Thirteen red digits flickered across the communication terminal’s screen, changing at a speed almost impossible for the naked eye to follow.
The phone’s casing was designed to withstand the impact of a close-range explosion, and its interior was packed with multiple encryption chips. The communication signal passed through at least seven layers of dynamic encryption, with the transmission path shifting every second.
Any attempt by external forces to crack or intercept the signal would trigger the terminal’s built-in self-destruct program.
Qin Zhong’an shot an uneasy glance at Liu Junnan.
Liu Junnan’s expression had changed as well.
The change was subtle; if Qin Zhong’an hadn’t worked with him for years, he might not have noticed it at all.
His pupils constricted slightly, his eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly, his jaw muscles tightened, and even his breathing became shallower.
These were the reactions that only appeared when Liu Junnan was extremely nervous.
Qin Zhong’an felt a wave of confusion, unable to understand what Liu Junnan was so tense about.
Seeing Qin Zhong’an looking at him, Liu Junnan snapped irritably, “The organization wouldn't contact you through this phone unless it was something extremely important...”
“What are you standing there for? Answer it! See what’s going on!”
Qin Zhong’an hurriedly picked up the phone, pressed the answer button, and pressed the receiver to his ear.
“This is Qin Zhong’an.”
There was no immediate response from the other end.
Only an extremely faint background noise persisted—something like low-frequency electrical static, yet also like something far, far away, pulsing slowly and rhythmically.
That was the unique background noise of Yuansou’s internal communication lines, present in every call.
Three seconds passed.
Five seconds.
Then, a voice rang out.
The voice was deep, sounding as if it were squeezed out of a chest, every word carrying a sense of natural, authoritative pressure.
“Zhong’an.”
Qin Zhong’an’s spine instinctively straightened.
“Boss Mu...”
Qian Musheng.
The head of Yuansou’s Hunter Nest branch and the direct superior of both Qin Zhong’an and Liu Junnan within the organization.
He had operated within the Hunter Nest system for many years, managing dozens of subordinates spread across more than half of China.
His voice echoed through the communication line—deep, slow, and carrying a chilling calmness.
“You and Liu Junnan are in Jiangcheng. What exactly have you been doing lately?”
Qin Zhong’an’s fingers tightened slightly.
Qian Musheng’s tone didn’t sound harsh; it could even be described as peaceful, as casual as asking “What did you eat today?”
But having followed him for years, Qin Zhong’an knew what lay beneath that peace.
The more composed Qian Musheng remained, the more serious the matter was.
“Reporting to Boss Mu,” Qin Zhong’an’s voice struggled to remain steady, “we are pursuing a suspected Mental-type Ability User.”
“Mental-type?” Qian Musheng’s voice rose slightly, carrying a hint of faint interest.
“Yes,” Qin Zhong’an said. “As soon as Young Master Liu and I arrived in Jiangcheng, he sensed energy fluctuations, but by the time he arrived, the target had already left.”
“Since then, we’ve tracked several leads, but we lost the target every time we were about to lock them down.”
“This person’s perception is extremely sharp, and their reaction speed is incredibly fast. They can escape Young Master Liu’s sensing range in a very short time.”
He paused for a moment.
Qian Musheng didn’t speak, merely listening in silence.
Qin Zhong’an took a deep breath and continued, “Until recently, we had a breakthrough!”
“We discovered that Gu Mingshan’s brain had been intruded upon before his death. This person is the Mental-type Ability User we’ve been chasing!”
“We’ll be able to lock down this person’s identity very soon!”
On the other end of the line, Qian Musheng’s breathing was clearly audible.
“Lock them down very soon?”
His tone carried a faint, thin smile.
“So,”
“You’re telling me that you’ve been causing a stir in Jiangcheng for this long, and... you haven't even identified the target?”
Qin Zhong’an’s Adam’s apple bobbed. Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, and a chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
“Yes,” Qin Zhong’an’s voice was trembling.
Silence fell over the other end again.
This silence was longer than before—so long that Qin Zhong’an began to wonder if there was a problem with the communication line.
“Zhong’an, have you two been making a lot of noise in Jiangcheng?”
Qin Zhong’an’s heart skipped a beat.
“Boss Mu, we’ve been keeping a low profile—”
“Low profile?” Qian Musheng interrupted him. The phrase came out of his mouth with a subtle, spine-chilling irony.
“Low profile enough to attract the Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau?!” Qian Musheng’s voice suddenly became sharp, piercing Qin Zhong’an’s eardrums with precision.
Qin Zhong’an was so startled by the sudden shout that he nearly dropped the phone.
“The Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau...” Qin Zhong’an muttered the name under his breath.
The Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau.
The official department in China on Blue Star that dealt with Ability Users. Its full name was the “Special Abnormal Affairs Investigation Bureau,” and it belonged to the core level of the national security system.
Ordinary citizens had no idea this agency existed, but in the circles of Ability Users, the name was like the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
Yuansou operated globally, but it had always maintained a tacit balance with the official organizations of various countries.
They did not interfere with each other, nor did they encroach upon each other’s territory.
But now, people from the Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau had arrived in Jiangcheng.
“Boss Mu...” Qin Zhong’an’s voice tightened. “The Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau is onto us?”
“Have I not made myself clear enough?” Qian Musheng’s voice carried undisguised fury.
“Exactly how much noise did you make in Jiangcheng to actually alert them?!”
Qin Zhong’an’s back was already soaked in cold sweat. His gaze instinctively shifted to Liu Junnan.
He had been unconscious for a month. During that time, he had no idea what Liu Junnan had done!
But at this moment, he didn't dare say a word.
Qian Musheng’s voice continued to come through, each word like a block of ice rolling out of the receiver and smashing against Qin Zhong’an’s heart.
“I have received accurate information that the Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau has already sent people there.”
“Exactly who they are, how many came, or what their rank is, I don’t know yet.”
“The Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau is not to be trifled with!”
Qin Zhong’an’s fingers tightened further, his knuckles turning white.
“Now that they’ve gone there, they will definitely take action!”
“Maybe an investigation, maybe surveillance, or maybe... elimination.”
“Liu Junnan is a Sensory-type Ability User, and his energy signature is very distinct. The Special Abnormal Affairs Bureau isn't incompetent; if they’ve captured his energy signature, finding you is only a matter of time!”
Qian Musheng’s voice suddenly slowed down, as gentle as if he were coaxing a child to sleep.
“Therefore, in my capacity as the head of the Hunter Nest branch, I officially order you—”
“Abandon all missions in Jiangcheng and evacuate immediately! Leave no traces behind.”
Qin Zhong’an took a deep breath. “Understood, Boss Mu.”
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