《Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!》


 Chapter 1: Crisis Sense

    Chapter 1: Crisis Sense


    Then, Let Them Offer Their Loyalty!


    BOTI Trantion


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    TagsSynopsis:


    Transmigrated into a world of chaos and bizarre artifacts, Qiu Tu discovers that he has slept with a powerful figure''s mistress...


    Since he''s been caught, why not go with the flow?


    Strengthening his abilities, building his influence, and recruiting beautiful and powerful subordinates, he steadily climbs to the top of this world!


    Catastrophe abilities and bizarre artifacts include: a yellow stone that can erase his impression from others'' minds; a mirror that allows him to freely adjust his appearance and copy others'' looks and voices; a beast''s head that can summon a storm with a kiss; a piggy bank that stores emotions; and a reversal potion that increases affection when used to hit people, among others...


    Chapter 1 Crisis Sense


    White, yellowing curtains, moldy walls, a small, dim room. The scent of a woman''s perfume mixed with the blooming osmanthus flowers.


    "Drip, drip."


    Apanied by the dripping sound of the old bathroom faucet, Qiu Tu slowly woke up. He opened his tired eyes, shook his dizzy, aching head, and took in his surroundings.


    The room, only seven square meters, was cluttered with various items. Amidst the clutter was a dpidated wooden bed. A woman with a curvaceous figure and snow-white skin was sleeping naked on the bed.


    As he looked at the woman, her identity automatically surfaced in Qiu Tu''s mind. She was the mistress of Yan Chen, the Director of the New Realm City Investigation Department. And he...


    Qiu Tu shook his aching head again.


    He was Yan Chen''s trusted aide, a mid-level agent in the New Realm City Investigation Department. His main task was to protect this mistress''s safety.


    Qiu Tu abruptly raised his head and looked at his own equally naked body, his face full of shock.


    Wait a minute.


    Wasn''t he explosing apany? How did he be an agent? Did he transmigrate?


    Half an hourter.


    In the bathroom, standing in front of the dirty sink, with water sshed on his face, Qiu Tu looked at his face in the cracked mirror and roughly figured out the situation.


    He had indeed traveled through time. He hade to this chaotic and bloody world. A sudden catastrophe had destroyed most countries, mutated species, abandoned cities, and caused food shortages. Civilization had disappeared, reced by endless chaos, thew of the jungle, and natural selection.


    Decades of chaos followed the catastrophe before civilization began to reemerge. With the coboration of several powerful individuals, humanity gradually established eight shelters, slowly restoring the pre-catastrophe order and giving people new hope.


    Unfortunately, New Realm City, where Qiu Tu was, was not one of the eight shelters but a nning area. It was a region between the shelters and the disaster zones, awaiting reconstruction.


    Here, there were no perfectws or strict rules to follow, only the basic principle of survival of the fittest. Although the major shelters assigned mid-to-high-level managers to these areas to maintain order, they only required these areas not to fall into major chaos, ignoring other aspects.


    This led to each high-level manager bing the de facto rulers of their respective nning areas, wielding absolute power over life and death.


    Yan Chen, Qiu Tu''s superior, was one of the three major figures in New Realm City, wielding all the power of the city''s Investigation Department. And Qiu Tu himself was Yan Chen''sckey, a mid-level agent in New Realm City, responsible for doing Yan Chen''s dirty work, such as killing, collecting taxes, and... protecting his mistress.


    Well, that protection had extended to the bed.


    Wiping his face, Qiu Tu recalled thest memories of his predecessor. In his memory, the predecessor had a vigorous battle with Yan Chen''s mistress and then fell asleep, only to suddenly feel his heart tighten and ache. He woke up with tinnitus and dizziness, his strength waning until his consciousnesspletely faded. This was when Qiu Tu took over his identity.


    "Was it a sudden illness?"


    Recalling his predecessor''s death, Qiu Tu felt a bit puzzled. But he didn''t dwell on it. After all, sleeping with the mistress of the city''s Investigation Department Director meant an early orte death wasn''t much different.


    In an era where countless people died every day, offending such a big shot, being thrown into a sack and dumped in a sewer the next day was considered lucky. If the big shot held a grudge or was a psychopath, being tortured for a lifetime after being crippled was very normal.


    "A bit exciting, huh?"


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu looked up at the culprit of all this¡ªhis handsome face in the mirror, and suddenly smiled brightly.


    "However, it''s already much better than my previous life."


    In his previous life, Qiu Tu was tricked by a friend and sold to northern Myanmar, where he was beaten and insulted daily. He didn''t dare close his eyes at night for fear of being buried alive or having his organs harvested the next day.


    In such an environment, he turned his mind and actively "joined" the scam group, bing a minion. Deceiving, chopping, and killing people, he gradually climbed to the top, then blew up the entire group along with the boss during a celebration banquet.


    Recalling thest years of his previous life, from being tricked into northern Myanmar, he had only one way out¡ªdeath. Compliance meant death, resistance meant death, collusion meant death, and lonely revenge also meant death.


    But now, though dangerous, there was at least a chance of survival. From the predecessor''s memory, it seemed Yan Chen still trusted him.


    As long as Qiu Tu didn''t expose himself, he shouldn''t be in immediate danger, right?


    Just as he was thinking this, suddenly, "Buzz, buzz." The sound of themunicator vibrating echoed in the small bathroom. Hearing the vibration, Qiu Tu looked at the oldmunicator with physical buttons on the sink.


    The low-resolution yellow-green screen of themunicator disyed three words: Director Yan.


    Even though he had prepared himself mentally, seeing the name still made Qiu Tu''s heart race. He took a deep breath, suppressed his surprise, and reminded himself to stay calm. The director didn''t know anything, and as long as he remained calm, there shouldn''t be a problem.


    However, just as he was thinking this, his vision suddenly flickered.


    The next second, lines of prompts appeared before his eyes.


    [Crisis Sense Triggered! Generating Crisis Report!]


    [Your superior, Director Yan of the New Realm City Investigation Department, is contacting you.]


    [He is suspicious and ruthless.]


    [Before contacting you, he has already spoken with other confidants, knowing you and his mistress, Qin Shuman, deliberately sent others away and spent 4.5 hours alone, yet to return.]


    [Qin Shuman''s maid also secretly informed him that you and Qin Shuman have been flirting recently.]


    [Now he is very angry and has begun to doubt your loyalty.]


    [But the cunning director does not intend to alert you but ns to test you.]


    [You have only two minutes.]


    [If you do not regain his trust within two minutes, tomorrow, your and Qin Shuman''s bodies will appear in the sewers of New Realm City. With his power, you can''t escape.]


    [Now, the two-minute countdown begins.]


    As the prompt ended, a sandss-shaped countdown icon slowly appeared in the upper left corner of his vision.


    Qiu Tu: ???


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 2: Character Flaws

    Chapter 2: Character ws


    Chapter 2 Character ws


    Seeing the sudden countdown and text before him, Qiu Tu was full of questions.


    "Is this... a cheat code?"


    A cheat code that could warn him of risks?


    After a brief thought, Qiu Tu decided that although it seemed weak, it was still eptable. After all, without the [Crisis Sense] warning, he wouldn¡¯t have known that Yan Chen had already learned some information from the maid and had started to suspect that he and Qin Shuman were having an affair. If he had picked up the call and tried to lie to cover it up, he would have ended up dead in the dirty sewer the next day.


    In this situation, this cheat code had saved his life.


    "Anyway, I can¡¯t change the cheat code, so there¡¯s no point in overthinking it. I should focus on dealing with the current problem."


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu looked at the series of prompts before him and started contemting how to handle the situation.


    Themunicator buzzed in his hand, and the bright red countdown beat like a heart.[1:56]


    [1:55]


    [1:52]


    [1:51]


    [1:48]


    [1:47]


    Time ticked away, second by second, until at [1:45], Qiu Tu''s eyes slowly became determined, and he pressed the answer button without hesitation.


    The next moment, his expression seamlessly changed, and he respectfully said into themunicator, "Director, you were looking for me?"


    "I had some matters to attend to, so I answeredte."


    Perhaps due to the lingering influence of his predecessor, Qiu Tu found speaking those ttering words extremely smooth, to the point where he was surprised himself.


    [1:42]


    [1:41]


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s tone, which was no different from usual, Yan Chen on the other end of themunicator did not suspect anything. He deeply said, "Hmm," and then continued, "Qiu Tu, I have a task for you."


    "The Security Bureau on Xiafang Street caught a pharmacist selling drugs in ck market. I need you to bring him back to the bureau. He¡¯s still useful for me."


    [1:27]


    [1:26]


    ncing at the dwindling countdown, Qiu Tu quickly responded, "Yes, Director!"


    However, after responding, he pretended to be in a dilemma and said, "But, Director, I¡ª"


    Yan Chen¡¯s authoritative voice cut him off, "What? Is there a problem?"


    The pressure from Yan Chen, even through themunicator, was palpable, like a volcano about to erupt.


    [1:18]


    Qiu Tu, unfazed by Yan Chen¡¯s pressure, maintained his tone and quietly said, "Director, actually, there¡¯s something else I need to do."


    He hesitated for two seconds before seemingly making a decision and said, "Director, I have something I¡¯ve been wanting to report to you. But I didn¡¯t have any evidence. I didn¡¯t dare to say."


    "Qin Shuman is suspicious. I suspect the Municipal Council nted her to spy on you!"


    With this statement, the air seemed to freeze, and the countdown appeared to stop at [1:03].


    After five long seconds, the countdown resumed, and Yan Chen''s deep voice asked, "What do you mean?"


    [1:00]


    With only one minute left, the countdown turned a ring red and began shing intensely. Qiu Tu, however, remained calm and exined steadily, "Director, I have been following your orders to protect Miss Qin¡¯s safety. But I¡¯ve noticed something off about her."


    "For example, you said she just came to New Realm City from the disaster zone, but she seems very familiar with the city."


    "For example, she, like us, is not a shelter resident, yet her skin is smooth and white, without any scars or calluses."


    "For example, whenever I¡¯m around her, she always tries to talk to me, often bringing up your topics to probe for your information."


    "All these signs suggest she may not be as simple as she appears."


    "And, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s a bit too coincidental?"


    "New Realm City is vast and chaotic. How did such a beautiful woman just happen to be found by you?"


    "Wouldn¡¯t others also want to im such a beauty?"


    "Does this really make sense?"


    After a pause, Qiu Tu continued, "So, I have been trying to please her, subtly showing my affection to gain her trust."


    "Perhaps my approach worked, and I gained her trust. Today, she told me she felt like a caged bird and wanted to go out alone. So I cooperated and sent away the maid and other security personnel to go out with her alone."


    "I¡¯ve been with her these few hours, observing her every move, trying to figure out her true intentions."


    [0:15]


    The shing red countdown seemed to stoppletely this time.


    Yan Chen, after a brief silence, asked, "What did you find?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "Nothing."


    Imagining Yan Chen''s face darkening on the other end, Qiu Tu paused and added, "But that¡¯s the biggest problem!"


    "She went to great lengths to slip away from everyone just to take a simple walk?"


    "Director, does this make sense?"


    Yan Chen remained silent.


    After two seconds, he asked, "Why do you think she was sent by the Municipal Council?"


    Qiu Tu answered, "It¡¯s a guess."


    "Everyone in New Realm City knows the Municipal Council and the Investigation Department don¡¯t get along, especially Commissioner Jiang, who has conflicts with you."


    Yan Chen snorted coldly.


    Sensing he had pushed enough, Qiu Tu changed the subject and summarized, "So, when considering potential suspects, I first thought of the Municipal Council."


    "But I¡¯m still verifying it and have no evidence yet."


    Yan Chen¡¯s tone softened a bit. He pondered for a moment and then asked, "Where are you now?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "At my ce."


    "Miss Qin requested it."


    "She¡¯s ying video games now, and I used an excuse to answer your call in the bathroom."


    Yan Chen acknowledged with a "Hmm."


    He didn¡¯t reveal his attitude but returned to his original topic, "I¡¯ll have someone else handle the Xiafang Street matter. You stay with Shuman."


    "Yes, Director!" Qiu Tu obediently bowed slightly as if Yan Chen could see him. "I will confirm Miss Qin¡¯s identity for you and not let you down."


    Yan Chen didn¡¯t respond and hung up.


    Hearing the beeping sound from the receiver, Qiu Tu, knowing he had narrowly escaped, slowly exhaled. He straightened up, his smile fading, and became expressionless.


    In the years he spent with the scam group in northern Myanmar, Qiu Tu learned a lot, including reading people¡¯s expressions, understanding psychology, and identifying character ws.


    Yan Chen¡¯s character w was obvious: suspicion.


    Such a person, once suspicious, wouldn¡¯t easily stop.


    Therefore, Qiu Tu knew that exining more would only arouse more suspicion from Yan Chen.


    Moreover, for a big shot like Yan Chen, both confidants and mistresses were just begging dogs. In this chaotic world, two ordinary people without shelter identities could be killed on a whim if he had any doubts or displeasure.


    To survive, Qiu Tu had to involve a third-party force that Yan Chen would be wary of. Only this would make Yan Chen restrain his emotions and not act rashly, buying Qiu Tu time to resolve the crisis.


    This third-party force was the Municipal Council.


    The Municipal Council was New Realm City¡¯s highest authority, controlling legition, personnel, finance, and all other powers. Theoretically, the Investigation Department should also be under itsmand.


    However, for power bnce, when the shelter assigned high-level managers, the Municipal Council, Investigation Department, and Military all had direct ess to the shelter. In the nning areas, the three were rtively independent. The Municipal Council couldn¡¯t directlymand the other two forces, relying on benefits, situations, and righteousness to make them obey.


    This led to a rtionship of both conflict and necessary cooperation among the three.


    In this context, facing someone suspected of being nted by the Municipal Council, the shrewd Yan Chen would likely be cautious. He wouldn¡¯t easily act against the two until he understood Qin Shuman¡¯s identity and the council¡¯s intentions, preserving the delicate bnce in New Realm City.


    This lie would also create a potential adversarial rtionship between Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman in Yan Chen¡¯s mind, reducing suspicion of their affair.


    Additionally, Qiu Tu¡¯s ¡°honest¡± disclosure of their whereabouts would increase the credibility of his information in Yan Chen¡¯s eyes.


    The entire n, though bold and fraught with future issues, was the best Qiu Tu could devise in those few seconds.


    Reflecting on his n, Qiu Tu looked deeply at the paused countdown in the upper left of his vision, continuing to perfect his n in his mind.


    "Though I acted well and reced the original doubt with a new one, guiding Yan Chen¡¯s suspicion, can it really be dispelled with his suspicious nature?"


    "Can it really be that simple?"


    With this thought, the hourss-shaped countdown in his vision slowly changed.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 3: Supernatural Powers?

    Chapter 3: Supernatural Powers?


    Chapter 3 Supernatural Powers?


    As the hourss changed, new prompts indeed appeared before Qiu Tu.


    [Congrattions on sessfully oveing the recent crisis and gaining Yan Chen''s initial trust.]


    [However, his inherently suspicious nature means your fabricated lie does notpletely convince him¡ªafter all, there are still some inconsistencies in your story.]


    [So, he ns to visit Qin Shuman''s residence tonight to question you in person.]


    [You have five hours to prepare.]


    [Do your best to weave all your lies seamlessly and prepare appropriate evidence to gain a chance at survival.]


    [You don''t want to know the consequences of failure.]


    As the prompts ended, the original hourss slowly transformed into a shaking little treasure chest, while another countdown hourss appeared beside it.[4:59:50]


    Seeing the new countdown, Qiu Tu was silent for a few seconds, then slowly smiled.


    He had known that Yan Chen wouldn''t be so easily fooled due to his suspicious nature. This was a life-or-death game of walking on a tightrope; it wouldn¡¯t be so easy to get through.


    But five hours were much better than the previous two minutes. At least it gave him time to do other things, like carefully studying his cheat code.


    With this thought, Qiu Tu focused on the treasure chest icon that had just appeared and tried clicking it.


    The next second, the treasure chest opened and disappeared, reced by a semi-transparent sea-blue stone. Meanwhile, two small prompts refreshed before Qiu Tu.


    [Crisis ovee, you receive the treasure chest reward: Aurora Stone.]


    "Aurora Stone: One of the essential materials for cataclysm. With other materials, it can be used to create various cataclysm potions and tools, such as ''Cataclysm Potion,'' ''Talisman Skull,'' ''Old Mark,'' and ''Shining Octahedron.''"


    Staring at the two prompts, Qiu Tu was silent for a few seconds before slowly frowning.


    Cataclysm materials? Cataclysm potions? Talisman skulls? Shining octahedron?


    Was this world not ordinary but one with supernatural powers? This was quite unexpected for Qiu Tu.


    Thinking of this, he quickly went through his memories but found nothing rted to supernatural powers. Whether from officially disclosed information from the shelters or rumors circting in the nning areas, there had never been any mention of supernatural powers.


    This world still relied on firearms for armed forces, with agriculture and industry as core sectors. Even the major shelters were said to be built on pre-cataclysm abandoned military factories,rge farms, or industrial bases.


    "What¡¯s going on? Could it be that the supernatural powers in this world are not widely known?"


    "Do the major shelters know about this?"


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu quickly reviewed his memories. This time, he soon found some clues.


    The first clue was from a colleague who had been seconded to the Municipal Council. He said that while the council was freely epting refugees from the disaster zones, they had a strange requirement for the refugees: they had to mark areas dense with animals and nts along their escape route.


    The second clue was from a merchant Qiu Tu encountered while working the ck market. The merchant said that one of the three major forces in New Realm City, the military, had been secretly collecting materials from the nearby cataclysm zones, though no one knew what exactly they were collecting.


    The third clue was something Yan Chen mentioned when drunk. In his memory, one day Yan Chen inexplicably received amendation from higher-ups and held a small celebration. During the banquet, he got a bit drunk and boldly said, "The cataclysm destroyed human civilization, but it also gave humanity new opportunities."


    When asked what he meant, Yan Chen just smiled and said nothing. The next day, he firmly denied ever saying such a thing.


    Because these three incidents were very scattered, and because the mid-to-high-level managers sent from the shelters were all mysterious, Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t thought much about it before.


    But now, linking everything together, Qiu Tu felt something was amiss.


    "Could it be that the cataclysm really brought supernatural powers into this world? And the major shelters already possess this power?"


    "Is their purpose in establishing the nning areas to collect various cataclysm materials and valuable resources?"


    The more he analyzed, the more Qiu Tu felt his spection was correct.


    Moreover, this clue led him to think further.


    Suppose the shelters truly had methods for human evolution and gaining supernatural powers. Did that mean Commissioner Jiang of the Municipal Council, the military leader, and Yan Chen also possessed such powers?


    After all, they were key figures sent to the dangerous nning areas on important missions.


    With this thought, Qiu Tu suddenly felt even more pressured.


    After all, no one knew the types, directions, and effects of the supernatural powers in this world, making his situation even more precarious.


    After silently contemting for a while, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and exhaled, releasing the heavy pressure.


    "Forget it, overthinking is useless. Better to continue studying the cheat code."


    With this thought, he stopped worrying and focused again on the upper left corner of his vision.


    The earlier reward from randomly clicking the treasure chest had encouraged him.


    So he continued randomly clicking the prompts and icons in the upper left corner.


    After five or six clicks, a new prompt appeared before him.


    [Cheat Code Name: Crisis Sense (Unfixed, Refreshable)]


    [Cheat Code Type: Triggered]


    [Cheat Code Effect: When encountering a major crisis, Crisis Sense will trigger and provide corresponding crisis prompts. Sessfully oveing the crisis will grant rewards corresponding to the crisis.]


    [Avable Refresh Times: 0]


    Qiu Tu: ??!


    "Surprises are everywhere!"


    Qiu Tu swore he had just been randomly clicking without much hope, not wanting to miss any possibilities.


    But he unexpectedly found something significant.


    What was this? The "true form" of his cheat code?


    After quietly analyzing the panel before him for a while, Qiu Tu roughly understood what it was.


    If he guessed right, he was different from ordinary traversers.


    Most traversers only had one fixed cheat code, and what they got was random. It could be useful, or it might not be.


    But his cheat code could be fixed or "refreshed"!


    If he liked a cheat code, he could keep it. If he didn¡¯t, he could refresh it. This was simply the most powerful cheat code!


    The only regret was that the conditions for refreshing were unknown.


    "Seems like more research is needed."


    With this thought, Qiu Tu continued his "click-click-click" endeavor.


    But perhaps his luck had run out, as this time, no matter how much he clicked, there was no response.


    "Must be the wrong conditions."


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu stopped researching the cheat code.


    Living again, he had a good mindset: he had already considered himself dead, and being able to traverse to this new world and live a second longer was a gain!


    So, use the cheat code if avable, and fight on his own if not!


    No regrets, no pressure, and fully enjoy this new life!


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu smiled, straightened his clothes, and left the bathroom to meet his "ally" who still slept in his bed.


    [4:52:03]


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 4: The Innocent Girl

    Chapter 4: The Innocent Girl


    Chapter 4 The Innocent Girl


    In the bedroom, Qin Shumany seductively asleep on the bed. She was lying on her side, her long hair spread casually across the pillow like ck velvet. The thin nket barely covered her jade-like body, revealing graceful curves and a slender waist. With each breath, her enchanting figure was highlighted, evoking endless fantasies.


    This was an extraordinarily beautiful woman, one that even Qiu Tu had rarely seen in his past life. In this world, her beauty seemed almost out of ce and surreal.


    Standing by the bed and admiring her momentarily, Qiu Tu loosened his cor and jumped on her without any hesitation.


    Startled by the sudden pressure, Qin Shuman awoke with a start. She struggled and whispered, "Wait, wait."


    "Be good, I can''t wait."


    Twenty minutester, Qiu Tu leaned against the headboard, holding the alluring Qin Shuman in his arms, feeling pleased as he lit a cigarette. The mistress of a big shot indeed had her perks¡ªshe was exquisite! This experience was worth it. Even if he ended up dead because of Yan Chen one day, he felt he had at least lived and wasn¡¯t just a scapegoat.


    Sensing the change in Qiu Tu, Qin Shuman, leaning on his shoulder, tilted her head curiously and asked, "You seem different."


    "Really?" Qiu Tu, holding her shoulder, took onest drag of the cigarette before pressing the butt into the table. "Maybe it''s because I almost died once.""What? What do you mean?" Qin Shuman looked at him in surprise.


    Qiu Tuughed and patted her smooth, white back. "I''m joking."


    Qin Shuman exhaled in relief and rolled her eyes at him. "You scared me."


    Qiu Tu then said, "I mean, we might be about to die soon."


    "Yan Chen already knows about us."


    Qin Shuman: ??


    The shock was so great that she sat up abruptly, clutching the thin nket to her chest, and looked at Qiu Tu with wide, astonished eyes.


    Qiu Tu, outwardly nonchnt but secretly observing her, wanted to see if she was genuinely surprised or just pretending. However, her performance was wless, showing no signs of deceit.


    He patted her slender arm and asked, "Didn''t you think we might get caught when you came out with me?"


    Clearly still bewildered, Qin Shuman shook her head. "No. You just said you wanted to take me out for some fun. I didn''t think we would..."


    She looked down at their exposed bodies, then hurriedly started to gather her clothes.


    Qiu Tu raised a hand to stop her. "If I were you, I''d take a shower first to clean up."


    "Otherwise, your clothes will be stained with bodily fluids."


    Qin Shuman paused.


    Qiu Tu''s hand gently glided over her smooth back. "But don''t wet your hair, and don''t use any toiletries to avoid leaving a scent."


    "And, make sure to clean yourself thoroughly."


    "Yan Chen has a very keen sense of smell."


    Qin Shuman stared at him for a couple of seconds, then red at him fiercely before hopping off the bed and running to the bathroom with her clothes.


    Watching her seductive figure, Qiu Tu rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful.


    Something didn''t feel right. It just didn¡¯t add up.


    In his previous life, working in the scam group had made Qiu Tu naturally suspicious of everything. After crossing into this world, that habit only intensified.


    Qin Shuman''s behavior seemed too naive and uncalcted for someone in such a chaotic, bloody, andwless ce.


    In a region like this,parable to Mexico or Laos from his past life, it was unlikely for a pure and innocent beauty to survive unscathed.


    His predecessor, having grown up in the nning area, might have been blinded by love or lust and failed to notice anything amiss. But Qiu Tu had seen many beautiful women in his previous life. Whether they were smart, foolish, or naive, they all eventually became numb and corrupt in such environments.


    Thus, Qiu Tu couldn''t believe that Qin Shuman was truly innocent.


    "A clever woman adept at disguise?"


    Qiu Tu spected but quickly identified another problem.


    Why would such a clever woman risk so much to have an affair with him? What made him, or rather, his predecessor, worth such a risk?


    Initially, Qiu Tu had fabricated some information about Qin Shuman to trick Yan Chen, partly to save their lives. But now, he genuinely doubted her.


    [4:30:13]


    Ten minutester, Qin Shuman, fully dressed, emerged from the bathroom. She took a deep breath, ready to call Qiu Tu to discuss things.


    But just then, she felt the cold metal of a gun barrel pressed against her temple.


    The instant chill of the metal froze her in ce.


    They stood like that for several seconds. Qin Shuman, realizing there was no immediate threat, slowly turned her head to look at Qiu Tu. He was leaning against the doorframe, holding the gun to her temple, his eyes deep and thoughtful.


    Seeing her look over, Qiu Tu finally spoke, "Miss Qin, whose person are you?"


    "The Municipal Council? Commissioner An? Commissioner Wang?"


    "Or... the military?"


    Qin Shuman, seeing it was Qiu Tu holding the gun, was in disbelief. "Are you crazy? What council, what military! I don''t know what you''re talking about!"


    Qiu Tu saw no signs of deceit, so he withdrew the gun and nodded, "Good. Keep acting like that."


    He added, "I told Yan Chen that you might be a spy nted by the military."


    Seeing Qin Shuman''s shocked reaction, Qiu Tu raised a hand to interrupt her. "This is the only way we can stay alive."


    "Yan Chen is inherently suspicious. Unless hepletely understands your identity and weighs the pros and cons, he won''t make a move against you."


    "And if you want to survive, we need to cooperate fully. There''s no other choice."


    "Scenarios like just now might happen often in the next few days. You must stay calm and not show any ws."


    Fear was evident on Qin Shuman''s face.


    She trembled and said, "I''m scared. I don''t dare. If he finds out, he won''t spare us."


    "Is that so?" Qiu Tu thought for a moment, then took out a police dagger from his waistband and handed it to Qin Shuman.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 5: This Is a Chaotic World

    Chapter 5: This Is a Chaotic World


    Chapter 5 This Is a Chaotic World


    Qin Shuman looked at the dagger in her hand, then up at Qiu Tu, her voice trembling as she asked, "You want me to kill him with this if we''re exposed?"


    Qiu Tu shook his head and gently patted her left breast, saying, "If you realize we''re exposed, just pull this out and stab yourself here, twist it, and in two seconds, you won¡¯t feel anything anymore."


    "Trust me, dying is better than living a fate worse than death."


    Qin Shuman''s expression changed several times before her eyes turned red. She punched Qiu Tu¡¯s chest a few times and cried, "You¡¯re a bastard! You tricked me into bed and now want me to do something so dangerous."


    "I should never havee out today. Never!"


    Qiu Tu observed her closely. Seeing that she seemed genuinely afraid and regretful, he softened and gently embraced her, patting her back tofort her. However, behind her back, his eyes grew dark and contemtive.


    Indeed, it¡¯s easy for women to cry. Qin Shuman shed many tears below and above. After being soothed for over ten minutes, she finally stopped crying.


    Once she was calmed down, Qiu Tu led her to the worn-out sofa. They went over their story, and he briefly exined what she needed to do next. Once she had memorized everything, they left his home.They had four hours and ten minutes until the evening''s life-or-death trial.


    Stepping out of the house, Qiu Tu smelled the rotting odor in the stairway and looked up at the sky. The sky in this world was always gray, shrouded in a thick haze, heavy and dark.


    ording to his predecessor¡¯s memory, the sky had been like this since the cataclysm, making sunlight rare and precious. The cataclysm that urred decades ago had destroyed the world order, human civilization, and irrevocably changed the world.


    "What are you thinking about?" Qin Shuman asked cautiously, standing beside Qiu Tu. She seemed somewhat scared of him after the earlier incident with the gun.


    Qiu Tu came back to his senses, looked at her, and shook his head. "Nothing."


    He then added calmly, "Don''t show such an expression; it will only get us both killed."


    Feeling wronged, Qin Shuman nced at him, took a few deep breaths, and adjusted her state. She then patted her face and nodded to Qiu Tu, carefully leading the way downstairs, holding the rusty handrail.


    Qiu Tu followed, keeping a safe distance to ensure her safety without appearing intimate.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s home was in an old, dpidated tenement building on Old Lane Street, a rtively decent area of New Realm City but still rundown. The steps were cracked and broken, and the hallway littered with discarded books, broken ss, and dirty stic bags, resembling a slum.


    nning areas were built on the ruins of old cities.


    As they descended the stairs, Qiu Tu sensed several hidden nces directed at them.


    ''They must be Yan Chen¡¯s people.''


    Since reporting the matter to Yan Chen, Qiu Tu had anticipated that Yan Chen would send people to monitor and observe, given his suspicious nature.


    As expected, a inclothes agent emerged from the shadows. His stern face showed no sign of friendliness.


    The agent walked up to Qiu Tu, took out a ck badge, and said, "Agent Qiu, I¡¯m Special Operations Division High-Level Agent Fang Ming, here under the Director¡¯s orders to escort you and Miss Qin to the city vi for a temporary stay. The Director will talk to you tonight."


    ¡®Special Operations Division?¡¯ Qiu Tu thought, feeling a bit moved. Yan Chen must have considered him highly.


    The Investigation Department, one of the three major power institutions in New Realm City, had aplex and strict structure. Besides its eleven main divisions, it also oversaw seven branch offices and seventy-nine security bureau.


    Among these departments, the smallest was the local security bureau, and the most powerful were the Political Division and the Special Operations Division.


    As the two most powerful divisions:


    The Political Division handled intelligence, espionage, counter-espionage, and internal surveince, holding significant power.


    The Special Operations Division was responsible for counter-insurgency, riot control, and armed patrols in key areas during special periods. It was the strongest violent department of the Investigation Department.


    This division''s structure allowed it to operate independently from the Investigation Department, with a formidable armed forceparable to the military.


    It was Yan Chen''s private armed force and his key asset for maintaining his position as one of the three giants of New Realm City.


    So even as Yan Chen''sckey, Qiu Tu had toply with the Special Operations Division.


    ¡®Looks like Yan Chen is nning to lock down our movements and interrogate us directly.¡¯


    ¡®Good thing I¡¯ve made preparations.¡¯


    Despite maintaining a calm exterior, Qiu Tu looked at Qin Shuman and said, "Miss Qin, you heard the Director''s orders. Agent Fang will be responsible for your safety from now on."


    Qin Shuman blinked, showing a disappointed expression. She looked at Fang Ming, then back at Qiu Tu, and said, "But I wanted you to take me to Cross Street for a walk."


    She then looked pitifully at Fang Ming, "Agent Fang..."


    As Yan Chen¡¯s confidant, Fang Ming recognized Qin Shuman and understood her rtionship with Yan Chen. Since the affair between Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman hadn''t been exposed and Yan Chen wouldn''t disclose his personal shame to a subordinate, Fang Ming misunderstood the situation.


    He hesitated, nced at the time, thought for a moment, and then said, "Miss Qin, the Director will be back at the city vi by six. I can give you an hour and a half."


    Qin Shuman obediently nodded and agreed.


    Qiu Tu stood by with his hands in his pockets, looking indifferent, like an outsider.


    Once the arrangement was made, the Special Operations Division agents took over Qin Shuman''s security. Qiu Tu and Fang Ming kept a close watch, and the group headed towards the street.


    Their shy attire made them stand out, and the impoverished residents hiding in the dpidated buildings watched them with fear, numbness, or apathy, too scared to provoke these obviously high-status individuals.


    For the ordinary people of this city, both Qiu Tu and Fang Ming were significant figures who could decide their fate.


    But they didn¡¯t know that in front of the real big shots, Qiu Tu and Fang Ming were also like ants.


    This was the harsh, human-eat-huamn world after the cataclysm.


    The agents were immune to these stares, maintaining theirposure as they escorted Qin Shuman through the rows of rundown buildings to an old car.


    This was a vehicle specially prepared for Qin Shuman by Yan Chen.


    Seeing the car, Fang Ming quickly walked over, opened the back door, and respectfully said, "Miss Qin, please."


    Qin Shuman nced back at Qiu Tu, receiving no response. She bit her lip in frustration and lifted her skirt to step into the car.


    Just as she bent down, ready to get in, a man''s mocking voice echoed from above, "Heh, what a disgrace!"


    Everyone looked up, confused. Suddenly, there was a loud crash!


    A body smashed onto the car roof, caving it in and sttering blood and limbs everywhere.


    Screams and madughter filled the air.


    The sudden chaos stunned everyone. Only Qiu Tu remained calm, stepping forward to shield the screaming Qin Shuman and pulling her aside.


    The Special Operations Division agents quickly responded, rushing forward to protect them and opening fire on the rooftop without hesitation.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 6: Extremist Organization

    Chapter 6: Extremist Organization


    Chapter 6 Extremist Organization


    ¡°Bang bang! Bang bang! Bang bang!¡±


    Bullets flew wildly, kicking up dust from the dpidated rooftop. The street was filled with the piercing screams of pedestrians and the chaotic sound of running footsteps.


    Qiu Tu protected the trembling Qin Shuman, guiding her to a broken low wall on the roadside. He pressed her head down to hide her while carefully observing the situation.


    There weren''t many enemies, only seven or eight.


    They wore uniform ck knitted bvas and patched, worn tactical vests with arge red cross sprayed on the chest. Their distinctive attire allowed Qiu Tu to recognize them instantly, ''This is... the Revolutionary United Front?''


    The Revolutionary United Front, also known as the "RUF," was an extremist anti-government armed force opposing the rule of the eight shelters. Their goal was to liberate the nning areas from the shelters'' control, using violent means such as assassination, kidnapping, and attacks.


    Qiu Tu had heard Yan Chen mention this organization before. Yan Chen had angrily denounced them as vermin.


    He never thought he would see them in person today.If Qiu Tu could recognize the organization, the Special Operations Division agents certainly could too.


    Shouts from the agents filled the air, "It''s the RUF vermin!"


    "Stay hidden!"


    "Rooftop, 30-70 degrees, 16 people, all armed!"


    As the highest-ranking agent on site, Fang Ming took fullmand. He frantically gestured to his subordinates to spread out while shouting towards Qiu Tu, "Protect Miss Qin! We''ll eliminate the enemies!"


    Hearing Fang Ming''smand, Qiu Tu nced at Qin Shuman.


    Qin Shuman was still in shock, cowering under his protection, showing no signs of unusual behavior. However, Qiu Tu couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.


    Old Lane Street was one of the most unremarkable streets in New Realm City. It had no military facilities, government institutions, or joint banks. Why would the RUF attack here?


    Could it be because of the Special Operations Division agents? But... it seemed too coincidental.


    Qiu Tu was puzzled and decided to observe further.


    He cautiously peeked to assess the scene.


    What he saw left him stunned. The Special Operations Division was the Investigation Department''s most powerful violent organization, and the RUF was a ruthless extremist group. Qiu Tu had expected a fierce battle.


    But in reality, the two sides, with over thirty people and guns, were just firing wildly with no real effect. At most, someone got slightly injured, but no one was taken out of the fight.


    Seeing this disy of ipetence, Qiu Tu was shocked.


    What was this? A staged performance?


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu quickly searched his memory to understand what was going on.


    He soon found the reason.


    In the post-cataclysm world, resources were scarce. Gunpowder and firearms were rare. Extremist organizations had limited training, making their members generally unskilled.


    Although the Special Operations Division was a strong department with many benefits and a bullet allowance, New Realm City had been established less than a year. Most agents were newly recruited and inexperienced, resulting in theirck of proficiency.


    This led to an ineffective confrontation where neither side could inflict significant damage.


    This unexpected discovery not only shocked Qiu Tu but also gave him a bold idea.


    Maybe this was a great opportunity to break the stalemate?


    Despite the others'' ipetence, Qiu Tu was different.


    In his past life, to survive, he had practiced shooting daily, even receiving semi-military training. With his natural talent, his skills far surpassed these rookies.


    He had also participated in several small-scale gang fights and shootouts, gaining somebat experience.


    If he could demonstrate his marksmanship in this battle and maneuver correctly, he might ovee tonight''s trial easily, without even going to Cross Street.


    Slowly forming a n in his mind, Qiu Tu''s determination solidified.


    He took another look at the fighting parties, then pulled out his old straight-keymunicator from his pocket, typed a message, and sent it.


    Once the message was sent, Qiu Tu retrieved the handgun he had pointed at Qin Shuman earlier.


    This standard issue from the Investigation Department ensured agents could maintain absolute control over civilians in the nning areas.


    He skillfully removed the magazine and checked the bullets: 12 rounds.


    He recalled the gun''s specifications. Its effective range was about 40 meters, but as these were old, discarded models from the shelters, the uracy might be off.


    However, for the current distance of around twenty meters, it would suffice.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu reinserted the magazine, chambered a round, and began watching the battlefield, waiting for an opportunity.


    Within seconds, he saw an enemy on the rooftop exposing a significant portion of his body.


    Without hesitation, Qiu Tu leaned out, assumed a Weaver stance, aimed, and fired three rapid shots.


    Smoke filled the air, shell casings flew, and three bullets tore through the air, striking the enemy before he could react.


    Qiu Tu chose a nice timing that the enemy had no time to reflect.


    ¡°Whistle! Bang! Bang!¡±


    The first bullet grazed his body, while the next two hit his left chest and abdomen.


    The enemy staggered as if struck by a hammer. Blood blossomed on his chest and abdomen, and he copsed on the rooftop, dying.


    This was the first fatality in the battle, causing a momentary pause.


    Special Operations Division agents reflexively turned to Qiu Tu, seemingly recognizing him for the first time.


    The extremists were startled and hastily sought cover, returning fire in Qiu Tu''s direction.


    Qiu Tu had already retreated behind cover, avoiding the return fire. Bullets struck the low wall but caused him no harm.


    With Qiu Tu''s sudden intervention, the battle reached a temporary stalemate. Both sides became more cautious.


    Yet, rookies were rookies, and caution didn''t prevent them from making mistakes.


    Soon, Qiu Tu spotted another exposed enemy. He adjusted his aim and fired three more shots.


    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±


    This time, only one bullet hit, striking the enemy''s right chest and incapacitating him.


    But that was enough.


    If the first kill was luck, the second demonstrated skill.


    ¡°Retreat! Retreat!¡±


    The RUF fighters, already a disorganized bunch, lost their will to fight upon seeing Qiu Tu''s sharpshooting. They hastily retreated, carrying their wounded.


    The low rooftops of the abandoned city provided excellent cover for their retreat, so the Special Operations Division agents fired a few token shots before letting them go.


    As the extremists fled, the Special Operations Division agents finally emerged from their cover.


    They looked at Qiu Tu withplex expressions, wanting to speak but unsure what to say.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 7: Factional Forces

    Chapter 7: Factional Forces


    Chapter 7 Factional Forces


    As the elite division of the Investigation Department, the Special Operations Division enjoyed ample training resources and excellent benefits, often looking down on other departments.


    They harbored a sense of superiority, believing their capabilities far surpassed those of ordinary agents like Qiu Tu. This was why, during the initial attack, they had instructed Qiu Tu to take cover while they dealt with the enemies.


    However, the turn of events was entirely unexpected. Their extensive training proved ineffective in actualbat, resulting in only minor injuries to a few extremists after dozens of shots.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Tu, the ordinary agent they had looked down upon, had stepped up, taking out two enemies with ease and single-handedly repelling the attack.


    This left the Special Operations Division agents questioning their abilities and viewing Qiu Tu with newfound respect.


    Qiu Tu noticed the shift in atmosphere but remainedposed. He calmly engaged the safety on his gun, tucked it back into his waistband, and reminded everyone, "Don''t let your guard down. Be cautious of a second attack."


    He then turned to Fang Ming, "Agent Fang, perhaps you should contact the Director and report the situation. We might need the involvement of the Political Division or the Security Section."


    Fang Ming nodded in agreement, realizing the danger wasn''t over. The agents quickly divided tasks, some standing guard, others protecting Qin Shuman, and some climbing to the rooftops to check for traces.Meanwhile, Fang Ming took out hismunicator to report to Yan Chen.


    As the Special Operations Division agents spread out, amotion erupted at the end of the street.


    "Brother Tu! Brother Tu!"


    "Quick! Quick!"


    "Here! Here!"


    About a dozen agents in disheveled uniforms rushed from the western corner, holding worn-out batons.


    Leading them was a particrly strong agent, standing at 1.9 meters tall, with a bear-like physique and muscr arms as thick as an average person''s thigh, projecting an intimidating presence.


    Unlike the other agents wielding batons, he held a fist-sized iron hammer, his gaze fierce and murderous. If not for his tightly stretched uniform, he would resemble a blood-stained thug.


    "Special Operations Division at work! What department are you from?"


    A Special Operations Division agent on the western perimeter stepped forward, sternly stopping the neers. The number of approaching agents made him reach for his handgun, ready to draw it if necessary.


    Qiu Tu, hearing themotion, turned to see the strong agent leading the group.


    "A Tai!"


    Upon hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s call, the strong agent, A Tai, became even more agitated, waving his small hammer and rushing forward.


    Qiu Tu quickly intervened, "They¡¯re temporary agents from Old Lane Street. I called them for assistance. Let them through."


    The Special Operations Division agent hesitated briefly but then nodded and stepped aside.


    The temporary agents hurried over, surrounding Qiu Tu. Blocking others'' views, the burly A Tai leaned close and whispered, "Brother Tu, we came as soon as we got your message. What happened?"


    His gaze turned fierce, ring at the Special Operations Division agent who had stopped them, "Did that guy give you trouble?"


    "Don''t worry. Just say the word, and I''ll wait outside his house tonight. When he''s not looking, I''ll hit his head with this hammer twice. He won''t see tomorrow''s sun!"


    Listening to A Tai¡¯s murderous words, Qiu Tu recalled the identities of these men.


    Though Qiu Tu was Yan Chen¡¯sckey, his rank in the Investigation Department was not high, only a mid-level agent in the weak Administrative Office. This left him with little influence outside Yan Chen''s favor.


    However, Qiu Tu was loyal and didn¡¯t forget his brothers from the bottom rung after gaining some power. Using Yan Chen''s name, he secured jobs for about a dozen friends, even if only as temporary agents in the local security bureau without official ranks or firearms. At least they were on the payroll with a chance of being regrized.


    These friends did not disappoint. They remained loyal to Qiu Tu and were always ready to assist him with tasks he couldn¡¯t openly handle.


    In this world, they were Qiu Tu¡¯s true factional forces, sharing his fortunes and misfortunes.


    Thus, they had rushed over armed, responding to Qiu Tu''s message.


    Recognizing their loyalty, Qiu Tu naturally asked in a low voice, "Did you bring the stuff?"


    A Tai nodded, signaling to an agent with a hooked nose, "Eagle."


    Eagle reached into his coat and pulled out a heavy cloth bag, handing it to Qiu Tu. Inside, the bag clinked with a metallic sound.


    Qiu Tu checked the contents and, satisfied, put the bag into his coat.


    He patted A Tai''s shoulder, quietly giving instructions while A Tai nodded, frowning as he listened.


    Their exchange, though brief, had significant implications. By the time the Special Operations Division agents looked over, Qiu Tu was already leading the temporary agents to find Fang Ming.


    No one knew that Qiu Tu scheduled a lot during the brief talk.


    When they found Fang Ming, he just ended his call.


    Seeing Qiu Tu approach, Fang Ming spoke first, "Agent Qiu, perfect timing. I was to look for you. I just spoke with the Director. He¡¯s furious about the RUF attack and has ordered the Political Division to join the Special Operations Division in a joint operation to purge the RUF from New Realm City."


    "Due to the current chaos, he has ordered you and Miss Qin to return to the city vi immediately."


    Qiu Tu nced at the countdown in the upper left of his vision while hearing this.


    [3:28:12]


    The countdown hadn¡¯t changed, suggesting Yan Chen didn¡¯t n to interrogate them early but merely prevented them from going to Cross Street.


    If it were before the shootout, this change might have caused a headache to Qiu Tu. But now...


    "Alright, no problem," Qiu Tu agreed calmly.


    He then introduced A Tai, "Agent Fang, this is my cousin A Tai, a temporary agent on Old Lane Street. He rushed over with his colleagues to assist upon hearing the gunfire."


    "How would you like to proceed?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 8: Greed

    Chapter 8: Greed


    Chapter 8 Greed


    When Qiu Tu approached, Fang Ming had already noticed A Tai. In a world where the average height was between 1.6 and 1.7 meters, A Tai''s 1.9 meters made him stand out like a crane among chickens. His broad shoulders and strong build made him impossible to ignore.


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s introduction, Fang Ming looked A Tai up and down with interest but didn¡¯t say much. He simply nodded, "Alright. Leave three or four of them to help maintain order."


    Qiu Tu thought for a moment and then called out, "A Kun, Monkey, A Shui. You three stay here with A Tai to maintain order. The rest of you, return to the security bureau."


    He signaled Eagle, who subtly nodded and led the other temporary agents away.


    With A Tai''s team in ce, Qiu Tu and Fang Ming escorted Qin Shuman back to the city vi while the other Special Operations Division agents stayed behind to maintain the scene and await the arrival of the Political Division.


    On the way back, Qin Shuman sat in the back of the old car, Fang Ming in the front passenger seat, and Qiu Tu driving. Qiu Tu''s predecessor had earned his position by impressing Yan Chen with his rare driving skills, a talent that modern-day Qiu Tu, having crossed over from a more advanced world, easily surpassed.


    Watching Qiu Tu drive steadily, Fang Ming asked curiously, "Agent Qiu, you''re quite a driver. Is this amon skill in the Administrative Office?"


    Qiu Tu nced at the rearview mirror and smiled, "The Administrative Office supports various departments, so we need a mix of skills. Unlike you in the Special Operations Division, with good benefits, equipment, and power, who can focus solely on training without other worries."Feigning admiration, Qiu Tu continued, "All the departments envy you and want to transfer over."


    Fang Ming acknowledged without false modesty, "Hmm." Although Qiu Tu¡¯s words were ttering, they reflected the truth. The Special Operations Division, one of the top divisions in the Investigation Department, was indeed coveted by all agents.


    However, its high entry requirements meant that even during its formative stage, it demanded physical fitness far beyond the average person in the post-cataclysm world. Most agents couldn¡¯t meet the standard.


    Thinking of this, Fang Ming recalled A Tai¡¯s robust figure, prompting him to ask, "Agent Qiu, about A Tai..."


    Seeing Fang Ming take the bait, Qiu Tu smiled inwardly but maintained aposed exterior. He half-truthfully introduced A Tai, "A Tai is my cousin. He''s brave and straightforward but a bit dim. When New Realm City was still a disaster zone, he joined a gang and had blood on his hands."


    "When the military came to clear out underground forces, his gang was crushed, and he went into hiding. When the city was established, he couldn¡¯t join the agent recruitment due to his record. After I became an agent, he sought me out for help. I couldn¡¯t refuse, so I pulled some strings to clear his record and got him a temporary position in Old Lane Street."


    "He¡¯s rough but loyal. He rushed over without hesitation when he heard I was in trouble today."


    In a few words, Qiu Tu outlined A Tai''s "history" and character, giving Fang Ming a clear impression.


    Fang Ming said nothing more, as if he had just asked out of curiosity.


    While driving, Qiu Tu nced at Fang Ming, whose thoughtful expression indicated that the n was working.


    Qiu Tu had introduced A Tai with a purpose, to bait Fang Ming. As a high-level agent in the Special Operations Division, Fang Ming had the power to rmend agents into the division, making them his factions.


    During the formative period of the division, leaders like Fang Ming would eagerly recruit capable individuals to strengthen their own factions.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s careful maneuver of parading A Tai and steering the conversation towards joining the Special Operations Division was to lure Fang Ming.


    If Fang Ming rmended A Tai, Qiu Tu would have a foothold in the most powerful department of the Investigation Department, easing many of his ns.


    His past in the scam group taught him that "greed" was humanity''s greatest sin. Using "the enemy''s greed" was the most powerful weapon in this world.


    This approach applied to Fang Ming now and to Yan Chen tonight.


    New Realm City had been designated a nning area for only a year, leaving much of the city in disrepair. This, however, didn¡¯t apply to the wealthy districts.


    Before the military cleared the underground forces, the future middle and upper management of New Realm City had already sent people to build their residences.


    When Qiu Tu drove into Yan Chen¡¯s city vi, he was greeted by a vast garden. The garden was filled with various rare flowers, including mutated spring orchids, mutated rain lilies, and mutated cinerarias, all blooming and fragrant like a vivid oil painting.


    Neat shrubs lined the winding paths, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, creating a mesmerizing sight.


    Qiu Tu nced in the rearview mirror at the dpidated residential buildings and pothole-ridden streets, feeling like he was looking at two different worlds.


    Driving through the garden gates, under the scrutinizing gaze of Security Section agents, Qiu Tu parked the car at the vi entrance.


    Fang Ming stepped out first and opened the door for Qin Shuman, who hesitated to leave the car.


    After a moment of silence, Qiu Tu gently reassured her, "Miss Qin, don''t worry. The Director won¡¯t be angry about you sneaking out. I¡¯ll exin everything tonight."


    Qin Shuman looked at him, confused, then seemed to understand and sighed in relief. She got out, holding her skirt.


    Qiu Tu watched as Qin Shuman and Fang Ming walked into the dark vi, his gaze deep and unchanging.


    He then drove to the backyard, handed the car over to a servant, and entered the vi.


    [2:53:51]


    Three hours passed quickly.


    At 6:15 PM, someone gently knocked on the door of the lounge where Qiu Tu was resting.


    Opening the door, Qiu Tu saw a woman in her thirties with a barrel-like waist and dark skin.


    Recognizing her as Cun, Qin Shuman¡¯s personal maid and the key witness against him, Qiu Tu''s eyes flickered.


    "Agent Qiu, the Director is calling for you."


    Qiu Tu remained calm, ncing at the countdown in the upper left corner of his vision.


    [00:18]


    This cheat code was indeed precise. When it said five hours, it meant exactly five hours.


    Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his uniform cor and softly said, "Thank you."


    Cun nodded respectfully, but as she turned to lead the way, a smug smile crept across her face.


    Qiu Tu noticed the change in her expression but said nothing, his gaze bing even more profound.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 9: Showtime!

    Chapter 9: Showtime!


    Chapter 9 Showtime!


    Qiu Tu followed Cun out of the room, his steps steady and calm. The flickering lights on either side of the corridor cast long shadows, creating a flowing painting-like scene.


    Soon, they arrived at the door of an elegantly decorated study.


    Waiting there was a middle-aged man with a refined air, wearing gold-rimmed sses and a well-tailored Zhongshan suit. His face held a false smile, resembling a fox.


    Qiu Tu recognized him as Jia Shu, the head of the Political Division and Yan Chen¡¯s right-hand man, the chief strategist of the New Realm City Investigation Department. Despite his courteous demeanor, those who truly knew him understood his ruthless and bloody methods. The Political Division''s fearsome reputation in New Realm City wasrgely due to him.


    Seeing Jia Shu, Qiu Tu immediately became alert. He stood at attention and saluted, "Sir!"


    Jia Shu seemed to be waiting specifically for Qiu Tu. He looked Qiu Tu up and down, then smiled, "Qiu Tu?"


    After Qiu Tu nodded, Jia Shu''s smile widened, "The Director is waiting for you. Please,e in."


    He then opened the door to the study and gestured for Qiu Tu to enter.The study was dimly lit. Whether it was an illusion or not, Qiu Tu felt the open door resembled the maw of a beast, ready to devour him.


    Yet, prepared for a walk into the tiger¡¯s den, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and stepped inside.


    Yan Chen¡¯s study wasrge but dark. Thick curtains blocked out all light, leaving vast shadows. The only light came from a dim deskmp, illuminating a small area on therge mahogany desk where Yan Chen sat, his silhouette barely visible.


    "Good evening, Director!"


    Seeing the city''s overlord, Qiu Tu stood straight and saluted respectfully.


    There was no response.


    Maintaining his salute, Qiu Tu tried to gauge Yan Chen''s expression but couldn''t see anything in the darkness. He only felt Yan Chen''s chilling gaze on him, making his scalp tingle.


    After a few seconds, a deep voice from the shadows said, "At ease."


    Qiu Tu exhaled slowly, lowered his hand, and began to observe the study.


    Besides Yan Chen and Jia Shu, who now stood beside the director, Fang Ming was also present.


    Seeing Fang Ming, Qiu Tu spected that his earlier arrangements had been effective.


    As he thought this, Jia Shu, standing next to Yan Chen, spoke with a faint smile, "I hear Agent Qiu has excellent marksmanship?"


    Qiu Tu responded earnestly, "Sir, my shooting skills are mediocre at best."


    "Oh? Is that so?" Jia Shu feigned surprise, "But I¡¯ve heard differently."


    He nced at Fang Ming and continued, "Word has spread throughout the Investigation Department that an Administrative Office agent single-handedly repelled the RUF with six shots. Even the Municipal Council staff are talking about it. On my way here, I received at least three messages about you."


    Qiu Tu didn''t answer directly. He looked at Yan Chen and sincerely said, "Director, you personally selected me for the Investigation Department. You know my abilities well. I''m good at driving and handling tasks, but my marksmanship iscking."


    From the shadows, Yan Chen observed Qiu Tu in silence.


    Jia Shu adjusted his sses and smiled, "Agent Qiu, are you saying this incident didn¡¯t happen?"


    Qiu Tu shook his head, "No, it happened. But there¡¯s more to it."


    He nced at Fang Ming and said seriously, "Agent Fang was there. He saw how troublesome the RUF was. The Special Operations Division fired for over a minute without injuring any RUF members."


    Hearing this, Fang Ming''s face darkened. He nodded reluctantly, "Yes."


    He then admitted, "Our training is insufficient, and we panicked withoutbat experience. But, Director, with more¡ª"


    Qiu Tu interrupted, "Agent Fang, don¡¯t underestimate yourself."


    Fang Ming frowned, confused by Qiu Tu¡¯s intent.


    Qiu Tu, ignoring Fang Ming, continued to address Yan Chen, "Director, the Special Operations Division agents are very capable. The RUF avoided their attacks on purpose."


    Jia Shuughed, "Agent Qiu, are you joking? Avoiding enemy attacks is standard inbat. Should we be shot ¡®intentionally¡¯?"


    Suddenly, Jia Shu seemed to realize something. He narrowed his eyes at Qiu Tu.


    Qiu Tu finally smiled, the first since entering the room. "Sir, you''re right. They let me hit them on purpose."


    Qiu Tu¡¯s words were so outrageous that the study fell silent.


    Fang Ming looked at Qiu Tu, bewildered, "Qiu Tu, what are you saying? They let you hit them?"


    Before Fang Ming could finish, Yan Chen, who had been silent, spoke, "Fang Ming, leave."


    Fang Ming, shocked, looked at Yan Chen, unsure why he was being dismissed. Yan Chen offered no exnation, only staring at him with an intense gaze.


    The pressure was palpable, causing Fang Ming to break into a sweat. After a moment, he lowered his head, "Yes, Director."


    He saluted and quickly exited the study.


    Once the door closed, Yan Chen straightened in his chair, his eyes fixed on Qiu Tu, "Exin."


    Qiu Tu nodded and began, "Director, this story starts from when we ended our call."


    He recounted, "After we hung up, I told Miss Qin about our conversation. She was frightened and asked how I handled it. I told her I made an excuse to cate you and expressed my admiration for her again."


    "She seemed to think I was offering my loyalty and hinted at her unusual background. She promised me wealth and status if I followed her and said she¡¯d give me a gift to prove her power."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 10: Pre-Cataclysm Technology

    Chapter 10: Pre-Cataclysm Technology


    Chapter 10 Pre-Cataclysm Technology


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s story, Yan Chen asked deeply, "A gift?"


    Qiu Tu nodded. "Yes, sir."


    He then gestured towards Jia Shu, affirming, "It''s what Mr. Jia mentioned earlier¡ªthe ''six shots to repel the RUF.''"


    "Back at my ce, Miss Qin informed me she would arrange an RUF attack."


    "She warned me to be vignt and avoid getting hurt."


    "She told me the attack was meant to make a name for me."


    "The RUF members would deliberately expose themselves to my shots, some even weing my bullets. Afterward, they¡¯d retreat, making it seem like I repelled them single-handedly."


    "And to ensure the Special Operations Division didn¡¯t overshadow my actions, the RUF members would do everything possible to avoid being hit by them.""So, even if there were opportunities to counterattack, they¡¯d pretend not to see."


    After hearing Qiu Tu''s exaggerated yet somewhat reasonable exnation, Yan Chen''s deep gaze revealed nothing of his thoughts. Beside him, Jia Shu''s eyes narrowed, the glint behind his sses suggesting deep contemtion.


    With the rhythm of the conversation now in Qiu Tu¡¯s control, he fell silent, waiting. The room grew increasingly tense and oppressive.


    Finally, Jia Shu broke the silence, ncing at Yan Chen, who gave no objection. With a fake smile, Jia Shu said, "Qiu Tu, your story is just one side. Do you have any other details or evidence?"


    Prepared for this, Qiu Tu responded firmly, "Of course."


    "First, knowing about the RUF¡¯s nned attack beforehand, I was mentally prepared. This allowed me to react immediately and protect Miss Qin when the attack urred, unlike the Special Operations Division agents who were caught off guard."


    "Second, knowing the attack wasn¡¯t targeting Miss Qin or me, I stayed on site, waiting for an opportunity instead of retreating when Agent Fang instructed us to."


    "Third, anticipating the need to expand the incident¡¯s impact, I contacted the Old Lane Street security bureau, bringing in temporary agents to witness the event."


    "These points can be confirmed with Agent Fang or the agents from the Special Operations Division and Old Lane Street."


    Yan Chen, expressionless, signaled to Jia Shu, who nodded and left the study to verify Qiu Tu''s ims.


    Left alone with Yan Chen, Qiu Tu stood quietly as Yan Chen scrutinized him. After a moment, Yan Chen picked up a cigarette from a box on his desk, lit it with a match, and silently puffed.


    Watching the smoke curl around Yan Chen, Qiu Tu said nothing.


    After a few minutes, Yan Chen spoke, "Qin Shuman can''t be a nt. You started with the wrong premise."


    His certainty made Qiu Tu¡¯s heart race with a sense of impending doom.


    Without looking at Qiu Tu, Yan Chen continued, "You mentioned some suspicious points about her."


    "Like how she seemed knowledgeable about New Realm City despite being new."


    "Or how her skin was smooth and unscarred despite her humble background."


    "And how a beauty like her could be found in such a chaotic city."


    Yan Chen''s deep gaze met Qiu Tu¡¯s, "These suspicions seem reasonable."


    "But you missed the most important point."


    "The background story I told you about Qin Shuman is false."


    Qiu Tu''s pupils contracted, a thunderbolt in his mind.


    Yan Chen took another drag on his cigarette, "Qin Shuman wasn¡¯t a refugee I picked up from a disaster zone."


    "She¡¯s a clone woman presented to me by the Qin family."


    "This technology predates the cataclysm."


    As smoke enveloped him, Yan Chen''s voice seemed to drift, "Humans are resilient. Though the cataclysm nearly wiped us out forty years ago, some survived."


    "Among these survivors were not only ordinary people but also former government officials, wealthy merchants with production resources, and scientists with core technologies."


    "They preserved their strength during the early years of the cataclysm."


    "Once the cataclysm ended, they emerged, using their corepetencies to form familial and interest-based groups in various disaster cities."


    "The Qin family is one such group."


    "The technology they control is cloning."


    Yan Chen paused, his gaze unwavering on Qiu Tu, "Over the years, the shelters have expanded into disaster zones, creating nning areas, inevitably shing with old powers."


    "The shelters use two methods to handle these old powers."


    "First, cooperation. They integrate willing ns and organizations, offering positions in the Municipal Council and Investigation Department to jointly manage the nning areas."


    "Take Fang Ming, for example. His rapid rise is due to his family''s high-ranking members in the Investigation Department."


    "Second, suppression. Relentlessly crushing underground organizations, ck market forces, and uncooperative ns."


    "The RUF is a remnant escaping our crackdown."


    "Determining which groups to cooperate with or suppress falls to the Investigation Department heads in each nning area."


    Yan Chen extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray, "The Qin family wouldn¡¯t dare offend me."


    "They''ve been currying favor with me for four years."


    "Qin Shuman was specially cloned to my preferences."


    "Due to imperfect technology, her lifespan is short¡ªonly a few years."


    "You im this woman, with such a background, is a nt from the Municipal Council, trying to win you over and make you famous?"


    Yan Chen inteced his fingers, resting his chin on them, and looked at Qiu Tu with keen interest.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 11: Turning the Tables!

    Chapter 11: Turning the Tables!


    Chapter 11 Turning the Tables!


    At this moment, seeing Yan Chen''s cat-and-mouse expression and listening to his detailed and slightly mocking exnation, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but curse inwardly.


    He finally understood why his "Crisis Sense" had indicated that his lies had some gaping holes the second time it alerted him.


    These weren''t just "some holes"; they wereplete fabrications! Who would have thought that while everyone regarded Yan Chen as a "brother," Yan Chen would y mind games and fabricate the backstory of his mistress!


    However, Qiu Tu also knew that now was not the time for regret or frustration.


    Regret and frustration wouldn''t help matters; they might even cut off hisst escape route.


    So he needed to calm down and find a way out!


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu slowlyposed himself, his brain racing.


    It was at this moment that his years of "work" experience in the scam group finally came into y.During his years "working" in the scam group, Qiu Tu had receivedprehensive training in fraud, including how to see through a person''s weaknesses and how to continue the scam after being exposed.


    So, he quickly pieced together the clues he knew and adjusted his n.


    Soon, he had a strategy in mind.


    Feeling more assured, Qiu Tu naturally began his second act.


    Instead of defending himself, he showed a puzzled expression and asked Yan Chen, "Director, are you sure what you just said is true?"


    "If that''s the case, then something seems off."


    "The Qin Shuman you described doesn''t match the Qin Shuman I''ve interacted with at all."


    [Only a liar exins when their lies are pointed out. Someone telling the truth would first suspect the other person''s information.]


    Then, Qiu Tu precisely pointed out the ws in Yan Chen''s story.


    He said, "Moreover, Director, even if everything you said is true, it doesn''t clear Qin Shuman of suspicion."


    "After all, Qin Shuman has been raised by the Qin family since she was cloned. No one knows what they taught her."


    "They could have taught her to always be loyal to you, or they could have taught her to gather secrets while staying by your side."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s rebuttal, Yan Chen''s smile slowly faded, and his face became expressionless.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu felt a bit more at ease and continued pointing out the ws in Yan Chen''s logic.


    "Furthermore, you said the Qin family wouldn''t dare to offend you because you hold their lives in your hands."


    "Let me boldly hypothesize. If you truly have the power to control the Qin family''s fate, then you should also easily control the other ns and organizations in New Realm City, right?"


    "As the Director of the Investigation Department in New Realm City, you can easily control all the ns and organizations in the city. Then shouldn''t the directors in other cities be able to control the ns and organizations in their cities as well?"


    Pausing here, Qiu Tu softly asked, "Then why does the shelter still establish Municipal Councils in each city? Why not let the Investigation Department handle all the city''s affairs?"


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Yan Chen was momentarily silent, and the study''s atmosphere grew tense.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu knew he had made the right bet.


    He remained calm on the surface, but inside, he was cursing Yan Chen''s ancestors.


    This old bastard was trying to trick him!


    No wonder he felt something was off when Yan Chen was talking: if the Investigation Department directors in each city were so powerful, wouldn''t the Municipal Council be rendered useless?


    There''s no way the shelter and the Municipal Council would allow such a powerful department to exist!


    Of course, Qiu Tu didn''t think Yan Chen was lying about this. He guessed that Yan Chen had likely hidden part of the truth:


    For example, the Investigation Department directors could "assess" whether a n or organization was suitable for cooperation but only had "investigative power," not "decision-making power."


    Such significant matters likely needed to be reported to the Municipal Council and decided by the municipal council.


    So, even if the Investigation Department director concluded that a n was unsuitable for cooperation, the Municipal Council could reject this assessment and ask the Investigation Department to reinvestigate.


    This understanding aligned with Qiu Tu''s understanding of the power structure in the nning area.


    Yan Chen had clearly yed a word game to test Qiu Tu.


    Realizing this, Qiu Tu felt even more assured. He was about to press his advantage when the study door suddenly opened from the outside.


    Qiu Tu turned to see Jia Shu entering from outside.


    Jia Shu closed the door behind him, then walked slowly to Yan Chen''s side, bent down, and whispered a few words in Yan Chen''s ear.


    The study was very quiet, so even though Jia Shu spoke softly, Qiu Tu still caught some key parts of the conversation, such as:


    "Qiu Tu was indeed the first to react during the attack."


    "Fang Ming did order Qiu Tu to protect Qin Shuman and retreat, but Qiu Tu didn''t retreat."


    "The Old Lane Street precinct indeed received Qiu Tu''s distress call at the start of the gunfight."


    Qiu Tu calmly watched Yan Chen and Jia Shu, feeling even more confident. Then, he presented his mostpelling evidence.


    "Director, you might think everything I''ve said is just words, so you don''t trust me. But I have evidence."


    With that, Qiu Tu took out the cloth bag A Tai had brought.


    He stepped forward, ced the bag on the mahogany desk, and respectfully stepped back.


    Jia Shu nced at Yan Chen. After receiving a nod, he walked to the desk, picked up the bag, and opened it.


    At first nce, he didn''t pay much attention, but upon a second look, his pupils constricted in disbelief. He quickly rummaged through the bag.


    After a moment, he quickly walked to Yan Chen''s side and whispered, "Director, look."


    Yan Chen nced at the bag, and for a brief moment, his body stiffened.


    The next second, Yan Chen looked at Qiu Tu with a deep gaze and asked in a somber voice, "Do you know what this is?"


    Qiu Tu first nodded, then shook his head. "I know little."


    "Miss Qin only told me this could change my fate and give me incredible power."


    "But she didn''t borate. She just said if I kept helping her, she would give me more."


    Hearing this, Yan Chen took the bag and poured its contents onto the mahogany desk.


    "ng~" "ng~"


    First, a few silver coins fell out, followed by a few small goldfish.


    Finally, a piece of sea-blue, semi-transparent stone with a faint glow fell onto the desk with a "ng."


    It was the cataclysm material: the Aurora Stone.


    Seeing this precious material from his chest codnd on the desk, Qiu Tu felt no reluctance.


    Instead, he calmly watched the sh of greed in Yan Chen''s eyes, recalling the saying:


    Greed is the most powerful weapon in this world.


    Yan Chen was about to take the bait.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 12: Promotion and Transfer!

    Chapter 12: Promotion and Transfer!


    Chapter 12 Promotion and Transfer!


    Qiu Tu had anticipated how to handle the Aurora Stone ever since he first obtained it. Even from the description, he knew it was precious, but its current uses were beyond his reach.


    For Qiu Tu, who had a carefree personality, something he couldn''t use immediately was just a useless object. However, this "useless" item was of great value, so he naturally considered using it as bait. The person he aimed to bait was Yan Chen, who currently held Qiu Tu''s fate in his hands.


    Offering the Aurora Stone to Yan Chen would help gain his trust. Given Qiu Tu¡¯s current status, it would be impossible for him to have acquired the Aurora Stone on his own. So where did the stone from?


    Investigating who Qiu Tu had been in contact with over the past few days would point to the mysterious Qin Shuman as the only suspect. This would validate the story Qiu Tu had fabricated about her, thereby resolving his crisis.


    Moreover, Qiu Tu had learned from his years in the scam group that giving someone a taste of something valuable could trigger their greed, leading them step by step into a trap. This strategy could be effectively applied to Yan Chen as well.


    As long as Yan Chen desired more Aurora Stones or wanted to discover their source, he would need to keep Qiu Tu around.


    Qiu Tu could then gradually entice Yan Chen, giving him just enough to keep him hooked but never fully satisfied, leading him deeper into the trap.


    During this process, Qiu Tu would continue to grow stronger until he couldpletely turn the tables.While Qiu Tu pondered this, Yan Chen examined the Aurora Stone. His expression noticeably softened, bing less severe.


    He toyed with the stone, his raspy voice breaking the silence, "Qiu Tu, don''t me me for not trusting you earlier."


    "After all, Shuman is my confidante. Unless I saw solid evidence, it was hard to believe she would betray me."


    Qiu Tu nodded in understanding, his expression sincere.


    Yan Chen fell silent for a moment, then looked at Qiu Tu with a hint of curiosity, "I believe you now, but there''s something I still don''t understand."


    Qiu Tu replied, "Please, Director, go ahead."


    Yan Chen neatly arranged the silver yuan, the small goldfish, and the Aurora Stone on the table, then gestured towards them, "Qin Shuman offered you very generous terms. Why did you choose to report her to me instead of epting them?"


    "And where did you get the courage to suspect and investigate my confidante? Aren''t you afraid I''d kill you to keep it secret?"


    A subtle, invisible killing intent spread through the room, but Qiu Tu remained unafraid. ''Who are you trying to scare? If you wanted to kill me, you would''ve done it already. The fact that I''m still alive means you''re intrigued.''


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu met Yan Chen¡¯s gaze earnestly, "Director, because I am very ambitious!"


    "Although I am now a mid-level agent, I am not satisfied!"


    "I want to be a high-level agent, a captain, a section chief, even the deputy director!"


    "Moreover, I don''t want to be stuck in the Administrative Office, a back-office department. I want to join the Special Operations Division, the Political Division, the Security Section, or even a grassroots security bureau!"


    "So, I had to take a gamble!"


    "Otherwise, I wouldn''t be satisfied!"


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Jia Shu, standing beside Yan Chen, adjusted his gold-framed sses and smirked, "Agent Qiu, you''re very honest."


    "I thought you¡¯d im it was all out of loyalty to the Director."


    Qiu Tu chuckled, "That would be too hypocritical."


    Listening to their exchange, Yan Chen continued to toy with the Aurora Stone, deep in thought. After a moment, he looked up at Qiu Tu, expressionless, "Since you have such ambition, I''m willing to give you a chance."


    "You want to advance? Then I will let you advance."


    "Starting today, you are transferred to the Political Division as a high-level agent."


    Qiu Tu''s pupils dted slightly upon hearing this. Although he had expected Yan Chen to offer some reward, he hadn''t anticipated such a generous one.


    While his rank only increased by one level, moving from the weak Administrative Office to the powerful Political Division increased his actual power by tenfold. Furthermore, being a high-level agent meant he could lead a team as a captain.


    The position of captain in the Political Division!


    Realizing this, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but draw a sharp breath. Yan Chen¡¯s offer seemed almost too generous, making Qiu Tu wonder if he was the one being baited.


    Looking at Jia Shu, the head of the Political Division, Qiu Tu noted that his expression remained unchanged, even showing a brighter smile. Seeing Jia Shu¡¯s reaction, Qiu Tu felt a sense of foreboding. His experience in the scam group taught him that if something seemed too good to be true, it probably was¡ªthere was likely a trap hidden within.


    Sure enough, after offering such a significant reward, Yan Chen spoke again. His eyes cold and calcting as he looked at Qiu Tu, "But this position isn''t given for free. You must do something for me."


    Qiu Tu thought, ''Here ites, here ites.''


    He steeled himself, eager to hear Yan Chen''s next words.


    Yan Chen continued, "Since Qin Shuman is a nt by the Municipal Council, it appears the Qin family has betrayed me."


    "So, you will remove them for me."


    "In one month, I want to see evidence sufficient to destroy the Qin family on my desk."


    Qiu Tu: ???


    Hearing Yan Chen''s words, Qiu Tu was dumbfounded. ''What? Me?''


    He was suddenly bewildered.


    Who was the Qin family? They were one of the top three families in New Realm City! Their businesses spanned multiple fields, from illegal medical services to underground brothels, casinos, and loan shark operations, all in the gray areas.


    Even before New Realm City was designated a nning area, the Qin family was one of its overlords, with over a thousand thugs and well-armed, trained private soldiers.


    In this unstable newly established city, what evidence could bring them down?


    Murder? Arson?


    That wouldn¡¯t work. In such chaotic times, every major family hadmitted murder and arson to some extent. There was no way such evidence could topple them!


    Feeling overwhelmed, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t hide his confusion. At this moment, Jia Shu adjusted his sses and spoke up.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 13: Bold Demands

    Chapter 13: Bold Demands


    Chapter 13 Bold Demands


    Jia Shu, with a half-smile, looked at Qiu Tu and said, "Qiu Tu, don''t worry too much about this task. Now that you''re part of the Political Division, we won''t let you fight alone. We''ll create some conditions for you and provide support."


    Hearing Jia Shu''s words, Qiu Tu felt relieved. Right, the Qin family was such a powerful force that he couldn''t possibly take them down alone.


    Then he heard Jia Shu continue with a smile, "When the timees, I''ll have the Director arrange for Miss Qin to visit her family. You, as the head of her security team, will apany her into the Qin family and start your investigation. With Miss Qin''s trust in you, I believe you can easily uncover the Qin family''s secrets andplete the task."


    Qiu Tu''s heart sank upon hearing Jia Shu''s words. This wasn''t going to be easy.


    Jia Shu continued, "Moreover, I can even guide your investigation. Previously, you reported to the Director that you suspected Miss Qin was connected to the City Council, but there was no evidence to support this suspicion. However, you did witness Miss Qin''s connection to the RUF. So, you might have guessed wrong about her allegiance. Maybe she and the Qin family are not connected to the City Council but are instead supporters of an anti-government organization!"


    A cruel smile appeared on Jia Shu''s thin face, and his transparent sses glinted coldly. "Follow this direction in your investigation, and you won''t go wrong!"


    At that moment, Qiu Tu felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, chilling him to the core. Jia Shu had effectively cornered him, leaving him no escape. He had "witnessed" Qin Shuman "bribing" him and directing the RUF to make him famous. Whether the Qin family was connected to the City Council was uncertain, but they were definitely involved with the RUF.


    If Qin Shuman was colluding with the RUF and didn''t avoid him, then he should easily find evidence of the Qin family''s connection to the RUF. While murder and arson might not bring down the Qin family, colluding with anti-government forces certainly would.This left Qiu Tu with two options: provide concrete evidence of the Qin family''s collusion with the RUF, withstand the Qin family''s retaliation, and destroy them, proving his loyalty; or, have his lies exposed and face the consequences.


    Qiu Tu''s emotions surged, but he forced himself to remain calm. His thoughts raced as he devised a counter-strategy.


    After a moment, he deliberately furrowed his brow and said, "Sir, your direction for the investigation is very insightful, but isn''t it too hasty? Miss Qin just bribed me today, and now the Director is arranging for her to visit her family and has promoted me to apany her. Such obvious arrangements might raise suspicion."


    Jia Shu looked at Qiu Tu with interest, "What do you suggest?"


    Qiu Tu said seriously, "I think the Director shouldn''t arrange for her to visit her family. She should propose it herself."


    Seeing Jia Shu''s eyes behind his sses sh as if in thought, Qiu Tu didn''t give him time to ponder and directly presented his n.


    He pointed to the Aurora Stone on the desk and said, "I don''t know what this stone is, but considering how seriously Miss Qin, the Director, and you treat it, it must be valuable. I hope the office can provide me with more simr items and relevant information. Then, I''ll meet with Miss Qin, tell her about my discoveries, and ask her to arrange my next steps. Discussing such confidential matters can''t be done in the Director''s vi, so I''ll suggest she propose visiting her family, iming she was frightened by the attack."


    "In this way, everything will seem reasonable. Miss Qin and the Qin family won''t suspect anything, and they might even trust me more because I brought valuable items. This will allow me to investigate the Qin family''s collusion with the RUF more effectively."


    After Qiu Tu finished speaking, the room fell silent.


    Yan Chen and Jia Shu remained silent, considering his proposal.


    Was Qiu Tu reasonable? Yes.


    Was his n better? Yes.


    But they just felt something was wrong.


    How could they give back the stone that they just obtained? And they need to give out more materials.


    Didn¡¯t it sound like a scam?


    Did Qiu Tu want to escape with the stone?


    As they thought for a while, Yan Chen spoke, "Qiu Tu, this item is called the Aurora Stone. Although not particrly valuable, it is a controlled substance. Even I cannot freely obtain it from the department. Your n is good, but I need to think about it."


    Yan Chen paused and then dismissed Qiu Tu, "Tonight, go back and rest. Tomorrow, I''ll have someone give you an answer."


    Hearing Yan Chen¡¯s, Qiu Tu was somehow surprised.


    He was right. Qiu Tu nned to cheat Yan Chen and get some materials. He was to mess up the situation totally and to find new solutions.


    Qiu Tu even thought he could leave with Qin Shuman and the materials cheated from Yan Chen if he couldn¡¯t find any solutions.


    But how could he refuse it?


    This refusal made him realize the Aurora Stone''s value deeperly.


    ¡®If the Aurora Stone¡¯s value is that great, Yan Chen couldn''t afford to lose me.¡¯


    ¡®How about messing things up more thoroughly?¡¯


    Qiu Tu suddenly found the key to resolve the situation while thinking.


    With their hidden agendas, Qiu Tu was sent out of the study by Jia Shu.


    After stepping out, Qiu Tu took the initiative to salute and bid farewell to Jia Shu. Jia Shu didn¡¯t say much but gave Qiu Tu a pat on the shoulder with a faint smile, saying, "Not bad, very good."


    As Qiu Tu walked away, he felt as if a pair of eyes were following him, like a ghost haunting his back. This eerie feeling persisted until he turned a corner and it finally vanished.


    With the feeling gone, Qiu Tu exhaled slowly. It was at this moment he noticed a change in the crisis countdown in the upper left corner of his vision.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 14: Blue Moon

    Chapter 14: Blue Moon


    Chapter 14 Blue Moon


    Qiu Tu¡¯s steps faltered slightly but quickly returned to normal.


    As he walked, he subtly nced at the top left corner of his vision.


    Simr tost time, new prompts appeared before him.


    [Congrattions on sessfully navigating the recent crisis, but you have also attracted Yan Chen''s attention.]


    [He is curious about your changes, secrets, and fabricated lies.]


    [Fortunately, he is currently caught in a massive storm and doesn''t want to focus too much energy on a minor character like you for now.]


    [Enjoy the calm before the storm; you have 24 hours of rest.]


    As the prompts ended, the hourss transformed into a treasure chest. Unlike the previous chest that opened immediately, this one turned gray with a 24-hour countdown disyed on it.[23:59:59]


    Qiu Tu''s reaction was mixed: Good news¡ªthere was no immediate countdown, indicating he was safe for the night. Bad news¡ªthe reward had to wait for 24 hours, and his sess this time was due to piquing Yan Chen¡¯s greed, not gaining his trust.


    This meant his lies had notpletely fooled Yan Chen. However, the Aurora Stone had sessfully triggered Yan Chen¡¯s greed, sparing Qiu Tu from immediate danger.


    Though he had anticipated this oue during their final negotiation, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit disappointed. "The boss is too smart, it''s not satisfying at all," he thought.


    "I prefer simple modes; I don''t like walking on a tightrope."


    He mused, "If only I could draw a ''lower difficulty'' cheat code next time."


    With this hope in mind, Qiu Tu continued walking towards the exit.


    Stepping out of the vi, moonlight nketed the serene night in a mysterious and enchanting blue veil.


    After the cataclysm, the moon had turned blue due to the atmosphere being filled with particles slightlyrger than 0.7 microns (red waves). These particles could scatter red light, making the moon appear blue to those on the ground.


    "What a heavily polluted world," Qiu Tu sighed inwardly as he walked through the garden.


    The flowers, barely visible under the blue moon, emitted a faint fragrance and swayed gently in the night breeze like whispering spirits. However, Qiu Tu, lost in thought, paid them no heed.


    Leaving the garden, he reached the sentry post and spotted two familiar figures squatting by the roadside¡ªA Tai and Eagle.


    The two sat shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, resembling oversized penguins. A Tai chewed on a wild grass stem, head tilted back, while Eagle remained vignt, watching the surroundings with his peripheral vision.


    Their strange posture and actions drew the sentry¡¯s attention, who kept a close eye on them, likely refraining from chasing them away only because of their agent uniforms.


    Eagle was the first to notice Qiu Tu. He patted A Tai and hurried over, "Brother Tu."


    A Tai, more boisterous, spat out the grass and shouted, "Brother! You¡¯re out!"


    Watching the tall and short figures running towards him, Qiu Tu was initially stunned, but then a warm feeling surged in his heart.


    Meanwhile, in Yan Chen¡¯s study, the dim light barely illuminated the room, leaving Yan Chen shrouded in darkness.


    "Have you checked the people around him?" Yan Chen asked, his raspy voice breaking the silence.


    Jia Shu, sitting opposite him, smiled, "Yes, I have. They are all insignificant ruffians and hooligans, unlikely to have ess to cataclysm materials. He used your influence to ce these people as temporary agents at the local security bureau, so the investigation was straightforward, and the information is reliable."


    Yan Chen scoffed, his voice hoarse, "He seems quite loyal to his friends."


    After this remark, silence fell again, and the room grew quiet.


    After a while, Yan Chen spoke again, "So the only possible source of his Aurora Stone is the Qin family?"


    Jia Shu nodded, "Theoretically, yes. But my intuition tells me otherwise."


    Yan Chen shook his head, "I feel the same. That kid thinks he can pass off a far-fetched story to easily fool us. He''s dreaming."


    "He certainly has a big secret."


    "But I don''t have time to focus on such a minor character now."


    Jia Shu cautiously suggested, "Should I detain him? You know my methods; no one canst a night under my interrogation."


    Yan Chen hesitated for a moment but ultimately shook his head, "No. If he has ess to the Aurora Stone, someone must be backing him."


    "The Municipal Council has been watching me closelytely. Let''s not stir up trouble."


    "Let him and the Qin family fight it out. Didn¡¯t he want to bring proof of allegiance to the Qin family? Let him."


    "Cataclysm materials are regted resources. We can''t give him any more."


    "But I remember we arrested a pharmacist selling ck-market drugs today?"


    Yan Chen tossed the Aurora Stone, gold bars, and silver coins back into a cloth bag and handed it to Jia Shu, "Arrange for that pharmacist to be released tomorrow and sent to him along with these items."


    "A pharmacist who can make cataclysm potions is worth more than some raw materials."


    "Let''s see how he ns to y this game."


    [12:09:57(Chest)]


    Early the next morning, Qiu Tu was woken by a knock on the door. Yawning, he got up and kicked away A Tai and Eagle, who were sprawled on his bed.


    Having lived two lifetimes, Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t had close friends for a long time. After surviving the previous day''s crisis, he needed an outlet, so he had dragged the two of them out drinkingte into the night.


    Drunk, they had all ended up crashing at Qiu Tu¡¯s ce.


    After pushing the two aside, Qiu Tu yawned again and went to answer the door.


    A uniformed agent stood outside, snapping to attention and saluting, "Good morning, sir!"


    Instinctively, Qiu Tu returned the salute before asking, "Who are you?"


    The agent replied seriously, "Sir, I am low-level Agent Li Ke from the Administrative Office. I¡¯ve been ordered to deliver your new uniform and shoulder insignia."


    He gestured behind him, and a temporary agent stepped forward, holding a ck uniform.


    ck was the distinctive color of the Political Division, symbolizing the official role of the "secret police."


    The uniform bore shoulder insignia with three golden stars, indicating the rank of a high-level agent.


    Though Yan Chen had promised this promotion the night before, seeing it in front of him made Qiu Tu''s heart race.


    Just then, A Tai¡¯s voice called from behind, "Brother Tu, what''s up? Who''s here?"


    His curiosity quickly turned to astonishment, "Whoa! A Political Division high-level agent?"


    Turning, Qiu Tu saw A Tai and Eagle gaping at the door.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 15: Exultation

    Chapter 15: Exultation


    Chapter 15 Exultation


    The two of them were clearly awakened by the noise at the door. Their hair was disheveled like an ubed bird''s nest, and they were only wearingrge shorts, lookingpletely unkempt.


    However, the agent at the door did not find this strange. In this world, survival was difficult for everyone except a privileged few, so who cared about living conditions?


    The agent reached out and took the uniform and shoulder insignia from the temporary agent, handing them to Qiu Tu with both hands, "Sir!"


    After Qiu Tu took the uniform, the agent did not leave. He took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Qiu Tu again with both hands, "Sir! This is my contact information."


    "If you ever need anything, please feel free to call on me. I will be at your service anytime!" He repeated his name, "My name is Li Ke."


    After speaking, he saluted Qiu Tu and left without any hesitation.


    Watching Li Ke''s back, Qiu Tu''s eyes flickered, and a smile appeared on his lips. ¡®Smart people are indeed everywhere.¡¯


    Yesterday, he had been tirelessly ingratiating himself with Fang Ming to get A Tai into the Special Operations Division. Today, after being promoted to a high-level agent in the Political Division, people were already starting to flock to him.Indeed, being a high-level agent, especially in a powerful department, had its perks.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu put Li Ke''s note in his pocket. If a suitable opportunity arose, he wouldn''t mind giving this clever agent a chance.


    Turning back, he saw A Tai looking around in disbelief, "Brother, you really became a high-level agent? And joined the Political Division?"


    Qiu Tu closed the door and smiled, nodding, "Yes."


    A Tai was excited, "Damn, I was worried about you all night!"


    "That''s why I dragged Eagle to squat at the garden gate. We nned to rush in and save you if you didn''te out."


    "But you came out unscathed. And you even got promoted?"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu couldn''t help butugh, "Rush in to save me? With that little iron hammer of yours?"


    "Do you know how many agents and guns are in there? You''d be shot dead before you reached me."


    A Tai scratched his head, "I didn''t care! I was going to save you anyway!"


    "Ever since you saved me as a child, my life has been yours!"


    Qiu Tu''s eyes flickered with emotion as he thought of his past with A Tai.


    When he spoke to Fang Ming the previous day, his words were half true. It was true that A Tai had been in a gang and cklisted for resisting the military.


    The false part was that it wasn''t A Tai''s parents who had helped Qiu Tu, but rather, Qiu Tu and his dozen or so brothers who had always relied on each other.


    Qiu Tu was an orphan who survived by scavenging. At six, he found the dying A Tai in a trash heap. At eight, he found Eagle, and at ten, he found A Kun.


    In the post-cataclysm world, where survival was uncertain, the children banded together for warmth, gradually growing their group to over twenty people.


    As they grew older, they were absorbed into local gangs, but their bonds remained strong.


    When the military came to clear out the underground gangs, some of their group were killed, cklisted, or fled.


    When New Realm City was established, Qiu Tu became an agent due to his appearance, his health body, his driving technique and no criminal records. He then found and arranged for his brothers.


    This life-or-death bond made A Tai''s words genuine. He would risk being shot to save Qiu Tu.


    With this thought, Qiu Tu looked deeply at A Tai, then patted him heavily on the shoulder. ¡®I need subordinates like Li Ke whoe for benefits; I need brothers like you even more.¡¯


    As a great man once said: "To aplish great things, make many friends and few enemies."


    Only by uniting all possible forces can one be strong and create brilliance!


    After changing into his new uniform and shoulder insignia, Qiu Tu received amunication from Jia Shu, who asked him to go to the garden vi for a task.


    Qiu Tu guessed that Yan Chen had made a decision.


    After a quick exnation to A Tai and Eagle, Qiu Tu bought a bun on the way and took a horse-powered city bus to Yan Chen''s vi.


    A Tai and Eagle, eager to announce the good news, went to their security bureau. They had be temporary agents because Qiu Tu had pulled some strings. Initially, they were given important tasks, but as it became clear Yan Chen didn¡¯t care about them, they were sidelined.


    Now, things were different. With Qiu Tu''s promotion, they would rise too, eager to announce their news.


    In a world like this, hiding one¡¯s strength was impossible. One had to show power to prevent others from taking advantage.


    [11:27:03(Chest)]


    After transferring buses twice and walking for ten minutes, Qiu Tu finally arrived at the city garden. He realized he needed a vehicle to save time.


    After confirming his identity with the sentry, Qiu Tu walked into the garden.


    Yan Chen had a refined taste. The garden, beautiful at night, was even more stunning by day. Trimmed shrubs, neat greenery, and sparkling fountains under the sun made one forget the post-cataclysm world.


    No matter the world or era, the life of the upper ss was always luxurious.


    ¡°Qiu Tu?¡±


    While Qiu Tu was secretly admiring the garden, he heard Fang Ming''s voice.


    Looking up, Qiu Tu saw Fang Ming leading a girl out.


    The girl, about fifteen or sixteen, had red, yellow, and blue paint on her face. Her eyes were fierce and slightly childish, like a wolf cub ready to bite.


    Qiu Tu nced at the girl and asked, "What did she do to need Special Operations Division agent to escort her?"


    Fang Ming sighed, "She¡¯s a ck-market pharmacist caught in Xiafang Street yesterday. The higher-ups are serious about her, so we were ordered to escort her for interrogation."


    "Now that it''s done, we''re taking her away".


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 16: The Teenage Pharmacist

    Chapter 16: The Teenage Pharmacist


    Chapter 16 The Teenage Pharmacist


    "Pharmacist?" Upon hearing this title, Qiu Tu''s eyes blinked, and he looked at the girl.


    Perhaps hearing their discussion about her, the girl bared her teeth at Qiu Tu with a fierce expression. However, with her small size and baby teeth, Qiu Tu could only see a cute defiance.


    "Xiafang Street, Xiafang Street," Qiu Tu repeated the name twice, suddenly recalling why it sounded so familiar. Wasn''t this the task Yan Chen assigned him to handle but he had declined yesterday?


    So, this girl was the prisoner he was initially supposed to take away?


    Feeling a sense of fate, Qiu Tu casually asked, "By the way, where is she being sent?"


    Qiu Tu''s question seemed sensitive, making Fang Ming hesitant to answer. In the awkward silence, Fang Ming noticed Qiu Tu''s new uniform. He was initially stunned and then pointed at Qiu Tu''s uniform, surprised, "You¡¯ve been transferred to the Political Division?"


    Qiu Tu nodded lightly.


    Fang Ming nced at Qiu Tu''s shoulder insignia, even more surprised, "High-level Agent? And you got promoted?"Qiu Tu nodded again.


    Fang Ming opened his mouth, trying to say something but only managed, "Impressive."


    Understanding Qiu Tu''s new position, Fang Ming directly answered his question, "She will be temporarily held at the Old Lane Street Security Bureau."


    The Political Division had the right to supervise all departments, so answering Qiu Tu''s inquiry waspletely within regtions.


    "Old Lane Street?" Qiu Tu muttered, deep in thought.


    After a brief conversation, Fang Ming led the girl away, their exchange ending with her shouting, "Are you guys leaving or not? This is so unprofessional! Do criminals have no rights?"


    Bidding Fang Ming farewell, Qiu Tu entered the vi, following Jia Shu''s instructions, weaving through the corridors until he found a stone staircase. Descending, he reached arge oak door adorned with iron decorations, giving it an ancient and solemn appearance.


    Qiu Tu knocked on the door, and Jia Shu''s voice quickly responded, "Come in."


    Pushing the door open, Qiu Tu found a massive underground chamber. The stone walls were rough, and arge oak workbench, stained with dried blood and knife marks, stood in the center, surrounded by various tools and instruments.


    A girl, covered in scars and devoid of life, was bound to the table. Jia Shu, wearing gold-rimmed sses, stood beside her, scalpel in hand, methodically dissecting her body.


    The knife moved along the bones, flipping flesh and exposing organs with a precision that seemed almost reverent, as if performing a silent ritual.


    The dim light cast eerie geometric patterns, mingling with the metallic scent of blood and rust in the air.


    Even Qiu Tu, who had witnessed significant events in his past life, almost couldn''t endure the sight.


    After a moment, Jia Shu sighed, "What a pity."


    He set the scalpel aside, removed his gloves, and washed his hands in a nearby basin, the water gradually turning red.


    He spoke ndly, "This girl''s parents were low-level workers in the Municipal Council. She could have had a bright future, gone to school, yed with other officials'' children, fallen in love, married, had children, and lived a simple but happy life."


    "But yesterday''s investigation revealed her parents secretly contacted and supported anti-government forces."


    "And so, a once beautiful flower withered."


    Though Jia Shu''s words conveyed regret, his indifferent tone and the brutal manner in which he executed the girl chilled Qiu Tu to the bone.


    After the cold introduction, Jia Shu retrieved a familiar cloth bag from a cab and tossed it to Qiu Tu, "You saw that pharmacist on your way here, right?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, "Yes, I did."


    A knowing smile appeared on Jia Shu''s lips, "The Director agreed to your n but made a small adjustment."


    "Cataclysm materials are regted and can''t be casually used for your mission. So, the ck-market pharmacist is for you."


    "She not only knows how to make cataclysm potions but also has ck-market connections, making her far more valuable than simple materials. Enough to satisfy the Qin family."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu felt a jolt.


    A pharmacist''s value indeed surpassed mere materials, but she was not as convenient.


    With materials, he could escape if things went wrong.


    But carrying a living person, especially a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl, would significantly increase the difficulty and risk of escape.


    ''Did Yan Chen foresee my potential escape and deliberately give me this burden?'' Qiu Tu wondered, while still ying along with Jia Shu, "Cataclysm potions? Pharmacist? What is all this?"


    Jia Shu adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, nonchntly saying, "The answers are in the documents within the bag. Read them carefully."


    "Oh, and remember to destroy and keep the information confidential after reading."


    After issuing his warning, Jia Shu waved Qiu Tu off, "Alright, go read the documents."


    "After reading, find Qin Shuman and persuade her to return to the Qin family."


    "The Director''s patience is limited."


    "Yes, sir!" Qiu Tu saluted, then left the underground chamber with the bag.


    Unbeknownst to him, Jia Shu''s gaze followed him closely, the desire in his eyes nearly overflowing from behind his sses.


    [9:03:18(Chest)]


    Walking out of the basement, the fresh smell of soil and leaves contrasted sharply with the suffocating scent of blood inside.


    Qiu Tu took a deep breath of the cool air, looked up at the gray sky, and stepped into the vi.


    Guided by a servant, he sat in a reception room, ready to examine the intelligence on supernatural powers that Jia Shu had provided, which would influence his next steps.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 17: Cataclysm Awakening

    Chapter 17: Cataclysm Awakening


    Chapter 17 Cataclysm Awakening


    Sitting on the sofa, Qiu Tu opened the cloth bag.


    The first thing he saw was a thin document, only two pages long.


    He set the document aside and checked the other contents of the bag: one Aurora Stone, three small goldfish, and twelve silver coins.


    These were the assets Qiu Tu had handed over to Yan Chen the previous day, now returned to him.


    Satisfied with reiming the assets his brothers had pooled together, Qiu Tu picked up the document and began to read.


    Though the document was brief, it provided a glimpse into the supernatural powers of this world.


    The more Qiu Tu read, the more his brow furrowed. By the time he finished, his face was grave.


    "If this document is true, then I¡¯ve encountered the worst possible scenario," Qiu Tu thought, recalling the content of the document.ording to the document, thirty years after the cataclysm, the world had changed drastically. A strange and mysterious force quietly awakened, reshaping the world''s structure and the forms of life within it. The most unsettling changes were those in the natural world.


    For instance, ivy inexplicably grew and twisted, bing as thick as the water pipes of abandoned cities


    Common roadside weeds remained normal by day but turned sharp as knives under the moonlight, emitting a cold, ghostly glow.


    And ants, once barely noticeable, grew asrge as nighttime beasts, roaming the ruins and emitting low growls like nightmares.


    Humanity, struggling for survival, initially ignored these bizarre phenomena.


    It wasn''t until fifteen years ago, when the first shelter was established and human elites began exploring the outside world, that they discovered the world had be even stranger.


    These mutated nts and animals not only had enhanced strength, speed, intelligence, and aggression but also exhibited extraordinary abilities.


    Humans spected that this was all due to the unprecedented cataclysm, calling these phenomena "Cataclysm Awakening."


    The puzzling aspect was that while all other life forms had undergone "Cataclysm Awakening," humans remained unchanged.


    This led to two hypotheses within the humanmunity:


    1. Humans were also awakening, but due to their long life cycles and weak reproductive abilities, it would take several generations to produce new humans with mysterious powers naturally.


    2. Human life was already advanced, and the cataclysm couldn''t fully awaken them. Thus, humans had to actively steal the mutated powers of other life forms to achieve their own awakening.


    These debates continued until eight years ago, when an "pharmacist" inadvertently created a "Cataclysm Potion" that sessfully endowed the test subject with a mysterious power, temporarily halting the arguments.


    With the birth of the Cataclysm Potion, the value of mutated materials skyrocketed, and professions like pharmacists rapidly rose in status.


    Thetter part of the document, however, truly gave Qiu Tu a headache.


    Using the Cataclysm Potion did not guarantee the acquisition of mysterious powers. On the contrary, there was an over 80% chance of failure.


    Failure resulted in irreversible catastrophic mutations, turning the user into a mindless, destructive monster.


    Even those lucky enough to seed couldn''t predict the direction of their awakening, as it varied from person to person.


    This information left Qiu Tu frustrated: "Damn, I thought I could rely on supernatural powers to change my fate. But not only is the sess rate low, the powers themselves are weird and unpredictable. Who knows if theye with side effects?"


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu pulled out a match from his pocket.


    "Whoosh!" The sound of the match lighting was followed by a weak me that ignited the thin document. Watching the document burn to ashes, Qiu Tu pondered silently.


    ¡®Relying on supernatural powers to solve this crisis is not feasible for now.¡¯


    ¡®Yan Chen might possess some eerie supernatural power, so escaping without a n is suicidal.¡¯


    ¡®Therefore, it seems I must visit the Qin family.¡¯


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu''s gaze deepened.


    ¡®Besides, I can interrogate that teenage pharmacist. Maybe I''ll get some different information from her.¡¯


    After the document waspletely burned, Qiu Tu stomped out thest ember, nced at the treasure chest countdown with only eight hours left, and then set off to find Qin Shuman.


    He didn¡¯t have so much time.


    [8:27:39(Chest)]


    Apanied by a servant, Qiu Tu climbed two winding staircases and walked through two deep corridors before arriving at the door of Qin Shuman''s boudoir.


    The servant stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.


    "Pleasee in," came Qin Shuman''s melodious voice from inside.


    Pushing the door open, the two entered to find Qin Shuman in a pink cheongsam with a slit, sitting by the window, sipping tea and gazing wistfully outside, like a caged bird yearning for freedom.


    "Miss Qin, Agent Qiu is here to see you," the servant announced softly.


    Hearing this, Qin Shuman quickly set down her teacup and turned around, her eyes filled with undisguised joy. "A-agent Qiu, you''re here?"


    In the presence of others, Qiu Tu maintained a professional demeanor. He smiled and nodded, "Yes, Miss Qin. I have important matters to discuss with you."


    He gave Qin Shuman a meaningful look. Qin Shuman understood immediately. She gracefully stood up and politely dismissed the servant, "You may leave. I need to speak with Agent Qiu privately."


    "Yes, Miss Qin," the servant replied, bowing slightly before leaving. She deliberately left the door slightly ajar.


    Qiu Tu nced back but didn''tment. He gestured to Qin Shuman, then walked over to her.


    As he approached, he was enveloped by her light, cherry blossom-like fragrance.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 18: Entering the Qin Family

    Chapter 18: Entering the Qin Family


    Chapter 18 Entering the Qin Family


    The familiar fragrance stirred Qiu Tu''s heart. He looked down to see Qin Shuman''s swan-like neck and full curves.


    The cheongsam highlighted her already graceful figure, reminding him of her tenderness and charm in his arms.


    Unaware that Qiu Tu was momentarily distracted by her allure, Qin Shuman grabbed his sleeve, her eyes filled with tension and worry. She whispered, "What''s the situation now?"


    "I was so scaredst night that I couldn''t sleep. Every time I dozed off, I''d wake up in fear, dreaming of Yan Chen trying to kill us." Her eyes reddened as she spoke, her voice choked with sobs, "I''m so scared."


    Qiu Tu looked at her carefully, trying to discern any signs of deceit but found none. Yet, his intuition told him Qin Shuman was hiding something¡ªa sense of encountering a kindred spirit.


    Despite his suspicions, his Crisis Sense hadn''t triggered, indicating Qin Shuman posed no immediate threat. This made him willing to continue cooperating with her.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu gentlyforted her, "Don''t worry, everything has been resolved."


    He led her to the window, where the sunlight quietly bathed them. Qiu Tu softly recounted the recent events, omitting details about the clone and the Aurora Stone. He imed he had found ws in Yan Chen''s words and convinced him with a few statements, significantly reducing the story''s credibility.


    Qin Shuman listened skeptically, "Is it really that simple?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, "Yes, that simple."


    "Next, you just need to follow the n andmunicate with Yan Chen to leave here."


    After hesitating briefly, Qin Shuman nodded. She released Qiu Tu''s hand, bit her lip, and gracefully walked towards the bed. Her slender figure and long legs made the pink cheongsam sway with each step, her fair skin peeking through like a fleeting glimpse, enhancing her enchanting presence.


    ''This woman is trying to seduce me,'' Qiu Tu thought, focusing his gaze on Qin Shuman.


    He watched as she reached the bed, bent over, and picked up the phone, her hips raised provocatively. She dialed a few numbers and waited.


    When the call connected, she said softly, "Hello, Secretary Bai, this is Qin Shuman. I need to speak with Director Yan."


    After a short wait, Yan Chen''s voice came through.


    Qin Shuman calmly repeated the request Qiu Tu had taught her, expressing her desire to return to the Qin family, which Yan Chen, as agreed, acknowledged with a cold "okay."


    Hanging up, Qin Shuman, looking relieved, patted her chest and beamed at Qiu Tu, "It worked! He agreed and will make the arrangements."


    Just as Qiu Tu was about to nod, his oldmunicator buzzed. He saw "Secretary Bai" disyed on the screen.


    Secretary Bai, Yan Chen''s personal secretary, was responsible for arranging Yan Chen''s official activities, handling important visitors, and coordinating various departments within the Investigation Department.


    Despite the title, he held a high position, also serving as the head of the Administrative Office, making him Qiu Tu''s direct superior.


    Secretary Bai''s appreciation and rmendation had helped Qiu Tu gain favor with Yan Chen.


    Worried that his situation with Qin Shuman might affect Secretary Bai''s opinion, Qiu Tu wondered if this would impact his standing with Yan Chen.


    While thinking about it, Qiu Tu picked up the call.


    To his surprise, Secretary Bai''s attitude remained unchanged, still amiable with a hint of appreciation.


    He briefly congratted Qiu Tu on his promotion and transfer before conveying Yan Chen''s orders.


    As discussed, Qiu Tu was to act as Qin Shuman''s personal bodyguard, fully responsible for her security during her visit to the Qin family.


    However, what Qiu Tu didn''t expect was Yan Chen''s specific instructions on the escort team: Fang Ming''s Special Operations Division Seventh Squad would handle Qin Shuman''s security, and her maid Cun, the informer, would apany her to manage daily life.


    It seemed Yan Chen intended to send all involved parties to the Qin family, aiming to resolve everything there.


    Realizing this, Qiu Tu lost interest in furtherforting Qin Shuman. After hanging up, he patted her hand gently and left her room to convey the orders and make arrangements.


    As he stepped out, he noticed Cun hiding guiltily outside the door. One look at the door''s marks confirmed she had been eavesdropping for a while. Qiu Tu gave her a deep look but chose not to expose her, striding away.


    [7:46:21(Chest)]


    Time flew by as he busied himself. That evening, the Qin family hosted a grand banquet for Qiu Tu and his entourage.


    The banquet included the current head of the Qin family, Qin Heng, and representatives from the second, third, fourth, and fifth branches.


    The old patriarch hadid the foundation for the family before the cataclysm, passing away three years ago.


    Now, Qin Heng led the family, though his influence was weaker than the old patriarch''s, evident from the banquet where various family branches eagerly tried to curry favor with Qiu Tu.


    Qiu Tu noted Qin Heng''s poor health and constant coughing, along with his sole daughter, creating unrest among the family branches. These observations were consistent with Eagle''s collected data, but experiencing it firsthand added valuable insights.


    After the banquet, Qiu Tu politely declined the third branch''s enthusiastic invitation and returned to the guest quarters with his team, intending to meet the teenage pharmacist.


    Entering the room where she was held, he found the Special Operations Division agent standing guard, who rxed upon seeing Qiu Tu and saluted, "Sir!"


    Qiu Tu nodded and instructed, "You may leave. I will interrogate her alone tonight."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 19: My Dad is Shen Yuzhou!

    Chapter 19: My Dad is Shen Yuzhou!


    Chapter 19 My Dad is Shen Yuzhou!


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, the agent showed a "I understand" expression, saluted with a grin, and stepped out.


    New Realm City had only recently been established, and its inhabitants still retained the habits of a chaotic era. There was no custom of treating criminals kindly.


    At this moment, Fang Ming, who had been following Qiu Tu closely, quickly stepped forward, tugging on his sleeve.


    When Qiu Tu looked over, Fang Ming lowered his voice and reminded him, "Don''t act rashly. If you have needs, just ask the Qin family. They deal in such businesses and can certainly arrange everything for you. Otherwise, we can go out for a stroll. This is a bustling area, and there are definitely suitable ces nearby."


    After a pause, perhaps fearing Qiu Tu might not understand, Fang Ming added in a low voice, "That girl''s identity is probably not simple. Don''t fall for it."


    Qiu Tu couldn''t help but chuckle. He replied softly, "Do you really think I''m that desperate? I just have some questions for her."


    Fang Ming gave Qiu Tu a skeptical look, trying to find any sign of deceit in his eyes but saw only sincerity.


    "Anyway, I''ve warned you. Be careful," Fang Ming whispered before leaving the room.Watching Fang Ming disappear from sight, Qiu Tu smiled, finding the man quite interesting¡ªgood-natured and perceptive. But how did he know the girl¡¯s identity wasplex?


    Qiu Tu had only learned about it after entering the Qin family and seeing the refreshed countdown.


    Qiu Tu recalled the scene when he first stepped into the Qin family. The 24-hour countdown finally unfroze, and new crisis prompts appeared before him:


    [Peaceful times are always short-lived, while crises follow like shadows.]


    [Your superior, Yan Chen, was not fooled by your lies, but he is wary of your non-existent background and remains very interested in the origin of the Aurora Stone on you.]


    [However, he is currently caught in a storm and has no time to deal with you, so he sent you to the Qin family to test your depth.]


    [To increase the difficulty of this test, he not only assigned you a girl with a special identity but also spread rumors that you have a vendetta against the Qin family, iming your visit is to protect Qin Shuman while actually investigating the Qin family.]


    [So, the moment you stepped into the Qin family, thousands of eyes were on you, waiting for you to make a mistake.]


    [Meanwhile, Yan Chen is closely watching your every move, wanting to uncover your secrets.]


    [Hide your weakness and show your strength if you wish to survive among the ¡®wolves¡¯.]


    With this prompt, a new crisis countdown of one month appeared.


    This crisis showed the dangerous situation he was in. Hecaught between the probing Qin family and the watchful Yan Chen. Moveover, an unauthentic girl was before him. And A Qin Shuman with unclear position and A Cun who monitored him all the day made things worse.


    This was why Qiu Tu came to meet the girl once the banquet was over.


    Qiu Tu knew the girl¡¯s identity must be unraveled to n his next steps.


    Once Fang Ming left, Qiu Tu closed the door, turned around, and walked into the inner room.


    Inside, the girl was handcuffed to a chair with her left hand, but her right hand was free, using chopsticks to devour her meal. Her cheeks were puffed like a hamster, possibly due to the good food.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, she didn¡¯t seem shy and waved her chopsticks enthusiastically, mumbling, "Eat something?"


    Qiu Tu almostughed. This girl seemed carefree, acting more like a guest than a prisoner. Her calm demeanor suggested a significant background, making Qiu Tu curious.


    He casually remarked, "I¡¯ve seen many criminals¡ªfearful, arrogant, pleading¡ªbut none as calm as you."


    He paused and added, "Fang Ming said you have a background? What kind of background makes him treat you so well?"


    The girl nonchntly raised her chopsticks, saying proudly, "My dad is Shen Yuzhou!"


    Qiu Tu was taken aback, then looked puzzled, "Who?"


    Girl: ???


    ustomed to people being shocked by her father''s name, the girl''s bewilderment turned into frustration as she hastily repeated, "Shen Yuzhou! Shen Yuzhou! Deputy Speaker of the Supreme Council of the Third Shelter, Shen Yuzhou!"


    Qiu Tu quickly searched his memory but remained puzzled.


    In his memory, there was no mention of Shen Yuzhou. New Realm City belonged to the Eighth Shelter, and as an ordinary agent, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t know the high-ranking officials of his shelter, let alone those of the distant Third Shelter.


    However, he now understood why Fang Ming acted strangely and why Yan Chen handed the girl to him.


    No one in New Realm City could verify her identity. Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t. Yan Chen neither.


    If her im was true, punishing her might spark conflict between shelters¡ªa responsibility no one wanted. If false, the Investigation Department¡¯s reputation would suffer from being duped.


    This girl was a hot potato.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t sure of her identity either. His Crisis Sense only indicated she had a special identity, but what if that wasn¡¯t rted to her father? What if she was a spy or had dubious affiliations?


    His mind raced, and he asked curiously, "If your father holds such a prestigious position, why are you here? Are you lying?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 20: The Mischievous Shen Lingshuang

    Chapter 20: The Mischievous Shen Lingshuang


    Chapter 20 The Mischievous Shen Lingshuang


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, the girl became visibly more agitated. She mmed the table, shouting, "Who are you talking about! Who are you talking about!"


    "How could I, Shen Lingshuang, be lying!"


    Qiu Tu eyed the girl skeptically. While he wasn''t skilled in interrogation, he excelled at deception. To him, the girl''s expressions and actions were full of ws.


    First, the girl habitually maintained eye contact with him. This was amon mistake among novice liars who mistakenly believed that it would increase their credibility.


    Second, she repeated certain information multiple times, such as "Shen Yuzhou" and "Who are you talking about," which was actually a sign of guilt.


    Finally, her exaggerated gestures and table-mming indicated ack of confidence and an attempt to create an illusion of bravado.


    So, was this girl lying?


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu slowly withdrew his smile and silently observed the girl.At first, the girl continued her bravado, but gradually her eyes became evasive. Finally, she lowered her head and resumed eating.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu moved the table aside, prompting the girl, chopsticks in hand, to protest, "Hey? Hey? Hey? What are you doing!"


    Qiu Tu coldly pointed to his ck uniform and asked sternly, "Do you know which department this uniform belongs to?"


    The girl looked confused.


    Qiu Tu stated firmly, "The Political Division!"


    He continued, "Do you know what the Political Division does?"


    The girl shook her head in bewilderment.


    Qiu Tu said, "We handle espionage, counter-espionage, and internal surveince among other dark affairs!"


    Then he asked, "Do you know what methods we use to interrogate prisoners?"


    The girl''s demeanor visibly softened. She shrank back and shook her head pitifully.


    Qiu Tu took out a stack of slightly blurry color photos from his pocket and pped them into the girl''s hand.


    She tried to look at the photos but found it inconvenient while holding her chopsticks. After hesitating, she put the chopsticks in her mouth and flipped through the photos.


    These photos, which Qiu Tu had obtained from the Political Division that afternoon, depicted scenes of torture and gruesome deaths. Even Qiu Tu found them horrifying, so he expected the young girl to be even more disturbed.


    Indeed, after seeing just two photos, her face turned pale, and her eyes became vacant.


    Qiu Tu, pretending to be oblivious, asked, "Why are you shaking?"


    Shen Lingshuang trembled, "I-I¡¯m not shaking!"


    Her teeth chattered by the end, making a "ck ck" sound.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu inwardly sneered, thinking she was quite easy to intimidate. Once he saw she was sufficiently scared, he took the photos back and reassured her, "Rx, as long as you cooperate, I won''t hurt you."


    "You don''t want to experience that, right?"


    Shen Lingshuang quickly shook her head like a rattle.


    Satisfied, Qiu Tu nodded and began his interrogation, "So, tell me, who are you really? How did you get to New Realm City?"


    Shen Lingshuang looked at Qiu Tu pitifully, "I escaped from the Third Shelter''s nning area. My family faced a disaster, so I fled to the Eighth Shelter."


    Qiu Tu took out a notebook and casually began taking notes, "Don''t be vague. Be specific. Which nning area of the Third Shelter?"


    Shen Lingshuang shrank back, "The Seventh City."


    Qiu Tu noted this and then asked, "How did you be a pharmacist?"


    Shen Lingshuang timidly replied, "Family heritage."


    "Family heritage?" Qiu Tu inquired.


    She nodded, "My family has a long history in medicine, so I learned to make potions from a young age."


    Qiu Tu frowned, "So the Cataclysm Potion recipe was also passed down in your family?"


    Shen Lingshuang looked at Qiu Tu in surprise, "You know about the Cataclysm Potion?"


    Qiu Tu retorted, "Of course I do. Don''t you know why you were arrested?"


    Shen Lingshuang blinked in confusion, "Wasn''t I arrested for selling fake medicine?"


    Qiu Tu: ?


    They stared at each other in mutual bewilderment.


    After a moment, Qiu Tu knocked on his notebook and sternly said, "Don''t joke around!"


    "You think I''m ying games here? This is an interrogation!"


    ring at the girl, he rephrased his question, "Can you make the Cataclysm Potion?"


    Shen Lingshuang shrank back and cautiously replied, "I can only make low-quality Cataclysm Potions."


    "But I don''t know their exact effects."


    She added quietly, "The potions I make always have strange effects."


    "For example, when my dad had a fever, I made a fever-reducing potion ording to the recipe."


    "His fever went down, but he lost all body heat."


    Qiu Tu: ?


    "Another time, I experimented with a new potion and found it was poisonous, so I had to take antidote potions."


    "But none of the antidote potions worked. I had to chew on antidote herbs while vomiting green foam."


    "I chewed through all the antidote herbs at home, and my face turned green before I finally got better."


    Qiu Tu: ?


    He felt three ck lines forming on his forehead.


    What kind of strange creature was this girl?


    Was she joking or serious?


    If she was serious, would he dare to use her Cataclysm Potions?


    At this moment, perhaps noticing Qiu Tu''s grim expression, Shen Lingshuang tilted her head and looked up at him curiously, "Why aren''t youughing? Do you not like tough?"


    A mischievous glint shed in her eyes.


    Qiu Tu: ?


    At that moment, Qiu Tu realized one thing: this girl was pretending!


    Since seeing the photos, she had been acting. Even the subsequent stories were made up to mess with him!


    This was outrageous!


    Unable to contain his anger, Qiu Tu grabbed the girl, pressing her down on the chair.


    He reached for the dagger at his waist, intending to use some harsh methods to intimidate her.


    But as he grasped the dagger hilt, he remembered her mysterious identity. He hesitated.


    ring at Shen Lingshuang, he was caught between releasing her and proceeding with the interrogation.


    In his dilemma, his gaze fell on her slender waist and perky bottom.


    The next second, he raised his hand and pped it down hard.


    "Smack!" "Smack!" "Smack!"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 21: The Second Treasure Chest Opened

    Chapter 21: The Second Treasure Chest Opened


    Chapter 21 The Second Treasure Chest Opened


    Qiu Tu hit hard, so after just two ps, the girl started crying out in pain.


    She was genuinely angry this time, turning to re at Qiu Tu with tear-filled eyes, her small fangs biting her lip as she fiercely shouted, "You''re finished! Really finished!"


    "I''m going to have my dad kill your entire family! Everyone! Scatter your ashes to the wind!"


    Qiu Tu couldn''t help butugh. He pped her buttocks again, this time even harder, and retorted, "That''s funny because I have no family. My parents and rtives are all dead!"


    "So don¡¯t provoke me. If you really piss me off, I¡¯ll kill you after raping with you, then disappear!"


    "I don¡¯t care who your dad is. Even if he¡¯s the King of Heaven, he can''t resurrect you, can he?"


    Shen Lingshuang was stunned by Qiu Tu''s words. She realized she had no way to deal with this tall agent in front of her. Soft approaches didn¡¯t work, nor did hard ones. Normally, just mentioning her father¡¯s name would make anyone respectful, but Qiu Tu didn¡¯t care at all.


    It was like he wasn¡¯t from this world and didn¡¯t understand what it meant to have a Deputy Speaker of the Supreme Council of the Third Shelter as a father.Could she really be doomed here today?


    While Shen Lingshuang was lost in thought, Qiu Tu remained silent, making the room eerily quiet.


    After a while, seeing that Shen Lingshuang had calmed down, Qiu Tu flexed his reddened hand and asked, "What¡¯s wrong? Got cold feet? Come on!"


    Shen Lingshuang snapped back to reality, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Qiu Tu. "Officer, I was wrong. Please don¡¯t be angry or hit me anymore. I¡¯ll tell you whatever you want to know."


    She pouted and blinked her big eyes at Qiu Tu, trying to charm him.


    But Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t fooled. He kept her pressed down and ced paper and a pen on her back, saying coldly, "Alright, I''ll ask, you answer."


    "If I''m not satisfied, your punishment will be much worse."


    This humiliating posture made Shen Lingshuang both ashamed and angry, but she had no choice but toply. Qiu Tu soon extracted valuable information from her.


    For instance:


    [After the Cataclysm Awakening, each person follows a different path of cataclysm?]


    [There are six paths: Destruction, Life, Mystery, Immortality, Order, and Chaos?]


    [The abilities or traits one gains after awakening align with their cataclysm path?]


    [For example, a person on the Life path gave birth to ten babies at once and had 107 children in five years?]


    [A person on the Destruction path could eat anything, from soil to buildings?]


    As Shen Lingshuang recounted these seemingly fantastical details, Qiu Tu felt as if he were in Yan Chen¡¯s shoes, suspecting her of lying yet finding her story logical.


    Unsure if she was truthful, Qiu Tu decided to believe her for now. He helped her up, brought back the table, and handed her new chopsticks, "Eat."


    But Shen Lingshuang refused, rubbing her arm and pouting, "I won¡¯t eat, it¡¯s cold now."


    Qiu Tu sighed. "This girl has so many demands!"


    He called a servant to reheat the food, then lit a cigarette, mulling over the cataclysm potion form he had learned.


    Moonlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting a dim glow over the courtyard, shrouding it in a cold, blue veil.


    The garden''s serenity contrasted sharply with the turmoil in Qiu Tu''s mind as he mulled over the cataclysm potion form he had obtained from Shen Lingshuang.


    The cigarette in his hand glowed intermittently, like a lonely firefly, as he pondered theplexities and risks of the potion.


    ording to Shen Lingshuang, the form for the cataclysm potion wasn''t particrlyplex; it simply required following the proportions of the Star-Moon King-Minister mixture.


    In the secret medicinal form, different materials were referred to by various names.


    Moon Medicine and Star Medicine were the two primary ingredients in the secret form. In the cataclysm potion, the Moon Medicine was the main cataclysm material, such as the Aurora Stone, while the Star Medicine was an auxiliary that activated the main material, usually amon ingredient.


    King Medicine and Minister Medicine were auxiliary ingredients. The Minister Medicine bnced the main ingredients'' effects, varying in type and quantity based on the main ingredients'' properties. The King Medicine was a neutral liquid that bound the entire form together, ensuring its stability.


    For the neutral liquid cataclysm material, Shen Lingshuang mentioned several examples, including the blood of the Phantom Bug, Moonlight Tears, and Ancient Tree Sap.


    "Moonlight Tears," Qiu Tu muttered, looking at the treasure chest in the upper left corner of his vision. Inside was a bottle of deep blue liquid: Moonlight Tears.


    [Moonlight Tears: Amonly used cataclysm material. Combine with other materials to create a Cataclysm Potion, an Interdimensional Key, or a Natt Manuscript.]


    Qiu Tu wasn''t surprised the treasure chest contained Moonlight Tears. The rewards were always rted to the crisis, so it was logical for the two connected treasure chests to provide rted materials.


    Yet, he hesitated about entrusting Shen Lingshuang with the potion-making. Could she be trusted given their current strained rtionship?


    After some thought, Qiu Tu threw down his cigarette, crushed it underfoot, and decided he had no other choice. He had to try.


    As he made up his mind, his vision shed with new prompts:


    [In your forceful interrogation, Shen Lingshuang has developed a strange feeling towards you.]


    [If you ask her to make a Cataclysm Potion, despite her sarcastic remarks, her kind heart means she won¡¯t intentionally sabotage it¡ªat most, she might spit in it.]


    [But making the potion requires adherence to all six essential elements: the primary and secondary materials, stabilizers, liquid bncer, timing, and location.]


    [Failing to meet the timing and location requirements could lead to unpredictable effects.]


    [You won¡¯t want to know what happens if you make a potion in New Realm City in the next three days.]


    A new three-day countdown appeared next to the previous one.


    Seeing the new timer, Qiu Tu blinked. ¡®Wait, isn¡¯t this a bit too much information from the crisis sense? Let me think this through.¡¯


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 22: Emotional Fraud

    Chapter 22: Emotional Fraud


    Chapter 22 Emotional Fraud


    Staring at the prompts before him, Qiu Tu¡¯s mind raced, analyzing the new information he had obtained.


    Firstly, it turns out that "Crisis Sense" can trigger multiple crises simultaneously, not just one at a time.


    This discovery significantly improved Qiu Tu''s situation. Even if multiple crises ur simultaneously, he can be aware of all of them.


    Secondly, "Crisis Sense" doesn''t only activate when others pose a threat; it also activates if he is about to make a dangerous mistake.


    This revtion greatly enhances the utility of this skill, allowing it to assist Qiu Tu in making critical decisions.


    Thirdly, the configuration of the "Cataclysm Potion" involves hidden factors rted to time and location.


    This exins why the sess rate for acquiring supernatural powers in this world is so low. The key elements were overlooked or unknown.


    From a scientific perspective, it¡¯s hard to imagine that time and location would be critical factors in a potion¡¯s effectiveness. Moreover, even if others knew this, it would be hard to verify because each experiment could cost a valuable potion and a human life.


    But Qiu Tu is different. With "Crisis Sense," he can receive prompts when facing a deadly threat.


    By following these prompts to configure the potion, he could achieve a 100% sess rate in cataclysm awakening.


    Realizing this, all Qiu Tu¡¯s worries from the past two days vanished.


    Besides these key pieces of information, Qiu Tu also deduced a humorous insight: Shen Lingshuang is actually a masochist?!


    Despite his rough treatment, she developed a strange affection for him. If that isn¡¯t masochism, what is?


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but turn back, casting his gaze towards the room, wondering if he should deepen his rtionship with her through punishment.


    Feeling confused, he realized that he was, after all, a respectable person.


    Just then, a maid arrived with reheated food. Qiu Tu took the initiative to receive it and carried it into the room.


    Inside, Shen Lingshuang, with silver handcuffs on her wrists, was leaning her left hand against her cheek, staring out the window, lost in thought.


    Qiu Tu nced at her and found her quite pretty when she was quiet: a small, delicate face, a tiny mouth, and a slightly upturned nose forming an innocent and youthful visage.


    Perhaps not fully grown, shecked a certain gentleness and allure, instead exuding youthful vitality.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze was so direct that Shen Lingshuang frowned and turned her head, pouting and fiercely asking, "What are you staring at! Look again and I¡¯ll poke your eyes out!"


    Knowing her character from the crisis prompts, Qiu Tu remained patient. While setting the food on the table, he calmly said, "Lingshuang, I¡¯m d you cooperated during the interrogation and told me what you knew."


    "But if you keep this attitude, I won¡¯t like it."


    Shen Lingshuang bared her teeth, wanting to retort, but remembering she was still in Qiu Tu¡¯s hands, she only snorted and ate in silence.


    Qiu Tu didn¡¯t push further. Though aware of her masochistic tendencies, he knew training a masochist required a bnce of reward and punishment. Constant pressure would be counterproductive, just like in emotional fraud where a gentle approach was necessary to build trust.


    Thus, Qiu Tu watched her eat while reviewing the interrogation notes, quietly keeping herpany.


    When Shen Lingshuang finished eating, Qiu Tu closed his notebook and stood up. Seeing this, she tilted her head curiously, "Were you keeping mepany during the meal?"


    Qiu Tu nced at her and deliberately said, "No."


    With that, he turned and left gracefully, instructing the maid to clean up.


    As Shen Lingshuang watched Qiu Tu''s departing figure, her big eyes blinked. Recalling how he had harshly disciplined her earlier, a ripple of emotions stirred within her.


    Outside, Qiu Tu gazed at the gray sky and sighed, reminiscing about his past life.


    Apart from economic fraud, emotional fraud is another significant branch, often yielding greater benefits.


    In his past life, Qiu Tu¡¯s scam group wasprehensive, dealing in both economic and emotional fraud.


    They categorized women into twelve types, devised thirty-six response strategies, andpiled 108 ways to build affection and manipte emotions, all documented for employees to study.


    Although Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t studied these techniques in depth, he had some knowledge. The system¡¯s reminder about Shen Lingshuang''s feelings prompted him to naturally deepen their rtionship.


    After spending the night with her, Qiu Tu gained a better understanding of Shen Lingshuang''s background. Even if it wasn¡¯t as grand as she imed, she was undoubtedly a child of high-ranking officials.


    He didn¡¯t know why such a girl ended up in a nning area, but it presented an opportunity. If he could secure this connection, many problems might be resolved.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu arranged for Fang Ming to take care of Shen Lingshuang''s security, mainly by borrowing two maids from the Qin family to look after her. As a girl, it wasn¡¯t appropriate for her to be constantly surrounded by rough men.


    Fang Ming, a rare good person in this chaotic world, was now Qiu Tu''s deputy despite having been his superior just two days ago. Fang Ming showed no resentment and dutifully assisted Qiu Tu.


    With Fang Ming''s help, Qiu Tu could focus more on solving his current predicament.


    After arranging Shen Lingshuang''s daily care, Qiu Tu headed towards his residence prepared by the Qin family.


    To amodate the security team, the Qin family allocated a two-part courtyard. Since Qin Shuman stayed in the main house, Qiu Tu naturally moved into the master room in the courtyard.


    Approaching the master room, Qiu Tu noticed the front hall¡¯s door was open, with lights on inside. He paused before stepping in.


    Inside, a portly middle-aged man sat leisurely sipping tea on a guest chair, with a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl standing submissively beside him.


    Hearing footsteps, the man turned and, seeing Qiu Tu, beamed with a smile, standing to greet him, "Ah, Agent Qiu, I''ve been waiting for you."


    Qiu Tu''s eyes flickered, and he warmly approached, "Fourth Master Qin, what brings you here sote?"


    Fourth Master Qin, the fourth son of the Qin patriarch and head of the fourth branch, managed the family''s underground brothels and gambling dens despite his amiable appearance.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 23: Midnight Secret Meeting

    Chapter 23: Midnight Secret Meeting


    Chapter 23 Midnight Secret Meeting


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Fourth Master Qin''s chubby face disyed a sincere smile. As he guided Qiu Tu to sit down, he said, "There isn''t much else. I just felt a connection with Agent Qiu at the banquet and wanted to get to know you better in private."


    He then cautiously asked, "It''s still early. Would you be interested in going out for a walk with me?"


    Qiu Tu, seeing Fourth Master Qin''s expression and considering his identity, could easily guess where he intended to take him.


    However, given his official duties, he smiled and politely declined, "Thank you for the offer, Fourth Master Qin, but I''m feeling a bit unwell tonight. Perhaps another time."


    Fourth Master Qin''s smile did not waver. "I understand, I understand."


    He then gestured to the girl beside him, "Xiao Ying, why are you still standing? Go make tea for Agent Qiu."


    The girl immediately lowered her head and obeyed. In a moment, a cup of fragrant tea was ced before Qiu Tu.


    Qiu Tu nodded in thanks and sipped the tea while recalling the Qin family''s situation. The Qin family had five branches. Apart from the fifth son, who was born to a concubine, the other four were full siblings.Qin Heng, the eldest, was the current head of the Qin family and held the official position of Director of Civil Affairs Bureau at New Realm City''s Municipal Council. He was a prominent figure in the city, second only to the three giants like Yan Chen.


    Qin Zhengguang, the second son, was the second most important figure in the Qin family. He served as Deputy Director of the New Realm City Investigation Department''s Public Security Division, overseeing citywide security and wielding significant power within the department.


    Qin Shu, the third son, did not follow his brothers into politics but chose to enter business, handling the family''s legitimate enterprises such as clothing, jewelry, and general merchandise.


    These three brothers, along with Qin Youde, the fourth son who managed the family''s grey industries, formed the powerful Qin family that spanned both legitimate and illegitimate spheres in New Realm City.


    As for the fifth son, spoiled by his stepmother and indulged by his father, he had be a well-known yboy in New Realm City and was excluded from the family''s core power.


    Even before entering the Qin family, Qiu Tu had identified two potential breakthrough points for his mission. One was Fourth Master Qin. However, he had not expected Fourth Master Qin to seek him out first and then fall silent after a few casual remarks.


    What was Fourth Master Qin nning?


    Qiu Tu calmly sipped his tea, waiting for Fourth Master Qin to speak. If Fourth Master Qin wasn''t in a hurry, neither was he.


    Perhaps not expecting Qiu Tu to be so patient, Fourth Master Qin drank three cups of tea and remained silent for about ten minutes before finally speaking.


    He smiled and asked, "Agent Qiu, do you have any tasks this time?"


    Qiu Tu, who had been counting tea leaves in his cup, slowly came to his senses and smiled, "What tasks could I have? My job is to ensure Miss Qin''s safety."


    Fourth Master Qin shook his head dismissively, raising an eyebrow, "But that''s not what I heard."


    Qiu Tu''s interest piqued, and he asked curiously, "Oh? What did you hear, Fourth Master Qin?"


    Fourth Master Qin nced around to ensure no one was eavesdropping before lowering his voice, "I heard you have a grudge against the Qin family and came here to investigate us."


    Qiu Tu quickly dismissed this, "Fourth Master, what a joke."


    "How could I investigate the Qin family? Director Qin Heng''s position in New Realm City, Deputy Director Qin Zhengguang''s power, and even your influence¡ªI''m not a match for any of you."


    "If I offend you, wouldn''t I end up at the bottom of a pond someday? Haha."


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Fourth Master Qinughed along, then suddenly changed his tone, "So, that¡¯s why you moved into the Qin family."


    For a moment, Qiu Tu''s expression froze, and he almost lost hisposure. This man was incredibly blunt, directly threatening a public official.


    But then Qiu Tu realized his own thoughts were misced. If Fourth Master Qin truly intended harm, his Crisis Sense should have triggered a warning.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu had a sudden insight and confronted Fourth Master Qin, "Fourth Master, are you threatening me?"


    "Am I safe within the Qin family, but doomed if I leave? Are you provoking the entire New Realm City Investigation Department by threatening an agent?"


    Fourth Master Qin, perhaps not expecting Qiu Tu to be so bold, was momentarily stunned. He quickly recovered his friendly demeanor, "You misunderstand, Agent Qiu. I¡¯m just chatting casually. How could you escte it to such a serious level?"


    "I¡¯m not threatening you, nor am I challenging the Investigation Department."


    "But life is unpredictable. Who knows what tomorrow might bring?"


    He patted Qiu Tu''s shoulder, "So, take good care of yourself. Don¡¯t fall ill or have an ident."


    Laughing, Fourth Master Qin stood up and left the room. As he did, he identally dropped a small white booklet.


    Qiu Tu watched him leave, then slowly picked up the booklet.


    Opening it, he found records of illegal activitiesmitted by Qin Zhengguang, the second son, during his tenure as Deputy Director of Public Security Division. These included epting bribes from gang members, enabling their crimes, releasing anti-government fighters, and adjusting patrol routes to facilitate their operations.


    After reading, Qiu Tu chuckled. He realized Fourth Master Qin was both warning and testing him, signaling that the Qin family knew his true purpose and advising caution.


    The booklet was also a test, gauging Qiu Tu''s courage and intentions regarding investigating the Qin family.


    Fourth Master Qin, however, underestimated Qiu Tu¡¯s resolve.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 24: Kill!

    Chapter 24: Kill!


    Chapter 24 Kill!


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu closed the booklet, gently patting it while silently analyzing:


    If the usations recorded in the booklet were true, even if the Qin family remained unscathed, Qin Zhengguang would be finished.


    At that time, the Qin family would lose one of its two legs in politics, and they certainly wouldn''t spare him.


    As for the unrealistic idea of using these crimes to bring down the entire Qin family, Qiu Tu didn''t even consider it.


    This information was collected by the fourth branch of the Qin family, so how could they set their own house on fire and destroy the family?


    If Qiu Tu was correct, the usations in the booklet were a mix of truth and lies. Even the true parts would have been prepared for by Fourth Master Qin long ago, ensuring the fire wouldn''t reach the Qin family.


    So, he was being used as a tool in their internal struggle? But what good would it do for Fourth Master Qin if Qin Zhengguang was brought down? Could this be a trap?


    While deeply contemting this, Qiu Tu''s peripheral vision caught a suspicious figure outside the window. He paused, put away his thoughts, and shouted, "Who''s there!" Striding out quickly, he caught the person just as they tried to escape.


    It was Cun. She turned around awkwardly, bowing slightly, "Agent Qiu."


    Seeing Qin Shuman''s ck, chubby maid again, Qiu Tu frowned deeply, "It''s you again? Why aren''t you attending to Miss Qin? What are you doing outside my door?"


    Cun, head bowed, guiltily replied, "Just passing by."


    Qiu Tu''s face darkened further, "Passing by? Miss Qin stays in the main house, at least a minute''s walk from here. Your excuse is too far-fetched."


    Cun defended herself, "It''s my first time in the Qin family. I got lost and wandered here."


    Qiu Tu, finding her stubbornness infuriating, bluntly asked, "How long have you been here? What did you hear or see?"


    This question seemed to boost Cun''s confidence. She raised her head slightly, a gloating smile on her lips, "About ten minutes. As for what I heard or saw, I dare not say. But I saw you chatting happily with Fourth Master Qin, so I stayed outside, not daring to interrupt."


    Qiu Tu''s gaze grew darker, a deep ckness within.


    Ten minutes, just passing by?


    He looked intently at Cun, just as he was about to speak.


    Cun preemptively said, "Agent Qiu, don''t always focus on me. Though I¡¯m part of the entourage, I''m not a bodyguard. I serve the Director directly and sometimes carry out other tasks for him. So, as long as you''re loyal to the Director, what¡¯s there to fear?"


    She looked at Qiu Tu provocatively.


    Qiu Tu stared at her, then suddenly burst outughing, "I understand, Cun. You¡¯re close to the Director and have special tasks. Understood."


    He extended his hand to gesture her out, "I won''t disturb you then. Go ahead."


    Seeing Qiu Tu back down, Cun proudly lifted her head, nodded curtly, and turned to leave.


    However, as she took her first step, she felt arge hand cover her mouth and pull her into a cold embrace. The next second, she felt a sharp pain in her back as a cold, sharp object stabbed her.


    As excruciating pain spread through her body, Cun''s mind screamed, "Is Qiu Tu crazy? How dare he!"


    She was Yan Chen''s maid, sent by him to monitor Qiu Tu. Didn¡¯t he fear Yan Chen¡¯s wrath?


    Desperately, she tried to turn to see Qiu Tu¡¯s face, but the hand covering her mouth pressed her head down, immobilizing her. She struggled, but her movements only intensified the pain, achieving nothing else.


    Sensing her resistance, Qiu Tu''s low, hoarse voice whispered in her ear, "Breathe deeply. It''s okay, it will be over soon."


    His words were apanied by the slow, steady twisting of the knife, deepening her agony.


    Feeling her strength wane and life slipping away, tears welled in Cun''s eyes. She shook her head, silently crying, but nothing could stop her life from ticking away.


    In her final moments, memories shed before her eyes: her animated recounting of Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman¡¯s interactions to Yan Chen at noon; her smug expression guiding Qiu Tu the previous night; her sneaky eavesdropping on Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman that morning; and Yan Chen rewarding her with a silver coin for spying on Qiu Tu.


    If she had known this would be the oue, she would never have meddled in such powerful affairs.


    Gradually, her consciousness faded away.


    Feeling Cun¡¯s struggles cease, Qiu Tu coldly released her. He dragged her lifeless body inside, wiped up the blood, and changed his clothes before making a call.


    Soon, Eagle and Ah Kun arrived. Seeing Cun''s body, they silently ced it in a sack, cleaned up any remaining evidence, nodded at Qiu Tu, and left with the body.


    Watching them depart, Qiu Tu''s eyes darkened further.


    After a moment, he softly muttered, "First one."


    Late at night, the door of a side room in the Qin family¡¯s secondary residence was knocked on.


    A momentter, a middle-aged woman''s voice asked, "Who is it?"


    The visitor softly replied, "Madam, it''s A Fu. I have urgent news for the master."


    After a while, the sound of rustling clothes came from within.


    Shortly, Qin Heng, the head of the Qin family, stepped out wearing a robe. His resemnce to Fourth Master Qin was striking, but he was thin and pale, looking sickly.


    As he exited the room, the cold night air made him cough. He looked at Ah Fu, asking coldly, "What happened?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 25: 108 Ways to Enhance Relationships - Number 37

    Chapter 25: 108 Ways to Enhance Rtionships - Number 37


    Chapter 25: 108 Ways to Enhance Rtionships - Number 37


    A Fu knew that Qin Heng was unwell and couldn¡¯t stay outside for long, so he quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Master, three hours ago, the guards reported that Agent Qiu summoned two people here."


    "Half an hourter, those two left carrying a sack."


    "An hour ago, a servant reported that Miss Qin''s personal maid, Cun, had gone missing."


    "She said she was going out for a walk around 9 PM tonight, but she hasn¡¯t returned yet. I''ve arranged for people to search everywhere, but there''s no sign of her. We¡¯ve checked all the ponds and wells, but she¡¯s nowhere to be found."


    "But a servant recalled seeing her going to the guards¡¯ quarters three hours ago."


    A Fu didn¡¯t need to say more; the implication was clear enough.


    Qin Heng, expressionless, softly muttered, "Cun?"


    "Isn''t she the maid serving Miss Qin from our Qin family?"A Fu quietly reminded him, "Master, have you forgotten? The maid sent to serve Miss Qin was returned the same day she was sent to Director Yan''s vi."


    "So, Cun is Director Yan''s personal maid."


    Qin Heng''s face darkened immediately. "Did he bring her from the shelter?"


    This time A Fu was clearly taken aback, hesitated for a second, and then, recalling Cun''s dark and plump appearance, shook his head. "Probably not."


    Qin Heng''s expression eased slightly. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Inform my second brother. It¡¯s an internal matter of the Investigation Department; let them handle it themselves."


    A Fu nodded, "Yes, sir."


    Qin Heng coughed twice more before turning back to his room.


    Momentster, a woman''s concerned voice sounded from within, "What''s the matter?"


    Qin Heng replied softly, "Nothing, just a minor issue."


    The woman responded with an "Mm."


    The room gradually quieted, and the blue moonlight, like water, filled the entire Qin family courtyard.


    [30 Days]


    [64:25:01]


    The night passed without further incident.


    The next morning, Qiu Tu got up and habitually nced at the two hoursses in the upper left corner.


    The first countdown was for the time Yan Chen had given him to investigate the Qin family¡¯s crimes. There were 29 days left.


    The second was for the Cataclysm Potion''spletion time. About 57 hours remained.


    ¡®By now, the Qin family should have reported Cun¡¯s death to Yan Chen, right?¡¯


    ¡®We should see Yan Chen¡¯s reaction soon.¡¯


    ¡®Then I¡¯ll know if my guess was correct.¡¯


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu got up, washed, and went out for breakfast.


    To amodate the guards, the Qin family had set up a small kitchen in the courtyard. Every morning, the small kitchen prepared meals for the guards.


    During breakfast, Qiu Tu and Fang Ming sat together.


    As he ate, Fang Ming said quietly, "Qiu Tu, to be honest, I admire you."


    "When I first met you, you were just an ordinary agent, and it seemed like you had provoked the director¡¯s woman and were despised by him."


    "But that same night, you turned things around. Not only were you transferred to the Political Division, but you were also promoted."


    "I was surprised and curious."


    "And then, in just one day, the situation flipped again. You were appointed as the captain of the guards to escort Qin Shuman back to the Qin family."


    "Although I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re nning, it¡¯s clear this is a trap banquet."


    "A high-level agent from the Political Division leading the team, it¡¯s almost like pulling out an investigation order directly."


    "Anyone who can survive in the officialdom is no fool. Everyone can see this is a political statement."


    "So, countless eyes in New Realm City are watching the Qin family, the director, and you."


    Fang Ming paused before continuing, "Last night, you first met with Fourth Master Qin and then killed Yan Chen¡¯s personal maid, Cun."


    "I really don¡¯t understand which side you¡¯re on or what game you¡¯re ying."


    "My father said that when you meet someone you can¡¯t understand but find trustworthy, the best approach is to be honest with them."


    "Otherwise, they¡¯ll outsmart you and make you count the money for them."


    "So, I want to be honest with you. I was dragged into this unintentionally, and I hope you won¡¯t involve me in your schemes."


    "If you leave me out of it, I¡¯ll owe you a favor."


    "As for your men, I really think highly of A Tai. This morning, I¡¯ve already arranged for him to join the Special Operations Division selection. He should do fine."


    "If you get through this, he¡¯ll return to you, and that will be my repayment."


    "If you get into trouble, I¡¯ll treat him as my own brother and train him well. With him around, your men won¡¯tpletely lose support without you."


    "But try not to involve him in your ns anymore. I won¡¯t be able to protect him otherwise."


    Fang Ming continued eating, waiting for Qiu Tu''s response.


    Qiu Tu looked at Fang Ming for a while. Then, he smiled and extended his hand, "Deal."


    Fang Ming breathed a sigh of relief and shook his hand.


    As they released their hands, Fang Ming quietly added, "Be careful, the Qin family¡¯s affairs aren¡¯t that simple. It might involve higher-level conflicts."


    Qiu Tu''s heart stirred at this, recalling the Crisis Sense''s constant warnings about Yan Chen being caught in a vortex. He nodded and sincerely said, "Thank you."


    After breakfast, as the captain of the guards, Qiu Tu naturally had to report to Qin Shuman.


    But before he could move, Qin Shuman came rushing over, lifting her skirt as she hurried.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, she visibly rxed.


    She quickly stepped forward, bent down, and whispered, "Qiu Tu, something¡¯s happened."


    Smelling the cherry blossom scent and looking at the surging white waves in front of him, Qiu Tu continued eating calmly and asked, "What happened?"


    Qin Shuman nced around. There were still a few agents eating, but she couldn¡¯t care less. She sat beside Qiu Tu and whispered, "Cun is missing. I suspect someone did something to her."


    "Last night, after I returned to my room, she asked for leave, saying she wanted to¡ª"


    Before she could finish, Qiu Tu interrupted, "I know."


    "You know?" Qin Shuman¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    Qiu Tu nodded while continuing to eat and said casually, "I killed her."


    Qin Shuman: !!?


    Qin Shuman''s eyes widened further, staring at Qiu Tu in shock.


    Fortunately, she still had her wits about her. She quickly regained herposure, swallowed, and asked softly, "Why?"


    Qiu Tu nced at her, then without hesitation, employed the 37th way to enhance a rtionship: For you.


    "Of course, it was for you."


    "For me?" Qin Shuman blinked, revealing a bit of innocence and naivety.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 26: Testing the Limits

    Chapter 26: Testing the Limits


    Chapter 26: Testing the Limits


    Qiu Tu said matter-of-factly, "Of course, I killed her for you. Why else would I do it?"


    Qin Shuman was bewildered. She asked, "But... what did she do to me?"


    While picking up some food, Qiu Tu calmly exined, "She was Yan Chen''s person, ced by your side to monitor you."


    "Yan Chen clearly doesn''t believe you¡¯re a mole from the Military Department, so he assigned her to record your every move and report back to him regrly."


    At this point, Qiu Tu asked, "Are you a mole from the Military Department?"


    Qin Shuman quickly shook her head, looking dazed.


    "Exactly," Qiu Tu continued. "She found something suspicious about you and documented all the details."


    "Last night, when she was about to report to Yan Chen, I caught her. So, I made a decisive move and killed her."Qin Shuman''s mouth opened slightly, not knowing what to say.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Tu smiled and contentedly took a bite of meat.


    In life, the most important thing is to learn how to shift the me.


    If you can me someone else and still gain their gratitude, why carry the burden yourself?


    Setting aside personal integrity, one should enjoy a life of mischief.


    Qiu Tu''s words seemed to have reassured Qin Shuman, as her mood visibly improved.


    Though she still muttered about worrying over Yan Chen''s wrath, Qiu Tu''sforting words of "Leave it to me" gradually calmed her.


    After breakfast, to ease Qin Shuman''s anxiety, Qiu Tu offered to take her to feed the fish by the pond.


    As one of the top influential families in New Realm City, the Qin family¡¯s residence was vast and architecturally significant. The estate not only featured a series of courtyards but also beautifully designed gardens with a strong oriental vor.


    Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone paths.


    Qin Shuman sat on a small stool by the path, her long legs extended, delicately sprinkling fine fish food into the crystal-clear pond.


    In no time, the previously tranquil water became lively as various colorful mutant fish swam over from all directions.


    Watching the fish gather around, she smiled, her bright eyes exuding charm.


    Not far away, Qiu Tu''s gentle gaze fell upon her, feeling this was the most leisurely moment in the past few days.


    But he couldn¡¯t help but wonder how long such peaceful times wouldst.


    His gaze drifted beyond the Qin family estate, beyond the streets and buildings, towards the shadow sitting in an office at the top of the Investigation Department building.


    At the same time.


    New Realm City''s Investigation Department headquarters.


    Yan Chen sat in the director''s office, listening to Secretary Bai''s report while processing documents.


    After signing a document, he looked up and asked, "So, basically, Second Master Qin reported today that Qiu Tu killed Cun, right?"


    Secretary Bai respectfully replied, "Yes."


    Yan Chen snorted lightly, "Elder Master Qin is really cunning. He still refuses to take a stand."


    "Alright, I get it."


    With that, he continued with his paperwork.


    Seeing no further instructions, Secretary Bai didn¡¯t leave but cautiously asked, "Director, should we reprimand or warn Qiu Tu?"


    Yan Chen''s hand paused.


    He looked up sharply at Secretary Bai, tapping his pen heavily on the desk, "Bai Yu, I know you think highly of Qiu Tu, but don¡¯t y tricks in front of me!"


    Secretary Bai broke into a cold sweat, immediately straightening up, "Yes, sir."


    Yan Chen''s face turned cold as he waved him off, "Leave."


    Secretary Bai saluted and left the office.


    Outside, he closed the office door, sighed softly, and shook his head as he walked to his own office.


    The fact that Qiu Tu had killed Cun wasn¡¯t a secret. Many were keenly observing the situation.


    But after a whole day, Yan Chen hadn¡¯t reacted at all.


    No reprimand, no warning, and certainly no praise. The silence was eerie, as if he waspletely unaware of the incident.


    By evening, most people had figured it out.


    Theck of praise meant it wasn¡¯t Yan Chen¡¯s order. He was displeased with the incident.


    No reprimand or warning meant the issue wasn¡¯t resolved.


    By deliberately withholding judgment, Yan Chen couldter use this incident to charge Qiu Tu, making the offense as serious or minor as needed.


    On the contrary, if he had reprimanded or warned, it would mean the matter was settled. Though displeased, Yan Chen wouldn¡¯t take further action against Qiu Tu.


    ¡®Just as I suspected,¡¯ Qiu Tu thought, after a day without any consequences.


    ¡®Given my current value, Yan Chen won¡¯t humiliate me over non-critical matters.¡¯


    ¡®He¡¯s still wary of me but has essentially made concessions.¡¯


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu''s gaze became yful.


    Those familiar with fraud tactics would recognize this as the method scammers use after the target takes the bait: testing the limits.


    Once greed hooks someone, the scammer gradually lowers their moral boundaries until they¡¯re gonepletely.


    So the next step was simple.


    ¡®I can slowly increase Yan Chen¡¯s sunk costs.¡¯


    Without hesitation, Qiu Tu filed a report.


    "Major clue discovered, requesting reinforcement from a team of Political Division agents for deployment, and additional operational funds: 399 silver coins."


    [49:19:48 (Deadline to make Cataclysm Potion)]


    That evening, while Qiu Tu and Yan Chen were engaged in their silent battle.


    Shen Lingshuang, holding a short-legged tabby cat, sat on the steps of a small courtyard, staring nkly at the sky, chin in hand.


    A maid and a Special Operations Division agent stood nearby, guarding her.


    After a while, she turned to the agent, "Hey, don¡¯t you need to check on your officer? He might have choked on water. Why hasn¡¯t hee to interrogate me all day?"


    "As an important prisoner, don¡¯t I deserve some attention?"


    This spiel had probably been repeated all day, so the agent turned away, pretending not to hear.


    Seeing this, Shen Lingshuang angrily red at him, then furiously stroked the tabby cat, almost pulling its fur out!


    The maid, distressed, reached out to stop her but didn¡¯t dare to speak.


    At that moment, Qiu Tu¡¯s voice came from outside the courtyard.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 27: Creating the Cataclysm Potion

    Chapter 27: Creating the Cataclysm Potion


    Chapter 27: Creating the Cataclysm Potion


    "What attention? You¡¯re a suspect, and you think you deserve attention?"


    Upon hearing the familiar sarcasm, Shen Lingshuang''s eyes lit up. She jumped to her feet and eximed, "Qiu Tu? You''re here!"


    As she spoke, Qiu Tu walked in from outside the courtyard, hands in his pockets.


    With his long legs and perfect figure, the ck uniform of the Political Division looked exceptionally sharp on him. Add his handsome features, bathed in the evening glow, and Shen Lingshuang couldn¡¯t help but stare.


    Method 7 of 108 Ways to Enhance Rtionships: If you have good looks, make sure to use them. It helps win a woman''s heart quickly.


    Qiu Tu walked up to Shen Lingshuang and motioned for the Special Operations Division agent and the maid to leave.


    The agent visibly rxed, saluted Qiu Tu respectfully, and hurriedly left the courtyard. The maid also left quickly, not forgetting to snatch the kitten from Shen Lingshuang''s arms, tearfully running away with it.


    Seeing how they avoided her like the gue, Qiu Tu was puzzled: What had this little demon done to make her guards so frightened?At this moment, Shen Lingshuang regained her senses.


    Blushing slightly at Qiu Tu''s handsome presence, her strong pride still made her lift her head and demand, "What were you doing today? Why didn¡¯t youe to see or interrogate me?"


    Qiu Tu frowned, unyielding to her scolding, "What I do is none of your business."


    But he added, "As the captain of the guards, I must stay by Miss Qin¡¯s side."


    Initially, Shen Lingshuang felt slightly pleased but still somewhat defiant at Qiu Tu¡¯s rebuke. However, hearing his second statement shifted her focus.


    "Miss Qin?"


    Recalling the fairy-like woman she had seen upon arriving at the Qin family, Shen Lingshuang felt a pang of envy.


    She sighed inwardly, then, as if possessed, asked, "Who do you think is prettier, Miss Qin or me?"


    Qiu Tu looked her over.


    The young girl was indeed pretty, but still too immature topete with Qin Shuman''s beauty.


    So...


    "Definitely you."


    "How could Qin Shumanpare to you?"


    Method 9 of 108 Ways to Enhance Rtionships: Make obviously falsepliments to quickly increase the other person''s affection.


    Shen Lingshuang, taken aback by his answer, blushed and asked shyly, "Do you really think so?"


    "Of course," Qiu Tu swore, "I swear on my superior Yan Chen''s life, if I lie, may he die without a burial."


    Hearing this, Shen Lingshuang felt sweet inside. Everyone knew Yan Chen was Qiu Tu''s mentor, and his rapid rise to a high-level agent in the Political Division was thanks to Yan Chen''s support.


    ¡ª¡ªShen Lingshuang had learned a lot about Qiu Tu from the guards watching her today.


    Feeling satisfied, Shen Lingshuang didn¡¯t say it, but she was pleased.


    After winning her favor, Qiu Tu brought up his reason for visiting, "Lingshuang, I need you to do something."


    Although his previous charm offensive had hooked Shen Lingshuang, her pride made her reluctant toply immediately.


    Pouting and acting haughty, she said, "Just because you ask me to do something, I have to do it? What about my face?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "This is an order, not a request."


    "If you refuse, I can remind you of yesterday''s punishment."


    His domineering yet ambiguous words made Shen Lingshuang''s heart skip a beat.


    Blushing, she turned her head, muttering, "Fine, I¡¯ll do it. No need to threaten me."


    She then asked, "What do you want me to do?"


    Qiu Tu pulled out a package from his pocket and handed it to her.


    At first, she epted it indifferently, but when she saw the contents, her eyes widened, "Aurora Stone! Moonlight Tears!"


    Recognizing the rare Cataclysm materials, Shen Lingshuang looked at Qiu Tu in shock, "Where did you get these?"


    Qiu Tu shook his head, refusing to answer, "That''s a secret. Don¡¯t ask."


    Shen Lingshuangplied. Qiu Tu¡¯s refusal to let her ask silenced her, but as she stroked the materials with her silver handcuffed hands, her expression grewplex.


    She put away her yful demeanor and seriously asked, "Our rtionship isn¡¯t that good, right? Are you sure you want to entrust these to me?"


    "Aren''t you afraid I''ll mess up the potion on purpose?"


    "Have you ever seen a Cataclysm Potion? Aren¡¯t you afraid I''ll make a fake potion and keep these materials for myself?"


    "Have you seen my alchemy skills? Aren¡¯t you afraid I''ll fail?"


    Instead of answering directly, Qiu Tu asked, "Would you sabotage the Cataclysm Potion?"


    Shen Lingshuang shook her head, "No."


    "Would you keep these materials for yourself?"


    She shook her head again, "No."


    "Do you believe you can sessfully make the Cataclysm Potion?"


    This time, she hesitated but finally nodded, "I¡¯m at least 90% sure."


    Qiu Tu smiled, "Then what do I have to worry about?"


    "You think we don¡¯t have a good rtionship, but I trust you."


    "So... I believe in you."


    Shen Lingshuang was stunned.


    No one had ever trusted her like this before, leaving her momentarily speechless. She stammered, "But, I, you..."


    After a few deep breaths to calm herself, she looked at Qiu Tu with aplex expression, "But Qiu Tu, I can¡¯t guarantee that drinking the potion will definitely awaken your Cataclysm power."


    "You know, the awakening probability of Cataclysm Potions is less than 20%, it¡¯s a gamble with your life."


    Qiu Tu patted her shoulder solemnly, "Then I¡¯ll entrust my life to you."


    Time seemed to freeze. Shen Lingshuang felt the world around her shrink, focusing solely on Qiu Tu.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 28: The Dangers of Awakening

    Chapter 28: The Dangers of Awakening


    Chapter 28: The Dangers of Awakening


    For a moment, Shen Lingshuang looked at Qiu Tu with firm determination and said, "Don''t worry! I will ensure you sessfully undergo the Cataclysm Awakening!"


    With that, she seemed to switch into work mode, waving her hand, "Bring me paper and pen. I need to write down the additional ingredients for the potion."


    "Although they aren''t rare or expensive materials, gathering them will still take some time."


    Qiu Tu nced at the countdown in the upper left corner: [46:35:17], and asked, "Is a day and a half enough?"


    Shen Lingshuang thought for a moment, "It should be fine."


    Reassured, Qiu Tu brought paper and pen, and Shen Lingshuang quickly listed the ingredients and equipment needed for the Cataclysm Potion. Qiu Tu carefully folded the note and put it in his pocket, ready to contact Eagle and A Kun to handle the task.


    However, seeing him put away the note, Shen Lingshuang hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Qiu Tu."


    Qiu Tu looked up at her."Actually," she began, "there are some things about the Cataclysm Potion that you should know."


    Qiu Tu had always seen Shen Lingshuang as carefree and fearless, so her sudden seriousness made him realize that what she was about to say was crucial.


    As expected, she continued slowly, "It''s been eight years since the first Cataclysm Potion and the first Cataclysm Awakened."


    "The shelters have continuously researched the potion and the awakened individuals."


    "But the more they research, the more they discover significant problems with the Cataclysm Awakening."


    She paused, then asked, "Do you remember the six paths I mentioned?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, "I remember. Destruction, Life, Mystery, Immortality, Order, and Chaos."


    Shen Lingshuang nodded and exined, "Yes. But do you know why these paths are named as such?"


    Qiu Tu shook his head.


    "Because these names represent the paths you must follow and their inherent issues," she said.


    To make her point clear, she gave an example, "If you follow the Path of Destruction, all your actions must align with ''destruction.''"


    "The more you destroy, the faster you progress in power."


    "Of course, what you destroy is up to you."


    "Some choose to destroy ''life,'' others ''food,'' and some ''peace.''"


    "These correspond to branches like ''ughter,'' ''Gluttony,'' and ''War.''"


    "If this were the only issue, it might not matter much. But there is a terrifying rule about the Cataclysm Paths."


    "That is¡ªyou only gain strength by following your path. If you stray or stop, your power will rapidly decline."


    Shen Lingshuang''s eyes filled with deep concern, "Under such pressure, many Cataclysm Awakened be increasingly extreme, often losing their sanity and turning intoplete madmen."


    "Many now believe the problem lies with the potion itself or that humans must awaken naturally rather than stealing the power of other beings."


    "So... most high-ranking members of the shelters haven¡¯t undergone Cataclysm Awakening. They''re just ordinary people."


    Qiu Tu was silent for a moment, then asked, "What about the leaders of the shelters themselves?"


    Shen Lingshuang''s eyes were filled with deep sorrow, "They have no choice."


    "In the face of the Great Cataclysm, for the survival of our species, some must bear this burden."


    Qiu Tu remained silent.


    Shen Lingshuang looked at him and said, "So I hope you reconsider."


    Hearing her, Qiu Tu took a few deep breaths, rubbed his face, then smiled, "There''s no need to reconsider. I will definitely walk this path."


    Shen Lingshuang looked puzzled, "Why?"


    "If you were unaware of the dangers, I could understand your choice."


    "But you know how dangerous this path is. Why continue?"


    She added, "You know about the debate in the shelters over human Cataclysm Awakening, right?"


    "Since the development of the Cataclysm Potion, the faction advocating for ''stealing mysterious powers from other beings'' has been dominant."


    "But with more and more people losing control after using the potion, the faction advocating for ''naturally evolving new humans through generations'' is gaining support."


    "You don¡¯t have to..."


    Qiu Tu interrupted her with a smile, "Even if new humans are born in the future, it won¡¯t be me or you, right?"


    "Now is a dog-eat-dog world. If you''re not at the table, you''re on the menu."


    "I''ve seen the qualifications to be at the table. I won¡¯t give up because of cowardice and be amb to the ughter."


    "I¡¯d rather live a brilliant but short life."


    He paused, then added softly, "Moreover, although I don¡¯t know what danger humanity faces that requires the leaders of the shelters to be Cataclysm Awakened and bear the burden..."


    "But if they can sacrifice for the future of our race, so can I. I want... to walk with them."


    With that, Qiu Tu got up and left the courtyard, leaving behind a resolute and determined figure.


    Shen Lingshuang stared nkly at his retreating figure, unable to snap out of it for a long time.


    [45:02:01 (Deadline to make the Cataclysm Potion)]


    Leaving the courtyard, Qiu Tu gave some instructions to the guards and the maid at the entrance, asking them to meet Shen Lingshuang''s reasonable requests while watching over her.


    In these two days of interacting with her, Qiu Tu confirmed the Crisis Sense''s assessment of her as "kind-hearted."


    Like a cactus growing wildly in the apocalypse, she was prickly but maintained a pure heart inside.


    So, within his power, Qiu Tu hoped to make her life a bit better.


    Of course, this had nothing to do with her being the daughter of Vice Speaker Shen Yuzhou of the Supreme Council.


    Today¡¯s conversation revealed too much insider information only known to high-ranking members of the shelters.


    Even if she wasn¡¯t the daughter of the highest-ranking official in the Third Shelter, her background was undoubtedly significant.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu left the courtyard and headed towards his own.


    Halfway there, he received amunication from Fang Ming.


    The message was brief, only stating that the reinforcements Qiu Tu requested in the afternoon had arrived.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 29: Establishing Authority

    Chapter 29: Establishing Authority


    Chapter 29: Establishing Authority


    When Qiu Tu heard the news from Fang Ming, he was somewhat surprised.


    He had expected Yan Chen to agree to his request, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated such quick approval and rapid execution by Jia Shu. Reflecting on the time from his request for reinforcements to their arrival, he realized it had only been four hours.


    This indicated that Yan Chen had almost immediately approved the request without much hesitation, and Jia Shu had executed it without dy.


    ¡®This is good news¡ªit means I¡¯m bing more important in Yan Chen''s eyes,¡¯ Qiu Tu thought.


    However, he couldn¡¯t help but guess, ¡®Knowing Yan Chen¡¯s personality, there must be a catch with these reinforcements.¡¯


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu leisurely returned to his courtyard.


    Sure enough, as soon as he arrived, he saw a team of Political Division agents in ck uniforms resting in the yard.


    The previously quiet courtyard entrance now had several Qin family servants peeking inside, clearly there to observe and gather information.Seeing this, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself.


    It seemed the first catch was here: Yan Chen hadn¡¯t ordered the agents to arrive secretly but had them enter the Qin family courtyard openly.


    What is the Political Division responsible for?


    It¡¯s mainly a secret department handling espionage, counter-espionage, and internal surveince. Such a sensitive department usually operates discreetly. Now, with a team of Political Division agents openly stationed at the Qin family, it would soon cause a stir throughout the city.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu walked into the courtyard.


    Fang Ming, who was receiving the reinforcements, greeted him immediately, "Qiu Tu."


    After greeting him, he introduced two Political Division agents beside him, "This is our guard team leader, Qiu Tu."


    Then he led them forward.


    As they approached, Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes fell on their epaulets. One had two golden flowers, and the other had three golden flowers like Qiu Tu, indicating he was also a first-level agent and a team leader.


    Indeed, when Fang Ming introduced them, he emphasized this point, "Qiu Tu, these are Agent Cao Dabiao and Agent Chen Feng."


    "They are the team leader and deputy team leader of this reinforcement team."


    Fang Ming subtly signaled to Qiu Tu that there was an issue.


    Qiu Tu remained expressionless, but inwardly he almostughed at Yan Chen¡¯s scheme:


    He had requested reinforcements from the Political Division, and they had actually sent an entire team, including the team leader.


    Cao Dabiao and Qiu Tu were on the same level, but Cao Dabiao had more experience and familiarity with the team. Without some maneuvers, Qiu Tu could easily be sidelined, losing control over the team and his ability to build his influence.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu''s gaze swept over Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng.


    Cao Dabiao was a middle-aged man in his thirties, with a round face, a scruffy beard, and narrow eyes that revealed a hint of cunning and greed.


    With just one look, Qiu Tu could tell that this man was a seasoned troublemaker, difficult to control.


    As for Chen Feng, he was a young man in his twenties with sharp, angr features that made him look somewhat unapproachable. His demeanor was also a bit cold when he saw Qiu Tu.


    ¡®Another troublemaker¡¯, Qiu Tu thought.


    Realizing this, Qiu Tu had a good idea of the "challenge" Yan Chen and Jia Shu had set for him.


    But honestly, Qiu Tu didn''t think much of this difficulty.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and shouted, "Assemble!"


    Hearing hismanding voice, the resting Political Division agents were startled.


    Fang Ming had already introduced Qiu Tu¡¯s identity to them earlier, so upon hearing themand, they quickly lined up.


    Despite any ulterior motives, Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng had no choice but to stand in formation since the rest of the team had obeyed.


    Taking the lead, Qiu Tu looked sharply at everyone and pointed to his epaulets, introducing himself, "I am Qiu Tu, a first-level agent of the Political Division and the captain of this guard team, your superior!"


    "Now, attention!"


    With the establishment of the superior-subordinate rtionship, everyone stood straighter, showing higherpliance.


    Even the usuallyx Cao Dabiao stood up straight.


    Qiu Tu then ordered, "Salute!"


    At hismand, all right hands snapped up in salute.


    Qiu Tu stood straight and returned the salute.


    Then, he looked at Cao Dabiao and ordered, "Cao Dabiao, step forward!"


    Technically, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯tmand Cao Dabiao, as they were of the same rank. But due to Qiu Tu¡¯s dual role as the guard team leader and the recent obedience from the team, Cao Dabiao had toply, albeit reluctantly.


    Feeling uneasy about the sudden order, Cao Dabiao stepped forward, somewhat dismissively asking, "What are your orders, Agent Qiu?"


    Qiu Tu, not giving him any face, sternly corrected, "Address me as your superior!"


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s harsh words, Cao Dabiao felt his face burn with embarrassment. Even without turning around, he could sense the strange looks from his team members behind him.


    He knew that Qiu Tu was deliberately undermining his authority within the team, forcefully establishing the hierarchy in front of everyone.


    Grinding his teeth, Cao Dabiao red at Qiu Tu, considering challenging him and rejecting his orders outright.


    But just then, Qiu Tu spoke again.


    His eyes cold, he looked at Cao Dabiao and barked, ¡°What? Are you nning to defy a superior¡¯s orders?!¡±


    At that moment, Cao Dabiao felt a chill run down his spine.


    Defying orders in a disciplined unit was an extremely serious matter. During wartime, it could even lead to immediate execution!


    More importantly, he noticed Qiu Tu¡¯s hand already reaching for the gun holstered at his back.


    ¡®Is he really going to kill me?¡¯


    ¡®How dare he?!¡¯


    ¡®Is he insane? Killing a first-level agent over a title dispute would get him killed too!¡¯


    Despite his disbelief that Qiu Tu would actually follow through, the intense darkness in Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes and the overwhelming sense of danger forced Cao Dabiao to back down.


    ¡®No need to mess with a madman!¡¯


    ¡®As long as I survive, I can get my revengeter!¡¯


    With this in mind, Cao Dabiao lowered his gaze, suppressing his anger and resentment for the time being.He begrudginglyplied, "Yes, sir!"


    Qiu Tu released his grip from his gun holster, satisfied, "Good."


    "Now, I have a task for you."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 30: Power

    Chapter 30: Power


    Chapter 30: Power


    Once a person¡¯s spine is forcibly broken, it¡¯s hard for them to stand tall again.


    So, when Cao Dabiao conceded, he was already in a state of resignation. He shouted, ¡°Awaiting your orders, Sir!¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled slightly, ¡°Now, I order you to take two familiar agents and leave the Qin family estate. In half an hour, I¡¯ll contact you with further instructions.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Cao Dabiao was taken aback, not expecting such an order.


    However, with the scene firmly controlled by Qiu Tu and his own authority shattered, he dared not question it.


    Like a puppet, he chose two of his trusted men and left the Qin family, waiting for Qiu Tu¡¯s nextmand.


    As he stood at the gate of the Qin estate, staring at the bustling city streets, Cao Dabiao was confused for a few seconds before realization struck him.


    Damn! I¡¯ve been stripped of my ¡°militarymand¡± just like that??Realizing his team was nowpletely separated from him, Cao Dabiao felt a surge of anger.


    The next moment, seeing his two trusted subordinates beside him, he cursed again.


    ¡®Damn! I even took my trusted men with me? Now I have no one left to ry information or give remotemands?¡¯


    Feeling a chill, he reyed Qiu Tu¡¯s series of actions in his mind: asserting dominance, leveraging herd mentality, intimidating with authority, and finally, isting him. Before he could react, he had been effectively removed from the game.


    Cao Dabiao shivered, sensing a deep-seated fear. He considered going back to confront Qiu Tu but quickly dismissed the idea, knowing hecked the courage after witnessing Qiu Tu¡¯s tactics.


    ¡®Better not mess with a ruthless person like him. I¡¯ll just treat this as a vacation. Once this mission is over, I¡¯ll bribe my superior and transfer to another team.¡¯


    Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Cao Dabiao waved to his two men, ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯m treating you to barbecue.¡±


    Meanwhile, in the guard team¡¯s courtyard, Qiu Tu looked at Chen Feng and the remaining nine agents with satisfaction.


    After eliminating Cao Dabiao, all the agents present were now his subordinates, unable to challenge his authority.


    However, Qiu Tu knew that to truly win their loyalty, he needed to use other means.


    He turned to Fang Ming and asked, ¡°Agent Fang, has the funding I requested arrived?¡±


    Fang Ming, who had been in a daze, snapped back to reality. The past few minutes had shocked him more than years of family education. Watching Qiu Tu effortlessly expel Cao Dabiao made him recall his father¡¯s teaching:


    ¡°The essence of power is not about doing what you want, but making others do what they don¡¯t want to do.¡±


    For the first time, Fang Ming understood this concept and truly recognized Qiu Tu.


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s question, he looked at him deeply before respectfully replying, ¡°Yes, Sir. It has arrived.¡±


    He then retrieved a small box with the Investigation Department¡¯s insignia and handed it to Qiu Tu.


    Qiu Tu opened the box and found it filled with silver coins. He grabbed a handful, about thirty or forty coins, and threw them to the agents.


    Seeing the silver coins in the air, the agents'' eyes lit up. Instinctively, they wanted to grab them.


    But Qiu Tu shouted, ¡°Do not touch!¡±


    ¡°You are agents! You are a disciplined force! If your superior hasn¡¯t ordered you to move, I dare anyone to do so!¡±


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯smand, the agents wavered but remained still, their desire evident in their eyes. Silver coins had strong purchasing power in the nning areas, buying significant amounts of food, fabric, and other essentials.


    One silver dor can buy 80 catties of high-quality rice, 10 to 20 catties of meat, or 30 feet of cotton cloth. Its purchasing power is roughly equivalent to 800 yuan from Qiu Tu¡¯s previous life. In New Realm City, such silver dors are generally not used for daily transactions by ordinary citizens.


    Therefore, for agents whose monthly sry is only about ¡°3 silver dors,¡± having three or four dozen silver dors is truly a significant sum.


    Satisfied with their obedience, Qiu Tu returned the box to Fang Ming and paced in front of the agents, saying, ¡°You are my subordinates. Follow me diligently, and promotions and silver coins will be yours!¡±


    ¡°Now, Chen Feng, take five silver coins. Everyone else, take three. The remaining coins, pick them up and return them to me!¡±


    ¡°Chen Feng will supervise!¡±


    ¡°Dismissed!¡±


    At hismand, the agents excitedly but orderly picked up the silver coins, ensuring not to take more than allocated.


    Soon, each held their coins, and the rest were handed to Chen Feng, who returned them to Qiu Tu.


    Handing over the coins, Chen Feng looked at Qiu Tu with aplex expression and sincerely said, ¡°Sir, you... are impressive.¡±


    Qiu Tu nced at the other agents, seeing respect and fervor in their eyes.


    He knew these ten men were now his.


    ¡°Nominal poweres from above, but real poweres from below.¡±


    Calling the agents into the room, Qiu Tu paired them into groups and handed out leads copied from Fourth Master Qin¡¯s booklet, instructing them to verify the information.


    Soon, the five groups were formed and set off, exchanging contact numbers with Qiu Tu and agreeing to report any findings without alerting others.


    After the effectivebination of reward and discipline, the agents were cooperative.


    Finishing his instructions, Qiu Tu watched them leave, then took out hismunicator and called Cao Dabiao.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 31: A Drunken Qin Shuman

    Chapter 31: A Drunken Qin Shuman


    Chapter 31: A Drunken Qin Shuman


    A momentter, themunication connected.


    Qiu Tu wasted no words, simply saying, ¡°Captain Cao, due to unforeseen circumstances, your mission is temporarily canceled. Return to the Qin family estate now; I have new instructions for you.¡±


    He then hung up.


    At that moment, just starting to drink and enjoy barbecue with his trusted men, Cao Dabiao stared at the receiver in disbelief. He then angrily threw down his skewer and cursed, ¡°Damn it! That bastard is really pushing it!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s toying with me!¡±


    But in a disciplined unit, higher ranks always prevail. Despite his intense reluctance, if he wanted to continue working at the Investigation Department, he had toply.


    With a grim face, he paid the bill and hurried back to the estate with his trusted men.


    Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t tormenting him for no reason but to ensure security.Now that the team¡¯s morale was stabilizing, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t allow any risk. If the team was around him, Cao Dabiao had to be outside; if the team was dispersed on missions, Cao Dabiao had to be close by.


    This way, it minimized the risk of Cao Dabiao forming alliances and undermining him.


    Having thus navigated Yan Chen¡¯s trap, Qiu Tu stood by the courtyard gate, contemting his next move.


    Though he had crossed this hurdle, another challengey ahead: the conspicuous arrival of the Political Division agents at the Qin family estate.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s mind raced, formting a strategy.


    After a moment, an idea took shape. While this situation was tricky, perhaps he could turn it to his advantage.


    Initially, he had requested reinforcements for a secret investigation of the Qin family. Now, it¡¯s impossible for a secret investigation. But why not use this opportunity to probe?


    Perhaps someone would get nervous and reveal a w.


    Especially the person he was most interested in.


    With a n forming, Qiu Tu left the courtyard.


    During the break, some Special Operations Division agents were chatting and exercising in the yard.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, they respectfully stood and saluted, ¡°Sir!¡±


    Qiu Tu returned the greetings warmly, engaging in brief conversations.


    Their enthusiasm indicated that news of his firm handling of the Political Division team and the silver coins he had distributed had spread.


    People naturally gravitate toward those who offer greater benefits.


    Qiu Tu was clear about his position. While he was the guard team leader, it was a temporary role. His actual rank was merely a first-level Political Division agent, capable ofmanding only a small team.


    Once the guard team disbanded, he would lose authority over the Special Operations team.


    So, while he provided tangible benefits to the Political Division team, he only sought goodwill and favors from the Special Operations team.


    Leaving the residence, Qiu Tu headed to the person he was most interested in¡ªQin Shuman¡¯s separate courtyard.


    Qin Shuman, officially the adopted daughter of the Qin family matriarch and Yan Chen¡¯s mistress, had her own private courtyard in the main Qin family residence.


    Her courtyard was small but luxurious, with rooms converted into entertainment spaces like a cinema room, studio, and bar.


    Qiu Tu found her in the small bar, drinking alone.


    Surprised by histe-night visit, Qin Shuman had made no effort to disguise herself. Shey unceremoniously on the bar, eyes zed as she swayed a crystal-clear square ss.


    Under the colorful lights, her deep red dress looked as vibrant as fire, stark against her pale skin.


    It was Qiu Tu¡¯s first time seeing herpletely unguarded, and he was momentarily entranced.


    But soon, he noticed something off in her seductive yet mncholic gaze.


    This woman seemed to have many hidden stories, which didn¡¯t match her identity as a ¡°clone woman.¡±


    ¡®Looks like tonight will be revealing,¡¯ Qiu Tu thought.


    He waved off the maid who was about to greet him and walked over, sitting beside Qin Shuman.


    Sensing someone beside her, Qin Shuman¡¯s eyes focused, and she smiled upon seeing Qiu Tu.


    ¡°Qiu~ Tu~¡±


    She drawled his name with a hint of flirtation, then wrapped her arm around his neck, drunkenly saying, ¡°What brings you here? Come, have a drink with me!¡±


    She snapped her fingers at the maid, ¡°Get him a ¡®One Night Fall.¡¯¡±


    The maid nced at Qiu Tu, who nodded, and she poured a ss of amber liquid from a high-end bottle for him.


    Once the maid had poured the drink, Qiu Tu waved her off, ¡°You may go.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir,¡± she said, bowing slightly before leaving the bar and closing the door behind her.


    After taking a sip of the drink, Qiu Tu softly asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Qin Shuman¡¯s slender fingers caressed the crystal ss. She downed the amber liquid in one gulp, drunkenly saying, ¡°Nothing, I¡¯m just really happy! So happy!¡±


    She forced a smile, but it was clearly fake.


    Qiu Tu watched her silently for a while, then clinked his ss with hers and downed his drink.


    He then refilled both their sses with the exquisite bottle, gesturing for her to drink.


    Qin Shuman seemed calmer this time, gently swirling her ss, her eyes distant as she said, ¡°Qiu Tu~ do you think people can suddenly be someone else?¡±


    Her question startled Qiu Tu. He feigned confusion, ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Do you mean...?¡±


    Qin Shuman ced a finger on his lips, her beautiful face close to his, whispering, ¡°For instance... you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you feel like you¡¯ve be a different person?¡±


    Qiu Tu chuckled, taking a sip of his drink, ¡°People¡¯s personalities can change significantly after major events.¡±


    He then countered, ¡°But Miss Qin, you seem unchanged.¡±


    Pausing, he added with a yful smile, ¡°Except... for tonight.¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 32: Qin Shuman Sliped Up

    Chapter 32: Qin Shuman Sliped Up


    Chapter 32: Qin Shuman Sliped Up


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Qin Shumanughed heartily. She reached out, lifted Qiu Tu¡¯s chin, and looked at him with a captivating yet dangerous gaze, whispering, ¡°Agent Qiu, it seems you don¡¯t know me well enough.¡±


    Qiu Tu frowned slightly, pondering the meaning behind her words. He felt as if Qin Shuman had revealed something crucial, but he couldn¡¯t quite grasp what it was.


    Before he could think further, Qin Shuman, sensing something amiss, poured herself a ss of cold water. After drinking it, her eyes cleared slightly, and the dangerous aura around her diminished.


    She reverted to her usual innocent demeanor, ¡°By the way, what brings you here? Did something happen with Yan Chen again?¡±


    Qiu Tu nced at her, then, while sipping his drink, replied thoughtfully, ¡°Yes, Yan Chen is causing trouble again.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Actually, since arriving at the Qin family, I¡¯ve been guarding you during the day and scouting around at night.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, after two days of investigation, I¡¯ve discovered some leads.¡±


    Qin Shuman paused, resting her chin on her hand curiously, ¡°What leads?¡±Qiu Tu, eyes sharp, dered firmly, ¡°I found that the Qin family might indeed be colluding with the military and the anti-government forces!¡±


    As he said this, Qiu Tu watched Qin Shuman intently, noticing her waist tense slightly.


    ¡°Oh? Really? Did you find any evidence?¡± Qin Shuman asked nonchntly.


    Qiu Tu frowned, ¡°Actually, I found some. So, I reported to Yan Chen for reinforcements, requesting a team of Political Division agents for a secret investigation.¡±


    ¡°But who knew Yan Chen would mess with me by having the agents enter the Qin family openly!¡±


    He pounded the table in frustration, ¡°The Qin family isn¡¯t stupid. Thispletely alerts them!¡±


    He downed another drink in frustration.


    Qin Shuman, seemingly deep in thought, drank some water before asking, ¡°So, what¡¯s your n?¡±


    Qiu Tu continued drinking, ¡°What else can I do? Keep investigating.¡±


    Qin Shuman continued sipping her water, ¡°Where will you start?¡±


    As they drank and chatted, time passed unknowingly.


    As Qin Shuman learned more about Qiu Tu¡¯s n, she suddenly felt a hand on her waist.


    Startled, she looked at Qiu Tu, only to see that the previously sober Qiu Tu now looked drunk, his eyes filled with an unreadable intensity.


    Panicking slightly, she tried to push away his hand that was lifting her skirt, whispering, ¡°Qiu Tu, the maid is still outside!¡±


    Qiu Tu, his face flushed with drunkenness, leaned closer and whispered in her ear, ¡°Be quiet, no one will know.¡±


    ¡°And I just want to exchange some information with you.¡±


    His warm breath on her ear sent shivers down her spine.


    Half an hourter, Qin Shuman, her waist weak, leaned against the bar, holding her skirt, angrily muttering, ¡°Bastard, you¡¯re such a bastard!¡±


    Qiu Tu, fastening his belt, pushed open the door and left the bar, his hand inexplicably marked with several crimson bite marks.


    The maid outside, noticing nothing unusual, nced at Qiu Tu, bowed slightly.


    Qiu Tu nodded at her, drunkenly saying, ¡°Miss Qin is also drunk and can¡¯t walk. Help her back to her room.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sir.¡±


    The maid entered the bar while Qiu Tu staggered out of Qin Shuman¡¯s courtyard. However, as he left, his steps became steady, and his eyes cleared, filled with deep contemtion.


    ¡®Drinking can indeed cause mistakes.¡¯


    ¡®But fortunately, it wasn¡¯t me, it was Qin Shuman.¡¯


    ¡®She pretended for so long, but a few drinks made her slip.¡¯


    ¡®Although we are currently allies, our positions differ slightly.¡¯


    ¡®For instance, proving the Qin family¡¯s collusion with the military and anti-government forces benefits me but not her.¡¯


    ¡®Because, with enough evidence, I could betray her and the Qin family.¡¯


    ¡®In this context, she didn¡¯t worry about how I¡¯d protect her but about where I¡¯d investigate. This doesn¡¯t fit her persona.¡¯


    ¡®It seems my intuition was right: there¡¯s something off about her identity.¡¯


    ¡®Now that the bait is set, I¡¯ll just wait to see who contacts me, then I¡¯ll know whose side Qin Shuman is on.¡¯


    ¡®And I¡¯ll understand why they¡¯re so fixated on me.¡¯


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu felt the fog surrounding his rebirth starting to clear, revealing the outline of the truth.


    Returning to the guard team¡¯s base, Qiu Tu found Cao Dabiao waiting for a long time.


    Seeing Qiu Tu¡¯ste arrival, Cao Dabiao¡¯s eyes zed with anger, his voice strained with suppressed fury, ¡°Sir, you¡¯ve been very busy. I¡¯ve been waiting here for hours.¡±


    Qiu Tu ignored him and didn¡¯t even answer his question.


    He sat down leisurely, changing the topic seamlessly, ¡°How old are you this year, Dabiao?¡±


    Cao Dabiao, struggling to keep up with Qiu Tu¡¯s erratic conversation, replied, ¡°Thirty-five.¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded, taking a sip of tea, then asked, ¡°I don¡¯t recall any major families or organizations with the surname Cao in New Realm City, correct?¡±


    Cao Dabiao¡¯s eyes flickered, not answering directly.


    Qiu Tu set his teacup aside, tapping the table lightly, ¡°A temporary agent earns 300 copper coins a month, a third-level agent earns 1 silver coin plus 500 copper coins, a second-level agent earns 3 silver coins, and a first-level agent earns 8 silver coins.¡±


    ¡°New Realm City has been established for a year, and the Political Division has been around for half a year. After deducting daily expenses, how much have you saved? 30 silver coins?¡±


    Cao Dabiao opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu brought the box of operational funds to the table, opening it to reveal the shining silver coins.


    He sat back down, speaking slowly, ¡°I¡¯m 21, the same rank as you, with backing from high-ranking shelter officials and support from the director.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m young, wealthy and powerful. And I¡¯m your superior. What do you have against me?¡±


    ¡°Even if you seed in obstructing me, in a few months, I¡¯ll get promoted and can deal with you effortlessly.¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 33: A Fish on the Hook

    Chapter 33: A Fish on the Hook


    Chapter 33: A Fish on the Hook


    Upon hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Cao Dabiao¡¯s eyes flickered continuously as he tried to discern the truth behind the information Qiu Tu had shared.


    Qiu Tu, not rushing him, took out a cloth bag and counted out 80 silver coins from the box full of them, then tossed the bag to Cao Dabiao.


    The clinking sound of the coins was like a hypnotic melody.


    Cao Dabiao, in shock, caught the bag and looked at Qiu Tu in disbelief.


    Qiu Tu said, ¡°This is 80 silver coins. They¡¯re yours.¡±


    Feeling the heavy weight in his hands, Cao Dabiao swallowed hard, suppressing his greed, and tentatively asked, ¡°Sir, isn¡¯t this the operational fund? This¡­¡±


    Qiu Tu waved off his concerns, ¡°If I dare to give it to you, I can protect you.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not afraid, why should you be?¡±¡°If the sky falls, I¡¯ll hold it up!¡±


    ¡°Now, make a choice. If you want to follow me, take the money. I¡¯ll ensure your promotion and wealth in the future.¡±


    ¡°If not, leave the money, find somewhere to lie low for a few days, ande back when the mission is over. I won¡¯t trouble you.¡±


    Cao Dabiao¡¯s expression shifted rapidly. After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind and bowed deeply.


    With a fawning smile, he said, ¡°Sir, you must be joking.¡±


    ¡°Actually, I felt an instant connection with you the first time we met, wanting to serve you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just that you seemed to misunderstand me and didn¡¯t give me a chance.¡±


    ¡°Now that you¡¯re willing to ept me, I couldn¡¯t be happier.¡±


    He put the bag into his coat, grinning, ¡°From now on, just give me any orders. I¡¯ll do anything for you!¡±


    Hearing his sycophantic words, Qiu Tu looked at him deeply and thenughed heartily.


    Cao Dabiao joined in theughter, looking like apdog.


    Half an hourter, Cao Dabiao left the room, bowing and scraping, excitement written all over his face as he touched the heavy silver coins in his coat.


    Watching him leave, Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze was filled with amusement.


    ¡°See, greed is the most powerful weapon.¡±


    Without greed, it would¡¯ve been hard to pull Cao Dabiao and the entire Political Division team into his scheme.


    Now, having all taken misappropriated funds, especially Cao Dabiao with such arge amount, they were all in the same boat.


    If everything went smoothly for Qiu Tu, he¡¯d protect them. But if he encountered a crisis, they¡¯d have to protect him to save themselves.


    Used well, these people could yield unexpected results.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu took out hismunicator and called Eagle.


    On the call, Qiu Tu arranged for the purchase of the medicinal herbs Shen Lingshuang needed and instructed him to have A Kun, Monkey, and others buy them in different pharmacies and ck markets.


    After discussing the details, Qiu Tu said, ¡°Eagle, I¡¯m nning to transfer you and A Kun to the Political Division to help me.¡±


    Eagle, steady as ever, replied, ¡°Okay, Brother Tu. I¡¯ll submit the application to the Political Division tomorrow and prepare for the assessment.¡±


    Qiu Tu said, ¡°Yes, but don¡¯t list me as the referee.¡±


    Eagle asked, ¡°Then who should I list?¡±


    Qiu Tu replied, ¡°Cao Dabiao.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you his contact information shortly. Reach out to him.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Eagle responded, then added, ¡°Brother Tai received a notification from the Special Operations Division today and has gone for the assessment.¡±


    ¡°I heard he passed everything with top marks except shooting. There should be no problem with him passing.¡±


    This was something Qiu Tu and Fang Ming had agreed upon, so Qiu Tu only replied with a nonchnt ¡°Hmm¡± without furtherment.


    After ending the call, Qiu Tu sat in his chair, quietly observing the night outside.


    He felt like a tiny ghost-faced spider in the Amazon rainforest, meticulously weaving a vast dark web throughout New Realm City, patiently waiting for the moment to hunt.


    [28 days (Deadline to obtain evidence against the Qin family)]


    [31:12:11 (Deadline to make the Cataclysm Potion)]


    The night passed without incident.


    The next day, before hearing from Qin Shuman¡¯s faction, Qiu Tu received a call from another source.


    ¡°Fourth Master? I didn¡¯t expect you to contact me.¡±


    On the other end, Fourth Master Qin chuckled, ¡°Hahaha. Agent Qiu, I wouldn¡¯te to you without reason.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Qiu Tu sipped his tea and asked casually, ¡°What brings you to me, then?¡±


    Fourth Master Qin replied, ¡°It¡¯s about my useless second brother.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯d like to invite you to watch a show.¡±


    ¡°A show?¡±


    ¡°Yes, a show.¡±


    ¡°I want you to witness firsthand the connection between my second brother¡¯s trusted men and the anti-government forces.¡±


    Qiu Tu paused, intrigued, ¡°Actually, Fourth Master, I¡¯m more curious about why you¡¯re so intent on targeting Deputy Director Qin.¡±


    ¡°What do you gain from his downfall?¡±


    Fourth Master Qin replied firmly, ¡°Nothing!¡±


    With a hint of frustration, he said, ¡°But I can¡¯t stand by and watch him destroy the family business my father built with so much effort!¡±


    He spoke with nostalgia, ¡°Back then, my father started from scratch, enduring hardships to establish the Qin family¡¯s vast enterprise. Besides the 100 pounds of gold my grandfather left him, a techpany, and a handful of trusted subordinates, he relied on no one!¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t allow anyone to ruin his life¡¯s work!¡±


    Qiu Tu responded, ¡°I understand.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin sighed, ¡°So, upon discovering my second brother¡¯s actions, I knew that only through righteousness could I save the Qin family.¡±


    ¡°Leaving that documentst time was to see if you, Agent Qiu, dared to investigate this matter.¡±


    ¡°Yesterday, when you brought in a team of Political Division agents, it showed me your sincerity, so I¡¯m willing to show you mine.¡±


    After a moment of silence, Qiu Tu said, ¡°Alright, send the address and time to mymunicator.¡±


    Fourth Master Qinughed heartily and ended the call.


    Shortly after, Qiu Tu received a message with an address: 8PM, Room 108, Zhizhen Hotel.


    ¡°Zhizhen Hotel?¡±


    As Qiu Tu pondered this, hismunicator buzzed again with another message from an unknown number.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 34: Pulling Others Onto the Trap

    Chapter 34: Pulling Others Onto the Trap


    Chapter 34: Pulling Others Onto the Trap


    ncing at the unfamiliar number, Qiu Tu opened the message.


    It contained only a brief line: ¡°Agent Qiu, I have information that might interest you. If you want to cooperate, meet me tonight at 8 PM at the Mn Hotel.¡±


    Qiu Tu stroked his chin thoughtfully.


    Who could this new one be? The Municipal Council? The military? Another branch of the Qin family? Or the anti-government organization?


    Moreover, could this mysterious number be rted to Qin Shuman, or was it just an outsider?


    With so little information, Qiu Tu couldn''t determine the source.


    But what he could determine was that he now faced an interesting choice:


    Fourth Master Qin or the mysterious person?Zhizhen Hotel or Mn Hotel?


    As these thoughts ran through his mind, his expression became inscrutable.


    7:00 PM, at Zhizhen Hotel entrance.


    Cao Dabiao, dressed in civilian clothes, walked in swaggeringly with two trusted subordinates, a cigarette dangling from his lips.


    Seeing the trio, a tall and slender hostess quickly greeted them with a smile, bowing slightly, ¡°Good evening, gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?¡±


    With a smug nod, Cao Dabiao replied, ¡°Room 107.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the hostess checked her list and asked, ¡°Are you Mr. Cao?¡±


    Cao Dabiao nodded.


    The hostess smiled and gestured, ¡°This way, please.¡± She turned to lead them to their room.


    Following her, Cao Dabiao and his subordinates discreetly observed theyout of the hotel.


    Soon, they arrived at the private room, and the three entered.


    Looking around the luxurious room, Cao Dabiao took out a 100-copper coin and handed it to the hostess.


    Her eyes lit up, but just as she reached out to take it, Cao Dabiao pulled it back and reced it with a 10-copper coin.


    The hostess''s smile faded slightly, but she still epted it with a polite bow before swaying out of the room.


    Once she left, Cao Dabiao and his men got serious.


    One of his subordinates asked quietly, ¡°Brother Dabiao, what are we here for?¡±


    Without outsiders present, Cao Dabiao dropped his casual facade. He signaled for the door to be closed.


    After one of his men closed the door, Cao Dabiao exined softly, ¡°We¡¯re here for a mission.¡±


    He checked his watch and whispered, ¡°At 8 PM, there will be a meeting between two groups in the room next door.¡±


    ¡°Our job is to eavesdrop and record the meeting.¡±


    He then directed his men, who quickly produced small devices from their clothes.


    Cao Dabiao, arms around his subordinates¡¯ shoulders, outlined the n, ¡°Liu, go to the restroom and ¡®identally¡¯ enter the room next door to nt the bug.¡±


    ¡°Qi, stand in the hallway and smoke. Once you see the targets enter, try to take pictures. If you can¡¯t, remember their appearances so we can reconstruct themter.¡±


    Both men nodded in understanding.


    But Liu, thinking it over, asked, ¡°Brother Dabiao, what about you?¡±


    Cao Dabiao pped him on the head, ¡°You idiot! I¡¯ll be doing the hardest job¡ªordering food!¡±


    He grumbled, ¡°We were called back halfway through dinnerst night and went hungry. This time, since it¡¯s official business, we¡¯ll make up for it! And since Qiu Tu is footing the bill, we¡¯d be fools not to take advantage.¡±


    Liu, rubbing his head, nodded in realization.


    Meanwhile, Qi, curious, asked, ¡°Brother Dabiao, are we really going to work with Qiu Tu?¡±


    Cao Dabiao¡¯s face darkened at the question, recalling an incident from the afternoon.


    Earlier, while counting his silver coins, he received a call from an unknown number.


    The caller imed to be Qiu Tu¡¯s subordinate, ordered by Qiu Tu to join the Political Division and needed Cao Dabiao¡¯s rmendation.


    Initially suspecting a scam, Cao Dabiao quickly realized that with New Realm City¡¯s newness, only officials and elites hadmunicators. Scammers couldn¡¯t get one, and the caller knew his name and department urately.


    Confused, he went to confirm with Qiu Tu.


    He found Qiu Tu copying a document. Without looking up, Qiu Tu casually said, ¡°He¡¯s my man. I¡¯m having him join the Political Division. Help him out.¡±


    Cao Dabiao¡¯s face had gone through a range of emotions. He wanted to argue, questioning why Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t the rmender, but he had just taken money from Qiu Tu and had been under his thumb. He couldn¡¯t refuse.


    So, reluctantly, heplied.


    But afterward, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.


    He realized he had been forcibly dragged onto Qiu Tu¡¯s trap.


    The problem wasn¡¯t doing the task but how it was done! Qiu Tu had acted without his consent, forcing him toply.


    If he didn¡¯t refuse this time, would Qiu Tu keep forcing him into other tasks? Eventually, he¡¯d be Qiu Tu¡¯sckey.


    Realizing this, cold sweat broke out on Cao Dabiao. He wanted to abandon it but hesitated. He had just done a favor for Qiu Tu, hadn¡¯t received any benefits yet, and if he broke ties now, he¡¯d face Qiu Tu¡¯s wrath and might have to return the 80 silver coins.


    Unwilling to ept this, he decided to wait and see.


    Maybe Qiu Tu wouldn¡¯t do such things in the future. Maybe Qiu Tu could offer more benefits.


    So, his response to his subordinate was ambiguous, ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s follow Qiu Tu for now. We can decideter.¡±


    Meanwhile, while Cao Dabiao was investigating at the Zhizhen Hotel, Qiu Tu arrived alone at the Mn Hotel.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 35: Security Division

    Chapter 35: Security Division


    Chapter 35: Security Division


    New Realm City is a newly established nning area by the Eighth Shelter over the past two years.


    Material life is scarce, living conditions are poor, and many basic facilities are still being cleared and rebuilt.


    However, severalrge hotels and restaurants were established early on.


    After all, no matter how bad the lives of the lower levels are, the upper echelons still need to eat, drink, and enjoy life.


    As Qiu Tu walked into the Mn Hotel, he felt as if he had traveled through time.


    If he didn¡¯t know he was still in a post-apocalyptic world, he might have thought he was back on Earth, entering a high-end four-star hotel.


    Tall ceilings withrge crystal chandeliers, high-quality marble floors, borately decorated walls with carvings or paintings, and even luxurious sofa sets in the lounge area.


    Although such high-end hotels typically only hosted wealthy merchants and officials from the shelter, the living environment was so good it seemed almost excessive.Without acting like a country bumpkin, Qiu Tu naturally walked to the lounge area, ordered a cup of tea, and patiently waited.


    He didn¡¯t have to wait long. At 7:20 PM, forty minutes before the scheduled meeting, a hotel staff member approached him, bowing slightly and handing him an envelope.


    ¡°Sir, this is from your friend,¡± the staff member said respectfully.


    ¡°My friend?¡± Qiu Tu looked around but saw no one suspicious.


    He took the envelope, which felt light as if it contained nothing.


    After the staff left, Qiu Tu opened the envelope to find a room key card for Room 416.


    ying with the key card, Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes twinkled with amusement.


    After finishing his tea, he picked up the key card and headed towards the elevator.


    He pressed the elevator button, and soon the doors opened.


    As he ascended, Qiu Tu felt for the gun at his waist, ensuring it was ready. He had checked the handgun before leaving, setting it to standby and disengaging the safety.


    This would allow him to shoot immediately if faced with danger.


    The elevator rose steadily and soon stopped on the fourth floor.


    As the doors opened, Qiu Tu cautiously observed the situation outside before stepping out.


    Given New Realm City¡¯s recent establishment and poor business environment, the hotel¡¯s upancy rate was low.


    Qiu Tu encountered no other guests as he walked to Room 416.


    At the room door, Qiu Tu knocked lightly but received no response.


    Hesitating briefly, he swiped the key card.


    Hearing the door lock click open, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t enter immediately.


    He waited for two seconds, then pushed the door open forcefully, making a loud bang as it hit the wall. He swiftly moved to the side.


    After a few more seconds, he entered the room with his gun drawn, checking each area until he confirmed it was empty except for a young man in civilian clothes with a square face standing by the window.


    Sensing Qiu Tu¡¯s caution, the young man raised his hands.


    Qiu Tu entered the room, closed the door, and after confirming the man was alone, holstered his gun and said, ¡°Sorry, can¡¯t be too careful.¡±


    The young man nodded, ¡°Understood. I¡¯d be cautious too if meeting a stranger.¡±


    ¡°After all, our line of work involves constant danger.¡±


    He took out an ID and showed it to Qiu Tu. ¡°Hello, Agent Qiu. I¡¯m Lin Zuo, Deputy Chief of the Detection Office the Security Division.¡±


    ¡°The reason for inviting you here is to seek your cooperation in our work.¡±


    Hearing Lin Zuo¡¯s introduction, Qiu Tu¡¯s pupils slightly contracted.


    Security Division?


    If it were the old Qiu Tu, he would have been clueless about this department, as it wasn¡¯t well-known.


    However, spending time with Shen Lingshuang had provided Qiu Tu with many insights, including information about the Security Division.


    The Security Division, or the Security and Secret Investigation Division, is a confidential military department.


    Its main tasks are tobat anti-government forces and handle crisis events.


    More importantly, it deals with secret affairs rted to Cataclysm Awakening.


    ording to Shen Lingshuang, this department consists entirely of elites, many of whom are Cataclysm Awakened.


    Members are selected from the shelter, not recruited from nning areas, making them the most powerful force among the various departments.


    But why would such a powerful department seek him out?


    Was it themotion he caused attracting their attention? Or was Qin Shuman linked to this department?


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu probed, ¡°What assistance do you need from me, Chief Lin? And why me?¡±


    Lin Zuo responded, ¡°We¡¯ve been monitoring key members of the Qin family for the past six months.¡±


    ¡°When the RUF attacked you and Qin Shuman, we began watching you too.¡±


    ¡°Later, we noticed the Investigation Department seemed to be investigating the Qin family, even assigning you to the Political Division for this task, making us hesitant to approach you.¡±


    ¡°Yesterday, your public deployment of a Political Division team to the Qin family made us think the situation was getting out of control, prompting us to contact you urgently.¡±


    ¡°This meeting aims to align our efforts, exchange information, and coordinate our work to prevent mutual interference and mission failure.¡±


    Lin Zuo¡¯s exnation was reasonable, with no apparent ws, but Qiu Tu remained skeptical.


    He probed further, ¡°Chief Lin, your detailed knowledge of the Qin family suggests you have an informant there?¡±


    Lin Zuo¡¯s expression remained unchanged, ¡°Sorry, Agent Qiu. That¡¯s ssified. I can¡¯t disclose it.¡±


    Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t offended, his mind racing, ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t ask about that. Let¡¯s establish a foundation for our cooperation.¡±


    ¡°I remember you mentioned having information that might interest me. Can you tell me what you think that is?¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 36: Qin Family Secrets

    Chapter 36: Qin Family Secrets


    Chapter 36: Qin Family Secrets


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Lin Zuo looked at him with an expressionless face, just staring.


    After a moment, he sighed and said, "Agent Qiu, we are both from secret departments, so we should know that some information can be shared, and some cannot."


    "We sincerely want to cooperate with you, so please stop probing us."


    Qiu Tu looked at Lin Zuo, unfazed by his attempt to deflect. He spoke earnestly, "Chief Lin, I understand your difficulties. But I¡¯m not asking you to vite any rules."


    Pausing, he offered a legitimate reason, "Since we¡¯re exchanging information, I believe we should first understand what each side can offer."


    "This way, we can more effectively assess the value of the information and reach a cooperation agreement, avoiding unnecessary information leaks when the shared information turns out to be unneeded."


    Lin Zuo fell into deep thought upon hearing Qiu Tu''s words.


    After a moment, he made a decision."What you said makes sense."


    "Let me be straightforward. We can provide you with clues about the Qin family¡¯s collusion with the RUF and evidence of their dealings with several council members."


    Hearing this, a smile appeared on Qiu Tu¡¯s lips. ¡°Great!¡±


    The reason he had been pressing this topic was to verify one thing: whether the Security Division¡¯s approach was rted to Qin Shuman.


    He knew that the Political Division¡¯s scope of work included only espionage, counter-espionage, and internal surveince.


    Therefore, from an outsider¡¯s perspective, Qiu Tu''s cement in the Qin family could only have one purpose: to investigate the family, especially Qin Zhengguang from the second branch, for any illegal activities.


    Although Fourth Master Qin had provided Qiu Tu with some leads on Qin Zhengguang''s collusion with anti-government forces and gangs, these were ultimately matters within the Political Division''s internal surveince duties.


    However, Lin Zuo was different. He offered information on the Qin family¡¯s collusion with the RUF and their dealings with the Municipal Council, indicating a clear understanding of Qiu Tu''s real mission.


    It¡¯s worth noting that in the entire New Realm City, only Yan Chen, Jia Shu, and Qin Shuman knew Qiu Tu''s true mission in the Qin family.


    Even his confidants like A Tai and Eagle were kept in the dark.


    So how did the Security Division get this information?


    The answer was clear.


    ¡®Who would have thought Qin Shuman could hide so deeply,¡¯ Qiu Tu thought, silently marveling.


    He nodded calmly, confirming his cooperation with the Security Division. "Chief Lin, I¡¯m satisfied with the information you provided. I agree to exchange information."


    Saying this, Qiu Tu took out the information he had transcribed that afternoon and exchanged it with Lin Zuo. They discussed briefly.


    There was not much ovep in their information. Qiu Tu''s clues mainly consisted of four points:


    1. Qin Zhengguang (second branch) had financial dealings with the underground gang, the Tiger Gang.


    2. Qin Zhengguang had been secretly coborating with the RUF.


    3. Two months ago, Qin Zhengguang had privately released a batch of suspects, including RUF members.


    4. Qin Zhengguang had been hoarding medicines from the ck market and selling them at high prices to anti-government organizations.


    Meanwhile, Lin Zuo had clues about the Qin family¡¯s various dealings with different factions:


    1. The Qin family had connections with the RUF even before the establishment of New Realm City, involving trade in people, drugs, and weapons.


    2. During the establishment of New Realm City, the Qin family had close ties with Yan Chen.


    3. After the establishment of New Realm City, the Qin family had secretly cooperated with several council members in gray-market businesses, funneling benefits to them.


    4. The Qin family¡¯s underground businesses operated on a no-name basis, allowing any faction to trade as long as they had a certificate, attracting many underground organizations and anti-government forces as customers.


    Afterparing their leads and evidence, Qiu Tu and Lin Zuo noticed something interesting.


    Lin Zuo asked, "All your clues are about the Qin family¡¯s second branch?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "And all your clues are about the entire Qin family?"


    They exchanged a look and then smiled.


    Qiu Tu exined, "The Political Division¡¯s jurisdiction is internal surveince, so our main target is naturally the second branch of the Qin family."


    He then asked, "But your evidence involves the entire Qin family?"


    He paused and probed further, "Did you not investigate further, or do you believe the entire Qin family is problematic?"


    Lin Zuo replied, "The entire Qin family is likely problematic."


    He looked determined, "Although there are signs of internal discord in the Qin family, don¡¯t forget Old Master Qin just passed away."


    "Before Old Master Qin¡¯s death, all four branches of the Qin family were already handling their affairs and cooperating with each other."


    "So, they probably all share involvement in the collusion with the RUF and the trade of drugs and materials."


    After hearing Lin Zuo¡¯s exnation, Qiu Tu nodded thoughtfully.


    Over the next hour, Qiu Tu and Lin Zuo exchanged their departments¡¯ opinions and reached a basic consensus: Qiu Tu would operate openly while the Security Division worked in the shadows. They would jointly investigate and share information.


    If no issues were found, they would keep everything confidential.


    If they could bring down the entire Qin family, the credit would be shared equally.


    By the end of their discussion, they shook hands firmly, sealing their cooperation. Lin Zuo then saw Qiu Tu to the door.


    At the doorway, Qiu Tu suddenly stopped and turned back to Lin Zuo, smiling, "Give my regards to your superior."


    Hearing this, Lin Zuo was clearly stunned. His mind raced before he smiled and nodded.


    Satisfied, Qiu Tu turned and walked towards the elevator.


    He wasn¡¯t bluffing Lin Zuo. He had truly guessed there was someone behind him.


    The reason was simple:


    Although the military and the Investigation Department belonged to different systems, their hierarchy was simr.


    Both started from temporary agents, then progressed through third-level agents, second-level agents, and first-level agents.


    Above first-level agents, there was the management sequence: captains and senior captains at the grassroots level, and deputy chiefs and section chiefs in the office.


    Thus, Lin Zuo, as a deputy chief, was actually one rank higher than Qiu Tu, and was a management personnel while Qiu Tu was a low-level employee.


    So, ording to the principle of equal cooperation between departments, if the Security Division wanted to connect with Qiu Tu, it should have been through Lin Zuo¡¯s subordinates.


    The fact that Lin Zuo had personally contacted Qiu Tu could only mean one thing: his superior had ordered it, and Lin Zuo''s superior had specifically asked him to handle it himself.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 37: Is Qin Shuman Dead?

    Chapter 37: Is Qin Shuman Dead?


    Chapter 37: Is Qin Shuman Dead?


    ¡®So, Qin Shuman¡¯s contact is at least a department head with significant authority in a secret department?¡¯


    With this thought, Qiu Tu¡¯s expression grew peculiar. He realized he had underestimated this woman. Originally, he thought she was just a pawn in therger schemes of a few factions, but it turned out she was more significant than he had imagined.


    As for whether Qin Shuman herself was part of the Security Division, Qiu Tu found it highly unlikely. Unless she was Lin Zuo¡¯s superior and personally assigned this task, she wouldn¡¯t have Lin Zuo acting as her intermediary, even if she were also a deputy chief.


    Half an hourter.


    ¡°Yes, you guessed right. I am Lin Zuo¡¯s superior.¡±


    Qiu Tu looked at Qin Shuman¡¯s stunning face, confused.


    He raised his hand to stop her from saying more, looking conflicted. ¡°Wait a moment, let me process this.¡±


    He then recalled the events of the past half-hour.After discussing cooperation with Lin Zuo, Qiu Tu had returned to the Qin family from the Mn Hotel.


    At the guard unit¡¯s base, he inquired about Cao Dabiao¡¯s whereabouts.


    Learning that Cao Dabiao hadn¡¯t returned, he didn¡¯t wait but went directly to find Qin Shuman to probe her background.


    Qin Shuman seemed to be waiting for him too, so they hit it off and went back to the bar they had visited the previous night.


    Used to bluffing people, Qiu Tu casually mentioned Lin Zuo and then nonchntly added, ¡°If you want to cooperate with me, there¡¯s no need to send your subordinate to find me.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to hide between us?¡±


    He had only intended to fish for information, but to his surprise, Qin Shuman admitted it directly.


    Trying to realign his thoughts, Qiu Tu looked at the beautiful woman before him under the bar¡¯s dim lights, analyzing the possibility of her being Lin Zuo¡¯s superior.


    No matter how he thought about it, there were too many holes in the story.


    Seeing no logical path, he looked at Qin Shuman with a strange expression, ¡°Are you messing with me?¡±


    Seeing Qiu Tu¡¯s usualposed demeanor crack for the first time, Qin Shuman burst intoughter, her body shaking with mirth.


    After calming down, she sighed and said softly, ¡°Honestly, even if you told Lin Zuo everything, he probably wouldn¡¯t believe you.¡±


    Qiu Tu, bewildered, looked at her in confusion.


    Qin Shuman suddenly asked, ¡°Qiu Tu, do you remember the question I asked youst night? Do you believe a person can suddenly be someone else?¡±


    Qiu Tu, catching the hidden meaning, narrowed his eyes, ¡°What do you mean? Are you not the original Qin Shuman?¡±


    Qin Shuman nodded.


    Leaning against the bar, she looked at Qiu Tu and spoke softly, ¡°You¡¯ve been with Shen Lingshuang these past few days, so you should know about the Cataclysm Awakened, right?¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded.


    Qin Shuman took a sip of her drink, ¡°Actually, I am¡ªor rather, I was¡ªone of the Cataclysm Awakened.¡±


    ¡°My original identity was the Security Division¡¯s Investigation Department Chief, codenamed ¡®Rain Butterfly.¡¯¡±


    ¡°My Cataclysm Path was ¡®Mystery,¡¯ and my ability was ¡®Possession Control.¡¯¡±


    ¡°This ability allowed me to remotely control possessed individuals. I could not onlymunicate telepathically and view their thoughts but also forcibly control their bodies.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a very powerful ability.¡±


    ¡°And Qin Shuman, or the original Qin Shuman, was one of those I possessed.¡±


    ¡°She was a kind and lovely girl. Despite her tragic background and her short life as a ything for powerful men, she was always optimistic and cheerful.¡±


    ¡°Maybe because she was so lonely, she always considered me a friend, even though I wasn¡¯t kind to her. She often chatted with me and sometimes helped me investigate things.¡±


    ¡°Everything was fine until you¡ªor rather, your predecessor¡ªcame along.¡±


    ¡°She fell in love with your predecessor at first sight, deeply in love within days.¡±


    Qin Shuman sighed, ¡°I was busy at that time and didn¡¯t possess her, so I didn¡¯t know about their affair.¡±


    "I was truly terrified at the time. It wasn''t because I was worried about losing this source of intelligence, but because I knew Yan Chen''s character. If he discovered their affair, he would never let them off."


    "So I tried my best to persuade her to give up. But she was more determined than ever."


    "I still remember what she said to me then."


    "She said, ''Sis, I only have five short years in my life. Finding someone I truly like is incredibly difficult. I don''t want to look back on my life after I die and only remember being crushed under a man covered in fat.''"


    "I didn''t know how to dissuade her, so I could only watch helplessly as they walked step by step into the abyss."


    "And then, until that day."


    Qin Shuman, covering her face with both hands, spoke in agony, "That day, after finishing my official duties, I was worried about her and wanted to check on how she was doing recently."


    ¡°When I finally did possess her one day, I found them naked in bed. Her body was alive, but her soul was shattered.¡±


    ¡°I was terrified and tried to escape, but a searing pain shot through my soul, and I lost consciousness.¡±


    ¡°When I woke up, you were suddenly on top of me, pinning me down.¡±


    ¡°I was scared and tried to resist but couldn¡¯t.¡±


    She sighed again, ¡°That¡¯s when I realized I had be ¡®her.¡¯¡±


    ¡°I had shifted from a third-person possession to a first-person perspective, from a detachable possession to a ¡®permanent possession.¡¯¡±


    ¡°So, not knowing what had happened, I had to pretend to be her.¡±


    ¡°Luckily, I had observed her life and interacted with her frequently. Combined with her body¡¯s residual habits, no one but her close acquaintances could tell the difference.¡±


    ¡°She didn¡¯t have many close acquaintances.¡±


    ¡°Except your predecessor.¡±


    Hearing Qin Shuman¡¯s story, Qiu Tu¡¯s mouth slowly fell open, stunned into silence.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 38: A Magical Reality

    Chapter 38: A Magical Reality


    Chapter 38: A Magical Reality


    Qiu Tu felt a massive shock to his worldview. Everything that had happened since his transmigration seemed to be overturned by Qin Shuman¡¯s story. Quickly running through the truth she shared, he realized it surprisingly made sense.


    He was a bit dazed. It all seemed too magical.


    What exactly had happened that day? Why had not only he transmigrated, but Qin Shuman also ended up trapped in this body?


    As Qiu Tu pondered this, Qin Shuman spoke up.


    With a mysterious and teasing smile, she touched her red lips to the rim of her ss and asked, ¡°Qiu Tu, I¡¯ve told you everything about myself. Isn¡¯t it time you were honest with me about your own background?¡±


    Resting her chin on her hand, she looked at Qiu Tu yfully, ¡°Who exactly are you? And why are you trapped in this body like me?¡±


    Qiu Tu, initially thinking to lie, paused when he saw her eyes.


    What kind of eyes were those?They were filled with confusion, mncholy, and wandering thoughts, with a hint of hidden expectation.


    In that moment, Qiu Tu seemed to understand this beautiful woman before him:


    A once-proud girl from the shelter, suddenly trapped in a clone body with only two years to live, and facing constant danger.


    Not knowing if she could return to her original body, unsure of this body¡¯s fate, and whether her soul would dissipate with it¡ªshe must be utterly desperate.


    Then, in such despair, she discovered someone else with the same experience beside her.


    That moment must have given her a sense of solidity.


    Like a lonely soul meeting another lonely soul.


    Thus, she depended on him so much. Because perhaps he was thest glimmer of light in her life.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and softly said, ¡°My situation might be even moreplicated than yours.¡±


    ¡°I entered this body after the previous soul died too.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m not from New Realm, and I don¡¯t even know where New Realm City is.¡±


    ¡°I also don¡¯t know why I entered this body.¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for discovering his memories after entering, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to pretend.¡±


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Qin Shuman swirled her wine ss, a bright smile spreading across her face, ¡°I knew it. We are the same kind.¡±


    She raised her ss to him in a toast.


    Qiu Tu smiled and clinked his ss with hers.


    ¡°Clink!¡± The clear sound rang out.


    They looked into each other¡¯s eyes and drank their wine in one go.


    At that moment, they both felt much closer to each other.


    After a few more drinks, Qiu Tu, in a tipsy state, asked what he was most curious about, ¡°Have you thought about returning to your original body?¡±


    Qin Shuman lightly caressed the rim of her ss, her gaze misty, her breath like orchids, ¡°Of course I have.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve tried every method I could think of in the past few days, but all have failed.¡±


    ¡°Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t be so despondent.¡±


    Qiu Tu sighed slightly and asked, ¡°Have you thought about asking the military or the Security Division for help?¡±


    Qin Shuman shook her head lightly, ¡°I know the abilities of the few Cataclysm Awakened in the Security Division, but they can¡¯t help me.¡±


    Her eyes reflected her exhaustion, ¡°As for the military, they won¡¯t help me.¡±


    Qiu Tu was curious, ¡°Why not?¡±


    Qin Shuman looked deeply at him, ¡°Did you forget my current identity?¡±


    Qiu Tu was initially stunned, then realized he had asked a foolish question:


    Qin Shuman¡¯s predecessor was Yan Chen¡¯s mistress. Was Qin Shuman really investigating the Qin family, as Lin Zuo suggested?


    How could that be!


    If the investigation were legitimate, why not choose another entry point? The Qin family was vast, with many points of entry better than a clone woman constantly by Yan Chen¡¯s side.


    So, Qin Shuman chose to possess Yan Chen¡¯s mistress to investigate Yan Chen.


    But who was Yan Chen? The highest official in New Realm City¡¯s Investigation Department, one of the city¡¯s three major leaders alongside General Ye from the military!


    If the Security Division secretly investigated such a high-profile figure, it would be fine if nothing happened. But once something did, both General Ye and the Security Division¡¯s leaders would immediately distance themselves, deeming it ¡°Qin Shuman¡¯s personal action.¡±


    No one would risk departmental conflicts over a mere department chief.


    Nor would anyone secretly take Qin Shuman for treatment: her predecessor was Yan Chen¡¯s mistress. Who would dare hide her from him?


    Thus, Qin Shuman was utterly desperate.


    No matter which way she turned, she found herself trapped.


    Reflecting on this, Qiu Tu fell silent.


    After a moment of quiet thought, he said, ¡°So, to be epted back by the military and treated, you need to bring down Yan Chen?¡±


    Qin Shuman spread her hands, ¡°There¡¯s only a slight chance. After all, no one knows how to restore our condition.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it will naturally recover over time?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it requires the ability of a specific Cataclysm Awakened?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it needs a rare Cataclysm artifact?¡±


    ¡°Or maybe it will never be restored in this lifetime.¡±


    Her eyes darkened, ¡°And even if a method to restore me exists, this body¡¯s lifespan is too short. I might not live long enough to find it.¡±


    Perhaps influenced by her mood, Qiu Tu sighed deeply after hearing her words.


    Heforted her, ¡°Thinking too much is pointless. We¡¯re already walking a tightrope. For all we know, Yan Chen might kill us before this body¡¯s lifespan ends.¡±


    Qin Shumanughed, slightly tipsy. She raised her ss, ¡°Exactly. So, I¡¯ve decided to enjoy the moment!¡±


    ¡°Enjoy the moment~¡±


    Watching the maid help the pitiful woman into the bedroom, Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze grewplicated. Then he turned and left the mansion.


    Perhaps due to their simr experiences, Qiu Tu felt much sympathy for Qin Shuman.


    He thought that if he had the chance, he should help her.


    After all, she was a Security Division department chief. If she could be won over, she could aplish much.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 39: The Dirty Qin Family

    Chapter 39: The Dirty Qin Family


    Chapter 39: The Dirty Qin Family


    Helping Qin Shuman can be approached in two ways: leveraging "connections" or using the "cheating code."


    Regarding connections, Qiu Tu nned to find an opportunity to subtly discuss the matter with Shen Lingshuang.


    Her father was a high-ranking official in the shelter, and she was a pharmacist, so she might know a way to help Qin Shuman.


    If Shen Lingshuang couldn¡¯t help, Qiu Tu still had his cheating code. His current ability, [Crisis Sense], awarded him rewards every time he survived a crisis. Perhaps one of these rewards could solve Qin Shuman¡¯s predicament.


    And even if [Crisis Sense] couldn¡¯t help, Qiu Tu could attempt to acquire other abilities that might.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu found a new goal.


    He didn''t feel obligated to be responsible for Qin Shuman¡¯s life just because she was the first woman he met after transmigrating and shared intimacy with. However, knowing her tragic fate made him want to help her as much as possible.


    Moreover, Qiu Tu realized that Qin Shuman was also trying to save herself. Understanding the true objective of the Security Division made him realize that today¡¯s meeting with Lin Zuo was likely Qin Shuman¡¯s idea, aimed at providing him with more information about the Qin family and preventing him from being betrayed by Fourth Master Qin.Deeply exhaling, Qiu Tu thought to himself, "It¡¯s indeed hard to repay a beauty¡¯s kindness."


    Returning to the guard unit¡¯s base, he found Cao Dabiao and his men back, reeking of alcohol and with bulging stomachs.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, Cao Dabiao smiled ingratiatingly and whispered, ¡°Sir, I¡¯vepleted the task you assigned.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Really?¡± Qiu Tu nced at the drunken Cao Dabiao and signaled, ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside.¡±


    Cao Dabiao staggered in after him.


    Inside, Qiu Tu brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup for Cao Dabiao.


    Cao Dabiao, his belly protruding, waved his hand repeatedly, ¡°No more for me, I¡¯ve had too much.¡±


    Qiu Tu nced at him and jokingly scolded, ¡°You guys sure enjoyed your meal, huh? Not worried about spending public funds?¡±


    Cao Dabiao chuckled, ¡°The bureau reimburses us. If we don¡¯t spend it, it¡¯s wasted.¡±


    Qiu Tu knew this was a test, so he reassured Cao Dabiao, ¡°As long as we solve the case, it¡¯s worth spending. If the funds run out, I¡¯ll apply for more!¡±


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s confident words, Cao Dabiao smiled broadly. He took out a dossier and handed it to Qiu Tu, ¡°Sir, this is what we gathered tonight.¡±


    Qiu Tu acknowledged, epting the dossier and sitting down.


    He opened it and began reading through the documents. To his surprise, Cao Dabiao had done an impressive job. The dossier contained detailed records of all significant conversations in Room 108 that night, including notes on the participants.


    For instance, seven people entered Room 108 that night. The main speakers were a young man with a crew cut and an elderly man in ck.


    The first page even included simple sketches of their faces, making it easier for Qiu Tu to identify them.


    Besides the written records, the dossier contained original audio tapes and undeveloped film. Qiu Tu was quite pleased with Cao Dabiao¡¯s thorough work.


    Feeling generous, he praised, ¡°You did a great job, Dabiao. The information isprehensive.¡±


    As he continued examining the data, he asked, ¡°Anything noteworthy during the surveince? Any thoughts?¡±


    Cao Dabiao, prepared, smiled and pointed to his drunken face, ¡°Sir, I was too busy eating and drinking to pay attention. You¡¯ll have to review it yourself.¡±


    Qiu Tu, recognizing Cao Dabiao¡¯s ploy to feign ignorance, wasn¡¯t upset. He skimmed through the information, understanding why Cao Dabiao yed dumb.


    It was simple: the matter was highly sensitive, involving not only mid-level officials from the Investigation Department but also the prominent Qin family.


    Cao Dabiao couldn¡¯t afford to offend either Qiu Tu, with his mysterious background, or the powerful Qin family.


    So, he meticulously recorded everything but drank heavily to excuse himself from remembering details.


    This was amon self-preservation tactic for small yers in chaotic times.


    Not bothering him further, Qiu Tu waved him off to rest.


    After carefully reviewing all the documents and listening to the recordings of all conversations in the room, Qiu Tu sat quietly in his chair, eyes closed, fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.


    The information and recordings were straightforward: representatives from two factions negotiating.


    Based on their titles, one side was represented by a young captain from the RUF, and the other by an elderly butler from the Qin family.


    The butler¡¯s specific branch was unclear from the recordings, but it was likely the second branch.


    The negotiations were for drug transactions.


    In troubled times, besides gold, the most valuable and scarcemodities were drugs and weapons.


    Hence, the Qin family, exploiting the situation, demanded exorbitant prices and additional harsh conditions.


    For instance, they required the RUF to assist the Security Division in some operations, helping Director Qin gain merits. They also demanded part of the payment in young women or two- to three-year-old boys.


    While the shelter controlled the nning areas, most of the world remained in disaster zones, where many ordinary people lived in dire conditions. The Qin family couldn¡¯t directly harvest people from these areas, but the RUF could.


    These captured young women were sent to the Qin family¡¯s underground brothels, generating high profits, while the young boys were trained as private soldiers or enforcers.


    After listening to all the recordings, Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze darkened.


    The Qin family¡¯s dirty dealings reminded him of his own days when he was sold to northern Myanmar. To the Qin family and the fraud syndicates, humans were never ¡°people,¡± just ¡°goods.¡±


    ¡°Despicable,¡± Qiu Tu muttered, his mind racing to figure out how to deal with the Qin family.


    Quickly, he made a decision.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 40: No Wrong Cases in the Political Division

    Chapter 40: No Wrong Cases in the Political Division


    Chapter 40: No Wrong Cases in the Political Division


    Qiu Tu ced the dossier into a file bag and then headed to the study.


    In the study, there was a safe.


    Turning thebination lock, he opened the safe and took out a booklet given to him by Fourth Master Qin, which contained original evidence.


    cing the booklet on the desk, he also retrieved several other paper documents from the safe. These were reports from Chen Feng and the other five groups, verifying leads and evidence over the past two days.


    Qiu Tu arranged the documents and the dossier on the desk, then spent half an hour transcribing all the information Lin Zuo had given him the previous day. Looking at the neatly organized files, he smiled slightly.


    Whether the n would work depended on the oue the next day.


    [27 days (Deadline to obtain evidence against the Qin family)]


    [7:59:41 (Deadline to make the Cataclysm Potion)]The night passed without incident.


    The next morning, Qiu Tu got up early, washed up, and went to report to Qin Shuman.


    After a night¡¯s rest, Qin Shuman¡¯s mood had noticeably improved. With others around, she resumed her innocent and na?ve facade, herrge eyes filled with apparent rity and foolishness.


    But Qiu Tu dared not underestimate her.


    Despite her pitiful portrayal, she was a department chief of a secret division and a Cataclysm Awakened with extraordinary powers.


    Even though he intended to help her if possible, maintaining a degree of vignce was crucial.


    In this chaotic world, cingplete trust in anyone was akin to ying with one¡¯s life.


    After chatting with Qin Shuman and arranging her duty roster for the day, Qiu Tu left the mansion, intending to head to the Investigation Department.


    However, he had barely left the mansion when hismunicator rang. It was a call from Fourth Master Qin.


    Qiu Tu paused briefly, then continued walking nonchntly while answering the call.


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s cheerful voice came through, ¡°Agent Qiu, did you make any progressst night?¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, ¡°Quite a bit. Thanks to your leads and assistance, I can finally move this case forward.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin sounded surprised, ¡°So quickly?¡±


    He probed, ¡°Did they provide crucial evidencest night?¡±


    Qiu Tu chuckled, ¡°There¡¯s a misunderstanding, Fourth Master. The Political Division differs from other departments. While other departments follow the principle of ¡®innocent until proven guilty,¡¯ investigating first before making arrests, the Political Division operates on ¡®guilty until proven innocent.¡¯ With leads, we can arrest first and investigateter.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin, taken aback, asked, ¡°What if the investigation is wrong?¡±


    Qiu Tuughed, ¡°Wrong? Impossible. Since its inception, the Political Division has never had a wrongful case.¡±


    He lowered his voice, ¡°Why do you think the Political Division¡¯s interrogation room floor is always dark red?¡±


    Even as a gang leader, Fourth Master Qin felt a chill down his spine at that moment. But he quicklyughed, ¡°Then I¡¯ll await your good news, Agent Qiu.¡±


    He was about to hang up when Qiu Tu interrupted, ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty, Fourth Master. Let¡¯s chat a bit more.¡±


    Pausing briefly, Qiu Tu continued, ¡°Fourth Master, you know I have dozens of people under me. We¡¯ve been working tirelessly on this case. Don¡¯t you think¡­¡±


    Fourth Master Qin paused, then understood,ughing heartily, ¡°Agent Qiu, you¡¯re straightforward. Rest assured, the Qin family appreciates your hard work for New Realm City. You¡¯ll soon receive a token of our gratitude. Please ept it.¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, ¡°Thank you, Fourth Master. We civil servants aremitted to solving every case and ensuring criminals don¡¯t escape justice!¡±


    With that, Fourth Master Qin ended the call.


    Qiu Tu, hearing the beeping sound in hismunicator, gradually withdrew his smile.


    Expressionless, he pocketed themunicator and, instead of heading to the guard unit base, exited the Qin family estate with the documents.


    As soon as he stepped out, a sleek ck sedan pulled up in front of him.


    Qiu Tu stopped and looked at the car.


    The rear window of the sedan rolled down, revealing the face of Qin Zhengguang, the deputy director of the Investigation Department¡¯s Security Division, from the second branch of the Qin family. He sat inside, staring intently at Qiu Tu.


    Seeing Qin Zhengguang, Qiu Tu¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He smiled and saluted, ¡°Sir.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang, slicked-back hair and dressed in a ck suit, exuded an aura of authority. He acknowledged Qiu Tu with a slight nod, ¡°Morning, Agent Qiu. You seem quite busy with your duties, often out and about?¡±


    Qiu Tu responded with a smile, ¡°The Political Division has heavy tasks, so we often work overtime, even when out on assignments.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang said coldly, ¡°Regardless of the workload, be thorough in your work. Don¡¯t jump to conclusions. Investigate carefully to avoid trapping yourself.¡±


    Qiu Tu continued to smile, ¡°Thank you for your concern, Director. I¡¯m not afraid of traps. After all, my life isn¡¯t worth much.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang looked deeply at Qiu Tu, then snorted and signaled his driver to start the car.


    Just as the driver was about to drive off, Qiu Tu spoke again, ¡°Director Qin, where are you headed?¡±


    Qin Zhengguang nced at Qiu Tu from the corner of his eye and replied, ¡°To the department.¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, ¡°Great, I¡¯m headed there too. Could I trouble you for a ride?¡±


    Without waiting for a response, he opened the front passenger door, sat downfortably, andined, ¡°Having a car is so convenient! Without one, it takes at least three transfers and a ten-minute walk to get from the Qin family to the department. Such a hassle.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang: ??


    Watching Qiu Tu adjust the seat and settle in, Qin Zhengguang was initially puzzled, then speechless.


    The driver nced at Qin Zhengguang for guidance. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Qin Zhengguang nodded.


    However, after nodding, he shifted slightly in his seat, as Qiu Tu¡¯s seat adjustment had encroached on his space.


    Thus, the car drove along the bumpy roads of New Realm City towards the Investigation Department.


    Qin Zhengguang initially thought Qiu Tu had joined him to discuss something confidential, but to his surprise, Qiu Tu remained silent the entire way, even dozing off.


    This left Qin Zhengguang more perplexed about Qiu Tu¡¯s intentions.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 41: Deep Gratitude

    Chapter 41: Deep Gratitude


    Chapter 41: Deep Gratitude


    In fact, even before Qiu Tu led his team to the Qin family, Qin Zhengguang had secretly investigated him.


    After all, having a first-level Political Division agent leading a team to his family was a highly sensitive political signal.


    Additionally, rumors within the department about ¡°Qiu Tu having an old grudge against the Qin family¡± made him extremely cautious.


    So, he thoroughly investigated Qiu Tu and found that Qiu Tu had almost no interactions or grudges with the Qin family.


    This left Qin Zhengguang puzzled.


    He then started investigating the source of the rumors about Qiu Tu¡¯s grudge against the Qin family.


    His investigation pointed towards Yan Chen and Secretary Bai.


    However, during his investigation, Qin Zhengguang discovered that Qiu Tu was affiliated with Secretary Bai. It was with Secretary Bai¡¯s trust that Qiu Tu managed to align with Yan Chen. Now, Qiu Tu was investigating the Qin family, with Secretary Bai and Yan Chen obstructing him?


    But wasn¡¯t Qiu Tu¡¯s recent promotion and departmental transfer orchestrated by Yan Chen? Wasn¡¯t Yan Chen behind this investigation?


    This contradictory andplex rtionship left Qin Zhengguang unable to find the truth, shrouding Qiu Tu in mystery. Although he knew Qiu Tu might pose a threat, he didn¡¯t dare act rashly.


    After suppressing his concerns for two days, Qin Zhengguang coincidentally encountered Qiu Tu on the road today. He intended to give Qiu Tu a warning to deter him.


    However, Qiu Tu not only ignored the warning but also took advantage of the situation by hitching a ride.


    Qin Zhengguang couldn¡¯t understand Qiu Tu¡¯s thinking.


    To make matters worse, when the car arrived at the Investigation Department, Qiu Tu stretched, yawned, and got out without even a word of thanks.


    As if just remembering, he knocked on Qin Zhengguang¡¯s window and left a ¡°threat,¡± ¡°Director Qin, here¡¯s a piece of advice: stay in your office this morning, have some tea, and read some documents.¡±


    Watching Qiu Tu¡¯s carefree departure, Qin Zhengguang frowned, finding it increasingly difficult to understand this young man.


    At the Investigation Department¡¯s administrative building, Qiu Tu took the elevator directly to the top floor: the private office space for the department¡¯s senior officials.


    As one of New Realm City¡¯s three major power institutions, the Investigation Department had one director and three deputy directors.


    Along with Jia Shu, Secretary Bai, the Special Operations Division chief, and the Security Division chief, they formed the department¡¯s power pyramid apex.


    These were the nine people at the top of the Investigation Department, overseeing thousands of agents.


    On the twelfth floor, Qiu Tu behaved very discreetly. He walked to Secretary Bai¡¯s office and knocked.


    A deep voice responded, ¡°Come in.¡±


    Entering, Qiu Tu saw Secretary Bai on a call. Seeing Qiu Tu, Secretary Bai signaled him to sit and continued his call, ¡°Commissioner Wang, I understand. But this must be approved by the Municipal Council before it takes effect. Until then, we can¡¯t arrange anything in advance.¡±


    ¡°I know, but¡­¡±


    After a minute of evasion, Secretary Bai hung up with a look of relief.


    Looking up at Qiu Tu, Secretary Bai smiled, ¡°What brings you back to the office today?¡±


    Facing his supportive superior, Qiu Tu responded politely, ¡°I¡¯m here to report to the director.¡±


    Secretary Bai hesitated briefly, then smiled, ¡°Wait a moment, I¡¯ll check the director¡¯s schedule.¡±


    He picked up a folder, opened it, and casually said, ¡°Qiu Tu, the director is very busy. Besides handling various affairs in New Realm City, he also oversees joint operations with neighboring cities.¡±


    ¡°Only with Director Liu of Eastern City does he not coborate much.¡±


    ¡°So, don¡¯t bother the director unnecessarily. Do your work properly. If you disrupt his major tasks, I can¡¯t protect you.¡±


    Hearing Secretary Bai¡¯s words, Qiu Tu was initially stunned, then gave him aplex look. Though it sounded like a reprimand, Secretary Bai was actually informing Qiu Tu about Yan Chen¡¯s influence.


    New Realm City had six or seven neighboring cities, all within Yan Chen¡¯s influence. Even if Qiu Tu fled to those cities, he would likely be apprehended. Only Eastern City¡¯s director had a grudge against Yan Chen, making it a potential escape route to the disaster zone.


    This valuable information was a lifeline if things went south.


    Reflecting on this, Qiu Tu looked at Secretary Bai with mixed emotions, silently sighing, ¡®Even in the apocalypse, some repay their debts.¡¯


    Many knew Qiu Tu owed his rise to Secretary Bai¡¯s support, which led to his alliance with Yan Chen. However, they didn¡¯t know that Qiu Tu had saved Secretary Bai¡¯s life.


    Two years ago, during the establishment of New Realm City, Secretary Bai, as Yan Chen¡¯s confidant, was tasked with clearing underground forces.


    During this period, he was ambushed, separated from his unit, and nearly killed.


    Qiu Tu found him, took him home, and saved his life, just like he had saved A Tai and Eagle.


    When New Realm City was established, Qiu Tu leveraged this connection to join the Investigation Department and was rmended to Yan Chen, rising to a second-level agent.


    Without Secretary Bai¡¯s help, he would have remained a low-level operative.


    Qiu Tu had thought Secretary Bai repaid his debt by then, not daring to trouble him further. Yet, facing danger now, Secretary Bai still provided an escape route.


    Reflecting on their history, Qiu Tu was deeply moved.


    As he finished reminiscing, Secretary Bai had reviewed Yan Chen¡¯s schedule.


    Looking up, Secretary Bai said, ¡°The director is indeed busy today but can spare a few minutes now. Do you want to reconsider, or should I inform him?¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, ¡°Please inform him, sir.¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 42: I’ve Solved the Case!

    Chapter 42: I¡¯ve Solved the Case!


    Chapter 42: I¡¯ve Solved the Case!


    Secretary Bai stared at Qiu Tu for a moment, sighed lightly, then picked up the desk phone. After a brief conversation with Yan Chen, he stood and said to Qiu Tu, ¡°Come with me. The director is waiting for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, sir,¡± Qiu Tu replied sincerely.


    Secretary Bai patted Qiu Tu¡¯s shoulder lightly without saying a word, conveying everything without needing to speak.


    As the head of the Administrative Division and Yan Chen¡¯s secretary, Secretary Bai¡¯s office was close to Yan Chen¡¯s.


    After a short walk, they reached Yan Chen¡¯s office door. Secretary Bai raised his hand to knock, but the sudden ¡°ding dong¡± of a text message interrupted him.


    He paused, looking at Qiu Tu, who smiled apologetically and checked hismunicator.


    The message was from Fang Ming, containing just nine words: ¡°Fourth Master Qin¡¯s items have been delivered.¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, silenced hismunicator, and whispered to Secretary Bai, ¡°Everything¡¯s handled.¡±Secretary Bai nodded and knocked on the office door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± came Yan Chen¡¯s low, raspy voice. Secretary Bai opened the door, leading Qiu Tu into the office representing the highest authority of the Investigation Department.


    Like Yan Chen¡¯s study, the office was shrouded in thick curtains, making it dark even in the morning, with only the deskmp casting a faint light.


    Qiu Tu wondered how Yan Chen could review documents in such an environment.


    ¡°Director, Agent Qiu is here,¡± Secretary Bai announced.


    ¡°Good morning, Director!¡± Qiu Tu greeted.


    Yan Chen, hidden in the dark behind the deskmp, acknowledged with a faint ¡°Hmm,¡± his expression unreadable as he looked at Qiu Tu. ¡°I heard you have something to report?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Director,¡± Qiu Tu responded. ¡°I¡¯ve found evidence of the Qin family¡¯s collusion with the RUF. I¡¯d like to report to you.¡±


    Yan Chen¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but Secretary Bai looked surprised.


    Ignoring Secretary Bai¡¯s reaction, Qiu Tu maintained his focus on Yan Chen.


    After a moment¡¯s silence, Yan Chen asked, ¡°You found evidence in just three days?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Qiu Tu confirmed. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can call Director Qin Zhengguang here to confront me.¡±


    Yan Chen¡¯s interest piqued. He nced at Secretary Bai, ¡°What¡¯s my schedule?¡±


    Secretary Bai bent slightly, ¡°Director, you have a mid-level meeting in ten minutes and a summary report from the Special Operations Division in an hour.¡±


    Yan Chen pondered briefly, ¡°Cancel the meeting. Also, call Qin Zhengguang here.¡±


    Secretary Bai nodded, ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    He turned to leave but paused when Yan Chen added, ¡°And call Jia Shu too. This is a matter for the Political Division.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Secretary Bai replied and left.


    Now alone with Yan Chen, Qiu Tu thought about the information Qin Shuman had revealed to himst night.


    ording to her, Yan Chen was indeed a Cataclysm Awakened, at least a second-tier one.


    No one knew his exact path, but his behaviors suggested it might be Chaos or Immortality, with abilities likely rted to darkness or death.


    These paths and abilities were among the most dangerous and prone to corruption. That¡¯s why the Security Division secretly monitored and investigated Yan Chen.


    Despite this information, Qiu Tu suspected Qin Shuman was hiding something, as investigating a high-ranking official over mere suspicions of corruption seemed excessive.


    He spected it might be rted to the Security Division¡¯s special authority or specific traits of Cataclysm Awakened individuals.


    Two minutester, the office door knocked again. With Yan Chen¡¯s permission, Secretary Bai entered with Jia Shu and Qin Zhengguang.


    After greeting Yan Chen, their attention turned to Qiu Tu.


    Jia Shu appeared curious, his eyes twinkling with interest, while Qin Zhengguang red at Qiu Tu with fiery anger, clearly aware of the situation.


    With everyone present, Yan Chen leaned back in his chair and, in a raspy voice,manded, ¡°Report.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Qiu Tu acknowledged. He nced at Qin Zhengguang and Jia Shu before taking out several documents from his file.


    ¡°Director, a few days ago, I was ordered to escort Miss Qin back to the Qin family for a visit. Unexpectedly, I received an anonymous tip-off that night.¡±


    ¡°The tip-off alleged the Qin family¡¯s collusion with anti-government organizations, detailing secret deliveries of drugs, weapons, and other controlled resources, and cooperation to help the Qin family expand its influence in New Realm City.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang¡¯s face turned green with rage. He red at Qiu Tu, shouting, ¡°You¡¯re ndering us! Who¡¯s behind this frame-up?¡±


    His voice echoed in the office.


    Before Qiu Tu could respond, Jia Shuughed and interjected, ¡°Director Qin, no need to get so worked up. Let Qiu Tu finish his report first. We¡¯re all colleagues; no one will falsely use you.¡±


    Given Jia Shu¡¯s status as Yan Chen¡¯s right-hand man and one of the nine top officials, Qin Zhengguang couldn¡¯t retort and had to close his mouth, though his eyes still burned with anger.


    He knew the Qin family wasn¡¯t a small force but a deeply rooted major family in New Realm City.


    Even with solid evidence, dealing with the Qin family would beplex and troublesome.


    If Qiu Tu¡¯s evidence was substantial, the Qin family might not be destroyed, but they would certainly seek relentless revenge once they recovered.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 43: The Reverse

    Chapter 43: The Reverse


    Chapter 43: The Reverse


    If Qiu Tu''s evidence was insufficient, things would be even easier for Qin Zhengguang.


    He wouldn''t need the Qin family to act; he could ensure Qiu Tu''s demise himself.


    Sensing Qin Zhengguang''s thoughts, Qiu Tu smiled and continued his report, ¡°After receiving the anonymous tip-off, I didn''t act rashly. I reported to you, Director, and requested reinforcements. You approved my investigation and dispatched the reinforcements that night.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang''s heart sank. He nced covertly at Yan Chen, realizing he might have underestimated the situation.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s daring investigation was clearly authorized, most likely by Yan Chen, Secretary Bai, or Jia Shu.


    The close rtionship between Qiu Tu and these three was evident, indicating their possible involvement in this operation.


    ¡®What if they are targeting the Qin family?¡¯ The thought chilled Qin Zhengguang, making his face darken and his hands clench tightly.


    Qiu Tu nced at Qin Zhengguang before continuing, ¡°Once I received the reinforcements, I wasted no time and had them investigate the leads. Soon, we uncovered substantial evidence. We found the warehouse where the Qin family secretly stored illegal drugs, letters of contact with anti-government organizations, and even interceptedmunications detailing transactions between the Qin family and the RUF. We also discovered evidence of the Qin family illegally releasing anti-government members.¡±Qin Zhengguang turned pale.


    He realized there must be a traitor within the Qin family, as Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t have uncovered so much in just a few days otherwise.


    The situation was dire; the Qin family wouldn¡¯t emerge unscathed.


    Even though the Qin family had deep roots, and the Investigation Department and the City Council wouldn''tpletely destroy them, the Qin family still had to offer significant benefits and present a scapegoat to quell the matter. Given the evidence Qiu Tu had gathered and his position as the Deputy Director of the Security Division, who would make a better scapegoat?


    To protect the family, they would undoubtedly sacrifice him to save the others.


    With this realization, Qin Zhengguang felt his mouth dry, his legs weak, and his ears ringing. The sounds around him seemed to grow distant, bing increasingly hard to hear.


    In that dazed moment, he vaguely heard Qiu Tu say, "After these past two days of investigation,bined with my questioning of Director Qin this morning, we can basically confirm that Fourth Master Qin, Qin Jinsheng, is the mastermind behind all of this."


    "In the wake of Old Master Qin¡¯s..."


    At that moment, Qin Zhengguang felt his mind go nk.


    Who?


    Who was the mastermind?


    It wasn¡¯t me? It was the fourth brother??


    Instantly, his thoughts converged rapidly, and the surrounding sounds became much clearer.


    Then he heard Qiu Tu continue, "After Old Master Qin¡¯s death, the brothers divided the family assets. Fourth Master Qin received the underground brothels, casinos, and loan shark operations."


    "Due to the nature of these industries, he came into contact with members of the United Front. He then realized it was an opportunity to make exorbitant profits."


    "So, he secretly used Director Qin¡¯s and Commissioner Qin Heng¡¯s names to collect medicines and sell them at high prices to the United Front."


    "Moreover, during the transactions, he refused to ept mary payments from the United Front, instead demanding that they scour the disaster zones for people, using them as currency."


    "Girls in their teens and twenties were sent to the brothels, while boys aged two or three were raised to be enforcers."


    Qin Zhengguang¡¯s emotions gradually stabilized.


    Listening to Qiu Tu¡¯s narration, he realized that Qiu Tu indeed possessed substantial evidence of the Qin family¡¯s illegal activities.


    Although this evidence wasn''t enough to destroy the Qin family, it was sufficient to inflict serious damage and make him, the second most important figure in the Qin family, the scapegoat.


    However, Qiu Tu had raised his hand high, only to bring it down gently, merely asking the fourth brother to take the fall. This was a path he had never considered.


    Thinking this, Qin Zhengguang looked at Qiu Tu with aplex expression, trying to discern what Qiu Tu was really up to.


    At that moment, Qiu Tu happened to look back at him.


    Suddenly meeting Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze, Qin Zhengguang¡¯s eyes flickered guiltily for a moment.


    Then he heard Qiu Tu say, ¡°Director Qin, I remember this morning, when I informed you of everything in the car, you were also very shocked. You sternly told me not to worry about saving face and to investigate thoroughly, without any leniency!¡±


    ¡°And you said that you and Commissioner Qin had forbidden Fourth Master from engaging in those ck-market activities since the establishment of New Realm City. But he only pretended toply on the surface and secretly continued. Now that such a big issue has arisen, it¡¯s entirely his fault!¡±


    ¡°You said you would definitely uphold justice, make him personally hand over the evidence, and send him to the Investigation Department for punishment!¡±


    ¡°To prevent the Qin family from repeating these mistakes and to facilitate the department¡¯s investigation, you also said you would turn over all the involved medicines, resources, industries, and any other possibly illegal gray areas to the department forprehensive investigation and takeover.¡±


    ¡°Do you remember saying all of this?¡±


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Qin Zhengguang nced at him without showing any emotion.


    If he remembered correctly, Qiu Tu seemed to have slept the entire way in the car and hadn¡¯t said a single word to him!


    So, this was Qiu Tu''s condition? If he wanted to survive this ordeal, he had to gather all theplete evidence and make the fourth brother confess in person?


    As for those ck-market and gray-market industries, it was clear they were intended as tributes to Yan Chen and other high-ranking officials in the department.


    Although this condition was steep, it was much better than what Qin Zhengguang had originally anticipated.


    Thus, Qin Zhengguang immediately agreed. Keeping his expression calm, he replied in a low voice, "I remember."


    After saying this, he couldn¡¯t help but look at Qiu Tu again.


    When their eyes met, he caught a fleeting smile in Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes.


    In that moment, Qin Zhengguang felt both exposed and humiliated standing before Qiu Tu, yet also deeply grateful. Avoiding Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze, he pretended not to see anything.


    At this point, having shifted the me to Fourth Master Qin, Qiu Tu turned to Yan Chen and said,


    ¡°Director, the Qin family is, after all, a prominent family. Commissioner Qin and Director Qin are both well-known figures in New Realm City. If we directly bring in Fourth Master Qin for interrogation, it might cause some negative repercussions.¡±


    ¡°So, could we give Director Qin some time to gather all the evidence and personally escort Fourth Master Qin to the Investigation Department? What do you think?¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 44: Secretary Bai’s Astonishment

    Chapter 44: Secretary Bai¡¯s Astonishment


    Chapter 44: Secretary Bai¡¯s Astonishment


    As Qiu Tu finished speaking, the room fell silent. Everyone turned their gaze to Yan Chen, the highest authority in the Investigation Department, to make a decision.


    Hidden in the shadows, Yan Chen¡¯s eyes were closed, and his fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his chair, the sound echoing in the room.


    The tapping sound made Qin Zhengguang''s heart race. He understood Yan Chen¡¯s implication and quickly lowered his head, offering new terms, ¡°Director, I truly had no idea about my young brother¡¯s actions.¡±


    ¡°You can rest assured, I will not only have him confess but also have my elder brother personally apologize to you.¡±


    Though Qin Zhengguang¡¯s words were polite, everyone in the room understood his implication: Qin Heng, the Commissioner of the Civil Affairs Bureau, was a high-ranking government official.


    Any mistakes he made should be addressed by the Municipal Council, not Yan Chen.


    Therefore, by saying he would have Qin Heng apologize, Qin Zhengguang was promising the Qin family¡¯s full support to Yan Chen.


    Upon hearing this, Yan Chen finally stopped tapping and spoke lightly, ¡°I have time at 8 PM tonight.¡±This set the final deadline for the Qin family.


    Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Qin Zhengguang nodded, ¡°Yes, Director.¡±


    With the agreement reached, the rest was straightforward. Qiu Tu reported the remaining evidence and leads, including Fourth Master Qin¡¯s attempt to bribe him.


    In Qiu Tu¡¯s ount, Fourth Master Qin¡¯s bribe wasn¡¯t solicited by Qiu Tu but offered by Fourth Master Qin to halt the investigation.


    In less than half an hour, aplex political transaction was concluded. Qiu Tu sessfullypleted his task, the Qin family mitigated their crisis, and Yan Chen gained their allegiance.


    Secretary Bai, on the other hand, was just an observer to this transaction.


    Leaving Yan Chen¡¯s office, Qin Zhengguang gave Qiu Tu aplex look and softly said, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, ¡°If it''s just a verbal thanks, it seems rather insincere.¡±


    Caught off guard by Qiu Tu¡¯s directness, Qin Zhengguang chuckled and replied, ¡°Rest assured, it won¡¯t just be verbal.¡±


    Qiu Tu saluted him, ¡°Then I¡¯ll thank you in advance.¡±


    Qin Zhengguang nodded and took the elevator to the 12th floor.


    Though he had reached a verbal agreement with Yan Chen, the Qin family¡¯s crisis wasn¡¯t fully resolved. Verbal agreements meant little without concrete actions. He needed to return to the Qin family to discuss with his elder brother and convince Fourth Master Qin to sacrifice himself.


    Watching Qin Zhengguang¡¯s elevator doors close, Secretary Bai signaled Qiu Tu, who understood and followed him into the office.


    Once inside, Secretary Bai closed the door and whispered, ¡°You really scared me earlier. I thought you had be the scapegoat.¡±


    Secretary Bai¡¯s face was filled with concern. ¡°The Qin family isn¡¯t easy to deal with. They¡¯re one of the biggest local powers in New Realm City. Even the director has to tread carefully.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, New Realm City is newly established and needs support from various factions. The shelter needs to set an example for other undeveloped disaster zones.¡±


    ¡°Therefore, the Qin family can¡¯t fall. It¡¯s a political necessity.¡±


    ¡°When I heard you found evidence of the Qin family¡¯s collusion with the RUF, I was really worried.¡±


    ¡°Luckily, you were smart. You raised the issue but left the resolution to the Qin family. Most importantly, you saved Qin Zhengguang.¡±


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t handled it this way, the Qin family would have definitely sacrificed Qin Zhengguang, and they would have harbored a grudge against you. Once they recovered, they wouldn¡¯t let you off easily.¡±


    ¡°But now, you saved Qin Zhengguang. Even if the Qin family dislikes you, Qin Zhengguang will help mitigate some of the pressure.¡±


    ¡°He is the second most important figure in the Qin family.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, the Qin family can use this opportunity to cut off all their ck and gray-market businesses and fully legitimize themselves.¡±


    ¡°They might even be grateful to you for helping them through this crisis.¡±


    Secretary Bai smiled at Qiu Tu and praised, ¡°You did well. You¡¯ve made progress.¡±


    Qiu Tu humbly replied, ¡°Thank you, sir. I was just reporting the facts. I didn¡¯t think that far ahead.¡±


    Secretary Bai chuckled, ¡°You really can¡¯t take apliment, can you?¡±


    Then, his expression turned serious. ¡°But Qiu Tu, you mustn¡¯t let your guard down. The director may be satisfied with your work this time, but there¡¯s still an unbridgeable gap between you two.¡±


    Qiu Tu¡¯s expression turned solemn.


    Secretary Bai didn¡¯t need to borate; both understood the underlying issue.


    However, Qiu Tu quickly regained hisposure. His ns weren¡¯t over yet. Using the Qin family¡¯s internal conflict toplete his task was just the first step. He had bigger ns ahead.


    Meanwhile, in Yan Chen¡¯s dimly lit office, he leaned back in his chair, his figure obscured in the darkness, with only his face slightly illuminated by the deskmp.


    With his hands crossed over his abdomen, he looked at Jia Shu and asked softly, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Jia Shu smiled, adjusting his gold-rimmed sses, and analyzed, ¡°A brilliant n with multiple gains.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, the one who provided Qiu Tu with the intelligence and leads should be Fourth Master Qin.¡±


    ¡°The information pointed towards Qin Zhengguang.¡±


    ¡°Qiu Tu coborated with Fourth Master Qin to quickly gather evidence against Qin Zhengguang.¡±


    ¡°But upon realizing it was a dead end, he cleverly changed his strategy. He threw out the bait, letting the Qin family fight among themselves and choose a scapegoat. No matter who won, he would win.¡±


    ¡°This way, he significantly reduced the Qin family¡¯s animosity towards him, causing internal discord that prevents them from forming a RUF. He might even gain favor from some within the Qin family.¡±


    ¡°Most importantly, he asked for your opinion in front of Qin Zhengguang, which seemed respectful but was actually a way to pass the responsibility onto you.¡±


    ¡°If you agreed to let the Qin family handle it internally, they would owe both you and him a favor. If you disagreed, the Qin family¡¯s grudge would shift towards you.¡±


    ¡°After all, he spared the Qin family, but you didn¡¯t. Naturally, their resentment would be directed at you.¡±


    Yan Chen chuckled, ¡°Indeed, Qiu Tu is perceptive.¡±


    ¡°He sold out Fourth Master Qin to save Qin Zhengguang because he knew I would protect Qin Zhengguang.¡±


    ¡°Outsiders know that the newly established New Realm City cannot afford the Qin family to fall. But can the Investigation Department fall?¡±


    ¡°Qin Zhengguang is a chief in my department. If he¡¯s found colluding with the RUF, what will outsiders think of the Investigation Department and me?¡±


    ¡°Will the Municipal Council seize the opportunity to attack?¡±


    ¡°There are too many uncertainties.¡±


    ¡°So, the Qin family can have issues, but Qin Zhengguang cannot.¡±


    ¡°If Qin Zhengguang remains unscathed, the Investigation Department will be credited for uncovering the Qin family¡¯s misconduct.¡±


    ¡°If Qin Zhengguang falls, even if the Investigation Department uncovers the Qin family¡¯s misconduct, it will only bnce out the merits and demerits.¡±


    Jia Shu responded, ¡°Director, you are wise.¡±


    Yan Chen didn¡¯t acknowledge the praise. After speaking at length, he felt his throat getting dry and took a sip of tea.


    After moistening his throat, he asked, ¡°What do you think of Qiu Tu?¡±


    Jia Shu smiled faintly and replied, ¡°Talented and ambitious.¡±


    He nced at Yan Chen, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for his entanglement with Qin Shuman, he might be worth recruiting.¡±


    Yan Chen remained silent, his eyes inscrutable.


    Jia Shu continued, ¡°But he can still be used as a tool.¡±


    Yan Chen responded, ¡°Be cautious. A sharp tool can also cause harm.¡±


    Jia Shuughed, ¡°Indeed. His ambition is too great.¡±


    ¡°After taking on his independent task, he¡¯s used the case funds to win people over, even dragging a first-level agent into his schemes.¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t control him, who knows what trouble he might cause.¡±


    Yan Chen nodded, ¡°Hmm. What are your ns?¡±


    Adjusting his sses, Jia Shu¡¯s eyes gleamed behind the lenses, ¡°Simple. Go along with his ns.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s found evidence against the Qin family, implicating Qin Shuman as well.¡±


    ¡°For someone suspected of being a RUF spy, the Political Division must detain and interrogate her thoroughly.¡±


    ¡°As for Qiu Tu...¡±


    ¡°The Investigation Department has many vacant positions. With his great achievements, he deserves a promotion.¡±


    ¡°I suggest moving him from the grassroots level to an office position as a deputy chief, where he can best utilize his talents.¡±


    ¡°For example, in the Political Division¡¯s Interrogation Office.¡±


    The room was dark, as if swallowing all traces of light. Only a few rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, outlining the furniture like phantoms.


    Leaving Yan Chen¡¯s office, Jia Shu had a smile on his face, as if something had delighted him.


    But this good mood vanished upon encountering Secretary Bai.


    ¡°You were waiting for me?¡± Jia Shu asked, smiling but with a hint of mockery.


    Secretary Bai coolly handed him two slips of paper, ¡°These are Qiu Tu¡¯s funding applications. Please sign and file them.¡±


    Taking the slips, Jia Shu nced at them andughed.


    The slips requested to convert Fourth Master Qin¡¯s bribe into personal bonuses. This was part of Qiu Tu¡¯s earlier report to Yan Chen about the bribe, and


    Yan Chen had verbally approved it during the crucial moment of the report.


    To ensure there was no misunderstanding, Qiu Tu had prepared a written request for the bonuses, demonstrating his thoroughness and ensuring the transaction was officially recorded.


    Jia Shu, not bothered, signed the slips, handed one to Secretary Bai for filing, and kept the other for himself. Then, with a scrutinizing look at Secretary Bai, hemented, ¡°You seem to have a special interest in Qiu Tu.¡±


    Secretary Bai remained impassive, took back the slip, and returned to his office.


    As the door closed behind him, Jia Shu chuckled to himself, his eyes reflecting a mysterious light. ¡°Still the same stubborn temper.¡±


    His eyes seemed to turn slightly red before he suppressed it, shaking off the feeling. He nced once more at Secretary Bai¡¯s office door, shrugged nonchntly, and hummed a tune as he returned to his own office.


    In his office, he filed the request slips, then signed an appointment order, promoting Qiu Tu to deputy chief of the Interrogation Office, effective immediately.


    He also signed another document ordering the arrest of Qin Shuman.


    After signing both documents, Jia Shu didn¡¯t issue them immediately.


    Instead, he stood by the window, hands in his pockets, gazing out with a sense of unease, as if anticipating something significant about to happen.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 45: Promotion

    Chapter 45: Promotion


    Chapter 45: Promotion


    Jia Shu stood by the window for a while, reying the entire situation in his mind.


    After a moment, he returned to his desk and made some changes to Qiu Tu¡¯s appointment, modifying ¡°take office tomorrow¡± to ¡°take office immediately.¡±


    He also temporarily withheld Qin Shuman¡¯s arrest warrant, intending to issue it only after the Qin family had dealt with their own matters. Ultimately, he opted for a more cautious approach.


    ¡°My gosh! Another promotion?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Who else? Officer Qiu, of course.¡±


    ¡°What? Officer Qiu got promoted again?¡±


    In the age of radio and vehicles, orders were transmitted swiftly. Before Qiu Tu even returned to the Qin family estate, the promotion notice had already reached the guard team.When Qiu Tu arrived at the guard team¡¯s base, he heard the agents discussing enthusiastically.


    ¡°Officer Qiu got promoted twice in a week!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s moving to an office now? I¡¯m so jealous.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a big shot now, unlike us.¡±


    Hearing his name being mentioned, Qiu Tu waved over an agent from the Special Operations Division and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on? Who got promoted?¡±


    The chosen agent eagerly ran over, saluted respectfully amid the envious gazes of his peers, and whispered, ¡°Sir, it¡¯s you! Congrattions on your promotion to deputy chief!¡±


    Qiu Tu was momentarily stunned. Promotion? Deputy chief?


    What were Yan Chen and Jia Shu plotting now?


    Despite his suspicions, he maintained a cheerful expression and patted the agent on the shoulder, encouraging, ¡°Keep up the good work, and you¡¯ll be a deputy chief too someday!¡±


    The agent¡¯s face turned red with excitement, and he saluted again, ¡°Thank you, sir!¡±


    Returning to the other agents, the chosen one became the center of attention, with everyone asking what Qiu Tu had said and whether he promised to mentor him. Clearly, Qiu Tu¡¯s promotion had significantly altered the agents¡¯ attitudes towards him.


    As described earlier, the difference between a first-level agent and a deputy chief was immense. A deputy chief could transfer favored agents to their department, freeing them from field duties. They also had the authority to rmend promotions for agents below first-level and decide on selections.


    In New Realm City¡¯s early stages, with many mid-level vacancies in the Investigation Department, a newly promoted deputy chief had ample opportunities for further advancement. Gaining Qiu Tu¡¯s favor could be a game-changer for these lower-ranking agents.


    Understanding the power dynamics in New Realm City, Qiu Tu knew what the agents were longing for. However, not yet having seen the official promotion document and unsure of Yan Chen and Jia Shu¡¯s intentions, he wasn¡¯t in the mood to recruit agents.


    He summoned an agent to inquire about Fang Ming¡¯s whereabouts and went directly to find him.


    As expected, Fang Ming had the promotion document. Upon seeing Qiu Tu, Fang Ming handed over the document with aplex expression, finding Qiu Tu¡¯s rapid rise unbelievable.


    Qiu Tu took the document, read it carefully, and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Political Division Interrogation Office Deputy Chief? Immediate appointment? Hand over duties to Cao Dabiao?¡±


    The document seemed fine at first nce but revealed much upon closer inspection. Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes sparkled with amusement. ¡®It looks like Yan Chen and Jia Shu sensed the danger and wanted to act early to separate me from the Qin family. But it¡¯s toote. The groundwork is alreadyid.¡¯


    Seeing Qiu Tu¡¯s reaction, Fang Ming sighed, ¡°You¡¯ve really rocketed up the ranks.¡±


    Qiu Tu chuckled, ¡°Are you jealous?¡±


    Fang Ming, usually calm, admitted his envy, ¡°Of course, who wouldn¡¯t be?¡±


    Then he cautioned Qiu Tu, ¡°But I advise you to be careful.¡±


    Qiu Tu looked at him curiously.


    Fang Ming exined calmly, ¡°Unless you¡¯re some high-ranking official¡¯s illegitimate child, have dirt on an Investigation Department leader, or caught the eye of a big shot¡¯s daughter, you should make sure they aren¡¯t setting you up for failure.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re too young and rising too fast. We ordinary agents might be envious, but we can¡¯t affect you. However, your peers¡ªother deputy chiefs and section chiefs¡ªmight have issues. They are often heads of significant local factions, having gained their positions by aligning with the shelter. You surpassing them in a week might cause resentment.¡±


    Qiu Tu understood the implications. After a moment of silence, he patted Fang Ming¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    Fang Ming didn¡¯t push further, just reminding, ¡°Stay safe.¡±


    Qiu Tu acknowledged, ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll go hand over the guard team duties now.¡±


    As he turned to leave, he paused and added meaningfully, ¡°I remember you and Cao Dabiao don¡¯t get along well. You¡¯ve never liked hisx attitude. Now that you¡¯re working together, mind your temper. Don¡¯t cause a conflict and get kicked out of the guard team. It¡¯d be embarrassing for both of you.¡±


    Fang Ming: ??


    Hearing this, Fang Ming was bewildered. Since when did he dislike Cao Dabiao? He didn¡¯t care much for him, but that applied to many people. And he didn¡¯t have a bad temper. Hadn¡¯t he always remained calm, even when Qiu Tu annoyed him?


    Suddenly, a realization struck Fang Ming. He looked up sharply at Qiu Tu, who merely gave him a meaningful look before walking away.


    Watching Qiu Tu¡¯s retreating figure, Fang Ming swallowed nervously, finally understanding.


    By noon, Qiu Tu and Cao Dabiao hadpleted the handover of the guard team duties. Without even having lunch, Qiu Tu went to the Political Division Interrogation Office to report for duty.


    That afternoon, Fang Ming and Cao Dabiao had a heated argument over Cao Dabiao¡¯smand. The disagreement escted, leading to Fang Ming and his team being recalled by the Special Operations Division, reced by a new team to assist.


    Amid the confusion, Shen Lingshuang was secretly transferred out of the Qin family estate. Her secret entry into the Qin family, kept undisclosed by Qiu Tu and Fang Ming, left Cao Dabiao and the new team unaware of her presence.


    At 5 PM, Qiu Tu returned home after work. Opening the door, he was stunned by the transformation inside.


    The once cluttered living room was now immacte, with neatly arranged furniture and spotless surfaces. The floor, tables, and windows were cleaned to a shine. If not for the familiar items still in ce, Qiu Tu might have thought he¡¯d entered the wrong home.


    ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± a clear, pleasant voice called from the direction of the bedroom.


    A young girl, around sixteen or seventeen, emerged from the bedroom, her hair wet from a recent shower. She wore Qiu Tu¡¯s white shirt, which was oversized on her petite frame, revealing her slender legs.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly regained hisposure. His gaze swept over the tidy room, and he asked, ¡°Did you clean all this?¡±


    Shen Lingshuang nodded, her pure smile like sunlight. Qiu Tu acknowledged, then began unloading his belongings while asking, ¡°Is everything ready?¡±


    Hearing the serious tone, Shen Lingshuang¡¯s smile faded. She nodded again, ¡°Everything is ready.¡±


    She led Qiu Tu to the bedroom, now cleared and filled with alchemy equipment for potion-making, purchased from the ck market by Eagle and A Kun.


    Qiu Tu checked the setup and noted the countdown timer indicating thepletion of the Cataclysm Potion preparation time. Satisfied, he turned to Shen Lingshuang, ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡±


    With a determined nod, Shen Lingshuang started working on the potion. Qiu Tu observed for a while, ensuring no new crisis alerts appeared, then finally rxed.


    Leaving the bedroom, he stood by the spotless window, gazing at the fiery sunset, lost in thought.


    ¡®The Qin family should be starting their ns now.¡¯


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 46: Do You Want to Be My First Love?

    Chapter 46: Do You Want to Be My First Love?


    Chapter 46: Do You Want to Be My First Love?


    At this moment, in the Qin family''s main residence, just as Qiu Tu had predicted, all five branches of the Qin family were gathered, arguing non-stop behind closed doors.


    The most intense argument was between Qin Zhengguang and Fourth Master Qin.


    Initially, upon receiving the notice about a family meeting to discuss the future of the Qin family, Fourth Master Qin was pleased, believing that Qiu Tu had indeed taken his bribe and handled the situation as promised.


    However, when he heard from Qin Zhengguang that Qiu Tu had pinned all the collected evidence of crimes on him, he was dumbfounded.


    In that instant, he wanted to interrupt Qin Zhengguang and ask, ¡°What? What did you say? Qiu Tu said all those things were my doing? Is he insane?¡±


    But he dared not. After all, none of the Qin family members knew that he had betrayed them. Over the years, despite their internal conflicts, the Qin family had always adhered to one principle: unity against external threats.


    If it were revealed that he had sold out the Qin family to Qiu Tu, the family itself would target him before the Investigation Department even had a chance.


    So, he could only sit in his chair, dumbfounded, listening to Qin Zhengguang recount the events in Yan Chen¡¯s office.But when Qin Zhengguang mentioned making him take the fall for all the crimes, he couldn''t stay silent.


    He stood up, his face full of disbelief, and asked Qin Zhengguang, ¡°Did I hear you right?¡±


    ¡°You want me to take the me for everything?¡±


    ¡°How many lives do I have to take on so many charges?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m your own brother!¡±


    Qin Zhengguang''s face was full of conflict. He sighed deeply and said, ¡°It¡¯s not that I want to do this.¡±


    ¡°Qiu Tu has you by the throat. Even if we offer up someone else, the department won¡¯t believe it.¡±


    ¡°Since you¡¯re already caught, taking the fall for everything is better than us all going down together.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin mmed the table and stood up, ring at Qin Zhengguang, ¡°What are you saying!¡±


    ¡°You want to watch your own brother burn?¡±


    He nced at Qin Heng and then back at Qin Zhengguang, shouting, ¡°I knew it. Ever since Father died, you and Big Brother have looked down on me and Third Brother.¡±


    ¡°After all, you¡¯re politicians, big shots in New Realm City. While Third Brother and I are just businessmen, and I¡¯m involved in shady businesses.¡±


    ¡°You despise me, and I tolerated it because Father divided the family this way! But now something has happened, and you want me to take the me? I refuse!¡±


    As the argument heated up, Qin Heng, the family patriarch, coughed twice and spoke sternly, ¡°Enough, both of you.¡±


    He looked at Fourth Master Qin, speaking gently, ¡°Fourth Brother, Second Brother reported this to me at noon. We discussed it at length, and this is truly the best oue.¡±


    ¡°I know it¡¯s unfair to you.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s for the family.¡±


    Seeing Fourth Master Qin about to retort, Qin Heng raised his hand to silence him and added, ¡°Rest assured, we recognize your contributions to the family.¡±


    ¡°So, if you take the fall, I promise your two sons will hold section chief positions in the Municipal Council or the Investigation Department when theye of age.¡±


    ¡°And your businesses. Third Brother will give you a third of his legitimate businesses to ensure your family¡¯s expenses.¡±


    ¡°As for your safety, tonight, I will personally meet with Yan Chen to secure a guarantee.¡±


    ¡°I will ensure you¡¯re not tortured and that your life is not in danger.¡±


    ¡°So, please, endure this for the family. When the time is right, we¡¯ll find a way to get you out.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s face changed rapidly upon hearing this.


    At that moment, Qin Shu, the head of the third branch, suddenly stood up and protested, ¡°Wait a minute. Big Brother, why should I pay for Second Brother and Fourth Brother¡¯s mistakes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been doing my business properly, and now I have to give away a third of it?¡±


    ¡°I already contribute half of my ie to the family every year. What will I have left?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t agree!¡±


    And so, a new round of arguments began.


    But what no one knew was that while they were arguing, Fourth Master Qin''smunicator suddenly vibrated.


    He secretly took it out and nced at it.


    In that instant, his face darkened rapidly, but he quickly regained hisposure.


    Meanwhile, brewing the Cataclysm Potion was both troublesome and straightforward.


    It was troublesome because the pharmacist needed to understand the properties of all the Cataclysm materials and the timing for using the ¡°Starlight King''s Servant¡± four types of herbs, ensuring their harmonious interaction.


    Knowing when to add which herb, when to stir, and when to take it off the heat was crucial.


    But it was straightforward because once these steps were memorized, most of the process was automated, requiring minimal supervision from the pharmacist.


    So, Shen Lingshuang had ample time to pester Qiu Tu.


    After setting a timer for the next stirring, Shen Lingshuang tiptoed into the living room and watched Qiu Tu, who was sitting on the sofa with his hands behind his head, seemingly deep in thought.


    After watching quietly for a while and feeling bored, she finally spoke up, ¡°Hey, Qiu Tu~¡±


    Qiu Tu snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.


    Shen Lingshuang asked, ¡°What are you thinking about?¡±


    Qiu Tu replied nonchntly, ¡°Just thinking.¡±


    Shen Lingshuang¡¯s eyes twinkled mischievously, ¡°Shall we chat?¡±


    Qiu Tu asked, ¡°About what?¡±


    Shen Lingshuang grinned, revealing her cute little canine teeth, ¡°Do you have a girlfriend?¡±


    Qiu Tu was taken aback, then gave her a meaningful look, ¡°That depends on whether you want a chance or an answer.¡±


    Qiu Tu¡¯s cheeky words nearly overloaded Shen Lingshuang¡¯s brain.


    Her eyes zed over as her mind raced, trying toprehend his words.


    She leaned forward, cautiously asking, ¡°Did you ever have a girlfriend before?¡±


    Images of the ten or so girlfriends from his past life shed through Qiu Tu¡¯s mind, but he shook his head, ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°They were just friends I got along well with.¡±


    ¡°They taught me about love.¡±


    ¡°Later, we parted ways because of differing views.¡±


    Qiu Tu raised an eyebrow, ¡°Why? Do you want to be my first love?¡±


    Shen Lingshuang¡¯s eyes zed over again, her mind struggling to process his words. She understood each sentence, but together, they didn¡¯t make sense.


    Love tutors? Friends I got along well with?


    What does that even mean?


    Too flustered to respond, she covered her face and ran back to her room to continue brewing the potion.


    Watching her retreat, Qiu Tu chuckled. Teasing such a pure girl was genuinely fun.


    Then, with his hands behind his head, he continued to patiently wait for the changes within the Qin family.


    Tick-tock. Tick-tock. As the clock on the wall swung back and forth, time passed by.


    Halfway through Shen Lingshuang¡¯s potion brewing, the urgent ringing of amunicator broke the silence.


    Riiiing! Riiiing!


    Qiu Tu took out hismunicator, looked at the caller ID, and smiled. As expected, he had been waiting for this call.


    He answered the call, not even greeting before Fourth Master Qin¡¯s furious curses erupted, ¡°Qiu Tu, you bastard!¡±


    ¡°You and your #@%!¡±


    ¡°Fuck #...!¡±


    Being a gang leader, it was natural for him to have a bad temper, so Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t bothered and just listened quietly.


    After a minute of cursing, Qiu Tu finally spoke during Fourth Master Qin¡¯s pause for breath, ¡°Are you done, Fourth Master? Do you want to curse some more?¡±


    ¡°You can curse all day and night, but can you kill me with your curses?¡±


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Fourth Master Qin¡¯s anger red up again, ¡°You son of a¡­!¡±


    This time, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t indulge him and hung up.


    After hanging up, Qiu Tu kept themunicator in hand, counting down with a smile, ¡°Three, two, one.¡±


    Right on cue, themunicator rang again.


    Qiu Tu answered and said, ¡°Fourth Master, calm down. I know you¡¯re angry, but let¡¯s talk.¡±


    ¡°Things may not be as bad as you think.¡±


    Perhaps Qiu Tu hanging up on him made Fourth Master Qin realize the situation, or maybe his earlier outburst had vented some of his anger. This time, he remained silent for a couple of seconds before speaking, no longer cursing.


    His tone carried the authority of a gang leader, ¡°Qiu Tu, you¡¯ve yed your cards well.¡±


    ¡°You took my money, took my leads, and then sold me out. You¡¯ve got a dark heart. Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll take you down with me?¡±


    Qiu Tuughed, ¡°Fourth Master, you¡¯re mistaken.¡±


    ¡°Leads were gathered from my own investigation; the money was your bribe to stop me from investigating you. I¡¯m an agent, and you¡¯re a gang leader. We¡¯re not the same, so there¡¯s no betrayal.¡±


    ¡°I reported every detail of our interaction to the director, so you can¡¯t threaten me.¡±


    ¡°And besides, can you afford to make this public?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re already in a tight spot. If the Qin family finds out you¡¯re the traitor, do you think you¡¯ll survive?¡±


    Heavy breathing came from the other side of the line. After a few


    deep breaths, Fourth Master Qinughed angrily, ¡°Well, well, well. No wonder you¡¯re a top agent, or should I say, Deputy Chief Qiu! Your tactics are impressive.¡±


    ¡°But why did you message me if you already sold me out?¡±


    Qiu Tu sighed, ¡°Fourth Master, you misunderstand.¡±


    ¡°I never betrayed you, nor forgot our deal.¡±


    ¡°I just thought your original n was too unrealistic, so I changed it.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you weren¡¯t nning and pushing this alone, right?¡±


    ¡°Your aplice should be Third Master.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s breathing hitched.


    Qiu Tu chuckled, ¡°Don¡¯t be surprised. No one betrayed you.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a simple deduction.¡±


    ¡°Commissioner Qin¡¯s health is poor, and he has no sons to inherit the family legacy.¡±


    ¡°So, the old patriarch paved the way for Qin Zhengguang, connecting him with Director Yan.¡±


    ¡°This gave the Qin family two backup ns.¡±


    ¡°If Commissioner Qin recovers, he continues leading the family with Qin Zhengguang assisting him.¡±


    ¡°If he doesn¡¯t, Qin Zhengguang takes over the family business.¡±


    ¡°The old patriarch considered the entire family, but he forgot everyone has personal interests.¡±


    ¡°You and Third Master are also his sons. Why should the first and second branches inherit, while you¡¯re sidelined?¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯re dissatisfied and unwilling to ept it.¡±


    ¡°You want to control the family, so you aim to take down Qin Zhengguang.¡±


    ¡°Conveniently, he gave you the opportunity.¡±


    ¡°Before he died, the old patriarch warned you not to engage with the RUF. But the benefits were too great.¡±


    ¡°Qin Zhengguang couldn¡¯t let go of this connection.¡±


    ¡°So, you went along, secretly gathering evidence while continuing the cooperation.¡±


    ¡°You knew that if you could bring Qin Zhengguang down, Commissioner Qin would have to choose a new heir to secure the family¡¯s future.¡±


    ¡°And only you and Third Master are direct rtives, so either of you would achieve your goal.¡±


    ¡°But the n had to be executed during New Realm City¡¯s early days.¡±


    ¡°During its initial phase, power structures are unstable, and many positions are vacant. As an established local power, the Qin family still holds significant influence, earning the Municipal Council and the Investigation Department¡¯s respect. So, even if you change the heir, the family can adapt smoothly.¡±


    ¡°If you miss these two years, the Municipal Council and the Investigation Department will solidify their rule, most positions will be filled by various factions, and taking down Qin Zhengguang will hardly yield the desired positions, possibly leading to the family¡¯s decline.¡±


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve been waiting for the right moment and a scapegoat willing to face Commissioner Qin¡¯s wrath.¡±


    ¡°And then you noticed me.¡±


    After exining, Qiu Tu smiled and asked, ¡°Am I right, Fourth Master?¡±


    Despite the situation, Fourth Master Qin didn¡¯t admit to the conspiracy. He snorted, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°I called you because of your message.¡±


    ¡°You said you could save me?¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 47: Cataclysm Potion Complete

    Chapter 47: Cataclysm Potion Complete


    Chapter 47: Cataclysm Potion Complete


    Hearing Fourth Master Qin¡¯s words, Qiu Tu knew he had been persuaded and was ready to test him.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu began executing the final step of his n, ¡°Yes, I can save you.¡±


    He spoke slowly, ¡°Fourth Master, your original n was to use the Political Division¡¯s internal surveince powers to bring down Qin Zhengguang. But you overlooked a crucial point: Qin Zhengguang is also part of the Investigation Department.¡±


    ¡°At this sensitive time, do you think Director Yan would allow an Investigation Department head to be taken down? It would give the Municipal Council and the military grounds to attack him.¡±


    ¡°So, even if I hadn¡¯t sold you out and yed your pawn against Qin Zhengguang, it wouldn¡¯t have seeded. Director Yan would have suppressed everything.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure your brothers have exined this to you tonight.¡±


    ¡°So, I didn¡¯t betray you willingly; I had no choice.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin fell silent.Indeed, as Qiu Tu had said, when he refused to take the fall for the Qin family and angrily demanded why Qin Zhengguang couldn¡¯t be the scapegoat, Qin Heng had given him a lesson on political reality.


    He learned that Yan Chen and Qin Zhengguang were on the same team and that Yan Chen would not allow Qin Zhengguang to fall at this critical juncture.


    The Investigation Department couldn¡¯t afford to make mistakes!


    Feeling Fourth Master Qin¡¯s silence, Qiu Tu smiled and softly said, ¡°So, Fourth Master, do you want to switch sides?¡±


    Fourth Master Qin was taken aback.


    His incredulous voice came through themunicator, ¡°Aren¡¯t you Director Yan¡¯s confidant? You?¡±


    Qiu Tuughed, lying through his teeth, ¡°I am indeed Director Yan¡¯s confidant. But I¡¯m not Qin Zhengguang¡¯s confidant.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know, after I dealt with the Qin family, Qin Zhengguang was very grateful to me. He even gave me a car and many gifts.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m scared.¡±


    Qiu Tu sighed, ¡°Fourth Master, if he had cursed me or threatened me, I wouldn¡¯t worry because that would show he¡¯s just a foolish brute.¡±


    ¡°But his ttery and gifts make me worry he¡¯s plotting to take me down in the future.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, the Qin family is about to be taken under Director Yan¡¯s wing. You tell me, in Director Yan¡¯s eyes, who¡¯s more important, me or the entire Qin family?¡±


    ¡°So, I don¡¯t want the Qin family to align with Director Yan. Or if they do, I need someone I can control within the family.¡±


    ¡°For example, you.¡±


    Qiu Tu¡¯s disdainful and threatening tone didn¡¯t anger Fourth Master Qin. Instead, it calmed him.


    Qiu Tu continued, ¡°Fourth Master, I have dirt on you, evidence of your betrayal of the Qin family. If you take control of the family, you wouldn¡¯t dare harm me.¡±


    ¡°Even if you can¡¯t swallow this insult and decide to act against me, we can go down together.¡±


    ¡°We have a foundation for cooperation.¡±


    After listening to Qiu Tu¡¯s proposal, Fourth Master Qin¡¯s expression changed multiple times. After a while, he asked, ¡°Which side are you talking about?¡±


    Qiu Tu¡¯s smile deepened. He replied calmly, ¡°The military.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s pupils contracted slightly, shocked.


    The military was the most low-key yet powerful force among the three major factions. Even General Ye in New Realm City kept a low profile.


    But no one could ignore this department and this significant figure.


    Two years ago, as Colonel Ye, he led a division to station in New Realm City under the guise of a transit mission.


    After investigating the power distribution in the city, heunched a bloodbath, eliminating all underground forces and dozens of families opposing the shelter¡¯s rule.


    Afterward, Colonel Ye was promoted to Major General Ye, retaining a core regiment and expanding his forces to a division, continuing to garrison in New Realm City.


    So, despite the Municipal Council being the highest authority and the Investigation Department being closely rted to most people, no one dared to ignore General Ye and the military.


    ¡®If I can reallytch onto the military...¡¯ Fourth Master Qin shivered at the thought, realizing he was almost swept away by Qiu Tu¡¯s promises.


    Regaining his rity, he questioned, ¡°The military? Why would the military protect me?¡±


    ¡°Moreover, the military doesn¡¯t have jurisdiction over city affairs. How can they protect me?¡±


    ¡°Are you suggesting they would openly confront the Investigation Department for my sake?¡±


    Qiu Tu chuckled and responded softly, ¡°Fourth Master, are you aware of the Security Division within the military?¡±


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s body shook, his face revealing a look of realization and delight.


    For the next ten minutes, Qiu Tu vividly described the benefits of aligning with the Security Division to Fourth Master Qin.


    For instance, the Security Division would protect Fourth Master Qin in a military safe house, erasing all traces to prevent the Investigation Department from tracking him.


    This was much more reliable than the Qin family¡¯s promise of sending him to prison.


    The Security Division could act on Fourth Master Qin''s report to arrest Qin Zhengguang, thereby clearing the path for Fourth Master Qin and Third Master Qin to take over


    The Security Division would use Fourth Master Qin¡¯s surrender and whistleblowing as grounds for a pardon, allowing him to regain his freedom after the matter concluded.


    After hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s portrayal of the future, Fourth Master Qin still had some hesitation but was clearly tempted.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t press or rush him. Knowing human nature well, he understood the importance of patience in sealing the deal.


    They agreed on a final deadline, exactly an hour before Qin Heng¡¯s meeting with Yan Chen: 7 PM.


    After that time, their deal would be off the table. Until then, Fourth Master Qin could consider his options thoroughly.


    Hanging up the phone, Qiu Tu looked at the sky, admiring the beautiful sunset.


    Although it wasn¡¯t time yet, he was 90% sure this fire would ignite.


    In his days interacting with Fourth Master Qin, Qiu Tu had studied his character through various sources.


    As the youngest son of the first wife, Fourth Master Qin grew up arrogant and rebellious, cold-hearted, and with a gambler¡¯s mindset.


    Qiu Tu remembered the mostmon phrase in Fourth Master Qin¡¯s investigation: ¡°Winners take all, losers stand small.¡±


    Under simr conditions, Qin Zhengguang might forgo the n due to familial bonds or risks. But Fourth Master Qin, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, wouldn¡¯t sit idle.


    Having given him such a promising prospect, Qiu Tu now just needed to wait for him to take the bait.


    Satisfied, Qiu Tu redirected his focus from Fourth Master Qin and headed to the bedroom to check on the progress of the Cataclysm Potion.


    Opening the bedroom door, he was immediately greeted by a salty, ocean-like scent. He felt as though he was standing in the middle of a vast ocean.


    The room had turned blue, the ceiling reflecting the shimmering sea. The sounds of wind and waves filled the air.


    Reaching out, he felt seawater washing over his body, soaking his clothes.


    ¡°Hey! Qiu Tu! Qiu Tu!¡± Shen Lingshuang¡¯s voice suddenly broke through the illusion.


    Just as Qiu Tu was immersed in the strange realm of the "Indoor Ocean," he suddenly heard Shen Lingshuang''s call in his ear.


    Startled, Qiu Tu realized he was still in the bedroom. The sea and waves had vanished, leaving only the potion brewing equipment and materials.


    ¡®Was it all an illusion?¡¯ Qiu Tu was shocked, but he noticed his clothes were indeed wet, dripping water.


    Bending down, he tasted the water. It was salty.


    Looking at Shen Lingshuang¡¯s worried face, Qiu Tu asked, ¡°What happened to me?¡±


    Shen Lingshuang hesitated before replying, ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve encountered simr phenomena before, but my father told me it rtes to the true nature of the Cataclysm and the essence of the world.¡±


    ¡°Unless you¡¯re on the path of Cataclysm, you don¡¯t need to know. So, I don¡¯t know the details. But it¡¯s not an isted case.¡±


    Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes turned to the blue potion boiling in the equipment.


    Was the illusion caused by this Cataclysm Potion?


    A single potion could create such a realistic illusion, even turning it into reality?


    What wondersy ahead on the path of Cataclysm?


    Pondering this, Qiu Tu asked Shen Lingshuang, ¡°How long until the potion is ready?¡±


    She thought for a moment, ¡°Ten minutes.¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll change clothes first.¡±


    He grabbed a towel from the bathroom to dry off and found some clean clothes in the living room to change into.


    Ten minutes passed quickly.


    When Qiu Tu finished changing, Shen Lingshuang emerged from the bedroom, holding two bottles of the bright blue potion.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 48: Successful Cataclysm Awakening

    Chapter 48: Sessful Cataclysm Awakening


    Chapter 48: Sessful Cataclysm Awakening


    With just one nce, Qiu Tu found himself deeply attracted to the two bottles of deep blue potion.


    It felt as if an invisible force was pulling his spirit into the gem-like liquid, making it impossible for him to look away.


    The scent of the sea filled his nostrils again; the sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed in his ears, and before his eyes, a vast, rolling ocean appeared.


    Fortunately, this time he was prepared. Unlike before, he managed to snap out of the illusion quickly.


    Shen Lingshuang was surprised at how quickly he emerged from the trance on his second attempt. She eximed, ¡°Qiu Tu, you might actually have the talent to be a Cataclysm Awakened.¡±


    ¡°I remember going through simr illusions over a dozen times, each time needing my father to wake me.¡±


    She looked down at the two bottles of Cataclysm Potion she had brewed and sighed, ¡°Although I don¡¯t know what happened during this process, I feel like these potions are different from any I¡¯ve made before.¡±


    Tilting her head, she continued with a thoughtful look in her eyes, ¡°These potions seem particrly potent. Even I fall into an illusion whenever I gaze at them. I¡¯ve never encountered this phenomenon before.¡±Qiu Tu had a guess: perhaps, due to perfect timing, conditions, and materials, the sess rate of these Cataclysm Potions had reached a particrly high level, resulting in this unusual phenomenon.


    With this thought, he took one bottle from Shen Lingshuang and nced at the top left corner of his vision.


    Two small treasure chests glowed there, and no new crisis countdown had appeared.


    ¡®It seems there¡¯s no danger to my life,¡¯ he thought, making up his mind.


    He shook the bottle gently.


    ¡°Qiu Tu!¡± As he did so, the illusion began to form again, but Shen Lingshuang¡¯s voice brought him back.


    He stopped and looked at her.


    She ced her hand on his and, with worried eyes, asked, ¡°Are you sure you want to drink this potion?¡±


    Noticing her anxiety, Qiu Tu joked, ¡°Why? Did you spit in it?¡±


    Shen Lingshuang blushed and retorted, ¡°What nonsense are you saying?¡±


    Qiu Tu patted her head and reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve also made proper arrangements for all of you.¡±


    He smiled warmly, full of confidence, ¡°If I don¡¯t survive, Eagle will take you away from New Realm City and get you home safely.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve prepared two goldfish and 200 silver coins for you. That should cover the travel expenses to the Third Shelter.¡±


    Hearing his words, Shen Lingshuang¡¯s face turned pale. She gripped his hand tightly, ¡°I¡¯m not worried about myself. I¡¯m worried about you.¡±


    ¡°But I have a bad feeling¡­¡±


    But before she could finish speaking, Qiu Tu¡¯s hand, which had been gently patting her head, suddenly turned into a hand de and swiftly struck the back of her neck.


    The next second, the girl, with a look of disbelief on her face, copsed softly into Qiu Tu¡¯s arms.


    Carefully, Qiu Tu took the second bottle of the Cataclysm Potion, ced both bottles temporarily on the table, and then picked her up in his arms, carrying her out the door.


    As he opened his apartment door, the door to the neighboring apartment also opened from the inside.


    Eagle stepped out.


    He nodded at Qiu Tu and then moved aside to let him through.


    Carrying Shen Lingshuang, Qiu Tu walked into the neighboring apartment, where a woman in her thirties was already waiting.


    Seeing Qiu Tu enter, she quickly stepped aside. Qiu Tu gently ced Shen Lingshuang on the bed and then instructed the woman, ¡°Sister Xin, please take care of this girl from now on.¡±


    Sister Xin quickly rubbed her hands together and responded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, A Tu. You¡¯ve taken such good care of us over the years, and we are all grateful. I will take good care of her. Even if she wakes up, I¡¯ll keep her calm.¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded and then left the room.


    At the door, he turned to Eagle and softly instructed, ¡°Stand guard at my apartment door. If anything seems off, don¡¯t hesitate. Take Sister Xin and Shen Lingshuang and leave immediately.¡±


    Eagle responded with a calm ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Qiu Tu handed him hismunicator and continued, ¡°If Fourth Master Qin calls before Ie out, respond as I taught you this afternoon. The most crucial thing is to ensure he takes Qin Shuman away from the Qin family. Military personnel will be waiting at the designated location to receive them.¡±


    Eagle responded with another ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Qiu Tu added, ¡°I¡¯ve gathered over a thousand silver dors from the Investigation Department and the Qin family, all stored in the ck car Qin Zhengguang sent today. If something happens to me, take the money and drive to Eastern City in the south. The Investigation Department head there doesn¡¯t get along with Yan Chen, so you won¡¯t be hunted. You can establish yourselves there or use it as a transit point.¡±


    Perhaps feeling a bit uneasy with Qiu Tu''s arrangements, Eagle remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, ¡°Do you really have to take this gamble?¡±


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu smiled, patted Eagle¡¯s shoulder, and spoke with a mix of resilience and optimism, ¡°If you want to make a name for yourself, how can you not take risks? We¡¯re lucky to even have the chance to take this gamble. Many people want to, but don¡¯t even get the opportunity.¡±


    With that, Qiu Tu turned and went back to his room, closing the door behind him.


    He meticulously arranged everything because he wasn¡¯t sure what would happen after drinking the Cataclysm Potion. Although it might not be life-threatening, the dangers of the Cataclysm Potion included mutation, corruption, and transformation.


    That¡¯s why he made sure to take care of everything around him before embarking on this unknown path. Arranging Shen Lingshuang¡¯s return, securing Qin Shuman¡¯s freedom, and ensuring A Tai and Eagle¡¯s future lives were his ways of tying up loose ends.


    Deep down, there was a sliver of kindness within him.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu looked up, taking onest deep look at the dark, serene sky outside the window. Then he picked up one bottle of the Cataclysm Potion, removed the cork, and decisively drank it down.


    ¡®After all, I¡¯ve been given a second chance at life and slept with a beauty like Qin Shuman. No regrets!¡¯


    As the potion went down his throat, Qiu Tu immediately felt a cool sensation spreading from his throat to his chest, then quickly extending to every corner of his body.


    In the next instant, he seemed to be once again submerged in a clear, blue ocean.


    But unlike the previous times, this time he directly dove to the bottom of the sea, or rather, he became the ocean itself.


    His thoughts gradually scattered, drifting away like raindrops in the wind, merging into rivers,kes, and seas. It was as if he had transformed into drops of water, morning dew, and storms in the Cataclysm World.


    He navigated through the storms, swimming across every inch ofnd under the shelter¡¯s control.


    It was an indescribable, profound sensation that enveloped himpletely.


    However, the good times didn''tst long. As he delved deeper, the mist around him grew increasingly sticky and filthy, as if the pristine, clear water had turned into foul, viscous tar.


    His entire body felt wrapped up, bing stiff and sluggish, even making it hard to breathe. The darkness thickened, with the air filled with a sense of danger, a haze of fear, and mes of anger swirling in his heart.


    On the brink of copse, the cool force within Qiu Tu finally burst forth, acting as ast fortress, protecting his final shred of consciousness and helping him break free from the constraints.


    Qiu Tu stirred up the storm once more, carrying the pervasive mist as he fled the sticky, foul abyss.


    After what felt like an eternity, Qiu Tu finally escaped that suffocating region. As he looked back, his perception seemed to pierce throughyers of space, revealing a new world ¡ª what he once thought was a vast ocean was merely a small pond, while the majority of the world was enveloped in a tar-like, muddy darkness.


    In that moment, a profound sorrow surged within him, as if he were mourning for the entire world. The next second, he lost consciousnesspletely.


    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed ¡ª maybe just ten minutes, maybe an hour. When Qiu Tu woke from the darkness, he found that his body had undergone many changes, and his mind was filled with new information.


    It was a code engraved in the very foundation of the world, revealing the secrets of the extraordinary powers of the universe. Every awakened being received this mysterious gift during their first awakening.


    Closing his eyes, Qiu Tu quietly organized the information in his mind. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes.


    In an instant, his once dark eyes transformed into a clear, deep blue. Simultaneously, his vision blurred, as if covered by frosted ss. The material world around him began to fade, reced by a gray, dreamlike mist spreading out quietly.


    Looking around, what he saw were no longer solid, tangible objects, but various nearly transparent lines, almost disappearing. His vision prated the illusory walls, clearly seeing into the next room where a bright mey quietly, and another dim me sat beside it.


    He looked towards the door, where a me paced back and forth. Beyond that me, several kilometers away, a giant shadow standing dozens of meters tall loomed quietly, imposing and dignified.


    ¡°Cataclysm Era, Boundless Heart Sea,¡± he thought, slowly withdrawing from the spiritual vision, his gazeplex.


    The information from the world¡¯s essence had finally filled in the secrets of this world for him.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 49: The First Cataclysmic Ability

    Chapter 49: The First Cataclysmic Ability


    Chapter 49: The First Cataclysmic Ability


    ording to the information inscribed on the foundation of this world, it did indeed face a cataclysm known as the "Apocalyptic Catastrophe" decades ago. This massive disaster plunged the entire world into chaos and fragmentation, subjecting all living beings to the transformative and enlightening power of the catastrophe.


    More significantly, as a result of this cataclysm, a spiritual world called the "Boundless Mind Sea" emerged above the material world. This world is a collective manifestation of all consciousness, reflecting and influencing the material world. Itsndscapes change with the beliefs, emotions, and memories of living beings, and it, in turn, affects the real world.


    From the ¡°Boundless Mind Sea¡± arose six cataclysmic forces: Order, Chaos, Life, Immortality, Destruction, and Mystery. Each being that steps onto the path of transcendence resonates with one of these forces and bes its "practitioner" in the material world.


    Qiu Tu resonated with the power of Order.


    Coming back to reality, Qiu Tu''s eyes reflected deep thought. It didn''t surprise him that his path was Order, as he had spent most of his life in peace and stability before his crossing. Even during his years of imprisonment, he always longed to return to an orderly and peaceful life.


    What surprised him was the branch of the Order path he resonated with¡ª"Order-Politics".


    "Politics refers to the activities and rtionships centered on governing a country through governmental power, political parties, and various social activities," he mused. "In the era of cataclysm, building a stable and healthy nation is undoubtedly the best way to lead humanity towards recovery."


    "So, climbing to the top within the existing shelter system or establishing a new nation from scratch will be the best way to practice the path of Order?""The higher the position, the greater the power, the more people I can rally, call upon, and influence, the stronger my power will be?"


    Recalling the information in his mind, Qiu Tu had a peculiar look on his face. ''So, to strengthen my power, I have to get promoted? From section chief to department head, to director? From ruling a city to dominating a nned area, then to ruling a shelter?''


    ''If everyone submits to my Order, will I reach the pinnacle of this extraordinary path?''


    To be honest, Qiu Tu found this goal somewhat grand and exaggerated. Although he had some ambition, he mostly just wanted to be a section chief or department head, enjoying some privileges, chatting with attractive subordinates, drinking tea, and handling official duties.


    Suddenly being asked to climb to such a high position and bear the heavy responsibility of rebuilding the entire human order made him feel a bit overwhelmed.


    But the extraordinary power of this world is unique¡ªonce a path is set, it cannot be changed.


    So...


    Qiu Tu blinked. "How about setting a small goal first? Maybe take Yan Chen''s position?"


    "From section chief to director should be enough for a significant leap in my extraordinary power, right?"


    With this thought, Qiu Tu made up his mind: he would first aim for Yan Chen''s position!


    After making his decision, Qiu Tu felt much calmer. He temporarily put his thoughts aside and started focusing on his body''s condition after the cataclysmic awakening.


    He meticulously checked his body. The most noticeable change was that his body seemed to have been reshaped¡ªnot only stronger, but also with smoother skin and even his scars gone.


    He clenched his fist and swung it forward, producing a "whoosh" sound as documents flew around. "So strong," Qiu Tu murmured in amazement.


    It might have been his imagination, but he felt like he could punch a bull to death with one hit now.


    Lowering his fist, he squatted, bent his knees, and then sprang up. The next moment, his head hit the ceiling with a thud!


    "Bang!" A dull sound echoed as Qiu Tu held his head andnded back on the ground. Surprisingly, it didn''t hurt.


    "Bang bang bang!"


    Just as Qiu Tu was excitedly experimenting, there was a knock on the door, apanied by Eagle''s voice. "Brother Tu, is that you? Are you okay?"


    Coming back to his senses, Qiu Tu looked towards the door. In his spiritual vision, he had seen that although Eagle appeared calm, he was actually very worried, pacing back and forth outside. Hearing the noise inside and not seeing Qiu Tue out, he must have feared that Qiu Tu''s cataclysmic awakening had failed, so he became anxious.


    Thinking of this, Qiu Tu said, "I''m fine," while walking to the door to open it.


    He grabbed the doorknob and twisted it. The door didn''t open¡ªthe doorknob broke off.


    Qiu Tu: ...


    Outside, Eagle grew even more anxious, asking again, "Brother Tu, are you okay?"


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu didn''t bother fixing the door. He simply punched the lock. With a bang, the wood around the lock shattered, creating a hole.


    Eagle jumped back in surprise, reflexively retreating. But before he could move, Qiu Tu had already grabbed the door through the hole and pulled it off.


    "Get someone to rece this door with an iron one. Wood isn''t sturdy enough," Qiu Tu said, casually tossing the door aside and walking away, leaving Eagle stunned.


    Eagle stood there in shock for a while before finally taking a deep breath to calm himself. He then stepped inside cautiously, eyeing Qiu Tu carefully before asking in a low voice, "Brother Tu, did you seed?"


    After saying this, he licked his lips and asked, "Are cataclysmic beings really that strong?"


    For the usually reticent Eagle, saying these two sentences showed how amazed and curious he was.


    So, Qiu Tu simply let him be his sparring partner to test his current strength.


    Five minutester, after being knocked down for the nth time, Eagle, rubbing his sore arms and bruised body, looked utterly incredulous.


    Although Qiu Tu had always been the boss, it was mainly because of his intelligence and the fatherly and brotherly care he had shown everyone. As for his physical strength and fighting ability, they were quite average. Even Eagle could easily take on Qiu Tu before.


    But now, Eagle couldn''tnd a single blow on Qiu Tu. No matter what move he made, Qiu Tu would easily knock him down with a single p.


    After being hit a few times, Eagle thought he had figured out Qiu Tu''s moves and tried to use some tricks to go a few rounds with him. But it proved futile. Even if he could see Qiu Tu''s moves, he couldn''t match his speed or react quickly enough.


    So, after just five minutes of sparring, Eagle was already panting and sweating profusely.


    "Too strong. Is this what a Cataclysmic Being is like?"


    Eagle felt that with Qiu Tu''s currentbat power, he could easily take on twenty or thirty strong young men on his own¡ªeven though Qiu Tu wasn''t good at fighting.


    Meanwhile, hearing Eagle''s words, Qiu Tu just smiled without saying anything.


    The true power of a Cataclysmic Being wasn''t just in their enhanced physique. It was their strange and formidable abilities that made them truly terrifying and created an insurmountable gap between them and ordinary people.


    For example, the Cataclysmic ability Qiu Tu acquired after his first awakening: "Reshape Order".


    This ability allowed Qiu Tu to set one rule per day. The rule could only affect a fixed space norger than 8 cubic meters and onlysted for a day. But any being or object within this space, as long as their rank wasn''t higher than Qiu Tu''s, would be influenced by the rule.


    ording to Qiu Tu''s understanding, he could set any rule in a space, even something as absurd as "water flows upwards," "women don''t wear pants," or "people can''t die," and it would take effect. The only limitation was that he could only set one rule, and it couldn''t affect beings higher ranked than himself.


    But for Qiu Tu, this was already enough. Moreover, this was just his ability as a "deputy section chief". As he advanced in his career, this ability would undoubtedly grow stronger, showing immense potential.


    Additionally, with his growth, he would acquire a second, third, and fourth ability, bing increasingly powerful.


    ¡®So, deal with the Qin family, Jia Shu, and Yan Chen, and climb step by step to the top of New Realm City!¡¯


    ¡®This is my path ahead!¡¯


    Qiu Tu''s eyes became firm and fervent, filled with a burning desire to achieve it all.


    After testing all his abilities, Qiu Tu asked Eagle to call someone to restore the room. Then he carefully stored away the second bottle of "Cataclysmic Potion" and went next door to bring Shen Lingshuang back.


    Perhaps due to the fear after being captured by the Investigation Department or the heavy-handed chop from Qiu Tu, Shen Lingshuang was still unconscious even though an hour had passed.


    So, Qiu Tu ced her on his bed, covered her with a nket, and let her continue resting. He then sat in the living room on the sofa, patiently waiting for Fourth Master Qin¡¯s call.


    Not facing the worst-case scenario, everything seemed to return to normal. But only Qiu Tu knew that he had changedpletely.


    Time passed quietly. Soon it was the agreed time for Qiu Tu and Fourth Master Qin.


    Five minutes before 7 PM, Qiu Tu''smunicator suddenly vibrated.


    Feeling the vibration, Qiu Tu opened his eyes from his meditative state and picked up themunicator. As expected, it was a call from Fourth Master Qin.


    With a smile on his face, Qiu Tu answered the call.


    On the other end, Fourth Master Qin''s raspy, resentful voice came through, "I agree."


    Qiu Tu smiled and said, "Fourth Master Qin, you won''t regret this."


    Fourth Master Qin, gritting his teeth, hissed, "I''m just not willing, not willing!"


    "Why am I the one to be sacrificed!"


    "I''m also my father''s son, his brother''s kin!"


    "Why! Why!"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu empathetically replied, "Fourth Master Qin, I understand you. We all seek six things in life."


    "Fairness! Fairness! Damn fairness!"


    "Why do you bear all the suffering while my brothers enjoy all the benefits?"


    "Just because you were born a few yearster?"


    Qiu Tu''s words hit Fourth Master Qin right in the heart. In these few hours, he had probably gone through multiple psychological struggles and faced a lot of pressure from the first and second branches of the Qin family.


    So, he gritted his teeth and said, "Yes! I''m not satisfied!"


    Then he asked in a low voice, "So, tell me, what do you want me to do? How can I connect with the military?"


    Even at this moment, Qiu Tu remained cautious. He calmly said, "Fourth Master Qin, the n is simple but needs to be done step by step. Tonight, all you need to do is keep yourmunicator on and follow my instructions."


    "If Director Qin pressures you again or asks for your opinion, you can pretend to agree and stabilize him, sending him to meet Commissioner Yan."


    Checking the time, Qiu Tu said, "It''s 7 PM now. The journey from the Qin residence to the vi in the city center takes about 20 minutes."


    "So, Director Qin should leave the Qin residence around 7:30."


    "At that time, I''ll give you new instructions."


    Fourth Master Qin seemed genuinely willing to cooperate, so he replied in a low voice, "Alright. I''ll wait for your message."


    Hanging up the call, Qiu Tu stood up with a smile on his face. He walked to the window and gazed at the sky, which was gradually being swallowed by the night. His pupils contracted for a moment, and then the ckness was swiftly reced by a brilliant blue. Gray mist swirled around him as the material world faded away, and his spirit ascended into the Boundless Mind Sea.


    Distance and walls were no longer barriers; his vision pierced through countless spaces to focus on the Qin family residence.


    ''The show is about to begin.''


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 50: Burning the Qin Family

    Chapter 50: Burning the Qin Family


    Chapter 50: Burning the Qin Family


    Time ticked by, second by second.


    At 7:25, five minutes earlier than Qiu Tu had anticipated, Qin Heng, the head of the Qin family, left the Qin residence, escorted by a convoy, heading towards Yan Chen''s vi in the city center.


    Through his spiritual vision, Qiu Tu watched Qin Heng depart from afar. He took out hismunicator and called Fourth Master Qin.


    When the call connected, Fourth Master Qin''s deliberately lowered voice came through the other end, "Hello? What''s going on?"


    "Director Qin has left. You can proceed," Qiu Tu said calmly.


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Fourth Master Qin felt a jolt. Reflexively, he nced at the clock on the wall. It was 7:26, four minutes earlier than Qiu Tu had originally nned. Though it was only a short four minutes, it symbolized something significant: Qiu Tu had been closely monitoring Qin Heng''s movements the entire time!?


    Realizing this, Fourth Master Qin felt a pang of regret¡ªhe had severely underestimated Qiu Tu before, not realizing how formidable Qiu Tu''s methods were. Immediately after, he felt a sense of relief¡ªafter all, the stronger Qiu Tu''s methods, the safer he would be.


    With this thought, he calmed himself and asked, "So we start the n now? What do you need me to do?"Qiu Tu, in the gentlest tone possible, said, "Fourth Master Qin, the first thing you need to do is call your wife and two children. Have them pack their essentials and be ready to leave at any moment."


    "Oh, and make sure they take all the portable deeds and valuables with them. Anything they can''t take, they should hide."


    Fourth Master Qin''s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. Having been in the underworld for many years, he immediately sensed something was off.


    "Qiu Tu, why are you arranging this? Wouldn''t it be easier for my wife and children to stay at the Qin residence?" he asked tentatively.


    "Fourth Master Qin, breaking away from the Qin family and joining the military faction means going head-to-head with Director Qin and the Investigation Department. This is a life-or-death struggle, not a dinner party," Qiu Tu replied sincerely.


    "If your wife and children stay at the Qin residence and things go south, they could be used against you. How would you deal with that?" he continued.


    Fourth Master Qin instinctively opened his mouth to argue, but Qiu Tu, as if anticipating his thoughts, said, "Even if your brothers wouldn''t use your wife and children against you, what about the Investigation Department? The Political Division? They have no familial ties with you. Why would they consider your feelings?"


    "Fourth Master Qin, remember what I told you yesterday: there are never any false usations in the Political Division."


    "Are you really willing to gamble your wife and children''s lives?" Qiu Tu asked coldly.


    Fourth Master Qin''s face changed rapidly. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "I understand. I''ll have them pack right away."


    Hanging up the call, Qiu Tu stood quietly by the window, looking into the distance. He wasn''t concerned about Fourth Master Qin''s distrust or suspicion. After all, he had no good intentions to begin with.


    To truly control someone, merely offering them benefits isn''t enough. In matters of life and death, the best leverage is their weak spot¡ªtheir family. Hostages and the families of death warriors have always been used as leverage throughout history.


    Therefore, Qiu Tu''s first step was to grasp Fourth Master Qin''s weak spot. Given their current rtionship, Fourth Master Qin would not willingly hand over this weak spot, so Qiu Tu needed to make him see reality and then guide him step by step.


    With patience, Qiu Tu waited for half an hour.


    At 8:00 PM, when Qin Heng stepped into the city garden and began talking with Yan Chen, Qiu Tu picked up hismunicator and gave Fourth Master Qin the second instruction.


    "Next, please arrange for a few trusted aides to escort your wife and children out of the Qin residence to a safe ce and wait for you there."


    Fishing never involves brute force; only with a mix of tension and release can you sessfully reel in a hooked fish. Qiu Tu had just made Fourth Master Qin worry about his family''s safety, nting the psychological seed that his weak spot was in Qiu Tu''s hands.


    Now, Qiu Tu aimed to dispel that notion, releasing the leverage. By allowing Fourth Master Qin to have his trusted aides escort his family and letting him choose the safe house without interference, Qiu Tu was "showing" Fourth Master Qin that he had no ulterior motives.


    This contrast would not only make Fourth Master Qin overly joyous but also ensure he didn''t have time to think too much about any potential ulterior motives during this critical moment.


    Fourth Master Qin readily agreed and arranged everything within ten minutes.


    As for Qiu Tu, he left the room and called Eagle, handing him his gun.


    Eagle took the gun and went downstairs. Waiting below were the temporary agents who hade to rescue Qiu Tu earlier, as well as Ah Tai, who had officially joined the Special Operations Division and now wore a formal agent uniform. Standing over six feet tall, with a broad back and strong build, he looked like a giant.


    At 8:15, Fourth Master Qin''s wife and children, escorted by six bodyguards, quietly left the Qin residence and headed to one of Fourth Master Qin''s safe houses.


    Before they could enter, Ah Tai and his team intercepted them. Faced with two guns, a Special Operations Division agent, and a dozen temporary agents armed with police batons, the six bodyguards had no chance to resist. They were disarmed, and none of them escaped.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Tu issued the third instruction to Fourth Master Qin: Arrange for a maid to bring Qin Shuman to the main house garden for a walk, and have a team of trusted aides guard the area.


    At 8:35, Qin Shuman arrived at the main house garden as nned and started walking around the pond where she and Qiu Tu had once fished.


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s trusted aides quietly took their positions.


    At 8:45, while Qin Heng and Yan Chen were deep in conversation, Qiu Tu finally dropped his facade and gave Fourth Master Qin the fourth instruction: he told him to have his trusted aides gather as much firewood, gasoline, and other mmable materials as possible within twenty minutes.


    This time, Fourth Master Qin immediately sensed that something was off. With a cold tone, he asked Qiu Tu what exactly he nned to do.


    Qiu Tu simply replied, ¡°Fourth Master Qin, just do as I say.¡±


    Hanging up the call, Fourth Master Qin¡¯s face turned grim. Firewood, gasoline, and other mmable materials gathered together¡ªQiu Tu¡¯s intentions were clear: he was nning to start a fire. But where the fire would be set and what it would burn had very different implications.


    Fourth Master Qin wanted to question everything, but Qiu Tu had already hung up. With so much already done and the twenty-minute time limit, Fourth Master Qin bit the bullet and made a few calls, hoping for the best.


    Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t surprised by Fourth Master Qin¡¯s choice. He hadn¡¯t disclosed the entire n to avoid leaks and to leave Fourth Master Qin no room for refusal. If he had revealed the whole n, Fourth Master Qin might have rejected it due to its boldness or disliked certain parts.


    But with Qiu Tu guiding him step-by-step, Fourth Master Qin didn¡¯t have a chance to see the full picture. By the time he realized something was wrong, it was toote. Could he call back his trusted aides? Bring his wife and children back to the Qin residence? Retrieve the money and deeds?


    No, the immense sunk cost wouldpel him to continue.


    So, twenty minutester, when Qiu Tu called Fourth Master Qin, though his tone was unfriendly, everything was ready.


    Qiu Tu then revealed his ultimate n. He gave Fourth Master Qin the final instruction: set the main house of the Qin residence on fire, kill the patrolling agents and maids around Qin Shuman in the chaos, and escape with her.


    Upon hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s ultimate n, Fourth Master Qin went mad. He thought he had been extreme, but Qiu Tu was even crazier! He shouted into themunicator, ¡°Do you know what you¡¯re doing? Setting fire to the main house of one of New Realm City¡¯s major ns! Killing officially sanctioned agents!¡±


    ¡°Do you want me to rebel?! If I do this, who can protect me?!¡±


    ¡°If you want to y, I¡¯m not ying with you anymore!¡±


    Hearing Fourth Master Qin¡¯s hysterical roar, Qiu Tuughed. Then, he calmly said, ¡°Fourth Master Qin, you might want to call your wife and son. They must really want to see you.¡±


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s mind went nk. He suddenly realized what he had overlooked! Qiu Tu had seemed so pure-hearted that he forgot this was a maniptive schemer who enjoyed betraying others!


    Qiu Tu had painted a grand vision for him, leading him step by step into his ns, constantly setting a ¡°countdown¡± to push him to execute the n, leaving him no time to think about Qiu Tu¡¯s hidden motives.


    Now, as he calmed down, he realized he had been tricked: if Qiu Tu could monitor Qin Heng, he could also monitor him and his family! Even if he had sent trusted aides to protect them, Qiu Tu, working from the shadows, could easily summon more people to hold them hostage!


    So, had he just handed half his fortune and his family to Qiu Tu on a silver tter?!


    Sensing Fourth Master Qin¡¯s anger and disbelief, Qiu Tu added slowly, ¡°Fourth Master Qin, don¡¯t misunderstand. I sent people to protect your wife and son because the military only coordinates with me and doesn¡¯t allow others to interfere.¡±


    ¡°So, as long as youplete your mission, you¡¯ll reunite with your wife and son at the military safe house.¡±


    ¡°As for setting the Qin residence on fire and killing agents¡ªwell, it¡¯s just a mess to be sorted out. If we win, we can hand over a few scapegoats and have the military mediate. What can¡¯t be resolved?¡±


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Fourth Master Qin¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. He didn¡¯t believe a word Qiu Tu said anymore! But he had no other choice¡ªhalf his fortune, his wife, and his children were in Qiu Tu¡¯s hands. His trusted aides were out, and the mmable materials were ready. What could he do? Give up?


    With this thought, Fourth Master Qin said darkly, ¡°You better keep your word. If you dare to deceive me, I¡¯ll use myst breath to kill you!¡±


    Qiu Tu chuckled, ¡°Master Qin, you jest. We are dear friends, like family. How could I deceive you?¡±


    Fourth Master Qin snorted and hung up.


    Ten minutester, at 9:20, mes roared to life at the Qin residence¡¯s main house! The fire raged like a furious beast, devouring one room after another.


    Meanwhile, at the city vi, Qin Heng and Yan Chen finally agreed on their cooperation. The two men stood up, shook hands, and smiled,pletely unaware of the dramatic upheaval urring at the Qin residence¡­


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 51: Cataclysmic Artifact: Nightmare Crystal Bottle

    Chapter 51: Cataclysmic Artifact: Nightmare Crystal Bottle


    Chapter 51: Cataclysmic Artifact: Nightmare Crystal Bottle


    The night descended like a giant velvet curtain, cloaking the noisy world. The tranquil, mysterious blue moonlight and sparse starlight intertwined, covering the entirend.


    Outside the study in the city vi, in the dim corridor, Yan Chen and Qin Heng stood side by side. The light nted from behind them, casting their long, ovepping shadows, cutting the silent space with golden edges.


    "I didn''t expect the Director to have such deep insights into civil affairs. The issues you pointed out are indeed things we hadn''t considered in the Civil Affairs Bureau," Qin Heng said.


    "In the future, I will definitely consult with you more often. Please bear with me," he added.


    Hearing this, Yan Chen chuckled twice. With his low, hoarse voice, he replied, "You''re too kind, Director Qin."


    "Back in the day, I was very close with Old Master Qin. Before he passed, he asked me to look after the Qin family. So if you have any issues, feel free toe to me."


    They had already reached an agreement in the study earlier, so now they were just exchanging pleasantries, making the atmosphere very harmonious.


    At this moment, a figure hurriedly approached from the end of the corridor. The two stopped talking and looked at the person. It was Qin Heng''s assistant, a young member of the Qin family whom he had nurtured carefully.The assistant bowed slightly to Yan Chen first, greeting him, "Director Yan."


    Yan Chen nodded slightly and replied with a grunt.


    The assistant then quickly approached Qin Heng, covering his mouth as he whispered something to him. Seeing this, Qin Heng brushed his hand away and frowned, saying sternly, "The Director is here. Why are you being so secretive? Just report directly."


    After saying this, he paused and added with a serious face, "Whatever it is, just say it."


    Qin Heng, who was naturally frail, coughed twice after speaking sternly, covering his mouth.


    Despite Qin Heng''s words, the assistant looked troubled. He nced at Yan Chen and then at Qin Heng. Qin Heng understood his difficulty but also knew that his family had now fully sided with Yan Chen. Thus, he had to show his stance.


    He gave the assistant a stern look. Seeing this, the assistant finally reported reluctantly, "Sir, the main residence seems to have been set on fire intentionally."


    "The fire has spread, and the entire family is in chaos. Deputy Director Qin Zhengguang is organizing emergency firefighting and conducting checks."


    "Since the fire started in a sparsely popted area, although the fire isrge, only two people were slightly injured, with no casualties. However, Fourth Master Qin and his wife, along with his children, have all disappeared."


    Hearing the assistant''s report, Qin Heng''s face changed dramatically. He couldn''t help but look at Yan Chen.


    Half of Yan Chen''s body was hidden in the darkness, with no expression on his face, as if he hadn''t heard the report.


    Suppressing his anxiety, Qin Heng nodded slightly to Yan Chen, then said calmly, "Director, something happened at my home. Please allow me to leave first."


    Yan Chen smiled lightly and said, "You''re too kind, Director Qin. If there''s anything you can''t handle, feel free to contact me."


    Then he called out, "Ji Chen."


    A butler stepped out from the shadows and stood before Yan Chen, head bowed and hands at his sides.


    Yan Chen instructed, "Go with Director Qin to have a look."


    The butler bowed to Qin Heng, saying, "Director Qin, please."


    Qin Heng did not refuse Yan Chen''s kindness. He nodded to Yan Chen first, then gestured to Ji Chen, and strode out quickly. As he walked away, the deep corridor echoed with his assistant''s whispered exnations.


    At the study''s door, Yan Chen stood with his hands behind his back, watching Qin Heng''s figure disappear into the distance before turning back to the study.


    Back in the dimly lit study, Yan Chen walked leisurely to the desk and picked up the telephone on the desk. He dialed a few numbers, and when a voice came through the receiver, he instructed, "Check what''s going on with the Qin family."


    A deep voice responded from the other end, "Yes, Director."


    Meanwhile, at Old Lane Street, in Qiu Tu''s house, through his irvoyant vision, Qiu Tu watched Fourth Master Qin and Qin Shuman, escorted by several bodyguards, leave the Qin residence hurriedly. The raging mes behind them roared like a wild dragon, unable to stop their steps.


    Watching Fourth Master Qin and Qin Shuman get into a car heading to the Mn Hotel, Qiu Tu ended his irvoyant vision. The gray mist slowly faded, the lines of the material world filling in again, bing solid walls and cold buildings.


    As the bluish irvoyant light in his pupils faded, Qiu Tu felt a wave of dizziness. Supporting himself on the window frame, he realized btedly that he might have overextended his mental strength.


    irvoyance, like cataclysmic abilities, couldn''t be used limitlessly. Each use required a significant amount of mental energy.


    ording to the information etched in the world''s foundation, this was because all supernatural powers in this world needed cataclysmic energy to drive them, and such energy only existed in the [Boundless Mind Sea].


    To use this power in the material world, beings had tomunicate with the [Boundless Mind Sea] and manifest cataclysmic energy into the material world, which consumed arge amount of mental strength.


    For someone like Qiu Tu, who had just awakened his cataclysmic ability and used irvoyance for an hour straight, this was extremely taxing.


    Unless he had a potion or a cataclysmic artifact to restore his mental energy, he would need to rest for over ten hours to recover.


    ''A potion or artifact to restore mental energy?''


    With this thought, Qiu Tu looked at the two small treasure chests still shaking in the upper left corner of his vision.


    ''I do have them.''


    One Crisis Chest was obtained this morning when Qiu Tu testified against Fourth Master Qin in Yan Chen''s office, corresponding to the crisis of [Collecting Evidence of the Qin Family''s Crimes]. The other chest appeared automatically when the countdown ended at 6 PM today, corresponding to the crisis of [Making Awakening Potion].


    Qiu Tu had already examined the contents of these two chests. The Crisis Chest from [Collecting Evidence of the Qin Family''s Crimes] contained another piece of cataclysmic material.


    "Memory y: A rare cataclysmic material birthed from the Night Demon Swamp, capable of recording and reproducing the memories of living beings."


    "With a certain level of forging skill, it can be crafted into cataclysmic artifacts such as ''Memory Sculptures,'' ''Echoing y Pots,'' ''Letters from the Stars,'' and ''Eyes that Foresee the Future.''"


    It was a valuable piece of cataclysmic material, but Qiu Tu had no immediate use for it.


    As for the Crisis Chest from [Making Awakening Potion], it was different because it directly produced a cataclysmic artifact.


    "Artifact Name: Nightmare Crystal Bottle"


    "Artifact Description: A unique container made primarily of Breath Crystal, containing maddening energy."


    "Artifact Effect: Simply leave the bottle under the moonlight overnight, and it will fill with mental nourishment refined from cataclysmic energy and dream essence. Drinking it can immediately replenish depleted mental energy."


    "Side Effects: Unknown."


    "Note: When wandering in the Boundless Mind Sea or confronting those terrifying entities that seek to devour your mind, the Nightmare Crystal Bottle is an indispensable treasure for maintaining mental vitality and resisting mental copse."


    Because he had obtained this artifact to restore his mental energy, Qiu Tu dared to use his irvoyance so aggressively.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu clicked on the treasure chest. Momentster, a colorful crystal bottle appeared in his hand. The bottle was small, only the size of a thumb, resembling a type of oral liquid Qiu Tu had drunk in his previous life.


    He lightly shook the bottle, watching the seven-colored waves ripple inside. Qiu Tu tilted his head back and drank the mental nourishment. The seven-colored liquid flowed down his throat, illuminating every corner of his bones and internal organs, making them clearly visible.


    After a moment, the light faded, and Qiu Tu felt a refreshing coolness reach his brain. His previously aching and tired thoughts became exceptionally clear.


    Qiu Tu shook his head and then opened his mouth, spitting out a seven-colored bubble. He tried to stop the bubbles froming out, but then he felt the air moving downwards.


    Startled, Qiu Tu quickly let go, allowing the seven-colored bubbles to escape periodically. After a while, the side effect of the cataclysmic artifact gradually disappeared.


    Feeling his mental energy restored, Qiu Tu picked up the Nightmare Crystal Bottle and shook it. It was already empty. It seemed he would have to wait until it was ced under the moonlight again to use it.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu put his first cataclysmic artifact in his pocket for safekeeping. He then got up and went to the next room, calling for Miss Xin to help look after the still-sleeping Shen Lingshuang before heading downstairs.


    A y''s most crucial part is not the climax but the ending.


    In the first act, he had let Fourth Master Qin y his role. In the second act, he would personally bring down the curtain. After all, letting Fourth Master Qin escape the Qin family was only the first step.


    Negotiating with the military, dealing with Yan Chen and the Qin family''s subsequent reactions, and maximizing the benefits of this incident were the key parts of the entire y.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu went downstairs, got into the ck sedan Qin Zhengguang had given him, and headed to the Mn Hotel.


    Perhaps the Nightmare Crystal Bottle had other special effects, as the bumpy roads in the nning areas did not bother Qiu Tu at all. He felt incredibly calm, and his thoughts flowed smoothly.


    "Ring, ring, ring," hismunicator suddenly rang halfway there.


    Pulling his thoughts back, Qiu Tu picked up themunicator and saw that Jia Shu was calling.


    Seeing the name disyed, Qiu Tu frowned slightly. He thought for a moment, then calmly answered the call.


    "Good evening, Officer."


    Jia Shu''s fakeughter came through the phone, "What are you up to?"


    Qiu Tu nced at the rearview mirror and lied without changing his expression, "A friend invited me out for a drink. I''m on my way."


    "Oh, really?" Jia Shu smirked on the other end, looking out the window. "Then, Agent Qiu,e to the office for some overtime. There''s an urgent case."


    Hearing Jia Shu''s words, Qiu Tu slowly stopped the car. He pondered for two seconds before suddenlyughing, "Sure."


    Jia Shu said, "I remember Director Qin gave you a car at noon today? It takes about fifteen minutes from your ce to the office."


    "See you in eighteen minutes?"


    Qiu Tu did not refuse, "Yes, Officer."


    After hanging up, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and looked at the dark, empty street outside the window, a mysterious expression appearing on his face.


    ''Interesting, very interesting. Never underestimate your enemies.''


    ''They responded immediately after I made my move?''


    ''But do they really suspect me, or are they just trying to lock down a suspect?''


    He thought for two seconds without finding an answer, then smiled confidently.


    Too bad, they wouldn''t be able to lock him down.


    He was determined to y out this scene.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 52: Slapping Fourth Master Qin in the Face

    Chapter 52: pping Fourth Master Qin in the Face


    Chapter 52: pping Fourth Master Qin in the Face


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu turned the steering wheel and hit the gas, heading towards the Investigation Department building.


    On the way, he didn''t idle.


    Jia Shu had indeed restricted his actions, but... he hadn''t restricted his mouth.


    Who said he couldn''t continue this y just because he couldn''t get to the scene?


    The true protagonist neverins about their circumstances!


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu took out anothermunicator while driving: this one was given to A Tai after bing an official agent of the Special Operations Division.


    Holding A Tai''smunicator, Qiu Tu first called his own phone.


    "Ring... ring..."After hismunicator rang a few times, Qiu Tu answered. He waited for about ten seconds before hanging up. With this preparation done, he then used A Tai''smunicator to call the third key yer in this drama: Lin Zuo from the Detection Office of the Security Division.


    Momentster, the call connected.


    Lin Zuo''s cold voice came through the receiver, "Hello. Who is this?"


    Due to time constraints, Qiu Tu didn''t bother with pleasantries and got straight to the point, "Lin Zuo, it''s Qiu Tu."


    "Mymunicator might be monitored, so I''m calling you with this one."


    Hearing this, Lin Zuo didn''t immediately believe him and asked, "How do I know you''re not using a voice changer?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "416."


    This was the hotel room number from theirst meeting, known only to the two of them, so Lin Zuo nodded slightly, initially believing Qiu Tu.


    He asked, "What''s going on? Any progress on your end?"


    Qiu Tu, driving, exaggeratedly said, "Not just progress, a major breakthrough!"


    "I''m preparing to give you a big gift."


    Lin Zuo asked coolly, "What kind of gift?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "I''ve turned Fourth Master Qin. He holds evidence of Yan Chen''s collusion with the RUF."


    As Qiu Tu finished speaking, there was a sudden tter of items from the other end of the line.


    If he guessed correctly, Lin Zuo had probably knocked something over in his excitement.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but smile.


    See, everyone has desires.


    Even an honest, dedicated person has aspirations for their career.


    By targeting their desires, you can easily "control" them.


    Thinking this, he heard Lin Zuo''s restrained voice, "Is it true?"


    Qiu Tu didn''t answer directly but replied tly, "Chief Lin, such questioning only makes you seem unprofessional."


    Lin Zuo was taken aback by his words and quickly calmed down.


    Reflecting on his question, he realized that since Qiu Tu had informed him, no matter how he asked, Qiu Tu would only answer "yes." To verify Qiu Tu''s truthfulness, he had to check personally.


    ''The sudden lead made me lose my cool.''


    After silently assessing himself, Lin Zuo regained hisposure and his usual professional demeanor as the head of the Security Division.


    He no longer asked silly questions but got straight to business, "What do you need from me?"


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly. As expected from an elite trained by the shelters, he was more professional than newly recruited agents.


    He said, "Fourth Master Qin left the Qin family in two groups."


    "He is currently on his way to the Mn Hotel."


    "His wife and children arrived at a courtyard on No. 19, Nanfang Street half an hour ago. My people are protecting them."


    "The evidence he holds is too crucial and sensitive, involving Director Yan."


    "So, I need the Security Division to send people to erase all traces left by these two groups."


    "Or at least break the trail."


    "Once it''s done, my people will take care of Fourth Master Qin''s wife and children, while the Security Division protects him."


    "The intelligence and credit gained from him will be shared between us."


    Lin Zuo didn''t agree immediately. He pondered for a moment and cautiously asked, "How long has this been going on?"


    Qiu Tu quickly calcted the time, "Less than ten minutes."


    Lin Zuo replied, "Still doable."


    "I''ll dispatch people right away to clear the traces."


    "Even if the Political Division gets involved, they won''t be able to trace back to you."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu smiled, "Pleasure working with you."


    Lin Zuo responded, "Pleasure working with you too."


    Hanging up, Qiu Tu felt more at ease.


    In crafting this n, the Security Division was a core element of his strategy.


    Qiu Tu''s actions today would likely draw Yan Chen''s attention.


    To investigate tonight''s events, Yan Chen would probably deploy his ace department, the Political Division.


    Though mostlyprised of new recruits, the Political Division included some elites from the shelters.


    If they investigated, the traces left by non-professionals like A Tai and Eagle would be easily discovered.


    Therefore, Qiu Tu needed help to handle the traces of the entire incident.


    In New Realm City, only the military and the Security Division had experts capable of clearing traces and concealing the Qin family''s whereabouts seamlessly.


    So Qiu Tu had to cooperate with the Security Division.


    Of course, understanding the importance of the Security Division to his n, Qiu Tu didn''t put all his hopes on Lin Zuo.


    He had a backup n¡ªtargeting Qin Shuman.


    But that wouldplicate matters further.


    Now, having sessfully negotiated with Lin Zuo, Qiu Tu felt much more rxed.


    As he watched the street scenes fly by outside the car window, he silently thought to himself, ''Now, I just need to instruct Fourth Master Qin, and everything will be settled.''


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu picked up themunicator, ready to call Fourth Master Qin. Unexpectedly, Fourth Master Qin called him first.


    Seeing the caller ID, Qiu Tu hesitated for a moment but then answered the call.


    As soon as he picked up, Fourth Master Qin''s voice came through, clearly agitated and suppressing anger, "Qiu Tu! I want to make a deal with you!"


    "A deal?" Qiu Tu nced at the rearview mirror and asked, "What kind of deal?"


    Fourth Master Qin snarled, "I''ve realized you are not a trustworthy partner! You are deceitful and take pleasure in betrayal! Working with you means I could be sold out any day and still thank you for it!"


    "Fortunately, you miscalcted one thing! You were so focused on rescuing your mistress, Qin Shuman, that you forgot she would be in my hands once saved!"


    "I''m telling you! Release my wife and children now, or I''ll kill Qin Shuman!"


    Qiu Tu was momentarily stunned, then heughed.


    "Fourth Master, you''ve misunderstood. Qin Shuman is not my mistress."


    "We are at most two lonely souls having a deep conversation on a dark night."


    "In times of chaos, there''s only the body; where''s the room for feelings?"


    "She can''t be used to threaten me."


    Fourth Master Qin roared, "Stop the nonsense! You think you can fool me about your affair with Qin Shuman!? If you had no feelings for her, would you have bothered to save her today?"


    "You¡¯re lying!"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tuughed, "Fourth Master, you really misunderstood. The reason I had you save her was for two purposes."


    "First, to give you a reason to attack and kill agents, cutting off your retreat."


    "Second, to make you offend Yan Chen. You kidnapped his mistress; do you think he''ll let you go?"


    "As for Qin Shuman, you can kill her if you want."


    "She holds no value for me now."


    Fourth Master Qin was visibly taken aback by Qiu Tu''s straightforwardness. His resolve wavered.


    At this moment, Qiu Tu added, "But, Fourth Master, I didn''t expect you to still have second thoughts at this point."


    "Seems I have been too lenient with you."


    After a pause, he said calmly, "Choose one of your children. Which one do you want to keep?"


    Fourth Master Qin was stunned and then screamed hysterically, "Qiu Tu, you dare threaten me!? Do you believe I''ll kill Qin Shuman right now!?"


    Qiu Tuughed, "Alright. Then I''ll kill your eldest son."


    With that, he hung up the phone.


    A secondter, the phone rang again.


    Seeing it was Fourth Master Qin, Qiu Tu hung up.


    Fourth Master Qin called again.


    Qiu Tu hung up again.


    Fourth Master Qin called once more.


    This time, Qiu Tu finally answered.


    Fourth Master Qin''s tone had softened, and he said with a forced smile, "Agent Qiu. Come on, I was just joking. Why did you take it seriously?"


    Qiu Tu chuckled, "As expected of a gang leader, you can bend and stretch as needed. But make it quick; I still have tasks to assign to my subordinates."


    He then began counting down, "Five."


    Fourth Master Qin was taken aback and hadn''t reacted when Qiu Tu continued, "Four."


    Fourth Master Qin quickly shouted, "Qiu Tu! Qiu Tu!"


    Qiu Tu, "Three."


    Fourth Master Qin, panicking, said, "Money! All the money my wife and children have on them is yours! Everything!"


    Qiu Tu was amused, "Fourth Master, you''re giving me what''s already mine. Your wife and children are already in my hands; their money and property naturally belong to me. Do I need your permission?"


    Fourth Master Qin hastily exined, "If you take the money directly, it will always be dirty."


    "I can write amission letter, stamped and signed, proving I hired you for a task and that this money is your payment."


    "Such a document has legal effect with the Municipal Council. This way, the money will be clean."


    Qiu Tu, visibly interested, pondered for two seconds before smiling, "Fourth Master, it''s a pleasure doing business with you."


    "But I have one more condition."


    Fourth Master Qin, "What condition?"


    Qiu Tu smiled, "Take out a knife and stab Qin Shuman."


    Fourth Master Qin was confused, "What?"


    Qiu Tu repeated loudly, "Stab Qin Shuman!"


    He exined, "Though I don''t know why you think I have feelings for her, I don''t want to give you or her any illusions."


    "Stab wherever you want; whether she lives or dies is in your hands."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Fourth Master Qin slowly turned to look at Qin Shuman, who was tied up beside him.


    Qin Shuman, seemingly hearing their conversation, leaned against the car door, looking at the passing scenery outside, and said calmly, "I told you I''m not important to him, but you didn''t believe me."


    Qiu Tu''s urging voice came through themunicator.


    Fourth Master Qin gritted his teeth, pulled out a dagger from his waist, and stabbed it into Qin Shuman''s shoulder.


    "Thunk!" The dagger pierced her shoulder de.


    Qin Shuman groaned, her beautiful face contorted in pain.


    Fourth Master Qin let go of the dagger and said into themunicator, "Qiu Tu, Ipleted your task."


    Qiu Tu''s approving voice came through, "Well done."


    "Next, continue with the n and head to the Mn Hotel. The Security Division will meet you there," Qiu Tu instructed. "As for your wife and children, as long as you cooperate, I will ensure their safety. So, Fourth Master, stop any scheming."


    With that, Qiu Tu hung up.


    Listening to the beeping tone from the receiver, Fourth Master Qin''s expression turned uncertain. After a moment, he turned to the pale, pain-stricken Qin Shuman and snarled, "I''ve been in the underworld for many years, and I can read people well. He really doesn''t care whether you live or die."


    Qin Shuman, leaning against the car door, her face pale with pain, showed no emotion.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Tu tossed themunicator onto the passenger seat and cursed, "What a fool, trying to y tricks on me!"


    Fourth Master Qin''s biggest mistake was severely underestimating Qin Shuman''s importance to Qiu Tu. Though Qiu Tu had a deep rtionship with her and would help her when possible, it would never be at the expense of his own goals.


    Experience from two lifetimes had taught him that in chaotic times, a man could have many women but could not afford to have one in his heart, at least not openly. That would be the deadliest weakness.


    After making all the necessary calls, Qiu Tu focused on driving. Ten minutester, he arrived at the Investigation Department building.


    As soon as he got out of the car, a political division agent in a ck uniform ran up to him and opened the door. After Qiu Tu got out, the agent saluted him, "Hello, sir. The Minister asked me to meet you here!"


    Qiu Tu smiled and asked, "Oh? Where is the director?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 53: Dealing with Jia Shu!

    Chapter 53: Dealing with Jia Shu!


    Chapter 53: Dealing with Jia Shu!


    Upon hearing Qiu Tu''s words, the agent respectfully replied, "The director is waiting for you upstairs."


    Qiu Tu looked up at the Investigation Department building. For a moment, he felt as though a pair of deep eyes were watching him. He smiled to himself. This wasn''t bad news.


    Since Jia Shu was still at the Investigation Department, it meant the Political Division hadn''t formally intervened yet. This gave the Security Division ample time to cover their tracks. He and A Tai, as well as Eagle, would be safer.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu calcted the time and formed a hypothesis. Old Lane Street, the Qin family residence, and the City Garden formed a roughly triangr shape. The Investigation Department building was in the middle of this triangle. Therefore, when Qiu Tu arrived at the Investigation Department, Qin Heng should still be on his way back and hadn''t yet reached the Qin family home. Without fully understanding the situation and its severity, Qin Heng wouldn''t call for help from the Investigation Department. This exined why Qiu Tu arrived first and Jia Shu hadn''t left yet.


    This led Qiu Tu to further specte: did Jia Shu lock him down with a phone call as soon as he knew about the incident at the Qin family?


    Qiu Tu''s eyes shed. Ha, this was the mark of a true expert. A seemingly casual move disrupted his ns, almost throwing him off bnce. Many ns fail because the effectiveness of direct execution versus remote control is vastly different.


    Without his preemptive contact with the Security Division to clean up the mess, or without controlling Fourth Master Qin''s wife and children, a single phone call could have thwarted his ns. Thus, the greatest danger tonight was indeed here.


    It was time to confront this legendary officer.Adjusting his clothes, Qiu Tu smiled and walked into the Investigation Department building. The building, dark and foreboding at night, resembled a beast waiting to devour him. Taking the elevator to the ninth floor, Qiu Tu followed the agent to Jia Shu''s office in the Political Division.


    "Knock, knock, knock."


    "Come in."


    With Jia Shu''s permission, the agent opened the door and led Qiu Tu inside.


    "Minister, Chief Qiu is here."


    Qiu Tu''s gaze fell on Jia Shu. Wearing casual attire and gold-rimmed sses, his eyes narrow and smiling behind the lenses, Jia Shu looked deceptively ordinary.


    "Good evening, Minister!" Despite his inward critique, Qiu Tu saluted respectfully.


    Jia Shu, smiling falsely, gestured with his hand, "We''re among ourselves, no need for formalities."


    When he smiled, his narrow eyes turned into slits, giving a hypocritical feel. Qiu Tu maintained his stern demeanor, "Regtions, sir. I mustply."


    Jia Shu didn''t argue further and waved the agent away. Once they were alone, he asked cheerfully, "Chief Qiu, you arrived quickly."


    He nced at his watch, "Eighteen minutes, but you only took fifteen."


    Qiu Tu replied, "I had just left home, so I turned around and came straight here without dy."


    Jia Shu nodded with feigned curiosity, "nning to meet friends tonight?"


    Qiu Tu, "Yes."


    Jia Shu, "Which friend?"


    Qiu Tu, "Wang Tai. He passed the Special Operations Division agent test two days ago. We''re celebrating."


    Jia Shu, "At Where?"


    Qiu Tu, "A small restaurant at No. 29 Nanfang Street."


    Jia Shu, "Who else is going?"


    Qiu Tu, "Some friends I grew up with along with A Tai."


    Jia Shu scrutinized Qiu Tu but found no ws, then asked, "Received any calls on the way?"


    Qiu Tu, "Yes."


    Jia Shu, "From whom?"


    Qiu Tu, "The first was from A Tai, asking where I was. I told him I had urgent work and couldn''t make it. The next few were from Fourth Master Qin."


    Jia Shu showed interest, "Fourth Master Qin? What did you talk about?"


    Qiu Tu looked at Jia Shu and replied without a change in expression, "He cursed me. Said I took his information and betrayed him, promising not to let me off. I hung up several times, but he kept calling. Eventually, I answered and cursed back."


    "Want me to repeat our exchange?"


    Jia Shu''s smile broadened, "No need. We''re just chatting. I disrupted your evening ns, so I''m checking on you."


    With that, Jia Shu reached into his drawer and handed Qiu Tu a file. "Here''s your task for tonight. We just caught a ¡®female captain¡¯ from the RUF infiltrating the New Realm Chamber of Commerce. Interrogate her and see if you can find any breakthroughs."


    Qiu Tu took the file and skimmed through it, asking, "What methods can I use?"


    Jia Shu leaned back, mockingly, "Chief Qiu knows how to interrogate?"


    Qiu Tu nced up, smiling, "No, but I know how to kill."


    Jia Shu''s eyes gleamed with amusement, his narrow eyes squinting further, "No limits. The Political Division has no shortage of death quotas."


    Qiu Tu saluted, "Understood!"


    With the task assigned, Jia Shu waved him off, "Alright, get to work."


    Qiu Tu nodded, then turned and left the office.


    After Qiu Tu left the office, silence gradually returned to Jia Shu''s space. Jia Shu sat quietly in his chair for a while before reaching out for a document lying facedown on his desk. Opening it, he saw detailed records of Qiu Tu''s phone calls over the past few minutes.


    With New Realm City still in its early stages of establishment, the Investigation Department''s information section wasn''t fully developed and had limited equipment. They could only record and monitor calls selectively. Therefore, Jia Shu only had the records of Qiu Tu''s outgoing and iing calls following his own call to Qiu Tu.


    The document clearly showed that the first call was from A Tai to Qiu Tu,sting a few seconds. Then there was a call from Fourth Master Qin to Qiu Tu, alsosting a few seconds. After that, Fourth Master Qin called three more times but was not answered. Finally, on the fourth call, Qiu Tu answered, and they talked for about twenty seconds.


    Everything matched what Qiu Tu had just said.


    "Interesting... very interesting," Jia Shu''s smile widened, and his pupils slightly reddened, filled with a predator''s desire.


    With the file in hand, Qiu Tu left Jia Shu''s office without letting his guard down, continuing to execute the tasks assigned to him meticulously. He turned and headed to the Interrogation Office.


    As he approached, he heardughter and conversation from the lit room inside.


    A curious girl''s voice said, "Sister Liu, tell us what¡¯s going on between you and Chief Liu next door?"


    A mature woman''s voice replied, "Haha, there''s nothing going on. We''re just friends."


    A young man''s voice chimed in, "No way! I see you two flirting every day. Something must be up."


    The girl added, "Yeah, I even heard him feeding you in the meeting room, and you said it was too big to eat."


    The mature woman retorted, "You little brat! Stop spreading rumors!"


    "Giggle, giggle."


    Listening from outside, Qiu Tu felt a part of him stiffen. Office gossip was indeed unavoidable.


    Clearing his throat, he knocked on the door. The yful chatter inside immediately ceased. Seeing this, Qiu Tu pushed the door open and stepped in.


    In the afternoon, Jia Shu had introduced Qiu Tu to everyone in the Interrogation Office. As soon as they saw him, the three men and two women stood up with varied expressions, greeting him in a flurry of voices, "Hello, Chief," "Hello, Qiu Chief," "Good evening, sir," "Sir!"


    Meanwhile, back in Jia Shu''s office...


    "Ring, ring." The desk phone suddenly rang.


    Deep in thought, Jia Shu snapped back to reality. Seeing the caller ID, he quickly answered.


    "Director, any news?"


    A low, hoarse voice responded, "Yes, Ji Chen just reported. Fourth Master Qin escaped, and his wife and children were moved early on. Qin Shuman is also missing."


    "The agents and maids protecting her were knocked out and thrown into a warehouse. However, because the fire wasn''t severe, no one was injured."


    "The fire has been extinguished, and Ji Chen''s initial investigation showed that the fire started in the more secluded areas of the Qin family estate."


    "It seems Fourth Master Qin is trying to leave some leeway for the Qin family and us. He was likely forced into this."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 54: The Beautiful Young Widow

    Chapter 54: The Beautiful Young Widow


    Chapter 54: The Beautiful Young Widow


    Hearing Yan Chen''s analysis, Jia Shu''s eyes flickered as he quietly pondered. After a moment, he asked, "Director, do you have any suspects?"


    Yan Chen didn''t answer directly but instead asked a low question, "Has Qiu Tu returned to the Investigation Department?"


    Jia Shu responded affirmatively, "Yes, after I called him, he arrived at the department in less than fifteen minutes."


    "On his way, he received six calls. Five of them were from Fourth Master Qin."


    Yan Chen made an intrigued sound, "Oh? How did he exin that?"


    Jia Shu smiled, "His exnation was perfect. He said Fourth Master Qin called to curse him, using him of betrayal. Unable to bear it, he hung up, but Fourth Master Qin kept calling and cursing. Eventually, he cursed back, which finally stopped the harassment."


    "The series of calls and their exnations were clear and reasonable."


    Hearing this, Yan Chen let out a rareugh, sounding like a night owl, sending chills down one''s spine. Afterughing, he asked, "Do you believe him?"Jia Shu''s smile grew wider, "Not at all. How could so many coincidences happen to him alone?"


    Yan Chen nodded, slowly collecting his emotions, and then gave a lowmand, "Investigate from this angle. Let''s see what our little friend is nning with such a bigmotion."


    "Understood," Jia Shu responded respectfully.


    After hanging up, Jia Shu sat quietly in his office for a while longer, organizing his thoughts. He then picked up the desk phone and dialed a number. When the call connected, Jia Shu smiled and instructed, "It''s our turn."


    He hung up, donned a coat, and left his office, heading downstairs. As he walked through the dark corridor, memories of the past half hour shed through his mind.


    Earlier, Yan Chen had informed him about the fire at the Qin family estate and Fourth Master Qin''s escape. Jia Shu''s initial instinct was to have the Political Division intervene immediately to investigate the matter. After all, such a significant incident meant every minute of dy could result in lost evidence.


    However, Yan Chen insisted on allowing Qin Heng to return to the Qin family first and to only intervene after Qin Heng requested assistance from the Investigation Department. Yan Chen''s reasons were threefold:


    First, Qin Heng had just aligned himself with Yan Chen, and they needed to save face for both Qin Heng and the Qin family.


    Second, things obtained freely are not valued, while those earned through effort are cherished.


    Third, since New Realm City was newly established and its various forces were like makeshift troupes, their methods were crude. Even if given time to cover their tracks, the Political Division could still uncover the truth with its techniques.


    Both perspectives were valid¡ªone from a crime-solving standpoint, the other from a political standpoint. Ultimately, Jia Shu followed Yan Chen''s n. However, now that the investigation was about to begin, Jia Shu couldn''t shake the feeling that the half-hour dy had changed the situation somehow. But what could happen in just thirty minutes? He had even restricted their prime suspect, Qiu Tu, to the department.


    Contemting this, Jia Shu''s eyes behind his sses showed a hint of deep thought. After a moment, he pulled out hismunicator and made a call.


    "Skip your current task and monitor Qiu Tu in the surveince room."


    A man''s voice responded promptly, "Yes, Sir."


    With that arranged, Jia Shu resumed his characteristic fake smile and headed downstairs, exiting the Investigation Department building.


    A T-type vehicle was already parked at the entrance, and several seasoned middle-aged men were waiting there. These were veteran agents who had followed Jia Shu and Yan Chen from the shelter and had been promoted to heads and deputy heads of various departments in New Realm City.


    This was Yan Chen''s confidence in handling the case. Today, due to the unexpected fire, these experts were urgently summoned to coborate once again.


    Meanwhile, at the Interrogation Office, Qiu Tu was scrutinizing the agents in front of him.


    The Interrogation Office, a significant division within the Political Division, housed various teams such as the Interrogation Group, Duty Group, Psychological Analysis Group, Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology Group, and the Records and Archives Group. When a case arose, members from each team were drawn to form a task force.


    Tonight, the three men and two women present were members of the task force for the "Spy Case".


    Song Qing, the young girl who had been making off-color jokes, was a third-level agent and a recorder in the Records and Archives Group.


    Wang Xi, a second-level agent, was the young man speaking earlier and a pharmacist in the Forensic Medicine and Pharmacology Group.


    The two silent, burly middle-aged men were third-level agents from the Duty Group, responsible for ensuring the safety of agents during interrogations and assisting with the process.


    Thest person, the enchanting young widow who was the subject of the gossip, was Liu Fuping.


    In her early thirties, Liu Fuping was widowed with no children. She often looked at people with her head slightly turned, her almond-shaped eyes filled with charm and a hint of mischief.


    Such a woman was naturally the source of office gossip.


    Casting a nce at the alluring widow, Qiu Tu smiled and said, "Sister Liu, you look even more beautiful tonight than you did this afternoon."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s tease, Liu Fuping''s almond-shaped eyes curved, and she yfully rolled her eyes at him, making her even more captivating.


    Seeing Qiu Tu''s yfulment, both Song Qing and Wang Xi exchanged nces, visibly relieved, and joined in theughter, easing the previously tense atmosphere.


    Having broken the ice with his subordinates, Qiu Tu got down to business. He ced the file he was holding on the table and began, "Tonight''s task is to conduct an emergency interrogation of a female spy from the anti-government forces."


    He then pointed to Song Qing, "Recorder, introduce the case details of this female spy to everyone."


    "Yes, Chief!" Song Qing stepped forward and began, "The female spy''s real name is Yin Caimei, and she is the secretary and mistress of Deputy Chairman Tian of the New Realm Chamber of Commerce."


    "ording to Deputy Chairman Tian''s recollection, he met Yin Caimei in March ofst year, not long after New Realm City was established."


    "At that time, Deputy Chairman Tian was privately inspecting the ck market on Xiafang Street for pharmaceutical business. There, he encountered Yin Caimei."


    "Deputy Chairman Tian described her as wearing a green military coat, looking dirty and like a beggar, squatting in an alley. Upon seeing him, she suddenly sprang up, opened her coat, and asked if he wantedmunicators, iming they were good stuff from the shelter."


    "Deputy Chairman Tian, who was in themunications business, became curious and closely examined themunicators she had strapped to her body."


    At this point, suppressedughter echoed in the office.


    Interrupted, Song Qing looked at Qiu Tu with a grievance.


    Qiu Tu smiled, "It''s okay, continue."


    Song Qing shot a nce at the others and resumed, "Deputy Chairman Tian said after examining for a while, he confirmed the items were fake."


    "But intrigued by this ''colleague,'' he asked, ''Are these things real?''"


    "Unexpectedly, Yin Caimei pulled out a wanted notice from the shelter, proving she had indeed stolen themunicators. Of course, this wanted notice was also fake."


    "Perhaps finding her interesting, Deputy Chairman Tian developed an interest in Yin Caimei and extended an olive branch."


    "He said he was in themunications business and needed help, asking if she wanted to join him."


    "Initially, Yin Caimei was suspicious, wondering if she had met a real ''colleague.''"


    "But after seeing Deputy Chairman Tian''s luxury car, she believed him."


    "Thus, Yin Caimei entered Deputy Chairman Tian''spany as his secretary. Their rtionship grew closer, and by the end ofst year, she had be his mistress."


    "However, after Yin Caimei joined Deputy Chairman Tian''smunicationspany, strange things started happening: some material transportpanies in New Realm City began experiencing frequent robberies by anti-government forces after leaving the city."


    "The frequency was more than three times higher than simrpanies in other cities, leading to huge losses."


    "Two months ago, during an investigation, the Detection Office found unknown listening devices in a suspect''smunicator."


    "Following the lead, they discovered more merchants and officials were being eavesdropped on."


    "Tracing these clues, the Detection Office focused on Deputy Chairman Tian''spany and finally caught Yin Caimei, a spy for the anti-government organization."


    Pausing, Song Qing looked around at the other agents before adding, "Additionally, Deputy Chairman Tian has a special status."


    "During the establishment of New Realm City, he provided significant assistance and has a major influence on the city''s business environment. Thus, the shelter awarded him a ''Third-ss Peace Medal''st December."


    "This allows him to attend Municipal Council meetings, participate in policy discussions, and grants him third-level immunity: the Political Division cannot investigate him without written authorization from Director Yan and reporting to the shelter."


    "Moreover, he has close ties with council members and department heads, including cooperation with our Information Investigation Division. Hence, we must handle this case carefully."


    Song Qing nodded at Qiu Tu, indicating she had finished her report.


    After listening, Qiu Tu found the case quite interesting. However, regardless of its intrigue, it had little to do with him. He clearly understood his role tonight: he wasn''t really there to interrogate or investigate.


    His, or rather Jia Shu''s, requirement was simple: stay at the Investigation Department and go nowhere else.


    As long as he remained at the department, whether the case was solved didn''t matter. Of course, he still needed to put on a show.


    With that in mind, he looked around the office and said, "You''ve all heard the case details from Song Qing."


    "This isn''t a small case. It likely involves a prominent figure who has received the ''Peace Medal.'' So, everyone, stay alert and don''t be careless."


    pping his hands, he continued, "Alright, let''s bring the suspect in and start the interrogation!"


    "Yes, sir!" the agents responded in unison.


    As seasoned interrogation agents, they knew the procedure well and began their tasks methodically without needing further instructions from Qiu Tu.


    Song Qing and two agents from the Duty Group took the authorization papers to bring the suspect, while Liu Fuping and Wang Xi followed Qiu Tu to the interrogation room to set up.


    Maintaining a calm demeanor, Qiu Tu watched Wang Xi and Liu Fuping arrange the equipment, asionally ncing at Liu Fuping''s peach-shaped posterior with a rxed air.


    Noticing Qiu Tu''s wandering gaze, the enchanting Liu Fuping nced back coquettishly while fetching the interrogation tools, giving Qiu Tu a yful eye roll. Her eye roll, devoid of any real admonishment and enhanced by her mature allure, only added to her charm. This made Qiu Tu''s smile even wider.


    However, in the midst of this yful exchange, Qiu Tu''smunicator in his left pocket began to vibrate softly. Feeling the vibration, Qiu Tu immediately became alert and serious, shedding his previous nonchnt demeanor.


    Themunicator in his left pocket belonged to A Tai.


    Subtly, Qiu Tu slipped his hand into his pocket and ended the call. He nced around to check if Wang Xi and Liu Fuping, who were busy preparing the equipment, had noticed the vibration. They seemed oblivious, continuing with their tasks.


    Qiu Tu casually pulled out themunicator and saw that the missed call was from Lin Zuo.


    He pondered for a moment, calcting the time in his head. If his estimations were correct, the Security Division should have already erased all traces of tonight''s activities. Lin Zuo would have also picked up Fourth Master Qin and conducted a brief interrogation.


    Lin Zuo calling now could only mean one thing: he had realized that he had been deceived and that Fourth Master Qin did not possess any evidence of Yan Chen''s collusion with the RUF.


    Having this thought, Qiu Tu formted a n. ''It seems the final move in tonight''s game is approaching its conclusion.''


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 55: Using the Cataclysmic Ability

    Chapter 55: Using the Cataclysmic Ability


    Chapter 55: Using the Cataclysmic Ability


    With this thought, Qiu Tu grabbed themunicator and told Liu Fuping and Wang Xi, "You two continue preparing. I need to make a call."


    Liu Fuping responded coquettishly, "Yes, sir."


    Wang Xi also stood up straight and respectfully replied, "Understood, Chief."


    After greeting them, Qiu Tu walked to the end of the corridor with themunicator in hand. He didn¡¯t immediately return the call but first used his "Cataclysmic Ability".


    Since leaving the Interrogation Office, Qiu Tu had felt as though someone was watching him. As a newly awakened cataclysmic individual, he trusted his heightened senses.


    Stealthily, he checked his surroundings to ensure no one was around and then focused on the surveince cameras throughout the Investigation Department. As one of the three main power structures in New Realm City, the department was equipped withprehensive security and anti-theft measures, including multiple surveince cameras on each floor.


    Typically, these cameras were just for show and not actively monitored. However, the unusual feeling Qiu Tu had been experiencing made him suspect someone might be observing him through the surveince feeds.


    This suspicion peaked when he exchanged flirtatious nces with Liu Fuping. He noticed that the feeling of being watched had momentarily disappeared, as if the observer had lost interest or turned their attention elsewhere.Now, as he prepared to make a call, that feeling returned. Clearly, the observer had noticed Qiu Tu''s "situation." Unsure if the cameras had audio capabilities, Qiu Tu decided to eliminate all possibilities.


    Thus, he attempted to use his "Cataclysmic Ability" for the first time. Without hesitation or awkwardness, like an innate instinct, the ability "Reshape Order" activated as soon as Qiu Tu willed it.


    In an instant, Qiu Tu''s eyes turned bright blue, and a gray mist enveloped him. The surrounding environment began to fade, and he found himself in a small, four-square-meter space. He felt omnipotent within this space, capable of anything¡ªno one could refuse or resist him.


    It was a sensation of standing at the pinnacle of power, controlling everything.


    ¡®So, this is my cataclysmic ability?¡¯


    Qiu Tu marveled internally, then forced himself to calm down and set the rules for this "Order Space" for the next 24 hours:


    "When I enter this space, people, machines, and artifacts outside will only see, hear, and record me repeatedly dialing a phone without connecting."


    With this rule established, the gray mist dissipated, and the material world returned to normal, appearing unchanged yet fundamentally different.


    Turning to look behind him, Qiu Tu noticed Liu Fuping ncing at him as well. Their eyes met, but it was as if Liu Fuping didn¡¯t see him. She casually fixed her hair and looked away.


    Satisfied that his rule had taken effect, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t waste any time. He pulled out bothmunicators and first used A Tai''s to call Lin Zuo. Then he used his own to call A Tai''smunicator, which, being in use, didn''t connect.


    As he finished, Lin Zuo''s call went through. Clearly, Lin Zuo had been waiting, as he picked up immediately after one ring.


    Lin Zuo¡¯s cold voice came through, "Qiu Tu, you¡¯re ying games with the Security Division."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu knew Lin Zuo had interrogated Fourth Master Qin. But he couldn¡¯t admit to any deceit, so heughed, "Chief Lin, what are you talking about? You''re the Security Division. Even if I had eight lives, I wouldn¡¯t dare mess with you."


    Lin Zuo chuckled sarcastically, "Really? Then why does Fourth Master Qin im he knows nothing about Yan Chen¡¯s collusion with the anti-government forces? He also said you tricked him, making him believe we were investigating the Qin family¡¯s ties to the rebels. How do you exin that?"


    Feigning surprise, Qiu Tu responded, "What? That can''t be right! He told me yesterday he had evidence against Yan Chen!"


    Pausing for a moment, Qiu Tu pretended to realize something, "Could he be scared and backing out? Chief Lin, he was already wavering when he went to meet you. He called me multiple times, threatening and ttering, trying to avoid reporting Yan Chen. I had to threaten him with his family to make himply. He''s probably lying to protect himself."


    "Qiu Tu, fuck you!"


    "What the fucking¡­"


    "You bastard¡­"


    Before Qiu Tu could continue shifting me, a stream of profanity came from the other end of the line. Apparently, worried about being tricked, Lin Zuo had put the call on speaker, allowing Fourth Master Qin to hear every word Qiu Tu said.


    Caught off guard, Qiu Tu felt this was one of the most embarrassing moments since his transmigration. But it wasn''t entirely his fault. Who would have thought rule-abiding Lin Zuo would break confidentiality rules and let an outsider hear a private conversation between two confidential departments?


    Fortunately, Qiu Tu had a backup n.


    Adopting a serious tone, he addressed Lin Zuo, "Chief Lin, what you did just now vites confidentiality regtions."


    "I have the right to file aint against you with the military for dereliction of duty once this case is over."


    Lin Zuo was not intimidated by Qiu Tu''s threat. He replied coldly, "But first, you need to get through this situation. Qiu Tu, I''ll give you onest chance to exin. If your exnation doesn''t satisfy me, I''ll end our cooperation and report your actions to the Municipal Council and the Investigation Department. Let them deal with you."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tuughed, disying a brazen disregard for consequences, "You won''t do that. If you report me, the Municipal Council and the Investigation Department will know you''re secretly investigating Yan Chen. Investigating a high-ranking official without evidence is a major scandal. Not just you, even General Ye might face reproach from the shelter."


    "You!" Lin Zuo was clearly infuriated by Qiu Tu''s reckless attitude. He was about to argue further when Qiu Tu interrupted, "Alright, Chief Lin, enough teasing. I do have a breakthrough. Now, hand the phone to Qin Shuman. I need to speak with her directly."


    Qin Shuman''s true identity was that of the head of the Security Division''s Investigation Department, and Lin Zuo, her confidant, was well aware of this. Qiu Tu also knew her intimately from their past coborations. Among the four on the call, only Fourth Master Qin was unaware of Qin Shuman''s real identity.


    Completely puzzled, Fourth Master Qin watched as Qin Shuman stood up and reached for themunicator. Lin Zuo, seeing this, handed it to her without hesitation.


    Seeing this, Fourth Master Qin''s confusion deepened: ¡®Wait a minute, why is Qin Shuman taking the call? Isn¡¯t she just Yan Chen''s mistress and Qiu Tu''s fling? Why does Qiu Tu want to talk to her directly? And why does Chief Lin seem so respectful towards her?¡¯


    His gaze shifted to Qin Shuman''s bandaged and blood-stained shoulder, and a terrifying realization struck him: ¡®Oh crap! Did Qiu Tu trick me again? Who the hell did I stab?!¡¯


    As Fourth Master Qin was reeling from shock, Qin Shuman began speaking with Qiu Tu.


    She first turned off the speakerphone, then spoke with a sweet yet sarcastic tone, "Chief Qiu, you really are ruthless~~ I was so genuine with you, yet you not only yed with the Security Division but also got me stabbed for nothing~~"


    Standing beside her, Fourth Master Qin turned pale.


    On the other end of the line, Qiu Tu responded with a smile, "Shuman, you must understand, I did all this for you."


    "Oh? Really?" Qin Shuman replied skeptically, "Chief Qiu, are you trying to shift the me onto me?"


    Qiu Tu, controlling the pace of the conversation, threw out his bait, "I''m not shifting me. I''m telling the truth. I''m being watched by Jia Shu and don''t have time to exin in detail. But I hope you believe me. I did all this to find a way to restore your health. And fortunately, I found it."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 56: What a Damn Man

    Chapter 56: What a Damn Man


    Chapter 56: What a Damn Man


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Qin Shuman¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, and her body trembled slightly. Qiu Tu had perfectly targeted her weakness.


    As a cataclysmic individual, Qin Shuman desperately wanted to resolve her current predicament. It wasn¡¯t just that her current body was too unique, too sensitive, and too dangerous; it was also due to the operation rules of her cataclysmic ability.


    All cataclysmic abilities required a ¡°cost¡± to sustain them. The stronger the ability, the higher the cost. For short durations, this ¡°cost¡± could be paid with ¡°mental energy.¡± But if the duration was too long and mental energy was insufficient or unusable, terrifying consequences would ensue.


    Qin Shuman had already been using her possession ability for four days, nearing her limit. She couldn¡¯t imagine the horrors that would ur if she continued for a few more days. Even if she returned to her original body, it might already be toote.


    Thus, she had seduced and surrendered herself to Qiu Tu, had risked revealing her identity to him, and had blindly followed his ns to leave the Qin family with Fourth Master Qin. The mysterious person who had ¡°possessed¡± the original Qiu Tu was her only lifeline.


    Qiu Tu had indeed aplished this. Though he used Fourth Master Qin and the Security Division, he sessfully rescued Qin Shuman from danger.


    What Qin Shuman didn¡¯t anticipate was that Qiu Tu¡¯s apparent affection wasn¡¯t genuine. He was as rational as she was. While they seemed to share a deep connection on the surface, Qiu Tu¡¯s heart remained cold and calcting.


    Fourth Master Qin¡¯s stab was both a warning to him and to her: deep connections are fine, but interestse first. In chaotic times, there¡¯s no room for love-stricken minds.Faced with Qiu Tu¡¯s new bait, Qin Shuman did not let her head be clouded. Knowing Qiu Tu¡¯s knack for maniption, she quickly analyzed the genuineness of his offer and the benefits he sought, weighing the pros and cons.


    After a moment, she had her answer. She signaled to Lin Zuo with a nod. Lin Zuo understood and led Fourth Master Qin to the next room, closing the door behind them.


    With the room now empty, Qin Shuman walked to the window, lowered her voice, and calmly stated her terms, "Tonight''s operation was conducted independently by our Security Division and has nothing to do with you."


    ¡°The official record and archive will state that we were investigating the Qin family''s ties to the anti-government forces, which led us to contact Fourth Master Qin. When the Qin family decided to scapegoat him, he retaliated by setting fire to the Qin estate and killing Qin Shuman. Subsequently, we took him into protective custody.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the official story. Regardless of who investigates, that¡¯s what they¡¯ll find.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, I guarantee that even if the Political Division demands it, we won¡¯t hand over Fourth Master Qin and his family.¡±


    ¡°Or¡­ won¡¯t hand them over alive.¡±


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu smiled. He knew Qin Shuman was offering to shoulder all the me internally to ensure his safety. But he shook his head, ¡°Not enough.¡±


    Qin Shuman wasn¡¯t surprised. After a brief pause, she upped the ante, "I remember you have a few close friends. I¡¯ve observed them these past few days and see potential in them."


    "I can rmend two to join the military and ensure one of them bes a lieutenant within a year."


    Qiu Tu pondered this. A lieutenant, equivalent to a first-level agent, usuallymands about 30 soldiers. It was the highest promotion an ordinary person could achieve.


    Though generous, Qiu Tu still shook his head, ¡°Not enough.¡±


    Growing slightly frustrated, Qin Shuman was about to retort when Qiu Tu preemptively stated, ¡°I also want some information on cataclysmic artifacts and abilities.¡±


    After a moment''s hesitation, Qin Shuman slowly agreed, ¡°Deal.¡±


    With the terms settled, the atmosphere became more rxed. Qin Shuman visibly exhaled in relief but didn¡¯t forget to warn Qiu Tu, ¡°Qiu Tu, I¡¯ve been very generous. If you dare deceive me, don¡¯t me me for being ruthless.¡±


    ¡°If ites to that, the me I took and this stab wound, I¡¯ll repay them all.¡±


    Qiu Tuughed heartily and teased, ¡°They say a day as a couple grants a hundred days of grace. Would Miss Qin really bear to hurt me?¡±


    The emphasis on ¡°day¡± added ayer of intimacy to the conversation.


    Qin Shuman''s voice turned sultry, ¡°Chief Qiu, you¡¯ve already stabbed me. How could I not bear to stab you?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t be as heartless. When I stab you, I¡¯ll choose a beautiful knife, maybe a pink one. Does Chief Qiu like that?¡±


    Qiu Tuughed, ¡°Miss Qin, how about we meet at Mn Hotel at 11 PM tomorrow?¡±


    Qin Shuman¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile, and she softly agreed.


    They chatted a bit more before ending the call.


    After setting down themunicator, Qin Shuman stood quietly for a moment, then nced at the window. The dim light inside caused her reflection to show clearly on the ss¡ªa beautiful woman with a hint of shyness.


    Seeing her reflection, Qin Shuman was momentarily stunned.


    Qin Shuman quickly concealed her expression and silently scolded herself, ''Why am I smiling? What''s there to smile about after sparring with that wretched man? It must be this body''s residual instincts.''


    She turned to leave the room but winced as her movement aggravated her shoulder wound. Clutching the wound, she gritted her teeth and murmured, "What a damn man."


    Meanwhile, at the Investigation Department building, Qiu Tu also ended his call.


    Unlike Lin Zuo, Qin Shuman shared his interests. Their fates were intertwined¡ªone''s loss was the other''s loss. Thus, once Qin Shuman agreed to cover for him, Qiu Tu was confident she would handle everything properly.


    With the Security Division taking the fall, the web of lies Qiu Tu had been spinning since his transmigration would transform from falsehoods into epted truths. Even if Jia Shu and Yan Chen were suspicious, they couldn''t refute the fact that the Security Division was genuinely involved.


    Consequently, all of Qiu Tu''s previous fabrications would be "verified": his predictions about Qin Shuman''s identity, his suspicions about the Qin family, and his warnings about Yan Chen. Following this logic, a reexamination of the entire situation would reveal an interesting conclusion: Qiu Tu appeared to be genuinely "wronged."


    Jia Shu and Yan Chen, who doubted Qiu Tu, would be med for the Investigation Department''s failures. This was Qiu Tu''s ultimate objective for the night: to clear his name and eliminate all unstable elements around him.


    Afterward, even if Yan Chen and Jia Shu still suspected him, the matter would be over. Qin Shuman would be "dead," Fourth Master Qin would have fled, and the Security Division''s records would be sealed, leaving no evidence or grounds for further questioning. The final "truth" of the incident would be firmly established.


    Feeling a sense of relief after executing his n, Qiu Tu took a deep breath. The crisis was resolved, Qin Shuman was free, and he had awakened his cataclysmic ability. The night had left only Yan Chen, Jia Shu, the Qin family, and Fourth Master Qin wounded.


    Now, he only needed to avoid making mistakes and slowly dismantle Yan Chen and Jia Shu. Additionally, he needed to investigate what had transpired on the day he transmigrated¡ªwhat had happened to the original Qiu Tu and the original Qin Shuman.


    For some reason, thoughts of that day always left Qiu Tu feeling uneasy.


    After a moment of contemtion, Qiu Tu took a few deep breaths to adjust his state of mind, ready to "return to reality."


    He put away bothmunicators and deactivated his cataclysmic ability. As "Reshape Order" deactivated, reality reformed around him, restoring everything to normal.


    The next second, Qiu Tu felt a wave of dizziness, simr to the sensation he experienced after using irvoyance for half an hour. This surprised him.


    ¡®It¡¯s only been five or six minutes. Why does it feel so draining?¡¯


    ¡®Is my cataclysmic ability particrly taxing on mental energy? How much mental energy would it take to sustain it for 24 hours?¡¯


    Steadying himself and maintaining hisposure, Qiu Tu calmly returned to the interrogation room.


    In the interrogation room, the female spy had been brought in and was handcuffed to a chair. Liu Fuping, Song Qing, and Wang Xi were quietly discussing the interrogation procedure.


    Upon seeing Qiu Tu, they stood at attention and greeted him. Qiu Tu waved them off, indicating they should continue.


    Knowing his role as a figurehead, Qiu Tu refrained from intervening in the interrogation, preferring to observe and learn rather than offering uninformed guidance.


    Watching the interrogation throughout the night left Qiu Tu with two impressions.


    First, the female spy was exceptionally cunning, shamelessly manipting the interrogators. She had a knack for exploiting men¡¯s gullibility.


    Second, Liu Fuping, despite her seductive appearance, was brutally efficient. Watching her methodically break the spy¡¯s fingers with her perfectly manicured nails made Qiu Tu¡¯s scalp tingle. Remarkably, Liu Fuping maintained a serene, smiling demeanor, even while inflicting pain.


    Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but admire Chief Liu from the next room: How did he avoid psychological trauma from this?


    Few could endure endless torture. The female spy eventually divulged all the information the Interrogation Office sought: her contacts with the anti-government forces, the details of installing eavesdropping devices, her codename, her superior, and more.


    ording to her, her rtionship with Deputy Chairman Tian was a fluke. She had been an ordinary scout until she inadvertently charmed him, leading to her solitary infiltration withoutrades.


    Qiu Tu remained skeptical of information obtained under torture but didn¡¯t intervene, understanding his observer role.


    When the interrogation concluded, dawn was breaking. The group tidied the interrogation room, stretching as they left.


    Qiu Tu led the way, with Liu Fuping walking beside him. After the night¡¯s events, Qiu Tu no longer harbored fantasies about the alluring widow. However, she initiated the conversation.


    ¡°Chief, you must be exhausted after a night of interrogation.¡±


    Yawning, Qiu Tu replied, ¡°Not too bad, just a bit tired. After all, most of the work was done by you, Sister Liu. If anyone¡¯s tired, it¡¯s you.¡±


    Liu Fuping¡¯s voice turnednguid, ¡°I am a bit tired. All I want now is a hot bath and a good sleep.¡±


    As she stretched, her well-developed curves were perfectly outlined in front of Qiu Tu. Seeing this, Qiu Tu''s eyes gleamed mischievously, suddenly feeling wide awake.


    Perhaps sensing Qiu Tu''s gaze, Liu Fuping lowered her arms and threw him a sultry nce, boldly inviting, "My ce is nearby. Would you like toe over and sleep for a while, Chief?"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu felt a sudden jolt, a familiar sense of being lured into a trap. He quickly calmed himself internally but outwardly feigned surprise, "Sleep at your ce? Sister Liu, if you say it like that, I''m bound to get the wrong idea. Let''s go, let''s go! I can''t wait any longer!"


    Liu Fupingughed heartily at Qiu Tu''s blunt teasing, lightly hitting him as she pressed her soft waist against him. Qiu Tuughed along, enjoying the flirtation while remaining inwardlyposed.


    Behind them, the other interrogation agents exchanged nces. Pharmacist Wang Xi nudged the backs of Qiu Tu and Liu Fuping with his chin, winking at the young girl Song Qing. She rolled her eyes and mouthed, "Adulterer and adulteress."


    Meanwhile, in the Surveince Room of the Information Division at the Investigation Department, a shadowy figure received a call. Answering it, the voice of Jia Shu came through, "Any anomalies?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 57: Refreshing the Golden Finger

    Chapter 57: Refreshing the Golden Finger


    Chapter 57: Refreshing the Golden Finger


    Hearing Jia Shu¡¯s inquiry, the shadowy figure responded softly, ¡°Everything is normal.¡±


    On the other end, Jia Shu acknowledged with a hum but remained silent for a while, not disying his characteristicugh.


    Sensing something unusual, the shadowy figure asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Wasst night¡¯s investigation not smooth?¡±


    Jia Shu snapped back to reality and chuckled, ¡°It went well. It¡¯s just that¡­ the results were a bit unexpected.¡±


    10 AM, in Yan Chen¡¯s city garden vi.


    The dim study.


    The deskmp cast a faint yellow glow, filling the room with swirling smoke, rising and spreading with time.


    Half of Yan Chen¡¯s body was hidden in the shadows, the other half illuminated as he smoked, narrowing his eyes in deep thought.Jia Shu stood in front of him, silent.


    The room was eerily quiet.


    Time passed¡ªperhaps a minute, perhaps several.


    When Yan Chen''s cigarette was reduced to a stub, he extinguished it in the ashtray and asked hoarsely, ¡°So, we¡¯ve been misunderstanding Qiu Tu this whole time?¡±


    Jia Shu, now expressionless, his gold-framed sses adding a touch of sternness, shook his head, ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. But it¡¯s certainly a possibility.¡±


    He borated, ¡°Last night, we started by investigating Fourth Master Qin and his family. We uncovered many things.¡±


    ¡°But the more we investigated, the more off things seemed.¡±


    ¡°When we retraced our steps, we found that many key clues and pieces of information had been erased.¡±


    ¡°After several hours, all we could confirm was that Fourth Master Qin disappeared at the Mn Hotel. We gained almost nothing else.¡±


    Adjusting his sses, Jia Shu seriously added, ¡°But this irrational phenomenon also pointed us in the right direction.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re elite professionals trained in criminal investigation by the shelter. In New Realm City, who could evade our scrutiny, who could be more professional than us?¡±


    ¡°Military?¡± Yan Chen narrowed his eyes and quietly spat out two words, then corrected himself, ¡°Not just the military. It must be the Security Division.¡±


    Jia Shu nodded, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°The other factions in New Realm City are mostly amateurs. Even their experts are at best at an amateur level.¡±


    ¡°They couldn¡¯t possibly clean all traces and sever all leads urately within 30 minutes, leaving us with nothing.¡±


    ¡°Such a level of professional skill could onlye from mid-level managers from the shelter, meaning members from the Investigation Department, the military, or the Municipal Council.¡±


    ¡°While the Municipal Council is the highest authority and has the most mid-level managers, most of them are civil servants without these professional skills.¡±


    ¡°Our Investigation Department¡¯s personnel were all summonedst night and had no time to act.¡±


    ¡°So, it must be the military, specifically their ace department, the Security Division.¡±


    Pausing, Jia Shu continued, ¡°We¡¯ve been adversaries with the Security Division for years and know each other¡¯s methods well. Once we identified the target, we quickly found subtle traces.¡±


    ¡°This confirmed that the Security Division was indeed behind it.¡±


    Hearing this, Yan Chen¡¯s expression became uncertain. He lit another cigarette, speaking slowly, ¡°Last night, Fourth Master Qin set fire to the Qin family estate and took Qin Shuman with him. The Security Division then stepped in to cover their tracks.¡±


    ¡°This proves that Fourth Master Qin and Qin Shuman are with the Security Division.¡±


    ¡°And Qiu Tu initially said he suspected Qin Shuman had another identity.¡±


    ¡°So, he wasn¡¯t lying?¡±


    Yan Chen frowned deeply.


    Jia Shu remained silent for a moment, then added, ¡°Last night, Fourth Master Qin intentionally didn¡¯t burn the main house or kill the agents guarding Qin Shuman, indicating he was coerced.¡±


    ¡°So, he likely wasn¡¯t the mastermind but merely an executor.¡±


    Yan Chen squinted further, ¡°So, the mastermind is probably Qin Shuman?¡±


    ¡°This further confirms Qin Shuman¡¯s identity?¡±


    Pausing, Yan Chen continued, ¡°However, Qiu Tu still guessed wrong. Qin Shuman isn¡¯t from the Municipal Council but from the military.¡±


    Jia Shu nodded slightly, ¡°And if Qin Shuman is indeed with the Security Division, her ability to produce awakening materials like the Aurora Stone to bribe Qiu Tu makes even more sense.¡±


    Yan Chen agreed, ¡°Indeed, the Security Division handles extraordinary affairs.¡±


    Just as Qiu Tu had analyzed and predicted, Yan Chen and Jia Shu never believed him, nor did they believe Qin Shuman was a spy. But once the Security Division intervened and Qin Shuman¡¯s role as a spy was confirmed, all their previous logic was overturned.


    This realization made them reconsider the entire situation from Qiu Tu¡¯s perspective, leading them to conclude that Qiu Tu was indeed wronged and that Qin Shuman was the real culprit.


    This shift in perspective made them overlook many of the inconsistencies and details in Qiu Tu¡¯s lies¡ªor rather, they found ways to rationalize them.


    The room fell silent again. While the situation was now ¡°clear,¡± they realized it had be a deadlock.


    Having not believed Qiu Tu initially, they failed to control Qin Shuman when they had the chance. Now that she had escaped, they had no grounds to challenge the military. Without catching her red-handed, the military would never admit to her identity. They had plenty of ways to spin the situation.


    For instance, they could im Qin Shuman was just an ordinary person, abducted by Fourth Master Qin out of spite against Yan Chen, andter killed her after putting a cuckold on him. Such a scenario would not only fail to benefit the Investigation Department but would also cause an even bigger scandal.


    ¡°We made a wrong move,¡± Yan Chenmented quietly before turning to Jia Shu. ¡°What are your thoughts?¡±


    Jia Shu, having gradually regained hisposure, his eyes behind his sses glinting coldly, said, ¡°I still think there are many suspicious points. Some of Qiu Tu¡¯s stories seem too coincidental, and his anomalies are hard to ignore¡ª¡±


    Yan Chen raised a hand to stop him, speaking wearily, ¡°Let¡¯s not focus on Qiu Tu for now. Despite the doubts around him, his judgment on this matter was correct. Someone was indeed meddling in our affairs. He did a good job. It was ourck of trust.¡±


    Yan Chen continued, ¡°What I want to know is, how do we handle the Security Division¡¯s involvement in this matter?¡±


    Pressing the cigarette butt into the ashtray, Yan Chen, embodying the gravitas of one of New Realm City¡¯s three giants, said deeply, ¡°I won¡¯t swallow this loss.¡±


    Jia Shu¡¯s face lit up with a faint, knowing smile. ¡°I have two suggestions.¡±


    ¡°One, we have our own informants within the military and the Security Division. We should have them find out who is secretly investigating you. Is it General Ye? Director Dai? Or some unruly section chief?¡±


    ¡°Once we identify the culprit, we can target them specifically.¡±


    Yan Chen nodded slightly, asking, ¡°And the second?¡±


    Jia Shu¡¯s smile widened, ¡°The second suggestion involves Qiu Tu. Didn¡¯t he say Qin Shuman tried to recruit him? Let¡¯s turn him into a double agent. Have him continue to liaise with the Security Division.¡±


    ¡°We can have him feed them non-critical information to gain their trust.¡±


    ¡°As for his main task, it¡¯s simple: find out who else the Security Division has nted around you and within our Investigation Department. This will not only rify his loyalties but also help you eliminate internal threats.¡±


    Yan Chen¡¯s eyes flickered slightly before he slowly nodded in agreement.


    After flirting with Liu Fuping and enjoying some harmless fun, Qiu Tu returned to the Interrogation Office. As a deputy chief, he had a leadership role but no private office yet. So, he found a conference room to catch up on some much-needed sleep.


    The previous night had drained him mentally, physically, and spiritually. Using both his "irvoyance" and "Cataclysmic Ability" had left him extremely fatigued, making rest a necessity.


    He fell into a deep sleep and, in his dreams, vaguely sensed someone entering the room, draping a coat over him before leaving. The presence felt familiar, but he was too exhausted to identify it.


    He slept soundly until 2 PM, waking up feeling refreshed and revitalized. Stretchingzily, Qiu Tu felt ready to take on the world again.


    At that moment, a series of prompts appeared before him:


    [Acquired Cataclysmic Ability, bing a Cataclysmic Being. Golden Finger Slot +1, Refresh Count +1.]


    [Currently, you have 2 Golden Finger Slots: 1 Fixed Slot and 1 Random Slot. Refresh Count is once per month.]


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 58: Acquiring a New Golden Finger

    Chapter 58: Acquiring a New Golden Finger


    Chapter 58: Acquiring a New Golden Finger


    Seeing the prompt before him, Qiu Tu, who had been groggy, was instantly wide awake. He sat up straight, looked around to make sure he was alone in the conference room, and then carefully examined the changes in his golden finger.


    Since the first day of his transmigration, Qiu Tu had noticed that his golden finger was different from other transmigrators''. While others had just one golden finger, his could be refreshed and fixed. However, he didn''t know how to trigger these functions as the conditions hadn''t been met back then.


    Now, with the prompt, Qiu Tu gained some understanding: it seemed his golden finger evolved with the enhancement of his extraordinary powers. This meant that if he continued to improve his abilities, he could unlock more golden finger slots and refresh chances.


    With this realization, Qiu Tu decided to check out the new golden finger panel.


    "Golden Finger Slots: 1/2"


    "Refresh Count: 1 (Once per month)"


    "Golden Finger Name: Crisis Detection (Not Fixed, Refreshable)"


    "Golden Finger Type: Trigger""Golden Finger Effect: When encountering a significant crisis, Crisis Detection will activate and provide a corresponding crisis warning. If the crisis is sessfully navigated, a reward rted to the crisis will be granted."


    "Golden Finger Slot 2: Empty (Refreshable)"


    Seeing the new golden finger panel, Qiu Tu had a better understanding of his golden finger. As a cataclysmic being, he now had two slots for golden fingers and one chance to refresh them each month. If he found a golden finger to be ineffective or temporarily unnecessary, he could refresh it. Conversely, if he found a golden finger potentially useful, he could fix it temporarily.


    ¡®This is indeed powerful,¡¯ Qiu Tu thought, wasting no time as he prepared to refresh his second golden finger. He first fixed the Crisis Detection, then gently clicked the refresh button.


    Without any special effects or sounds, the second golden finger panel changed in the next moment.


    "Golden Finger Name: Loyalty Game (Not Fixed, Refreshable)"


    "Golden Finger Type: Passive & Active"


    "Golden Finger Effect (Passive): Your actions and words will show their impact on your subordinates and superiors."


    "Golden Finger Effect (Active): You can actively check the ¡®loyalty¡¯ of subordinates and initiate the loyalty game once a certain loyalty level is reached."


    *Note: Subordinates include your direct subordinates, those under yourmand by title, or those under your control or submission. Former subordinates are also included.


    Seeing his new golden finger, Qiu Tu blinked. A multifunctional golden finger? The Loyalty Game? This seemed quite interesting.


    ording to the description, he could see how his words and actions affected his superiors and subordinates, actively check subordinates'' loyalty, and initiate a "game" once loyalty reached a certain level. Although he wasn¡¯t sure about the game¡¯s effects, this golden finger seemed to perfectly fit his uing ns: consolidating his subordinates, expanding his base, and increasing his influence within the three major factions.


    Combined with the Crisis Detection for warnings, one for "defense" and one for "expansion," it was perfect!


    Feeling eager to test his new golden finger, Qiu Tu stood up, ready to leave the conference room. However, as he rose, he noticed a uniform slipping off his body. Surprised, he looked at the rank insignia on the uniform¡¯s shoulders: two stripes and a star, one more stripe than his own rank, indicating a full department chief.


    He recognized the ck uniform color: it belonged to the Political Division, and only one department chief wore it. That realization sent chills down his spine. He vaguely recalled someone entering the office in his sleep and draping a coat over him. Since Crisis Detection hadn¡¯t alerted him, Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t been concerned, assuming it was Liu Fuping, Song Qing, or Secretary Bai checking on him.


    But now, realizing it was Jia Shu who had covered him, Qiu Tu felt uneasy. What was Jia Shu nning? Or had something changed in his preferences?


    Nevertheless, respect for superiors was paramount. Qiu Tu decided to thank Jia Shu first. Suppressing his eagerness to test his new golden finger, he neatly folded the coat and headed for Jia Shu''s office.


    Jia Shu had two offices: one on the 12th floor and one on the 9th floor. The former was his private office as a senior member of the Investigation Department, and thetter was his regr working office. Qiu Tu headed for the 9th-floor office.


    As he reached the office door and was about to knock, the door opened, and Liu Fuping emerged, swaying with a stack of files. She closed the door behind her and, noticing Qiu Tu, gave azy salute, ¡°Good day, Chief~~¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled, ¡°Reporting for work, Sister Liu?¡±


    Liu Fuping repliednguidly, ¡°Yes, the Minister is very concerned aboutst night¡¯s case, so I came to report the interrogation results.¡±


    ¡°Poor me, I had just taken a bath andy down, and hadn¡¯t slept much when I was called back. I feel like my skin has deteriorated,¡± Liu Fupingmented.


    Qiu Tu, pretending to inspect her closely, moved nearer. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Liu Fuping asked, puzzled, touching her face.


    Feigning surprise, Qiu Tu said, ¡°You said your skin was bad, but after looking closely, if I didn¡¯t know your age, I¡¯d think you were a teenager.¡±


    ¡°Hohoho,¡± Liu Fupingughed so hard her chest heaved. She lightly hit Qiu Tu, ¡°Chief, if you keep teasing me, I might just cling to you~~¡±


    [Liu Fuping Loyalty +1]


    Seeing the prompt, Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes brightened. Who knew such banter could increase loyalty?


    He was about to tease the beautiful widow a bit more when a cough from inside the office interrupted them, ¡°Ahem!¡±


    They straightened up immediately. Liu Fuping signaled towards the door, mimed ¡°I¡¯m off,¡± and sneaked away.


    Qiu Tuposed himself, straightened his uniform, and knocked on the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    Pushing the door open, Qiu Tu entered Jia Shu¡¯s office. Jia Shu was smiling at him, teasing, ¡°Chief Qiu, you¡¯re adapting quickly. Just one day and you¡¯re already bonding with the subordinates.¡±


    Qiu Tu, ever shameless, replied, ¡°All part of the job.¡±


    Jia Shu, still smiling, shifted topics, ¡°Do you know what happenedst night?¡±


    ¡°Fourth Master Qin¡¯s escape?¡± Qiu Tu asked naturally.


    Jia Shu nodded.


    Qiu Tuughed, ¡°Fourth Master Qin made quite a scenest night, even called to curse me. How could I not know?¡±


    Jia Shu¡¯s smile turned sly, ¡°Did you know he sessfully escaped?¡±


    Feigning shock, Qiu Tu replied, ¡°He escaped? How?¡±


    Jia Shu¡¯s eyes scrutinized Qiu Tu closely. Seeing no w, he said with a feigned smile, ¡°He was taken by the military¡¯s secret Security Division.¡±


    ¡°Security Division?¡± Qiu Tu pretended to be puzzled. ¡°What do they have to do with this?¡±


    He paused, then acted as if realization dawned on him. ¡°Minister, is this rted to Qin Shuman?¡±


    Jia Shu, satisfied with Qiu Tu¡¯s response, confirmed, ¡°You guessed right.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Yesterday, Fourth Master Qin left the Qin family with only one person, Qin Shuman.¡±


    ¡°And considering your earlier warnings about Qin Shuman, we specte she¡¯s with the Security Division, a nt near the Director. All recent events should be her doing.¡±


    Feigning surprise, Qiu Tu asked, ¡°She¡¯s not from the Municipal Council but from the military?¡±


    Jia Shu nodded with a knowing smile.


    Qiu Tu pretended to piece together her identity and the recent events. After a moment, he asked, ¡°And her connection with the RUF?¡±


    Jia Shu, pleased with the question, exined, ¡°That¡¯s the issue.¡±


    ¡°This morning, the Director and I reviewed all events involving Qin Shuman. Many doubts surfaced.¡±


    ¡°But assuming she¡¯s a Security Division nt, most doubts were resolved. Except her link with the RUF.¡±


    Pacing, Jia Shu added, ¡°You once said she and the RUF were working to build your reputation.¡±


    ¡°But the Security Division¡¯s main duty isbating anti-government forces. They should be enemies.¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded, ¡°Indeed, it doesn¡¯t make sense. But that¡¯s the reality. I don¡¯t understand why either.¡±


    Jia Shu smiled, ¡°We don¡¯t doubt you, just noting she holds many secrets.¡±


    Jia Shu finally revealed his purpose, ¡°So, Qiu Tu, would you continue liaising with Qin Shuman, sending her information, and monitoring the Investigation Department and Director Yan?¡±


    Seeing Qiu Tu¡¯s shocked expression, Jia Shu added, ¡°Of course, we¡¯re not asking you to betray the Director or the Department. We¡¯ll guide you on what information to share.¡±


    Qiu Tu was genuinely surprised. Hesitantly, he asked, ¡°A double agent?¡±


    Jia Shu, now serious, confirmed, ¡°Yes. We suspect the military or Security Division is infiltrated by the anti-government organization.¡±


    ¡°The Political Division¡¯s main job includes internal surveince and counter-espionage. We can¡¯t ignore this.¡±


    ¡°So, I hope you can take on this role as a double agent.¡±


    What could Qiu Tu say? With Jia Shu offering such an opportunity to connect with Qin Shuman, how could he refuse? After pretending to hesitate, Qiu Tu finally nodded.


    Seeing Qiu Tu agree, Jia Shu¡¯s smile turned sincere.


    Jia Shu then gave Qiu Tu detailed instructions on his uing tasks: how to re-establish contact with Qin Shuman, which information could be disclosed and which must be withheld, and what intelligence Qiu Tu needed to gather from Qin Shuman.


    They discussed these points thoroughly for an hour. After their conversation, Jia Shu personally saw Qiu Tu out of the office. At the door, he gave Qiu Tu a heavy pat on the shoulder and said earnestly, ¡°Do well. Both the Director and I have high hopes for you.¡±


    Qiu Tu quickly adopted a grateful expression, ¡°Thank you for the confidence, Director and Minister! I will do my best!¡±


    Jia Shu nodded with a smile. He watched Qiu Tu walk away until he turned a corner at the end of the hallway and disappeared from sight. Only then did Jia Shu''s smile fade, his expression turning cold and contemtive as he stared down the now-empty corridor, lost in thought.


    Meanwhile, as soon as Qiu Tu was out of Jia Shu¡¯s sight, his enthusiastic demeanor dropped. Frowning slightly, he pondered Jia Shu¡¯s sudden move¡ªwhether it was a test of his loyalty or a genuine attempt to investigate the Security Division.


    ¡®Could it be that they really trust me now?¡¯ Qiu Tu felt uneasy but also wondered if he was overthinking the situation.


    Just then, a prompt appeared before him:


    [Jia Shu: Suspicion -0, Satisfaction +0]


    Qiu Tu: ???


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 59: Testing the New Golden Finger

    Chapter 59: Testing the New Golden Finger


    Chapter 59: Testing the New Golden Finger


    Seeing the prompt before him, Qiu Tu suddenly remembered that his new golden finger not only allowed him to see the loyalty levels of his subordinates but also let him see changes in his superiors'' attitudes towards him. So, despite his enthusiastic performance with Jia Shu, it seemed Jia Shu waspletely unmoved.


    Just moments ago, he almost believed that Jia Shu genuinely trusted him and intended to cultivate him as a close confidant. Indeed, life is all about acting¡ªyou act, I act, and no one knows who is sincere.


    Reflecting on Jia Shu''s gesture of covering him with his uniform, Qiu Tu felt a chill. He suddenly remembered that Jia Shu never wore a uniform himself. So, why would he go out of his way to cover Qiu Tu with his uniform? This thought made Qiu Tu more determined: Jia Shu must be dealt with. Having such a viper watching him made it impossible to sleep peacefully.


    After leaving Jia Shu¡¯s office with an unexpected double-agent mission, Qiu Tu returned to his original task¡ªtesting his newly acquired golden finger. His first targets were naturally the many subordinates in the Interrogation Office.


    The department had one chief and two deputy chiefs, with Qiu Tu being the third deputy chief. Since he had just joined yesterday, his responsibilities hadn''t been assigned yet. Technically, everyone in the department below his rank was his subordinate.


    Qiu Tu decided to inspect each working group under the guise of familiarization.


    [Song Yan, Loyalty: 35]


    [Wang Xue, Loyalty: 37][Cheng Jianxin, Loyalty: 31]


    [Chen Fan, Loyalty: 32]


    As the new officer, most agents were neither overly friendly nor antagonistic. They greeted and saluted him politely but without much warmth. This corresponded to their loyalty levels in the 30s.


    Qiu Tu deduced that a loyalty level of around 30 indicated that the agents recognized him as their superior and were willing to follow his orders. They wouldn¡¯t openly defy him but also weren¡¯t particrly loyal.


    If their loyalty was below 30, they might not even respect his authority. Orders would be followed half-heartedly at best. If loyalty exceeded 30, say 40, 60, or 80, they would increasingly trust and follow him. At a high enough loyalty, they might even defy the Investigation Department¡¯s orders or betray it for him.


    With this understanding, Qiu Tu also checked the loyalty levels of the five members of the "Female Spy Task Force" he ledst night to see if there was a difference.


    Two agents from the Duty Group had loyalty levels simr to the others: 39 and 40. However, the pharmacist Wang Xi and the recorder Song Qing were different. Wang Xi¡¯s loyalty was 45, the highest Qiu Tu had seen. In contrast, Song Qing¡¯s loyalty was only 28, the lowest in the department.


    This baffled Qiu Tu. How had he offended this young woman? He didn¡¯t recall doing anything to her. Were all women this unpredictable?


    Throughout his golden finger tests, the only disappointment was not encountering Liu Fuping. It seemed she had skipped work to catch up on sleep at home. Qiu Tu was genuinely curious about her loyalty level¡ªwas it higher or lower than the average agent? This would influence his judgment of her.


    The day passed quickly, and by 5 PM, Qiu Tu clocked out on time. Feeling energetic after a day of leisurely activities, he prepared to go home and get ready for his meeting with Qin Shuman.


    Just as he stepped out of the office, he ran into his superior, the chief of the Interrogation Office: Zheng Tao.


    Zheng Tao, in his early thirties, was a trusted confidant brought from the shelter by Yan Chen and Jia Shu. As the head of the Investigation Department¡¯s ace section, he enjoyed their full trust and was a key figure in their ns.


    Zheng Tao had proven his capability by training and managing the department¡¯s new recruits, turning them intopetent interrogators in less than a year. His team''s efficient handling of the female spy casest night was a testament to his skill. Compared to the still-green agents of the Special Operations Division, his team''s performance stood out.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu saluted respectfully, ¡°Good evening, Chief.¡±


    Zheng Tao, looking preupied, nodded without expression and walked past Qiu Tu.


    Feeling slighted but unconcerned, Qiu Tu shrugged and continued on his way home.


    But after a few steps, Zheng Tao seemed to reconsider and called out, ¡°Chief Qiu, heading home?¡±


    Qiu Tu stopped, puzzled, ¡°Yes, it''s time to clock out.¡±


    Zheng Tao checked his watch and frowned, ¡°Leaving right on time? Look around; do you see anyone else leaving?¡±


    Qiu Tu was confused. He had workedte into the night, was scheduled to workte again as a double agent, and now was being reprimanded for leaving on time? Was Zheng Tao taking out his frustrations on him, or was this his management style?


    Wondering about this, Qiu Tu turned back to face Zheng Tao, waiting to hear more.


    Realizing he couldn¡¯t let this slide, Qiu Tu pretended to look around, then said with feigned realization, ¡°Indeed, no one is leaving. I understand, Chief Zheng. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll call everyone to leave together!¡±


    Saying this, Qiu Tu made a show of heading to the various workgroups to rally the agents for clocking out. Seeing this, Zheng Tao panicked. He quickly grabbed Qiu Tu, lowering his voice, ¡°Chief Qiu, what are you doing? What¡¯s this talk about leaving? As agents, we should dedicate every moment to creating value for the shelter and New Realm City!¡±


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu responded, ¡°Oh,¡± and then, looking puzzled, said, ¡°But we need rest too. The value of work isn¡¯t measured by time. Only by resting well can we be energetic and fullymitted to our work.¡±


    He paused, then smiled and waved, ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m heading off. Goodbye, Chief.¡±


    With that, Qiu Tu turned and left the Interrogation Office casually.


    No way was he going to work overtime¡ªhaving endured a 9-9-7 work culture in his previous life, he wasn¡¯t going to do it again after transmigrating. He came to this world to enjoy life, not to suffer.


    If Zheng Tao wanted to work overtime, he could do it alone. Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t going to indulge him.


    Seeing Qiu Tu leave, Zheng Tao¡¯s face turned livid. Pointing at Qiu Tu¡¯s receding figure, he stammered, ¡°You, you, you,¡± but eventually lowered his hand in frustration.


    Meanwhile, a prompt appeared before Qiu Tu:


    [Zheng Tao Satisfaction: -5]


    [Song Qing Loyalty: +3]


    [Wang Xue Loyalty: +1]


    [Cheng Jianxin Loyalty: +4]


    Seeing the series of prompts, Qiu Tu nearly missed a step on the stairs. He was filled with confusion: ??


    So the agents had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Zheng Tao? Just a bit of resistance to overtime had earned him so much loyalty? How oppressive had Zheng Tao been to them?


    Reflecting on the female spy task force working all night and continuing the next day, Qiu Tu realized this might be a way to win over the Interrogation Office. While government employees working overtime for the city and citizens was one thing, such extreme overtime was inhumane.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu drove home, preparing for his meeting with Qin Shuman. Parking at the alley¡¯s entrance, he locked the car and walked towards his house, flipping his keys.


    Just as he entered the alley, a sharp scream rang out, ¡°Hiss! Ghost!¡±


    Startled, Qiu Tu looked in the direction of the scream, only to see a neighbor scrambling away in terror. Confused, he looked around but saw nothing unusual.


    Scratching his head, he continued down the alley, but everyone who recognized him fled as if he were the gue. Increasingly puzzled, Qiu Tu wondered what was going on. He checked his attire¡ªa ck uniform from the Political Division, intimidating to civilians but not to this extent. What had happened?


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 60: Heard I Was Dead?

    Chapter 60: Heard I Was Dead?


    Chapter 60: Heard I Was Dead?


    Qiu Tu''s principle was always to ask when in doubt, never to stew on things. So, when he saw another neighbor running away upon seeing him, he quickly stepped forward and grabbed the man by the cor. "Uncle Chen, why are you running?"


    Qiu Tu was a well-known figure in the old alley. Before the establishment of New Realm City, he led A Tai and Eagle to dominate the nearby streets. Although he wasn''t particrly warm to the neighbors, he didn''t bully them like other gangs. He even asionally helped solve their problems.


    After New Realm City was established, Qiu Tu leveraged his connection with Secretary Bai to secure an official position, bing a high-ranking figure in the eyes of the neighbors. Despite his newfound status, he didn''t act high and mighty. Instead, he helped his friends, like Eagle, find jobs and asionally secured benefits for the neighborhood, earning their respect and goodwill.


    Given his history, Qiu Tu had never experienced neighbors fleeing at the sight of him. What surprised him more was Uncle Chen''s reaction when he was grabbed. Uncle Chen turned pale and started bowing repeatedly, muttering, "Qiu Tu, we¡¯ve had no past grievances or recent grudges. When you were alive, I even helped watch your door. Sure, I stole two of your potatoes once, but I was starving. Please don¡¯t take me away."


    Qiu Tu: ??


    Qiu Tu caught a crucial phrase: "when you were alive." He connected the dots and realized the neighbors thought he was dead. His brows furrowed as he pped Uncle Chen twice to snap him out of his hysteria.


    Uncle Chen, far from being scared, seemed overjoyed after the ps. "Qiu Tu, you''re alive? You scared me to death! I thought I saw a ghost!"


    Qiu Tu:...Ignoring Uncle Chen''s nonsense, Qiu Tu patiently asked for an exnation and soon understood the situation. With a grim expression, he headed towards his home.


    Downstairs at his building, he saw Shen Lingshuang kneeling on the ground, dressed in mourning clothes and holding a ck-and-white photo of him. She looked small and pitiful, her big eyes red and swollen from crying. She was tossing yellow paper into a fire while clutching Qiu Tu''s photo and weeping.


    Qiu Tu, with a face full of dark lines, walked up to her and asked in a menacing tone, "I hear you''ve been telling people I''m dead?"


    At the sound of his voice, Shen Lingshuang froze. Her eyes traveled from Qiu Tu''s ck boots upwards until she saw his handsome face. Her expression shifted from sorrow to disbelief. After a moment, she sprang up and clung to Qiu Tu, wailing, "Qiu Tu! Qiu Tu, you''re alive! You''re alive! Thank goodness!"


    Initially intending to scold her for "cursing him to death," Qiu Tu softened when he saw her genuine distress. After a moment''s hesitation, he gently supported her with his right hand while patting her back with his left, soothing her, "Alright, alright. Stop crying. Who told you I was dead?"


    Shen Lingshuang, looking aggrieved, replied, "No one told me. I guessed it myself."


    Qiu Tu: ??


    Sniffling, Shen Lingshuang exined, "I woke up to find the house in disarray. The door was broken, the roof was damaged, and everything was a mess. I felt uneasy and feared the worst."


    "I searched everywhere for you but couldn¡¯t find any trace. I asked Miss Xin, and she said you were just busy. I didn¡¯t believe her but clung to the hope that you were alright. I waited all night and morning, but you didn¡¯te back. I panicked."


    "Then I went to find Eagle to ask about your situation. I asked many people and finally got a message to the Old Alley Security Office. Eagle came out and said you were fine. I asked him to call you to reassure me, but he said he didn¡¯t have amunicator and that you were probably busy. He told me not to disturb you and to go home and wait."


    "After so much disappointment and a night without you returning, I feared you really were gone and that Eagle and Miss Xin were lying to protect me."


    Tears welled up again as she continued, "I''ve seen too many..." She hesitated, possibly recalling that discussing cataclysmic awakenings was sensitive, and vaguely continued, "seen too many idents."


    "I was so sad, so sad..." She broke down crying again, clinging to Qiu Tu.


    Listening to her exnation, Qiu Tu was both amused and touched. He couldn¡¯t me her for overthinking. Awakening from a cataclysm was rare, and his sudden absence overnight and the next day without contact would indeed raise rms. If he were in her shoes, he might have had simr thoughts.


    Feeling a bit guilty for not checking in after his busy day, he softened. He continuedforting her, thinking back to when he saw her mourning downstairs, he had initially thought she was either ying around or cursing him. Given her background as a wealthy youngdy, it wasn¡¯t unusual for her to act out sometimes.


    Qiu Tu didn''t expect Shen Lingshuang''s genuine concern for him. They had only known each other for a few days, yet she was this upset over his supposed death. Just as he was pondering this, a whistling sound came from upstairs.


    Qiu Tu looked up to see A Tai, Eagle, and A Kun peeking from the corridor window, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Qiu Tu sighed at the sight of his mischievous friends.


    Possibly exhausted from crying, Shen Lingshuang soon fell asleep in Qiu Tu''s arms like a ko. The girl, being only fifteen or sixteen and quite petite, felt almost weightless to Qiu Tu, especially with his strengthened body post-cataclysm. Not wanting to disturb her, he kicked the fire basin and his ck-and-white photo aside and carried her upstairs.


    Upstairs, his friends awaited with teasing grins. Qiu Tu red at them before carrying Shen Lingshuang into his room, gently cing her on his bed. True to Eagle''s meticulous nature, the broken door had been reced with a new iron one.


    After closing the door, Qiu Tu joined his friends in the hallway. Eagle handed him a cigarette, saying softly, ¡°She¡¯s a good girl. This afternoon, she mourned you as your wife, wearing mourning clothes and burning paper.¡±


    Lighting his cigarette, Qiu Tu paused, then said lightly, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. She probably feels responsible, thinking if something happened to me, it was her fault. Plus, she''s sensitive due to past traumas.¡±


    From behind, A Tai, the big guy, chimed in, ¡°What kind of reason is that? Brother Tu, I bet my unknown father¡¯s life that the girl definitely likes you.¡±


    Qiu Tu remained silent, continuing to smoke.


    Eagle nced at Qiu Tu with a smile. Even A Tai could see the obvious truth, so it was clear Qiu Tu was just being stubborn. However, respecting their leader, Eagle shifted the conversation, ¡°A Tai, how¡¯s your work at the Special Operations Division?¡±


    A Tai beamed, flexing his thick arms, ¡°Great! I¡¯m the best in the training team. No one can match me! I¡¯ll get promoted soon and help Brother Tu even more.¡±


    Qiu Tu eyed A Tai skeptically. Sharing a nce with Eagle and A Kun, they all understood but didn''t challenge A Tai. Knowing A Tai¡¯s pride, they humored him, ¡°Of course, our A Tai is unbeatable.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no way those trainees can match you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re doing great, A Tai.¡±


    Pleased with their praise, A Tai grinned widely.


    After discussing A Tai¡¯s situation, Qiu Tu turned to Eagle and A Kun, ¡°How about you two? Passed the screening for the Political Division?¡±


    Eagle nodded, and A Kun added, ¡°Yes, Brother Tu. Both our written and oral exams went well. We report to the Political Division tomorrow. Not sure about our specific assignments yet.¡±


    Finishing his cigarette, Qiu Tu nodded, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll meet with the Security Division. They promised to ce two of us in the military. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll gather and decide who fits where.¡±


    Excited, the three men nodded. Growing up together in chaotic times, they understood that individual strength was limited. Only by banding together could they ensure survival and prosperity. This principle was deeply ingrained in them.


    ¡°Let¡¯s make something great happen together!¡± Qiu Tu extended his hand.


    A Tai, Eagle, and A Kun stacked their hands on his, shouting, ¡°Make something great happen!¡±


    The golden sunset bathed the four in a glow, symbolizing the golden era they were about to create together.


    [Eagle Loyalty: +1, Current Loyalty: 91]


    [A Tai Loyalty: +1, Current Loyalty: 96]


    [A Kun Loyalty: +2, Current Loyalty: 87]


    Shen Lingshuang, exhausted from worry andck of sleep, slept until around 9 PM. Upon waking, her first action was to search for Qiu Tu.


    At this moment, Qiu Tu had already sent A Tai, Eagle, and A Kun on their way, having swapped back the guns andmunicators to eliminate any potential hazards from the previous night. He was sitting by the bed, quietly contemting his next steps.


    Hearing Shen Lingshuang stirring, Qiu Tu came back to reality. He nced at her and softly asked, "Awake? Hungry?"


    Seeing Qiu Tu beside her, Shen Lingshuang visibly rxed. She reverted to her typical young mistress demeanor, lying back on the bed with a pout, "I''m not hungry."


    Qiu Tu chuckled at her attitude and didn¡¯t argue with her. He went to the living room and brought back the food he had prepared. Though the food was cold, no one in these chaotic times cared much about such details.


    Despite her stubborn words, Shen Lingshuang wasn¡¯t foolish. Seeing Qiu Tu bringing food, she grinned and said, "You''re begging me to eat this." She then sat up, picked up the chopsticks, and began eating heartily.


    Watching her eat with such gusto, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster''s, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but smile. He fetched her a cup of water midway through and gently reminded her to eat slowly.


    Once she was nearly full and her pace had slowed, Qiu Tu spoke slowly, "Lingshuang, when I first asked you to concoct the ¡®Cataclysmic Potion¡¯, we had a verbal agreement."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 61: Night Meeting with Qin Shuman

    Chapter 61: Night Meeting with Qin Shuman


    Chapter 61: Night Meeting with Qin Shuman


    "You helped me concoct the potion, and I promised you freedom."


    "Now that you''ve fulfilled your part, I should honor my promise and give you your freedom."


    Qiu Tu paused before continuing, "You were a suspect brought in by Yan Chen under amnesty rights for other purposes, and your record was already wiped clean in the Investigation Department."


    "Yesterday afternoon, during the handover with other agents, I removed your name from the handover list."


    "Moreover, after Fourth Master Qin''s firest night, all traces of you have been erased."


    "So, you''re free."


    With that, Qiu Tu ced two small goldfish and a hundred silver coins on the table, instructing, "This is your travel fare to return home. Sew it into your clothes and make sure no one finds it."


    "Be safe on your way back. Don¡¯t act like a young mistress. Be amodating. Others won''t tolerate you as I do."After finishing his instructions, Qiu Tu got up and left the room. At the door, he paused, turned his back to Shen Lingshuang, and said, "Remember to close the door when you leave."


    Without looking back, he left the house.


    As a skilled apothecary capable of concocting awakening potions, Shen Lingshuang was well aware of her value. During her time with Qiu Tu and his friends, she had learned of Qiu Tu''s resources. She never imagined he would let her go after sessfully awakening and even leave all his money for her travel expenses.


    At that moment, Qiu Tu reached a new level in her heart. She stared at his departing figure, her eyes reddening, and tears began to fall uncontrobly.


    Having been away from home for so long, she had never encountered someone so kind to her.


    Thinking of this, she quickly resumed eating, her food mingling with her salty tears.


    After a few bites, she looked up with determination, making a silent decision.


    [Shen Lingshuang Loyalty: +12, Current Loyalty: 83]


    Driving towards the Mn Hotel, Qiu Tu noticed the prompt on the screen, feeling less joyful than expected. With the guidance of the "Emotional Handbook", he knew exactly how to handle a girl like Shen Lingshuang.


    "Way 82 of the 108 Ways to Enhance Feelings: Empty-handed Sincerity."


    Girls are emotional beings. Once emotions reach a certain stage, arge sacrifice is more touching than a series of small ones (and because of the magnitude, she likely won''t ept it).


    Thus, making a decisive departure and leaving all his money was a tactic to make Shen Lingshuang stay voluntarily.


    The reason was simple. Besides worrying about her safety on the journey home, Qiu Tu desperately needed an experienced apothecary for his burgeoning ns.


    However, despite knowing this, he felt a pang of guilt. Maybe it was Eagle and A Tai''s jokes, or perhaps Shen Lingshuang''s genuine care for him. He felt his methods were somewhat unscrupulous.


    Reflecting for a while, Qiu Tu''s resolve hardened. ''To achieve great things, one must overlook small details. I''ll make it up to her in the future.''


    Twenty minutester, at 10:30 PM, Qiu Tu arrived at the Mn Hotel. Just likest time, he ordered tea and sat in the lounge area, waiting patiently.


    This hotel was likely a Security Division base, with constant surveince. Within two minutes, a waiter brought him another envelope. Inside was a room keycard: Room 511.


    Taking the keycard, Qiu Tu headed towards the elevator. Just as he was about to step in, hismunicator rang.


    "Ring ring ring."


    The clear ringing echoed in the empty lobby. Qiu Tu stopped, checked the caller ID¡ªit was Secretary Bai. Without hesitation, he answered.


    Secretary Bai''s lowered voice came through, "Qiu Tu, where are you?"


    Hearing the urgency, Qiu Tu whispered back, "I''m on a mission outside."


    Secretary Bai acknowledged with a hum, then continued, "Listen carefully. There''s trouble at the Interrogation Division, involving your task force."


    Qiu Tu''s heart sank. Secretary Bai continued, "The female spy you interrogatedst night is dead. She died in her holding cell."


    "The exact cause of death is unknown, but there''s a possibility of silencing."


    "The Director is furious and has called in a forensic expert from the shelter to determine the cause of death."


    "Everyone who had contact with the spy over the past two days, including you, is now a suspect."


    "This case was already high-profile, involving anti-government forces, several prominent New Realm City businessmen, Deputy Chairman Tian with shelter connections, and several municipal council members."


    "Now, with the key suspect and witness dead, the Director is under immense pressure and may resort to extreme measures."


    "Be very careful."


    Without waiting for a response, Secretary Bai hurriedly hung up.


    Listening to the dial tone, Qiu Tu''s expression fluctuated. The female spy fromst night''s interrogation was dead? Silenced?


    Qiu Tu frowned. This was bad news. If the spy was truly with the RUF, it meant the Investigation Department, especially the Political Division, might have been infiltrated by RUF spies. No wonder Yan Chen was furious.


    Given the spy''s high-profile case and the significant impact, Yan Chen''s use of extreme measures was understandable.


    But why would Secretary Bai risk giving him this information?


    Pondering this, Qiu Tu stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the fifth floor, and watched the doors close and the elevator begin its ascent.


    ¡°Ding!¡±


    As the elevator doors opened on the fifth floor, a sh of insight struck Qiu Tu, causing his face to change dramatically.


    He finally understood why Secretary Bai had taken such a risk to warn him: Secretary Bai, or more likely Yan Chen, suspected him of being the one who executed the silencing n!


    The reason was straightforward: when Qiu Tu first transmigrated, to make Yan Chen wary and to pique his curiosity, he had implicated every possible faction¡ªmunicipal hall, RUF, and so on¡ªwith Qin Shuman. Yesterday, Qin Shuman¡¯s true identity as a Security Division agent was confirmed, resolving many suspicions. However, the logic connecting her to the RUF remained unclear.


    Originally, this issue would have gradually faded into an unsolved case with Qin Shuman¡¯s ¡°death¡± and the passage of time. But now, the RUF spy that Qiu Tu had handled was silenced. His suspicion immediately increased manifold.


    After all, if Qiu Tu were an RUF spy, all doubts about the two cases would be reasonably exined. Hence, Secretary Bai had risked warning him, giving Qiu Tu time to escape.


    ''Damn! What bad luck!'' Qiu Tu cursed silently.


    Though innocent, his actions that night were questionable. If Yan Chen used unconventional methods¡ªlike extraordinary abilities¡ªto investigate and discovered that he too had used extraordinary powers that night, it would be hard to exin.


    ''I must find this spy and solve this case! Otherwise, I¡¯m done for!''


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu took a deep breath and resolved to conclude his meeting with Qin Shuman quickly, leaving enough time to handle the spy case.


    Just then, as these thoughts ran through his mind, the door to room 503 next to him creaked open, and a hand shot out from the darkened room, grabbing him!


    Qiu Tu reflexively wanted to counterattack but smelled a familiar fragrance, causing him to smile slightly and rx.


    The hand¡¯s owner easily pulled Qiu Tu into the room.


    ¡°Click,¡± the door closed, restoring silence to the hallway as if Qiu Tu had never been there.


    Inside the dark room, Qiu Tu felt a soft, alluring body pressing against him, with a cold dagger at his throat.


    The contrasting sensations of the soft body and the cold dagger created a thrilling tension in the air.


    ¡°Chief Qiu seems off tonight~~ Not as vignt as usual,¡± Qin Shuman''s seductive, intoxicating voice murmured in the darkness.


    ¡°In a secret department, losing vignce means death~~ Remember my words when you¡¯re underground.¡±


    With that, the dagger glinted, shing towards Qiu Tu¡¯s neck!


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 62: Qin Shuman Restored Her Body

    Chapter 62: Qin Shuman Restored Her Body


    Chapter 62: Qin Shuman Restored Her Body


    Facing Qin Shuman''s sudden attack, Qiu Tu remained unfazed.


    Had Qin Shuman truly intended to kill him, his "Crisis Detection" would have warned him. Since it hadn¡¯t, he deduced that this was just part of her "yful antics."


    With this thought, Qiu Tu not only refrained from dodging but even leaned his neck forward, curious to see if Qin Shuman genuinely intended to harm him.


    Sure enough, at the critical moment, the gleaming dagger stopped at Qiu Tu''s throat.


    Qin Shuman''s seductive voice asked, "Chief Qiu~~ you didn''t dodge? Do you think I won¡¯t kill you because you can help me restore my body?"


    Hearing her, Qiu Tu wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pressing her hot body tightly against his own. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "No. I''d willingly die at your hands."


    Blushing slightly at his cheesy line, Qin Shuman stabbed the dagger hard into Qiu Tu''s shoulder! Unfortunately, the dagger was just a silver-glowing paper prop, incapable of causing harm.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu yed along, "Ouch, it hurts! Miss Qin, you must take responsibility."Amused by Qiu Tu''s shamelessness, Qin Shumanughed and gave him a knee to the stomach, "You''re shameless."


    Holding his stomach, Qiu Tu teased, "Seems you still care for me; otherwise, you''d aim two inches lower."


    "You!" Qin Shuman, gritting her teeth, felt like actually hitting him there.


    However, Qiu Tu quickly shielded himself, leaving her no chance.


    Frustrated, she red at him but then turned to enter the room, turning on the light, "Come on, let¡¯s talk."


    Qin Shuman could switch between yful and serious seamlessly. Watching her walk confidently, exuding amanding aura, Qiu Tu followed, matching her serious demeanor.


    Entering the hotel room, Qiu Tu noticed a woman in a military uniform lying on one of the two beds. She looked younger than Qin Shuman but was equally beautiful, with a more resolute presence.


    Looking closely, Qiu Tu saw a resemnce to Qin Shuman. He asked, "Is this your real body?"


    Qin Shuman, gazing at her own body, nodded slightly with aplex expression. After a moment, she looked at Qiu Tu, ¡°Disappointed?¡±


    Qiu Tu shook his head, ¡°Excited, actually!¡±


    Annoyed by his response, Qin Shuman rolled her eyes, ¡°You really have no sense of propriety.¡±


    Qiu Tuughed, knowing her underlying concern, and sincerely praised, ¡°Both are beautiful.¡±


    A faint smile appeared on Qin Shuman¡¯s lips before she collected herself, sitting on a chair to discuss business, "You said you could help me restore my body?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, pulling out the "Nightmare Crystal Bottle". "This is a cataclysmic artifact called the ¡®Purification Holy Bottle¡¯. Its liquid can remove all cataclysmic powers from the body."


    Suspicious, Qin Shuman eyed the bottle, "Are you fooling me? Does such an artifact really exist?"


    Qiu Tu confidently nodded, "Try it if you don''t believe me."


    Handing her the bottle, Qin Shuman hesitated but then decided to trust him, pulling out the stopper and sniffing it. The strong scent of alcohol made her suspicious, but Qiu Tu gestured for her to continue.


    After a brief hesitation, she tilted her head back and drank the liquid, frowning at the strong, burning sensation¡ªlike drinking 56-degree white liquor.


    ring at Qiu Tu, she wondered if he was tricking her. But just then, Qiu Tu activated his "Reshape Order".


    In an instant, gray mist enveloped them, the material world fading. Qiu Tu set the rule: "Remove the cataclysmic power from this woman and restore her soul to her body".


    As the rule took effect, a mysterious power enveloped Qin Shuman. One moment she was suspicious, the next she lost consciousness.


    Seeing her copse onto the bed, Qiu Tu knew the ability had worked. He deactivated his power, immediately feeling the familiar dizziness, and sat on the bed to recover.


    After five or six minutes, Qiu Tu felt better and looked at the still-unconscious Qin Shuman, amazed. He had only used his ability for a few seconds, yet it consumed as much energy as using it for several minutes the previous night.


    Reflecting on the significant drain, Qiu Tu realized that specific uses of his power, especially those involving restoring someone''s body and soul, demanded a lot more energy. This understanding prompted him to be more cautious with future use, especially in critical situations.


    As Qiu Tu continued to recover his strength, he waited patiently for Qin Shuman to regain consciousness, ready to see if her body and soul had truly been restored.


    Qiu Tu understood that setting rules rted to "Cataclysmic Abilities" required paying a much higher "cost" than ordinary rules. Fortunately, he had learned from his experiencest night that his ability was not a wish-granting tool. Otherwise, if he had lingered a few minutes longer tonight, he might have been drainedpletely. With this in mind, Qiu Tu silently warned himself not to overuse his Cataclysmic Ability unless absolutely necessary, fearing unknown and potentially terrifying consequences.


    Reflecting on this, Qiu Tu halfy beside the two women, quietly recuperating his mental energy whileparing their sizes, and waited for Qin Shuman to wake up.


    ¡°Rain Butterfly¡± felt like she had been dreaming for a long time. In her dream, she seemed to be Qin Shuman, entangled with a man. The man was handsome but seemed burdened with many concerns. His brow always carried a shadow of mncholy, and his heart was perpetually vignt. Despite their repeated physical intimacy and her sincere openness, he remained guarded. He reported to Yan Chen that she was a nt sent by the Municipal Hall but then turned and told her he lied, iming she was from the military.


    Though he had secretly nned their escape, promising she could cooperate, he revealed nothing more. Perhaps because they were both victims of the same event¡ªtwo lonely souls residing in others'' bodies¡ªshe felt he was special and grew increasingly interested and curious about him.


    The dream seemed to go on endlessly. When Qin Shuman finally awoke, she found herself lying beside another "Qin Shuman" on the bed, with a hand wandering over them both. Stunned, she shook her dazed head, slowly regaining her thoughts. Surprised, she touched her face, then her body, and finally pped Qiu Tu''s mischievous hand away, rushing to the bathroom.


    Unfazed by her p, Qiu Tu leaned back with his hands behind his head, smiling as he watched Qin Shuman''s excitement. Momentster, she ran out of the bathroom, her face brimming with excitement, "Qiu Tu! I''m back! I''m really back!"


    Qiu Tu nodded, teasingly saying, "Congrattions, Miss Qin. Hmm, no, I should call you Section Chief Rain Butterfly now?"


    At his words, Qin Shuman remembered her identity. Realizing Qiu Tu was reminding her, sheposed herself, suppressing her exuberance. Even so, her beautiful eyes, when looking at Qiu Tu, still held deep affection. Only she knew the despair she felt being trapped in another''s body and her intense longing to return to her own. Facing Qiu Tu''s tease, she responded seductively, "Chief Qiu, names are justbels. Call me whatever you like. Between us, it doesn''t matter. Besides, Rain Butterfly isn¡¯t my real name."


    She winked at him and returned to the bathroom to inspect her body. It took her about ten minutes to adjust her emotions before she emerged,posed. Qiu Tu carefully observed her. Compared to before, the restored Qin Shuman was less coquettish and frail, exuding a heroic and proud aura, with a strong confidence in her gaze. No wonder she held the position of Security Division Section Chief at such a young age.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu stretched and pulled out a cigarette to refresh himself. Just as he put it in his mouth, Qin Shuman strode over and snatched it from him. "Smoke less. It''s bad for your health."


    Feeling her concern, Qiu Tu spread his hands helplessly, "Can''t help it, too much pressure."


    Hearing this, Qin Shuman, while throwing away the cigarette, curiously asked, "Why the pressure? What''s wrong?"


    Qiu Tu blinked, "Isn''t it about Deputy Chairman Tian and the RUF case?"


    Hearing the keyword "RUF," Qin Shuman''s eyes grew serious. "Deputy Chairman Tian and the RUF? What''s the case?"


    During Qin Shuman''sa, Qiu Tu had been pondering how to "prove his innocence" and handle Deputy Chairman Tian''s case. Seeing Qin Shuman now fully conscious and hearing her question, Qiu Tu had a n. Considering the Security Division¡¯s primary task was tobat anti-government forces, and Qin Shuman held a wealth of intelligence, she could be a valuable resource. At the very least, she could offer insightful advice.


    Taking advantage of Qin Shuman''s interest, Qiu Tu detailed Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s case to her. Listening attentively, Qin Shuman fell into deep thought, lightly frowning and muttering, "Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s mistress is an RUF spy? Helping install eavesdropping devices in themunicators of many big businessmen? These businessmen are then robbed by the RUF when transporting materials out of the city?"


    "The female spy admitted to the crime but imed her presence by Deputy Chairman Tian''s side was a coincidence?"


    Qin Shuman¡¯s analytical mind worked swiftly. After a moment, she looked up, her expression serious, "The RUF¡¯s methods are bing increasingly audacious. If Deputy Chairman Tian is truly involved, the impact will be immense. We need to act swiftly and cautiously."


    Qiu Tu nodded, feeling reassured by her seriousness. They needed to coborate efficiently to navigate the impending storm.


    After a moment, Qin Shuman looked up at Qiu Tu with a serious expression. "Qiu Tu, this case is quiteplex," she said. "The people involved are sensitive. If possible, I suggest you avoid getting involved in this case."


    Hearing Qin Shuman''s advice, Qiu Tu felt a jolt of concern. But it wasn¡¯t about whether he wanted to be involved or not¡ªthe case was already affecting him directly. Thinking this, he smiled wryly and shrugged, "I''d like to avoid it too, but I''m the main suspect."


    Qin Shuman looked at him with a puzzled expression, "You''re the main suspect?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, exining helplessly, "I didn¡¯t get to finish earlier. There''s more to this case."


    "Last night, I was responsible for interrogating that female spy. And just recently, she died in the holding cell, suspected of being silenced."


    "Yan Chen is furious and wants a thorough investigation. Everyone who had contact with the spy, including me, has been listed as a primary suspect."


    "What¡¯s even more troublesome is that I used my cataclysmic ability outside the interrogation roomst night."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 63: Cataclysmic Artifact: Curse Reenactment Agent

    Chapter 63: Cataclysmic Artifact: Curse Reenactment Agent


    Chapter 63: Cataclysmic Artifact: Curse Reenactment Agent


    When Qiu Tu exined his predicament, he expressed helplessness, "So now, I can¡¯t clear my name."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Qin Shuman''s expression turned serious. Taking a deep breath, she said earnestly, "Don''t worry. I will help you."


    This was exactly what Qiu Tu wanted to hear from Qin Shuman. He continued, "My friends told me that this case is significant, involving Deputy Chairman Tian and several municipal council members."


    "So, Yan Chen is likely to use extreme measures."


    Qiu Tu then probed, "Do you know what extreme measures he might use? Could these methods trace my use of cataclysmic artifactsst night?"


    After pondering for a moment, Qin Shuman slowly exined, "The Investigation Department follows a fixed process for investigating cases."


    "If I¡¯m not mistaken, now that the female spy is dead, their first step would be to have an experienced forensic expert examine and autopsy the body to determine the cause of death."


    "If the autopsy reveals the cause of death, they will narrow down the list of suspects based on it.""If the autopsy fails to determine the cause of death, the next step would be ¡®Mystic Detection¡¯, to check for traces of cataclysmic powers on the female spy''s body."


    "If traces of cataclysmic powers are found, they are likely to check all individuals who had contact with the deceased."


    "They will check whether these people used any cataclysmic abilities or artifacts."


    "Additionally, they might report to higher authorities, request assistance from our Security Division, or directly transfer the case to us. These are the usual procedures, but the specifics depend on the Political Division''s choices."


    "If, as your friend said, Yan Chen ns to use extreme measures, he might resort to a more brutal approach."


    "The Investigation Department has a forbidden drug called ¡®Curse Reenactment Agent¡¯."


    "This cataclysmic drug is low-level but highly effective. It can disrupt a person¡¯s thoughts and mind, forcing them to relive their recent actions and specifically reenact certain fragments. It''s often used in special case interrogations."


    "However, the drug has significant side effects, such as memory confusion, partial paralysis, or even death."


    "Due to these severe side effects, the shelters ssify it as a Category C forbidden drug. Only certain authorized departments can use it under special circumstances."


    "Any unauthorized use of this drug is illegal."


    After listening to Qin Shuman''s exnation, Qiu Tu''s face grew somber. He asked, "So if the forensic expert concludes that the female spy died from ordinary injuries, my chances of being a suspect are low since I never had private contact with her."


    "But if the female spy died due to cataclysmic abilities or artifacts, I might be traced for using such artifacts and be the prime suspect."


    "And if Yan Chen fails to find the murderer or bes desperate, he might use [Curse Reenactment Agent] on everyone who had contact with the spy, potentially leaving me crippled or dead?"


    Qin Shuman nodded solemnly.


    Qiu Tu fell silent, understanding Secretary Bai''s intentions behind the call. Secretary Bai suspected Qiu Tu might be the assassin and was also concerned that even if Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t the killer, he could be a coteral victim if Yan Chen resorted to extreme measures.


    So, what should he do?


    Sensing Qiu Tu''s stress, Qin Shuman softly sat in hisp, her voice alluring, "Chief Qiu, you have another option."


    Qiu Tu looked down at her.


    Qin Shuman smiled charmingly, "We can have the Security Division take over the entire case."


    "With me around, no one can harm you."


    Qiu Tu: ??


    Looking into Qin Shuman''s eyes, Qiu Tu was momentarily stunned, feeling a strange sense of dependence.


    But this thought was quickly dismissed.


    Qin Shuman made it sound easy, with her seductive tone suggesting an ulterior motive. Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t fooled by her tempting behavior. The female spy case involved both anti-government forces and espionage, meaning it could be handled by either the Security Division or the Political Division. Unless the Political Division requested assistance, the Security Division wouldn¡¯t interfere, as it would be seen as an affront to the Political Division, Jia Shu, and Yan Chen.


    Thus, for the Security Division to take over, Qin Shuman would have to forcefully intervene, risking bacsh from both the Political Division and the Security Division.


    Realizing Qin Shuman''s real intentions behind her seductive tone, Qiu Tu, though touched, patted her hand and said, "No need. It hasn¡¯t reached that point yet."


    Seeing that Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t falling for her tricks, Qin Shuman dropped the act. She trusted that Qiu Tu had a n and would handle the situation wisely, as she would herself.


    Shey quietly in Qiu Tu''s arms, savoring the rare moment of warmth.


    In just one short hour, they transitioned from passionate fervor upon entering to parting with heavy hearts.


    In chaotic times, everyone struggles to survive, and romantic feelings can only be suppressed and kept hidden.


    Before leaving, Qiu Tu told Qin Shuman about Yan Chen''s n to make him a double agent.


    Qin Shuman wasn''t surprised. She even hooked her arm around Qiu Tu''s neck and coquettishly asked, "So, Chief Qiu, as a double agent, are you on Director Yan''s side or mine?"


    Qiu Tuughed and tapped her forehead, "I''m on my own side."


    Watching Qiu Tu leave slowly, Qin Shuman looked at his back and softly said, "Bad man."


    With a smile, she turned back to the hotel room.


    Actually, it wasn''t just Qiu Tu who had a mess to deal with. Qin Shuman was also overwhelmed: arranging Fourth Master Qin''s cement, dealing with the exposure of spies, and answering to higher-ups¡ªall were giving her headaches.


    The bizarre incident five days ago changed too many people and too many things. Every time she thought about it, Qin Shuman felt a lingering fear.


    Standing by the bed, looking at the body she had used for several days, Qin Shuman frowned slightly. Her soul had clearly returned to her original body, but the soulless shell hadn''t decayed.


    She reached out and touched the body, feeling its warmth and softness. She ced her hand over the left side of its chest and could even feel the heartbeat. If she didn''t know that "Qin Shuman" was already dead, she would have thought it was a beautiful woman quietly sleeping.


    And thinking about how she had returned to her body without "paying" any "price," even without using the prepared cataclysmic artifact, Qin Shuman found it unbelievable.


    This gave her a bold idea: could she possess "Qin Shuman''s" body again?


    Would this possession be like before, easily lifted, or would it be like the past few days, trapped in that body?


    And what secrets did the bodies of "Qin Shuman" and "Qiu Tu" hold?


    What exactly happened five days ago?


    Qin Shuman felt that many mysteries were unfolding before her.


    Leaving the Mn Hotel, Qiu Tu drove home. The meeting with Qin Shuman was quite fruitful.


    Although he hadn''t found a solution to the crisis, he gained a better understanding of the situation''s development. This gave him confidence and allowed him to adjust his strategy as the situation evolved.


    Of course, his biggest reassurance in refusing Qin Shuman''s help was that his crisis detection had not been triggered!


    This proved that, at least for now, his life was not in danger. Things were unlikely to develop in the worst possible direction.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu rxed a lot. But as he rxed, he couldn''t help feeling a bit frustrated: what a missed opportunity!


    He had two "Qin Shuman" lying on the same bed with him, and yet nothing happened! The "hidden version" tonight was a total waste!


    Feeling frustrated, Qiu Tu drove back to Old Lane Street, parked by the dirty roadside, and turned off the engine. Just as he was about to get out of the car, there was a gentle knock on his window.


    Qiu Tu looked up in surprise and saw Liu Fuping, who had been missing for a day, standing outside his car window.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 64: Astonishing Loyalty

    Chapter 64: Astonishing Loyalty


    Chapter 64: Astonishing Loyalty


    Seeing Liu Fuping outside the car window, Qiu Tu raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised.


    After all, it was already midnight.


    In chaotic times, the night was particrly dangerous. Without a car, a beautiful woman travelingte at night was no simple matter.


    So, unless it was something urgent, Liu Fuping wouldn¡¯t risking out to see him.


    Thinking of urgent matters, Qiu Tu''s heart skipped a beat: Did she also know about the female spy''s death?


    With this thought, Qiu Tu smiled at Liu Fuping, opened the car door, and got out.


    Liu Fuping was wearing a loose green knitted sweater tonight. The sweater was loose, with a wide and slightly tilted neckline, revealing the ck strap of her bra on her fair left shoulder. A nce down also revealed a deep cleavage.


    Noticing Qiu Tu''s gaze, Liu Fuping looked down but didn¡¯t adjust anything. Instead, she wrapped her arms under her chest, making herself more prominent.Seeing this, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but smile. This was the advantage of a mature woman; she was always in perfect sync with him.


    With this thought, Qiu Tu leaned against the car, lit a cigarette, and teased nonchntly, "Sister Liu, are you having trouble sleeping alone and came to find me?"


    "Ha ha ha ha," Liu Fupingughed, her whole body shaking, creating wave after wave.


    Afterughing, she reached out to support Qiu Tu''s arm, then said with a yful smile, "Officer, are you that eager for me?"


    Qiu Tu replied with a smile, "Isn¡¯t it you who¡¯s always been eager for me, Sister Liu?"


    They looked at each other, their smiles growing brighter, a mutual understanding of their flirtations.


    Just as the atmosphere became more intimate, a sudden, horrific scream echoed through the densely packed buildings of Old Lane Street.


    This was followed by a loud thud, like something heavy hitting a wall.


    Liu Fuping was startled and craned her neck to look.


    Qiu Tu nonchntly flicked his cigarette ash, "It''s nothing, probably just another poor soul who couldn''t handle the pressure and jumped."


    Liu Fuping sighed in relief.


    In these chaotic times, life was cheap, and no one cared, except for the newly recruited city sanitation workers.


    However, the interruption broke the previously intimate atmosphere. Liu Fuping finally got to the point.


    She tidied her hair, moved closer to Qiu Tu, and whispered, "Officer, I heard some news. Yin Caimei is dead."


    The name was unfamiliar, and Qiu Tu almost didn''t react, "Who?"


    Liu Fuping said, "The female spy we interrogatedst night."


    "Oh," Qiu Tu replied, matching her information with what he knew.


    Liu Fuping carefully observed Qiu Tu¡¯s expression, seeing that he wasn¡¯t surprised, she looked somewhatplicated.


    She continued probing, "Officer, her identity was very special, and this case has very broad implications."


    "I¡¯m worried that the Minister will be furious, and all of us involved in the interrogation won¡¯t be able to escape me. We might be implicated."


    Qiu Tu smiled, flicked away the cigarette butt, and reassured her, "Don¡¯t worry, the Minister won¡¯t."


    Liu Fuping was puzzled by Qiu Tu¡¯s confidence.


    The next second, she heard Qiu Tu say, "Because the one who¡¯s furious is the Director. He has already intervened in this matter."


    Liu Fuping''s body visibly trembled, and she was shocked, "The Director has intervened?"


    Qiu Tu reached out and pulled her into his arms. Her soft body feltfortable to hold. He replied nonchntly, "Yes."


    "This matter is so sensitive; isn¡¯t it normal for the Director to intervene?"


    Then he looked at her, teasing, "Sister Liu, you¡¯re not the murderer. Why are you so nervous?"


    Liu Fuping swallowed, her voice trembling slightly, "Officer, you don¡¯t know the methods used in the bureau."


    "Once the Director intervenes, the whole matter bes incrediblyplicated."


    "The Director''s intervention shows his distrust in the Political Division. This will anger the Minister."


    "And the Minister... he''s a pervert!"


    "He never interrogates prisoners to get information; he tortures them for fun."


    "As long as someone is a suspect, whether they are really guilty or not, they won¡¯te out alive once in his hands."


    "Our Interrogation Office was trained by him, so we know his methods too well."


    "This matter is so serious, and with the Director''s intervention, he might just grab a few internal personnel like us, torture us to vent his anger, and force confessions."


    By the end, her face was pale, and her voice trembled, "I only learned a bit of his methods, and few prisoners could survive. We won''tst either."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu thought for a second, then asked, "So, you think we should find the real murderer first?"


    Seeing that Qiu Tu finally addressed her main concern, Liu Fuping quickly nodded.


    She said softly, "We must find the murderer in advance and clear ourselves of suspicion. Only then can we avoid being implicated."


    Hearing the beautiful woman''s words, Qiu Tu raised an eyebrow, silently watching her with an inscrutable gaze.


    The beautiful woman felt a bit uneasy under his gaze. She touched her face and asked, puzzled, "Officer, what¡¯s wrong?"


    Qiu Tu smiled, looking again at Liu Fuping¡¯s astonishing loyalty level.


    [Liu Fuping, Loyalty: 13]


    Then he smiled and said, "Nothing. It¡¯s just that Sister Liu looks especially beautiful tonight, and I was momentarily stunned."


    Although heplimented her, Qiu Tu''s mind was quickly analyzing Liu Fuping''s loyalty.


    Just like he had learned from his experience in the Interrogation Office: without any conflicting interests, most subordinates should have a loyalty level of over 30 towards him. This wasn¡¯t due to Qiu Tu¡¯s personal influence but rather the inherent hierarchy in a strict organization. After all, as long as Qiu Tu didn¡¯t make any mistakes, opposing him would mean opposing the entire organization.


    However, Liu Fuping¡¯s loyalty towards Qiu Tu was not even at the baseline of 30. This suggested three possibilities:


    1. Qiu Tu¡¯s teasing over the past two days made her very resentful, lowering her loyalty.


    2. She belonged to a faction within the agency that was hostile or antagonistic towards Qiu Tu.


    3. She was a spy.


    Any of these could exin why her loyalty was below the minimum threshold of 30, causing her to superficially follow Qiu Tu''s orders while secretly defying them.


    Especially the third possibility. If she were indeed a spy, the likelihood of her being the murderer increased significantly. However, Qiu Tu was puzzled: if she were the killer, why would shee to see him? Was she nning to frame him? Or diverting suspicion?


    ''Things are getting interesting,'' he thought, probing, "Sister Liu, who do you think the killer is?"


    Liu Fuping hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "I think it might be Wang Xi."


    "Oh?" Qiu Tu said, intrigued, "Why?"


    Liu Fuping replied, "He¡¯s a pharmacist, responsible for preparing interrogation drugs. So, he could easily add some fatal substances to the normal interrogation drugs without anyone noticing."


    "Oh," Qiu Tu said, as if in thought. After a moment, he suddenly looked at Liu Fuping and, with feigned surprise, said, "If that''s the case, Sister Liu, you also have a lot of suspicion. After all, you were the one interrogating the female spy. During the interrogation, you could have easily poisoned her too. For example, hiding poison under your fingernails and applying it to her wounds during torture."


    Liu Fuping wasn''t intimidated by Qiu Tu''s usation. She admitted with a resigned expression, "I know I¡¯m one of the prime suspects, which is why I¡¯m so anxious. If I were like you, never having contacted the prisoner, I¡¯d be sleeping soundly."


    Qiu Tu scrutinized Liu Fuping''s expression, finding no ws. He continued probing, "So, Sister Liu, why did youe to me tonight? I''m also one of the main suspects."


    His relentless questioning made Liu Fuping uneasy. She replied, "I-I was just feeling a bit anxious. I wanted to discuss with you if we could find any other clues."


    ''That¡¯s a lie.'' Qiu Tu keenly noticed the inconsistency. When Liu Fuping spoke, her eyes shifted noticeably to the lower right. However, what happened next was even more intriguing. After her eyes shifted right, they quickly returned to their original position.


    A hint of amusement shed in Qiu Tu''s eyes. ''Interesting.''


    An eye movement to the lower right typically indicated lying, but the quick return suggested she might have undergone professional training, knowing the micro-expressions of lying and trying to control them. However, due to eitherck of skill or emotional fluctuation, she slipped.


    ''So, this beautiful woman in front of me is a spy?'' ''Is there really a spy in the Political Division? And it''s her?''


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu tightened his grip around Liu Fuping, pulling herpletely into his arms. Initially thinking Qiu Tu had other intentions, Liu Fuping politely struggled a bit but soon gave in. The next moment, she felt a gun pressed against her waist.


    Qiu Tu held Liu Fuping firmly with one hand and aimed the gun at her with the other. Then he leaned his head on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "Sister Liu, have you ever thought that maybe you¡¯re the one I suspect the most?"


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Liu Fuping frozepletely.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 65: Initiating the Loyalty Game

    Chapter 65: Initiating the Loyalty Game


    Chapter 65: Initiating the Loyalty Game


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu became even more certain. He smiled and asked, "Why? Is there a problem with my suspicion?"


    In that brief moment, Liu Fuping also collected herself.


    Clearly, she still wanted to continue her pretense. She squirmed a bit in Qiu Tu''s arms, lightly tapping his shoulder and coquettishly saying, "Officer, stop joking~ I''m talking about serious matters with you~"


    Hearing her words, Qiu Tuughed twice, then moved his hand holding the gun from her slender waist upwards, sliding past her deep cleavage, her fair neck, all the way to her chin.


    Using the gun barrel to lift Liu Fuping''s chin, Qiu Tu looked into her beautiful eyes and softly said, "Sister Liu, I''m not joking."


    "Perhaps my previous behavior made you misunderstand, thinking I was just a thug who got into the Interrogation Office through connections."


    "But I do have some skills."


    "Although not much, unfortunately, your ws are too big."After finishing, Qiu Tu turned off the safety with one hand and asked the final question, "Tell me, Sister Liu, whose person are you? Why did youe to see me tonight?"


    Realizing that Qiu Tu was not joking but genuinely intended to harm her, Liu Fuping immediately struggled to break free from Qiu Tu''s grip.


    However, it was only after struggling that she discovered Qiu Tu''s body was as solid as steel, holding her tightly, unable to move at all.


    She didn''t show it on her face but secretly increased her strength.


    But the more terrifying thing happened¡ªno matter how much strength she used, Qiu Tu seemed to feel nothing and withstood it all.


    Liu Fuping was shocked. Although she wasn''t skilled in strength, she wasn''t someone an ordinary man could easily restrain.


    Yet now, she felt like she wasn''t being held by a man but being bitten by a giant beast!


    The overwhelming strength made her feel hopeless!


    At this moment, sensing her struggle, Qiu Tu also smiled, "Sister Liu, not pretending anymore?"


    Seeing no way to escape, Liu Fuping could only give up struggling.


    Even so, her good "professionalism" made her force a couple ofughs and stubbornly said, "Officer, I really don''t know what you''re talking about. Please let me go."


    Originally, Liu Fuping didn''t have much hope in saying this.


    After all, Qiu Tu''s sudden change tonight had already proven her misjudgment of him: the man before her was not a clueless thug but a hunter hidden in the shadows!


    But who would have thought that just as she had given up hope, Qiu Tu actually loosened his grip and let her go.


    Thispletely confused Liu Fuping.


    She stood there, her beautiful eyes staring nkly at Qiu Tu.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu holstered his gun and smiled, "What? Sister Liu, missing my embrace?"


    Realizing her faux pas, Liu Fuping smoothed her hair, gave Qiu Tu aplex look, and involuntarily asked, "Why?"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu leaned against the car, looking indifferent, "Since I''ve seen through your identity, does it matter if you admit it or not?"


    "We''re all in this together, no need to go to extremes. Who knows, I might end up in your hands someday, asking for mercy."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Liu Fuping silently looked at him.


    After a long pause, she softly said, "I''m not the killer. I came to see you because I wanted to test if you were the killer."


    "When I told you about the female spy''s death, you didn''t seem surprised, so I thought you might be the killer."


    "Butter, I realized you were so calm because you already knew the news."


    "And you didn''t panic when I tested you, so it''s unlikely you¡¯re the killer."


    "So, I temporarily ruled you out as a suspect."


    After speaking, she stepped back out of Qiu Tu''s reach.


    Seeing that Qiu Tu truly had no intention of harming her, she slowly turned to leave.


    But just as she took a step, she stopped and stepped back.


    With her back to Qiu Tu, she softly said, "My identity can''t be exposed, so I must find the killer in advance to avoid being implicated."


    "Tonight, I''m sorry."


    With that, she left Old Lane Street without hesitation.


    Watching the beautiful woman leave, the smile on Qiu Tu''s face grew wider.


    Sometimes, controlling someone doesn''t require force; a mix of push and pull can achieve better results.


    See, by giving Liu Fuping a little leeway, he not only gained an "ally" in solving the case but also a convenient scapegoat.


    There was still some time before the case exploded. Capturing her now would only drain his energy.


    It was better to let her investigate first and see if there were any unexpected gains.


    Even if she didn''t find the killer, he could expose her identity once the case erupted. She would then be a perfect shield, buying him a few more days.


    If she ran, she was guilty.


    If she didn''t, she was a backup scapegoat.


    And once the case was over, well, Madam, you wouldn¡¯t want your spy identity known to higher-ups, would you?


    Qiu Tu felt that whatever the oue, he could maximize her value.


    ''This move isn''t a loss.''


    As Qiu Tu thought this, he received a prompt:


    [Liu Fuping Loyalty: +8]


    Qiu Tu was stunned for a moment, thenughed.


    Heh, not just not a loss, it was a huge win.


    After a day of experiments, Qiu Tu roughly understood the increase and decrease of "Loyalty."


    If he guessed right, low Loyalty was almost like "Favorability."


    Simply put, the more a subordinate liked the boss, the more obedient they became.


    At this point, the reason subordinates obey their superiors is simply because the superior holds a higher position. However, once "Loyalty" exceeds 60, it goes beyond just favorability¡ªit bes "Trust". The more a subordinate trusts you, the more they will listen to you, not because of your position, but because they believe in you personally: they trust you to lead them to victory, ensure their safety, help them advance, and always give the right orders.


    When "Loyalty" surpasses 80, it transforms entirely. It now stems from the superior''s unique charisma and daily interactions. At this stage, subordinates be personal soldiers, obeying only the superior''smands. The higher the "Loyalty", the harder it is to increase.


    As for the methods to increase "Loyalty", they are simple and timeless: helping subordinates solve problems, making grand promises, and providing benefits. The more moved they are and the more they believe in a promising future with you, the more their "Loyalty" increases.


    Thinking of this, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but smile: it seemed his act of letting Liu Fuping go earlier deeply moved her.


    With this in mind, he took another look in the direction Liu Fuping had left and then headed home.


    When he reached his building, he looked up and saw his apartment light was still on. Seeing the dim, warm light, Qiu Tu felt a sense of peace: Shen Lingshuang hadn¡¯t left after all. His efforts were not in vain.


    With that thought, he walked upstairs.


    Using his key to open the door, the first thing he saw was Shen Lingshuang asleep on the sofa. The girl must have been truly exhausted; shey on the sofa with her hands folded under her face, sleeping soundly.


    Qiu Tu stopped in his tracks, not wanting to disturb the peaceful scene.


    He quietly watched the girl for a while, then gently closed the door and walked over to her, carefully picking her up.


    Feeling herself being lifted, Shen Lingshuang immediately started to struggle. But then Qiu Tu softly said, "It''s me. Go back to sleep."


    Perhaps Qiu Tu''s voice was trulyforting; the girl slowly drifted back to sleep in his arms.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu smiled, carrying her into the bedroom.


    The room was spotless, cleaned by the girl, with even the bed sheets changed, like a hardworking little housekeeper.


    Qiu Tu gentlyid her on the bed and then went to the small bathroom to wash up.


    After washing, Qiu Tu turned off the lights, took off his outer clothes, andy down beside the girl. One arm around her and the other behind his head, Qiu Tu had no distracting thoughts.


    He stared at the ceiling, quietly thinking about the murderer of the female spy.


    Tonight, Liu Fuping''s sudden visit, although revealing her as a spy, also allowed Qiu Tu to "basically" rule her out as a suspect. Liu Fuping''s behavior was consistent with someone about to be "coterally damaged."


    Having simr secrets and facing "coteral damage," Qiu Tu could deeply understand that state.


    Eliminating Liu Fuping left four main suspects: two agents from the duty group, recorder Song Qing, and pharmacist Wang Xi.


    Although Liu Fuping had her own motives for visiting Qiu Tu, her analysis was correct:pared to the others, Wang Xi was indeed the most suspicious.


    ¡®Is there a way to test Wang Xi?¡¯ Qiu Tu thought, suddenly recalling his new golden finger: "Loyalty Game".


    The "Loyalty Game" had two effects. Besides passively indicating changes in loyalty, it also had an active feature: initiating the Loyalty Game. This required a loyalty threshold.


    None of Qiu Tu''s subordinates in the bureau met the threshold. It was only when he returned home and saw A Tai, Eagle, and the others that he realized he could start the game.


    He had briefly nced at the game''s description, vaguely remembering it was a "Battle Game". Winning would yield information, loyalty, and other rewards.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu mentally initiated the "Loyalty Game".


    Sure enough, a series of prompts appeared before him.


    [Loyalty Game Activation Threshold: 60, 90.]


    [Eligible for the first game: A Tai, Eagle, A Kun, Monkey, Shen Lingshuang.]


    [Eligible for the second game: A Tai, Eagle.]


    Qiu Tu didn''t aim too high and chose the first game.


    Instantly, the description for the first game appeared.


    "As a superior, you can designate one subordinate with loyalty over 60 to "attack" another subordinate each night."


    "The two will battle in a dream. If the attacker wins, you will receive memory fragments, information, loyalty, and other rewards from the attacked."


    "If the attacked subordinate has special talents, there is a chance to obtain rted cataclysmic materials, cataclysmic artifacts, etc."


    Reading the game description, Qiu Tu was exhrated!


    This game was powerful!


    Not only could he gain loyalty, but also memory fragments and information? That was impressive enough. If any of his subordinates were cataclysmic beings, he might even get valuable cataclysmic materials and artifacts, rapidly increasing his strength.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu wasted no time and started the first game.


    The choice of participants was clear. On his side was A Tai, the over 1.9-meter-tall, muscr hulk. The opponent was the subordinate Qiu Tu wanted to investigate tonight: Wang Xi.


    After selecting the participants, a small screen appeared in front of Qiu Tu.


    On the screen, A Tai''s pixted character was mercilessly hammering Wang Xi''s pixted character. The reason it was easy to distinguish the two was not only because the pixted characters resembled them but also because A Tai''s character was wielding a small iron hammer, while Wang Xi''s character was holding a gigantic medical syringe about the same height as himself.


    So, in front of Qiu Tu, A Tai''s pixted character hammered away at Wang Xi''s pixted character with the iron hammer, "ding ding dong dong." Meanwhile, Wang Xi''s pixted character, while being beaten, asionally jabbed A Tai with the enormous syringe.


    Initially, Qiu Tu watched the pixted battle with great interest. However, he soon realized the scene was repetitive, with no significant changes. Gradually, he grew sleepy, turned off the game, and fell asleep holding the soft Shen Lingshuang.


    What he didn''t know was that shortly after he fell asleep, A Tai''s pixted character roared at the sky, hammering Wang Xi''s character''s head 18 times in a row, causing a letter-like item to appear. Wang Xi''s pixted character not only looked bruised and swollen but also had a prompt above his head showing [Loyalty +3].


    The azure moon hung high in the pitch-ck sky, casting a deep and tranquil glow. The thousands of dpidated buildings in New Realm City cast swaying silhouettes in the moonlight, blending with the darkness of the ground, creating an eerie and mysterious tableau.


    And so, the night passed without incident.


    The next morning, Qiu Tu was awakened by a scream.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 66: Harvesting Memory Fragments

    Chapter 66: Harvesting Memory Fragments


    Chapter 66: Harvesting Memory Fragments


    Hearing a scream that echoed through the entire room, Qiu Tu woke up groggily. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Shen Lingshuang beside him. He saw her holding the nket, shrinking to the edge of the bed, and looking at him with a face full of fear.


    Qiu Tu yawned and asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Shen Lingshuang red at Qiu Tu, "Why are you sleeping with me?"


    Qiu Tu was taken aback, then innocently pointed at his small home, "What else could I do? There''s only one bed, and the sofa is so small. I can''t sleep on the floor, can I?"


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s words, Shen Lingshuang was initially stunned, then snorted lightly and turned her head away, "Well, you brought this upon yourself. I won''t take responsibility for you!"


    After saying this, she put on her pants and left.


    Qiu Tu: ??


    Now it was Qiu Tu''s turn to be dumbfounded.Wait, did I wake up the wrong way? Why does this feel so different from what I imagined?


    Thinking this, he was dazed for a moment, then lifted the nket to check. His clothes were intact, with no signs of being undone. He looked up at Shen Lingshuang walking towards the living room; her earlobes were slightly red, and her expression was a bit unnatural.


    Qiu Tu understood.


    As expected of a tsundere and masochistic youngdy, her mouth was really tough.


    Should he tell her that tsundere behavior was outdated?


    After silentlyining in his heart for a while, Qiu Tuy back in bed but couldn''t fall asleep. He gave up on trying to sleep and decided to checkst night''s game results instead.


    He called up the Loyalty Game panel, and the first thing that caught his eye was a "Game Over" screen. On the screen, A Tai''s pixted character, holding a small iron hammer, stood with his hands on his hips,ughing up at the sky. Meanwhile, Wang Xi''s pixted character, bruised and swollen, sat on the ground holding his head and crying.


    Apanying this scene was a glowing golden package in the center of the screen.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu realized that A Tai must have wonst night''s game, and that package must contain the rewards. Without hesitation, he mentally clicked on the package. The next second, several prompts appeared before him.


    [Loyalty Game Victory: Rewards Received.]


    [Wang Xi Loyalty +5]


    [Wang Xi Memory Fragment (Short) +1]


    Seeing the game prompts, Qiu Tu''s eyes lit up slightly, feeling that the rewards were pretty good. Not only did he gain some loyalty, but he also obtained a memory fragment. If this memory fragment contained the process of Wang Ximitting murder, Qiu Tu felt he could solve the case.


    Thinking this, he clicked on the "Memory Fragment" to see what it contained. With the click, the next second, Qiu Tu felt his vision go ck, and he seemed to appear in a small room.


    In the room was a strange man in a ck suit with bright red hair, wearing a clown mask. He held a shotgun, which he was wiping down. After wiping it clean, he tossed the shotgun to "Qiu Tu," then picked up another shotgun and grinned at "Qiu Tu."


    "Tomorrow, we¡¯re going to rob the pharmacy. The n is for you to deal with the staff and customers inside."


    "I''ll handle the security and reinforcement agents."


    At this point, the screen went ck again. When Qiu Tu came to, he found himself back in bed. He sat there in a daze for a while, then his mind was filled with disbelief.


    Damn! His task force was really a haven for hidden talents!


    Four named members: a double agent, a spy, and a... bandit?!


    Recalling the scenes from the memory fragment, Qiu Tu quickly searched through his original self''s memories. Soon, he found relevant information.


    Half a month ago, an official pharmacy on Xiafang Street was robbed. The robbers not only stole valuable drugs and materials worth hundreds of silver dors but also brutally killed two security guards, three staff members, three customers, and six temporary and two formal reinforcement agents, totaling 16 people.


    The incident caused a huge uproar, leading the Investigation Department to receive severe criticism from the Municipal Council.


    Qin Zhengguang''s Public Security Division also received a serious reprimand, with a deadline to solve the case. However, in an era without surveince and DNA testing technology, solving the case was not easy. Furthermore, after the robbers killed all the staff and security, arge number of onlookers rushed into the store to loot other valuables, making it almost impossible to discern any traces at the scene. As a result, the case remained unsolved.


    Unexpectedly, it turned out that the mild-mannered pharmacist Wang Xi was the perpetrator of this major crime.


    Qiu Tu was stunned.


    Indeed, you never know what your colleagues might be doing after work.


    After silentlyining for a while, Qiu Tu analyzed the information revealed by the memory fragment.


    Firstly, Wang Xi''s contrasting identity: a bandit.


    This identity proved that Wang Xi was not as honest and ordinary as he appeared but was someone who walked on the edge of darkness.


    Secondly, Wang Xi was likely part of a small group or organization.


    From the scene in the memory, it was clear he was under themand of a clown-masked man, indicating he was not the leader of the group or organization.


    Finally, the group''s economic source was likely illicit drugs, probably produced by Wang Xi after work.


    After the realization, Qiu Tu''s gaze became contemtive. Clearly, the robbers had a method to make these drugs more valuable by reprocessing them into prohibited substances. This naturally led to the conclusion that the drugs were being sold to anti-government forces. The question now was whether Wang Xi had connections with these rebel factions and if he had killed the female spy to cover his tracks.


    Considering this, Qiu Tu decided that he might really try probing Wang Xi today¡ªif he could still be found.


    With this decision made, Qiu Tu sat on his bed, feeling no particr joy. For some reason, he had a vague sense that something was off about this whole situation. He silently analyzed the suspects in the case:


    Liu Fuping was almost ruled out afterst night''s encounter. Song Qing, the seemingly naive girl, came from a good family background and appeared too innocent to be the killer. Wang Xi, however, still held significant suspicion. Qiu Tu was ready to test him.


    But the idea of the RUF hiring an assassin seemed unlikely. How would the RUF know that Wang Xi was the pharmacist handling the female spy¡¯s interrogation? After all, the interrogation was arranged on the spot by Jia Shu to trap him; no one could have predicted it in advance.


    Thinking along these lines, Qiu Tu felt the situation getting more intriguing. If none of the three were the killer, could it be one of the two duty agents? Or perhaps another agent who had ess to the female spy?


    Inexplicably, Qiu Tu felt that there might be a bigger conspiracy at y.


    Meanwhile, as Qiu Tu quietly analyzed the case, elsewhere, in a secret office within the military headquarters, Qin Shuman stood in a dark green military uniform, straight and expressionless, before a desk. Behind the desk sat a tall man with a broad, full forehead and chiseled features, his expression indifferent but with a ruthless glint in his eyes. He looked at the report and clicked his tongue twice, then looked up at Qin Shuman with a cold smile.


    "Rain Butterfly, I can¡¯t even bring myself to sign off on this case report," he said. "To save Fourth Master Qin, you sacrificed a key mole ced next to Yan Chen. And to ensure his safe extraction, you had the Detection Office clean up, directly exposing our Security Division to Yan Chen. In just one day, we lost nearly all our moles in the Investigation Department''s upper echelon!"


    He tossed the report onto Qin Shuman¡¯s face, "With such a failure, you still have the nerve to ask for my signature?"


    The sharp-edged report shed Qin Shuman''s delicate face, but she remained unflinching, eyes straight ahead, letting the cold document slide off her face and fall to the ground.


    Seeing her reaction, the man''s anger subsided slightly. He coldly issued an ultimatum, "I don''t care how you do it, but within a week, I want you to rebuild our line in the Investigation Department and restore our critical intelligence control! It¡¯s a massive dereliction of duty that we didn¡¯t get a single piece of internal information about such a major case like the assassination of Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s mistress!"


    "If you can¡¯t do it, prepare to face a military tribunal."


    "Yes, sir!" Qin Shuman saluted crisply.


    Seeing her take the order, the man¡¯s expression softened a bit. "Also, about the Qin family," he continued. "Since you paid such a high price to bring someone back, don¡¯t let them go easily. The Qin family has been positioning themselves in the shelters since thest generation. They¡¯ve been expanding their influence in politics andmerce while maintaining ties with Yan Chen and Commissioner Jiang. Now they¡¯re entangled with the RUF, which is suspicious!"


    "Investigate thoroughly. I want to know what¡¯s hidden in the muddy waters of the Qin family!"


    At the same time, in the dimly lit Director''s office of the Investigation Department, Yan Chen leaned backfortably in his chair, showing none of the fury Secretary Bai had mentioned. He lit a cigarette and asked in a low voice, "How''s it going?"


    Standing before him, Jia Shu smiled brightly, adjusted his gold-rimmed sses, and said, "Very well, Director. We¡¯ve taken the opportunity given by the Security Division to eliminate six of their moles nted around us. Since they struck first, no one can fault us."


    "After removing those moles, I released probing information regarding Deputy Chairman Tian''s mistress¡¯s death, sessfully identifying a batch of suspected spies. We¡¯ve recorded everyone who acted suspiciously afterst night¡¯s y, and we areparing the data one by one. There were some surprising individuals."


    Yan Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued, "Who?"


    Jia Shu''s eyes glinted coldly behind his sses. He spoke with a faint smile, "For example, Secretary Bai. Upon learning the news, he immediately called Qiu Tu."


    "I''m very curious about what he could have possibly said to Qiu Tu in that brief call."


    "Then there''s one of my promising subordinates in the Political Division. I didn''t expect her to get the information as well, and she hastily met with several rted individuals, including Qiu Tu."


    Hearing Jia Shu''s words, Yan Chen smoked his cigarette and asked with interest, "What about Qiu Tu?"


    Jia Shu''s smile faded slightly. He replied, "Qiu Tu surprised me. Last night, he went to the Mn Hotel, probably following our arrangement to meet with the Security Division. During the meeting, he received a call from Secretary Bai. After that, he showed no unusual behavior. On his way home, he encountered my esteemed subordinate. They talked and interacted for a while but nothing more happened. Overall, his behavior seemed very normal."


    Yan Chen nodded lightly. Tapping his fingers on the chair armrest, he said softly, "To quickly andprehensively control the security of New Realm City, our department expanded from a few dozen core members to over ten thousand in just one year. In this process, we didn¡¯t strictly control personnel, allowing spies and nts from various forces to mix in."


    "Now that New Realm City''s order is initially established, we finally have the time to sift through our personnel."


    "Identify those truly loyal and useful to us, and weed out those with issues. This is a rare opportunity; we must make the most of it."


    Jia Shu nodded slightly, "Understood."


    After discussing this matter, Yan Chen asked, "What do you think about Deputy Chairman Tian''s mistress''s death?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 67: Yan Chens Satisfaction +9

    Chapter 67: Yan Chen''s Satisfaction +9


    Chapter 67: Yan Chen''s Satisfaction +9


    Upon hearing Yan Chen''s inquiry, Jia Shu hesitated for a moment. He adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and said somewhat ambiguously, ¡°Director, I think... how that woman died is not important. What''s important is what her death brings us.¡±


    He paused and then continued, ¡°For example, her death can bring peace of mind to many. Don¡¯t be fooled by the harsh criticism from the Municipal Council towards our Investigation Department. Who knows how many council members had a good night''s sleepst night because of it. This isn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing for our Investigation Department or for you.¡±


    Yan Chen fell into deep thought upon hearing this. After a moment of quiet contemtion, he nced at Jia Shu with a faint smile. ¡°It seems you have a lot of thoughts about this case?¡±


    Jia Shu smiled back. ¡°Director, the recent cases I¡¯ve handled have shown me how important a good information monitoring system and a city-wide surveincework are. And... only Deputy Chairman Tian can provide that.¡±


    Yan Chen pondered silently for another moment. Then, tapping his finger lightly on the armrest of his chair, he said softly, ¡°You handle it. But, close the case. Don¡¯t let it be a cold case.¡±


    Jia Shu quickly smiled and bowed slightly. ¡°Director, rest assured, I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    After this topic, Jia Shu thought the conversation was over and straightened up, ready to leave. But at that moment, Yan Chen spoke again.


    ¡°By the way, the team of Political Division agents sent to the Qin residence the other day¡ªisn¡¯t it still detained?¡±Caught off guard by the sudden question, Jia Shu paused for a moment and then nodded, ¡°Yes. The Special Operations Division agents were demoted for their ipetence and sent back for retraining. The Political Division agents are still in the detention room, waiting for punishment as a lesson.¡±


    Yan Chen responded with a neutral "Hmm" and then added, ¡°Since Qiu Tu is no longer a suspect, we should continue to groom him. He was the leader of that operation and is now the Deputy Section Chief of the Interrogation Division. Let him handle the review and punishment of this team.¡±


    Jia Shu was stunned for a second before looking at Yan Chen. Yan Chen¡¯s expression was calm, as if this was just an ordinary arrangement. Seeing this, Jia Shu immediately broke into a bright smile. ¡°Understood, Director.¡±


    Yan Chen smiled slightly, then took a sip of tea. Jia Shu took the hint and retreated to the office door before turning to leave.


    Meanwhile, Qiu Tu, who was eating soup dumplings with Shen Lingshuang, suddenly received two notifications:


    [Yan Chen¡¯s Suspicion -4, Satisfaction +9]


    [Jia Shu¡¯s Suspicion -0, Satisfaction +0]


    Qiu Tu¡¯s movements paused slightly as he processed this, a question mark slowly appearing above his head: ?


    He was utterly puzzled.


    Shen Lingshuang was indeed a good girl. Though a bit proud, she was very good at taking care of people and quite diligent. While Qiu Tu was in bed reviewingst night''s "Loyalty Game" gains, she had already finished in the bathroom and then, with her slender legs, hurried downstairs.


    When Qiu Tu finished analyzing the "Loyalty Game" rewards and was processing the intelligence, she came back upstairs with two baskets of soup dumplings, urging him to eat.


    After eating Shen Lingshuang¡¯s dumplings, Qiu Tu washed up briefly. With her help, he put on his uniform, holstered his gun, and headed to work. They tacitly avoided discussing why she stayed or why he didn¡¯t ask her to leave. During breakfast, Shen Lingshuang returned all the money Qiu Tu had given her the previous night. Qiu Tu silently pocketed the money, and that was the end of it.


    Before leaving the house, Qiu Tu gave Shen Lingshuang two instructions. First, to be careful while alone at home and to seek help from "Monkey" at the Old Lane Security Bureau if needed. He had already informed Monkey. Second, to stop burning paper offerings and hanging his portrait. He didn¡¯t want such ¡°surprises¡± again.


    Shen Lingshuang pouted in defiance at his stern rebuke, her lips forming a tiny oil-can-worthy pout. Even after Qiu Tu¡¯s scolding, she muttered behind his back,ining about his overnight absence and specting absurdly about him seeing other women. Qiu Tu ignored her, giving her a knock on the head to silence her before heading downstairs to his car.


    Once in the car, Qiu Tu didn''t start the engine immediately but instead reviewed the two notifications he received while eating dumplings:


    [Yan Chen¡¯s Suspicion -4, Satisfaction +9]


    [Jia Shu¡¯s Suspicion -0, Satisfaction +0]


    He had been genuinely confused at the time because he had merely been having breakfast.


    Why did Yan Chen reduce his suspicion and increase his satisfaction? Puzzled, he had said nothing and continued eating with Shen Lingshuang. Now alone, he finally had time to ponder this mystery.


    First, he rechecked the "Loyalty Game"''s exnation about ¡°Active Notifications¡±: You will see how your actions and words affect your subordinates and superiors.


    When he first saw this definition, Qiu Tu thought the notifications would only appear during direct interactions. However, he realized that wasn''t the case. Even if he wasn''t in front of Yan Chen or Jia Shu, his previous actions and words could influence them and provide him with real-time feedback.


    Understanding how this notification system worked made things simpler. Now he just had to figure out what he had done to decrease Yan Chen''s suspicion and increase his satisfaction, especially since Jia Shu was involved too. After all, without Jia Shu, both notifications wouldn''t have appeared simultaneously.


    With this thought in mind, Qiu Tu started his car and drove carefully through the streets. Recently, New Realm City''s Municipal Council had received a significant influx of funds, leading to road repairs and the reconstruction of public facilities, marking the start of the city''s infrastructure era. However, with construction happening everywhere, the roads had be even harder to navigate.


    As Qiu Tu carefully navigated through the city, he suddenly hit the brakes hard when he passed a rebuilding power nt. The screeching of tires on the old road caused pedestrians to scatter¡ªnot out of fear of an explosion but worried that the driver might get out and randomly assault someone. In this nearlywless area, anyone driving a car was either wealthy or powerful, and pedestrians could only silently endure any mistreatment.


    But Qiu Tu wasn''t that cruel. He had just figured out the answer to his earlier question: What if it wasn''t something he did that pleased Yan Chen, but rather something he didn''t do?


    With this insight, Qiu Tu quickly pieced together the truth. Yan Chen''s satisfaction likely stemmed from something Jia Shu had reported about him. What could Jia Shu have reported that would please Yan Chen? It couldn''t have been Qiu Tu cking off at the Investigation Department or flirting with female subordinates.


    The report had to be about his actionsst night. But how did Jia Shu know what he didst night? The only usible answer was that Jia Shu had been monitoring him.


    Why would Jia Shu monitor him? Was it out of suspicion? Qiu Tu recalled his conversation with Jia Shu yesterday and found no issues. This was confirmed by the unchanged "suspicion" level in the "Loyalty Game".


    Could it be about his meeting with Qin Shuman? the Investigation Department and the Security Department wouldn''t risk a direct confrontation, and Jia Shu wouldn''t have infiltrated his room to eavesdrop. So, there was no need for surveince there either.


    The only significant event around Qiu Tust night was the death of Deputy Chairman Tian''s mistress. Once he pinpointed this, everything else fell into ce.


    Qiu Tu hadn''t run away after receiving Bai¡¯s call, nor had he conducted any private investigations. He had met with Liu Fuping without coborating or following her. These non-actions reduced Yan Chen''s suspicion and increased his satisfaction.


    It all made sense now. Last night''s situation was a setup! The news about the spy''s death was likely nted by Yan Chen and Jia Shu to test the loyalty and reactions of everyone involved, identifying those who might have ulterior motives against Yan Chen or the Investigation Department.


    Qiu Tu now understood Liu Fuping''s source of information. He had been suspiciousst night since he had learned about the spy''s death from Secretary Bai, Yan Chen¡¯s trusted aide and a high-ranking official. How could Liu Fuping have received the same information? The answer was that Jia Shu had leaked the information along multiple lines, ensuring it reached all the spies of various factions.


    Anyone who showed any movement upon receiving this information was likely monitored by Jia Shu. Qiu Tu''s face darkened at the realization of the ruthless tactics employed.


    ¡®Such vicious methods,¡¯ he thought. ¡®One piece of news, and several spies are exposed! Last night, who knows how many operatives werepromised because of this.¡¯


    Despite understanding everything, Qiu Tu wasn''t pleased. The harsh truth was that while he had "passed the test" and gained Yan Chen''s favor, it meant that Secretary Bai and Liu Fuping had failed. Liu Fuping¡¯s fate wasn¡¯t a major concern, but Bai was his ally within the Investigation Department. If anything happened to Bai, Qiu Tu would lose his only reliable informant and guide.


    Determined to prevent this, Qiu Tu¡¯s expression grew colder. ¡®I can¡¯t let anything happen to Secretary Bai!¡¯


    With this resolve, he started the car again, driving and thinking of ways to save Secretary Bai. By the time he neared the Investigation Department, he had a rough n in mind.


    Gazing at the scenery passing by the car window, Qiu Tu took a deep breath, silently hoping for the right opportunity. ¡®I hope I¡¯m not toote.¡¯


    With these thoughts running through his mind, Qiu Tu drove to the Investigation Department. Upon arriving in the parking lot, he stopped the car and was about to get out when he encountered Qin Zhengguang, the Deputy Director of the Security Department from the second branch of the Qin family, who had just stepped out of his car.


    In just two days, Qin Zhengguang seemed to have aged significantly. His face was lined with new wrinkles, and dark circles shadowed his eyes, clear signs of anxiety and sleepless nights.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, Qin Zhengguang''s expression grewplicated. After all, Qiu Tu was both his "savior" and the "enemy" of the entire Qin family. Without Qiu Tu''s investigation, the four Qin brothers wouldn''t have turned against each other, the main house wouldn''t have burned down, and the Qin family wouldn''t have been forced to seek refuge under Yan Chen.


    He stood dazed for a moment before managing a strained smile. "Agent Qiu¡ªoh, I mean Deputy Chief Qiu. How are you settling into the Interrogation Division?"


    Qiu Tu was also taken aback upon seeing Qin Zhengguang. His thoughts immediately turned to Fourth Master Qin''s wife and children. While they were safely under the watch of the Security Department, the valuables they had were now in the hands of Qiu Tu''s own men. He made a mental note to find an opportunity to inventory the wealth umted by that old schemer over the years.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 68: Saving Secretary Bai

    Chapter 68: Saving Secretary Bai


    Chapter 68: Saving Secretary Bai


    While thinking this over, Qiu Tu snapped back to reality and replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Deputy Director Qin. I¡¯m still getting used to the new duties. As for whether I¡¯ve adapted¡­ well, I am a member of the Investigation Department. I will get used to whatever my superiors assign me to."


    Qin Zhengguang patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder with a smile. "It¡¯s good that you have this awareness. However, if you¡¯re finding it hard to adapt, you can always talk to me. If you want, I can talk to the Director and have you transferred to the Security Department."


    Surprised by Qin Zhengguang¡¯s genuine offer, Qiu Tu raised his eyebrows slightly and then smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Deputy Director Qin. If I ever need it, I¡¯ll be sure to let you know."


    Qin Zhengguang nodded and gestured for Qiu Tu to walk with him towards the Investigation Department building. As they walked, Qiu Tu decided to probe a bit. "Deputy Director Qin, are you familiar with Deputy Chairman Tian?"


    Qin Zhengguang paused at the question, then shook his head with a smile. "I¡¯m not very familiar with Deputy Chairman Tian. But my eldest brother, third brother, and¡­ fourth brother have a good rtionship with him."


    Mentioning his "fourth brother" caused Qin Zhengguang¡¯s expression to sour noticeably. Qiu Tu frowned slightly at this information. ¡®Director Qin, the third brother, and the fourth brother are all close to Deputy Chairman Tian?¡¯


    It was normal for a city hall director and a businessman to have dealings with Deputy Chairman Tian, but why would the fourth brother, a henchman, have a connection with him?


    Seeing Qiu Tu''s curiosity, Qin Zhengguang asked in return, "Why do you ask, Deputy Chief Qiu? Has something happened with Deputy Chairman Tian?"Qiu Tu was about toe up with an excuse when a familiar voice called out from behind them, "Qiu Tu?"


    The rxed demeanor Qiu Tu had a moment ago vanished as he tensed up. It was Secretary Bai¡¯s voice. ¡®Why now of all times?¡¯


    Qiu Tu nced around the first-floor lobby of the Investigation Department. It was filled with agents,ing and going, as it was work hours. Seeing this, Qiu Tu realized it might not be the ideal situation, but it was still an opportunity to save Secretary Bai.


    Qin Zhengguang also turned to see who had called out. Recognizing Secretary Bai, he smiled and patted Qiu Tu¡¯s arm, ready to leave quickly. But just as he was about to step away, Qiu Tu grabbed his arm.


    Startled, Qin Zhengguang stopped and looked at Qiu Tu, confused by his actions. Meanwhile, Qiu Tu turned to face Secretary Bai, saluted him formally, and greeted him in a distant and official tone, "Good day, Sir!"


    Secretary Bai, caught off guard by this cold greeting, hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Qin Zhengguang was utterly bewildered. Everyone in the mid to high levels of the Investigation Department knew that Qiu Tu had been promoted thanks to Secretary Bai¡¯s rmendation, which had brought him to Yan Chen''s attention and led to his current position. Secretary Bai was instrumental in Qiu Tu¡¯s rise, and Qiu Tu was known to be closely allied with him.


    Yet now, Qiu Tu was acting so aloof towards Secretary Bai? Something was definitely wrong!


    Feeling like he had stumbled into a tense situation, Qin Zhengguang¡¯s curiosity was piqued. He watched the interaction between Qiu Tu and Secretary Bai closely, but Qiu Tu didn¡¯t give him more time to observe. After greeting Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu¡¯s expression turned cold. He nodded slightly at Secretary Bai, then pulled Qin Zhengguang towards the elevator.


    Qin Zhengguang didn¡¯t want to leave, but he had no choice. He smiled awkwardly at Secretary Bai before being dragged into the elevator by Qiu Tu. Inside the elevator, Qiu Tu and Secretary Bai locked eyes across the lobby.


    As Qin Zhengguang turned his head away, Qiu Tu subtly shook his head side to side, a signal only Secretary Bai could see. Secretary Bai frowned slightly, seeming to understand. The elevator doors closed slowly.


    Just as the doors were about to closepletely, Secretary Bai¡¯s face changed. He shot a resentful nce at Qiu Tu and spat on the ground, muttering, "Ungrateful! Don¡¯t know what¡¯s good for you!"


    With that, the elevator doors sealed shut, cutting off the outside world.


    Hearing Secretary Bai''s parting words, Qiu Tu sighed in relief. ¡®Looks like Secretary Bai and I still have some understanding between us.¡¯


    As the elevator ascended, Qin Zhengguang couldn¡¯t stop ncing at Qiu Tu. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t hold back. "Deputy Chief Qiu, what¡¯s going on with you and Secretary Bai?"


    Feigning realization, Qiu Tu snapped back, "Oh, nothing at all, Deputy Director Qin. It¡¯s perfectly normal. You misunderstood."


    The elevator stopped on the fifth floor, the level for the Security Department offices. Qin Zhengguang smiled knowingly and patted Qiu Tu on the back. "I haven¡¯t even said anything, and you already think I misunderstood?"


    Qiu Tu chuckled and led the way out of the elevator, leaving Qin Zhengguang curious and somewhat bemused as they headed to their respective offices.


    After saying this, Qin Zhengguangughed heartily and exited the elevator with a victorious smile. Behind him, Qiu Tu''s face showed a hint of embarrassment, as if Qin Zhengguang had seen right through him. Once Qin Zhengguang was out of sight, Qiu Tu''s expression gradually returned to normal, and his eyes took on a yful glint.


    Every good show needs an audience, and Qin Zhengguang was certainly a fitting one. With his preconceived notions, the rumor about Qiu Tu''s conflict with Secretary Bai would quickly spread throughout the Investigation Department. Given the number of agents in the lobby who had witnessed the interaction, the story would likely be embellished as it circted.


    Qiu Tu was confident that it wouldn''t take long for this news to reach Jia Shu and Yan Chen. They would find it suspicious that Qiu Tu, who had been on good terms with Secretary Bai just yesterday, had suddenly fallen out with him this morning. In such a scenario, they might suspect that the fallout was rted tost night¡¯s phone call.


    If Secretary Bai had been tipping Qiu Tu off, they would reason that there wouldn''t have been a fallout. Thus, they might conclude that the phone call was about something else entirely. With this impression in their minds, Secretary Bai would have an easier time crafting a usible story when questioned by Yan Chen. Even if no suitable opportunity for an exnation arose, the mere presence of this rumor would affect Yan Chen and Jia Shu''s assessment of Secretary Bai''s loyalty.


    In the worst-case scenario, if Qiu Tu had misread the entire situation andst night''s events weren¡¯t a conspiracy, distancing himself from Secretary Bai might still prove beneficial. In the midst of this maelstrom, maintaining a safe distance could protect Secretary Bai as well.


    Feeling that he had done everything he could to protect both himself and Secretary Bai, Qiu Tu let out a breath. ¡®Secretary Bai, I¡¯ve done all I can. The rest is up to you.¡¯


    With this thought, the elevator continued its ascent. Soon, it reached the ninth floor. Qiu Tu stepped out and made his way to the Interrogation Division¡¯s offices.


    As he walked, he discreetly observed the Political Division agents. As he had suspected, the department wasn''t bustling with activity due to the spy¡¯s death. Everything appeared as orderly as it had been in previous days. This confirmed that the information had been tightly controlled, leaked only through a few covert channels.


    This fit well with the theory of it being a trap.


    Upon reaching the Interrogation Division, Qiu Tu was immediately approached by his subordinate, Song Qing, who saluted him respectfully. ¡°Deputy Chief, the Minister wants to see you.¡±


    Qiu Tu nced at Song Qing¡¯s "Loyalty Level". Thanks to yesterday¡¯s "strike deration," her loyalty had finally surpassed 30, reaching 31. This meant she now regarded him as a legitimate superior and was less likely to feignpliance or badmouth him behind his back.


    Testing the waters, Qiu Tu asked, ¡°Do you know why the Minister wants to see me?¡±


    Sure enough, with her "Loyalty Level" up, Song Qing hesitated only briefly before whispering, ¡°It seems he wants to discuss the matter of Cao Dabiao and his team.¡±


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 69: The Sugar-coated Bullet

    Chapter 69: The Sugar-coated Bullet


    Chapter 69: The Sugar-coated Bullet


    Hearing Song Qing''s words, Qiu Tu was momentarily stunned.


    ¡®Cao Dabiao? The Political Division''s first-ss agent who was tricked into taking the me at the Qin residence?¡¯


    Qiu Tu was momentarily confused, then realized, ¡®So, this is about the Political Division team stationed at the Qin residence?¡¯


    His eyes flickered as he began to piece things together. The methods of managing subordinates were universally simr, usually involving a mix of stick and carrot. He had received plenty of "stick" already, so was it time for some "carrot"?


    Combining this with the increase in Yan Chen¡¯s satisfaction this morning, Qiu Tu felt his guess was likely correct.


    While Qiu Tu was deep in thought, Song Qing watched him curiously. When he finally came back to his senses, she asked, "Do you already know what this is about, Sir?"


    Qiu Tu nced at her and smiled. "I have a rough idea. It¡¯s probably about conducting an internal review of Cao Dabiao and his team. After all, I was their supervisor at one point. It seems the Minister intends to let them off lightly. They¡¯re really lucky."


    Song Qing looked surprised. She found it fascinating how her young superior seemed to have many different personas: the yful rogue who teased subordinates, the fighter who stood up to superiors, and the sharp mind who quickly graspedplex situations.Perhaps influenced by Qiu Tu¡¯s confrontation with Zheng Tao yesterday, Song Qing''s impression of him had changed significantly.


    Noticing the shift in her attitude, Qiu Tu decided to take advantage of it on their way to see Jia Shu. Recalling what had increased her loyalty the day before, he chose a simr approach.


    ¡°Is the Interrogation Division always this busy?¡± he asked, seemingly finding her trigger point.


    Hearing his question, Song Qingunched into a detailed rant. Qiu Tu listened quietly, asionally joining in with his ownints, adding emotional value to the conversation.


    In just two minutes, Song Qing''s perception of Qiu Tu changedpletely, seeing him as a confidant. Qiu Tu received the feedback he hoped for:


    [Song Qing''s Loyalty +11. Current Loyalty: 42.]


    Seeing how quickly he had closed the gap with Song Qing, Qiu Tu smiled slightly.


    ¡®Indeed, young girls are easy to sway.¡¯


    "Rule 41 of 108 Ways to Improve Rtionships: Women are emotional beings. Being a good listener and sharingints can quickly bring you closer. A bad man should know how to draw out a girl''s words and listen. Once you open the upper gate, the lower gate bes much easier."


    Though Song Qing seemed reluctant to stop talking, they had reached the ce where Jia Shu was waiting for Qiu Tu, so she had to cut the conversation short. With bright eyes, she said, ¡°Sir, I didn¡¯t expect us to have so much inmon. I hope we can talk more in the future.¡±


    Qiu Tu smiled. ¡°You can alwayse to me if you have any questions. Let¡¯s keepmunicating.¡±


    Song Qing nodded cutely before pointing to a nearby rooftop garden. ¡°Sir, the Minister is waiting for you on the rooftop garden.¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly, thanked her politely, and then headed towards the rooftop garden.


    On the rooftop, Jia Shu was indeed there, standing at the edge with his hands behind his back, looking out over the rejuvenating cityscape of New Realm City. Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s footsteps, he didn¡¯t turn around but continued gazing at the view and said with a smile, ¡°When you find yourself in a conversation with a stranger and discover you agree on everything, be cautious. It¡¯s likely not that you have a lot inmon, but that their knowledge, experience, emotional intelligence, and IQ far exceed yours.¡±


    He turned around, smiling slyly at Qiu Tu. ¡°Would you agree, Deputy Chief Qiu?¡±


    Understanding that Jia Shu was alluding to his "one-upmanship" over Song Qing, Qiu Tu responded with a nonchnt smile. ¡°It¡¯s my duty tomunicate with subordinates and listen to their feedback about the department.¡±


    Jia Shu looked at Qiu Tu, who calmly met his gaze. After a moment, Jia Shu¡¯s smile widened. He turned back to look at the city and asked, ¡°Do you remember this ce, Deputy Chief Qiu?¡±


    Qiu Tu hesitated, ncing around the rooftop garden. Jia Shu continued, ¡°Don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    Qiu Tu quickly searched his predecessor¡¯s memories but found nothing. He could onlyugh it off. ¡°I don¡¯t seem to have any recollection.¡±


    Jia Shu chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s because this is likely your first time here.¡±


    Qiu Tu was baffled: ???


    ¡®You¡¯re kidding, right? You scared me half to death! I thought you were onto my secret of being a transmigrant!¡¯


    Jia Shu, oblivious to Qiu Tu''s inner turmoil, continued gazing at the city. ¡°This is the rooftop garden reserved for mid-level officers and above. Here, you can enjoy tea and snacks while overlooking the entire New Realm City. You can have your uniform cleaned, dinner prepared, or even have any item you desire brought to you by a server.¡±


    As he spoke, Jia Shu gestured, and a young, beautiful waitress approached with a cup of coffee for him. Leaning against the railing, he took a sip and continued, ¡°When you be a director, you¡¯ll have a private lounge on the 12th floor, a dedicated secretary, and a personal driver.¡±


    As he spoke, Jia Shu gestured, and a young, beautiful waitress approached with a cup of coffee for him. Leaning against the railing, he took a sip and continued, ¡°When you be a director, you¡¯ll have a private lounge on the 12th floor, a dedicated secretary, and a personal driver. The City Hall will provide a vi in the city center, and the Investigation Department will supply all the resources you need for your life.¡±


    Jia Shu nced at Qiu Tu with a sly smile. ¡°As one of the three most powerful people in New Realm City, your orders will be the will of the entire city. Anything you desire will be brought to you the next day. Any woman you fancy will appear in your bed the following day. Whatever you want to do in New Realm City, as long as it doesn¡¯t betray the Shelter, no one can stop you.¡±


    Qiu Tu blinked. ¡°Even the military and the Municipal Council?¡±


    Jia Shu smiled and nodded. ¡°Of course. And they won¡¯t try to stop you. At that level, even if there¡¯s conflict, it¡¯s fought at the top. No one cares what you do below.¡±


    Jia Shu''s smile broadened. ¡°To reach such heights, you must follow the right person. Only by following the right person can you climb to the top.¡±


    Understanding Jia Shu¡¯s intent, Qiu Tu immediately dered his loyalty. He straightened his back and said firmly, ¡°Rest assured, Minister! I will follow you and the Director¡¯s lead!¡±


    Loyalty cost nothing, and Qiu Tu was happy to offer it in abundance. Jia Shu, however, didn¡¯t fully buy it. He chuckled, ¡°Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder.¡±


    Then, Jia Shu finally revealed the purpose of the meeting. ¡°I have two tasks for you.¡±


    ¡°Two tasks?¡± Qiu Tu was taken aback. This differed from what Song Qing had told him.


    Jia Shu nodded. ¡°The first task is to conduct an internal review of Cao Dabiao and his team over the next few days. As you know, a major incident urred at the Qin residence. Not only did Fourth Master Qin escape, but Miss Qin Shuman is still missing. Cao Dabiao and his team were supposed to protect her and conduct a secret investigation, but they failed. They¡¯ve all been detained. You were their supervisor, so you understand their strengths and weaknesses. It¡¯s only fitting that you handle their review and punishment.¡±


    Qiu Tu didn¡¯t immediately agree but instead asked cautiously, ¡°Do you have any specific instructions for this internal review?¡±


    Jia Shu looked at him deeply before smiling. ¡°No instructions. You¡¯re in charge.¡±


    But then he added, ¡°I secured this opportunity from the Director specifically for you. Make the most of it.¡±


    Qiu Tu understood that this was indeed the "carrot," allowing him to openly cultivate his own faction. He quickly expressed his gratitude, ¡°Thank you, Minister, for your support!¡±


    Jia Shu nodded in satisfaction and took a sip of his coffee before continuing, ¡°The second task also involves you. Yin Caimei is dead.¡±


    Feigning confusion, Qiu Tu replied, ¡°Who?¡±


    Jia Shu scrutinized him, as if trying to see if he was pretending. Not finding any ws, Jia Shu exined, ¡°The female spy you interrogated the other day. Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s mistress.¡±


    Qiu Tu feigned realization. ¡°Oh, her.¡± He frowned and admitted, ¡°Minister, I heard about thisst night.¡±


    Jia Shu raised an eyebrow. ¡°From whom?¡±


    Having already guessed the truth, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t hesitate to throw Liu Fuping under the bus. ¡°From Agent Liu. Last night, she told me the news and asked what to do. I told her to follow the proper procedures: investigate, autopsy, and determine the cause of death. If it¡¯s natural, close the case; if it¡¯s foul y, find the mole. It wasn¡¯t my interrogation, so it¡¯s not my responsibility.¡±


    Jia Shu chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re quite heartless, aren¡¯t you? I thought you were close to Agent Liu. I assumed you had feelings for her.¡±


    Qiu Tuughed too. ¡°I care for my pets, but losing one or two doesn¡¯t affect me. In chaotic times, bodies have no emotions.¡±


    Jia Shu pped, whether in mockery or praise. ¡°Good, very detached.¡±


    Then he changed his tone. ¡°But now, this matter concerns you. From today, you will be in charge of investigating the female spy¡¯s death. She was Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s mistress, connected to many key figures in the city¡¯s political and business circles. Yet she was also a spy for the RUF, sending information that caused significant losses to the city¡¯s merchants. Her sudden death in our custody must be thoroughly investigated to satisfy both the political and businessmunities.¡±


    Jia Shu didn¡¯t wait for Qiu Tu to ask. ¡°The case must be closed quickly and without causing too much disturbance. We need to ensure that both political and business leaders are satisfied.¡±


    Qiu Tu was taken aback. He wasn¡¯t naive and understood the implications of Jia Shu''s words.


    In essence, Jia Shu was implying that the truth of the case didn''t matter; what the Investigation Department needed was a result that would satisfy everyone. In other words, Qiu Tu was expected to fabricate the case or find a scapegoat.


    Combined with Jia Shu¡¯s unusually generous promises today, Qiu Tu broke into a cold sweat. This was a ssic carrot-and-stick approach, forcing him to pick a side. By epting the benefits and fabricating the case, he would be handing over leverage that Jia Shu and Yan Chen could use to secure his loyalty before they wouldfortably invest in his development.


    Realizing this, Qiu Tu sighed internally at how cunning Yan Chen and Jia Shu were. But standing on the rooftop, he had no choice but toply. The thoughts ran through his mind quickly before he smiled and responded, "Understood, Minister. Rest assured, I¡¯ll handle this matter to everyone¡¯s satisfaction."


    Hearing this, a hint of satisfaction shed in Jia Shu¡¯s eyes. He patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder encouragingly. "Excellent. The Director and I were right about you."


    [Jia Shu''s Suspicion -0, Satisfaction +1]


    After discussing the new tasks, Qiu Tu took the opportunity to briefly report on his recent meeting with the Security Department. In his ount, he portrayed himself as having gone through great lengths to reestablish contact with them. He emphasized that they remained cautious and clearly did not fully trust him.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 70: The Agents Were Stunned

    Chapter 70: The Agents Were Stunned


    Chapter 70: The Agents Were Stunned


    Upon hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Jia Shu smiled and cryptically remarked, ¡°No matter. Even if they don¡¯t trust you now, they¡¯ll soone to rely on you.¡±


    Qiu Tu felt there was more to Jia Shu''s statement, as if something significant was happening within the Security Department. However, due to his position, he couldn¡¯t probe further, so he let it pass.


    After finishing their conversation, Qiu Tu saluted Jia Shu and left the rooftop garden, holding the two investigative authorization documents Jia Shu had given him. As he walked back to the Interrogation Division, he pondered his next steps.


    Even though Jia Shu wanted the female spy¡¯s case fabricated, it had to be done in a way that satisfied everyone involved. To achieve this, the case couldn¡¯t be entirely fabricated; it had to have some basis in truth. This meant he had to conduct a proper investigation, which required manpower. Currently, his team was too small to make any real progress, so he needed to release Cao Dabiao¡¯s group first.


    As he considered how to release Cao Dabiao and his team and increase their loyalty to him, a n started to form in his mind.


    Meanwhile, in arge holding cell on the ninth floor of the Political Division, Cao Dabiao and twelve other agents were being detained. Because they were technically still colleagues and not actual prisoners, the guards hadn¡¯t mistreated them. Physically, they were fine, but their spirits were worn down by the uncertainty.


    After a long silence, Cao Dabiao¡¯s close associate, Liu, nudged him and whispered, ¡°Boss, do you think we¡¯ll ever get out of here? It¡¯s been days, and no one¡¯se to see us. Do you think they might just kick us out of the Investigation Department?¡±


    Cao Dabiao red at him and replied hoarsely, ¡°Don¡¯t be so negative! If you can¡¯t say something useful, don¡¯t say anything at all!¡±On Cao Dabiao¡¯s other side, Qi sighed and said, ¡°Being kicked out would be the least of our worries. We lost the Director¡¯s mistress and had that big incident at the Qin residence. The Minister will skin us alive, even if we are colleagues.¡±


    Cao Dabiao hadn¡¯t expected Qi to bring up such a sensitive topic. He pped Qi¡¯s head and growled, ¡°Watch what you say! Are you trying to get us all killed?¡±


    However, after two days in the holding cell, tensions were running high. Although Liu and Qi were silenced, the other agents started toin quietly.


    ¡°We¡¯re so unlucky. We didn¡¯t even do anything wrong, and suddenly, we¡¯re scapegoats for this mess.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re really unfortunate. Who could have predicted this?¡±


    ¡°I me Qiu Tu. If he hadn¡¯t suddenly decided to investigate the Qin family and dragged us into it, we wouldn¡¯t be in this mess. He¡¯s fine, but we¡¯re stuck here.¡±


    As soon as thisstint was voiced, the room fell silent. In situations like this, people often look for someone to me to vent their frustration. It was only natural for them to target Qiu Tu, the person who had brought them into this situation. However, they were also aware of his recent promotion to Deputy Section Chief, which made him a powerful figure within the Investigation Department. None of them dared to openly criticize him for fear of making things worse.


    Deputy Team Leader Li Feng eventually spoke up, his face expressionless. ¡°This isn¡¯t Qiu Tu¡¯s fault. He couldn¡¯t have known this would happen. It¡¯s just our bad luck.¡±


    His words silenced the room again. While many agents were still unhappy, they knew arguing wouldn¡¯t help. Cao Dabiao, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, added, ¡°True, he couldn¡¯t have foreseen the trouble, but he should have known afterward. He dragged us into this, acted like a brother, and now he should find a way to help us out. If he cared at all, he¡¯d do something.¡±


    This sparked a sense of agreement among the agents. Some nodded, showing their dissatisfaction, while others even had tears in their eyes, worried about their future. However, a few, like Li Feng, remained impassive, keeping their thoughts to themselves.


    At that moment, the sound of a lock turning at the door caught everyone¡¯s attention. The agents immediately sat up straight, their hearts pounding with anxiety. They had been in this holding cell for two days and nights, receiving regr meals but no visits or news. Their anxiety had been growing with each passing hour.


    The door slowly opened, and the agents held their breath, wondering who was finallying to see them and what fate awaited them.


    Finally, someone hade to see them. Whether the news was good or bad, at least they wouldn¡¯t have to endure the uncertainty any longer. The door to the holding cell opened, and a sophisticated woman with two golden stars on her shoulder epaulets walked in, led by the guard.


    As she entered, the woman, Liu Fuping, waved a hand in front of her nose in disgust. ¡°Ugh, it stinks in here.¡±


    The agents inside blushed with embarrassment. After confirming the number of detained agents, Liu Fuping pulled out a document and began to read aloud, ¡°I am Liu Fuping, a second-level agent from the Interrogation Division, here under orders to escort you for an internal review. When I call your name, step forward, line up, and follow me.¡±


    ¡°Cao Dabiao.¡±


    ¡°Here!¡± Cao Dabiao quickly stood up and jogged over to Liu Fuping, smiling obsequiously. ¡°Good day, ma''am. Sorry for the trouble.¡±


    Being a first-level agent, calling Liu Fuping, a second-level agent, "ma''am" surprised her, causing her to nce at him curiously.


    ¡°Li Feng.¡±


    Li Feng stood up from the corner, expressionless, and joined Cao Dabiao.


    ¡°Ding Liu, Ding Qi!¡±


    One by one, the agents were called and formed a line. Once Liu Fuping confirmed everyone was ounted for, she gestured for them to follow and exited the holding cell with a sway in her step. Outside, six armed guards stood ready, fitting each agent with handcuffs as they exited.


    Led by Liu Fuping and nked by the armed guards, Cao Dabiao and his team were escorted to arge interrogation room. To their surprise, this wasn''t a typical individual interrogation but a group session. The agents entered the room and stood in a line against the wall, handcuffed.


    One brave agent stole a nce at the interrogation panel. There were three seats, but only the leftmost one was upied by a young female agent, identifiable as a third-level agent by her shoulder epaulets. She appeared to be a note-taker, given the pen and documents in her hand. The other two seats were empty.


    Seeing this setup made the agents uneasy. Their mission had indeed gone awry, but the severity of their punishment was uncertain and depended entirely on the discretion of the interrogating officers.


    As they stood, backs straight and heads bowed, hoping to make a good impression, the door to the interrogation room opened. Two individuals entered, and the female agent immediately stood and saluted. ¡°Good day, sir!¡±


    Cao Dabiao and the others subtly nced up to see who hade to interrogate them. They first saw Liu Fuping, her hair slightly disheveled, cheeks flushed, and eyes glistening as if she had just been through something intense.


    Behind her, smiling and exuding authority, was Qiu Tu. Upon seeing Qiu Tu, Cao Dabiao and the others¡¯ eyes widened in disbelief. For a moment, it felt like they were seeing their savior. Joy and relief swelled in their chests.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 71: Surging Loyalty

    Chapter 71: Surging Loyalty


    Chapter 71: Surging Loyalty


    Qiu Tu looked at the wide-eyed faces of Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng, their mouths trying hard to maintain a straight line but curving upwards nheless. He smiled slightly. This was exactly the effect he wanted.


    Only when these agents had lost all hope and were merely praying for mercy from their interrogator, could he appear and maximize his impact, swiftly boosting their loyalty.


    To achieve this moment, Qiu Tu had even specifically instructed Liu Fuping not to mention his name when announcing the interrogation order. And now, it seemed, the effect was quite satisfactory.


    Thinking this, Qiu Tu walked to the interrogation seat, sat in the middle, and calmly swept his gaze over all the agents in front of him, taking in their loyalty levels at a nce.


    [Cao Dabiao: 23+8]


    [Chen Feng: 42+6]


    [Ding Xiaoliu: 29+6]


    [Ding Xiaoqi: 13+6][Zhu Huoyan: 31+5]


    [...]


    The first number represented these agents'' loyalty before seeing Qiu Tu, while thetter indicated the loyalty boost after his appearance.


    Overall, most agents'' initial loyalty was not high. Besides Chen Feng, who had a loyalty score above 40, and Zhu Huoyan and three others with scores above 30, most agents'' loyalty ranged between 20 and 30.


    This was not beyond Qiu Tu''s expectations.


    After all, he had only been their superior for two days, there wasn''t much emotional connection, and he had dragged them into the Qin family''s mess. Now that he was no longer their superior, there was no hierarchical rtionship; it was good enough that they didn''t hate him. So, it was normal for their loyalty to drop below 30 in two days.


    Qiu Tu guessed that their loyalty hadn''t dropped below 20 because he had given them benefits before.


    Thus,pared to their initial loyalty, Qiu Tu was more concerned with the increase in loyalty. An increase of 5-8 points from a single appearance indicated that his n was working. He felt that with some effort, he could quickly elevate their loyalty to a new level by invoking their image several times during the interrogation.


    With this thought, Qiu Tu continued with his n. He tapped Liu Fuping''s desk. The beautifuldy adjusted her hair and then stood up to read the document.


    The document''s content was simple, detailing the mistakes made by Cao Dabiao and others during this mission: failing to protect the key person (Qin Shuman), letting an important suspect (Shen Lingshuang) escape, failing toplete the assigned task (obtaining evidence against the Qin family), and embezzling public funds, among other charges.


    As these charges were read out, the expressions of Cao Dabiao and the others grew increasingly bizarre. It was bizarre because, although these charges were indeed rted to them, most seemed to be led by Qiu Tu, who was now sitting at the interrogation table while they wore handcuffs. Such a stark contrast made it impossible for them not to feel strange.


    Naturally, this contrast also made Cao Dabiao realize Qiu Tu''s background and power once more. Despite all these issues, Qiu Tu remained unharmed and even conducted their interrogation. Qiu Tu indeed was deeply favored by the Director, as he imed.


    So, when Liu Fuping finished reading the charges and Qiu Tu began to speak, they listened intently.


    "Since we are all familiar, I won''t hide anything," Qiu Tu said slowly. "Initially, this interrogation wasn''t supposed to be handled by me."


    "Since I participated in this mission and was your superior, it would be inappropriate."


    "But, thinking differently, it is precisely because I participated and understand the situation that I am the best person for this internal review."


    "So, I specifically approached the Director and the Minister to take on this internal review."


    As he spoke, Qiu Tu tapped Song Qing, who was busy writing, and cleared his throat, "No need to record the above."


    Upon hearing this, Song Qing paused, then tore the half-page of interrogation notes she had written, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it into the trash can.


    A simplemand left a deep impression on the agents who had worked with Qiu Tu. They understood that Qiu Tu was demonstrating his power, reminding them of his backing by Yan Chen and Jia Shu, and showing that he could freely alter the interrogation records and decide their fate.


    Instantly, a wave of [loyalty] increase notifications floated before Qiu Tu.


    He casually nced at it and then began the formal review. First, he looked at Cao Dabiao.


    "Cao Dabiao."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s call, Cao Dabiao hurriedly stepped forward, "Here, sir. I''m here."


    Qiu Tu nced at the file in his hand and said, "As a high-level agent, you were the action leader and the head of the guard group in this mission."


    "Regarding your failure to protect the key person, letting the suspect escape, and embezzling public funds, do you have any defense?"


    Cao Dabiao was momentarily stunned by Qiu Tu''s questioning. To be honest, he had many grievances to voice.


    For instance, letting the suspect escape¡ªGod knows! He hadn¡¯t even seen the suspect, okay?! Qiu Tu never handed the suspect over to him during the transition. He only found out about the suspect''s presence in the guard team after he was arrested.


    As for embezzling public funds, he did...embezzle a little, yes, but out of 500 silver coins, most of it was taken by Qiu Tu. He only took 100 silver coins.


    If someone else were handling the interrogation, he might hesitate before speaking up. But now that Qiu Tu was in charge, could he say anything? He couldn¡¯t. He knew that even if he dragged Qiu Tu down with him, it wouldn''t save himself and would only offend Qiu Tu further. So it was better to admit everything, hoping to leave a good impression on Qiu Tu, who might then help him out of old camaraderie.


    Thinking this, he gritted his teeth and forced a smile, "I admit it, sir."


    [Cao Dabiao Loyalty +6]


    Hearing this and seeing the prompt, Qiu Tu understood Cao Dabiao¡¯s thought process: he was starting to bet on him. Qiu Tu gave him a deep look and smiled, "Agent Cao, don''t you want to reconsider? Are you sure it was you who let the suspect escape? Are you sure you embezzled the funds?"


    Cao Dabiao was momentarily stunned. Seeing Qiu Tu¡¯s half-smiling expression, he cursed inwardly. He realized Qiu Tu was testing his loyalty, so he gritted his teeth again and said, "Yes, sir, it was truly my doing!"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s face showed a look of disappointment. He tapped Song Qing¡¯s notebook, signaling her to pause. Then he turned to Cao Dabiao, "Agent Cao, don¡¯t feel pressured. This is just a routine internal review."


    "Let me share my perspective."


    He took a sip of water and said calmly, "As members of the guard team and investigation group, it¡¯s indeed disappointing that you didn¡¯tplete the tasks assigned by the department."


    "But, no one expected the sudden upheaval at the Qin household that day."


    "Fourth Master Qin set fire to the main house, causing chaos within the Qin family."


    "You noticed something was wrong and rushed to protect Miss Qin Shuman."


    "Who knew, when you arrived at Miss Qin¡¯s residence, the agents from the Special Operations Division were unconscious, and Miss Qin had been taken away."


    "You followed the clues to rescue her, but it turned out to be a diversion. Not only did you fail to rescue Miss Qin, but your base was also attacked."


    "This incident indeed reflects significant negligence on your part, but it''s understandable."


    As Qiu Tu exined the case details, the agents¡¯ eyes grew brighter. If Qiu Tu¡¯s appearance initially gave them hope, now they seemed to see the dawn of salvation!


    At this moment, Cao Dabiao, filled with joy, nodded repeatedly, "Yes, exactly, sir, you¡¯re right!"


    [Cao Dabiao Loyalty +2]


    Qiu Tu¡¯s expression changed, and he scolded, "What do you mean I''m right? What did I say?!"


    "Cao Dabiao! I warn you, don¡¯t speak recklessly here!"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s sudden change of attitude startled Cao Dabiao, but he quickly realized his improper wording could not only fail to save him but also add to his charges. So he hurriedly said, "Sorry, sir, I misspoke. I finally remembered the situation that day."


    [Cao Dabiao Loyalty +3]


    Seeing he understood his intent, Qiu Tu tapped Song Qing¡¯s hand, signaling her. Song Qing rolled her eyes and once again tore up the interrogation notes.


    As she crumpled the notes into a ball, she irritably said to Cao Dabiao, "You better think carefully before speaking this time! I''m tired of taking notes!"


    Cao Dabiao hurriedly apologized to Song Qing, nodding and bowing.


    With Qiu Tu¡¯s guidance, the note-taking proceeded smoothly. All the agents firmly imed that the sudden incident left them no time to react, resulting in the current situation.


    After finishing the notes, Qiu Tu flipped through the files, then randomly pulled out a few and said, "Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, Su Yun, your notes are incorrect."


    "I remember Cao Dabiao said you two were the duty officers guarding the suspect and the treasury."


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, and Su Yun were stunned. They weren¡¯t fools. ording to the previous notes, at most, they were guilty of inefficiency, but now beingbeled as guards of the suspect and treasury, they faced more severe negligence charges.


    But before they could argue, Qiu Tu pulled out a few more notes and said, "And Chen Feng, Zhu Huoyan, Li Xian, Jiao Ming, weren¡¯t you assigned to investigate the case that day? How did you end up rescuing Miss Qin?"


    "Correct them, all of them."


    If it were only Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, and Su Yun¡¯s notes being worsened, the agents wouldn¡¯t think much. But seeing Chen Feng and others¡¯ notes being corrected towards innocence, they sensed something was off.


    They looked at each other and recalled that Chen Feng and Zhu Huoyan had been speaking on Qiu Tu¡¯s behalf in the detention room these past two days.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 72: Grateful Agents

    Chapter 72: Grateful Agents


    Chapter 72: Grateful Agents


    Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, and Su Yun were among those who had mocked and shown dissatisfaction towards Qiu Tu. At this moment, they couldn''t help but nce at Qiu Tu. They saw his deep, ocean-like gaze, as if it could see through their hearts. All the agents felt a chill down their spines. Sweat began to form on the foreheads of Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, and Su Yun.


    At this moment, Qiu Tu spoke calmly, "If there are any discrepancies in the records, feel free to point them out."


    "The fire at the Qin residence only burned for two days. Most of the traces can still be verified."


    "If the statements don¡¯t match, I can request to enter the Qin residence for a detailed investigation."


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s veiled threat, Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, and the others fully understood his message. Qiu Tu was aware of their dissatisfaction and was giving them a warning. If they continued to act out, Qiu Tu could easily seal their fate with serious charges.


    At that moment, the three of them quickly responded, "No problem, sir."


    [Ding Xiaoqi, Shi Zhang, Su Yun, Loyalty +8]


    [Chen Feng, Zhu Huoyan, Li Xian, Jiao Ming, Loyalty +10]The loyalty of other agents also varied.


    Once all the charges were finalized, it was time for signatures and handprints. As each name was signed and each handprint was made, the interrogation finally came to an end. After collecting the interrogation records, Qiu Tu slowly said to the 13 agents, "You can rest assured. With your statements and the remaining evidence at the scene, the results of your review will be out soon."


    "At that time, we should all still be colleagues."


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s definitive statement, the agents could no longer contain their joy. They looked at Qiu Tu with excitement. They had waited for so many days, anxious all the while. Their cooperation with Qiu Tu was all for this moment.


    In New Realm City, being a formal agent, especially a political agent, was a position of significant power and privilege. Not only were the sries generous, but the position also offered protection to their families and neighbors, allowing them to walk with their heads held high.


    They had worked hard to be agents and were reluctant to give up their uniforms.


    Seeing the agents'' excitement, Qiu Tu smiled and timely asked, "I have a case to handle next. Is anyone interested?"


    Upon hearing Qiu Tu''s words, the agents, who had just received his favor, eagerly raised their hands, "Sir! I am willing!" "Sir! Count me in!" "Sir, I want to continue working under yourmand!"


    Even the reserved Chen Feng raised his hand with determination.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu smiled and said, "Alright, I¡¯ll note down your names."


    "See you this afternoon."


    After speaking, Qiu Tu turned to Liu Fuping, "Have the service teame and take them back."


    Liu Fuping rolled her eyes yfully at Qiu Tu before getting up and swaying her hips to find the service team agents.


    Thus, the 13 agents lined up and were led out of the interrogation room once again. However, just as thest in line, Cao Dabiao, was about to leave the room, Qiu Tu called out to him, "Dabiao, wait a moment."


    Hearing this, Cao Dabiao stopped and looked at Qiu Tu in confusion. Once everyone else had left and only Cao Dabiao remained, Qiu Tu lit a cigarette, quietly smoking as he observed Cao Dabiao. At first, Cao Dabiao looked back at Qiu Tu in confusion, but gradually, sweat began to form on his forehead as he realized why Qiu Tu had kept him back.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu finally spoke, no longer beating around the bush. He flicked the ash from his cigarette and said softly, "I heard you¡¯ve had someints about me these past two days?"


    At that moment, Cao Dabiao¡¯s legs almost gave way. He bowed and said with a forced smile, "Sir, it was unintentional. You¡¯re magnanimous; please don¡¯t hold it against me."


    Qiu Tu smiled faintly and said, "But you have a lot of responsibility in this operation. I can¡¯tpletely absolve you of guilt."


    "So, you will be demoted by one level."


    Upon hearing this, Cao Dabiao¡¯s face turned pale. Although it was just one level, a high-level agent had significantmand and many privileges, with a status vastly different from that of a mid-level agent. Being demoted would greatly diminish his standing and authority in the Political Division.


    Cao Dabiao wanted to tter Qiu Tu more, but the words stuck in his throat. He knew this was Qiu Tu¡¯s way of teaching him a lesson. Having failed to keep his mouth shut about Qiu Tu, a reprimand was well-deserved. He even felt grateful that Qiu Tu was giving him a second chance.


    With this in mind, his attitude became much more peaceful. He bowed deeply to Qiu Tu and said, "Thank you, sir. I am already very grateful that you are willing to keep me in the Investigation Department."


    [Cao Dabiao Loyalty +5, current Loyalty: 56]


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu blew a smoke ring and, with a leisurely and rxed air, said, "Dabiao, I¡¯m d you¡¯vee to terms with this."


    "In life, don¡¯t get hung up on immediate gains and losses."


    He then asked, "Do you know about the garden terrace on the 9th floor?"


    Hearing this, Cao Dabiao was momentarily stunned and shook his head.


    Qiu Tu showed a reminiscent expression and said, "That¡¯s a ce only mid-level officers and above can ess."


    "Up there, you can drink tea, eat desserts, and overlook the entire New Realm City."


    "You can also have the staff wash your uniform, prepare dinner, or even buy you anything you want."


    Cao Dabiao was mesmerized by Qiu Tu''s description, as if he could see the garden terrace in his mind.


    Then Qiu Tu continued, "Dabiao, do you know about the lounge on the 12th floor?"


    Cao Dabiao shook his head again, looking puzzled.


    Qiu Tu smiled and said, "That¡¯s a privilege for directors."


    "Once you be a director, you will..."


    Qiu Tu then described the luxurious lifestyle and immense privileges of mid-level officers, directors, and even the Director General. He embellished what Jia Shu had told him and conveyed it to Cao Dabiao.


    Thispletely fascinated Cao Dabiao, who had never seen such opulence. By the end, Qiu Tu looked at him meaningfully and repeated Jia Shu¡¯s brainwashing lines, "Dabiao, achieving all this is actually simple. You just need to follow the right person."


    "Only by following the right person can you gradually reach the pinnacle."


    Jia Shu¡¯s brainwashing prowess was indeed remarkable. Qiu Tu¡¯s delivery left Cao Dabiao flushed with excitement and his eyes red with determination. He made a fervent pledge to Qiu Tu, "Sir, you can count on me!"


    "From now on, I am your man! Just give the orders, and I will execute them!"


    [Cao Dabiao Loyalty +8, current Loyalty: 64]


    Seeing Cao Dabiao¡¯s enthusiastic expression and rapidly rising loyalty, Qiu Tu¡¯s face was full of smiles. He had guessed correctly. When you hold someone¡¯s fate in your hands and can significantly impact their future, gaining their loyalty bes exceptionally easy.


    After having the service team take Cao Dabiao back to the holding room, Qiu Tu brought the records and files to Jia Shu for his signature. Jia Shu, though a smiling tiger, was trustworthy. Since he had promised Qiu Tu the authority to handle this matter, he signed the documents without even reading the report.


    Since the agents involved were under Qiu Tu¡¯smand, their penalties were not severe. Agents like Chen Feng and Zhu Huoyan, who had high loyalty towards Qiu Tu, received only a warning and a light punishment of three sses of wine.


    Agents like Ding Xiaoqi and Shi Zhang, who had previously shown dissatisfaction with Qiu Tu, faced heavier penalties: a major demerit and three months¡¯ sry deduction. Other agents received a demerit and a one-month sry deduction.


    As for Cao Dabiao, Qiu Tu originally intended to teach him a lesson. But seeing his loyalty increase rapidly and considering he was the only high-level agent under hismand, Qiu Tu decided not to demote him. Instead, he gave him a major demerit, deducted three months¡¯ sry, and temporarily suspended hismand authority. However, Cao Dabiao retained his high-level agent position.


    When this punishment was announced in the holding room, the entire ce erupted in excitement! Hearing that he kept his position, Cao Dabiao, who had resigned himself to a demotion, cried tears of joy. He hugged Xiaoliu and pped him so hard in excitement that he nearly knocked him out.


    This, of course, earned Qiu Tu another wave of loyalty.


    Through Qiu Tu¡¯s series of twists and surprises, he firmly established his position in the hearts of the agents who were already somewhat loyal to him. Now, their loyalty generally reached over 40-50 points, making them reliable allies.


    However, Qiu Tu¡¯s attention had already shifted away from these agents. His "chain n" was far from over.


    After leaving Jia Shu¡¯s office, Qiu Tu was quickly pulled into an empty conference room by Liu Fuping. Despite being dragged into the room, Qiu Tu remained unperturbed and instead embraced the beautifuldy in front of him, softly asking, "Did youplete the tasks I assigned?"


    Liu Fuping rolled her eyes at Qiu Tu and yfully said, "Everything is done, sir."


    "But, won¡¯t your actions attract attention from above?"


    Qiu Tu thought for a moment before casually replying, "Even if I do nothing, won¡¯t they still notice me?"


    "Besides, I haven''t done much. I just established my image in front of all the junior agents."


    "Think about it. Once most agents know that following me will not only help them get promoted and raise their sries but also ensure their protection, it will be much easier for me to aplish things in the future."


    Liu Fuping giggled, "But can you really protect them when something happens?"


    Qiu Tu chuckled, "Whether I can protect them is another matter."


    "Do you understand what an image is? It doesn¡¯t have to be real."


    Liu Fuping rolled her eyes again, "You¡¯re so clever."


    Qiu Tuughed and then seriously added, "Moreover, I am also fostering a sense of unity and honor among Cao Dabiao and his group."


    "This way, they will be more loyal in helping me investigate cases."


    Hearing this, Liu Fuping blinked and curiously asked, "You seem to value them a lot. Do you really want them to participate in the investigation of the female spy''s death?"


    She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Why? Do they have something special?"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes twinkled with a smile, "They do have a certain uniqueness."


    He paused, "Don¡¯t forget, they¡¯ve been locked in the holding room from morning till night these past few days."


    "And Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s mistress died right next to them."


    "Having them investigate this case might bring unexpected surprises."


    Liu Fuping suddenly understood and looked enlightened.


    Leaving the holding room and reiming their belongings, Cao Dabiao and others first returned to the Operations Section to report and fill out the absence exnations. They had expected cold res and ridicule from their colleagues due to their time in the holding room and the punishments they received.


    However, to their surprise, the records clerk greeted them with a warm smile while processing their paperwork. Even their fellow agents looked at them with envious eyes.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 73: Killing Several Birds with One Stone

    Chapter 73: Killing Several Birds with One Stone


    Chapter 73: Killing Several Birds with One Stone


    This left Cao Dabiao and the otherspletely baffled. Since when did staying in the holding room be an honor? Had their two days in detention somehow made them heroes of the department?


    Despite their inner confusion, they kept a calm exterior. It wasn''t until they finished the procedures and were about to leave that a familiar high-level agent quietly pulled Cao Dabiao aside and asked in a hushed tone, "Brother Dabiao, I heard you guystched onto a powerful patron?"


    Cao Dabiao looked at the familiar agent with bewilderment.


    The agent rolled his eyes, "Stop pretending with me. Everyone knows about it now."


    Hearing this, Cao Dabiao felt as if he were being scratched by a cat. It seemed the whole world knew something he didn''t! Thinking quickly, he half-boasted and half-probed, "Which thing are you talking about?"


    The agent looked at Cao Dabiao in surprise, "Oh, there are many things?"


    After sighing, he whispered, "I''m talking about Chief Qiu protecting you guys."


    He continued quietly, "Let me tell you, the whole Political Division and the Special Operations Division are buzzing about it.""Chief Qiu is well-connected, smart, and loyal, and most importantly, he stands up for his people."


    "You guys only followed him for two days, yet when he found out you were implicated, he immediately went to the Director and the Minister to request handling your case personally."


    "And surprisingly, the Director and the Minister agreed to his request. They really let him handle your case."


    "Up to this point, everyone was just waiting to see a joke."


    "After all, the Special Operations Division team, which participated in the same mission, had already received their punishments. All involved agents were demoted by one rank, had their sries suspended for six months, and received major demerits."


    "The high-level agent leading the team was suspended and sent home to reflect."


    "Even Fang Ming, the high-level agent from the Special Operations Division who argued with you, received a warning."


    "Given the Special Operations Division''s harsh punishment standards, it was expected that your team would face simr, if not worse, consequences."


    "But who could have guessed that Chief Qiu would take such a huge risk and manage to protect all of you?"


    "And even more astonishingly, the Minister approved it!"


    Upon hearing this, Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, and the others were all stunned. They had no idea about the Special Operations Division''s harsh penalties while they were in the holding room. Although they expected their punishment wouldn''t be as severe, they never imagined it would be this bad.


    Despite being part of the same mission, they had Chief Qiu¡¯s protection, resulting in lenient treatment, while the Special Operations Division, without anyone to shield them, suffered greatly. This stark contrast highlighted the significant role Qiu Tu yed and the immense pressure he endured to protect them.


    At this point, the usually silent Chen Feng focused on a critical aspect of the event and asked, "Did the Special Operations Division not object to our punishment?"


    The familiar agent smirked and replied, "Of course, they objected!"


    He continued, "How did this news spread?"


    "The Special Operations Division found out about your lenient punishment and raised a fuss."


    "Agents from various departments gathered to watch themotion, which is how we learned about Chief Qiu protecting you."


    He sighed, "You guys are truly lucky to have such a protective and promising superior. Such a big issue was just brushed off lightly."


    "I believe your future prospects are also limitless!"


    After hearing the entire story, Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, and the other agents exchanged nces. They felt a mix of emotions.


    To be honest, only now did they realize how much Qiu Tu had "sacrificed" for them and the pressure he endured!


    Moreover, for some reason, amidst the envious gazes of other agents, they felt a newfound sense of collective pride. It seemed they were somehow superior to ordinary agents.


    Their postures straightened noticeably.


    [Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, Zhu Huoyan, Ding Xiaoliu Loyalty +7]


    Meanwhile, in the Interrogation Office''s empty meeting room, Qiu Tu smiled as he looked at the prompt on the screen. He knew his n had worked.


    Indeed, themotion caused by the Special Operations Division was not a sudden event but part of Qiu Tu''s arrangement.


    Before the interrogation, he had called Fang Ming, a high-level agent and former partner from the Special Operations Division, and informed him about his intention to be lenient with Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, and the others.


    Knowing Fang Ming¡¯s character, he wouldn¡¯t spread the news, but Qiu Tu deliberately mentioned, "This matter doesn¡¯t need to be kept secret."


    Fang Ming, being perceptive, immediately understood Qiu Tu¡¯s intention. Although he couldn¡¯t figure out Qiu Tu¡¯s exact n, he was willing to help with such a simple favor that also gained him a good rapport with Qiu Tu.


    As a result, right after Qiu Tu finished the interrogation, news of the lenient punishment for Cao Dabiao and the others spread throughout the Special Operations Division.


    Then it was Liu Fuping''s turn to act.


    Before the interrogation, Qiu Tu had pulled her into an empty office and asked for her help. He instructed her to find a few Political Division agents to provoke the Special Operations Division once the punishment was finalized.


    The Special Operations Division, being no less formidable than the Political Division, had the most personnel andbat power in the entire bureau. Naturally, they couldn''t swallow this humiliation and thus started causing trouble. When the two ace departments of the bureau shed, it naturally drew the attention of the entire bureau. Therefore, the unequal punishments between Cao Dabiao¡¯s team and the Special Operations Division spread like wildfire, establishing Qiu Tu''s image as loyal and protective without a word.


    This exined why Cao Dabiao and the others received so many envious nces upon their release from the holding room. In short, it was all part of Qiu Tu''s n.


    As for whether this approach would backfire, causing a real conflict between the Special Operations Division and the Political Division, affecting Qiu Tu himself? He didn''t think so.


    During his time in New Realm City, Qiu Tu had already figured out the true power structure. Besides the three apparent power institutions, there was a hidden structure: the original inhabitants of New Realm City and the mid-to-high-level personnel from the shelters.


    From what he learned from Qin Shuman and Shen Lingshuang, although the mid-to-high-level personnel from the shelterspeted with each other, they also stuck together, viewing each other as equals and the original inhabitants as disaster refugees, inferior to them. This sense of superiority was usually well hidden, only asionally surfacing in casual remarks or certain actions.


    Therefore, the dissatisfaction of the lower-level agents wouldn''t affect the rtionships and attitudes of the mid-to-high-level personnel in both departments. In fact, they might even watch themotion with amusement.


    Moreover, this n had the approval of Yan Chen, the boss of the Investigation Department, so why should Qiu Tu worry? He only feared the matter wouldn''t escte enough. The bigger themotion, the higher his image would be elevated, and the wider his background rumors would spread.


    The lower-level agents, unlike him, didn''t understand the hidden psychology of the mid-to-high-level personnel. They would only see him as highly capable: despite the uproar from the Special Operations Division, he stood firm withoutpromising, with unwavering support from above.


    When Qiu Tuter sought to recruit trusted subordinates from various departments, it would be twice as effective.


    Reflecting on his entire n, Qiu Tu snapped back to reality. He looked at the constantly changing shape of the "peach" in his hand and then at Liu Fuping, whose eyes were already brimming with tears. He coughed, "Sorry, it was out of habit."


    Liu Fuping, her cheeks flushed, pushed Qiu Tu''s hand away and took a deep breath, "Sir, you are too habitual~~"


    "You identally grabbed and squeezed a few times when you pulled me into an empty office before the interrogation, but this is the second time!"


    "How am I supposed to face others now?"


    She pouted, "Maybe I should just marry you, so you can do whatever you want~~"


    Qiu Tu quickly withdrew his hand and said seriously, "Sister Liu, fun is fun, but don''t joke about such important matters! We''re just colleagues; you mustn''t develop any feelings for me!"


    Liu Fuping, embarrassed, lightly pped Qiu Tu, "Shameless!"


    But, being a married woman, Liu Fuping quicklyposed herself after their yful banter. She tidied her disheveled clothes and asked, "Qiu Tu, now that you''re in charge of the [Yin Caimei''s Death] case, what''s your n?"


    She looked hesitant and cautiously said, "I met our team membersst night and subtly probed them. I don¡¯t think any of them are the culprits."


    Qiu Tu nonchntly stretched and said with a smile, "A n?"


    "To sharpen one''s tools, one must first apply for case funds and equipment, then start the investigation slowly."


    Liu Fuping looked at Qiu Tu strangely. She felt as if Qiu Tu was more interested in obtaining funds and equipment than solving the case. But since Qiu Tu was her superior and the investigation leader, she could onlyply.


    So, after they left, she began drafting the applications ording to Qiu Tu¡¯s instructions. The investigation team Qiu Tu formed wasrge, including Liu Fuping, Song Qing, Wang Xi, the two Special Operations agents, and 13 other agents like Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng. His goal was simple: to consolidate loyalty among his former subordinates by including them in the investigation, thereby increasing their loyalty and establishing his core team in the Political Division.


    Liu Fuping quicklypleted the personnel application form and the equipment application form as requested by Qiu Tu. After a brief review, Qiu Tu took them for approval.


    The personnel application passed smoothly thanks to Jia Shu and Yan Chen¡¯s backing. From that moment, Liu Fuping, Song Qing, Wang Xi, Cao Dabiao, Chen Feng, and others officially became his subordinates.


    However, the equipment application hit a snag.


    At the Administration Office, Equipment Section, Chief Huang looked at the long list of disaster artifacts Qiu Tu had requested and then at the now-famous section chief before him. He hesitated, deep in thought.


    After a moment, he returned to his senses, didn¡¯t reject outright, and said with a smile, "Chief Qiu, please wait a moment. I¡¯ll check with the director."


    He then picked up the phone on his desk and called Secretary Bai.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 74: A Pass to High Society

    Chapter 74: A Pass to High Society


    Chapter 74: A Pass to High Society


    Meanwhile, as the Equipment Section Chief called Secretary Bai, Bai was standing in his office, gazing out the window, lost in thought. His hands were clenched, sweaty from the tension.


    Only he knew what he had just gone through. This morning, after meeting Qiu Tu and getting a cold reception despite his warm approach, Secretary Bai felt something was off. Having worked closely with Qiu Tu for a month and having mentored him, he knew Qiu Tu well. Qiu Tu had the cleverness and shrewdnessmon in these chaotic times, but he was also kind, helpful, and grateful.


    After risking a lot to tip off Qiu Tust night, there was no way Qiu Tu would be so cold to him! His sudden coldness meant something had gone wrong. Qiu Tu¡¯s subtle shake of the head in the elevator confirmed Bai''s suspicions.


    At that moment, Bai didn¡¯t know exactly what had happened but trusted Qiu Tu enough to y along and curse him a bit, acting out the scene. Returning to his office, Bai pondered over Qiu Tu''s unusual behavior but couldn¡¯t figure it out.


    It wasn''t until he overheard someone mentioning Qiu Tu''s interrogation of Cao Dabiao¡¯s team that things started to make sense. Learning that Jia Shu had given Qiu Tu such a great opportunity made Bai realize something was amiss. As Yan Chen¡¯s right-hand man, he knew how much Jia Shu disliked Qiu Tu. There was no way Jia Shu would be so generous unless Yan Chen had ordered it.


    Why would Yan Chen give such an opportunity to Qiu Tu? Following this line of thought, Bai finally pieced together the truth and understood the message Qiu Tu was sending: he had been exposed and was under Yan Chen¡¯s suspicion.


    Realizing this, Bai understood why Qiu Tu had publicly distanced himself from him. Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t just protecting himself; he was putting on a show for others to see, giving Bai a chance to exinst night''s tip-off.


    Once Bai grasped the situation, he acted quickly to remedy things with Yan Chen. Instead of clumsily exining the call to Qiu Tu, he subtly spoke ill of Qiu Tu to Yan Chen, piquing his curiosity. When Yan Chen casually inquired, Bai remained vague, knowing it was better for Yan Chen to investigate himself.Soon, Bai saw Political Division agents reporting to Yan Chen about his conflict with Qiu Tu, enough to spark suspicion about the true nature ofst night''s call and reduce suspicion of Bai¡¯s disloyalty.


    Bai knew that, given Yan Chen''s suspicious nature, it would be hard to regain his trust. But as long as he could buy time, there would be opportunities to mend the rift. All of this was thanks to Qiu Tu''s efforts!


    After leaving Yan Chen¡¯s office, Bai took a deep breath, realizing he had not misjudged Qiu Tu. Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t the type to abandon a sinking ship but someone who would actively help and n a way out in tough situations.


    Standing by the window, recovering from the ordeal, Bai¡¯s hands were sweaty from the tension.


    The ringing phone on his desk snapped him back to reality. He took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, then turned and walked to the desk, picking up the receiver.


    Hearing the voice of his subordinate, the Equipment Section Chief, on the other end, he asked, "What¡¯s the matter, Chief Huang?"


    Chief Huang, cheerful, exined, "Director, Chief Qiu from the Interrogation Office brought an equipment request form, asking for a batch of... well, a batch of equipment."


    "But... these items are quite special, and I¡¯m not sure how he knows about them or if we should grant his request."


    "Also, his approach doesn¡¯t seem to follow the proper procedures."


    "Chief Qiu?" Bai paused, guessing Qiu Tu¡¯s intention. "Read me the list of equipment."


    Chief Huang read from the form, "Mist Index Book, Intangible Aberration Detector, Void Dimension Mapping Device, Retrospective Locator..."


    Hearing the names of these disaster artifacts, Bai silently chuckled. After a moment, he sternly said, "Enough, put Qiu Tu on the phone!"


    Chief Huang quickly handed the phone to Qiu Tu.


    As Qiu Tu took the receiver, he heard Bai''s furious voice, "Qiu Tu, are you out of your mind, listing these things on a report?!"


    Meanwhile, as the Equipment Section Chief called Secretary Bai, Bai was standing in his office, gazing out the window, lost in thought. His hands were clenched, sweaty from the tension.


    Only he knew what he had just gone through. This morning, after meeting Qiu Tu and getting a cold reception despite his warm approach, Secretary Bai felt something was off. Having worked closely with Qiu Tu for a month and having mentored him, he knew Qiu Tu well. Qiu Tu had the cleverness and shrewdnessmon in these chaotic times, but he was also kind, helpful, and grateful.


    After risking a lot to tip off Qiu Tust night, there was no way Qiu Tu would be so cold to him! His sudden coldness meant something had gone wrong. Qiu Tu¡¯s subtle shake of the head in the elevator confirmed Bai''s suspicions.


    At that moment, Bai didn¡¯t know exactly what had happened but trusted Qiu Tu enough to y along and curse him a bit, acting out the scene. Returning to his office, Bai pondered over Qiu Tu''s unusual behavior but couldn¡¯t figure it out.


    It wasn''t until he overheard someone mentioning Qiu Tu''s interrogation of Cao Dabiao¡¯s team that things started to make sense. Learning that Jia Shu had given Qiu Tu such a great opportunity made Bai realize something was amiss. As Yan Chen¡¯s right-hand man, he knew how much Jia Shu disliked Qiu Tu. There was no way Jia Shu would be so generous unless Yan Chen had ordered it.


    Why would Yan Chen give such an opportunity to Qiu Tu? Following this line of thought, Bai finally pieced together the truth and understood the message Qiu Tu was sending: he had been exposed and was under Yan Chen¡¯s suspicion.


    Realizing this, Bai understood why Qiu Tu had publicly distanced himself from him. Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t just protecting himself; he was putting on a show for others to see, giving Bai a chance to exinst night''s tip-off.


    Once Bai grasped the situation, he acted quickly to remedy things with Yan Chen. Instead of clumsily exining the call to Qiu Tu, he subtly spoke ill of Qiu Tu to Yan Chen, piquing his curiosity. When Yan Chen casually inquired, Bai remained vague, knowing it was better for Yan Chen to investigate himself.


    Soon, Bai saw Political Division agents reporting to Yan Chen about his conflict with Qiu Tu, enough to spark suspicion about the true nature ofst night''s call and reduce suspicion of Bai¡¯s disloyalty.


    Bai knew that, given Yan Chen''s suspicious nature, it would be hard to regain his trust. But as long as he could buy time, there would be opportunities to mend the rift. All of this was thanks to Qiu Tu''s efforts!


    After leaving Yan Chen¡¯s office, Bai took a deep breath, realizing he had not misjudged Qiu Tu. Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t the type to abandon a sinking ship but someone who would actively help and n a way out in tough situations.


    Standing by the window, recovering from the ordeal, Bai¡¯s hands were sweaty from the tension.


    The ringing phone on his desk snapped him back to reality. He took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, then turned and walked to the desk, picking up the receiver.


    Hearing the voice of his subordinate, the Equipment Section Chief, on the other end, he asked, "What¡¯s the matter, Chief Huang?"


    Chief Huang, cheerful, exined, "It¡¯s like this, Director. Chief Qiu from the Interrogation Office brought an equipment request form, asking for a batch of... well, a batch of equipment."


    "But... these items are quite special, and I¡¯m not sure how he knows about them or if we should grant his request."


    "Also, his approach doesn¡¯t seem to follow the proper procedures."


    "Chief Qiu?" Bai paused, guessing Qiu Tu¡¯s intention. "Read me the list of equipment."


    Chief Huang read from the form, "Mist Index Book, Intangible Aberration Detector, Void Dimension Mapping Device, Retrospective Locator..."


    Hearing the names of these disaster artifacts, Bai silently chuckled. After a moment, he sternly said, "Enough, put Qiu Tu on the phone!"


    Chief Huang quickly handed the phone to Qiu Tu.


    As Qiu Tu took the receiver, he heard Bai''s furious voice, "Qiu Tu, are you out of your mind, listing these things on a report?!"


    "Is this what Jia Shu taught you?!"


    "Do you know that the information about cataclysm powers is not supposed to be disclosed to ordinary people? If Chief Huang wasn¡¯t from the shelters, you would have already leaked ssified information!"


    "I¡¯m telling you, this is no small matter. I will report this to the Director!"


    Qiu Tu quickly responded, "Sorry, sir. This is my first time handling such a case, and I didn¡¯t know the proper way to file the report. I apologize, sincerely."


    The phone¡¯s poor soundproofing allowed Chief Huang to overhear Bai''s outburst. He awkwardly smiled, then stepped aside to the water dispenser, giving Qiu Tu some face.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu lightly coughed.


    Secretary Bai, understanding the hint, lightly replied, "Mm-hmm."


    After a second, Bai loudly continued, "If you don¡¯t know the procedures, why didn¡¯t you ask?"


    "Now, take the form to your department head and have them approve it!"


    "Those disaster artifacts will be approved through special procedures by your department head!"


    With that, Bai hung up with a loud click.


    Holding the phone, Qiu Tu gave Chief Huang an embarrassed smile, "Sorry for the trouble, Chief Huang. I¡¯ll go back and follow the proper procedures."


    Chief Huang smiled and shook his head, "No problem. It¡¯s understandable. This is a special case, and it¡¯s normal to be a bit flustered the first time handling it."


    He then ced his water cup down, gently patting Qiu Tu on the shoulder, "Qiu Tu, we¡¯ve met many times before."


    "Back when you were working in the Administrative Office, I could see you were different, destined for great things."


    "And now, you¡¯re already a deputy section chief in such a short time."


    Heughed, "You¡¯re from the Administrative Office; consider me half a family member."


    "So, let¡¯s stay in touch andmunicate more."


    Seeing the positive feedback from his efforts to build a reputation, Qiu Tu seized the opportunity, "Absolutely, Chief Huang."


    "I¡¯ve always wanted to reach out to you more but thought you were too busy and didn¡¯t want to disturb you."


    "Now that you¡¯ve mentioned it, just let me know when, and I¡¯ll be there, rain or shine."


    Pleased with Qiu Tu¡¯s response, Chief Huang¡¯s eyes lit up. After some thought, he smiled, "How about this weekend? We could go to Emerald Fortress to watch a few horse races. It¡¯s an entertainment passed down from the shelters. Many prominent figures from New Realm City attend."


    "Business tycoons from the Chamber of Commerce, council members, directors from the Municipal Council, military officers, and department heads from the Investigation Department all show up there."


    He paused, showing a knowing smile, "And in the evening, I¡¯ll take you to broaden your horizons."


    "Since New Realm City was designated as a nning area, there¡¯s still plenty of fun to be had."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu smiled, "Thank you, Chief Huang! I¡¯ll definitely be there!"


    Chief Huangughed and patted Qiu Tu on the shoulder again.


    Leaving the Equipment Section, Qiu Tu reflected on the events. His deliberate request for disaster artifacts was a ploy tomunicate with Secretary Bai. Afterst night''s scare, they were undoubtedly being monitored and couldn¡¯t meet or contact each other directly.


    He needed to ensure Bai understood his message and had taken remedial action, crucial for their safety. Bai''s confirmation relieved him.


    Additionally, Chief Huang¡¯s unexpected offer was a pleasant surprise.


    The Administrative Office was a weak department with little power, but the Equipment Section was an exception, controlling all logistical supplies, a lucrative position within the bureau. Chief Huang, managing equipment procurement, disposal, and daily losses, was a valuable contact courted by many factions.


    For Qiu Tu, who wanted to expand hiswork and influence across various city departments, Chief Huang was the perfect gateway to high society.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s intention was to subtly show Chief Huang he was now privy to confidential matters, hinting at his eptance by Yan Chen and Jia Shu.


    He had nned to gradually build this rapport, but today¡¯s events had unexpectedly elerated the process.


    ¡®Emerald Fortress? Horse races? Business tycoons, council members, military officers?¡¯


    ¡®And special activities in the evening?¡¯


    Excited about the weekend, Qiu Tu returned to the Political Division with the application form and headed straight to Jia Shu¡¯s office.


    Knocking on the door, he heard Jia Shu¡¯s response, "Come in."


    Entering, Qiu Tu saw Jia Shu engrossed in a document. He saluted, "Sir! I¡¯m here to submit an equipment request form!"


    "Equipment request form?" Jia Shu looked up, puzzled, with his trademark fake smile.


    Qiu Tu approached, cing the form on Jia Shu¡¯s desk.


    Jia Shu nced at the form, then his eyes widened, struggling to maintain his smile.


    After quickly reading through it, he looked at Qiu Tu with a mix of amusement and disbelief, "Qiu Tu... do you know what you¡¯ve requested?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 75: Something is Off with This Satisfaction Rate

    Chapter 75: Something is Off with This Satisfaction Rate


    Chapter 75: Something is Off with This Satisfaction Rate


    Of course, Qiu Tu knew exactly what he was requesting.


    The items like the [Mist Index Book], [Intangible Aberration Detector], [Void Dimension Mapping Device], and [Retrospective Locator] might sound grandiose, but they were, in fact,mon disaster artifacts from the shelter. Their primary function was to investigate traces of supernatural events or powers.


    For example, the [Mist Index Book] generated an unusual mist within a certain area, revealing all residual traces of cataclysm powers. The [Intangible Aberration Detector] sensed distortions at the intersection of the Boundless Mind Sea and the real world, typically caused by disaster abilities, allowing it to analyze the power''s level and type. The other two artifacts had simr functions, differing only in materials and specific capabilities.


    Qiu Tu knew about these artifacts because Qin Shuman had exined them to him the previous night. ording to her, these four types were the standard tools used by the shelter''s security for investigating supernatural cases. The Security Division had brought two sets when they came down from the shelter, but she wasn¡¯t sure how many the Political Division had. Her guess was that they had some but not a full set.


    Thus, when Qiu Tu applied for these resources, he listed all the artifacts to gauge the Political Division''s inventory.


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu looked at Jia Shu and replied, "Sir, I understand. These are tools for investigating traces of cataclysm powers."


    Jia Shu put down his pen, sped his hands under his chin, and gave Qiu Tu a probing look. His eyes, narrow and deep behind his sses, seemed to pierce through Qiu Tu¡¯s soul.


    After a full two seconds, a faint smile appeared on Jia Shu''s face, and he said, "I remember telling you that as long as this case is closed smoothly, that''s enough.""So... give me a reason?"


    Qiu Tu, prepared for this, answered seriously, "Sir, we must do a thorough job. If this were an ordinary murder case, we could easily pin it on someone and fabricate evidence. But this is a high-profile case, with many important eyes watching."


    "I know about cataclysm powers and artifacts. Surely, those prominent figures are also aware of them?"


    "If I only conduct a superficial investigation and conclude it as a regr murder without using tools to check for traces of cataclysm powers, do you think they''ll believe it?"


    "Wouldn¡¯t that be too crude?"


    Seeing Jia Shu deep in thought, Qiu Tu continued, "It doesn¡¯t matter to me. I¡¯m just a small figure."


    "But I worry that if this case is handled too sloppily and the Municipal Council or the military catch wind of it, it might cause trouble for you and the Director."


    By the end, Qiu Tu''s voice had softened to a near whisper.


    The office fell silent.


    Jia Shu pondered quietly.


    After a moment, a faint smile appeared on his face. He picked up his pen, made some modifications to the document, and said, "You make a good point. Let¡¯s do it your way."


    He handed the revised and signed document to Qiu Tu.


    Qiu Tu quickly took the document, his eyes discreetly scanning it: of the four disaster artifacts, only the [Mist Index Book] remained approved, with a one-week usage period.


    "By the way, Qiu Tu, where did you learn about these disaster artifacts?"


    Jia Shu suddenly asked as Qiu Tu was about to leave, catching him off guard.


    Qiu Tu quickly refocused, smiling, and replied, "From the Security Division. Last night, after meeting with them, I learned about these artifacts."


    He smoothly lied, "Following your instructions, I reported the strange abilities and erratic behavior of you and the Director. They were very interested."


    "During our conversation, they exined a bit about cataclysm powers and artifacts¡ªsimr to what you provided me in the materials. Being a curious agent, I asked how these supernatural powers would be investigated if used for murder."


    "They introduced me to thesemonly used investigation artifacts."


    "While forming the investigation team today, I remembered these tools and the possibility of murder by cataclysm powers, so I submitted the application."


    Qiu Tu''s exnation was wless, and Jia Shu nodded with his characteristic fake smile, "Understood."


    He said, "Now, take this application to the Equipment Section for filing. They will unseal the disaster artifact for you."


    "These artifacts are quite dangerous and can¡¯t be easily released, so I will personally collect them tonight."


    "I¡¯ll bring it to you afterwards."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu quickly said, "No need, sir. Just call me, and I¡¯lle to get it."


    Jia Shu gave Qiu Tu a faint smile, "Chief Qiu, you certainly know how to behave."


    Then he encouraged, "Handle the case well. Don''t disappoint me."


    Qiu Tu quickly saluted, "Yes, sir!"


    Seeing Jia Shu return to his documents, Qiu Tu turned to leave. But at the office door, he paused and turned back to ask, "Sir, you mentioned that the oue of this case needs to satisfy both the political and business sectors of New Realm City. What if some are satisfied while others are not? Whose satisfaction should I prioritize?"


    Jia Shu raised his head slowly, giving Qiu Tu a deep look before calmly saying, "Deputy Chairman Tian."


    Understanding the directive, Qiu Tu nodded, "Got it, sir."


    With that, he left the office.


    After Qiu Tu left, Jia Shu sat quietly for a long time, not returning to his documents. Staring at the spot where Qiu Tu had stood, his face slowly twisted into a maniacal smile, and his eyes turned red with an uncontroble desire. For a moment, the space seemed to tremble as if something terrible was about to happen.


    Realizing his loss of control, Jia Shu took several deep breaths to calm himself. His tongue suddenly extended unnaturally long, licking his lips as he muttered, "Interesting... very interesting."


    "But no rush, no rush. Such an intriguing prey must be cultivated well and consumed when fully ripe."


    [Jia Shu: Suspicion -0, Satisfaction +5]


    Leaving Jia Shu¡¯s office, Qiu Tu noticed the sudden increase in satisfaction. He was puzzled. He reyed his actions in the office and couldn¡¯t pinpoint what he did particrly well to warrant such a rise in satisfaction. It didn¡¯t add up; if he had performed that well, suspicion should have decreased too.


    Unable to understand it fully, Qiu Tu decided to keep it in the back of his mind. High satisfaction was generally good, even if he didn¡¯t fully grasp why.


    Shrugging it off, Qiu Tu followed Jia Shu''s instructions and submitted the revised application to the Equipment Section. With Jia Shu''s signature and notes, Chief Huang epted the form, looking at Qiu Tu even more kindly. It was clear he was starting to see Qiu Tu as one of his own.


    Qiu Tu suspected that knowledge of cataclysm powers was a hidden threshold. Being privy to this information signified a level of trust from the higher-ups, making him an insider in the eyes of these middle managers.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu confirmed the weekend meeting with Chief Huang and chatted a bit before leaving the Equipment Section.


    After having lunch on the 9th-floor garden terrace, Qiu Tu spent the afternoon finalizing the setup of the investigation team. Given the stir he had caused in the Investigation Department that day, the team was highly motivated.


    Qiu Tu didn''t waste time, immediately assigning tasks. He looked at the twenty-plus team members and began, "Liu Fuping, Song Qing."


    "Here!" The two women stepped forward.


    "Go to the Investigation Section and retrieve the case files for this incident."


    "Yes!" The two agents saluted and left.


    Next, Qiu Tu turned to Chen Feng, "Chen Feng, Zhu Huoyan."


    The two men stepped forward, "Here!"


    "Go to the morgue, request the autopsy report, and arrange for a private viewing of the body. I might need to examine the corpse myself between this afternoon and tomorrow night."


    "Yes!" They saluted and left.


    Then Qiu Tu addressed Wang Xi, "Wang Xi, Ding Xiaoliu."


    "Here!"


    "Go to the Information Surveince Section and request all surveince footage rted to the deceased from the past two days."


    "Yes!"


    Qiu Tu continued assigning tasks until only a few agents, including Cao Dabiao, were left in the meeting room. Anxious to contribute, Cao Dabiao quickly approached Qiu Tu, "Sir, what about me?"


    Seeing his eagerness, Qiu Tu smiled, "Don''t worry, I haven''t forgotten you."


    He pulled Cao Dabiao aside and spoke softly, "Dabiao, I trust you the most, so I have an important task for you."


    Hearing this, Cao Dabiao perked up.


    Qiu Tu leaned in and whispered, "I need you to investigate the whereabouts of Deputy Chairman Tian and several transport merchants over the past three days. Find out where they went, who they met, and when they left."


    "If possible, also check the movements of their close associates."


    Cao Dabiao was initially stunned, then pointed at his chubby face in disbelief, "Me? Investigate Deputy Chairman Tian and those big merchants?"


    Qiu Tu "tsk-ed," "Not just you."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 76: The Strange Book

    Chapter 76: The Strange Book


    Chapter 76: The Strange Book


    Qiu Tu pointed to the remaining seven or eight agents and said, "They are under yourmand."


    "My requirements are simple: make sure not to alert the big merchants. They must not detect any investigation."


    Cao Dabiao''s mouth slowly dropped open, "And they can¡¯t detect it?"


    At that moment, Cao Dabiao suddenly thought that being locked up in the holding room wasn¡¯t so bad after all, at leastpared to facing such an impossible task.


    However, seeing Qiu Tu¡¯s encouraging eyes and thinking about the pressure Qiu Tu had endured for his sake, Cao Dabiao gritted his teeth and resolutely said, "Don''t worry, sir! I willplete the task!"


    Qiu Tu smiled and patted Cao Dabiao''s shoulder, continuing to motivate him, "Dabiao, you¡¯re the person I trust the most in this investigation team. Don¡¯t let me down."


    Cao Dabiao nodded vigorously and then left energetically with the remaining agents.


    Once everyone was assigned, Qiu Tu walked to the window of the empty conference room, gazing out and quietly contemting.Despite Jia Shu hinting that he could simply pin the crime on someone and close the case, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t want to do that. While it might please Jia Shu, it was too risky. This high-profile case had the attention of many powerful figures. If his fabricated case wasn¡¯t exposed, he¡¯d be fine. But if it were, neither Jia Shu nor Yan Chen would protect him. He¡¯d be a disposable pawn.


    Therefore, after careful consideration, Qiu Tu decided the case needed to be thoroughly investigated. Only by finding the real culprit could he secure his position. The case involved significant factions, and discovering the truth would give him leverage over them. He could either trade for benefits or hand over the perpetrator to protect himself, cing him in an unbeatable position.


    However, he felt uneasy about Jia Shu''s unusual behavior today. As Yan Chen¡¯s right-hand man, Jia Shu should be loyal to Yan Chen and the Investigation Bureau. But today, Jia Shu¡¯s attitude was ambiguous, raising concerns about a deeper conspiracy behind the female spy''s death and the possibility that the Political Division might be involved in covering it up. If that were true, he¡¯d be in serious trouble.


    As he pondered this, Qiu Tu''s hands clenched behind his back.


    Ten minutester, groups of agents began returning, bringing more information about the case.


    First, there was a medical report on Yin Caimei (the female spy) after her capture by the Interrogation Office. All indicators were normal, with no external injuries or hidden illnesses.


    Next was the medical report after her interrogation, showing traces of various interrogation drugs in her system, a fractured right pinky, and multiple external injuries and bruises, but none were fatal.


    Then came the surveince footage from the Information Surveince Office.


    The footage showed that after her interrogation and medical check, Yin Caimei was sent back to the holding room. She behaved normally, and no unauthorized personnel approached her. She ate dinner at 6 PM, sat on her bed to rest, and even picked up a book to read. Around 9 PM, she suddenly copsed to the floor. The guards, noticing something was wrong, opened the cell and found her dead.


    Since Qiu Tu had taken over the case, all evidence, including the book Yin Caimei was reading and her leftover food, had been handed over to the investigation team.


    Qiu Tu ignored the other items and focused on the book. It was a ck-covered book that looked somewhat oppressive and eerie. The title on the cover read "Brave New World".


    Qiu Tu opened the book to find a neat line of writing on the first page:


    "Death is merely the disappearance of the body, the spirit remains connected to the world. Only a world where the spirit persists is the final hope for our suffering tribe."


    Reading this, Qiu Tu frowned and skimmed through a few more pages. The content mainly consisted of metaphysical theories or descriptions and aspirations for an "eternal spiritual world," with no other significant information. However, the book made Qiu Tu uneasy.


    While an ordinary person might dismiss this book as nothing special, Qiu Tu, being aware of the supernatural, knew the existence of a mental world called the Boundless Mind Sea. This world was the source of all disaster phenomena and the origin of supernatural powers. The book¡¯s description of a spiritual world and its call for death to approach it seemed too coincidental to ignore.


    Moreover, who had given this book to Yin Caimei, and for what purpose?


    Qiu Tu immediately assigned Liu Fuping and Song Qing to investigate the book''s origins. Since it wasn''t ssified information, the answer came quickly: Yin Caimei had brought the book herself. Due to her special status, she was allowed to carry a small number of personal items after her capture, and this book was among them.


    Qiu Tu''s mind raced with thoughts and implications as he continued to analyze the information gathered.


    The special approval for bringing the book in was granted by Jia Shu. As Qiu Tu looked at the ck book in his hand, he took a deep breath, his expression thoughtful.


    Before he could process this information fully, thest group of agents¡ªChen Feng and Zhu Huoyan¡ªreturned with unexpected news: Yin Caimei''s body had not been autopsied, so there was no autopsy report. The morgue could arrange for an autopsy room, and it would be up to Qiu Tu''s team to assign a suitable forensic doctor to perform the initial autopsy.


    "No autopsy?" The most surprised by this news wasn¡¯t Qiu Tu, but Liu Fuping. Her face changed color rapidly as if she had realized something, standing there frozen in shock and disbelief.


    Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t expected this oue either. His brows furrowed deeply. Theck of an autopsy revealed something significant: Jia Shu hadn''t bothered to investigate Yin Caimei''s death, nor had he looked into the cause of her death.


    This led to two possibilities: either Jia Shu didn¡¯t care about Yin Caimei''s death and its consequences, or he knew she would die and possibly even knew the cause. Realizing this, Qiu Tu felt the case heading in a very dark direction.


    After contemting for a while, Qiu Tu addressed Chen Feng, Zhu Huoyan, and Wang Xi. "Chen Feng, take Zhu Huoyan and Wang Xi to request a forensic doctor and conduct the autopsy."


    Chen Feng acknowledged the order and was about to leave when Qiu Tu stopped him, "Wait. Leave yourmunicator."


    Chen Feng, puzzled by the request,plied due to his high loyalty and handed over hismunicator.


    After they left, Qiu Tu fiddled with themunicator, then stood up, instructing the remaining team members to continue analyzing the case while he stepped out to make a call. As soon as he left the conference room, he heard footsteps behind him.


    Qiu Tu turned to see Liu Fuping following him with a frosty expression. He didn¡¯t speak and instead headed to another empty conference room. Liu Fuping followed him inside.


    Once they were sure the room was empty, Liu Fuping closed the door and dropped her facade. For the first time, she showed her true self to Qiu Tu, pointing at him and using coldly, "Qiu Tu! You knew! You knew all along! This is a trap!"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze wasplex. He pulled out a cigarette, intending to light it, but Liu Fuping snatched it from his hand and threw it on the floor, ring at him.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu sighed deeply and gently embraced the furious woman in front of him. Liu Fuping froze for a moment, her body tensing.


    Perhaps feeling she had been too harsh, she sighed softly, her body starting to rx as if ready to talk things out with Qiu Tu.


    Suddenly, she felt Qiu Tu¡¯s arms tighten around her like a vise, crushing her with immense force.


    Panicking, she struggled, but her strength was nothingpared to Qiu Tu¡¯s. She heard her bones creak under the pressure. Desperately, she looked up at Qiu Tu, only to see a pair of abyssal ck eyes staring back at her.


    In that moment, she felt the real terror of death.


    "Please, please, please," she stammered, tears welling up in her eyes as she pleaded for her life.


    Qiu Tu looked at her with deep, inscrutable eyes. As she teetered on the brink of despair, he suddenly released her.


    Liu Fuping copsed to the floor, gasping for air, her eyes wide with the relief of surviving.


    Without a word, Qiu Tu stepped over her and walked to the window, coldly stating, "There won¡¯t be a next time."


    "You¡¯re a spy. Killing you won¡¯t bring me any consequences."


    Liu Fuping gulped, her face pale with fear as she looked at Qiu Tu. She had thought their shared secrets and physical intimacy over the past few days meant Qiu Tu had at least some affection or pity for her. But she was wrong.


    Just now, she had truly smelled the scent of death.


    A sharp sound drew her attention, and she realized her gun was missing from her waist. Qiu Tu had taken it again, showing his deep mistrust. This realization filled her with a sense of defeat.


    Qiu Tu spoke again, still facing the window. "I only guessed the truth this morning."


    "This is all a trap."


    "From the moment your superior contacted youst night and you started investigating, you both were caught in it."


    "So, even if I had figured out the truth and told you, it wouldn¡¯t have mattered. You were already being monitored, with no way to escape."


    Liu Fuping¡¯s expression kept changing as she processed Qiu Tu''s words.


    Qiu Tu continued, "Unfortunately, I think I might have fallen into the trap myself today."


    He paused, then turned back to her, asking, "By the way, who is your superior?"


    Liu Fuping looked at him, bewildered, as if unable to process everything at once.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 77: Innate Mistresss Sacred Body

    Chapter 77: Innate Mistress''s Sacred Body


    Chapter 77: Innate Mistress''s Sacred Body


    At that moment, Liu Fuping thought she was hallucinating.


    Who in their right mind tried to kill you one moment and then nonchntly asked about your superior the next?


    But seeing the serious expression on Qiu Tu''s face and the inquisitive look in his eyes, Liu Fuping knew this man wasn''t joking.


    "What a jerk!" she cursed silently. Despite her lingering fear from the near-death experience, Liu Fuping didn''t refuse Qiu Tu directly. Instead, she evaded, "Why do you want to know about my superior?"


    Qiu Tu leaned against the windowsill, looking at her with a faint smile. "You and your superior have already been exposed. Jia Shu won''t let you off. So, there''s no point in hiding your identity anymore."


    "You might as welle clean. Right now, we''re in the same boat, and who knows, I might be able to figure out a way to save us."


    Liu Fuping didn''t respond immediately. She first straightened her disheveled clothes, even pulling up the loose neckline of her chest¡ªQiu Tu had just tried to kill her, so he certainly didn¡¯t deserve to ogle her now!


    As she stood up, she kept thinking about Qiu Tu''s words. Naturally, she asked, "You keep saying you''re caught in a trap too, that we''re in the same boat. What do you mean?"Qiu Tu toyed with themunicator he had taken from Chen Feng, his expression deep. "The reason I took on this case was because of Jia Shu''s arrangement."


    "He didn''t want me to solve it, just to investigate superficially, fabricate some evidence, pin it on a suspect, and close the case."


    "I didn¡¯t think much of it at first, butter, something started to feel off."


    "This case has so much attention¡ªNew Realm City''s Chamber of Commerce, the Municipal Council, the military¡ªall are involved. If we just pin it on a random criminal, can we really cover it up?"


    "And if we can¡¯t cover it up, would Jia Shu and Yan Chen choose to protect me, or sacrifice me?"


    "So, after thinking it over, I decided to investigate the case thoroughly first, find the real culprit, and then decide what to do."


    At this point, Qiu Tu paused, picked up the cigarette he had dropped on the ground, and put it back in his pocket. "But who would have thought that as soon as I got involved in this case, I''d realize something was really wrong."


    "Yin Caimei, such an important suspect, was allowed to bring personal belongings?"


    "And among these personal belongings was a highly seductive, possibly banned, book?"


    "What¡¯s even more unsettling is that after her death, the department didn¡¯t investigate, didn¡¯t seal off the scene, and didn¡¯t even conduct an autopsy."


    "Thispletely disregards her status as an important suspect and doesn¡¯t match the department''s usual level of attention."


    Qiu Tu nced at Liu Fuping. "You must have realized you were trapped because of this too, right?"


    Liu Fuping nodded slightly.


    Qiu Tu continued, "Following these clues backward, I found that the higher-ups¡¯ attitude toward this case was suspicious from the start."


    He pointed to the ceiling. "It seems they don''t care about the truth of this case."


    "Something''s really off."


    Qiu Tu said, "Even if they wanted to fake the case, shouldn¡¯t it be after the investigation hits a dead end, or after finding the culprit but deciding the implications are too great to pursue further, that they start covering up?"


    "But deciding to fake it from the start, without even investigating¡ªdoesn''t that seem excessive?"


    Liu Fuping had already sensed something odd about the case, but she had felt lost, unable to find a breakthrough. Now, with Qiu Tu connecting the dots, a sh of understanding hit her. She looked at Qiu Tu in shock. "So... you think the Political Division silenced Yin Caimei themselves?"


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly.


    With this new perspective, Liu Fuping quickly understood what Qiu Tu meant by "trap" and "in the same boat." Her mind raced, piecing together the information. After a moment, she stared at Qiu Tu with wide eyes. "So, you''re now in a dilemma?"


    "If you continue investigating, you might uncover something about the higher-ups."


    "But if you try to cover it up, you probably won¡¯t be able to?"


    Qiu Tu finally nodded in satisfaction. "You finally got it right."


    "You!" Liu Fuping red at Qiu Tu, her chest heaving in anger.


    Qiu Tu''s gaze briefly lingered before he looked away, not out of disinterest, but because he genuinely wasn¡¯t in the mood. Besides, he wasn¡¯t belittling Liu Fuping on purpose. Compared to Qin Shuman, Liu Fuping''s skills and professionalism were leagues behind.


    With Qin Shuman, Qiu Tu often didn¡¯t even need to say a word; she could guess his intentions and cooperate seamlessly.


    But Liu Fuping...


    Upon realizing she was trapped, her first move was toe and question him?!


    Qiu Tu seriously doubted how much professional training she had actually received. If intelligence could be transmitted through "X," Qiu Tu would have dly increased hers.


    While Qiu Tu was silently critiquing Liu Fuping, she finally made up her mind. She looked at Qiu Tu and said, "I can¡¯t tell you who my superior is."


    Seeing Qiu Tu''s strange expression, she exined quietly, "Because he might not have been exposed."


    "I didn¡¯t get this information from him."


    "It was from a high-ranking official in the department who admires me."


    Gossip is a natural human instinct, so Qiu Tu was immediately intrigued. "Which high-ranking official?"


    "Does he know you''re a spy?"


    Liu Fuping hesitated for a moment before saying, "It''s... Deputy Director Tang."


    "Deputy Director Tang?" Qiu Tu blinked, looking bewildered.


    He quickly searched his memory for information about this big shot. A momentter, he froze, then stared at Liu Fuping in shock. "Deputy Director Tang? You two?!"


    A rare blush crept onto Liu Fuping''s cheeks, but being a married woman, she quicklyposed herself. She even questioned Qiu Tu, "What?! Is that not allowed?"


    Qiu Tu: .....


    "It¡¯s not that it¡¯s not allowed. Just... unexpected..." Qiu Tu replied, his expression strange.


    He left the rest unsaid, but Liu Fuping understood his meaning clearly...


    Deputy Director Tang, whose full name was Tang Feifei, was the only female among the nine high-ranking officials of the New Realm City''s Investigation Department. In her early thirties, she had a striking appearance with a tannedplexion and short hair, giving her a valiant and heroic air. Besides her looks, Qiu Tu''s other impression of her was that she had an impressive figure¡ªnot in the curvaceous, feminine way like Liu Fuping, but rather in a sleek and athletic manner, like a panther.


    Tang Feifei''s chest was well-developed, and her limbs were lined with muscle, exuding an explosive power. Just one nce at her made you feel she could run a kilometer without breaking a sweat. She was a woman who had risen to the top in a brutal agency like the Investigation Department, and no one dared to underestimate her.


    But now, the unexpected revtion that she had an affair with Liu Fuping left Qiu Tu feeling a chill down his spine.


    Was he stuck in a den of mistresses? First, he got involved with the Director¡¯s mistress, and now he had tangled with the Deputy Director¡¯s lover?


    It seemed that he had some sort of innate rebellious fate.


    Moreover, Yan Chen was already a force to be reckoned with, but Tang Feifei, a woman of such high rank, was even more formidable, her scheming mind no less dangerous than Yan Chen''s. Adding to that, women¡¯s tempers could be extreme. If she ever found out about his ambiguous rtionship with Liu Fuping, she might just cut him up and feed him to the dogs.


    Qiu Tu suddenly recalled the gossip he heard on his first day in the Interrogation Office about Liu Fuping and Section Chief Liu from next door. He wondered if that man was still alive...


    After indulging in these random thoughts for a while, Qiu Tu looked at Liu Fuping with aplicated expression and remarked, "I always knew you were deadly to men, but I didn''t expect even women couldn''t escape your charm."


    Liu Fuping rolled her eyes at him, toozy to exin, and instead asked, "Now that you know who I¡¯m connected with, what¡¯s your n?"


    Qiu Tu stroked his chin, deep in thought.


    If he remembered correctly, Tang Feifei was the Deputy Director of Administration in the Investigation Department, responsible for training, organization, finance, and administrative work. But because Yan Chen was overbearing and had many loyal followers, Tang Feifei was often sidelined.


    Therefore, there was a natural conflict between Tang Feifei and Yan Chen.


    The female spy case was likely orchestrated by Yan Chen¡¯s faction. If Tang Feifei knew about it, could she possibly use this opportunity to make a move?


    With this thought, Qiu Tu''s eyes lit up, feeling as if a door had been opened.


    Now that Yan Chen knew Tang Feifei had leaked information to Liu Fuping, a spy with unknown allegiance, he had something on her. If Tang Feifei could then obtain evidence of Yan Chen and Jia Shu''s involvement in silencing an important suspect...


    If both sides believed they had leverage over the other, an interesting conflict might ensue, throwing the entire situation into chaos.


    And as long as chaos ensued, Qiu Tu could fish in troubled waters and escape unscathed. Could this be his way out of the looming crisis?


    The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed...


    However, the only thing he needed to be careful of in this n was to protect himself as the center of the storm. He had to make sure he wasn¡¯t caught in the crossfire before the battle even began.


    But achieving this wasn¡¯t too difficult.


    In essence, it all boiled down to one strategy: stall.


    He knew the final deadline for the case was ten days. During these ten days, he had to keep investigating without ever closing the case. Then, he would help Tang Feifei find evidence of Jia Shu''s crimes before Yan Chen did. The matter would then be a sh between two powerful factions, with Qiu Tu uninvolved.


    Beyond that, the key to the whole situation was to ensure that the two factions couldn¡¯t reconcile or negotiate. He not only had to drag Tang Feifei into the mess but also make sure she couldn¡¯t get out.


    And to do that...


    Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze fell on Liu Fuping...


    Perhaps he had been silent for too long, as Liu Fuping seemed to be daydreaming. Suddenly noticing Qiu Tu¡¯s deep gaze, she looked up and asked, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Hearing Liu Fuping¡¯s question, Qiu Tu smiled gently.


    "Sister Liu, do you want to survive? Do you want toplete your undercover mission?"


    For some reason, looking at Qiu Tu¡¯s handsome smile, Liu Fuping couldn¡¯t help but shiver. She felt that this Qiu Tu was even more terrifying than the violent one from earlier¡ªlike a devil ready to toy with her mind...


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 78: This Woman Has Transformed

    Chapter 78: This Woman Has Transformed


    Chapter 78: This Woman Has Transformed


    But there was no denying it¡ªQiu Tu had be even more charming, making it easier to keep the conversation going...


    So, despite the rm bells ringing in her mind, Liu Fuping couldn¡¯t help but ask, "What n have youe up with?"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes flickered before he smiled and asked, "Tang Feifei doesn¡¯t know your true identity, does she?"


    Liu Fuping hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded slightly, exining, "She only leaked the secret to me because she was worried about how I might be affected due to my involvement in the interrogation."


    Qiu Tu nodded, not surprised. After all, Tang Feifei was a high-ranking official in the Investigation Department. If she had knowingly leaked ssified information to a spy like Liu Fuping, then it would have been Qiu Tu¡¯s turn to rise through the ranks.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu looked at Liu Fuping and made a downward pulling motion with his hand. "Drag her down."


    "Tell her about the anomalies in this case and get her to investigate."


    Liu Fuping frowned slightly as she looked at Qiu Tu. "Is it that simple?"Qiu Tu chuckled and shook his head. "Of course not."


    "In addition, you need to steal as much information as possible. Share all the clues and details I uncover with her, and then, using her trust, extract various ssified secrets from the Investigation Department."


    Liu Fuping clearly didn¡¯t understand. "Why would we do that?"


    Qiu Tu gave her a deep look, his smile bright. "To make it look like she¡¯s willing to betray the Investigation Department¡¯s secrets in exchange for information with a spy like you just to take down Yan Chen."


    Hearing this, Liu Fuping felt a chill run down her spine. She looked at Qiu Tu in shock. "You¡¯re insane!"


    "You¡¯re setting up a high-ranking official!"


    Qiu Tu walked over to her, gently embraced her, and whispered in her ear, "I¡¯m just adding an extrayer of protection."


    "If she sticks to the n, then thatyer will nevere into y."


    "But if she regrets itter and tries to reconcile with Yan Chen for mutual benefits, we¡¯ll at least have something to prevent her from backing out."


    Being held by Qiu Tu again, Liu Fuping¡¯s body trembled slightly. But when she realized he wasn¡¯t as rough as before, her body gradually rxed.


    As she listened to Qiu Tu, her expression shifted several times. After a moment, she gritted her teeth and muttered, "You¡¯re despicable!"


    Qiu Tu chuckled, looking out the window as he softly said, "Actually, I wasn¡¯t always like this."


    "In the past, I was very kind and naive."


    "I believed in being kind to others and thought that enduring hardship would make me a better person."


    "I drifted through life like that for many years. Until one day, when I injured my foot, someone brought me a bowl of pig¡¯s feet, telling me, ''The ancestors said you should eat what you need to heal.'' That was when I had an epiphany."


    "Enduring hardship doesn¡¯t make you a better person; it just makes life harder. Only by devouring others can you rise above them!"


    He held Liu Fuping close. Her soft body felt like water in his arms, and his gaze became distant, lost in thought.


    They stood together, staring out the window in silence.


    After a long while, Liu Fuping slowly came back to her senses. This time, she seemed much calmer, no longer as "unprofessional."


    She leaned against Qiu Tu¡¯s chest and softly asked, "What if she doesn¡¯t take the bait or refuses to get involved?"


    Qiu Tu gently replied, "Some things aren¡¯t foolproof before you act. You have to act first to see if there¡¯s hope."


    "If you don¡¯t try, how will you know it won¡¯t work?"


    Liu Fuping remained silent for a while, then suddenly broke into a smile. "Alright~ I get it, Officer."


    In that moment, she seemed to transform into someone else.


    Qiu Tu looked down at her.


    She suddenly turned around, wrapping her arms around Qiu Tu¡¯s hands.


    Qiu Tu reflexively tried to exert force.


    But before he could, Liu Fuping yfully patted his handsome face, smiling sweetly, "Wouldn¡¯t it be a waste to use all that strength now? Come over to my ce tonight."


    Qiu Tu froze for a moment, and Liu Fuping took the opportunity to slip out of his embrace.


    After leaving his arms, Liu Fuping pulled down her cor slightly, revealing her fair chest.


    She nced at Qiu Tu, raised an eyebrow, and then walked out of the empty conference room with long strides.


    Her upturned lips, full chest, and fiery red lips¡ªall exuded an alluring charm.


    It was as if she had undergone some sort of transformation within those few minutes.


    Qiu Tu stared in surprise at the beautiful woman.


    Compared to her previous half-hearted state, she now truly had the air of a female spy...


    In the past, while Qiu Tu would asionally tease her, he hadn¡¯t been particrly interested.


    But now... if something were to really happen between them, Qiu Tu wouldn¡¯t mind bing the Director of the Investigation Department, living in a garden vi, surrounded by beautiful women, and driving luxury cars!


    After quietly musing to himself, Qiu Tu walked to the door, closed the empty conference room¡¯s door, and locked it.


    Although it seemed like Liu Fuping had truly had an epiphany, whether the n could actually be carried out depended on her next actions.


    While attitude yed a role in one¡¯s abilities, improvement required a step-by-step process.


    So, Qiu Tu¡¯s next step was to add a few moreyers of protection for himself, ensuring he had other options in case the n failed.


    And what he needed to do was simple.


    First, he had to continue investigating the case to see if the truth matched his suspicions.


    Second, he needed to drag more forces into the fray to ensure his safety...


    With these thoughts in mind, Qiu Tu took out Chen Feng¡¯smunicator and called Lin Zuo.


    ¡°Ring... Ring... Ring...¡±


    The call connected after just a few rings.


    This time, before Lin Zuo could speak, Qiu Tu immediately said, "416."


    Lin Zuo paused for a second before asking, "What¡¯s the matter?"


    Qiu Tu sinctly replied, "I want to talk to her."


    Lin Zuo got up, and after a moment, there was the sound of knocking, followed by a door opening, and then Lin Zuo¡¯s muffled voice speaking to Qin Shuman, "What¡¯s the matter?"


    "It¡¯s Qiu Tu."


    "Alright."


    A momentter, Qiu Tu heard a voice on the other end that was both unfamiliar and familiar, "Hello? Is that you?"


    Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Qin Shuman¡¯s voice sounded a bit tired and downcast.


    "Yes, it¡¯s me," Qiu Tu replied, before adding, "Something hase up on my end."


    "I might need your help."


    Qin Shuman agreed immediately, without even asking what it was about. "Alright, I¡¯lle find you tonight."


    A smile tugged at the corner of Qiu Tu¡¯s mouth. See? Working with smart people was always easier. He only had to say a few words, and she already had a general idea of what was happening and where to find him.


    With such an excellent partner, how could he not ovee the crisis ahead?


    Satisfied with his thoughts, Qiu Tu hung up the phone and promptly deleted the call record from themunicator¡ªnot to guard against Jia Shu, but to protect Chen Feng.


    After handling everything, Qiu Tu returned to the neighboring conference room.


    Inside, several agents were still engaged in heated discussions about the case. However, Liu Fuping was nowhere to be seen.


    Qiu Tu scanned the room but couldn¡¯t spot her. He guessed she had probably gone to find Tang Feifei.


    Unconcerned, he sat down, continuing to review Yin Caimei¡¯s case file while patiently waiting.


    Before long, Chen Feng and Wang Xi returned, informing him that the coroner was ready to begin the autopsy.


    Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t wait any longer for Liu Fuping. He led the group to the dissection room, where the autopsy was to be performed.


    Upon entering, Qiu Tu met the coroner: a young man in histe twenties, handsome but not as striking as Qiu Tu.


    After a brief conversation, Qiu Tu learned some basic information about the coroner. His surname was Qin, and he was a coteral rtive of the Qin family.


    Before New Realm City was established, he had been a family doctor for the Qin family. After the city¡¯s founding, he was sent to the Investigation Department to study autopsy and forensic medicine, eventually bing a coroner.


    Such identity shifts had bemon in New Realm City over the past two years. The city¡¯s major families and factions infiltrated the three main power structures in this way, gradually influencing the entire city.


    Initially, when Qiu Tu learned of the coroner¡¯s background, he felt a bit hesitant. After all, he had quite a few conflicts with the Qin family and wasn¡¯t sure if the coroner would ck off or deliberately sabotage the investigation.


    To his surprise, despite being from the Qin family¡¯s coteral branch, the coroner didn¡¯t harbor any ill will toward him.


    In fact, as the coroner examined Yin Caimei¡¯s body, he even chatted with Qiu Tu about the recent turmoil in the Qin family.


    ording to the coroner, after Fourth Master Qin fled, the Qin family¡¯s ck and gray businesses were wiped out and confiscated, affecting many coteral branches who then gathered to stir up trouble within the family.


    If not for Director Qin stepping in to suppress the situation and provide them with new means of livelihood, a major incident might have urred.


    As for where these people were ced, it wasn¡¯t hard to guess¡ªthey were all funneled into the legitimate businesses of Third Master Qin. After all, only his operations could absorb so many people.


    However, since these individuals had previously been involved in gang activities and had a lot of underworld habits, they constantly caused trouble in their new roles, much to Third Master Qin¡¯s frustration.


    This led to numerous arguments between Third Master Qin and Director Qin, further destabilizing the Qin family.


    Qiu Tu quietly observed the entire autopsy process while listening to the coroner¡¯s information.


    As he listened, something didn¡¯t sit right with him.


    He looked at the coroner and cautiously asked, "Which branch of the Qin family are you from?"


    The coroner, with his blood-stained hands, nced at Qiu Tu and grinned. "The fifth branch."


    Qiu Tu immediately understood.


    The fifth branch of the Qin family consisted of the half-brother to the four main brothers, known for being an uneducated yboy. Because he was born to a concubine and was much younger than his brothers, he had long been excluded from the Qin family¡¯s core power structure.


    No wonder the coroner took such pleasure in the misfortunes of the Qin brothers.


    Qiu Tu nodded in understanding.


    Under Qiu Tu¡¯s watchful eye, the coroner soonpleted the full autopsy.


    After cleaning his tools and washing his hands, the coroner spoke as he walked out, with Qiu Tu following closely behind.


    "Although there are still many samples that need testing, and everything is subject to the final autopsy report, based on my experience, there are no other injuries on the body, no internal organ damage, and no signs of poisoning."


    "So, we can basically rule out foul y?"


    "Could it have been an ident?"


    Qiu Tu paused upon hearing this, a heavy sigh escaping him internally.


    The coroner was unaware of the Cataclysm Artifacts, but Qiu Tu knew about them. Thepletely normal autopsy results actually confirmed, to the greatest extent, the possibility of "murder."


    After all, if the body showed no fatal injuries, and it wasn¡¯t murder or suicide, then maybe... it was the work of a cataclysmic ability or artifact that had caused a secretive death.


    This realization made Qiu Tu hesitate.


    If Yin Caimei had indeed been killed by a cataclysmic ability or artifact, then... who could have done it?


    Even within the Investigation Department, there weren¡¯t many Cataclysm Awakened¡ªprobably only a handful of directors and the four heads and deputy heads of the department.


    The scope was too small, and the implications were too terrifying...


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 79: A Harvest Worth Millions

    Chapter 79: A Harvest Worth Millions


    Chapter 79: A Harvest Worth Millions


    Perhaps sensing Qiu Tu''s hesitation, Forensic Expert Qin turned his head to nce at him and spoke earnestly, "Every body has its own unique code. If we can decipher it, the body will speak to us."


    "So, we must trust in science and evidence."


    "We can¡¯t let the strangeness of the case lead us into the trap of skepticism!"


    Qiu Tu smiled in response.


    He truly wished he could trust science and evidence. But... he himself possessed extraordinary powers that defied scientific exnation.


    How could he believe that just because science didn¡¯t detect any issues with the body, it meant there were no issues?


    However, these thoughts were not something he could share with Forensic Expert Qin. Aside from confidentiality, their rtionship simply wasn¡¯t that close.


    With that in mind, Qiu Tu simply smiled and responded politely, "I understand. I just have some other suspicions."Forensic Expert Qin was a sharp-minded individual. Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, he shot him a suspicious look, opening his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately held back.


    Afterpleting the autopsy, Qiu Tu led Chen Feng, Song Qing, Wang Xi, and Xiao Liu back to the investigation team''s temporary office.


    When they returned, Qiu Tu checked the time and saw that it was already 5 PM.


    He promptly pped his hands and said, "Alright. Today¡¯s work is done for now. Everyone can go home and rest or clock out."


    "If you have any other thoughts, we¡¯ll discuss them tomorrow."


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s words, Chen Feng, Wang Xi, and the others were visibly surprised.


    Clearly, in the Investigation Department, everyone had long grown ustomed to working overtime, with no concept of clocking out on time.


    So, even though they heard Qiu Tu¡¯smand, no one dared to move.


    At that moment, the always bold Xiao Liu looked at the others, then raised his hand and asked, "Sir, are you serious? No overtime?"


    Qiu Tu nced at him and smiled, "Why do overtime if you can finish your work during office hours?"


    He pointed to the files spread out on the table. "Besides, what more can we do now?"


    "We¡¯ve gone through all the case files and documents, and we¡¯ve witnessed the autopsy. As for theb results, the earliest we¡¯ll have them is tomorrow."


    "We don¡¯t even have a preliminary autopsy report yet. We don¡¯t even know how the victim died, so we can¡¯t just grab a suspect and start interrogating them, right?"


    "So..." Qiu Tu waved his hand, "Dismissed. Go home, get some rest, and recharge so we can solve the case tomorrow."


    After Qiu Tu¡¯s final word, Song Qing, who had been barely containing her excitement, couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. She jumped up and cheered, "Long live the boss!"


    "I knew I made the right call!"


    With that, she happily packed up her things and bolted out of the office.


    Seeing her take the lead, Chen Feng, Xiao Liu, and the others exchanged nces, then smiled and thanked Qiu Tu before packing up and leaving as well.


    Qiu Tu was thest to leave.


    He carefully packed up all the case files and documents, locked them away, then turned off the lights, locked the door, and left the Investigation Department.


    Perhaps because it was rare for an investigation team to finish work this early in the Political Division, Qiu Tu noticed quite a few envious looks on his way out.


    Meanwhile, his loyalty notifications kept popping up.


    [Chen Feng¡¯s Loyalty +1]


    [Ding Xiaoliu¡¯s Loyalty +2]


    [Wang Xi¡¯s Loyalty +2]


    [...]


    [Song Qing¡¯s Loyalty +7]


    Seeing thest exaggerated loyalty increase, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.


    This girl really hated overtime, her loyalty jumped so much...


    After work, Qiu Tu first drove to the Investigation Department¡¯s gas station and filled up his tank.


    Since he wasn¡¯t a division head yet, he couldn¡¯t use apany car, so he had to pay for the gas himself¡ªa whole silver coin.


    In his past life, that would have been around 800 yuan.


    And this much fuel would onlyst him three days. Sure enough, in the nning area, these regted resources were insanely expensive.


    If he weren¡¯t about to receive Fourth Master Qin¡¯s assets tonight, Qiu Tu would¡¯ve hesitated to keep driving this car.


    With these thoughts in mind, Qiu Tu drove to a small restaurant at 29 Nanfang Street¡ªa regr meeting spot for him and his brothers.


    The restaurant owner had been a big shot in A Tai¡¯s old gang. Two years ago, when the military swept through New Realm City, he managed to escape, but lost a leg in the process.


    So, he retired from the underworld and opened a restaurant with his wife.


    When Qiu Tu arrived, the owner was wearing an oilcloth apron and sitting on a chair, scaling fish.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, he smiled and raised a hand in greeting. "Hey, Tu! They¡¯re inside."


    Qiu Tu nodded in acknowledgment. "Thanks, Qiang."


    He then headed straight for the backyard.


    The small restaurant didn¡¯t have private rooms, so Qiu Tu and his brothers usually took over the owner¡¯s backyard, setting up a few tables for outdoor dining.


    In the yard, about a dozen young men were chatting in small groups.


    When they saw Qiu Tu enter, they all greeted him. "Brother Tu¡¯s here." "Brother Tu." "Brother Tu, you made it."


    Qiu Tu greeted them with a smile, his eyes sweeping over them.


    His small group consisted of 15 members, including himself. The core members were Qiu Tu, A Tai, and Eagle.


    The rest were mostly people Qiu Tu had picked up or whom A Tai had brought back after subduing them.


    Now, A Tai had joined the Special Operations Division. Eagle and A Kun had moved to the Political Division. There were 12 people left unassigned.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s task today was to select two suitable candidates from them to send to the military.


    [Monkey¡¯s Loyalty: 85]


    [A Shui¡¯s Loyalty: 83]


    [Big Head¡¯s Loyalty: 81]


    [A Xiong¡¯s Loyalty: 89]


    [...]


    Most of the brothers had loyalty levels between 80 and 85, indicating deep bonds with Qiu Tu and their unwaveringmitment to follow him.


    This was understandable, given the years they had spent depending on each other and the countless trials they had faced together.


    Among them, A Xiong surprised Qiu Tu the most.


    A Xiong hadn¡¯t been someone Qiu Tu had picked up. He was someone A Tai had dragged back one day.


    At the time, A Tai was still involved in gang activities, and A Xiong had been a member of a rival gang. During a gang fight, A Xiong¡¯s reckless and ferocious fighting style had caught A Tai¡¯s eye.


    After A Xiong was nearly hacked to death, A Tai had dragged him back, hoping he could still be saved. At the time, A Xiong was covered in blood, barely clinging to life. Out of kindness, Qiu Tu paid for a doctor to stitch him up and clean his wounds, leaving the rest to fate¡ªthis was the best medical care the lower ss could afford.


    Maybe it was fate, but A Xiong actually survived. From then on, he started hanging around with Qiu Tu, A Tai, and the other brothers.


    Despite being part of the group, A Xiong was extremely reclusive. He rarely spoke and would often sit silently by himself during gatherings. He seemed to carry deep emotional scars from his past, and his gaze always held a natural hostility towards others. Because of this, he wasn¡¯t very well-liked even within Qiu Tu¡¯s small circle.


    Initially, Qiu Tu thought A Xiong would be the least loyal of the group. But to his surprise, A Xiong¡¯s loyalty was actually the highest, apart from A Tai and Eagle.


    Qiu Tu spected that this loyalty might have something to do with A Xiong¡¯s personality...


    As Qiu Tu was observing his brothers, Monkey picked up a canvas bag from the ground and carried it over to him. Handing the bag to Qiu Tu with a grin, he said, "Brother Tu, these are the things we took from Fourth Master Qin¡¯s wife."


    Qiu Tu took the bag, feeling its weight. He opened it to find it filled with glistening small gold ingots and a pile of paper certificates.


    In this post-cataclysm world, gold was far more valuable than silver. One small gold ingot could be exchanged for about 200 silver coins, equivalent to roughly 160,000 units of purchasing power.


    With over 30 small gold ingots in the bag, that amounted to a fortune of around 6 million.


    And this was just the cash that Fourth Master Qin¡¯s wife and children carried with them as they fled.


    Adding in the paper certificates, property deeds, andnd titles in the bag, along with Fourth Master Qin¡¯s other hidden stashes, Qiu Tu roughly estimated that Fourth Master Qin¡¯s total assets were worth at least a billion, and the contents of this bag alone could be converted into at least two or three million.


    Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but curse silently, "Damn, he was filthy rich!"


    "Luckily, it¡¯s all mine now!"


    With that thought, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t waste any time. He began pulling out the small gold ingots from the bag and tossing one to each of his brothers. As soon as one brother caught an ingot, Qiu Tu would pull out another and toss it to the next.


    Cheers erupted in the courtyard.


    For the average person in this world, with a minimum monthly expense of around 200 copper coins, one small gold ingot was enough to livefortably for decades. Even if they lived extravagantly, it couldst three to five years.


    Given how casually Qiu Tu was distributing such a massive fortune, it was no wonder his brothers were so excited.


    In just a few moments, Qiu Tu¡¯s notifications were flooded with loyalty increases.


    The gains weren¡¯t massive, which Qiu Tu attributed to the already high loyalty levels of those present...


    After handing out 12 small gold ingots, Qiu Tu ced the canvas bag on the ground and instructed, "Keep these gold ingots as a safety, for getting married or settling down. Don¡¯t spend them recklessly."


    "I¡¯ll have Eagle exchange two or three ingots for silver and copper coinster, and you can use those as pocket money."


    "For now, I¡¯ll hold onto the rest of the money. If you need anything,e to me."


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s n, Monkey, A Shui, Big Head, and the others quickly voiced their agreement.


    The entire courtyard buzzed with joy, the chatter growing louder.


    Distributing wealth was always an exhrating affair.


    Before long, Eagle and A Kun arrived, though A Tai was still nowhere to be seen.


    Qiu Tu didn¡¯t wait for him; A Tai had never been punctual, always getting sidetracked by something. So, Qiu Tu asked the owner to start serving the dishes.


    As food and drinks were brought out one by one, the brothers dug in with gusto.


    After a few rounds of drinks, the time had slipped to 9 PM.


    At that moment, Qiu Tu¡¯smunicator buzzed.


    He pulled it out to see an unfamiliar number on the screen.


    Feeling a slight twinge of anticipation, Qiu Tu guessed who it might be.


    He answered the call, and sure enough, Qin Shuman¡¯s voice came through, "I¡¯m outside."


    Qiu Tu informed Eagle and the others before getting up and leaving the courtyard.


    As soon as he stepped out of the restaurant, Qiu Tu looked up and spotted Qin Shuman standing across the street.


    Tonight, she looked different from her usual self. She wasn¡¯t wearing her cheongsam or military uniform but a ck, high-cored cashmere coat.


    The coat, though concealing her curvaceous figure, entuated her tall, graceful form, lending her an air of timeless elegance...


    Seeing her, a smile naturally spread across Qiu Tu¡¯s face as he walked toward her.


    Noticing him approaching, Qin Shuman¡¯s lips curled into a smile as well.


    It seemed she had deliberately applied light makeup tonight, making her smile all the more breathtaking.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 80: Monsters from the Immaterial World

    Chapter 80: Monsters from the Immaterial World


    Chapter 80: Monsters from the Immaterial World


    In the nning area, vehicles were rare, so crossing the street didn¡¯t require much caution.


    Qiu Tu stepped across the road, spreading his arms wide and grinning. "Miss Qin! Long time no see! Come here, let me give you a hug!"


    Hearing this, Qin Shuman, dressed in a ck coat,ughed and stepped back, lightly pushing Qiu Tu¡¯s chest with her gloved hand. She teased, "Stop it! Can¡¯t you be serious for once?"


    But Qiu Tu ignored her yful refusal and pulled her into his embrace.


    With Qin Shuman¡¯s soft form in his arms and her faint fragrance lingering in the air, the anxiety that had been gnawing at Qiu Tu¡¯s mind over the past few days seemed to ease slightly.


    Qin Shuman quietly leaned into his chest. She hesitated for a moment, but after a couple of seconds, she gently rested her head against him. Both of them, worn out by the troubles of their respective departments, found a brief refuge in each other¡¯s arms...


    After a while, Qin Shuman looked up at Qiu Tu¡¯s face.


    His usually strong and handsome features were marred by worry, with his brows furrowed in concern.She reached up and smoothed out the lines on his forehead, her voice soft. "Chief Qiu, you seem to be in a really bad mood today."


    Qiu Tu snapped out of his thoughts and asked with a smile, "Do I?"


    Qin Shuman nodded. "I¡¯ve never seen you frown like this before."


    "Is the case particrly difficult?"


    Qiu Tu replied, "Not really. I was just noticing how white that girl¡¯s legs are across the street. Why doesn¡¯t she show a bit more?"


    Qin Shuman: ??


    Irritated, Qin Shuman yfully kicked Qiu Tu in the stomach, then pushed him away.


    Qiu Tu yelped, clutching his stomach. "You sneaky woman! You attacked me!"


    Seeing him yfullyining, Qin Shuman couldn¡¯t help but smile triumphantly. She teased, "Chief Qiu, if you¡¯re going to act recklessly without the caution of a security officer, you¡¯d better be prepared for some injuries!"


    Qiu Tu feigned innocence. "Being in the security department is tough! I can¡¯t even give a hug without worrying about getting hurt!"


    Their lighthearted banter quickly dispelled the gloom that had apanied their initial meeting.


    As they continued to tease each other, Qin Shuman nced around, trying to spot the girl Qiu Tu had mentioned. After searching for a while and finding no one, she finally looked at Qiu Tu.


    Heughed, dropping his hand from his stomach, and reached out to take her hand. "Shall we take a walk?"


    Qin Shuman felt a warmth spread through her heart, as if a soft spot had been gently touched. She nodded, and together they strolled along the street.


    Since Qin Shuman hade out in her true form tonight, she wasn¡¯t worried about being recognized.


    As they walked hand in hand, Qiu Tu quietly recounted everything that had happened that day. He told her about Jia Shu assigning him the Yin Caimei case, about how Jia Shu imed he would earn the Security Division¡¯s trust, and about the various unusual signs he had noticed and his own spections.


    Given that it was already past 9 PM and the streets were deserted, they didn¡¯t worry about being overheard.


    Qin Shuman listened carefully to Qiu Tu¡¯s ount of the challenges he was facing, then fell silent in thought for a while before finally speaking.


    "Let¡¯s set the Yin Caimei case aside for now. I think I have some idea of what Jia Shu meant when he said you¡¯d gain the Security Division¡¯s trust."


    She nced at Qiu Tu, her voice low. "Because we protected Fourth Master Qin, the Security Division was exposed to the Political Division, giving them an excuse to attack us."


    "Just yesterday, several of our informants ced near the Investigation Department¡¯s upper echelons were all taken out, and we haven¡¯t heard from them since."


    "Jia Shu is ruthless. I fear they¡¯re in serious danger."


    "And considering that the news about the Yin Caimei case was used as bait, I suspect that many mid-to-lower-level informants in the Security Division were also identified inst night¡¯s operation."


    "So, he¡¯s likely nning to root out all of our informants in the Security Division one by one. If that happens, we¡¯ll have no choice but to cooperate with you to expand our information channels."


    "And you¡¯ll sessfully infiltrate our ranks."


    Qiu Tu pondered this for a moment before nodding slightly. "That does make sense."


    He then asked, "But your informants are in a dangerous position now. What do you n to do? Will you pull them back?"


    Qin Shuman¡¯s face showed a hint of struggle as she shook her head slightly. "We can¡¯t pull them back."


    "If we do, it might expose you."


    Her gaze turned serious. "The best solution would be to find out who the Investigation Department¡¯s informants are in the military."


    "And then, through you, we could leak this information to Jia Shu."


    "In that case, with both sides holding leverage over the other, we¡¯d restore a bnce."


    Qiu Tu asked, "So... how do you n to find out who the Investigation Department¡¯s informants are in the military?"


    Qin Shuman let out a bitterugh. "For now, we don¡¯t have a way."


    "Our lines to the Investigation Department¡¯s upper echelons have been cut off."


    "Trying to sift through so many soldiers is practically impossible."


    Hearing this, a sudden thought shed through Qiu Tu¡¯s mind.


    He remembered Liu Fuping and Tang Feifei.


    Liu Fuping was a spy ced in the Investigation Department by an unknown faction, with Tang Feifei, the Deputy Director of the Investigation Department, as her backer. She likely had ess to a lot of ssified information.


    Could Liu Fuping have a list of the Investigation Department¡¯s informants?


    Moreover, Tang Feifei, as Deputy Director and a rival to Yan Chen, would likely be very interested in weakening Yan Chen¡¯s influence. And nting informants in other departments was already an underhanded move, so manipting this situation wouldn¡¯t be too difficult for her.


    So... even if Liu Fuping didn¡¯t have the list, if they could establish a connection with Tang Feifei and cooperate, it might yield unexpected results.


    After all... Tang Feifei was the Deputy Director of Administration, and her responsibilities included training.


    Most of the spies among the three major power structures were secretly trained in New Realm City.


    If they could get a list from Tang Feifei of those who trained in the Investigation Department over the past year but failed the assessment, yet ended up employed in the military, they might be able to identify a significant number of spies...


    The potential coboration between Qiu Tu and Tang Feifei could greatly benefit him. Not only would it weaken the influence of Yan Chen and Jia Shu, but it would also give Qiu Tu a strong ally in the form of a Deputy Director. For someone like Qiu Tu, who was navigating the treacherous waters of the Investigation Department, having such a hidden backer was invaluable. It would open up a lot more room for maneuvering.


    With this in mind, and after organizing his thoughts, Qiu Tu looked at Qin Shuman and said, "Let me think of a way to help with this. I might have some ideas."


    Qin Shuman nced at him in surprise. As the Chief of the Security Division¡¯s Investigation Office, she knew all too well how difficult it was to obtain a list of spies. Opportunities like the one Jia Shu had seized were incredibly rare. And now, Qiu Tu was saying he had a way?


    To be honest, Qin Shuman¡¯s first instinct was disbelief. But since Qiu Tu was offering his help, she decided to go along with it. After a moment of thought, she smiled and said, "Then I¡¯ll thank you in advance, Chief Qiu. My entire career rests in your hands."


    Though she tried to downy the seriousness of the situation with a light-hearted joke, Qiu Tu could sense the hidden tension in her words.


    He didn¡¯t respond verbally. Actions, after all, spoke louder than words. If he could get his hands on that list and hand it over to Qin Shuman, that would be the best answer.


    After discussing the issue of double agents, Qin Shuman shifted the conversation to the "Yin Caimei case." Her demeanor became more serious as she exined, "The book Brave New World is actually quite famous."


    "Famous? In the nning area?" Qiu Tu asked, surprised.


    Qin Shuman shook her head and said, "No, not here. It was famous in the eight major shelters years ago."


    "In the shelters?" Qiu Tu repeated in surprise.


    Qin Shuman nodded. "Yes, this book became extremely popr in the shelters about a decade ago."


    "After all, a chaotic world is fertile ground for the spread of such cult-like texts."


    "But a few years ago, the eight shelters reached an agreement to ban the book and required all residents to turn in their copies for destruction."


    "Why?" Qiu Tu asked, curious.


    Qin Shuman frowned slightly and said, "I¡¯m not entirely sure. The matter is ssified as a B-level secret, so I don¡¯t have the clearance to ess the details."


    "But I once heard the Director mention that this book caused significant trouble in the Immaterial World."


    "It seems that after reading it, many people eithermitted suicide or died under strange circumstances. This led to the creation of a terrifying cataclysmic creature in the Immaterial World, which in turn caused bizarre changes in the real world."


    Qin Shuman had previously given Qiu Tu some information on cataclysmic artifacts and abilities, including some details he had obtained from the world¡¯s source. However, likely to avoid leaks or for some other special reason, the documents had used the term "Immaterial World" instead of the proper name "Boundless Mind Sea."


    As Qiu Tu listened to Qin Shuman¡¯s words, he mentally reced the key terms, organizing the information in his mind.


    After a moment of thought, he asked hesitantly, "So, do you suspect that Yin Caimei¡¯s death might be rted to that book?"


    Qin Shuman shrugged. "I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯m just giving you a new direction to consider."


    She paused for a moment before adding, "Also, while Brave New World was banned and destroyed in the shelters, it¡¯s still very popr among anti-government groups like the RUF."


    "So, it¡¯s not entirely surprising that Yin Caimei had a copy of the book."


    Qiu Tu¡¯s sharp instincts picked up on something odd.


    He hesitated for a moment, then asked cautiously, "If I¡¯m not mistaken, the shelters have been cracking down on anti-government groups not just because they threaten the shelters¡¯ control, right?"


    "Is it also rted to... the Immaterial World, or more specifically, the creatures from the Immaterial World?"


    "Could it be that Brave New World isn¡¯t the only thing capable of creating monsters in the Immaterial World?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 81: Cataclysmic Creature - Phantom Jellyfish

    Chapter 81: Cataclysmic Creature - Phantom Jellyfish


    Chapter 81: Cataclysmic Creature - Phantom Jellyfish


    Qin Shuman hesitated after hearing Qiu Tu''s question. It was clear that this subject touched on sensitive information within the Security Division, which made her pause for a full two seconds before she finally answered, "Yes."


    She exined, "The material world and the immaterial world are not separate entities; they can influence each other."


    "In the material world, the emotions, obsessions, and negative energies of living beings can cause various changes in the immaterial world."


    "And if certain obsessions or negative impacts reach a critical threshold, the immaterial world may give birth to rted cataclysmic creatures, or even worse, catastrophic events."


    Qiu Tu, intrigued, asked tentatively, "And how do these cataclysmic creatures or ''catastrophes'' affect the real world?"


    Qin Shuman responded with a bitter smile, "In many ways. So many that you wouldn¡¯t want to know."


    "I¡¯ll give you two simple examples..."


    "For instance, the cataclysmic creature born from Brave New World once caused a disaster in the immaterial world that wiped out six or seven cities under the jurisdiction of the Third Shelter.""The Third Shelter had to pay an enormous price to quell the disaster and drive the creature away."


    "Another example is a massive cataclysmic creature known as the Phantom Jellyfish. This creature is several kilometers long and drifts alone in the depths of the immaterial world."


    "But once it moves toward the material world, it triggers a ''mental tide,'' where the force of the catastrophe surges into the material world like a tidal wave."


    "In the material world, ordinary creatures affected by this cataclysmic force rapidly evolve."


    "But for higher life forms, the impact can cause anything from dizziness and vertigo to madness and schizophrenia."


    Qiu Tu quietly absorbed this information. "So, matter influences the mind, and the mind, in turn, influences matter..."


    This was the first time Qiu Tu fully grasped the implications of the information he had obtained from the world¡¯s source.


    The Boundless Mind Sea was not just the origin of cataclysmic power; it was the true source of the world-altering cataclysms...


    With this new understanding, Qiu Tu began to consider the "Yin Caimei case" in a new light.


    If the emotions of beings in the material world could give birth to cataclysmic creatures, and those creatures in the Boundless Mind Sea could, in turn, affect the beings in the material world, then this case might involve more than just the Investigation Department, the New Realm Chamber of Commerce, the anti-government forces, and the Municipal Council. There could be deeper, moreplexyers involved.


    With this thought, Qiu Tu became curious about another matter.


    He looked at Qin Shuman and asked, "I¡¯ve always been curious about something."


    "Why do the military, the Investigation Department, and the Municipal Council nt spies in each other¡¯s ranks?"


    "Aren¡¯t you all part of the shelters?"


    "Isn¡¯t this essentially starting a civil war?"


    Qin Shuman pondered this for a moment before carefully replying, "First, I need to correct a misunderstanding. The shelters have never officially supported the three major power structures undermining each other."


    "In fact, on the surface, the shelters have consistently condemned such behavior."


    She paused before continuing, "But..."


    "The shelters are a newly established government, a coalition of various forces, rather than a unified nation."


    "Some powerful figures came together to try and change humanity¡¯s fate and rebuild the cataclysmic world. Theybined their resources, divided the benefits, and established a new social order."


    "So, the Investigation Department, the military, and even the Municipal Council are all rtively independent entities."


    Qin Shuman made a gesture with her hand. "While it appears that everyone is under the leadership of the shelters, the actual power structure is more like a collection of parallel hierarchies."


    "If you join the Investigation Department, your career progression is within that hierarchy. The same applies to the military and the Municipal Council."


    "This means that the three major power structures operate as independent kingdoms, each developing on its own. They only cooperate when faced with a crisis."


    Qiu Tu was surprised. "Doesn¡¯t that cause problems?"


    Qin Shuman nodded. "It does. That¡¯s why, after recognizing the issue, the leadership implemented two measures."


    "One addresses the symptoms, and the other addresses the root cause."


    Qiu Tu asked, "Symptoms and root causes?"


    Qin Shuman nodded again. "Addressing the symptoms involves what you mentioned earlier. While the shelters publicly prohibit the three major power structures from targeting each other, they secretly encourage them to nt ''agents'' in other organizations."


    She corrected herself, "Actually, a more urate term would be ''personnel.'' The shelters encourage the cement of personnel in other organizations."


    "These nted personnel are supposed to hide their identities as much as possible and, with the support of their original organization, gradually rise through the ranks until they reach high positions."


    "For example, if you were one of our chosen operatives and became a deputy section chief in the Investigation Department, you¡¯d be considered a spy."


    "But if you were to take Yan Chen¡¯s ce and be the Director of the Investigation Department... with the entire department under your leadership, would you still be a spy?"


    "No, you¡¯d just be an Investigation Department official with close ties to the military."


    Qiu Tu¡¯s mouth hung open slightly.


    It made a strange kind of sense.


    Noticing Qiu Tu¡¯s astonishment, Qin Shumanughed softly and continued, "In fact, this approach has led to a significant increase in personnel movement between the three major power structures over the past two years. The connections between them have also be much closer."


    "Sometimes, spies serve so long that they forget which side they¡¯re on, ending up helping both the military and the Investigation Department."


    "This back-and-forth has indeed broken down the old ''independent kingdom'' dynamic."


    Qiu Tu hesitated before voicing another question, "What about the ordinary spies you send to monitor high-ranking officials? They¡¯re not meant to rise through the ranks, right?"


    Qin Shuman shook her head. "No, those spies have three main purposes."


    "First, to gather intelligence and stay informed about what other organizations are doing, so we don¡¯t make mistakes due tock of information."


    "Second, to assist our people in climbing the ranks. If our operatives want to advance, there needs to be a vacancy. If we find evidence of wrongdoing by the other side, we can both create an opening for our operatives and root out a corrupt official from the shelters."


    Qin Shuman continued, "The third purpose is... supervision."


    Her expression grew moreplex. "Generally speaking, most mid-to-high-ranking officials assigned to the nning area are Cataclysm Awakened."


    "Cataclysm Awakened are highly unpredictable. No one knows when they might ''fall'' or experience ''mental mutations.''"


    "So, our three institutions monitor each other to minimize the chances of such uncontroble events urring."


    She then gave Qiu Tu a deep look and added, "Someone like Yan Chen is one of our high-priority targets."


    After hearing Qin Shuman¡¯s exnation, Qiu Tu finally had a clearer understanding of the intricate game of espionage between the three major power structures. It was no wonder he had sensed intense internal strife within the government¡ªit stemmed from fundamental issues in the government''s structure, which was now going through a painful adjustment phase.


    ording to Qin Shuman¡¯s insights, it would likely take several years, or even decades, for these factions to gradually merge and form a cohesive whole.


    This led Qiu Tu to recall Qin Shuman¡¯s mention of another method aimed at addressing the root cause of these conflicts. Since they had already delved this deep into the conversation, he decided to ask about it.


    Qin Shuman became more serious as she discussed this topic. "The method to address the root cause involves pushing for political reform at the highest levels."


    "Originally, the highest authority in each shelter was just a round table where a few key figures from various factions negotiated and divided the spoils."


    "But now, the shelters have begun establishing a Supreme Council, consolidating power within the council. The Supreme Council holds ultimate decision-making power over all matters concerning the shelters and the nning area."


    "If anyone defies an order issued by the council, they will be charged with anti-government crimes."


    "In the cities, the Supreme Council is also pushing for the establishment of Municipal Councils, aiming to make these councils the highest authority in each city."


    "In the future, the heads of the military and the Investigation Department will be members of the Municipal Council, just like any other ordinarymittee member."


    "Decisions on matters big and small, including the appointment of mid-level officials, will be made by the council members."


    "However, this initiative faces significant resistance and is stillrgely in the propaganda phase."


    After hearing Qin Shuman¡¯s exnation, Qiu Tu finally gained aprehensive understanding of the power structure within New Realm City and the shelters as a whole.


    This was an era transitioning from chaos to order, filled with opportunities.


    If he could seize these opportunities, he might truly reach the pinnacle of power!


    Moreover...


    Reflecting on his path of supernatural power¡ªOrder and Politics¡ªand considering the cataclysmic creatures invading the real world from the Boundless Mind Sea, Qiu Tu knew he had to climb the ranks, ascending step by step to the top. Only then could he be stronger and ultimately take control of his own destiny in this strange, cataclysmic world.


    With this resolve, Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze grew more determined...


    Afterward, Qin Shuman discussed a few additional details about the "Yin Caimei case."


    As the Chief of the Security Division¡¯s Investigation Office, Qin Shuman had extensive experience handling supernatural cases, and many of her insights provided valuable inspiration for Qiu Tu.


    For instance, she pointed out that many cataclysmic abilities or artifacts didn¡¯t require close contact with the victim, meaning the killer could havemitted the murder from a distance.


    She also mentioned that the holding cells in the Political Division and Security Division were typically designed to block external cataclysmic forces. Unless the cell door was opened, it would be extremely difficult for any external cataclysmic influence to prate.


    Furthermore, ordinary items in the victim¡¯s possession or even within the victim¡¯s body could have been "seeded" with cataclysmic abilities, set to trigger automatically under certain conditions...


    Overall, after speaking with Qin Shuman, Qiu Tu felt he had gained a new perspective on the case.


    Perhaps... the Political Division wasn¡¯t necessarily behind the murder?


    After all, if the Political Division had orchestrated it, wouldn¡¯t their methods have been more sophisticated?


    This line of thinking gave Qiu Tu a glimmer of hope in cracking the case.


    More importantly, after they finished discussing the case, Qin Shuman made an unexpected offer. "If you¡¯d like, I can join you tomorrow night at the Investigation Department to check the body for any traces of cataclysmic influence."


    "Maybe we¡¯ll find new clues or insights."


    Qiu Tu was surprised by her offer. "Would that really be convenient for you?"


    "Don¡¯t both of your identities make it difficult to ess the Investigation Department?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 82: Obtaining a Crucial Clue

    Chapter 82: Obtaining a Crucial Clue


    Chapter 82: Obtaining a Crucial Clue


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s concern, Qin Shuman simply smiled. She ced her hands behind her back, stood on her tiptoes, and raised an eyebrow, looking a bit smug. "I have my ways~~"


    Seeing her yful demeanor, Qiu Tu had a pretty good guess: this woman had likely found a new body to possess. The thought suddenly crossed his mind that being with a woman like her wouldn¡¯t be bad at all¡ªafter all, she could let you experience all the different women in the world!


    Whether you were into a cute and innocent type or preferred a more mature andmanding presence, she could fulfill all those desires. Even if you had a wild fantasy like wanting to ride a tank, she could make it happen!


    As Qiu Tu¡¯s thoughts wandered off in this direction, Qin Shuman continued, "Besides, I already had some business at the Investigation Department tomorrow night. It¡¯s actually safer being with you."


    "And who knows, I might need your protection."


    Qiu Tu snapped out of his thoughts and nodded slightly. "Don¡¯t worry."


    "As long as I¡¯m still breathing, I¡¯ll definitely..."


    "...run away and warn you!"Qin Shumanughed and yfully punched Qiu Tu. "You never miss a chance to joke!"


    They chatted a bit more, but Qin Shuman declined Qiu Tu¡¯s invitation toe over to his ce. Even when Qiu Tu mentioned that his house mice could dance, she blushed and shot back, "I bet you want me to do that dance on you!"


    Qiu Tu protested his innocence, using Qin Shuman of being too suspicious.


    With a roll of her eyes, she decided to ignore him.


    Before they parted ways, they exchanged "gifts."


    Qin Shuman handed Qiu Tu a smallmunicator, exining that it was a special device made by the Security Division. The number was untraceable by the Investigation Department, making it easier for them to stay in touch without borrowing other people¡¯s devices.


    Qiu Tu happily epted the gift and, in return, gave Qin Shuman a small piece of paper with two names on it: Wang Xiong (A Xiong) and Hou San (Monkey).


    These were the names of the two people Qiu Tu had secured spots for in the military, a favor Qin Shuman had promised him.


    Seeing Qiu Tu¡¯s "gift," Qin Shuman rolled her eyes so hard they almost disappeared into her skull, joking about her poor choice in men. But she didn¡¯t refuse the paper. Instead, she carefully ced it in her pocket and reminded Qiu Tu to have the two men report to the military the next day.


    Watching Qin Shuman slowly disappear around the street corner, Qiu Tu felt a slight sense of loss. He then stuffed his hands in his pockets and headed back to the small restaurant.


    As he re-entered the lively courtyard, the warmth of the festive atmosphere hit him. The party was in full swing, with a dozen or so young men loudly toasting andughing.


    Noticing Qiu Tu¡¯s return, his brothers greeted him enthusiastically. Qiu Tu acknowledged each of them with a nod and was surprised to see that A Tai had arrived at some point¡ªand not alone. He had brought along Fang Ming.


    Qiu Tu gave Fang Ming a curious look, noticing the awkward and somewhat helpless expression on his face. It was clear... Fang Ming had been dragged here against his will.


    "Howe Agent Fang is here, A Tai?" Qiu Tu asked with a hint of surprise.


    A Tai, his face flushed from drinking, quickly stood up and exined, "Brother Tu! I dragged Fang Ming here."


    He then gave Fang Ming¡¯s shoulder a hearty p with hisrge hand, making Fang Ming wince. "Brother Tu, I¡¯m telling you, Fang Ming¡¯s a stand-up guy, someone you can count on!"


    "I think we should make him one of us!"


    Listening to A Tai¡¯s introduction and the casual way he addressed Fang Ming, those who knew their background would understand that Fang Ming was his superior. But to the unknowing observer, it might seem like A Tai was the one in charge!


    Qiu Tu nced at Fang Ming, who looked both embarrassed and ufortable. Fang Ming shot Qiu Tu a pleading look, but before Qiu Tu could respond, A Tai grabbed him and handed him a ss of wine.


    "Come on, Fang Ming! Drink with Brother Tu!" A Tai said, cing the ss firmly in Fang Ming¡¯s hand.


    The other brothers immediately started cheering and egging him on.


    Fang Ming¡¯s face grew even more awkward. He wasn¡¯t a child; he understood that this wasn¡¯t just any drink. epting it would mean acknowledging Qiu Tu as his leader, and from that moment on, he¡¯d be bound to follow Qiu Tu¡¯s orders.


    So there he stood, holding the ss, uncertain whether to drink or not.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu decided not to let A Tai push things further. He took the ss from Fang Ming and, with a smile, said, "I was just thirsty¡ªthanks for the drink, you two."


    With that, he downed the wine in one gulp.


    Fang Ming let out a sigh of relief, shing Qiu Tu a grateful smile.


    Qiu Tu patted A Tai on the shoulder, signaling for him to sit down, and asked what had happened.


    A few drinkster, A Tai, seemingly forgetting about making Fang Ming swear loyalty, began ranting angrily.


    "Damn it, that guy really thinks he¡¯s something!"


    "Look at the whole squad¡ªwho actually respects him?"


    From A Tai¡¯s slurred words, Qiu Tu gathered what had happened between A Tai and Fang Ming earlier that day.


    It was a simple story. Recently, a well-connected neer had joined the Special Operations Division. This person was immediately promoted to the rank of First-ss Agent and carried himself with an inted sense of importance.


    Without his own team, he frequently intruded on Fang Ming¡¯s squad, criticizing everything from their training methods to theirbat readiness. He even mocked them for having the best equipment but mediocre skills.


    Fang Ming¡¯s squad members were furious, but they had no choice but to endure his behavior.


    Only A Tai...


    He wasn¡¯t the type to tolerate such nonsense. So, he ended up using his massive fists to give the neer a proper beating.


    Afterward, the neer reported the incident to the higher-ups in the Special Operations Division. As a result, A Tai was harshly reprimanded, given a formal warning, and was even going to be confined.


    Since A Tai had gotten into trouble standing up for him, Fang Ming had been doing everything in his power to help A Tai get the warning rescinded and avoid confinement.


    As Fang Ming worked tirelessly to get A Tai out of confinement, A Tai grew to see him as a loyalrade, someone worthy of brotherhood. Thus, after being released from the confinement room, A Tai had dragged Fang Ming along to join this gathering.


    After recounting the night¡¯s events, A Tai gave Fang Ming a hearty p on the back, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Fang Ming, listen to me. Next time youe across someone like that jerk, just go up and punch him! Don¡¯t hold back! If anything happens, Brother Tu has your back!"


    A Tai spoke with such righteous confidence, as if Qiu Tu was one of the three leaders of New Realm City.


    Fang Ming looked at Qiu Tu with a mixture of embarrassment and bewilderment. Though he knew A Tai was just drunk and joking around, he still nodded quietly.


    Qiu Tu raised his ss, took a sip, and found himself amused by the unexpected camaraderie between A Tai and Fang Ming. Perhaps... A Tai really would win Fang Ming over and bring him into the fold?


    As this thought crossed his mind, Qiu Tu¡¯s curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "By the way, what¡¯s the name of that guy? Who is he to act so arrogantly?"


    A Tai scratched his head with hisrge hand, struggling to recall. "I think his name is Tian, Tian..."


    Fang Ming chimed in, "Tian Xiaotian."


    A Tai pped his forehead. "Yes! Tian Xiaotian! I heard his father is the vice president of the New Realm Chamber of Commerce, and they¡¯re working on some deep cooperation with our department. That¡¯s why he¡¯s so arrogant!"


    "Tian Xiaotian? The son of Deputy Chairman Tian?" Qiu Tu was momentarily stunned.


    Then he caught on to a key detail in A Tai¡¯s words: "Deputy Chairman Tian is engaged in deep cooperation with our department?"


    "What kind of cooperation?"


    A Tai scratched his head again, trying to recall. "I... I remember when I was beating him up, he did shout a lot of things, like who his father is, what kind of cooperation they¡¯re doing with the Investigation Department, and how they¡¯re going to ruin me."


    "But... uh..."


    A Tai began pping his forehead as if it might help him remember what Tian Xiaotian had said during the beating.


    After a few heavy ps, his face lit up with realization. "Oh, right! He mentioned something aboutmunication monitoring cooperation!"


    Qiu Tu froze in ce, his mind struck by a sudden sh of insight. It felt like a series of seemingly unrted dots had just connected in his mind.


    Boldlybining all the information he knew, Qiu Tu formted a hypothesis:


    As the city¡¯s primaryw enforcement agency, the Investigation Department naturally needed to monitormunications across the city. However, due to budget constraints, they had been unable to implementprehensive citywide monitoring. Recently, both Yan Chen and Jia Shu had lost critical leads in cases due to gaps inmunication monitoring.


    In an attempt to address this shortfall, they sought alternative solutions. During this time, Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s mistress, Yin Caimei, had fallen into their hands.


    Deputy Chairman Tian was a major yer in themunications industry, with ties to the shelters. Sensing an opportunity, Yan Chen and Jia Shu struck a deal with Deputy Chairman Tian: in exchange for either facilitating or permitting Yin Caimei¡¯s death, Deputy Chairman Tian would provide the Investigation Department with state-of-the-artmunication monitoring equipment.


    Knowing the potential fallout from Yin Caimei¡¯s death, Jia Shu didn¡¯t simply have her killed. Instead, he cleverly used her death to spread disinformation and used the new equipment to conduct a sweep of the Investigation Department¡¯s spies.


    The results were highly sessful, leaving Yan Chen and Jia Shu very satisfied. With the cooperation between the two parties flourishing, it was no surprise that Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s son, Tian Xiaotian, ended up at the Investigation Department as a First-ss Agent.


    Qiu Tu had two theories about Tian Xiaotian¡¯s involvement:


    If Tian Xiaotian had been sent to the Investigation Department voluntarily, it likely meant Deputy Chairman Tian was trying to strengthen his ties with the department.


    However, if Tian Xiaotian had been ced there against his will, it might suggest that Yan Chen and Jia Shu were trying to exert leverage over Deputy Chairman Tian, making Tian Xiaotian less of a "connected insider" and more of a "hostage."


    Having obtained this crucial clue, all the oddities surrounding the case suddenly made sense to Qiu Tu!


    But this realization also sent a cold sweat down his back.


    It was clear that he could never underestimate anyone who had risen to a position of power in this world!


    Despite his earlier maneuver of using Fourth Master Qin¡¯s escape to destabilize Yan Chen and Jia Shu, who were aligned with the Qin family, they had quickly turned the tables. Utilizing the excuse provided by the Security Division¡¯s intervention, they had leveraged Yin Caimei¡¯s case to purge the Investigation Department of spies, secretly expanding their influence and growing even stronger!


    Their methods were truly terrifying!


    This revtion made Qiu Tu furrow his brows deeply.


    He realized that he couldn¡¯t allow Yan Chen and Jia Shu to continue gaining power unchecked. He needed to ally himself with the Security Division, Liu Fuping, and Deputy Director Tang to uncover the truth behind this case and dismantle Yan Chen and Jia Shu¡¯s growing influence.


    Otherwise, even if he survived this crisis, once they had fully consolidated their power and turned their attention to him, he would be the next to fall!


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu¡¯s gaze grew intense, his thoughts drifting to Liu Fuping, the beautiful spy.


    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder... how her n was progressing.


    [10 Days Until Yin Caimei Case Deadline]


    Meanwhile, in a luxurious vi near the Investigation Department, two bodies were entwined...


    One of them was a woman with creamy white skin, voluptuous and soft, exuding the charm of a mature woman.


    The other was a strong, athletic figure with a healthy tan and short hair, radiating a heroic and spirited aura...


    * * *


    **You:**


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    Document


    * * *


    **ChatGPT:**


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 83: Starting the Second Loyalty Game

    Chapter 83: Starting the Second Loyalty Game


    Chapter 83: Starting the Second Loyalty Game


    After about half an hour of exertion, the two womeny exhausted, embracing each other. Liu Fuping weakly held Tang Feifei close, her eyes barely able to stay open from exhaustion. However, Tang Feifei still seemed full of energy. Unbeknownst to Liu Fuping, her eyes continued to flicker with a faint orange glow for several minutes before the light slowly receded into the depths of her gaze.


    Tang Feifei¡¯s tan skin contrasted sharply with Liu Fuping¡¯s fairplexion as theyy together. After savoring the moment, Tang Feifei looked down at Liu Fuping, her voice low and steady, with a hint of authority, "You seemed unusually forward tonight."


    Her voice, a smooth contralto,cked the high-pitched sharpness typical of most women, instead carrying a weight ofmand that was both calming and unexpectedly pleasant.


    Liu Fuping, snuggling against her like a cat, replied softly, "Not really~~ My new boss is easy to get along with, so I saved some energy to spend on you~"


    Tang Feifei hesitated at Liu Fuping¡¯s words, then asked, "Your new boss is Qiu... Qiu Tu?"


    Liu Fuping nodded and, feigning curiosity, asked, "Does Deputy Director Tang know him?"


    Tang Feifei responded with a simple "Mhm," before borating, "I¡¯ve only heard of him."


    A glimmer of recollection appeared in Tang Feifei¡¯s eyes as she continued, "I heard that he initially worked for Lao Bai, who thought highly of him.""Later, thanks to Lao Bai¡¯s rmendation, he managed to secure a position under Yan Chen¡¯s wing."


    "He¡¯s quite talented, apparently. He started out doing Yan Chen¡¯s dirty work withoutint."


    "Then, when an opportunity arose, he proved his worth, not only protecting Yan Chen¡¯s mistress during a shootout but also securing the Qin family¡¯s support for Yan Chen."


    "Because of this, he caught Jia Shu¡¯s attention and was brought into the Political Division, where he¡¯s currently being groomed."


    Liu Fuping was surprised at how highly Tang Feifei regarded Qiu Tu. After a moment of stunned silence, she responded, "Is that so?"


    "But... I get the feeling that Chief Qiu isn¡¯t on good terms with Secretary Bai, the Director, or Minister Jia."


    "And in the Political Division, he doesn¡¯t seem to be someone receiving special attention."


    Liu Fuping¡¯s words piqued Tang Feifei¡¯s curiosity. She looked at Liu Fuping with clear, sharp eyes and asked, "What do you mean? Did you notice something else?"


    Liu Fuping, careful with her words, replied, "I¡¯m not sure."


    "It¡¯s just that since Chief Qiu joined the Political Division, I¡¯ve always been his subordinate."


    "I¡¯ve noticed he doesn¡¯t seem very happy. Especially after taking on this current case, he¡¯s been more anxious than usual."


    "Today, after reviewing the case files and conducting the autopsy, he immediately started making phone calls for advice. After that, he just sat in an empty conference room, smoking quietly."


    "And whenever he enters Minister Jia¡¯s office, he¡¯s visibly tense, as if he¡¯s constantly worried about being set up."


    As a trained spy, Liu Fuping knew how to gather intelligence and steer conversations. Instead of directly bringing up the Yin Caimei case, which might not interest Tang Feifei and could even raise suspicions, she dangled the hook of Qiu Tu, hoping to catch Tang Feifei¡¯s interest and encourage her to investigate on her own, thus aligning with her and Qiu Tu¡¯s ns.


    Sure enough, after hearing Liu Fuping¡¯s ount, Tang Feifei, while casually patting Liu Fuping¡¯s backside and yfully saying, "Alright, no work talk in bed. Now, let¡¯s go again," couldn¡¯t hide the flicker of contemtion in her eyes.


    Liu Fuping, catching this subtle reaction, felt reassured and once again threw herself into their intimate activities...


    The meal at the small restaurant went on until midnight. It wasn¡¯t unusual for a group of young, single men with no girlfriends to drink and party until the early hours. In fact, if they hadn¡¯t all found jobs or gained some status by following Qiu Tu, an all-night drinking session wouldn¡¯t have been out of the ordinary.


    As the gathering wound down, Fang Ming took the opportunity, while A Tai was upied elsewhere, to quietly toast Qiu Tu.


    Fang Ming wasn¡¯t much of a drinker, but he... seemed to bepletely overpowered by A Tai¡¯s boisterous nature, unable to refuse him. Early in the evening, A Tai had kept pouring drink after drink into Fang Ming¡¯s ss.


    Luckily, Qiu Tu noticed Fang Ming¡¯s predicament and intervened, saving him from gettingpletely drunk. Moreover, since Fang Ming¡¯s visit had been unexpected and unannounced, which was somewhat impolite, he took the chance to make amends by personally offering Qiu Tu a drink before leaving.


    "Chief Qiu, I apologize for tonight. And thank you for everything. I¡¯m not good with words, so I¡¯ll let the drink speak for me."


    With that, Fang Ming downed his drink in one go.


    Qiu Tu smiled and replied, "A Tai grew up with me. He¡¯s not a bad guy; he¡¯s just very enthusiastic about people he likes. Please bear with him."


    "Now that he¡¯s under yourmand, please look after him."


    "Let the drink do the talking."


    After finishing his drink, Qiu Tu downed his own ss.


    They exchanged a nce, then both burst outughing.


    As the two men enjoyed their newfound camaraderie, A Tai suddenly appeared out of nowhere, sticking his face between them. "What are youughing at?"


    He nced back and forth between them suspiciously. "Are you talking behind my back?"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu and Fang Ming exchanged another look andughed even harder.


    A Tai, being the jovial soul that he was, didn¡¯t get upset. Instead, he scratched his head andughed along with them.


    Soon, the courtyard was filled withughter, and the small gathering ended on a joyful note...


    Since there were nows against drunk driving in this world, and the streets were deserted at this hour, Qiu Tu offered to drive Fang Ming, who lived the farthest away, back home.


    Following Fang Ming¡¯s half-asleep directions, Qiu Tu twisted and turned down dark, narrow roads for over half an hour before finally arriving at Fang Ming¡¯s residence.


    To his surprise, Fang Ming lived on Longshan Road.


    The street name alone, "Longshan Road," highlighted its unique status in New Realm Citypared to the "Old Lane Street," "Xiafang Street," and "South Alley Street" where Qiu Tu and his peers lived. Longshan Road was home to the city¡¯s wealthiest vi district, a remnant of the old power structure before New Realm City was established, where influential figures of the past still resided.


    Though their influence had waned since the city''s formation, Longshan Road remained a symbol of significant power in New Realm City. The area was popted byrge, prestigious families, wealthy merchants involved in various industries, and gang leaders with thousands of followers.


    As Qiu Tu drove to the entrance of Longshan Road, he noticed armed private security patrols, a clear indication of the area¡¯s importance. Rather than driving further, he stopped the car.


    In the passenger seat, Fang Ming had sobered up a bit. He turned to Qiu Tu, smiling faintly as he said, "Thank you, Chief Qiu, for tonight. I¡¯ll head home now."


    "If you have time, you should visit my home sometime. My father is quite interested in meeting you."


    Qiu Tu smiled back and nodded. "I¡¯ll definitely take you up on that when I get the chance."


    Fang Ming nodded, got out of the car, and walked towards Longshan Road. The patrolling security, clearly familiar with him, greeted him with a smile and allowed him to pass.


    As Fang Ming walked along the brightly lit streets of Longshan Road, heading home, Qiu Tu lit a cigarette and watched him go before driving back into the darkness.


    The dim car headlights illuminated the bumpy road as Qiu Tu smoothly navigated the uneven terrain. When he finally returned to Old Lane Street, he parked the car and walked back to his small, rundown home.


    The lights were still on.


    Upon opening the door, Qiu Tu found Shen Lingshuang asleep on the sofa, looking adorably peaceful. Two dishes wereid out on the table, but they had long since gone cold.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu''s expression softened slightly. He gently lifted Shen Lingshuang and carried her to the bedroom.


    Shen Lingshuang¡¯s body tensed for a moment, but then she caught a whiff of Qiu Tu¡¯s familiar scent and rxed, snuggling into his arms as she drifted back to sleep.


    After cing her on the bed and tucking her in, Qiu Tu undressed, washed up, turned off the lights, and got into bed. He wrapped his arms around Shen Lingshuang, who instinctively cuddled closer, finding afortable spot before falling back asleep.


    But Qiu Tu didn¡¯t sleep. Holding Shen Lingshuang, hey there, reflecting on the long day he had just experienced.


    Today had been overwhelming, with too many events unfolding too quickly. It started with discovering that the "Yin Caimei case" was a trap, prompting him to rush to Secretary Bai¡¯s aid. Then came the interrogation of Cao Dabiao and Chen Feng, during which he won their loyalty and brought them into his team.


    Later, he uncovered the likely involvement of Yan Chen, the Political Division, and Jia Shu in Yin Caimei¡¯s death, realizing he might be a scapegoat. Finally, he had learned from A Tai about the cooperation between Deputy Chairman Tian and the Investigation Department, filling in thest missing piece of the puzzle.


    The day¡¯s twists and turns had left Qiu Tu mentally exhausted.


    But even so, he couldn¡¯t rest just yet. He had onest task toplete: starting the Loyalty Game.


    Incremental progress was the key to great achievements. By umting loyalty and clues daily, he knew that within weeks or months, these small gains could lead to significant breakthroughs.


    Despite his fatigue, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t forget about his powerful golden finger.


    With this in mind, he summoned the Loyalty Game panel.


    As he did, he noticed several changes from the previous night. Not only had A Xiong and A Kun¡¯s loyalty levels surpassed 90, making them the third and fourth subordinates to reach that milestone after A Tai and Eagle, but many members of Cao Dabiao¡¯s team had also surpassed 60 loyalty, earning them a spot on the Loyalty Game panel.


    Looking at the more than twenty names on the panel, Qiu Tu felt a deep sense of aplishment.


    Though the number of names might seem small, these individuals formed the first core group under hismand in this world.


    And Qiu Tu believed that as his power and influence grew, so too would the number of names on this list. Eventually, he would have many followers throughout New Realm City, the nning area, the shelters, and the entire cataclysmic world! His every word and action would have a profound impact on this world!


    After quietly contemting the future for a while, Qiu Tu refocused and examined the Loyalty Game.


    Last night, Qiu Tu had discovered that the Loyalty Game had two tiers. The first tier unlocked at 60 loyalty, and the second at 90 loyalty.


    The first-tier game, which Qiu Tu had triedst night, allowed him to arrange bat games" between subordinates with loyalty over 60, offering various rewards.


    Tonight, he nned to test the second-tier game.


    He was eager to see how the game would evolve once a subordinate¡¯s loyalty reached 90.


    With that in mind, Qiu Tu clicked on Eagle¡¯s name and selected the second-tier loyalty game...


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 84: Cataclysmic Potion: Rosemary Love Potion

    Chapter 84: Cataclysmic Potion: Rosemary Love Potion


    Chapter 84: Cataclysmic Potion: Rosemary Love Potion


    As soon as Qiu Tu clicked on Eagle¡¯s name, a description of the second-tier game popped up before him:


    [As a superior, each night you may assign one subordinate with a loyalty level above 90 to "work overtime."]


    [The "overtime" subordinate will enter the "Boundless Mind Sea" for a fishing expedition.]


    [The area they fish in will correspond to their location in the real world.]


    [Each fishing expedition carries a chance to obtain rewards such as "cataclysmic potions," "cataclysmic artifacts," or "cataclysmic creatures" from the area.]


    [However, there is also a risk that the subordinate will be exposed to cataclysmic forces, increasing the likelihood of their cataclysmic awakening.]


    [Note 1: There is no guarantee of loyalty from any cataclysmic creatures fished out. Ensure you can handle them before releasing them.]


    [Note 2: Non-cataclysmic subordinates can only perform one fishing expedition per week. Attempting multiple expeditions increases the risk of falling, mutation, or other cataclysmic consequences.]After reading the introduction, Qiu Tu blinked a few times, his mind quickly drawing aparison: Was this like an otherworldly version of "Gold Miner"?


    His subordinates would work during the day and then, like gold miners, work hard at night, fishing for cataclysmic potions, artifacts, or even creatures for him?


    It seemed so... unfair... so utterly exploitative!


    Would he really not end up strung up on amppost for this?


    Even as he entertained these thoughts, Qiu Tu rationalized to himself: Well, if it¡¯s in a dream, it shouldn¡¯t count as actual overtime, right?


    With that thought in mind, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t hesitate. He selected Eagle and initiated the second-tier game.


    As soon as Qiu Tu confirmed his choice, a small screen appeared in front of him.


    The screen disyed a chibi-style top-down view of New Realm City, with a pixted figure of Eagle standing atop the tallest building in the city, casting arge fishing over the entire area.


    The was enormous,rge enough to cover the whole of New Realm City.


    However, perhaps due to the''s size, after a few minutes ofboriously pulling the back up, it came up empty.


    Frustrated, the pixted Eagle stomped his feet and resumed casting the, beginning the cycle of casting and retrieving over and over.


    Qiu Tu watched for a while, realizing it would take some time before any results came in. He decided to close the game and check on the first-tier "Combat Game" instead.


    Just like the previous night, Qiu Tu selected A Tai and Wang Xi.


    The memory fragments he had gathered in the morning had revealed a side of Wang Xi that Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t known, and he was eager to learn more about this "daytime pharmacist, nighttime biker gang leader" of a subordinate.


    He wanted to see what kind of organization Wang Xi was involved in and what they did.


    With both loyalty games set up, Qiu Tu¡¯s tasks for the day were finallyplete.


    He yawned and cuddled up to the small, soft, and fragrant Shen Lingshuang, gradually drifting off to sleep...


    The blue moon hung high in the night sky, casting a gauzy light that gently illuminated the newly established city of New Realm City.


    But for some reason, tonight, the city seemed to be experiencing some mysterious fluctuations. The pulses were rhythmic, urring every few minutes, and werepletely imperceptible to ordinary beings. Even those with cataclysmic powers or creatures of the cataclysm might have dismissed it as just the usual waves of the Boundless Mind Sea...


    But if someone had been able to see the Loyalty Game screen, they would have noticed that the pulses perfectly matched Eagle¡¯s rhythm of casting and retrieving the.


    It was as if someone from a higher dimension was truly fishing for something across the entirety of New Realm City...


    The night passed uneventfully, and the next morning, Qiu Tu was awakened by a gentle nudge.


    He opened his sleepy eyes to see Shen Lingshuang poking at his lower body...


    Qiu Tu looked at her, bewildered, and asked, "What are you doing?"


    Shen Lingshuang¡¯s ears turned a bit red as she quietly replied, "You¡¯re... hard."


    Qiu Tu rolled over, grumbling, "That just means I¡¯ve been dead for 12-16 hours."


    "Leave me alone, let me be dead a little longer."


    Shen Lingshuang blinked, confused. Her mouth hung open, shocked at Qiu Tu¡¯s words.


    It took her a moment to realize he was joking about "rigor mortis."


    She huffed, picking up a pillow and yfully whacking him a few times. "You¡¯re so annoying! You¡¯re really annoying!"


    Qiu Tu ignored her.


    She pouted, puffing out her cheeks, and muttered under her breath, "Such a buzzkill." Then, she jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom.


    With her gone, Qiu Tu found it hard to go back to sleep. He rolled over, staring at the ceiling for a while.


    Then he summoned the Loyalty Game panel to check the results of the previous night¡¯s activities.


    When the Loyalty Game screen appeared, the first thing he saw was the results of the "Combat Game."


    As expected, A Tai had once again crushed Wang Xi.


    However, perhaps because A Tai had been drinking the night before, his pixted character also had a ck eye, making his victory look a bit less clean.


    The results screen showed A Tai, drunk and huping, holding a hammer as he stood over Wang Xi.


    Wang Xi, on the other hand, was lying on the ground, clutching a brick and "crying" in the pixted style.


    ¡®The results screen can change?¡¯


    ¡®And it seems to reflect the real-life state of the subordinates?¡¯


    Surprised, Qiu Tu checked the game¡¯s rewards.


    The night¡¯s yield was modest, just 2 points of loyalty, with no additional bonuses.


    Qiu Tu felt a bit cheated...


    Drinking really does mess things up, he decided. Next time, he wouldn¡¯t let A Tai drink at gatherings.


    Feeling slightly bitter, Qiu Tu closed the "Combat Game" and turned to the "Fishing Game."


    The results of the fishing game were simpler. The pixted Eagle was shown lying on the ground, exhausted and out of breath, with nothing else of note in the scene.


    At first, Qiu Tu thought this meant the fishing had been unsessful.


    But just as he was about to close the results screen in disappointment, he noticed a tiny pink bottle standing next to the pixted Eagle.


    The image was so small that if Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t been sharp-eyed, he might have missed it entirely.


    He clicked on it, and a message popped up:


    [You have obtained a Cataclysmic Potion: Rosemary Love Potion]


    Qiu Tu: ??


    ¡®What the heck is this?¡¯


    Qiu Tu examined the bottle and essed its description:


    [Cataclysmic Potion: Rosemary Love Potion]


    [Description: A cataclysmic potion created by a cataclysmic being using materials such as rosemary and enchantress water.]


    [Effect: Apply a small amount to the neck, and for the next 30 minutes, you will exude a charm effect. Anyone near you will naturally lower their guard and develop a certain level of affection towards you.]


    Reading the potion''s effects, Qiu Tu¡¯s mouth hung open in surprise.


    This... stuff was pretty terrifying.


    It felt disturbingly simr to some banned substances he¡¯d heard about.


    As he pondered this, Qiu Tu recalled the description from the "Fishing Game." The items fished out weren¡¯t created from thin air¡ªthey actually existed in the real world...


    So, was there a cataclysmic being in New Realm City secretly crafting this potion?


    Given the potential identity of these cataclysmic beings, Qiu Tu furrowed his brow. Most cataclysmic beings in New Realm City were high-ranking officials. What were they nning by creating such a potion?


    Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something strange was happening in New Realm City, as if something big was about to unfold...


    After mulling it over, Qiu Tu decided to store the cataclysmic potion for now, without using it immediately. It seemed like the potion could only be used 20-30 times, so he didn¡¯t want to waste it. He would wait for the right moment and the right person to test it on...


    [9 Days Until Yin Caimei Case Deadline]


    After breakfast with Shen Lingshuang, Qiu Tu assigned her a simple task: go to the ck market.


    Now that he had money, Qiu Tu needed to both invest it and convert it into power as efficiently as possible. Besides himself, Shen Lingshuang was the only person in his small team who understood potions and artifacts.


    Therefore, Qiu Tu decided to have A Shui and Big Head apany Shen Lingshuang to the ck market, where they could purchase cataclysmic materials, potions, or artifacts.


    Even if they couldn¡¯t find these rare items, Shen Lingshuang could still buy ordinary herbs and refine them into potions at home.


    In chaotic times, nothing was in higher demand than weapons and medicine. As long as the quality wasn¡¯t too poor, everything she produced would be snapped up by various factions.


    An alchemist was essentially a walking money-printing machine... provided they had enough materials.


    Shen Lingshuang wasn¡¯t surprised by Qiu Tu¡¯s request. Since the night she decided to stay, she had anticipated the kind of work she would be doing.


    What did surprise her was that Qiu Tu gave her 15 small gold ingots as shopping money.


    To give 15 small gold ingots so casually was a significant amount¡ªequivalent to over 3 million in purchasing power. It was enough to hire a private force of about a hundred people, let alone provide afortable life for an ordinary person.


    Was Qiu Tu really trusting her with this much?


    This unexpected trust left Shen Lingshuang feeling deeply touched, and her loyalty surged by 3 points!


    Qiu Tu, seeing the spike in loyalty, rxed and handed over the gold ingots. He had been prepared to retract the offer if her loyalty had plummeted, indicating she might run off with the money.


    Although the Loyalty Game couldn¡¯t lock a subordinate¡¯s loyalty, it did allow Qiu Tu to monitor real-time loyalty changes, giving him insights into their thoughts. If Shen Lingshuang¡¯s loyalty had dropped suddenly, signaling an intent to flee with the gold, Qiu Tu would have quickly revoked the offer.


    After assigning Shen Lingshuang her task and finishing breakfast, Qiu Tu hugged her, spun a few dreams about their future, and then drove to the Investigation Department.


    The discoveries from the previous night had opened up new avenues in the Yin Caimei case, and Qiu Tu was eager to dig deeper and disrupt Yan Chen and Jia Shu¡¯s ns.


    But before he could reach the Investigation Department, a woman in an agent¡¯s uniform gged him down on the road.


    In both of his lives, Qiu Tu had never encountered a beautiful woman stopping his car in the middle of the road, especially not an agent.


    Curious, he rolled down his window and asked, "Can I help you, miss? Need a ride?"


    The woman shook her head slightly and replied, "Chief Qiu, I¡¯m Deputy Director Tang¡¯s personal secretary."


    "I¡¯ve been waiting here because Deputy Director Tang has a message for you."


    Qiu Tu was taken aback.


    Deputy Director Tang?


    Tang Feifei...?


    His mind raced. Could it be that Tang Feifei had taken the bait?


    It seemed Liu Fuping had done her job wellst night. Otherwise, Tang Feifei wouldn¡¯t have been so eager to contact him first thing in the morning.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu asked, "What message does the Deputy Director have for me?"


    The secretary smiled and said, "Deputy Director Tang wants to talk with you. She believes there may be another way to resolve your current predicament."


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 85: Two of The Twelve Types of Women

    Chapter 85: Two of The Twelve Types of Women


    Chapter 85: Two of The Twelve Types of Women


    Upon hearing the words of the attractive assistant before him, Qiu Tu was even more convinced that Liu Fuping had done her job well. He suspected that Liu Fuping had likely hinted to Tang Feifei about his situation and the problems surrounding the "Yin Caimei case" the previous night. This must have piqued Tang Feifei¡¯s curiosity.


    Qiu Tu guessed that after Tang Feifei received this information, she might have had someone conduct a brief investigation into the case. As a Deputy Director of the Investigation Department, Tang Feifei¡¯s influence in the nning area was considerable. What might be exceedingly difficult for Qiu Tu to uncover could be transparent to her. In just one night, she likely discovered some irregrities in the case, confirming the truth of the information Liu Fuping had provided.


    This would exin why Tang Feifei had sent her assistant to intercept him early in the morning, hoping to coborate with him¡ªor perhaps even recruit him.


    With the situation running through his mind, Qiu Tu had already devised a strategy. He smiled at Tang Feifei¡¯s assistant and said, "Thank you for Deputy Director Tang¡¯s kind offer. However, I must decline, as my loyalty lies with my current superiors."


    With that, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t even bother to close the car window. He simply stepped on the gas and drove away, leaving the assistant in stunned silence.


    The assistant waspletely taken aback by Qiu Tu¡¯s blunt refusal. As the assistant of one of the four highest-ranking officials in the Investigation Department, she was used to seeing everyone in New Realm City give Tang Feifei the utmost respect. Even though Yan Chen secretly suppressed Tang Feifei, he still maintained a polite front, wary of being seen as overstepping his authority by the shelters.


    Given her experience, the assistant had be ustomed to people warmly weing any opportunity to work with Tang Feifei. Yet, here was Qiu Tu, who not only refused but did so with such indifference that he simply drove away without a second thought.


    This left the assistant in disbelief. She watched Qiu Tu¡¯s car disappear down the road, then took out hermunicator to call Tang Feifei.When the call connected, Tang Feifei¡¯s distinctive contralto came through the receiver, carrying a hint of authority, "Did youplete the task?"


    Hearing Tang Feifei¡¯s authoritative tone, the assistant swallowed nervously before cautiously replying, "Director... Qiu Tu refused."


    "Refused?" Tang Feifei confirmed, then suddenlyughed.


    Mistaking theughter for frustration, the assistant hurried to express her loyalty, "Director, I think that Qiu Tu is simply ungrateful!"


    "You extended a personal invitation, and he dared to refuse¡ªit¡¯s as if he doesn¡¯t respect you at all."


    "In my opinion, we should investigate him, find any weaknesses, and get rid of him!"


    "Enough," Tang Feifei interrupted, her tone cold. "Stop guessing my intentions with that pig brain of yours."


    Despite her apparent annoyance, Tang Feifei seemed to be in a good mood and offered a rare exnation. "When I received that intelst night, I had a feeling something was off¡ªeverything seemed too coincidental."


    "However, a brief investigation into the case revealed some inconsistencies, which I wasn¡¯t willing to overlook."


    "That¡¯s why I had you extend the invitation today. The truth is, the invitation was just a ruse; the real purpose was to test him."


    "You have to remember his position."


    "He¡¯s Yan Chen¡¯s confidant, Secretary Bai¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦, and one of Jia Shu¡¯s valued subordinates."


    "Although it appears he¡¯s had a falling out with Secretary Bai recently, and the case he¡¯s handling has hit a snag, the fact remains that he¡¯s reached his current position through their support."


    "So, how likely is it that he would abandon his backers just because a higher-up approached him?"


    "If he had epted my invitation, that would have been a clear sign that this whole situation was a trap."


    "The fact that he refused is actually a good thing."


    The assistant¡¯s expression turned to one of realization as she listened to Tang Feifei¡¯s reasoning.


    She quickly began showering Tang Feifei with praise, "Director, you¡¯re brilliant! You thought of everything!"


    After praising her, the assistant lowered her voice and tentatively asked, "But Director, even though we¡¯ve confirmed it¡¯s not a trap, Qiu Tu still turned us down. How will we proceed with contacting him?"


    Tang Feifei¡¯s response was calm and assured, "It¡¯s not a problem. Although he rejected the invitation, he knows that I¡¯ve extended an olive branch."


    "Given his intelligence, he¡¯ll start asking about me once he gets back to the office, weighing the pros and cons carefully."


    "If there¡¯s indeed something wrong with the case, and if he¡¯s at risk of taking the fall, he won¡¯t let go of this lifeline."


    "So, let¡¯s give him some time. We¡¯ll reach out again tonight or tomorrow."


    "Trust me, this fish will take the bait."


    With that, Tang Feifei added in her characteristic contralto, "Alright,e back. Don¡¯t embarrass yourself out there."


    "Yes, Director," the assistant replied immediately.


    Meanwhile, as Qiu Tu drove towards the Investigation Department, he was also refining his own "fishing n."


    However, unlike Tang Feifei, who was fishing for information about the case, Qiu Tu was aiming to catch Tang Feifei herself.


    As Tang Feifei had analyzed, Qiu Tu knew that her first invitation was indeed a test.


    As someone closely associated with Yan Chen and Jia Shu, he couldn¡¯t afford to ept it.


    Not only would epting the invitation have been out of character, but it would have also hindered his efforts to ensnare Tang Feifei...


    Despite being the Deputy Director of the Investigation Department, Tang Feifei was still a woman.


    And as a woman, Qiu Tu believed he could rely on his "12 Types of Women, 36 Strategies for Dealing with Them, and 108 Ways to Deepen Rtionships" from his past life¡¯s "Emotional Fraud Handbook."


    ording to Qiu Tu¡¯s analysis, Tang Feifei likely belonged to one of two types from the handbook: the "Action-Oriented" type or the "Rational nner."


    These two types shared amon trait: they were both ambitious and driven, often fitting the "strong woman" archetype.


    The difference was that the "Action-Oriented" type was more confident, resilient, and passionate about their work and career.


    Meanwhile, the "Rational nner" was moreposed, independent, and inclined towards logic rather than emotion.


    But regardless of which type Tang Feifei fell into, Qiu Tu knew that both could be swayed by the "y hard to get" strategy from the handbook¡¯s 36 strategies.


    Put simply, powerful women like Tang Feifei, who held authority and were highly career-driven, were unlikely to be easily impressed by ordinary men.


    To sessfully captivate women like Tang Feifei, who were driven and ambitious, Qiu Tu knew that he needed to ignite theirpetitive spirit and desire for conquest. The strategy involved making them feel like they were close to achieving their goals but always just out of reach. This cycle of near-sess followed by failure would frustrate them, heightening their determination to seed and gradually drawing them deeper into an emotional trap.


    Though the handbook he had from his previous life was intended for romantic maniption, Qiu Tu believed its principles could be just as effective in professional dealings.


    Thus, his strategy for dealing with Tang Feifei was to "y hard to get." He would cooperate with her, but always on his terms, ensuring she never felt in full control. He nned to give her small victories, only to pull back immediately after, keeping her on edge and feeding herpetitive drive. This would lure her deeper into the turbulent situation he was orchestrating.


    With this n in mind, Qiu Tu continued driving toward the Investigation Department.


    As he parked his car and sat there reflecting, he recalled the cataclysmic potion, the "Rosemary Love Potion," he had acquired that morning. To ensure his n seeded, Qiu Tu intended to use the potion on Tang Feifei¡ªbut not yet. He needed to proceed cautiously, as Tang Feifei was likely a cataclysmic being herself. Using such a potion on a high-ranking, mysterious cataclysmic being carried risks he couldn¡¯t yet measure.


    So, he decided to conduct two preliminary tests first.


    And he had already selected his first test subject...


    The target was inside the Investigation Department.


    With this n in mind, Qiu Tu wasted no time. He exited his car, locked it, and headed straight to the Special Operations Division.


    The Special Operations Division was located on the first floor of the Investigation Department. Despite being on a low floor, this wasn¡¯t a sign of low status; it was actually for convenience. The division had seven or eight training grounds behind the department building, and being on the first floor made it easier to ess them.


    Upon entering the Special Operations Division, Qiu Tu pretended to be looking for someone while covertly searching for his target. After wandering around for over half an hour, almost drawing the attention of the agents, he finally spotted his target¡ªTian Xiaotian.


    Yes, after acquiring the Rosemary Love Potion, Qiu Tu¡¯s first thought wasn¡¯t to use it on Tang Feifei but on Tian Xiaotian.


    After all, there was no rule that said such a potion couldn¡¯t be used on someone of the same gender...


    As for why he chose Tian Xiaotian as his first test subject, the reason was simple:pared to the cunning Tang Feifei, Tian Xiaotian, who could be easily provoked into fighting with someone like A Tai, was much easier to deal with and served as a perfect test subject.


    Moreover, Tian Xiaotian was the son of Deputy Chairman Tian, and Qiu Tu, publicly perceived as Yan Chen and Jia Shu¡¯s "trusted subordinate," naturally had a foundation for establishing a good rtionship with him.


    Additionally, since Yin Caimei was Tian Xiaotian¡¯s stepmother and Deputy Chairman Tian was a key suspect, using Tian Xiaotian as a test subject could potentially yield valuable information.


    The only thing that surprised Qiu Tu was that even though he had arrived just on time, Tian Xiaotian had managed to bete, making Qiu Tu wait for over half an hour.


    Having finally found his first target, Qiu Tu stood at a distance, observing him closely.


    Tian Xiaotian looked exactly like Qiu Tu¡¯s stereotypical image of a wealthy merchant¡¯s son: chubby and round, weighing around 200 pounds. His physique suggested a good rtionship with his father¡ªafter all, without a strong bond, it would be hard to maintain such a weight in a world gued by scarcity. Tian Xiaotian didn¡¯t show any signs ofcking affection, and he even carried a pile of snacks, luxurious items imported from the shelters. In New Realm City, a single bag of these snacks could be traded for a sack of rice.


    Even though he was half an hourte, Tian Xiaotian didn¡¯t seem concerned. He waddled into the Special Operations Division, clocked in, and then headed toward the training ground, stillzily munching on his snacks.


    Qiu Tu followed him and, when the moment was right, discreetly took out the Rosemary Love Potion. He applied a single drop to his neck.


    As soon as the potion touched his skin, Qiu Tu felt a mysterious force from the void enveloping him. But just as he tried to sense it more clearly, the sensation vanished, as if it had been a mere illusion.


    Knowing the effect would onlyst for 30 minutes, Qiu Tu wasted no time. He jogged around a side path to get ahead of Tian Xiaotian and then started walking toward him.


    As soon as Qiu Tu saw Tian Xiaotian approaching, he channeled his inner actor and began muttering angrily under his breath, "Damn it, who does he think he is? A third-level agent acting all high and mighty! Screw that guy!"


    "Calls himself A Tai? More like A Idiot!"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s acting was fueled by his frustration with the poor results of the previous night¡¯s Loyalty Game, so his performance was particrly convincing.


    This immediately caught Tian Xiaotian¡¯s attention.


    Especially when he heard the name "A Tai," his ears perked up.


    Tian Xiaotian blocked Qiu Tu¡¯s path and asked in a loud, brash tone, "Hey, buddy. You got beef with A Tai too?"


    As a first-level agent, it was incredibly disrespectful for Tian Xiaotian to behave this way towards a section chief. However, Qiu Tu pretended not to notice and instead yed along, "Yeah? I¡¯ve got a score to settle with A Tai!"


    "So what? You good buddies with him?"


    At this point, Qiu Tu¡¯s performance was so intense that his eyes turned red, ring at Tian Xiaotian as if he were seeing an enemy.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 86: The Use of the Potion

    Chapter 86: The Use of the Potion


    Chapter 86: The Use of the Potion


    Upon seeing Qiu Tu''s fierce expression, Tian Xiaotian didn¡¯t get angry. Instead, he seemed excited, eximing, "No way! How could I possibly be on good terms with him!"


    Tian Xiaotian spoke with firm conviction, "I have a grudge against him too!"


    Pointing to the bruises on his face and arms, he added, "Look at this, this, and this¡ªhe¡¯s the one who did all this!"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu feigned a look of shock. "Disrespecting a superior is bad enough, but he actually dared to fight you?"


    He then nced at the insignia on Tian Xiaotian''s shoulder. "You¡¯re a first-ss agent! And he dared to attack a superior officer? He must think he¡¯s above thew!"


    Tian Xiaotian reflexively checked Qiu Tu¡¯s shoulder insignia and uniform. Realizing that Qiu Tu was a Deputy Section Chief in the Political Division, he was momentarily surprised. However, perhaps due to his sheltered upbringing, he didn¡¯t show much respect toward Qiu Tu. He casually saluted, "Sir," and continued, "Sir, if he dares to disrespect you, beating me up is nothing."


    "I¡¯m telling you, these lower-ss types are unruly andwless!"


    His eyes then shifted mischievously as he whispered, "Sir, why don¡¯t you have him arrested and brought to the Political Division? You could teach him a lesson!"Qiu Tu pretended to force a bitter smile. "I¡¯d love to, but it¡¯s not that simple."


    "The Special Operations Division is a major department, almost equal in power to the Political Division. If I arrested one of their agents over something like this, we¡¯d be at each other¡¯s throats in no time."


    Hearing this, Tian Xiaotian merely responded with an "Oh," as if realizing that his suggestion was a bit far-fetched.


    As the two continued walking and chatting, they quickly developed a "deep bond" within a few minutes.


    Tian Xiaotian, for reasons he couldn¡¯t quite exin, found himself strangely drawn to Qiu Tu. Despite having just met, he felt an odd sense of camaraderie with this Political Division Deputy Section Chief, finding him particrly agreeable.


    If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he was sure of his own sexual orientation, he might have suspected that A Tai¡¯s beating had messed him up.


    Qiu Tu, on the other hand, realized that the Rosemary Love Potion was indeed very effective.


    Although they had only just met under such coincidental circumstances, Tian Xiaotian didn¡¯t show a hint of suspicion and answered all of Qiu Tu¡¯s questions. Within minutes, the two were addressing each other as brothers.


    "Brother Xiaotian, I had no idea you were Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s son! To be a first-ss agent at such a young age¡ªtruly, a tiger father begets a tiger son!"


    Tian Xiaotian shyly waved off thepliment. "Not at all. I didn¡¯t earn this position through my own merits; my father arranged it for me."


    "He said we needed to strengthen our ties with the Investigation Department, so he ced me in the Special Operations Division as a first-ss agent."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes shed¡ªhis first important piece of intel had been obtained.


    Curious, Tian Xiaotian then asked, "Brother Tu, I heard you mention earlier that you started out as the Director¡¯s driver?"


    "Are you close with the Director?"


    Qiu Tu smiled and said, "Of course, we¡¯re very close."


    "I¡¯ll tell you, the only reason I¡¯ve risen so quickly is thanks to the Director and our Minister¡¯s support."


    "Otherwise, think about it¡ªhow could a guy like me, with no background and no money, rise to Deputy Section Chief in just a year in New Realm City?"


    "And in the highly sensitive and important Political Division, no less."


    Tian Xiaotian nodded in agreement, thinking that Qiu Tu made a lot of sense.


    Seeing that Tian Xiaotian believed him, Qiu Tu continued, now with a tone of pride, "Let me tell you, I¡¯m not just any Deputy Section Chief¡ªI¡¯ve protected the Director¡¯s mistress, visited his vi, and even been in his private study as a trusted confidant!"


    "That night, the only people in the study were the Director, Minister Jia, and me¡ªjust that alone shows how much they trust me."


    "And Minister Jia, he values me highly too. Every time we meet, his eyes are filled with encouraging warmth."


    "He even personally demonstrated how to dissect a criminal for me on my first day, to help me adjust to the Political Division."


    "And now, he¡¯s entrusted me with the most important case in the entire Political Division. If that¡¯s not trust, then what is?"


    Tian Xiaotian nodded along, feeling that everything this Deputy Section Chief said made perfect sense. He even found himself liking the way Qiu Tu talked, thinking that everything he said was spot on.


    Since the conversation had naturally shifted to the topic of cases, Qiu Tu smoothly transitioned into the subject at hand.


    "By the way, Xiaotian, this case seems to have some connection to your family."


    "It involves your father... well..."


    Qiu Tu deliberately trailed off as if realizing he had said too much, suddenly closing his mouth.


    Tian Xiaotian couldn¡¯t resist such a baited hook.


    His curiosity piqued, he quickly asked, "Brother Tu, what did you mean? This big case involves my family?"


    "But that can¡¯t be right. My father and Minister Jia are on great terms¡ªhow could there be a case involving him?"


    Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes flickered slightly as he noted down his second piece of important intel.


    Feigning hesitation, Qiu Tu looked around as if weighing his words carefully. Finally, under Tian Xiaotian¡¯s eager prompting, he whispered, "Brother Xiaotian, this is actually ssified information. Technically, I shouldn¡¯t be telling you this."


    "But... I don¡¯t know why, even though this is our first meeting, I feel such a strong connection with you, like we¡¯ve known each other for years."


    "So, I¡¯ll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else. You can¡¯t even tell your father."


    Hearing this, Tian Xiaotian was delighted and quickly reassured Qiu Tu, "Brother Tu, I feel the same way!"


    "I don¡¯t know why, but when I see you, it¡¯s like seeing an old friend I¡¯ve known for years."


    "So don¡¯t worry!" He patted his chubby chest confidently, "I won¡¯t tell anyone!"


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu pretended to breathe a sigh of relief before leaning in and whispering, "It¡¯s about your father¡¯s mistress."


    "A woman named Yin Caimei. She¡¯s involved in a major case..."


    Qiu Tu then proceeded to tell Tian Xiaotian the entire story of the Yin Caimei case in great detail. He exined how Yin Caimei was a spy for the coalition, how she had installed various listening devices, and how she was silenced within the Political Division.


    The only difference was that Qiu Tu ced all the me on Deputy Chairman Tian instead of the actual culprits.


    Qiu Tu leaned in and whispered to Tian Xiaotian, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, all of this was orchestrated by your father.¡±


    ¡°Minister Jia assigned this case to me specifically to clean up your father¡¯s mess.¡±


    He then gave Tian Xiaotian a sly wink. The shocking nature of Qiu Tu¡¯s words left Tian Xiaotian rooted to the spot, his chubby face disying utter disbelief. After a moment, he red at Qiu Tu and protested, ¡°That¡¯s impossible! My dad would never do such a thing!¡±


    Qiu Tu remainedposed, pressing his point, ¡°Think about it. If your dad didn¡¯t do it, why has he suddenly gotten so close with our Minister? And why would he suddenly cooperate with the Investigation Department and send you here?¡±


    Tian Xiaotian¡¯s expression kept shifting as he processed Qiu Tu¡¯s words. As a recently sheltered rich kid, he wasn¡¯t yet used to the cutthroat nature of the world. His inexperience made it easy for Qiu Tu to manipte the conversation.


    After a long internal struggle, Tian Xiaotian stubbornly insisted, ¡°No matter what, my dad would never do something like that!¡±


    Seeing this reaction, Qiu Tu knew he had pushed enough and decided it was time to offer some reassurance. He softened his tone, ¡°Xiaotian, you¡¯re right. Maybe I jumped to conclusions.¡±


    ¡°I was just following orders from the Minister to investigate this case as quickly as possible and to clear your father of any suspicion. I might have been too hasty in assuming your father was involved.¡±


    ¡°Actually, thinking about it now, it¡¯s more likely that the Minister was simply worried about the impact this case could have on your father¡¯s business.¡±


    Hearing this more reasonable exnation, Tian Xiaotian quicklytched onto it, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s probably what it is!¡±


    With this, Qiu Tu revealed his true intentions. He suggested, ¡°Xiaotian, I know you don¡¯t believe your father would do something like this. So, how about we work together to clear his name?¡±


    Despite being influenced by the Rosemary Love Potion, Tian Xiaotian wasn¡¯tpletely devoid of reason. The sensitivity of the topic made him hesitate, and he cautiously asked, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±


    Qiu Tu leaned in and whispered his n into Tian Xiaotian¡¯s ear.


    Tian Xiaotian looked surprised at the simplicity of the request and confirmed, ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    Qiu Tu nodded with a smile, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s it.¡±


    Tian Xiaotian hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. Once I¡¯ve made up my mind, I¡¯ll contact you.¡±


    Qiu Tu didn¡¯t push further. He exchanged contact information with Tian Xiaotian and noted that there were only a few minutes left before the potion¡¯s effects would wear off. To avoid tarnishing the good impression he had just created, he quickly excused himself.


    After Qiu Tu left, Tian Xiaotian stood there for a long time, deeply shaken by what he had heard. The information left him both surprised and wary. As the potion¡¯s effects faded, his rational thinking began to return. He realized he had no concrete knowledge of whether his father was involved in the case.


    What if his father really was involved? Would helping Qiu Tu end up harming his father?


    And... was Qiu Tu really as close to Yan Chen and Jia Shu as he imed, or did he have another agenda in getting close to him?


    These doubts gued Tian Xiaotian as he made a call to his family¡¯s butler. In a hushed voice, he asked, ¡°Butler Shi, could you look into someone for me? His name is Qiu Tu, the Deputy Section Chief of the Interrogation Office of the Political Division¡¯s Interrogation Department.¡±


    ¡°I want to know more about his rtionship with Director Yan and Minister Jia.¡±


    After ending the call, Tian Xiaotian looked once more in the direction Qiu Tu had gone, deep in thought.


    If Qiu Tu really was Yan Chen¡¯s and Jia Shu¡¯s confidant, then working with him wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Even if they uncovered evidence incriminating his father, Qiu Tu would be able to help handle it discreetly.


    But if Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t as loyal to Yan Chen and Jia Shu as he imed, then his approach might have another purpose, one that Tian Xiaotian needed to warn his father about to prevent any issues.


    With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Tian Xiaotian found himself too distracted to bother with A Tai anymore. He waddled off toward another training ground instead...


    Meanwhile, after parting ways with Tian Xiaotian, Qiu Tu returned to the Investigation Department, took the elevator up to the ninth floor, and made his way to the temporary office assigned to his investigation team. As he reached the door, he ran into Liu Fuping.


    Today, Liu Fuping wasn¡¯t wearing her usual uniform but a form-fitting sweater that clung to her curves, highlighting her impressive figure. Just the sight of her was enough to get anyone¡¯s blood pumping.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, Liu Fuping smiled and started to greet him, but as she approached within two meters of him, her eyes momentarily zed over. She paused, as if something had changed within her.


    Qiu Tu noticed the subtle shift in her demeanor and suddenly remembered that the Rosemary Love Potion still had two minutes left before it wore off. He thought about walking away from the alluring woman before him.


    But before he could act, Liu Fuping¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly as she hurried over to him, closed her eyes, and leaned in to sniff his scent.


    The soft, warm breath of the mature woman tickled Qiu Tu¡¯s senses.


    And it didn¡¯t stop there. After taking a deep breath, Liu Fuping stood on her tiptoes, brought her lips close to Qiu Tu¡¯s ear, and whispered in a sultry voice, ¡°Chief... you smell so good...¡±?.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 87: Why Is It Her?

    Chapter 87: Why Is It Her?


    Chapter 87: Why Is It Her?


    As Liu Fuping pressed herself closer to Qiu Tu, her bodynguage and seductive whispers left little to the imagination. She knew exactly how to exploit a man¡¯s weaknesses, unlike Shen Lingshuang, who was still learning the art of seduction. Liu Fuping¡¯s calcted movements¡ªgently brushing against him, then pulling away¡ªcreated a cycle of anticipation and denial that was difficult for any man to resist.


    Despite his best efforts to remainposed, Qiu Tu found himself caught in the sensual trap Liu Fuping had set. His self-control was stretched to its limits, and ultimately, he couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. He pulled Liu Fuping¡¯s waist towards him, closing the distance between them, and whispered in her ear with a deep, maic voice, "Sister Liu, you¡¯re ying with fire."


    Liu Fuping tilted her head up to meet his gaze, her eyes brimming with a provocative challenge. "Oh? And do you think your mes can dryout my water, Chief?"


    The suggestiveness of her words ignited a fire within Qiu Tu, and for a moment, the air between them was thick with tension. It felt as though they were mere moments away from giving in to their impulses, like two piles of dry kindling soaked in gasoline, needing only a spark to erupt into mes.


    However, just as things seemed to reach a breaking point, Qiu Tu suddenly felt as though something had been drained from him¡ªa mysterious force that had been influencing his actions dissipated, leaving him abruptly clear-headed. He looked down at Liu Fuping and noticed that her eyes were also losing their haze, gradually returning to their usual sharpness. She appeared both surprised and confused by her earlier behavior, her eyes wide with disbelief.


    ¡®Is the effect of the Rosemary Love Potion really this strong?¡¯ Qiu Tu wondered. ¡®Did it actually make Liu Fuping act this way? Was it because we¡¯re of opposite sexes, or was it due to the ambiguous nature of our rtionship?¡¯


    Despite his internal musings, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t hesitate to take advantage of the situation. He released his grip on Liu Fuping¡¯s waist and backed away slightly. "Sister Liu, please control yourself. I¡¯m a man of principle," he said, trying to regain hisposure.


    But then, with a yful smirk, he yfully pped Liu Fuping on the rear, causing her to jump in shock and embarrassment. "That was just a punishment," Qiu Tu added, his tone a mix of seriousness and teasing. "As a superior officer, I have the right to discipline my subordinates for inappropriate behavior."Liu Fuping, still recovering from her earlier state, red at Qiu Tu, covering her backside with her hands. "You talk about discipline, but you didn¡¯t hesitate to take advantage of the situation," she retorted.


    Qiu Tu, unfazed, replied calmly, "That was purely a form of discipline."


    Liu Fuping rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed by his justification. "Oh, so you enjoy this kind of y, do you? Next time, why don¡¯t we head straight to the interrogation room? The punishment tools there are much moreprehensive."


    For the first time, Qiu Tu found himself momentarily at a loss for words, unable to keep up with her banter. Recognizing the need to steer the conversation back to safer grounds, he quickly changed the subject, asking Liu Fuping about her experience with the potion¡¯s effects.


    Liu Fuping, who had been distracted by their previous interaction, hesitated for a moment before responding. She appeared thoughtful, as though trying to piece together her feelings. "It¡¯s hard to describe," she began, crossing her arms beneath her chest as she thought back. "When I first saw you from a distance, I didn¡¯t feel anything unusual. But after taking a few steps toward you, I suddenly felt a strange sense of euphoria and peace, as if I was drawn to you."


    Her face reddened slightly as she continued, "Then... I just acted on those feelings. It felt like my desires were amplified, while my rationality was diminished. All I wanted was to lose myself in that feeling."


    "It wasn¡¯t until you pushed me away that I finally started to snap out of it," she finished, looking at Qiu Tu with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. "Chief, you didn¡¯t do something, did you?"


    Qiu Tu, seemingly ignoring her suspicions, stroked his chin thoughtfully before asking, "And when you approached me, did you think of anything... unusual?"


    At the mention of "unusual," Liu Fuping¡¯s face flushed even more, her gaze avoiding his. "No," she said, somewhat unconvincingly.


    Qiu Tu narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying her response. Liu Fuping fidgeted with a strand of her hair and then, with a small, embarrassed voice, added, "But I did have a phone call with Director Tang just before I saw you..."


    Qiu Tu immediately understood.


    As he stroked his chin thoughtfully, Qiu Tu began to analyze the differences between the two individuals who had been affected by the potion, Tian Xiaotian and Liu Fuping. First, there was the matter of gender¡ªTian Xiaotian was male, while Liu Fuping was female. The potion clearly had a much stronger effect on Liu Fuping, likely due to their opposite sexes. Second, the potion seemed to amplify the person¡¯s current emotional state or desires. Tian Xiaotian, driven by his hatred for A Tai, found sce in Qiu Tu¡¯s apparent camaraderie, leading to an intense outpouring of emotion. Liu Fuping, however, having just had a conversation with Tang Feifei¡ªlikely discussing sensitive topics¡ªhad her desires amplified to the point of overwhelming her rationality.


    Finally, Qiu Tu deduced that the potion took effect immediately upon application andsted for a specific duration. The sudden cessation of its effects caused a sharp disconnect, which Liu Fuping had clearly felt. This insight gave Qiu Tu valuable knowledge on how to use the potion more effectively in the future.


    Qiu Tu realized that he needed to use the Rosemary Love Potion strategically. He decided that the best time to use the potion was when the target was in a good mood and in a favorable state of mind. This would maximize the potion''s effect, and it was crucial that he left before the potion''s effects wore off to avoid raising any suspicion.


    After understanding the general effects of the new potion, Qiu Tuposed himself. Ignoring Liu Fuping''s curious gaze, he signaled to her and led her to a nearby empty conference room.


    Once inside, Qiu Tu locked the door behind them and started a new topic. "This morning, Tang Feifei''s assistant came to see me."


    Liu Fuping leaned casually against a table, her right leg crossed over her left, making her legs look particrly long and attractive. With her hands resting on the table and her body slightly reclined, she looked at Qiu Tu without much surprise. "Last night, I subtly mentioned your situation and the case to her," Liu Fuping said. "Although she didn''t say much, I could tell she was somewhat interested."


    Qiu Tu nodded and then asked, "How much do you know about Tang Feifei? Is there anything special about her that allowed her to reach such a high position at a young age?"


    Liu Fuping hesitated before answering, "She''s very cautious and never reveals much about herself, so I don''t know a lot. However, based on what little she''s said, I get the sense that she has some backing in the shelters, though it''s not particrly strong. Her rise to the position of Deputy Director at such a young age is partly due to that support, but also because she''s incredibly capable."


    Liu Fuping paused, then added, "You''ll understand once you meet her. She exudes a powerful confidence, like there''s nothing in the world that can faze her. It''s a quality I''ve never seen in anyone else¡ªnot even in men."


    As Liu Fuping continued sharing details about Tang Feifei, including some intimate stories, Qiu Tu''s blood began to boil. But as he listened, he also constructed a mental model of Tang Feifei.


    ¡®Strong, confident, and cold. She¡¯s decisive and speaks in a low, icy tone, giving off an unapproachable vibe. Yet, deep down, she''s emotionally invested and resilient, always believing she can turn things around even in the face of setbacks.¡¯


    ¡®Hmm... she''s a typical "Action-Oriented" type. That''s good news. After all, an "Action-Oriented" strong woman is easier to deal with than a "Rational nner."¡¯


    Having determined Tang Feifei''s personality type, Qiu Tu refined his n¡ªhe could afford to be more aggressive.


    As Qiu Tu was deep in thought, Liu Fuping, who had just finished recounting her stories, nced at him. Seeing his handsome, sunlit profile, she was momentarily stunned.


    For some reason, the earlier intimate moment seemed to have shifted her feelings towards Qiu Tu, though she couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint how.


    [Liu Fuping¡¯s loyalty +12]


    Seeing the sudden notification, Qiu Tu was momentarily taken aback, interrupting his calctions about how to draw Tang Feifei into his scheme. He nced down at Liu Fuping, who was still lost in thought, and mentally questioned, "What¡¯s going on with this woman? Why did her loyalty suddenly spike?"


    After confirming the details about Tang Feifei with Liu Fuping, Qiu Tu went to retrieve the cataclysmic artifact he had requested the previous day from Jia Shu. Surprisingly, Jia Shu didn''t make any crypticments or put Qiu Tu in a difficult position. He simply handed over a ck box to Qiu Tu.


    However, something made Qiu Tu uneasy¡ªJia Shu had a strange smile in his eyes that gave Qiu Tu goosebumps. Even more puzzling, as Qiu Tu left Jia Shu''s office, Jia Shu''s Satisfaction Level increased by another 2 points, despite Qiu Tu having done nothing to merit it.


    "What''s going on? Are all these secret operatives so unpredictable? I haven''t done anything, and suddenly one person¡¯s loyalty increases, and another¡¯s satisfaction level rises. This is too bizarre!" Qiu Tu mused, concluding that dealing with regr subordinates was far easier, as at least he could understand their thoughts.


    The day quickly passed, and soon it was time to clock out. Qiu Tu sent his team members home, but he vited the investigation team''s rule by stayingte to work overtime.


    His reason for staying was simplest night, Qin Shuman had agreed to help him investigate the cause of Yin Caimei''s death. Patiently waiting in the temporary office, Qiu Tu reviewed the autopsy report Qin the coroner had provided earlier that afternoon while waiting for Qin Shuman to contact him.


    As time passed, it was soon 8 PM. Just as Qiu Tu was about to exhaustively analyze the autopsy report for any overlooked details, someone gently knocked on the temporary office door.


    Hearing the knock, a smile appeared on Qiu Tu¡¯s face. He set down the autopsy report, adjusted his mood, and then used his deep, maic voice to say, "Come in."


    The next moment, the office door opened from the outside. A woman walked in gracefully and greeted Qiu Tu with a yful smile, "Impatient, were you?"


    Seeing Qin Shuman''s new body, Qiu Tu waspletely stunned, barely able to control his expression.


    "Why is it her?" he thought in disbelief?.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 88: Cataclysmic Artifact: Cursed Printer

    Chapter 88: Cataclysmic Artifact: Cursed Printer


    Chapter 88: Cataclysmic Artifact: Cursed Printer


    Noticing Qiu Tu''s stunned expression, Qin Shuman turned around, shut the door behind her, and looked down at her new body with curiosity. She then asked, "What''s wrong? You know Xiaowan?"


    Qiu Tu''s expression was a mix of awkwardness and surprise. "Not exactly. It''s just... I saw her this morning."


    Qiu Tu then addressed the body that Qin Shuman was currently possessing. "I wasn''t wrong, was I? Assistant Su Xiaowan."


    Indeed, standing before Qiu Tu was the same beautiful assistant who had stopped his car that morning, sent by Tang Feifei to recruit him.


    As the realization sank in, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but marvel at the Security Division''s power. Not only had they ced a spy close to Yan Chen, the Director of the Investigation Department, but they had also managed to infiltrate Tang Feifei''s inner circle with a spy who was none other than her personal assistant.


    With such deeply embedded agents, how much could the Investigation Department really keep hidden from the Security Division?


    While Qiu Tu was lost in thought, Qin Shuman, now in Su Xiaowan''s body, seemed to have had a brief internal conversation with the original Su Xiaowan. After understanding the details of the morning''s encounter between Su Xiaowan and Qiu Tu, Qin Shumanughed and said, "You two really have a fate together, huh?"


    "How about I introduce her to you?" Qin Shuman teased, throwing a yful wink at Qiu Tu. "Let me tell you, Xiaowan is very cute~"Qiu Tu could only manage a wry smile, trying to keep his thoughts in check. The contrast between the unfamiliar appearance of Su Xiaowan and the familiar yful demeanor of Qin Shuman struck a chord with him. It reminded him of a hypothetical question he once saw online: "If your girlfriend and her best friend swapped bodies, who would you choose?"


    Faced with this situation, Qiu Tu could only think, "I love the soul of my Rain Butterfly; as for the body, it doesn''t matter at all. No, really, it doesn''t matter (wipes drool)!"


    Of course, such thoughts could never be voiced out loud. Despite the yful banter running through his mind, Qiu Tu kept a straight face and said with a resigned smile, "Please, stop teasing. We don''t want to scare Assistant Su."


    Qin Shuman chuckled and finally stopped teasing him. While Qiu Tu couldn''t hear Su Xiaowan''s inner thoughts, Qin Shuman could. When she had flirted with Qiu Tu, Su Xiaowan''s panicked screams had nearly pierced the heavens!


    Returning to a more serious tone, Qin Shuman approached Qiu Tu and ced a slender finger gently on his forehead. Instantly, Qiu Tu heard a second woman''s voice in his mind.


    Startled, Qiu Tu looked at Qin Shuman, who exined, "This is soulmunication. It allows you to hear both my voice and Xiaowan''s."


    "But thismunication only works at a short distance¡ªwithin two meters."


    Qin Shuman then gave a brief exnation of Su Xiaowan''s background. "Xiaowan was one of the first spies I trained after arriving in New Realm City. Although her abilities are average, she has a natural affinity that makes people instinctively trust her, making her an ideal spy."


    "After her training, I ced her in the Investigation Department, where she infiltrated Tang Feifei''s inner circle as her personal assistant."


    Upon hearing this, Su Xiaowan added from within the body, "But... I''m not aspetent as Chief Rain Butterfly. When she''s not around, I often mess things up."


    "Because of that, Director Tang gave me a nickname: ''Half-Asleep Assistant Su.'' It means that my work performance is inconsistent, as if sometimes I''m awake, and sometimes I''m not."


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu couldn''t help but chuckle at the nickname, finding it both fitting and amusing. He never imagined that Tang Feifei had such a side to her.


    After exining Su Xiaowan''s identity, Qin Shuman continued, "I brought her here tonight for two reasons. First, I wanted to introduce you two. In case of emergencies, you can help each other out."


    "Second, I believe Xiaowan''s identity might be of help to you. As Tang Feifei''s assistant, she can act as a bridge between you and Tang Feifei, giving you more leeway within the Investigation Department."


    Qin Shuman paused, then smiled softly. "However, it seems you had already thought of this, and you''ve beenying the groundwork yourself. I guess my efforts were unnecessary."


    Qiu Tu chuckled and didn''t deny it. "I''ve been cornered, so I had to think of ways to use the rtionships with the directors to my advantage."


    "But with Assistant Su''s help, my confidence in my n has gone from 70% to 100%."


    Qin Shuman smiled at his words, and they exchanged a knowing nce.


    However, Su Xiaowan, who clearly didn''t understand what they were discussing, voiced her confusion from within the body. "Huh? Did Director Tange here because of Chief Qiu? But that doesn''t make sense. Chief Qiu and Director Tang haven''t had any contact. How did he manage that? And what exactly is Chief Qiu nning?"


    Hearing Su Xiaowan''s bewildered questions, both Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman found it hard to suppress theirughter. However, they didn''t exin anything to her and instead moved on to discussing the important matters at hand.


    Qin Shuman asked, "Have the results of Yin Caimei''s autopsye out?"


    Qiu Tu nodded and handed the autopsy report to Qin Shuman. "The coroner found significant narrowing of the coronary arteries, with over 50% narrowing in some areas, along with atherosclerotic que formation, myocardial interstitial edema, and wavy myocardial fiber changes, leading to a conclusion of sudden cardiac death."


    After carefully reviewing the report, Qin Shuman nodded in agreement. "Indeed, sudden death cannot be ruled out."


    Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman were still in the independent morgue, standing over Yin Caimei''s corpse. Qin Shuman had just finished her detailed examination of the body, and her expression was thoughtful as she spoke to Qiu Tu. "Many cataclysmic abilities or artifacts can cause simr effects," she exined. "In fact, most cataclysmic beings, when killing someone, will disguise the cause of death as sudden cardiac arrest. It¡¯s amon tactic because simply erasing the soul without any physical cause would draw the Security Division''s attention too quickly."


    Qiu Tu nodded in agreement. What she was saying made perfect sense. It was a method that could avoid leaving obvious clues, which might lead to further investigation.


    Qin Shuman then asked, "Did you manage to obtain the artifact for detecting cataclysmic forces?"


    Qiu Tu confirmed with a nod, pulling out the ck box Jia Shu had given him. Carefully opening it, white mist began to drift out from the inside, creating an eerie atmosphere in the small room. Qiu Tu gently waved the mist away with his hand and retrieved a ck leather-bound notebook from the box.


    The notebook was no ordinary item. Its craftsmanship was exquisite, and wisps of white mist seemed to seep out from between its pages. The ck leather cover had a strange, wet texture that added an unsettling beauty to the object.


    Qin Shuman nced at the notebook and identified it immediately, "The Mist Index Book. Not bad¡ªit should be sufficient."


    With that, she gestured for Qiu Tu to put the notebook away and said, "Let''s check Yin Caimei''s body now."


    They moved over to Yin Caimei''s corpse, whichy silently in the morgue. The body, having been through an autopsy and left for a day, was beginning to emit a faint smell of decay. However, as professionals, the smell didn¡¯t bother them.


    After locking the morgue door, Qin Shuman donned rubber gloves and meticulously examined Yin Caimei''s body. When she finished, her face showed a deep, thoughtful expression. She then turned to Qiu Tu and instructed him to take out the Mist Index Book.


    Qiu Tuplied, handing the notebook to Qin Shuman. She took it and skillfully traced a few symbols on the cover, causing the notebook to open on its own. Instantly, thick white mist began pouring out of the artifact, rapidly spreading to every corner of the morgue.


    As the mist filled the room, the environment around them began to shift subtly. The physical world seemed to blur and lose definition, as if they were gradually being pulled into a spiritual dimension.


    Qiu Tu, recognizing the sensation from his own experiences with cataclysmic abilities, noticed that the surroundings resembled the state he entered when using his powers: the outlines of objects faded, and the material world seemed to dissolve, revealing the world of the mind.


    At the same time, he heard Qin Shuman''s reassuring voice in his ear, "Don''t be afraid. This is the immaterial world I told you about before."


    "In every space, every corner of the material world, even in the air, countless active particles are present."


    "These mental traces can¡¯t be detected in the material world. Only by transcending it and entering the spiritual dimension can these remnants be observed."


    As Qin Shuman exined, a ghostly image of Yin Caimei''s body began to emerge from the white mist. This spiritual projection of her form appeared translucent, with a distinct ck shadow visible within her chest.


    Qiu Tu moved closer to examine the shadow and found that it was located precisely over Yin Caimei''s left breast.


    "Is that... a Resentment Curse?" Qin Shuman''s voice carried a tone of surprise and suspicion.


    Qiu Tu, intrigued, asked, "What exactly is a Resentment Curse?"


    Qin Shuman paused for a moment before responding, "It''s said that among anti-government forces, there''s a cataclysmic artifact known as the Cursed Printer."


    "This artifact can use ink tainted by cataclysmic beings and special paper from the immaterial world to print books that have the power to distort reality."


    "These books look like any other, but they contain various curses."


    "Resentment Curse is one such curse. Anyone who reads one of these cursed books can be targeted by the book¡¯s creator, who can impose a curse of resentment upon the reader, leading to physical decay, deterioration, and even death."


    As Qiu Tu listened to Qin Shuman''s exnation, a sudden realization struck him. The information felt eerily familiar. After a brief moment of reflection, a sh of understanding crossed his mind, and he remembered the book he had seen earlier: Brave New World.


    Qin Shuman seemed to have made the same connection. When their eyes met, both were filled with shock and disbelief?.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 89: Qin Shumans Shock

    Chapter 89: Qin Shuman''s Shock


    Chapter 89: Qin Shuman''s Shock


    Qin Shuman looked at Qiu Tu with concern and asked softly, "I remember you mentionedst night that among Yin Caimei''s personal belongings, there was a banned book?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, confirming, "Yes, it¡¯s called Brave New World."


    Qin Shuman¡¯s expression grew serious. "Have you read that book?"


    Qiu Tu thought back and replied uncertainly, "I only skimmed through seven or eight pages, nothing too detailed."


    Qin Shuman frowned slightly. "Although we can''t be 100% sure, the theory that anti-government organizations could imprint a curse within banned books, ensuring their members carry and read them so they can be easily silenced, is quite usible."


    Qiu Tu asked, "So you think that book could be the carrier for the Resentment Curse?"


    "Does that mean I''ve been cursed?"


    Qin Shuman, deep in thought, replied, "I¡¯m notpletely sure about the effects of the Cursed Printer. I''ve only heard some rumors during my training in the shelters.""So, I can¡¯t say how much danger you¡¯re in just from reading a few pages."


    After a moment of deliberation, Qin Shuman seemed to reach a decision. She abruptly deactivated the Mist Index Book and then used it on Qiu Tu again, without giving him a chance to refuse.


    The room once again filled with the strange mist, and Qiu Tu felt a mysterious force envelop him. His expression changed a few times before he finally chose to ept Qin Shuman''s concern.


    As the mist spread throughout the room, the physical world began to fade, and Qiu Tu¡¯s body appeared to light up in the mist, much like Yin Caimei''s corpse had earlier.


    Qin Shuman stepped forward to carefully inspect the traces of cataclysmic energy outlined on Qiu Tu''s body by the Mist Index Book.


    "Hmm... There are traces of cataclysmic energy in the head¡ªnot a good sign."


    "There are also traces on the neck¡ªthough that¡¯s somewhat normal."


    "Traces on the limbs, and even the internal organs..."


    "Why is this Resentment Curse so powerful?"


    "Wait a minute." Qin Shuman suddenly stopped, realizing something was off. She quickly stepped back to get a better view of Qiu Tu¡¯s entire body, and what she saw left her in shock. Every organ, every cell in Qiu Tu¡¯s body was filled with cataclysmic energy!


    Qin Shuman was stunned, momentarily lost in thought.


    ¡®How can there be so much!?¡¯


    The realization hit her like a ton of bricks.


    This wasn''t the result of a curse¡ªit was... the manifestation of cataclysmic abilities strengthening his entire body!


    Qiu Tu was a cataclysmic being!


    The shock left Qin Shuman reeling.


    She looked at Qiu Tu in disbelief. When did this happen? When did Qiu Tu be a cataclysmic being?


    She racked her brain but couldn''t recall any hints or signs.


    Moreover... wasn''t Qiu Tu, like herself, someone who had possessed this body?


    Could a person awaken cataclysmic abilities after possession?


    If she were to possess Su Xiaowan''s body and ingest a cataclysmic potion, would it be herself awakening, or would it be Su Xiaowan?


    These questions piled up in Qin Shuman''s mind, leaving her feeling overwhelmed.


    However, she didn¡¯t forget the reason she had used the Mist Index Book on Qiu Tu. After forcing herself to refocus, she observed Qiu Tu''s left chest for a while.


    Now that she had filtered out the interference from Qiu Tu''s own cataclysmic abilities, she finally saw the small mass of energy shrouding Qiu Tu''s heart¡ªResentment Curse.


    The bad news was that Qiu Tu had indeed been cursed.


    The good news, however, was that the amount of Resentment Curse energy was much smallerpared to what was left on Yin Caimei¡¯s corpse.


    Qin Shuman breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that even if the curse were to activate, it would at most cause Qiu Tu some difort for a few days, without posing a serious threat to his life.


    After calming down, Qin Shuman couldn''t help but feel a bit foolish for worrying so much. She knew that Qiu Tu was far from an ordinary person. He had managed to obtain a cataclysmic artifact to restore her body quickly and had even awakened cataclysmic abilities after possession. Clearly, he had been someone of considerable power before.


    It was likely that Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t particrly skilled in solving cases but was more than capable of handling cataclysmic abilities and curses.


    With this in mind, Qin Shuman deactivated the Mist Index Book and, feeling a bit deted, said, "You¡¯ve indeed been cursed, but it¡¯s nothing serious."


    She then gave Qiu Tu aplex look and added, "You weren¡¯t really worried about this cataclysmic curse, were you?"


    In truth, Qiu Tu had felt a jolt of concern when Qin Shuman used the Mist Index Book on him. Being a cautious person by nature, even after growing close to Qin Shuman, he hadn¡¯t revealed that he had already awakened cataclysmic abilities. In fact, while treating Qin Shuman, he had deliberately used the Nightmare Crystal Bottle to keep this secret.


    But who would have thought that Qin Shuman, out of concern, would use the Mist Index Book on him, revealing his status as a cataclysmic being?


    As expected, after examining him, Qin Shuman¡¯s expression changed, clearly indicating she had realized the truth. Her words also carried a hint of sarcasm¡ªshe was obviously upset.


    After a brief moment of hesitation, Qiu Tu decided toe clean. "Yes, I have a way to remove the curse."


    Qiu Tu was referring to the fact that his cataclysmic abilities were unique, allowing him to nullify such curses. However, Qin Shuman interpreted this as Qiu Tu admitting that his previous identity was extraordinary, and that such a low-level curse was of little concern to him?.


    Qin Shuman, after her thorough inspection of Qiu Tu, came to a realization that solidified her earlier suspicions: Qiu Tu was not an ordinary person. She was almost certain now that Qiu Tu must have been a high-ranking cataclysmic being in his previous life.


    However, this new understanding led to more questions. If Qiu Tu had such power and the means to undo possession, why hadn''t he returned to his original body? Why had he remained in the body of "Qiu Tu" for so long? Was it because of Yan Chen, the highest-ranking official he could reach in this identity?


    As she pondered these questions, Qin Shuman considered what kind of person or organization would want to investigate Yan Chen. Reflecting on Qiu Tu¡¯s actions over the past few days, she noticed that he hadn''t shown much interest in the Investigation Department, anti-government forces, or even the major merchants. Instead, he seemed most attached to her and the Security Division.


    This line of thinking led her to a sudden revtion: "Could he be a private soldier of a military bigwig or an investigator sent by the shelters to the nning area?" she spected.


    However, she couldn¡¯t recall hearing about anyone like thating to New Realm City for a secret mission. Theck of information only deepened the mystery surrounding Qiu Tu, making him seem even more enigmatic.


    Faced with this uncertainty, Qin Shuman decided to suppress her curiosity about Qiu Tu''s true identity. She knew that those who worked in secret were highly sensitive about their real identities. So far, Qiu Tu hadn¡¯t harmed her or threatened the interests of the Security Division or the military, so there was no pressing need to uncover his secrets. For now, she thought it best to continue working with him, especially since the case they were handling might involve anti-government forces. Helping Qiu Tu could end up benefiting her as well, possibly even earning her some merit.


    With her thoughts settled, Qin Shuman adjusted her mood and told Qiu Tu, "Since you can remove the curse, there''s no need for me to worry. Let''s continue analyzing the case."


    She paused before adding, "What we can confirm now is that Yin Caimei was indeed murdered, and the likely culprits are the anti-government forces she was involved with, specifically the RUF."


    "As for the murder weapon, given the curse you have, there''s a 90% chance it came from that banned book she was carrying."


    Qin Shuman then tapped the Mist Index Book in her hand and said, "So, our next step is to confirm the murder weapon. Even though the probability is high, in an investigation, we don''t need 90% or even 99% certainty¡ªwe need 100%!"


    "It¡¯s possible that something else you and Yin Caimei both encountered¡ªlike drinking the same water or eating the same food¡ªcould have caused you both to suffer the same curse."


    "There''s even a slim chance that someone in the Investigation Department could have recklessly or deliberately spread the curse randomly."


    Qin Shuman¡¯s expression turned serious as she emphasized, "In investigations, we must be thorough. So, let''s confirm the murder weapon first before moving on to the next deduction."


    Qiu Tu nodded, acknowledging that, as a novice investigator, he was far less experienced than Qin Shuman. However, he was quick to follow her guidance, saying, "That copy of Brave New World is still in the investigation team''s temporary office. I''ll retrieve it now andpare it with the cataclysmic curse on Yin Caimei''s body."


    He turned to leave, but just as he reached the door and grasped the handle, he heard the sound of heavy boots approaching from outside. The footsteps grew louder, eventually stopping right in front of the morgue door.


    Qiu Tu''s brow furrowed slightly, and he released the door handle. At that moment, the door handle turned a few times, apanied by a rattling sound, but the door didn¡¯t open because Qiu Tu had locked it when he entered.


    The person outside hesitated for a moment, then asked in a deep voice, "Who''s in there?"


    The voice made Qiu Tu freeze, his heart skipping a beat¡ªit was the voice of his superior, Zheng Tao, the Head of the Interrogation Office and a trusted aide of Yan Chen and Jia Shu.


    "What¡¯s he doing here?" Qiu Tu wondered, his unease growing?.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 90: This Guy is a Bit Creepy

    Chapter 90: This Guy is a Bit Creepy


    Chapter 90: This Guy is a Bit Creepy


    Qiu Tu''s sense of unease wasn¡¯t without reason. The morgue they were in had been specifically requested by him to house Yin Caimei¡¯s body alone. From the sound of Zheng Tao¡¯s footsteps, it was clear he wasn¡¯t just patrolling the floor; he was heading directly to this particr morgue.


    But the real problem was that the Yin Caimei case was a task assigned exclusively to Qiu Tu by Jia Shu, meaning it had nothing to do with the Interrogation Office, and Zheng Tao wasn¡¯t part of the investigation team. So why was he here, at this morgue?


    As Qiu Tu considered this, he quietly stepped back a few paces, creating the illusion that he wasn¡¯t near the door, before finally responding, "I¡¯m inside."


    Zheng Tao, familiar with Qiu Tu¡¯s voice, hesitated slightly before asking, "Deputy Section Chief Qiu?"


    Qiu Tu feigned surprise, replying, "Oh, Section Chief Zheng? What brings you here?"


    While speaking, Qiu Tu signaled to Qin Shuman, who quickly handed him the Mist Index Book before ncing around the morgue. She then concealed herself inside one of the empty corpse cabs.


    Meanwhile, Zheng Tao¡¯s puzzled voice came from outside, "What are you doing in the morgue?"


    Qiu Tu quietly closed the cab that Qin Shuman had hidden in, then walked to the door and opened it. Outside, Zheng Tao stood, his face full of suspicion.Standing in the doorway, Qiu Tu smiled and said, "What else would I be doing in a morgue? I¡¯m examining a body. Or did you think I was here to be one?"


    Despite Qiu Tu''s joke, Zheng Tao¡¯s expression remained serious as he peered into the morgue and asked, "Are you investigating a case?"


    Qiu Tu frowned slightly but nodded. "Yes, I am."


    He then countered, "What are you doing here sote, Section Chief Zheng? Taking a stroll through the morgue?"


    Zheng Tao gave a nonchnt "oh" before exining, "I was just doing a routine patrol."


    "When I passed by and saw the light on in the morgue, I thought I heard voices, so I decided to check it out."


    As he spoke, he gestured toward the room. "Mind if I take a look inside?"


    Without waiting for an answer, Zheng Tao had already stepped into the morgue, his boots echoing with a steady "thud... thud... thud" as he inspected the space.


    Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes darkened slightly, but he didn¡¯t stop him.


    As Zheng Tao walked further in, he lifted the sheet covering Yin Caimei¡¯s body, nced at it briefly, then looked back at Qiu Tu and smiled. "Don¡¯t misunderstand me, Deputy Section Chief Qiu."


    "I¡¯m not trying to interfere."


    "It¡¯s just that... you know, there are many mysterious and strange forces in this world."


    "And corpses tend to attract these forces."


    "I really did hear some strange sounds earlier, so I wanted to make sure everything was in order."


    He continued walking, now moving toward the row of corpse cabs. With a loud "click," he began pulling them out one by one, inspecting each.


    The morgue had been cleared out specifically for Yin Caimei, so all the cabs were empty.


    Zheng Tao opened each one, nced inside, and then closed them again.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu took out the Mist Index Book and said, "Could the sound havee from this cataclysmic artifact?"


    "I was just using it to examine Yin Caimei¡¯s body."


    Hearing this, Zheng Tao¡¯s steps halted in front of the very cab where Qin Shuman was hiding. He turned to look at the artifact in Qiu Tu¡¯s hand, his expression thoughtful.


    After a moment, he nodded and agreed, "That¡¯s possible."


    "After all, cataclysmic artifacts can emit all sorts of strange noises when in use."


    With that, he abruptly pulled open the cab where Qin Shuman was hiding!


    But the cab was... empty.


    Zheng Tao slowly closed the cab, then continued inspecting the others until he had checked them all.


    Afterpleting his search, he scanned the morgue once more before smiling at Qiu Tu. "It seems the noise did indeede from the cataclysmic artifact."


    "I must have been too sensitive."


    He walked over to Qiu Tu, patted him on the shoulder, and offered some words of encouragement. "Deputy Section Chief Qiu, you¡¯ve been working hard."


    "I¡¯m pleased to see you working overtime tonight instead of leaving early like yesterday."


    "As agents, we should seize every moment to work hard, so that one day we might be the Director¡¯s right-hand men."


    Qiu Tu was taken aback by the bluntness of Zheng Tao¡¯s words. Even in a world where the phrase "serve the people" didn¡¯t exist, such an open deration of wanting to be ackey for the boss was surprising.


    So, Qiu Tu responded with a smile, "You¡¯re overthinking it, Section Chief. I¡¯m working overtime tonight, but I¡¯ll be taking time off tomorrow morning."


    As Zheng Tao was about to leave, he stumbled slightly, nearly tripping. He shot Qiu Tu a re, huffed, and then left the morgue in long strides.


    Once Zheng Tao was gone, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t let his guard down. He took a deep breath and muttered to himself, "I still need topare the murder weapon."


    With that, he left the morgue to retrieve the evidence?.


    Zheng Tao returned to the morgue unexpectedly, this time more prepared. He used a spare key, turning it twice before opening the door. His eyes swept across the room with a sharp gaze, and he methodically opened every corpse cab, including the one where Qin Shuman had been hiding moments earlier. He also lifted the white sheet covering Yin Caimei''s body, inspecting it once more. After confirming that there was indeed no one else in the room, Zheng Tao''s brow furrowed in frustration.


    He restored everything to its original state, exited the morgue, and used the spare key to lock the door from the outside. Standing just outside the morgue, Zheng Tao hesitated for a moment before taking out hismunicator and making a call.


    A few secondster, the call connected, and Zheng Tao spoke in a low voice, "Minister, there was only Qiu Tu inside."


    From the other end of the line came Jia Shu''s voice,ced with amusement. "Oh? Really? Did you check thoroughly?"


    Zheng Tao responded, "I checked very carefully. Before he left, I checked once. After he left, I checked again¡ªthere was no one else."


    "He should have been working on the case alone tonight."


    Jia Shu, with a tone of satisfaction mixed with something else, replied, "That''s good, that''s good."


    Zheng Tao, sensing a hint of something he couldn''t quite ce, hesitantly asked, "Minister, did you discover something?"


    Jia Shu chuckled softly, "No, I was just a bit worried. But it seems my concern was unnecessary."


    For some reason, Zheng Tao detected a trace of disappointment in Jia Shu''s voice. Though he wanted to inquire further, he knew his superior''s temperament well and refrained from asking more, even though his curiosity was piqued.


    Meanwhile, in the temporary office of the investigation team, Qiu Tu had just retrieved the book Brave New World when a notification from the Loyalty Game appeared before him. He paused, puzzled by the message:


    [Jia Shu¡¯s Suspicion level -1; Satisfaction level -3.]


    Qiu Tu couldn''t help but feel bewildered. "What? Did I imagine that? How could suspicion decrease while satisfaction also decreases?"


    He found himselfpletely perplexed by Jia Shu''s metrics, mumbling, "What the heck is going on? Could Jia Shu be a spy?"


    "Maybe he''s disappointed because I''m loyal to the Investigation Department?"


    "Or perhaps he''s just some kind of creep, only satisfied when I betray the department?"


    Qiu Tu shook his head, muttering that the thoughts of such a twisted person were hard to grasp. Still deep in thought, he grabbed the evidence and headed back to the morgue.


    Upon entering the morgue and unlocking the door, Qiu Tu saw Qin Shuman standing near the cab where she had hidden earlier, her expressionplicated. Qiu Tu first locked the door behind him and then softly asked, "Did hee back?"


    Qin Shuman nodded slightly. Qiu Tu smiled, relieved that his quick thinking had paid off. When he realized something was off with Zheng Tao, he had immediately used his cataclysmic ability, Order Space, and set the day''s rules: no one other than himself would be able to see, hear, smell, touch, or sense Qin Shuman (in Su Xiaowan''s body). Even after he left the morgue, the rule remained in effect.


    This was why Zheng Tao, despite his thorough search, failed to notice Qin Shuman. She had been lying quietly in the cab the whole time.


    Qiu Tu also felt fortunate that both Su Xiaowan and Zheng Tao were ordinary people. If they had been cataclysmic beings like Qin Shuman or Jia Shu, his ability might have failed, and he would have had toe up with more lies and excuses to cover everything up.


    Indeed, cataclysmic powers could change the world!


    With these thoughts, Qiu Tu deactivated his ability and handed the Mist Index Book and Brave New World to Qin Shuman. Despite feeling drained from the exertion, Qiu Tu pressed on, asking, "Can you check if this book is the murder weapon?"


    Qin Shuman looked at him with aplicated expression before taking the book and using the Mist Index Book on it. A momentter, just as Qiu Tu was beginning to recover from the side effects of his cataclysmic ability, Qin Shuman confirmed, "It¡¯s the murder weapon."


    Qiu Tu looked up at her, and she smiled before saying, "Since this book is indeed the weapon used to kill Yin Caimei, there''s only one mystery left in this case."


    "And that is, who gave Yin Caimei this book?"


    "Once we figure that out, we can likely identify the killer."


    "And..." Qin Shuman paused, a cold glint in her eyes, "That killer is very likely a mole from the anti-government forces!"


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly and asked, "Who do you think gave her the book?"


    Qin Shuman thought for a moment before shaking her head. "It''s hard to say. There are too many suspects¡ªlike Deputy Chairman Tian, some transporters, or even a friend of hers."


    "You should investigate the people close to Yin Caimei or Deputy Chairman Tian."


    "See if you can find out when she got her hands on this book. It will help narrow down our suspects."


    After a brief pause, Qin Shuman added, "I hope she didn¡¯t bring it with her when she left the anti-government forces."


    Qiu Tu¡¯s eyes showed a thoughtful expression as he shook his head. "It probably wasn¡¯t with her from the start."


    "Based on previous statements, her meeting with Deputy Chairman Tian was by chance."


    "The anti-government forces likely don¡¯t have the resources to equip every spy with a cataclysmic artifact that can eliminate them."


    Hearing Qiu Tu¡¯s analysis, Qin Shuman nodded slightly in agreement.


    As they spoke, Qiu Tu¡¯smunicator suddenly rang. He pulled it out, nced at the screen, and a bright smile spread across his face. "The informant has arrived."


    He showed the iing call to Qin Shuman.


    The name disyed on the screen read: Tian Xiaotian?.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 91: The Mastermind Appeared

    Chapter 91: The Mastermind Appeared


    Chapter 91: The Mastermind Appeared


    Qin Shuman was stunned for a moment when she saw the name disyed on Qiu Tu''smunicator screen. Then, she looked at Qiu Tu with aplex expression.


    To be honest, Qiu Tu had given her many surprises today... and quite a few scares as well.


    First, she had identally discovered through the Mist Index Book that Qiu Tu was a Cataclysm Awakened. Moreover, he was one who had sessfully awakened after possessing someone else''s body. This alone was enough to shatter her worldview.


    Then, there was the incident where she hid in a morgue drawer and wasn''t found by Zheng Tao.


    Truth be told, when Zheng Tao opened the morgue drawer, Qin Shuman''s heart almost leaped out of her throat. Her mind had already started racing, trying to figure out how to deal with the impending crisis.


    But who would have thought that Zheng Tao would close the drawer as if he hadn''t seen her at all?


    At that moment, Qin Shuman was genuinely confused for a good ten seconds. It was only after she considered the mysterious power that had descended upon her earlier that she guessed Qiu Tu might have used a Cataclysm ability or artifact to help her dodge the crisis.


    And now, Qiu Tu had already established a connection with Deputy Chairman Tian''s son, Tian Xiaotian, asking him to provide information about his father.To be honest, Qin Shuman felt that her understanding of Qiu Tu had been repeatedly challenged today.


    But it seemed that Qiu Tu always had new surprises waiting for her. This only made him seem even more mysterious in her eyes.


    At this moment, Qiu Tu had no idea what Qin Shuman was thinking. He simply showed her themunicator and smiled as he answered the call.


    When the call connected, a slightly thick voice came from the receiver, "Chief Qiu?"


    Qiu Tu replied with a smile, "Brother Xiaotian, we''re off duty, so no need for formal titles."


    Tian Xiaotian didn''t care much about titles or formalities, so he quickly adapted, "Brother Tu."


    Qiu Tu responded with an "Alright!" and then asked tentatively, "Brother Xiaotian, have you made a decision?"


    Tian Xiaotian responded with a hum and said, "Yes."


    "I went home and thought about it for a long time. I realized that working with you would indeed be the easiest way to clear my father''s name."


    "Besides, I want to do something for my father, so that''s why I''m calling you."


    After he finished, he paused before asking tentatively, "Brother Tu, you said earlier that all I need to do is provide my father''s and Yin Caimei''s travel records and gift exchange logs from the past year, and you''ll be able to help him. Is that true?"


    Initially, Qiu Tu had mentioned that to Tian Xiaotian just to get him on board, but now that they had found the weapon and the most critical clue in the case, Qiu Tu only needed Yin Caimei''s schedule and gift exchange logs from the past year to greatly narrow down the suspect pool.


    So, without any hesitation, he said, "Yes."


    Hearing this, Tian Xiaotian visibly rxed and then said, "I''ve already got those two documents."


    "I found them in my father''s secretary''s office."


    "They contain all the travel records of my father and Yin Caimei from the past year. While there might be some missing information, it should still be fairlyplete."


    "So, how should I get them to you?"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu''s eyes lit up. He quickly said, "Leave me an address. I''ll head over now, and we can discuss it in person."


    It seemed like Tian Xiaotian had just stolen something, as he quietly gave an address.


    Based on the location, it appeared that the box of documents had just been taken from Deputy Chairman Tian''s office.


    Qiu Tu quickly memorized the address and then hung up the phone.


    ...


    At the same time, in the secretary''s office at Xintian Communications Company.


    After hanging up the phone, Tian Xiaotian looked conflicted and confused. He wasn''t sure if what he was doing was right.


    But... based on Steward Shi''s investigation of Qiu Tu, Qiu Tu hadn''t lied to him in his introduction earlier today:


    Qiu Tu was initially just an ordinary citizen of New Realm City. Later, during the recruitment by the Investigation Department, he was selected because he was literate and could drive, and he was assigned to the Administrative Office as a clerical agent.


    Afterward, due to his excellent performance in the Administrative Office, Qiu Tu was noticed by Secretary Bai, who rmended him to Yan Chen. He was then promoted to a mid-level agent.


    Later, Qiu Tu saved Yan Chen''s mistress, which led to Yan Chen promoting him to a high-level agent. Jia Shu also took notice of him and assigned him to the Political Division to investigate the Qin family.


    It was unclear what Qiu Tu did at the Qin family, but shortly after he arrived, the Qin family voluntarily aligned themselves with Yan Chen. As a result, Qiu Tu was promoted to Deputy Section Chief.


    Every promotion Qiu Tu received had traces of Yan Chen''s influence, with Secretary Bai and Jia Shu being his key supporters.


    Thinking about this, Tian Xiaotian felt somewhat reassured: after all, if someone like Qiu Tu couldn''t be trusted, who in the entire Investigation Department could be?


    Surely, Qiu Tu, who had been promoted to Deputy Section Chief, wouldn''t harbor any ill intentions toward Yan Chen and Jia Shu, right?


    With this thought, Tian Xiaotian finally made up his mind. His gaze became resolute as he packed all the documents into his backpack. Then, he stealthily slipped out of the secretary''s office and headed downstairs.


    However, he didn''t notice that just as he turned the corner, Deputy Chairman Tian''s secretary happened to walk by on the other side of the corridor.


    The secretary caught a glimpse of a broad figure shing around the corner and hesitated.


    ''Was that Young Master Tian?''


    She nced at her office, then at the empty corner, shook her head slightly, and paid it no mind.


    ...


    Qiu Tu and Qin Shuman drove to the building of Deputy Chairman Tian''smunicationspany. Qiu Tu met Tian Xiaotian alone in a nearby alley and received the travel records and gift exchange logs of Deputy Chairman Tian and Yin Caimei.


    Before handing over the documents, Tian Xiaotian still seemed a bit uneasy. He clutched his backpack and looked at Qiu Tu with small, anxious eyes, "Brother Tu, swear it! Swear that you''re really trying to clear my father''s name!"


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu didn''t hesitate at all. He swore, "Rest assured. I swear on my benefactor Minister Jia Shu, if I intend to harm your father, may he die a terrible death!"


    Tian Xiaotian, however, keenly noticed a w in that oath:


    Jia Shu was indeed Qiu Tu''s superior, but... Qiu Tu''s multiple promotions had relied more on Yan Chen!


    Tian Xiaotian quickly clutched his backpack and shook his head. "No! Swear on Director Yan!"


    Qiu Tu was speechless. ¡®Director Yan, this guy really won''t let you off the hook... but that''s not on me,¡¯ he thought silently. With no other choice, Qiu Tu made another oath, this time swearing on Yan Chen''s life.


    Finally, Tian Xiaotian seemed reassured and handed over the backpack to Qiu Tu.


    As Qiu Tu took the backpack and looked at this "naive son of a wealthy family," he couldn''t help but feel a slight pang of guilt. So, he kindly and subtly suggested, "Xiaotian, maybe you should eat a little less. Being overweight can affect blood flow to your brain."


    To his surprise, Tian Xiaotian looked at him in astonishment and said, "How am I overweight? My dad says I''m just a bit out of shape because there''s not enough space at home for exercise!"


    As he spoke, he even patted his belly and muttered quietly, "Now that you mention it, I''m actually feeling a bit hungry. I should find something to eatter."


    Qiu Tu was left speechless. Yep, he''s definitely hungry. He''s talking nonsense...


    After saying goodbye to Tian Xiaotian, Qiu Tu returned to the car with the travel records and gift exchange logs. Qin Shuman had been waiting there for a while, and the two of them began sorting through the box of documents.


    As they worked, Qiu Tu curiously asked, "It seems like Assistant Su hasn''t spoken in a while?"


    Qin Shuman chuckled softly. "She''s asleep."


    "This girl doesn''t have many ws, but she sure does love to sleep."


    Qiu Tu smiled and remarked, "In these times, being able to sleep well is actually a blessing."


    Qin Shuman smiled and shook her head. As she continued to go through the documents, shemented, "You chose a good approach."


    "Deputy Chairman Tian is different from ordinary people. He''s busy with work, and he''s always chauffeured around."


    "In the nning areas, private cars are rare, and fuel costs are exorbitant. So, every time he travels, his secretary has to log it and regrly cross-check the fuel expenses with the driver and finance department."


    "Furthermore, with his frequent business interactions and the numerous gifts he receives and gives, the secretary also has to keep a detailed record of the gift exchanges for future reference."


    "With these two sets of documents, we can quickly map out Deputy Chairman Tian''s social circle,work, and even identify his travel routes, secret hideouts, and safe houses."


    Qiu Tu nodded in agreement as he quickly flipped through the gift exchange logs.


    Both of them were Cataclysm Awakened, so their physical and mental abilities were far superior to ordinary people. Within minutes, Qiu Tu suddenly pulled out a particr gift list.


    He examined it closely, his brows furrowing slightly as he murmured, "How could it be them?"


    Sensing something unusual, Qin Shuman paused her search and looked up at Qiu Tu.


    Seeing him engrossed in the document, she leaned over to take a look as well. Upon seeing the content, she was equally surprised. "The Qin family?"


    She turned to look at Qiu Tu, and he happened to nce at her at the same time.


    The space in the car was already cramped, and with them leaning so close, their noses touched, and a faint, electric current seemed to pass between their lips.


    Catching a whiff of Su Xiaowan''s fragrance, and looking at that face¡ªdifferent from Qin Shuman''s, yet with a trace of innocence and naivety¡ªQiu Tu felt his lips dry. The contrast of the unfamiliar mixed with the familiar was dangerously tempting...


    Qin Shuman clearly sensed Qiu Tu''s change. She cleared her throat, took a step back, and softly reminded him, "Don''t be silly. This is weird."


    She then pointed to the name on the gift list, steering the conversation back on track. "So, that forbidden book is rted to the Qin family?"


    Qiu Tu adjusted his mood slightly and refocused on the task.


    Indeed, the gift list was connected to the Qin family. It detailed a small dinner party hosted by the Qin family.


    The gathering was quite exclusive. Apart from the Qin family head, Qin Heng, and the third branch member, Qin Shu, only a few others attended, most of whom were prominent businessmen with ties to the Qin family.


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 92: The Truth Emerged

    Chapter 92: The Truth Emerged


    Chapter 92: The Truth Emerged


    As per the customs, after the banquet, everyone exchanged gifts. The gift list documented the presents that the Qin family and other attendees gave to Deputy Chairman Tian.


    Among them was the book Brave New World. However, there was something strange about it¡ªwhile most of the gifts on the list had the givers'' names recorded, this book was unmarked, as if someone had secretly slipped it into the pile.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu scanned the guest list from that banquet and suddenly noticed another familiar name.


    He quickly pointed it out to Qin Shuman, "Look, do you recognize this name?"


    Following his finger, Qin Shuman saw a familiar name: Qian Dafu from Shun Yun Trading Company.


    After a brief moment of thought, Qin Shuman''s eyes widened as she looked at Qiu Tu, "Isn''t that one of the transportpanies that got robbed?"


    Qiu Tu nodded, recalling the details from the files. Due to the bug nted by Yin Caimei, six transportpanies in New Realm City had been raided by RUF anti-government forces over the past year. Shun Yun Trading was the worst hit, losing not onlyrge amounts of grain and daily necessities but also a significant quantity of medicinal herbs and potions.


    "This is suspicious," Qiu Tu said, pointing at the names of Shun Yun Trading and the Qin brothers, Qin Heng and Qin Shu.Qin Shuman nodded in agreement and reached out her hand. Qiu Tu, understanding her intent, handed over the Security Division''s specialmunicator.


    Qin Shuman dialed a number on themunicator. After a brief moment, the call connected, and she said, expressionless, "This is Rain Butterfly. Investigate the connection between the Qin family and Qian Dafu from Shun Yun Trading. Also, re-interrogate Fourth Master Qin and see if he knows anything."


    After receiving an affirmative response from the other side, Qin Shuman hung up the phone.


    While continuing to sift through the documents, Qiu Tu remarked, "I really think there''s something off about the Qin family."


    He wasn''t referring to the Qin family''s previous vague connections with anti-government forces, which weremon in the nning areas. Rather, he was talking about a deeper level of coboration between the two forces.


    As an experienced officer in the Security Division''s Investigation Department, Qin Shuman gravely nodded in agreement. "Once might be a coincidence, twice might be a coincidence, but three or four times being a coincidence? That''s hard to believe."


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly.


    After reaching a consensus, the two of them continued to review the documents in silence. The car gradually grew quiet, and the soft blue moonlight streaming through the windows draped them in a mysterious, gentle veil.


    It was hard to tell how much time had passed¡ªperhaps only ten minutes, or maybe as much as half an hour.


    "Ring ring ring!"


    The sharp ring of themunicator suddenly broke the silence in the car. Qin Shuman snapped back to reality and answered the call with a sinct, "Speak."


    The voice on the other end was quiet and quick, so much so that Qiu Tu couldn''t catch what was being said. He only saw Qin Shuman''s expression shift from calm to surprise, and then from surprise to excitement!


    After a brief moment, Qin Shuman ended the call and turned to Qiu Tu, her face barely concealing her joy. "Qiu Tu! We might have just uncovered a major case!"


    Qiu Tu looked at her in confusion.


    Qin Shuman leaned in closer and lowered her voice, "Let me tell you, you wouldn''t believe it until you see it."


    "Shun Yun Trading was actually founded by the Old Master Qin."


    "Back then, he had already established a certain status in New Realm City and had a foothold in the underworld."


    "To cultivate his own enforcers and to expand his financial resources, he supported a trusted confidant, who, along with nearly half of the gang''s core members, formed Shun Yun Trading, focusing on material transportation."


    "And that confidant was Qian Dafu''s father..."


    Seeing the surprise in Qiu Tu''s eyes, Qin Shuman continued, "Later on, a few years ago, both the Qin patriarch and Qian Dafu''s father passed away in idents. With the Qin family seeking to go legitimate, the twopanies officially parted ways, never interacting again."


    "But now it seems... the truth might be very different."


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly as he pondered for a moment before hypothesizing, "So, Shun Yun Trading might actually be the Qin family''s real ck operation."


    "The Qin family''s truly illegal enterprises, such as their coboration with RUF, may have been separated from the family by the patriarch before his death."


    "And the ck and gray industries that Fourth Master Qin inherited may have already been rtively low-risk operations."


    Qin Shuman, brimming with excitement, eximed, "Exactly!"


    "So, after investigating Fourth Master Qin for so many days with little progress, it turns out we were looking in the wrong direction!"


    "If we investigate Shun Yun Trading, we might be able to trace everything back to the Qin family!"


    "And you could finally close your case perfectly!"


    Qiu Tu remained calm, not swayed by Qin Shuman''s enthusiasm. He patted her hand and analyzed the situation rationally, "So, you suspect that the Qin family might be behind the scenes in the Yin Caimei case?"


    Seeing Qin Shuman nod, Qiu Tu continued, "You''re guessing that the Qin family sensed a threat from our earlier investigations. When Yin Caimei was captured, they feared exposure, so they decided to silence her to eliminate the risk?"


    "And in the process, they framed Deputy Chairman Tian?"


    Qin Shuman nodded and added, "Right. That''s why I suspect Deputy Chairman Tian might really have been framed."


    "The robbery of the transportpanies could have been a staged act."


    "Shun Yun Trading and the other transportpanies might have been conducting illegal business with the RUF all along. When Yin Caimei happened to be recruited into the Chamber of Commerce by Deputy Chairman Tian, these transportpanies seized the opportunity to set a trap."


    Although it was just a spection, Qin Shuman had a strong intuition: this was very likely the truth!


    With this thought, she looked at Qiu Tu and asked, "What do you think?"


    Qiu Tu had been carefully listening to Qin Shuman''s analysis. When she asked for his opinion, he hesitated for a moment before nodding, "I think it''s indeed possible."


    Seeing that Qiu Tu agreed with her guess, Qin Shuman could no longer sit still. She said to Qiu Tu, "Please help me take Xiao Wan home! I need to leave first and thoroughly investigate this case."


    After speaking, perhaps worried that Qiu Tu might misunderstand, she looked at him again and added, "Don''t worry, I won''t steal your credit. I also won''t interfere with your investigation."


    Qiu Tu heard this and smiled indifferently, "It''s okay. I don''t mind."


    After confirming that Qiu Tu really didn''t care, Qin Shuman happily gave him a quick kiss before releasing her possession and leaving Su Xiaowan''s body.


    It was evident that the pressure Director Dai had been putting on her had almost be unbearable. Now, with such a big case falling into herp, it hadpletely alleviated her immediate troubles! As long as she could handle this case or do a good job with the preliminary intelligence work, not only could she erase her previous mistakes, but she might even get promoted and receive a raise!


    So... in her excitement, she even forgot that she wasn''t in her own body at the moment, but was using Su Xiaowan''s body...


    Suddenly being kissed by "Su Xiaowan," Qiu Tu felt a bit strange...


    He looked at Su Xiaowan''s body, which had slumped into the passenger seat, and shook his head slightly before leaning over to fasten her seatbelt. Perhaps because of the kiss, as their bodies brushed against each other, Qiu Tu felt his blood flow speed up.


    After securing the seatbelt, Qiu Tu organized the files and then drove Su Xiaowan home, following the address Qin Shuman had left.


    As the vehicle moved along the dimly lit road, Qiu Tu quietly reflected on the information he had just uncovered.


    In fact, Qiu Tu really wasn''t afraid of Qin Shuman taking credit for the case. Nor was he worried about her interfering with his investigation. After all, the only case he was responsible for was Yin Caimei''s death; the robbery of the transportationpany by the RUF had nothing to do with him.


    In the few days he had been with the Political Division, Qiu Tu had already discovered a key survival rule: stay in yourne. Investigating other groups'' cases on your own, and even solving them, wouldn''t earn you much credit. Instead, it might breed resentment.


    Moreover, Qiu Tu had noticed a few details that Qin Shuman had missed. Perhaps due to their different perspectives, while Qin Shuman was excited about uncovering a big case, Qiu Tu felt a chill down his spine.


    Was this really just a setup?


    Even if the Qin family and those transportationpany bosses weren''t afraid of Deputy Chairman Tian, they probably wouldn''t want to offend a Chamber of Commerce vice president with shelter connections so easily, right?


    So, just because Yin Caimei was chosen by Deputy Chairman Tian, they decided to frame him?


    Qiu Tu found this to be extremely reckless.


    And even if the Qin family really did frame Deputy Chairman Tian, what about Jia Shu''s unusual behavior?


    Could it be that Jia Shu wasn''t trying to help Deputy Chairman Tian, but rather the Qin family?


    Then why did he hint to Qiu Tu that this matter should be handled to Deputy Chairman Tian''s satisfaction?


    One question after another led Qiu Tu to a bolder hypothesis than Qin Shuman''s.


    That was... this was indeed a self-orchestrated scam.


    But... from Yin Caimei to those transportationpanies, to Deputy Chairman Tian, and to the Qin family, they were all actors in this scheme.


    Even Jia Shu might have glimpsed some truths but chose to let it slide for the benefit of the Investigation Department!


    And the reason they weavedyer uponyer of lies was merely to create more buffers and conceal the truth more deeply...


    But even though he had guessed the truth of the case, the problem Qiu Tu faced was exceedingly difficult.


    That was... what should he do next...


    Deep in thought, Qiu Tu drove Su Xiaowan home. She lived on Xinfang Street, the same ce where Qiu Tu had been stopped earlier that morning.


    This indicated that her family was rtively well-off. Her parents probably worked in a legitimatepany or institution before New Realm City was established and held a certain social status. This group of people, because they were well-educated, morally upright, and had no criminal background, experienced the fastest social mobility in the past year since the establishment of New Realm City¡ªthe three major power institutions favored such individuals with clean backgrounds and some knowledge. Song Qing was also one of them.


    After parking the car in front of Su Xiaowan''s building, Qiu Tu gently woke her and watched her walk up the stairs of the beautifully designed multi-story house. Only when all the stairwell lights were off did he extinguish his cigarette, turn around, and drive home.


    Returning to Old Lane Street, Qiu Tu parked the car and walked toward his run-down apartment building.


    When he reached the building, he noticed the lights were still on at home.


    Qiu Tu walked upstairs and opened the door, surprised to find that... Shen Lingshuang was not sleeping on the sofa tonight, but instead, he heard some "rustling" soundsing from inside.


    Curious, Qiu Tu walked over and saw... Shen Lingshuang was trying on underwear, her bare back exposed.


    But... not only was she wearing underwear, but she was also stuffing something into it...


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 93: Congratulations, Youre a Girl Now

    Chapter 93: Congrattions, You''re a Girl Now


    Chapter 93: Congrattions, You''re a Girl Now


    Qiu Tu was dumbfounded at the shocking scene before him. He stared at Shen Lingshuang''s actions in disbelief and asked, "What... are you doing?"


    Shen Lingshuang, too engrossed in her mischievous act, hadn''t noticed anyone entering the room. Qiu Tu''s voice startled her, and she clutched her chest, turning around with a flushed face to face Qiu Tu. "When did you get back?"


    Qiu Tu: ...


    Is that really the point here? he thought. Shaking his head inwardly, he replied, "Just now. But... I saw everything."


    Shen Lingshuang''s face turned as red as an apple. She red at Qiu Tu with a mix of embarrassment and defiance, then surprisingly resumed stuffing tissues into her bra, clearly irritated. Her movements were so exaggerated that Qiu Tu could even catch a glimpse of her petite figure.


    Qiu Tu stroked his chin, quietly enjoying the view, while curiously asking, "What exactly are you doing?"


    "Putting on underwear! What else?" Shen Lingshuang retorted angrily. "What? You don''t wear underwear when you go out?"


    Qiu Tu replied casually, "First, I definitely don''t wear that kind of underwear. And second... even if someone does wear underwear, they don''t stuff it with so much tissue, do they?""You... you don''t understand a thing! I''m doing this to protect my chest!" Shen Lingshuang''s face was red enough to steam, but despite her embarrassment, she pretended to be nonchnt and pulled her T-shirt down.


    To be honest, after adding some padding, Shen Lingshuang did look a bit more "well-endowed."


    Noticing Qiu Tu''s odd expression, Shen Lingshuang stood up, clenched her fists, and with a red face, headed for the bathroom. As she passed Qiu Tu, she even deliberately bumped him with her chest, leaving Qiu Tu both amused and speechless.


    Despite her tough act, as soon as she was inside the bathroom, Shen Lingshuang couldn''t hold back any longer. She covered her face with her hands, feeling utterly defeated.


    For the past few days, she had been eating and sleeping with Qiu Tu, yet he hadn''t made a single move on her. She had even started doubting her own attractiveness!


    So today, taking advantage of a shopping trip to Xiafang Street, she secretly bought a few pieces of sexy lingerie, nning to seduce Qiu Tu.


    Worried that her undeveloped figure might not catch Qiu Tu''s eye, she had decided to "enhance" herself a bit. But before she could even begin her seduction, her little secret had been exposed.


    "Ugh...!" The more Shen Lingshuang thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. She covered her mouth and started to sob quietly.


    She kept her mouth covered to prevent Qiu Tu outside from hearing and embarrassing herself further.


    Meanwhile, outside the bathroom, Qiu Tu didn''t find the situation embarrassing at all; in fact, he found it rather amusing.


    With a mischievous glint in his eye, he walked over to the bathroom door and knocked gently. "Actually... you don''t need to pad it. I like you just the way you are."


    Inside the bathroom, Shen Lingshuang''s eyes reddened as she pouted.


    Qiu Tu added, "After all, small is cute too."


    Shen Lingshuang nearly exploded with anger.


    She yanked open the bathroom door, ring at Qiu Tu. "Who are you calling small and cute?! Your whole family is cute!"


    With that, she stomped back to the bedroom, threw herself onto the bed, and pulled the nket over her head, refusing to talk to Qiu Tu.


    Seeing her puffed-up expression, Qiu Tu could hardly keep the smile off his face.


    After a long day of work, teasing the adorable Shen Lingshuang felt like a delightful break.


    He took off his uniform jacket, washed up in the bathroom, and theny down next to Shen Lingshuang on the bed.


    She was still hiding under the nket, ignoring him.


    Qiu Tu didn''t mind. He simply hugged her, starting to touch her through the nket.


    At first, Shen Lingshuang tried to hold out, but after a minute, she couldn''t take it anymore. She threw off the nket and red at Qiu Tu, her face flushed. "What are you doing?!"


    Qiu Tu looked at her sincerely. "Just proving to you that I really do like your¡­ figure"


    Hearing Qiu Tu''s cheeky words, Shen Lingshuang''s face turned an even deeper shade of red, as if blood would start dripping any second. She grabbed the nket and yfully hit Qiu Tu a few times, muttering in embarrassment, "You don''t need to prove anything! Stop messing around!"


    Qiu Tu kept smiling at her.


    Feeling his gaze, Shen Lingshuang''s head seemed to steam with heat. She grumpily pulled the nket over herself again, resigning to her fate.


    Seeing her reaction, Qiu Tu leaned in closer.


    Before long, the padded bra was tossed aside, and he whispered, "Don''t use these anymore. It''s not good for your health."


    "If you think you''re too small, I can help you out. I know a traditional method for enhancing the bust."


    From under the nket, Shen Lingshuang''s muffled voice came out, "I''ll kill you when you fall asleep."


    But her words sounded more like a pout than a threat...


    Qiu Tu''s smile only grew brighter.


    [108 Ways to Strengthen Rtionships]: No. 81: Act When the Time is Right. Physical contact is the most effective way to deepen mutual feelings.


    PS: If you miss the opportunity, the girl might not think you''re a gentleman, but rather question her own attractiveness and your feelings for her...


    [9 Days Until the Conclusion of the Yin Caimei Case]


    ...


    The next morning, as soon as Qiu Tu opened his eyes, he found Shen Lingshuang''s adorable face right in front of him.


    She looked serious as she said, "Congrattions, the surgery was a sess. You''re officially a girl now."


    Qiu Tuzily pulled her into his arms and replied, "Sorry, the surgery failed. I can still feel it. Wanna check?"


    Shen Lingshuang''s joke backfired, leaving her blushing furiously. She curled up in Qiu Tu''s chest like a little kitten.


    Listening to Qiu Tu''s strong heartbeat, she felt an inexplicable sense offort...


    After enjoying the peaceful morning for a while, Qiu Tu unusually decided to go downstairs and buy breakfast.


    While eating, he took the opportunity to review the results of the "Loyalty Game" from the previous night.


    Despite the yful evening with Shen Lingshuang, his disciplined habits led him to set up the "Loyalty Game" before bed.


    This time, he even switched the participants in the games: having Eagle fight Wang Xi in the "Combat Game" and letting A Tai y the "Salvage Game."


    He intended to test whether different participants would affect the game process and the rewards obtained.


    Thinking along these lines, Qiu Tu first opened the "Combat Game." As he mentally clicked on it, the game''s results screen appeared before him. Compared to A Tai''s previous battles, the fight between Eagle and Wang Xi was noticeably more brutal: Eagle''s pixted character wielded a bicycle chain, his entire body covered in blood and wounds. Meanwhile, Wang Xi''s pixel character had switched to a kitchen knife, and although Eagle was badly injured, Wang Xi was in significantly better shape, with hardly any injuries.


    This discovery caused Qiu Tu''s heart to skip a beat¡ªhad the game failed this time?


    He quickly checked the game''s notifications. Fortunately, Eagle had ultimately won the battle: he had wrapped the bicycle chain around Wang Xi''s neck, strangling him until Wang Xi''s face turned blue.


    Seeing Eagle''s hard-fought victory, Qiu Tu spected that thebat power in the "Combat Game" might be linked to the participants'' real-life strength. Since his subordinates were currently ordinary people, they were all relying on their "hand-to-handbat abilities." However, if any of his subordinates were to be Cataclysm Awakened in the future, their cataclysmic abilities might be the key to victory in these confrontations.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu mentally clicked to see what Eagle had earned from his victory.


    As he did, several prompts appeared in front of him:


    [Loyalty Game Victory, Rewards Acquired.]


    [Wang Xi Loyalty +2]


    [Wang Xi Memory Fragment (Small) +1]


    Hmm? Another memory fragment?


    Previously, Qiu Tu had obtained a "tiny" memory fragment from Wang Xi, which had provided a lot of useful information. Now, with a "small" fragment in hand, he was eager to see what interesting scenes it might reveal.


    Curious, Qiu Tu clicked on the memory fragment with his mind.


    In the blink of an eye, the scene around him changed, and Qiu Tu found himself in a new room. This room was far more luxurious than thest one he had seen: the floor was covered with a woolen carpet, leather sofas were arranged around, and even the walls were adorned with paintings.


    The man he had seen before¡ªthe one in the ck suit, with bright red hair, wearing a clown mask¡ªwas sitting casually on one of the leather sofas, talking to "Qiu Tu."


    "I told you, didn''t I? There''s no way we''d get caught!" The masked man eximed. "Those idiot agents could never catch us! So, you being scared all the time is just paranoia!"


    He tossed a small booklet to "Qiu Tu." "Now that we''ve got the ingredients, it''s time to start making the potions!"


    "This booklet contains the recipes for those potions! You have one month to get them all done!"


    "Qiu Tu" epted the booklet and began flipping through it, while the masked man continued to speak with a crazed fervor, "Once we have these potions, I can establish a foothold in New Realm City! Make the ''God'' feel ''joy!'' Then the ''God'' will grant me even more power!"


    As he spoke, a mysterious power seemed to emanate from the masked man, sweeping over "Qiu Tu." "Qiu Tu" felt his body tremble and shrink back slightly, experiencing a mix of excitement and fear...


    The memory ended with the masked man turning his head to stare at Qiu Tu, his crimson eyes and twisted behavior adding a sinister edge to the scene...


    ...


    "Qiu Tu? Qiu Tu?!"


    Qiu Tu snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of someone calling his name. He took a deep breath and looked into the concerned face of Shen Lingshuang, who was now right in front of him.


    "What''s wrong?" Qiu Tu asked.


    Shen Lingshuang looked worried as she exined, "You suddenly froze while eating and became stiff, staring nkly. I was scared you might be sick... or experiencing some aftereffect from your Cataclysm Awakening?"


    Qiu Tu gradually shook off the lingering effects of the memory and patted Shen Lingshuang on the head with a smile. "I''m fine, just zoned out for a moment."


    Shen Lingshuang blushed and swatted his hand away. "Get off, you pervert!"


    Ever since she was caught changing into her new lingerie by Qiu Tust night, his behavior had be increasingly brazen. It was driving her crazy!


    As Qiu Tu yfully bantered with Shen Lingshuang, he also pondered the information he had just obtained from the memory fragment.


    First, he deduced that this memory fragment likely reflected events from the past month, as it clearly depicted the aftermath of Wang Xi and the masked man''s robbery of the potion shop.


    What surprised Qiu Tu was that the robbery wasn''t motivated by money but by the need to brew potions.


    But... what were these potions for? Why would they cause the "God" to feel joy? And why did they excite the masked man so much?


    Pondering these questions, Qiu Tu''s gaze settled on Shen Lingshuang...


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 94: Acquiring a New Cataclysm Artifact!

    Chapter 94: Acquiring a New Cataclysm Artifact!


    Chapter 94: Acquiring a New Cataclysm Artifact!


    Suddenly noticing Qiu Tu''s intense gaze, Shen Lingshuang reflexively covered her chest, staring at him warily. "What are you doing?"


    Having already had his fill of teasing, Qiu Tu''s mind was elsewhere. He asked, "By the way, if I gave you the form or ingredients for a potion, could you roughly determine its effects?"


    Shen Lingshuang thought for a moment before cautiously replying, "I... can try."


    With her affirmation, Qiu Tu closed his eyes and carefully recalled the forms on the first page of the booklet he had seen in the memory fragment. After a moment, he opened his eyes and began listing the ingredients, "Fate Reversal Scales, Dry Seven, Broad White, Great Thistle..."


    As Qiu Tu named each ingredient, Shen Lingshuang''s frown deepened. By the time he finished, she whispered, "This seems to be... some kind of Cataclysm Potion. And it¡¯s a potion that can only be made through a specific Cataclysm pathway."


    Qiu Tu, puzzled by her words, asked, "What do you mean by a potion that can only be made through a specific Cataclysm pathway?"


    Discussing potions made Shen Lingshuang more confident and haughty. She lifted her chin slightly as she exined, "Cataclysm Potions differ from regr potions. Although they follow the Star-Moon King-Minister ratio, the ''Moon''ponent doesn¡¯t necessarily have to be a Cataclysm material¡ªit can also be reced by pathway power."


    "In other words, the Cataclysm power of a Cataclysm Awakened can substitute for one of the ingredients, creating a potion specific to that pathway."Shen Lingshuang then borated on this special type of Cataclysm Potion:


    To put it simply, creating a standard Cataclysm Potion requires four types of ingredients/materials: Star, Moon, King, and Minister. The Star and Moonponents are Cataclysm materials containing Cataclysm power, while the King and Ministerponents are ordinary herbs that serve to harmonize or enhance the potion.


    However, some potion makers found Cataclysm materials too hard to obtain, so they used only the Star ingredient and reced the Moon ingredient with the power of a Cataclysm Awakened. This created a unique potion specific to that pathway.


    Understanding this, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Can you tell which pathway this potion form belongs to?"


    Shen Lingshuang shook her head slightly and replied, "It''s hard to say... but it''s most likely a potion from the Mystery or Immortal pathways. The entire form gives off a dark and twisted vibe."


    Mystery? Qiu Tu suddenly thought of the Cataclysm Potion Rosemary Love Potion he had obtained the previous day. He remembered the potion''s description, which stated that it was made by a Mystery pathway Cataclysm Awakened using materials like rosemary and subus water.


    At the time, he didn¡¯t fully understand what that meant. Now, it seemed that this potion might also be a special type of Cataclysm Potion.


    A shocking thought crossed Qiu Tu''s mind: Could the Rosemary Love Potion he acquired havee from the man in the suit and mask?


    After all, the description of the "Salvage Game" indicated that all the Cataclysm artifacts were salvaged from within the region he was in. This meant that the potion had to exist somewhere in New Realm City for him to obtain it.


    And although New Realm City wasrge, it didn¡¯t have many Cataclysm Awakened individuals. Considering that the masked man was refining potions rted to the Mystery pathway, his guess might actually be correct!


    As Qiu Tu analyzed the situation, Shen Lingshuang finished her own examination of the form and uncertainly said, "Although I''ve never seen this potion before, based on the ingredients, it''s most likely rted to disguise, concealment, or transformation."


    "For example, potions like Disguiser¡¯s Potion, Albino Phantom Potion, Reverse Transformation Potion..."


    Disguise, transformation?


    Rosemary Love Potion?


    "God"?


    Putting all this information together, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but imagine some unsavory and sinister scenarios.


    Could something really serious be about to happen in New Realm City?


    After pondering for a while, Qiu Tu decided to keep this matter to himself for the time being. He and Shen Lingshuang then finished their breakfast.


    Before leaving, Qiu Tu warned Shen Lingshuang not to wander around too much for the next couple of days, and then he headed off to work.


    Today was thest working day of the week. Tomorrow would be the weekend, the day Qiu Tu had arranged to go to "Emerald Fortress" with Section Chief Huang to participate in the horse race. There were also eight days left until the deadline for the Yin Caimei case.


    After leaving Old Lane Street and getting into his car, Qiu Tu didn¡¯t drive off immediately. Instead, he reviewed the rewards fromst night''s second "Loyalty Game."


    After closing the "Combat Game," Qiu Tu opened the "Salvage Game."


    As he clicked, A Tai''s pixted figure appeared on the screen.


    Compared to Eagle, who had been exhausted from the night of salvaging, A Tai¡¯s pixel character looked much better¡ªjust sitting on the ground and yawning.


    Qiu Tu carefully observed the screen and soon spotted a small jade seal.


    He mentally clicked on the jade seal, and a prompt immediately popped up:


    [Cataclysm Artifact Acquired: Seal of Ownership]


    ¡®Seal of Ownership?¡¯


    ¡®What is this?¡¯


    Qiu Tu checked the description of the artifact.


    [Cataclysm Artifact: Seal of Ownership]


    [Artifact Description: A Cataclysm artifact made from an unknown material. When stamped on an object or living being, you will gain ownership of it for 72 hours.]


    [Within 72 hours, if you wish to retrieve it, it will cross space and appear directly in front of you.]


    [Note: Retrieving an object or being consumes a ''cost.'' The ''cost'' is determined by various factors such as the size, mass, rank of the object or being, and the distance between it and the user.]


    After reading the artifact''s description, Qiu Tu''s eyes lit up.


    Indeed... there is no such thing as a weak Cataclysm artifact.


    Such a miraculous artifact immediately sparked countless ideas in Qiu Tu''s mind. Whether it was for transporting items, stealing valuables, ambushing enemy organizations, or infiltrating secret locations with a group, this artifact could prove incredibly effective! The only concern was the unknown "cost" associated with its use.


    If the cost was minimal, Qiu Tu felt it would be manageable; however, if it was too high, he would have to be more selective in how often he used it. With these thoughts in mind, Qiu Tu put away the Cataclysm artifact and drove towards the Investigation Department.


    [8 Days Until the Conclusion of the Yin Caimei Case]


    ...


    Upon arriving at the Investigation Department, Qiu Tu, carrying the materials he had obtained from Tian Xiaotian the night before, took the elevator to the 9th floor. When he reached the office of the investigation team, all his subordinates were already present, including Cao Dabiao and the seven or eight agents Qiu Tu had sent out.


    Seeing Qiu Tu, everyone greeted him warmly. Cao Dabiao, always the quick one, noticed Qiu Tu carrying something and hurried over with a grin. "Sir, let me help you with that."


    Qiu Tu didn¡¯t refuse the offer and handed over Tian Xiaotian''s backpack. "Why are you back? Did you make any progress on what I asked you to investigate?"


    Cao Dabiao epted the backpack with a modest smile. "Sir, it''s all thanks to you. We spent thest two daysworking and finally tracked down the brother of the sister of one of Deputy Chairman Tian''s drivers. After a few attempts, we managed to arrange a meeting with the driver yesterday."


    "We got him pretty drunk, and he spilled Deputy Chairman Tian''s schedule from the past few days!"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu was surprised and praised him, "Impressive, Dabiao. You really have some skills. In such a short time, you managed to get close to Deputy Chairman Tian''s driver and obtain insider information."


    He patted Cao Dabiao heavily on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you! Excellent work!"


    Cao Dabiao couldn''t help but show a rare moment of pride, clearly feeling aplished forpleting Qiu Tu''s task in such a short time.


    As they reached Qiu Tu''s desk, Cao Dabiao set down the backpack and, out of curiosity, casually asked, "Sir, what''s in this bag? It''s quite heavy."


    Qiu Tu chuckled, "Nothing much¡ªjust Deputy Chairman Tian''s and Yin Caimei''s travel records and gift logs from the past year."


    Cao Dabiao: ????


    He almost thought he had misheard. Stunned for a second, he asked, "What? Deputy Chairman Tian''s and Yin Caimei''s travel records and gift logs for the entire year?"


    Qiu Tu nodded calmly, unzipping the backpack and handing the documents to Cao Dabiao. "Look through it and check if Deputy Chairman Tian''s recent schedule matches what you got from the driver. If everything aligns, it means the driver was truthful, and that line should be maintained. We might get even more crucial information from him!"


    Cao Dabiao responded with an absent-minded "oh" or two, not fully processing what Qiu Tu had just said. His mind was still reeling from the realization that his superior had managed to obtain an entire year''s worth of detailed records with ease, whereas it had taken him and several others two grueling days just to get three days'' worth of information.


    He couldn''t help but nce around at the other agents in the office. As expected, while those who had stayed behind had little reaction, the seven or eight who had been out with him were all just as dumbfounded as he was.


    It was clear that they had been following the conversation and were equally floored by Qiu Tu''s achievement.


    [Cao Dabiao Loyalty +5]


    [Ding Xiaoqi Loyalty +3]


    [Li Liang Loyalty +3]


    [...]


    As Qiu Tu discreetly took note of the loyalty increases, he continued to organize the documents on his desk, a slight smile ying on his lips. It''s important to praise subordinates appropriately, but it''s also essential to remind them of the gap between them. Everyone has a "respect for strength" mentality, and only by making them aware of the difference between you and them will they be willing to follow you loyally.


    Just as Qiu Tu was habitually boosting loyalty, the door to the temporary office suddenly swung open from the outside. An agent entered, saluted Qiu Tu, and respectfully said, "Chief Qiu, the Minister would like to see you. He said he wants to discuss the case with you."


    Qiu Tu was momentarily taken aback. Discuss the case with him? Which case? The Yin Caimei case?


    As he hesitated, something unexpected happened¡ªthe long-dormant [Crisis Countdown] began to change...


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 95: Yan Chen and Jia Shu Falling Out?

    Chapter 95: Yan Chen and Jia Shu Falling Out?


    Chapter 95: Yan Chen and Jia Shu Falling Out?


    As Qiu Tu noticed the changes in the countdown hourss, several question marks popped up in his mind. He couldn¡¯t understand why Jia Shu summoning him to his office had triggered his Crisis Sense. Could it be that Jia Shu intended to harm him in the office?


    With this thought in mind, Qiu Tu nced at the series of Crisis Alerts that had appeared, trying to understand the nature of the impending crisis. However, as he skimmed through the alerts, he was taken aback by their content¡ªit waspletely different from what he had expected, and it surprised him.


    After quickly reading through the alerts, a small hourss with a 20-minute countdown appeared in the upper left corner of his vision.


    [19:56]


    Meanwhile, the agent standing by the door, noticing that Qiu Tu hadn''t responded, urged him, "Chief Qiu, the Minister is waiting for you."


    Pulled out of his thoughts, Qiu Tu gave the agent a long, thoughtful look before smiling and saying, "Alright, I''ming."


    He handed the documents to Cao Dabiao and called over a few more agents, giving them instructions. "Get a photocopier and some paper, and make three copies of all these documents."


    "One set should be organized by location, another by personnel, and thest one should be arranged chronologically.""We''ll analyze the data together once I return."


    He turned to Cao Dabiao, "You¡¯ll be in charge of this task."


    Then, addressing Liu Fuping and Chen Feng, he added, "Sister Liu, Chen Feng, assist him."


    "Yes, sir!" the three responded in unison.


    Since assigning tasks was part of the usual workflow, the agent by the door didn¡¯t say anything, patiently waiting as Qiu Tu finished.


    Once everything was set, Qiu Tu walked to the door and followed the agent out of the temporary office.


    [18:27]


    With the agent leading the way, the two quickly reached the door to Jia Shu''s office. However, instead of entering immediately, Qiu Tu paused to straighten his clothes and asked the agent beside him, "I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen you around the Political Division before. Are you new?"


    The agent, who seemed a bit aloof, only replied with a curt "Yes."


    Qiu Tu continued, "What''s your name?"


    "Ji Chen," the agent responded.


    Qiu Tu nodded slightly before knocking on the office door.


    From inside, Jia Shu''s voice called out, "Come in."


    With a confident smile, Qiu Tu pushed open the door and stepped inside.


    [18:01]


    As Qiu Tu entered Jia Shu''s office, the light dimmed, and his eyes widened slightly, struggling to adjust to the darker environment. Once his vision cleared, he noticed someone sitting in therge, high-backed executive chair, their back turned towards him.


    The imposing, ck leather chair stood like a tall tombstone in the middle of the office, with Jia Shu standing beside it, almost like a servant.


    In all of New Realm City, there was only one person who could sit in Jia Shu¡¯s chair andmand such respect from him...


    Sure enough, as Qiu Tu''s thoughts trailed off, the chair slowly swiveled around, revealing Yan Chen, one of the three leaders of New Realm City and the Director of the Investigation Department.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu quickly feigned surprise and saluted, "Greetings, Director!"


    After saluting, Qiu Tu acted as if he had just remembered this was Jia Shu¡¯s office and hurriedly saluted him as well, "Minister!"


    After Qiu Tu finished greeting them, Yan Chen didn¡¯t immediately respond. He simply stared at Qiu Tu, his eyes deep and inscrutable like an abyss.


    While Yan Chen scrutinized him, Qiu Tu subtly observed Yan Chen in return.


    This wasn''t Yan Chen''s usual study or office: the curtains didn¡¯t fully block the light, and the quality of Jia Shu''s deskmp was decent, allowing Qiu Tu to clearly see Yan Chen''s appearance for the first time.


    To describe it... Yan Chen looked somewhat unremarkable, with a visage that seemed aged and withered.


    Qiu Tu recalled that the official records listed Yan Chen''s age as 51, but the man before him looked like he was well over sixty-five, even emitting a faint scent of decay.


    Qiu Tu thought back to Qin Shuman''s earlier spection about Yan Chen¡¯s Cataclysm pathway: Life or Immortality. Frankly, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t see anything "immortal" about Yan Chen. If it weren''t for Qin Shuman''s reliable intel, Qiu Tu might have thought Yan Chen barely had any "life" left in him.


    [17:36]


    As Qiu Tu pondered Yan Chen¡¯s appearance and possible Cataclysm pathways, Yan Chen finally spoke in a low, raspy voice, like nails scratching across a chalkboard, "Qiu Tu, I heard you took on the Yin Caimei case?"


    Hearing this, Qiu Tu nced at Jia Shu.


    Jia Shu wore a smile, his gaze unwavering, as if he hadn¡¯t been the one to summon Qiu Tu, nor the one who had assigned him this case.


    Seeing this, Qiu Tu nodded without denying it. "Yes, Director."


    [17:30]


    Yan Chen grunted in acknowledgment and then slowly asked, "So, how''s your investigation going?"


    Once again, Qiu Tu nced at Jia Shu, but there was no reaction.


    Smiling, Qiu Tu replied, "Thanks to your guidance, Director, our investigation team has been working around the clock, and we¡¯re close to solving the case."


    The moment Qiu Tu finished speaking, the office fell silent. Yan Chen shot Jia Shu a cold look before asking in a deep voice, "Oh? So close to solving it already? Let''s hear it."


    [17:13]


    As Yan Chen questioned him, Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t help but let his thoughts wander a bit...


    In truth, Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t surprised to find Yan Chen in Jia Shu''s office. He wasn¡¯t even surprised by the questions Yan Chen was asking.


    That¡¯s because the Crisis Sense had already given him a Crisis Alert, warning him of everything that was now unfolding...


    [Crisis Sense Activated! Generating Crisis Report!]


    [Your immediate superior, New Realm City Investigation Department Director Yan Chen, is currently in conflict with your superior, Political Division Minister Jia Shu!]


    [The cause of the conflict is that Jia Shu secretly handed you the ''Yin Caimei case'' without informing Yan Chen!]


    [Feeling that his authority has been challenged, Yan Chen not only harbors significant resentment towards Jia Shu but also has developed deep distrust towards you!]


    [Now, under the guise of Jia Shu, he has invited you to Jia Shu''s office to report on the case!]


    [You have 20 minutes to choose how to present the investigation results and the ''truth.'' This choice will determine your standing with both Yan Chen and Jia Shu!]


    [Be very cautious in your decision¡ªyour future situation depends on it!]


    ''What the heck? Wasn''t this case assigned to me by Yan Chen? How could it have been Jia Shu''s doing without Yan Chen knowing?''


    Qiu Tu was baffled by the idea that the case had been handed to him behind Yan Chen''s back, especially since it seemed to have led to tension between the two. Worse, Yan Chen''s distrust towards him had grown significantly because of it.


    He found the whole situation absurd. ''What¡¯s the point of giving me such a challenging case if it¡¯s only going to create problems for everyone involved?''


    Qiu Tu felt like he was just a pawn in a power y between the two higher-ups. The realization left him feeling frustrated and almost overwhelmed.


    But there was no time to dwell on his irritation. The Crisis Sense was clear: his life could be in danger if he didn¡¯t handle the situation correctly. However, it didn¡¯t specify where the threat wasing from¡ªwhether it was from Yan Chen if he hid the investigation''s truth or from Jia Shu if he revealed it.


    These uncertainties forced Qiu Tu to pause and think carefully before entering the office, pretending to assign tasks to his team while he weighed his options.


    Thanks to the Crisis Sense and the brief moment to strategize, Qiu Tu finally identified the key to navigating the situation safely.


    With his thoughts collected, Qiu Tu faced Yan Chen''s scrutinizing gaze and firmly responded, "Yes, Director."


    [17:10]


    He continued, "From the moment I learned about this case, I sensed something unusual about it."


    "That night, I supervised the interrogation team as they questioned Yin Caimei. She showed no signs of psychological issues, nor did she exhibit any symptoms of illness. The interrogation was conducted ording to protocol, without the use of any illegal methods or substances."


    "Logically, she shouldn¡¯t have died."


    "So, when I heard of her death, my first suspicion was that it was a homicide."


    "I immediately had a forensic examination conducted on Yin Caimei¡¯s body, which concluded that she died from sudden cardiac arrest¡ªan idental death."


    "But this result only deepened my suspicions."


    "I then requested the Minister¡¯s approval to use a Cataclysm artifact to check for traces of Cataclysmic abilities or artifacts."


    "And sure enough, I found something."


    Qiu Tu paused before adding, "Last night, using the Mist Index Book, I detected traces of a Cataclysmic Curse on Yin Caimei''s body. This led me to discover the murder weapon."


    [16:32]


    Qiu Tu noticed a flicker of interest in Yan Chen''s eyes as he mentioned the murder weapon. He wasn''t surprised. Yan Chen''s earlier cold demeanor likely stemmed from his belief that Qiu Tu couldn¡¯t possibly make significant progress in just a few days. When Qiu Tu imed to have made breakthroughs and identified the culprit, Yan Chen probably assumed he was just following Jia Shu¡¯s n to pin the crime on a scapegoat.


    But now that Qiu Tu was presenting actual findings, Yan Chen¡¯s interest was piqued.


    As Qiu Tu had anticipated, Yan Chen soon asked, "Oh? A murder weapon? What kind of weapon?"


    "A book," Qiu Tu replied. "A book that Yin Caimei illegally brought into the holding cell, titled Brave New World."


    He paused before adding, "After examining it with the Mist Index Book, I confirmed that the book is a Cataclysm artifact. The Cataclysmic energy it contains matches the traces found on Yin Caimei."


    "And it was through this artifact that I was able to significantly narrow down the list of suspects and identify the first potential culprit."


    [15:21]


    Upon hearing this, Yan Chen¡¯s expression remained neutral, his tone calm as he asked, "Who do you suspect?"


    Author''s Note

 Chapter 96: A Triple Countdown?

    Chapter 96: A Triple Countdown?


    Chapter 96: A Triple Countdown?


    When Yan Chen posed the question, Qiu Tu''s heart skipped a beat, knowing that the most critical moment had arrived. He quickly nced at Jia Shu out of the corner of his eye. It seemed that Jia Shu hadn''t expected Qiu Tu to uncover so many clues, or perhaps he hadn¡¯t anticipated that Qiu Tu would dare to go against his earlier hints and seriously pursue the investigation. For the first time, Jia Shu''s expression shifted from his usual calm demeanor to one of a faint, bemused smile.


    Feeling the pressure of both powerful figures'' gazes, Qiu Tu surprisingly didn¡¯t feel overwhelmed. The reason he had dared to disclose so many clues and progress was that he had already formted a n to navigate this crisis.


    Taking a deep breath, Qiu Tu looked directly at Yan Chen and suddenly pointed at Jia Shu. "Director, I suspect it was Minister Jia who orchestrated it!"


    [14:58]


    At Qiu Tu''s words, the entire office fell into a stunned silence. Even Yan Chen, who typically maintained a stoic demeanor, appeared taken aback. Jia Shu, usually the epitome ofposure, was visibly caught off guard, his bemused smile faltering.


    For a moment, Jia Shu¡¯s expression betrayed genuine surprise. He hadn''t expected Qiu Tu to say so much, only to turn around and use him¡ªespecially when none of the clues Qiu Tu had mentioned pointed in his direction.


    But knowing Qiu Tu¡¯s reputation for calcted actions, Jia Shu¡¯s mind raced as he tried to understand Qiu Tu''s intentions.


    Meanwhile, Yan Chen''s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he considered why Qiu Tu would make such a bold usation. In the short time he had known Qiu Tu, Yan Chen had developed a strong impression of him. He didn¡¯t believe that Qiu Tu genuinely thought Jia Shu was the culprit, especially not when making such an usation in front of him.As both men fell into deep thought, Qiu Tu held his breath, maintaining a calm exterior, waiting for feedback from the Loyalty Game and Crisis Sense.


    Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity.


    Finally, two notifications appeared before Qiu Tu:


    [Yan Chen Suspicion -3, Satisfaction +4]


    [Jia Shu Satisfaction +12]


    Qiu Tu discreetly nced at the two men. Yan Chen had returned to his impassive state, while Jia Shu¡¯s faint smile had turned into a genuine, wide grin. More importantly, the Countdown Hourss in Qiu Tu¡¯s peripheral vision, which had been ticking down to [14:28], had now stopped.


    Qiu Tu quietly exhaled, relieved that he had gambled correctly.


    When Qiu Tu was assigning tasks to his subordinates earlier, his mind had been racing with one key question: Could the reason why Crisis Sense didn¡¯t specify where the danger wasing from be because the crisis originated from both Yan Chen and Jia Shu? In other words, no matter which side he chose, he risked angering the other and putting himself in grave danger.


    This line of thought led Qiu Tu to a bolder hypothesis: What if no matter which side he chose, he would end up antagonizing both?


    After all, Jia Shu wasn''t just Yan Chen¡¯s right-hand man; he was also one of the nine top figures in the Investigation Department, with voting power at high-level meetings. Despite any discontent Yan Chen might have with Jia Shu, would he really abandon such a valuable subordinate over a minor issue?


    Qiu Tu doubted it.


    As someone with his own subordinates, Qiu Tu considered how he would react if one of them, like Cao Dabiao or Chen Feng, did something against his wishes. Would he immediately discard them? No, he would likely reprimand them severely, then continue to monitor them. After all, developing a capable, loyal, and well-positioned subordinate wasn¡¯t easy.


    Having figured all this out, Qiu Tu realized his predicament. The moment he received the Crisis Alert, his initial instinct was correct: He was merely a pawn in the power y between Yan Chen and Jia Shu.


    Thus, choosing a side would be a mistake. The only way to navigate the crisis was to stand with both, satisfying them both simultaneously.


    With this in mind, Qiu Tu quickly analyzed their respective goals.


    Yan Chen¡¯s was straightforward: he was clearly angry and dissatisfied with Jia Shu''s loss of control. Qiu Tu needed to reassure him, to make sure Yan Chen didn¡¯t feel like things were spiraling further out of control. Given the increase in Yan Chen¡¯s "satisfaction" and the cues from Crisis Sense, Qiu Tu knew that Yan Chen had begun to trust him again, viewing him as a loyal subordinate. To maintain this trust, Qiu Tu needed to distance himself from Jia Shu and make it clear to Yan Chen that he was firmly on his side, that Jia Shu¡¯s schemes hadn¡¯t fooled him, and that he was still working in line with Yan Chen¡¯s intentions.


    As for Jia Shu''s goals, Qiu Tu had spent a long time analyzing them on the way to the office. He concluded that the reason Jia Shu was willing to risk Yan Chen¡¯s ire to cover up this case was undoubtedly because of Deputy Chairman Tian. Whether it was due to some personal connection between Jia Shu and Tian or because of themunications surveince system Tian had "donated" to the city, Qiu Tu wasn¡¯t certain. But regardless, Jia Shu¡¯s primary concern was ensuring that this case had no link to Deputy Chairman Tian.


    As long as this condition was met, everything else would likely be negotiable for Jia Shu.


    With both men¡¯s priorities understood, Qiu Tu¡¯s strategy for handling the crisis became clear:


    He couldn¡¯t dismiss the investigation or pin the me on a scapegoat. He needed to honestly report the truth¡ªbut that truth couldn¡¯t implicate Deputy Chairman Tian. If Tian was left out, then the Qin family and Shun Yun Communications couldn¡¯t be mentioned either, as doing so would allow the cunning Yan Chen and Jia Shu to deduce Tian¡¯s involvement, which would still put Tian at risk and anger Jia Shu.


    So, after considering all the factors, Qiu Tu decided to put the me on Jia Shu himself.


    It was a clever move, signaling to Yan Chen that Qiu Tu was not allied with Jia Shu and was even willing to challenge his authority openly. At the same time, it assured Jia Shu that Qiu Tu had discovered Tian¡¯s involvement but had chosen not to report it, following Jia Shu¡¯s implicitmand.


    Qiu Tu admitted that this solution was a gamble. However, with only two minutes between receiving the assignment and facing Yan Chen, he had no time to devise a more perfect n.


    Fortunately, Qiu Tu''s gamble had paid off.


    As Qiu Tu silently reflected on his n, Yan Chen let out a hoarse chuckle, a sound as dry and raspy as an ominous night owl¡¯s cry. "Qiu Tu, your theory is quite interesting."


    He nced at Jia Shu, the cold atmosphere that had filled the room when he first entered now reced with something more amiable. Yan Chen''s voice, still rough, asked, "Minister Jia, what do you think of your subordinate¡¯s theory?"


    Clearly, Yan Chen was using Qiu Tu''s usation to subtly pressure Jia Shu.


    However, Jia Shu, unconcerned, maintained his bright smile. Deputy Chairman Tian¡¯s involvement hadn¡¯t been revealed, which reassured him that Qiu Tu was still loyal to him. So, Jia Shu bowed slightly to Yan Chen and said, "Director, I believe Investigator Qiu is just joking."


    Yan Chen turned back to Qiu Tu with a questioning look, "Oh? Is that so?"


    Qiu Tu knew that he needed to firmly align himself with Yan Chen at this moment. He quickly shook his head and replied, "Director, I¡¯m not joking."


    He continued, "Minister Jia is indeed at the top of my list of suspects for three main reasons."


    "First, the murder weapon, that book-shaped Cataclysm artifact, was specifically authorized by Minister Jia for the deceased to bring into the holding cell."


    "Second,st night while I was investigating the case using the Mist Index Book, my superior, Interrogation Department Chief Zheng Tao, intentionally visited the morgue. The only person who knew I would be there was Minister Jia. I suspect Zheng Tao was sent by him to gather information."


    "Third, and most importantly..." Qiu Tu paused, giving Jia Shu a pointed look before continuing, "When Minister Jia assigned this case to me, he hinted several times that I should find a scapegoat and close the case quickly."


    [Yan Chen Satisfaction +5]


    Hearing this, Yan Chen couldn¡¯t help but let out a heartyugh, the kind that signaled a man who felt he had regained control over a situation.


    But more importantly, Qiu Tu had been watching Jia Shu''s reaction closely. There was no hint of malice or anger in his eyes¡ªonly intense curiosity. Clearly, as long as Qiu Tu didn¡¯t drag Deputy Chairman Tian into this, Jia Shu didn¡¯t care how much dirt was thrown his way. After all, Yan Chen was unlikely to take the usations seriously.


    Feeling more secure, Qiu Tu''s confidence grew.


    [Jia Shu Satisfaction +3]


    After a few moments ofughter, Yan Chen''s expression turned serious again. He resumed his stern, authoritative demeanor as the head of the Investigation Department, someone whose words carried weight.


    "Qiu Tu, I recognize your abilities as an investigator, but your reasoning is entirely wed!" he scolded in a low voice. "This time, I¡¯ll forgive you on Minister Jia¡¯s behalf, but don¡¯t let there be a next time!"


    He paused for emphasis before adding, "No matter the circumstances, you must never question or oppose your superiors! That would only lead to chaos within the Investigation Department!"


    Despite the stern tone, Qiu Tu could tell that the reprimand carried little real weight. Understanding that it was time to shift the conversation back, he obediently lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Director. It was myck of experience that led me astray."


    Yan Chen nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good. Recognizing your mistakes is important."


    His gaze deepened as he continued, "I initially thought this case might be too challenging for someone of your capabilities, and I was considering reassigning it. But seeing the progress you¡¯ve made, I¡¯ll leave it in your hands. However, this case has the Municipal Council''s full attention, so you must find the culprit and close it quickly!"


    After a moment''s thought, he set a deadline. "I want results by next Wednesday at thetest!"


    As Yan Chen finished speaking, the first countdown hourss in Qiu Tu''s vision transformed into a small treasure chest. But then, a second countdown hourss began to appear.


    Qiu Tu: ??


    He nced at Jia Shu, who was watching him with a knowing smile, and then at Yan Chen, who wore a stern expression.


    Qiu Tu: ...


    At that moment, Qiu Tu felt as though a thousand curses were racing through his mind.


    Why are these two ying their twisted games at my expense? What did I ever do to deserve this?


    ¡®One crisis wasn¡¯t enough; now there¡¯s a second?¡¯


    ¡®I managed to meet both of their demands this time thanks to the information gap, but how will I handle it next time?¡¯


    For a brief moment, Qiu Tu considered refusing the task outright. But before he could speak, a third countdown hourss suddenly appeared beside the other two, its notification jumping out:


    [Through your brilliant performance, Yan Chen has regained trust in you.]


    [And with your ''help,'' he sessfully reprimanded Jia Shu, reiming his sense of control.]


    [So, do not anger him or defy him at this moment of his greatest satisfaction.]


    [You don¡¯t want to find out what he might do to you in his wrath¡­]


    Qiu Tu: ???


    Alright, fine. If this is how you want to y, don¡¯t me me for what happens next!


    Taking a deep breath, Qiu Tu looked at Yan Chen and spoke earnestly, "Director, I believe I canplete this task!"


    "But... the timeline is tight, so I request authorization to use unrestricted special methods!"


    Author''s Note


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!