The old city district was ablaze, the night sky seemingly painted red, and the shockwaves from the explosion were still spreading through the air.
Shao Zifeng looked in that direction, his expression somewhat complicated, lost in thought.
The bald armadillo lizard also stared blankly at the overwhelming power of the explosion, a hint of envy in its eyes.
After a moment of silence, Shao Zifeng was about to turn around, but stopped in his tracks.
Under a streetlamp not far away stood a figure in a white lab coat, just as clean and neat as during the day, hair meticulously combed. He adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly at Shao Zifeng, "Want to grab a drink together?"
...
Meanwhile, in the epicenter of the explosion, vehicles from the Abnormal Administration Bureau, with flashing warning lights, were parked nearby.
The original alley was completely unrecognizable, with a ten-meter-diameter crater left by the explosion, residual heatwaves emanating from it, and the old apartment buildings on both sides had collapsed. Fortunately, the apartments were already abandoned, so there were no civilian casualties.
Li Zhenglong, in uniform, stood at the edge of the crater, his face as stern as a still pond, anyone could see he was struggling to suppress his anger.
"Captain, we've got information on the three bodies at the scene." A young operative from the Abnormal Administration Bureau saluted Li Zhenglong, holding a stack of file folders.
"Speak!" Li Zhenglong's voice was deep, not even turning his head.
The young operative wiped his sweat discreetly, then nervously reported to Li Zhenglong.
"Mina, female, 24 years old, a native of Su City, studied abroad on personal funds for three years, and after returning, she joined Su City Broadcasting Station under the alias Xiaoxin, becoming a popular program host. Three days ago, Mina arranged for her parents to travel abroad, currently, she has no relatives in the country."
Perhaps because of the residual fire elements in the air, the young operative felt a bit parched and cleared his throat before continuing.
"Li Jianchi, male, 42 years old, a native of Su City, a businessman who originally made his fortune in import-export trade, later investing in Su City and establishing three factories and two companies. He currently has no family in the country."
"Based on the clues left at the scene, analysis suggests... they are highly likely to be connected to the group we're pursuing."
Li Zhenglong, still suppressing his rage, asked, "What about the third body?"
The young operative's mood was somewhat downcast, and he whispered, "Chen Yan, female, 18 years old, from Chenjia Village in Su City, a freshman at Su City University, both parents deceased, and she had an elderly grandmother at home... she is the victim."
"Useless! All of you are useless! Is this the 'under control' situation you assured me? How do we still have casualties!" Li Zhenglong suddenly turned around and roared in anger.
The operatives on site stopped their work, heads bowed in silence.
Li Zhenglong glared around him, his eyes wide with fury, and continued scolding, "Five people have been killed in three days. Tell me, how could we possibly earn the people's trust with this? Cat got your tongues? Weren't you all so capable otherwise?" He pounded his chest in agitation, unleashing his hometown dialect.
"Captain, there's one more thing." The young operative from before spoke up softly.
"Spit it out!" Li Zhenglong glared at him.
"We suspect that the organization's people are involved," the young operative cautiously said.
Li Zhenglong's face changed, squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth, "Those lunatics."
He remained silent for a moment before saying, "Continue searching for clues. If it really is their people crossing the line, even if it costs me my uniform, they'll have to give an account."
"Also, investigate anyone associated with Mina and Li Jianchi—units, companies, factories. I don't believe they can defy the heavens in Daxia!" Before getting into the car, Li Zhenglong turned back and said.
After Li Zhenglong's car left, the scene became busy again with the Abnormal Administration Bureau operatives. In a shadowed corner far from the scene, an operative was furtively speaking into a phone.
"Xiaoli, what are you doing there? Come help me out." A voice called from afar.
Hearing someone call for him, the operative known as Xiaoli stuffed something into a crack in the wall, whispered a few more words into the phone, and then responded, "Coming, Brother Wang."
...
"Xiaopei, you're off work? Xiaoli said she wanted to cook you a nice meal tonight."
"Grandpa Sun, are you heading out for a walk?"
Pei Yong chatted with the elderly man upstairs with a smile, and with a cheerful expression, he returned home, where his wife hurried over to greet him warmly. After sharing a moment of affection, Pei Yong excused himself, saying he had work to finish, and headed to the study.
As the door closed, he glanced at his wife's joyful face, her pregnant belly, and her busy figure in the kitchen. A hint of struggle flashed across his face before it returned to calmness.
"Click"
With the door shut, the last bit of light vanished from the study. Pei Yong fumbled to turn on his computer, entered one password after another on a webpage, and finally entered a chat room.
"Everyone is here. Let's start today's meeting."
The computer screen was pitch black, with thin white lines dividing it into eight sections, each representing a member of their organization.
"Li Jianchi, Mina are dead. The Daxia department has intervened. Our branch's plan has failed completely, and inside information revealed that the Abnormal Administration Bureau in Su City will conduct a large-scale investigation. Headquarters sent a message that all operations in Su City are to be frozen, and all members will go undercover and continue to lay low."
"Without direct orders from headquarters, no one is to interfere with the investigation of this incident. Headquarters will send someone to take charge of the matter."
"Meeting adjourned."
A white shrinking line flashed across the screen, leaving the room in silence.
Pei Yong leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Maybe this way, at least, I'll live to see my child born."
Pei Yong heaved a sigh of relief.
"Hubby, dinner's ready."
Hearing his wife's gentle voice, Pei Yong smiled warmly.
...
"The beer here is quite good. Give it a try."
In a secluded bar in the old city, Shao Zifeng and Luo Feng sat across from each other. By this time, the chaos outside had long subsided, and except for the occasional passing Abnormal Administration Bureau vehicles, the old city seemed as usual.
Shao Zifeng was now wearing the clothes Luo Feng had given him, intently watching the man who even brought his own glass to drink.
"Just who are you exactly?"
"Weren't we here to drink? Try it first." Luo Feng took another swig, letting out a long burp, his fair face flushing slightly.
Shao Zifeng said nothing, simply staring fixedly at Luo Feng. The little fellow, seeing how much Luo Feng enjoyed the drink, crawled up to Shao Zifeng's glass and took a few sips. Instantly, it turned completely red, burped out a puff of black smoke, and then collapsed onto the table.
"Hahaha, you're not as interesting as the armadillo lizard." Luo Feng laughed, slapping the table.
Shao Zifeng watched the laughing Luo Feng, thinking this guy seemed to change personalities with just a bit of alcohol.
The laughter gradually faded. Seeing Shao Zifeng still staring at him expressionlessly, Luo Feng felt a bit embarrassed and mumbled softly, "Alright, fine, I'll talk."
"But let's start with you first!" Clearing his throat, Luo Feng looked at Shao Zifeng.
"Shao Zifeng, 19 years old, from Longcheng in Su City, a sophomore majoring in cultivation at Su City University. Your mother, Shao Yuying, a retired teacher from Longcheng First Primary School, now runs a stray pet shelter in the western suburbs of Longcheng. Your father..." At this point, Luo Feng paused and glanced at him.
Shao Zifeng tensed up, subconsciously clenching his fists.
"Your father, Zhou Zimin, once a junior officer in a subordinate unit of a certain army division, a military academy graduate with a promising future. However, during an emergency mission, he shirked out of fear, causing the deaths of all eighteen soldiers on the mission. In the end..."
"Enough!" Shao Zifeng slammed the table, his eyes red, glaring at Luo Feng, emphasizing each word, "What, do, you, want, to, say!"
The bar owner glanced their way and, seeing the tense scene, muttered to himself and headed back to the kitchen.
Shao Zifeng's emotions were in turmoil, and the drunk armadillo lizard instantly opened its eyes. It stumbled onto its feet, glaring at Luo Feng, and let out a small dragon roar.
"Whimper... hic... "
Then
A puff of black smoke came out of its mouth.
Armadillo lizard: (°ー°〃)
The cute look diffused some of the tension.
"Alright, calm down. I'm not your enemy. In fact, if I hadn't happened to be passing through the old city and dealt with two rats, do you think you'd be sitting here safely?" Luo Feng gestured for Shao Zifeng to sit back down.
"So you came to tell me you saved me and then humiliate me?" Shao Zifeng retorted, not backing down. Calming down, he felt he had overreacted, but growing up in a single-parent household made him particularly sensitive, always trying to disguise his weakness, as if that would prevent him from getting hurt.
"No need to be so prickly. I don't need your thanks. I just wanted to help you for the armadillo lizard's sake. Do you know what you killed today? Although I did my best to erase the battle traces, it's impossible to guarantee no clues were left."
"Even if you don't seek trouble, sometimes trouble finds you. I've seen it too many times." Luo Feng downed his beer, a rare forlorn expression on his face.
"With your father's history, becoming a combat training master is nearly impossible. But I can help you. Even if you don't fear death, think of your mother. I have high hopes for this little guy. Our organization needs new blood... if you're interested, you can give me a call." Luo Feng pushed a business card toward Shao Zifeng, adjusted his glasses, and spoke earnestly.
Then, he grabbed his glass and stood up to leave.
Shao Zifeng was overwhelmed, gently stroking the bald little fellow, who, sensing Shao Zifeng's thoughts, worriedly glanced at him before obediently lying down for more pats.
"Hey, the old city explosion..." Shao Zifeng called out to Luo Feng's back.
"I did it. After all... my organization is seen as a bunch of lunatics by certain departments." Luo Feng replied nonchalantly.
As he pushed the door open, Luo Feng turned back and said, "By the way, we are an official organization. Don't overthink it, kid."
...
Shao Zifeng quietly sat in the bar, contemplating everything that happened today. The little fellow had already curled into a ball, resting by his hand, asleep.
Gently placing the sleeping little fellow in his pocket, Shao Zifeng stood up to leave.
"Hey handsome, you haven't paid for your drinks yet."
Shao Zifeng: ???