Chapter 73: The Convenience of Official Organizations

Baili Qing did not press Yu Sheng on what he meant by "another accident," nor did she probe further about Alice.

She merely gave him a general overview of the situation with "Alice's Dollhouse."

"Most of Alice's dolls operate beyond the Borderlands, maintaining balance in other regions and rarely interfering with Special Bureau affairs—but they do maintain fixed contact channels, with one liaison point located at the city's edge—though ordinary people cannot find it, and the dolls generally do not accept unfamiliar visitors."

"But I can send someone over to inquire about 'Alice' first—if such a doll really does exist outside the Borderlands… they'll likely be willing to meet you."

"But it won't be quick. The dolls are extremely busy with their own missions, and the liaison point isn't always manned—you may have to wait a while."

Yu Sheng didn't mind: "That's fine—as long as the Special Bureau is willing to help, I'll thank Alice on her behalf."

"It's no trouble," Baili Qing said coolly. "Assisting those who've fallen into trouble after encountering the Supernatural Realm is one of the Special Bureau's duties. If you have other needs, feel free to tell me."

Yu Sheng immediately perked up: "Actually, I do."

"Oh?"

"Can you help me get two ID cards?" Yu Sheng said quickly. "If not two, one will do—preferably real ones."

Baili Qing: "...?"

"You know, I now have another person from my side—just rescued from the Other Realm. She doesn't know where she's from, and she has no legal identity here," Yu Sheng explained. "I'm wondering if the Special Bureau can arrange something for her. Also, Alice doesn't have legal identity either—but that's less urgent, since her current height means even with an ID she can't go out alone."

Baili Qing's expression seemed slightly odd—perhaps the first time in her years as director that someone had made such a request—but she quickly nodded. "This isn't within my direct responsibility, but I can assist. The doll can be arranged for as well. Of course, as you said, she'll likely just treat the ID as a collectible… though it might be useful in certain situations?"

Yu Sheng thanked her repeatedly. He was now certain: this young-looking director was genuinely approachable and actually helped when asked.

So he brought up another matter: "There's one more thing—also about the person I rescued from the Other Realm. I was wondering… can the Special Bureau help find her homeland? Since you oversee such a vast area, your information must be far better than mine."

"Tell me about her first," Baili Qing did not refuse. "The report contains few details. I only know she's a humanoid with beastly traits—and in Special Bureau records, there are over a hundred such groups with similar traits."

"Whoa, that many..." Yu Sheng was startled, but quickly recalled Hu Li's descriptions of her homeland. "She said she came from a place where immortals and 'demons' coexist. From her descriptions, the civilization there must have been extremely advanced. She mentioned a group called 'Sky People' who enlightened those living on the ground..."

Yu Sheng recounted everything as thoroughly as possible, including the chaotic details—but considering Hu Li's mental state when describing them, he added a final warning: "Take all this as a reference only. She was still a child when she left home, and after being trapped so long, her memories and thoughts are confused—there are surely errors and exaggerations."

"I... understand," Baili Qing said after listening, nodding hesitantly. Though her face showed no expression, the hesitation revealed her subtle unease. "Indeed, what you've described sounds... rather fantastical. I'm not sure our archives contain any location matching these details."

She spoke delicately, but Yu Sheng understood her implication.

The Special Bureau likely had no records matching this at all.

"Do your best," Yu Sheng sighed. "If you can't find it, that's fine. She has no family left, and she's not deeply attached to her homeland. Finding it is just a wish of mine."

"You seem very kind," Baili Qing suddenly remarked.

"I guess so?" Yu Sheng felt slightly embarrassed. "My 'kindness' ends up being a hassle for you."

"The Special Bureau always deals with 'hassles.' By comparison, we'd rather interact with 'parties' like you," Baili Qing sighed. "If all our usual targets were like you, our work would be much easier—especially the 'contact' phase."

Yu Sheng raised an eyebrow: "Really?"

"Clear thinking, able to communicate, won't suddenly attack, won't suddenly die," Baili Qing sighed, spreading her hands. Expressing workplace frustrations was the deepest honesty of any office worker—her gesture now felt remarkably human. "Three out of four? You're already a 'premium client' we rarely see."

Yu Sheng: "Is your Special Bureau's work environment really that hellish?!"

Baili Qing said nothing, only sighed again.

Yu Sheng had never worked at the Special Bureau, but he instantly understood that sigh—and he didn't dare tell her he really only met three of the four criteria...

Baili Qing quickly returned to her official demeanor: "I've answered many of your questions—are there any others?"

"No more questions for now," Yu Sheng thought, adjusting his posture. "So, should we proceed with the 'registration' you mentioned earlier?"

"Typically, ordinary individuals who've encountered the Other Realm must register at a Special Bureau office and undergo basic evaluation, accompanied by our contact officers. But... given the special circumstances, I can use my director's authority to bypass these formalities," Baili Qing said, her colorless eyes scrutinizing Yu Sheng. "But first, I'd like to hear your plans for the future."

Yu Sheng lowered his head, then looked up seriously: "If I register as a Spirit Realm Detective or Independent Investigator, what benefits would I get?"

Baili Qing showed no surprise—as if she'd anticipated this direction. She simply nodded. "Simply put: you'll gain access to intelligence sharing from all legal Supernatural organizations and individuals within the Borderlands, use of extensive support facilities, a communication platform with other groups or individuals, a 'legal identity' recognized by other factions, and most importantly—travel authorization."

Yu Sheng instinctively leaned forward: "Travel authorization?"

"The Borderlands contain many 'nodes' connecting to 'distant' places, and most nodes are restricted. Activating these connections or entering certain controlled zones requires travel authorization—though I assume your 'door' can ignore these restrictions. But legal access means greater intelligence support. If you intend to deal with the Other Realm, 'intelligence' is usually more useful than any combat power. And..."

"And?"

"And consider us poor souls who have to work overtime at the Special Bureau," Baili Qing sighed suddenly. "Next time, use the card reader instead of opening your door."

Yu Sheng was instantly embarrassed.

Fortunately, he had a thick skin. After a moment, he recovered, straightening his face and nodding: "I've always been keen on maintaining order."

Baili Qing said nothing, pretending to believe him.

Then she looked him directly in the eyes: "Any other questions?"

"What are the requirements for registering as a Spirit Realm Detective or Independent Investigator?"

"Independent Investigator is simple: clear thinking, psychological readiness to face death, experience or basic knowledge of surviving in the Other Realm. Beyond that, we only need to confirm you're not doing this out of madness. Spirit Realm Detective requires slightly more: besides the skills required of an investigator, you must also have a registered, legitimate organization."

"Registered organization?" Yu Sheng thought. "Oh, I get it—like Little Red Riding Hood's 'Fairy Tale' organization?"

"You can understand it that way," Baili Qing nodded. "So most survivors of the Other Realm who wish to continue engaging with the Supernatural World start as Independent Investigators—it's hard to find an organization willing to accept a stranger novice, since in many dangerous Other Realms, a clumsy newcomer poses greater danger than the entities themselves. Of course, exceptions exist—for example, a group that simultaneously encounters the Other Realm and survives together, though this is rare."

"Are there restrictions on such organizations?" Yu Sheng asked curiously.

"At least two members qualified as investigators, at least one with experience fighting entities, a stable contact location and method, and—no names containing words violating public order or special punctuation. Also, a declaration of lawful operation and non-harm to Borderlands order and security. That's all."

Yu Sheng listened, stunned: "... That's it? No other requirements?!"

A faint smile seemed to appear on Baili Qing's face.

"This is about confronting the Other Realm and entities—surviving what lies beyond human reason is the only true standard. We don't need to set barriers. 'Survival' is the only barrier."

Yu Sheng grunted: "So the barrier's pretty low..."

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(End of Chapter)