Ji Xinghuo looked at Ren Mian standing behind the railing on the second floor, feeling odd inside. What matter could not be discussed in the living room that required entering her bedroom?
Jiangnan Caiyi, who was in the kitchen cooking, also curiously poked her head out.
Ji Xinghuo quickened his pace up the stairs.
Ren Mian and Jiangnan Caiyi’s bedrooms were on the second floor. He seldom came up, but he had never entered their rooms before.
Entering Ren Mian’s bedroom, the light was bright with a generously-sized bed in it. There was a desk by the window facing the garden outside. Next door was a walk-in closet and a bathroom; a balcony led to an adjacent study, where several large bookshelves were filled with books. The entire room had a light and fresh decor, matching the temperament of its owner.
Ji Xinghuo smelled a faint fragrance, the same as emanating from her, a mix of osmanthus and peach blossoms, which left a lasting impression.
Ren Mian gently closed the door.
Ji Xinghuo’s heartbeat involuntarily sped up a notch, standing there, inexplicably nervous.
"Take a seat wherever you like." Ren Mian sat down on a small sofa against the wall and gave Ji Xinghuo a half-smiling look. "What are you thinking about so wildly?"
"Absolutely nothing!" Ji Xinghuo denied outright. "It’s just my first time in Sister Ren’s room, so I’m a bit curious."
"There’s nothing to see here; you’re welcome anytime." Ren Mian said with a light smile.
"Then I won’t stand on ceremony." Ji Xinghuo sat down beside her.
"I will leave tomorrow," Ren Mian said, her smile fading into seriousness. "This time I’ll be gone for one to two years. With your talent, by the time I return, you will certainly be an advanced mutant, and you might even be promoted to a super mutant, so there are some issues I need to resolve for you before I go."
Ji Xinghuo was somewhat puzzled, scratching his head and asking, "What issues do I have?
He felt that everything about him was fine, perfectly so.
"Why don’t you return to Earth?" Ren Mian’s beautiful eyes stared at Ji Xinghuo as she asked softly.
Ji Xinghuo’s expression froze.
He didn’t know how to explain that as a Sword Bureau Fish-Intestine Swordsman, there was no need to go on duty, just to focus on training, enjoying the best cultivation conditions, and a high salary. Being trained and paid at the same time was an incredibly sweet deal.
To outsiders, it was difficult to understand why he was unwilling to stay at the Sword Bureau.
Zhou Yishang, who had recruited him, probably didn’t understand either.
So he couldn’t guess why someone would abandon a promising future, forsaking the near to seek the far, and venture alone into the Star Realm.
Ji Xinghuo always felt helpless whenever he thought about it.
In hindsight, his choice was undoubtedly the right one. If he had stayed at the Sword Bureau, his strength couldn’t have grown this quickly.
Although the Sword Bureau was very safe, he wouldn’t be able to get access to Spiritual Origin Ability, nor would they provide him with the most suitable abilities.
What was most crucial was that staying at the Sword Bureau meant being permanently under the watchful eyes of high-level leaders, with a coaching team revolving around him, studying his body data, and arranging a cultivation plan. Their intentions were good, but even a minor slip could have exposed his Wanxiang Star Pupil.
Yet, if he completely kept a low profile and didn’t show his abilities, he wouldn’t get the Sword Bureau’s full support for his training.
In short, it was a contradiction.
Ji Xinghuo had thought it through very clearly at the time.
The way out of this predicament was to leave Earth temporarily until he had gained enough strength. Then, even if the Sword Bureau might have suspicions, they wouldn’t dare to press him.
Even though the higher-ups at the Sword Bureau probably wouldn’t do anything to him, it was always wise to guard against others, as a few bad apples can appear in any organization.
Now, everything was going well, even better than planned!
However, to others, this might seem suspicious.
Mutants who are unwilling or afraid to return to Earth are likely to have committed crimes on Earth, so they have no choice but to hide in the Star Realm.
Seeing some doubt on Ren Mian’s face, Ji Xinghuo quickly explained, "Sister Ren, rest assured, I’m definitely not a wanted criminal. I just have other reasons that make it inconvenient for me to return to Earth."
"Can you tell me?" Ren Mian asked again.
Ji Xinghuo hesitated, pondering how to make his story sound the most plausible, when Ren Mian suddenly said, "Worried the Sword Bureau is after you?"
"Ah?" Ji Xinghuo was taken aback, somewhat dumbfounded. "How did you know?"
"Don’t underestimate what I can do." Ren Mian smiled enigmatically. "If you want to leave the Sword Bureau, I can ask someone to arrange your discharge procedures. Although it might offend some people and there could be irregularities in the process, just say the word, and I’ll do my best to get it done for you."
"So Sister Ren knows everything already," Ji Xinghuo’s face showed sudden realization and a hint of self-mockery.
"How could I easily trust someone with an unknown background? Of course, I had to do a thorough background check." A sly look flickered in Ren Mian’s eyes.
Ji Xinghuo couldn’t help but marvel again at her vast capabilities.
The Sword Bureau was one of the Asia-Pacific Community’s most secretive organizations, yet she had managed to obtain his information.
He pondered for a few seconds and then asked, "Will getting me out of the Sword Bureau cost you a lot?" Leaving such a counter-intelligence agency typically only happened through sacrifice or retirement; there was never a mention of simply leaving. When he signed that contract, he legally bound himself with significant responsibility and obligation.
"Indeed, it will take quite an effort, but I should be able to do it," Ren Mian nodded lightly.
Ji Xinghuo looked thoughtful.
Truthfully, he was quite tempted by the offer, but he owed Sister Ren too much already, both in favors and finances. Her words also implied that the task would be difficult.
If it were to succeed, not only would he owe her even more, but she would also make enemies.
Moreover, he wasn’t actually so opposed to the Sword Bureau; once his strength became greater, he was willing to serve the country and contribute his efforts.
"Sister Ren, do you think I should quit?" Ji Xinghuo decided to ask for Ren Mian’s opinion.
Ren Mian had obviously given it thought, "The reputation of the Sword Bureau is very good domestically, whether among ordinary citizens or the national upper echelons, they all have nothing but praise for the contributions the Sword Bureau has made over the years. For the country and the people, the Sword Bureau has fulfilled their responsibilities and done an excellent job."
"If you leave the Sword Bureau without a reason, it will be a stain on your record."
"Even if you become very strong in the future, the upper levels will still be prejudiced against you."
"The stronger you are, the more some people will fear you and doubt your stance and loyalty."
Ren Mian spoke with a hint of helplessness on her face, gravely saying, "These people are usually the ones holding great power and strength, influencing the decisions of the Asia-Pacific Community. Everything is for the country; their beliefs are firm, but they’re also very stubborn."
Ji Xinghuo understood what she meant, "I am very patriotic!"
"Then why do you want to leave the Sword Bureau?" Ren Mian countered, "A true patriot wouldn’t refuse to become a swordsman for the Sword Bureau, and you don’t have a valid reason to leave."
Ji Xinghuo was left speechless.
This was like saying, "If loyalty isn’t absolute, then there is no loyalty at all," right?
He said somewhat indignantly, "When I become stronger than all of them in the future, I can certainly prove my ideological stance."
Ren Mian had no doubt about this, and seemed to have more confidence in Ji Xinghuo than he had in himself, "I know that day will come, but before you become the strongest, there will always be many inconveniences and troubles."
"There’s really no need to make it so complicated. They’re not enemies, and there’s no need to position yourself against them."
Ji Xinghuo picked up her implications, "You mean I shouldn’t quit?"
"Yes, you can stay in the Sword Bureau."
Ren Mian nodded, "You’ve said you have great secrets, and I understand your thoughts. Just keep your distance from the Sword Bureau for now. After I leave, if they come to you, hand them this letter to Zhou Yishang, and he won’t trouble you, giving you the freedom to grow."
She took out a sealed letter from the desk drawer, the envelope was sealed, with not a word on the cover.
Clearly, she had prepared it beforehand.
"Will Director Zhou listen to Sister Ren?" Ji Xinghuo asked as he took the envelope.
"He will," Ren Mian’s face showed a hint of a smile, "If he doesn’t listen, there will naturally be someone who will make him listen."
Ji Xinghuo was incredibly curious and couldn’t help but ask, "Sister Ren, just who are you really?"
A letter that could make the deputy director of the Sword Bureau bow down.
That was just too incredible!
Keep in mind, Zhou Yishang was a Legendary Mutant! In Ji Xinghuo’s impression, Ren Mian was a mysterious super-rich woman; only today did he realize that she was far more formidable than a rich woman—not only wealthy but seemingly also powerful with means reaching the sky in the Asia-Pacific Community.
"You’ll find out eventually," Ren Mian said with a slight smile.
"When is eventually?" Ji Xinghuo was hardly able to suppress his curiosity, "Can’t I know in advance?"
Looking at the impatient Ji Xinghuo, Ren Mian thought for a moment and then said, "If you become a Legendary Mutant within three years, I’ll tell you and give you a gift that you’ll definitely like."
Ji Xinghuo almost jumped up.
He was just 23 years old, and he’d be only 26 in three years. There had never been a Legendary Mutant so young in the history of Earth. This demand was too outrageous.
"You think too highly of me, Sister Ren, don’t you?"
"Others may not, but you can," Ren Mian winked at him, smiling playfully, "I have a lot of faith in you, Xinghuo."
Ji Xinghuo suddenly felt an impulse, flushed with lofty aspirations, "If I really do it, I don’t want any gifts. Can I make a request of Sister Ren instead?"
"That’s not impossible, depending on the request," Ren Mian guessed his thoughts, and far from refusing, her eyes showed some anticipation.
"I’ll make it when the time comes."
Ji Xinghuo didn’t say it aloud but had already thought through hundreds of ideas, "Then it’s agreed."
"Alright, go for it!"
Ren Mian suddenly leaned in and hugged Ji Xinghuo gently.
Smelling the fragrance that assaulted him, feeling the soft curves, Ji Xinghuo suddenly understood why many men in high positions, with great power, would be so compliant to a woman, and what it meant by the idiom "A beauty can unsettle the realm; a hero can’t withstand the wiles of a woman."
Men are, after all, creatures driven by their lower half; against such a country-toppling beauty, men really have little resistance.
"I think I’m getting a bit carried away."
He took a deep breath, and his mind cooled down.
"My ultimate goal is to reach the pinnacle of life evolution; I mustn’t let a woman influence my will. This is just a view along the way to the peak."
"With no woman in heart, the sword is drawn with divine might!"
Ji Xinghuo admonished himself over and over in his mind.
When Ren Mian released the hug, stirring up a fragrant breeze that entered his nostrils, he couldn’t help but think, "That smells so good..."