Chapter 128: First Meeting with Ruan Luoluo

“Minister Lu, how much has the energy index risen?” The virtual figure, noticing Cao Fusheng’s departure, hurriedly inquired.

Soon, Lu Yuan’s excited voice echoed into the conference room: “It has already risen to 40%! My goodness, how did he manage this? It’s simply miraculous! He truly saved Tianzhu! The sacred light outside has recovered to 40 meters! At least for more than a month, we won’t have to worry!”

The conference room erupted in astonishment.

All the ministers stared blankly at the virtual screen, unable to believe their ears—it had truly recovered to 40%!

To put it into perspective, a single deployment of the action forces only brought back enough metallic material to replenish 10–30%, and this man was just one person, no, merely a small team of a few.

Without hesitation, the virtual figure contacted Bian Qiu, who had not yet reached the lowest level. “Minister Bian, have the action forces withdraw. The energy has already recovered to 40%, the crisis is temporarily averted, but maintain the emergency status for unforeseen circumstances.”

“Is that so… quite interesting. Understood,” came the reply.

Then, the figure reached out to Minister Tong. “Minister Tong, how are things on your side?”

“Just finished surgery. We used everything available. Whether she survives depends on her own will,” Tong answered.

“Hmm, the action forces are about to withdraw. Instruct the medical staff on duty to prepare for testing and treatment. This time, the treatment will not consume their contribution points, but they must strictly enforce the life formula and survival laws.”

“Understood.”

After arranging these matters, the virtual figure turned their gaze toward Xun Xin, speaking solemnly: “Minister Xun, inform the public that the crisis is temporarily over and everything is returning to normal. The Supervisory Enforcement Department should continue its work as usual, maintaining proper oversight and enforcement.”

Xun Xin snapped out of his shock and nodded firmly.

“Very well. Everyone, carry out your duties. Minister Ruan, please escort the three of them. I heard there’s also a pet dog? Arrange for it as well. Bring them up to the upper levels and find a vacant room so as not to chill the heart of our old friend who just helped us.”

The words "old friend" slipped out, causing the virtual figure to pause in surprise.

Am I really that close to him? Why did I say that without thinking?

“Leave it to me. I’m quite curious about this big man!” Ruan Luoluo giggled coquettishly.

The virtual figure withdrew their thoughts softly. “Minister Bai, I heard their blood had already been drawn earlier. Accelerate the bloodline testing. Once the results come back, assign them new residences according to the survival laws. This matter will be handled by you and Minister Ruan.”

“Understood,” Bai Qingchu responded with a slight nod.

“That will be all for now. Meeting adjourned.”

The figure vanished, and everyone exchanged glances before exiting one by one.

“Minister Lu, I have fulfilled my promise. I wonder what arrangements are planned for me and my teammates next?” Cao Fusheng stepped in front of Lu Yuan, with the others behind him. Gao Yi still wore an indifferent expression; the blows he suffered that day were too heavy to bear.

Lu Yuan chuckled softly. “Mr. Cao, don’t be anxious. I have already received orders from above. Soon, the Minister of the Service Department will personally guide you. We do value our honored guests.”

“Is that so…”

Cao Fusheng recalled what Chu Wei had mentioned about the Tianzhu survival laws, one of which involved allocating residences based on bloodline, with men and women separated and forbidden from free romantic relationships. Violators apparently faced a punishment called “the Burning Penalty.”

It was an extremely terrifying punishment; the mere mention of the Burning Penalty struck fear in the hearts of Tianzhu’s people.

He wondered if they would still speak so politely if he openly defied the rules.

Could he bear to give up Han Shuqing, to have her assigned elsewhere or to another man?

In this world, even in the Ruined Era, which man could endure seeing another’s green pasture over his head?

“Minister Lu, I want to understand how the Burning Penalty is carried out. Why does it cause such dread?” Cao Fusheng glanced lightly around. Many people wore black combat uniforms, adorned with a striking armband — the Supervisory Enforcement Department.

A heavily guarded energy hub.

From Chu Wei’s fragmented words, he understood that Tianzhu had two armed departments. One was the external action forces, which formed the main combat strength and were fairly numerous.

The other was the internal law enforcement department, the Supervisory Enforcement Department, smaller in number and equipped with less advanced weaponry. Their role was to maintain internal stability—a distinction akin to the military versus the police in the old era.

Lu Yuan looked puzzled, not understanding why this man asked such a grim question. No one in Tianzhu would voluntarily bring up such an ominous topic, but he answered truthfully nonetheless.

“Actually, it’s just in the hall you visited earlier. The so-called Burning Penalty means throwing a person into the reactor. Inside, temperatures reach tens of thousands of degrees Celsius. One enters, and they instantly turn to ashes.”

“…”

Cao Fusheng had never imagined that the Burning Penalty involved using the energy reactor. It was indeed cruel.

He had thought it meant simply setting someone on fire, but throwing them into the furnace was even simpler—no need to kindle a flame at all.

The two chatted idly for a while longer before Ruan Luoluo finally arrived, fashionably late.

Her slender waist swayed like a water serpent as she approached, the crisp tap of her high heels echoing delightfully in the room.

Ruan Luoluo was already tall, and with her short heels, she nearly reached Cao Fusheng’s eye level.

“Truly a woman full of charm,” Cao Fusheng thought, granting instant approval after a single glance. This woman was not to be trifled with. Though she appeared serious now, wearing a perfectly professional expression, her inner allure was impossible for a woman frequently in the public eye to conceal.

Ruan Luoluo deliberately blinked her enchanting peach-blossom eyes at Cao Fusheng, her seductive intent unmistakable. Most strikingly, she lightly bit her lip.

Han Shuqing’s anger burned within her. Such a femme fatale had emerged, but this was hardly the occasion to lose her temper; she would feign indifference for now.

“Hello, I am Ruan Luoluo, Minister of the Service Department. I saw everything you did just now—you truly are an extraordinary man.”

She extended her delicate hand to the smiling Cao Fusheng, who lightly grasped it then let go without hesitation or lingering.

“No need for introductions. You all should know me,” Cao Fusheng smiled.

“Hmm… that’s true. You’re quite familiar among our ministers. Come with me, I’ll take you to the temporary quarters. We still have about fifty more levels to descend. Feel free to ask me anything along the way. Fortunately, things are a bit slow today, so I can double as your tour guide,” Ruan Luoluo said with a charming smile, two small tiger teeth faintly visible—a very professional and polished grin.

“Minister Lu, if there’s a chance, we’ll see each other again later. For now, we’ll be going,” Cao Fusheng said lightly.

His intentions were clear: he would likely be stationed in Tianzhu permanently. Opportunities to work with these high-ranking officials might arise. In such a world, where one constantly met the same people, performing the simplest courtesies was indispensable.