Apocalypse Circular-Chapter 436: Where Are They (4K Today)

Lu Luo had killed an Eighth Order entity on the premise that a grey-robed Pilgrim had summoned one.

Summoning an Eighth Order Bizarre in the GuiXi District—what exactly do these grey-robed figures intend to do?

Wu Liji remained silent for a long time, Lu Luo beside her growing a bit impatient.

"Is there any expert who can tell me how much this Mirror Lake water is actually worth? Maybe we can still dig a little more out of that pit underground."

Lu Luo sounded pitiful, but neither Wu Liji nor Zhang Changming paid him any mind.

Seeing Wu Liji being put on the spot by Zhang Changming, Lu Luo knew he couldn’t let Zhang Changming continue to pressure her. Although the relationship among the three of them was complicated, fundamentally, none of them could allow another to completely collapse. This was the basic principle governing their interactions.

"Don’t be so serious; the issue has been resolved. There’s no need to discuss it further at this point. You know my strength—it’s formidable. So, don’t sweat the small stuff."

Lu Luo’s tone was confident, yet surprisingly, neither Wu Liji nor Zhang Changming refuted him.

Indeed! Lu Luo’s strength had actually reached such a level.

With Lu Luo having directly foiled the grey-robed Pilgrims’ conspiracy, didn’t that make him a hero of the entire GuiXi District? An unsung hero, at that?

Zhang Changming rubbed his fingers, a sense that something wasn’t quite right nagging at him. After a moment’s thought, however, he spoke, "Later on, I’ll get you a Good Citizen Medal."

Huh? Lu Luo wondered. Is everyone at the Inspection Department this frank?

"Is there a cash prize?"

"The department is currently short on resources; cash bonuses are out of the question."

"If you’re broke, just say so. No need for all that fancy talk, alright? A Good Citizen Medal? I can’t believe you guys came up with that."

After this exchange, the atmosphere among the three eased slightly. Yet Wu Liji still remained silent, not uttering a word.

Zhang Changming then continued, "Your Highness Princess, I know you may harbor some lofty, grand ideals. But everyone sees the world differently. While pursuing your noble aspirations, it’s best to be aware of your surroundings. Otherwise, it’s easy to be deceived. Have you considered what would happen if the Eighth Order Bizarre Lu Luo mentioned were to truly go into hiding in GuiXi? With its ability to control treants for large-scale combat, if it were to attack GuiXi, the Coal Capital... how many people in the entire GuiXi District would perish?"

Wu Liji had no answer to Zhang Changming’s question. Previously, she had never doubted the intentions or purity of the Grey Robes. But this time... it truly was different. Leaving aside the slaughter, the forest fire before her had already significantly changed her perception of the Inspection Department’s actions. This kind of organized, disciplined collective rescue... could beings like the Grey Robes truly carry it out? The Inspection Department was indeed the nightmare of many societies, but in the hearts of ordinary people, it was a great entity. They protected the order of the entire Empire, preventing ordinary people from being oppressed by Transcendent societies. If Transcendents were people, then weren’t ordinary people also people? And the Grey Robe Pilgrims’ actions this time... as a core member of the Grey Robes, I didn’t even know their objective. What exactly were they trying to do?

"SIGH!"

Wu Liji let out a deep sigh, seemingly reluctant to bring up the day’s events again.

But just then, Lu Luo suddenly asked, "Hey, what exactly was inside that container you gave them tonight?"

"Container?" Zhang Changming, previously unaware of this, also looked towards Wu Liji.

Wu Liji hadn’t wanted to answer, but by now, she had figured many things out.

"Inside that container were the souls of Imperial Family members."

"What?"

"My goodness, you actually brought our ancestors’ ashes? That’s taking it pretty far."

Lu Luo’s words left Wu Liji somewhat speechless. Though harsh, they weren’t entirely incorrect.

"Can you tell me, is there anything special about the souls of the Imperial Family? What special purpose do the Grey Robes have for such things? Is that Eighth Order plant dumpling connected to the Imperial souls?"

"Sorry, I really don’t know anything about this."

Wu Liji couldn’t answer Lu Luo’s questions at all. As one of the Grey Robes’ officers, she had thought she knew a great deal and understood the true essence and realities of this world. But after today, she realized there was still so much she didn’t know. If Dan Kun and the Elder were still around, would they offer me a reasonable explanation?

"Does Minister Zhang have any inside information?"

"Matters of the Imperial Family are always kept confidential." Zhang Changming shook his head.

"Well then, that’s probably the gist of today’s events. Minister Zhang, do you need to report this?"

Lu Luo wasn’t particularly concerned about the Grey Robes’ affairs. In fact, as his strength grew, powerful individuals posed less and less of a threat to him. What truly instilled fear in him, what warranted his caution, was the formidable machinery of the state. Like the Inspection Department!

"Such a significant event obviously needs to be reported."

"And my part in this..."

Lu Luo looked slyly at Zhang Changming, who rolled his eyes and nodded. "I know what to do; I’ll find a way to erase your information. Besides, you acted in service to the GuiXi District this time. I can’t allow someone who genuinely works for the people to be treated unfairly."

The more Zhang Changming said this, the more uneasy Wu Liji felt.

"Minister Zhang, if there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask."

"There’s no need, Your Highness. You should go back and get some proper rest. If possible, take some time to think about what it is you truly want."

With that, their conversation ended. The Inspection Department, along with a large number of Transcendents, proceeded to clean up the area. Too many people had witnessed the traces of Lu Luo’s battle with Hei Tengxi; they definitely couldn’t be concealed.

Back in the Coal Capital, within the Inspection Department, Zhang Changming described Lu Luo as an unknown, reclusive expert. This explanation was acceptable to many members of the Inspection Department. Since they didn’t know who Lu Luo was, they just went along with the narrative.

After submitting the report, Zhang Changming began to seriously consider Lu Luo’s immense strength for the first time. He and Bai Yuetong are together, establishing themselves and growing in the GuiXi District. What are they really planning? Those two... they couldn’t possibly be thinking of rebelling, could they? Is that Lu Luo fellow really reliable?

It seemed an incredulous idea. But after giving it some thought... perhaps there was a chance? Given Lu Luo’s age and talent, his future achievements were bound to be limitless. And Bai Yuetong, as an heir of a Royal Family Clan—if she harbored resentment towards the Imperial Family, she was qualified to replace them. This had been an ancestral tenet since the founding of the new Empire. Although the four great Royal Family Clans had been mostly worn down by the Imperial Family by now, if a force like Lu Luo and Bai Yuetong were to develop quietly, then they...

Come to think of it, aren’t the two of them actually more dangerous than the grey-robed people?

Zhang Changming hesitated once more. If his speculations were correct, if Bai Yuetong truly intended to rebel, which side should he choose?

Sigh, I hope that day comes much later.

On the other side, Wu Liji also escorted Lu Luo back to the new residence arranged for them by the Inspection Department. By the time they returned, dawn was breaking.

Wu Liji didn’t let Lu Luo leave, instead keeping him to ask some questions.

"Was everything you said last night true?"

"You still don’t believe me?"

"It’s not that I don’t believe you... but your strength shouldn’t be this great."

"You’re not me. How would you know how strong I should or shouldn’t be?"

Wu Liji didn’t know how to explain, but she definitely had her reasons for saying so. The Imperial Family had conducted extensive research into human physiology. At the age of 22, no matter how talented one was, they shouldn’t have achieved the level of strength Lu Luo exhibited. This was an inherent limitation of human physical structure, fundamentally unrelated to genius. Unless Lu Luo wasn’t human, a normal human definitely couldn’t reach such a level.

"Forget it; it’s pointless trying to explain it to you. Lu Luo, I think I’m a bit lost."

Wu Liji appeared somewhat vulnerable, but Lu Luo’s reaction was brutally honest.

"Scram. Don’t touch me, and don’t try to act pitiful with me. We’re not that close. Stay away from me."

"Are you even a man?"

"Whether I’m a man or not is none of your business. All that matters is that my wife is happy every day."

Wu Liji was speechless. She now didn’t know if she should continue contacting the Grey Robes. So she had wanted Lu Luo to help her investigate the Grey Robes, but this guy just wouldn’t take the bait. Damn him...

Wu Liji felt a surge of anger and shame. The events of the night had made her doubt her past actions. Now Lu Luo wasn’t even trying to comfort her or soothe her feelings; instead, he was deliberately irritating her. No matter how you looked at it, Wu Liji was an Imperial Princess. She had never been treated like this in her entire life.

"Lu Luo, you damn..."

"Hey, hey, you’re a princess. Watch your language. Be civil, show some manners, understand? Besides, what’s the use of getting angry with me here? Can you even beat me?"

Hearing Lu Luo say this made Wu Liji’s expression even more wretched.

She definitely couldn’t beat him. So, what now? This business with the Grey Robes wasn’t over. If Dan Kun came looking for me again, should I refuse, or should I continue to agree?

"Lu Luo, help me!" This time, Wu Liji sounded quite sincere.

"How can I help?"

Wu Liji didn’t speak. She took out a phone, dialed a number, then hung up. After waiting a few seconds, she dialed it again.

"Hello, it’s me!" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Watching Wu Liji’s expression, Lu Luo instantly guessed the identity of the person on the other end. He said nothing, nor did he show any surprise, merely shifting a little closer to Wu Liji, quietly listening to their conversation.

"Liji, are you alright?" Dan Kun’s voice held both worry and puzzlement.

He was genuinely concerned for Wu Liji’s safety and also perplexed as to why the commotion from Hei Tengxi had ceased. An Eighth Order Bizarre King shouldn’t have caused such a minor disturbance. Had it fallen asleep? Or found a place to hide and recover its strength? What was that big fire earlier all about? Dan Kun had many questions. He and the Elder had already moved far from this area, so at this moment, he could only seek answers from Wu Liji.

"I’m fine."

Wu Liji’s voice was somewhat cold. Dan Kun, on the other end, thought she was angry and began to explain, "Liji, we owe you a great deal for what happened this time. Without you, we couldn’t have succeeded. I will report your contribution truthfully. You’ve really been put through a lot this time."

Wronged? Contribution? Wu Liji found it rather laughable. She was an Imperial Princess; did she need recognition from the Grey Robes for her contributions? In this world, in this country, besides her father, who else could give her credit? Who could make her feel wronged?

Suddenly, Wu Liji caught sight of Lu Luo eavesdropping, his ears practically twitching.

Alright, that jerk Lu Luo was an exception.

"Dan Kun, stop with the useless talk. I never joined the Grey Robes for the sake of contributions. Also, can you tell me now: what do you need the souls of the Imperial Family for?"

Hearing Wu Liji’s question, Dan Kun clearly fell silent. Should he tell her directly it was to undo Hei Tengxi’s seal? That was definitely not an option. Dan Kun’s original plan had been to wait until Wu Liji discovered Hei Tengxi attacking the Coal Capital, and then he would tell her the truth. By then, events would have already transpired, and Wu Liji naturally wouldn’t be able to object much. But now, Hei Tengxi’s whereabouts were unknown, and Wu Liji was asking directly. For a moment, Dan Kun truly didn’t know how to respond.

"Liji, this matter... it’s a long story."

"You can’t tell me?"

"It’s not that I can’t tell you, it’s just..."

"That plant dumpling, was it really summoned by all of you? What is it called?"

"Plant dumpling?" Dan Kun was clearly taken aback. He suddenly realized there was a problem—a problem concerning Hei Tengxi! "Liji, what plant dumpling are you referring to?"

"That Eighth Order plant dumpling, the one sealed in the waters of Mirror Lake." As Wu Liji said this, she was almost grinding her teeth. If she hadn’t wanted to find out Dan Kun’s current location, she would have already started cursing him.

"Liji, you already know about Hei Tengxi...?"

"Its name is Hei Tengxi?"

"Yes, but I didn’t know about this matter beforehand either; it was all orchestrated by the Elder. The Empire needs a reshuffle; it needs to experience pain. Hei Tengxi’s existence is intended to make this country feel that pain."

Dan Kun’s words left Wu Liji feeling hopeless. As an Imperial Princess, why should she want this country to feel pain? This country itself was her home. She merely couldn’t agree with the Imperial Family; it wasn’t that she didn’t identify with this country.

"Do you intend to use it to destroy the GuiXi region? An Eighth Order Bizarre King? To gain a deserted city in exchange—is that your objective?"

"Liji, I didn’t intentionally hide it from you. Originally, our plan was to bring you into the open immediately after Hei Tengxi attacked the Coal Capital. But now, events have unfolded beyond our expectations. Liji, can you tell me the current situation in the Coal Capital?"

Wu Liji was just about to say that Hei Tengxi had already been killed when Lu Luo, beside her, quickly gestured to her.

[Ask, where, he, is!]

Wu Liji fell silent for a moment. If she complied with Lu Luo, he would undoubtedly rush over and either kill Dan Kun and the Elder or capture them. This would mean a complete break between her and the Grey Robes.

But on second thought... it seemed there wasn’t much left to discuss between her and the Grey Robes now anyway.

"Dan Kun, where are you?"