Am I really hallucinating?

Chapter 617 Influence
Regarding the attack on Lumière Street, very little information has leaked out. Aside from locals on Lumière Street and those within the relevant circles of the authorities, little news has circulated outside of them.

Naturally, given that such a significant event as the Lumière Street was occurring before the upcoming important gathering, the fact that it would cause such a stir among the public, regardless of the final investigation results, would undoubtedly shake public morale.

Not to mention that the one that suffered the most damage was not the street itself, but the Pure White Society Research Institute located on the street.

It's perfectly normal for the underprivileged in the gray districts to feel insecure; they should be used to it by now. But if rumors of trouble at the Pure White Society reach the White District, it won't just be the administration that faces scrutiny, but the Society itself and even the higher-ups.

Therefore, the events that occurred on Lumière Street were suppressed to the outside world, just like all the "accidents" large and small that had happened before.

In the past, the neighborhood and the relevant authorities would have been the ones to suffer in silence. But this time, although the neighborhood also suffered considerable losses, and the authorities were routinely criticized and blamed by the public, it's somewhat ironic that most locals have long been used to it.

Knowing that this was actually an attack targeting the Pure White Society, and that the Pure White Society's research institute was even reduced to ruins, they ultimately chose to keep quiet about it. Naturally, the Pure White Society suffered even more in silence this time.

Everyone tacitly laughed, even if they dared not make a sound about it. The locals and the authorities, who were used to being bullied by the school's master, were extremely pleased.

Of course, the Pure White Society didn't entirely intend to suffer in silence.

Two hours after the attack, the association quickly submitted relevant evidence, showing the possible perpetrators of the attack, and Lin Yilin's name was prominently listed.

But soon, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics directly submitted a large amount of evidence of the Pure White Society's crimes, mainly unclean materials related to the Pure White Society's activities on Lumière Street from the past to the present and even the future that is being planned.

The thing Pure White feared most has happened.

The other party didn't just casually go over and beat up their research institute to vent their emotions and then run away.

They gathered a considerable amount of useful information at the "outpost" on Lumière Street and submitted it all to the processing bureau. The processing bureau, with an efficiency that surprised them even more, completed its complete suppression of them.

The arrest of relevant personnel, irrefutable evidence, and even evidence that the Pure White Society itself may not be aware of! Countless old cases have been brought up again, and even the relatively unknown Dadu Public Security Bureau has gotten involved.

That's incredibly fast! Anyone with eyes can see this is definitely a conspiracy! A conspiracy against the Pure White Society!
Then, looking back at the list of people involved in the Lumière Street incident, oh, it turns out to be secret agents from the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics and their "colleagues".

Their permission is clearly stated and can be inspected at will.

Clearly, the crackdown on the Pure White Society did not stop with the end of the Lumière Street incident; in fact, the real drama has only just begun.

This time, it's not just limited to one Lumière Street.

In other words, with the rally approaching, those in the Pure White Society who lacked confidence and solid backgrounds were either captured or scattered, essentially sacrificing a number of personnel. This led the central government to temporarily halt the large-scale manhunt.

Otherwise, judging from the way this bureau is handling things, it's almost as if they're about to engage in a full-scale civil war with the Pure White Academy.

The Pure White School is still useful, but the most crucial part cannot be touched.

They are not merely scholars of academic societies, mostly members of powerful factions within academia, but also members of numerous interest groups within the central government. It's unrealistic to expect a direct threat to them at such a deep level.

Moreover, there is an even more significant Pure White beacon standing behind the Pure White Society.

The lighthouse is ultimately the lifeblood of the capital, and all the lighthouse bearers are nominally subordinate to the Pure White Lighthouse. The expeditionary wave army is also under its command, making this force truly enormous.

It must be said that the "Undying Lighthouse" has been very effective in managing the Pure White Lighthouse's influence. Without his management from the past to the present, the Pure White Lighthouse and the Academy would not have the influence or actual power they have today.

Originally, the Wave Army did not belong to the Lighthouse and the Society, but through long-term infiltration, a considerable number of Lighthouse Bearers entered the upper echelons of the Wave Army, and gradually gained control of the Wave Army armed force in both combat and decision-making.

This overstepping act, which could be considered a crime of wielding excessive military power, has been so blatantly manipulated by him that even the central government has had to compromise with him and even form a separate Prism unit to counterbalance him.

It can be said that the "Inextinguishable Lighthouse" could easily stir up turmoil in the entire capital with a mere wave of its hand.

If He hadn't also known that going too far would be counterproductive and hadn't continued to push his luck, and hadn't subsequently shifted his attention from the capital to multiple worlds, allowing the Beacon and the Central Government to develop their current tacit understanding, then internal strife of varying sizes might have been unavoidable.

With the central rally imminent, even if the Bureau of Affairs were to make any changes, it would have to remain silent for the time being in the face of statements from both the central government and the Nationalist government.

But it's only temporary.

The fire has been lit, and some things can no longer be ignored so easily.

Although the Bureau of Handling Affairs is headquartered in the central government and most of its staff come from the White District, they have been deeply involved in the Gray District for many years, and their atmosphere is decisively different from that of the gentry sitting in the White District.

In this higher-level competitive atmosphere.

There were vague reports and clues, such as a wedding scene in the ruins of a research institute; a member of the Jiangwen Street Handling Bureau was suspected of being involved; members of the Prism Force were defeated and went missing at the scene; the daughters and sons of two prominent central families were also involved in the incident; and the three urban legends of Xixi Keke Street appeared in Lumière…

These things, on the contrary, seemed insignificant and were eventually concealed and not pursued further due to the relevant operations.

Not many people even realize that—

The prototype's first lighthouse lit up again, and then went out again.

……

"Oh dear, I didn't expect you to come looking for me again. I thought you should have gone back by now. After all, the assembly is about to start, and I heard that the Prism Force has started recalling its personnel stationed abroad."

Xu Wenli, with a faint smile, drove an old Beetle along a bumpy road. In the passenger seat, Li Busi leaned against the door, the biting wind blowing on him, but to him it was no colder than death: "I don't plan to go back for now, I'm tired. Besides, if I hadn't found you, and you hadn't left without a word, how would I maintain the Death Gate?"

"Go find your brother-in-law," Xu Wenli said with a smile.

Li Busi: "...Please don't joke around, old man."

Somewhat helplessly, Li Busi continued, "I was the one who was initially lured by Li Miaosheng, and then it was out of personal jealousy that I encouraged you. Out of apology, let me escort you for a while."

“It was I who couldn’t resist the desire in my heart, so you don’t need to take the blame. It’s all in the past. I didn’t die at Lumière, and I’ve lost all my hopes. Now I just want to travel around Dadu and maybe I can go see my old partner in a while,” Xu Wenli said with a peaceful smile.

“Yes, it’s incredible that I didn’t die at the Lumière, and it left me feeling a bit lost. I’ve heard that at times like this, it’s time to embark on a spiritual journey to find yourself.”

"Haha! That's great. I told you a long time ago that you should be a little angry, and this is perfect."

Li Busi was somewhat bewildered, muttering to himself, "Does this mean I'm alive again?"

"But this capital city is about to become unsettled," Xu Wenli sighed, looking at the scene before him.

Just as Li Busi was about to speak, the phone rang.

He glanced at it and then answered, "Hello, Mom..."

"Where are you now? What were you involved in at Lumière? Why were you defeated? Why aren't you coming back or contacting me? You're not answering my calls..." A mature female voice asked anxiously from the other end.

"I'm going on a trip..."

“The Prism Unit doesn’t take leave.”

"I know, so if you don't accept this, I might have to resign. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

"..." After a brief silence on the other end of the phone, a sigh came: "Alright, if you're going to leave, then stay far away. If you have any news about Miaosheng, please let him know."

"Is something really going to happen in Dadu?"

"Maybe so. Our family is definitely involved, too deeply. But it's okay, I've distanced you all. Even though you were defeated and fled for no reason, you at least made contributions in Prism. It should be fine if you stay away from it now." The mother's voice sounded tired and had a headache.

Li Busi didn't have much affection for this mother. The time they spent together was too short, and he only learned much later that she had arranged for him to join Prism. This was a later attempt to compensate for what he had lost, and it's difficult for him to truly understand the hardships and experiments he had endured. From the beginning, this woman shouldn't have been so blinded by love that she was fooled by Li Meng and gave herself to him… However, at least because of her attitude and the occasional attempts to make amends over the years, he was still willing to call her "Mother."

Of course, because of Li Miaosheng's involvement, he still harbored a huge, unresolved resentment towards this woman.

But now, my mindset is a little different.

"Miaosheng and Fan Zhonghong should be married by now," Li Busi mentioned something his mother would likely be interested in.

"Huh!? Why didn't I receive the message!?" The mother raised her voice instantly, making Li Busi move the phone away from his ear.

"The situation was quite urgent, and then Li Meng arrived."

"This isn't a proper wedding, is it? Did that person do anything..." The mother's tone, which had initially been somewhat joyful, instantly turned somber.

“It wasn’t very serious at first, but it got serious later.” Li Busi interrupted his mother’s reaction and said, “Then Li Meng exploded. Miao Sheng and Fan Zhonghong did it together. It was pretty good. I’ll send you the photos later.”

"Okay, okay!" The mother's voice became lively again, as if all the fatigue at the beginning had been swept away. "Send me the photos quickly! If I can die after him, my third biggest wish in this life will be fulfilled."

"What are your first and second biggest wishes?" Perhaps because he was completely relaxed, Li Busi became quite talkative, even though it was over the phone, and asked curiously. It was the first time he had talked so much with his mother.

"I hope you can forgive me, and that Miaosheng can live a good life." Without much concealment, perhaps thinking this was her last conversation with her son, she frankly expressed her wish, even though the possibility was very small.

"...So this time, Mother's three major wishes have all come true," Li Busi said softly.

Whether it's true or not, he can at least make his mother happy. As for the specifics, even Li Busi, with his conflicted inner state, probably can't explain it clearly himself.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a long time. If it weren't for the faint sobs and breathing sounds, Li Busi would have thought the call had ended.

"No matter who tells you to come back, don't come back. I gave you all your names, and your lives must be just like your names..."

After saying that, the mother hung up the phone, her voice choked with sobs.

"Are you still planning to go on vacation with the old man?" Xu Wenli asked with a smile, looking at Li Busi who was silent beside him.

After a long pause, Li Busi sighed, "I'm sorry, Elder Xu, I have to break my promise. I'll come find you later."

"Okay, please give my regards to your sister and brother-in-law." Xu Wenli nodded slightly, and the car stopped by the roadside.

As Li Busi unbuckled his seatbelt and got out of the car, he said helplessly, "I still don't consider Miaosheng my sister, let alone that guy my brother-in-law."

"I went back only because I found another insignificant goal."

(End of this chapter)