Chapter 152: Living Bronze Puppet
The drunken investigator...
Han Su recalled that detestable face he had encountered once at the Lilac Courtyard.
You finally have your day!
He had always been distrustful of the Disaster Managent Bureau, so he wasn’t particularly motivated to resubmit the report for reopening the case. Most of his focus had been on how to rescue the other children.
However, if resubmitting such a report could cause that detestable drunkard to fail his promotion, he would be very motivated indeed.
“That man is very powerful, and this matter has too great an impact on him, so whatever you’re thinking, be extra cautious,”
Secretary Cui Qiao said, “Heh, looking at things now, it’s precisely because of this matter that the current situation has turned so delicate.”
“Actually, ever since he was transferred down, we were prepared to face this war. It’s just that the ti hadn’t co. Not only was Chief Zhang unprepared, but the other investigators weren’t ready either. Still, the conflict surfaced prematurely.”
“Because Chief Zhang detained that entire departnt while investigating the Nail of the Dead Sea, his actions seed provocative, as if deliberately challenging them. It was, in effect, an early declaration of war.”
“What’s more, there’s the D7 attack incident now, isn’t there?”
“……”
Once it touched upon the troubles Zhang Chiguo was currently facing, Han Su couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
After a brief contemplation, he asked in a low voice, “Right now, can Uncle Zhang still handle the situation within the Disaster Managent Bureau?”
He wasn’t interested in the internal power struggles of the Bureau, nor did he intend to get involved. But since it concerned Zhang Chiguo, he couldn’t help but worry.
“Whether he can or not—what can we do about it?”
Secretary Cui Qiao rely smiled and said, “Since he stepped down, he should bear the pressure. The turmoil within the Disaster Managent Bureau is just on the surface; the real conflict lies ahead!”
“Of course, I’m actually quite looking forward to them pushing things too far and cornering Chief Zhang…”
Han Su was surprised: “Why do you say that?”
Secretary Cui Qiao let out a low chuckle and said, “Because by then, Chief Zhang won’t bother reasoning with them anymore…”
“It’s been a very, very long ti since I saw Chief Zhang in action…”
“……”
So... Uncle Zhang is actually quite capable?
Han Su was sowhat surprised, as he had never seen Zhang Chiguo display any expertise in mysterious powers.
He even needed to call in favors to find soone else to train Han Su…
Noticing Han Su’s expression, Secretary Cui Qiao gave a faint smile and said, “Though the old man has aged, he was still one of the earliest investigators of the Disaster Managent Bureau…”
“Don’t be fooled by the small age gap. His generation is not sothing ordinary people can easily understand…”
“……”
Han Su let out a long sigh. He was indeed getting interested now. But seeing Secretary Cui Qiao had finished her cigarette, he asked directly, “Then, the last question: who was it that ca into contact with those D7 mbers and orchestrated the attack on ?”
“……”
Secretary Cui Qiao narrowed her eyes slightly and said in a soft voice, “Without concrete evidence, the Disaster Managent Bureau won’t easily believe accusations against anyone…”
Han Su nodded and smiled, “I won’t accuse anyone.”
Secretary Cui Qiao glanced at him, then casually flicked the cigarette butt to the ground, crushed it with her black high heels, picked it up, wrapped it in tissue, and pocketed it. As she stood up, she whispered quickly:
“I only know, yesterday, those terrified D7 mbers kept shouting one word—‘Sparrow’.”
“That assistant beside Red Trench Coat… their codena is Sparrow!”
“……”
Han Su gave a slight nod and said, “Understood.”
Whether it was the Nail of the Dead Sea incident back then, or this recent pressure campaign through the hands of D7…
The ones who had been watching him, harassing him all along—were these people…
He held his phone and scrolled down, soon spotting a small group chat he had created long ago with Doctor, Hei Hu, and Miss Crow.
It had been a long ti since he’d chatted in that group.
He now had a new work group with Doctor and Hei Hu.
So then...
……
……
“I didn’t tell him.”
At the sa ti, as Han Su walked away deep in thought, Secretary Cui Qiao returned to the office and reported to Zhang Chiguo, “He didn’t ask much either—just so things related to mysterious powers.”
“But what I’m more curious about is—why didn’t you let tell him?”
Secretary Cui Qiao frowned, her tone clearly displeased: “Don’t bring up your old friendships again. They’re bathed in lights and luxury, born allies, while you—your motives for fixing the Disaster Managent Bureau are plain to see. No one’s letting down their guard around you.”
“Among the ordinary investigators, those four are the leaders. And now that there’s finally a star rookie who’s your junior and a natural ally, you still won’t tell him?”
“……”
“How old is he?”
Zhang Chiguo raised his head to look at her, “Or rather, how many days has he even been in the Bureau?”
“Do you really expect a rookie like him to be my soldier in fighting against those old foxes? That’s no different from an egg smashing into a rock!”
“……”
Secretary Cui Qiao t his gaze without flinching and slowly replied, “To be honest, you handling the Disaster Managent Bureau’s ss alone now is no different from an egg smashing into a rock either!”
Zhang Chiguo was montarily speechless.
He simply said in a low voice, “Fixing the Bureau’s current issues is actually very simple.”
“We just need to unlock one more lock for Miss Ai!”
“Just one—once her ability is enhanced, she’ll have surplus computational power to reinforce the real-world defenses, and she’ll also gain enough presence to intimidate those esotericism factions.”
Though Secretary Cui Qiao understood this, she could only shake her head in the end: “But those at the top won’t agree. They’d rather keep the status quo.”
Zhang Chiguo was silent for a long mont before quietly saying, “I’ll try again.”
……
……
Han Su never sent that ssage in the end.
He rely sighed inwardly with so regret: “Secretary Cui Qiao probably wanted to help Uncle Zhang, huh?”
“She just couldn’t bring herself to say it.”
“And Uncle Zhang…”
He hadn’t ant to dwell on these thoughts, but couldn’t stop his mind from running.
This war within the Disaster Managent Bureau had long been foreshadowed. Zhang Chiguo was clearly in an isolated position now.
But… he really didn’t have much ti to spare.
Just as he was wondering how to broach the subject, soone carrying a silver briefcase approached, smiling and extending his hand: “Mr. Butcher, right?”
Han Su looked up at him: “Do we know each other?”
“I’ve co on behalf of Mr. Drunkard to deliver you an invitation.”
From the style of the briefcase, the man was likely an investigator. He smiled as he spoke: “Every newcor to the Qinggang Disaster Managent Bureau receives an invitation to a banquet at the Lilac Courtyard as a welcoming event. You’re new and haven’t had that ceremony yet.”
“Hopefully, we can have a good chat tonight. The next ti we et, we’ll be comrades on the battlefield.”
“……”
“A banquet? Lilac Courtyard?”
Han Su’s heart stirred slightly. He looked up at the investigator and gave a small nod.
This invitation had co right on ti.
He wasn’t surprised at all—in fact, he thought it had arrived too late.
After all, this concerned the promotion to independent investigator. Surely, he’d been holding back his impatience for long enough?
As Han Su accepted the invitation from the tall, slender investigator, two investigators sitting in a corner of the nearby restaurant exchanged glances and revealed deep envy.
“That’s the rookie?”
“He just got promoted a few days ago, and already received their invitation. Heh, it really is infuriating comparing people…”
“So many investigators have worked in the Bureau for one or two years, survived death multiple tis, and still never had a chance to join that inner circle of the four big shots…”
“……”
“……”
Han Su noticed the envious glances from others and sneered inwardly: “Looks like getting an invitation from those four is considered a mark of status in the Bureau?”
He had already planned to go to the Lilac Courtyard.
That Living Bronze Puppet was still there. He had promised to bring it ho.
Previously, his spiritual power had been lacking, and his activity levels too low—he hadn’t been able to study it deeply. Now though...
...he probably still wasn’t ready.
But his last experience proved that if he recited the Bronze Spell, he could temporarily activate the divine weapon through the Cross-Shaped Bronze Hand. So trying to get closer again, even figuring out how to bring it ho, was important.
The only concern was—the Living Bronze Puppet had originally been guarding the chanical Fragnt. Now that the fragnt had been stolen, would the Lilac Courtyard have relocated the Bronze Armor Statue?
Even just finding a chance to research how to approach it was worth the trip…
The only issue was—the chanical Fragnt had been taken from the Lilac Courtyard by him. Now, he was planning to brazenly bring it back?
Wasn’t that... bold?
After a mont of thought, Han Su made a carefree decision and sent Miss Ai a ssage:
[Miss Ai, I’m going to a banquet tonight—it might be dangerous!]
The old him wouldn’t have ssaged Miss Ai about sothing like this. But now...
Heh!
Miss Ai’s reply ca right on cue:
[I’ll always be by your side, Mr. Butcher!]
Han Su relaxed and headed out by taxi.
Unlike before, the Lilac Courtyard now had added security and doorn. Although they behaved with professional training, sothing about the place now felt… less mysterious, less dignified.
As Han Su got out of the car, a security guard imdiately ca forward to open the door. He started to reach for the briefcase, then recognized its style and imdiately withdrew his hand, bowing respectfully:
“Investigator, please.”
“The club is on the third floor. Once inside, you can take the elevator straight up.”
“……”
Even the staff recognized the investigator’s suitcase. Was this place really the Qinggang investigators’ exclusive club?
Led by the doorman, Han Su entered the Lilac Courtyard, already calculating how he might find a chance to sneak into the secret room again to check whether the Living Bronze Puppet was still there.
And the mont he stepped into the main hall, he froze in place.
The hall had gained several new decorations—one of which was the bronze Snake-Headed Armor, standing silently in the very center of the ground floor. It didn’t even have any protective barriers around it.
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