Chapter 107: Making a Move
Two days later, Nan Yu finally reached the end of his patience and went straight to find Yu Lanfeng. But Yu Lanfeng simply played dumb, refusing to say anything no matter what.
Nan Yu was furious. "You're really not going to tell me? Really? Not even a single word?"
Yu Lanfeng shook his head. "You'll know in a few more days. The time isn't right yet."
Nan Yu was genuinely angry. Just what was it that he wasn't allowed to know? Would finding out cause some huge problem?
But how serious could it really be?
He couldn't understand it at all. He felt that Yu Lanfeng was probably just trying to give him a surprise.
Fine then.
A surprise it was.
Nan Yu sighed {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} in defeat. "Forget it. Since you don't want to tell me, then forget it. I won't ask anymore. Anyway, I'll know after a while, right?"
This time Yu Lanfeng gave him a definite answer.
"That's right. And... this matter is truly troublesome. It involves a lot of things. I hope you'll only watch from the sidelines. Don't get involved."
Nan Yu wasn't some ignorant child. He had lived through a previous life.
During that previous life, while he was fleeing for his life, there had been one matter that still reached his ears...
Nan Yu hesitated before asking, "Could it be related to that prohibited drug?"
Yu Lanfeng froze for a moment. It was rare to see him react like that. Nan Yu had genuinely startled him.
"...Can't you just pretend you don't know?"
Nan Yu knew just how serious it was.
That organization...
To be honest, it was unimaginably complicated.
Its members had infiltrated every planet and every industry. No one even knew how many members the organization actually had.
But there was one thing they could do with absolute certainty.
Anyone who leaked the organization's secrets would be hunted down until they were dead.
Nan Yu also knew of another extremely serious incident.
It hadn't happened in this lifetime yet, but it had happened in his previous one.
And it had been directly connected to Yu Lanfeng.
Yu Lanfeng had probably been investigating that organization for a very long time, yet had never managed to make any real breakthrough. Eventually, they had finally found someone willing to reveal secrets about the organization, and they had placed him in the safest location within Yu Lanfeng's legion under the strictest protection.
Yet only three days later...
The witness had been assassinated.
No one knew how he had died.
No one knew who had killed him.
Nan Yu didn't know what expression Yu Lanfeng had worn back then, nor how he had reacted.
All he knew was that the organization had silently infiltrated Yu Lanfeng's legion and murdered a witness who had been under their strict protection.
And they had done it flawlessly.
Wasn't an organization like that terrifying?
After all, everyone regarded Yu Lanfeng's legion as the strongest legion in the Empire. If even his legion wasn't safe, then nowhere was.
Nan Yu didn't know what happened afterward.
But just thinking about it, it certainly couldn't have ended well.
Taking a deep breath, Nan Yu said, "That's really terrifying... Brother, are you really planning to make a move? If they..."
Yu Lanfeng interrupted him.
"I'm not really planning to attack them. I'm only going to expose Bai Zhouyun's use of prohibited drugs. No matter how powerful that organization is, on the surface, the Empire absolutely prohibits those drugs."
"Since the organization itself couldn't be eliminated at its source, the Empire came up with another method."
If they couldn't stop the sellers...
Then they would make the buyers afraid.
The Empire had established unbelievably harsh punishments.
According to what Nan Yu knew, anyone caught purchasing or using prohibited drugs would receive, at the very minimum, a penalty equal to half of their family's assets.
That's right.
Not imprisonment.
Half of their family fortune.
If the Bai family lost half of its wealth, it would no longer be the prestigious Bai family it was today. At that point, anyone could step on them.
If the circumstances were particularly serious, then half their assets wouldn't be the only punishment.
They would also serve a prison sentence.
In the most severe cases...
Death.
This was the only crime in the Empire that still carried the death penalty.
No matter how terrible other crimes were—even murder or arson—criminals would not be executed.
Because death was too easy.
The Empire wanted criminals to spend the rest of their lives contributing to the Empire.
That was considered the greatest punishment.
As for those who sold prohibited drugs...
Once they were caught, they had to die.
If they were merely imprisoned, then given enough time...
No.
They would be rescued with absolute certainty by members of their organization.
So once a death sentence was handed down, it was carried out immediately.
There wasn't even enough time for anyone to attempt a rescue.
That was how the Empire dealt with them.
Nan Yu felt that such measures had truly been adopted only as a last resort.
Did the Empire not want to interrogate captured criminals?
Of course they did.
They wanted to uncover more secrets.
But reality didn't allow it.
So the Empire could only choose the quickest and most decisive solution.
Moreover, after executing those criminals, the organization usually wouldn't take any further action.
They didn't value the lives of their members very highly.
What they valued were the secrets those members carried in their heads.
Once those people were dead, there was no possibility of those secrets being leaked.
As for whether their execution by the Empire would provoke retaliation against certain Imperial officials...
There was no need to worry.
The more tightly organized an organization was, the fiercer its internal competition.
When one member died, the others were usually delighted.
They would simply think that the deceased had been incompetent.
If someone could die so easily, then they would never have achieved anything significant anyway.
Thinking this through, Nan Yu sat on the sofa with a displeased expression.
"So what if it's that matter? Is it still something I can't know?"
Yu Lanfeng answered, "It's still dangerous. I think the people behind your previous kidnapping were involved. Even if they weren't directly responsible, I believe their shadow was behind it."
Nan Yu blinked.
"What's that supposed to mean? Do they also need Mental Power Users? They're supposed to be extremely powerful. I'm running around outside every day. Logically speaking, they've had plenty of chances to attack me."
Yu Lanfeng looked at him deeply.
It felt strange.
Nan Yu didn't seem shocked at all when talking about this organization.
Instead, it was almost as though he had known about it for a long time.
But Yu Lanfeng chose not to point that out.
"In your case, it would indeed be very easy for them to make a move. But you've forgotten one thing..."
Nan Yu asked, "What?"
Yu Lanfeng sighed softly.
"...Xiao Yu."
As he spoke, he reached out and gently stroked Nan Yu's hair.
"Do you still not realize just how famous you've become?"
Nan Yu let out an "Ah."
"Right... I remembered. I'm basically a celebrity now, so..."
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"That organization operates very quietly. Generally speaking, they won't touch people whose disappearance or death would cause a massive public uproar."
"It's the same with the Empire's High-Tier Mental Power Users."
"Do they want them? Of course they do. They'd love nothing more than to have every High-Tier Mental Power User working for them."
"But they don't dare."
"The citizens of the Empire—and really everyone—can tolerate them secretly buying and selling prohibited drugs, because at least that's a voluntary transaction."
"But if they ever set their sights on the Empire's very foundation..."
"They wouldn't even need the Empire to take action."
"Every citizen of the Empire would unite and wipe them out."
Nan Yu stared at him without blinking.
Yu Lanfeng stopped speaking.
"What?"
Nan Yu found it fascinating.
"I've never heard you say this many words before. I didn't expect that once you started talking about serious matters, you could actually speak so much without stopping."
Yu Lanfeng clearly hadn't expected that response.
He let out a long sigh.
"I've been paying attention to this matter for a long time. Anyway... that's enough for now."
Nan Yu didn't miss the worry in his eyes.
"Fine. I know it's dangerous. I won't go looking for trouble on my own, so don't worry. But..."
Yu Lanfeng looked at him.
"Hm?"
Nan Yu continued, "Even if Bai Zhouyun really used prohibited drugs, he definitely used them on their territory. Now that they've released him, that means the organization must have a way to make sure no machine can detect any drug residue."
"So how are you planning to prove he ever used prohibited drugs?"
Yu Lanfeng answered calmly,
"That part isn't difficult. You'll see in a few days."
Nan Yu twitched at the corner of his mouth.
He had thought Yu Lanfeng was finally going to tell him.
Just now he had spoken so much so fluently...
Yet now he had reverted to his usual self.
Perhaps noticing Nan Yu's displeasure, Yu Lanfeng awkwardly moved closer and gently wrapped an arm around him.
"I originally wanted to give you a surprise."
But half the surprise had already been revealed.
Before the remaining half could become a surprise, Nan Yu had gotten angry.
What was he supposed to do now?
If Nan Yu truly wanted to know...
There was no reason he couldn't tell him now.
Just as he was about to speak, however, Nan Yu smiled.
"I was teasing you. I'm in a great mood. I'll just wait a few more days and see the surprise you've prepared."
Still, something puzzled Nan Yu.
"Can I ask you a question?"
With the crisis resolved, Yu Lanfeng relaxed considerably.
Nan Yu took the Nianshen Grass out of his spatial button.
Yu Lanfeng had already seen it many times, so there was no need to hide it.
"Other people don't know, but you do. You know I have this Nianshen Grass."
"So you know I can definitely become a High-Tier Mental Power User before graduation."
"When that happens, I'll be able to break off my engagement with Bai Zhouyun openly and legitimately."
"So why are you in such a hurry?"
Yu Lanfeng thought silently for a while.
"I want to end your engagement to Bai Zhouyun before you become a High-Tier Mental Power User."
Nan Yu stared at him in surprise.
"Why?"
Yu Lanfeng looked deeply into his eyes.
"...You don't know how many restrictions are placed on a High-Tier Mental Power User's freedom."
Nan Yu suddenly remembered.
That was true.
In his previous life, after becoming a High-Tier Mental Power User, the Empire had protected him extremely well.
He had enjoyed considerable privileges.
But all of his activities had been restricted to the Capital Star.
He had never been allowed to leave.
At the time, though, his entire world had revolved around Bai Zhouyun and his close friend Yun Feiyu.
Since both of them remained on the Capital Star, staying there himself hadn't seemed like a problem.
"So..."
Nan Yu asked quietly,
"If I become a High-Tier Mental Power User, I won't be allowed to leave the Capital Star whenever I want?"
"I won't be able to accompany your legion around the Empire anymore?"
Yu Lanfeng nodded.
"That's right."
"When that happens, you'll lose your freedom."
"Would you still be okay with that?"
Nan Yu's eyes widened.
"Of course not! That's a huge problem!"
"So instead of speeding up my cultivation, I actually have to slow it down."
"At the very least, I'll have to suppress my Mental Power until after graduation."
Before graduation, the academy would conduct an extremely strict comprehensive assessment.
There would be no possibility of cheating.
In other words...
If he reached High-Tier before graduation, no matter how carefully he concealed it, the examination would expose him.
Then he would lose his freedom.
His dream of joining Yu Lanfeng's legion and accompanying them on campaigns would become nothing more than empty words.
He didn't want that.
Not in this lifetime.
At that moment, Nan Yu finally understood Yu Lanfeng's intentions.
"I understand."
"I won't continue cultivating before graduation."
"When the time comes..."
"I'll wait for you to take me on campaign."
Yu Lanfeng smiled gently and pulled him into another light embrace.
"I know."
"I'll keep my promise."
It was only a brief hug.
Yet Nan Yu's face slowly turned red.
He hurriedly slipped out of Yu Lanfeng's arms.
"Um... I'll go get some rest first!"
Then he fled in embarrassment.
Watching his retreating figure, a faint smile curved Yu Lanfeng's lips.
But once he returned to his room, the smile disappeared.
His expression darkened again.
He was still worried about that organization.
This operation was merely a test.
He wanted to find out where the organization's bottom line lay.
If they could determine those limits, it would become much easier to judge how far they could go in future operations.
He slowly stood up and headed toward the study.
Since they would be staying here for quite some time, a study had been specially prepared for Yu Lanfeng's work.
Inside, he began discussing the operational details with his subordinates.
No mistakes could be allowed.
Even the slightest error might lead to consequences none of them wished to see.
Days passed one after another.
Nan Yu estimated that the timing was about right.
Discussions about Bai Zhouyun on the StarNet had already fallen to barely one percent of their original volume.
Even those remaining discussions were confined to small circles.
Meanwhile, countless new headlines had appeared across the StarNet.
Everyone's attention had gradually shifted elsewhere.
Little by little, Bai Zhouyun faded from public view.
By the time people realized it, almost no one was talking about him anymore.
If someone suddenly started loudly criticizing him again now, they would immediately attract attention.
And the first person to stand out might very well become the sacrificial chicken used to warn the monkeys.
So for a while, in all the public areas of the StarNet, no one mentioned Bai Zhouyun's name.
Nor did anyone openly demand the cancellation of his engagement.
Even so, countless people still resented Bai Zhouyun.
Even if they couldn't personally do anything to him, they still wanted to see his engagement fall apart.
So they had continued working quietly behind the scenes.
And today...
Now that the incident's popularity had faded to the perfect level...
It was finally their turn.
Looking at the materials in their hands, every one of them was shocked.
But if everything was handled properly...
These materials would become extremely useful.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Ready. Let's begin."
It was a small group of only ten people.
They had come together purely by chance after meeting one another while cursing Bai Zhouyun on the StarNet.
The more they chatted...
The more they realized everyone else was surprisingly talented.
After talking privately, they found they got along exceptionally well.
Eventually they all gathered on the Capital Star and deliberately formed a small organization dedicated solely to opposing Bai Zhouyun.
Previously, however, Old Master Bai had struck back rather ruthlessly out of guilt, causing them considerable losses.
So they had remained dormant for a while.
Yet unexpectedly...
They had obtained such valuable information.
Although they couldn't meet the anonymous source to thank them personally...
These materials were an enormous help.
That very night, they released everything onto the StarNet.
Accompanying the evidence was an eye-catching article.
The title alone guaranteed that anyone who saw it would click.
Shocking: The Bai Family's Only Son Had Been a Mid-Tier Ability User Since Childhood, Yet After Disappearing for Three Days Recently, He Returned as a High-Tier Ability User. What Hidden Secret Lies Behind This?!
The headline was rather long.
But people loved this kind of thing.
They deliberately published it during the StarNet's busiest hours.
They weren't worried about traffic in the slightest.
Very quickly, people began commenting and reposting it.
Throughout the entire article, they carefully avoided saying anything that crossed legal boundaries.
Every sentence was worded with extreme caution.
Even if it spread widely, even if millions of people read it...
It wouldn't qualify as an online crime.
Because the entire article consisted of one thing.
Speculation.
Sentence after sentence was filled with phrases like:
"I think..."
"In my opinion..."
"It seems to me..."
"Perhaps..."
"Maybe..."
Everyone finished reading with their curiosity thoroughly aroused.
Yet nowhere did the article make a direct accusation.
It conveyed only one message.
Bai Zhouyun's sudden leap from a Mid-Tier Ability User to a High-Tier Ability User had almost certainly been achieved through illegal and improper means.
People on the StarNet weren't stupid.
In fact, many of those now paying attention to the story didn't even know who Bai Zhouyun was.
They had simply been attracted by the article itself.
Didn't know whether it was true?
Didn't know who Bai Zhouyun was?
That didn't matter.
The members of the small group immediately began posting follow-up explanations.
Starting from Bai Zhouyun's earliest appearances on the StarNet all the way to the present, they patiently educated everyone.
Since everything they posted relied on relatively official wording, and all the information consisted of facts already known by Bai Zhouyun's acquaintances and people around him, it didn't constitute the disclosure of anyone's private information or confidential secrets.
So although they were now walking right along the edge of getting arrested, they felt they could still keep a low profile for a while longer.
"Boss, everything's done. The discussion is already picking up. Since this involves prohibited drugs, I think the attention it gets might be much higher than last time."
"But I do have one question. What if he really just got ridiculously lucky?"
The man they called Boss chuckled.
"Don't worry. This has nothing to do with us anyway. We only expressed our personal opinions. At the end we even added that these were purely subjective views and shouldn't be applied to reality. If someone insists on connecting it to reality, that's beyond our control, isn't it?"
Even so, they all knew this kind of behavior wasn't exactly encouraged.
So after posting the final piece of content, they immediately packed up and left.
The moment they stepped outside, they saw a hovercraft waiting.
It didn't take long for them to confirm that it was the one sent to pick them up.
After boarding, the hovercraft carried them away.
From that day forward, those ten people never appeared there again.
At the time, there hadn't been anyone nearby, so nobody knew who had picked them up.
Nor did anyone know where they had gone.
Naturally, everyone who came looking for them afterward found nothing.
Meanwhile, Nan Yu was sitting in class, nodding off.
He hadn't slept well the previous night.
Yang Zhou had been sitting quietly beside him just moments ago, but now he suddenly let out a suppressed scream.
He quickly shoved Nan Yu awake.
"Nan Yu, look! Look at this!"
Nan Yu only needed one glance to recognize it as the plan Yu Lanfeng had mentioned before.
He hadn't expected it to begin already.
After reading the entire article, only one thought crossed his mind.
The people who had published this were truly fearless.
Weren't they afraid the organization would come after them afterward?
Actually...
They probably wouldn't even have to wait for the organization.
The Bai family would likely move first and seize them.
Yang Zhou exclaimed, "Wow! This person has guts! They're directly saying there's something suspicious about Bai Zhouyun becoming a High-Tier Ability User in such a short time."
"Hmph. So what if he became a High-Tier Ability User? He'd definitely be the weakest High-Tier Ability User around!"
Nan Yu nodded slightly.
"This matter involves far more than it appears. It looks like even Old Master Bai won't be able to clean it up immediately."
Yang Zhou had no idea what was really going on.
"What do you mean it involves a lot? Tell me."
Nan Yu closed his StarNet interface.
"Nothing. I just mean this is going to become a pretty big issue. He'll be able to withstand it."
Who was he referring to?
Naturally, Bai Zhouyun.
Nan Yu also wondered what Bai Zhouyun had been doing all these days without coming to school.
Had he realized he was completely exposed and simply decided not to come anymore?
Still, he had properly submitted a long-term leave request.
Unable to figure it out, Nan Yu stopped thinking about it.
After all, Bai Zhouyun hadn't made any major moves recently.
Looking out the window at the scenery outside, Nan Yu said,
"Whatever happens to him is his own business. It has nothing to do with us."
Yang Zhou answered as though it were perfectly obvious.
"Exactly. It has nothing to do with me. I just really want to see him suffer, so I've been paying attention the whole time. I was excited just now, not worried about him."
Nan Yu fell silent.
He knew Yang Zhou would say something like that.
"Alright, let's go. It's about time."
He felt that Bai Zhouyun definitely wouldn't be showing up now.
Before, it had merely been a matter of embarrassment.
Now...
It was brushing right up against a criminal offense.
He wondered how the Bai family would deal with this situation this time...
Wait.
Maybe there was no way to deal with it at all.
The Empire would definitely notice this matter.
And once it did, the harshest possible judgment would certainly follow.
After the verdict took effect, Bai Zhouyun wouldn't even have a chance to meet Nan Yu.
There would be no need for the Nan family or Yu Lanfeng's people to intervene.
Bai Zhouyun simply wouldn't be able to appear before him.
In fact, Nan Yu felt that as long as Bai Zhouyun couldn't overcome the obstacles imposed by his own family, meeting him would be completely impossible.
At that very moment, however, Bai Zhouyun was communicating with Yun Feiyu, paying absolutely no attention to what had just appeared on the StarNet.