"What's wrong?" Tong Yang asked, turning her head.
Yang Miao immediately wiped the taunting look off her face and shook her head innocently. "Nothing, sis."
Tong Yang pursed her lips, glanced at the boy at the car window who wore a look of resentment, and decided not to stir up trouble. She told Yang Miao to hold on tight, started the motorcycle, and headed back to the training base.
Back at the training base, Tong Yang parked the bike and put the helmet back in its place. Looking down, she saw Yang Miao wiping blood that had flowed from her nose.
"What happened?" Tong Yang asked.
Yang Miao flinched, guiltily looked away, and hid her hand behind her back. "Maybe I'm just... heaty."
Tong Yang said, "You might as well say she hit you too hard."
Another trickle of blood ran from her nostril. Knowing Yang Miao didn't want to talk about it, Tong Yang didn't press further. "Let's stop the bleeding first."
"It's fine, it'll stop on its own soon," Yang Miao said with an air of indifference.
Tong Yang paused. "Has this happened before?"
"Sometimes. It's not a big deal. Maybe I caught a chill."
Catching a chill doesn't cause nosebleeds. Tong Yang didn't call her out on it. If she said her body was fine, it wasn't Tong Yang's place to argue.
That night, Yang Miao stayed over at the training base.
The next day, Xue Wei found her, and the two of them dropped Yang Miao off at school before taking an aircraft to the slums.
"Did the higher-ups agree?" Tong Yang asked.
Xue Wei said, "No other choice. Might as well go for broke now."
Tong Yang stayed silent, offering no opinion.
Soon, the combat aircraft arrived over the slum district. Besides theirs, several other escort aircraft flanked them.
Arriving at a spot frequented by militants, one of the aircraft lowered its window and broadcast its purpose to those on the ground below.
The ground was eerily quiet. The neatly arranged buildings showed no sign of human life.
"Cease the bombing of the slums, or we will not accept any terms."
The broadcast voice echoed. With too many hiding spots on the ground, it was impossible to tell where the speaker was concealed.
"The United Government respects the human rights of the slum dwellers. Please do not view us with hostility. If there is any misunderstanding regarding Yang Tong's death, after a thorough investigation, the United Government will certainly clear your names."
This broadcast was clearly aimed at the Time Anchor.
It was precisely because they had pinned Yang Tong's death on the Time Anchor that they had a pretext to bomb the slums.
"Your negotiation lacks sincerity. We have decided to cease talks until you stop bombing the slums," said the militants.
"Since you are unwilling to negotiate with the United Government, we have specifically found a slum resident willing to help ease relations to convey the United Government's intentions. If you are distrustful, she can come alone to negotiate with you."
After the aerial announcement ended, the ground fell silent for several minutes.
The voice continued, "The United Government is reluctant to use force against innocent people. This stalemate benefits no one. Please consider this carefully."
After several minutes of silence, a voice finally came from below.
"Send her down alone. Otherwise, we will continue our attacks."
Inside the aircraft, Xue Wei and Tong Yang exchanged a glance.
"Be careful."
Tong Yang nodded. "Mm."
Xue Wei said, "If you encounter any unexpected situations, find a way to extract yourself. We'll provide cover from out here."
"I understand."
The combat aircraft slowly descended. The hatch opened, and Tong Yang stepped out.
Xue Wei then piloted the aircraft back into the air, circling overhead.
Tong Yang scanned her surroundings, sensing several pairs of eyes fixed on her from the shadows.
"Put your hands up," a voice came from just behind a wall.
Tong Yang obediently raised her hands. Moments later, she heard light footsteps approaching from behind. She instinctively began to turn her head but was immediately stopped.
"Don't move!"
The voice sounded like a young woman's.
Tong Yang remained perfectly still. She didn't know if the armed militants were aware of her identity. It would be disastrous if they decided to open fire at the slightest provocation.
A few seconds later, the person walked up behind Tong Yang, pressing the cold muzzle of a gun against her back. "Walk forward."
"Alright," Tong Yang complied with a nod.
Following the woman's directions, Tong Yang walked to an unfamiliar street. An eyepatch was handed to her from behind.
"Put it on."
Tong Yang took the eyepatch and put it on.
Plunged into darkness, her other senses heightened. The woman didn't speak again, simply grabbing her arm and leading her on a winding route.
After a few minutes, Tong Yang heard a loud "creak" ahead.
The sound echoed in a hollow passageway. Tong Yang understood; she was being taken underground. This must be their temporary hideout.
Entering the passage, their footsteps echoed. After walking for about ten minutes, the woman stopped. "Take it off."
Tong Yang removed the eyepatch. Harsh light made her frown in discomfort. After adjusting for over ten seconds, she opened her eyes.
A brightly lit room came into view. Before she could take it all in, a youthful face leaned in close.
"Hey there! Long time no see, sis!" The boy revealed sharp canine teeth, his eyes curved into a pleasant smile.
Seeing the vaguely familiar face, Tong Yang's expression wavered for a moment.
"Whoa! You haven't forgotten me, have you?" The boy widened his eyes in mock hurt, pointing at himself. "Me! It's me! We met at the research base! You guys even snacked on a bunch of our food!"
Hearing this, Tong Yang remembered. This was one of the "Spider" members they had encountered during their first visit to the 749 Bureau.
"What are you doing here?" Tong Yang asked.
The boy said, "Same as you, on a mission."
Tong Yang looked around. Several people in the corners watched her with intense vigilance, gripping their weapons tightly, poised for action.
The boy explained, "Relax, everyone. She's one of us."
It seemed the others weren't aware of Tong Yang's identity yet.
Tong Yang asked, "Is anyone else here besides you?"
The boy said, "I'm Mi Qi. Besides me, there's Sister Tang Li and the others, but they're not here. They have other tasks."
"Tang Li is here too?"
"Yeah, Sister Tang Li arrived earlier than you. She's in the affluent district, I think. I can't reach her."
Tang Li was in the affluent district? Did that old fox Wu Pingxue deliberately send her to the slums?
Mi Qi turned to the others, seeming quite familiar with them already. "No need to be nervous, everyone. She is the Time Anchor."
Tong Yang raised an eyebrow, surprised he would state it so bluntly.
Noticing her surprise, Mi Qi explained, "Don't worry, sis. They're all trustworthy people."
"I'm Bai Sining."
The girl who had brought Tongyang in stepped forward to introduce herself.
Tong Yang shook her hand. "I'm Tong Yang."
Mi Qi couldn't help but marvel, "Sister Tong Yang, I really didn't expect you to infiltrate the United Government. Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"
Tong Yang lowered her gaze. "Most likely, I already have been."
Mi Qi blinked. "What?"
"But... he probably won't tell."
Mi Qi asked curiously, "Who?"
Tong Yang said, "You don't know him."
The person Tong Yang was referring to was Xue Wei.
Upon careful reflection, almost every step Tong Yang took was facilitated by Xue Wei, including her first participation in the bombing and this current negotiation.
Whatever Tong Yang wanted to do, he would deliver the opportunity right into her hands, making her deeply suspicious of his motives.
"Tch, I'd know her if you just told me."
Tong Yang ignored him, looking around the room's facilities, which were fully equipped.
"Were all these made by yourselves?"
Even though she already knew, Tong Yang still felt a sense of astonishment.
In the resource-scarce slums, this place was almost identical to the real world, truly remarkable.
Bai Sining said, "Wasn't the real world built from nothing too? Moreover, we have the experience of our predecessors; creating these things isn't difficult."
Tong Yang nodded, "That's true."
"Have a seat and some tea."
Tong Yang sat down at the table. The people standing in the corners gradually came forward, looking at her with curiosity.
"You're so young."
"I thought you'd be older."
"I've heard so much about you, you're amazing!"
"Yeah, those guys in the Second World are especially wary of you."
"I saw you last time! Your reflexes are so fast, my anti-gravity filament couldn't catch up."
"Never would have thought you actually infiltrated the training base."
"The United Government is so sinister, framing Yang Tong's death on you, making you bear the blame while they bomb the slums without a shred of guilt."
"That Yang Tong isn't a good person either; she never actually died."
Tong Yang asked, "How do you know she's not dead?"
"We found Yang Tong's corpse. Although the face was destroyed, she had many illnesses before death, probably incapable of self-care. How could she possibly pass the slum test? It can only mean the dead person wasn't Yang Tong at all."
"She must be in cahoots with the United Government, disregarding the lives of everyone in the slums!"
Mi Qi let out a snort, watching them as if enjoying a show.
Tong Yang remained perfectly calm and said, "I am Yang Tong."
"You think she's no good too... huh?"
"Who? Who are you?"
Tong Yang said, "I am Yang Tong. After passing the civilian district test, they came for me at night and brought me into the slums. I didn't know their purpose beforehand."
Everyone looked embarrassed, awkwardly saying, "I thought so. On second thought, there's a strange connection between your two names."
"So it's you..."
Tong Yang smiled and said, "Let's skip the small talk for now and get down to business. The United Government wants to meet with the Time Anchor—that is, me."
"Mhm, we know. Anyway, we only have weapons. Whatever you plan to do, we'll try our best to cooperate."
"Everything is to return to the real world."
Tong Yang said, "Actually, there's a way to take you all back right now."
As long as Wu Pingxue guides Yan Qing from the parallel world, it could be done.
"Really?"
"Is that true?"
Mi Qi was somewhat surprised that Tong Yang was telling these people so directly, especially since they still needed their help.
Tong Yang nodded, "Yes."
The development of events would inevitably involve sacrifices. She didn't like sacrifice, nor did she like others sacrificing. Laying everything out clearly and letting others choose to stay or leave meant they would bear the consequences of their own choices, with no one to blame but themselves.
Mi Qi didn't quite understand her actions but didn't interrupt.
They had been dragged into the parallel world for no reason, hiding in the slums all these years just to return to their former home. The conflict among the three worlds would certainly cause casualties. They were just ordinary people and shouldn't be sacrificed passively.
"If we can go back now, that would be great! But if we don't resolve this matter completely, others will be dragged in for no reason too."
"Exactly, we've already put in so much effort; we can't give up now. You also need help."
"We're all fighting for the real world. How can we abandon you and go back by ourselves at a time like this?"
"We'll complete the mission and go back together!"
Tong Yang lowered her gaze. She had guessed as much.
People who could persist for decades under such circumstances, searching for a way home, and who, failing that, would forge a new path to overthrow the United Government—even as ordinary people, they wouldn't quietly return to the real world just like that.
Hearing their answers, Mi Qi looked somewhat stunned and couldn't help saying, "Staying in the First World could mean many people will die."
"So what? Haven't enough of us died already?"
"If we go back like this and the mission fails, others who get dragged in will have to start from scratch. It's better for us to continue. We've been here so many years anyway; a little more time won't matter."
Bai Sining said, "However, even if the mission fails, the survivors can still return to the real world, right?"
Tong Yang nodded, "Correct."
A smile appeared on Bai Sining's face. "Thank you for telling us this. When this is over, we'll go back together."
"Right, we'll go back together!"
"Together!"
Mi Qi laughed heartily, "Then let's all go back together."
Bai Sining asked, "What now?"
Tong Yang said, "I want to talk with the United Government. I don't know what their real plans are."
Bai Sining said, "Then you stay here for now. I'll go out and notify them that we're willing to negotiate."
Tong Yang thought for a moment, "Use me as a hostage. Have them send someone else over."
"Alright then."
"Okay."
Bai Sining left the room to relay the message to Xue Wei and the others that they were willing to negotiate.
Mi Qi asked the others to leave temporarily, leaving only him and Tong Yang in the room.
Mi Qi asked, "You plan to cooperate with the United Government?"
"Not cooperate. Utilize." Tong Yang said.
Wu Pingxue wanted her to find the twelve families corresponding to the twelve doors. There were many families in the affluent district; finding them all would take who knows how long. It was better to find another way.
Moreover, given the current situation, the parallel world that had overdeveloped magnetic energy held the initiative. If she could find a way to suppress them first, the situation might improve.
Just as she used the parallel world to pressure the First World into bombing the slums, perhaps she could also use the First World to pressure the parallel world, reaping the benefits herself.
But she still needed to see what the United Government intended.
A little over ten minutes later, Bai Sining returned to the basement with several people.
Leading them was an elderly man with greying temples, followed by Xue Wei.
Bai Sining said, "I only agreed to negotiate with you again because I heard you bear no ill will towards the Time Anchor. If you dare deceive me or try any tricks, I guarantee you won't leave here alive."
The elder asked, "May I ask where the Time Anchor is? I hope to meet and negotiate with her directly."
Bai Sining said coldly, "On this point, let me reiterate: it is impossible for you to meet the Time Anchor. Who knows what tricks you might try to pull."
The old man said helplessly, "We've come here without carrying any weapons. How could we try to trick you? Unless we have a death wish."
Xue Wei chimed in, "Miss, there are some matters we must discuss with the Time Anchor in person. If we wanted to play tricks, why would we keep choosing to negotiate with you despite repeated setbacks?"
Bai Sining remained unmoved. "I will relay any message for you."
The old man, truly out of options, said, "At the very least, prove to us that the Time Anchor is in the slums. Your word alone isn't enough; we can't fully believe it."
Mi Qi let out a derisive laugh, twirling a silver-white dagger in hand. The blade rested against Tong Yang's cheek. With an innocent smile but eyes like a venomous snake, she said to Tong Yang, "And this is what you call sincerity?"
Tong Yang looked up. "Sincerity should be mutual. You claim to work for the Time Anchor, yet the Time Anchor hasn't shown herself from start to finish. We just want proof, any form will do."
The old man nodded. "She's right. Any method will do, as long as it can prove she is here."
Bai Sining's attitude softened slightly, and she glanced at Mi Qi.
Mi Qi rested her elbow on Tong Yang's shoulder, tapping the blade idly against her cheek. She smiled, revealing sharp canine teeth. "Alright, you want proof? That can be arranged."
The old man asked, "How do you plan to provide it?"
"How about coordinates?"
The old man narrowed his eyes. "Coordinates?"
"If the Time Anchor's coordinates appear here, wouldn't that be the best proof?" Mi Qi said.
Tong Yang shot her a discreet glance. She wasn't wrong; the Time Anchor's coordinates appearing here would indeed be the best proof.
The old man looked at the group. "After negotiating for so long, I never asked: why exactly are you working for the Time Anchor, and how did you manage to shield her coordinates?"
Mi Qi said with a smile, "Sorry, that's classified. If you need proof, the Time Anchor's coordinates will appear in the slums in ten minutes."
The old man gave her a deep look and, surprisingly, refused. "No need. I believe the Time Anchor is in the slums at this very moment."
Mi Qi wasn't surprised and smiled. "It's best that you believe us. To be honest, providing proof would make things very troublesome."
The old man smiled. "Exactly."
As for the "trouble" they mentioned, it was undoubtedly the Parallel World.
Once the Time Anchor's coordinates were revealed, the Parallel World might detect them immediately, which would be detrimental to both the First World and Tong Yang.
Mi Qi said, "Old sir, speak plainly. What are your intentions?"
The old man said, "The United Government wants the Time Anchor to enter the affluent district. The Second World has been coveting her life, and they might directly attack you soon. If she enters the affluent district under our protection, she will at least be temporarily safe from mortal danger."
Tong Yang's gaze turned distant. Such high-sounding words were merely for the sake of controlling her whereabouts.
Mi Qi laughed. "And then conveniently place the power of life and death over the Time Anchor in your hands? What's the difference between dying immediately at the hands of the Second World and dying a little later at yours?"
The old man said, "As long as she is willing to cooperate, we will not harm her."
Mi Qi asked, "Not now, and not ever in the future?"
The old man replied, "Never in the future."
Mi Qi found this laughable. "What? Have you given up on the Third World?"
The old man then said, "As long as she is willing to cooperate, we have a way to erase the Time Anchor from her."
Hearing this, everyone in the room was stunned.
Mi Qi's pupils narrowed. "What do you mean?"
The old man smiled gently. "This is the United Government's greatest show of sincerity. With her consent, we can transfer the Time Anchor to another person."
"And the condition?" Mi Qi asked.
"She needs to stay in the affluent district to contain the Second World until the United Government is fully prepared," the old man stated.
The room fell into silence.
Transferring the Time Anchor? Wu Pingxue had never mentioned such a thing. The Parallel World couldn't kill her and had no such plans either. It seemed this was something only the First World could do.
The Time Anchor could actually be transferred?
Unheard of.
Fortunately, Mi Qi didn't give an answer immediately. Her gaze grew profound, displaying a maturity that didn't match her age. "There are no conditions for transferring the Anchor?"
The old man said, "There are."
"What are they?"
"First, it requires her complete and voluntary consent. Second, it can only be transferred to someone who shares a blood relation with her."
In the real world, there was only one person related by blood to Tong Yang: Tong Le.
Mi Qi lowered her gaze, looking at Tong Yang's grim expression. It was no exaggeration to say she could sense killing intent emanating from her.
Mi Qi smiled. "It seems the negotiations are about to fail. The Time Anchor will not agree to your conditions."
The old man said, "Blood relations can be reconstructed through technology. As long as she agrees, anyone in the Third World can share a blood relation with her."
Disgusting.
Tong Yang felt nothing but disgust.
Mi Qi smiled, but there was no mirth in her eyes. "We are deeply sorry, but the negotiations are over."
"If you continue to bomb the slums, we will continue to resist."
Bai Sining raised her pistol, aiming at the three. "Please leave."
The old man said helplessly, "Why be like this? We still hope you will convey this to the Time Anchor and let her make the decision."
Bai Sining repeated, "Please leave."
Xue Wei walked to Tong Yang's side, pulling her up from the chair. "Let's go."
The old man said no more and was the first to leave the room.
In the underground passage, cold air poured in, carrying a faint, elusive scent of rust.
The fluorescent lights above the passage had inexplicably dimmed compared to when they arrived, casting a faint yellowish glow.
"Drip—"
A drop of bloody water seeped through the ceiling and fell right in front of Tong Yang.
"Swish—"
"Swish—"
Several strange sounds came from ahead. Xue Wei suddenly grabbed the old man's clothes and pulled him in front of the group as a shield.
"Thud—"
"Thud—"
Metal arrowheads pierced through the old man's body. His eyes widened in disbelief, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Go back!" Xue Wei threw down the old man's corpse and said to the three others.
The four quickly retreated into the room and shut the door.
"Tap—"
"Tap—"
In the empty passage, a chilling sound of footsteps echoed.
Bai Sining asked, "What's happening?"
Tong Yang observed their surroundings. Some things had already quietly changed.
"This is the Parallel World," Tong Yang stated.
Bai Sining was taken aback. "The Parallel World..."
Mi Qi frowned. "Has the Parallel World discovered us?"
Tong Yang, however, snatched the dagger from Mi Qi's hand. She grabbed Xue Wei from behind, pressing the knife tip against his flesh, and said coldly, "Did you do this?"
The one who had caused Tong Yang to come here in the first place was Xue Wei.
Xue Wei glanced at her sideways but didn't answer immediately.
From under the door crack, a crimson liquid began to seep in.
