"Does it require your attention?" Bai Lin looked at Yun Meng with a cold expression.
"Hmph... I'm only looking out for your safety," Yun Meng retorted, his own expression turning angry as he noticed Bai Lin's mood shift.
The air between them remained tense, as if they were natural enemies.
The staff in the research area were accustomed to this scene, as the two of them would argue at least three to four times a day before reaching a truce.
"What do you mean by that? I'm here to help you, and my position is technically half a level higher than yours," Bai Lin stated.
"I just feel that you always act rashly, without reporting or consulting me. How does that put my position as leader? I am the one responsible for this mission," Yun Meng immediately countered, hearing Bai Lin's words.
"You're just responsible, what do you think you are?" Bai Lin snapped.
"You..." Yun Meng was unable to refute, as although he was the superior here, Bai Lin's rank was indeed half a level above his.
Yun Meng was furious. Bai Lin's insult, questioning his status, was not subtle at all. She had said it directly in front of the research personnel, and the armed personnel were also present.
Such a public humiliation was deeply upsetting and embarrassing for Yun Meng.
Yun Meng's face darkened, and he remained silent.
Yun Meng's aura surged. At that moment, he wished he could kill Bai Lin to vent his anger, but he couldn't. He would not risk his future for someone as insignificant as her.
"Hmph..." Yun Meng waved his hand and turned to leave.
As he neared the exit, he struck Chen Fan with a palm. Chen Fan, with his advanced skills, naturally saw Yun Meng's attack.
The palm hit Chen Fan, who was impersonating an armed personnel, sending him flying backward onto the ground.
Chen Fan immediately used his Golden Silkworm Cloak to conceal all his life force and lay motionlessly on the ground.
"If there's a next time, you'll end up like this armed personnel," Yun Meng said darkly to Bai Lin.
At this moment, Bai Lin, aware that Chen Fan possessed a divine artifact that could conceal his life force, didn't say much. She simply stared blankly at Yun Meng, fear evident in her eyes.
Seeing this, Yun Meng nodded with satisfaction and walked out.
"You few... throw this corpse out," Bai Lin pointed at a few research personnel, ordering them to dispose of Chen Fan's "body."
The male research personnel from Yun Meng's seventh district seemed unfazed by Yun Meng's act of killing.
They walked over expressionlessly, picked up Chen Fan's "corpse," and carried it out.
Bai Lin's face was grim, as if she was strongly opposed to such actions, but she was helpless. After all, Yun Meng was the leader here. Her state was observed by the surrounding research personnel.
After the male research personnel carried the body outside.
"Why do you think Leader Yun Meng treats Secretary Bai Lin like that?" one of the researchers ahead asked.
"I don't know. Leader Yun Meng usually doesn't interact with Secretary Bai Lin. Is he trying to assert his authority?" another researcher wondered.
However, they quickly discarded Chen Fan's body in the back mountain and left.
"This person is really heavy," one of them complained as they walked.
As soon as the two left, Chen Fan got up, transformed, and reappeared as another armed personnel, emerging from the back mountain.
In District Thirteen, all armed personnel and guards were equipped with independent titanium alloy masks and full-body integrated armor. This was to better contend with martial artists.
After all, even with a rifle, an ordinary person couldn't withstand a single punch from a martial artist, so what use would they be?
With District Thirteen's specialized full-body integrated armor, one could withstand at least a full-force strike from a peak Houtian realm martial artist before it shattered. District Thirteen was still striving to develop even more advanced human armor. The motto of District Thirteen was: "Technology versus Martial Arts."
Chen Fan walked into the research area, and upon entering, said to Bai Lin.
"You called for me?"
Bai Lin noticed that Chen Fan's voice was different, no longer that of the deceased armed personnel.
"Yes, that's right. You stand guard outside. If anything is needed, I'll call you," Bai Lin said, intending to test him.
Chen Fan, hearing Bai Lin's words, walked to the research room door and stood guard with a darkened expression.
"Alright, you damn Bai Lin, wait until I've destroyed District Thirteen. Then I'll catch you and your sister and give you a good beating," Chen Fan thought.
Seeing Chen Fan obediently walk out, Bai Lin chuckled softly. Her icy demeanor combined with a sweet smile instantly led to some researchers teasing her, assuming she had encountered something amusing.
"So our Secretary Bai can actually smile," one researcher remarked.
"I think Secretary Bai is so beautiful," was another researcher's thought.
The entire research area was abuzz with chatter.
Bai Lin playfully said, "Oh, I was just thinking about my boyfriend... I wonder how he's doing. I volunteered to come here and don't even know how I'll get back. Stop teasing me." She shyly averted her gaze, her demeanor instantly changing. The researchers were surprised to see the usually cold woman display such a radiant smile.