Chapter Thirty-One: Reasons for Joining the Organization (First Update, the Second Update Should Arrive Around Seven in the Evening)

When Gu Yue’er opened her eyes, she found herself in a laboratory, her body pierced by a multitude of tubes, surrounded by a dense array of research equipment humming with activity. She tried to sit up, but her body was firmly restrained, unable to move an inch.

“Wonderful, marvelous! So this was what was missing!” Director Ai You laughed madly, her eyes blazing. “Yes, just a little more, and I will have unraveled it all.”

“You...” A chill crept into Gu Yue’er’s heart.

“You’ve awakened, Miss Gu Yue’er,” Director Ai You sneered. “Would you like to hear the beautiful results of this experiment?”

“Experiment... results?” Gu Yue’er was confused.

“Since I was a child, I had one wish: for all of humanity to awaken the bloodlines of other races...” Director Ai You laughed in manic delight. “For this wish, I poured in endless effort, failed time and again, yet never gave up—always striving for success. And now, I have done it.”

“All of humanity... awaken other bloodlines?” Dread welled up in Gu Yue’er.

“Yes. From birth, they will be injected with a drug, and soon after, they will awaken the blood of other races.” Director Ai You smiled. “You humans are unable to awaken your bloodlines not because they do not exist, but because they are too faint. This drug will forcibly awaken them. In this way, humanity will cease to exist.”

“You... you’re a lunatic...” Gu Yue’er stared at Director Ai You, unable to comprehend her motive.

“I hate humans... I loathe them. I believe all non-humans feel the same.” Director Ai You’s voice trembled with madness. “Do you know? Among our Demon Clan, there are even those who fight each other over conflicts with humans, though we are all one family, brothers who live and die together.”

“And yet, even so... even so...” Director Ai You’s face contorted, “It continues, all because of the existence of the ‘human’ race.”

Director Ai You’s childhood was forever overshadowed by one event: her father was a demon, her mother a human. Both were powerful, with awakened abilities, but died in an accident. She could never forget that moment, and vowed to exterminate humanity.

Why... why did her mother not awaken the demon bloodline! Why, when her mother’s parents were both demons?

Such absurdity should not exist, it was unreasonable. If her mother had been a demon, such tragedy would never have occurred.

This cruel and tragic world must be changed.

“Believe me, Miss Gu Yue’er, we are on the verge of success.” Director Ai You’s delight bordered on ecstasy. “Just moments ago, an envoy from one of our Demon nobility sought me out, saying their master was interested in my research.”

“How marvelous, truly wonderful! Even someone of such stature supports me—what joy!” Director Ai You was nearly delirious. “Miss Gu Yue’er, at last humanity will perish, my dream realized. Our Demon Clan will no longer slaughter one another because of humans.”

“Miss Gu Yue’er, even you will awaken your bloodline. Imagine it—how marvelous—to possess the blood of another race, freed from the wretchedness of humanity.”

Gu Yue’er watched the deranged Director Ai You, a chill seeping from her every pore, her heart trembling with fear.

“You... you’re mad, utterly mad...” Tears slipped from Gu Yue’er’s eyes. “Director Ai You, you’ve lost your mind—you don’t even know what you’re doing!”

“You’re the ones who are mad—humans!” Director Ai You laughed maniacally. “Just wait, Gu Yue’er, everyone supports me—even the exalted pureblood is interested in my research. Just wait, one day, the whole world will change because of me, and all will thank me—except for the extinct humans... Hahaha... hahahaha...”

Her laughter was unhinged, sending chills down the spine.

“You’re insane...” Gu Yue’er’s voice grew faint, and in her heart she whispered, Xia Yan, save me.

A conviction kept Gu Yue’er from succumbing to fear—Xia Yan was somewhere in this world, always by her side.

No, she would not be afraid. She would no longer fear death. Even if she perished, Xia Yan would shatter all of this; Director Ai You’s plan would not succeed. Xia Yan would destroy her “mad scheme.”

Xia Yan was a hero—a hero in her heart, irreplaceable.

...

“I do not understand.” Xia Yan stood in the central plaza, as motionless as a silent pillar, his eyes utterly calm.

“Universal Group has already begun releasing information; the city is in an uproar. Ordinary citizens are mobilizing, and I believe there will be results soon. Even Director Ai You cannot hide from the eyes of thousands,” Gong Kui said to Xia Yan.

“And?” Xia Yan retorted.

“...” After a moment, Gong Kui replied, “I don’t want you to walk into death, but I can’t stop you. So, for now, you should rest and enter this with your best state. If you keep straining your nerves, you’ll collapse before the real challenge comes.”

Xia Yan shook his head. “I don’t have time right now to attend some ‘institution management’ meeting.”

“Xia Yan, I know you’re anxious, but with Levin dead, there are many matters to address. We need someone to take over his subordinates,” Gong Kui frowned. “If you don’t attend, things will only get more chaotic.”

She continued seriously, “I promise you, if there’s any news, I’ll inform you at once—I won’t hide anything. Now come with me and attend this meeting.”

Xia Yan sighed helplessly, then nodded. “Fine, I’ll go, but not for long. The management role means nothing to me—I’ve told Tao Lu before, I will never be part of management.”

“We understand, and we’ll respect your wishes.” Gong Kui pursed her lips, slightly dissatisfied.

At the training institution’s main building, on the second floor in a small conference room, all nine members of the management team were already present when Xia Yan arrived.

Gong Kui, the freckled girl, Tan Jing, Chang Duosu, and five others...

“You’ve finally arrived.” The freckled girl smiled. “We couldn’t persuade you; only Gong Kui could.”

“Now that Xia Yan is here, let’s get to business,” said a stern-looking member, not wanting to waste time.

“It’s about Levin,” Chang Duosu began. “His subordinates need a new leader, and that’s the issue at hand.”

“We’ve all agreed: we want you to take charge of them, to replace Levin,” Tan Jing added.

Xia Yan frowned.

“Normally, we wouldn’t assign this to a new member; their strength wouldn’t be enough. But we all acknowledge your abilities, and you’re not an ordinary newcomer,” said another.

“Wait,” Xia Yan interrupted. “As I understand it, only six of the ten management members have accepted management duties—the other four haven’t.”

“Xia Yan, you’re mistaken,” the freckled girl replied. “It’s not about willingness but qualification. If one’s strength is lacking, they won’t command respect or last in the role. But you’re different. Your strength surpasses most here. We believe you are qualified.”

“Xia Yan, we hope you’ll accept the position,” Chang Duosu said earnestly.

“Your duel with Mentor Austin proved your strength; you’re at least on par with Levin when he used ‘Blood Sacrifice,’” Gong Kui smiled. “We rank you among the top three in management, perhaps even second.”

All present, except the demon among them, genuinely admired Xia Yan—his power was undeniable. In this world where strength was everything, there was no reason to target him as a newcomer. That was why everyone was so polite.

Had Xia Yan been weak, this meeting would have been dominated by intimidation and suppression.

Xia Yan remained silent, his expression still displeased.

“Xia Yan, with your strength, you must assume some responsibility, or you won’t command respect,” Chang Duosu insisted.

“Yes, Xia Yan, managing Levin’s subordinates is the best choice,” another member agreed.

“Right now, those people are in chaos—nothing is being handled properly. We hope you’ll quickly take over and bring order,” the freckled girl added.

“Hold on,” Xia Yan quickly stopped them. “You misunderstand—I do not wish to accept the position.”

“Hmm?” Everyone was stunned. Gong Kui could only smile wryly.

“Xia Yan...” Gong Kui blinked at him. “You know, if you accept, your personal standing rises, you’ll receive better treatment and even a portion of contribution points as a ‘salary.’ After graduation, humanity will value you even more.”

“Accepting this role has only benefits, no drawbacks. We only offer it to the top five in strength—it’s a rare opportunity. Consider it carefully,” the freckled girl urged.

“The four without duties here are simply not strong enough; if they took over, they’d face endless criticism,” another member said.

“But you’re different—your strength is recognized, and even ordinary members respect you. If you take responsibility and train your subordinates, you could become the second most powerful force after Gong Kui,” Tan Jing reasoned.

“My answer is the same.” Xia Yan’s expression didn’t change as he looked around. “I refuse.”

All nine, including Gong Kui, looked displeased.

“Why refuse? Unless you’re a demon, you have no reason to,” the freckled girl asked, puzzled. “We all joined to become stronger. Why refuse this chance?”

“Sorry...” Xia Yan looked at them, enunciating each word. “I did not join for strength or benefits.”

“I joined for Gu Yue’er.”

“And now, she is missing. I must find her and bring her back.”

“I’m not here to talk about benefits or prospects with you.”

“If you haven’t heard me clearly, I’ll say it again: I joined for Gu Yue’er. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Xia Yan’s voice was cold and deep. With that, he turned and strode out, not looking back.

The nine looked at each other, all smiling wryly.

He was arrogant and bold. But he had dared to challenge Levin in public and killed him—this was simply his nature, and none were surprised. In fact, hearing that he joined for Gu Yue’er, they were even a little moved. Xia Yan was, after all, a good man.

“Let it be, it’s his choice,” Gong Kui said with a helpless smile, turning to a green-haired youth. “Then, will you take over Levin’s subordinates?”

“Of course, it’s my honor. I’ll do my best to win their respect,” the green-haired youth said gleefully.

“Then it’s settled. Meeting adjourned!” Gong Kui announced, also feeling helpless. Xia Yan had stuck to his choice and refused the management role.

And Gong Kui’s heart was with Xia Yan—for one reason alone: because Xia Yan was human.

Of the ten, only she and Xia Yan belonged to the same side.