After Liu DongLi called Ai Qing to report the Love Charity incident, a dizzying series of operations unfolded.
Within ten minutes, a black-licensed sedan sped up to them. Two people politely invited them into the car, taking them to the strange agency where he had been interrogated previously.
By the time he entered, Love Charity had already been thoroughly exposed.
In the meeting room, the middle-aged man who had presided over Huai Shi's previous inquiry looked upset and remained silent.
Only Ai Qing was flipping through the stack of documents, still warm from the printer. Soon, she looked up. "Quite the bombshells… A shell company that clearly exists for money laundering actually received donations from so many people, including quite a few prominent figures in the city. No wonder the Special Affairs Department hasn't found anything after searching for so long… There won't be any leaks this time, right?"
The middle-aged man cleared his throat and said dryly, "The Special Affairs Department is the Special Affairs Department. Other departments are other departments."
"It would have been much better if it was always like this. Why bother being at the beck and call of those old leaders?"
Ai Qing glanced at him. "How many people are involved?"
"Quite a few…"
The middle-aged man sighed. "According to the investigation, this foundation regularly invites 'masters' to lecture donors on positive energy and share experiences in spiritual sublimation and health preservation. Most of the content is unreliable meditation and self-hypnosis, mixed with some jumbled Chinese studies…"
"No wonder," Ai Qing chuckled sarcastically. "Those are exactly the things the old leaders like. If this company is really connected to this case, quite a few people are going to be in trouble, aren't they?"
"The Special Affairs Department is the Special Affairs Department—"
The middle-aged man helplessly reiterated his previous statement. "There's no need for probing. We can distinguish right from wrong in major issues. Please rest assured, Inspector."
Behind them, Huai Shi surreptitiously nudged Liu DongLi with his elbow. "Hey, is an Inspector really that powerful?"
Liu DongLi rolled his eyes and whispered, "The Astronomical Society, as a subsidiary of the United Nations, has members all over the world. Its main purpose is to curb Border toxins and crimes by Sublimators… You could say that as long as it's related to Sublimators or Border Relics, she has the power to intervene. Once she's confirmed in her role, just by signing a Black Envelope, she could wipe out your entire family registry. What do you think?"
"That powerful?" Huai Shi was astonished. "Is Dongxia okay with this?"
"The primary members of the Astronomical Society's main governing body—the Jurisdiction Bureau—are the Five Constants, okay?" Liu DongLi whispered, "It's called self-regulation."
While the two were whispering, Ai Qing and the middle-aged man at the head of the meeting table seemed to have finalized some terms. After Ai Qing promised not to widen the crackdown, his complexion noticeably improved.
A voice came from the intercom on the table:
"Operatives are in position."
The middle-aged man glanced at Ai Qing. "Patch the signal through. Begin the operation."
The giant screen on the wall lit up instantly, displaying a barely discernible perspective from a head-mounted camera. Huai Shi could only see a throng of people armed from head to toe, carrying a variety of long guns and small arms. Upon receiving the command, the vehicle doors opened, and the group rushed out.
This anti-terrorist unit, seemingly appearing from nowhere, appeared to have their "Offensive" plan already prepared, their actions swift and decisive. They gained control of the entire parking lot in less than two minutes. One team stormed the monitoring room, while another sealed off the entire office building, inside and out—lowering gates, locking doors, setting up barricades, and even completely severing signals and fiber optics.
Only through the shaking of the helmet-mounted camera could Huai Shi glimpse the outside scenery.
Mother of God, does it really need to be this dramatic?
This was none other than Xinhai City center's most bustling area. The streets dozens of floors below were teeming with people, at its liveliest just before the end of summer vacation. No one would have imagined that a raid was being conducted with such intense secrecy right above them.
Just outside the corridor door, a battering ram had been silently assembled.
An order was given, followed by a loud bang.
Amidst the roar, before the people inside could react, several Shock Bombs were thrown in. After a burst of flashes and loud noises, armed soldiers entered in single file, swiftly bringing the entire outer layer of Love Charity under control.
The remaining team members breached inward. First, a scream was heard, followed by two loud gunshots, then more screams, until finally, only a shrill voice remained:
"Don't shoot! I surrender! I surrender!"
Soon, a disheveled middle-aged man appeared in the camera's view, being dragged out. He had a bullet wound in his leg, his face covered in tears and snot, and he was shouting, "I want to confess! I want to confess! I'll tell everything! It was the Master who made me do it! I don't know anything, really, I know nothing!"
After a period of chaos, the team leader reported to the camera, "He's in the middle of transferring funds. All liquid assets are being moved abroad. We found plane tickets to France in the office..."
He was preparing to flee.
In the stunned conference room, the middle-aged man's face turned grim.
If there had been any possibility of a misunderstanding before, now it seemed highly suspicious.
"—Question him!"
The middle-aged man almost snapped the pen in his hand as he gave the hateful command, "Get all the details!"
Ten minutes later, the pen in his hand truly did snap.
King Ocean, nicknamed Scabby King Ocean—that was the Master's name.
According to his police file, this man had started exploiting superstitions for money over twenty years ago, swindling pension funds from elderly men and women. He had been caught twice before disappearing. When he reappeared, he had become Pastor Wang of the Savior Father Association. His operation expanded and quickly grew out of control.
The one caught in the office was Tu Tai, one of his numerous disciples, responsible for the front operations and money laundering. He would clean the money defrauded by the Master and convert it into bearer bonds and other valuable assets.
Tu Tai, a graduate from a prestigious school, had joined the group purely for the money. He never truly admired the Master and had secretly embezzled a considerable sum. King Ocean also kept many secrets from his disciples, trusting only his eldest disciple, who was always by his side. The two parties had a mutually beneficial arrangement and coexisted peacefully. But when disaster struck, Tu Tai decisively betrayed his Master, spilling everything when questioned, even voluntarily confessing many details. This included the Master's secret illegal drug trade and a 'Miracle' Tu Tai had accidentally discovered.
"Miracle?" the interrogator asked.
"Yes, a Miracle."
Tu Tai took a sip of water, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. "King Ocean always kept a box hidden. No one knew what was inside. Whenever he led prayers, he would hide the box under the pulpit… When opened, it would emit a very pleasant scent. Just smelling it made you feel energized, unafraid of any difficulties. Those who came to my classes had no idea. They all thought he was some great Master. Pah! He was just an old swindler. I suspect the illegal drugs he distributed are also related to that thing…"
The box.
Ai Qing couldn't help but glance at Huai Shi.
They had finally made the connection.
Huai Shi also felt a weight lift from his heart. The person behind the scenes has finally been caught. I don't have to live in constant fear anymore.
He could finally return to a normal life trajectory, climb the career ladder, marry a beautiful and wealthy wife, and reach the pinnacle of life…
The people in the conference room were no longer interested in hearing the rest. Only Huai Shi eagerly awaited the follow-up, wanting Tu Tai to elaborate on how his Master would 'bless' the female believers…
Eek—that sneaky bastard actually installed a camera?
Spill it! Where did you hide the hard drive?
But soon, they received bad news from the scene: King Ocean was planning to flee.
Tu Tai, with his keen intuition, had always known this line of work wouldn't last. He constantly monitored various sources of information. When he noticed unusual activity in his Master's accounts, he sensed trouble. Thinking it wise to be prepared, he had booked a flight to France, planning to lay low for a couple of days, but he realized it was too late.
King Ocean was currently holding his final prayer meeting in Old Pond Town, outside Xinhai City, clearly preparing to flee that very night. To prevent further complications, they needed to act quickly.
But Ai Qing fell silent.
She seemed to be contemplating an unanswerable question, staring vacantly, oblivious to the urgent prompts from those around her. She remained silent.
Much later, she finally lifted her head, her expression gloomy as she let out a long sigh.
Indeed, this makes many things fall into place, and all the clues fit. But something still feels off…
She suddenly turned her head, her slender eyes fixing on the young man behind her, "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Of course, I'm hiding a lot! Raven, the Book of Fate, my awakening… How could I possibly mention things that would immediately cause disaster?
"No!"
Huai Shi shook his head decisively. "I've said everything I can say! And I've also said everything I can't say!"
His expression was fervent, as if he were ready to sacrifice himself at any moment, but inwardly he was terrified, dreading Ai Qing would have Liu DongLi go over the details again.
What if the Book of Fate gets mentioned? How would I handle that?
This dangerous item, from what Raven said, seemed to be a huge deal. How could I dare reveal it before the binding was removed?
Seemingly convinced by his words, Ai Qing silently withdrew her gaze.
"Then let's begin the operation immediately."
She looked at the middle-aged man. "However, to avoid any unexpected situations… although time is short, before we implement the plan, it's better to first clarify what exactly this so-called Savior Father Association is up to. After all, a Border Relic is involved. Nobody knows what they've hidden. Besides, aren't there Sublimators concealed among them? This is all essential intelligence—"
"Hmm?" The middle-aged man was puzzled. "Miss Ai means?"
Ai Qing glanced behind her and said nothing.
The middle-aged man saw Liu DongLi and immediately understood. He stood up, shook Liu DongLi's hand, and said enthusiastically, "On behalf of the Special Affairs Department, I thank Mr. Liu for his help and support."
"What?"
Liu DongLi was utterly confused. Unaware of what had just transpired, he instinctively sensed trouble. "I haven't… I'm not… Don't misunderstand…"
Before he could finish, Ai Qing interrupted, "Perfect. Besides Liu DongLi, there is another civilian volunteer who has dealt with them and is willing to cooperate with us…"
As she spoke, Ai Qing looked back at Huai Shi, who was visibly gloating.
"—With the two of them infiltrating first, it should be no problem."
Huai Shi's smile froze on his face. He suddenly leaped up, turning into a pitiable broken record, "I haven't either! I'm not either!"
"It's just a reconnaissance mission. With so many people as backup, you most likely won't die."
"'You yourself said 'most likely'!" Huai Shi protested in anguish. "Weren't we supposed to be bait? How did it suddenly turn into infiltrating enemy lines!"
"Isn't it common for clients to change their requirements?" Ai Qing rested her chin on her palm, leisurely sizing him up. "At worst, I'll add another eight hundred to your stipend."
Huai Shi was livid.
"Forget eight hundred! Even eight thousand—"
Before he could finish, a DING from his waistband interrupted him: "Alipay: Eight thousand yuan received!"
Huai Shi paused, his expression stiffening. "Do you think this pittance can make me bow my head?"
DING!
Another light sound, and the soft female voice announced again, "Alipay: Eight thousand yuan received."
"This is life-threatening! What if I actually die?" Huai Shi's eyes widened. "Don't you even offer death benefits?"
Ai Qing looked away, flicked her phone, and sent the final transaction.
"Alipay: Seven hundred yuan received."
Seven hundred? Why are the death benefits only seven hundred?! I just got sixteen thousand! Why so little when it's for someone dying?!
Huai Shi was unsure whether to be outraged or simply angry, or if he should demand more.
"Little brother, seven hundred is quite a lot," Liu DongLi, his comrade in misfortune, leaned in, tsk-tsking. "With a coupon, you can get an eco-friendly package at the East Suburb Crematorium, and they'll even throw in an urn!"
"Remember to give a five-star review for a free wreath, and specify your preferred style in the order comments—after all, you'll be staying there a long time, so pick one you like."
Ten minutes later, Huai Shi and Liu DongLi were crammed into an armored vehicle and set off for Old Pond Town, filled with a sense of tragic heroism.
As they departed, Huai Shi shivered inexplicably.
It was as if he had plunged into an icy cavern.