"Old Lu, calm down for a moment, this isnât about self-blame. One hundred thirty-nine comrades, each is a hero in the rescue world. We wonât give up any of them, and we cannot afford to lose a single one," Meng Xingzhi sat down, leaning back in his chair, looking towards Shen Yu who had been silent all along.
"This is Director Shen Yu from the General Unionâs Strategy Department. Letâs all get acquainted,"
Though the introduction suggested a simple acquaintance, in reality, Shen Yuâs reputation had long been well-known to all. He was none other than the Crown Prince of the Shen Family, a scion of the prominent main branch, the eldest grandson from the senior line.
In the past, alongside Meng Fan, he was heralded as one of the two âGeneral Starsâ of the General Union. Then Xu Qigang burst onto the scene, and the name of Meng Fan, the Young Chairman, became widely celebrated. Shen Yuâs brilliance only began to fade gradually, and after Meng Fanâs incident, as Shen Yu aged, he became more mature and understated in his actions. This, coupled with the Shen Familyâs influence, meant that fewer and fewer people knew of him.
Shen Yu stood up, nodded towards Meng Xingzhi, and glanced at Shen Feihu. His heart also acknowledged that his distant cousin was amongst those listed for the mission; he too had partaken in the instituteâs practices.
"Hello everyone! I am Shen Yu," he said, standing erect with a slight bow, the product of an upbringing that instilled such decorum.
How could the others dare to take his greeting at face value? They all returned the pleasantry in kind.
"Our Strategy Department was the first to receive the news, and as a result of the meeting we convened overnight, weâve determined that the rescue mission is extremely urgent and is not suitable for dispatching newly trained personnel."
"Director Shen, we have many elites, and no shortage of suitable candidates," someone said, not quite convinced.
"Are you implying that everyone from the Research Institute is worthless?" Shen Yu retorted.
The other personâs face turned the color of liver, "I... I certainly didnât mean that, donât put words in my mouth." If they admitted to that, wouldnât they offend both the Research Institute and the General Union?
The General Union had the Living Yama in its ranksâa figure akin to a death god.
"Anyway, I wonât accept anyone else but the Living Yama; only if he personally goes."
Shen Yu nodded, "I agree with your opinion. One hundred thirty-nine livesâif we cannot send our strongest, then sending anyone else is just akin to sending them to their deaths."
As soon as Meng Xingzhi heard the mention of Living Yama, he felt a terrible headache. If it were an ordinary time, he wouldnât be as troubled as he was now. The Living Yama had just beaten Meng Ping, and sending him on the most dangerous mission in Country S would be inappropriate, both professionally and personally.
Moreover, the mission was clearly more fraught with peril than hope of success, with a very high chance of not returning. He was even less willing to send the General Unionâs strongest individual on such a mission. Another concern giving him a headache was that, if Living Yama went, his father-in-law would probably fight him tooth and nail.
"What do you think, Chairman Shen? Xu Qigang is your man,"
Shen Feihu had been unsettlingly silent since he walked in, his hands on the table clenched so tightly into fists that the veins on the back of his hands stood out due to the excessive force.
Faced with the question, he hesitated for a long time, so long that many others were losing patience and were about to urge him, until he finally spoke deliberately, "I agree!"
"Alright! Then itâs decided, arrange it immediately," Meng Xingzhi ordered with a sweep of his hand, the secretary bowed to take notes before swiftly proceeding with the arrangements.
"Isnât Xu Qigang still suspended?"
"Emergency situationâcall him back right away."
"Understood!"
As the meeting concluded, Shen Feihu left in silence, and those who wanted to say something else didnât dare to provoke him.