"I already know."
After Han Su submitted the report and clarified his own niche within the mysterious circle, there was a knock at the door. Zhang Chiguo walked in with a grim expression, followed by Cui Qiao. The air around the two of them seemed heavy:
"Someone carried out a malicious penetration against you, which also affected the Nail of the Dead Sea in your hands and nearly caused the mission to fail."
"I’ve already confirmed this with Miss Ai."
"Because it happened outside the city, her monitoring capabilities were limited and couldn’t point to anyone specific. But this matter is extremely serious."
"......"
Seeing Zhang Chiguo’s darkened face, Han Su smiled and asked, "How serious?"
Zhang Chiguo said coldly, "Serious enough that even if the person responsible is an Independent Investigator, they would still be taken down for such an act!"
"Before you entered the Disaster Management Bureau, I already told you that some people would try to influence you, even frame you."
His face grew darker, and he lowered his voice: "I just didn’t expect them to act so urgently, or rather, so brazenly.""It likely has to do with your outstanding performance and rapid promotion within the Disaster Management Bureau."
"But this makes me even more concerned. Before, when they hadn’t made a move, I was actually a bit anxious, because it’s hard to guard against what you can't see. But now that they’ve acted, they’ve blatantly ignored the rules of the Disaster Management Bureau."
"Striking during someone else’s mission already crosses the bottom line. The Disaster Management Bureau is indeed a mess, but interfering in others’ missions is the greatest taboo!"
"If they cross the bottom line the first time, then what about next time? Will they just go as far as to kill?"
"Now that you’re about to be promoted to Investigator, you’ll indeed be much safer in the city. But in the future, will you never go outside the city again?"
"That’s why, I must get to the bottom of this."
"......"
Looking at Zhang Chiguo’s determined face, Han Su suddenly felt a bit worried.
Actually, whether or not he would go outside the city was still uncertain. Deep down, he was rather hoping to try summoning the Phantom Truck.
But at this moment, he recalled the warning Song Chu‑shi had given him.
If this intrusion came from that monster, then it would be a being that even Song Chu‑shi was wary of.
Would Zhang Chiguo be in danger facing it?
With this thought, Han Su asked, "Uncle Zhang, what if, after your investigation, you find out that the other party is someone even you can’t afford to provoke?"
"......"
Faced with this question, Zhang Chiguo paused for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said, "I’m just a small figure. There are plenty of people I can’t provoke. But what does that have to do with whether or not I should continue doing my job?"
Han Su was momentarily stunned and hesitated to speak.
Zhang Chiguo waved his hand and said, "I’ve actually already started the investigation and have a suspect. Don’t ask who it is."
"Of course, the person I suspect also surprised me."
"In fact, I didn’t think he would have any connection to you. The real backbone of the Disaster Management Bureau includes only the Executors, Investigators, Independent Investigators, the relevant departments, and those Legendary Investigators who are already half out of the Bureau."
"But those who possess Mysterious Power also include monsters imprisoned by the Disaster Management Bureau, or entities under special contracts."
"The person I now suspect falls under one such special contract."
"Currently, he is in a special state. Originally, this state was supposed to be lifted within two days, but some accident has extended the duration."
"But I will submit an application as soon as possible, and once the special state is lifted, I’ll detain and question him immediately."
"Also worth noting..."
Zhang Chiguo paused, then said to Han Su, "If it really was that entity who spied on you, then the one who protected you under its gaze is no ordinary figure."
"These mysterious organizations, although most of them remain neutral, and some are even tolerated by the Disaster Management Bureau, still need to be approached with caution. Their beliefs and ideologies influence them, twisting them from within."
"......"
Han Su understood now—Zhang Chiguo also knew about the person who helped him during the mission.
As he thought about this, an image of someone wearing a cat-faced mask flashed in his mind. Yet he still felt puzzled:
‘The one who helped me must have been Miss Wei Lan, right?’
‘Seems like she’s also a figure in the mysterious circle, and quite powerful at that!’
‘Back then, she was the trembling shadow locked up on the fifth floor during the kidnapping case, but after escaping that ordeal, she didn’t leave the mysterious circle?’
‘……’
These thoughts flashed quickly through his mind. Han Su didn’t say them out loud. He simply looked at Zhang Chiguo, smiled, and said:
"Uncle Zhang, the Disaster Management Bureau does need to be cleaned up. But you should be careful."
Zhang Chiguo’s expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Han Su smiled again and said, "I really don’t want to encounter things like this, but I’m just too busy. I have my own matters to attend to and don’t want to waste time playing power games with them, so I’ll have to rely on you."
"But more importantly, I don’t want you to get hurt. I might not have time to help you."
Zhang Chiguo originally wanted to talk to Han Su about survival in the Disaster Management Bureau and the risks Han Su had taken during the Phantom Truck case. But when he looked into Han Su’s eyes, the words died in his throat.
He looked too exhausted.
Zhang Chiguo didn’t understand why someone as young as Han Su could look so worn out.
But it made him drop his inquiries entirely. With a soft sigh, he patted Han Su’s shoulder and said, "The Investigator License will soon be in your hands. Your authority and clearance level will also be elevated."
"Besides, you don’t have the time, but I do."
"I’m not dealing with that monster because of you—it’s part of my job."
Han Su was stunned for a moment, then nodded, picked up his suitcase, and prepared to leave. But Zhang Chiguo suddenly called out to him again: "Han, get some rest. You’ve already resolved the Phantom Truck."
"That matter..."
"We still have time."
"Don’t push yourself too hard."
"......"
Han Su paused in surprise, turned back to look at Zhang Chiguo, and nodded. "Got it, Uncle Zhang."
But in his heart, he sighed: The machine keeps ticking, how could I rest?
He walked out with the suitcase, not expecting to hear someone call his name again at the entrance of the base:
"Han Su."
Han Su frowned and turned around, only to see an unexpected person—Red Trench Coat.
She was still wearing her iconic red trench coat, with flawless makeup and those exaggerated high-heeled riding boots.
She forced a smile on her face. "Teacher Li, is there something you need?"
Within the Disaster Management Bureau, her codename was Red Trench Coat, but her surname was Li. Miss Crow was her niece, but carried the surname Dong. Han Su didn’t understand the connection.
He had already spoken frankly with Miss Crow and expected Red Trench Coat to come looking for him. There was no need to be overly polite, but since she had trained him, it was appropriate to show some courtesy.
"Perhaps I should congratulate you—for resolving the Phantom Truck and obtaining your Investigator License at near-record speed?"
Red Trench Coat slowly walked over with a faint smile. "That said, I had thought you’d ask me for help, and I was even ready to assist you."
"Didn’t you say not to call unless I was ready to accept your terms?"
Han Su smiled politely. "I’m not used to promising anyone anything in advance, so I didn’t make the call."
"We bear you no ill will."
Feeling the distance in Han Su’s tone, Red Trench Coat’s expression grew solemn. "In the Phantom Truck case, we were prepared to give you full support."
"We even had suitable plans made and enough people selected before you even asked."
"In fact..."
She paused, then looked Han Su straight in the eyes. "We originally intended to present this Investigator License to you as a gift."
Han Su stirred slightly at her words and looked up. "And then?"
Red Trench Coat continued slowly, "Then, after you became an Investigator, we’d introduce you to someone."
"He would help you get familiar with this circle, teach you how to survive here, maybe even train you himself..."
"Of course, on the condition that you accept his terms."
"......"
Han Su asked, "What terms?"
Red Trench Coat spoke slowly, "After your promotion to Investigator, focus on improving yourself and completing the Disaster Management Bureau’s tasks..."
"But don’t bring up certain settled matters again!"
Han Su’s heart suddenly skipped a beat when he heard this. He lifted his head coldly, his tone hardening.
"Why?"
Red Trench Coat sighed and shook her head gently. "Some matters are complicated and not something that can be explained in a few words. I have to admit, trying to make you agree before you faced the Phantom Truck was my mistake."
"But now that you have the Investigator License, you’ve only taken the first step. There’s still much for you to learn, and what we promised you..."
She seemed to be choosing her words, preparing to offer enticing conditions, but Han Su abruptly interrupted her: "Can you not waste my time?"
Red Trench Coat was stunned, her expression darkening. "What did you say?"
"I said, can you not waste my time?"
Han Su stared her in the eyes. "Teacher Li, you’re a busy person. I have things to do too."
"I appreciate your time spent training me in Mysterious Power, but that doesn’t mean I have the patience to play house with you here."
"I don’t know who this person you’re talking about is, nor what he’s planning. If he wants to meet me, he can come find me himself!"
"If he has conditions, then he should tell me in person and explain the reason for them."
"Don’t waste everyone’s time. And don’t force your half-mad niece into surveillance tasks she’s clearly unfit for!"
He took a step back and said seriously, "Goodbye!"
With that, he turned and walked swiftly toward the base entrance, leaving Red Trench Coat standing there, her expression alternating between blue and red, looking extremely unpleasant.