Chapter 229: Paths Diverge, No Alliance

Yue Chengzhang's sword‑gripping hand showed faintly bulging blue veins; he did not understand why this senior chose to renounce the Church, especially since when he heard of the senior's past "great achievements," he was still studying at Mitra Academy.

He was not completely ignorant of the Church's dark side nor of those decaying aristocratic classes, but because of that he needed to stand in his current position even more.

"Paths differ, we shall not conspire; since the senior has already made a choice, I need not say more."

Yue Chengzhang slowly raised his light sword, golden energy flowing around him like burning flame, illuminating the dim warehouse and leaving no shadow.

"Today you block me from performing official duties; even though I revere you as a senior, I will not hold back!"

The last word fell, and Yue Chengzhang's figure suddenly vanished on the spot.

In the next instant, he already appeared to Lei Zhao's front left; the light sword in Yue Chengzhang's hand turned into a golden ray that thrust straight at Lei Zhao's heart.

This strike was fast, fierce, precise, and even subtly triggered an energy resonance in the surrounding space.

Watching Yue Chengzhang's sword, Lei Zhao's previously weary expression finally showed a slight change.

He let out a soft sigh, did not dodge, nor adopt any obvious defensive stance; he simply raised his left hand that had been resting at his side, fingers slightly spread.

"Zzz—hum!!!"

The raging thunder, bulkier than during the earlier interception, instantly gathered in his palm into a barrier of countless electric snakes—a Lightning Chains shield.

"Clang—!!!!!!!"

The golden light sword slammed into the Lightning Chains barrier.

Centered on the point of contact, visible golden and violet energies collided wildly.

Yue Chengzhang only felt their palm tingling; the people of the Supervision Bureau nearby clearly could not endure the residual force from the clash of the two raging energies, so they sheathed the sword and stepped back a few paces.

Lei Zhao still stood in place, his heterochromatic eyes appearing especially eerie and deep under the lightning's glow.

He seemed unscathed, yet his already pallid complexion grew even more translucent, and the weariness in his eyes deepened.

"It seems the Supervision Bureau still has a chance of salvation," Lei Zhao slowly lowered his left hand, and the thunder around him eased slightly.

"I truly am not your opponent now, but if you wish to keep me, it will cost you dearly."

He lifted his gaze toward the area behind Yue Chengzhang, where Supervision Bureau agents, toppled and unable to maintain defensive formations amid the energy shock, were seen; he also glanced at the distant street where screams and chaos rang incessantly.

Lei Zhao subconsciously frowned.

"Take the ones with you and clean up the mess," Lei Zhao said lightly, turning toward the shadows in the corner.

"Tell those old undead in the Church… some debts they will eventually have to repay."

Before the words finished, a blinding purple lightning flashed; in front of Yue Chengzhang was empty, leaving only a mess of scorched lightning marks on the walls and floor.

Yue Chengzhang watched Lei Zhao's retreating direction, silently sheathing his sword.

"Captain!" several lightly wounded agents hurried forward, after all the fight between the two had seemed evenly matched.

Yue Chengzhang merely shook his head, looked toward the direction where Bai Mu Yun and Lu Mu had escaped, and then glanced at the increasingly intense Mutation unrest outside.

"Immediately contact headquarters, deploy all available purification squads and medical resources, prioritize containing the Mutation contamination zone, and rescue the wounded!"

"Yes!"

Yue Chengzhang gave one last glance at the ventilation shaft where Lei Zhao vanished; some paths, once chosen, can only move forward.

And Yue Chengzhang's own path has never changed.

What he truly believes in has never been the Church, but a promise made by someone.

Ensuring ordinary people can live peacefully in this wretched world is the hardest thing.

Yue Chengzhang let out a heavy sigh; just as he was about to turn to command the chaotic scene, the communicator at his waist suddenly vibrated.

He paused slightly, glanced at the agents who had barely gathered around, waiting for his orders, and said in a deep voice.

"Execute the previous command immediately! First establish a quarantine zone, rescue the wounded, and evacuate unaffected civilians!"

"Yes, Captain!" the agents quickly split into several squads and rushed in different directions.

Yue Chengzhang hurried to a relatively secluded corner, confirmed no one was nearby, then pressed the communicator's connect button.

"Yue Chengzhang," a familiar female voice came from the other end of the communicator.

"Saintess," Yue Chengzhang slightly lowered his head, even though the other party could not see him.

His tone was respectful yet not servile, more like a solemn regard for someone of high rank.

"How is the situation?" the Saintess's voice skipped pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"Apologies, Your Holiness."

Yue Chengzhang's voice deepened; although he did not know how the other had arranged things, nor how abrupt the Supervision Bureau's orders were, he knew tonight was an excellent opportunity.

"'Dark Raven' and 'Shepherd' have escaped; 'Flame City Cannon' has caused a massive Mutation contamination spreading in a densely populated area, with casualties and numbers of mutated beings rapidly increasing."

He paused briefly, then added the most crucial information.

"Additionally, when they escaped, Senior Lei Zhao intervened to block me."

"Lei Zhao..." the Saintess repeated softly, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"He acted?"

"Yes, I was hesitant at the time." Yue Chengzhang reported honestly; if a fight broke out it would cause trouble, but compared to letting him live, it would certainly be worthwhile.

"He also mentioned… some debts will eventually have to be repaid."

"Is that so? Since you chose to stand opposite the Church, you shouldn't hesitate next time, right?"

Yue Chengzhang gave no reply, only lowered his eyes; the other had indeed been a senior he once revered, but that respect was now fully offset by a single instance.

He understood the Saintess's style; her proactive contact surely meant more than just asking for progress.

As expected, the Saintess quickly returned to the main topic.

"'Co-Absorption' members' capture is temporarily postponed; a troublesome individual has arrived in Tianmian City, so for now we will ignore them."

"Your primary task now is to control the contamination and stabilize the situation; the induced Mutation entities are low‑level but numerous and erupting within Tianmian City, and the spread of panic will be more terrifying than the Mutation itself."

"Understood," Yue Chengzhang replied, this is exactly what he was about to do; the Saintess's orders aligned perfectly with his judgment.

The brief official directive was transmitted, and the communication fell silent for a moment.

Yue Chengzhang knows the Saintess still has something to say, or rather, is waiting for him to ask proactively.

He hesitated a moment; some questions involve past secrets, but the Saintess is always especially generous to him.

"Your Majesty," Yue Chengzhang's voice sounded unusually clear in the quiet corner, and unusually direct.

"Regarding Senior Lei Zhao… what exactly caused him to leave the Church back then?"

The Saintess on the other end of the communicator was not surprised by Yue Chengzhang's question; rather, it seemed she had long anticipated he would ask this.