Early the next morning, at the Headquarters the Supernatural Investigation Bureau.
Zhu Ci, the special investigator in charge of handling the supernatural anomalies at Xuanxiao Temple, hurriedly entered the Headquarters office building under the protection of a group of guards.
The Headquarters of the Supernatural Investigation Bureau was heavily guarded, with guards every three steps and sentries every five steps. After passing through many checkpoints, Zhu Ci finally entered the conference room.
The conference room was now full of people.
Upon seeing Zhu Ci, the director of the Investigation Bureau, seated at the head of the table, asked directly and seriously, "How's the situation? Any new discoveries?"
Zhu Ci nodded. "According to the description of Liang Shoupeng, the abbot of Xuanxiao Temple, Bai Jingjing claims that she was possessed by the White Bone Madam. The White Bone Madam gradually awakens within her body, slowly eroding her mind and body, affecting her thoughts and actions."
"She went to Xuanxiao Temple intending to seek help from Daoism, hoping to suppress the resurgence of White Bone Madam through Daoism magic. However, Liang Shoupeng was just a charlatan and could not meet her demands."
"Based on my deduction, what happened at Xuanxiao Temple was likely Bai Jingjing's act of venting her frustration."
After he finished speaking, another person in the conference room immediately chimed in, "Last night, in a residential area of New Yan City, several police officers witnessed a ghost. According to their accounts, the ghosts were a family of three surnamed Tian from the local area."
"At first, the Tian family couple could be injured by gunfire, but after Tian Tian appeared, they became invulnerable to weapons."
"Therefore, I reasonably guess that Tian Tian is the main ghost, and the other two are perhaps beings controlled by her."
"Later, a mysterious woman rescued them at a crucial moment. Based on identification, this woman should be Bai Jingjing."
Director Mu Xingrui then asked, "What findings have been made regarding the White Bone Madam?"
White Bone Madam is a cannon fodder character in ancient classics, and everyone present knows this. What the director wants to investigate is why the so-called "White Bone Madam" appeared in Shanque City, and whether there are any mentions of White Bone Madam or similar beings in local folk legends.
The member in charge of intelligence management shook his head. "No leads whatsoever."
This White Bone Madam seems to have appeared out of thin air.
Mu Xingrui's expression was serious. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and continued, "Have all the witnesses to the paranormal phenomena signed confidentiality agreements?"
An intelligence officer replied, "A large portion of the survivors in Shanque City were mentally unstable. Those who have regained consciousness have been silenced, and the Xuanxiao Temple have all signed statements."
"There were twelve deaths and injuries in the residential area of New Yan City. Because it was late at night, the other residents only heard strange noises and did not know what happened."
"The propaganda department has already drafted a preliminary plan to guide public opinion. Even if eyewitnesses leak the information, it will only be treated as an ordinary horror story by the public."
"Afterwards, there might be increased online promotion of folk tales and horror stories, and the lifting of restrictions on Supernatural literature. This would be enough to confuse the public, and real supernatural events wouldn't attract too much attention."
Directly blocking and deleting relevant information online is simply a blatant attempt to cover something up; only someone skilled in public opinion management would do something so foolish.
The best approach is to mix true and false information to mislead the uninformed public. Over time, people will naturally come to believe that what's circulating online is just superstition.
At this moment, another member in the meeting room said to Mu Xingrui, "I suggest that the TV station add a new program similar to 'Walking Through Science,' with the theme of debunking feudal superstitions such as demons, ghosts, and urban legends. They can write their own scripts, and then have experts invited by the TV station explain the phenomena scientifically. In this way, no matter how much those in the know leak information, no matter how eloquently they describe it, mainstream public opinion will remain normal."
Mu Xingrui nodded. "That's a good suggestion. Let's continue talking about Bai Jingjing."
According to Xuanxiao Temple Liang Shoupeng, Bai Jingjing claims to be possessed by the power of the White Bone Madam. So, is the current Bai Jingjing the real Bai Jingjing, or a demon replaced by the White Bone Madam, or perhaps both coexist?
"The incident at Xuanxiao Temple seems to have been orchestrated by Bai Jingjing. It's possible she's already a demon. Has the intelligence department located her at all?"
The intelligence officer immediately replied, "No, Bai Jingjing is elusive; her movement is quite unique, making it difficult for us to pinpoint her exact location."
Mu Xingrui was not surprised by this result.
The meeting lasted a long time. As it drew to a close, Mu Xingrui looked into the eyes of everyone present and said in a low voice, "Gentlemen, no matter what, the existence of extraordinary power is of paramount importance. This matter may concern the rise and fall of the nation, and we must not take it lightly."
"Various unusual phenomena are currently occurring all over the world. As the domestic agency responsible for handling unusual phenomena, the Supernatural Investigation Bureau will be expanding its staff."
His gaze shifted to the seat to his left. The person sitting there nodded solemnly, then took out a document, handed it to Mu Jingrui, and said in a low voice, "Regarding the expansion of the Investigation Bureau, I have drafted the regulations. This is my proposal and personnel arrangement. Please review it, Director."
Mu Xingrui glanced at the list and found that most of the people on it were eyewitnesses or participants in these supernatural events.
This includes Feng Qian, a policeman from New Yan City; Liang Shoupeng, a Daoist priest from Xuanxiao Temple Shanque City; and even an ordinary person named Li Hua.
"Who is this Li Hua?" Mu Xingrui asked.
The person who drafted the expanded charter for the Investigation Bureau replied, "According to the description, Li Hua also encountered ghosts up close, but unlike the other residents in the New Yan City community, he did not die a horrible death. He was only unconscious for a short time, and the doctor's examination revealed that he was only slightly frightened and had no other physical injuries."
"Perhaps this person named Li Hua possesses some unknown talent, capable of resisting ghosts and monsters. Once discovered, it could play a significant role."
"The same applies to the mentally stable survivors in Shanque City. They survived the supernatural disaster without going insane. Even if they are useless, at least they have good mental fortitude and are lucky. Now we have to believe in such vague and mysterious things as luck. Recruiting these people is very suitable, since the Investigation Bureau doesn't lack positions anyway."
"Okay." Mu Xingrui did not object to the suggestion.
"Is there anything else to say? If not, this meeting is adjourned."