Chapter 73: A Deal with the Bureau

The three Guardians paid no heed to the Director’s lapse in composure, for who would not be hesitant to believe such earth-shattering news at first glance?

“Alright, I’ll take you inside to sit down,” Mo Lan said. “Is there anything you’d like to eat, Xiao Yu?”

Mo Lan quickly rushed over, taking Bai Yu’s hand and pulling her into the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau.

As Mo Lan pulled Bai Yu into the building, a somewhat speechless expression crossed her face.

‘How could she be so overly familiar?’ Bai Yu mused. ‘I recall that Mo Lan and I had only just met.’

“What do you mean, ‘Xiao Yu’?” Bai Yu exclaimed. “Don’t touch me!”

Bai Yu pulled Mo Lan’s hand away, the force of which had somewhat hurt her.

“Oh? I was a bit too eager,” Mo Lan said, her eyes narrowing apologetically. “Did I hurt you, Xiao Yu?”

Mo Lan scratched her head awkwardly, her eyes narrowing as she offered a conciliatory smile.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back,” Bai Yu stated. “I’m practically dead from exhaustion…”

Bai Yu yawned. She had originally intended to ask the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau to help her nominal Mother.

To her surprise, the situation had been resolved so swiftly. Even before Bai Yu had arrived at the Investigation Bureau, Tianyu had already annihilated the group of Hunters who had come.

Apparently, when she and Stella awoke, the Hunters were still unconscious, not a single one having roused. This allowed her and Stella to effortlessly eliminate all of them.

This detail, however, left Bai Yu somewhat perplexed. Logically, everyone should have awakened simultaneously. ‘Could Lili have deliberately manipulated something?’ she wondered.

Nevertheless, it had genuinely helped her immensely, as Bai Yu felt that the Hunters her nominal Mother faced were not easily dealt with.

After that, Bai Yu’s green messaging app even received photos—specifically, photos of the Hunters’ corpses.

Her nominal Mother had even included a triumphant emoji below the gruesome images.

This startled Bai Yu, and she nearly blocked her Mother.

‘Could you please stop sending such grotesque things?’ she thought. ‘It’s enough if you just look at them yourself, alright?’

Fury, fury, fury!

After sending three consecutive angry emojis, Bai Yu quickly deleted the photo.

‘She was even afraid her green messaging app would get banned,’ she mused.

‘She truly couldn’t fathom her nominal Mother’s thought process,’ Bai Yu thought with a sigh.

“Sigh…”

Life was difficult, even for a loli.

Bai Yu slumped onto a nearby chair, idly fiddling with her phone.

Seeing Bai Yu in this state, Mo Lan felt awkward disturbing her further, sensing that Bai Yu was not in a particularly good mood.

This left Mo Lan feeling a little disappointed. ‘She had originally thought she could adopt a cute goddaughter,’ she mused. ‘So adorable, and a Divine Favored one at that! How wonderful it would be if she became my disciple.’

However, the moment Mo Lan considered that she herself was already a Ninth-tier cultivator, yet still needed Bai Yu’s aid to repel an Outer God, her face flushed with heat. ‘How could I possibly ask such a person to become my disciple?’ she thought.

Just as Mo Lan was caught in this internal struggle, the Director hastily rushed out.

“Esteemed Bai Yu,” the Director announced, “The Central Bureau in the capital has called. Would you be so kind as to take the call?”

The Director handed his phone to Bai Yu.

Unable to refuse, Bai Yu reluctantly took the phone. The voice of an Old Man emanated from it.

– “Esteemed Bai Yu, thank you for your contributions to the Dragon Summer Nation,” the Old Man’s voice began. “Due to the sudden nature of events, we are unable to formally commend and reward you at this moment. However, should you have any needs, the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau will spare no effort to assist you.”

The words from the other end of the line were truly stirring, and anyone else would undoubtedly have been overcome with excitement. Yet, Bai Yu merely nodded.

– “Mhm, I understand,” Bai Yu replied. “Is there anything else?”

This single sentence instantly stunned everyone present, for no one had expected Bai Yu to speak to such an important figure from the capital in such a manner.

The Director immediately bristled, his face contorting as he prepared to admonish Bai Yu.

The Director, at this moment, was drenched in a cold sweat, now more anxious than Bai Yu herself.

Bai Yu, however, completely ignored them. She had never been fond of such foolish, condescending attitudes, especially regarding commendations and rewards, which always felt like a transaction from a superior to a subordinate. Bai Yu simply didn’t buy into that sort of thing.

– “Hahaha,” the Old Man chuckled from the other end of the line. “Esteemed Bai Yu certainly has character. My previous demeanor was indeed problematic; it was my fault.”

The other end of the line erupted in laughter, yet there was no anger in his voice despite Bai Yu’s tone.

This, surprisingly, made Bai Yu regard him with a touch more respect.

– “So, what exactly is your true objective?” Bai Yu asked, cutting straight to the point.

Bai Yu spoke candidly. ‘Her original intention had been to ‘skim some wool’ from the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau,’ she thought, ‘though certainly not for free.’

In a sense, this would be a collaboration between her and the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau.

Although her so-called ‘Divine Favored’ status was entirely self-fabricated, it didn’t hinder anything.

– “Esteemed Bai Yu truly possesses keen insight,” the Old Man responded. “Allow me then to be direct: are you interested in joining the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau?”

– “No interest,” Bai Yu replied without hesitation.

‘What kind of joke was that?’ Bai Yu thought. ‘How could I possibly allow myself to be bound by any organization? Even if the resources offered were abundant, there would always be a price. Cooperation was possible, but joining was out of the question.’

Though she was currently only a Second-tier Arcanist, she possessed powerful backing acquired through her unconventional methods.

– “Your choice is correct,” a voice interjected. “With my assistance, joining any form of organization would be a burden for you.”

Moweila now stepped forward, expressing her approval of Bai Yu’s decision.

– “Just as expected,” the Old Man’s voice returned.

The voice from the phone continued, evidently having anticipated Bai Yu’s response.

He then proposed an alternative.

– “How about this, Esteemed Bai Yu?” the Old Man offered. “You would simply serve as an honorary investigator for the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau, free from any restrictions, enjoying complete autonomy. All regular benefits and resources would still be available to you, and anything you require would be prioritized for you. You wouldn’t need to do anything at all.”

Bai Yu, not swayed by such temptations, countered with a question.

– “So, what’s the cost?” she inquired.

– “Heh heh…” the Old Man chuckled softly. “The cost is this: when the deity who granted you power descends, we wish to be the first to negotiate with them.”

“What do you say, Esteemed Bai Yu?”

The Old Man was supremely confident, as if he already knew Bai Yu’s choice.

– “I agree to your terms,” Bai Yu finally conceded.

– “Excellent, Esteemed Bai Yu. We thank you for your cooperation,” the Old Man declared. “Your honorary investigator award and uniform will be delivered to your home in a few days. Furthermore, should you have any needs, you may send me a message via text at this number.”

A line of numbers appeared on the phone screen. After Bai Yu noted it down, she returned the phone to the Director.

The Director’s tense, aged face finally relaxed. ‘It seemed he could now look forward to a peaceful retirement,’ he thought. ‘This incident had nearly scared him to death.’

“Hooray, Xiao Yu! Have you decided what you want?”

Mo Lan immediately rushed over, picking up Bai Yu and stroking her head.

Bai Yu’s composure just now had truly impressed her, far surpassing her two ‘cheap’ teammates.

Her teammates hadn’t dared to utter a peep in front of that Old Man.

After all, that Old Man was their direct superior, the highest authority in the Federal Investigation Bureau.

Bai Yu’s actions had also allowed Mo Lan to vent some of her own frustrations.

She had long been annoyed by that Old Man.