Chapter 472: Aftermath

Ninth District, a winding road in the suburbs.

Dozens of vehicles sped past.

Inside the lead car, a woman in the back seat was speaking rapidly into her phone. "...I’m almost there! Don’t worry, I’ll do everything in my power to protect Qingli. You shouldn’t worry either, the Beast God will watch over her... Yes, yes, I’ll send someone to pick you up right away..."

The call ended. Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared through the car as red lights flashed.

The driver in the front seat cut in, "City Lord, we’re detecting powerful Superpower fluctuations. It looks like hundreds of A Level or higher individuals are engaged in a massive brawl up ahead."

He glanced at the rearview mirror. Zhong Tongyun, the City Lord of the Ninth District, was leaning against the back of her seat. She swore under her breath. "What’s the ETA on our support?"

"Five minutes out, ma’am. Please don’t worry," her secretary in the front passenger seat said, quickly handing her a handkerchief.

Zhong Tongyun snatched it and frantically wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead. "The Great Divine Servant’s daughter has gotten into this kind of trouble on my turf. How could I not be anxious!"

Twenty minutes ago, Zhong Tongyun had been at a club, with a handsome young man on each arm feeding her wine.

She hadn’t even managed a single sip before she got the news that the train transporting Qin Yu had been in an accident.

Zhong Tongyun had rushed out, only to get a call from Zhou Yanli the moment she got in the car.

Zhong Tongyun possessed outstanding Superpowers but came from an ordinary background. After graduating, she had latched onto the church’s power, and it was Zhou Yanli, the Great Divine Servant at the time, who had recommended her. That was her only chance to climb her way up from the Central District. How could she dare to be slow? She had immediately dispatched a massive force to the scene of the incident.

When the car was still a few kilometers from the Evil Swamp, the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes.

Zhong Tongyun’s terminal was buzzing nonstop as she juggled replies to messages from various important figures. Startled by the sudden stop, she almost sent a typo and roared, "If you can’t even drive, get out!"

"City Lord, the ground is covered in mud and rocks, and... fingers," the driver said with a shudder.

When Zhong Tongyun had received the news, she only knew that a group had ambushed Jiang Qingli and the others. She didn’t know the specifics. Hearing this, she opened her window to look outside.

Under the oppressive, gloomy sky, a chaotic mix of mud, weeds, and severed fingers littered the road, a testament to the battle’s ferocity.

’This carnage... Don’t tell me they’re...’

Zhong Tongyun didn’t dare to complete the thought. She threw open her door, yanked the driver out, and floored the accelerator herself!

For the next few minutes, the worst-case scenarios flashed through Zhong Tongyun’s mind. She’d even composed her letter of resignation in her head.

Fortunately, her fears were not realized.

The train was a complete wreck, but the scene had calmed down. The injured officers, anticipating support, were standing beside it.

Zhong Tongyun saw that their injuries varied in severity, but most were still on their feet. The heart that had been lodged in her throat finally dropped back into place.

"How is Advisor Jiang?" she asked as she ran over.

"Advisor Jiang is mostly unharmed," one of the officers replied.

’Thank goodness, thank goodness.’

Zhong Tongyun breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to ask where Jiang Qingli was, a battered train car door was pushed open.

A young man in a military uniform stepped forward and gave Zhong Tongyun a salute. "Lord Zhong, Advisor Jiang is inside. Please, follow me."

Zhong Tongyun froze.

The man had brown hair, gray eyes, and a pair of shattered glasses. His blood-soaked face couldn’t hide his refined features... but Zhong Tongyun wasn’t frozen because of his appearance. It was because this man was Chen Mi!

Chen Mi was Xie Youchen’s secretary. He would never be assigned to Jiang Qingli alone, which could only mean he was here with Xie Youchen!

Zhong Tongyun felt her voice tremble. "M-Marshal Xie is here too?"

"Yes." Chen Mi had been about to say as much. "Marshal Xie is gravely injured. Please dispatch a medical team as soon as possible."

"The medical team is right behind me." Zhong Tongyun quickly used her terminal to summon them, then followed Chen Mi into the train car.

The once-luxurious train car was now a dilapidated wreck.

Zhong Tongyun immediately spotted Jiang Qingli sitting in the center of the car.

Her head was lowered, her eyes red-rimmed as she tightly embraced the young man in her arms.

Zhong Tongyun hurried forward. "How is Marshal Xie now?"

Chen Mi’s brow was tightly furrowed. "He’s covered in wounds. His heart was pierced."

Zhong Tongyun sucked in a sharp breath.

The heart that had just settled, knowing Jiang Qingli was safe, was now lodged firmly back in her throat.

This was Xie Youchen, the youngest Marshal in the Empire, His Majesty the Emperor’s right-hand man! If anything happened to him within the borders of the Ninth District, her, Zhong Tongyun’s, entire career would be ruined!

After two minutes of tense silence, heavily equipped medical personnel filed in with a stretcher, rushing to get to Xie Youchen.

The first time they touched Xie Youchen, Jiang Qingli, who was holding him, flinched and instinctively tightened her grip. Then, realizing it was the rescue team, she let go.

But she still wasn’t at ease. "Chen Mi, you go with them."

"Yes."

Chen Mi was actually burning with anxiety, he just appeared calm. He hurried after them onto the transport.

The transport was equipped for emergency aid. The medical staff would perform preliminary treatment to stabilize him before heading to the hospital.

After they left, 030 piped up: [They’re starting emergency treatment now. You can retract your domain. Otherwise, you’ll be too exhausted.]

While waiting for reinforcements, they hadn’t been sure if there were more ambushes further out. Moreover, Xie Youchen’s injuries could only be contained within the domain, so Jiang Qingli had kept it active until this very moment.

Jiang Qingli gave a slight nod.

Beside her, Zhong Tongyun felt as if an invisible Barrier in the air slowly swept past her before contracting.

Before she could process the sensation, she saw Jiang Qingli, who had been tense just a moment ago, sway and begin to collapse.

Zhong Tongyun quickly reached out and steadied her by the shoulders, consoling her, "Advisor Jiang, don’t worry. These are the Ninth District’s best doctors. The Great Divine Servant—I mean, your father—he’ll also bring the best doctors from the church. Nothing will happen. Let me take you to my car to rest for a bit. There are also some matters I need to discuss with you."

Jiang Qingli knew that Zhong Tongyun was someone Zhou Yanli had promoted and could be trusted. She softly agreed.

On their way out, Jiang Qingli pointed to two people nearby. "Keep these two under heavy guard. Chen Mi and I will interrogate them tomorrow."

They were covered from head to toe in a filthy mixture of mud and blood. Zhong Tongyun hadn’t noticed them when she first came in, but looking closely now, she realized it was Qin Yu and Lü Xin.

Qin Yu, usually arrogant and bossy, was obsessed with her image. Seeing an official she used to look down on, she lowered her head in embarrassment.

Lü Xin, on the other hand, completely ignored everyone else, her blazing gaze fixed on Jiang Qingli as if admiring a perfect creation.

Zhong Tongyun first helped Jiang Qingli into the car, then called over her captain of the guard to see that everyone else was properly situated before speaking with her.

Jiang Qingli briefly explained the day’s events, asked Zhong Tongyun to keep it confidential, and then borrowed her terminal to call Jiang Yi and report that she was safe.

Jiang Yi’s voice was gentle. "Xiao Li, you just focus on recovering in the Ninth District for a while. Mom will take care of things here."

Jiang Qingli’s lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you, Mom."

After hanging up, she accepted the nutrient solution Zhong Tongyun offered her.

Maintaining the domain consumed too much spiritual power and physical stamina. She needed to replenish her energy now, so she chugged the nutrient solution she was usually sick of drinking.

Jiang Qingli downed three vials in one go. Just as she was about to rest, there was a knock on the window.

It was a nurse. He had run all the way here and was panting as he spoke:

"Ladies, Marshal Xie is awake. It seems he has something to say."