Zhong Yuanbei leaped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Him, teach me a lesson? I’ll call the Principal to deal with him!"

Chen Gu snickered inwardly. See? He still doesn’t dare to confront Director Shentu himself.

He stood up and checked on Chu Zheng. He found her bound with special metal wires, similar in function to the Bureau of Mystic Security’s safety locks but far more restrictive, preventing any movement or speech once fastened.

He went over to Beschenco’s corpse and fumbled around, getting his hands covered in blood. He could only shoot his instructor a helpless, resentful glare.

Zhong Yuanbei glared back. "Why are you looking at me? How was I supposed to know he couldn’t take a beating..."

An Eighth Energy Level thrashing a Sixth Energy Level... How much did you expect him to take? Chen Gu thought.

After a while, Chen Gu finally found a "key" amidst the mangled flesh and freed Chu Zheng. The girl was quick-witted, bowing respectfully to Zhong Yuanbei. "Greetings, Grand-instructor."

Zhong Yuanbei instantly felt, Well, although this girl is a hassle, at least she’s pleasant to look at.

Chu Zheng was all smiles, having scored some brownie points with her instructor’s own instructor.

Chen Gu asked, "Instructor, you’re saying they’re from the Empire?"

"Of course."

This genuinely surprised Chen Gu. The Principal raised such a storm in the Star State! Now they’re seething with rage, swearing revenge, and many of their agents have secretly entered the Confederation.

Previously, the Bureau had issued orders for everyone to be on high alert for possible retaliation from the Star State.

But I never expected the Empire, always eager to fish in troubled waters, to be the first to make a move.

Zhong Yuanbei clearly had a very poor impression of the Empire. "Those barbarians from the Empire are always motivated by self-interest and have no bottom line. History is littered with their betrayals, enough to fill several large baskets! In the future, if you encounter anyone from the Empire, killing them on sight is definitely the right call!"

Zhong Yuanbei imparted what he considered "invaluable advice" to his disciple, then turned to leave. "Alright, I’m heading back..."

"Don’t go, Instructor!" Chen Gu quickly stopped him. "A lot of them came this time. They attacked one of the Bureau of Mystic Security’s bases and stole our vital research findings. If we can’t stop them all, we’ll suffer heavy losses!"

Zhong Yuanbei asked, seemingly unconcerned, "What research findings could possibly be more valuable than my own research?"

"The Multiple Profession Paths project, headed by Dr. Meng Ji," Chen Gu answered honestly, without any concern for "leaking secrets." If Aviloya decides to come after me for this... let her confront my instructor. She graduated from the Huai Shan Branch School, after all! Chen Gu was filled with mischievous glee. I’m immensely looking forward to Aviloya questioning my instructor, only to get a faceful of his spit!

The thought nearly made him laugh out loud.

However, Zhong Yuanbei showed no surprise at this research project, which should have been sensational, as if he had already anticipated something.

He glanced at his disciple and grand-disciple. "That Meng Ji fellow... he’s not very sharp, not great with people, but his research skills are decent. I suppose I can help him out."

Chen Gu had to restrain himself with great effort from ridiculing his instructor, thereby avoiding the tragedy of his instructor "cleaning house" in a fit of rage.

And you say Dr. Meng Ji isn’t sharp and isn’t great with people?

There’s an old saying you might not have heard, sir... Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Zhong Yuanbei gestured for the two of them to follow. "Come with me."

"Roger that!" Chen Gu bounded up joyfully. With such strong backing, even I, the Great Actor Chen, don’t feel like putting in the effort anymore!

「...」

Near the base, armored vehicles arrived and completely surrounded it. Subsequently, large numbers of Bureau of Mystic Security agents and strike teams jumped out of the vehicles. They then fanned out, enclosing the base from all sides and entering through its various entrances and exits.

Modrolov, who was rampaging inside the base, was soon discovered. He proved unstoppable, injuring over a dozen field agents and repelling a five-person special agent team. Then, the silver-haired Director Xue appeared. As a Sixth Energy Level, Director Xue confronted the Eighth Energy Level Modrolov. He fought valiantly but ultimately died filled with regret. Modrolov, his opponent, was eventually defeated—a ’glorious sacrifice’ for the Empire!

After another round of meticulous searching, it was confirmed that there were no more Imperial spies within the base.

The incident had also been mostly investigated and understood.

Among the agents Kang Gesi had brought to protect Chu Zheng, one was an Imperial spy who had infiltrated their ranks. After learning about the base’s research, he had quickly relayed this information to the Empire.

The Empire was greatly excited and immediately dispatched the team led by Barolyov. Cooperating with the embedded spy, they quickly took control of the entire base.

They hadn’t retreated immediately because they still wanted to capture Chen Gu.

Chen Gu was the "original body" of the Multiple Profession Paths research project. In the eyes of the Empire, he was even more important than Chu Zheng.

After the inspection, a large number of special agents and strike teams remained to take over the base’s security, while the remaining personnel gradually withdrew.

Armored vehicles traversed the dense primeval forest on their way back.

One convoy, consisting of four vehicles, was crossing a flat wasteland when the driver of the lead vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes. Everyone in the vehicle lurched, complaining, "What kind of driving is that..."

The driver stammered, "D-did I see that wrong? I think... I think the Director-General is standing outside."

Aviloya, carrying that huge war sword and clad in a fitted suit of armor, stood squarely in front of the convoy, her hands clasped behind her back.