Unfortunately, the Great Noble Families were despair-inducing. They had deep pockets and could cover for countless mistakes. When Yu Ang used an Armor Magic Tool to easily withstand Fire Seed, everyone had already sentenced Mo Fan to defeat.
They admired Mo Fan for reaching Primary Level Three at such a young age, and pitied him too. No matter how hard he worked, it would all be in vain. Fairness had never existed. Someone carrying three Magic Tools effectively had three extra skills.
In the end, just as expected, Mo Fan flew into a rage and brazenly unleashed the Lightning Element he had kept hidden for so long, deciding the fight with a single strike and defeating Yu Ang.
The moment his Innate Dual Elements were revealed, Bo City's many powerful figures were stunned. He had made a spectacular debut.
No one paid any attention to Yu Ang, who lay there like a dead dog. Instead, the various factions scrambled to invite Mo Fan. Zhan Kong of the military and Yang Zuohe of the Magic Association offered the highest prices, both representing forces beyond Bo City.
And although the western world of magic was exceedingly dark, one had to admit that Bo City still had a few people with good sense.
They hurriedly concealed information about Mo Fan's talent, so he could grow in peace while still weak.
Then Yang Zuohe rushed Mo Fan back to the Yin Mao Building without delay. There, he would undergo the Earth Sacred Spring's baptism and break through to the Intermediate Level as soon as possible, gaining some ability to protect himself.
As for the important figures from Mu Manor, it was nowhere near time for them to leave. They were using the gathering to talk and quietly exchange favors.
Mo Fan was surprised to hear they were going to the Yin Mao Building. When he arrived and saw two familiar faces, he was even more shocked. "Holy shit, Lu Jun, you're here?!"
Chapter 38: Joining Forces
Night fell.
Lu Jun and Lu Mei stood in front of the landmark Yin Mao Building. The hundred-meter skyscraper towered above them, its surface entirely covered in sparkling glass. It stood proudly amid the brightly lit city like a lone silver sword.
From the top of the building, one could see all of Bo City, looking down over the masses.
Usually, people streamed in and out, and the entire building shimmered with light. Now it was dark and deserted. The reason was that Bo City's powerful figures were all at Mu Family Manor, while students were on break and office workers were off for the day.
It wasn't just the Yin Mao Building. Most of Bo City was on holiday, and the city's residents were resting at home.
This was the spot Lu Jun had carefully chosen to make his move. The streets branched in every direction, allowing for quick movement and unrestricted fighting without endangering passersby.
Then he heard a loud, carefree voice behind him. "Old Lu, so this is where you were! You're no friend, you know. You didn't even come watch me beat the crap out of Yu Ang."
Lu Jun turned around. Mo Fan's expression made it clear he understood, but Lu Jun merely said, "I knew you'd beat Yu Ang, so I came here to wait for the victor. That would be you."
Mo Fan understood, but still felt something was off. "You're such a show-off."
Yang Zuohe, standing to the side, fixed his gaze on Lu Jun, his expression peculiar. He knew Lu Jun's talent was no less than Mo Fan's. Judging by his older sister's cultivation, Lu Jun was far stronger than Yang Zuohe himself. He, too, qualified to undergo the Earth Sacred Spring's baptism, but had declined.
Of course, now that Mo Fan's Innate Dual Elements had been revealed, he had left Lu Jun far behind. He was clearly the right choice.
Lu Mei nodded to Yang Zuohe in greeting.
The middle-aged chairman of the Magic Association smiled and nodded back. He was a little puzzled about why the siblings had come to the Yin Mao Building.
Seeing Yang Zuohe arrive too, Lu Jun patted Mo Fan on the shoulder and gave him a meaningful smile. "Go on. Take your dip in the Earth Sacred Spring."
He wasn't interested in the Earth Sacred Spring. It had very little Warm Spring energy left and was close to drying up, so it was no use to him at the Intermediate Level. Besides, it attracted too much hatred. The Black Vatican had its eye on it.
It was better to let Mo Fan follow his original path and become the Black Vatican's primary target. If Lu Jun's guess was right, Mo Fan's dual-element talent had already been exposed.
Lu Jun felt that "better them than me" wasn't a very nice way to think, but Mo Fan really was tough as nails. Salang, his future mother-in-law, had even gone easy on him early on. She wouldn't show Lu Jun the same mercy.
Mo Fan could enjoy that kind of benefit. He could draw the enemy's fire while Lu Jun dealt damage from the shadows.
"See you later." Mo Fan grinned smugly. "When I come out, I'll be an Intermediate Mage. Then you can call me big brother, and I'll look after you."
Lu Jun curled his lip. Just wait. You'll be calling me Dad soon enough.
Mo Fan was soon led by Yang Zuohe to the Earth Sacred Spring.
A moment later, a spirited female guard hurried out of the building. Lin Yuxin waved and smiled. "Hello! Sorry, we have to open the Earth Sacred Spring today, so we've been getting everything ready. Sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Why aren't you at the banquet at Mu Family Manor? What brings you to my little corner of the world?"
The Earth Sacred Spring was undoubtedly beneath the Yin Mao Building. Even though it was a holiday, the guards couldn't take the day off.
Lu Jun's expression turned serious. "I came here because there's something I want to tell you, and I'd like your help."
"Huh?" Lin Yuxin looked puzzled. "What is it? As long as it doesn't go against my principles, I'll risk my life to help."
"Wait a little." He glanced at his watch. "We're still waiting for one more person."
Lin Yuxin was rather confused, but patiently waited.
Tap, tap, tap!
Suddenly, the quiet nighttime street filled with the sound of a woman's high heels. Tang Yue's tall, slender figure emerged from the shadows.
She wore a professional outfit: a white blouse fitted around her curves, a short black skirt hugging her ample hips, and black stockings outlining her long, shapely legs. She looked like a queen of the night, or a black night-blooming flower.
Tang Yue moved gracefully toward them, her gaze sweeping over the group. She was surprised to see Lu Mei and Lin Yuxin, then walked up to Lu Jun, her expression grave. "Who are you, exactly? How do you know I'm a member of the Adjudication Court?"
She had been impressed by this student for a long time. Whether it was his control over Water Shield in his first year of high school or their chance encounter at Snow Peak Mountain Outpost in his second year, he had carried himself with the air of a powerful Demon Hunter. He had strength no ordinary teenager could possess.
She hadn't found a single trace of the Black Vatican in the city. She had planned to leave Bo City that very night and return to Hangzhou.
But just before she left, an unfamiliar number called and exposed her identity outright. She had kept her cover intact for two and a half years. How could she not be alarmed?
So when he invited her to meet at the Yin Mao Building, she hesitated, then changed her plans and came alone.
Of course, to guard against anything going wrong, she had already sent the information out before arriving. If she died, the Adjudication Court would react quickly.
In truth, Tang Yue didn't think Lu Jun meant her any harm. She had looked into him: his background was clean. And if he really were Black Vatican, there would be no need for him to come forward, especially when she was already planning to leave.
"Teacher Tang, don't worry. I'm a local from Bo City. I'm not connected to any other faction." Lu Jun shrugged. "As for how I knew you were with the Adjudication Court... well, you made it too obvious. I guessed."
He had a lot to say about that. A member of the Adjudication Court claimed she was lying low, yet she had arrived out of nowhere as a mysterious beauty of a teacher, drawing the attention of countless factions.
In a game of Werewolf or Goose Goose Duck, it was like playing a character who needed to hide their identity as the center of attention. Everyone would be watching them through a magnifying glass. How could they not notice something was up?
A mysterious background, a beautiful teacher, and overwhelming strength—she had the whole package.
But it was fine. He was the "righteous sheriff," with eyes sharp enough to spot all three wolves—Mu He, Yu Ang, and Bai Yang—and turn the tide!
In the Original Timeline, Tang Yue had left that night. The only slight difference was that she'd seen Mo Fan before departing. Now, since Lu Jun had dealt with the Stardust Magic Tool, she had no connection with him and would have simply left. Fortunately, Lu Jun had called her back in time.
Hearing the boy's teasing, Tang Yue's cheeks flushed. She felt he might have a point, but managed to regain her composure. "Then what do you want with me?"
"I found traces of the Black Vatican. Their targets are probably the Earth Sacred Spring and the destruction of Bo City."
Lu Jun's words shocked Tang Yue. Even the bewildered Lin Yuxin, standing beside them, looked grave. At last, she understood why he had sought her out.
"Wait." Tang Yue furrowed her brows. "I've been investigating for ages and haven't found the slightest clue. Why do you say the Black Vatican is involved?"
Lu Jun smiled, then turned to Lin Yuxin. "Didn't you find that a Demon Beast had dug through the underground passage to the Earth Sacred Spring, and even stolen some of its water?"
Lin Yuxin was taken aback. "How did you know? We blocked it off, but I've always suspected there was more to it."
Then Lu Jun laid out all the evidence, reconstructing the "truth" from his deductions. The clues in the two women's hands corroborated each other, completing the puzzle. They believed most of what he said.
Tang Yue sighed. "I came here because I'd received a lead. I found nothing for three years, and it turned out the higher-ups had covered it up. Their operations were in the sewers, a blind spot in my thinking."
"I'll report this to the Adjudication Court right away. We can launch a joint operation in a few days and search all of Bo City."
"Don't." Lu Jun hurriedly stopped her and warned her solemnly, "I plan to act tonight."
Chapter 39: Destroying the Underground Tunnels
Tang Yue looked puzzled. "So soon?!"
"To avoid alerting them." Lu Jun didn't mention the moles in the Hangzhou Adjudication Court. They were too high-ranking to deal with easily, so he said, "I think they'll make their move within the next few days. We can't wait. We need to strike first."
Lin Yuxin took a deep breath. "What do you want to do? I'm ready to help."
Lu Jun took charge without hesitation. "Destroy and block every tunnel leading out of the city. We have to move quickly, and I've already located all the relevant sites."
"That will require enough people, and authorization to operate in the city," Lin Yuxin said calmly. "Yang Zuohe of the Magic Association can be trusted, and so can the members of my guard team."
Without hesitation, the four of them entered the Yin Mao Building to meet Yang Zuohe. Tang Yue felt the plan was rushed, but as a member of the Adjudication Court, she was decisive. She would rather make a mistake than do nothing.
Chairman Yang had just arranged for Mo Fan to undergo the Earth Sacred Spring's baptism when he heard what they had to say. His expression turned astonished.
Guard Captain Liang spoke up. "Aren't you being too sensitive?"
Lin Yuxin frowned at him. "These details are enough to prove there's a problem. The underground chamber where the Earth Sacred Spring was kept was almost dug open recently. Doesn't that warrant concern?"
"Still, it's all just speculation..."
Captain Liang was about to continue, but Lu Jun cut him off. He was speechless. Lin Yuxin and Tang Yue each had a few clues, and he was their savior and their teacher's student, so they were more inclined to believe him. But the two people with power and influence were different. They were much more cautious.
"I'll act first. If I'm wrong, I'll take full responsibility. But if I'm right, you'll owe me ten times the compensation."
Lu Jun couldn't be bothered to argue. I'm here to inform you, not ask for your approval. When the time comes, you have to act on your own judgment.
Tang Yue chose to support him with all her strength. She revealed her identity on the spot, her voice cool and commanding. "I'm a member of the Hangzhou Adjudication Court. I'm temporarily taking charge of Bo City's Magic Association."
"Do you have no shame, making a student take responsibility? I'll take full responsibility. My uncle is the Hangzhou Adjudicator!"
Everyone present was slightly taken aback. Yang Zuohe was no mediocrity either. He spoke in a deep voice. "All right. The Magic Association authorizes this operation. I trust Ms. Tang Yue too. Tell us where to go."
The three women looked to Lu Jun. He calmly asked for a map, then marked it up. "Block all these places first, so the Demon Beasts outside the city can't invade. We'll need to send out at least Intermediate Mages."
After a brief discussion, they each set off. Tang Yue had Shadow and Fire, Lu Mei had Wind and Earth, and Lin Yuxin was an Intermediate Water Element mage. Any of them could destroy the tunnels alone.
Both Tang Yue and Lin Yuxin warned Lu Jun, "You're a student. Stay here."
They didn't know that he had already reached the first level of the Intermediate Level in two elements, and had mastered Intermediate Magic.
"Yeah, I should stay at the Yin Mao Building."
Lu Jun nodded calmly. This wasn't for his safety. Destroying the tunnels was actually the safest part of the operation; there was no danger at all, since the enemy couldn't stop them before they were finished.
Rather, his intuition told him the Black Vatican would make one final, frenzied counterattack. They would surely send a large force to storm this place and seize the Earth Sacred Spring. He wanted to test his sword against the Black Vatican and defend Bo City!
Just as he had lamented three years ago, sooner or later he would turn the tide. He would shatter every tragedy with his strength and forge a perfect ending.
A mage's duty was to protect the people and slay Demon Beasts! Though Lu Jun could not yet live up to that ideal, his heart yearned for it.
Soon, only Yang Zuohe, Guard Captain Liang, and Lu Jun remained. The seven or eight Intermediate Mages from the Yin Mao Building had all been sent out.
Yang Zuohe suggested, "Let's go to the roof of the Yin Mao Building. We'll be able to see all of Bo City from there. Once the signal goes up, we'll know they've succeeded."
The night wind howled. Lu Jun stood in this spot and looked down over Bo City for the first time. The sight of the entire city spread out below him broadened his horizons. He clenched his fists, feeling a little nervous.
The three of them waited patiently for a long time. Then they saw thick smoke rising from somewhere in Bo City. A moment later, a rocket shot into the sky with a whoosh—a dedicated signal flare.
Lu Jun said happily under his breath, "That's the tunnel by Inscription Women's High School. Big Sister succeeded."
A moment later, the walkie-talkie issued to the team crackled in his ear. Lu Mei's warm, resonant voice came through. "Tunnel at point B destroyed and completely blocked."
One after another, smoke and signal flares rose from across the city. Good news kept coming.
Yang Zuohe was busy too. He used the Magic Association's authority to broadcast a message throughout the city. "Attention, residents. A special drill will take place tonight. Please stay indoors. If you hear anything, there's no need to be alarmed."
Everyone in the city heard the message. They were confused and wondered what it meant, but the Chinese people's admirable sense of order made them trust their country. They obediently stayed at home.
At last, Yang Zuohe put down the walkie-talkie and looked at Lu Jun with a rueful smile. "Today's been crazy. Just on the word of one student, we've mobilized the Adjudication Court, the guard team, and me."
"You won't regret it."
Lu Jun said calmly, "After tonight, you'll be grateful."
Meanwhile, at Mu Manor, the important figures were still there. Mu He left with an apologetic expression, taking the defeated Yu Ang with him.
In a room behind the scenes, Mu He's gentle demeanor vanished. He became cruel and sinister, glaring coldly at Yu Ang. "Useless fool. Do you know how much your failure today has disrupted the Church's plans?"
"Please spare me, sir! Give me one more chance." Yu Ang dropped to his knees with a thud. Sweat poured down his face, and he looked terrified. He knew exactly what happened when the Black Vatican failed: they suffered a fate worse than death, being turned into Black Beast Demons alive.
"Heh." Mu He looked disgusted and was about to speak when he suddenly heard Yang Zuohe's citywide broadcast. His expression shifted with suspicion.
Then the communicator in his hand rang. A Black Robe Priest who worked for him reported, "This is bad, Deacon! Our underground tunnels throughout Bo City have been discovered. The Magic Association is destroying them one by one."
Mu He remembered the broadcast and his expression changed. He cursed, "Damn it! How did those idiots in the Magic Association find out?"
More bad news kept coming. In only a few minutes, half the tunnels had been destroyed.
Mu He's anger rose, but years of holding power forced him to suppress it. He took a deep breath and calmly spoke into the communicator. "Tell the Archbishop to start the operation early."
"We've been preparing for so long, and the Rain Summoner sent by Lady Salang is already in position. The arrow is on the string; we have no choice but to release it."
"There's no time to save the tunnels. By the time they react, they'll all have been destroyed. Our main goal isn't to destroy Bo City, or even to seize the Earth Sacred Spring. It's an experiment."
He gave his orders in a low voice. "Once the Demon Horde outside the city succeeds and draws everyone's attention, move in and attack the Yin Mao Building with all your strength. Try to seize the Earth Sacred Spring."
At last, Mu He smashed the communicator to the ground. His chest ached with rage. According to the original plan, everything should have been nearly foolproof. He couldn't figure out where it had gone wrong.
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