The Eldritch Files

The Drunkard Investigator...

The repulsive face he had once encountered at Dingxiang Mansion surfaced in Han Su’s mind.

’Serves you right!’

Because he didn’t trust the Disaster Management Bureau itself, he wasn’t particularly motivated to resubmit the report and open a case. He had focused more of his energy on how to rescue the other children.

But if resubmitting this report could cause that detestable Drunkard’s promotion to fail, well, that was more than enough motivation for him.

"That man is very powerful, and this matter will have a huge impact on him. So no matter what you’re thinking, be extremely careful."

Secretary Cui Qiao said, "Hah. Looking at it now, it’s precisely because of this that the current situation has become so delicate."

"Actually, from the moment he was transferred down here, we were prepared to face this war. It’s just that the time wasn’t right. Not only was Zhang the Head unprepared, but these Investigators weren’t ready either. Yet the conflict has surfaced ahead of schedule."

"Because Zhang the Head detained an entire department for the Nail of the Dead Sea investigation, his actions naturally seemed like a provocation. Inadvertently, it was tantamount to starting the war early."

"What’s more, now we have the D7 attack incident on top of it all."

"..."

As soon as the issues Zhang Chiguo was now facing were brought up, Han Su felt a faint headache coming on.

He mulled it over for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Right now, with the situation in the Disaster Management Bureau, can Uncle Zhang still hold on?"

He wasn’t interested in the Disaster Management Bureau’s internal strife and had no intention of getting involved, but since it concerned Zhang Chiguo, he couldn’t help but feel a little worried.

"Whether he can hold on or not, what choice is there?"

Secretary Cui Qiao just smiled. "Since he came down here, he has to bear this pressure. The waves in the Disaster Management Bureau right now are just the surface. The real storm is yet to come!"

"Of course, I’m actually looking forward to them taking things to the extreme and backing Zhang the Head into a corner..."

Han Su was very surprised. "Why do you say that?"

Secretary Cui Qiao gave a low chuckle. "Because at that point, Zhang the Head will stop trying to reason with them..."

"And it’s been a very, very long time since I’ve seen Zhang the Head make a move..."

"..."

’Does this mean Uncle Zhang is actually very powerful?’

Han Su was rather surprised, as he didn’t think he had ever seen Zhang Chiguo display any expertise regarding Mysterious Power.

He even had to call in favors just to get someone else to train him...

Seeing the look on Han Su’s face, Secretary Cui Qiao just gave a low laugh. "The old man may have gotten on in years, but he is, after all, one of the Disaster Management Bureau’s very first Investigators..."

"Don’t just look at the years on the surface. Their generation... it’s hard for ordinary people to understand..."

"..."

Han Su took a deep breath, his interest genuinely piqued. But seeing that Secretary Cui Qiao had finished her cigarette, he asked directly, "Alright, last question. Who was it that contacted those D7 members and planned the attack on me?"

"..."

Secretary Cui Qiao narrowed her eyes and said softly, "Without conclusive evidence, the Disaster Management Bureau won’t easily believe an accusation against anyone..."

Han Su nodded and smiled. "I won’t be accusing anyone."

Secretary Cui Qiao glanced at him, then lightly tossed the cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it out with her black high heel. She then picked the butt up, wrapped it in a tissue, and stuffed it in her pocket. As she stood up, she spoke quickly in a low voice:

"I only know that those terrified D7 members yesterday kept shouting the name ’Sparrow’."

"The assistant who is always by the Lady in the Red Windbreaker’s side has the codename Sparrow!"

"..."

Han Su nodded. "Understood."

Whether it was the Nail of the Dead Sea back then, or this recent attempt to pressure him using D7.

It had always been these same people watching his every move, causing him trouble...

Holding his phone, he scrolled down and quickly found a small group chat he had previously created with the Doctor, Black Tiger, and Miss Crow.

He hadn’t chatted in this group for a long time.

He now had a new work group with the Doctor and Black Tiger.

So...

...

...

"I didn’t tell him."

Meanwhile, as Han Su walked away lost in thought, Secretary Cui Qiao returned to the office and reported to Zhang Chiguo, "He didn’t ask any more questions. It really was just about some matters related to Mysterious Power."

"But what I’m more curious about is, why didn’t you let me tell him?"

Secretary Cui Qiao frowned, her voice clearly filled with displeasure. "Don’t bring up that old acquaintance of yours again. They’re living the high life; they’re natural allies. You, on the other hand, came down here with your intentions to clean up the Disaster Management Bureau plain for all to see. There isn’t a single person who isn’t wary of you."

"The ordinary Investigators all look to those four as their leaders. And now you finally have a star rookie who is your junior—a natural ally—and you refuse to tell him the truth?"

"..."

"How old is he?"

Zhang Chiguo looked up at her directly. "Or rather, how many days has he even been in the Disaster Management Bureau?"

"You can’t possibly expect a rookie like him to act as my soldier and fight those old foxes, can you? What’s the difference between that and throwing an egg against a rock?"

"..."

Secretary Cui Qiao looked Zhang Chiguo straight in the eye. She didn’t argue, only saying slowly, "To be honest, you coming down here alone to solve the Disaster Management Bureau’s problems isn’t any different from throwing an egg against a rock either!"

That left Zhang Chiguo speechless for a moment.

He only said in a low voice, "Solving the Disaster Management Bureau’s current problems is actually very simple."

"We just need to unlock one more lock for Miss Ai!"

"Just one. Once Miss Ai’s abilities are enhanced, she’ll have enough spare Computation Power to reinforce the defensive line of reality, not to mention the capital to intimidate those Hidden Schools."

Secretary Cui Qiao understood the logic, of course, but in the end, she could only shake her head. "But the higher-ups will never agree. They’d rather maintain the status quo."

Faced with this problem, Zhang Chiguo was silent for a long while before saying quietly, "I’ll try again."

...

...

In the end, Han Su didn’t send that message.

He just thought with some regret, ’Secretary Cui Qiao... she actually wants me to help Uncle Zhang, doesn’t she?’

’She just can’t bring herself to say it.’

’And as for Uncle Zhang...’

He didn’t want to think about these things, but he couldn’t control his thoughts.

This war within the Disaster Management Bureau had long been foreshadowed, and Zhang Chiguo was now clearly in an isolated position.

But he really didn’t have much free time.

Just as he was wondering how to bring it up, a man carrying a silver briefcase walked toward him, extending a hand with a smile. "Mr. Butcher?"

Han Su looked up at him. "Do I know you?"

"I’m here to deliver an invitation on behalf of Mr. Drunkard."

Judging by the style of the briefcase in his hand, the man was likely an Investigator as well. He smiled and said, "Whenever a new person joins the Qinggang Disaster Management Bureau, there’s always a reception at Dingxiang Mansion as a welcoming ceremony. You’re a newcomer, and you haven’t gone through this part yet."

"I hope we’ll have a chance to talk properly tonight. The next time we meet, we’ll be comrades-in-arms, fighting side by side."

"..."

"A reception? At Dingxiang Mansion?"

A flicker of something stirred in Han Su’s heart. He looked up at the Investigator and nodded lightly.

The invitation had indeed arrived right on time.

Not only was Han Su not surprised in the slightest, he even felt the invitation was overdue.

After all, with the major matter of his promotion to Independent Investigator on the line, he must have been finding it very difficult to wait, right?

Seeing Han Su accept the invitation from the tall, slender Investigator, two other Investigators sitting in a corner of the adjacent restaurant exchanged an inadvertent glance, their expressions filled with deep envy.

"So that’s the new guy?"

"He was only promoted a few days ago, right? And he already got an invitation from *them*. Heh, comparisons are truly odious..."

"How many Investigators work at the Disaster Management Bureau for a year or two, surviving countless near-death experiences, without ever getting a chance to enter the circle of those four big shots..."

"..."

"..."

Han Su noticed the envious gazes cast his way and scoffed inwardly. ’So it seems that in the Disaster Management Bureau, receiving an invitation from these people is actually a matter of great prestige?’

He was planning on going to Dingxiang Mansion anyway.

The Living Copper Puppet was still being kept there, and he had promised it he would take it home.

It was just that before, his Spiritual Power had been insufficient and its Activity was a bit low, so he couldn’t study it in depth. As for now...

...It probably still wasn’t enough.

But his last experience had confirmed that as long as he recited that copper Spell, he could use the Cross Copper Hand to briefly activate this Divine Weapon. So, getting closer to it, and even figuring out how to move it home, was a very important matter.

The only thing to worry about was that the Living Copper Puppet was originally there to protect the Mechanical Fragment. But now that the Mechanical Fragment had been stolen, was it possible the people at Dingxiang Mansion had already moved his Copper Armor Statue?

Even if it was just for a chance to study how to get close to this Copper Armor Statue, the trip would be worth it...

The only problem to consider was that he was the one who had taken the Mechanical Fragment from Dingxiang Mansion. Now, he was supposed to waltz right back in, carrying that same Mechanical Fragment?

Wasn’t that a bit audacious?

After some deliberation, Han Su made a decision without any psychological burden and sent a message to Miss Ai: [Miss Ai, I have to attend a potentially dangerous banquet tonight!]

The old him would never have sent Miss Ai a message over something like this, but now...

Heh!

Miss Ai’s reply arrived as expected: [I’ll be right by Mr. Butcher’s side the whole time!]

Han Su felt relieved and immediately called a cab.

Unlike before, Dingxiang Mansion now had security guards and doormen. Although their behavior was strictly trained, it somehow made the place feel less mysterious and profound than it had previously.

Seeing Han Su get out of the car, a security guard at the entrance immediately came forward to open the door for him. He was about to offer to take the briefcase, but upon recognizing its design, he instantly abandoned the idea. He bowed respectfully and said:

"This way, Mr. Investigator."

"The club is on the third floor. You can take the elevator straight up once you’re inside!"

"..."

Even the staff recognized an Investigator’s briefcase. ’Has this place really become a club for Qinggang’s Investigators?’

Guided by the doorman, Han Su entered Dingxiang Mansion, plotting how he could find an opportunity to re-enter the secret room and see if the Living Copper Puppet was still there.

Then, the moment he stepped into the main hall, he froze on the spot.

There were a few new decorations in the hall. One of them was a copper-colored Snake Head Armor, standing quietly in the very center of the first-floor hall without even the slightest protective measures.

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