Chapter Eleven: The Veteran and the Novice

“Oh! We meet again, young man.”
As he stepped out of the building known as the Logistics Management Center, which was in reality the Department for Handling the Uncanny, a figure not unfamiliar to Qi Chen entered his sight.
It was none other than Yue Lie, whom he had encountered previously.
Seeing Qi Chen had no intention of acknowledging him, the middle-aged man let out a sly chuckle and strode straight over, slinging an arm around the newcomer.
“I heard from Captain Fu that you passed the interview so quickly. From now on, we’re colleagues. Shouldn’t you be seizing the opportunity to learn from your senior?”
“Captain Fu told me she’ll arrange someone to guide me,” Qi Chen replied, maintaining a polite and graceful smile, his gaze friendly yet conveying a gentle refusal.
This man, with such an upright appearance, could lie without so much as blushing. Qi Chen worried that spending time with this so-called senior might bring him losses best avoided.
His attitude was one he’d always adopted with strangers—a tactful refusal couched in just the right words, a method that rarely failed. Most people could catch the meaning behind his words.
But Yue Lie merely stroked his neatly trimmed beard, blinking at Qi Chen with a hint of amusement, and said,
“Did Captain Fu mention that I’m the one assigned to guide you?”
“Do you know I’ll be your long-term partner from now on?”
Qi Chen was stunned, standing frozen on the spot—this was a situation he’d never encountered before. Mechanically, he turned his head bit by bit, gazing at Yue Lie’s smiling face, feeling a sudden urge to spit blood.
“Senior… please, instruct me as you will!”
Qi Chen knew full well that a rookie newly joined to the department could never suggest anything to the highest leader, Fu Ying. If Yue Lie was not lying, this man would surely be his companion from now on.
And, indeed, his senior.
Qi Chen, well versed in workplace survival, understood the importance of a senior who would guide him and remain his partner.
He got the message, and naturally abandoned his previous demeanor.
“No wonder Captain Fu assigned you to me,” Yue Lie said with a laugh and a shake of his head, seeming to grasp the intention behind pairing Qi Chen with him—a design of Fu Ying’s making.
“Come with me. I know you don’t have a place to stay yet; let’s first settle you in. I’ll give you a brief rundown of our field on the way.”
“As for everything else, let’s discuss it in detail later at a time and place I’ll arrange.”

Qi Chen nodded enthusiastically. Once he slipped into the role, he immediately spotted countless shining points in Yue Lie!
Though he talked incessantly, this warm-hearted, naturally sociable, and steady man was exactly the mentor a rookie like him needed.
He had to learn from him!
So, Qi Chen smiled and lifted his arm, gently placing it on Yue Lie’s shoulder, completing a mutual embrace.
“Senior Yue, if there’s anything I need to know, please tell me now!”
Yue Lie was amused by Qi Chen, unable to hide his smile. “Let’s walk and talk, then!”
“There’s actually not much to say; you’ll soon receive a handbook from the department with detailed information.
“It’ll explain the classifications of the uncanny and provide ample case studies. There are also basic regulations you’ll need to learn.
“What I’ll tell you now is just three points,” Yue Lie’s tone grew serious.
“First, the most important thing! No matter what uncanny phenomena you face in the future—be it difficult or despairing—never forget the noble qualities you should possess as a human being: courage, strength, reason, and perseverance.”
Without realizing it, Qi Chen grew solemn. Though he’d only experienced one uncanny event so far and couldn’t fully comprehend what Yue Lie was saying, he nevertheless affirmed it.
He could sense that Yue Lie wasn’t lecturing him from a lofty position, but was sincerely passing down knowledge forged in blood.
It was something one must respect.
“Second, no matter your circumstances, you must steadfastly uphold your human identity. Even though we use uncanny powers for long stretches, you must remember: the uncanny is only our tool!
“As your partner, this is both my advice and something we must supervise in each other.”
Qi Chen’s mind sharpened; from Yue Lie’s intensified tone, it seemed this would be an aspect he’d be rigorously trained in—the unwavering conviction of being human.
“Finally…” Yue Lie’s expression softened; his hand on Qi Chen’s shoulder tightened slightly:
“At any time, I… Captain Fu, and everyone else in the department are your most steadfast allies against uncanny threats and enemies outside the city.
“Though many have their quirks, everyone is trustworthy on matters of vital importance. Still, you must remain vigilant, for no one can guarantee that any of us won’t lose ourselves to a particular uncanny event.”
“I… understand,” Qi Chen said earnestly. Even Ba Wang, for once, remained silent throughout Yue Lie’s words.

“Oh, perfect timing,” Yue Lie’s tone suddenly shifted, shaking Qi Chen vigorously.
“Look, brother, here’s your new home.”
They stopped, arriving at their destination.
“Here?” Qi Chen stared in disbelief at the building before them—a two-story villa!
The Department for Handling the Uncanny was situated in the heart of City Three, and their brief stroll hadn’t been far, so the value of this villa was unimaginable.
Though its exterior wasn’t brand new, it was certainly above average by city standards.
“Don’t look so surprised; for now, you only have usage rights,” Yue Lie chuckled. “As for this house, even after years of work, I haven’t managed to get one for myself.
“In our department, only Captain Fu actually owns a house of this caliber.”
Qi Chen hadn’t expected to be given such a lavish villa, but just being able to live here was enough to thrill him.
In two lifetimes, he’d never set foot in such a place.
If Captain Fu could own one, then with hard work, Qi Chen might have something to look forward to!
“By the way, Qi Chen,
“You won’t need to call me by name anymore. According to department custom, we all use code names.
“Mine is ‘Mr. Warm.’ Of course, between us, you can call me ‘Iron Man.’ I much prefer the latter,” Yue Lie said, as if recalling something unpleasant, his expression souring.
“Tomorrow at nine, we’ll meet at the noodle stall where we first met.
“Then, tell me the code name you’ve chosen.”
…