Let them offer their loyalty!

Secretary Bai not being dead was something Qiu Tu had suspected.

But what he didn't know was that Secretary Bai's identity was actually problematic?

He remembered reading Bai's dossier. Bai's parents were grassroots officers who fought alongside Rao Shou.

But they died early, leaving only Bai alone.

Orphans like these were plenty back then, so Rao Shou took them all together to care for them.

And when they reached the right age, they needed to be educated, so Rao Shou sent them to the "Officer Academy."

As one of the most orthodox in the Sanctuary, Bai received excellent education in the "Officer Academy."

Then around the age of 18, he started working. After a few years at the grassroots level, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a senior member of the Xinjie City Investigation Bureau and a die-hard supporter of Yan Chen.

However... according to Yan Chen's statement.

The dossier in the Sanctuary about Secretary Bai isn't genuine.

Yan Chen said that before he became a teacher at the "Officer Academy," he served in the army and undertook a special mission.

That was shortly after the Sanctuary was established; the leaders wanted to understand the Disaster Zone, so they dispatched Yan Chen and others, disguised as a trade caravan, to infiltrate the Disaster Zone to gather intelligence.

At that time, Yan Chen and his team explored all the way to the heart of the Disaster Zone.

There, it was full of ruins and corpses, looking like a no-man's-land. More importantly, the earth rose from the ground, extending to the sky, forming steep mountains piercing into the clouds.

All roads ended there or extended skywards.

At that time, comparing with pre-Era of Disaster maps, Yan Chen and his team realized they were at the edge of the Northwestern Region. Further ahead should have been one of the world's most prosperous countries.

They didn't understand what was going on back then.

It wasn't until many years later, when Yan Chen's position rose, that he learned from top-secret intelligence: actually... the world's topography had drastically changed by the mid-Era of Disaster.

The descent of the "Boundless Heart Sea" not only introduced Cataclysmic Power and Supernatural Power into the real world, but also the strong separation between the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Region" and the "Edge Region" affected the real world.

Thus, the earth broke and rose, separating the Edge Region from the Core Region. Those mountains are the boundary between the Edge Region and Core Region.

All edge areas have only a few fixed entrances that lead directly to the "central region of the real world."

It was there that Yan Chen unwittingly saved a person... or perhaps an unknown existence.

While exploring, Yan Chen discovered a naked man covered in wounds.

Because he was young and had a conscience, Yan Chen treated the man's wounds and gave him some clothes and food.

Yan Chen felt there was something off about the man at the time but couldn't pinpoint it.

Upon parting, the man gazed fixedly at Yan Chen and said he would repay the kindness.

Yan Chen never took it seriously.

Until many years later, when he met Secretary Bai.

Secretary Bai was truly the perfect assistant and partner. Not only understanding his thoughts swiftly but also exceptionally capable.

Whatever idea he had, Secretary Bai could grasp and execute immediately.

More importantly, Secretary Bai never asked unnecessary questions. No matter what Yan Chen did, Bai would support and implement it fully.

He even carried out tasks involving Evil Gods without hesitation.

Once, after drinking too much, Yan Chen jokingly asked Bai why he was so dedicated to him.

Whether he fancied his daughter and wanted to be his son-in-law.

Secretary Bai merely smiled brightly at Yan Chen and said, "Because I am here to repay you."

In Yan Chen's intelligence reports, he described himself as "instantly sober."

Subsequently, Yan Chen conducted various tests and investigations on Secretary Bai but found nothing.

He couldn't discern what Bai truly was. Like an Evil God but seemed not to be. Like an ordinary person but was completely extraordinary.

Upon realizing Bai was odd, Yan Chen contemplated distancing himself. But Bai was simply too useful, so Yan Chen ultimately kept Bai as a confidant.

It might have been Bai's unclear identity or methods that made cautious Yan Chen desire to sever ties with Bai's repayment.

Finally, this year, the opportunity presented itself.

He persuaded Bai to die for him, framing Qiu Tu. Bai agreed without a second thought.

This surprised Yan Chen, but from Bai's unusual actions, he deduced that Bai might have laid down a backup plan or wouldn't truly die.

Or perhaps... the Secretary Bai who'd been beside him all these years could have been merely a clone or soul of that naked man.

'Old Bai might not even be human?'

'But an unknown entity from the "Boundless Heart Sea - Core Region?"'

This speculation shattered Qiu Tu's worldview.

But upon further reflection, Qiu Tu found it reasonable.

After all... he had previously doubted: Is there truly someone with such high morals during chaotic times?

Their identities and statuses were evidently mismatched. Qiu Tu had no means to control the other party, yet the other party continuously aided him.