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Translator's note: Fang Xiu may save the headquarters again and again? I doubt that. The guy's a man of himself and benefits. He's never going to help anyone for no reason.
Fang Xiu dropped another bombshell. "In Yan Changshou's domain, called 'Specter Gate,' there are countless Specters that the Pokers have been stockpiling, including a few at the S Class. They even got someone lined up to impersonate me.
"Tomorrow night, during the award ceremony, this double will try to assassinate you in front of everyone. While the crowd is in chaos, Yan Changshou will make his move and kill Fang Moli.
Once Fang Moli is gone, no one can wield the Xuanyuan Sword. That's when the Pokers will hit the headquarters hard. Without your strongest fighter, how do you plan to fend off a swarm of Specters, plus Yan Changshou and the Pokers?"
The Director and Xiao Zhenhua felt a cold shiver run down their spines. If things went down the way Fang Xiu predicted, the headquarters would be facing utter devastation.
The Director stayed quiet for a moment before speaking up, his tone heavy, "Mr. Fang, if what you're saying is true, we owe you a debt of gratitude. This information could save the entire nation."
"You can verify my claims," Fang Xiu replied calmly. "An operation this big will leave traces. With the resources at your disposal, it shouldn't be hard to confirm. But once you do, what's your plan?"
The Director took a moment to think before responding, "We'll turn the tables on them."
A satisfied glint flashed across Fang Xiu's eyes. The Director was on the same page. Sure, they could take down Yan Changshou now, but that wouldn't solve the bigger problem—the Pokers, still lurking in the shadows. Even if Yan Changshou was dealt with, other traitors might rise up, still working with the Pokers down the line.
The real enemy was the Pokers. This secretive group was deeply embedded, able to reach into the Other Side, and constantly stirring up trouble. This crisis at the headquarters, while dangerous, could be the perfect chance to wipe them out.
The Director then added, "If Yan Changshou plans to strike during the ceremony, we can beat him to it. If we eliminate him quickly, he won't have a chance to open the Specter Gate, and we won't have to deal with the Specters. That way, we can focus all our efforts on the Pokers."
Fang Xiu nodded in agreement. "I've already dealt with the imposter. I'll be at the ceremony myself, so Yan Changshou won't suspect a thing. The rest—handling the other team leaders and securing the venue—will be up to you."
"Consider it done," the Director confirmed.
"Good. Then, I'll see you tomorrow." Fang Xiu stood up, leaving without another word.
Once he was gone, the Director pulled out an encrypted phone from his drawer and made a few calls. Half an hour later, he got some news that left him stunned.
He had quietly tasked the headquarters' secret forces with investigating Yan Changshou. As expected, they uncovered some leads. Every bit of evidence aligned with what Fang Xiu had said.
As the Director, he couldn't just take someone's word for it, even if that person could see the future. He needed solid proof before he could fully trust the information.
However, the Director secretly wished that Fang Xiu's prediction would be wrong, just this once. Losing a captain would be a heavy blow to the headquarters. But deep down, he knew the truth: Fang Xiu's predictions, like he said before, had never been wrong.
"Sir, could it be..." Xiao Zhenhua's voice broke through the Director's thoughts, his concern clear as he watched his superior struggle to process the information.
The Director, still in a daze, muttered to himself, "Fang Xiu, the Foreseer, truly lives up to his reputation."
"But could it really be true?" Xiao Zhenhua's voice was laced with horror. "Yan Changshou is a captain of the headquarters. Why would he betray us?"
"Because he is finding it harder and harder to hold onto his human form. Imagine the scandal—one of our five captains turning into a Specter. The world wouldn't stand for it. On top of that, he's gunning for the Chief Captain position. Aren't those reasons enough?" The Director's voice dropped to a rough whisper.
Xiao Zhenhua's expression flickered between shock and fury, until finally, his eyes hardened with resolve. "These damned traitors… tomorrow, I'll make sure every one of them pays!"
A fierce determination sparked in the Director's eyes. "You're right. Tomorrow's battle is our chance to weed out these traitors. Losing a captain is a hard blow, but we've gained a prophet. That could turn out to be a blessing in disguise."
He continued, his voice tinged with awe, "Fang Xiu's foresight is invaluable. Without him, we'd still be in the dark, unaware of the danger lurking in our ranks. By this time tomorrow, the headquarters could've been wiped off the map, and the country thrown into chaos."
The Director paused, then looked at Xiao Zhenhua with grave seriousness. "Fang Xiu may have just saved the nation. Zhenhua, if things go awry tomorrow, your priority is to protect Fang Xiu at all costs."
"But sir, what about you?" Xiao Zhenhua's concern deepened, his voice tense.
The Director shook his head solemnly. "If I fall, the headquarters will find a new Director. But if Fang Xiu dies, who else can see into the future?"
Xiao Zhenhua fell silent, the weight of the situation settling in. He couldn't deny it—Fang Xiu's value was immeasurable. Today, he might have saved the headquarters. Tomorrow, he might save it again, and again, as long as he lived.
Meanwhile, in a shadowy alley, Fang Xiu stood alone, gazing up at the night sky. Behind him knelt the Ace and King of Spades, their heads bowed in respect.
Earlier, Fang Xiu had arranged a secret meeting with them in Shangjing City.
"Sir, you summoned us. What can we do for you?" the Ace and King of Spades asked in unison, their voices low and respectful.
Without turning to face them, Fang Xiu spoke coldly, "What are your plans regarding Yan Changshou?"
The two exchanged a quick glance before the Ace of Spades replied, "We plan to strike him tomorrow, during the chaos at the headquarters."
"Oh? And the organization hasn't given you the special task for tomorrow's operation?"
"Master, our task was simple: create chaos and eliminate the enemy. Tomorrow, with the headquarters in complete disarray, no one from the organization will be focused on us. Both of us are completely loyal to you, so our priority will naturally be carrying out the task you've given us," the King of Spades quickly affirmed, eager to show his loyalty.
To them, it made perfect sense. The organization's larger mission was just to cause mayhem and kill as many as possible. In the ensuing chaos, no one would be keeping tabs on their individual contributions.
But completing the mission given by Fang Xiu? That was a different story. If they pulled it off, Fang Xiu would see their value and might even reward them with a promotion.
They knew where their true advantage lay.
"Good," Fang Xiu nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Since your loyalty is clear, I'll give you some guidance. Yan Changshou had an underling named Wen Yang, who's dead—I've taken care of him. One of you can take on his identity and stay close to Yan Changshou. When chaos erupts tomorrow, that will be your moment. Eliminate Yan Changshou and his followers."
Fang Xiu's tone grew colder. "Understand this: we cannot share power with Yan Changshou. He's just a pawn, a dog being used by the Pokers. Once the chaos starts tomorrow, his usefulness ends. That's when he needs to be taken out. And it's not just him—his entire faction must be wiped out, root and branch."