Chapter 81: I Want the Celestial Spirit Fruit

“Old She, rest assured, all the funeral arrangements have been carried out strictly according to regulations. The higher-ups have also issued additional commendations in recognition of their noble quality of unwavering commitment.”

Though Old She spoke with a calm tone, Gong Yingjie felt a chill run through his heart. He hadn’t done anything wrong, but faced with this issue and this old man, he couldn’t help but feel nervous.

This was a truly formidable man!

Other matters could be negotiated, but when it came to death benefits, he knew the old man’s temper: there could only be more, never less! If anyone dared to shortchange the bereaved and he found out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

“What sort of additional reward?” Old She nodded serenely. Things were no longer as chaotic as they had been when the Digital Secret Realm first appeared. Now, order reigned and everything was moving toward a bright future. He was confident that no one would dare play tricks over such matters. He asked only to set his mind at ease.

“They’ve been bestowed the title of Martyr,” Gong Yingjie answered hurriedly.

“They are indeed martyrs.” Satisfied, Old She nodded and continued his leisurely stroll.

Seeing Old She pleased, Gong Yingjie wiped away imaginary sweat from his brow. That had been nerve-wracking.

“By the way, what was Zhao Jie rewarded with?” Tired from his walk, Old She sat down and asked the question with a composed expression.

“He’s been made Honorary Vice President of Wuling City and awarded one thousand Digital Points,” Gong Yingjie replied truthfully, glancing curiously at Old She. He was puzzled why the old man was asking about Zhao Jie, but he recited the decision that had already been made.

“Honorary Vice President? Rather generous, aren’t you?” Old She looked at Gong Yingjie in surprise and chuckled softly. Although the title was largely symbolic, it carried genuine honor, and not just anyone was qualified to receive it. In all of Wuling City, only a handful had been so honored.

“Heh heh.” Gong Yingjie scratched his head and said nothing more. This had been decided by the higher-ups; as president of the Digital Association, he had no authority to confer such a title.

“But, revoke both of these rewards!”

What?!

Gong Yingjie stared at Old She in disbelief. Had Zhao Jie offended this powerful elder somehow?

Otherwise, why would both rewards be rescinded?

“Old She, isn’t this a bit much? If Zhao Jie has been disrespectful, I’ll make sure he apologizes to you. But canceling his rewards altogether seems rather drastic, doesn’t it?” Gong Yingjie immediately spoke up in Zhao Jie’s defense.

“What are you thinking? I’m canceling these two rewards because there are other, more significant ones for him. You don’t need to know the details.” Old She shot Gong Yingjie a glance, silently approving of the man. Though not as capable as his younger brother, Gong Yingjie had a decent character. At least he dared to argue on behalf of Zhao Jie, who was barely connected to him, even after hearing such an order.

“Old She, you’re making things difficult for me. How am I supposed to explain this? At least give me a reason I can report.” Gong Yingjie put on a pitiful face, looking plaintively at Old She.

“Reason? Just say it was on my orders. If anyone has questions, let that Xu kid come talk to me in person!”

That Xu kid? Only you would dare address him so!

Gong Yingjie grumbled inwardly, but maintained a stiff smile and dared not press further. The old man before him was already starting to flare his nostrils in annoyance.

“All right. Just do as I say,” Old She finished, then dusted himself off and departed. Both of his purposes for coming had been fulfilled; there was no need to linger.

Two hours later.

“Old She, there’s a call for you.”

Driver Old Guo handed him a black encrypted phone as Old She sat calmly sipping a local Wuling specialty called berry tea. The tea was slightly astringent at first taste, but then left a sweet aftertaste. It was rich in trace elements beneficial to health, and he was quite fond of it.

“Mm, give it here,” Old She said, taking the phone and glancing at the screen. The caller's name was Xu Tianlei—the very Xu kid he’d mentioned earlier.

“Tch, the report’s gone up fast.” Clicking his tongue, Old She answered the call.

“Chief, what are you up to?” boomed the voice on the other end, forceful yet tinged with helplessness.

“What am I up to? Nothing at all,” Old She replied, motioning for Old Guo to tidy up the tea while he strolled away with the phone.

“Chief, please, don’t play riddles with me. You ordered Zhao Jie’s rewards canceled and said you had other plans. What plans? You have to tell me—I can’t rest easy otherwise.”

On the other end, Xu Tianlei wore a pained expression. In his younger days he’d served under this chief, and knew well how difficult he could be.

“Want me to tell you?”

“You absolutely have to tell me!”

“Well then, I want a Celestial Spirit Fruit.”

Silence. A long, heavy silence.

After a while, Xu Tianlei ventured, “Chief, you must be joking.”

“Take a guess—am I joking?” Old She chuckled, his expression calm.

Xu Tianlei: …………

How am I supposed to guess that?

“Chief, you’re really putting me in a bind. The Celestial Spirit Fruit is a strategic resource—even if I wanted to give it to you, I couldn’t!”

Xu Tianlei was nearly frantic. He hadn’t expected the chief to make such an outlandish demand.

The Celestial Spirit Fruit—such a thing. Even at his current rank, he wasn’t entitled to it.

“I’m not asking you, so why are you so agitated? I know your measure, boy,” Old She replied, a touch disappointed, but as he thought back to the past—when that kid used to follow him everywhere—he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of pride. In the blink of an eye, so many years had passed, and the youngster had grown into a major figure.

“Seriously, Chief, what are you doing? Let me tell you a secret: the Celestial Spirit Fruit is crucial for our official use. You’d best drop the idea. If you want anything else, I’d get it for you even if it killed me!”

Xu Tianlei’s voice grew agitated. He couldn’t fathom why the chief had suddenly taken an interest in the Celestial Spirit Fruit. Wasn’t he already living a life of leisure? Even if he acquired such a thing, what use would it be to him?

“All right, all right, calm down, Xu. I want the Celestial Spirit Fruit to save someone—a young child.”