Chapter 1046: Chapter 725: Evenly Matched_2
"It’s not the patients being checked, it’s us, the night shift people." Captain Zhou felt a lingering fear.
"As long as you have any violations, you’ll be caught, and Vice Director Huang will target you." Yang Xiao didn’t expect that there were eyes watching them from the shadows.
"Exactly. Later, I realized that as long as we leave our designated floor, we would be caught. Thankfully, the message came in time, and I called Xu Yiqiu on the first floor; otherwise, she would have gone to the basement to help you. If she had really gone, you’d be in big trouble." Captain Zhou was glad he stuck to the rules.
Connecting the dots to the body found in the basement’s cold storage, Wu Qiao’s body—clearly the work of Vice Director Huang—he hadn’t expected this guy to hide so well.
Yang Xiao recalled a promise he made to Xi Huijun and took out his phone, intending to call Ling Yanyu, who was staying in Xiang Ma Town, as it seemed more appropriate for him to handle this matter. But Captain Zhou, who was approaching, stopped him, "Director Yang, hold on a moment."
"What’s the matter?" Yang Xiao raised his head, looking puzzled.
"The people here know we’ve been entangled with the Ghost Script. There must be someone from the tech department controlling signals from the outside. Once you make a call, they’ll know we’re back."
"Is there something you want to say to me, Captain Zhou? We’re friends. Please be straight with me." Putting away his phone, he knew Captain Zhou had something he couldn’t say to outsiders.
Seeing this, Captain Zhou shook his head and lowered his voice, "You’ve misunderstood, it’s not for me, it’s for you. To be precise... it’s for that item." Captain Zhou gestured with his eyes to Yang Xiao’s backpack.
This time, the spoils of war, the Ghost Bell, were in the backpack.
"You want this thing." Yang Xiao raised an eyebrow; he felt he wasn’t close enough with Captain Zhou yet. If he wanted it, he would have to trade something of interest.
Apparently noticing the change in Yang Xiao’s tone and micro-expressions, Captain Zhou smiled and shook his head, "That item is yours. You risked your life for it. I won’t take it. But based on my experience, this bell is a good thing. You can keep it for yourself, don’t report it."
Yang Xiao had never had the habit of handing over his belongings. It’s his, why report it?
"We are all Angel Envoys; daily incidents with various odd characters are unavoidable. Sometimes, resolving disputes might require special measures. It’s best not to reveal one’s treasures. Report less to the higher-ups if possible; it’s better for everyone." Captain Zhou advised earnestly, he valued Yang Xiao’s character highly, considering him a trustworthy person, as evidenced by Qu Hong.
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao’s wary gaze softened; he clasped his hands, "Thank you, Brother Zhou, for the reminder."
"It’s a small matter. You and I met by chance; it’s fate. Let’s not rush off. You and I should review the mission here, try to share credit equally with our teammates, so the fact that neither of us gets the Resentful Eye won’t draw suspicion." Captain Zhou was adept at such matters, clearly not his first time.
"I’ll leave it to you, Brother Zhou." Yang Xiao felt very grateful to the person in front of him.
"No need for courtesy."
They spent about half an hour dissecting and analyzing the entirety of the mission, ensuring the statements coordinated. This way, when they returned to write separate reports, there wouldn’t be any conflict, nor would it arouse suspicion.
Captain Zhou thoughtfully advised to push blame onto dead people, as they can’t testify.
Truly, to make a name for oneself within the system, no one is incompetent. Self-preservation comes first before promotion and wealth.
Additionally, Captain Zhou hinted at responses for inspections from above, which were all novel to Yang Xiao, as he had little experience in this area.
"Listening to you is more enlightening than reading for ten years; I’ve learned a lot." Yang Xiao realized the person’s identity was indeed extraordinary, as even Nalan Shuo hadn’t explained these things to him.
"Director Yang, regarding today’s matters..."
"Brother Zhou, rest assured, today’s matters remain between heaven and earth, known only to you and me. I, Yang Xiao, may not be a saint, but I would never be treacherous. The favor extended, I shall never forget." Yang Xiao spoke earnestly.
Captain Zhou suddenly chuckled, then stood up, patting his numbed legs, nodding, "Let’s leave it at that, Director Yang, we shall meet again!"
"Why, Brother Zhou, are you in a hurry to leave?" Having benefited greatly from him, Yang Xiao wanted to keep Captain Zhou around for a few more days, offering hospitality. He had a few decent treasures back in Xiang Ma Town, ready to be delivered overnight.
"Duty calls, I can’t stay long." Captain Zhou naturally declined.
Understanding the special nature of the other’s identity, Yang Xiao didn’t push further, as matters between shrewd people were often resolved with a look. Yang Xiao never asked about Captain Zhou’s identity.
He didn’t want to cause trouble for Captain Zhou, nor for himself or Director Nolan.
Leaving the room together with Captain Zhou, they found people on this floor had been evacuated in advance. They went downstairs, coincidentally encountering Xi Menxiu, who was waiting. Seeing her captain return, she was naturally delighted and immediately wanted to set up drinks and have a feast.
"No rush, business first, let’s document this mission first." Yang Xiao worried that after a round of drinking, he might forget some agreed-upon details or mix things up.
After all, those reviewing reports above aren’t fools; they’re adept at deducing issues from bits of evidence.
Of course, most of the time, they tend to turn a blind eye, not nitpicking, but caution is better.
After bidding farewell to Yang Xiao, Captain Zhou left. Yang Xiao stayed with Xi Menxiu, spending the night at the investigation team’s office, rushing to complete the mission report. After ensuring nothing was missed, he submitted it.
With the report done and the Resentful Eye obtained, this mission was now concluded for Yang Xiao.
After finishing everything, Yang Xiao called Ling Yanyu, instructing him to visit based on the names and hospital address he mentioned to solve their medical expenses issues, and leave some money for living expenses.
Yang Xiao valued his apprentice, Ling Yanyu, who was progressing rapidly, reliable in his work, and most importantly, extremely loyal—a person who reciprocates kindness.
Ling Yanyu acted without question, doing as instructed.
In conversation, Ling Yanyu reported to Yang Xiao that Tong Han’s arrival greatly benefited their endeavors. Since he wasn’t an Angel Envoy, some matters were challenging but now Tong Han came and, not long after, managed to tame ten newly recruited Angel Envoys, all calling her ’Ms. Han.’"
Ling Yanyu mentioned further that Tong Han, under the guise of sparring, sparred with Granny Jin, who was conceited. Over twenty rounds, neither side gained an upper hand.
"She and Granny Jin are evenly matched?" Yang Xiao was stunned, fully aware of Granny Jin’s prowess, a fierce Li Generation figure, seasoned and experienced. In a true fight, even Elder Pu from the Yiling Academy, halfway into the Ghost Level, might not be a match.
As for Tong Han, whose background was well known, once just a Venerable Candidate in the Yu Yuan Sect, she was at most of intermediate fierce grade level; how did she advance so rapidly after spending months at the Ru Lin Academy?
No way, he must find time to ask if Yang Cha secretly gave Tong Han some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures—he wanted them too.
Ling Yanyu whispered, seemingly not wanting others to know, "Indeed, Ms. Han’s prowess shocked everyone. I wasn’t there, but heard Granny Jin mention casually that Ms. Han’s magic artifact is extraordinary, capable of summoning an ancient temple into reality, and the beings worshipped within are extremely formidable, practically unkillable."
Wait, why does this thing sound familiar... Suddenly, Yang Xiao’s eyes widened, striking his thigh, jumping to his feet—wasn’t this the Waist Drum seized from City God Master, a top cultivator of Yu Yuan Sect?
He had clearly stated that this treasure was to be entrusted to Tong Han, but how did she end up claiming it?
Robbery?
She dared to rob me?!
