Once, I wanted to be a good person

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But their strength was clearly much inferior to that of the gangs. Discover exclusive tales on empire

Even though there were only a few dozen strong men from the gang surrounding the streets at this early stage.

They were still much stronger than the poor folk of these streets.

Moreover, perhaps sensing the resistance from the people in these streets, gang members, armed with weapons, began to converge from various parts of the slums.

Whether it was through extorting the hard-earned fats and oils from the people, or for some other reason, they were all broad-shouldered and stout, completely different from those malnourished residents of the slums with their sallow complexions.

On the streets, the number of people on both sides continued to swell. But clearly, the momentum on the side of the citizens was weakening…

Miaomiao was also among the crowd.

She had come out only after hearing the commotion in the streets.

When she saw a familiar neighbor being hacked to death, and his body thrown in the street like a dead dog, she was utterly bewildered.

Later, as more and more people emerged, she was tightly grabbed by Auntie Pang, who firmly protected her behind herself.

With a pale, bloodless face, she watched her familiar neighbor, watched the increasingly gathering gang members outside, carrying machetes with eyes filled with coldness, feeling as if they were about to strike, her heart filled with confusion and worry...

......

Meanwhile.

At the Secret Base of the Special Case Team, Security Bureau.

All the commissioners had been cleared from the scene, with only Bai Zhi and the still unconscious Cui Xuemin remaining there.

Bai Zhi opened the safe and took out the small box-like item from last time.

After tapping a few times on the small box, immediately all the lights in the secret base started to flicker, and signals, along with technological devices, emitted "tz tz la la" sounds of interference.

For a moment, the cold voice of the female director of the Security Bureau rang out in the base, "What's the matter?"

It was the familiar opening, but this time, Bai Zhi was obviously much more at ease.

She said with a smile, "Director. I've cracked this case."

"Not only have I thoroughly investigated the basic situation of that organization."

"But I've also captured an important member of that organization."

"You'll never guess who it is!"

When the cold voice heard her words, it was silent for two seconds, then said, "Cui Xuemin?"

"???" Bai Zhi looked stunned.

She couldn't help asking, "Director, how did you know?"

The cold voice said, "Yesterday afternoon, Gu Qing came to me with a series of evidence, claiming that Director Cui is a spy for that mysterious organization."

"And requested his arrest."

Bai Zhi: ...

"Gu Qing..." Bai Zhi's smile vanished, and she clenched her hands tightly.

Sensing Bai Zhi's mood, the woman's voice softened a bit, trying to console her, "Don't take it too much to heart."

"He is more cerebral, and you..."

She hesitated mid-sentence, "The Bureau has different roles in mind for the two of you."

"You have great strength."

"....."

Bai Zhi acknowledged with an emotionless "Hmm."

The woman, clearly not adept at consoling, sighed slightly, then changed the subject, "Also, stop playing around."

"It's just a bet. You actually dropped everything and went to solve the case with a few rookies. You don't want to be the laughing stock, do you?"

"Now that the case is closed, hurry back to Emerald City."

"The once-in-a-decade Flower Morning Festival is about to begin."

"It's a big event."

"Gu..." She paused, then continued, "He has been investigating the Flower Morning Festival lately. He says he's found some leads... "

"You know, the Flower Morning Festival may be related to that special path of Spirit Ascension: Faith."

"If confirmed, it might give humanity a bit more hope."

"That is what's most important right now."

Hearing the woman's words, Bai Zhi also put her emotions aside and responded with another "Hmm."

The woman continued, "When you come back, get in touch with him. He will primarily lead the investigation this time."

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhi suddenly reacted, protesting, "Why should he? I can lead the investigation too!"

"The decision for the district chief hasn't been made yet, so why should he lead?"

The woman fell silent for a while.

As if realizing something, Bai Zhi quickly added, "Right, Director. During this case, I discovered a very bright talent!"

"If it hadn't been for him, we wouldn't have cracked the case at all."

"He even captured the mole without using an Extraordinary Artifact."

"He's as unusual as Gu Qing was back in the day!"

With that, confidence returned to her face. "I don't need any resources from the Bureau, I'll just take him and a few newcomers, and then investigate on my own."

"It's healthy competition, right?"

The woman fell silent again for a moment, then said, "Suit yourself. As long as you don't cause trouble for me. If Gu Qing needs your support, don't you dare throw a tantrum on me."

Bai Zhi cheerfully replied, "Yes!"

.....

Ending the call, Bai Zhi looked around the empty secret base. Her expression faded, returning to her composed demeanor....

Staring at the monitor, flickering with white snowflakes, she muttered, "Gu Qing... Flower Morning Festival..."

"A fine day of birth for all flowers, and not even half spring by Flower Morning. Thousands of purples and reds, dressed in brocade, yet still pay decoration to honor the Flower God."

Bai Zhi couldn't help but recall the Flower Morning Festival from ten years ago.

At that time, in the prime of her life, she donned her exquisite noble attire, cut colored papers, took red threads, and tied the colorful notes onto the trees. Together with her close girlfriends and companions, they ventured into the suburbs to enjoy the celebration of blooming flowers....

"Green hiking," "admiring the blooms," "flower lion decorating," "releasing Flower God lanterns," "Flower Saintess."

```

The Flower God Festival, held once every ten years, is the most important holiday for the high-tier city, Emerald City, as well as the five low-tier cities it oversees.

Every time when it arrives, Emerald City would be lit up with lanterns and buzzing with excitement.

In the past, she also cherished this festival, but after joining the Security Bureau for certain reasons, she came to understand that behind this grand celebration lay immense secrets.

One of the most important tasks of the Security Bureau's division in Emerald City over these ten years has been to uncover that secret....

But they had always come up empty-handed.

Unexpectedly, that psychopath who had come to the Emerald City division merely two years ago had now established a formidable reputation throughout both Emerald City and Xida State and had now been appointed to oversee this task.

And thinking again about her own grudge against that person, Bai Zhi's hand clenched tightly.

She didn't want to lose.

If the her of the past had no choice, but now.... the her of now, seemed to have a glimmer of hope.

"Fang Ze..."

Murmuring that name, Bai Zhi's eyes filled with more spirit.

Suddenly, she picked up the walkie-talkie and called out, "Bai Ling! Bai Ling! What time did you arrange to meet Fang Ze? Where? Let's go earlier, so we don't keep him waiting!"

.....

Half an hour later, Bai Zhi, with Xiao Bai Ling and a few commissioners from the Security Bureau, patiently waited for Fang Ze at the agreed forest exit.

Xiao Bai Ling carried not only a hammer but also a backpack.

The backpack contained four defensive Extraordinary Artifacts that Bai Zhi had promised Fang Ze, as well as several doses of Lini.

Clearly, this was the advance payment Bai Zhi had prepared for Fang Ze.

To recruit Fang Ze under her command, she had indeed shown full sincerity.

Standing at the forest exit, Xiao Bai Ling held the backpack and then alternately looked at the forest exit and at Bai Zhi, asking in a low voice, "Sister Bai, it seems like you really value Fang Ze."

"Even the defense artifacts you've picked out are top-notch. There's even one that you used to wear."

"Did something happen?"

Bai Zhi simply smiled and said nothing.

And so, the group waited from noon till afternoon, and from afternoon till evening.

Xiao Bai Ling initially wanted to contact Fang Ze, to ask where he was.

But it was Bai Zhi who stopped her, saying indifferently, "In the face of talent, we must show sufficient respect."

"If it's slow, it's slow. I have the patience to wait."

"That psychopath could even mooch off someone for more than a month for the sake of a talent."

"What's one day of waiting compared to that?"

So, the time continued to tick by....

Until the sun set and the moon rose, and they still hadn't seen Fang Ze, Bai Zhi's nonchalance began to fade gradually.

She coughed once and signaled Xiao Bai Ling with her eyes, "You should still get in touch and ask...."

......

Meanwhile, in the jungle, Fang Ze and One Two Three stood on the canopy of a giant Tree Person, directing their way while Fang Ze said angrily, "You're directionally challenged! You should have told me that sooner!"

"If you don't tell me, how would I know!"

"You keep swinging back and forth. I can't make out any direction at all."

"If I hadn't realized something was off midway, we could have accidentally ended up in Emerald City!"

Fang Ze stood on the canopy, looking eagerly into the distance and discerning the direction as he said, "We're supposed to be on a rescue mission today. If we're late, see if I don't bust your head!"

One Two Three hung its head gloomily, squatting on the canopy and covering its head with its wooden hands, not daring to speak.

It was at that moment, suddenly, the Windbreeze Flowers started swirling around Fang Ze.

Fang Ze glanced at the flower and slapped his forehead in annoyance.

Because One Two Three took a wrong turn, by the time he realized it, it was too late, and in his haste, he had forgotten to notify Bai Ling.

Thinking of this, he quickly picked up the communicator.

Before Xiao Bai Ling could even speak on the communicator, Fang Ze started explaining quickly, "Chief Bai Ling! I'm really sorry! I ran in the wrong direction in the forest!"

"I won't be able to make it today! You guys go ahead and pull out!"

"I'll contact you in a couple days!"

Little Bai Ling, on the other end of the Windbreeze Flower, listened to his words and involuntarily looked at Bai Zhi.

Bai Zhi walked over and then spoke to Fang Ze with a smile, "No problem, Fang Ze. Since you can't make it today, we'll head back."

"When you come back in a few days, get in touch with us."

Seeing Bai Zhi being so understanding, Fang Ze was a bit surprised.

Although he didn't want to go in the first place, the wrong direction was truly accidental, and he also felt a bit guilty for not having contacted Bai Ling sooner.

Originally, he was prepared for a harsh scolding from Bai Zhi.

Yet seeing them like this, not the slightest bit angry?

Officer Bai Zhi was nicer than he expected.

Next time, he should try not to stand them up again....

However, at this moment, Bai Zhi, after hanging up the phone, clenched her fist and silently cheered herself on:

Go the wrong way?

No way.

He was definitely flexing his power over her.

But no matter, having talent usually comes with a bit of arrogance.

She must be patient, patient, and not scare him away....

....

And as Bai Zhi's group walked back, Fang Ze and One Two Three rushed anxiously to Qingshan City.

Just then, in Qingshan City, in the slums, the situation on the street where Miaomiao was located grew increasingly dangerous....

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