Master Bai! This Celestial Fox Spirit Is Asking For Divorce

With that, the wedge between the Bai and Mo families became solid.

Chairman Mao did not want things to reach this point. However, one side had crossed the line, and the other was forced to respond.

The issue was too serious to even think that diplomacy stood a chance of resolving the rift between the Mo and Bai families.

No one really knew what kind of fallout this would cause between the Four Great Families. Chairman Mao just hoped it wouldn't be bad enough to weaken the country's defences.

Chairman Mao saw the Bai family off with a heavy heart. He lost count of the sighs that escaped him, each one tugging years off his life.

He felt truly old at this moment. He can literally see the birth of wrinkles in his handsome face.

Why is it that when life gives you something to worry about, it always comes in droves and all at the same time?

"Ha…" Chairman Mao sighed, the thought creeping in again: How nice would it be to retire and just follow my husband around all day?

Honestly, isn't it unfair that young couples like Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng could easily go around, sticking together like boogers while he and his husband were working away from each other?

While his beloved school director was busy fixing the Qilin University's road, he was here desperately trying to keep things together.

The stress is slowly eating away at his freshness and youth(?)

"Ahhh. I just want to be with my darling," Chairman Mao sighed and buried his head on the papers on his table. He started imagining the sweet time when he finally retires.

He smiled at the fantasy—lazy mornings, good food, noisy bedtime sessions. It had been ages since he put something in his mouth that was truly delicious...

Hehehe.

He shook his head. Shen Yuan's vulgarity is rubbing off on me.

There were still a hundred more urgent matters waiting—especially the chaos the Cardinals left behind.

"Ahem!"

"Kya!" Chairman Mao's soul practically jumped out of his skin. He turned with a scowl, only to see Xia Jinhai sheepishly adjusting his glasses.

"Would now be an appropriate time to make my report, Chairman Mao?" Xia Jinhai asked, already knowing the answer. He let out a breath and added with a small smirk, "You look like you're having a moment, so… probably not."

He turned to leave, but before he could slide the door open, a gust of wind slammed it shut. Chairman Mao's startled expression quickly gave way to a wide, delighted grin.

"No way! Get back here! Why didn't you tell me you were back?" Chairman Mao asked his subordinate who had just returned from an overseas mission. They may have lost their high-profile prisoners, but with Xia Jinhai's investigation result, they may be on track again.

"I was focused on speeding things up on my end, so I did not have the chance to inform you ahead." Xia Jinhai explained. "I heard about the incident. I am sorry for being late, Chairman Mao."

Chairman Mao just shook his head. "While regrettable, it is not your fault. Let's focus on the bright side. How was your investigation?"

He offered Xia Jinhai a seat, and the latter graciously took it.

Xia Jinhai sat straight, his facial muscles in business mode. "Shocking. Aside from uncovering the identities of the owners of the DNA data I have. I retrace every footprint they left."

Chairman Mao became excited, "Does that mean that we know the identities of the necromancer cardinal and his lackey?"

Xia Jinhai slowly nodded his head, "Yes. But it is more complicated than that. Chairman Mao, how much do you trust Madam Zhen?"

Chairman Mao looked at Xia Jinhai, puzzled. "Why are you suddenly bringing up our trusted magic item crafter?"

Xia Jinhai pursed his lips before he presented the facts he found. That discussion took almost the entire day, as Xia Jinhai's result is comprised of 300 pages of confidential documents.

~~~

"Madam Zhen, we are thinking of making at least five armors after the refinement of hydra scales is finished. Do you think you can finish all of it earlier than planned?"

To prepare for war, people need to properly round up resources for better chances of winning.

In Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng's case, they needed to accomplish two things to prepare for aggression from the Mo family and the Cardinals: they must upgrade their hardware and increase the gold in coffers.

Everything that they could get from the Eight-Headed Hydra's carcass was substantial. With it, they can create S-class equipment that will boost their fighting power and, at the same time, become rich by selling quality materials that will make the world want to be on their side.

That is three birds with one stone.

That is the reason why they are in the workshop of the hunter's mall: the Crimson Anvil.

Madam Zhen brought out a knee-high box containing a fraction of the Eight-Headed Hydra's scales. She placed it in front of the S-class couple with a loud thud. Her short, blunt bob swayed so distractingly that it caused the vain celestial fox spirit to stop and marvel at it.

"The processing of the Eight-Headed Hydra took shorter than I thought. I guess you can say that I severely underestimated my ability," Madam Zhen sheepishly played with her bangs. "There are times when I really surprise myself, I tell you that."

"Great." Shen Yuan replied distractedly. "We can move up the auction. By the way, how do you keep your short hair straight yet bouncy?"

"Genes, darling. My Mom married well and chose my Daddy. He died with full, thick hair in his later years. Cause of death: stab in the heart by his mistress." Madam Zhen sassily did a hair flip to further demonstrate the beauty of her hair.

For a moment, the middle-aged beta woman looked like she was filming a shampoo commercial. That is, plus the gory details of her life and the occasional slipping of her black-rimmed glasses down her flat nose.

"Yikes," Madam Zhen's absurd story made Shen Yuan want to lean his back on the chair. That is some disturbing shit. Lucky Yanyan is not here.

On the side, Bai Tingfeng is also shaken at the revelation. But not that much, as he went back to his request and asked again, "Can you create the armors, Madam Zhen? We want them to be done as soon as possible."

"Of course, I can! I made your present armor, son. It is only right to ask me to do the upgrade, and it makes me happy that you approached me for it."

Madam Zhen added, "As a sign of goodwill, I will also make your husband a free armor that pairs with yours. I will make it so that it will blend well with his Nine-Tailed Hanfu."

"Wait!" Shen Yuan interrupted Madam Zhen. "Getting another free item doesn't feel right. You already supplied me with an infinite number of crystal balls for my modelling stint. Giving me a free armor was too much."

Madam Zhen walked towards Shen Yuan and playfully fondled his platinum blond hair. Oh, babe, you have no idea what a favor you did me by agreeing to model our new magic crystal ball. One product shoot, and now everything we sell is flying off the shelves thanks to your face!"

Businesses always love models who sell.

"Isn't that because people are seeing me bashing criminals with crystal balls?"

Madam Zhen's eyebrow flinched. "Well, that is indeed a factor. It is a good demonstration of my weapons' durability. But believe me, your charm is still working well among those alphas."

This time, it was Bai Tingfeng's eyebrow turn to flinch— or rather, his jaw to harden.

"Okay. That is enough. Madam Zhen wants to give a freebie as a sign of goodwill, so she will give us a school bag made from a hydra's scale for free." Bai Tingfeng turned to Madam Zhen. "A good armor is too expensive to be given as a gift. Please accept our compromise."

Shen Yuan and Madam Zhen don't know whether to laugh or cry. This guy is jealous. What the hell.

Madam Zhen clapped, signalling the end of the matter. "Well, a school bag made of S-class materials was too much in my opinion, but I can work with that. A school bag it is!"

Bai Tingfeng and Shen Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. That is one purpose fulfilled.

Bai Tingfeng moved on to the next one, "Now for the auction, since the Crimson Anvil already has a background in conducting an auction, I seek—"

Bai Tingfeng's word was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

"Chairman Mao!" Although her signature sassy tone was still there, Madam Zhen stood up from her seat to give respect to Chairman Mao.

"Xia Jinhai!" Shen Yuan blurted out in delight. This is the first time they have seen each other since Xia Jinhai's return. He must admit: he missed seeing Mr. Glasses. He is itching to hear what crumbs he found abroad.

Surprise momentarily flashed in Chairman Mao's eyes when he saw the couple. He exchanged a profound look with the two and proceeded to enter the room.

Of course, it baffled Shen Yuan, but it did not take long for him to know why Chairman Mao was here.

"Madam Zhen, would you mind answering some questions about Lee Jinhyuk? We found substantial evidence that he is with a terrorist group: the Cardinals."