Lies

The right lie, told to the right person at the right time.

It was a lie that was remarkably easy to believe.

With Jiang Cifei and Fang Jianxin as cautionary tales, Ling Xun didn't doubt for a second that Yue Shi's attack was fake. In fact, he felt it would have been stranger if it hadn't happened.

When describing the characteristics of the two attackers, Yue Shi subtly modeled them after Pei Yue and Bai Qingyu.

He then bluntly added, "Not long after I agreed to go undercover and investigate the secrets behind the Tulip Security Company, I was attacked and nearly killed."

"Is it possible there's a mole in the Investigation Bureau who leaked my identity?"

"Impossible," Ling Xun denied immediately, without a second thought.

"You certainly are confident," Yue Shi remarked flatly.

Ling Xun opened his mouth to explain, but Yue Shi didn't dwell on the topic. Instead, he asked, "Judging by that long face of yours earlier, is the Investigation Bureau in some kind of trouble?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Ling Xun's face.

Seeing this, Yue Shi immediately adopted a sarcastic, biting tone. "I know I'm just an undercover agent whose identity can't be public, but I'm still a member of the Investigation Bureau, aren't I?"

"Or is this some high-level secret I'm not allowed to know? It's fine. Even if you don't see me as one of your own, I won't hold it against you."

Ling Xun couldn't stand this cloying, manipulative act. Helplessly, he pulled out a document. "See for yourself."

Yue Shi stood up and took the file. It was a summary of several unresolved, thorny cases—

【Recently, a contraband substance known as "Potential Potion" has surfaced from the Southwest Chaos Zone. Ordinary people gain immense physical strength shortly after injection, but the drug causes brain damage, limb deformities, and other aftereffects. It is addictive, and as dosage and frequency increase, the user eventually turns into a mindless monster that attacks everything indiscriminately.】

【Unknown contamination has appeared in certain areas, distorting the cognition of those affected and making them excessively kind and merciful. Some experts and scholars claim this contamination might be beneficial to human survival...】

【An out-of-control Rank 3 transcendent has appeared in Chijing City. The local Investigation Bureau suffered heavy losses. The transcendent has fled the city and is currently wandering the Chaos Zone...】

"What does 'out-of-control transcendent' mean?" Yue Shi asked, a flash of confusion in his eyes. This fell right into his knowledge gap.

"I'm not entirely sure myself," Ling Xun shook his head. "Director Tang once told me that ascending to Rank 3 is a major hurdle for transcendents, but she didn't go into detail. She said knowing too much could negatively impact one's mindset."

Yue Shi gave an "oh" of acknowledgment and continued flipping through the file.

Just then...

Boom!

An explosion suddenly sounded from outside, followed by two people shouting insults and cursing each other's ancestors.

Ling Xun's face shifted through several colors like a palette as he struggled to suppress his mounting rage.

Yue Shi was surprised. "Who has the nerve to cause trouble inside the Investigation Bureau?"

Ling Xun sighed helplessly. "Remember the Bee Woman riot at Amber City First Middle School? Almost everyone there died. One of the survivors was a high schooler named Bai Wanyang, who suddenly awakened a supernatural power in the moment of crisis."

"I invited Bai Wanyang to join the Investigation Bureau. However, after he learned the full story behind the Bee Woman incident, he became extremely hostile toward another one of our transcendents, Zhu Qunqing."

"Those two fight every single day. They're practically tearing the house down..."

Although Ling Xun sounded like he was just venting, Yue Shi sensed something else. "If the Bureau wanted to mediate, they wouldn't be fighting like this, would they? At the very least, they shouldn't be making such a scene during work hours."

Ling Xun didn't hide it. He stated bluntly, "Fighting every day allows them to effectively and quickly develop and master their supernatural powers. It's good for them."

"It's only good for Bai Wanyang, isn't it?" Yue Shi remarked. "Zhu Qunqing isn't exactly a fresh recruit."

"Besides," Yue Shi continued, "Zhu Qunqing's ability is quite strange. Aren't you afraid things will go south? What if Bai Wanyang gets 'accidentally injured' or ends up crippled or dead?"

Ling Xun chuckled. "Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. Bai Wanyang's ability is very special."

Yue Shi's interest was piqued. "Care to share what their abilities are?"

Ling Xun shook his head. "Unless they choose to tell you themselves, I won't disclose their personal information."

"Fair enough," Yue Shi shrugged.

"Of the four transcendents in the Tulip Security Company, two are missing, and I've been attacked. Only Zhong Mo remains unscathed. I'm highly suspicious of both the company and him."

"If the company and Zhong Mo are involved, and they failed to kill me this time, they might launch a second attack soon. Or, they might flee quickly to avoid leaving a trail for the Investigation Bureau to follow."

Ling Xun raised an eyebrow. "So, you're thinking..."

"Are you interested in a sting operation?" Yue Shi asked.