Once, I wanted to be a good person

Although Fang Ze had already informed Nan Yi that he was going to teleport and had asked her to confirm, she was still startled to see Fang Ze suddenly appear before her.

Fang Ze glanced at her and said, "Don't speak of this matter to anyone."

Nan Yi snapped out of her daze and quickly agreed.

Seeing Nan Yi's agreement, Fang Ze used the "Verbal Contract" to solidify this agreement, then he followed the established plan to check on the fate of several detained Council Members.

Soon, he confirmed that the fate of those Council Members had not changed.

With one possibility eliminated, only one remained.

Although this still posed many obstacles in Fang Ze's search, the "Black Panther" ability was still effective, at least preventing the worst scenario.

Thinking this, Fang Ze gave Nan Yi a few instructions and then used "Imperial Expedition" to return to the Provincial Government.

This time, his target was the Shadow Warrior "Mei" he had left behind.

A moment later, Fang Ze was back at the Provincial Government.

As soon as he returned to the Provincial Government, Fang Ze saw Bai Zhi standing in front of him, looking curiously at him.

Fang Ze lightly tapped her forehead and chuckled, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Bai Zhi felt pain and, covering her forehead, replied irritably, "It's because you just disappeared suddenly and gave me a scare. I thought you had vanished."

Hearing Bai Zhi's words, Fang Ze smiled and then pinched her exquisitely beautiful cheek.

Bai Zhi's cheek felt tender and smooth, just like a freshly peeled egg, stirring something within Fang Ze.

The teasing remark he was about to make got stuck, and, letting go of her cheek a bit awkwardly, he said, "How could I possibly disappear? I just went to verify something."

Their intimate actions made Bai Zhi's heart beat faster. She didn't continue to inquire about what Fang Ze had gone to verify but instead relayed Lady Jin's answer to him, "Lady Jin said, 'Talents are a very special thing. Not one in a million may possess it. The reasons for their emergence are unknown—some are born with them, some suddenly acquire them after waking from sleep, and others just before they die.'

"Rumors say it is the world's favor, others say it is a manifestation of advancing in power.

"And like abilities, talents vary vastly. For example, some may gain an additional Awakening Ability slot, some might double their Martial Arts training speed, and for others, the more enemies they face, the more terrifying their power becomes. But all are passive abilities."

"The most important characteristic of talents is that they cannot be restricted by Law Prohibition nor detected by current methods. If the person doesn't admit it, they are almost impossible to detect."

"This has caused many in history to falsely claim they possessed talents. Such as one who said he could fire a hundred shots without hitting anyone."

"Although he indeed never hit a target in his life, ...no one could confirm whether he missed intentionally."

Fang Ze: ...

Dispelling that absurd image from his mind, Fang Ze was sure he knew where the problem lay!

Since Dahei Jialuo infiltrated the Real World, if influencing people was possible through talents rather than abilities, then Fang Ze would continue this line of inquiry!

It's just 60 Council Members! Visiting each one wouldn't fail him in finding those hidden traitors!

Thinking this, Fang Ze felt assured and then he and Bai Zhi got back into the car, continuing towards the next Council Member's location…

...

Meanwhile.

In that opulent room, those few people dressed in suits and wearing golden badges were still chatting softly.

The leading Council Member said slowly, "Do you think Fang Ze's visiting each Council Member is really just about paving the way for the Si Family's rebuilding?"

Hearing this Council Member's words, the other members stared blankly for a while. They had spent the whole day here watching the excitement, never really considering this angle.

One of the Council Members pondered for a moment, then said, "On the surface, Fang Ze's visit to the Provincial Government indeed seems to be for his promotion and to secure his Council Member status."

"And his actions over these past few days seem to suggest the same."

"But think about it, it seems a little too rushed."

The Council Member looked at the others, then spoke slowly, "If I were Fang Ze, I would probably absorb the resources given by the federation slowly and just quietly observe the situation within the province, to see who jumps out first rather than rushing to meet all the Council Members."

"Moreover… his way of meeting the Council Members is a bit strange. Each meeting only lasting half an hour or an hour. What can really be accomplished in that?"

Although these two Council Members started to suspect Fang Ze's motives, there was still a dissenting opinion among the Council Members. One scoffed, "I think you're overthinking it."

"I've researched his history in Emerald City. He has always been this decisive. Plus, the reason he meets every Council Member briefly is simply to preliminarily determine friends and foes and to get an overall feel for the internal situation."

"If anyone really wants to side with him or owes the Si Family a favor, half an hour is enough to reveal the essentials. If they bear enmity towards the Si Family, it would have shown either during the invitation or the meeting."

"That's plenty for him."

"Otherwise, what other motives could he have, to check on us? Hahaha."

At his words, the Council Members in the room all couldn't help but laugh.