An Unquiet Night

"I understand!"

Director Qi’s expression grew even darker after hearing Gu Sheng’s words. If what Gu Sheng had said was true, then this matter really needed to be taken seriously. Just one Tang Lie had already stirred up the entire city and caused so many problems involving the Yao Family and Zheng Family. If several more appeared, let alone Hangcheng—even Zhejiang Province might fall into chaos!

"Since you understand, keep it in mind and do your job properly. Live up to your positions."

Gu Sheng lectured Director Qi as if he were scolding a child. It felt incredibly satisfying to lecture a senior official like this! After saying those words, he controlled Zheng Shaohua’s corpse and sent it darting away. It turned into a black shadow and vanished into the darkness.

"Don’t chase him!"

Director Han stopped the two subordinates who were about to pursue him. "He can control objects from a distance. Do you really think he’d foolishly let the corpse deliver the thing back to him?"

"Dr. Wu, was what that gentleman just said true? Can emotions awaken power?"

Director Han’s gaze turned to Dr. Wu again. He had taken Gu Sheng’s words to heart.

Dr. Wu said uncertainly, "I’m not sure either, but it should be true. Many of the recent Ability Users suddenly awakened when they were emotionally agitated. However, we’ll need to conduct an analysis based on extensive data before we can reach a conclusion."

"I see! I’ll have to trouble you to look into this, Dr. Wu."

Director Han nodded. He was already considering whether they should artificially stimulate some of the suspected targets under surveillance. Perhaps that way, they could obtain some results.

"All right~"

Wu Mengchen nodded, a thoughtful look appearing in her eyes.

After thinking for a while, Director Han looked up again and said to Director Qi, "Lao Qi, I think we can close this case. A Transnational Terrorist Organization orchestrated a horrifying incident, and the family of Mr. Zheng Jianguo unfortunately perished. Do you think that works?"

He did not plan to continue investigating the matter—at least not openly. He would close the case hastily. The person behind the scenes had already demonstrated his strength, and he was not killing people indiscriminately without reason. Patrol Security Operations Division did not want to push things too far.

"Suit yourself. But there were quite a few guests this time, and many of them have connections. There are also plenty who won’t be satisfied. If you want to end this, you’ll have to settle them first."

Director Qi was now focused entirely on finishing the Criminal Inspector team’s work as soon as possible and devoting himself to the more important upheaval Gu Sheng had mentioned. He had a feeling that this was his opportunity. If he performed well, he might be able to advance further.

"Then, Lao Qi, what about Little Lin and Little Le?"

Director Han rubbed his hands together with a smile at Director Qi. His meaning was obvious: he wanted Director Qi to hand them over. Lin Qinghe and Le Erya were the two most promising and powerful Ability Users to appear recently. They also came from the Criminal Inspector system and had clean backgrounds. Patrol Security Operations Division naturally did not want to let them go.

"They’re officially appointed Criminal Inspectors. Patrol Security Operations Division and the Criminal Inspector system are different departments. Transferring them back and forth would be too troublesome."

Director Qi frowned as well. After hearing so many secrets tonight, he was even less willing to let them go. "How about this? Let Little Lin and Little Le train and work with your Patrol Security Operations Division as external personnel, while keeping their Criminal Inspector appointments unchanged. When the Local Special Department is established, we’ll transfer them back to serve as key members. What do you think?"

This was the compromise Director Qi had chosen. The Criminal Inspector system would certainly be inferior to Patrol Security Operations Division in the supernatural field, and they could not fully develop Lin Qinghe and Le Erya’s potential. But he was reluctant to simply hand them over to Patrol Security Operations Division. It would be better to retain their appointments while sending them there, then transfer them back when the Local Special Department was formed. It would accomplish two things at once.

"All right!"

In the end, Director Han abandoned his plan to poach them outright. In any case, when the Local Special Department was established, Patrol Security Operations Division would also have to contribute personnel. This way, they would have to send out fewer key members.

Director Han then turned to Wu Mengchen with a serious expression. "Dr. Wu, please organize the April data on the mysterious factor—no, on Spiritual Qi fluctuations. I need to transmit it to the central authorities tonight. This matter is extremely important, so I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you to work overtime."

"I understand!"

Wu Mengchen nodded. She knew how serious the situation was. If the research was correct, the eruption of Spiritual Qi fluctuations would inevitably cause enormous problems. Every moment of advance warning would mean more preparation time and greater initiative.

"Sorry for the trouble."

Director Han nodded at Dr. Wu, then led his people out of the room. The people from the Patrol Security Operations Division also left with him.

"Director Zhang, arrange for people to seal off the news immediately and speak with the media. You must minimize the impact of this matter as much as possible. Tomorrow, I don’t want to see this incident being extensively reported online."

Director Qi gave Director Zhang a series of instructions, then looked toward Lin Qinghe and Le Erya. "Little Lin, Little Le, come with me. We may have to work through the night, so you’d better be prepared."

"Yes~"

Lin Qinghe saluted and bowed.

"Ah~"

Le Erya was a little dazed. After hearing Lin Qinghe say yes, she followed suit and saluted. "Yes~" However, her voice lacked strength, sounding weak and listless.

She was actually already very sleepy. Her awakening had caused some minor damage to her brain, leaving her extremely fatigued. A good night’s sleep and some rest would restore her.

"Little Le, I know you’re feeling uncomfortable. Hang in there a little longer. Once we arrive, I’ll have someone get you a room so you can sleep properly."

Director Qi also remembered Gu Sheng’s instructions for Le Erya to sleep. He did not want anything to happen to his future ace, so he immediately made a temporary adjustment and said to Lin Qinghe, "Little Lin, Little Le isn’t feeling well. You may have to accompany me and run around more tonight."

"Director, rest assured. I guarantee I’ll complete the mission."

Lin Qinghe spoke with absolute resolve. Afterward, she supported Le Erya and followed Director Qi out. When they passed Director Zhang, she nodded and gave him a slight bow.

Tonight, both systems in Hangcheng sprang into action. It was destined to be a sleepless night.

At the Hangzhou Holiday Hotel, Gu Sheng sat at the head of the bed with his eyes closed, forming hand seals and muttering incantations. Liu Daimei quietly watched him from the side.

Chu Xin had already gone home. She was worried that her mother would be concerned. Although she came from a single-parent family, her upbringing was strict. Her future mother-in-law, whom she had not yet met, would never agree to her spending the night away from home.

As for Huang Anqi, whom she had left there, her family was better off than Chu Xin’s, but the situation at home was hardly ideal. Staying out overnight was not common, but it was not her first time either. If she had not been good at restraining herself, she would have become a delinquent girl hanging around with bad company long ago.

Her parents raised their daughter in a hands-off manner. They never lacked financial or educational resources, but when it came to discipline, they simply shrugged. Their meaning was clear: "We’ll give you the conditions, but we won’t restrain you. How far you go is up to you."

This kind of parenting was something countless people dreamed of, but for Huang Anqi, it was not a good thing. Compared with a family that offered no restrictions, the superior external conditions and financial security she had were less important to her than her parents’ affection.

Unfortunately, her busy parents could not give her that.