Chapter 1416: Removing the Firewood from Under the Cauldron

Chapter 1416: Chapter 1416: Removing the Firewood from Under the Cauldron

"Mm! I’m really starving to death!" Pei Yan adjusted his collar and walked out of the room with a refreshed look, replying with a smile.

Closing the book, Zhao Yuanhu got up and went to the kitchen, where there was food delivered regularly from the restaurant. She always saved a portion for Pei Yan so he could eat a hot meal as soon as he woke up. While putting the food from the meal box into the microwave to heat it, she complained softly, "Are we really in a relationship? I don’t feel like we’re dating at all. I feel like I’ve skipped the dating stage and become your personal nanny."

"Sorry!" Pei Yan embraced Zhao Yuanhu from behind. Seeing her not object, he leaned his head on her shoulder, closed his eyes, and inhaled the fragrance of her hair, apologetically saying, "I know I’m not really up to par in this area. We haven’t even had a proper date, but I’ve just been too busy lately! You know... "

"I know! I know everything! We’re now facing the crisis of the Bloodshed, and you’re resisting the impending disaster that will affect our world. I don’t mean to blame you for that," Zhao Yuanhu sighed dejectedly, "I just feel like we’re getting further apart. We used to be able to fight side by side! But now, you’ve become a top expert across the planes, while I’ve been stagnant. Not only that, but I feel like Yu Hall doesn’t let me go on missions because of you! This makes me very uncomfortable! Sometimes I really envy Xia Yu and Liang Qian."

Pei Yan learned from his casual conversations with Gu Shenghui that ever since entering a relationship with Zhao Yuanhu, her identity had also changed. To prevent anyone from targeting her because of him, the Hall no longer assigned her on outside missions. Most of the time, she trained new recruits and was responsible for headquarters defense, and when Pei Yan rested, she was given a vacation. The purpose of such arrangements was pretty clear – to cater to Pei Yan’s emotions – but it sacrificed Zhao Yuanhu’s personal wishes. Back when she joined, her strength was above his.

Pei Yan was not opposed to this arrangement. There was a bit of his male chauvinism involved, but more than that, he feared for Zhao Yuanhu’s safety. Although their relationship hadn’t developed to the point of self-sacrifice for each other, if something really happened to Zhao Yuanhu because of him, he would go crazy and blame himself for life.

"With your aptitude and my current connections, boosting your strength isn’t difficult. I know you’re not frustrated because of this, but I really don’t want you to fall into danger." Pei Yan tightened his embrace around Zhao Yuanhu, pulling her into his arms, and pleaded, "Most of my friends have become the main forces in the Hall. I can’t go against the larger trend and stop my friends from going on missions when manpower is so tight. All I can do is try my best to bring everyone back alive each time. Consider it my selfishness! Knowing you’re safely in the rear makes me feel at ease. Just wait! Wait a bit longer, okay? After this battle is over, if our world can still be at peace, you can do whatever you want, and I won’t stop you."

"Mm!" Zhao Yuanhu softly replied as a sign of accepting this arrangement. Just then, the microwave beeped. She opened it, took out the heated meal tray, and handed it to Pei Yan behind her, urging, "You should eat quickly! Director Gu and the others are waiting for you!"

"Is the situation urgent?" Pei Yan asked as he took the meal tray to the dining table, watching Zhao Yuanhu turn to serve him rice.

"The situation isn’t urgent but seems serious. I’m not clear on the details. I only know that since you returned, Yu Hall, Director Gu, and Director Mei have been continuously meeting, and the atmosphere at headquarters has become tense. Also, several Superpower Investigation Agencies from outside have been coming to our headquarters, then transferred to the Transfer and Dispatch Center, discussing something with the higher-ups. Director Gu mentioned that if you woke up and were physically capable, to meet them as soon as possible," Zhao Yuanhu said casually about the recent days’ observations while giving Pei Yan the bowl of rice.

After hearing this, Pei Yan thought briefly and roughly guessed what was happening. He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of shredded potatoes, and while eating, shook his head with a bitter smile, "The Bloodshed really is pervasive, aren’t they?"

"Do you know what happened?" Zhao Yuanhu asked curiously.

Pei Yan nodded, speculating, "Pretty much. In the Transfer and Dispatch Center, time aligns with the Daoist Plane, meaning that while I rested here for a day and a half, only about an hour passed in the real world. Considering the Bloodshed Plane delayed us, it adds up to just two hours. In that span, making other regional Superpower Investigation Agencies send people one after another to discuss matters with us implies their territories were attacked." Pei Yan swallowed his food, picked up the water cup, and took a sip before lamenting, "Knowing it’s hard to strike our headquarters, they’ve weakened the superpower strength of our entire plane from another angle. It’s a clever strategy!"

Upon hearing Pei Yan’s analysis, Zhao Yuanhu furrowed her brows, worried, "Is the Bloodshed really going to strike our plane?"

"It’s inevitable! That Zhou Yinnong has traveled back and forth between major planes many times, and our world is his main concern. From the initial plotting to this series of situations, even if the Keystone Plane isn’t their final target, it’s an important part of their plans. No matter how you look at it, we’ll suffer significant losses." Pei Yan finished his bowl quickly, wiped his mouth with a tissue, and instructed Zhao Yuanhu, "I’m heading to a meeting now! I’ll have a good chat with you when I’m free. If you have urgent matters, talk to my sister or Director Gu, don’t hesitate."

"Alright! I know! You should go now!"

After leaving the room, Pei Yan stopped an agent to inquire about Director Gu’s whereabouts. When the agent saw it was Pei Yan, they personally led him to the office building of the Transfer and Dispatch Center. After thanking the passerby, Pei Yan verified his identity with the doorman and was led into the building, where he was met by the approaching Mei Simiao, who had come out to receive him.

"Are there many casualties?" Pei Yan inquired directly upon seeing Mei Simiao.

"You already know?"

"Mm! The Superpower Investigation Agencies were attacked, right?" Pei Yan explained his speculation to Mei Simiao.

Mei Simiao nodded, leading the way to the front, saying, "Let’s head to the office first. We’ll discuss it in detail inside."

On the way to the office, Pei Yan passed by a meeting room. Through the floor-to-ceiling window, he saw Yu Zhongmin inside, talking with several heads of regional Superpower Investigation Agencies.