Translator: AkazaTL

Proofreader/Editor: JWyck

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Chapter 308

The crisis wouldn’t start that quickly. Zhao Xiaoyu and Zhou Renjie planned to leave the day after tomorrow, deciding to have a fun time with everyone tomorrow first.

As for Su Bei, since he had decided to stay and face the danger together, he naturally couldn’t focus solely on the guardian deity. Earlier, he had speculated that this event might be part of the main storyline, so the crisis was likely related to Nightmare Beasts.

With this in mind, when Su Bei went out the next day, he repeatedly asked the guide, staff, and shop owners about Nightmare Beasts. The reason was readily available: with Nightmare Beast unrest everywhere in the world, Yafei Kingdom’s peaceful appearance made him curious.

“It’s thanks to the guardian deity.”

“Of course, it’s because the guardian deity is protecting us!”

“With the guardian deity around, we know as soon as a Nightmare Beast appears.”

The answers from all three were surprisingly consistent, attributing it all to the guardian deity. Su Bei certainly didn’t think they were lying; from their dependent, respectful, and proud attitudes, this seemed to be the truth.

Having a deity that could provide early Nightmare Beast information and allow preemptive responses was indeed something to be happy about. But after learning this, Su Bei couldn’t help but think of a new question.

Arriving at the clothing store entrance, Su Bei, who had no desire to shop, sat on a chair by the door with the guide. Notably, among the boys, only Si Zhaohua, Zhou Renjie, and Li Shu were interested in shopping, while among the girls, only Ling You wasn’t.

Knowing their shopping would take a long time, Su Bei took the opportunity to ask the guide curiously: “What’s Yafei Kingdom’s education system for Ability users like? If Wu Mingbai returns to the country, can he attend an Ability academy?”

“Our country’s Ability academy is in the capital, called ‘Yafei Royal Ability Academy.’ If the honored guests are interested, I can take you to see it tomorrow,” the guide replied immediately.

Only one Ability academy in the whole country? That was too few. Though Yafei Kingdom was far smaller than their own, could one academy really handle all the new Ability users each year?

Su Bei showed a thoughtful expression and opened his phone to search for “Yafei Royal Ability Academy.”

From the online information, it was a school with a beautiful environment and complete facilities, even more luxurious than the “Alpha Ability Academy” they had visited before.

But that was normal; the Royal Ability Academy was funded by the royal family, so it would naturally be much more luxurious.

However, this Ability school’s annual enrollment was even less than “Endless Ability Academy,” only around two hundred students.

A country producing only two hundred Ability users a year? Su Bei didn’t believe it. Yafei Kingdom doing this must have wasted many less powerful Ability users, and perhaps even buried some who could have become very strong.

With the guardian deity, two hundred Ability users a year might suffice, but what if something happened to the guardian deity? If Nightmare Beasts invaded during the landslides and earthquakes, what would Yafei Kingdom do? Other resources could be supplemented temporarily, but the number of Ability users couldn’t be rapidly replenished.

Seeking aid from other countries was feasible, but if Nightmare Beasts really wanted to cause trouble, would they give time for post-disaster aid requests?

The best method was to seek aid before the disaster, but Feng Lan’s prophecy only saw landslides and earthquakes, not a Nightmare Beast invasion, so the Yafei Kingdom King probably wouldn’t seek support in advance.

Undoubtedly, the protagonist group would play a major role again.

Su Bei sighed slightly, about to say something, when his brows suddenly raised, his expression becoming intrigued. Because he had been looking down at his phone, no one noticed his expression. Su Bei lost the intent to speak, standing up: “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“I’ll go too.” Wu Jin stood up to join him.

Though Su Bei had something to do on this trip, he didn’t refuse the other. As they walked to the bathroom halfway, Su Bei suddenly said: “I know, right? If I suddenly disappear, it must be because I saw something interesting.”

Wu Jin paused, immediately reacting: “Something interesting for you is about to appear? What is it?”

“A secret.” Su Bei said, entering the bathroom first. After Wu Jin entered a stall, he quietly left again, heading straight to the staircase corner.

“Su Bei?!” Seeing the figure suddenly appear at the door, the red-haired boy inside, dressed in black, widened his eyes, calling out in surprise and joy.

Su Bei’s brows relaxed, the corners of his mouth hooking up: “Long time no see, Mo Xiaotian.”

After some time apart, Mo Xiaotian had changed a lot. First, visibly, he had grown taller. The original Mo Xiaotian was the shortest in class, but now he had grown considerably, and was even a bit taller than Wu Mingbai.

Su Bei was sure Wu Mingbai would be half-dead with anger if he realized this.

The changes in height and weight weren’t the most obvious. To Su Bei, the most noticeable change in Mo Xiaotian was his significant Ability progress.

Earlier, Su Bei had sensed with Mental Energy that the air was filled with Mo Xiaotian’s Mental Energy flavor, meaning his Ability to control air was no longer limited to a small area but extended to a wider range.

Only now did Su Bei truly realize how powerful [Air] could be in Mo Xiaotian’s hands, even without using it for attacks.

Needless to say, the strengthened Mo Xiaotian coming to Yafei Kingdom definitely wasn’t for tourism.

Though Su Bei appeared calm on the surface, his brain had been racing since sensing Mo Xiaotian’s Ability with Mental Energy. Mo Xiaotian’s rare appearance here could only prove that the “Black Flash” organization had operations in Yafei Kingdom.

Combining the three known pieces of information: they now wanted to cooperate with Nightmare Beasts, the guardian deity Gao Di An Zhuo was a human-aligned Nightmare Beast, and the guardian deity might malfunction soon.

Su Bei reached a conclusion: the “Black Flash” organization might want to transform or take control of Gao Di An Zhuo, making it serve Nightmare Beasts. And as the Saint, Mo Xiaotian was likely assigned to complete this task.

“Su Bei, how did you find me here? Do the others know? Sorry, I just wanted to take a distant look at you guys. I didn’t expect to be discovered…” The more Mo Xiaotian spoke, the lower his mood sank.

Su Bei shook his head: “I didn’t tell them. What are you doing in Yafei Kingdom this time?”

“I have a mission, it’s confidential, can’t tell you.” Mo Xiaotian was as honest as ever, but his face lacked his former joy. “But I can tell you, you’d better leave early.”

Su Bei ignored the warning, suddenly asking: “Unhappy?”

Mo Xiaotian pursed his lips, looking at him hesitantly, seeming to want to confide but feeling it was inappropriate. Su Bei knew some things needed to be pressed while hot; if the other person calmed down, he might not speak.

So he immediately led Mo Xiaotian out, talking as they walked: “I already told Wu Jin I’m leaving early. There's plenty of time to hear your story. Since you’re here, how can we not catch up? They can ignore you, but can I ignore you too?”

These words were quite manipulative. Mo Xiaotian was moved to tears: “Wah! Brother Bei, you’re so good to me. I really have so much to say to you guys!”

Though he said that, with so many people around, he wouldn’t say much even to catch up.

Only after following Su Bei to a small corner behind the mall’s flower bed, where it would be hard to notice or listen in on them, did Mo Xiaotian speak again: “Sorry, I really can’t tell you anything. Grandpa… has been in a bad mood lately. The organization has many more rules. As the Saint, I have to lead by example and can’t violate rules casually.”

Don’t be fooled by how little he said; it was already the limit of what he could share. The organization’s atmosphere was bad now. Since Grandpa emerged from seclusion last time, claiming major research progress, Mo Xiaotian could clearly feel Grandpa wasn’t happy.

This unhappiness brought vigilance a hundred times stronger than before, especially after the world competition plan leak last time. Though only a bit leaked, it still enraged Grandpa. Now, “Black Flash” strictly forbade leaking information.

Su Bei’s mind turned, understanding the “Black Flash” leader’s intent. The bad mood was real, but adding rules just for that was fake.

“Do you really think ‘Black Flash’ organization’s rules increased just because your grandpa’s in a bad mood?” Su Bei asked meaningfully.

But such meaning was lost on Mo Xiaotian, his eyes full of innocent stupidity: “Huh? If not his bad mood, then why?”

Su Bei: “…”

A deep sense of helplessness lingered in his heart. Though this guy being so dumb was reassuring, it was also exhausting. He sighed helplessly: “Of course, it’s because what ‘Black Flash’ is doing now requires even more secrecy, so they need stricter management.”

What they did before wasn’t good, but at least the slogan was right, and members felt honored, uniting them. But now, after cooperating with Nightmare Beasts, many members likely didn’t know how to feel. To keep them under surveillance, the organization needed refined management.

Everyone, like screws and gears, with each doing their own job, unaware of others’ tasks, but completing the goal nonetheless. Only then could the “Black Flash” leader command as before.

Mo Xiaotian’s eyes flashed with confusion: “What we did before and now can’t be known either? I know in your eyes, we’re doing bad things.”

Su Bei: “…”

You’re quite self-aware.

Idiots were like that; Su Bei felt he should have gotten used to it. Realizing his words were futile, he gave up on stirring trouble, honestly probing: “With you being the mission leader, aren’t many unconvinced?”

He said this teasingly, but was actually probing if Mo Xiaotian was the leader. If not, he could ask who it was.

And if he was, this mission likely involved some prop. After all, by personal strength, Mo Xiaotian couldn’t be considered a leader.

“No way, my year undercover at ‘Endless Ability Academy’ is a big achievement!” Mo Xiaotian grinned. “Besides, everyone likes me!”

Su Bei believed that. If he hadn’t known Mo Xiaotian’s undercover identity from the start, he’d probably like him too. Though dumb, he wasn’t a hindrance. Plus, he gave full emotional value, dumb in a cute way.

Su Bei didn’t doubt such a dummy could shine like a little sun even in a villain organization.

Just a pity it shone for villains.

Sighing inwardly, he casually said: “Don’t lose the key prop, or you’ll be punished back home.”

The silly Mo Xiaotian was easily tricked, patting his chest confidently: “No way! Don’t worry!”

Honestly, Su Bei’s conscience pricked a bit. He knew Mo Xiaotian’s defenselessness was due to trust.

Though enthusiastic even to strangers, he had boundaries and wouldn’t reveal mission info.

Once, on a mission disguised as normal people, a smart guy noticed something and, thinking Mo Xiaotian was easy to fool, questioned him to extract their identities. Su Bei was about to intervene when Mo Xiaotian bluntly said the questions were weird and refused to answer.

No more info was needed, or rather, no answers yielded info. Su Bei’s gaze shifted, mercilessly dropping his expression, patting Mo Xiaotian’s shoulder: “Alright, catch-up is over. To each their own, go find your team.”

“Eh? Leaving already?” Mo Xiaotian stared blankly at Su Bei’s back, eyes wide.

“Saint, need me to bring him back?” A black-clothed person suddenly appeared beside Mo Xiaotian, asking coldly like a robot.

Mo Xiaotian shook his head, innocently puzzled: “Why bring Brother Bei back?”

This stumped the black-clothed person. He paused two seconds before answering: “Didn’t he learn a bit too much?”

“No, I don’t think I said anything confidential?” Mo Xiaotian scratched his head, eyes full of trust. “Otherwise, Uncle, you’d have stopped me.”

If someone else said this, it’d be subtle mockery of meddling. But from Mo Xiaotian, it was genuine thanks for watching out, as he wasn’t sarcastic.

The black-clothed person knew this, his eyes smiling, then looking to where Su Bei vanished: “You’re not one to leak info, and that kid asked measuredly.”

Though Su Bei was probing, he didn’t ask about key info, just insignificant but somewhat useful scraps. So the black-clothed person stayed hidden, letting them chat.

The black-clothed person wasn’t sure if the blonde boy noticed him, but whether he did or not, asking so measuredly was likely to avoid making Mo Xiaotian a target.

Before Mo Xiaotian mentioned his situation in “Black Flash,” the blonde boy was greedy, using his words to extract more info. But after, he restrained himself, keeping his questions and timing perfectly appropriate.

“Of course! Brother Bei’s super nice!” Mo Xiaotian grinned, showing white teeth. “Let’s continue the mission!”

After leaving Mo Xiaotian, since Su Bei didn’t know where Jiang Tianming and the others went and was too lazy to track them, he headed back to the castle. Finding the castle in the capital was easy, unlike other places.

On the way, he pondered his conversation with Mo Xiaotian. If “Black Flash” aimed to use a prop to affect the guardian deity, what should he do with this info?

Certainly, the prop couldn’t be stolen or destroyed, or the person with Mo Xiaotian wouldn’t have ignored the leak. Only if it didn't matter if prop’s existence was known would he let Mo Xiaotian blab.

Since the prop couldn’t be destroyed pre-event, he could only think how to use it post-event for his benefit.

Su Bei had a feeling this prop was his key to offering remuneration.

He couldn’t ask the “Destiny” organization; from Mo Xiaotian’s words, the “Black Flash” leader was cracking down on leaks, so asking wouldn’t yield useful answers.

He still needed to approach the guardian deity itself.

If “Black Flash” wanted to control it, what methods could lift the control or free it?

“What did you do this afternoon, Su Bei? Wu Jin, this tight-lipped guy, said nothing, just that you had something to do and left early.”

At dinner that evening, Jiang Tianming and the others were back. Qi Huang looked at the guy who had ditched them for half the day, asking with dissatisfaction.

Hearing this, others looked over too, equally curious what Su Bei did, feeling anything involving him likely had issues.

Su Bei answered without thinking: “Saw a cute puppy and played with it. When I snapped back, you were gone, so I went straight back to the castle.”

At this, Wu Jin’s expression turned odd for a moment. Others might not know, but he did—Su Bei predicted his departure before the bathroom, how could it be due to seeing a cute puppy?

But since the other didn’t want to tell the truth, he naturally wouldn’t expose it.

“A puppy? Got a photo?” Qi Huang didn’t quite believe him but asked curiously.

Su Bei shrugged, lazily saying: “I forgot.”

This perfunctory attitude was unmatched; Qi Huang’s teeth itched with anger again.

Mu Tieren decisively stopped the brewing conflict, looking at Feng Lan: “Did you tell the King?”

Feng Lan nodded: “After you left today, I went to the King. They said they’d prepare in advance. As for my request for you to help, the King refused, saying it hadn’t reached the point of letting foreign students take on risk for their country.”

It was rare to see him say so much; Feng Lan usually spoke little, cherishing words like gold. But for explanations, he could naturally say a lot.

Lan Subing lay on the table, enviously looking at him. She wished she could freely decide how much to say, instead of chattering with friends and clamming up with strangers.

No one was surprised by the King’s refusal; it’d be strange if he agreed. Free labor was tempting, but sometimes free was the most expensive. Sending them to help with rescue efforts would lead to UN condemnation if leaked.

But if manpower was short when danger struck, they could go without issue.

“I wonder if they can play their role properly.” Zhao Xiaoyu mimicked Lan Subing, lying on the table. “If this matter is not handled well, ordinary people will suffer.”

Landslides and earthquakes would cause widespread casualties. Especially since Feng Lan didn’t foresee specifics, no precise countermeasures could be put in place. To prevent losses early, all mountain residents must temporarily relocate.

But that greatly affected the regional economy; many couldn’t work until post-disaster reconstruction, a big economic hit for a mountainous country like Yafei Kingdom.

If the King cared more about the economy, he might not have arranged a timely evacuation. As the most ordinary among them, Zhao Xiaoyu inevitably empathized with Yafei Kingdom’s commoners.

“Don’t worry, I subtly asked today; Father seems to care about people’s lives.” Wu Mingbai smiled, cutely winking. “If he doesn’t make an effort to save people from this event, with my prince identity and this recording, I think I can let the people better understand my family.”

Saying such scary words with such a cute expression, everyone shivered. Lan Subing gave a thumbs-up: “You actually remembered to record.”

Wu Mingbai glanced at Su Bei: “I learned from someone.”

Suddenly cued, Su Bei looked innocent: “Master leads to the door, practice relies on the self. No need to deflect; we all know your ‘kindness’.”