Chapter 10: Yan Qingxue Has Set Her Sights on Su Jing

Jianghuai Association.

Shortly after Su Jing left.

Other knights on mission in Jianghuai who received Lu Qingzhou's message.

Knights like Steel, Silver, and Huangfeng finally returned.

But they hadn't expected to return just now.

And hear the unbelievable news.

"What? Director Lu is dead?!" Jiang Quan, the Silver changer, exclaimed in shock.

"How could this happen! Didn't Director Lu use the newly developed Hyper Kabuto? Wasn't Hyper Kabuto's performance said to rival my Steel?!" Zhou Xin, the Steel changer, also struggled to accept it.

"Where is Su Jing? Where is he?" Lin Sheng, the Huangfeng changer, known for his leadership and team skills, asked curiously.

"He—he's already gone," Lu Qingzhou's assistant said, visibly shaken, swallowing hard.

"But—"

"But according to the footage captured by Iris, he vanished in an instant, as if swallowed by a gray-white curtain-like ability. We suspect it's a spatial ability."

"Spatial ability? I heard the one he's using now isn't Zero-One, but a pink form?" The Steel changer interrupted.

"About that, Speaker Yan is already waiting for you," the assistant cut in, then gestured for them to follow him.

Soon they arrived in the conference room.

Curtains blocked the bright sunlight and the cold October wind.

The room appeared dim.

In the center of the room, a projection appeared.

It was Yan Qingxue.

"Speaker Yan!"

Lin Sheng, the Huangfeng changer, whose combat power wasn't the strongest but usually served as team leader, spoke up.

The Knight system's Beetle, required for transformation, is highly unique—it possesses a degree of sentience and selects its own suitable changer.

The requirement for Huangfeng's changer is team awareness and leadership qualities.

This is a knight who values teamwork.

Thus, Huangfeng's changer was originally a team captain.

"Hmm."

Yan Qingxue's projection replied coolly: "You've probably already heard—the news about Lu Qingzhou's death."

"Damn it! That guy is too arrogant—he came here while we were away and killed Director Lu!" Zhou Xin of Steel clenched his fist.

"We're sorry we arrived too late—we couldn't protect Director Lu or capture that man," Lin Sheng cleared his throat and said.

"It doesn't matter. Lu Qingzhou's death proves he was nothing special." Yan Qingxue showed no concern.

"My old friend said he'll come to Kyoto in ten days to put me on trial."

"Sounds interesting—but I hope he comes bowing his head to me. Do you understand?"

Lin Sheng frowned involuntarily: "Speaker Yan, I understand your meaning. We will do everything we can to defeat Su Jing, the killer of Shengren and Director Lu, and bring him to Kyoto for your judgment—to kneel and confess!"

"But—"

"Based on the battle footage between Su Jing and Director Lu, Su Jing may have regained his body—at least enough to transform and fight."

"Although he's not using Zero-One now, that pink Driver is indeed troublesome. But we… aren't certain we can defeat him."

Two years changed much.

But one thing couldn't be changed!

Su Jing was once the strongest! Lin Sheng's words dripped with dread! The full details of the Clock Up battle were not captured by Iris.

But after the fight, Su Jing appeared utterly unharmed, not even breathing heavily.

Anyone would conclude Lu Qingzhou had exerted no real pressure on him at all!

Hearing this, Yan Qingxue fell silent for a moment: "Then."

"I'll send someone to assist you."

"He should be very interested in my old friend."

Lin Sheng could not refuse—he nodded: "Yes!"

"By the way, bring that pink Driver too. I'm… very interested in it," Yan Qingxue added finally.

It struck Lin Sheng that she seemed to have no Driver of her own—he'd never seen her transform or fight.

Pink… Could this Speaker have set her sights on that pink Driver—the power of Decade?! "I understand."

When the projection ended.

Yan Qingxue slowly lifted her gaze and looked at the man who had been waiting.

He was playing with a Driver—it was the Zero-One Driver! "Well? Are you going?" Yan Qingxue asked coolly.

The man before her, Chen Yan, smiled: "Of course!"

"This is the perfect opportunity!"

"The chance to prove I am the strongest Zero-One!"

"Before, no matter what I did, it still felt inappropriate."

"But now it's different—if I defeat that former strongest face-to-face!"

"Then I should be able to take that title, right?"

He grinned confidently, boldly, mockingly!

Deep night.

Complete silence.

Su Jing walked alone along the park path.

The forest was lush and green, showing no sign of autumn yet.

Only a faint chill breeze swept by, signaling that summer had already passed.

He had originally intended to go straight to Kyoto, suppress Yan Qingxue, and purge the Knight Association—completely inconsistent with his original ideals.

But now—step! Su Jing suddenly stopped and turned around: "How long are you going to follow me?"

"From that forest, to the Jianghuai Association, and now!"

"What do you want from me?"

"I have important matters to attend to, but I won't mind dealing with this first!"

His expression grew slightly serious as he stared at the darkness beside him, utterly devoid of light.

A brief silence followed, then—

Step, step!

A figure slowly stepped out from within.

"Mr. Su Jing, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

"I am Xilina, secretary to the Chairman of Truth Technology!"

"By order, I am to return this to you."

The girl, dressed in a blue secretary's long uniform skirt, spoke with no emotional fluctuation—merely a obedient weapon.

Simultaneously, she withdrew a—Zero-One Driver! Undoubtedly, it was Su Jing's.

"So it was you! The one who stole the Zero-One Driver from the Jianghuai Association."

"You're the Chairman's secretary—no wonder."

"Iris was made by Truth Technology; only Truth Technology could steal this Driver without a sound."

Su Jing suddenly understood, then narrowed his eyes at the Zero-One Driver—his old companion.

"Though I don't know why Truth Technology is helping me, returning the Driver that fought beside me—I should thank you."

"Thank you."

He reached out to reclaim the Driver.

But at that moment, Xilina suddenly pulled it back.

"You misunderstand—I haven't finished speaking."

"Returning the Driver to you was the original order."

"But now—"

She set down the Zero-One Driver and withdrew a brand-new Driver instead.

Shooting Ascension Device! "Now you must defeat me to get your Driver back~"

(End of Chapter)