Chapter 269: It Won’t Necessarily Happen

Chapter 269: Chapter 269: It Won’t Necessarily Happen

As someone who had once cleared a Maze with Feng Ling, Pei Xianjue knew all too well what this torrential rain meant.

A teardrop fell onto her phone screen.

Pei Xianjue froze for a moment, then belatedly realized she was crying. She couldn’t help but laugh.

She never thought she would be driven to tears of anger by her own mother, then to laughter from that same anger.

On the other end of the line, Mrs. Pei was still complaining. "If I had known you’d have this attitude, I never would have bothered with these social media accounts in the first place. My own daughter scrutinizes every little thing I post. I don’t even know if this is my account anymore..."

Pei Xianjue wiped away her tears, her voice turning cold. "That’s right. It won’t be your account anymore. I’ll be having someone take over your account and password shortly. You will not be needed for any of the follow-up PR activities, either."

Mrs. Pei was stunned. "What? ...What PR activities?"

"Feng Ling is out of the Maze!" Pei Xianjue said coldly. "Even if we delete the status you posted, the damage is done. It can’t be undone. So now I have to contact the PR department to deal with the coming media crisis!"

Mrs. Pei said, "That’s impossible. There’s no news online about the Maze being cleared. How could you know..."

Before Mrs. Pei could finish, Pei Xianjue hung up.

She couldn’t bear to listen anymore.

There was no time for complaints, no right to blame anyone else. The perfect persona she had so meticulously crafted was about to become a giant joke. Before the news of the Maze’s clearing got out, she had to do everything in her power to save face.

’But how did things turn out like this?’

Pei Xianjue stared forlornly at the weather alert, thinking, ’I should be happy for you...’

...

...

The change in weather in Guangshan City caught many people off guard.

The crowd of reporters and various online influencers either ducked into their cars or raised umbrellas and continued to hold their ground.

Han Xu looked up at the overcast sky and breathed a sigh of relief. The downpour had finally cleared the air of those annoying drones.

However, it also made their patrol duties more difficult. The heavy rain impaired visibility, so they had to be on high alert and prevent anyone from breaking into the restricted zone.

The lockdown perimeter was vast, with armed soldiers stationed every few meters. They stood like iron statues, their expressions unchanging in the wind and rain.

The people from the Inspection Bureau weren’t idle either. Han Xu and Duan Fei took turns leading patrols, never letting their guard down for a moment.

It was currently Duan Fei’s turn. He ran over hurriedly under an umbrella, bringing a gust of moist air with him as he ducked into the car. "Captain! It’s my turn. Go get some sleep!"

Han Xu, sitting in the passenger seat, stubbed out his cigarette. "I’ll get out when we reach Xinghua Road," he said lightly. "It’s closer to my place. I’ll go home to sleep."

"Alright, you’ll sleep more soundly at home," Duan Fei said, shaking out his clothes and wiping the rain from his hair. "This rain just came out of nowhere. It’s such a pain."

Han Xu gazed at the curtain of rain outside. "When the Maze at the Three Pure Ones Palace was cleared, there was a storm just like this one."

Duan Fei froze, immediately grabbing the back of the front seat. "Captain, does that mean our Maze has been cleared too?"

"Not sure," Han Xu replied. "Maybe it has, or maybe it’s just a coincidence. There’s no scientific evidence of a link between a Maze being cleared and a major storm."

Duan Fei grew excited. "It’s been three days. It’s about time! If she didn’t come out soon, the citizens would be protesting at the gates of our Inspection Bureau."

The citizens evacuated from the restricted zone were currently housed in temporarily cleared hotels, nursing homes, and workers’ dormitories. The living conditions were limited, and over time, resentment had naturally grown. Every day, people called to ask when they could move back, and the Inspection Bureau’s phone lines were ringing off the hook.

The thought of Feng Ling’s imminent return from the Maze made Duan Fei relax completely. He chuckled from inside the car. "Feng Ling’s probably going to get a shock when she comes out. The internet has been tearing itself apart over her. Sigh, this is the first time we Inspectors have ever been chewed out this badly."

"Don’t let your guard down until the very last moment," Han Xu said, looking at the sky. "Our duty is to ensure Feng Ling leaves Guangshan City safely."

The smile on Duan Fei’s face slowly faded. He asked Han Xu uncertainly, "Captain, are you saying you think the Alien Species will take this opportunity to cause trouble? There’s no way..."

Outside the window, the lights of several patrol cars, both in front and behind, flashed ceaselessly in the dim rain. The streets were filled with soldiers from the military district.

"How bold would an Alien Species have to be to come out at a time like this?" Duan Fei thought it was impossible.

He had reviewed numerous case files during his Inspector training. Alien Species almost never initiated direct conflict with large-scale armed forces. Even cases of Alien Species actively attacking Inspectors made up only a small fraction of the total incidents.

However, Duan Fei was still in his probationary period, so he placed great value on Han Xu’s experience.

Han Xu said, "Whether the Alien Species show up or not depends on their objective. If they’re just trying to earn points, there’s no reason for them to go head-to-head with us. But if the Alien Species are after Feng Ling, then they will definitely appear."

Duan Fei tensed up. He scanned the view outside the window again, suddenly feeling as if danger lurked in every shadow.

Han Xu continued, "If I were an Alien Species and wanted to take out a hidden boss, I would definitely choose to strike now. Clearing the Maze would have drained a massive amount of Feng Ling’s stamina. The Maze Master might have even left her severely injured. On top of that, after emerging from the Maze, Feng Ling’s guard would be down, at least mentally. Therefore, this is the perfect time to attack."

Duan Fei’s back stiffened, his expression turning grim. "Feng Ling is in serious danger..."

Han Xu glanced back and smiled at him. "Stay alert, but don’t get too tense. What I just described won’t necessarily happen."

Duan Fei said earnestly, "Understood. I’ll continue to learn from you, Captain!"

Suddenly, shouting could be heard in the distance.

The rain was loud, and with the car windows muffling the sound, Han Xu and Duan Fei couldn’t make it out clearly.

But the next second, their walkie-talkie crackled to life.

A panicked team member’s voice burst from the speaker. "Captain Han! A large Pollution Body has appeared on Maple Avenue! A large Pollution Body! We need backup!!!"

Duan Fei was shocked. "Maple Avenue is the main road closest to the pedestrian street! All the reporters are gathered there! Why would a Pollution Body appear right there of all places?!"

"It’s here for Feng Ling." Han Xu’s expression was grim as he issued his orders. "Have the team on site do everything they can to evacuate the crowd! Ensure everyone’s safety! All patrol cars, turn around! Head to Maple Avenue immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

The patrol car immediately turned around, but the rain was too heavy. The wipers swung back and forth frantically, but with visibility so poor, the car couldn’t pick up speed.

Han Xu suddenly threw open the car door, his entire body launching out like a black shadow!

The moment he landed, he transformed into a strange creature, part dog and part leopard, and bolted forward with incredible speed!

Duan Fei scrambled out of the car to follow.

But just a few seconds after they left, the phone Han Xu had left on his seat began to ring.

...

Feng Ling held the phone to her ear for a moment, then raised an eyebrow at the people beside her. In a cool tone, she said, "So cold. Captain Han isn’t picking up my call."