43: The Figure Behind

This operation yielded some gains, but overall, it was a failure.

When Chen Longshi and the others returned, Wu Tianyuan had already come back as well. His expression was grim; their pursuit had run into fierce resistance. Just as they were about to capture the enemy, the hostage suddenly betrayed them, leading the half-demons through a teleportation array to escape. Other teams encountered some ambushes too, but thankfully no casualties occurred.

Upon reaching the base, Wu Tianyuan went straight to the minister’s office, respectfully saluting the silver-haired, short-haired middle-aged man standing by the window.

“Report the situation.”

“The hostage suddenly turned traitor and even awakened a rare spatial attribute. At the critical moment, he used a teleportation star skill to flee. Still, we haven’t truly lost them; their main operations rely on the underground city. If we keep investigating, we’ll surely find their hideout.” Wu Tianyuan looked up. “Minister, I wish to request the Sky Eye Division’s intervention.”

“Sky Eye?” The silver-haired man pondered for a moment. “You believe we need other departments to cooperate?”

“I just feel something is off. The half-demons appeared suddenly in Seaside City, acting frequently. From our intelligence, they’re searching for some key figure. And today, they even wielded forbidden weapons, openly tossing bombs in crowds, disregarding consequences. This has breached the unspoken rules between us.” Wu Tianyuan’s right arm still ached slightly as he spoke. “The one I fought today is no ordinary half-demon. His strength is at least platinum-tier. Had they not been intent on fleeing, I might have fallen.”

The silver-haired man glanced at him. “You’re close to breaking through to gold-tier. After this mission, focus on your cultivation, strive to unlock your genetic lock soon. As for the Sky Eye Division, they have more urgent priorities, more critical than the half-demons. So this matter falls to our Investigation Division alone. I’ll have the Vermilion Bird squad cooperate with you.”

“Yes, sir,” Wu Tianyuan replied in a low voice.

“There’s something you must understand. The Outer Heaven Divine Sword Project is the top priority for this branch. The higher-ups’ attitude toward the half-demons remains ambiguous; some wish to integrate their forces. Their actions have always been subdued, so our Sword Bureau hasn’t wiped them out. This recent flurry of activity could be a deliberate attempt to draw attention and divert focus. Remember to keep your operations contained, don’t escalate things. Above all, ascertain whether these people are also targeting the Starsea Secret Realm.”

“Yes, understood.”

Wu Tianyuan finished his report and prepared to leave. Suddenly he remembered something. “Minister, what’s the story with Chen Longshi in our squad? He can control spiritual sword techniques at bronze-tier. If I’m not mistaken, he’s still at the Star Forge stage, right?”

The silver-haired man, Qu Qingliu, showed some interest. “He’s performed well?”

“More than just well. If not for him taking action at the subway station, this operation would have been a disaster.”

Qu Qingliu nodded. “They are promising talents. The higher-ups are keeping an eye on them. Take care, don’t let them get lost.”

After returning to the base, Chen Longshi found Wang Ben already back. His arm was bandaged, a thick cast wrapped around his chest, yet his face was filled with excitement. “Come on, I’m in a good mood today. Let me buy you a drink.”

“With you in this state, drinking?”

“It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious. A few days’ rest and I’ll be fine. I’ve found a great spot, are you coming?”

Chen Longshi smiled. What could he have discovered? Surely it was just the leisure street inside the base—a gathering place for restless souls, nothing particularly novel.

“No, I need to rest.”

All in all, after their first engagement, the entire Azure Dragon Operations Team held a dramatically improved impression of these two new recruits.

They were true talents. Wang Ben fought fiercely but was no reckless brute—his combat experience was rich, and his ability to command in small-scale battles was outstanding. His fighting style was uplifting, and his easygoing nature made him well-liked.

Chen Longshi was much more composed, but even Wu Tianyuan found him hard to read.

His decisive intervention in the subway was one thing, but in his squad, he twice surpassed the group leader, becoming the main force in battle. Such a feat had never occurred since the founding of Seaside City’s Sword Bureau.

In the following days, other teams from the investigation group were mobilized to conduct tighter surveillance and inspections across Seaside City. Chen Longshi was assigned to several missions, though no further combat ensued.

As he gradually integrated into the Sword Bureau, he noticed that the current environment for half-demons was not as dire as he had imagined. Among the lower ranks, there was certainly hostility, but the attitude at the top was ambiguous.

There was no policy of extermination against half-demons.

The higher-ups set the tone, so some teams even developed contacts among the half-demons.

Xiao Feng once took them to visit a burly boss who ran a chain of hotpot restaurants—he turned out to be a half-demon, part bear with ice attributes.

He used to be an ordinary man, reportedly diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Despite his wealth, he was unwilling to await death. After exhausting medical options, he resorted to desperate measures and was approached by the half-demon organization.

After paying the price, he risked the transformation ritual. Unexpectedly, it succeeded—not only was his cancer cured, but he became a cultivator. However, his manic tendencies were quite evident.

Fortunately, he shared his body with a bear demon of ice attribute. Whenever his mania flared, he’d freeze himself in a block of ice, making him more resilient than other half-demons. His timid nature and lack of criminal record earned him leniency from the Sword Bureau.

Such small figures were countless in the underground world.

Ordinary people and warriors—an invisible chasm divides them.

With such means, as long as someone refuses to remain ordinary, the flow of new half-demons will never cease.

The Investigation Division didn’t have daily missions. As newcomers, Chen Longshi and Wang Ben mainly focused on adapting and training. Perhaps it was just a feeling, but on the last day of the weekly patrol, Chen Longshi suddenly sensed someone watching him.

A chill crept over him, as if a mocking, malicious gaze was measuring him without restraint—the look of a lion toying with a rabbit. Chen Longshi didn’t turn around. His spiritual senses flared, probing madly.

He vaguely glimpsed a black hole-like figure high above, gazing down at him. Sensing the scrutiny, the shadow in his spiritual perception grinned, revealing gleaming white fangs amid the darkness.

When he turned back, nothing was there; cold sweat poured down his forehead.

“Chen, what’s wrong?” Li Changhuan asked, alert.

“I feel someone watching me—someone very powerful.”

“Where?”

Chen Longshi shook his head. “Gone.”

Xiao Feng searched for a long time but found nothing amiss. After working together these days, they had grown deeply impressed by Chen Longshi’s spiritual senses. Since even he said the presence was powerful, they decided to withdraw for safety, planning to report back.

Xiao Feng relayed the incident to Wu Tianyuan. After some thought, Wu Tianyuan decided to have Chen Longshi skip the adaptation period. “The Bureau’s focus for you young people is training first, missions second. With your current strength at Star Forge, are you aiming to break the body-forging limit?”

“I do hope to.”

“Any difficulties?”

Was this guidance? Chen Longshi replied honestly, “I’ve cultivated several body-forging star techniques. I seem to be on the threshold of perfection, but something always feels missing.”

Wu Tianyuan said, “As long as you can suppress the urge to break through, it’s not a big problem. What you’re missing is likely accumulation. The training grounds in the base are excellent, and the Star Pavilion holds many star techniques and skills. You should take fewer missions for now and spend more time there. The next batch of recruits will arrive soon. You’re the highest-ranking among the new trainees—I hope you’ll be the first to break the silver-tier genetic lock.”

“Thank you, Captain. I’ll do my best.”

“Good.”

Thus, Chen Longshi had truly found his footing in his new post.

He could finally shift his focus back to cultivation.