Dao City University, the library.
The Dragon Department shut down all library surveillance. Every location that might have listening devices was thoroughly checked. Even all electronic equipment was removed to prevent hacker intrusion.
After completing all anti-listening and anti-surveillance measures, Wang Liren then led Ye Ling into a conference room within the library for a private discussion.
As for the other Dragon Department esper, after clearing out the remnants of the Hongchen Pavilion in the school, they liaised with the army outside Dao City University to prepare for handling public opinion.
In the esper circles of the 21st century, during any large-scale battle, what troubled the authorities most was not the casualties on either side or the economic losses incurred.
The most troublesome issue was usually the public opinion generated after the clashes.
In today's society, the esper circles were still hidden among the vast majority of ordinary people.
Governments worldwide were committed to concealing the existence of espers. Therefore, after every large-scale esper battle, China had to expend significant manpower and resources to control public opinion to prevent social unrest.
This time, the battle between Ye Ling and the Hongchen Pavilion not only took place in the urban area but also within Dao City University!
The public opinion generated by this incident was likely to be greater than any previous one. The Dragon Department attached immense importance to it, even leveraging the power of the major aristocratic families.
However, regardless of the raging storm outside, the atmosphere in the library conference room was incredibly oppressive.
Ye Ling sat on a chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, his eyes deep as he looked at the PowerPoint presentation Wang Liren had prepared in a few minutes.
Ye Ling said, "So, of your Dragon Department's two deputy ministers, one, Li Ziwu, is a spy you arranged in the Hongchen Pavilion, and the other, Zeng Zilong, is a mole planted by the Hongchen Pavilion within your Dragon Department…"
"Your Dragon Department's minister, Yue Wu, has been in prolonged seclusion, leading to all major and minor affairs of the Dragon Department being handled by Li Ziwu and Zeng Zilong. The department is broadly divided into the Li faction and the Zeng faction, with balanced strength and their own merits."
"Looking at it this way, your Dragon Department has been almost completely infiltrated by the Hongchen Pavilion."
Wang Liren gave a wry smile, "That's right, Brother Ye. We didn't expect Zeng Zilong to also be a spy for the Hongchen Pavilion. With his position as deputy minister, he must have known that Li Ziwu was a spy the Dragon Department had planted in the Hongchen Pavilion."
"This way, the Hongchen Pavilion knows Li Ziwu's identity but has never exposed him... Regardless of whether Li Ziwu betrayed the Dragon Department or not, the Dragon Department has definitely been led by the nose by the Hongchen Pavilion."
Ye Ling said, "I think your Dragon Department should just disband. The higher-ups have been completely infiltrated, and who knows how many subordinates have defected to the Hongchen Pavilion."
"You, a mere third-rank esper, cannot possibly change the current situation."
The Dragon Department had a minister and two deputy ministers. Currently, both deputy ministers were being manipulated by the Hongchen Pavilion, and the minister was still in seclusion. Ye Ling truly saw no hope for the organization to turn the tide.
Wang Liren said, "Brother Ye, please don't say that. Although I am insignificant, I have a loyal heart. The Dragon Department is the cornerstone of our country's management of the esper circles and the safeguarding of the nation's foundation. I have long decided to dedicate my life to the country and absolutely refuse to see the Dragon Department ruined by the Hongchen Pavilion!"
Ye Ling chuckled, "Then what do you plan to do?"
"Although I don't understand your Dragon Department, you are, after all, an official esper organization, and the power structure is complex. For Zeng Zilong to reach the position of deputy minister in the Dragon Department, there must be a considerable interest group behind him."
"Even if the fact that he is from the Hongchen Pavilion is exposed, he won't be easily removed."
Wang Liren naturally understood how difficult it was to eradicate this tumor, but it wasn't impossible.
He said, "Brother Ye, I have a plan to eliminate the Zeng family and put pressure on the Li family, but I need your help."
"Hearing this from you, why do I feel like laughing?"
Ye Ling's eyes were full of amusement, his sarcasm unconcealed.
Although Wang Liren managed hundreds of Dragon Department espers when he came to Dao City University, and seemed to hold a significant position, in reality, he was merely an external affairs officer on the front lines.
A deputy minister of the Dragon Department was the superior of Wang Liren's superior's superior.
Whether in the eyes of Li Ziwu or Zeng Zilong, Wang Liren was nothing more than an ant that could be crushed at any moment.
Now, an ant was claiming to eliminate an interest group led by a dragon. Such a futile act of a mantis trying to stop a chariot was truly laughable.
However, Ye Ling had interacted with Wang Liren for quite some time, and Wang Liren had indeed helped Ye Ling handle many troublesome matters.
Ye Ling had a good impression of him.
If the plan Wang Liren proposed was even slightly plausible, Ye Ling wouldn't mind helping the Dragon Department eliminate those tumors.
Wang Liren no longer cared about Ye Ling's mockery. He said seriously, "Although the Dragon Department is currently in a stalemate between the Li and Zeng families, the Dragon Department was personally founded by Minister Yue Wu. The highest authority is concentrated in Minister Yue's hands."
"No matter what the Li or Zeng families do, as soon as Yue Wu emerges from seclusion, they will immediately quiet down."
Ye Ling said, "According to you, as long as Yue Wu is brought out, the crisis in the Dragon Department will be resolved?"
Wang Liren nodded, "Yes. It is rumored that Minister Yue broke through to the eighth rank ten years ago. His appearance will definitely stabilize the situation."
"Then what help do you need?"
Ye Ling raised an eyebrow. According to Wang Liren's explanation, as long as Yue Wu emerged from seclusion and was informed of the Dragon Department's current situation, the matter would be easily resolved.
Wang Liren sighed slightly and said, "The problem is that Yue Wu has been in seclusion for ten years. During this time, the Yue family has sealed their gates. Forget about me, even the two deputy ministers, Li Ziwu and Zeng Zilong, have had no opportunity to meet Yue Wu."
"Ten years of seclusion…"
Ye Ling murmured the phrase. Although in the Eastern Xuan Continent, powerful individuals often went into seclusion for hundreds or even thousands of years, it was different on Earth.
The spiritual energy on Earth was currently sparse. High-ranking espers could only seek ancient treasures to break through, absorbing their power.
Seclusion had little meaning for modern espers.
Ye Ling had sufficient reason to suspect that Yue Wu, who claimed to be in seclusion, had actually died within.
Following Wang Liren's lead, Ye Ling guessed that Wang Liren wanted him to go to the Yue family and summon Yue Wu from seclusion.
Although this was a errand, it was fortunately hassle-free, could resolve the Dragon Department's troubles, and deal a heavy blow to the Hongchen Pavilion.
Ye Ling was quite willing to do it.
Wang Liren continued, "That's the situation. Although Yue Wu's emergence from seclusion could easily resolve the Dragon Department's issues, no one knows when Yue Wu will actually emerge."
"So... I want Brother Ye to impersonate Yue Wu and eliminate the Zeng family."
Ye Ling, who was just thinking about finding Yue Wu, was suddenly stunned by Wang Liren's request.
"You want me to impersonate Yue Wu?" Ye Ling's mouth twitched. "Are you not awake?"