Chu Ning immediately convened a meeting with his trusted confidants upon returning.
If the matters entrusted by Yun Shao were not handled properly, his position would not only be at risk but he might also perish. It wasn't that Yun Shao intended to take his life, but rather that there were definitely individuals within the organization who wished him ill.
Occupying this position, while appearing to wield immense power, had in fact offended numerous people. The territory ruled by the Heavenly Palace was vast, making the search for an individual akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, there was a sliver of a clue; otherwise, Chu Ning would have been utterly clueless.
If it were in the past, finding someone would have been a simple matter. However, in this post-apocalyptic world, the surveillance equipment in many areas had long been damaged. The sooner Ye Yu was found, the more it would prove Chu Ning's capability to hold his position and serve Yun Shao.
Chu Ning stared at the map, lost in thought, pondering where Ye Yu might appear. The biggest challenge was deducing Ye Yu's likely whereabouts based on what he was doing and what he needed. Therefore, Chu Ning ordered an investigation into what had happened at Ye Yu's previous location.
Half a day later, Chu Ning received the intelligence from his subordinates. At Ye Yu's former location, a significant number of powerful mutated beasts and zombies were no longer present. Chu Ning immediately connected this to Ye Yu's abilities, wondering if he possessed a devouring superpower. Only a devouring ability could explain the multitude of powers he wielded.
"Could it be a devouring ability?" Chu Ning added the note "Suspected Devouring Ability" to Ye Yu's file.
"Order those under your command to constantly monitor the number of superpowered zombies and mutated beasts, and any fluctuations in the surrounding environment. Report any anomalies immediately; you can contact me directly."
After issuing his instructions, Chu Ning quietly awaited news of Ye Yu. As long as Ye Yu sought to grow stronger and exact revenge, he would undoubtedly stir up trouble. Once Ye Yu appeared, Chu Ning would immediately lead his superpowered army and conventional forces to apprehend him. Chu Ning imposed a very tight deadline on himself, believing that only this would create sufficient pressure.
...
Zhao Yunhai, after delegating the task to Chu Ning, continued his leisurely travels with Yang Hui. Yang Hui had now witnessed the most brutal aspects of human nature in this post-apocalyptic world. Most of the small, straggling groups surviving in the wilderness were deliberately tolerated by the Heavenly Palace. These were presented as proof that the outside world was dangerous, and that staying within the main cities ruled by the Heavenly Palace was the safest option. However, it also represented opportunity and risk, which is why many who yearned for success and refused to live ordinary lives ventured out. These gradually formed small groups seemed to understand that the Heavenly Palace cared little for them, and thus grew increasingly brazen. The wilderness had become a lawless frontier. Nevertheless, they dared not provoke the authority of the Heavenly Palace, for to do so meant certain death.
Zhao Yunhai and his party encountered several individuals who lacked foresight, and they were swiftly and mercilessly eliminated.
"How is it? This world is cruel and realistic. Are you still adapting?" Zhao Yunhai asked, his gaze filled with concern.
"I'm adapting, more or less. But it's better to see less of it," Yang Hui replied, her expression somewhat disturbed. Born in an era of peace, she had never witnessed such things firsthand.
"That's good. Don't force yourself. Just treat it as if you're watching a movie," Zhao Yunhai consoled her. He was already surprised that she had managed to endure this long. Yang Hui was indeed the woman he fancied; she was unlike any other.
"Mm," Yang Hui nodded. While she could grudgingly accept it, she still wished not to see such sights again; the scenes were too shocking. She knew that her man could resolve the issues here with a single word, but he chose not to, clearly leaving them as they were. Yang Hui understood his intentions and therefore did not make any foolish suggestions for him to fix everything.
"Shall we go visit the main city of the Heavenly Palace? It's become quite similar to modern civilization now," Zhao Yunhai suggested, looking at the darkening sky. He had intended to continue their travels, but the weather had turned unfavorable.
"Sure, I don't want to linger here any longer," Yang Hui replied. She longed to go back, take a good bath, change her clothes, and then go shopping with her man.
...
In a desolate wilderness teeming with terrifying zombies and mutated beasts, a battle erupted. Ye Yu had been discovered. The large-scale consumption of mutated beasts and zombies alerted the Heavenly Palace personnel who had been ordered to monitor him. Chu Ning, in the fastest mode of transportation, arrived immediately with over three thousand men. Combined with the local forces, it should have been sufficient to deal with Ye Yu. However, Ye Yu had grown stronger by devouring these mutated beasts, and those who tried to delay him could not hold him back. Ye Yu's physique had become exceptionally formidable; the immense consumption of mutated beasts rendered him impervious to much of the damage. Although he managed to escape, Ye Yu’s mood did not improve. At this moment, Ye Yu did not possess the leisure of a young master like Zhao Yunhai, who was enjoying sightseeing with a woman. The people of the Heavenly Palace were truly detestable, relentlessly pursuing him as if their lives depended on it. Ye Yu's location remained exposed; he knew that their true strength lay behind them. If he were to be trapped, he might truly never escape. It was evident that the man he encountered earlier was no ordinary person, perhaps even a high-ranking official of the Heavenly Palace.
"Ye Yu, surrender obediently. Struggling is futile," a voice boomed. "Your only fate for offending the Heavenly Palace is death."
Before Ye Yu could catch his breath, the Heavenly Palace forces caught up again.
"Damn it, you're like persistent phantoms," Ye Yu cursed through gritted teeth, "When I become stronger, I will repay you a hundredfold."
However, he still had to run. Killing these individuals would not benefit him in any way; they were expendable to their superiors. Conversely, if he were held back, and their reinforcements arrived, he would be the one at a severe disadvantage. With his speed ability and reinforcement ability, Ye Yu vanished in an instant.
"I've memorized his scent. He cannot escape," a lecherous, plump man said, sniffing the ground with extreme confidence and pride.
"Fatty, hurry up and lead us. If we lose his trail, not only you and I, but even our superiors will be demoted. You'll have to bear the consequences," a tall, thin man urged the fatty impatiently.
"Don't worry, he's this way," the fatty quickly pointed in a direction. "The person might be gone, but the unique scent has lingered in the air for a long time."
"Pursue!" Following the fatty's directions, the group continued their chase after Ye Yu.
"A dog's nose?" Ye Yu, while running, thought with resignation. He knew they had superpowered individuals specializing in tracking.
"Kill them and leave, or don't kill them," Ye Yu pondered as he ran.
"Ye Yu, where do you think you're going?" Chu Ning's voice directly boomed from above Ye Yu. He looked up to see Chu Ning hovering in mid-air, his wind-elemental wings extended, looking down at him. In the sky above, over a dozen transport planes were air-dropping superpowered individuals, their parachutes opening and filling the sky.