Chapter 130: These Waters Run Deep

Inside the military building, the conference hall, capable of accommodating several hundred people, glittered with crystal chandeliers. Those seated at the meeting sat upright, their backs straight and knees together, their expressions solemn and focused.

Amidst the cold hall, Shen Chaoxi stood in her military uniform, her demeanor efficient and poised. Her clear, sharp brows and exquisitely pale face were illuminated by the bright overhead lights. Sitting nearby was Quan Jing, who narrowed his eyes slightly.

Shen Chaoxi’s voice was cold and resolute. “First, regarding the case of combating criminal smuggling in Nanling, our forces joined hands with the Seventh District, the First and Second Military Districts, and the border defense units to take effective action.”

“A covert joint operation in Nanling successfully intercepted the smuggled goods and apprehended 171 criminals.”

“However, I must express my deepest condolences for the two comrades who sacrificed their lives during this operation, as well as the innocent civilians in Tongshan Town, Jingnan, who were killed by criminals. It is a grievous loss.”

“This is our failure and regret—”

“If only we could have done better.”

“I firmly believe that if we had, the casualties and losses would not have been so great.”

“I want to tell everyone here that wearing the uniform bestows upon us not just responsibility, duty, and mission,” she continued, voice steady and clear, “but more importantly, it grants us boundless strength to march forward through darkness...”

“I believe that every one of you present here today is a hero.”

“Rise!”

A loud voice rang out, and everyone rose in unison, standing in perfect formation, reverence filling the hall.

“After this incident, I believe it is clear to all that criminals are not fools.”

“They have their schemes and deceptions.”

“Just as those who live in the light can be bitten by mosquitoes lurking in the dark…”

“Even more, those forces in the shadows are far more ruthless than we imagine.”

“Because of this, we must be even more vigilant.”

Shen Chaoxi’s clear voice struck deep into every heart. Under the bright lights, every face in the hall was grave.

She declared, “We dedicate our lives only to extinguish all evil in the darkness.”

“To restore a sky unclouded.”

—

As everyone gradually left the conference hall, a man in military uniform blocked Shen Chaoxi’s path.

She folded the documents in her hands and tucked them under her arm, raising an eyebrow at Quan Jing.

“What is it, Commander Quan? Shouldn’t you be training your soldiers in the Second Military District instead of coming to see me? What do you want?”

They were comrades from the same academy and had fought side by side. Although they served in different military districts, they had collaborated many times.

“The last time in Jingnan, during the emergency rescue mission, you didn’t tell me about it. What about this time?”

Quan Jing furrowed his brow, lowering his voice but keeping a serious gaze on her. “Where have you been these past two years?”

Because they attended the same academy and served in the First and Second Military Districts respectively, their paths often crossed, especially on military matters. Therefore, Quan Jing was puzzled by her near disappearance over the last two years and her rare attendance at military meetings in the First District.

Hearing his words, Shen Chaoxi raised an eyebrow, smiling playfully. “Why are you asking, Commander Quan?”

“We are all soldiers; naturally, there are missions.”

“As for the rest, no comment.”

After the follow-up matters of the Nanling case concluded, Shen Chaoxi left the military building.

A neat row of propaganda boards stood under the sunlight filtering through the treetops, casting a soft glow over the solemn exterior of the building.

Sheng Ting approached Shen Chaoxi, her radiant face captivating.

“That Commander of the Second Military District—is his name Quan Jing? Your old classmate?”

“What, did he come to ask you out for a meal?”

Shen Chaoxi denied it. “No.”

“Then what is it? You two actually seem like a good match—one is a young prodigy who has already made remarkable achievements in the military district at a young age, the eldest son of the Quan family; the other is a young lady who has concealed her identity for years, admitted to the Imperial Military Academy by special recommendation, and has honed her skills to perfection in the military district. Don’t you want to consider it?”

Shen Chaoxi glanced sideways at her with a hint of amusement, as if not taking the remark seriously.

“Since when did Miss Sheng become so fond of gossip?”

Sheng Ting laughed. “Alright, I’m not gossiping. I just hope you’ll let someone capture your heart—it’s harder than me eating an elixir and flying to the moon. Oh, by the way…”

“There’s something else I think I must tell you.”

Her expression grew serious, her voice lowered, and a weighty concern showed in her brows.

At that moment, a black car stopped in front of Shen Chaoxi. “Get in first.”

Sheng Ting got in with her, handing over a file.

“The Nanling case might be connected to the ‘Emperor’ boss.”

“‘Emperor’ is a name on the list of Jingcheng’s wealthy elites. Publicly, he runs many businesses, but his biggest enterprise is the Emperor Group.”

“What we know as the Emperor Club is under his company.”

“You mean you suspect they are behind the smuggling?”

Shen Chaoxi frowned, her clear eyes locking onto Sheng Ting.

Sheng Ting nodded.

“Yes.”

“But without concrete evidence, we can’t confirm it yet.”

“The informant I sent from the Seventh District disappeared after the Nanling operation.”

“We can’t rule out that they were killed.”

After hearing this, Sheng Ting’s brow tightened as she said to Shen Chaoxi, “I’m worried—Jingcheng’s waters run very deep.”

“You’ve been in Dongzhou all these past three years, and before that in the First District. Now you’ve suddenly returned. What if you uncover something dangerous?”

Even Sheng Ting sensed it.

Though she didn’t know what exactly was hidden behind it all, she felt uneasy.

Shen Chaoxi’s expression remained cold and composed. She lowered her long lashes and curled her fingers slightly, speaking with a meaningful tone.

“I’ve already waded through the murk of Jingcheng’s waters—why fear their depth now?”

Indeed.

Sheng Ting had always known Shen Chaoxi well.

If she were afraid, she would never have plunged alone into Dongzhou to confront the forces of evil for three years, returning battered and bruised.

Sheng Ting sighed, “True enough.”

“I wonder who you take after.”

Shen Chaoxi tilted her head, looking at her with a faint crease in her brow.

Then Sheng Ting said, “Regardless, I’m willing to risk my life to stand by a noble comrade.”

Though from a rational perspective, Sheng Ting knew pursuing this line of inquiry would be dangerous.

That’s why she warned Shen Chaoxi.

But as a friend, as a fellow soldier, she would stand with her through it all.