Chapter 331 - 273: Lord Eleven Is Leading a Rebellion?

"So that’s what you think!" Chu Bamboo’s face held a faint smile and his eyes a hint of approval. Then, his expression abruptly turned cold and merciless as he added, "Knock him out!"

Captain Yang delivered a single chop to his neck. The Squirrel People’s body instinctively tensed, but he ultimately forced himself not to resist. A bitter look crossed his face as his eyes rolled back, and he crashed to the ground.

The secret room fell silent once more.

But now, Captain Yang stared at the Squirrel People lying on the floor, his mind still reeling. He tried to sort through everything that had just happened... ’So, it was... I can’t make sense of it at all! Can someone please tell me what just happened?’

After a glance at Chu Bamboo, Captain Yang thought for a moment before placing a hand on the Squirrel People’s neck. He froze, as if uncertain. Then he checked again, pressing the Squirrel People’s arm, then his thigh, repeatedly assessing the man’s physical strength.

Finally, he stopped and looked at Chu Bamboo, his voice filled with shock and disbelief. "He’s... a Third Realm Body Cultivator?!!"

’How could he be in the Third Realm...’

’This is too bizarre!’

In other words, the man truly hadn’t been able to muster a shred of resistance under Chu Bamboo’s oppressive aura! When Captain Yang realized this, he felt his scalp tingle with shock.

Given their equivalent Power Levels, if the man had wanted to resist... there was no way he could have taken him down so easily.

Chu Bamboo, however, found it perfectly natural. ’Considering the power displayed by the Eleventh Apostle,’ he thought, ’if his number three confidant doesn’t even have this much strength... now *that* would be pathetic!’

’Of course, the reason I’m not worried he’s a higher-level Fourth Realm cultivator is mainly based on a calculation of the Captain’s Office’s current power structure... To put it bluntly, Eleven is most likely weaker than Huo Qiming! In terms of both power and authority!’

’And the number of powerhouses above the Third Realm under Huo Qiming can be counted on one hand!’

’Not to mention, Huo Qiming is part of the official establishment...’

’As an Apostle of the All-Powerful Lineage, suppressed by the authorities, Eleven’s access to Cultivation Resources must be even more difficult... and the number of Cultivators at his disposal must be even smaller.’

’All things considered, the strength of his core subordinates is most likely at the Third Realm... However,’ Chu Bamboo now had a slight suspicion, ’it’s possible that Eleven’s number one confidant might be a being above the Third Realm.’

Chu Bamboo stepped forward and searched the man, quickly pulling a white pearl from the Squirrel People’s clothes.

"What is that..." Captain Yang asked cautiously.

"It’s nothing!" After a moment’s thought, Chu Bamboo put it away and shook his head. "Get this guy on your back! Let’s go."

...

Inside the foot massage parlor.

Chu Bamboo casually led Captain Yang, who was carrying the Squirrel People, out of the massage parlor. He didn’t say a single word from start to finish, nor did he threaten, bribe, or order the owner to keep quiet. He ignored the man completely.

Only after they had completely gone did the owner silently wipe the cold sweat from his brow. He waited in place for another ten minutes to make sure Eleven wasn’t going to circle back for a surprise attack. Only then did he enter the secret room. After a quick scan, he looked at the bloodstains on the floor and calmly began to clean up.

...

Chu Bamboo only stopped walking once they were completely clear of Gamblers’ Street.

"What are we... doing next?" Captain Yang’s gaze toward Chu Bamboo was a mixture of memory, dawning comprehension, and horror... as well as profound adoration and awe.

’That’s right, this is the feeling!’ he thought. ’This is the exact same feeling as when we went into the Louwailou Restaurant and took down the All-Powerful Lineage’s stronghold in the Second District...’

’This feeling of a flawless plan, where nothing is left to chance! It’s so surreal it feels as if the other side’s boss is actually an undercover agent working for us...’

"As for what’s next..." Chu Bamboo thought for a moment, then directly called Huo Qiming. His question was concise: "What are you doing?"

"Looking for the key." The reply was equally concise.

Chu Bamboo guessed the man was still in his office and got straight to the point. "Get in your car now and bring me your maglev electric car! I need to use it..."

"Don’t ask why! It’s part of the plan to deal with the All-Powerful Lineage... Oh, and one more thing. I’ve already captured a spy from the All-Powerful Lineage! That plan you thought was impossible? I’ve already pulled it off..."

Chu Bamboo’s tone was calm from beginning to end, with no mockery or showing off... He was simply stating the facts.

"???" Huo Qiming thought he had misheard. After he asked for confirmation and got it, he was left speechless.

Back in his office, Huo Qiming paced back and forth. He opened his mouth several times, but a thousand words seemed to be stuck in his throat. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. In the end, all he could manage was, "Well..."

"Alright! No need to beat around the bush trying to probe me. I’ll give you the proof directly!" Chu Bamboo’s expression was unreadable. He knew the man on the other end wanted to believe him but found the situation too incredible. He wanted to test the waters, but he also felt that doing so would be questioning Mr. Zhu—and as the Masked Hero, whose relationship with Chu Bamboo was solid, his conscience wouldn’t let him.

Chu Bamboo didn’t make things difficult for him and tossed the phone directly to Captain Yang.

Captain Yang was flustered, pressing the phone to his ear with a trembling hand. Hearing the familiar voice on the other end, he instinctively straightened his posture. "Commander! It’s me."

After listening to the questions from the other end, Captain Yang glanced cautiously at Chu Bamboo. Seeing Chu Bamboo nod, he let out a sigh of relief and began to answer all the questions earnestly, holding nothing back.

"Yes, yes... we really did capture someone from the All-Powerful Lineage... likely a mid-to-high-level member! A Third Realm Powerhouse... Uh! You don’t have to praise me, I never expected it either... This was all Minister Chu’s doing! I really just lent a hand... I even suspect that Captain Li from Zone Three could have done it if he were here..."

"...?" Huo Qiming fell silent for a second time. He stared at his phone, confirmed he hadn’t misheard, and then hesitated, at a loss for words.

He desperately wanted to ask, ’Are you serious? You think a Second Realm cultivator could take down a Third Realm Demon Cultist just by following Chu Bamboo’s plan?’

’This...’

Taking the phone back from Captain Yang, Chu Bamboo gave a location. "Old Huo, get here in fifteen minutes! Shouldn’t be too hard, right...? Don’t worry, I’ve already grasped the key to this whole situation..."

Chu Bamboo paused briefly, his tone turning cryptic. "If I’m not mistaken, you still don’t even know where to start on your end, do you?"

"I understand... I’m on my way now!" Huo Qiming’s voice was laced with a wry bitterness because Chu Bamboo had hit the nail on the head. Although it was a blow to his pride, Huo Qiming wouldn’t try to save face in a situation like this. That was the kind of man he was... he only did what was right.

After a short pause, Huo Qiming collected his thoughts and added, "It’s not just about the car... If there’s anything else you need from me, just say the word."

"Sounds good." Chu Bamboo hung up. He knew, of course, that Huo Qiming was making it clear that it wasn’t just about the maglev car... If it would help resolve this matter, even if Chu Bamboo needed to call on him personally... he would have no problem with that!