Director Zeng Has Already Given Up

Her tone just now had been full of teasing and banter.

When she heard her granddaughter mention Mutant Beasts, her expression and complexion instantly shifted dramatically.

"I've watched the footage and read the reports from back then. The beasts we encountered this time perfectly match those traits.

They're consistent with the Blood Wolves from forty years ago.

These beasts turning out like this—it's not mutation at all."

The car had already started moving, and on board, Xia Zhao began laying out her findings.

Hearing about Mutant Beasts, her grandmother's heart was filled with lingering fear.

Thinking back to how she'd just made flippant remarks, she even wanted to slap her own old face.

"Safe and sound is what matters, safe and sound.

I never thought that after all these years, these Mutant Beasts would show up again.

Looks like your brother and the others are going to have their hands full.

If another tragedy like forty years ago happens, none of us can bear it."

Xia Zhao looked at her grandmother—she still had more important things she hadn't said yet.

"Grandma, the biggest crisis this time isn't the Mutant Beasts.

It's that behind these Mutant Beasts, there are traces of human involvement.

These so-called Mutant Beasts are very likely the work of human hands!"

At these words, her elder, who had weathered all kinds of major events, couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

A beast's accidental mutation—not a natural disaster, but a man-made calamity?

Thinking it over carefully, this scenario seemed more plausible.

As everyone knew, mutations brought more harm than good, with plenty of uncertainties.

Yet in both instances of mutation, the beasts had gained similar traits.

Extreme aggression, no fear of pain, rotting skin, and toxicity.

How could accidental mutations in nature be so alike?

And this time, the mutated beasts were Vicious Hounds—they couldn't possibly be descendants of those old Blood Wolves.

Reproductive isolation still existed among beasts.

But if some force was pulling the strings behind the scenes, then everything made perfect sense.

Xia Zhao's grandmother fell silent for a long time after hearing this, lost in thought.

"For the next three months, you must report to the family in advance wherever you go.

When you go out, have Aunt Lin accompany you."

Xia Zhao nodded. She knew this matter was serious.

She wasn't some rebellious young girl—there was no room for willfulness when it came to personal safety.

With the serious business out of the way, Xia Zhao casually asked her grandmother about the family's affairs.

After a few questions, Xia Zhao suddenly brought up Uncle Liu's son.

"Didn't you have no interest in meeting anyone new?

Your grandmother already turned that down long ago. What's this now—do you think he's not so bad after all?"

Xia Zhao kept her expression casual, pretending to ask offhandedly.

"I heard the sector he's in charge of now can access a lot of information.

I want to look into who has entered Qijia Town over the past month."

At this, Xia Zhao's grandmother assumed she was just following up on the Mutant Beast case.

Though she thought it wouldn't amount to much, letting Xia Zhao get in touch with the Liu family's young master wasn't a bad idea.

She agreed on the spot, saying she'd help Xia Zhao reach out again.

In truth, Xia Zhao's desire to investigate this did partly stem from tracking the Mutant Beasts.

But more than that, she was looking for someone...

Even though she'd given him her contact information, Xia Zhao had a feeling that someone wouldn't reach out to her anytime soon.

She could tell there was a hint of inferiority in his heart.

He'd accepted her contact info, but probably wanted to wait until he'd achieved something before getting in touch.

Xia Zhao understood this—it was male pride.

They'd talk about wanting to be kept, but when faced with a woman they felt unworthy of, they'd all hide away.

Aside from the few who made a living off it, most men had a strong sense of self-awareness.

Xia Zhao wanted to probe Li Yuan's identity and see just what this "Wuling Education" really was.

She didn't plan to suddenly appear before Li Yuan and say a few seemingly comforting words.

What Xia Zhao had in mind was to find "Wuling Education" and secretly offer some help.

In the half-month of fleeing for survival in the wild, Li Yuan had shown her astonishing martial arts comprehension.

With that kind of insight, if she secretly gave him some cultivation resources.

Perhaps the two of them really did have a chance.

At 7:40 in the morning, the high-speed train arrived.

Li Yuan returned to Lingshan City.

Looking at the familiar streets around him, Li Yuan didn't have much enthusiasm.

He first went to buy a phone, the more affordable kind.

Phones these days all had decent performance, unless you were a heavy mobile gamer or had high demands for photography.

If you wanted a satisfactory phone, it really didn't cost much.

After handling that, Li Yuan immediately headed home.

On the way, he first called Chen Yong to report his safety to his friend.

Chen Yong told Li Yuan about the recent situation in Class Nine and Class Fourteen.

The performance of both classes over this half-month far exceeded his expectations.

Actually, students always let loose a bit when their homeroom teacher wasn't around.

This situation existed even in the fast-track classes at Lingshan No.1 High School.

But Class Nine and Class Fourteen, the two classes Li Yuan was in charge of, had maintained good discipline.

The two agreed to eat together tomorrow, leaving today for Li Yuan to rest.

Chen Yong was considerate of Li Yuan; every time he himself returned from a long trip, he felt exhausted once home.

In his view, Li Yuan's feelings should be about the same.

After calling Chen Yong, Li Yuan thought it over and also called Deputy Director Zeng Chang.

To report his safety and say he was back from his training.

After all, this training opportunity in Qijia Town was ultimately secured for him by Deputy Director Zeng Chang.

Regardless of whether Zeng still had confidence in him, Li Yuan still owed him thanks for it.

The call connected quickly. Zeng Chang told Li Yuan to go directly to the Provincial Gymnasium five days later in the morning.

The martial artists from Lingshan City participating in the Youth Martial Tournament would gather there, then set off together for the competition venue.

"Do your best, don't put too much pressure on yourself.

In this half-month, I've already come to terms with it.

There's only one Director position, someone will always lose out. It's better to know the result early.

I had fewer resources to begin with; it's only normal that I couldn't advance further."

Zeng Chang comforted Li Yuan on the phone, having essentially given up on the next Director position.

This year's Youth Martial Tournament, he and Li Yuan were definitely going to take the blame.

Zeng Chang had already received news that Jin Fan, who was replacing Chishan City in the competition, was even stronger than they had previously seen.

Perhaps to make Lingshan City regret their decision, Jin Fan had let some words slip.

He wanted to win first place for Chishan City.

Individual first place didn't represent Chishan City's final team result.

But with a first-place contender pulling ahead, as long as the others from Chishan City performed decently, their team ranking wouldn't be bad.

Chishan City should be able to get an inspection slot as they wished.

Over the next two years, they'd definitely secure some policies and achieve considerable development.

By then, the person who invited Jin Fan to compete would also receive some commendation.

"Director Zeng, rest assured. I'll do my best. There might still be a turning point in this Youth Martial Tournament."

Li Yuan actually had some confidence in the Youth Martial Tournament.

Especially after experiencing what happened in Qijia Town, his confidence was even stronger.

On the other end of the line, Deputy Director Zeng Chang replied briefly.

It was clear he still lacked confidence.

Or rather, he had already given up.