CHAPTER 554: CHAPTER 569: MISSION OBJECTIVE

Thud.

The sound of the iron door hitting the ground rang out.

The motorcycle shot out like a rocket, crashing into a giant boulder outside the city, making a whirring sound, rolling over several times before it came to a stop.

A few people leaped off the vehicle the moment it stopped, running towards the outer wilderness without looking back.

Baiyu and Odin were stunned by the scene.

They hadn’t thought.

That escaping could be done this way.

Unfortunately.

These people didn’t get far outside the city.

A flash of black light occurred, as if a piece of white paper had been cut into two, bodies and heads separated...

Blood oozed from their corpses.

Their wounds were exceptionally smooth.

At a single stroke.

The ones who had dashed out were instantly killed.

When death came, they couldn’t even make a move to evade.

Even so, the person who struck from behind did not make a sound.

A master indeed.

Both Baiyu and Odin breathed a sigh of relief.

That group earlier was obviously not from the Holy Light Church, but other hidden organizations within the city.

In the chaos.

Who knows how many monsters and demons lurked in the shadows.

The two continued to guard the city gate.

Before long, a large, dense army marched in steps, heading straight into the city.

The sound of their synchronized steps was like a symphony.

Where they passed by.

Dust swirled in the air.

The troops from outside Villiduo had arrived!

By then, Baiyu and Odin had finally completed their mission.

Though a small mishap occurred in the process, it was still a success.

Soon.

The City Guard Army and the Peace and Anomaly Bureau at the city gate exchanged tasks with the military.

Baiyu and Odin were also taken by officials to the headquarters of the Anomaly Bureau in Villiduo.

Upon entering.

The two were met with an aura of murder and menace.

Many members of the Anomaly Bureau exuded a violent aura, with some clothing stained with blood.

Evidently, they had been through a bloody battle the night before.

Baiyu felt a sense of dread.

At the same time, he pondered the fate of the Holy Light Church.

Such a behemoth couldn’t just disappear silently.

Whether it’s the immense interests involved or the mass faith of ordinary people.

These are all incredibly difficult matters to handle.

In fact.

In the East Prosperity Imperial.

Apart from the military’s faith in the "Scar God," there were two main churches vying for power.

One was the Holy Light Church, the other the Mechanical God Church.

Under the Mechanical God Church, there are many smaller branches, such as the Church of the God of Steam and Mechanics, among others.

As the National Church.

The Mechanical God Church rarely promotes itself actively.

Though it has many followers and a vast scale, it often carries an aloof, detached impression.

Conversely, the Holy Light Church is different.

They greatly emphasize spreading faith among ordinary people.

Missionary numbers are countless.

As a result.

Now the Holy Light Church’s scale is by no means weaker than the Mechanical God Church.

Churches and parishes across the country have taken shape, holding many stable believers.

This is why no one dares to move against the Holy Light Church casually.

Deep-rooted and interwoven, touching one strand sets the whole in motion.

One careless mistake could lead to a massive upheaval.

Baiyu walked into the Anomaly Bureau.

Finally.

He arrived at Zhang Ruoxu’s office.

Besides Baiyu and Odin, there were several others in the office.

All relatively young, mostly in their twenties to thirties.

"Thank you for your efforts this time."

Zhang Ruoxu, seeing everyone gathered, said, "Though each of the city’s gates had masters guarding them, unexpected events are inevitable. We didn’t have enough manpower, and you were a tremendous help.

As for the Director’s promise.

This was agreed upon before.

Once things settle down here, arrangements will be made for you to go to Kyoto, to enter the Heart of the Empire.

By then.

You can also participate in the annual training competition in Kyoto."

Zhang Ruoxu’s words excited everyone in the room.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Not only to enter the Heart of the Empire and receive rewards but also to enter the circle of Kyoto martial artists.

If seizing the moment.

Integrating into Kyoto’s system wouldn’t be difficult.

After all.

Those standing here, more or less, have some status or backing.

At this point.

Baiyu understood that this gate-guarding task was likely also a form of selection and evaluation.

Those who received the task.

Were all individuals with some background or identity.

This task wasn’t just an experience but also a pretext for a reward?

Odin was likely an important figure within the Bounty Hunter community.

As for himself.

He belonged to the Third Prince’s faction.

Although the Third Prince had been silent recently, it was clear that his influence hadn’t diminished.

The others.

Were probably figures from various factions, or they had significant backing.

After promising a few things, Zhang Ruoxu also addressed a few other matters, and then solemnly said to them:

"You should have some inkling about what happened last night.

I can’t reveal too much.

Villiduo won’t be peaceful for a while.

Many hidden organizations have quietly extended their claws, as has the Holy Light Church.

The vile apostates haven’t all been exterminated.

Many Holy Light Church apostates have escaped.

Surely.

You encountered some while guarding the four gates last night.

However, the larger part still hides within Villiduo, harboring great animosity towards the government officials.

The Anomaly Bureau doesn’t have extra forces to protect you.

But I believe, with your abilities, you don’t need protection."

At last.

Zhang Ruoxu revealed a rather lascivious smile.

Of course.

Perhaps Baiyu was the only one who sensed the lasciviousness.

Anyway, this old guy seemed reliable on the surface.

But in reality, he couldn’t be relied upon in critical moments, as Baiyu discovered the last time he entered the Dream Realm.

Soon after, everyone understood Zhang Ruoxu’s implication and took their leave.

Baiyu was about to leave when he was called back.

"Chief Zhang, is there something else?"

Baiyu inquired.

Zhang Ruoxu replied, "During this period, come sit at the Anomaly Bureau more often if you have time.

You know Villiduo has been unstable recently.

Also.

Roxia is in the recovery stage; visit her when you can to stabilize her mindset."

Baiyu didn’t expect this was the matter at hand.

However.

Roxia and he did have a close relationship.

Last time she knew trouble was brewing at the Holy Light Church and discreetly passed him a note.

Roxia’s situation was indeed dire.

While capturing a cultist, she ended up being sent into the Dream Realm.

Baiyu didn’t refuse Zhang Ruoxu; instead, he nodded and said, "I’ll visit her more when I have time. How is her condition now?"

"Fairly stable, after some time, I reckon she can be discharged."

Zhang Ruoxu rubbed his brow.

It was evident.

Roxia’s matter had made this Director lose quite a bit of hair from worry.