Jiang Qianyu wanted to eliminate not only those who had infiltrated Liu City.

She wanted to create an opportunity for herself to directly storm the Night Watchers’ headquarters in Maple Leaf City.[[jtyq42]]

The overall strength of Maple Leaf City wasn’t particularly strong. The headquarters only had one S-rank seated there, and overall, its power was far below that of Liu City. Liu City’s two S-ranks just hadn’t returned yet.

The Demoness Puppet’s current strength should have just stepped across the threshold of S-rank. At the very least, killing these A-ranks was relatively easy. As for S-rank, she hadn’t yet faced one, so she couldn’t determine the exact gap in strength.

But what was certain was that even if she had indeed reached the minimum standard of S-rank, her strength within the rank would definitely be at the lower end.

Now, what she needed to do was already clear.

First, she had to finish forging Meatball’s new body, to serve as one of her trump cards. After that, she would seize the forces in Maple Leaf City, then add those of Liu City, using them as the center to begin building a faction similar to the Patients’ Association.

At the same time, she would help Lu Yunzhi strengthen her power, at least to the point where she had a chance to attempt the Golden Ear Assessment.

As long as she stabilized matters on her main body’s side, she could then set her sights further. By creating more Puppets, her power base would be solidified.

When her faction became large and well-known enough, it could continuously attract corrupted beings from across the world.

By then, she could plant seeds of the Primordial Threads in each corrupted being’s body, waiting for the harvest.

The Witch’s Heart was temporarily destroyed by her, which bought some time. But that in itself revealed several issues—for example, even if the Witch is dead, she still has influence. And resurrection, for someone of her power, wasn’t all that difficult.

The key problem was that even if the Primordial Threads could not be stolen by the Witch, they also could not cause her significant harm.

Jiang Qianyu had an idea.

Since the Witch, even if reborn, could not return to her past peak, could Jiang Qianyu instead elevate the Primordial Threads to a terrifying level and then use them against the Witch to kill her completely?

Thinking this, Jiang Qianyu with a gentle smile on her face, lowered the hunter in front of her.

“Don’t worry, I just need you to cooperate with me on something. It won’t affect you.”

Her hand reached for the man’s face. From the palm of her hand crawled writhing black threads like tendrils.

—

The living room was quiet.

After the third or whichever Uncle left, he could no longer be contacted. When they called the hospital, the reply was that no medical staff had been dispatched at all, and he never showed up at the hospital.

The key point was that his son went with him. He at least had B-rank strength—‘how could he vanish without a sound?’

As for Third Uncle,[[x2kr42]]his son also rushed out after a phone call, saying it was a mission, but everyone felt uneasy.

The aunt sat on the sofa. She had one son and one daughter, neither of whom had much development. Of course, she didn’t expect her children to fight over Lu Wenlin’s inheritance. After all, once she married out, in the eyes of her brothers, she was already considered an outsider.

Lu Yunzhi went to check on her stepmother. The woman was suffering from cancer, her condition poor, lying in bed refusing to see anyone except Lu Wenlin.

Holding a cup of hot tea, Jiang Qianyu sat on another sofa with Bai Dongqing in her arms, quietly reading a novel, as if oblivious to the atmosphere in the living room.[[9i41f4]]

“Mr. Lu, there are guests, seems like they’re from the officials,” another Aunt Li whispered to Lu Wenlin.

“Officials?” Lu Wenlin frowned. He was on the phone, trying to contact Uncle[[yhag21]], and hadn’t arranged to meet anyone from the authorities.

“Did they say who?”

“They only said they were from the Ninth Bureau.”

“What!?” Lu Wenlin was startled and quickly went out.

‘Why would the Ninth Bureau come?’

Jiang Qianyu lifted her eyes and glanced briefly, not too concerned. It was probably people sent by Fang Tiandi, most likely wanting her help to save Fang Qingxue.

Fang Qingxue was a core member of the Ninth Bureau. Since being kidnapped by the Black Angel, there had been no news of her.

Normally, in such a case, she would already be considered dead.

To the Ninth Bureau, she was likely already marked as sacrificed.

Regardless of whether or not she was Fang Tiandi’s relative, the Ninth Bureau could not mobilize entirely to rescue just her.

Truthfully, Jiang Qianyu had rather liked Fang Qingxue.

But here was the problem.

The Black Angel had been split apart by her own hands. In that situation, she hadn’t had the time to ask whether Fang Qingxue had been killed. Now, the Black Angel is dead, and Liu Xuan, the only other person who might have known Fang Qingxue’s fate, is also dead.

So many days had passed, and no one looked after Fang Qingxue. If she were just an ordinary person, she would have starved by now.

“Qianyu.” Lu Yunzhi crouched beside her. “The Ninth Bureau people are here, I think it’s that Director Fang. I might be mistaken, but he’s an old man.”

“Director Fang?” Jiang Qianyu frowned. She hadn’t expected Fang Tiandi to come in person.

“I’ll go see.”

As soon as Jiang Qianyu spoke, Lu Yunzhi understood and helped her out of the living room.

The moment she stepped outside, Jiang Qianyu heard Fang Tiandi’s hearty laugh. The old man, in his seventies, still had the energy of a man in his twenties or thirties. His complexion was ruddy, his voice booming, his stride brisk.

“Teacher, truthfully, I already knew you came to Liu City. Unfortunately, I was in Binhai City with my wife for her treatment. I just got back a few days ago and planned to visit you after the New Year.” Lu Wenlin’s demeanor changed completely upon seeing Fang Tiandi. He bowed low, no longer looking like a business guild president.

In reality, Lu Wenlin wasn’t Fang Tiandi’s student. He had only attended one of his lectures. But in major cities like Liu City, Binhai City, and even Jing’an City, many influential figures were considered Fang Tiandi’s students.

Compared to Fang Tiandi, Lu Wenlin was indeed insignificant.

“The last time I saw you, you were at Binhai University. You were classmates with Wang Zhiyuan, weren’t you? The two of you seemed close.” Fang Tiandi chuckled.

Lu Wenlin’s face turned awkward. He was ten years older than Wang Zhiyuan—hardly actual classmates.

“Oh! Miss Jiang, long time no see.” Fang Tiandi’s eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Qianyu. He strode past Lu Wenlin and the officials behind him without a glance.

“Elder Fang, what are you…” Jiang Qianyu raised her brows, puzzled by his attitude.

“Haha, it’s almost New Year. I came to see you. After all, you’re a great contributor to the Ninth Bureau.”

Fang Tiandi laughed outwardly, but inside he was sighing.

He had found Fang Qingxue. But her condition was not good.

To be blunt—Fang Qingxue was corrupted.

He didn’t know what the Black Angel did, but Fang Qingxue was now teetering on the brink of corruption, and the power inside her was strong. If she did fall, she would at least be A-rank.

He didn’t believe Fang Qingxue could hold on like Liu Yu. Once she turned, they would have no choice but to kill her.

And why come to Jiang Qianyu?

The reason was simple. He wanted to know what had become of the Black Angel and Liu Xuan.

Ever since those two went to Jiang Qianyu’s villa, they had never returned.