With Fu Ze and You Jiawei present, it was only natural for Duan Chen and his group to appear at the police station.
This time, Duan Chen brought only Jun Ci, Qin Nanyuan, Xier, and Yuan Qingqing, leaving Yuan Yuan, Tu Feiyuan, Wilieria, Bronya, and Monsaria to guard the manor. The numbers were kept balanced on both sides to avoid being outmaneuvered and suffering casualties.
The police officer responsible for meeting them was named Deng Lin, a rookie officer who was the most perceptive among the four individuals in the video. Otherwise, the police station wouldn't have assigned him to this task.
This operation was known only to Duan Chen's group, the Spirit Hunter Guild, and high-ranking officials of the police station. Deng Lin was unaware that he was being monitored by Duan Chen and believed his efforts were recognized, which made him happy.
"How should I address you all?" he asked, his ordinary features lighting up with a sunny smile that put everyone at ease.
You Jiawei chuckled awkwardly.
"This is Bai, Mr. Bai. And these are Xiao Hei Bai, Xiao Hong Bai, Xier, and Xiao Qing Bai. Oh, Xiao Hei, Xiao Hong, and Xiao Qing are Mr. Bai's sisters, and Xier is his friend."
This clearly indicated to Deng Lin that Duan Chen was the leader of their team.
Deng Lin, being sharp, found their names peculiar but considered them exchange students from the Spirit Hunter Guild. Besides, they were all handsome and beautiful, so he had no reason to be suspicious.
He gestured towards the reception room ahead and said with a smile, "Mr. Bai, please wait here. I'll call my colleagues to brief you on the details."
Although the Spirit Hunter Guild and the police station were like one family, some protocols were different and could not be overlooked.
As soon as they entered the reception room, Yuan Qingqing immediately set up a scrambler, a task she had become quite adept at. Duan Chen silently gave her a thumbs-up.
"How is it?" You Jiawei asked Duan Chen, knowing from their previous conversations that his ability was eye-related.
"It's not him," Duan Chen replied with a slight shake of his head.
"Let's check the next three."
He possessed the Eye of Truth, and no sea demon could ever hide from his sight.
"Alright."
They didn't have to wait long. During that time, a young police officer brought them some tea.
"Everyone, these are my colleagues. They will be guiding you during your exchange and study period at the police station."
These individuals were all energetic young men, possibly new recruits. Their personalities were not as smooth as Deng Lin's, and they appeared somewhat awkward standing there.
Seeing this, Duan Chen silently activated the Eye of Truth and smiled.
"Why are you all still standing? We're all family, so please don't be formal. Have a seat."
His gentle demeanor put everyone at ease. They relaxed and sat on the sofas opposite Duan Chen's group. However, upon noticing the number of beautiful women on Duan Chen's side, they lowered their heads again.
Duan Chen initiated a mental communication.
[No, these guys aren't it either.]
You Jiawei almost cried out, but Qin Nanyuan quickly pressed her thigh, preventing her from jumping up.
[Don't be scared, this is one of my abilities.]
[These four people are not sea demons, nor are they anomalies. They are just four ordinary people.]
Duan Chen felt fortunate but also remained vigilant.
The enemy was hidden while they were exposed. The other party might have already seen them.
"This guy with the short hair is Le Wu. The one with long hair like an artist is Ding Jie. The shy one over there is Yu Lun. We all graduated from the same police academy and were roommates. We never expected to work in the same place."
Duan Chen thought of Gao Tiankai. He took a sip of his tea, suppressing his thoughts.
Deng Lin was eloquent and enthusiastically explained the police station's regulations and where they could and could not go, making sure to clarify everything to prevent unnecessary conflicts.
"Sister Wei Wei, Brother Bai, do you have any other questions?"
You Jiawei shook her head and looked at Duan Chen. He smiled and asked, "Sorry, it's a occupational habit, but I was wondering if you have anything with mirrors here?"
Sea demons usually emerged from mirrors.
Deng Lin paused, then exchanged glances with his companions, and they all burst into laughter.
"Don't worry, Brother Bai. Our police station leads by example. Apart from the women's restroom, there are no mirrors anywhere else!"
The women's restroom... Duan Chen frowned, considering that place potentially significant.
[Should I go take a look?]
You Jiawei looked at Duan Chen.
[Yes, you and Xiao Hong Bai will go.]
[I'll go too.]
Jun Ci couldn't bear to be apart from his childhood sweetheart.
Duan Chen's mouth twitched.
[Then Wei Wei and Xiao Hei Bai, you two go. Xiao Hong and Xiao Qing will stay here with me.]
[No problem, leave it to me.]
Duan Chen calmly cut off mental communication with You Jiawei.
[Jun Ci, come back as soon as you finish checking the mirrors. Don't look around.]
[Received.]
Jun Ci was very serious at times, and very playful at others.
For example, when he proposed going to the restroom, he even winked at Yu Lun as he stood up, making the young man blush.
"We've been talking for a while and I'm getting thirsty. I'll go get you some water."
Yu Lun, not one for words but a giant in action, took out some cups from a drawer and left before Duan Chen's group could politely refuse.
"Do you have any temperature preferences?"
He didn't ask Deng Lin and the others, instead directing his gaze at Duan Chen. Yu Lun was already familiar enough with his friends and saw no need to ask redundant questions.
"All hot, please. Thank you."
Duan Chen felt a good impression of the shy young man.
The exchange went much smoother than expected, with no strange occurrences. Perhaps they were preparing a backup plan.
Duan Chen felt a sudden unease. He stared at the slightly ajar door, inexplicably feeling a sense of foreboding.
Xier, who had been silent, suddenly leaned over and whispered in Duan Chen's ear.
"The police station is so quiet today."
Duan Chen was startled!
Indeed, it was ten o'clock in the morning. It wasn't a break time, so why was it… dead silent?
He abruptly stood up, about to open the door to investigate.
"Knock, knock!"
"Come in," Deng Lin called out.
"Knock, knock!"
"Is that Yu Lun? Just come in!" Deng Lin rolled his eyes.
"Thud!"
This sound was incredibly heavy, reminding Duan Chen of the final toll of a death knell he'd seen in a movie.
With a grim expression, he strode to the door and yanked it open.
He froze on the spot!
"Wh-what's wrong?" Yuan Qingqing, rarely seeing him with such an expression, walked over and her face instantly turned pale.
Deng Lin and his two companions exchanged glances, realizing something bad had happened, and quickly approached.
It was one thing not to look, and another to look...
"Yu Lun!"
The three men's eyes widened in fury. Ding Jie, with his long hair, recoiled in terror, while Le Wu leaned against the doorframe and gagged.
Before them, Yu Lun had become a corpse, and a… dismembered corpse at that.