People in Yu-Gi-Oh! The hyper-converged audience is also integrated

Chapter 383 Director's Meeting

after one day.

The Bureau of Spirit Control, the highest round table conference room.

There are no tables or chairs, no walls, only an endless dark universe, with stars silently twinkling in the far distance.

hum-

Twelve pure black floating light screens lit up one by one, the light outlining twelve blurry silhouettes of different shapes in the darkness. In the center of each screen, there was an ancient seal script character for the twelve zodiac animals.

Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao...

When the twelfth screen, representing "Hai," lit up, an elderly man with gray hair, dressed in a sharp suit, silently appeared in the center of the venue.

Wang's agent, Xiao Sixi.

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the meeting." Xiao Sixi bowed slightly, his voice steady and neither humble nor arrogant.

The meeting fell silent for a moment.

"Where is Wang Shou?"

On the screen displaying the character "寅", the imposing silhouette resembling a fierce tiger leaned back slightly, its voice carrying a scrutinizing tone.

"Such a big matter, why doesn't she come in person?"

Xiao Sixi wore an impeccable smile: "I'm sorry, Director Yin, Miss has other important matters to attend to."

"Heh." Director Yin sneered, "What could be more important than the director's meeting? Wang Shou is certainly a busy man."

Xiao Sixi continued to smile, offering no further response.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

"Let's get down to business." A steady voice broke the silence, and the silhouette on the "Zi" character screen remained as still as a rock.

Yin Ju did not pursue the matter further.

Xiao Sixi then straightened up, raised his hand and gently swept it in the air. Countless data streams poured down like waterfalls, forming three huge light screens in the center of the venue.

"This is a report compiled by the Dark Bureau. Please take a look, directors."

On the screen, the horrific scene of the ruins of Latia, the deployment of the Dark Army, the Pope's empty-chested corpse, and the image of Li Guanqi covered in blood being carried onto a stretcher flashed by.

Finally, the image freezes on the Pope's unseeing face.

The twelve bureau chiefs silently watched the text and video reports; the only sound in the entire universe was the faint murmur of data flowing.

Ten minutes later, the light screen dissipated.

"Directors, is there anything you need to ask?" Xiao Sixi asked softly.

“If it weren’t for the bureau chief meeting,” Director Yin’s voice broke the silence, “I would have thought I was reading a novel by some third-rate author.”

"Oh my, does the Yin Bureau usually read novels? That's quite surprising." A young woman's light laughter, tinged with amusement, came from the Si Bureau's screen.

"Si Ju, can you finally get rid of that disgusting verbal tic?" Another young woman's voice rang out on the Mao Ju screen, clear and calm.

Si chuckled and said, "Oh dear, Mao is angry again? Don't be like that, it will make you age faster."

"enough."

Chen Ju's silhouette shifted slightly. Ignoring the three's usual bickering, he lowered his voice and said, "Why would the Pope go to such lengths to capture an intern named Li Guanqi? The report didn't explain it."

His gaze pierced through the screen, pointing directly at Xiao Sixi.

"The secret service is investigating this," Xiao Sixi said.

"Investigating?" Director Chen asked with a hint of anger. "Judging from the tactical deployment routes of the Dark Division, you have been intentionally focusing your forces around that intern from the very beginning."

“You all knew all along that the Pope wanted to arrest him.”

Xiao Sixi's smile remained unchanged: "This was an instruction personally given by Wang Shou, and she did not provide an explanation."

He paused, then added, "As you all know, Miss... doesn't usually talk much."

"Young girl..." Yin Ju's tone was full of disdain and annoyance.

Before the words were even finished, the air in the conference room suddenly turned cold.

That chilling killing intent did not come from the twelve bureau chiefs, but from the smiling old man in the center of the room.

Xiao Sixi's smile vanished.

“Minister Yin.” His voice was calm, yet it felt like a Siberian chill. “Please watch your words.”

"It's not a girl, it's Wang Shou."

"Wang Shou has the absolute power to dismiss the bureau chief. Please watch your words."

Upon hearing this blunt warning, Yin Ju laughed instead of getting angry: "Ha! If Lord Wang Shou can find someone to replace me, I'd be happy to have some peace and quiet and go home to hold my grandson!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly became tense.

Yin Ju wasn't the only one who had a problem with Wang Shou, but he was the most headstrong and the most willing to openly express his dissatisfaction.

"Very well, as long as the result is good." Director Chen spoke again, breaking the deadlock, "The Pope is dead, the Puppet Master is purified, and 003 has lost two satellites at once. A perfect result."

“But there are big problems with the process,” Ziju interrupted. “The Pope’s Symbiosis Card is lost, and the secret of Gratia is lost.”

He paused, then looked at Xiao Sixi: "Does Wang Shou have any clues about this?"

All eyes in the silhouettes once again focused on Xiao Sixi.

"I'm sorry." Xiao Sixi resumed his signature smile, as if the coldness from before had never existed.

“The young lady can only see a glimpse of the future; she can see the outcome that ‘the Pope will die,’ but she cannot foresee the entire process that leads to that outcome.”

He surveyed the twelve silent silhouettes, his voice not loud, yet each word reached everyone's ears.

Are you all dissatisfied with this result?

"Oh, satisfied? How could I not be satisfied?" On the screen, the alluring silhouette let out a silvery laugh. "Lord Wang Shou's plans are flawless, so amazing."

The sarcasm in his words was obvious to everyone.

"You flatter me, Si Ju."

Xiao Sixi's smile deepened.

"Of course, Si Ju also deserves much credit for achieving such a perfect result this time."

Upon hearing this, all eleven bureau chiefs, including the one in charge of the Yin bureau, turned their attention to the screen in charge of the Si bureau.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became strange.

Xiao Sixi added unhurriedly, "After all, if it weren't for the discerning eyes of the people under Siju who precisely chose Latia as the location for the interns' graduation mission..."

He paused for a moment, giving himself enough time to process the information.

"The 'Si' hexagram truly has uncanny foresight."

The laughter on the screen abruptly stopped.

Director Chen's silhouette moved, breaking the delicate stalemate: "I will arrange for someone to intervene in the special agents' group to get to the bottom of this matter."

“This isn’t in accordance with the rules, Director Chen.” Director Shen, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up. “Latia’s intern is a newcomer to our Fifth Department. If anyone should be investigated, it should be our internal investigation.”

"Isn't the intelligence agency's reach a bit too far?"

“If it were just a trivial matter, it would naturally be an internal matter for you, Director Shen.” Director Chen’s voice was cold and hard. “But you’ve seen the report, Director Shen.”

"Gulatia, master something that can rapidly enhance spirituality."

Director Chen lowered his voice, "Everyone present knows what this means."

After saying that, Director Chen's screen went dark without warning, and he left the meeting first.

The other bureau chiefs understood each other perfectly and remained silent as their screens went out one by one.

The Special Task Force is not subordinate to any single bureau; it is jointly managed by twelve bureau chiefs and is specifically designed to investigate major events that could shake the foundations of the Bureau of Spirits.

And things that can quickly enhance spirituality.

That's no longer just shaking the foundation of the Spirit Control Bureau.

Are the billion-dollar duelists playing cards day and night truly driven by passion?

It's just to allow the card's spirituality to gradually grow.

No matter what it is, people can't persevere without positive feedback.

Once there's a shortcut, who would still choose the most difficult path?

A duel would lose its most fundamental meaning.

The very foundation of civilization throughout the eleventh century would crumble as a result.

dark.

The familiar, comforting smell of disinfectant.

Li Guanqi's consciousness emerged from the chaos, and his eyelids were heavily lifted open a crack.

White ceiling.

He tried to move, and four sharp, piercing pains immediately shot through his chest and abdomen, as if he were being violently stabbed by a red-hot iron rod, causing him to gasp. "Hiss..."

He didn't move again, lying quietly with his gaze sweeping calmly across the ward.

My mind is in turmoil.

dong dong.

There was a knock on the door.

Before anyone could respond, the door was pushed open from the outside, and a loud, boisterous female voice came through.

"Hey, lucky kid, you're awake!"

A tall woman in a smart white uniform strode in and closed the door behind her.

Li Guanqi squinted, his mind still racing, searching for information about this woman.

"You are……"

"Lanley, head of the second investigation team of the Fifth Department." Lanley walked to the bedside, plopped down casually, and patted the edge of the bed, making the whole bed shake.

"From now on, I'll be your team leader." She looked Li Guanqi up and down, clicking her tongue in amazement. "Are you alright, Bao'er?"

"..."

Li Guanqi was so shocked by her attack that his wound throbbed. His face twitched, and he subtly moved to the side.

This woman has terrifying strength.

"Thank you for your concern, team leader. I'm not going to die anytime soon."

"You're really something, kid." Langley crossed his legs, looking at him with an appraising gaze. "You managed to survive being in the Papal Court for so long?"

She leaned closer and clicked her tongue in amazement.

"Those who survive a great calamity are sure to have good fortune in the future."

"What happened?" Li Guanqi asked weakly.

"We should be asking you that."

A emotionless voice came from the doorway, interrupting their conversation.

The door to the ward was pushed open at some point, and three figures walked in silently, as if they had emerged from the shadows.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a stern face. His hair was combed meticulously, as if measured with a ruler. He wore a crisp, dark gray uniform without any extra decorations. The fabric gleamed with a metallic sheen under the hospital room lights.

Behind him stood a man and a woman, both dressed in gray uniforms, their faces expressionless, like two silent statues.

As soon as they entered, the smell of disinfectant in the ward became pungent.

The man in the lead bypassed Langley and locked his gaze on Li Guanqi, who was lying on the hospital bed. His eyes didn't look like those of a wounded soldier who had just returned from the brink of death; rather, they looked like he was examining a piece of evidence.

"Special Agents." The man took out a black badge from his pocket and stated in a flat voice, "Here for questioning."

"Special operations team?" Langley's brow furrowed. "Such a large force. The person just woke up, and you're already in such a hurry to come?"

The man shifted his gaze from Li Guanqi to Langli's face, his eyes showing no emotion. "It's not appropriate for anyone else to listen in on our questioning. Please cooperate with our work."

"I—" Langley was about to explode.

"It's alright, team leader," a weak voice came from the bed.

Li Guanqi struggled to sit up, but the movement aggravated his wound, causing him to groan in pain, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

He leaned against the headboard, his face as pale as paper, but still gave Langley a reassuring smile: "Let them ask."

Langley glared at the three members of the special agent team, but ultimately said nothing more and left the ward dejectedly.

The man in the lead then walked to the bedside and looked down at Li Guanqi.

"Detective Li, I am Chen Mo, the leader of Special Agent Team Three in charge of this case." He introduced himself, his voice flat and even. "There are some things you need to recall."

Chen Mo's gaze, like a probe, carefully swept over every subtle expression on Li Guanqi's face.

Li Guanqi nodded slightly.

"After entering the secret realm, you played a six-on-six league match. You represented the Pope's side, right?" Chen Mo confirmed.

This is not a question, it is a statement.

“Yes.” Li Guanqi’s voice was a little hoarse. “But I was forced into it. They threatened me with my life, saying that if I didn’t go on stage, they would kill me. I… I had no choice but to take emergency measures.”

“I understand, that’s not the point.” Chen Mo’s expression remained unchanged.

He leaned forward slightly, making the air pressure in the ward feel even lower.

"The key point is what happened after the game ended."

Chen Mo stared intently at Li Guanqi and asked, enunciating each word clearly:
"Please describe everything that happened to you and the Pope's team in as much detail as possible."

Li Guanqi looked up at the ceiling and slowly recalled, "After the match, they took me to the central arena."

"That arena is strange; you have to guess the type of a card to open the door."

"Later... uh... Midrash, with the help of the Domain Card Light Barrier, was lucky enough to guess correctly and led us into the arena."

"What's inside?" Chen Mo asked coldly.

Li Guanqi frowned, trying hard to recall: "Inside, there are many stone statues of the [Black Magician] and the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]."

"At the end of the passage was a spacious hall and two branching paths."

"At the gate on the right fork, there are two stone statues: an unnamed pharaoh and a warrior of fate."

"The nameless Pharaoh?!" The two team members behind Chen Mo exclaimed excitedly, "A duel?!"

Chen Mo raised his hand to interrupt the two of them, and looked at Li Guanqi, saying, "You continue."

"Later, the Pope and that clown-faced man each sent someone to fight."

As Li Guanqi finished speaking, the two group members behind Chen Mo cast expectant glances at him.

"The enemy is far more powerful than we imagined."

"【Folding Paper God】Twelve positives and one negative, draw six cards, attack power 40 eat 【Chinese Hot Pot】, basic score soars to 41."

"[Sixth Sense] Roll a six, draw six cards."

"An epic fusion of the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and the [Dark Magician]."

"The God of War Descends"

"The challengers were no match for them; they were all dead."

At this point, Chen Mo took out several photos, all of which were of people from Zhong's team.

"Which two are going to fight?" Chen Mo asked.

Li Guanqi picked out two photos and said, "These two."

Chen Mo looked at the photo, a smile playing on his lips, and stared at Li Guanqi's face: "Let me correct your description."

He flipped open a photograph and pushed it out.

"This person is not dead, but seriously injured."

Li Guanqi looked at Lin Chen in the photo and raised an eyebrow: "This young man is really tough?"

"Shouldn't the Spirit Control Bureau consider recruiting such a talent?"

"If there's something to do, push him to the front."

"Join the Spirit Control Division? He doesn't think so." Chen Mo's cold face suddenly twitched at the corner of his mouth, an expression that was hardly a smile.

"Lin Chen said that the first thing he'll do when he can get out of bed is to beat you to death."

"He said it was you who strongly recommended that he challenge the stone pharaoh?"

"Is it my fault?" Li Guanqi leaned against the headboard and shrugged, but the movement aggravated his wound, causing his face to twitch and him to gasp in pain.

Chen Mo looked at him expressionlessly, his eyes as if he were assessing the value of an item rather than listening to the explanations of a wounded soldier.

“However,” Chen Mo changed the subject, adding a strange undertone, “he really should thank you.”

Li Guanqi's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't reply.

Chen Mo stared at him and said, slowly and deliberately, "Fortunately, you pushed him to the right fork in the road."

"What if we went to the left..."

"They'll end up like Chu Linfeng."

"Complete paralysis, turning into a living corpse that can breathe and have a heartbeat."

Chen Mo leaned forward slightly, his calm, deep eyes fixed on Li Guanqi.

So, tell me.

What did you encounter at the left fork in the road?

(End of this chapter)