Chapter 553: The Wind Never Ceases

"Without Bian Junwu’s ability affecting him, Yuan Kongye wouldn’t have died. So, the biggest credit goes to Bian Junwu."

"And Yuan Kongye’s death wasn’t because of anything I, Zhang Yi, did. It was under the leadership of your investigation team, with the cooperation of all the Superhumans in Tianhai City, that Yuan Kongye exhausted his energy, leading to the side effects of his abilities erupting and killing him."

"What do you think of this explanation?"

Zhang Yi casually wove a story.

Baili Changqing let out a deep sigh after hearing it.

"You don’t seem like a warehouse manager. You sound more like someone who writes web novels."

Zhang Yi scoffed. "What a joke. Web novel authors are all broke. They’d starve to death."

"Anyway, I’ve said what I needed to say. I can’t control what you think—what you do is up to you."

Zhang Yi had made his stance clear.

He believed Baili Changqing and the others would make the right choice.

After all, no one would go against their own interests.

At that moment, Baili Changqing finally understood why Zhang Yi had come in with such an overbearing attitude.

He had deliberately left a bad impression on the team members, making them unwilling to accept him as their captain.

Now, as long as Baili Changqing went back and used his influence within the team, they should readily agree to the arrangement.

There was also another key point—Zhang Yi had completely given up the credit for Yuan Kongye’s death, meaning the investigation team would receive it instead.

The team members would all be rewarded handsomely.

Zhang Yi could see that Baili Changqing was tempted.

Barring any surprises, he had successfully made Baili Changqing his mouthpiece.

Seeing Baili Changqing still deep in thought, Zhang Yi reached into his pocket and pulled out a pitch-black pistol—Bian Junwu’s sidearm, which had been loaned to him during the battle.

The gun was custom-made, with Bian Junwu’s name engraved on it. Zhang Yi figured it was only right to return it.

The gun itself wasn’t particularly special. What was special were the bullets inside.

Baili Changqing sighed at the sight of Bian Junwu’s weapon.

An old friend of many years was gone forever.

Zhang Yi looked at him and asked, "The bullets you were using before, those are called Origin Bullets, right?"

Zhang Yi was very interested in them.

If they could threaten high-level Superhumans, they were definitely something he wanted.

After all, among his attack methods, firearms played a crucial role.

His principle was simple—if he could use a gun, he wouldn’t bother fighting hand-to-hand. If he could strike from a distance, he’d never get close.

The ultimate strategy: long reach versus short reach.

Baili Changqing glanced at Zhang Yi with a serious expression. "Don’t even think about it. Origin Bullets are strictly controlled strategic materials, even at the district headquarters."

"There’s no way they’d give them to you."

Zhang Yi grinned. "Can’t we negotiate?"

Baili Changqing sneered. "If you want Origin Bullets, there’s only one way—join headquarters and become part of the investigation team!"

Zhang Yi chuckled helplessly. Just as he expected, getting his hands on those bullets wasn’t going to be easy.

"Forget it. I’m not about to trade my future for a few bullets."

"Well then, that settles it. I’ll be heading back now. If we ever—"

Zhang Yi paused and changed his mind.

"Never mind, let’s just not see each other again."

If he ever ran into Baili Changqing again, it would only mean more trouble.

And Zhang Yi had had enough of that.

He walked to the door, ready to leave.

Baili Changqing watched his retreating figure and suddenly called out to him.

"Zhang Yi, with the power you have now, are you really content living a quiet, ordinary life?"

"In chaotic times like these, you could accomplish great things."

Without turning back, Zhang Yi replied, "Not interested."

A life of idling away was what he had always wanted most.

He enjoyed his current lifestyle—no job, lounging at home, chatting and joking with a few friends, eating, drinking, and having fun.

Surrounded by beautiful women.

Life was already heaven—what more could he ask for?

Zhang Yi didn’t bother explaining further.

Everyone had their own way of living. As long as he was happy, that was enough.

Baili Changqing watched as Zhang Yi disappeared from view.

Once he was gone, the furrow in Baili Changqing’s brow smoothed out.

Unconsciously, a relaxed smile crept onto his face.

Finally, he could take the captain’s position without any guilt.

Zhang Yi left the investigation team’s headquarters and planned to head back to the Shelter.

Xing Tian had been waiting for him outside.

Beside him stood a massive dog, nearly five to six meters tall, and an adorable little girl.

Seeing Zhang Yi come out, Xing Tian greeted him enthusiastically.

"Old Zhang, you’re done talking already?"

Zhang Yi replied indifferently, "Just some casual chat. I said what I needed to say and left."

He didn’t intend to talk much, but Xing Tian was overly friendly.

Right now, Tianhai City was in ruins, and the major factions had been crushed.

Without Zhang Yi’s protection, there was a real risk that Qingpu Base could be wiped out.

"Lingling, didn’t you always say you admired Uncle Zhang Yi? Go say hello to him."

Xing Tian shot meaningful glances at his goddaughter, Zhou Lingling.

Zhou Lingling, still young, was puzzled by her godfather’s hints.

Who was this "Uncle Zhang Yi" she supposedly admired?

Still, she timidly walked up, her big eyes blinking as she stared at Zhang Yi, looking absolutely adorable.

Seeing such a cute little girl, Zhang Yi couldn’t help but smile.

"Hello."

"Hello~"

Zhou Lingling spoke hesitantly.

"Call him Uncle Zhang!"

Xing Tian urged her.

"Z-Zhang… Uncle Zhang."

Zhang Yi nodded, then feigned regret.

"Ah, you should’ve told me earlier that you had a daughter! I was in such a rush that I didn’t bring a gift. I’ll make it up next time!"

Xing Tian chuckled. "Come on, we’re brothers—no need to be so formal! It’s getting late. Why don’t you stay for dinner?"

Zhang Yi sighed and patted Xing Tian’s arm.

"Alright, cut the act. It’s pointless."

"If you ever run into trouble, I’ll help if I can. But—" Zhang Yi’s gaze sharpened, "from now on, you and Qingpu Base take orders from me. Got it?"

Xing Tian didn’t mind at all and agreed readily. "No problem! Take whatever you need from here. We’ll follow your lead from now on!"

Zhang Yi gave him a once-over.

This guy was surprisingly decisive—giving up his authority without hesitation and willingly becoming Zhang Yi’s subordinate.

Of course, circumstances forced him into it, but still, showing zero reluctance was rare.

Xing Tian laughed carefreely. "Power is useful, sure, but I was never meant to be a leader."

"You’re smarter and stronger than me. Handing Qingpu Base over to you? I’ve got no worries about it."

Xing Tian’s greatest strength was his self-awareness.

What did submitting to Zhang Yi really mean?

At the very least, it meant having a powerful backer.

Without Zhang Yi, wiping out Qingpu Base would be effortless for any major force.

Indeed, among the three major base organizations, there was barely any defense left.

Most Superhumans were dead, and even skilled soldiers had been wiped out.

Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

He wasn’t particularly relieved.

Once, Tianhai City had been a powerhouse, with five major factions and his own team forming a formidable force.

As one of the most populous cities in China, Tianhai’s combat strength had been top-tier nationwide.

Of course, it couldn’t compare to the six military zones, but it outclassed most cities.

Now, thanks to the Followers of the Snow God, Tianhai City lay in ruins, its strength gutted.

Zhang Yi no longer had to worry about internal threats, but external forces from nearby cities could become a problem.

Tianhai City had always been wealthy and resource-rich.

To surrounding factions, it was now a massive, juicy piece of meat.

"What a damn headache."

Zhang Yi exhaled.

Afraid?

Not at all.

With his current strength, unless he actively sought trouble, there were few in the Jiangnan District who could threaten him.

But as long as chaos persisted, his peaceful life would remain out of reach.

"The tree wants to be still, but the wind never stops."

Zhang Yi rubbed his neck.

"Looks like the Jiangnan District’s power structure is both necessary and inevitable."

Author's Note