"It's nothing..."

Lu Nanzhi frowned and shook her head, "It's just that he's a little strange."

"Strange?"

Just as Song Ci was about to speak, the incandescent lights above them flickered on.

"The lights are back."

Madam stood up and said softly, "It seems we had a power outage just now? We've always believed that Deep Sea never fails... it seems it's not so reliable after all."

Song Ci silently followed her out.

...

...

"Too strange."

Lu Nanjin retracted her short blade, watching as the commotion in the reception hall slowly subsided.

She spoke on the private channel, "The previous disconnection... and this power outage... are both very unreasonable. If Xiao has the privilege to borrow Deep Sea, then he should use it at a crucial moment. Using it rashly at this juncture will only cause unnecessary trouble."

"It is very unreasonable."

Gu Shen had been staring at the second floor.

In fact, during the power outage, nothing at all happened... The Blazing Fire Vision hovering on the reception hall ceiling was also monitoring the entire venue at all times. Although Deep Sea lost its connection, there were more than just a few pairs of eyes on the ballroom tonight.

Besides the Special Investigation Team, there were other transcendentalists.

If Xiao had taken action during the power outage, it would have attracted attention.

"Is he targeting the security system's downtime..."

Nanjin thought of a possibility. "Just when the power went out and the power to borrow Deep Sea was activated, some Foundation believers had already infiltrated the auditorium."

"Don't make your opponents out to be so complex."

Sitting in the auditorium lobby, Zhou Jiren spoke softly, saying calmly, "Remember what the Special Operations Team's plan is called?"

Hunting Xiao.

"Tonight is a grand ball, and the most exciting program always comes last."

"It doesn't matter if we can't find Xiao."

"We just need to prepare our swords, bullets... and wait for him to appear."

...

...

A small disturbance ended just like that.

The brief accident did not disrupt the rhythm of the ball. Everyone knew it was just a false alarm, and no one pursued the real reason behind the power outage... After the power was restored, all conversations gradually returned to normal.

People continued to raise their glasses, sip their drinks, and laugh.

The cocktail party was almost over.

The guests attending the ball began to move towards the auditorium... There was a grand symphony performance tonight as the finale "program".

The "Lucerne Orchestra" which had come all the way from Central Continent was very famous.

But no matter how famous... it was still a niche area. Not many people in this era were willing to calm down and listen to symphonic music, even the "nobles" who were qualified to attend the Freedom Ball.

Most of the "refined people" at the ball would applaud and praise, but they wouldn't spend even a minute in private to truly listen to the symphony.

So... if nothing unexpected happened, after tonight, not many of those present would remember the "Lucerne Orchestra," except for a few pretty girls who were chatted up and would remember that the conductor of the orchestra was a handsome Central Continent man with blond hair and blue eyes.

But... the disturbance in front of the dance floor tonight made all the guests remember Pierre Heitinger's name. In a sense, the Lucerne Orchestra was a minor hit.

It wasn't easy to be remembered by so many dignitaries in the capital.

The guests who were now moving to the auditorium were somewhat curious... After being flicked on the forehead by Song Ci, could Pierre still stand in front of the auditorium and continue to conduct smoothly and completely?

...

...

The guests arrived one after another.

Except for the last few rows, the seats in the huge auditorium were thoughtfully labeled with names. Attendants were responsible for leading the way. Of course, everyone's seat was very spacious... If they wanted to sit together and enjoy the music, they could naturally move their seats freely. After all, the real purpose of this party was social interaction.

The seats in the third row were currently unoccupied... These were reserved for Madam and the core members of the Nanwan and Huazhi factions. The invitees to the ball were also well aware of this, and everyone took their seats, staying a little further away from the first three rows.

"You've just been sitting here... sleeping until now?"

Gu Shen sat in the last row of the auditorium. This seat looked somewhat familiar. It was the seat where Old Tomb pulled him to listen to the Surprise Symphony last time... It had to be said that this place was very hidden and would basically not attract attention.

The old fellow yawned widely. He rubbed his eyes and said with emotion, "It really is a symphony concert hall... I was already full of sleep before it even started. I just don't know if I can still 'fall asleep' later."

Gu Shen was silent: "..."

There were only three people in the Special Investigation Team.

One was responsible for the reception hall, and one was responsible for the second floor.

The remaining one, who held the position of "commander-in-chief," had found a quiet place to nap. How could this old fox sleep so soundly? What made him so sure that Xiao wouldn't make a move earlier?

"Find a place to sit." Zhou Jiren smiled and said, "The performance is about to begin."

Gu Shen shook his head. He said seriously, "I won't sit down... I'm not in the mood to watch the performance..."

Mr. Shu said regretfully, "Okay... you really are a dedicated and responsible security workaholic... What about you?"

He looked at Lu Nanjin in the dark corner, reaching out to invite her to sit down and enjoy the concert.

The latter also shook her head.

The old fellow muttered, "Young people are really full of energy..."

Gu Shen's gaze remained fixed on the front row.

The two people who had not appeared during the previous cocktail party and ball finally appeared during the final performance...

Cui Zhongcheng pushed a wheelchair and slowly came to the first row, next to Madam's seat.

Young Master Cui helped the old man, and after helping him sit down, he pushed the wheelchair away by himself.

The first row.

There were only two people, Madam and Councilor Zhao Xilai.

Out of respect for the "rules" and as a return for the previous courtesy, Chen San chose to sit in the corner of the third row, avoiding interfering with the following conversation. And Cui Zhongcheng pushed the wheelchair to his side.

When the most powerful people in the capital were all present.

The curtain finally slowly opened—

Soft lights and musical sounds floated in the sky above the auditorium.

As the circular curtain was drawn open, the Lucerne Orchestra revealed the huge face of this hundred-member band. An orchestra of a scale that was breathtaking had long prepared their instruments and sat on the stage, ready and waiting.

And the soul of the orchestra—the conductor, Pierre Heitinger, held the baton with a solemn expression.

"It seems that this little Mr. Pierre is no small matter." Zhou Jiren said lightly, "After being hit by Song Ci, he can still continue to perform."

And Gu Shen was staring at the very front.

He asked softly, "Is there... someone missing there?"

Lu Nanzhi was here, and Zhao Xilai was here. Cui Zhongcheng was here, and Chen San was also here.

What about Ye Ningqiu?