Golden... Golden Pupil

"This captain has quite an idea," Su Ke said as she looked out at the street scene, which was much the same as when she had left: "I wonder when the effects of this incident will blow over."

Qi Yuan glanced out the window as well.

Like Shen City, Jidu had just been through a crisis, and the streets seemed somewhat bleak, which made the security officers pacing up and down stand out even more.

The Patrol Team and Security Team’s responsibilities overlapped in some areas; the main distinction was whether the parties involved were superhumans or ordinary people.

After the incident, subtle tensions between ordinary people and superhumans had not eased at all; on the contrary, they had become roiling undercurrents.

Superhumans felt aggrieved—it was they who had risked life and limb, yet they were the ones being questioned.

To be so easily provoked and influenced by the monster showed that ordinary people must have already harbored such thoughts.

On the other hand, ordinary people wondered:

Does the Patrol Team really have control over the awakening of superpowers?

When will the issue of some violent superhuman criminals be resolved?

How should anti-superhuman elements be dealt with? And so on.

Now that this paper window had been punctured, there was no going back to a state of self-deception.

In truth, supremely powerful superhumans and ordinary people were the least affected. Those really suffering were superhumans whose powers made little difference from ordinary people, disfavored by both sides.

Still, the Jidu situation was somewhat better than Shen City’s; at least there were no young people parading arrogantly around.

"Time will smooth over everything," Qi Yuan said, unconcerned like Su Ke. Having lived over a decade as just another of the masses, he knew the common people’s way of survival best.

As long as they could still get by, given an ounce they would naturally take a mile.

Even without that ounce, as long as their lifeline wasn’t immediately threatened, it would be as if nothing had happened.

Compromise wasn’t due to lack of principles, but powerlessness to adhere to them.

"Well said. Today the Nine Seats, Dark Nine Seats, and senior Duty Bureau members are holding a joint meeting to discuss countermeasures. I’m confident the Big Bosses can resolve this issue."

"..."

Qi Yuan drew his gaze back from outside to look at the utterly earnest Su Ke.

"Why wasn't I informed about attending the meeting?"

Were his colleagues already ostracizing him before he even arrived in Jidu?

Was he branded the sinner of the Whole Dragon Country?

Su Ke was stunned by the question. "Your plan was to arrive in Jidu today. Under non-urgent circumstances, ensuring no disruption to your daily life takes priority."

This...Qi Yuan thought to himself, she’s far too considerate.

"No need to stand on ceremony. Wherever the Dark Nine Seats goes, I'll tag along."

"Understood. I’ll notify you at the first word of any events!" Su Ke immediately assented, ashamed at her oversight.

From beginning to end, Qi Yuan had made his stance very clear: he was willing to fully cooperate with their work.

Yet she kept making the wrong choices.

Just as Su Ke was berating herself, Qi Yuan’s voice rang out in the car.

"Pull over and stop."

Su Ke looked up sharply, heart clenching.

Could it be he was so angry he wanted to walk away?

She was an arch-criminal of the Whole Dragon Country...

The moving car gradually pulled to the roadside, and Qi Yuan pressed the button at his side to roll down the window.

On the street, a couple was tugging at each other violently.

The man was tall with a shaved head. Face contorted with fury, he held a 3-4 year old child high up in the air.

Flustered, the woman stood on tiptoes, reaching up to grab at the child. Foodstuffs were scattered at her feet.

"Put my child down this instant! Just what are you trying to do?!"

"What can I do?! What can I do?!" The skinhead roared, muscular arms straining. "Your brat ran into my leg, then you ask what I’m doing?! I didn't do a damn thing! What right do you have to discriminate just because I’m a superhuman?!"

"You...first put my child down!" The woman was beside herself. On the verge of tears, the child’s screams pierced her heart.

More and more onlookers gathered, but not one stepped up to help though they pointed and commented amongst themselves.

Attracted by the spectacle, a few tried to step forward but were held back by companions.

"Why are you stopping me? Shouldn’t we rescue them first?"

"If he were an ordinary person, you might get doxxed online for hitting him."

The questioner fell silent and retreated.

Similar exchanges occurred several times in the crowd, but no one came to their aid.

Among the ordinary people, muted curses began to arise.

"If even superhumans are so unreliable, and still no one's helped after all this time, if I were a superhuman..."

"Well nothing’s stopping you now, is there?"

"What if that guy really is a superhuman? No way I could beat him then!"

As the circle of onlookers around the woman grew, not one offered to step in.

Exhausted from fruitless pleas, she finally screeched hysterically: "If a single hair on my child's head is harmed, I won't let you off!"

Incensed at the accusation, the skinhead bellowed, "So you’re determined to pin this on me, is that it?!"

Glowering fiercely, he continued, "Fine then. If that’s how it is, I might as well fully earn this reputation!"

Then, to the crowd’s shock, he lifted the child high with both hands, and smashed him down towards the ground.

Superpower—Creation.

The superpower bestowed by the Stone Giant was first unleashed.

An invisible, soft and elastic barrier was created. The child was pressed against it, too scared even to cry.

The woman fell to her knees, almost breathless with relief.

Emotionally spent, the skinhead’s rage gradually faded, reason returning.

Everyone gazed towards the car that had abruptly stopped beside them. The window slowly rolled down, revealing the interior scene.

Black hair, golden eyes glowing.

"Go-Golden Eyes!"

Recognizing the newcomer at a glance, the skinhead backed up two steps in agitation.

Accompanying his exclamation, fervent discussion instantly exploded amongst the crowd.

"Golden Eyes?"

"Holy crap, a live S-level superhuman!"

"F***, the Dark Nine Seats!"

"Oh my god..."

Leaning against the open window with one arm, Qi Yuan glanced their way.

Crushing her rescued child tightly to herself, the woman cried, "Mr. Golden Eyes, this man was completely unreasonable, he nearly killed my son!"

Incensed at the accusation, the skinhead fired back, "What about your kid deliberately bumping into me over and over? Not a peep about that!"

"What couldn't be settled with words? Was it absolutely necessary to strangle my child to make your point?!"

"Didn't I already tell you to discipline your damn brat?! Did you listen?!"

The two descended into loud quarreling once more. Qi Yuan was extremely vexed.

Both sides were telling the truth, only exaggerating parts of it.

He was no magistrate. Lacking authority to sentence them, professional matters should be left to the professionals.

At least he could still condemn them to death...

"Bring it up at the Security Office."

"I refuse! He just admitted he's a superhuman. They'll surely take his side there!" The woman was indignant. In her eyes, her son had nearly died—surely the blame lay entirely with the other party.

The skinhead likewise balked at the suggestion. "Like hell I'm going! The Security Office is packed with ordinary people who just love embellishing stories to roast superhumans online."

"But you...everyone, judge for yourselves! He almost killed my boy!"

"The brat was asking for it if he died!" the skinhead snorted in disdain.

Bystanders descended into heated debate, siding for or against the hateful child versus the superhuman. On balance, public sentiment towards both was about equally negative.

Then someone in the crowd shouted, "Get Golden Eyes to pass judgement! We all witnessed it anyway."

This suggestion was met with hearty cheers.

The woman and skinhead looked towards Qi Yuan with hopeful expectancy.