Yue Shi nodded in agreement with Ling Xun's words. He knew better than anyone that transcendents were essentially materials.
The Investigation Bureau didn't find any further abnormalities in the apartment. Ling Xun soon led his team away, but not before reminding Yue Shi repeatedly:
“If you notice anything out of the ordinary, make sure to notify me immediately. It doesn't matter if it turns out to be a false alarm; your safety is more important.”
The words were touching, and a look of feigned emotion appeared on Yue Shi's face.
A lot had happened today. By the time everything finally quieted down, it was already evening.
There weren't many ingredients left in the fridge. In a sudden flash of inspiration, Yue Shi stir-fried eggs, potatoes, and leftover oranges together.
As it turned out, a flash of inspiration in the kitchen most likely resulted in a brand-new dark cuisine disaster.
After quickly finishing his masterpiece, his phone chimed. He checked it and saw a transfer of 150,000 credits, bringing his available balance to 252,364.15.
This was the reward for dealing with the second Bee Woman.
Soon after, Zhou Zhiheng called him directly.
“The company plans to conduct a detailed investigation into the Heart Thief. We need transcendents to protect the investigators. Regardless of whether we find anything, there's a minimum daily stipend of 1,000, with all room and board reimbursed. If we catch the Heart Thief, there’s a hefty bonus. Are you interested in this mission?”
“Sure. When do we start?” Yue Shi asked.
Zhou Zhiheng: “Tomorrow morning at nine. I’ll come pick you up.”
Yue Shi gave a short “Mm” and hung up.
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened, and dim streetlights illuminated the empty streets.
After dinner, he slumped onto the sofa, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. His eyelids felt heavy, constantly drooping.
Yue Shi didn't resist the sleepiness. He stumbled into the bedroom, summoned two crows from his shadow to keep watch, and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, without even taking off his clothes.
Gurgle... gurgle...
The next morning, hunger woke Yue Shi.
He opened his eyes feeling refreshed, though hungrier than usual—likely because the two shadow crows had been on standby all night.
He quickly filled his stomach with instant noodles and checked his phone. It was 7:43 AM. Without a second thought, he went back for a quick nap.
An hour later, his pre-set alarm went off, and Yue Shi got up to head out.
On his way down, he happened to run into Old Man Qin and gave him a polite greeting.
After waiting outside the apartment for a short while, Zhou Zhiheng arrived in his car.
Yue Shi got in the back seat, glanced at Zhao Lin in the passenger seat, and asked, “Just the three of us?”
“We’re operating in teams. Our group is responsible for interviewing a man named Cai Zetao,” Zhou Zhiheng said, stepping on the gas as the car sped off.
“Cai Zetao?” Yue Shi raised an eyebrow. “My neighbor?”
“Yes, him,” Zhou Zhiheng nodded.
“Not long ago, Cai Zetao was contaminated and nearly mutated into a supernatural entity. Immediately after that, a strange heart appeared in his home. As far as I know, this man was desperate to become a transcendent. To gain supernatural power, he might have actively sought contact with the supernatural. Although there’s no clear evidence, I think he might be problematic and could be linked to the Heart Thief.”
Hearing this, Yue Shi’s eyes darkened. “But Cai Zetao has already been taken away by the Investigation Bureau. Can we see him?”
Zhou Zhiheng chuckled. “Don’t worry, the company has connections. Besides, the impact of the Heart Thief has been quite severe, yet he hasn't been caught. The Investigation Bureau is happy to have private organizations contribute to the case to ensure he's eliminated as quickly as possible.”
Connections? What kind of connections? Yue Shi lowered his eyes slightly. Life was truly full of surprises. He had thought Tulip Security Company was just a small, insignificant outfit, but now... it seemed like they were more than they appeared.
“There’s an Abnormal Symptom Control and Isolation Center in the north of the city. Citizens affected by contagious or spreading supernatural entities are sent there by the Investigation Bureau for observation. Cai Zetao is there.”
With that, Zhou Zhiheng accelerated again.
The road was clear, and they arrived at the isolation center about ten minutes later.
They passed through several checkpoints along the way. Zhou Zhiheng presented some paperwork, and after a careful check, they were allowed through.
A staff member led the three of them to change into hazmat suits before heading to the isolation chamber where Cai Zetao was held.
On the way, the staff member explained, “Cai Zetao was only mildly contaminated by the supernatural, so visits from friends and family are permitted. His body hasn't deformed, and his mind hasn't been warped. He’s in very good condition. After another month of observation, if there are no adverse symptoms, he can leave and return to his normal life.”
While talking, they reached the isolation area and took the elevator to the fourth floor.
Stepping out of the elevator, they entered a quiet corridor lined with surveillance cameras and supernatural detectors.
Cai Zetao was in Isolation Chamber 13. Outsiders were prohibited from approaching him directly; they could only communicate through glass using an intercom.
Before Zhou Zhiheng could speak, Yue Shi stepped forward and picked up the intercom.
Though Zhou Zhiheng was a bit puzzled, as long as they could get information, it didn't matter who asked the questions.
“Relax,” Yue Shi said, immediately activating Raven's Secret Whispers.
Hearing the voice, a look of confusion appeared on Cai Zetao’s face. “Who are you?”
“I’m your neighbor. I have some questions for you,” Yue Shi said in a gentle tone.
The man seemed dazed for a moment before a faint smile tugged at his lips. “What do you want to ask?”
Yue Shi: “Tell me about your current condition.”
“I’m fine, very fine.” The curve of Cai Zetao’s mouth widened slightly.
Yue Shi asked again, “Do you know about the Heart Thief?”
Cai Zetao nodded slightly.
“Tell me what you know about the Heart Thief!” Yue Shi’s voice was full of allure.
Cai Zetao’s brow furrowed as if he were resisting. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke slowly:
“I wanted to have supernatural power, but most transcendents don’t even know how they awakened. The Investigation Bureau would never reveal such secrets to ordinary people. I spent all my savings and still ended up with nothing.”
“Later... I had an epiphany. As long as I can get that miraculous power, as long as I can become strong, what does it matter if I’m human or a supernatural creature? Since humans couldn't help me, I went looking for the supernatural!”
“Hehe... I saw them. The Life Vine, the Queen Bee, the heart-gouging monster, the supernatural wearing human skin... Hehe...”
At this point, Cai Zetao’s expression became increasingly manic, and his entire face twisted into an extreme distortion.
Yue Shi wanted to continue questioning him, but several staff members suddenly rushed over.
“Subject 13’s mental state is showing a massive abnormal shift!”
“What did you do to him?!”
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