Li Banfeng was heading to Medicine King Valley. Ma Wu helped him get a Guide Token and bought a bus ticket for him.
Ma Wu was very weak during his promotion period, but he still managed to see Li Banfeng off at the bus station.
Coming back from the station, Ma Wu intended to get some good sleep for a few days, only to find a visitor had arrived at the newspaper office: Ah Qin.
Later, it was learned that Ah Qin missed Ma Wu, so she went to Qiu Luoye for help. Qiu Luoye agreed to her request and asked Shui Yongquan to help conceal her presence.
Ah Qin arrived in Blue Poplar Village, found Ma Wu’s subordinates, took the Guide Token and bus ticket, and made her way to Black Stone Slope.
Ah Qin’s arrival was certainly good news. But Huoling was also there.
As it turned out, Ma Wu had worried too much. Ah Qin and Huoling actually knew each other. They got along well and, knowing that Ma Wu was about to be promoted, they both helped accelerate his cultivation.
When Ma Wu was exhausted and fell into a deep sleep, the two didn’t disturb him and went to watch a movie together instead.
"Blood Blade Divine Detective VI" was showing in Black Stone Slope, and a long queue had formed in front of the cinema. Bai Qiusheng had someone buy tickets for Ah Qin and Huoling. After watching it once and finding it really good, they asked Bai Qiusheng to get them another two tickets to watch it again that evening.
「...」
Yuezhou University, in the academic lecture hall, nanomaterials expert Zhang Xuanming had just finished his presentation. The applause in the hall was prolonged.
After the lecture ended and the students dispersed, He Jiaqing, disguised as a staff member, went to the podium to tidy up the microphone. He retrieved a battery from its base, unbeknownst to onlookers who thought he was merely checking the equipment.
After securing the battery, He Jiaqing left the academic lecture hall and entered a hotel next to the university, where he booked a room.
Once in the room, He Jiaqing placed the battery in the charger’s slot and plugged it in. Soon, a white ring reappeared on the battery’s surface. He Jiaqing removed the battery, connected a wire to each pole, and inserted them into his head.
Smoke started billowing from He Jiaqing’s head.
After the battery had discharged, He Jiaqing put it back in its box. He lay on the bed to rest when the button on his chest vibrated.
"Jia Qing, the new movie has an 80% attendance rate."
He Jiaqing nodded. "I knew Sister was capable."
"They’ve begun shooting the seventh installment, but there isn’t much film stock left. I asked the producer to purchase some, but they said you must be the one to procure it."
"Sister, the film we use is special; indeed, I must be the one to purchase it. Tell them to use it sparingly for now. I’ll deliver more film in a day or two."
After ending the call, He Jiaqing massaged his scalp, and a lot of hair fell out.
Leaving the hotel, He Jiaqing stood on the sidewalk. Watching the relentless flow of people, he saw countless sources—sources of cultivation levels.
He Jiaqing went to the subway station; the evening rush hour was approaching.
「...」
Ma Wu slept for a day and a night, recovering about seventy to eighty percent. His promotion was a success. He was now a Third Layer cultivator of Lust Cultivation, which demanded even more from his practice.
With Huoling and Ah Qin around, both with strong physiques and proficient techniques, and their excellent coordination, they would surely ensure the intensity of his cultivation.
Ma Wu ate something and quickly focused, ready to cultivate, only to find out that the two ladies had left the newspaper office to watch a movie together.
Bai Qiusheng came to Ma Wu’s room and closed the door. "Master Wu, there’s something wrong with the Ladies."
"What’s wrong?"
"They’ve already seen ’Blood Blade Divine Detective VI’ five times. They’re not eating or sleeping, just watching one show after another."
Ma Wu laughed. "Let them watch. They haven’t seen many movies in New Land, so they’re probably just enjoying the novelty."
Bai Qiusheng shook his head. "That’s what I thought at first, so I bought them passes to watch any movie in the cinema. But they only watch this one. They don’t give any other movie a second glance, not even our own ’Blood Gun Detective.’"
Ma Wu paused for a moment, then asked Bai Qiusheng, "Is ’Blood Blade Detective’ really that good?"
"I haven’t seen it; I don’t have the time. But everyone who has says it’s good."
Ma Wu grew anxious. The popularity of ’Blood Blade Detective’ was quickly catching up to ’Blood Gun Detective.’
Although his business was expanding, Ma Wu had never been lax when it came to movies.
He was about to leave when Ah Qin and Huoling returned.
"Wulang is awake!" The two women were delighted. They had planned to catch the next screening but had rushed back to check on Ma Wu out of concern.
Ah Qin asked, "Wulang, how’s your recovery?"
"I’ve recovered about seventy to eighty percent."
To his surprise, Ah Qin had no intention of cultivating with him. "Wulang, since you’ve recovered, come watch a movie with us."
Huoling agreed. "This movie is truly amazing; I never get tired of watching it."
Ma Wu nodded. "I was actually planning to check it out."
"Let’s go quickly, Wulang."
"Let me change my clothes first."
"No need to change, Wulang. Going to the movies isn’t such a formal occasion."
Ma Wu said, "Just wait a moment, I’ll be quick."
"Hurry, or we’ll miss the next showing!"
Ma Wu paused for a moment, then suddenly tilted Huoling’s chin up.
Huoling lowered her head shyly. "What are you doing? You look so eager. We can cultivate after the movie."
"Ling’Er, don’t move." Ma Wu gently pried open Huoling’s eyelid.
Huoling didn’t move; she was very obedient to Ma Wu.
Ma Wu saw a bloodshot vein in the white of her eye. He lightly scratched it with his fingernail. The vein ruptured, and a little fresh blood oozed out.
"Ouch, that hurts!" Huoling cried out, blaming Ma Wu, "What are you doing? You’ve hurt my eye!"
Ma Wu looked at the blood on his finger, then turned his gaze to Ah Qin. There was also a bloodshot vein in Ah Qin’s eye.
「...」
In Flower Lake Park, He Jiaqing was taking a walk. Big Head casually approached and fell into step beside him.
"Tonight, Xiao Zhenggong is on duty at the bureau."
"He still takes shifts?" He Jiaqing sounded surprised.
"He often skips case work and meetings, and he’s usually nowhere to be found during work hours. But he’s never missed his on-call duty. He’ll definitely be there tonight."
He Jiaqing nodded, strolled around for a bit longer, and then left the park.
「...」
At six in the evening, Xiao Zhenggong arrived at the Dark Star Bureau. Everyone else had already left for the day, save for the newcomer, Qin Minghui.
Xiao Zhenggong sat on Qin Minghui’s desk and, after a moment, asked, "Chuuni?" He remembered Qin Minghui’s codename.
Qin Minghui quickly stood up. "Deputy Captain!"
Xiao Zhenggong chuckled. "Still calling me ’Deputy,’ huh? Why haven’t you left yet?"
"I’m still in my probationary period. According to the bureau’s latest regulations, starting this month, I have to work shifts with both captains."
"That’s a rotten rule. You barely earn anything, and they make you suffer like this? Go home. I approve it."
Qin Minghui shook his head. "I can’t go back. Rules are rules."
Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "Why are you being so ungrateful? I’m telling you to go home. Wouldn’t it be better to get some proper sleep?"
Qin Minghui still shook his head. Xiao Zhenggong said impatiently, "Fine, don’t go then! Suffer through the night here!"
Midnight struck. Xiao Zhenggong, a cigarette dangling from his lips, was playing on his phone in the office. He glanced towards the outer office; Qin Minghui was still there, reading a book.
Approaching, Xiao Zhenggong saw Qin Minghui was studying a fighting tutorial.
"What’s your Taoist Sect?"
"Taoist Sect? Do you mean my profession? I just started last month. I chose Fighter."
"Another Fighter?" Xiao Zhenggong laughed. "Aren’t you a law student? Why choose Fighter?"
"I can’t just have legal knowledge; I must also possess the abilities of an enforcer."
"What abilities? The ability to fight?"
"The ability to subdue criminals!" Qin Minghui answered every question very seriously.
"Alright, ambitious! But just reading books won’t help. Come practice with me. I’ll give you some pointers."
Qin Minghui shook his head.
"What’s wrong? Scared? Scared of getting hurt or scared of dying?" Xiao Zhenggong smiled provocatively.
Qin Minghui looked at the duty phone on the desk. "I’m on duty. I can’t abandon my post."
"Don’t worry, it’ll just be for a little while. I’ll only teach you a couple of moves. I wouldn’t bother teaching you more anyway."
Qin Minghui firmly refused to leave. A fierce glint appeared in Xiao Zhenggong’s eyes. "What, disobeying my order?"
Before Qin Minghui could respond, the duty phone suddenly rang.
Qin Minghui immediately answered it. After confirming the details twice as per procedure, he promptly reported to Xiao Zhenggong, "An unidentified creature has appeared at the Chengyun Road Ruirong Textile Factory, suspected to be a Dark Energy Creature. Two children have been attacked and are trapped inside the factory."
Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "Understood."
"Deputy Captain..."
"What are you looking at me for? Haven’t you studied the procedures? Don’t you know what to do now?"
Qin Minghui immediately pulled open the drawer beneath the duty phone and pressed the red button.
His phone and Xiao Zhenggong’s phone rang simultaneously, as did the phones of every member of the Dark Star Bureau’s Public Security Team.
Xiao Zhenggong continued, "Don’t just stand there. Explain the situation!"
Qin Minghui picked up the microphone and relayed the information. All team members were to rush to the scene immediately.
Qin Minghui looked towards Xiao Zhenggong.
Xiao Zhenggong shrugged. "What are you looking at? I’m the duty officer; I can’t abandon my post. You’re an intern. If you want to go, you can."
Qin Minghui hesitated.
Xiao Zhenggong sighed. "Ruirong Textile Factory is very remote. It’s the weekend, and who knows where the team members have all run off to. I’m afraid those two kids are likely doomed."
Qin Minghui quickly put on his coat, equipped his service pistol, and rushed towards the elevator.
Xiao Zhenggong shouted after him, "How will you get there? Run? By the time you run there, they’ll be cold! I’ll contact the duty driver to take you!"
Qin Minghui left. Xiao Zhenggong sat quietly in the office for a moment, then lit a cigarette. There was no flame on the cigarette, but the smoke that billowed from it was thick.
Xiao Zhenggong took a deep drag and exhaled a large cloud of smoke. The smoke, as if possessing a Spirit Attribute, enveloped him.
He left the office and entered the stairwell. He passed by surveillance cameras, but they recorded no image of him.
He walked down the stairs to the twelfth floor and exited the stairwell. In front of him was an iron door. The door had no keyhole, nor any device for fingerprint or password input; only two small, glowing lights. These lights weren’t for illumination; they were for retinal scanning.
Xiao Zhenggong didn’t have the authority to open this door. Even if he did, he wouldn’t want to, as he wished to leave no record of his entry or exit.
But he had a Magical Treasure, bought at great expense from Puluo State. He took out a Black Glove and put it on.
His hand moved over the iron door for a moment. The door opened, leaving no record of being unlocked.
Xiao Zhenggong entered. The dark, windowless room was filled with dozens of rows of data racks. He scanned them one by one. He knew what he was looking for; this wasn’t his first visit to the archives. However, the contents of the archives were rearranged daily.
After a long search, he found the file he wanted on a shelf in the sixth row.
The file box bore only two words: Boundary.
PS: Thank you to the Alliance Hierarch, Zhuo Yao, for the strong support!