Otherworldly Affairs Office

"According to Song Mingyuan's statement, he sensed the presence of exotic energy while shopping more than half a month ago and bought this pendant from a roadside accessory stall. We checked his memory, and there was no lie or memory modification. We also investigated the stall owner afterward; he was just an ordinary person. When we showed him a photo of the accessory, he didn't even know when he got it. He thought it was an old stock left and just named a random price to sell it." After Luan Baotian finished his narrative, Mei Simiao continued to answer.

"More than half a month ago, that was after the last Plane Raid incident. Was there still a leak despite such a tight roundup and inspection? I remember there was no Plane Raid incident here that night. What about the nearest Magical Interface Transgression that happened that evening?" Yu Zhongmin asked with his hand on his forehead.

Listening to the place names reported by Luan Baotian, Yu Zhongmin had other things on his mind. His mood right now could be described as utterly terrible!

Having been demoted from the secretary position to the current Director of Interdimensional Affairs, on the surface it was a demotion, but he wasn't unhappy about it. Although he was previously the secretary of the Investigation Bureau, he was parachuted in from above, had no team of his own in the bureau, and more importantly, had no significant achievements to show. This made it impossible for him to stand tall in the bureau and caused him to be overshadowed by Gu Shenghui.

Now transferred as the Director of Interdimensional Affairs with real power, although such work is complicated, it rarely goes wrong, and he is adept at handling such events. As long as he achieves results, his position in the hall will surely improve steadily. Once the God Desire matters are over and Elder Cen retires, his rise to the top position in the hall will just be a matter of time.

He originally thought that the future work in the hall would focus on dealing with God Desire's supernatural beings and was ready to watch Gu Shenghui make a fool of himself. Unexpectedly, soon after taking office, a large-scale interdimensional invasion unfolded with an escalating trend, bearing down all the responsibilities on his shoulders while Gu Shenghui had nothing to do.

"Yu Chu, Yu Chu!"

Luan Baotian's repeated calls interrupted Yu Zhongmin's chaotic thoughts. He stood up, tidying up the scattered documents in front of him, and said, "According to your account, the Magic Realm invasion incident that night took place over six hundred kilometers away from the current case's location. Even by high-speed rail, it would take nearly three hours. With the now-complete energy detection facilities in all districts, they couldn't possibly use magic for teleportation without leaving a trace. I just don't believe he traveled such a distance on foot step by step. Check the local train stations and bus stations' monitoring records from those days, compare them with the surveillance near the vendor where the item was sold, as well as Song Mingyuan's school's footage, and see if there are any suspicious characters."

At the mention of the case, Yu Zhongmin regained his sharp and efficient demeanor. This matter needed to be resolved, and quickly. Thinking of that, he looked at Gu and Mei, saying, "I believe you both understand the severity of this matter. Although this case might be controlled and implemented by an interdimensional invader, its cause was initiated by a supernatural being from the present world. I hope you two directors continue to assist in the case's subsequent developments. Having such a potential repeat murderer invader on the loose poses a huge threat to society. We must find him quickly and solve this case!"

Mei Simiao stood up and said, "Yu Chu, no need for formalities. This is our duty."

"Pei Yan already began screening the school area's surveillance yesterday. Today, I will instruct him to expand the screening scope as per your direction. If there are results, we will notify you immediately," Gu Shenghui also stood up in response.

Seeing both directors making commitments, knowing he wouldn't bear the load alone, Yu Zhongmin nodded satisfactorily and expressed his thanks to them. Luan Baotian and Hu Wenjun, seeing no further involvement for them, excused themselves and left the office.

Observing Gu Shenghui, who remained in the office without intention to leave, Yu Zhongmin asked perplexedly, "Gu Chu, is there anything else?"

"Ah, there's a small matter concerning Song Mingyuan. I submitted a report to the higher-ups, but Minister Cen's suggestion is for everyone to discuss it together. So, Yu Chu, if you have time now, shall we head to Cen Hall's office together?" Although a thousand times unwilling to surface this matter, a command is a command, prompting Gu Shenghui to reluctantly force a smile and ask Yu Zhongmin.

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhongmin looked down, pretending to organize his desk while his mind was active, recalling the bureau's gossip about Gu Shenghui, causing his lips to curl slightly. Finally, he placed the documents into the drawer and looked up with a smile, saying, "Sure, Gu Chu, let's go now."

Saying so, the three left the office together. While locking the door, Yu Zhongmin casually asked, "Gu Chu, how did you handle the victim's family's little girl? I heard she awakened her internal source on the spot due to excessive stimulation and immediately demonstrated her abilities, correct? This is rare among supernatural beings."

"No matter how rare, she's still too little. We can't let a small child get involved in our dangerous work environment, right? Otherwise, how would we be different from God Desire? Elder Zuo personally modified her memories regarding these matters, sealed her abilities, allowing her to return to live the life of an ordinary person, at least having a normal childhood," Gu Shenghui sighed and replied.

Mei Simiao, recalling the grit and unwavering hate in that child's eyes through the glass, shook her head and lamented, "What kind of ordinary child's childhood is that? After such an experience, her childhood will surely be overshadowed. This unforgettable memory is something we can't change. The hall has already contacted societal psychological counselors, only hoping this event won't ruin her later life."

"Yes, indeed. One person ruining several families. This is the bitter fruit of unrestrained and uncontrolled power.," Yu Zhongmin nodded sympathetically, turned, and clasped hands, saying, "Alright, let's go!"

When the three arrived at Cen Xiaoran's office and pushed the door open, Yu Zhongmin noticed that Minister Cen was there along with Elder Zuo, Elder Lin, Yao Xuefang, the Equipment Department's director, and Old Ni, the Investigation Hall's chief captain, already waiting for some time. The office, which wasn't big, instantly felt cramped with so many people coming in. Yao Xuefang stood up, giving her seat to Gu Shenghui, moving two high stools for Yu Zhongmin and Mei Simiao, while she herself dragged a chair next to Gu Shenghui's sofa.

Receiving the stool, Yu Zhongmin smiled bitterly and shook his head — he couldn't afford to offend this Xiaoyao, a well-known thorn in the Investigation Hall, who, due to her unique abilities, managed such a critical department as the Equipment Office. Yet, he couldn't understand why she, being a grown woman close to forty, was so infatuated with Gu Shenghui, whose face bore a scar and blackened teeth?