Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!

Chapter 5: This Is a Chaotic World

Chapter 5 This Is a Chaotic World

Qin Shuman looked at the dagger in her hand, then up at Qiu Tu, her voice trembling as she asked, "You want me to kill him with this if we're exposed?"

Qiu Tu shook his head and gently patted her left breast, saying, "If you realize we're exposed, just pull this out and stab yourself here, twist it, and in two seconds, you won’t feel anything anymore."

"Trust me, dying is better than living a fate worse than death."

Qin Shuman's expression changed several times before her eyes turned red. She punched Qiu Tu’s chest a few times and cried, "You’re a bastard! You tricked me into bed and now want me to do something so dangerous."

"I should never have come out today. Never!"

Qiu Tu observed her closely. Seeing that she seemed genuinely afraid and regretful, he softened and gently embraced her, patting her back to comfort her. However, behind her back, his eyes grew dark and contemplative.

Indeed, it’s easy for women to cry. Qin Shuman shed many tears below and above. After being soothed for over ten minutes, she finally stopped crying.

Once she was calmed down, Qiu Tu led her to the worn-out sofa. They went over their story, and he briefly explained what she needed to do next. Once she had memorized everything, they left his home.

Stepping out of the house, Qiu Tu smelled the rotting odor in the stairway and looked up at the sky. The sky in this world was always gray, shrouded in a thick haze, heavy and dark.

According to his predecessor’s memory, the sky had been like this since the cataclysm, making sunlight rare and precious. The cataclysm that occurred decades ago had destroyed the world order, human civilization, and irrevocably changed the world.

"What are you thinking about?" Qin Shuman asked cautiously, standing beside Qiu Tu. She seemed somewhat scared of him after the earlier incident with the gun.

Qiu Tu came back to his senses, looked at her, and shook his head. "Nothing."

He then added calmly, "Don't show such an expression; it will only get us both killed."

Feeling wronged, Qin Shuman glanced at him, took a few deep breaths, and adjusted her state. She then patted her face and nodded to Qiu Tu, carefully leading the way downstairs, holding the rusty handrail.

Qiu Tu followed, keeping a safe distance to ensure her safety without appearing intimate.

Qiu Tu’s home was in an old, dilapidated tenement building on Old Lane Street, a relatively decent area of New Realm City but still rundown. The steps were cracked and broken, and the hallway littered with discarded books, broken glass, and dirty plastic bags, resembling a slum.

Planning areas were built on the ruins of old cities.

As they descended the stairs, Qiu Tu sensed several hidden glances directed at them.

'They must be Yan Chen’s people.'

Since reporting the matter to Yan Chen, Qiu Tu had anticipated that Yan Chen would send people to monitor and observe, given his suspicious nature.

As expected, a plainclothes agent emerged from the shadows. His stern face showed no sign of friendliness.

The agent walked up to Qiu Tu, took out a black badge, and said, "Agent Qiu, I’m Special Operations Division High-Level Agent Fang Ming, here under the Director’s orders to escort you and Miss Qin to the city villa for a temporary stay. The Director will talk to you tonight."

‘Special Operations Division?’ Qiu Tu thought, feeling a bit moved. Yan Chen must have considered him highly.

The Investigation Department, one of the three major power institutions in New Realm City, had a complex and strict structure. Besides its eleven main divisions, it also oversaw seven branch offices and seventy-nine security bureau.

Among these departments, the smallest was the local security bureau, and the most powerful were the Political Division and the Special Operations Division.

As the two most powerful divisions:

The Political Division handled intelligence, espionage, counter-espionage, and internal surveillance, holding significant power.

The Special Operations Division was responsible for counter-insurgency, riot control, and armed patrols in key areas during special periods. It was the strongest violent department of the Investigation Department.

This division's structure allowed it to operate independently from the Investigation Department, with a formidable armed force comparable to the military.

It was Yan Chen's private armed force and his key asset for maintaining his position as one of the three giants of New Realm City.

So even as Yan Chen's lackey, Qiu Tu had to comply with the Special Operations Division.

‘Looks like Yan Chen is planning to lock down our movements and interrogate us directly.’

‘Good thing I’ve made preparations.’

Despite maintaining a calm exterior, Qiu Tu looked at Qin Shuman and said, "Miss Qin, you heard the Director's orders. Agent Fang will be responsible for your safety from now on."

Qin Shuman blinked, showing a disappointed expression. She looked at Fang Ming, then back at Qiu Tu, and said, "But I wanted you to take me to Cross Street for a walk."

She then looked pitifully at Fang Ming, "Agent Fang..."

As Yan Chen’s confidant, Fang Ming recognized Qin Shuman and understood her relationship with Yan Chen. Since the affair between Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman hadn't been exposed and Yan Chen wouldn't disclose his personal shame to a subordinate, Fang Ming misunderstood the situation.

He hesitated, glanced at the time, thought for a moment, and then said, "Miss Qin, the Director will be back at the city villa by six. I can give you an hour and a half."

Qin Shuman obediently nodded and agreed.

Qiu Tu stood by with his hands in his pockets, looking indifferent, like an outsider.

Once the arrangement was made, the Special Operations Division agents took over Qin Shuman's security. Qiu Tu and Fang Ming kept a close watch, and the group headed towards the street.

Their flashy attire made them stand out, and the impoverished residents hiding in the dilapidated buildings watched them with fear, numbness, or apathy, too scared to provoke these obviously high-status individuals.

For the ordinary people of this city, both Qiu Tu and Fang Ming were significant figures who could decide their fate.

But they didn’t know that in front of the real big shots, Qiu Tu and Fang Ming were also like ants.

This was the harsh, human-eat-huamn world after the cataclysm.

The agents were immune to these stares, maintaining their composure as they escorted Qin Shuman through the rows of rundown buildings to an old car.

This was a vehicle specially prepared for Qin Shuman by Yan Chen.

Seeing the car, Fang Ming quickly walked over, opened the back door, and respectfully said, "Miss Qin, please."

Qin Shuman glanced back at Qiu Tu, receiving no response. She bit her lip in frustration and lifted her skirt to step into the car.

Just as she bent down, ready to get in, a man's mocking voice echoed from above, "Heh, what a disgrace!"

Everyone looked up, confused. Suddenly, there was a loud crash!

A body smashed onto the car roof, caving it in and splattering blood and limbs everywhere.

Screams and mad laughter filled the air.

The sudden chaos stunned everyone. Only Qiu Tu remained calm, stepping forward to shield the screaming Qin Shuman and pulling her aside.

The Special Operations Division agents quickly responded, rushing forward to protect them and opening fire on the rooftop without hesitation.

Author's Note