Chapter 290: [Mask] Isn't Fighting Alone

Under the shade of a tree not far away, Captain Liu Xie wore a tidy Ji Si uniform, leaned against the trunk, and was resting with eyes closed.

Suddenly, her ears twitched slightly, as if catching an unusual sound; then she slowly opened her eyes and glanced casually at Li Shang and Chang Erbing.

She seemed to have just heard these two discussing 【Mask】?

Liu Xie's expression remained unchanged; she walked up behind the two with hands in her pockets and asked lightly:

"Your heart rates are racing — did you sense some danger?"

Chang Erbing stayed silent; Li Shang turned to look at Liu Xie, his gaze flickering several times, starting to speak but stopping several times, finally gritting his teeth and saying in a low voice:

"Captain Liu, I must tell you the truth — I didn't sense danger, I feel like we're all sitting on a powder keg right now, and one that's being broadcast live on TV at that."

Li Shang could no longer heed the "gag order" issued by the Special Commissioner, because this quagmire was even more perilous than the last vortex.

Last time, they had to identify the single real one from among 50 【Masks】 — in the end, it was a contest with them attacking and 【Mask】 defending.

But this quagmire... is them defending, 【Mask】 attacking.

Everyone knows defending is more than ten times harder than attacking.

Especially those cameras — hard to say if they can ferret out 【Mask】, but one thing is certain: their surveillance will undoubtedly bind the Patrol Bureau's hands and feet, preventing them from using many methods.

In a sense, these cameras aren't on their side; they're more likely to become 【Mask】's accomplices.

【Mask】 isn't fighting alone this time!

So Li Shang also had to drag more people into the water — not to keep watch on 【Mask】, but so that when things go wrong, there are more "companions" to help share the blame.

Liu Xie's pupils shrank slightly; she asked very cooperatively: "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Li Shang deliberated briefly, then answered slowly:

"A while back several students died at No. 8 Middle School — you know, right? Ji Si sent people to assist then too; the one who came was Captain Gou Xin of Ji Si Second Squad."

Liu Xie raised her brows slightly, tone utterly calm:

"I've indeed heard of it. So the Patrol Bureau still hasn't solved the case?"

Li Shang rubbed his cheeks tightly, let out a long breath, and said with a gloomy face:

"Yes, the case remains unsolved; the killer is still hiding in No. 8 Middle School. Because of confidentiality principles I can't reveal too much to you — I can only tell you this killer is absolutely no ordinary murderer; he's very likely a man-eating... monster."

He paused slightly, gaze locked tightly on Liu Xie, emphasizing each word:

"I have a premonition he'll definitely come out to hunt for food during this period, and right in front of the cameras — so Captain Liu, I urgently need your help."

Liu Xie looked deeply at Li Shang — a look Li Shang couldn't read at all — but fortunately Liu Xie seemed persuaded, realized the gravity of the situation, and agreed to his request.

She said to him: "Fine, I'll help you!"

In stark contrast to Li Shang's anxious unease, Feng Ju strolled through the campus, gaze sweeping over the hanging banners and flickering cameras, yet his heart was perfectly calm.

He didn't care whether 【Mask】 would keep committing crimes — he practically wished 【Mask】 would hurry up and commit one.

After all, Feng Ju wasn't responsible for security; his squad only had to ferret out 【Mask】 — they didn't answer to any councilors or guests, they only had to answer to the Special Commissioner alone.

As for the rice jar turning into a rice tub, and those cameras — would they increase the difficulty of catching 【Mask】?

Feng Ju's answer: no. On the contrary, he felt the current situation would actually help them arrest 【Mask】 more smoothly.

Because the investigative method they'll employ next will be absolutely different from traditional case-solving.

It may cause a tiny stir, but it's absolutely efficient and precise.

Feng Ju walked while scanning casually around; colorful banners flashed through his vision from time to time.

— Warmly celebrating the successful opening of the Nine Districts' First Inter-High School Martial Dao Tournament.

— Warmly congratulating our school's Grade 10 Class 1 students XXX, XXX, and Feng Yuhuai for standing out in the junior division and winning Cross-Grade Challenge qualifications.

— Warmly welcoming renowned scientist Mr. Zuo Bai to visit our school...

Feng Ju's gaze landed almost instantly on his daughter's name on the banner, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curve upward.

Dong Ping stood to the side and flatteringly praised:

"Captain Feng, is this your daughter? Truly impressive, amazing — Cross-Grade Challenge, she'll probably appear on TV too; her future is boundlessly bright."

Feng Ju chuckled, waving his black hand modestly, and said:

"Not at all, she's still far from it — just some trifling achievement among students; put on a bigger stage it becomes insignificant.

When she can be like that scientist Zuo Bai, with her name displayed alone, respected and recognized by all — that's when she'll have lived up to my investment and upbringing."

Dong Ping and the rest of the squad all fell silent, shaken by their captain's breadth of vision.

They couldn't help reflecting: why is the captain's daughter so outstanding while their own children are mediocre — could it be because their demands and expectations for their children are too low?

Feng Ju noticed his subordinates' silence, felt a touch of embarrassment, coughed lightly, and deftly changed the subject:

"Right, do you all know Zuo Bai?"

Dong Ping and the squad members all shook their heads, indicating they didn't.

Feng Ju actually knew very little about Zuo Bai before this — he's just a captain, not very interested in the tech field.

But ever since he swapped in an advanced mechanical arm, he developed a strong interest in the scientific field of "Implant and Modified Body".

It's like when you're given a car — even if you previously had zero interest in cars, you start delving into all kinds of vehicle knowledge, and quickly come to understand it quite deeply.

And Zuo Bai is the scientist who has made the biggest name in the Lower City in recent years in the emerging tech field of "Implant and Modified Body".

Feng Ju then briefly explained to the squad members present who Zuo Bai was.

In short: Outstanding Youth of District Six, Star Scientist, leader of the new generation in the emerging research field — all glowing content Feng Ju saw on the Internet.

Then Feng Ju sighed lightly, his eyes revealing deep expectation:

"... If my daughter can stand out in the competition, gain Zuo Bai's favor, receive even a bit of his guidance — then her future path will truly have glimpsed the light."

Of course, the "Zuo Bai" in Feng Ju's mouth isn't necessarily Zuo Bai himself — he represents all figures possessing "Zuo Bai"-type excellent traits.

Deep down Feng Ju yearns for a "Zuo Bai" to one day become his daughter's patron or guide.

And if that person really is Zuo Bai himself, that would naturally be ideal.

After all, Zuo Bai isn't just outstanding — he's young, the photos circulating online are all handsome, and standing beside his daughter would indeed be a perfect match.

Feng Ju was merely full of longing, but what he did not know was that Fate, perhaps to reward his great fatherly love, would soon weave this longing of his into reality in the not-too-distant future.

But when the dream came true in reality, would Feng Ju truly be overjoyed, or...?

End of Chapter