PD -Chapter 191 The Path of Redemption

Di Ting continued delivering a long string of formal, righteous-sounding remarks. The three of us simply stood on the stage in silence. Liu Xiaopeng and Tang Shanshan were at a loss for what to do and kept glancing at me in confusion.

Seeing that I had no intention of stepping down from the stage, they simply stayed beside me, looking somewhat stiff and uneasy.

I naturally understood what Di Ting was doing.

This so-called ceremony was simple in intent: to use a public award presentation to ensure everyone remembered our faces, linking us to the 507 Institute and the Zero Investigation Unit—effectively binding us to work for them in the future.

Moreover, there was likely a deeper layer to it.

On the surface, we were being praised as heroes of the recent spatial rift incident. But in essence, outsiders like Liu Xiaopeng and I—both possessing powerful esoteric techniques—were potentially a hidden threat to the 507 Bureau.

This time, with the entire investigation team assembled, it was called a celebration and commendation ceremony. But in reality, it was probably also meant to observe us closely and record everything about us.

From now on, wherever we went or whatever we did, we would likely always be under the “care” of these extraordinary agents.

After Di Ting finished speaking, ceremonial attendants stepped beside us, waiting for him to lift the red cloth.

Di Ting moved with elegance. Though he wore a Western suit, he looked like a nobleman from ancient times.

He slowly walked in front of us and lifted the red silk cloth covering the trays held by the attendants. On the trays were certificates and medals.

With a smile, he picked up the medals and pinned them onto our chests one by one, then handed us the certificates.

During this process, both Tang Shanshan and Liu Xiaopeng were completely confused. Seeing that I did not refuse, they nervously accepted their certificates and began flipping through them curiously.

I did not refuse either.

Not only because the situation was already irreversible and refusal would make things awkward, but also because I had my own private motives.

After all, the 507 Institute was currently the most mysterious and special organization in the country. Its authority and methods were beyond question. More importantly, it held access to astonishing information that was closely tied to the entire world.

As for the path ahead for Tang Shanshan and me, I had already decided it after those words she spoke when she regained consciousness.

Tang Shanshan had long been sealed within her own body by the Ghost Emperor, forced to watch as it used her body to unleash countless evil entities into the human world. Although she knew it was not truly her doing, the guilt had already deeply rooted itself in her heart.

To truly free her from that burden, we needed to walk a path of redemption.

This path meant using whatever strength we had to undo what the Ghost Emperor had done through Tang Shanshan’s body—sending all those chaotic and malevolent entities back to where they belonged.

It was a difficult and dangerous road, so we had to be prepared.

And the background of the 507 Institute and the Zero Investigation Unit would greatly facilitate everything we needed to do.

The ceremony ended quickly. Since the Zero Investigation Unit itself was a classified existence…

Even though we were now honorary agents with access to certain resources and authority, to the outside world, we were still just three completely ordinary people.

After the ceremony, Di Ting brought us to his office.

“That ceremony earlier was a bit abrupt. Didn’t scare you, did it?” Di Ting asked.

I smirked. We all knew what was really going on—everyone had their own motives, so there was no need for such polite talk. Still, I replied sarcastically:

“Director Di Ting, you’re joking. We’re just screws and bricks in the organization—wherever we’re needed, we’ll go.”

Di Ting clearly understood the sarcasm and shook his head, speaking seriously instead: “I’m not surnamed Ting.”

At that moment, Tang Shanshan suddenly removed the medal from her chest and placed it on the desk.

“I don’t think I can accept this…” she said. “I didn’t really contribute anything…”

She lowered her head, and that familiar sense of guilt appeared again on her pale face.

But Di Ting shook his head.

“No. In fact, you were the most crucial person in reversing this entire incident.”

Tang Shanshan frowned, as if she didn’t quite understand.

“Without you, they wouldn’t have been able to unleash their potential and accomplish what they did,” he said, glancing at me and Liu Xiaopeng.

In truth, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Tang Shanshan had indeed been the key to the entire chain of events.

If her body hadn’t been possessed by the Ghost Emperor, I would never have gone to such lengths to reseal it.

If the Ghost Emperor had possessed someone else that time, the outcome might have been entirely different.

“So, you must accept this medal,” Di Ting said, picking it up and handing it back to her.

Tang Shanshan hesitated and looked at me for help.

After a moment of thought, I nodded.

Only then did she reluctantly take it back.

“From now on, no matter what you think, you are all members of the Zero Investigation Unit. Within your clearance level, you may access all 507 Institute resources freely. You should understand what this means.”

Di Ting paused, sitting down behind his desk.

“The situation now… I believe you understand. Although the Three Realms Rift has been sealed, the human world is in the most turbulent state in history. We urgently need manpower.”

“So bringing you in… was unavoidable. I hope you can consider the bigger picture.”

Listening to him, I felt that after the rift incident, he had changed greatly.

The Di Ting who once released his spiritual pressure just because I spoke a careless word was gone.

Now he seemed more like a true government official—composed, restrained, always thinking about the greater good.

“Since that’s the case, I actually have a question for you,” Liu Xiaopeng, who had remained silent until now, suddenly said.

Di Ting turned to him and nodded slightly, signaling him to ask directly.

“Under the research building of the 507 Institute… what exactly is that immensely powerful energy fluctuation?” Liu Xiaopeng asked after a pause, staring at Di Ting.