Travel through time, and then establish an anomaly management bureau!

Page 24

Zhang Su looked up at him and slowly raised his right hand as well.

He didn't get up, remaining seated, but simply extended his hand.

Randolph didn't seem to care at all, and even leaned forward a little more so that he could easily hold Zhang Su's hand.

One was sitting, and the other was standing with his back bent.

The two shook hands and smiled at each other, the atmosphere was very harmonious, at least for now.

After shaking hands, Randolph straightened up, a look of relief on his face as if he had accomplished his mission: "Well then, this meeting is now over. As agreed, as your reward for answering the questions, here is a Level 4 anomaly. How would you like to receive it? Would you like to come to our city government office to pick it up, or would we arrange for someone to deliver it to your current hotel, the 'White Whale and Anchor'? Or perhaps it could be delivered right here at the Qiu family residence?"

He accurately stated Zhang Su's temporary residence in a natural tone.

Upon hearing the name "Beluga Whale and Anchor," Zhang Su showed no surprise whatsoever, not even raising an eyebrow.

He had already anticipated that since the other party had been able to track him down here, knowing his temporary whereabouts would be a piece of cake.

He said calmly, "Just leave it here. I still have some things to take care of here."

He was referring to the matter of cleaning the Tai Sui from the Qiu family's body.

“Okay, I understand.” Randolph readily agreed. “We will arrange everything today. Well then, I’ll take my leave now, Mr. Zhang Su. I look forward to having the opportunity to speak with you again in the future. This living room will be back to normal in five minutes.”

Randolph turned and walked calmly toward the living room door, his leather shoes making a soft sound on the floor.

Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob, Zhang Su's calm voice came from behind him again: "Wait."

"Do you have any further questions, sir?" Randolph paused, turned around immediately, and asked with a perfectly timed expression.

Zhang Su said, "You won't go back on your promise to the Qiu family about becoming their 'front man' and providing them with protection and status, will you?"

Randolph Stone immediately adopted a serious expression and replied, "Of course not, Your Excellency Zhang Su! Please trust the credibility of our official organization. We would not break our word over something so trivial; that would damage the dignity and credibility of the Empire."

"Moreover, raising the overall social status of the rare races and giving them a fairer living space and development opportunities is itself one of the important issues that the highest levels of the Empire have been actively promoting in the past two years. The relevant policy details will be officially issued in the near future. Our Muyun Port authorities are merely responding to the call and taking the lead in exploring and practicing this new policy. The Qiu family will be an important pilot and demonstration subject under this new policy."

These words were both a reassurance to Zhang Su and an implication to the Qiu family: they were not mere pawns, but rather had taken advantage of the empire's policy reforms. The truth was difficult to discern, but the gesture was unmistakable.

"Thank you for your explanation. I have no further questions." Zhang Su smiled and nodded. "Goodbye, Secretary-General Randolph."

Seeing this, Randolph Stone bowed slightly again, then turned around without hesitation, turned the doorknob, and disappeared outside the door, leaving Zhang Su alone in the quiet living room, where the afterglow of their earlier exchange still seemed to linger in the air.

About five minutes later, the extremely faint, almost imperceptible energy ripple in the air rippled gently like water before disappearing completely.

The invisible sense of "silence" that had isolated the inside from the outside disappeared, and the hustle and bustle of the harbor outside the window once again flooded into the living room.

Zhang Su then stood up, walked to the living room door, and called out to the empty corridor, "Mr. Dongyuan Qiu, the conversation is over, you can come back now."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly. Soon, a series of hurried footsteps came from above the stairs, growing louder as they approached.

Led by Dongyuan Qiu, Yuanhao, Yuanfeng, Yuanhai, Yuanping, Yuanzhi, and Yuanyuan Qiu carrying a medicine bag all hurriedly came down and returned to the living room.

Yuanyuan had clearly missed the most crucial conversations earlier, her face filled with confusion and unease. But seeing that her brother Mingyuan was weak but still in good spirits, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked him in a low voice.

Zhang Su had already returned to his seat in the main seat. His gaze swept over the Qiu family members, whose expressions varied, and finally landed on Dongyuan Qiu. He went straight to the point and said, "Mr. Dongyuan Qiu, my conversation with Randolph Stone has ended. He made it clear that they will fulfill their promise to your Qiu family—to become the official 'front man' in exchange for protection, a higher status, and possible political opportunities in the future. They will not go back on their word."

He also revealed information from Randolph: "In addition, he mentioned that improving the overall social status of the rare race seems to be an important issue that the highest levels of the Calidor Empire have been promoting in the past two years. Twilight Harbor is just a pilot project, and the Qiu family will be an important example. The relevant specific policies are said to be officially issued soon."

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up huge waves in the hearts of the Qiu family.

"Imperial policy? Elevating the status of the Rare People?" Yuan Hao Qiu was the first to exclaim, his face filled with disbelief and deep suspicion. "This... how is this possible?! For thousands of years, when have we Rare People ever had a real status? Could this be a lie made up by that Secretary General to appease us and make us obedient?"

Yuanzhi Qiu pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses sharp and calm, his tone filled with deep doubt: "Big brother is right. This sounds too good to be true, too good to be true. Would the imperial high command really think of us Xiren? Especially at a time like this? It seems more like a pie in the sky, a promise to make us willingly become pawns under their complete control."

Yuanping Qiu also expressed distrust, saying, "Yes, Lord Zhang Su, it's not that we don't trust you. It's just that history has taught us too many lessons about official promises, especially those made to us rare people. Will they really keep their word? What if they turn around and... discard us after we've lost our power?"

Although Yuanyuan Qiu didn't fully understand the cause and effect, she did understand the words "official promise" and "rare status". She looked at her father and uncles and aunts with solemn expressions, and then at her grandfather, her little face full of worry.

For a moment, the living room was filled with doubt and unease about the authenticity of the official promises. A century of wariness forged in blood and tears made them unable to easily believe this "gospel" that had fallen from the sky.

All eyes were ultimately focused on the patriarch, Dongyuan Qiu, who was the one who had direct contact with Randolph and made the key decisions.

Dong Yuan Qiu remained silent, his wrinkled face revealing little emotion, only his murky eyes gleaming with a complex light.

He looked around at his children and grandchildren and said, "Whether it's true or false, arguing about it now is pointless. Whether it's a pie in the sky or a trap, you can't tell just by talking."

"We only need to remember one thing: the path has been chosen. Whether the road ahead is smooth or thorny, we must keep going. Now, let's wait and see, make the necessary preparations, and wait for the policies to be implemented so that the facts can prove them. Before that, being suspicious and paranoid will only cause more trouble."

These calm words temporarily quelled the restlessness and doubts in everyone's hearts.

Yes, the choice has been made, and no amount of doubt can change the status quo. We might as well wait and see how things develop.

Just then, Zhang Su spoke again, posing a question that directly addressed the core fate of the Qiu family: "Mr. Dongyuan, now that you have received a promise of protection from the official organization, do you still want to remove the 'Black Tai Sui' from your body and give up your extraordinary abilities?"

This question struck like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart hard!

The living room fell into dead silence once again; even breathing could be heard clearly.

Yuan Hao, Yuan Feng, Yuan Hai, Yuan Yi, Yi Ping, Yuan Zhi, and even Ming Yuan lying on the bench and Yuan Yuan who had just returned—everyone's heart was in their throats, their eyes fixed on Dong Yuan Qiu.

A contradiction! An extreme contradiction!

On the one hand, it's about escaping the curse and avoiding the physical pain and terminal illness that comes with age. The ultimate desire to become a "warrior" after seventy is a deep longing to enjoy a peaceful old age like an ordinary person.

With official protection, this kind of "ordinary and affluent" life seems within reach.

On the other hand, it is the huge lack of security after losing superhuman powers!

Even with official promises, "asylum" is passive, while "power" is active!

They were accustomed to using their extraordinary abilities to protect their families, deter criminals, and maintain their businesses. If they lost these abilities, even with official protection, they would feel like sheep in a pen, their fate entirely in the hands of others. This dependence on and attachment to power was deeply ingrained.

Two diametrically opposed desires were tearing at their hearts, making it difficult for them to make a decision easily.

In the end, all eyes turned into silent questions, converging on Dongyuan Qiu—the patriarch's decision is the direction of the family!

Faced with Zhang Su's questioning and the tense gaze of his entire family, Dong Yuan Qiu did not hesitate for a moment; his aged voice remained resolute:

"It must be removed!"

This answer suddenly relieved the tension in everyone's hearts, as if a huge boulder had finally been lifted off the ground, but it was immediately filled with more complex emotions - relief, regret, or uncertainty about the future.

"Why, Father?" Yuanhai Qiu couldn't help but ask, his voice filled with confusion. "Since we have official protection, wouldn't it be better for us to preserve our strength and protect the family? Why must we give it up?"

“Yes, Dad,” Yuanzhi echoed softly, his eyes filled with reluctance. “With our strength here, we feel more at ease…”

Dongyuan Qiu did not answer them directly, but instead turned his gaze to his eldest son, the next heir to the family head—Yuanhao Qiu.

“Yuan Hao,” Dong Yuan’s voice carried a testing tone, “as the future leader of the Qiu family, tell them why we must relinquish this power?”

When his father suddenly called on him, Yuan Hao Qiu was slightly taken aback, and then a complex expression appeared on his face, a mixture of helplessness, heaviness and understanding.

He took a deep breath, as if to expel the pent-up emotions in his chest, and explained the deeper meaning behind his father's seemingly self-defeating decision:

"My father's decision was not a result of resentment caused by being tormented by his illness for a long time, but a result of comprehensive consideration of reality and the future."

As he spoke, he glanced at his younger siblings and his two children.

"First of all, the core premise for the government's willingness to protect and elevate us is that we need to completely abandon our supernatural abilities and return to the identity of a pure mortal."

“Think about it, they want to mold our Qiu family into a ‘white glove’ and a ‘model’ for the elevation of the status of rare people. What does a rare family with powerful supernatural abilities mean in the eyes of other races, no matter how low-key they are? It means a threat! It means an unstable factor! They will instinctively reject, suspect, and even be hostile to them. This will only exacerbate the racial divide and make the official ‘elevation’ plan extremely difficult to achieve.”

"And what about a rare wealthy family that is harmless, completely dependent on official protection, and has no supernatural powers? This is more likely to be 'accepted' by mainstream society. They will think, 'Look, these rare people have no claws and teeth, and can only obediently listen to us and live a good life by relying on our charity.'"

"Although this is humiliating, it can minimize the vigilance and exclusion of other races, which is beneficial to the official narrative and better meets their need to create a 'model of successful integration'."

“Secondly,” Yuan Hao’s tone became more serious, pointing to the “imperial policy” revealed by Randolph, “if that policy of elevating the status of rare people really exists and is about to be implemented, then our Qiu family, as the ‘pioneers’ and ‘models,’ needs to be thoroughly ‘purified’!”

"Although the Empire allows some extremely basic and weak supernatural items to exist among the people—such as runestones that can provide temporary illumination or potions that grant night vision—the power of these items is far inferior to that of even the lowest-ranking 'Sequence 10' supernatural beings! The Empire's control over supernatural powers is extremely strict. Any power or knowledge that exceeds the scope of 'Sequence 10' is considered a potential threat to social security and is subject to close monitoring and prohibition."

"And what about our situation? Our Qiu family has six extraordinary individuals out of eight members! Even if they are only Sequence 9 or Sequence 8, this is extremely rare, even 'terrifying,' in the entire Calidor Empire! Once the public finds out that a rare family actually possesses so many extraordinary individuals and related knowledge, what kind of panic and hostility will it cause?"

“Think about it, ‘Rare people are indeed potential monsters!’ ‘They are born with dangerous powers!’ ‘Elevating their status? That’s like cultivating enemies!’—Once such a storm of public opinion is stirred up, not only will our Qiu family instantly become the target of everyone’s criticism, but the national policy aimed at improving the situation of rare people will also be aborted due to huge social resistance, and may even trigger a more serious backlash and purge!”

Yuan Hao's gaze turned incredibly heavy as he looked at his family: "Therefore, out of sentiment—to cooperate with the authorities in creating a harmless image and reducing racial hostility; and out of reason—to avoid hindering the upcoming national policy, or even bringing about annihilation; we must, and can only, completely abandon our supernatural powers and return to being mortals!"

"This is not a choice, but the only path to survival, to seize this unique opportunity to change the fate of our race! Any wishful thinking of preserving our strength is playing with fire and will push our entire family and even the entire rare human group into the abyss!"

Yuan Hao's explanation was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts that they could preserve their strength.

The harsh reality was laid bare before them: power, at this moment, had become the original sin hindering survival and development. In order to survive, and to seize that slim but real opportunity to change the fate of their people, they had to sever this curse and source of power that had accompanied them for centuries.

The guest room was filled with heavy breathing as the guests' clothes were soaked through.

Yuanzhi Qiu pushed up his glasses, and the last trace of struggle in his eyes disappeared, leaving only deep acceptance and heaviness.

Yuanfeng, Yuanhai, and Yuanping all lowered their heads, while Yuanyuan and Mingyuan had red eyes—a mixture of fear of losing their power, longing for a normal future free from the curse, and sorrow for the heavy fate of their family and clan over thousands of years.

Dongyuan Qiu looked at his eldest son's clear and insightful analysis with a gratified expression.

He turned to Zhang Su and bowed deeply: "Your Excellency Zhang Su, the Qiu family has made up their minds. We implore you to remove this 'Black Tai Sui' for us and sever this shackle that has bound us for a hundred years!"

Volume 1: Chapter 23: Simultaneous Surgery, The Dark Lake

"Your Excellency Zhang Su, now that the family has decided to lift the curse, let's not delay and begin immediately!"

Yuan Hao Qiu stepped forward, his tall frame ramrod straight, his face bearing a tragic yet resolute expression. "I am the eldest son, so it is only right that I go first. After me are my younger siblings, Yuanfeng, Yuanhai, Yuanping, and Yuanzhi, then Yuanyuan, and finally..."

He paused, then looked at his father, Dongyuan, with a complicated expression. "Finally, I would like to trouble you to 'release' my father."

Upon hearing this, Yuanyuan Qiu unconsciously clenched her clothes, worried that her father would be the first to undergo surgery.

Mingyuan Qiu, lying on the bench, keenly noticed his younger sister's nervousness. He reached out and gently patted the back of her hand, his voice soft yet reassuring: "Don't be afraid, Yuanyuan. Zhang Su's skills are divine. Look at me, I'm perfectly fine, aren't I? The surgery will be quick, and Dad will be alright."

Yuanyuan bit her lower lip and nodded vigorously: "Mmm..." But the hand that was tightly gripping the hem of her clothes betrayed that the fear in her heart had not completely dissipated.

Looking at Yuan Hao's "heroic" demeanor, and then glancing at the four people from Yuanfeng behind him, each with different expressions but all revealing tension, as well as the frightened Yuanyuan, Zhang Su couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head: "Mr. Yuan Hao, and everyone else, there's no need to be so worried. Although the surgery will be somewhat painful, it's not as terrible as you imagine. Post-surgery, the main issue is some internal organ lacerations leading to internal bleeding. As long as you take medication and rest in time, there won't be any major problems."

"Furthermore, you don't need to line up one by one. Except for Mr. Dongyuan, whose situation is special and requires individual treatment, I can perform surgery on all six of you at the same time—Yuanhao, Yuanfeng, Yuanhai, Yuanping, Yuanzhi, and Yuanyuan."

"At the same time?! Six people?!"

Zhang Su's words made everyone in the Qiu family widen their eyes again.

Performing surgery to remove abnormal parasites from a person's body simultaneously? What terrifying mental strength and micro-management skills would that require?!

In their limited understanding, even a Sequence 6 powerhouse might not be able to perform such precise and large-scale parallel operations. This was simply... this was practically touching the threshold of the Sequence 5 "demigod" realm! Just how unfathomable was the strength of this Lord Zhang Su?!

The Qiu family looked at him with even greater awe and shock; they saw him as if he were a god.

In this situation, Zhang Su's inner monologue: Successfully showed off! Exceptionally effective!

Zhang Su dared to make such bold statements because he had the confidence to back it up.

Just as Yuan Hao was passionately explaining to his family why he was giving up his supernatural abilities, he asked Yuan Shu:

"Yuan Shu, can my mental strength hold up if I perform extraction surgery on six people at the same time? If we do it one by one, I feel like I might not be able to finish after two or three."

Yuan Shu's cold, precise voice immediately responded: "Based on your current mental energy reserves and control precision, performing multiple surgeries alone carries the risk of mental energy depletion and is inefficient. Simultaneously performing surgeries on six people requires a mental load and energy diversion precision far exceeding your current capabilities. Forcing an attempt would have a 99.87% failure rate and could potentially cause severe damage to the target and a backlash against your own mental energy."

Generally speaking, I do not recommend doing this. Please do not have such a dangerous idea.

However, if you really want to perform a six-person surgery, I can assist you in making it possible.

Genshu's voice continued without any fluctuation.

Based on detailed surgical data from the completed case (Mingyuan Qiu), Yuanshu has conducted 1,287,654 simulations and optimization iterations, and has learned the 'Black Tai Sui Embryo Removal and Containment Technique' to a theoretically perfect state. It can now construct a high-performance auxiliary framework, taking over more than 90% of the calculations for microscopic energy guidance, parasite activity suppression, and minimizing tissue damage.

You only need to provide basic energy output and maintain a stable mental link. Within this framework, performing six-target surgeries simultaneously will consume less mental energy than performing three surgeries individually. Feasibility: 98.52%

Zhang Su was overjoyed: "Fantastic! Yuan Shu, you actually managed to do this! Your ability to learn and optimize is more than a hundred times better than the top supercomputer in the world before I transmigrated!"

[It's our responsibility. Optimizing and assisting users is one of the core functions of Source Hub.]

Yuan Shu's voice remained calm and even, but Zhang Su seemed to be able to detect a very faint hint of... pride after being praised?

With Yuan Shu's strong endorsement, Zhang Su was full of confidence. Facing the shocked gazes of the Qiu family, he smiled calmly and said, "Please don't be surprised. Trust me. Now, please have the six of you stand in a circle around me. Relax and do not resist my power."

The six members of the Qiu family exchanged glances, seeing surprise and uncertainty in each other's eyes, but even more so, a desire to break free of the curse and awe of Zhang Su's unfathomable strength.

Finally, Yuan Hao nodded first and said in a deep voice, "Alright! I will follow your arrangements!"

He was the first to stand in the spot designated by Zhang Su. Yuanfeng, Yuanhai, Yuanping, and Yuanzhi followed closely behind. Yuanyuan took a deep breath and mustered her courage to stand next to her father. The six of them surrounded Zhang Su in the center.

"It's starting." Zhang Su shouted in a low voice, his eyes instantly turning serious and focused, and the icy blue light deep in his pupils suddenly shone brightly, like a burning cold star!

[Yuan Shu, activate the multi-person stripping auxiliary framework! Target locked: Yuan Hao Qiu, Yuan Feng Qiu, Yuan Hai Qiu, Yuan Ping Qiu, Yuan Zhi Qiu, Yuan Yuan Qiu! Execute the synchronous stripping containment protocol! Adjust energy output to optimal mode!]

[Command confirmed. Multi-person stripping auxiliary framework initiated. Target locked. Protocol loaded. Energy bootstrapping initiated...]

Om-!

An icy blue light, several times stronger than when he performed surgery on Mingyuan, erupted from Zhang Su's body!

Six streams of condensed, almost tangible, icy blue light instantly spread from his hands, precisely connecting to the six members of the Qiu family who were forming a circle around him!

The light spread rapidly, enveloping the six people, including Zhang Su, in a huge, ice-blue sphere of light filled with complex energy runes.