In the corridors of the Laboratory Building, Tai Yu and Farul walked side by side. The latter's gaze repeatedly swept over Tai Yu's face, though never lingering for long.
Tai Yu should have known, but he paid it no mind. Instead, he began making calls without bothering to hide anything.
"Mr. Shi Wo, yes, it's me, Tai Yu. Today's operation must have caused you quite a bit of trouble. Let me apologize first...
"It's wonderful that you understand. As for the current situation, I'm sorry, but it isn't convenient for me to disclose the overall picture. However, based on the intelligence gathered so far, it's impossible for Deep Blue World to remain completely uninvolved.
"No, no, I'm not speaking in absolutes at all. Priest Farul is right beside me and has just conveyed Chief Priest Seo's view: when Outer Domain Species are involved, all illegal research is of an exceptionally vile nature. His exact words were, 'an irreversible fall toward the Abyss.' That is a very serious assessment.
"I understand. Deep Blue World has its own special circumstances. Precisely because it is special, it cannot remain uninvolved. And for that very reason, your side needs to play a unique and constructive role in this incident.
"This matter is still too complicated to explain over the phone. I'll come over to your place shortly. All right, all right... there's no need to go to the office. We'll head straight to the site.
"Deputy Director Lan Zhen is with you, right? We're going to meet up with him."
Farul knew that Tai Yu had contacted Shi Wo, president of Deep Blue World's Red Silicon Star System branch—a greedy man on the verge of retirement whom he had met several times before.
While he was still recalling what he knew about Shi Wo,