Oh no, we've become the substitutes.

The world is changing, the Night King has emerged?!

Everyone watching the live broadcast worldwide was stunned.

The Night King? The Night Organization?

What are these?

The barrage of comments scrolled frantically.

[Gasp... It's actually the Night King...]

[Huh? Friend, do you know the Night King?]

[Yes... Legends say that when the Night King emerges, it heralds the destruction of the world. The powerful enemy mentioned by the Martial Arts Department must be referring to the Night King!]

[Tsk... I just wanted to watch a live stream, but who knew something like this would happen?]

[The head of the department is already the strongest in the world today, but the Night King's power is even more terrifying. He has never been eradicated since ancient times.]

[Looking at it now... he seems to have grown even stronger.]

[That strong? Wait, who are you all? How do you know these things?]

[I'm the head disciple of Heaven's Gate Mountain in the ancient martial arts world. If any of you awaken your talents in the future, consider joining our sect first.]

[Wait, martial artists use phones too??]

[........]

...

...

Martial Arts Department.

Shangguan Miaoyin and the other former members of the Night Organization were frozen in shock.

They stared at the live broadcast on TV.

Exchanging glances with one another.

If the ones on TV are the Night Organization, then what are we?

"Dammit!"

Shangguan Miaoyin clenched her hands together, resting them on the table with a heavy expression.

This is bad. We've been replaced.

She scanned the room, looking at Bai Lian and the others seated there, and said solemnly, "This impersonation of the Night King is equivalent to directly supplanting us."

"Even if we reveal ourselves later, we'll likely be mistaken for their imposters."

Hearing this, Bai Lian hesitated. She understood the severity of the situation now.

She turned to Shangguan Miaoyin and asked, "What should we do? Should we inform our master?"

Shangguan Miaoyin shook her head. "No need. Our master foresees everything and probably already knows about this."

"We just need to wait quietly for further instructions."

"Besides..."

She paused, her tone tinged with excitement as she continued, "Our master mentioned before that we should continue our undercover work in the department."

"And that she would join us as well. Once we infiltrate the higher ranks, we'll dismantle the department from within!"

"Really?!"

Bai Lian's eyes lit up.

Our master... is coming to the department?!

"Yes."

Shangguan Miaoyin spoke with reverence. "I can guess part of our master's plan. On the surface, the fake Night Organization will operate openly to draw attention."

"Meanwhile, we'll remain undercover in the department, gathering intelligence. Once our master ascends to the position of department head, seizing control of this world will be effortless!"

"By then, even that pitiful fake Night King will be crushed by our master with a single hand!"

"Our master is brilliant!"

"Our master's wisdom is beyond our comprehension. Even I can only grasp a fraction of it! She must have deeper plans!"

"Right, enough talk. Let's go grab some late-night snacks tonight!"

"Agreed."

"Agreed +1"

"Agreed +2"

...

...

Leng Family.

Leng Qingqiu listened silently to the sounds and commotion coming from the TV.

The one on TV is the Night King?

Then who am I?

Oh, right. I'm not the Night King anymore.

Leng Qingqiu sighed inwardly. She could say with absolute certainty that the fake Night Organization on TV was Gu Yan's doing.

But Gu Yan was sitting right beside her.

Was this broadcast pre-recorded?

Still, to hijack the world's live broadcast and make such a high-profile move...

Gu Yan, what exactly are you planning?

Gu Yan watched the broadcast with satisfaction.

Truth be told, Leng Qingqiu was right.

This footage was indeed rehearsed and recorded by Gu Yan in advance.

He had considered many options before settling on this version.

And it seemed the effect was just as he had hoped.

Leng Ling'er gulped nervously beside them, pointing at the TV and asking anxiously, "Sis, isn't this the kind of world-threatening villain they always talk about on TV?"

"What is the Night Organization? It sounds terrifying."

"And the Night King... he must be some kind of ruthless, bloodthirsty monster, right?"

Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu fell silent for a moment before clearing her throat and replying, "Yes, Ling'er. If you ever encounter them, remember not to fight them head-on. Just run."

"Because..."

"They're a bunch of heartless scum."

"Especially the Night King in that footage. He's an irredeemable monster."

Leng Ling'er nodded in understanding.

Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the Night King on screen.

For some reason, she suddenly felt like she was facing her destined nemesis. What was that about?

Gu Yan, listening to Leng Qingqiu's words, fell into silence.

Wait, Qingqiu... isn't talking about me, right?

Well, probably not. I'm nowhere near as bad as she made it sound.

Anyway...

Gu Yan turned to Leng Ling'er and said softly, "Ling'er, the textbooks at your school will soon be replaced with martial arts knowledge."

"By March, there will be a martial arts aptitude test."

"After that, students will be divided into regular classes and martial arts classes."

"Those without aptitude will continue in regular classes, while those with potential will enter martial arts classes."

"Don't worry. The Martial Arts Department has prepared a special pathway for students. If you have talent, you can take the martial arts version of the college entrance exam. Your results will determine which martial arts institution you attend for further training."

"After graduation, the Martial Arts Department will also assign jobs to new martial artists."

"The department needs talent in many areas—like the Spell Formation Division, the Research Division, and so on."

"And if that doesn't work out, you can always join private martial arts groups. The pay and benefits are excellent."

Leng Qingqiu listened and mostly understood the department's approach.

This was essentially reshaping the existing social structure, creating an entirely new career path.

But...

Leng Qingqiu still had something to add. She took Gu Yan's hand, shook her head, and said, "Ling'er should join the department."

"It's safer there, and the job stability is better."

Gu Yan chuckled and nodded. "Whatever you say, Qingqiu. I'll make all the necessary arrangements."

"Mm."

Leng Ling'er stood there, utterly bewildered.

She couldn't get a word in.

Wait, hold on.

Why does this sound so complicated?

Can't I just be a free-spirited beauty vlogger?

And shouldn't I be the Dragon King of the Dragon King Palace?

Why do I have to join the department?

Well... technically, the Dragon King Palace only has five members right now—me, Meteor, Bai Qionglan, Ning Qian, and Gu Yingying.

But... why does this feel weirdly familiar?

Even in a martial arts world, I'm still destined to be a corporate drone?!

No!

I control my own fate!

My destiny is in my hands!

With that thought, Leng Ling'er turned pleading eyes toward Gu Yan.

"?"

Gu Yan seemed to understand her silent plea.

Gu Yan gave a helpless smile and said, "Of course, all this depends on whether Ling'er wants it."

"Don't forget, she's now the Dragon King of the Dragon King Palace."

Ah, I’d nearly forgotten that.

After a moment of contemplation, Leng Qingqiu nodded. "True."

With Ling'er’s extraordinary talent, her future achievements will undoubtedly be remarkable.

However... Ling'er doesn’t know Gu Yan’s true identity. Let’s hope nothing goes wrong when the time comes.