Chapter 96: Peace Street Neighborhood Office (4)

Du Zhengyi raised his head. Fan Shi looked at him, yet the Venerable's criticism failed to stir any emotion of shame, frustration, or anger in this young man. He even tucked both hands into his trouser pockets, meeting his gaze calmly.

If Du Zhengyi were merely an arrogant little fool, that would be even better. But Du Zhengyi did not even pretend to be disdainful; he listened to his words calmly, his eyes even opened wide, his pure black pupils filled with a good student's thirst for knowledge, as if he truly wanted to understand the meaning behind his words. And the only puzzle Du Zhengyi needed to solve here was Fan Shi himself; he clearly knew that Du Zhengyi was studying him, as if he were simply solving a problem, as if he himself were just a difficult question on his path forward. He now had to unravel him, and then he could continue on his way, nothing more.

Such a young man made one vigilant. He paced back and forth on the carpet, the anxiety in his heart constantly escalating, "Do you understand that our world has always maintained a delicate balance?"

Du Zhengyi followed him silently with his gaze, questioning him.

"Do you understand human atomic bombs?" Fan Shi stopped in front of the sandalwood desk and said, looking at the calligraphy, "They obtained the ability to destroy the world for the first time. We once worried that they would blow our world to pieces. But what was the result?"

Du Zhengyi did not answer. He turned around and could not help but smile slightly, as if he were in class and satisfied with the effect of his teaching. "The result was that the war stopped. Humans did not use weapons of mass destruction. Regardless of how it was achieved or how complex the process was, the weapons were ultimately shelved. The war that had not stopped since the day humans were born, stopped. Don't you think this is very similar to our world? It's just that our world-destroying weapons aren't manufactured; they are born. We are naturally adept at attacking and destroying."

He sighed, but the flames in his eyes were very bright. "If we gathered together like humans, it would be a power that could easily destroy the world. Fortunately, our nature has never been as good at integration as humans. On the other hand, the most prominent individuals among us also possess the ability to destroy the world. If they possess such ability and also develop this tendency, we must lock them under the ground of Qionglin—just like humans bury and dismantle their nuclear weapons. Among all the crises we face, High-Reaction Mages have always been the most terrifying force."

"I agree with these common truths," Du Zhengyi said indifferently, "This has also been my job all along."

"Yes, you have worked for the Committee for many years." Fan Shi interjected. He looked at Du Zhengyi, his expression turning stern, "You are familiar with the Committee's procedures. If you had returned to Qionglin with them to accept questioning on the day the Gushan leaders summoned you, things would be much simpler than they are now. What makes you think you are qualified to have a Venerable make this trip specifically for you to hear your appeal?"

Du Zhengyi's face remained blank, "Because I hold clues about the Lotus Burners? Because Qionglin is currently untrustworthy?"

"Who confirmed that Qionglin is untrustworthy?" Fan Shi's expression changed abruptly, and he stared sternly at Du Zhengyi, "Based on your feelings? Just because you detected one or two mid-level personnel who were Lotus Burners, you can question the composition of the Committee? In my view, the majority, even the vast majority of comrades working for the Committee, are trustworthy."

Du Zhengyi lowered his head slightly, his brow furrowing for the first time out of confusion.

"On the contrary, it is you," Fan Shi said, "Two years ago, your partner Chu Yao died in a Sandbox Simulated Realm. As far as I know, you left that sandbox almost unscathed, and Chu Yao was still alive when you left."

Du Zhengyi's expression finally changed. This accusation was so detailed that it forced memories he did not want to recall to break through the finely divided barriers in his Consciousness World. "I did not save her because I was already unable to save her at that time."

"One year ago, another one of your partners also died in a sandbox." Fan Shi said in a flat voice, yet the suspicion within it seemed even more biting. "A few days ago, you also almost killed Chu Yao's boyfriend from when she was alive, just because he questioned you about the cause of Chu Yao's death."

"I have already applied not to be assigned any more partners." Du Zhengyi said stiffly.

"Your latest partner is also missing." Fan Shi said.

Du Zhengyi swallowed, thinking of Luo Qi sitting outside, which actually felt like a great comfort.

"Besides this, Han Yi was severely injured because of you, Li Xu was severely injured, Zhao Zhiyan was severely injured." Fan Shi said angrily, "This casualty list contains far more than just these names, doesn't it? Even if you view them as enemies, even if they truly were enemies, your bloodthirst is too severe."

Du Zhengyi did not speak. He had never needed to explain, nor could he explain.

Fan Shi looked at him in disappointment, "You have never provided a reasonable explanation to the Committee, nor do you obey the Committee's deployments. In these last three years, you have taken more and more risks, your bloodthirst has become more and more obvious, and you have almost completely derailed from the Committee."

Du Zhengyi looked at him silently, and Fan Shi's voice lowered into a whisper, "Could it be that you are just Pei Shu's personal weapon?"

"So that's what this means," Du Zhengyi's shoulders suddenly relaxed a little, and his whole person stood more casually. He walked two steps toward the window, seemingly in thought. "So you want to pin the label of High-Reaction Mage on me and Pei Shu? You really want to bury me and the head of the Nine Venerables of Qionglin underground like nuclear weapons?"

Fan Shi laughed upon hearing this, "How could that be possible? Isn't that a bit too inconceivable? As your elder, I just wanted to remind you and show some concern for you. In my view, you are a young talent with a bright future, and it would be a matter of course for you to become a new Venerable in a few years. But Pei Shu has been a bit too indulgent of you. I have always wanted to find an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with you. You are a talent worth molding, but right now you are still a small tree. If I see you growing crooked, I am truly very heartbroken."

"I don't quite understand the Venerable's meaning." Du Zhengyi thought for a moment and said, "Fan Mage, there is actually no need to beat around the bush. What exactly are your requirements for me? Can you tell me clearly?"

Before Fan Shi could speak, a cat's meow came in abruptly. Du Zhengyi turned his head and happened to see a small black cat squeezing its head in through the vines at the window. The black cat looked into the room from the window and meowed again.

"A black cat." Du Zhengyi suddenly smiled and looked back at Fan Shi, "Does the Venerable know the human legends about black cats? Seeing a black cat is very unlucky."