Then let them offer their loyalty!

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"There will be a lot of resistance, so you need to be mentally prepared."

"Huang Shangzong is adamant about not wanting to work with you, but the higher-ups have to consider his opinion."

"But... as long as the list isn't released, anything can change, so we should still do what we can."

After saying that, he paused for a moment and reminded her, "You need to be more careful with people like Yan Chen."

"If he really succeeds in advancing to the fourth-tier Cataclysm, he will likely win in the end."

Upon hearing Elder Wang's words, Liu Xiongyuan replied nonchalantly, "Elder Wang, it is my fortune to have gained it, and my wisdom to lose it."

"At the time, when I chose to avenge my son over becoming the deputy speaker, I was already mentally prepared."

"The only person I feel sorry for is you. My willfulness this time has ruined your plans in Dongye Prefecture, and it is very likely that many of our plans will fall through. The goal of changing the political landscape of the entire shelter may have to be postponed again because of me."

"I...I'm sorry, I'm sorry to our faction."

Hearing Liu Xiongyuan's words full of self-blame, Old Wang did not offer Liu Xiongyuan any comfort.

He simply looked at Liu Xiongyuan quietly and said, "If you are depressed, in pain, and blaming yourself, it means you are living in the past; if you are anxious, confused, and hesitant, it means you are living in the future."

"Only when your heart is truly at peace can you say you are living in the present moment..."

“You have been depressed and in pain all these years, which shows that you have never moved on from the past.”

"I won't comfort you by saying you made the right choice this time. After all, your impulsiveness has indeed ruined many years of our efforts."

"I just want to tell you that you've already lived in the past 10 years, so don't let the next 10 years also be lived in the past."

"Look forward, don't blame yourself for the past, and don't be anxious about the future. Face the present calmly."

"Whether we win or lose, whether we are the director or the deputy speaker, we will do our best to build up Dongye State."

Hearing Elder Wang's calm yet powerful words, Liu Xiongyuan respectfully lowered his head and bowed, replying, "Yes!"

After giving Liu Xiong Yuan his advice, Old Wang said calmly, "Alright, I have another meeting to attend, so I won't chat with you any longer."

Upon hearing his words, Liu Xiongyuan added, "Please take good care of yourself."

"Understood..." Old Wang nodded lightly, then hung up the communication amidst salutes from Liu Xiong Yuan and Qiu Tu.

The communication lasted only 13 minutes.

During those 13 minutes, Mr. Wang only glanced at Qiu Tu twice and then commented with three words.

However, Qiu Tu did not feel ignored.

What is Qiu Tu's identity? He is a lowly deputy director of the Special Branch of the Investigation Department in New Territories City, one of the dozen or so cities in the planning area of ​​the Eighth Shelter.

Although he is a big shot in the Detective Agency, he also has considerable influence and power in the New Territories.

However, it is far inferior to that of Mr. Wang.

If a direct comparison must be made, it would be that... if the shelter held a high-level meeting, Mr. Wang would be the one sitting in the first row.

Qiu Tu... was the one studying in front of the television...

Such a stark contrast in status led Qiu Tu to "design" his persona in advance, based on his past life's experience, before this conversation: a sensible, understanding junior who knew his place.

Therefore, Qiu Tu remained silent in the face of the exchange between the two bigwigs.

They don't show off, nor do they respond or join in conversation.

After all, showing off in front of truly important people isn't necessarily a good thing.

These important figures have seen too many outstanding talents. Unless you are a genius of unparalleled talent who can surprise and shock them with just a few words, they will most likely only leave behind comments such as "frivolous" or "not composed enough".

And if there are mistakes in what you say, it's even worse. The first impression will almost certainly be negative.

Therefore... when facing truly important figures, "concealing one's abilities" is actually the most skillful tactic.

Just then, as Qiu Tu was thinking this, Liu Xiong Yuan also came to his senses. He gently patted Qiu Tu's shoulder and said with a smile, "You did a pretty good job, kid."

“I heard you’ve always been arrogant and domineering in the New Territories. I thought you would actively try to show off.”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu said with a serious expression, "Slander! This is slander!"

"Did Detective Liu say that? I want to confront her face to face!"

Qiu Tu has a very good grasp of interpersonal relationships.

Faced with such a prominent figure as Elder Wang, Qiu Tu remained silent, only displaying his composure.

However, when facing someone like Liu Xiong Yuan, whose rank wasn't particularly different, who had a forthright personality, and with whom he had a relatively close relationship, Qiu Tu acted much more naturally and casually.

Sure enough, Qiu Tu's words made Liu Xiongyuan burst into laughter.

He patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder again and said, "Not bad, not bad. I feel like you're getting more and more interesting."

"Once Dongye Prefecture is established, I must visit Dongcheng City more often when I have time. Let's have more exchanges and communication."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu nodded seriously, "Yes, sir."

And so, the meeting with Liu Xiongyuan and Mr. Wang tonight ended early.

Old Wang was a very busy man, handling numerous affairs of the shelter and faction every day, while Liu Xiongyuan was also very busy.

With the establishment of Dongye Prefecture imminent and its capital located in Dongcheng City, he needed to make many arrangements beforehand.

Besides official business, triggering the formation of Moonlight Lake ahead of schedule is also a somewhat complicated project, and he needs to go back and prepare as soon as possible.

So Qiu Tu didn't try to stop him. After seeing Liu Xiong Yuan downstairs, he watched him get into the military green jeep and drive away...

Before parting, Liu Xiongyuan whispered a few words to Qiu Tu.

Perhaps because Mr. Wang gave him a "not bad" evaluation, Liu Xiongyuan clearly regarded Qiu Tu as a junior in his own faction.

So he patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder and said, "You don't need to worry too much about Huang Shangzong's matter. He came to Dongye Prefecture to do business, not to seek revenge, and there are many things that shouldn't be done too excessively."

"Moreover, as a member of the Supreme Council and now also the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, he is already in the eye of the storm. Many people in and around the shelter are watching him."

"We're just waiting for him to make a mistake."

"Besides, with me in front of him, he probably won't attack you directly."

"However, he will likely transfer his confidants and subordinates to the New Territories as a way to target you."

"You need to be extra careful at times like this."

Hearing Liu Xiongyuan's heartfelt concern and advice, Qiu Tu nodded earnestly and then thanked him.

After seeing Liu Xiongyuan off, Qiu Tu stood at the entrance of "Fuxing Teahouse" and stared blankly at the sky for a while.

The sky still displayed the enormous, mountain-like phantom of Yan Chen's laws, which looked magnificent.

'Fourth rank... I need to be at least the deputy speaker of a state legislature to reach that.'

'The vice speaker... well, he's practically a regional governor.'

'If only I could become someone like Elder Wang...'

'Ugh, I can't think about it, I can't think about it...'

While sighing inwardly, Qiu Tu walked towards his car parked by the roadside in the cool breeze.

After getting into the dilapidated car, Qiu Tu started the engine and headed towards his home on Longshan Road.

On the way, Qiu Tu also recalled his revised plan against Yan Chen.

Now, his plan against Yan Chen has three steps.

The first step was to seize power, take control of the Investigation Bureau, install his cronies, and sideline Yan Chen.

Thanks to Tang Feifei's efforts today, this step has already yielded some results. All that's left is for Qiu Tu to go to the Investigation Department tomorrow to begin promoting and assigning positions to his cronies.

The second step is to use the celestial changes caused by Yan Chen's upgrade to the fourth rank to trigger the formation of Moonlight Lake, allowing it to take shape ahead of schedule.

This step was handled by Liu Xiongyuan, so Qiu Tu didn't need to worry about it.

The third step is to communicate with Larilu to extract information and information about her, and then trick Larilu into holding off Yanchen.

If all three steps are completed, or even just two of them, Yan Chen will not be able to obtain the position of vice speaker, and may even... be held accountable by the shelter.

Thinking of the "vice speaker," Qiu Tu couldn't help but recall the conversation between Elder Wang and Liu Xiong Yuan earlier.

From the conversation, Qiu Tu learned that Liu Xiongyuan's revenge for his son actually had a significant impact on the "reformist"'s plans.

Even after the incident, the "reformists" were still actively trying to salvage the situation and see if they could push Ryu Woong-won back into power.

Therefore, it remains to be seen who will ultimately be appointed as the deputy speaker.

'If only we could help Liu Xiongyuan and make him the vice speaker of Dongye Prefecture.'

'In this way, even if Huang Shangzong becomes the speaker, having one of our own in charge can greatly change the situation.'

This idea had been lingering in Qiu Tu's mind ever since it was conceived.

However... he is just a minor deputy minister, and there is a huge gap between him and the director, not to mention the deputy speaker.

Therefore, even though Qiu Tu wanted to help Liu Xiongyuan, he didn't know where to begin.

So he could only take it one step at a time, first going to meet with the trapped and devoured evil god girl, Lariro, and try to communicate with her...

When she got home, Shen Lingshuang was still awake.

Qiu Tu greeted her and then went to an empty bedroom on the second floor to contact La Riluo.

Qiu Tu now has two ways to contact La Riluo.

The first one is that ancient coin. This is the only tool that allows believers to actively contact Lariro.

The second method is... entering a dream.

Although Qiu Tu no longer bears La Riluo's mark,... Secretary Bai is a high-ranking follower of La Riluo. Her status and position are no less than Jia Wei's.

Therefore, Qiu Tu guessed that Secretary Bai must also have the ability to mark La Ri Luo.

If the first method fails, Qiu Tu plans to go to Secretary Bai and try to get himself marked...

Thinking this, Qiu Tu followed the method he had used when contacting La Riluo last time, first rubbing the front of the coin three times with his thumb, then rubbing the back four times. Finally, he tossed the coin onto the table.

"call!"

Last time, Qiu Tu tried six or seven times and spent several minutes before he finally managed to contact La Ri Luo.

This time, however, he didn't even have to wait a second before Larilu answered the "call".

The coin flew through the air, not even landing on the table, before suddenly vaporizing and forming Larilu's beautiful face in a puff of smoke.

Larilu looked visibly disheveled and even panicked tonight. The moment she saw Qiu Tu, she clung to him like a last straw, desperately pleading, "Qiu Tu! Save me! Save me!"

To be honest, Qiu Tu was also taken aback when he saw La Riluo's panicked expression and her plea for help.

In his mind, Lariro, as an evil god, even if she wasn't at the highest level of prestige, should still remain calm and composed even if Mount Tai collapsed before her.

So... just because Yan Chen devoured her, she was terrified like this?

Is Yan Chen really that terrifying, or is La Ri Luo just a paper tiger?

Or perhaps... Larilu is just acting?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu began to probe, feigning surprise as he asked, "Your Highness, what happened?"

"What's wrong? Is there anything I can do for you?"

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, La Riluo said anxiously, "Yan Chen, it's Yan Chen."

"That madman! He's on the same 'Life Path' as ​​me. And... his abilities are extremely unique."

"It can actually absorb the lifespan and soul of other living beings."

"Now I am trapped in his domain, unable to get out or escape."

"And he keeps draining my strength, I feel like I'm going crazy."

At this point, Lariro's expression became much more ferocious. She said in terror, "So save me, save me. I'll give you anything if you can save me."

Qiu Tu squinted, carefully studying La Riluo's tone of voice. Then he asked, "Anything is fine?"

"Then... Your Highness, may we spend the night together?"

After saying that, perhaps afraid that La Riluo would be angry, Qiu Tu made a "one" gesture and said, "I'm not the kind of person who takes advantage of others."

"One night, I only need one night to be satisfied."

"I just want to taste the flavor of an evil god; I've never manipulated an evil god before."

Larilu: ....