Chapter 19: Psychological Gambit

The office fell silent.

Yan Xiao really wanted to object. Even with high talent, without actualizing it, one is still a novice—a weak one at that.

With his strength, he could easily kill Ji Xinghuo with a mere gesture.

But the difference of three ranks, if Ji Xinghuo were also a novice, meant he could be taken down just as easily.

But that’s the Rotating Magnetic Field!

Min Chongwu, the bald guy, couldn’t merge with it and didn’t care while as a Sin Wind Guest, it suited Yan Xiao perfectly, promising advancement to a more powerful career template.

Zhou Yishang turned off the surveillance video and asked, “How’s the gathering of information on Ji Zongbang going?”

“Song Fei from the Public Security Division has sent the files,” Yan Xiao was prepared and responded, “Kunihiro Yoshi is likely a pseudonym. His father is from the Fuso Autonomous Province, and his mother is a second-generation descendent from the Western Alliance. He entered ‘Obsidian Security Company’ six years ago, and has been stationed long-term in Chang’an for the past four years. All processes and formalities are legal. If it weren’t for a tip-off, his true identity would’ve been hard to detect.”

“Did you find the tipper-off?”

“No,” Yan Xiao shook his head. “However, from the content of the report, the tipper-off should know Ji Zongbang well but was detected by Kunihiro before getting a chance to investigate fully, so he fled.”

“Is there an issue with Obsidian Security Company?”

“Most likely not.”

Yan Xiao smoothly replied, “Based on past experience, the company’s upper levels are also kept in the dark, but I’ve sent someone to investigate and am currently filtering through people who’ve had contact with Ji Zongbang.”

Min Chongwu interjected suddenly, “Didn’t the report say Kunihiro Yoshi came from the American Federation’s training, linked to a huge conspiracy with many influential people involved?”

“Don’t be too credulous,” scoffed Yan Xiao. “Use your brain.”

Zhou Yishang took it seriously, “This placement tactic is indeed typical of the American Federation. We should not take it lightly.”

“Yes, Director Zhou,” Yan Xiao bowed his head.

He dared to mock Min Chongwu for being brainless, but he was very respectful before Zhou Yishang.

Not just because Zhou Yishang is the deputy director of the Sword Bureau but also a legendary superhuman renowned globally in the intelligence community.

Zhou Yishang pondered momentarily.

A few minutes later, he confirmed the direction, “For the case of Ji Zongbang, we must dig deep, find out his superiors and subordinates, determine his mission, and ideally, locate the tipper-off. I have a feeling this case isn’t simple, but let’s keep our investigation under wraps for now to avoid startling the targets.”

After speaking, he looked at Min Chongwu, then turned to Yan Xiao, “Yan Xiao, you will be in charge of this case.”

“Yes.”

Yan Xiao’s spirit lifted as he stood to receive his orders.

Min Chongwu was dissatisfied internally, but had to comply as the deputy director had made his decision.

Yan Xiao then asked again, “Director Zhou, how shall we deal with Ji Xinghuo?”

It seemed Zhou Yishang already had plans, “The Rotating Magnetic Field should be distributed according to the spoils of war principle. If you want it, seek out Ji Xinghuo. If he’s willing to sell or trade it to you, I won’t interfere.”

“But there’s a problem with this guy…”

Yan Xiao was not yet ready to give up. The value of the Rotating Magnetic Field could be tens of millions at the least, reaching billions at auction. Where would he get so much money?

The only way was to intercept it.

There were many suspicious points about Ji Xinghuo. Given some time to deploy his tactics, he could definitely unearth them and use this to coerce Ji into giving up his rights to the spoils.

“I know what you are thinking.”

Zhou Yishang cut off Yan Xiao, his expression suddenly stern as he said sharply, “The Sword Bureau grants you enforcement rights not for you to abuse them for personal gain! I warn you, if Ji Xinghuo meets with an accident within the next ten years, you’ll be the prime suspect. I hope the day never comes when I personally escort you to the spaceship heading to Mercury Prison.”

Yan Xiao was sharply reprimanded, his complexion went pale as he lowered his head, unable to utter a word.

“Director Zhou is wise!”

Min Chongwu gave a thumbs-up but was instantly glared at by Zhou Yishang.

“Alright, everyone sit down,” Zhou Yishang eased the atmosphere, “I plan to onboard Ji Xinghuo into the Sword Bureau, of course, after several more rounds of background checks. What do you think?”

“I agree.”

Min Chongwu was the first to express agreement, seeing great potential in Ji Xinghuo for the Sword Bureau’s future.

Yan Xiao had mixed feelings but could only nod, “I agree too.”

The inquiry room.

Ji Xinghuo was making his statement, two Sword Bureau swordsmen sat across the table, first having him go through the incident. After recording his statement, they asked a few questions.

He answered truthfully.

Of course, he didn’t mention the existence of the Myriad Star Pupil, only that as he was entering the main building, he happened to notice someone hiding under the bridge of the superconductor highway—the class-A wanted criminal. The man was there to kill him to silence him, so he had to strike first.

The two responsible for taking the statement had seen the surveillance footage and were shocked, somewhat skeptical of Ji Xinghuo’s account.

The biggest question was, how could Ji Xinghuo have seen Ji Zongbang?

A super grade Shadow Blade, invisible at level three, might not even be detected by a “Hawk Eye” tracker, yet he revealed a flaw before a novice ranger.

This was a headache for Ji Xinghuo too.

If he had a choice, he certainly wouldn’t want to provoke a class-A wanted criminal. With the ten million he got, he could quietly cultivate and enhance his power.

He didn’t want to be high-profile, nor did he want to expose himself to official scrutiny, especially not an intelligence agency like the Sword Bureau.

But plans couldn’t keep up with changes.

At that moment, there was no choice. If he didn’t act, he would die.

“Intuition.”

Confidence radiated from Ji Xinghuo’s face, “I’ve always had this intuition. When danger approaches, a sense of alertness arises in my heart. It’s very accurate!”

He firmly insisted it was intuition, unprovable anyway.

In the era before the stargate opened, of course, this wouldn’t persuade anyone. But now, in an era with superhumans everywhere and superpowers flying all over, having such ethereal intuition wasn’t strange.

The two swordsmen exchanged glances.

The door to the inquiry room opened, and Zhou Yishang, Min Chongwu, and Yan Xiao walked in.

“You can leave,” said Zhou Yishang to the swordsmen, settling himself opposite Ji Xinghuo.

Min Chongwu and Yan Xiao stood by, choosing to stand despite there being another chair.

Ji Xinghuo noticed this and realized that the middle-aged man in front of him held a high position.

“I am Zhou Yishang, deputy director of the Sword Bureau,” he introduced himself.

His demeanor was very congenial, which made Ji Xinghuo more alert, though he stood up nervously, “Pleased to meet you, Director Zhou.”

“No need to be nervous, please sit,” Zhou Yishang said straightforwardly, “The Sword Bureau has reviewed the surveillance footage and determined that Mr. Ji acted bravely. Not only is he free from any legal responsibility, but he also earns a reward.”

Ji Xinghuo felt a huge relief, “That’s great.”

He did relax a bit.

The Sword Bureau definitely saw something in the surveillance footage, though they didn’t probe too deeply. Though he didn’t know why, it was certainly good for him.

The systems of the Asia-Pacific Community weren’t perfect. Citizens’ rights were protected, not guaranteeing absolute fairness, but generally satisfying.

This stemmed from confidence in the head of state’s leadership.

Ji Xinghuo might doubt the Asia-Pacific government, but never the head of state. And the Sword Bureau was directly under the head of state’s jurisdiction.

Even if the Sword Bureau was an agency handling dirty work.

“However…”

Zhou Yishang deliberately left a cliffhanger.

Ji Xinghuo immediately followed up, anxious, “However, what, Director Zhou?”

Zhou Yishang placed a crystal on the table, Ji Xinghuo’s eyes changed—it was the “Rotating Magnetic Field” anomaly.

“With Mr. Ji’s keen eyes, during the shooting of Ji Zongbang, you must have noticed he was severely injured, right?” Zhou Yishang’s face bore a teasing smile as he mentioned “keen eyes.”

Indeed…

Ji Xinghuo thought, the Sword Bureau still caught his biggest inconsistency—seeing Ji Zongbang in shadow evasion was highly irrational.

He could only nod in acknowledgment, “Yes.”

Zhou Yishang continued, “So, you were already informed before shooting Ji Zongbang. Does this still qualify as a lone kill?”

Ji Xinghuo fell silent.

The principle of spoils involves lone kills under the premise of being uninformed.

But whether this is ‘informed or uninformed’ isn’t clearly defined. Is it knowing the target was already attacked and injured, knowing who the attacking party is, or knowing if the adversary is nearby?

Even the law has loopholes, requiring multiple revisions and supplemental clauses.

And “principles” lack these.

Therefore, especially in the star realms, principles are hard to fully implement. In the end, it often comes down to force.

The one with greater power gets to decide the distribution!

Zhou Yishang glanced at Yan Xiao, “Ji Zongbang was a spy from the American Federation, whose cover was accidentally blown. The Sword Bureau sent operatives to capture him, and Yan Xiao rendered him severely injured, not only hitting him with neurotoxin but also shattering his ‘Star Gland’.”

A realization dawned on Ji Xinghuo’s face.

No wonder Ji Zongbang’s power had decreased so much. Turns out his “Star Gland” was destroyed.

The so-called “Star Gland” is a synthetic organ or foreign object implanted in superhumans as they evolve from advanced to super levels.

The Star Gland stores, releases, and condenses star power, making the invisible force visible and regulating the body’s endocrine and motor systems.

A superhuman without a Star Gland isn’t much stronger than an advanced superhuman.

“Yan Xiao destroyed Ji Zongbang’s Star Gland, so Mr. Ji could shoot Ji Zongbang. Do you agree with this point?” Zhou Yishang asked.

Ji Xinghuo stared directly at Zhou Yishang, his eyes unflinching.

Zhou Yishang remained serene.

Ji Xinghuo’s heart sank, glancing at Yan Xiao, suddenly struck by a thought.

Logically, Yan Xiao was the most likely candidate in the Sword Bureau to obtain the anomaly, but hearing his conversation with Zhou Yishang, his expression showed no joy, as if it had nothing to do with him.

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

No, that’s not right.

If it were so, Zhou Yishang wouldn’t pass up exploiting his “flaw”. He wouldn’t even need to appear personally; his subordinates could leverage the situation and take the anomaly by force under a justified cause.

The deputy director of the Sword Bureau was at least a legendary superhuman with extensive reach; this wouldn’t be difficult for Zhou Yishang.

I understand now!

Ji Xinghuo suddenly showed a smile, “Regarding this point, I was uninformed and do not agree.”

“Then you and Yan Xiao might have to face the arbitration court,” Zhou Yishang’s tone carried a threatening undertone. The arbitration court is one of the official institutions of the Asia-Pacific Community, specializing in settling civil disputes, “The court might not support you. Are you willing to lose this anomaly?”

Ji Xinghuo remained unmoved, “Then let’s go to the arbitration court. I stand by my view.”

Zhou Yishang’s expression froze, Ji Xinghuo’s obstinate and precise grasp of the psychological gambit rendered him helpless.

The two stared at each other for several awkward seconds.

Eventually, Ji Xinghuo broke the silence, giving Zhou Yishang an out, “Director Zhou, if there’s anything you wish to instruct, please feel free to speak openly.”

Zhou Yishang signaled Min Chongwu with his eyes.

Min Chongwu came forward, pulling out a document and spreading it in front of Ji Xinghuo.

“Young man, sign this contract, and the anomaly is yours,” Zhou Yishang leaned back in his chair, his face wearing a genial smile, exuding an air of confidence.