Rebirth: The Time-locked Girl
Chapter 563: Director of Bureau 563 723! [1 more update]

Chapter 563: Director of Bureau 563 723! [1 more update]

Moreover, this was a matter within the research institute, and if Bureau 723 were to intervene, someone at the level of the director would need to appear.

Yet since the establishment of Bureau 723, the director has never shown their face in public.

Even the dean of the Yunjing Research Institute did not know whether the director of Bureau 723 was male or female, old or young.

However, to have established such an organization more than twenty years ago, it could not possibly have been some inexperienced youngster.

Upon hearing this, the woman slowly revealed a smile, "With this, we can take over her project."

"Indeed." The middle-aged man also smiled, "This Madam Wu is too picky and unwilling to let our researchers get involved; then she shouldn’t think about conducting this experiment."

Greed filled his eyes.

If they could truly develop the deep-sea submarine illustrated in the blueprint, then venturing into the depths of the Nanling Sea wouldn’t be just a dream anymore.

The middle-aged man dared not even imagine what rewards and honors he would receive if he were to be the principal person in charge of the experiment.

Academician Wu’s ambition to monopolize it was simply too great.

He didn’t believe that Academician Wu was genuinely so noble, disinterested in fame or fortune, and only wished to contribute to Shenzhou.

"The dean is in the Global Center and will need at least three days to communicate with the outside world." The woman’s smile widened, "By the time he returns, the Inspection Team’s procedures will also be completed."

Ultimately, the blame fell on Academician Wu for allowing someone from the Northern Lands to join the experimental project team.

In the inspection room, Faluk’s hands were shackled in iron chains.

He was extremely anxious, but what he worried about most was Academician Wu and whether this matter would bring trouble to Ye Wanlan.

"Old Wu, I am truly sorry," Faluk lowered his head, "If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have caught the Inspection Team’s attention."

"Silly child, how can you be blamed for this?" Academician Wu sighed, "They have been plotting this for a long time; both you and I are victims."

But she knew that they had taken advantage of the dean’s absence to suddenly attack her, determined to use this opportunity to bring her down.

Faluk hesitated, "Old Wu, I just called Miss Ye, will the Inspection Team follow up on that call..."

The only consolation he had was that after each forging completion, he would properly place the Divine Might Spear and only then proceed with other work.

"Possibly." Academician Wu’s expression turned slightly stern, becoming anxious, "These people, they better not be harsh with a child!"

Unfortunately, all of her communication devices had been confiscated, and she could not contact Ye Wanlan.

What was she to do?

**

"Ding ding ding—"

Ye Wanlan watched dispassionately as a red dot popped up on her phone, and after casually pressing a character, she eliminated the red dot.

Yan Tingfeng tilted his head, "Is someone tracking you?"

"Mm, they traced the signal from the call Faluk made to me." Ye Wanlan held her phone, "But I’ve already cut off the signal."

"It seems their ambition isn’t limited to just a deep-sea submarine," said Yan Tingfeng mildly, "They want even more."

"What nonsense?" Just then, up ahead, Professor Yuwen’s angry voice came through, "Xiao Wu is practically my student, why can’t I go in? Am I not even allowed to see her?"

"Very sorry, Professor Yuwen," the captain of the Inspection Team replied politely yet distantly, "Since this matter involves a Beilu person, the Inspection Team deeply suspects that Academician Wu intentionally allowed this person from the Northern Lands into the research institute to steal secrets, so apart from the dean, no one can intervene in this investigation."

Professor Yuwen, suppressing his rage, began to contact the dean of the research institute.

"Beep, beep, beep—"

But the call wouldn’t go through, constantly getting a busy signal.

"The Director, that old fart, where on earth has he run off to at such a critical moment?" Professor Yuwen was frantic, "I’m not getting involved in the investigation; I just want to see Xiao Wu."

"Professor Yuwen, that’s also forbidden." The captain of the Inspection Team still blocked his path. "No one knows if Academician Wu might seize the chance to transmit intelligence while you’re in there. You don’t want to be considered a dangerous element, do you?"

"You..." Professor Yuwen took a deep breath and turned to leave.

The captain of the Inspection Team withdrew his smile and watched coldly as Professor Yuwen walked away.

"Professor Yuwen." Ye Wanlan stepped forward, meeting Professor Yuwen, "How is Academician Wu doing?"

"I’m not sure, but she’s definitely been controlled. I went to her research building and was surrounded by the Inspection Team." Professor Yuwen looked grim, "Even I’m not qualified to see her. They’re saying she’s an undercover operative, pah!"

After listening, Yan Tingfeng remained calm, "What would be the consequences if we forcefully took Academician Wu away?"

He was used to speaking with his fists; after all, might makes right in Jianghu.

"Absolutely not!" Professor Yuwen stated sternly, "If we do that, Xiao Wu will certainly be branded an undercover agent by those scoundrels. Her life might be saved, but her reputation would be destroyed."

Ye Wanlan held her phone, keying in a string of codes, investigating everyone connected to this incident.

"We must get involved in the Inspection Team’s investigation to give Xiao Wu a chance to clear her name." Professor Yuwen paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, "I’ll go to the 723 Bureau right away!"

Ye Wanlan looked up, "The 723 Bureau?"

"Now, with the Director absent and time pressing, only the current Bureau Chief of the 723 Bureau can call off the Inspection Team." Professor Yuwen explained, "But nobody has seen the Bureau Chief of 723, and I don’t know if the 723 Bureau will grant an old man like me any favor, sigh!"

Yan Tingfeng was silent for a moment, "The Bureau Chief of 723 has that kind of power?"

He, as a Chief himself, was unaware?

"Of course!" Professor Yuwen insisted eagerly, "The 723 Bureau is a protective organization established at the beginning of the 21st century, its significance is extraordinary!"

Ye Wanlan nodded.

She was clear on that fact.

The 723 Bureau was named after the year 1723 on the Shenzhou Calendar; it served as a remembrance not just of history, but also as a reminder never to forget national and family grievances.

"You are too young to understand, but back then, several researchers from the Yunjing Research Institute were stranded at the Global Center. They weren’t allowed to return, but it was the 723 Bureau and the International Strategic Studies Institute that negotiated and successfully brought them back!" Professor Yuwen spoke with fervor, "Those early years of the 21st century were truly hard times for the Research Institute. Alas, we had little say and no other options."

Even he had almost been unable to return from an advanced study session at the Global Center, had it not been for the 723 Bureau sending a plane especially for him.

Ye Wanlan looked at Yan Tingfeng, "The work of the former Bureau Chief?"

"Seems like it." Yan Tingfeng slowly recalled the event, piecing it together from his memory.

During those years, the Research Institute had just made some new achievements and was doing well, gaining a considerable reputation internationally.

Coincidentally, as talents studying abroad began to return to Shenzhou, the Global Center started to interfere.

The Extreme Path Organization and the 723 Bureau were founded around the same time, one in the light and one in the shadows.

Ye Wanlan’s expression softened, "If it’s just the Bureau Chief of 723, then this matter should be easy to resolve."

"Indeed." Yan Tingfeng spoke lightly, "Let’s take action."

The moment he stood up, something within him changed instantaneously.

A certain gentle and clear disposition, as pure as spring water, suddenly turned sharp and intense.

Professor Yuwen was startled, "What... what’s come over you?"

Why did he seem ready to go to battle?

But Yan Tingfeng did not linger a moment longer; acknowledging Professor Yuwen with a slight nod, he left briskly.

"Wait!" Professor Yuwen became frantic, but he could not stop Yan Tingfeng. He turned to Ye Wanlan, "The waters have become murkier at the Research Institute over the years. We must have a foolproof plan to rescue Xiao Wu. We absolutely can’t act rashly. I better head to the headquarters of the 723 Bureau first."

"Professor Yuwen." Ye Wanlan grasped his shoulder, speaking at an even pace, "You’ve known him longer than you’ve known me. How could you not know that he is the current Bureau Chief of the 723 Bureau?"