Suddenly, the office hall outside erupted with activity. The doors burst open, and a group led by Marcel swiftly entered, followed by two other directors and a large contingent of special agents.
Every one of them wore a smile; clearly, the operation had been a resounding success.
Marcus and the other two had received the retreat signal just as Chen Gu and his team entered the building's deepest chamber.
However, they found themselves mired in a fierce battle. Initially, it was only the Mad King's men relentlessly pursuing them. Then, the Night King's forces joined the fray, escalating it into a three-way melee. Soon after, the underworld erupted in gunfire, transforming into a terrifying battlefield of slaughter.
All three were wounded and returned to the branch office in a wretched state, only to receive two pieces of news that left them even more dejected:
The first was that the "shadow team" led by Chen Gu, under the cover provided by their more conspicuous "overt team," had successfully completed the mission and secured the box.
Well, this was the plan laid out by the Branch Chief and Director Mei. The higher-ups had their reasons. Since the mission was a success anyway, Marcus and his team, despite their annoyance, could only grumble to Mei Lixue. They didn't really harbor any ill will towards Chen Gu. After all, what could he have done? He was simply following orders.
The second piece of news was that while they were engaged in the "Gods' Poison" operation, the branch office had concentrated its forces. Three departments launched simultaneous operations, capturing a Secretary-General from the city government.
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Recently, both the police force and the branch office had experienced several information leaks. Examples included Zhao Zhenhuai and Chen Jixian being simultaneously targeted for assassination by Mutants, and the ambush by Mutants during the attempt to capture Zhou Shenyu, the District Chief of the 64th police district.
A traitor had emerged within the city government's upper echelons, but previous leads had all gone cold. Nevertheless, the Bureau of Mystic Security had never given up.
This time, after a thorough investigation, the Secretary-General and his cronies were caught in one fell swoop!
Marcus immediately understood this was the true focus of the Bureau's operations. Their "Gods' Poison" mission, which had seemed so crucial, was merely a smokescreen deployed by the Bureau to lull the traitorous Secretary-General into a false sense of security.
This irritated Marcus to no end.
He had thought himself the lead character, only to discover after the play was over that he was just an insignificant extra!
He wanted to visit Chen Gu but was informed that his own team members were still in quarantine, awaiting confirmation that they hadn't been contaminated. Marcus stormed home in a huff.
This time, even the normally gentle Melincha was displeased. She watched as agents from the other three departments jovially discussed and boasted about their high-profile arrests. Frustrated, she put on her headphones, slung her large backpack over her shoulder, and left the building.
Her team had risked life and limb in the "Gods' Poison" operation and the underworld, yet these people had merely strolled through the city government offices and were now lauded for greater achievements.
Silver Eagle, who initially had reservations about the existence of the shadow team, felt even more aggrieved upon learning about the city government operation. What shadow team? What Chen Gu? They were insignificant! A classic case of internal conflict. The other three teams were the real enemy—despicable thieves, stealing the credit! How could such a high-profile operation, one ripe with glory and merit, exclude me, Silver Eagle, a paragon of looks and skill? Unforgivable!
Mei Lixue submitted her report to headquarters and immediately received an order: Qing Ruyan was to personally take over Chen Gu's monitoring.
The Bureau of Mystic Security, with its extensive experience combating the Endless Realm, possessed a comprehensive inspection process covering both physical and psychological aspects, ensuring no potential risks remained.
After Chen Gu completed the most stringent protocols, Qing Ruyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was clear.
She was relieved for Chen Gu, and also for herself: there was no need for "her" to personally intervene and resolve any psychological issues for him. She wasn't a Brain Domain Hacker. Her sister was on a mission again, and it would be impossible for her to abandon it and return. She had almost blown her cover.
Chen Gu, on the other hand, had been quite comfortable these past few days. He only had to comply with some medical checks, his routine closely resembling an "eat-sleep, sleep-eat" lifestyle.
Qing Ruyan donned a pair of black-framed glasses, lending an intellectual charm to her beauty. As she reviewed Chen Gu's report, she inadvertently glanced at Chen Gu himself. Suddenly, that sensation she had experienced during their first encounter in Zhaojieze City returned.
There's always something inside his body that can unconsciously trigger my 'infatuation' trait! Could it be because of the remains? Qing Ruyan easily arrived at this conclusion. The first time we met, Chen Gu had just integrated the remains from the Zhaojieze City branch. I only managed not to embarrass myself thanks to sedatives. During our second meeting, the piece of remains within Chen Gu's body had been excised by my sister. Although I found this young man quite handsome, I didn't have that same befuddled state of mind anymore. And this time, he has integrated another piece of remains. That damned feeling is back! How bizarre! she thought.
Then, affecting a serious expression—as if the thought 'I wonder what we should name the baby?' had never crossed her mind—she said to Chen Gu, "Report to the Bureau anytime these next few days. Take a leave of absence for now; don't attend classes to avoid contact with too many people. The medical experts from headquarters will arrive tomorrow..."
"Again?" Chen Gu wailed, then waved his hand in resignation. "Forget it. I'm used to it."
He walked out, complaining as he went, "What does it have to do with me? I didn't want to absorb all those messy things; they just barged in on their own..."
Chen Gu returned to the Group Five office, which was now deserted.
During the days he was undergoing tests, the rewards for the major operation conducted by the other three divisions had already been distributed. Every special agent who participated received at least five hundred merit points!
The top earner received two thousand!
This drove the cash-strapped Captain Marcus into a severe fit of jealousy, and he hadn't shown up for work in days.
What had those guys even done? The city government operation was meticulously planned, and they were all equipped with specialized gear to restrain Mutants. A surprise raid, they deploy their gear—BAM! BAM!—and the lurking Mutants were subdued. They faced no real resistance and just raked in merit points like that?! Life is so unfair!
Chen Gu considered it. Maybe I should take a break too; otherwise, I'll seem too out of sync with everyone else.
He claimed his personal belongings, which had been held for safekeeping by the branch.
Among these were the "Silent Tuning Fork," "The Roar of Mokosaro," and the demonic spear "Monster Moon."
Neither Gorilla nor Man Suling had reported these three spoils of war, but it was obvious to anyone that they were extraordinary items.
Mei Lixue secretly inspected them, confirmed they posed no threat of contamination or corruption, and then feigned ignorance.
Everyone believed it was the compensation Chen Gu rightfully deserved.