Chapter 119: A Private Invitation

After a brief exchange between Li Taixing and the now-recovered town mayor, which served to strengthen the ties between City No. 3 and Yellow Stone Town, the City No. 3 team left behind a collection of precious supplies for the town.

These included a significant number of firearms and ammunition, as well as a dozen mist filters, which were extremely valuable in the mist-filled wilderness.

Once the meeting concluded, the reinforced City No. 3 team officially began their journey back. The return trip was entirely uneventful. After more than a day of trekking, the towering spires of the city reappeared in Qi Chen’s field of vision. As the warm glow of the city lights met his eyes, he felt a distinct sense of belonging.

Just as Warm Man had said, one truly could not appreciate what a rare sanctuary City No. 3 was until they had spent time in the mist. Although there was more freedom out there, the chaos that accompanied such freedom was impossible to ignore. Qi Chen believed that for someone as honest and conservative as himself, living and working within City No. 3 was the better fit. The world outside the city walls, after all, was only suitable for the occasional sightseeing.

"According to protocol, we have to report back to the department first and file an incident report," Warm Man said, still acting as Qi Chen’s driver—since the latter had never even touched a steering wheel. He hadn't bothered to learn to drive in his past life, and even if he had, the license would have just been a useless piece of paper.

"However," Warm Man added with a wink, sharing some veteran wisdom with Qi Chen, "I can have a word with Captain Fu. We can just give an oral account of the mission to the Intelligence Analysis Department and let them write it up for us."

Qi Chen silently agreed. While it sounded a bit like slacking off, it also seemed quite nice. "Will that result in a pay deduction?"

Warm Man froze and promptly shut his mouth.

Upon returning to the Bureau of Occult Affairs, the pair went straight to the Intelligence Analysis Department. Following Warm Man’s guidance, Qi Chen ultimately handed the task of drafting the report to the diligent analysis team. However, upon returning to the bureau this time, he noticed that the attitudes of those around him had shifted.

At first, he had been a complete newcomer, but after he resolved the Minsheng Mall incident, almost everyone in the department had learned the name "Mask." As he stood face-to-face with the analysis team to report on the mission, Qi Chen saw emotions in their eyes he had never received before.

Perhaps it was... admiration?

"Officer Mask! Leave the report to us. Thank you for your hard work!"

After the briefing, the head of the analysis team enthusiastically brought Qi Chen a cup of hot tea. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Qi Chen accepted the cup while offering repeated thanks.

Coincidentally, Warm Man, who had just finished his own briefing, came over to find him. "Let’s go. We should find Captain Fu and see if there’s anything worth noting in City No. 3 right now."

Qi Chen nodded, but the two of them could not find Fu Ying anywhere in the bureau. "Where did the Captain go?" Warm Man was baffled. He led Qi Chen around the department several times before eventually returning to the Intelligence Analysis Department.

After asking around, the analysts didn't know her whereabouts either, though they did suggest that the two could head to the Logistics Department to collect their mission bonuses first.

"Forget it. Let’s go get our pay, and we’ll look for her later."

Unable to locate her, Qi Chen and Warm Man had no choice. Since Fu Ying was their superior, they couldn't exactly investigate her movements. They were at least certain she wasn't in any danger. If that was the case, there was no rush.

"Hey kid, shouldn't you treat me to a good meal?" After collecting their generous bonuses at the Logistics Department, Warm Man’s mood brightened, and he draped an arm around Qi Chen’s shoulder, demanding a treat.

Qi Chen held the thick envelope in his hand and offered a simple, honest smile. He did owe Warm Man a good meal. "Let’s go. To your favorite spot on Bright Lamp Street?"

As the two set off for Bright Lamp Street, Fu Ying, whom they had been searching for, walked into a residence—the home of Li Taixing, the Chief Administrator of City No. 3.

Compared to other prominent figures in the city, Li Taixing’s home was closer to that of an average citizen, both in scale and architectural standard. The only difference was the more vigilant guard stationed around his residence.

"Little Fu, I’m sorry to summon you as soon as you returned," Li Taixing, who had been waiting in the living room, said with a chuckle. He pushed a freshly brewed cup of tea toward her. Just as he had been with Qi Chen and the others, the elder was kind and amiable to everyone.

"Your safe return to City No. 3 is the most important thing," Fu Ying said, offering a rare, faint smile. She was not the usual iceberg she appeared to be.

"Elder Li, you summoned me the moment I returned to the city. It must be regarding the large-scale occult incident that broke out in City No. 3 a while ago, right?"

Li Taixing nodded. "As the Chief Administrator of City No. 3, I naturally need to understand such a major event. And since you are the head of the Bureau of Occult Affairs, I must learn the truth from you."

Fu Ying took out a file she had prepared before arriving and handed it to Li Taixing. The document provided a detailed analysis of every aspect of the occult event, including many of her personal insights. Li Taixing flipped through the document page by page while Fu Ying sat on the sofa, occasionally taking a sip of tea.

By the time the elder had finished digesting the entire document, Fu Ying’s cup was empty.

"So, beyond the fact that it coincided with a period of high occult activity, can we now definitively conclude that there is a mole within our city? And a high-level one at that?" Li Taixing leaned back against the sofa, his tone filled with a sigh. "Who do you think it might be?"

Fu Ying did not hesitate, having clearly formed her own suspicions long ago. "Based on the intelligence gathered so far, the mole demonstrated capabilities that only an administrator would possess."

"An administrator, you say?" Li Taixing let out a heavy sigh, not appearing particularly shocked. In truth, from the moment Fu Ying first reported the possibility of a mole, the respected Chief Administrator had already formed his own guesses. After all, who knew the people and affairs of City No. 3 better than someone who had dedicated his entire life to it?

"It is surprising that the mole didn't launch further attacks while you were away from the city. But I suspect that perhaps the resources at their disposal were still being deployed, or... they were waiting for you to return to the city before launching a final strike," Fu Ying explained her theory. "The previous large-scale occult incident was likely just the enemy trying to obtain something. It was not a true, full-scale assault."

Li Taixing listened quietly. Once Fu Ying finished sharing all her speculations, he shifted the topic.

"By the way, your new recruit—the one who single-handedly resolved that major occult incident—his name is Mask, correct?"

"If possible, find some time to bring him to see me. Consider it... a personal invitation."