat down on the sofa and handed Tang Feifei the document in his hand.
Seeing this, the woman who resembled a female leopard took a deep breath and reached out to accept the document.
As she slowly finished reading it, Tang Feifei's expression grew even more solemn.
Perhaps because she had become one of the top three figures in the city, her bearing had clearly become much deeper as well.
She didn't readily state her opinion. Instead, she lightly tapped the document with her fingers and closed her eyes to ponder the intelligence it contained.
A moment later, she opened her eyes and looked at Qiu Tu like a female leopard on the hunt, asking coolly, "What do you think?"
Qiu Tu had just talked Qin Shuman around, so naturally, he didn't mind doing the same to Tang Feifei.
Thus, he repeated to Tang Feifei the same words he had used on Qin Shuman.
Qiu Tu's approach worked every time. Before long, Tang Feifei nodded slightly and agreed with Qiu Tu's suggestion—to refrain from reporting the evil gods and the Emerald Shadow Dragon to the higher-ups for now.
Instead, they would wait until Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman had investigated everything thoroughly before reporting upward together and requesting reinforcements.
After discussing business, Tang Feifei set down her teacup and couldn't help sighing. "Trouble always comes in waves..."
"I never expected evil gods to come spying on us before we could settle things between ourselves."
But Qiu Tu had already mentally prepared himself, so he was calmer instead.
He smiled and said, "It's already quite good that the aura Zhao Ji released can deter most evil gods."
"Before such enormous benefits, how many evil gods can resist that temptation?"
"Don't forget, their personalities have already become extremely warped. They won't consider too many consequences."
Tang Feifei nodded faintly at that, agreeing with Qiu Tu. But she also said meaningfully, "Yes... even evil gods can't resist such enormous benefits, let alone people."
As she said that, she gave Qiu Tu a deep look and asked, "So... do you want to come back and help me again?"
"You've seen it too. The situation is so dangerous now, and so many evil gods are watching from the side."
"If you act alone, it'll be very dangerous."
Hearing that, Qiu Tu stood with a smile. "Don't worry. This time, I'll definitely be the victor."
Then Qiu Tu said, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back first. I've still got a pile of things waiting for me."
Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Tang Feifei fell silent for a moment, then invited him, "Come to my place for dinner tonight?"
Qiu Tu looked back at her and said, "What are we eating? Stir-fry? Or snake stew?"
Tang Feifei:
Tang Feifei narrowed her eyes, and a dangerous glint flashed across her wheat-colored face.
She wasn't some little girl who would be teased and not even dare to talk back.
She might not be good with words, but when it came to action, she had never feared anyone.
Seeing that, Qiu Tu decisively returned to a proper demeanor. "I've got something to do tonight. Important business."
Tang Feifei said nothing, her wheat-colored face full of disbelief.
Qiu Tu said, "It concerns whether I can control the New World Area."
Tang Feifei paused at his words, then fell silent for two seconds. In the end, she merely waved her hand coolly, got up, walked to her desk, and began handling official business.
She was Qiu Tu's superior, and she was Qiu Tu's rival. But she was also Qiu Tu's friend.
If they competed fairly and she won in the end, she would be overjoyed. But if she used tricks to hold Qiu Tu back and ultimately won, she probably wouldn't be able to hold her head high before him for the rest of her life.
She didn't want to do such a thing, nor did she deign to!
Seeing Tang Feifei's attitude, the corners of Qiu Tu's lips lifted slightly. He waved to Tang Feifei and headed outside.
He truly hadn't lied to Tang Feifei. He did have important business tonight, and it really concerned his control over the New World Area.
That was... meeting Zhao Ji, the great evil god who controlled eight regions of the Boundless Mind Sea!
Over this period, Qiu Tu had obtained enough intelligence and information from La Riluo and the Memory Fragments.
It was time to have a talk with her.
Qiu Tu felt that if tonight's discussion went well, the chaotic situation in New Realm City might be completely swept away.
And he would obtain what he wanted as well.
Thinking that, Qiu Tu left Tang Feifei's office and began preparing for his second meeting with Zhao Ji.
Time flew by, and before long, an entire day had passed.
At five in the afternoon, Qiu Tu got off work on time. He called Tan Huimin, brought what he needed, and headed for East City in the Prefecture Capital.
At six-thirty in the evening, Qiu Tu and Tan Huimin arrived in East City.
At seven, the two went to the same hotel they had stayed at last time and completed the check-in process.
At seven-twenty, Qiu Tu once again arranged everything as he had last time, then began the ritual to summon Zhao Ji.
At seven-thirty, everything was ready. Qiu Tu officially activated the ritual.
At the same time.
The spiritual world, the Boundless Mind Sea.
Amid a stretch of ruined walls and broken tiles.
Zhao Ji stood beneath a sun above her head, her hands covered in blood as she held a still-beating heart. Her eyes were deep as cold pools, glimmering with an icy light.
Beneath her lay an old man with a bare upper body, bronze-colored skin, a powerfully muscular physique, and a white beard.
A large hole had been torn through the old man's chest. His eyes were wide open, his face filled with disbelief.
But it was useless.
Before death, gods and humans were equally insignificant.
Once his heart had been torn out and his body pierced through, he had already entered the one-way path of death.
So, only moments later, his divine body slowly crystallized and became the highest-grade Calamity Material: Boundless God Crystal.
Seeing this, Zhao Ji indifferently tossed the equally crystallized heart to the ground, then closed her eyes, seemingly sensing something.
No one knew how long passed.
Perhaps only seven or eight seconds had passed, or perhaps one or two minutes.
Zhao Ji suddenly opened her eyes.
Her skin, white as ice and snow, seemed to have been washed by frost, shimmering with crystalline radiance.
Then, nine points of light slowly appeared on her forehead!
As those nine points of light appeared, the white mist in the surrounding region rapidly spread toward Zhao Ji's location the next moment.
In only a moment, that entire area of ruins was shrouded in white mist.
Then, the white mist slowly receded, and the original ruins turned into a desolate desert.
As though they had been assimilated.
If someone rose into the sky above the Boundless Mind Sea and looked down, they would discover that nine regions in its southwestern part had already become fully connected. Every one of them was a barren, uninhabited desert.
This was the domain of the great evil god Zhao Ji.
At that moment, within that vast territory, Zhao Ji raised her head again and looked eastward, toward the central region of the Boundless Mind Sea.
Her cold eyes were unfathomable, like a bottomless spring.
"We will return."
But just as she murmured those words, she suddenly seemed to sense something, and her brows furrowed.
A moment later, the blazing sun above her turned into a moon. The next instant, her entire body was drawn into the moon, and she returned to her Divine Domain Space.
The second time Qiu Tu came to the Divine Domain Space, he was still greeted by boundless darkness.
This time, Zhao Ji seemed to have arrived a little late. Qiu Tu called out several times and waited more than ten minutes.
Only then did Zhao Ji's icy voice reach his ears. "You again?"
For some reason, upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu felt that she seemed to be in a much better mood today than last time.
Had something pleasant happened?
Thinking that, Qiu Tu felt a little more at ease, sensing that tonight's plan might have a greater chance of succeeding.
With that thought, he followed his plan and immediately dropped a bombshell.
With an excited expression, he said to Zhao Ji, "Sister Yueyue... I came to tell you some good news! I've finally found La Riluo Your Highness!"
That bombshell was indeed powerful. Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji remained silent in the darkness for a full three seconds before slowly saying, "That is... very good."
Then, she unusually took the initiative to ask, "Where is she now?"
Qiu Tu deliberately put on a troubled expression and said, "Her Highness won't let me tell you."
Zhao Ji gave a soft chuckle but said nothing.
Qiu Tu also made himself keep his composure and didn't speak again.
Thus, the entire Divine Domain Space fell silent.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
The two remained silent for more than ten seconds before Zhao Ji slowly spoke three words. "Why is that?"
This was exactly what Qiu Tu had been waiting for. He raised his head and stammered slightly, "La Riluo Your Highness suspects there's something going on between us."
"She's very angry now, and she keeps calling me brother-in-law."
Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, a question mark slowly appeared above Zhao Ji's head in the darkness: ?
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