Chapter 20: Interrogation and Intervention

From the depths of illusion and emptiness, her surroundings snapped into sharp clarity.

A cacophony of sounds assailed Bai Yu’s ears, stirring a faint sense of confusion within her.

“How can it be so noisy?”

Bai Yu returned from the dreamscape to reality, finding herself still on the school’s sports field.

It was only when her feet truly touched the solid ground that Bai Yu felt a genuine sense of having returned to the real world.

Yet, unlike usual, her surroundings seemed to be enveloped by an unseen force.

Bai Yu would never mistake that potent spiritual aura.

“Bai Yu!”

Lu Xingyao’s clear voice drifted from the distance.

Bai Yu quickly turned, watching the girl, her expression taut with anxiety, jog over to her side.

She seized Bai Yu’s small hand.

“Are you alright? Where on earth did you go just now?”

Lu Xingyao’s face was etched with worry, and a hint of tears even glistened at the corners of her eyes.

Bai Yu swiftly wiped away Lu Xingyao’s tears and embraced her.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you first.”

A pang of guilt struck Bai Yu; Lu Xingyao had been so worried, and she truly should have informed her when she went to purchase weapons.

She hadn’t anticipated being drawn into a dreamscape so abruptly.

“Bai Yu, what exactly caused that spatial fluctuation just now? The Longxia Investigation Bureau detected signs of an Outer God invasion and has already quarantined the school for investigation.”

Hm?

Bai Yu glanced around, confirming that the entire school was indeed enclosed by an anomalous barrier, with investigators clad in uniform attire surrounding the area.

“I went to the warehouse to buy weapons, but I unexpectedly got pulled into a dreamscape by a curse on one of them.”

Bai Yu felt a little bewildered, wondering at the uncanny coincidence: an Outer God invasion and her entry into a dreamscape, all at the exact same moment.

“Well, Bai Yu, are you truly unharmed? Honestly, next time something like this happens, you absolutely must tell me.”

Lu Xingyao rubbed her eyes, then gently pinched Bai Yu’s fair, delicate cheek; every time she glimpsed that adorable face, her own troubled emotions seemed to vanish entirely.

“I’m fine, really…”

Bai Yu’s cheeks flushed slightly from Lu Xingyao’s pinch, especially with so many people observing them; she found such public affection rather embarrassing.

“What exactly is happening here now, and why are there so many people?”

Bai Yu was also puzzled, wondering if a dreamscape could truly affect the outside world.

“The Outer God’s invasion caused many people to enter an unknown space. The Longxia Investigation Bureau is currently investigating the cause of this incident and working to rescue those who entered the unknown space.”

“Besides me, has anyone else escaped from inside?”

“No, not yet. The authorities are currently trying every method to find a way to save those people. I expect the Longxia Investigation Bureau personnel will be here any moment.”

True to Lu Xingyao’s words, no sooner had she finished speaking than two figures, clad in specialized uniforms, approached from the distance.

Lu Xingyao immediately stepped in front of Bai Yu, her expression stern, her eyes fixed intently on the two individuals.

“Miss Lu Xingyao, I understand your concern for your friend, but she is currently the only one who has emerged from that space. We need to ask her a few questions.”

The leader adopted a placating expression, clearly unwilling to provoke Lu Xingyao.

“What does that have to do with us? Whatever questions you have, ask them tomorrow. She needs rest now.”

Lu Xingyao’s expression was firm, her gaze brooking no refusal.

“This…”

The leading man clearly hesitated to press further, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense, fraught with unspoken conflict.

“Damn it, have you no thought for the lives of those people? Their very existence is uncertain right now!”

Another person, standing behind, suddenly stepped forward and shouted at Bai Yu.

Before he could make any further move, his entire body was instantly sent flying.

He skidded across the ground for a full thirty meters before finally coming to a halt.

Lu Xingyao lowered her fist, her face devoid of emotion as she looked at the leader.

“Is this the attitude of your subordinates?”

This commotion immediately drew the attention of other Longxia Investigation Bureau personnel nearby.

Before long, a large group surrounded them, encircling Bai Yu and Lu Xingyao, their hands gripping standard-issue firearm artifacts, all aimed directly at the two girls.

“Heh, quite domineering, aren’t they?”

Bai Yu observed the surrounding individuals, her gaze steadily hardening.

These were all ordinary people, merely wielding specialized weapons.

She stepped sideways past Lu Xingyao, simultaneously activating [Night’s Kin] and drawing the gun from her waist.

She then aimed the barrel of the gun directly at the leader’s forehead.

Bai Yu knew the current situation was disadvantageous for them, but what of it? Was she simply to compromise with the authorities and accede to their demands?

She had always been one to favor her own over what was strictly ‘right,’ especially since Lu Xingyao had acted on her behalf.

Moreover, she knew Lu Xingyao wasn’t a reckless person; her daring actions surely stemmed from a hidden trump card or powerful backing.

“If any of you dare to move, I will kill him.”

Bai Yu uttered coldly, devoid of any emotion.

“Bai Yu…”

Lu Xingyao was somewhat surprised by Bai Yu’s demeanor; she had expected Bai Yu’s personality to prompt her to advise against impulsiveness.

‘When did Bai Yu get so cool? I really want to push her onto a bed, hehehe…’

Even amidst such a tense scene, Lu Xingyao began to fantasize.

Seeing Lu Xingyao in such a state, Bai Yu was utterly speechless.

‘Get serious, already!’

The Longxia Investigation Bureau leader, startled by the scene, immediately spoke, completely disregarding Bai Yu’s pistol pressed against his forehead.

“Put down your weapons, all of you!”

He yelled frantically, not because he himself was being held at gunpoint, but out of fear for the person his subordinates were pointing their guns at.

He knew that, no matter what, neither he nor his subordinates would fare well once this incident concluded.

He was now filled with profound regret; had he known, he would have warned these idiots beforehand about who they were dealing with.

The circle of investigators exchanged glances, then reluctantly lowered their weapons.

Upon seeing this, Bai Yu returned [Morpheus’s Whisper] to her waist, observing the unfolding drama before her.

The leader rushed over to Lu Xingyao, offering a fawning smile.

“Miss Lu, I am truly sorry. My subordinates are undisciplined; I assure you, I will properly reprimand them upon our return.”

Beads of sweat, large as beans, appeared on his face and slowly trickled down.

However, Lu Xingyao showed no reaction, merely stating coldly.

“Make that person apologize to her.”

Lu Xingyao gestured towards the man, demanding he apologize to Bai Yu. Witnessing this, Bai Yu could only shake her head helplessly.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go right away.”

The leader hastily roused the man who had been sent flying dozens of meters away, then dragged him over to apologize.

“What did I do wrong? She was clearly the one who struck first!”

Even after waking, he remained utterly furious, unable to swallow his pride.

Just as Lu Xingyao was about to erupt, Bai Yu pulled her back.

“An apology isn’t necessary. I will answer your questions.”

Bai Yu also didn’t wish to make things difficult for these people, as their time was undoubtedly precious.

“For Bai Yu’s sake, I’ll let it go this time.”

Lu Xingyao turned away disdainfully, choosing not to pursue the matter further.

The leader, for his part, quickly ordered someone to escort the unreasonable man away.