Chapter 1175: Two Emperors Enter the Game

In the dim alley, Chen Ling slowly took off the Nuo mask.

The drizzling rain soaked his hair, and the red and black opera robe on his body quickly faded back to red. He looked at Shen Nan in front of him, his gaze a bit helpless...

"It really is you?"

Shen Nan also took off his Nuo mask. He said in shock, "How long has it been... and you’ve already mastered the power of [Nuo]??"

"Actually, it’s been quite a while." Chen Ling answered honestly.

For Chen Ling, this process was actually very long, but in Shen Nan’s eyes, it had only been a day or so. He stared blankly at Chen Ling, unable to speak from shock for a moment.

"Why are you here?" Chen Ling asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Shen Nan regained his composure. "I am a registered 'White Hand' with the 749 Bureau and a guest at the Wushan Conference. Of course I’d be here... You’re wanted by the 749 Bureau, yet you still dare to come here so openly??"

"It’s just the 749 Bureau. Let them want me."

Chen Ling waved his hand dismissively. He was already a wanted man by all of humanity after the Great Cataclysm; what was a small 749 Bureau?

Shen Nan: ...

"Don't tell me you really intend to sneak into the Wushan Conference."

"Yes, what about it?"

"You need to be verified and registered to enter. How are you going to get in?"

"I have a connection."

“？”

Chen Ling seemed to remember something and looked in the direction Sun Bumian and the others had left. "You came at the right time, come with me."

"...To do what?" Shen Nan’s expression was a bit strange.

"Do your job."

……

Huixian Hotel.

Creak—

Ying Fu slowly pushed open the door to the room.

At this moment, he had changed into an inconspicuous black tracksuit, was carrying a cloth bag containing the conference agenda, and even wore half-rimmed black glasses on the bridge of his nose to hide his naturally imposing, upturned eyes. His imperial aura was hidden beneath his simple appearance, and at a glance, he wouldn't attract anyone’s attention...

The smell that hit him after pushing the door open made Ying Fu frown subconsciously, but he didn't resist, stepping inside calmly. His sharp eyes behind the lenses scanned every corner of the room.

After confirming there was nothing unusual in the room, his gaze looked downstairs through the window...

At this moment, Han Xiang, wearing a blue-grey Chinese-style shirt, was talking to several other guests. His status within the 749 Bureau seemed very high; the guests’ faces were full of smiles, and they were full of respect for Han Xiang.

At the same time, Han Xiang, who was chatting and laughing, seemed to sense Ying Fu’s gaze, looked up inadvertently, and then smiled:

"Everyone, I’ll go back to my room to rest for a while. Let’s talk more tonight."

"Hahaha, Elder Han, get some rest. We have plenty of time anyway."

"Yes, Elder Han, taking care of your health is the most important thing."

“……”

Han Xiang walked through the hotel corridor, scanning his surroundings from time to time. After confirming that no one was passing by, he quietly entered the room where Ying Fu was staying.

He closed the door behind him and wrote lightly on the back of it. A moment later, a small character "Barrier" appeared.

The energy and sound were isolated by an invisible barrier. Only then did Han Xiang finally relax. This senior, who held a very high status in the 749 Bureau, looked at Ying Fu’s back by the window, his face showing sincere respect.

"The accommodation conditions for this conference are poor... I’ve wronged Your Majesty." Han Xiang said with a bitter smile.

"It doesn't matter."

Ying Fu opened the window. "Is Chu Changqing settled?"

"Settled. He’s at the Lotus Hotel next door. I’ve left two people there to watch him, so there won't be any problems."

"Hmm."

Ying Fu suddenly asked, "Why is the location for this stay different from what was previously mentioned?"

"The informant I planted in the 749 Bureau sent news that it was because the originally scheduled conference hotel wasn't renovated in time, so all guests were temporarily arranged to stay at the foot of the mountain... until the conference begins, and then they will go to the venue."

Ying Fu narrowed his eyes and turned to scan him. "What does Han Xiang think?"

Han Xiang pondered for a long time before speaking,

"Your Majesty, I believe there are three suspicious points."

"Speak."

"First, the purpose of every previous Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference was to let God Path possessors communicate with each other and deepen the 749 Bureau’s control over the 'White Hands.' It was considered a peaceful and prosperous event... Therefore, in previous years, it wasn't mandatory for all 'White Hands' to attend, especially some of the older experts. But this time, regardless of seniority, regardless of where they are, everyone is forced to attend."

"Second, previous conferences were announced at least half a month in advance, and most were held at the end of the year. But this year, not only is the time too early, but it was announced only three days in advance, which seems exceptionally rushed... as if there is some extremely urgent matter that must be implemented as soon as possible."

"Third, Wushan is not on the list of target cities for the conference. In the past, to make it convenient for guests, they would choose hub cities. But this place has extremely inconvenient transportation, the supporting facilities are relatively backward, and even the selected conference venue hasn't been renovated yet..."

"Heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human harmony—none of them are met. I really can't guess what Sun Zhongliang is thinking."

Ying Fu listened to Han Xiang’s analysis expressionlessly before saying faintly,

"Do your job, fulfill your role... This Sun Zhongliang has managed the 749 Bureau for so many years and has always followed the rules. But this time, it’s so rushed—the root cause behind it is already extremely obvious..."

Han Xiang was slightly startled. "Your Majesty, you mean..."

"This conference is not led by Sun Zhongliang; he is just a pawn." Ying Fu slowly looked up, staring at the overcast sky. "The true layout designer is above."

No one understood imperial strategy better than Ying Fu. Even though he was still very unfamiliar with this era and didn't understand the 749 Bureau, in Ying Fu’s eyes, no matter how the era changed, the structure of power remained much the same. Just by looking at a trace of the surface, he could precisely cut to the vital point.

"The purpose of this conference... Your Majesty, do you already have a clue?" Han Xiang asked in surprise.

Ying Fu didn't answer. He just glanced at the dense clouds and walked back into the room, as if the wind and rain outside had nothing to do with him.

"What they want to do... I am not interested. What I want is just this opportunity."

"It has already been prepared for you, Your Majesty."

Han Xiang took a list from his bosom. "Tonight, the participating guests will attend a welcome banquet in the Glazed Hall. I have highlighted the few people worth paying attention to."

Ying Fu took the list and scanned it. Several circled names and their corresponding God Paths entered his eyes.

"...Oh?"