"You look like you're floating on air... like..."
"Your kidneys gave out?"
Early that morning, Section Chief Liu appeared, carrying a silver-white metal briefcase in his left hand and clutching a stainless steel thermos in his right.
The moment they met, he was startled by the heavy dark circles beneath Bai Zhou's eyes.
"—Our base doesn't sell anything that harms the healthy development of minors, does it?"
"You know how it is, Chief... I'm adjusting to the time difference."
Bai Zhou forced a stiff tug at the corners of his mouth, but his lifeless eyes looked just like dead fish eyes forgotten at the bottom of a freezer for six months.
"Oh, right. I forgot that each day in the Reflected Ruin Realm is thirty-six hours."
Being stared at directly by Bai Zhou with that gaze gave Section Chief Liu an inexplicable chill.
He couldn't help reminiscing about the Wancheng youth he had first met—the one with clear eyes and honest, simple speech.
"Actually, you don't have to smile if you don't want to."
*Music to my ears.*
Bai Zhou decisively dropped his smile.
Even maintaining that expression was exhausting.
This kind of "energy-saving" lifestyle aimed at cutting energy consumption had been going on for three days.
At the same time, Bai Zhou's late-night special training had also been underway for three days.
—Three days!
Heaven only knew how he had survived those three days.
The elegant, mysterious seeker of knowledge from his imagination didn't exist.
There was only a victim of cram-school spoon-feeding, so exhausted he floated when he walked, nauseated at the mere sight of mystical symbols.
Before formally learning *Moon Cinder*, he had to lay a solid foundation. So Bai Zhou swung a blade two thousand times each night, slogging through three bitter evenings.
If his swinging posture or breathing rhythm was even slightly off, Crow would slap his palms with an unyielding, stony face.
"Imagine a swallow darting past in front of you, then cut it down... Leave no room for hesitation; make the swing second nature!"
—Yet that was merely the "secret art"—or rather, the "physical" component.
After practicing with the blade, he had to learn how to draw—
Starting from sketching eggs.
Then came copying various mystical symbols: fast speed and pinpoint accuracy were required.
If a single line went crooked, he had to endure Crow's terrifying abyss-like glare.
"Just off. Why is it 'just off' again?"
Crow was expressionless, her tone frosty.
"Just one crooked line, and a healing ritual becomes homicide; an offensive technique turns into baking an ice cream cake.
"A protective talisman will instead attract trouble, making bird droppings curve midair just to hit you as you walk down the street.
"—You wouldn't want to purge your own corruption only to find yourself vomiting slugs continuously because of an error in a symbol, would you?"
...After drawing stars, he had to memorize seamless, 360-degree star charts.
Stargazing was supposed to be romantic, but for the first time, Bai Zhou felt like counting stars was giving him trypophobia.
—Even sleeping had become a luxury during this time.
Whenever Bai Zhou finally finished training and prepared to dive onto the bed in wild abandon, turning into a hibernating koala to sleep his heart out—
Crow would casually produce a crystal ball out of nowhere.
Bai Zhou was made to sit with this mystical crystal ball—which constantly hissed with frosty white mist—cushioning his rear, replacing sleep with cross-legged meditation.
Although the crystal ball was freezing cold and dug uncomfortably into his backside, he had to admit that the "meditation" Crow taught him was truly miraculous—
It not only significantly restored his mental vigor, but also brought his breathing into resonance with the pulsing spirituality in his body, soothing his physical fatigue and subtly enhancing his constitution over time.
However, just last night, Crow added yet another mental conditioning task: to try bending a spoon from a distance using only his mind after meditating.
Bai Zhou thought this was pure fantasy.
—Yet in his concealed dorm room, he had still spent half the night glaring at a plastic spoon brought back from the cafeteria, which he'd used earlier that afternoon to eat mapo tofu.
This was the exact reason Bai Zhou looked so exceptionally withered today.
"Open your eyes, young man!"
Section Chief Liu clapped Bai Zhou on the shoulder twice.
"Youth should have vitality, like the sun at eight or nine in the morning! Look at you—what sort of state is this? Unacceptable!
"All right, let's head to the cafeteria for breakfast. Down a bowl of authentic spicy pepper soup, and you'll have energy for a full day of work!"
He had said the exact same thing yesterday.
Following Section Chief Liu, Bai Zhou had drunk spicy pepper soup for three days straight.
After the initial novice training, following the tradition of veterans mentoring newcomers, each recruit was assigned a "mentor" to shadow, learning the ropes and familiarizing themselves with the work.
As far as Bai Zhou knew, most of these veteran mentors were around Rank P2 commissioners.
Yet whether because of Bai Zhou's unique constitution or because the words he had spoken in front of the Black Chamber had left a deep impression on Section Chief Liu, in any case, he was fortunate enough to have his internship personally mentored by Section Chief Liu, giving him a head start over everyone else.
...However, Section Chief Liu's standards were also the highest.
While getting to know him revealed that Section Chief Liu was quite approachable, in work mode he was stern and unsmiling, maintaining a dark scowl that tolerated not the slightest deviation.
Thanks to him, Bai Zhou had already become completely familiar with his duties and gained a preliminary understanding of the Special Control Bureau.
...On the way to the cafeteria, people bustled to and fro.
Commissioners in suits walked in groups, while those in trench coats hurried along with mechanical briefcases.
On the plaza where the Black Robe had been executed, the familiar group of white-coated researchers could be seen again, stretching their arms, kicking their legs, and twisting their hips and waists.
The broadcast blaring from the recorder was deafening. Last time in the evening, they had danced to "The Federation Calls"; this morning exercise seemed to be set to "Colorful Sunshine."
Fully armed soldiers patrolled past. All of them were burly, tall, and formidable, their heavy combat boots clumping loudly against the pavement, their gazes sharp as predators on the hunt.
Yet upon spotting Section Chief Liu, they stepped to the side of the road and saluted him.
Section Chief Liu returned the salute, and Bai Zhou mirrored him.
"The security department reports directly to the military. Furthermore, the soldiers here are professional career servicemen who never retire."
Only after the patrol moved off did Section Chief Liu speak up:
"But we commissioners have it good too. Every commissioner at Rank P2 or above enjoys official Federal civil service status and special stipends."
"Chief, look..." Bai Zhou blinked suddenly and pointed into the distance. "What happened over there?"
In the distance, shrouded by the hazy morning fog, a patrol team seemed to be in a state of commotion.
Then the crowd parted, and several figures rushed out in frantic haste, carrying a few stretchers.
—Yet as they emerged from the thick fog and drew closer, Bai Zhou was jolted wide awake.
Because he realized these fellows didn't seem human.
At the very least, they were completely different from the Blue Star humans he knew, fitting closer to his initial impression of "aliens" here.
At first glance, one might mistake them for skeletons prowling from the depths of the fog, but a closer look revealed even more terrifying, incomprehensible "creatures."
Upon their expressionless, pitch-black faces, a pair of abruptly bulging, large glass eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
Their noses, glinting with dark metallic sheen, resembled huge upturned pig snouts, flanked symmetrically by two spiraling flexible hoses twisting around them.
—Just as Bai Zhou saw.
—Trench-coated demons of the mist sprinted toward Bai Zhou and Section Chief Liu amid rolling torrents of fog.
No...
Bai Zhou quickly swapped "demons of the mist" for a more fitting description, remembering a similar depiction from a fairy tale book he had read as a child.
"—Pig-nosed demons!" Bai Zhou blurted out.
"*Cough! Cough, cough!*" Section Chief Liu stumbled on the spot, coughing violently despite not even smoking.
"Those are gas masks! Those are Special Control Bureau commissioners returning from a field mission!" He shot Bai Zhou a fierce glare.
"...I'll explain gas masks to you later. Wait here for me!"
With that, he hurried forward to meet them.
"What happened!"
As he spoke, he lent a hand to carry a stretcher, jogging tensely alongside the team.
"—What else but those damned Dead Sea Scrolls?"
The team carrying the stretchers jogged past Bai Zhou.
One of the "pig-nosed demons" answered in a muffled voice, his grumbling drifting over:
"We're searching for the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Blood Worship Cult is looking for them like madmen... So of course we clashed!
"Too many brothers have gotten injured lately just searching for that blasted thing.
"Who knows what the higher-ups are thinking..."
As the team drew away, the murmuring faded, leaving Bai Zhou standing frozen on the spot.
—What did they just say?
Dead Sea... Scrolls?
—[Ha, no one would ever suspect that beneath the big tree in front of the main entrance to the Yongning Life Care Center on Dongxing Road lies buried the Dead Sea Scrolls they want so badly... They won't dig it up in this lifetime!]
Dongxing Road, Yongning Life Care Center!
*Dead Sea Scrolls*!
He actually seemed to know the answer to this question?
—Only now did Bai Zhou realize.
The "they" in that message referred to both the "authorities" represented by the Special Control Bureau and the Blood Worship Cult.
Still, what on earth was this so-called *Dead Sea Scrolls* that could drive both sides into such desperate, bloody contention?
As he pondered, heavy footsteps sounded near his ears.
Section Chief Liu returned, smoking a cigarette, puffs of smoke billowing as he walked back with an enigmatic expression.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Section Chief Liu called out. "Come on, let's get you breakfast."
...
The cafeteria wasn't bustling with people like at other times; only a scattered few were seated inside.
It seemed most people didn't have the habit of eating breakfast.
"Here, fresh fried dough sticks, eat them while they're hot."
Section Chief Liu brought over a basket of youtiao, tiny bubbles of oil still sizzling on the surface of each golden stick, releasing an immediate surge of aroma.
"Eat seven first. If that's not enough, we can get more."
Meanwhile, Bai Zhou carried over two bowls of spicy pepper soup and handed one to Section Chief Liu.
Sitting down, Bai Zhou picked up his chopsticks and asked casually, as if offhand:
"What was that just now...?"
After a brief silence, Section Chief Liu sighed.
"They're a field team... Rank P3 commissioners and a few elite Rank P2 commissioners are qualified to form teams and go into the field on missions."
Section Chief Liu's expression turned somewhat gloomy.
"A while back, the Blood Worship Cult lost something. It has quite the background—an exceptionally precious piece of extraordinary knowledge.
"The authorities' upper echelon somehow obtained clues about it and took it extremely seriously, deploying a series of operations for it."
As he spoke, he glanced at Bai Zhou. "The Blood Worship Cult's stronghold in Wancheng was discovered purely by accident during this process, and eradicated along the way.
"—Right now, it's not just our Branch 36, or even just the Special Control Bureau.
"Across all of Tinghai City, various government agencies and departments are searching for it.
"Of course, the Blood Worship Cult is searching as well, and countless conflicts have erupted between both sides as a result.
"The casualties are heavy. In our Branch 36 alone, many colleagues have been injured... though naturally, the Blood Worship Cult has it worse."
At this point, Section Chief Liu paused. He leaned forward slowly, lowering his voice:
"Actually, quite a few higher-ups believe this object has likely already fallen back into the Blood Worship Cult's hands.
"Their current display of searching like mad might just be a smokescreen to confuse the authorities..."
*Well, it really isn't...* Bai Zhou muttered inwardly.
Dongxing Road... should be inside Tinghai City, right?
Though he couldn't learn more about the *Dead Sea Scrolls*, since both sides were going to such great lengths, its value was beyond question.
In that case, if he could reach that address, the item... would be his?
Bai Zhou fell into deep thought.
*Rank P2 and Rank P3 commissioners can go into the field...*
While thoughts raced through his mind, his expression remained impassive.
Bai Zhou slurped a mouthful of vinegar-seasoned spicy pepper soup, picking up a fried dough stick with his chopsticks.
"Old grudges combined with new debts—the Blood Worship Cult is crazily pushing the Federation's bottom line!"
Across from him, Section Chief Liu's face flushed red.
"The authorities have long wanted to wipe out those scourges once and for all. The problem is that the Blood Worship Cult is too secretive, with countless strongholds, and their headquarters has never been located.
"The higher-ups worry that striking a snake without killing it will only bring retribution. A Blood Worship Cult driven entirely underground would be even harder to deal with—there's precedent for that in the past..."
In the end, Section Chief Liu could only bite viciously into his dough stick to vent his anger.
"Still, the Blood Worship Cult has reached the point of near madness in their retaliation against the authorities.
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. The crazier they act, the more likely they are to reveal flaws."
Section Chief Liu sneered.
"In my view, those vermin lurking in the shadows won't remain arrogant for long!"
"Indeed," Bai Zhou nodded in agreement. "The Blood Worship Cult... *tch!*"
The culprits behind everything in Wancheng!
If the chance ever arose...
Bai Zhou opened his mouth and took a fierce bite of his dough stick as well.
With a crisp *crunch*, the golden crust shattered, leaving a large bite mark.
—Crispy and delicious!
...
The cold Black Chambers, the quiet corridor.
Under a long row of dim blue pendant lamps, Bai Zhou and Section Chief Liu conducted their routine patrol.
Everything was eerily deathly still. But according to Section Chief Liu...
In a place like this, deathly stillness was the only thing that brought peace of mind.
If any disturbance occurred, not only would Section Chief Liu and Bai Zhou suffer, but the entire Branch 36 would be dragged down with them.
Walking a step behind Section Chief Liu, Bai Zhou watched him twist open the lid of his thermos with a *creak-creak*.
Whorls of steam rose into the air. Boiling tea entered his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Hah..."
Section Chief Liu let out a soft, satisfied sigh.
In the strong tea of his thermos, there always seemed to be goji berries and American ginseng slices steeping, and circling the stainless steel exterior were faded black characters that read "Customer Appreciation, Limited Gift."
In fact, the keychain at his waist was faded as well, its painted surface chipped and blurry, clearly used for years.
Only the crisp suit uniform on him was neat and respectable, evidently cared for with meticulous attention.
—Though of course, his wife might have taken care of it for him.
A simple, thrifty middle-aged man, occasionally stingy.
And... a good man.
That was Bai Zhou's impression of him.
After all, Section Chief Liu ate all three daily meals in the cafeteria and would pack dinner for his whole family on his way home under the guise of saving on groceries, never passing up an opportunity to take advantage of petty perks.
Habitually wanting to spit out a tea leaf, Section Chief Liu remembered they were in the Black Chamber and chose instead to chew it in his mouth.
In the cavernous corridor of the Black Chambers, Bai Zhou heard only the echo of their footsteps and Section Chief Liu's rhythmic chewing of tea leaves.
Turning corner after corner and passing Black Chamber after Black Chamber, peering inside through doors and windows, strings of familiar last words entered his sight.
Among them were two old acquaintances: the last words hovering above the [Legacy of Bloodthirst] and the [Crown of Johor].
Though only Bai Zhou knew that the [Crown of Johor] had nothing to do with any "Johor"; the information discrepancy was absurdly huge.
It wasn't inexplicable, really—archaeology was just like that, half of it relying on guesswork.
So Bai Zhou couldn't help wondering: a thousand years from now, if future generations dug up today's relics...
Would they take fantasy novels as real historical records of their ancestors, or mistake a cat tree for a torture device used to domesticate animals?
—Wait!
Bai Zhou's heart suddenly lurched.
—Where did those last words come from?
How could there still be last words above that crown?
He had seen the last words shatter and rush into him with his own eyes—otherwise, where had the golden pass come from?
With a soft step, Bai Zhou stopped in his tracks.
"Something wrong?"
Seeing Bai Zhou halt, Section Chief Liu stopped ahead of him and asked in confusion.
"...Nothing. I just remembered eating that little cupcake here last time."
Bai Zhou forced a smile. "I'd just left Wancheng back then. It was the best little cake I'd ever eaten in my life."
"Don't worry, you can eat as many as you want from now on. The cafeteria is free anyway," Section Chief Liu said without suspicion, consoling him instead. "Still, young people should go easy on sweets. Commissioners of the Special Control Bureau need to maintain their physical condition."
"Yeah." Bai Zhou nodded, maintaining a calm facade.
Then, taking advantage of Section Chief Liu turning back around, he swiftly shifted his gaze toward that quiet door of the Black Chamber he had just passed.
Looking through the door window, Bai Zhou indeed saw a new line of scarlet last words suspended midair above the tightly sealed Black Box.
*There really is one... Since when?*
Bai Zhou was bewildered, filled with shock and suspicion.
...At first, this line of bloody last words was exceedingly blurry, as though veiled behind a layer of mist.
Right now, it simply floated high up in silence, gazing down wordlessly.
Yet the moment he saw it, Bai Zhou felt an ancient, mysterious, mottled aura clawing toward him, suffocating in its intensity.
As Bai Zhou gazed at it longer, the blurry last words inexplicably grew clearer.
In the end, thick, striking, and mottled ancient bloody words, completely unlike anything he had seen before, slowly coalesced like rising from beneath the water's surface...
It read—
[Even if the Age of Gods has long shattered, may someone yet bathe in blood and don the crown to become the new... King of Gold!]
Chapter 13