musicians of old

Chapter 964 A Generous Gift

"This is a personnel arrangement."

But Fan Ning then calmly read it aloud.

"It sets an automatic trigger condition; if no one cancels or changes it with higher authority by midnight of the new year, the arrangement will take effect. Now it's January 1st, 917 in the Gregorian calendar, so it's 'in effect'?"

The group exchanged glances, but no one dared to breathe loudly.

Fan Ning glanced in the direction of the wall clock in the lobby.

The clock had struck six in the morning. He paused for a moment, then continued reading:

"In accordance with this directive and the provisions of the appendix to the Special Patrol Office Control Regulations concerning the relevant statements on 'special periods,' Carolyn Van Ning is hereby appointed as the next Director of the Special Patrol Office and the next Head of the Discussion Group, to take full control of all the powers and affairs of the organization."

Fanning narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Lasus, who was in the lead.

It was as if they were carefully savoring this absurd yet logically sound "personnel arrangement".

Fan Ning did indeed feel that, just as he first read the contents of the letter—at a moment when no one else knew—a very subtle, very cold thread was gently weaving a net from this building, from this city, and even from the depths of the earth, like a fine metal mesh, trying to establish some kind of "authority" or "responsibility" connection with him.

Logically speaking, the terms "authority" and "responsibility" are neutral, and in most contexts they are even used with the intention of being "great, glorious, and correct."

But at that moment, Fanning felt the control of "Jhin." It truly lived up to its reputation as "the last line of defense." Even though the person who used it was dead, its rules continued to operate ruthlessly, like pre-set instructions.

So Fan Ning read it aloud, word by word, exactly as it was written.

The more skilled a fighter is, the more they understand the principle of deflecting a powerful attack. As a response, they must read it aloud, and in front of everyone.

The invisible threads of "ashes" swirled around Fanning, forming a cold metal net, yet the successor had never truly been "determined."

Fan Ning's divine qualities are now extraordinary. Relying on these responses, he has grasped the initiative to defy or even tear apart this "appointment." However, he also realizes that this may shake this world, which is "recovering from a serious illness," especially given that Mr. F's motives are unknown and the future of the "path" is unclear.

His visit today to apply for the performance of "Song of the Earth" was originally intended to "appropriately loosen the restrictions" on the legacy of order, and to make adjustments and preparations for the final access of the subsequent "path"—the steel plate implanted in a patient during major surgery needs to be removed, but there is absolutely no reason to grab it and pull it out directly.

During the brief minute or so of reading and staring, it felt as if the air in the office hall had been sucked out. These people also felt an invisible, cold "metal net" hovering in and out of the air around them.

No one dared to make a sound of breathing. Sheeran, Roy, and Joan were completely stunned, staring incredulously at Lasus, then at Fanning.

Lasuth endured Fanning's gaze, his back straining to be straight, though it was actually slightly hunched, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on his forehead: "I have no right to speculate on your intentions. I have no right to speculate on the leader's intentions. What I mean is, whether it is the previous leader or the next leader, the orders are as they are. So-called orders, until they are replaced or canceled by higher orders, are rules that must be followed. This is the foundation of the Special Patrol Bureau's existence, and it is what the leader has protected with his life."

"So this is the current situation."

Fan Ning finally spoke again, his tone calm and gentle, yet failing to warm anyone's heart. "The great enemy is dead, and the victor of the conflict has taken over the enemy's forces. It's a rare and inevitable outcome of such a great victory, worthy of being recorded in history."

No one dared to meet his gaze.

“But I’ve gone to great lengths to get rid of this, haha, what can I say?” Fan Ning paced back and forth, tapping the letter in his hand on his palm. “Or, I could become the director of the Special Patrol Bureau and then disband it—a leader of an organization has that power, right? Originally, I only planned to disband the discussion group in half a month. The Abnormal Zone is gone, and this deliberative body has completed its historical mission. It’s time to accept its credit and leave. However, disbanding one is the same as disbanding two.”

Another chilling silence followed.

"Either we skip this kind of formalistic 'two negatives make a positive' or 'positive and negative equal zero' settlement, and those of you professionals with the time and inclination can study the interpretation of rules and regulations, the streamlining of systems and mechanisms, and the cleanup of the situation later?"

The inspectors who were swept by Fanning's gaze all lowered their brows. Even Sheeran, Roy, and Joan, who were inevitably "affected" by the gaze, unconsciously brought their legs closer together.

"Well then, I've received this 'generous gift,' that's all."

Fanning finally spoke again, her tone returning to its initial calmness, devoid of any subtle meaning, but now carrying a deeper, more profound connotation.

"So let's 'talk about feelings' first, hmm? Let's discuss the performance details, let's talk about the 'memorial and farewell concert'?"

The topic was brought back to its original point.

However, the context, tone, and principles of expression are different.

Lasus clearly realized this as well. His tense shoulders relaxed slightly, as if he had temporarily withdrawn from the aftermath of a difficult confrontation and returned to the relatively familiar realm of "business".

“I understand, Your Excellency.” He inquired in a deep voice, “Then, regarding the ‘Song of the Earth’ memorial and farewell concert, as the head of the Turner Arts Circuit, what specific matters require the Special Inspection Bureau’s cooperation or support? And,” he paused, posing the crucial question, “or rather, what considerations do you hope to incorporate into the public purpose of this performance?”

“Since we’re talking about sentiment, it’s naturally to commemorate your leader.” Fanning pulled up a hardwood chair and sat down, tossing the letter into the wastebasket like ordinary office trash. “And then, ‘farewell.’ I’m not the only artist in history to announce my departure from the stage. You all should have plenty of ‘supervisory experience’ with things like farewell concerts, right? I have no other requirements.”

Fanning tapped her fingertips lightly on the armrest of the hardwood chair: "As for other considerations beyond the music, that will depend on what the 'echoes' will be like on this world stage, or after the music performance. Some things are not suitable to be discussed 'outside'."

Lasus, who had been listening attentively with his hands behind his back, immediately understood.

Sheeran and the others were told to wait outside for a moment. Lasus jogged over and led Fanning deeper into the corridor behind the main hall.

An inconspicuous metal cabinet on the wall of a certain room made a very slight "click" sound, and then silently slid half a meter to the side, revealing a deep stone staircase that could only be passed by one person at a time.

This environment is quite similar to the secret room below the steps of the "Central Control Area" at that time.

The two figures were quickly swallowed up by the dim light at the entrance of the steps.

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