Chapter 184: Go to Hell - It’s the Cyber Age—Still Playing a Traditional Villain?

Chapter 184: Go to Hell (14th update for the Alliances) "Xu Shi, reserve officer of the Inspection Bureau, reporting for duty!" Early the next morning, Xu Shi arrived at the Inspection Bureau in a new outfit and even performed a mock salute towards Tang Shuang. "That's not even remotely correct. How can you salute so sloppily?" Tang Shuang huffed and stepped forward to correct his posture. "You're so lackadaisical, it's unbecoming." Yu Xingchuan, watching from the sidelines, instinctively shrunk back. To be honest, the deputy hadn't known Tang Shuang would come today. You're the Governor now, aren't you? A surprise visit like this isn't necessary! So the scene played out amusingly. Even though she hadn’t officially taken office, Yu Xingchuan had already donned the director’s uniform of the Inspection Bureau. Now, standing beside Tang Shuang, she felt like the impostor in the presence of the true King Monkey, with no dignity to speak of. She hadn't expected Xu Shi to show up either, especially not in a regular officer's uniform. Even more absurd, Tang Shuang actually dared to scold him? To tell the truth, she and many veteran members of the Bureau were nurtured by Tang Shuang, and facing this scenario triggered some PTSD. What are you up to? It surely seems like you're using your positions to play dress-up, doesn't it? Yu Xingchuan rolled her eyes internally. Truth be told, she was a bit envious—even though she benefited from the recent turmoil, she hoped Xu Shi might help her sidestep thirty years of struggle. She had never hidden her intentions from him and had practically offered herself up to him. Yet Xu Shi's attitude remained unclear, and she felt some regret, looking down at herself in contemplative self-pity. Where am I lacking? Or do you perhaps fancy the "tigress" type? The deputy couldn't help but mutter under her breath. "Got it, Chief." Xu Shi actually found this role play quite enjoyable. "Is there any mission for me today?" “Let me think… I’ll be patrolling later, you can accompany me.” Tang Shuang cleared her throat. "Go to the armory to get a handgun, tear gas, and a stun baton… Never mind, I'll take you there myself, just to make sure you don't try to slack off." "Understood~" Once they were set to go, Yu Xingchuan finally let out a sigh of relief, mixed with amazement. Seriously though, where do community service volunteers get such treatment? Forget the gun, which community service has the chief do it with them? And you say this isn't just for fun? But despite her jealousy, Yu Xingchuan couldn't help but reveal a knowing, aunt-like smile. Sure, everyone at the Bureau feared Tang Shuang, this living demon, but to put it more aptly, it was more of reverence than fear—reverence with a hint of fear. While Tang Shuang's methods might differ from the rest, her character was impeccable, earning genuine admiration from her subordinates. Especially from Yu Xingchuan, who worked closely with her. In truth, she regarded Tang Shuang as an elder sister, so seeing her settled, she felt content. An old superior and Xu Shi getting together didn’t interfere with her plans to cozy up to him. With a bit of effort, opportunities would still arise. Most importantly... Now that you're both gone, I can finally raise my spirits again! The deputy placed her hands on her hips, taking deep breaths to reclaim her authority. ... "By the way, are we really just going on patrol? Shouldn't we grab coffee and donuts first?" Xu Shi, trying this for the first time, was quite eager and peppered Tang Shuang with questions. "Didn't you have breakfast?" Tang Shuang blinked in confusion. "There's no rule against eating and drinking on patrols here, but rarely anyone makes such a combination." "I have eaten, just asking out of curiosity." Xu Shi responded with a touch of disappointment. It's not quite what he imagined... "If we encounter any disorderly 'Forgotten Ones,' can I empty my magazine on them?" "What kind of ridiculous questions are those?" Director Tang frowned, "The most important thing is your safety. But with me around, there's nothing for you and your scrawny limbs to be worried about." "Who's scrawny?" Xu Shi protested, showing off in jest. "I do keep fit, you know. Look, I'm pretty strong." "Get out of here." Tang Shuang chuckled coldly. "Care to spar with a professional, then?" "Professional players are banned." Xu Shi rolled his eyes at her, thinking, 'Even Lin Yue wouldn't lose to you...' "So there you have it." Tang Shuang didn’t care. "Get in, let's go." Patrolling doesn't mean wandering the streets aimlessly. It usually involves two to three officers per group, inspecting various neighborhoods by car. You don't even have to be overly attentive—the City of Sin is heavily monitored, with drones to assist. Though Tang Shuang preferred hands-on involvement, and this patrol was part of her routine. She even somewhat relished the tasks. Especially since it marked her final patrol, closing the chapter of her Inspection Bureau career. And sharing this final tour with Xu Shi only added to the moment. “Speaking of which, when you become Governor, you should revise your hands-on approach.” Xu Shi lazily echoed his thoughts from the passenger seat, “You’ll be overwhelmed with work otherwise, and you need to learn to delegate tasks.” “Sometimes it’s just hard to trust people,” Tang Shuang replied noncommittally. "I keep as much an eye as I can; it doesn't hurt me to be vigilant." "I understand your concerns, but it can backfire, you know?" Xu Shi said, closing his eyes to rest. "Doing everything yourself might lead to a flourishing term, but it'll also prevent you from grooming successors, and things will deteriorate after you're gone." There are historical examples of this, as infamous as Mr. Zhu from the Ming Group. “As for your lack of trust, you should learn the art of delegation.” He continued, “It’s said that a just official must outwit a corrupt one. This doesn’t conflict with your principles.” “…Alright.” Director Tang carefully pondered his words and accepted them quietly. “I’m not an amateur you know… Wait!” She finally realized, “Who’s the boss here? When did this turn into you lecturing me? And look at you—are you on vacation? Sit up straight!" "Alright, alright, alright." Xu Shi stretched and sat up, unable to contain a smile. To him, it truly felt like a vacation. His presence was an option, and even when present, he wasn’t to be bossed around. The reality was, if he wanted to, it wasn't clear who would follow whose lead. Who knew our dear Tang Shuang had such a cute, sometimes clueless side? Roles swapped so naturally... Xu Shi held back laughter, feeling like he might burst. The journey only lifted his spirits further—although it was called a patrol, in truth, it was just an excuse to take in the sights while ensuring law and order. A newly appointed Governor paired with a corporate director—this was less patrol and more of an oversight tour. The restoration work was proceeding commendably. The districts previously affected by the unrest were nearing completion, with various groups working in harmony, creating a scene of renewal. "See, isn't it great?" Tang Shuang commented with satisfaction. "It's no wonder we share the same goal; the City of Sin is bound to be more stable than before." It was true. The conglomerate from six to four, reducing internal conflict. With Xu Shi as a decisive factor, future development looked promising. The issue of the "Forgotten Ones" was resolved too. Back when overseeing the borders, Chief Tang had foreseen conflicts as inevitable. It was a necessary historical phase, better resolved sooner than later. The remaining "Forgotten Ones" were law-abiding, and maintaining this trend would bring peace to all. None of this would have been possible without Xu Shi orchestrating behind the scenes. Reflecting on this, Tang Shuang gazed at Xu Shi with newfound appreciation and admiration. Though he’s a mischievous younger brother, his competence was undeniable, making him hard not to like... These feelings deepened when they reached Sin City—since it was an inspection, every place warranted a visit, so after discussing, Xu Shi and Tang Shuang chose District Five. This area had been the most heavily damaged, an already somewhat desolate region now reduced to ruins. However, personnel from the major conglomerates and the city hall had already begun the intensive rebuilding efforts. One advantage of this era was that once a decision was made, things moved swiftly, without the months of delays caused by endless meetings. In this context, severe damage wasn't necessarily a bad thing—they say you must dismantle to reconstruct. Tearing down old buildings and constructing new roads and tall buildings was, in fact, more convenient. Among them, the people from ‘Quill’ worked the hardest, clearly showing Mr. Wen’s determination. "If I remember correctly, this area is set to be transformed into a school district?" Tang Shuang nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, and the adjacent Fourth District is where ‘Prism’ plans their hospital," Xu Shi enjoyed seeing such developments, given that he was essentially the secret master of this city. Naturally, he wished to see his domain flourish. "Once opinions align, things aren’t difficult to accomplish, right?" Director Tang remarked, "So, on a larger scale, our little Officer Xu is truly a good person." "Please, no, I’m just a businessman," Xu Shi waved his hands quickly. He didn't mind other compliments, but being called a good person—he couldn't quite handle that, especially coming from someone else. "My word is final," Tang Shuang gave him a sidelong glance, "Subordinates can't kiss their superior." "…Fine, you’re the boss, your say goes," Xu Shi chuckled, amused at how she could put a flattering hat on someone. Amidst their banter, the car came to a halt in front of a dead-end blocked by rubble. "Shall we have a look?" Tang Shuang suggested to Xu Shi, "I rarely ventured this deeply on past patrols in Sin City, but we have plenty of time today, so why not explore a bit more thoroughly." "Sure," Xu Shi didn’t oppose. This was likely the area Gu Yi used to live in, right? Revisiting the old place stirred a mix of emotions within him. Unfortunately, they found nothing of interest as they ventured further in, observing mostly deserted, makeshift houses. The residents had mostly relocated, at the very least to prepared temporary housing areas. Thinking about this amused Xu Shi—a sentiment echoed by the residents of Sin City who would often scorn the conglomerates as lapdogs. Yet now, given the chance for an improved life, the detractors seemed to have disappeared, replaced by likes and positive comments from Sin City IPs under various news videos. It’s just human nature, isn't it? Understandable though—who wouldn’t choose a better life over hardship? "Speaking of which, wasn't the Sixth District doing quite well even before ‘Quill’s’ reconstruction plans?" Tang Shuang kicked a stone at her feet. "When ‘Discord’ was wiped out, I worried, but they’ve transitioned remarkably well. I'm pleasantly surprised." "If I’m not mistaken, they're led by a pair of sisters. I might need to meet the elder, Lin Yue, in a few days. Would you like to join?" She asked casually. "No need, you don’t have trouble handling such things, do you?" Xu Shi shook his head. He’d recently had a little ‘tuning’ session with the younger assassin sister, and he needed a break. Besides, if he really wanted to see Lin Yue, it wouldn’t be hard to arrange—a solo visit would suffice. Judging from Tang Shuang’s look, she seemed unaware of the connection between him and “Sparks.” "Suit yourself," Tang Shuang huffed. Why does this guy always speak so off-puttingly? Even praises sound unpleasant when he says them… But in the next instant, her pupils suddenly constricted. She drew her pistol and darted to stand protectively in front of Xu Shi, "Watch out! We’ve got company!" Indeed, there was trouble. Hardly had she spoken when hooded figures sprang from all sides. Some wielded guns, others knives, attacking them without mercy. Their attire made it clear these were remnants of ‘Dragon City’ and Shen Qin’s faction of the “Forgotten Ones.” Xu Shi had just spoken to Tang Shuang yesterday about dispatching forces to eliminate these threats, not expecting to encounter them here—they were truly tenacious… Nevertheless, they were no match for Tang Shuang. Without needing her abilities, she effortlessly dealt with the attackers using just her superb marksmanship, swiftly ending the battle. “What the hell… What’s happening...” One of the leaders muttered in disbelief before dying, clearly shocked to have encountered such a formidable opponent. Bad luck was indeed on their side. After the recent turmoil, these remnants harbored intentions of lurking and causing further destruction. Spotting Xu Shi and Tang Shuang entering this ruin, they decided to reckon a strike against them. Taking down a few Inspection Bureau personnel could at least create some chaos. It would definitely have an impact, especially if they took down officers. The significance would be even greater. Unfortunately, they had never seen Tang Shuang. During the unrest, she hadn’t been on the frontline… Xu Shi was more well-known, but dressed in a Bureau uniform today, they hadn’t recognized him. They planned to cause some chaos, only to awaken a sleeping beast. "Are you okay, Xu Shi?" After the last foe was down, Tang Shuang turned and hurriedly asked, "Were you hurt anywhere?" Xu Shi shook his head, just fine—during the ambush, Director Tang instinctively shielded him, not a hair harmed. "Good," Tang Shuang carefully checked, only then did she let relief wash over her, though her tone didn’t soften, "If something happened to you, ‘Serpent’s Ring’ would have had my head…” Yet, before she could react, Xu Shi suddenly drew his gun and aimed it right at her forehead. Without any hesitation, Xu Shi pulled the trigger. “Go to hell.” Bang. Blood spattered.