With an increasing number of Supernatural events occurring, the Supernatural Investigation Bureau is overwhelmed.
The red encrypted phone on Cheng Linzhou's desk was almost constantly ringing; each piercing ring signified another unsolvable Supernatural event in some region.
On the map, the red markers representing the lockdown areas resemble a spreading plague, densely packed and alarming.
Initially, the Investigation Bureau could use "blockade" to limit the spread of Supernatural events, but as more and more advanced Supernatural events occurred, the blockade became as fragile as paper and was completely ineffective.
The report shows that more than 60 percent of the lockdown zones were breached or deteriorated within a week of their establishment, with Supernatural forces growing, mutating, and merging with each other to form an even more terrifying entity.
The Investigation Bureau's response appeared clumsy and slow.
"Ring ring..." The phone rang.
"Chief, the 'Ghost Rain' in Qingjiang City has broken through the third line of defense and is spreading towards the city center! Conventional methods are completely ineffective!" The communications officer's voice was hoarse, Chanyin with despair.
"Understood." Cheng Linzhou's voice was eerily calm, but the knuckles of his fingers gripping the pen were white from the force.
He hung up the phone and glanced at the silent group of people in the corner of the office— Chen Zhanji was curled up in the shadows, looking like a blurry ink stain; Fang Zhitu sat on the sofa, as taciturn as ever; Feng Qian held a report in his hand, his face not looking good, and his eyes showing deep weariness.
The extreme shortage of manpower was like a noose around the neck of the Investigation Bureau, as if it were cursed. They could neither find more civilian, wild Ghost Tamers nor create a second artificial Ghost Tamer in the laboratory. Every failed experiment was depleting the Investigation Bureau's remaining strength.
"Chen Zhanji, Fang Zhitu," Cheng Linzhou said, his voice carrying an unquestionable command, "No Supernatural phenomena are allowed within a ten-kilometer radius of Headquarters. You are the last line of defense. Therefore, I need you to maintain your alertness, understand?"
He dared not send them to deal with disasters far away, nor did he dare to overwork them, for fear of exhausting them to death. The few remaining Ghost Tamers in the Investigation Bureau had to stay by his side to guard the last line of defense and protect himself.
Chen Zhanji shifted slightly in the shadows, a gesture that could be considered a response. Fang Zhitu forced a stiff smile, his tone indifferent. "Don't worry, Director."
As for Feng Qian?
He's now the mascot of the Investigation Bureau, Cheng Linzhou wishes he could carry him around with him and share in his lucky charm.
"Knock knock--" A knocking sound rang out on the door.
Upon seeing that the visitor was the Minister of Finance, Cheng Linzhou waved his hand, dismissing the three Ghost Tamer from the office.
"What is it?" Cheng Linzhou asked, sounding rather annoyed.
The finance Minister hesitated before speaking, "Regarding gold reserves..." He trailed off.
"Speak your mind."
The amount of gold used in the Beishan Villa District... has exceeded the standard.
Cheng Linzhou closed his eyes. He knew who lived in those villas. He should have stepped in to stop the first high-ranking official when he began to embezzle gold to secretly build private safe houses.
However...
"Don't worry about it," Cheng Linzhou finally said.
The finance Minister, looking relieved, hurried away.
Cheng Linzhou knew that another batch of gold would "mysteriously disappear" tonight, turning into a hidden compartment in the wall of some high-ranking official's bedroom.
Due to the frequent occurrence of Supernatural events, the "doomsday theory" has gradually spread among the people.
Some people have begun hoarding food and daily necessities, while others say they don't care because they are the lowest rungs of society and have no money to hoard goods even if they know the end of the world is coming.
A small number of people firmly believed that foreign countries were safer than China, so they took their assets and fled abroad for refuge, and then disappeared without a trace, completely losing contact with the authorities.
Online, posts similar to "doomsday survival guides" have gradually increased, and social media is filled with desperate live streams and pessimistic comments.
[Doomsday Stockpiling List (Ultimate Edition)! The last one standing wins!] -- The accompanying picture shows a mountain of food and medicine.
[Location: XX City, does anyone have access to gasoline?] -- Below are a bunch of replies asking for specific locations and prices.
[Hoarding? What are you hoarding for? My monthly salary is barely enough to survive, I have no savings at all! Destroy it already! I'm tired.] -- This comment received the most likes and bitter resonance.
In stark contrast to the struggles and complacency of the lower classes, a "gold rush" is brewing beneath the surface at the top of society.
Information about the Supernatural and Fierce Ghosts has already been leaked, and the wealthy and powerful with keen senses have already used all their resources to plunder gold at any cost.
Black market gold prices fluctuate daily, purity requirements are lowered repeatedly, and there have even been egregious incidents of gold-plated lead blocks being traded as genuine gold.
Not long after, the state apparatus was finally activated, and a strongly worded announcement was issued: effective immediately, all gold transactions (including jewelry, gold bars, and industrial gold) require a special license, and private hoarding and black market circulation are strictly prohibited. The vaults of major banks were heavily guarded, and long queues of plainclothes police officers "maintaining order" formed outside gold shops, with tension and discontent permeating the air.
While this announcement has curbed the chaos in the gold market to some extent, it has also indirectly acknowledged certain things, adding fuel to the fire of the "doomsday theory."
In places where the sun doesn't reach, termites are frantically gnawing at the last remaining pillar.
Cheng Linzhou opened a loophole by turning a blind eye to the reduction in the Investigation Bureau's gold reserves, and then such incidents escalated, with Cheng Linzhou himself even getting involved.
"Director Cheng, this is... this week's 'special losses' list." The finance Minister gently placed a thin folder on Cheng Linzhou's desk, his voice extremely low, his hands trembling slightly.
Cheng Linzhou didn't even lift his eyelids, but simply opened the folder. Inside were several meticulously forged engineering acceptance reports and material allocation orders. The loss items were varied: "Transportation loss of high-strength Supernatural shielding material (gold base material)," "Accidental melting of experimental subject containment container (special gold alloy)," "Loss of frontline emergency containment belt (gold-plated fiber)"...
The amount lost was staggering; enough gold to build several large safe houses simply "evaporated" on these flimsy sheets of paper.
"Is everything cleaned up?" Cheng Linzhou's voice was flat and emotionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Absolutely clean! The recipients are all... trustworthy people of our own, scattered in the basements of several absolutely secure private villas. The construction team was hired from overseas, and once they're done..." The finance Minister made a throat-slitting gesture, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
Cheng Linzhou finally looked up, his gaze sweeping over the finance Minister's face. He sighed and said soothingly, "This world is beyond saving. Since that's the case, we might as well think more about ourselves, think about your parents and family..."