“What kind of mental state were you in when you came up with this idea?” Cheng Shengnan stared at Shen Ge, her expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

Seeing her usually sharp face twisted in dumbfounded shock, Shen Ge found it amusing. He pulled her into a hug. “Wanna bet Director Deng will agree to it?”

“No way.” Cheng Shengnan shook her head firmly. “From either a rational or strategic standpoint, no sane person would make such a reckless decision.”

The Twelve Branches want to steal Xu’s remains, so you’re just gonna hand-deliver it to them? Do you think the capital isn’t chaotic enough? Or are you planning to fight them to the death there?

They’ve clearly set a trap, and you’re walking right into it with the corpse in tow.

From a public perspective, the capital was already in turmoil. Bringing Xu’s remains would mean the Special Response Department (SRD) would have to engage in an all-out battle with the Twelve Branches in the quarantine zone. Yet, their intel on the enemy was minimal—only that they wielded supernatural abilities and could rapidly mutate animals.

Given headquarters’ conservative approach, they’d never want a full-scale confrontation in the lockdown area. Worse, these maniacs had dared to attack headquarters. Who knew what else they were capable of?

From a private standpoint, whether headquarters compromised with Shen Ge’s madness or left him to fight the Twelve Branches alone in the quarantine zone, he’d become their primary target.

As Rong City Branch’s top operative—arguably the nation’s strongest anomaly investigator—losing him would devastate the branch and deal a massive blow to the country. Deng Yuqi would never allow that.

Besides, even if Shen Ge clashed with the Twelve Branches in the lockdown zone, headquarters might not provide meaningful support. Three months ago, supernatural incidents were rare, and even headquarters only had a dozen or so investigators—many still in training—due to the lack of supernatural equipment.

Despite the recent surge in incidents, other regions’ anomaly counts hadn’t even hit double digits. Worse, a man-made supernatural disaster years ago had wiped out several elite investigators and countless soldiers.

Thanks to Shen Ge, Rong City Branch had risen from the bottom to surpass headquarters as the nation’s strongest.

This wasn’t just because of his state-of-the-art “LiXiang Mk. I Armor,” but also his combat prowess and experience. As Deng Yuqi put it: “Shen Ge’s unorthodox thinking is exactly why he’s resolved so many incidents.”

So Cheng Shengnan was certain that even if Deng Yuqi wanted Shen Ge to assist, she’d minimize risks—like having him go alone while securing Xu’s remains in Rong City, or redistributing the corpse to a more fortified branch.

“Wanna bet on it?” Shen Ge raised a brow.

Cheng Shengnan eyed him suspiciously. “What are the stakes?”

“Whether Director Deng agrees to let me take Xu’s remains into the quarantine zone.”

“Deal.” She nodded instantly, confident in her judgment.

Shen Ge smirked. “Whoever loses has to obey the other’s every command for a day. Simple, right?”

Cheng Shengnan deadpanned. “The terms sound simple, but your face makes me want to back out.”

“…”

…..

When they arrived at her office, Chen Ke, Lin Yin, and other department heads were already waiting—even Li Xiang was present.

After a five-minute delay for two senior officials, Deng Yuqi tapped the table. “Director Wang has other duties. Let’s begin. Cheng Sheng, summarize tonight’s briefing.”

Cheng Shengnan distributed copies of the report before outlining the lockdown zone’s status:

Originally spanning from Haicheng District to the Fifth Ring Road, the military, police, and SRD had pushed the perimeter back by 500 meters.

Confirmed Twelve Branches operatives included “Si” and “Chou,” along with several “Engravers.”

Beyond the capital’s original anomalies, there were now three Tier-3 entities and over a dozen Tier-2s.

At 10 p.m. last night—shortly after the national conference—hackers breached headquarters’ systems, leaking suppressed supernatural intel. A mole then destroyed the servers, causing a two-hour blackout.

Despite mobilizing cybersecurity teams nationwide, the breach went global.

Per the International Supernatural Response Accord, if a supernatural disaster is exposed, foreign agencies gain intervention rights after a 72-hour window.

Deng Yuqi added, “An hour ago, headquarters confirmed foreign operatives are exploiting the chaos—spreading disinformation, gathering intel… and that’s just the known agents. Deep-cover moles are likely active too.”

“Worse, mercenaries are attempting to infiltrate the lockdown zone to steal anomalies. Though comms aren’t fully jammed like in Yu Zhou, overlapping anomaly subspaces are disrupting signals.”

She handed a file to Chen Ke, Lin Yin, and Shen Ge. The mercenaries belonged to a familiar group:

Scorpion.

The world’s top supernatural mercenary outfit, hired by nations lacking anti-anomaly capabilities. The team Shen Ge encountered in Dongyu Village were Scorpion operatives.

They charged exorbitant fees for anomaly cleanups—and took the corpses.

Now they had more supernatural gear than some countries.

“Bastards!” Chen Ke slammed the table. “Did they forget the lesson Shen Ge taught them last time? How dare they show their faces again? These roaches need exterminating!”

Elite Team 1’s deputy captain, Wang Han, muttered, “How are mercs even operating in the lockdown zone?”

A senior official replied coolly, “Every nation plays the spy game. How do you think we extracted Investigator Lin so smoothly?”

Another added, “It’s all shadow warfare. Today’s ally could stab you tomorrow. Headquarters’ systems don’t get hacked without inside help.”

Wang Han conceded the point.

“But how’d Scorpion get in?” he pressed.

Feng Chengxiu snorted. “You think they tattoo ‘SCORPION’ on their foreheads?”

Tap. Tap.

Deng Yuqi silenced the debate. “Moles and mercenaries are irrelevant. The real issue: We have under 60 hours before foreign agencies intervene. Headquarters wants the southwest branches—specifically teams with Tier-4 anomaly experience—to reinforce them.”

“Yu Zhou Branch is still rebuilding, so it’s on Dian and Qian to assist. As for us…” She paused. “Given my theory that the Twelve Branches aim to reclaim Xu’s remains, we’re justified in refusing. But—this is the worst supernatural disaster since anomalies first appeared. Worse than Yu Zhou.”

The room fell silent.

This wasn’t hyperbole. While no Tier-4 anomaly had emerged yet, the capital was the nation’s heart. Dongyu Village could be abandoned—even bombed. But the lockdown zone? Impossible.

Plus, the Dongyu incident was contained by the Tier-4 anomaly “Nonexit’s” subspace. Here, anomalies roamed freely across millions of civilians.

Deng Yuqi could sacrifice Dongyu’s hundred villagers for Rong City. But she’d never abandon the capital.

“Director, send me!” Lin Yin stepped forward, her towering frame casting Shen Ge into shadow—literally. Who needs an umbrella when you have Lin Yin?

“With Xu’s remains as their target, we can’t let the Twelve Branches succeed. If Shen Ge stays, they’ll just become more lab specimens. My injuries are healed—I can support headquarters.”

Deng Yuqi considered the proposal.

Shen Ge scooted his chair out of Lin Yin’s shadow and said, “I’ve got a better idea.”

All eyes turned to him.

“The capital must be secured. If our central city falls, the world will laugh at us. As for the Twelve Branches… if they want Xu, fine. I’ll take it to them.” He grinned. “Lin Yin stays to guard Rong City—our anomaly rate is the highest, after all.”

The room’s collective expression mirrored Cheng Shengnan’s initial reaction.

Wang Han blurted, “Shen Ge, I know you’re strong, but this is suicide! You’d be a walking target!”

Shen Ge typed a message on his phone. “Relax, headquarters isn’t completely useless.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Wang Han muttered.

Chen Ke said gravely, “Xiao Shen, this is too dangerous. We can’t pile all the risk on you.”

Others echoed the sentiment:

“Right! We’re not useless!”

“Even if you’re strong, you shouldn’t carry everything alone!”

“Leave Xu here—we’ll defend it!”

“Lin Yin could go instead!”

Amid the objections, Deng Yuqi suddenly said, “Approved. Shen Ge takes Xu’s remains to the capital. The rest hold Rong City.”

Stunned silence.

Even Chen Ke urged her to reconsider, but Deng Yuqi finalized the plan, dismissing the team to prepare.

Once alone, she showed Shen Ge’s text:

Split Xu’s remains.

Take part to the capital. Distribute the rest to Dian, Qian, and Yu Zhou Branches for safekeeping—or research.

Leave the head in Rong City for Li Xiang.

If the Twelve Branches wanted to divide their forces, Shen Ge would turn the tables: Want Xu? Conquer every SRD branch in the country first.

With military and police support, even the Twelve Branches couldn’t wage war on a nation. If they could, resistance would be futile anyway.

Besides, the “split remains” plan was classified. If the Twelve Branches still found out, it’d confirm moles in both headquarters and Rong City—answering who’d stolen Shen Ge’s blood.

“What are your odds?” Deng Yuqi asked.

Shen Ge leaned back, feet propped on another chair. “Boss, that’s a tough question. I haven’t even seen the capital’s situation. Anomalies are unpredictable—headquarters claims two Tier-3s, but who knows when they’ll mutate?”

“But one thing’s certain: The Twelve Branches will bleed.”

This wasn’t arrogance. Unlike Yu Zhou’s Tier-4 anomaly, the capital’s chaos stemmed from sheer numbers, foreign interference, and the Twelve Branches’ sabotage.

Even if Shen Ge hunted anomalies one by one, containing the exposure was impossible.

But against the Twelve Branches?

With Xu’s remains as bait, they’d have to fight him. Between his armor and abilities like Formless + Soundless, they stood no chance.

Deng Yuqi saw the calm certainty in his eyes. However reckless his words, Shen Ge delivered. His confidence was contagious—since his arrival four months ago, he’d made the impossible seem routine.

“Just come back alive. Xu’s remains aren’t worth your life,” she said quietly.

“I know.”

…..

Rong City Branch entered full combat readiness. The tech department had recently completed four new supernatural devices:

Three were inferior copies of the “Unyielding” gloves—lacking its properties but offering solid defense.

The fourth was a black-bone dagger. While less durable than Shen Ge’s cleaver, it could erode supernatural energy and tear subspaces.

Testing it on a door sealed by “Nonexit’s” energy, Shen Ge confirmed it worked—but only on low-tier subspaces.

Keeping only the dagger and a freezing device from Lin Yin’s arsenal, Shen Ge packed the branch’s best gear and 21 supernatural energy canisters.

At the airport, Cheng Shengnan watched him board with worry.

“Come back alive. I don’t care about the world—just you,” she said firmly.

Shen Ge grinned. “This? I handle worse in my sleep. Besides, I still need to collect my prize—a full day of ‘obedience.’” He whispered something that made her flush.

“You animal! How can you think about that now?”

“Call it ‘romance.’”

“Go die.“

“Roger that.”

“Alive.“

“Copy!”

…..

Three hours later, Shen Ge landed in the capital with 55 hours left before foreign intervention.

Chaos reigned at SRD headquarters. Military, police, and SRD teams scrambled to evacuate civilians from the lockdown zone.

Reinforcements were deployed immediately upon arrival. Shen Ge had flaunted his blood-leather backpack at Rong City Branch and during the flight, expecting an ambush. Yet he’d arrived unharmed.

A designated car took him to the lockdown perimeter.

“Halt!” Armed soldiers surrounded him the moment he stepped out.

“Lockdown zone—no entry!”

“Identify yourself!”

Shen Ge removed his gas mask, pointing to his SRD badge before handing over his credentials. “Elite Investigator Shen Ge, Rong City Branch.”

The squad leader snapped a salute. “Captain Zhang Wei, Third Lockdown Zone, Seventh Squad!”

The others followed suit. Elite investigators held rank equivalent to colonels—though Shen Ge’s Tier-4 incident had earned him that status.

Beyond the barricades, armored vehicles, ambulances, and even tanks stood ready to blast any escaping anomalies.

Further ahead, soldiers and an investigator were engaging a Tier-2 anomaly. After briefing Shen Ge, Zhang Wei prepared to escort him inside—

When a medical team emerged from a half-collapsed building, carrying a stretcher under armed guard.

“Captain! Investigator Fang was ambushed by mercenaries while evacuating civilians—multiple gunshot wounds!”

“Medics are at the second perimeter!”

“Her injuries won’t last till the hospital!”

Shen Ge pushed forward, recognizing the pale, blood-soaked figure on the stretcher.

Fang Mingyue.

“Get her to the ambulance. I’ll handle it,” he ordered.

The medics hesitated until Zhang Wei barked, “He’s an elite investigator!”

Inside the ambulance, Shen Ge removed Fang’s gear and uniform, probing her wounds with clinical precision—so much so the nurses wondered if he was taking liberties.

Then his hand phased into her body, retrieving a bullet.

A recent upgrade to his Formless ability allowed full intangibility—letting him manipulate objects inside others.

Bullet after bullet clinked into a tray. The nurses gaped.

“Stop staring. Bandage her,” Shen Ge chided.

Lacking proper medical supplies, he crushed an Internal Injury Remedy Pill into Fang’s mouth.

Her breathing steadied. Eyes fluttered open.

“Shen… Ge?” she rasped.

“Wow, that sounded like a curse,” he joked.

Fang coughed. “I—I didn’t mean—”

“Relax. Joking.” He updated her on the lockdown zone before leaving.

As he walked away, a nurse whispered, “Who is he? You looked so relieved when he arrived.”

Fang smiled weakly. “The strongest investigator in China. If anyone can save the capital… it’s him.”

…..

Shen Ge activated Formless, vanishing as he advanced toward gunfire.

The commercial district. Fang’s ambush site.

His goals?

* Farm anomaly kills for system rewards.

* Loot foreign operatives’ supernatural gear.

At the street’s end, six Scorpion mercs pinned down a Tier-1 anomaly with coordinated gunfire.

Shen Ge materialized behind one, slitting his throat with the black dagger.

Then the next.

“Contact! Invisible anomaly!”

“Fall back!”

They scrambled into a store—only for Shen Ge to toss a Soundless grenade at their feet.

BOOM.

Four down.

He leapt onto the anomaly, stabbing its neck before decapitating it with his cleaver.

[+50 System Points.]

[Sell Tier-1 corpse? (200 Points)]

Approaching the blast site, he found one merc still breathing.

Leaning down, Shen Ge flashed a friendly smile:

“Can you speak Chinese?“