Volume One, Chapter Six: The Ill-Tempered Old Man

"Xiao Li, how can you speak to Captain Yue like that? They’re the Sequence bearers, the guardians of Haicheng!"

Sun Dehong turned around and rebuked pointedly, his words meant for another but clearly directed. Then, he turned back, his face again wearing that ingratiating smile as he looked at Yue Shan.

"Captain Yue, the young ones don’t know any better—please don’t stoop to their level. Still, there is some truth in what Xiao Li said. This mission was to investigate the cause of the premature mist, but you all retreated at the first sign of danger. How can you call yourselves the guardians of Haicheng if you act like this? I understand that fieldwork is perilous and you might have your misgivings. Why not give the younger generation a chance? Let them go, and you remain at headquarters to oversee things. How about that?"

Although Sun Dehong’s words sounded flattering, the underlying mockery was unmistakable. Even Montage, a student yet to set foot in society, could discern his real meaning. To say he was giving the young a chance was, in truth, a veiled way of sidelining Yue Shan.

Yue Shan’s expression turned grim and cold. He said nothing, simply fixing his gaze on Sun Dehong. Only after a long silence did he finally speak.

"When Bureau 507 was established, there were thirty-seven of us. Back then, Haicheng was in chaos, mysterious incidents were rampant, and the people lived in constant fear. It was Old Jiang and the others who went out time after time, risking their lives to resolve these crises. Old Zhao is dead, Biaozi is dead, Glasses is dead—not even their bodies were found. Now, only eleven of us remain in the entire 507. You’re right; in recent years, our actions have not been as decisive as before. If you want this position of captain, I’ll give it to you. If you want to place your nephew on the Guardians team, I have no objection. But remember this, Sun Dehong: in human society, political maneuvering may work, but when faced with the mysterious, all are equal. If you, for your own gain, cost even one life, I will stake my own to see you dead!"

With those words, Yue Shan pulled a seal from his pocket and tossed it to Sun Dehong, then turned and walked away.

"Captain!"

Wang Meng and the others glared fiercely at Sun Dehong and hurried after Yue Shan.

"What do you think you’re doing? Planning a mutiny? Get back here!" Sun Dehong’s assistant shouted, seeing the scene unfold.

"Screw you! Who the hell are you? Let me make this clear: apart from Captain Yue, no one gives me orders. If you want me gone, fire me!" Wang Meng, hot-tempered as ever, lashed out as someone tried to block his way, sending the man flying five or six meters with a single kick.

"We feel the same. If you want the Guardians’ positions, take them. We’re out."

The rest of the team pulled off their badges without hesitation, tossing them to the floor.

"Captain Yue, are you just going to let them act out like this?" Sun Dehong panicked at the sight of the others showing allegiance only to Yue Shan and threatening to leave. He wanted this position, true, but what was the point without the team? He couldn’t possibly handle mysterious events himself.

"Sorry, Director Sun. I’m no longer captain. Their decisions are none of my concern," Yue Shan replied without so much as a backward glance.

"You—" Sun Dehong was taken aback by Yue Shan’s decisiveness, his complete lack of attachment to power, and found himself in an impossible position.

"So, their Guardians organization isn’t as united as I thought. Internal power struggles, just as I suspected. Good thing I didn’t reveal who I am," Montage thought with relief after witnessing the farce.

"Enough! How long do you all plan to carry on like this?"

Old Jiang, who had left earlier, suddenly reappeared, scolding the group without the slightest courtesy.

"Director Jiang, why are you back?" Sun Dehong’s expression turned uncertain at Old Jiang’s appearance.

"Sun, I remember saying at meetings: you can be deputy director, but you are not to meddle in the affairs of the team. Did you take my words as empty air?"

Suddenly, Old Jiang kicked Sun Dehong, sending him sprawling. The abruptness of it left everyone stunned. No one had expected this usually refined elder to fly into such a rage, let alone physically strike Sun Dehong.

"Jiang Mingcheng, what do you think you’re doing? I was appointed by—"

Bang!

Before Sun Dehong could finish, Old Jiang stomped on his face.

"Who gave you the right to call me by name? Have I indulged you all these years to the point you think you can play your tricks on my turf?"

Old Jiang bent slightly, his once serene and otherworldly features now frosted with cold fury.

"Forget hitting you—if I killed you here and now, see if anyone would dare utter a word in protest!"

A chilling murderous aura erupted from Old Jiang, and the entire room seemed to plunge into winter. A thin layer of frost began to form on the floor.

Seeing Old Jiang’s wrath, everyone froze, trembling like quails. Only then did they recall the legend before them: a veteran from Bureau 749, a man who possessed supernatural powers even before the nation’s fate collapsed. After the fall, he and his peers were dispatched across the country to deal with mysterious incidents, true old hands of the dark chaotic era.

If he truly meant to kill Sun Dehong, likely no one would dare stop him.

But the old man had withdrawn from the front lines for over two decades, always smiling, never losing his temper. Even when accidentally offended, he would laugh it off, never showing anger. Over time, people had come to see him as just a benign old man.

No one had imagined he could erupt in such fury today.

After all, Sun Dehong was deputy director, backed by the governor of Haicheng. Yet, despite such connections, he was struck and humiliated—proof of just how enraged the old man was.

"Old Jiang, calm yourself. He’s not worth it," Yue Shan, who had been about to leave, hurried over to placate him upon seeing Old Jiang lose his temper. After all, Sun Dehong was still deputy director, supported by Haicheng’s governor. If something truly happened to him—well, perhaps it wouldn’t be so terrible. Still, it was best to intervene, lest word spread and people thought the Guardians were unreasonable.

So, Yue Shan jogged over, and as he passed Sun Dehong, he accidentally stepped on him.

"Aah!"

Sun Dehong let out a miserable shriek, but before he could finish, the light above him suddenly darkened. The rest of the Guardians had come running over as well, each "accidentally" stepping on him as they passed.

"Don’t get angry, Old Jiang. Anger is bad for your health!"

"That’s right! If you want someone beaten, just say the word. There’s no need for you to do it yourself. Are your feet sore? Shall I massage them for you?"

With a chorus of voices, everyone crowded around Old Jiang, gently pulling him away from Sun Dehong.