Chapter 64: Events in the Outside World
As Tang Mu commenced his adventure in the painting world, life continued in the outside world.
Seemingly inconsequential but noteworthy events that would set a foundation for a shocking future continued to unfold, with one such incident occurring within the office of the principal of the 4th high school of Asia Metropolitan Region's 4th district.
The hour hand of the antique clock hanging on the wall had long pointed to the 3:00 AM mark. But Cong Kai, the aged principal, was like a true-blue nocturnal who didn't mind the time. He didn't mind the solitude that came with the night.
He was sitting at his desk while observing a damaged golden rune inscribed on a tile in his hand. His experienced mind was in high gear as he questioned himself while making a few deductions.
"Did the enemy discover the tracking rune? Or has the bow been damaged?"
Just the previous day, he had learned that Tang Mu, a student he had recommended for admission to the Flaming Phoenix Military College, had perished after suffering a full-blown attack from a rank-three powerhouse of the Crimson Brotherhood. He immediately activated the tracking rune he had concealed in the weapon he previously gifted to Tang Mu, hoping to locate the enemy.
But alas, his attempts were all fruitless, and he couldn't locate the longbow that must have been taken by the rank three enemy. It was as if a powerful barrier was blocking the connection of the tracking rune to its sister symbol, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn't trigger it.
All that wasn't a problem. The principal was willing to wait for the enemy to exit the space protected by the powerful barrier. But just a few seconds prior, another twist had occurred. The structure of the sister tracking rune had suddenly broken apart and lost all functionality. It was as if it had suffered an attack through some mysterious channel.
"There were no traces of Tang Mu's remnant soul on the scene," the principal mumbled as he recalled the devastating bloody setting at the hostel the previous day. "Could there have been other parties monitoring Luo Meiling's son? Could they have known about the secret? Could they have gathered Tang Mu's soul remnants, hoping to unearth clues from what remained of his memories?"
The principal continued his mumblings, each sentence of his disclosing shocking details.
Tang Mu wasn't some lucky orphan who had won a scholarship to Asia Metropolitan Region's 4th high school. Instead, the aged principal had relied on his connections and wits to place him in the school with the goal of quietly monitoring him.
Cong Kai had taken the gamble of admitting the poor soul and providing the associated scholarship because he was after something. He wanted to unearth the startling secret that had disappeared with the death of Tang Mu's parents during a Vegroid invasion some twelve years ago. He was acting on behalf of the Federal Government to exhume something that could affect the survival of the human race.
The principal had some understanding of Luo Meiling, Tang Mu's late mom. She had always been a woman with mysterious powers and absurd means, even by the strictest standards. She could have made arrangements that 'certain' incidents could trigger to set bizarre events in motion even twelve years after her death. But all these setups should have revolved around her son.
"Could a stronger power have impacted her arrangements? Or is there another possibility?"
The principal narrowed his aged eyes as he glanced blankly into space. Seconds elapsed while he contemplated a few things, but he didn't think of anything conclusive. He let out a tired sigh before tapping a few times on his holo-tab. He wore his headset and dialed a number he didn't even dare to save in his contact list.
"Hello," a crisp and sweet feminine voice sounded from the other end of the line.
"Thirty-four calves are breastfeeding the cows," the principal said a series of incomprehensible words in response.
"Fifty-five cats are lying supine on the floor," the voice at the other end of the line replied with an even more absurd sentence.
"Eighty-nine goats are eating meat," the principal said in return.
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"One-hundred-and-forty-four dogs have eaten the birthday cake..." The feminine voice at the other end paused briefly before saying, "It's you, boss! Is this a secure line?"
"Yes," Principal Cong Kai said succinctly. "Lone Panther! I have an assignment for you."
"I'm listening, sir!" The voice at the other end turned solemn.
"No matter what it takes, find the Crimson Brotherhood criminal that calls himself Elder Weeping Ghost in the shortest time possible. Make this your topmost priority."
"What about the treasure from the fallen Vegroid ship you wanted me to find?"
"Ignore that for now," the principal said. "Focus on finding Elder Weeping Ghost first. I want him alive."
"Yes, sir! Command received." The person on the other end replied without asking any more needless questions.
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Another noteworthy incident involved Ning'er, the small girl who had been Tang Mu's friend and hostel mate for the past three years.
After the series of incidents that led to the death of two victims in a single hostel, the relevant stakeholders had come to a unanimous decision in a single day. They acted fast and transferred the remaining students from the hostel before placing them in a secure hotel in the same residential zone.
All this was in the name of protecting the youngsters from any more unfortunate events that could involve attacks by underworld organizations like the Crimson Brotherhood. The relevant authorities wished to ensure the safety of the students, at least until the dust settled.
Hu Ning was obviously one of the students affected by the unfortunate circumstances.
At that moment, the small girl was atop a comfortable bed in her hotel room. It was already three in the morning, but she still couldn't find sleep. She was in grief, and even the luxurious hotel chamber allocated to her by the authorities couldn't soothe her sorrows. She was lying supine on the comfy mattress while staring blankly at the ceiling.
Events from the previous day continuously played in her mind. She had been in her residence, preparing to enter bed and rest for the night. But all of a sudden, an impactful tremor shook the entire hostel and almost caused her to lose her balance.
Her pseudo-rank-one fitness had allowed her to regain composure and stability within seconds, and she had rushed to her window, hoping to learn what had transpired. Her ears had picked up more commotion, and she soon saw a powerful enemy in a red robe flying away from the hostel.
In a state of confusion, she exited her room and joined the rest of her hostel mates, who were beginning to form a crowd in the compound below. The police arrived soon after, and after some ups and downs, she finally learned what had happened. Her brother Tang Mu and one of the psionics guarding the hostel had suffered an attack from an enemy and met their end.
At that instant, Ning'er had felt like the world had lost all its vibrancy. She had rushed up the stairs, hoping to ascertain whether Tang Mu had really perished. But to her dismay, she found that the police had already cordoned off the place, and no matter how much she begged, they couldn't allow her into Tang Mu's residence. The people in uniform claimed that they were only protecting the crime scene.
Ning'er had passed the time from that moment like a zombie, albeit one with intense emotions. She had cried until her tears dried out, and her thoughts had turned chaotic. As of now, twenty-eight hours had already passed, and the authorities had already allocated her a comfy hotel room. But even then, she still couldn't escape the endless abyss of her grief. She was tired but couldn't sleep.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang while she was still busy, staring listlessly at the ceiling. She rubbed her weary eyes and got up from the bed. She crossed the room in a few steps before glancing at the display of the peephole camera. Then, after noticing that the person outside was Huang An, she opened the door before stepping back.
Huang An, the musclehead, was in sweatpants and a baggy black T-shirt. He glanced at her with his noticeably red eyes before saying, "Even you can't find sleep?"
Ning'er nodded and motioned for Huang An to enter.
Huang An nodded and stepped into the room. He quickly made himself comfortable on the bedside rocking chair as Ning'er closed the door. "I remember it was only eight or nine weeks ago when we would all meet in the gym while preparing for the Psionic Society's Assessment." He sighed again. "But in the blink of an eye, both Gong Qing and Tang Mu are gone. We're the only ones in our group of friends remaining. What a world..."
Ning'er felt another stab in her heart as memories of both Tang Mu and Gong Qing welled up like endless water from a spring in her mind. She recalled the times they enjoyed together, including their joint training and fun sessions. But now, they were no more, and she would never see them again.
Ning'er took a deep breath and said, "You know what, Huang An! I'm going to train so hard and become strong. I'll become so powerful and uproot all the underworld organizations from the Greater Earth Federation. I'll start with the Crimson Brotherhood when I gain the ability."
Yes, she was in grief, and the world had lost all color without the company of her late friends. But she wouldn't let the sorrow defeat her. She would struggle and become powerful enough to enact revenge for Gong Qing and Tang Mu.
Huang An turned to glance at her before sighing again. "I guess I'll do the same. Let's become the nemeses of all underworld organizations in the Greater Earth Federation. But we'll need strength. When are you setting off for university?"
"I'll leave tomorrow after Brother Tang Mu's sending-away service," Ning'er replied, her eyes flashing with resolve. "I must get stronger as soon as possible, and the only way to achieve this is to head to the university. I can't continue wasting time here."
"I'll also follow your example and travel tomorrow after the funeral," Huang An suggested. "Since we're all heading to the Mar's Military Academy, let's travel together."
"No problem," Ning'er said.
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