You're First in Line

Zhu Yan continued observing.

He couldn’t read minds, so making deductions was naturally difficult. But one thing was certain: Director Jin was a suspicious man in a position of power.

He was probably wary that the Seer was holding something back. He might even blame the Seer for not giving a complete prophecy, which had resulted in Jin Rongxu getting hurt.

Most people judged others by their own standards.

If that was the case, then Director Jin was absolutely the kind of person who put his own interests above everything else.

Wearing Guan En’s face, Zhu Yan spoke hesitantly.

“Director, actually, I have an idea.”

When Director Jin nodded, he continued.

“The Seer said that you and Captain Jin shouldn’t go in person, or there would be losses, and that we should have someone else take the students to investigate.”

“Doesn’t that mean she believes the Hunter will attack you—and only you?”

That was indeed what it meant.

Captain Jin nodded, signaling for Zhu Yan to continue.

“If everyone puts on protective gear and uniforms, how will the Hunter know who’s who?”

…

Downstairs.

Zhu Zeyu, who had been leaning against the wall in idleness all this time, finally straightened up, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door to Jin Rongxu’s office.

After only a few minutes of persuasion, Director Jin readily agreed to his proposal.

To avoid blowing their cover, Zhu Yan suggested that Director Jin not ride in the same vehicle as the students, claiming that it was to “prevent the Hunter from spotting him.”

In reality, it was to keep him away from the real Guan En.

With Director Jin’s matter more or less settled, Zhu Zeyu could finally face Jin Rongxu without a guilty conscience.

Jin Rongxu was seated behind his desk.

The office lights were off, making his expression look particularly dark and terrifying.

“Zhu Zeyu, there’s a very serious question that you still haven’t explained clearly to us.”

Zhu Zeyu wasn’t about to argue with a dying man.

“You can read my memories.”

“The Hunter finds you with pinpoint accuracy every time.”

Jin Rongxu completely ignored his defense and began talking to himself.

“And every time you go out alone, you also manage to find the Hunter with pinpoint accuracy. Tell me—why is that?”

Jin Rongxu’s office had a strange layout. His desk was against the wall, with a projection clock directly behind his head.

Zhu Zeyu glanced at the time.

All this stalling had taken them to nearly half past one.

If he dragged things out much longer, Director Jin would be on his way to the grave.

Zhu Zeyu lowered his head and thought for a moment, staring at his nose and contemplating his heart.

“Captain, I think it’s because I’m relatively intelligent.”

He raised his head and gazed at Jin Rongxu with complete sincerity.

“Look, I find the Hunter with pinpoint accuracy every time. And every time I run into him, the instance ends shortly afterward.”

Zhu Zeyu was actually too lazy to bother with Jin Rongxu.

But with the captain’s authority looming over him, he had no choice but to answer.

Left with no alternative, he could only make something up.

“I think I’m practically the strictest father in the entire instance. Captain, following me is your good fortune—”

Slap!

Jin Rongxu slammed his hand onto the desk.

Seeing Zhu Zeyu wisely shut his mouth, he sneered and continued interrogating him.

“Zhu Zeyu, you’re working with the Hunter, aren’t you?”

“You think my ability is just for show? So many of the things you do are completely out of line. They don’t match your supposedly honest and straightforward way of thinking at all!”

Come to think of it, that was true.

His thoughts might be, “I’m going to turn,” but somehow the steering wheel would end up sending him flying into the sky.

There was something both reasonable and absurd about it.

Jin Rongxu stared at Zhu Zeyu, narrowing his eyes dangerously.

But Zhu Zeyu only looked back at him with bright eyes, as though he couldn’t understand his anger or the questions he was asking.

“Captain, do you study the zodiac? We Aquariuses are just like this. We’re basically Martians.”

“Captain, since you like secretly peeking into other people’s thoughts so much, are you a Scorpio? That Hunter is doomed for getting stuck with you. Scorpios are especially petty and hold grudges—”

Bang!

Jin Rongxu nearly slammed the desk in half.

“Shut up!”

Zhu Zeyu fell silent.

Jin Rongxu suddenly stood up and put on his coat. Then he grabbed a pair of silver silk gloves from one corner of the desk and roughly pulled them onto his hands.

After making a loud clatter as he busied himself, he clamped down hard on Zhu Zeyu’s shoulders.

Their eyes met, and Zhu Zeyu immediately began muttering with a remorseful expression. “Sorry, Captain. I thought I’d saved your life. They say a life-saving favor should be repaid with—”

“Shut up!!”

Zhu Zeyu fell silent again.

Jin Rongxu pressed down on his shoulders and forced him toward the door, his voice squeezed out from between clenched teeth.

“You’re going to the Mourning Hall with the other students right now. Get moving!”

1:40 p.m.

Elsewhere, “Guan En” stood outside Director Jin’s office, simultaneously sending out a strand of mist to keep watch over the situation below.

The students had already begun boarding the vehicles one after another. The real Guan En was directing them at the front of the bus.

From Director Jin’s office, this spot was in a blind angle. Anyone inside couldn’t see what was happening below at all.

“Director Jin.” Fake Guan En knocked respectfully on the office door. “Would you like me to arrange a private vehicle for you?”

“No need.” Director Jin’s voice came from inside. “A private vehicle would be too conspicuous. The Hunter would notice it with even the slightest bit of attention. I’ll call Captain Zheng, who’s in charge of this operation, and go with him.”

Since he no longer needed to worry about it, Zhu Yan said nothing more.

“Then I’ll go on ahead, Director. I’ll be responsible for leading the students. You can observe from the side. There’s no need to let me know which one is you.”

Director Jin gave a vague “Mm” and said nothing else.

The footsteps of Fake Guan En gradually faded into the distance. But just as he reached the end of the corridor, his body dispersed into mist. He activated his invisibility and silently slipped back into the office.

As if he were going to let that happen.

Director Jin was such an important target. Of course he had to keep a close eye on him!

…

Meanwhile, Jin Rongxu pressed the elevator button with one hand while gripping Zhu Zeyu tightly with the other.

“You piece of shit. I’m going to find out exactly what the hell you are… If I discover even the slightest evidence that you’re colluding with the Hunter, you’re finished… Take off your Savings Silver Ring and give it to me!”

Zhu Zeyu’s Savings Silver Ring had originally been extorted from Feng Qiang.

There were only a small number of potions inside, along with weapons appropriate to Zhu Zeyu’s identity. Nothing else suspicious.

Zhu Zeyu sighed and removed the ring, handing it to Jin Rongxu.

“Captain, remember to give me 200 bone coins. I remember that’s what it cost. That’ll cover my lodging fees for quite a while—”

“I told you to shut up!”

Whenever money came up, Jin Rongxu became like a rabid dog.

He stuffed the ring into his pocket, a cold smile appearing on his face.

“Don’t worry. If there’s nothing new inside, we’ll return it to you after we finish checking it.”

The elevator stopped on the first floor.

Jin Rongxu shoved Zhu Zeyu out of the elevator and escorted him all the way to the bus. But he showed no intention of getting on himself.

“I’ll have Guan En keep an eye on you.”

Zhu Zeyu turned his head and saw the corners of Jin Rongxu’s mouth slowly pulling upward into an utterly sinister smile.

“You’ll be the first one whose account we check.”

“Zhu Zeyu, you’d better behave yourself.”

The vehicle started moving.

Guan En grabbed Zhu Zeyu by the arm and pulled him onto the vehicle, gesturing for him to sit in the front row.

“Captain Jin isn’t in the best mood,” he explained gently, patting Zhu Zeyu on the shoulder. “Try to understand. Don’t take it personally.

“You’re the first one to be examined. Once it’s over and they find nothing wrong, this whole thing will be behind us.”