On the screen, the old curator walked out of the warehouse, his fists clenched, eyes wide, and his whole body seemed somewhat stiff, mumbling something under his breath.
No one knew what exactly the old curator had discovered among those goods, but his emotions of regret, shame, and anger were evident. It was probably only at this moment that he truly decided to expose [Flaming Surge].
For an old man who had lived a dissolute life, making such a do-or-die decision was not easy.
Then, minutes later, the old man died at the hands of "Chen Gu."
Chen Gu had watched over and over the footage of the old man from the moment he left the warehouse until his death, and no cube-like object ever appeared.
"... A mystical item like a prop? Can it be transferred to me without my knowledge?"
"Is this what Nie He is looking for?"
"For this, would he go so far as to kill several senior members of [Flaming Surge]?"
"Could that item be... 'The Past of Four Hundred'? Is it because of this item that I've come to this era?"
In Chen Gu's heart, various thoughts flowed silently. Then, he turned off all the surveillance videos and turned to Milgray, saying, "I need to find Nie He."
The case on [Yunjing Star] should have rightly ended here, as everything about [Flaming Surge] was already clear, with a complete chain of evidence and all suspects apprehended.
Pursuing a suddenly emerging "Hunter of Life" would only arouse suspicion among those with intentions.
However, Chen Gu, who had always been cautious, abandoned his composure at this moment. Seeing the truth right before him, Chen Gu couldn't let it go, even if it meant taking some risks.
But standing behind him, Milgray chuckled and said, "Finding a Hunter of Life isn't easy, unless a super life form appears."
Chen Gu was moved, seeing the meaningful glimmer in Milgray's silver eyes, his impulsive heart gradually calming down.
Milgray had evidently perceived something, using this "refusal to help" as a way to remind him.
Chen Gu took a deep breath, pulling back from the brink of error, and nodded to Milgray: "Remember to keep an eye out for me."
Milgray nodded: "No problem."
In a few hours, Chen Gu completed the report on the [Yunjing Star] case, ensuring it was watertight, then submitted it and completely bid farewell to [Yunjing Star], boarding a ship back to Capital Star.
When the civilian ship leaped out of the warp channel, Milgray whispered softly in Chen Gu's ear: "I know the resting place of a super life form."
Chen Gu sharply turned to look at her, Milgray raised her eyebrows slightly with some smugness but didn't say more.
After the All-Star Game, the Alliance entered an intense schedule, and Chen Gu played eight games in two weeks.
Aviloya was very displeased by this, complaining to Qing Ruyan: "Has he forgotten that his primary job is a special agent of the Bureau of Mystic Security?"
"Young people are flighty, enjoying the unreal glory under the spotlight."
So, when the Great Actor Chen received a "tip-off" from Qing Ruyan, he dutifully went to work at the Bureau's headquarters during the day and trained and competed at night.
Now at the Seventh Energy Level, the Great Actor Chen was among the top experts in the Bureau's "regular forces"; ordinary cases wouldn't deploy such a formidable force like him, and often, Chen Gu acted as a consultant.
When any cases below encountered difficulties, they were sent to Chen Gu, who studied them carefully and then gave advice on the next steps.
This evening, with no game scheduled, Chen Gu was packing up his things to get off work when Qing Ruyan suddenly pushed open the office door: "The Director-General wants to see you."
Chen Gu muttered in his heart but said nothing as he followed to the top floor of the Bureau's headquarters.
In the spacious office, there was only Aviloya, the long-time fixture Rainbow on the sofa was gone.
Aviloya glanced deeply at the Milgray behind Chen Gu: "Actually, we're here for you today."
Milgray remained calm, her silver hair and eyes seemed a bit dim, as she had already anticipated: "Let's go."
...
This was Chen Gu's first visit to the highest power institution of the Confederation: the Civic Building.
The Elders' Council worked here, each member having their own office in this vast building.
But Aviloya didn't take them to see the Elders, instead leading them to a legal office, where a negotiation team of five top lawyers was waiting for them.
In the process of negotiating for Milgray's lifetime employment contract, Chen Gu had no place to speak; it was all handled by Milgray herself, single-handedly facing the five top lawyers of the Confederation.
In this process, the ones having the hardest time were not Milgray, but the five lawyers.
When they took on this task, they didn't know who they were really facing, nor did they know the contract's specific details.
It wasn't until the negotiations began that they were allowed to open and glance at the contract, then start the "discussion" with Milgray based on this drafted contract.
Upon opening the contract, the five top lawyers realized something was off: who was this "employee"?
And they soon discovered that the young, mysterious girl before them was actually a super life form!
The five distinguished lawyers felt as if the chairs beneath them were covered in lubricant, sliding uncontrollably towards the table...
The negotiation endured for a full seven days before reaching an agreement. Throughout the process, Milgray showed no sense of being under someone's wing, holding a firm stance, while the Confederation didn't actually use the Principal or Aviloya to suppress her.
The agreement finally reached granted Milgray a high degree of freedom, yet she ultimately signed it, becoming an honorable employee of the Confederation.
Although Milgray used the negotiation to secure the most advantageous terms possible, from that moment on, the radiant Star Sea and the freedom to soar were completely closed to her.
Therefore, Milgray felt no joy in victory.
At the signing ceremony, the Principal and Aviloya jointly presented the "witness" of the signing. It was a fragment of an ancient damaged stone tablet.
Inscribed on it were some ancient characters.
When this object was brought out from its multiple layers of protection, Chen Gu felt the entire world enveloped in a strict "rule."
As Milgray left her mark on the agreement, Chen Gu, who shared a symbiotic relationship with her, distinctly felt an indescribable connection forming between himself and the stone tablet.
It was apparent that the super lifeform had already been restricted by the tablet—a very early numbered Heavenly Object.
At the moment the signing ceremony concluded, Chen Gu felt both the Principal and Aviloya relax together.
Chen Gu felt neither joy nor sorrow. Rationally speaking, binding a super lifeform within the Confederation brought great benefit to the Star Nation.
Moreover, the operation was extremely secretive, unknown to the Star State, Empire, and Freedom Alliance. Effectively, the Confederation gained an experienced Ninth Power Level.
If a civil war among humans were to break out, the Confederation would have a significant advantage.
Yet, from a personal perspective, having interacted with Milgray for a while, Chen Gu felt sympathy for her.
The inner feeling of emotional disparity was unpleasant, and Chen Gu could only think bitterly: This little lady had once hunted me down, nearly causing my downfall in the Star Sea.
Well, that feels somewhat better.
Humans truly are complex emotional creatures.
In the negotiation, Milgray firmly requested Chen Gu to become her "liaison." Unless in emergencies, all requests from the Confederation would be conveyed through Chen Gu.
The Principal was uneasy about this and immediately took Chen Gu aside after the signing ceremony, raising a barrier of energy to create a space with only the two of them, and started scolding his student bluntly: "What's your relationship with her, why does she insist on making you the liaison?"
"You should have some sense, don't let her exploit you. Super lifeforms are hard to deal with, don't be fooled by her pretty appearance; her true form is terrifying. Once revealed, it ensures you enter a sage state, desires erased."
"Also, don't truly believe she'll look at you differently. You're different species, vastly different in size, incompatible dimensions..."
Chen Gu chuckled helplessly: "What are you thinking? There's really nothing between us, just a symbiotic relationship, and she could see I sympathized with her, that's why she made me the liaison."
The Principal waved dismissively: "I don't believe you! But a man, it's natural to be lustful; it's not really a flaw."
Chen Gu held his tongue, but recalled the Principal seemed to have many close female companions, and rumors even suggested an intimate relationship with Deputy Director Xue.
Clearly, the Principal was projecting, but Great Actor Chen would never admit to it.
The Principal suddenly scratched his chin: "But I'm curious, is there reproductive isolation between humans and super lifeforms..."
"Principal!" Chen Gu protested, and the Principal waved his hand, glancing outside at Aviloya: "That's odd, the tension is palpable. Surely there isn't an issue between you and Aviloya?"
Chen Gu jumped as though his tail was stepped on: "Though you're an elder, I'll flip if you continue spreading rumors!"
The Principal snorted: "In any case, I've warned you – be careful, don't play with fire!"
In his own mind, the Principal felt that playing with fire was exciting!
Chen Gu decided to ignore him.
When the two stepped out, Milgray didn't ask what the Principal told Chen Gu, but greeted him, and they left the Bureau of Mystic Security building together.
"Let me take you someplace," Milgray said.
Chen Gu followed, with Milgray leading the way. Soon, Chen Gu realized the road was familiar, evidently heading back to the bureau.
Indeed, Milgray led Chen Gu to a main street beside the bureau.
"I want to buy this place," Milgray suddenly said.
Chen Gu pointed at the street in surprise: "Here?"
This was Capital Star, where every inch was precious, and the area near the bureau building was bustling, with high land prices.
Milgray pointed upwards: "Here."
"Buy this airspace and build a floating island." Milgray smiled slightly: "I've saved up some money over the years, but might still be short. I know the resting place of a super lifeform, that information's worth quite a bit. Help me sell it, and it should be just about enough."
