227: Chapter 9 A Disadvantageous Start_2 227: Chapter 9 A Disadvantageous Start_2 “Really amusing,” she concluded, not sure whether she was mocking those who had died by her hand or ridiculing herself as a pawn in someone else’s game.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle grew even worse, oppressive like the calm before a storm, even Shiyu Lianyi couldn’t hide his dark expression.
The two Shiyus looked as if they were about to make some undesirable comments—
But at that moment, the Superpower User interlaced his hands behind his head and loudly declared,
“Well, since we’re going to Zero Island on a business trip, I might as well help you with your private grudge!”
Shiyu Ling was taken aback while Shiyu Lianyi’s lips curled upwards.
The young man with grey hair, seemingly oblivious, continued casually, “Figure out the conspiracy the Shiyu Research Institute is planning, weed out the mastermind and deal with them, then head back to the Sky City!
When you think about it, it’s quite a simple task, totally manageable.”
Shiyu Ling let out a snort of laughter and turned her head to glare at the young man, speaking deliberately,
“Don’t treat me as a tool for satisfying your own self-destructive desires.”
Gongsun Ce, with his eyes closed, didn’t show a hint of agitation at being poked where it hurt.
“Being inherently negative doesn’t prevent one from doing the right thing.
Relax, Miss Alice, even if I die, I’ll wait until everything is done.”
This sentence made Shiyu Ling’s skin crawl.
She rubbed her arms and said, “Ew…
What kind of defeatist attitude is that, masquerading as something noble, disgusting!”
“There’s nothing to it, Mr.
Gongsun, I’ve always been your favorite paragon of justice,” Gongsun Ce emphasized the word “favorite” deliberately.
The woman with blue hair pretended to vomit before turning her head away again.
Shiyu Lianyi shrugged his shoulders, pretending he hadn’t heard, “We’ll be separating in ten minutes.
Just to be safe, let’s confirm one more time, Gongsun, do you have a basic understanding of Zero Island?”
Gongsun Ce’s knowledge of Zero Island was mostly based on anime and geography lessons from middle and high school.
Scratching his head, he recalled, “Zero Island… If I remember correctly, it’s the only nation in the world governed jointly by the military and financiers, and also deeply affected by the Dragon Disaster.”
He remembered what Principal Onowell had mentioned in an elective course, speaking uncertainly, “I think it was divided into three major islands due to the virtual light catastrophe.
They are Purple Island, which is 30 meters below sea level; Dahe Island, which is a perfect circle in shape; and something that rises like a tall mountain from the sea…”
“Qiongge Island,” Shiyu Lianyi softly chimed in.
“Yeah, that must be it,” Gongsun Ce scratched his head again, “But as for the local forces, I’m completely clueless, as I barely left Sky City.”
Shiyu Lianyi handed him a chip.
“Here’s some information related to Zero Island, I suggest you read it on the plane.”
The Superpower User took the chip, figuring that Qiluo would probably be needed to decode it.
Shaking his head, his words were full of confusion, “Mr.
Shiyu, I understand missions are time-sensitive, but is there this much of a rush?
I didn’t even have time to go back home and pack.
And you’re driving this car as though you’re competing with an invisible opponent, a normal person would be close to vomiting by now.”
This time it wasn’t Shiyu Lianyi who spoke.
“You truly know nothing, naive boy.”
“And what might your insight be, Miss Alice?”
“It’s you and me who are going to Zero Island,” Shiyu Ling sneered, “I’m the first experimental subject of the Shiyu Research Institute, and you possess a secret capable of slaying the Colored glaze Dragon.
Do you have any idea of the massive disturbance this will cause in the information network?
Before we set off for Zero Island, the old timers probably already got a prophecy of a great catastrophe looming.
The elders of Zero Island are now summoning their trusted aides to prepare for an emergency meeting!”
Gongsun Ce opened his mouth, asking, “Is disaster prophecy that powerful?
Didn’t you say before that this stuff isn’t reliable?”
“It isn’t, elsewhere,” Shiyu Lianyi sped up the car, “but once it’s related to Zero Island, disaster prophecy becomes something completely different.”
“It will reveal the events of the future with incredible precision…”
“And it will make everything complex and bewildering.”
“Great catastrophe is coming—!
Great catastrophe is coming—!”
A shrill scream piercing the air came from behind the iron door, the immature female voice setting the Ninja on guard duty on high alert.
A Ninja in a tea-colored outfit, of the Thousand Refinement Level, rushed through the fortress made of mainframes and cables and stood in front of the elegant wooden door engraved with a shuriken and fan Emblem, knocking on the door in the rhythm used for reporting urgent matters.
Disturbing the pleasures of a superior was punishable by ritual suicide, but in urgent situations, different rules applied.
He awaited a response from a Soul Cutting Level Ninja, and a crack in the wooden door opened.
“Disturbing your pleasure is a sin worthy of death, Zuiyan-san,” the Ninja in tea-colored Ninja Equipment knelt on one knee and reported urgently yet respectfully, “Mr.
Shiyu from the Spirit Temple has sent a new prophecy.”
The door of the private room opened silently, and one of the high-ranking officials of the Martial Arts Association looked at him with scrutiny.
Zuiyan, small in stature, dressed in blue and purple Ninja Equipment embroidered with a mysterious eye pattern, covered his face with a silver-white mask.
He sat in front of a chess board holding a shogi piece, involved in a profound game against a highly intelligent AI.
The Thousand Refinement Level Ninja’s heart was filled with respect; there Zuiyan-san was, underground in safety, armed to the teeth even while contemplating Zen – a manifestation of his unique caution and sense of responsibility, rightfully one of the four leaders of the Ninja Army.
“The content,” Zuiyan demanded solemnly.
“Great catastrophe is coming.”
In matters of utmost importance, one need not adhere to complicated etiquette, a lesson Zuiyan often taught his subordinates.