Chapter 223

Chapter 223

The news spread layer by layer, from leaves to branches, and finally reached the leader of this area.

The moon had just hidden behind the clouds when she appeared.

Districts 3, 7, 9, and 13 belong to the North District, so the one who arrived was Wang Jue, the official head responsible for bizarre incidents in the North District.

Wang Jue entered the western part of Mandarin Duck Lake, the location of Twin Bridges, accompanied by two deputies.

Before anyone could see her face, they were already startled by her sharp presence.

Even the principal bowed his head before her—misunderstand, it wasn't because Wang Jue was arrogant or showy; rather, her reputation was such that a single glance from her could expose all past misdeeds, leaving nothing hidden. Those with guilty consciences dared not meet her eagle-like gaze.

"I apologize for interrupting your rare vacation. Truly, no one else can handle this matter except you," said the Chief Director, removing his hat respectfully.

Wang Jue nodded. "Has anything else disturbed the scene? Tell me everything in detail, without missing a single point." She then instructed her two deputies to bring in equipment for on-site investigation.

No matter what, something always leaves traces.

The Chief Director immediately recounted the truth of what he knew, including the various doubts surrounding the case from years ago and the actions of the District 3 chief, holding nothing back.

There was no choice; cooperating with the Bizarre Incident Office superseded all unwritten rules. If any mishap occurred here, his position would be unstable.

The principal, listening nearby, trembled with fear, knowing he was far from an honorable figure in this story.

Wang Jue's sharp eyes swept over him. Though she said nothing, the disdain and contempt in her gaze made the middle-aged principal feel deeply uncomfortable.

Government organizations and the Bizarre Incident Office operate on separate lines, so Wang Jue did not comment on the events of seven years ago. The perpetrator was already lying here, fitting the 'revenge' scenario perfectly.

She was more concerned about the missing headless female corpse.

"Boss, we've checked the bridge, under it, even the bridge arches and the trees on both sides. There is only one type of bizarre energy residue, with an intensity between 4 and 6. The energy covers a wide area, preliminarily identified as belonging to the 'headless female corpse of Mandarin Duck Lake.'"

Wang Jue, still reviewing surveillance footage, frowned slightly. If it were a high-level bizarre entity, it indeed had the ability to conceal its aura. Could a high-level bizarre entity have really come? "I will stay here for two days," Wang Jue closed the video. "Where there is wind, there are traces; where geese fly, there are sounds. We need to conduct a thorough investigation. Additionally, I noticed the luggage's route overlapped with the living area. Perhaps some students captured something; offer a substantial reward. Also..."

She paused. "Handle the necessary matters."

Even a suspected high-level bizarre entity would immediately attract attention from above.

Under such scrutiny, the District 3 chief's suppression of his son's brutal murder of a classmate could no longer be hidden. Within two days, everyone involved, including the principal, received varying degrees of punishment, causing public uproar and rampant rumors.

But they still hadn't found the bizarre entity that brought the District 3 chief and his son to the scene.

"The headless female corpse of Mandarin Duck Lake has found its killer, meeting the conditions for promotion. It is now a C-level bizarre entity," Wang Jue reviewed the documents in her hand. "This is the reason it attracted the other bizarre entity. However, the rumor that seeing the killer leads to further advancement is only known among the students here, not even the locals are aware of it."

"Boss, are you saying?"

"Guess where they got the information from?"

Following her gaze, there was an open computer and a phone. The computer screen still displayed the page titled 'Top Ten Haunted Universities,' with the seventh item being the legend of the headless female corpse at Mandarin Duck Lake.

Several young people looked furious, their cheeks puffing up like frogs. Such incidents were too frequent; they risked their lives to eliminate bizarre entities, while those idle dreamers recklessly created them.

"The post appeared four days ago. That person took only a day to uncover the truth and bring both individuals to Mandarin Duck Lake. Their efficiency far surpasses those who only stuff themselves with paychecks. Such a mind might truly belong to a high-level bizarre entity."

Wang Jue's admiration lasted for two seconds before she turned to her deputy. "Check if any bizarre entities have gone missing nearby."

"Boss, a new C-level bizarre entity has appeared. Is that okay?" the subordinate asked worriedly.

A C-level bizarre entity is different from a D-level one; it is more proactive and dangerous. Whenever one appears, a batch of people often dies as sacrifices.

Now no one knew where the 'headless female corpse' had gone, making the situation very passive. They were waiting for the other shoe to drop, feeling restless.

"No need to worry," Wang Jue remained unperturbed. "Since it hasn't appeared in two days, the chances of it going on a killing spree are low. Optimistically, perhaps the bizarre entity escalated its promotion only to consume it. Pessimistically, since a high-level bizarre entity has already appeared, another C-level one doesn't make much difference."

Bizarre entities think differently from humans, making it impossible to predict their intentions. It could be consumption, entertainment, or even coincidence. There was no need to rush over unknowns; wait until things happen.

The Bizarre Incident Department of the North District was holding a small meeting when new information arrived.

"What is it?" Wang Jue paused the meeting upon seeing her deputy's unusual expression.

"Another bizarre entity has gone missing," the deputy said hesitantly. "The D-level bizarre entity 'Maple Mountain Ghost' and the D-level bizarre entity 'White Penguin,' both in District 3."

Both 'Maple Mountain Ghost' and 'White Penguin' were like the 'headless female corpse of Mandarin Duck Lake,' carrying various legends, making them difficult to eliminate and persistent problems.

If a kind cleaner had passed by and cleared them, they would receive gratitude from all colleagues who had worked overtime. But clearly, the entity before them was not benevolent.

"A letter was left at the scene," the deputy added, handing over the phone.

"To our neighbors:

Recently, I have been recruiting employees. If this causes any disturbance, please accept my apologies.

My shop will open by the end of the month. You can place orders remotely without additional shipping fees. Please welcome our opening.

Note: My staff may look fierce but are friendly and will never harm our customers intentionally. Rest assured.

All rights reserved."

"What does this mean? Does this entity know we're looking for it? Is this a provocation?" The faces of those present twitched upon hearing the entire letter. They never expected to be invited to order food from a bizarre entity.

They felt like goats invited to dine with a wild lion; sharp horns provided little comfort, and hoof shapes already divided them. The letter contained veiled threats, and the entity's intention to bite and swallow bones was no longer a concern.

Wang Jue's elbow rested on the dark brown conference table. Her previously indifferent face now showed a hunting instinct: "It's not that it guessed we were looking for it; finding it was within its calculations."

Nothing could be more frustrating than being manipulated like puppets. Her pride refused to be outmaneuvered, but her rationality whispered, "Stay calm."

"Shall we go and meet them?"

The Duke barely swallowed the cold tea in his mouth: "What's the rush? The high-level anomalies in the North District haven't moved yet. These creatures have a far greater sense of territoriality than humans; they cannot tolerate uncontrollable counterparts."

There can be no two tigers in one territory.

Leaving messages and recruiting employees—these are high-level anomalies that have already solved their basic needs and are now pursuing spiritual fulfillment. They may seem less cruel than low-level anomalies, but they are actually highly unpredictable and dangerous.

Where did they come from?

Call those guys and ask.

"How could this happen?"

Ji Xinghai stood in front of the ATM machine. He counted three times, word by word, eight hundred sixty-three.

He couldn't remember how the money had dwindled. Perhaps he had been a bit careless in his daily life, always wanting to try everything, even insisting on staying at the best hotels...

"Thirty thousand went too quickly. Ah Qin, we're out of money."

Qin Yu looked around before realizing that 'Ah Qin' was referring to him. Not being called 'Navigator' threw him off for a moment.

"Did I spend that much?" Ji Xinghai was still trying to recall.

"On the day you received your salary, you booked the presidential suite locally, which costs 1,888 per night. On the third floor of that hotel, there is a buffet restaurant, 588 per person, and you bought two dinner tickets..."

Qin Yu recited the expenses clearly and precisely, detailing when and how much was spent. Ji Xinghai looked at him with some displeasure. With his memory, how could he not know where the money went? It was just a cunning human trying to evade responsibility by blaming it on a 'fuzzy memory.'

Unfortunately, the upright anomaly was oblivious and continued to serve as a 'spending report.' If not for his gentle voice, like the rich coffee they had during afternoon tea, Ji Xinghai would have covered his ears.

"I have indeed been lax lately." Faced with the evidence, Ji Xinghai had to admit that he had been a bit loose with his spending. But he had always been like this, spending whatever he had without saving for tomorrow. Before the live stream, he had restrained himself somewhat, knowing his parents were watching and putting on a good show.

But in reality, he had long been used to a wild lifestyle, filled with bad habits from his wandering days.

Ji Xinghai's gaze turned slightly, suddenly sensing that the breathing beside him had stopped.

Anomalies do not need to breathe, just as they do not need to eat like humans. But a wolf trying to blend in with sheep would put on a sheepskin, deliberately breathing, maintaining body temperature, eating normally, and sleeping.

At this moment, he stopped breathing and ceased pretending.

"Ah, it's an anomaly..." he murmured, his sharp canine teeth grinding against his curled index finger, suppressing a sudden appetite.

After half a minute, the paused breathing resumed. Qin Yu took out a card: "Task subsidy."

"Huh?" Ji Xinghai's expression remained normal, even the tooth marks on his finger had vanished, "You still have this?"

"Just applied for it. As a staff member, since half of the expenses were mine, they should be reimbursed." Qin Yu didn't mention the strange looks on those guys' faces when he requested reimbursement. He had never seen so many odd expressions on the faces of anomalies before.

"I'll take this. Navigator, are there any jobs nearby I can do?" He raised his camera, ready to find new sources of income.

Now referred to as 'Navigator' again, Qin Yu accessed his memory: "Coordinates XXX, ghost at the museum. There might be a newly born D-level anomaly, requiring verification by an investigator."

"It's the weekend, and the museum is free until six PM, but the anomaly appears at midnight. We need to apply for permission to investigate. Should we apply?"

"Sounds simple. No investigators have gone there before?"

"Two investigators went there previously but found nothing. After three failed investigations, the case will be temporarily shelved."

Extraordinary individuals are a rare few among humans, and investigators are always in short supply. Therefore, they won't waste too much manpower on fruitless endeavors.

If Ji Xinghai's investigation also yields no results, the anomaly at the museum will be temporarily sealed until a major incident or death occurs.

"No need to apply. We don't want to alert them. We'll sneak in."