Enforcer Manual
Chapter 378: The World’s Foremost - Part 1

Chapter 378: Chapter 378: The World’s Foremost - Part 1

Fengling was shrouded in mystery, which forced the Bug Swarm to change strategy and send a representative to communicate with Fengling through close contact.

Song Lan, a pillar of the Bug Swarm, received another urgent mission. Hardly warming the seat in the command center, he had to ride the MK-II back to the rescuer service center once more.

After taking on the role of the rescuer department manager, Lu Xiang had relocated her workplace to the rescuer service center.

For her personally, it didn’t make much difference which department she worked in, but situating her workplace at the rescuer service center helped Song Lan to better complete his culinary training.

Song Lan had barely stepped through the door when Mo Ling, leading a group of one-star rescuers, surrounded him.

"Teacher, what dish are you teaching us today?"

Learning to cook had become their happiest time of the day; it effectively diverted their attention, allowing them to forget the fact that Director Oberna had died in the line of duty and momentarily cast aside thoughts of the Void.

Even those who weren’t interested in cooking could still goof off during the class and freeload food and drinks while waiting for others to complete their tasks.

"Today, I have other matters to attend to."

Amidst a chorus of sighs, Song Lan made his way with difficulty to the second floor of the rescuer service center.

He had to state that he had never actively recruited any students, but lately, the number of people calling him "teacher" had been on the rise. Driven by the "King", an extraordinary AI started addressing him as "teacher." And now, he had a flock of one-star rescuers eagerly waiting for him to feed them.

At least one-third of these people were there to freeload food and drinks during his class.

Could it be that he had somehow unwittingly consumed a "teacher fruit"?

Upon reaching the second floor, he headed straight for Lu Xiang’s office—it was Fengling’s first day at work.

In fact, this young girl was full of dedication. She had been busy all night, had her sleep interrupted by a Horn Bug scouting squad, and yet she still kept up with Lu Xiang’s schedule and came to work at the department early in the morning.

Moreover, she protected Lu Xiang with great measure. While Lu Xiang handled documents inside the office, Fengling stood guard at the door like a door deity, with a saber slung at her waist, looking quite majestic.

However, her eyelids, which nearly closed several times, betrayed her current state of alertness.

"Are you not used to the new apartment we prepared for you, or did you not rest well last night?"

Song Lan approached and intentionally asked with feigned concern.

"The new apartment is very nice; it’s my own issue," Fengling’s tone sounded somewhat groggy. She explained, "But don’t worry about Director Lu’s safety. Even if I fall asleep, it won’t affect my Sword Drawing Art."

What sort of dream assassin?

Song Lan glanced at Fengling and then at her hand, which never left the hilt of the blade. Although it seemed counterintuitive, given her Five Stars rescuer status, this probably wasn’t just boasting.

He was relieved that Fengling was someone capable of communication. Even without the Bug Swarm’s assignment, Song Lan would have sought an opportunity to speak with her because her saber was incredibly eye-catching. It was unexpected to see someone using such a cold weapon in real combat in 2166.

He had heard that in the core areas, bladed weapons were only circulated as collectibles, and thermal cutting blades were the mainstream when it came to close combat.

"You mentioned the Sword Drawing Art just now; there are very few people who know this technique today."

"It’s a family heirloom technique."

In Song Lan’s understanding of today’s world, where cybernetization and high technology were prevalent, such skills mostly belonged to what could be considered intangible cultural heritage. Online, there were often videos of some martial arts masters being brought down by a single shot from gang members.

The era of faction leaders had become even more treacherous.

The legalization of guns meant their rivals shifted from young lads in gyms to armed thugs, and in the event of a real shoot-out, gang members usually wouldn’t give you the chance to reproach their lack of martial virtue.

"I’ve seen some debates online and have always been curious, which is faster—guns or the Sword Drawing Art?"

It had been an ongoing topic of heated discussion on the internet since the year 2020.

"It depends on the person, but in most cases, guns are faster."

"What about you?"

"I’m faster."

Fengling answered without a moment’s hesitation, not bothering to specify distances like a scholar conducting a case-by-case discussion, "My Sword Drawing Art is the fastest in the world!"

"Could you demonstrate it for me? You might not believe this, but I’ve been a martial arts enthusiast since I was a child."

"This isn’t a good place, it’s too dangerous."

Fengling shook her head, "Let’s wait for another opportunity."

Although Song Lan’s curiosity intensified, since she had said as much, he didn’t pursue the topic any further. To avoid arousing suspicion, he greeted her and then knocked on Lu Xiang’s office door, reporting to work under that pretext and handed over the information that Dr. Bai Zhu and others had organized overnight to Lu Xiang.

There was something wrong with that saber.

As soon as the office door closed, Song Lan began to ponder over the saber.

Princess Lieyang had provided him with a new perspective on the issue. Months earlier, she had ignited an entire street with a maneuver similar to the Sword Drawing Art named "Crippling Army"; besides her Spiritual Energy, Lieyang was also equipped with conceptual armament developed by the United Government.

With the scientific prowess of the year 2166, a weapon that looked like a saber might not be a real blade.

So far, their investigation had revealed that Fengling had no Spiritual Energy, nor had she undergone any cybernetic enhancements, but their knowledge about the saber was limited, only knowing it was a family-forged weapon tailor-made for Fengling, who had been by her side since she was ten.

If he wanted to uncover the answer to this question, he would need Lu Xiang’s assistance.

After all, Fengling was a personal guard assigned to Lu Xiang by the United Government, and he could merely be considered someone with connections.

Song Lan had enough self-awareness to realize that without the relationship with Lu Xiang, Fengling probably wouldn’t even bother with him, an insignificant employee. In terms of rank, Fengling’s status as a Six Stars rescuer candidate was even much higher than Lu Xiang’s, and it was quite odd from a procedural standpoint for a Six Stars candidate to protect the safety of a Three Stars rescuer.

"What do you plan to do?"

Having understood Song Lan’s idea, Lu Xiang asked.

In order to learn more about the saber, first, they needed to find a situation that would compel Fengling to draw her blade.

According to Fengling, the situation couldn’t be too confined, or it might result in unnecessary casualties.

"It would be best to find a spacious and unoccupied place where a group of gang members suddenly appears intending to harm you, and she, as your personal bodyguard, would have to draw her saber in the ensuing emergency."

"Hmm, I see."

Lu Xiang pondered, "I’ll try to arrange for some dangerous assignments going forward."