Chapter 546: Adams

Ya Dang Si's two‑thousand‑word essay lies quietly in the chat window, every line full of sincerity, or rather, the bearing a clever person should have.

Cheng Shuili puts down her bowl and begins to consider what comes next.

Since Mingri is still alive, we can uncover who has been directing this from behind.

Another possibility, Cheng Shuili had indeed thought of it.

But that thought only spun around in her mind once before she suppressed it.

People are all profit‑seeking.

Mingri follows Ya Dang Si; in the New Federation, whatever he wants—status, resources, protection—is never lacking.

What reason does he have to strike at Black Feather at this critical moment? What reason to risk offending the two major powers to do such a thankless task?

Moreover, as a mere deputy, he couldn't bypass Ya Dang Si and bribe so many players from other regions with benefits.

The most likely scenario is that Mingri doesn't even know where these players who assassinated Guanghui came from; he simply followed orders, gathering a group to set the pace on World Channel.

Now, Mingri's testimony is crucial.

But the biggest problem lies right here.

Ya Dang Si's sincerity is genuine, but Mingri's mouth isn't so easy to pry open.

If Mingri is determined to scapegoat someone, he could arbitrarily point to a faction—say, Great Wall Watch, or Yanhuang, or even bite Black Feather, claiming it was self‑produced by Black Feather.

The situation would then become complicated.

How difficult it is to judge whether someone's words are true!

Coincidentally, Cheng Shuili possesses exactly that ability.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: How about we let Mingri handle the review?

The message sent, Cheng Shuili takes another sip of porridge, quietly awaiting a reply.

In less than a minute, Ya Dang Si's message arrives.

【Ya Dang Si】: No problem. However, Wuya Lao Da, may we sit in as listeners? And also tour Black Feather's territory; I heard Black Feather's communal cafeteria is luxuriously renovated, could we also take a look?

Cheng Shuili watches that line on the screen, her mouth twitching slightly.

The illustrious leader of the New Federation taking such a detour for a single meal—truly unparalleled.

Still, Cheng Shuili doesn't mind.

Ya Dang Si's willingness to come in person shows he truly wants to sort this out face‑to‑face, not play Tai Chi behind a screen.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Got it. Arrive before lunch is served.

【Ya Dang Si】: Oh dear, that's quite embarrassing.

Cheng Shuili: "…"

That guy must have stayed in Long Guo, right?

Judging by this, he probably spent a fairly long time there.

【Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji】: Remember to bring the person over.

【Ya Dang Si】: Rest assured, already on the way.

Cheng Shuili stands, stretches a bit, and walks to the window.

Outside the window, Black Feather's camp has already begun its day's bustle.

In the training ground, someone is doing morning drills; faint cooking smoke drifts from the cafeteria area, and a few logistics members push supply carts toward the warehouse.

Everything looks ordinary.

But Cheng Shuili knows today is destined not to be ordinary.

She watches for a while, then turns and walks out.

As she pushes the door open, she sees Wan Yi holding a plate of sliced fruit at the doorway, about to knock.

"Here, I just cut it, happened to have time, thought I'd bring it over…" she starts, then freezes upon seeing Cheng Shuili fully dressed, "You're going out?"

Cheng Shuili takes the plate, finishes the small serving of post‑meal fruit in a couple of bites, nods and says, "A guest is arriving soon. The New Federation's Ya Dang Si, he's coming with his people."

"Ya Dang Si? He's coming here?"

"Hmm." Cheng Shuili steps outward, then stops, "Your timing is perfect; add a few dishes for lunch. Long Guo style, on the spicy side."

Wan Yi nods absentmindedly, only after Cheng Shuili has walked several steps does she ask, "Lao Da, how many people is he bringing? Should we prepare more?"

"No need." Cheng Shuili's voice drifts from ahead, already far away.

Wan Yi stands where she is, cradling the empty plate, expression complicated.

Is Lao Da in a good mood today?

No, no—Lao Da's mood is always good; he just doesn't show it.

Wan Yi thinks, silently heading to the cafeteria, mentally tallying: Long Guo flavor, spicy—so we need boiled fish, spicy chicken, mapo tofu…

She takes two steps, then stops, opening a private chat to send the logistics team a message:

【Wan Yi】: Quick, quick, quick—big VIP arriving at noon today, double the ingredients! Make more spicy dishes!

【Logistics Team】:???

【Wan Yi】: No need to ask, Lao Da ordered it himself!

【Logistics Team】: Received!

Cheng Shuili doesn't know how far Wan Yi has amplified her casual "add a few dishes".

By now she has reached the entrance of the territory, standing beneath an old tree, waiting for Ya Dang Si's party.

Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting a speckled patch on her shoulder.

It's noon, yet Ya Dang Si has already set out; the distance from the safe zone to the territory isn't far, so he should arrive soon.

As expected, about ten minutes later, several figures emerge from the shadows.

At the head is a tall man in a sleek combat uniform, his brown hair catching a faint golden sheen in the sun. Four people follow him, two of whom are supporting a bowed‑head figure—presumably Mingri.

Adams saw Cheng Shuili under the tree from afar, a smile immediately blossomed on his face, and he strode over.

"Wuya Lao Da! I've heard of you for a long time, long time!"

He stepped closer, extended his hand, his demeanor enthusiastic yet not overly familiar.

Cheng Shuili was startled; what she heard wasn't a system‑generated translation but Long Guo speech with an accent, confirming that this person had indeed spent a long time in Long Guo.

Cheng Shuili reached out and gave him a brief handshake, "Adams."

"Ah, finally I see a real person," Adams laughed, his eyes crinkling, he sized Cheng Shuili up from head to toe, "Much younger than what World Channel says, and far more attractive too."

Cheng Shuili didn't follow up on his remark; her gaze passed over him and landed on the person standing behind him.

Mingri was being held up by two people, head bowed, with no obvious injuries, yet his whole body seemed as if its bones had been drawn out, soft and limp.

"What did you manage to ask?" Cheng Shuili asked.

Adams's smile faded, and he sighed, "He's very stubborn. From last night until now, he keeps repeating the same few lines: 'I did it myself,' 'I find Black Feather unsightly,' 'Kill or maim, whatever.'"

He paused, lowered his voice, "But I've checked; those days he had no contact with anyone, the assassin definitely wasn't hired by him. Only those who stir up trouble on World Channel are the ones he sought."

Cheng Shuili nodded, saying nothing.

It matches her guess; now we shall see what can actually be extracted.