November 20, 5:53 AM, Lianjiang International Airport, International Terminal VIP Channel.

"Why me?"

"Why is it always me?"

In the waiting room, Yu Kuangtu, seated on the sofa with his legs crossed, let out a resigned sigh. Li Dan glanced at him and said, "This is an A-level top-secret mission directly assigned from Headquarters. Of course, it has to be handled by 'Lianjiang's number one Cultivator,' 'the strongest in the Tactical Bureau,' the 'Third-turn Great Cultivator'—yourself."

With each word of praise from Li Dan, Yu Kuangtu's expression darkened further. He muttered, "Alright, alright... You're making me feel quite inadequate. I didn't expect Dong Chengling to advance to the fourth transformation before me. She truly is a talent specially invited by the Great Wall."

"It must be because I've spent less time on Cultivation... Lianjiang has two deputy directors, why does it have to be me? Can't Qiao Muyi handle it? I've been working continuously for days now; I should be entitled to some vacation time!"

Li Dan's panda-like eyes stared quietly at Yu Kuangtu for five seconds before he stated a simple fact, "If you take a vacation, a certain diligent, pure, and cute female university student will also coincidentally take leave and miss class on the same day."

Listening, Yu Kuangtu nodded in satisfaction, arms crossed over his chest. "Hmm, hmm, hmm, yes, yes, yes, she is just that wonderful."

"I'm not praising you. On October 23rd, you took a day off under the pretext of Cultivation. At 3:00 PM, I saw photos of you and Qin Lian skating at Ice Bay," Li Dan said. "'Cultivation leave' is paid time off. Theoretically, this is dereliction of duty. I ought to report this to the Tactical System. Even if you manage to keep your position as deputy director, don't expect to get leave approved next time."

"Sorry, I'll dare to do it again next time."

"Then next time, just don't let me find out."

The exchange between Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan didn't resemble a typical superior-subordinate relationship. This was not only due to their deep friendship but also because Li Dan was, in fact, part of the 'Military Inspector' system within the Tactical System. He was Yu Kuangtu's subordinate but also constantly observed whether Yu Kuangtu engaged in any misconduct or criminal activities.

Since the Tactical Bureau's operations are generally directed by each locality's deputy director, who wields considerable power, checks and balances are naturally needed. Appointing ordinary people as chief directors and increasing the number of deputy directors are indirect checks. Direct checks involve assigning each deputy director a 'Military Inspector' who acts like a secretary, constantly accompanying the deputy director.

The selection of this 'secretary' is quite meticulous: they shouldn't be too overbearing to obstruct the deputy director's normal command, nor too timid, and they must diligently fulfill their supervisory duties.

In the past, selecting such personnel would have been challenging. However, now, in the era of resurgent Spiritual Energy, the selection process has naturally taken a different approach. All secretaries are directly appointed by Tactical Headquarters. They are all former members of various Tactical Bureaus and perfectly fulfill their assigned tasks.

Yu Kuangtu had once pondered whether someone in Tactical Headquarters possessed an awakened spell that could assess loyalty or compatibility, but he was rather satisfied with the arrangements. He preferred to sincerely cooperate with the strict Li Dan rather than be monitored by strangers.

Yu Kuangtu's complaints were just casual remarks. He knew that until the Tactical Bureau assigned Qiao Muyi a secretary, she wouldn't be allowed to participate in major operations; at most, she would hold down the fort at the Tactical Bureau.

TAP, TAP, TAP. Hearing footsteps, Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan simultaneously stood up and looked towards the door.

Three seconds later, three Caucasian men wearing black trench coats entered the waiting room. Yu Kuangtu glanced at the black Armor peeking from under their coats and the nanotechnology gloves on their hands, and couldn't help but whistle. The Federation really is wealthy, equipping their Watchers with such excellent gear.

We, on the other hand, only have a single vest each, and no spares at that.

"Pleased to meet you, Yu." The leading bald man extended his hand. Yu Kuangtu shook it and said in his halting English, "I have received orders from my superior officer. I will cooperate with your team, but we are the main body of this operation. You are only to assist."

As he said this, Yu Kuangtu was actually somewhat puzzled. Tactical Headquarters had informed them just past three in the morning, but these three Watchers had flown in from New York, having departed fifteen hours ago!

This means Tactical Headquarters suddenly received the information after the Watchers were already airborne and only then assigned the mission in the middle of the night. What hasty international cooperation.

"Of course, of course. We will not interfere with your operations. Mission completion is the top priority."

The Watcher's attitude satisfied Yu Kuangtu. "In that case, let's return to the Tactical Bureau to discuss the details."

"No need. We don't have much time; we must act immediately." Baldy glanced around the waiting room, pointed at a camera in the corner, and then one of the Watchers flicked his hand. A wisp of black wind flew out and completely enveloped the camera.

"Excuse my rudeness, but could you please hand over all your communication devices?" Baldy said. "And for the upcoming operation, all your communications must be under our supervision."

Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan were slightly displeased but said nothing. This was an international airport, after all, and a team of Tactical Cultivators was waiting outside. They took out their cellphones.

At that moment, Baldy took out his own cellphone to send a text message. Shortly after, a directive from Tactical Headquarters appeared on Yu Kuangtu's phone.

It was an arrest warrant, clearly detailing the target's name, appearance, comprehensive intelligence, reasons for arrest, and current location.

Yu Kuangtu glanced at the directive, his pupils constricting sharply. His voice trembled slightly as he handed his phone to Li Dan. "Check the Key."

Li Dan's panda-like eyes widened in shock, but his tone remained calm. "The Key is correct."

All text messages from the Tactical Bureau came with a unique Key that updated hourly. Although it updated every hour, one only needed to remember the current day's updated 'Key' (which was a formula). By using the message's arrival time, the first letter of its first word, and the first letter of the last word in its second sentence, one could calculate the corresponding correct Key. This made it difficult for outsiders to impersonate.

At that moment, Baldy took their cellphones and said, "Apart from the two of you, no one else can know about this. You know the target's location. Immediately summon Transcendents unrelated to the target to surround and arrest her."

"Why not directly use a Tactical Bureau command to make the target walk into the encirclement?" Li Dan suddenly asked.

Baldy looked at him deeply and said, "We only learned the detailed arrest plan on the plane. The method you mentioned was rejected by your country's Transcendents because the target has learned a spell, 'Detective's Eye,' which strengthens the Sixth Sense and allows her to detect various clues from the slightest traces. Therefore, any contact that might arouse her suspicion must be avoided. A direct arrest leaves her no chance to escape."

"Moreover, she possesses the trait 'the more who fear her, the stronger she becomes.' She might have realized she's been exposed. But because only a few people know right now, she's likely clinging to a sliver of hope and choosing to remain hidden. Any attempt to probe now will make her flee immediately!"

Baldy looked at Li Dan and said, "I have reason to suspect you intend to warn the target through such a suggestion."

Li Dan spoke indifferently, "I am merely offering a suggestion from my standpoint; your accusation is unfounded. I will do my utmost to help you capture the target."

"I hope so," Baldy said in a low voice. "I am here on official business and for personal vengeance. If the operation proceeds smoothly, I am willing to apologize for my suspicion… as long as we catch her, or kill her!"

His words were laced with barely concealed murderous intent and hatred, compelling Yu Kuangtu to remind him, "The order only specifies 'arrest,' and the target is merely a suspect. Our primary course of action will be apprehension…"

Baldy took a Mirror from his trench coat. The Mirror was round with ornate silver carvings around its frame, yet its surface was as black as obsidian. Despite the bright lights in the waiting room, Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan could not see even the faintest reflection of themselves in it.

"Black Mirror," Baldy introduced briefly. Then, he activated his Spiritual Energy, and the Black Mirror emitted an invisible Radiance that passed through Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan.

Neither of them felt anything, but Yu Kuangtu said thoughtfully, "Is this… the instrument you use to determine if a Transcendent possesses a Slaughter Spell?"

"Slaughter Spell? In the Federation, it's called 'Unforgivable Power,'" Baldy said. "Any sinner who strengthens themselves by harming others will be exposed before the Black Mirror. It will reflect their bloodstained figure for all to see!"

"If the target is innocent, we can use the Black Mirror to prove her innocence on the spot. But if not… then regardless of what you do, I will use every means at my disposal to kill her then and there!"

Baldy's voice was as deep as a dying beast's growl, each syllable seeming to tear from his wounded core. "Anyone who stands in my way dies! I will absolutely not let the Demon King leave my sight alive!"

At this moment, one of the Watchers behind him spoke. "Will you hold back out of camaraderie? Aren't you supposed to be friends?"

Yu Kuangtu looked intently at the Black Mirror, then raised his head to face them, his eyelids slightly lowered. He spoke calmly, "If she doesn't resist and accepts arrest by the Tactical Bureau, I will not allow you to harm a law-abiding citizen, a Deputy Director of the Tactical Bureau.

"If the Black Mirror shines on her and nothing happens, I will not allow you to harm my friend.

"But if she chooses to resist, and the Black Mirror reveals her guilt…"

A flicker of golden flame suddenly materialized in Yu Kuangtu's palm, its Radiance reflected in his clear pupils.

"Then, as Deputy Director of the Tactical Bureau, I will ensure she faces the judgment she deserves."

***

Clothes that are more resistant to dirt... let's go with this set. But I should be able to buy some after I get there. Huh, I even have a new pair of underwear left.

Luckily, I used the Ability Fusion Inscription Rune. Now there's no need to carry Healing Magic, which has freed up some slots in my inventory. Ah, finally, I can use the 'Unlimited Fried Chicken Set'...

Also masks, headphones...

Having prepared everything, Ren Suo pulled out his phone and opened WeChat and QQ.

Apart from some late-night chat logs in a few silly groups, there were no other messages.

Ren Suo smiled. That was understandable for You Jiu. Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan, unsurprisingly, hadn't notified me. I don't know if it was due to a communication restriction or some other reason.

Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan must be heading towards Heavenly Lotus Academy by now. If they intended to inform Qiao Muyi and me, they definitely had the chance... but they are Tactical Cultivators.

Remembering 'Earth Wolf' and 'Insomnia' from other scenarios, Ren Suo couldn't help but smile.

I am about to save your lives. Otherwise, you would be utterly demolished by Qiao Muyi's attacks... Too bad you don't know.

However, if it was me who was framed, would they inform me in advance?

Ren Suo turned this thought over in his mind but quickly arrived at an answer. No, they wouldn't.

They would definitely catch me themselves, protect me, and then do everything possible to gather evidence and clear my name.

If Qiao Muyi wasn't confirmed to be the Demon King, they would certainly do this. Ren Suo remembered how, at the beginning of the game, 'Earth Wolf' and 'Insomnia' firmly believed in Young Master Mu's innocence and hoped he would return to assist in the investigation.

Even though there were Bonds between us, we were still equals. Yu Kuangtu and Li Dan had their own worldviews, their own ways of handling things, and their own likes and dislikes.

They would never be swayed by personal feelings. 'Demonic Possession' was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, forcing them to remain rational and uphold their principles at all times.

They would help their friends in their own way.

Just as Ren Suo was about to do.

Ren Suo walked into Little Jiu's room, bent down to kiss her small face, and softly murmured, "Be good and listen to Sister Ling these next few days, okay?"

He moved to the living room. What else do I need to take care of in the next few days? I should get it all sorted out now.

So he sent a text message to his mom: "Busy these days. I'll come back for hot pot when the weather gets colder."

He sent Gu Yueyan a WeChat message: "No rush on the thesis. It might take me another seven or eight days to get to it, so take your time."

Ren Suo stared at his phone when suddenly, his body shivered, and a chill ran down his spine.

What is this, some kind of final testament?

"It's not like I'm definitely going to die," Ren Suo muttered, his tone suddenly firm as if to reassure himself. "Yeah, it's just an illicit overseas trip—an in-depth tour, actually—for eight full days... It's going to be awesome!"

Ren Suo went to relieve himself. Fully prepared, he was about to leave the house when a problem suddenly struck him: The surveillance cameras on the stairs and in the elevator will record me going to Dong Chengling Family!

He walked onto the balcony and looked at the distance to Dong Chengling Family.

So far!

Even though the straight-line distance is short, I can't pass through walls, and I certainly can't fly!

"MEOW?"

A black shadow landed on the air conditioner unit next to the balcony.

It was Black Bell, seemingly curious as to why Ren Suo was on the balcony at the crack of dawn. It stared at Ren Suo for several seconds before leaping down to the air conditioner units below, step by step, descending to the base of the dormitory building.

Ren Suo looked at the air conditioning unit and blinked.

"Lucky for me, Cheng Ling hasn't let me get fat..." he muttered. Then he leapt from the balcony, landing with the agility of a cat, all four limbs touching down lightly on the air conditioner unit without making a sound.

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