Let them offer their loyalty!

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's question, Liu Fuping lightly hummed in acknowledgement before saying,

"Although they've hidden themselves well, during my covert observation, I still recognized a familiar face who had collaborated with us in the past two days."

Qiu Tu nodded slightly at her words, then with a smile, he wrapped his arm around Liu Fuping's waist and asked, "What about you, Sister Liu?"

"Have you considered what we talked about this morning?"

Startled by Qiu Tu's words, Liu Fuping's face momentarily displayed a look of hesitation.

Then she slowly lowered her head and said softly, "Qiu Tu... I understand what you mean."

"I can assure you that I will not pass along any information related to you to Eastern City or Commissioner Jiang anymore. Or... as you wish, I'll pass on only parts of your information to them."

"But... I don't want to betray them either."

"There are some things I can't explain clearly in just a few words, all I can say is..."

Liu Fuping hadn't finished her sentence when Qiu Tu gently interrupted her, "Sister Liu, you don't have to explain so much to me."

"With the relationship between us, we still have that level of trust."

Upon saying this, Qiu Tu took Liu Fuping's hand and, pretending to be deeply affectionate, said, "No matter what decision you make, I will support you."

"I know you must be in a difficult position. So, I won't make it harder for you."

Moved by Qiu Tu's considerate words and affectionate gaze, Liu Fuping was visibly touched, "Qiu Tu... thank you."

[Liu Fuping Loyalty +1]

Seeing the notification that popped up, Qiu Tu, satisfied, patted Liu Fuping's hand again and said, "Sister Liu, be at ease."

In fact, without needing Liu Fuping's explanation, when she had hesitated, Qiu Tu had already guessed the truth of the situation.

Although loyalty is not almighty, a high loyalty score of 95 points certainly can make someone directly defect.

If they haven't defected, it can only mean one of two possibilities:

Either the other party's organization has leveraged Liu Fuping's weakness, forcing her not to dare to defect even if she wanted to;

Or the organization has a relation with her deeper than "loyalty," such as blood ties.

Considering Liu Fuping's surname, some of the things she occasionally let slip, and the cooperative relationship between Director Liu and Commissioner Jiang, Qiu Tu was more inclined to think Liu Fuping was the latter.

'So... does Liu Fuping have some kind of kinship with Director Liu?'

'Direct blood relatives, exchanging hostages?'

'Or... a distant relative sent to oversee the work?'

Although he couldn't completely figure out Liu Fuping's identity due to the lack of information, Qiu Tu at least had some direction.

He believed that the day when Liu Fuping's true identity would be revealed wasn't too far away.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu put the matter aside for now.

Returning to his senses, he gazed at Liu Fuping's willow-like slender waist and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

"The actors are in place, the curtain has been drawn, and it's time for the show to start!"

With that, he drank the coffee in his cup in one gulp and then said with a smile, "I should be going now!"

"If I'm still alive, I'll see you tomorrow!"

After speaking, Qiu Tu gave Liu Fuping a firm kiss, then swaggered off!

Watching Qiu Tu's figure fading into the distance like a chilly wind over calm waters, Liu Fuping bit her lip tightly, her fist clenched, thinking only one thing: you must come back...

Having left Liu Fuping, Qiu Tu checked once again the treasures and potions he had on him:

"Fossil" potion, "Body Part" powerful expansion potion, Iron Will Potion, Mandragora Love Drug, Seal of ownership, Silver Key Beehive, Heart-Connecting Silkworm, Trigger Paper Figure, Uncompromising Simulacrum, Ghostly Map...

He then went over his plan for the evening again, ensuring nothing was overlooked. After that, he visited the restroom to address his personal needs before he finally left the Investigation Bureau building...

He glanced at the countdown timer in the upper left corner of his vision.

[Jia Shu's Attack (5 Hours)]

Qiu Tu walked towards his sedan.

He didn't head home after getting into the car, but drove straight to a small villa cluster near Longshan Road.

After arranging everything that needed to be set up for the evening, his next move was to lure the enemy into action.

Thus, he couldn't go home now, nor could he meet with any sensitive figures. The best choice was to continue investigating his case.

This would not only save time but also give Jia Shu a suitable opportunity to attack.

As Qiu Tu began his actions, the various forces monitoring him immediately received related feedback.

In an instant, the undercurrents stirred; many eyes and hands from different powers began heading toward the small villa cluster near Longshan Road, following Qiu Tu.

Meanwhile, big shots from various factions were dining, a rare occasion where they listened to their subordinates reporting on the progress of the entire incident...

Having arrived at the small villa cluster near Longshan Road, Qiu Tu took out a document that he had specifically asked Bai Ru to retrieve for him today.

The document detailed the registered real estate properties of 13 department and section chiefs.

And within this cluster of villas, aside from the villa where the Suit Man was arrested yesterday, there were another five.

In order to save uses of his Cataclysmic ability for tonight's crisis, Qiu Tu hadn't participated in the interrogations today. Therefore, although two suspects had been captured, over a dozen victims still hadn't been found.

Qiu Tu also took this opportunity to search for them personally.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's car passed through villas and groves of trees and finally stopped at the gate of the first villa.

After parking the car, Qiu Tu looked at the information: This was the love nest of Section Chief Kong and Madame Kong. But since Section Chief Kong's arrest and Madame Kong's loss of sanity, the villa had been left vacant.

Qiu Tu got out of the car, circled the perimeter, heard no abnormal sounds from inside the villa, and saw nothing noteworthy outside.

After pondering, he called the property management of the villa complex.

Showcasing his own credentials, the property management obediently called a locksmith to open the villa's main gate.

Once the main gate was opened, Qiu Tu asked the two to wait outside, and he stepped in.

Though the villa had been uninhabited for only five or six days, a thin layer of dust had settled on the tables and chairs, and without any sign of life, it looked rather cold and desolate.

Even though a preliminary survey had mostly confirmed that the group of victims wasn't hidden here, Qiu Tu still turned on the lights and carefully searched all three floors of the villa.

Having confirmed there were no clues, Qiu Tu left the villa.

The property manager and locksmith were still waiting respectfully outside.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu pondered for a moment and said, "Next, I need to investigate four more villas, so I might need to trouble you to accompany me."

"No problem, no problem. It's our honor to serve you, sir!" the property manager said with a sweaty face and a flattering smile.

Not just because of the intimidating bar and two stars on Qiu Tu's rank insignia, but even the black uniform of the Political Department was enough to discourage most people in Xinjie City from entertaining any thought of resistance.

Seeing this, Qiu Tu casually waved his hand and instructed, "Alright. Lock the door. Let's head to the next villa."

"Yes!" The property manager cheerfully complied and went to lock the door.

Qiu Tu took the opportunity to survey his surroundings once again.

Although no one was in sight, his Cataclysmic Spiritual Perception still told him that countless eyes in the darkness were watching him, all waiting for the situation to further unfold...

Soon, the door was locked, and the property manager scurried over.

Qiu Tu gestured, "Let's go. Get in my car, and we'll go to the next place."

With that, Qiu Tu led the way to his car.

He reached the car, opened the door, swung one leg in, then bent down to get into the car.

But at that moment when he bent down!

Suddenly, with a "bang!" a bullet shot through the air, carrying enormous kinetic energy directed right at Qiu Tu!

The enemy, evidently aiming for the driver's seat, had been taking aim for some time, just waiting for Qiu Tu to appear!

In an instant, the car window shattered like paper, and the bullet, with tremendous force, pierced through it and struck Qiu Tu's left chest accurately!

The next second, blood burst from Qiu Tu's body, and he was knocked down to the ground by the bullet!

This sudden turn of events clearly caught many forces who were watching Qiu Tu by surprise!

When Qiu Tu told them that Jia Shu would attempt to assassinate him tonight, most of them didn't quite believe it.

After all, what was Jia Shu's status? As one of the nine top officials of the Investigation Bureau, he was a well-known figure throughout Xinjie City. Would he come to assassinate a minor section chief like Qiu Tu?

They either suspected that Qiu Tu was being overly sensitive, or they suspected that the Evil God was trying to frame Jia Shu.

They had followed Qiu Tu today, mainly because he was so convincing and they didn't want to bet against that one-in-ten-thousand chance.

And now, that one-in-ten-thousand chance had actually arrived! Was Qiu Tu really ambushed?!

Thinking this, the first to become unsettled was Lin Ting, the Special Duties Department Director, who had been entrusted by Yan Chen to protect Qiu Tu!

Upon witnessing this scene, he shouted and darted towards the source of the gunfire like an arrow released from its bow!

After having been boosted by two Cataclysms, his physical strength had already reached the pinnacle for a human, so his speed was extremely fast, almost instantly covering that 300-meter distance!

Unexpectedly, the next second, a figure leaped up from that spot, moving with a speed and power that didn't pale in comparison, and aimed a palm strike at him!

In the darkness, the figure had red-dyed hair, wore a suit, and a clown mask—undeniably... another Suit Man!

----

Third update of 10,000 words is done. Continuing with the daily 10k tonight!