Psychological Game

The office fell silent.

Yan Xiao wanted to argue. No matter how gifted he was, Ji Xinghuo was still only an Elementary Esper. Before a genius fulfilled his potential, he was still weak.

With his strength, Yan Xiao could kill Ji Xinghuo with a wave of his hand.

But they were three Ranks apart. If they were both Elementary Espers, Ji Xinghuo would only need to raise a hand and fire an arrow to kill him.

But that was Rotating Magnetic Field! That bald Min Chongwu could not fuse with it, so he did not care. But as an Evil Wind Adept, Yan Xiao was exceptionally compatible with Rotating Magnetic Field. It could allow him to advance into a more powerful Class Template.

Zhou Yishang shut off the surveillance footage and asked instead, "How is the intelligence gathering on Ji Zongbang going?"

"Song Fei from the Department of Public Security has already sent over the files." Yan Xiao had come prepared. "Ji Zongbang is probably a false name. His father was from the Fusang Autonomous Province, while his mother was a second-generation descendant from the Western Alliance. He joined Obsidian Security Company six years ago and was stationed in Chang'an long-term four years ago. The procedures and paperwork were all legitimate. If nobody had reported him, it would have been difficult to uncover his true identity."

"Have you found the source of the report?"

"No." Yan Xiao shook his head. "But judging from the contents of the tip-off letter, the informant knew Ji Zongbang very well. However, Ji Zongbang quickly became aware of it, so before we could investigate thoroughly, he fled."

"Is there anything wrong with Obsidian Security Company?"

"Most likely not."

Yan Xiao answered smoothly. "Based on past experience, the upper management of the company was probably kept in the dark as well. Still, I've sent people to investigate. They're screening everyone who has had contact with Ji Zongbang."

Min Chongwu suddenly cut in. "Didn't the letter say it? Ji Zongbang was trained by the Americas Federation. It involves some enormous conspiracy, and plenty of important figures are implicated!"

"You can't believe all of it." Yan Xiao snorted. "Use your brain."

But Zhou Yishang was cautious. "This method of infiltration is indeed a channel commonly used by the Americas Federation. We cannot let our guard down."

"Yes, Director Zhou." Yan Xiao lowered his head.

He dared to mock Min Chongwu for having no brains, but before Zhou Yishang, he behaved properly.

It was not only because Zhou Yishang was the deputy director of the Sharp Sword Bureau, but also because he was a powerful Legendary Esper, a renowned figure throughout the global intelligence community.

Zhou Yishang pondered for a moment.

Several minutes later, he settled on a course of action. "We must dig into Ji Zongbang's case with all our strength. Find his superiors and subordinates, determine what mission he was carrying out, and preferably identify the informant. I have a feeling this case is anything but simple. But for now, do not make a big fuss. Focus on a covert investigation, lest we alert the enemy."

After speaking, he looked at Min Chongwu, then turned to Yan Xiao. "Yan Xiao, you will take charge of this case."

"Yes."

Yan Xiao's spirits lifted as he rose to accept the order.

Min Chongwu was dissatisfied, but since the deputy director had already chosen someone, he could only comply.

Then Yan Xiao asked again, "Director Zhou, how should we handle Ji Xinghuo?"

Zhou Yishang seemed to have arranged it already. "That Rotating Magnetic Field will be distributed according to the Spoils Principle. If you want it, go speak to Ji Xinghuo. If he is willing to sell it or trade it to you, I will not interfere."

"But there are problems with this man..."

Yan Xiao was unwilling to give up. Rotating Magnetic Field was worth at least fifty or sixty million. At auction, it would not be surprising for it to fetch two or three hundred million. Where could he get that kind of money? The only option was to intercept it.

There were many suspicious points about Ji Xinghuo. Given some time to work his methods, Yan Xiao was certain he could uncover something and use it to force Ji Xinghuo to give up his right to the spoils.

"I know what you are thinking."

Zhou Yishang directly cut Yan Xiao off. His expression suddenly turned stern as he barked, "The Sharp Sword Bureau gave you law enforcement authority, not so you could act recklessly and abuse your power for personal gain! I warn you: if Ji Xinghuo dies in an accident or anything happens to him within the next ten years, you will be the prime suspect. I hope the day never comes when I personally send you onto a ship bound for Mercury Prison."

Yan Xiao had been subjected to a sudden, brutal rebuke. His face went pale, and he lowered his head without daring to say a word.

"Wise as always, Director Zhou!"

Min Chongwu gave a thumbs-up, only to be glared back by Zhou Yishang.

"Enough. Sit down, both of you." Zhou Yishang eased the atmosphere. "I intend to recruit Ji Xinghuo into the Sharp Sword Bureau. Of course, we'll need to conduct several more rounds of background checks first. What do you think?"

"I agree."

Min Chongwu was the first to state his position. He thought very highly of Ji Xinghuo's potential. Once he matured, he would definitely become a sharp sword of the Sharp Sword Bureau! Yan Xiao's expression was complicated, but he could only nod. "I agree as well."

In the interrogation room.

Ji Xinghuo was giving his statement. Two swordsmen from the Sharp Sword Bureau sat across the table from him. They first had him recount the course of events, then after recording it, asked several questions.

He answered them all truthfully.

Naturally, he could not mention the existence of the Myriad Stellar Eye. He only said that when he entered through the building's main entrance, he happened to sense someone hiding beneath a bridge pier of the Superconducting Highway. It was that Class A Wanted Criminal. The other party had wanted to kill him to silence him, so he had no choice but to strike first.

The two swordsmen taking his statement had both watched the surveillance footage. Though shocked, they were only half-convinced by Ji Xinghuo's explanation.

The biggest question was how Ji Xinghuo had seen Ji Zongbang.

A Super Shadow Blade with Level Three Shadow Stealth might not be detected even by a Tracker with Eagle Eye, yet he had exposed a flaw before an Elementary Ranger.

Ji Xinghuo himself found this question troublesome.

If he had been given a choice, he certainly would not have wanted to provoke a Class A Wanted Criminal. With that ten million, he could have cultivated in peace and steadily increased his strength.

He did not want to draw attention, much less expose himself to the eyes of the authorities—especially an intelligence agency like the Sharp Sword Bureau.

Yet plans could not keep up with changes.

There had been no choice in that situation. If he had not acted, he would have died.

"Instinct."

Ji Xinghuo's face was filled with confidence. "Ever since I was young, I've had a kind of instinct. Whenever danger approaches, I feel alarmed inside. It's very accurate!"

He insisted it was instinct. In any case, there was no way to test it.

Before the opening of the Star Gate, such an explanation naturally would not have convinced anyone. But now, in an age where Aberrants were everywhere and superpowers filled the skies, such a vague instinct was not unusual.

The two swordsmen exchanged glances.

The interrogation room door opened, and Zhou Yishang, Min Chongwu, and Yan Xiao walked in.

"You may leave."

Zhou Yishang sent the swordsmen away and sat down across from Ji Xinghuo.

Min Chongwu and Yan Xiao stood to the side. Even though there was another chair, they still chose to stand.

Ji Xinghuo noticed this and realized that the middle-aged man before him held a very high position.

"I am Zhou Yishang, deputy director of the Sharp Sword Bureau."

Zhou Yishang introduced himself.

His expression was exceedingly genial, which instead made Ji Xinghuo wary. He put on a nervous look, rose to his feet, and said, "Greetings, Director Zhou."

"No need to be nervous. Please sit." Zhou Yishang got straight to the point. "The Sharp Sword Bureau has reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed that Mr. Ji acted in defense of justice. Not only will you bear no legal responsibility, but there is also a reward."

Ji Xinghuo let out a breath of relief. "That's wonderful."

He truly relaxed somewhat.

The Sharp Sword Bureau had certainly noticed some suspicious details in the surveillance footage, yet they had not pressed the matter. Although he did not know why, it was undoubtedly good news for him.

The Asia-Pacific Community's system was not perfect, but citizens' rights were protected. While it could not be said to guarantee absolute fairness, it was broadly satisfactory.

This was also because of confidence in the leadership of the President.

Ji Xinghuo might doubt the Asian Commonwealth government, but he would never doubt the President. The Sharp Sword Bureau was a department directly under the President's authority.

Even if the Sharp Sword Bureau was an intelligence agency responsible for dirty work.

"However..."

Zhou Yishang deliberately paused.

Ji Xinghuo immediately played along and asked, "However what, Director Zhou?"

Zhou Yishang took out a crystal and placed it on the table. Ji Xinghuo's eyes changed. It was precisely the Rotating Magnetic Field Ability Seed.

"With Mr. Ji's eyesight, you should have noticed that Ji Zongbang was already severely injured when you shot him, correct?" When Zhou Yishang mentioned "eyesight," his face carried a faintly amused smile.

Just as expected...

Ji Xinghuo thought. The Sharp Sword Bureau had still seized upon the biggest questionable point about him: why he had been able to see Ji Zongbang while he was in Shadow Stealth. That was the most unreasonable part.

He could only nod and admit it. "Yes."

Zhou Yishang continued, "In other words, you already knew before shooting Ji Zongbang. Then can this still count as a solo kill?"

Ji Xinghuo fell silent.

Under the Spoils Principle, the prerequisite for determining a solo kill was ignorance.

But there was no very clear standard for what counted as knowing or not knowing. Did it mean knowing that the target had already been attacked and injured by someone else? Knowing who had attacked the target? Or knowing whether the other party was nearby? Even laws had loopholes and required repeated revisions along with supplementary clauses.

A "principle" had none of those things.

Therefore, in many situations, especially in the Star Realm, principles were difficult to enforce completely. In the end, fists still did the talking.

Whoever was stronger held the right to distribute the spoils! Zhou Yishang glanced at Yan Xiao beside him. "Ji Zongbang was a spy from the Americas Federation. His cover was accidentally exposed while he was undercover, and the Sharp Sword Bureau dispatched people to capture him. Yan Xiao severely wounded him. Not only was he poisoned with neurotoxin, but his Star Gland was also destroyed."

Understanding dawned on Ji Xinghuo's face.

No wonder Ji Zongbang's strength had declined so much. His Star Gland had been destroyed.

The so-called Star Gland was an artificial organ or foreign object implanted into an Aberrant's body during the process of evolving from Advanced to Super.

A Star Gland could store, release, and condense Stellar Force, making Stellar Force visible to the naked eye from something that could not be observed. It also regulated the body's endocrine and motor systems.

A Super Esper who lost their Star Gland would not be much stronger than an Advanced Esper.

"Yan Xiao destroyed Ji Zongbang's Star Gland, which was why Mr. Ji was able to shoot and kill Ji Zongbang. Do you agree with that?" Zhou Yishang asked.

Ji Xinghuo looked directly into Zhou Yishang's eyes at close range, without the slightest ripple in his own.

Zhou Yishang remained as calm as ever.

Ji Xinghuo's heart sank. From the corner of his eye, he saw Yan Xiao and suddenly had a thought.

Logically, Yan Xiao was the person in the Sharp Sword Bureau most likely to obtain the Ability Seed. Yet hearing the exchange between Ji Xinghuo and Zhou Yishang, there was not the slightest hint of joy on his face, as though it had nothing to do with him.

Could it be that Zhou Yishang himself wanted Rotating Magnetic Field?

No.

If that were truly the case, Zhou Yishang would never have let his "flaw" go. He would not even need to appear in person. He could simply have his subordinate swordsmen make an issue of it and use a few methods to seize the Ability Seed with perfect justification.

As deputy director of the Sharp Sword Bureau, Zhou Yishang was at least a Legendary Esper with immense influence. This would not be difficult for him at all.

I understand now!

Ji Xinghuo suddenly smiled. "Regarding that, I was unaware of it, and I do not agree."

"Then you and Yan Xiao may have to appear before the Arbitration Court." Zhou Yishang's tone carried a hint of coercion. The Arbitration Court was one of the Asian Commonwealth's official institutions, specializing in civil dispute arbitration. "The Arbitration Court may not support you. Do you want to lose this Ability Seed?"

Ji Xinghuo remained unmoved. "Then let's go to the Arbitration Court. I stand by my view."

Zhou Yishang's expression stiffened. Ji Xinghuo was impervious to persuasion, precisely holding the bottom line of this psychological game, leaving him at a loss.

The two stared at each other for more than ten seconds, and the atmosphere became awkward.

In the end, Ji Xinghuo broke the silence and gave the other man a way out. "Director Zhou, if you have anything to advise me on, please speak frankly."

Zhou Yishang gave Min Chongwu a look.

Min Chongwu came over, took out a document, placed it on the table, and unfolded it before Ji Xinghuo.

"Young man, sign this contract, and the Ability Seed will be returned to you." Zhou Yishang leaned back in his chair, wearing a kindly smile and the air of someone who had victory in hand.