"Then allow me to instruct you—"

Miss Sarah spoke as she presented the meticulously prepared plan before Bringer.

Seeing this, Bringer was thoroughly infuriated. He was not Sarah's subordinate, but her equal, and he was unwilling to show weakness before her.

However, considering the pressing situation, he snorted coldly and snatched the plan from Sarah's hand.

A quick glance revealed the plan was meticulously detailed.

According to intelligence, tomorrow morning Perlman would be transferred to another detention facility. On the way, the convoy would pass through a Hollow known as the "Third Development Zone"...

Sarah's plan was to strike during the transfer. After ambushing the convoy transporting Perlman, they could immediately conceal themselves within the Hollow, virtually eliminating any risk of exposure...

The plan was flawless. Even if the Public Security Bureau launched an investigation, they wouldn't uncover a single trace.

After reviewing it, Bringer burst into hearty laughter.

"Sarah, you never disappoint. You always come up with the best solutions when it matters most."

Sarah smiled faintly. "All for the Creator—"

Bringer echoed with a grin, "All for the Creator—"

With the plan secured, Bringer wasted no time. There was still a full night left—more than enough to make arrangements.

After Bringer departed, Sarah's smile turned sly as she looked in his direction.

"All sacrifices are for the Creator. Bringer... now it's your turn."

With that, she too left the makeshift podium to prepare for tomorrow's plan.

Of course, her plan and the one Bringer had received... might not be exactly the same.

...

While Bringer and Miss Sarah each prepared for tomorrow's schemes, at that very moment, on the other side of New Eridu, inside the H.A.N.D. Headquarters building—

Hoshimi Miyabi and Tsukishiro Yanagi reported the entire operation to the H.A.N.D. Superior Officer. They detailed the ambush by three Annihilation-tier Ethereal within the hollow, revealed Sam Li's identity as an Adepti, recounted the Annihilation-tier Ethereal slain, and finally described the colossal Ethereal they had glimpsed upon the "Void Veil"...

After hearing Hoshimi Miyabi's report, the Superior Officer was profoundly astonished.

"I see. We previously received partial intelligence about Sam Li from the Public Security Bureau, suspecting he was no ordinary mortal. Yet to think he is also a Liyue Immortal..."

Hoshimi Miyabi added firmly, "He is no ordinary Adeptus. His strength likely surpasses that of the others."

Since meeting the Adepti, she had rarely seen them in action, so it was difficult to directly compare their strength.

But through the Adepti's attitudes toward Sam Li and the stories they told, she noticed that Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and even the "youthful" Xiao, all centered around Sam Li.

Even the tales Cloud Retainer recounted revolved around him.

This clearly showed Sam Li's standing among the Adepti.

The Superior Officer nodded in agreement. "With Mr. Sam Li's aid, our chances of victory rise significantly..."

However, his expression remained grim.

From the intelligence Hoshimi Miyabi had brought back, it was clear they had underestimated Hollow Zero. None had imagined the Hollow contained so many Annihilation-tier Ethereal...

Just circling the edge of the Ether Mist, they had encountered several.

What troubled him even more was the ambush.

If Hoshimi Miyabi's hypothesis was correct, then within New Eridu's leadership there had to be an Ethereal mole—and not just any mole, but one likely occupying a high-ranking position.

After a long silence, the Superior Officer said gravely,

"Regarding the ambush, keep it confidential until the investigation yields results."

Hoshimi Miyabi nodded. "Understood."

With that, she and Tsukishiro Yanagi left the office together.

After they departed, the Superior Officer unlocked a drawer and pulled out a long-sealed dossier filled with materials on the Exaltist Order.

Scanning the documents, his brow furrowed.

"Everyone underestimated the Exaltist Order... myself included."

He was certain: the mole within New Eridu's government had to be one of the Exaltist Order's surviving remnants.

Just then, a secretary entered to report that Miss Keqing had arrived...

That evening, Keqing, Sam Li, the Adepti, the H.A.N.D. Superior Officer, and Hoshimi Miyabi gathered to discuss the "possible mole."

To prevent such incidents from recurring, Keqing ultimately decided to formally establish a temporary "Hollow Zero Operations Department" in New Eridu. All operations concerning Hollow Zero would be planned and commanded by this department.

Keqing herself would serve as its Superior Officer.

Of course, this was not Liyue but New Eridu.

Though nominally under Liyue's jurisdiction, in reality Keqing was still an outsider—newly arrived in New Eridu with no foundation.

The true power in the city now rested with the department heads.

Such a critical decision would require their consultation.

...

Soon, the next day arrived.

Accompanied by the Adepti, Keqing attended the strategy meeting on Hollow Zero. She reported on the first assault, the intelligence gathered, and the team's speculations.

Since the other department heads had already been briefed, they showed no surprise. Instead, they furrowed their brows, their concern for New Eridu's future written across their faces.

Keqing then proposed establishing the "Hollow Zero Operations Department," with herself as supreme commander. This department would unite all of New Eridu's forces to confront Hollow Zero with everything they had.

Upon hearing this, the other department heads exchanged uneasy glances. None seemed eager to approve.

If this proposal passed, Keqing would gain immense authority, effectively seizing initial control of New Eridu.

Yet the existence of the Ethereal mole forced their hand.

At that moment, the H.A.N.D. Superior Officer spoke first, giving his approval to form the "Hollow Zero Operations Division." The Superior Officer of the Hollow Investigation Association soon followed.

Thus, one after another, the other department heads also voiced their consent.