Chapter 171: 170 Exchange and Home Visit

"I can't see anything wrong with you either."

The red-haired director shook her head upon hearing this:

"I do have some perceptual abilities, but I'm far better at combat. Things involving occultism or curses—that sheep understands them far better than I do."

"Besides, though the sheep's power has weakened now, it's still a vast, experienced demon with an extremely long lifespan. In terms of knowledge in this area, few in the Cleanup Bureau can surpass it."

"So if even it can't detect any issue, you shouldn't even consider asking the Bureau—among the people I can summon, even the Taurus Director is unlikely to solve your problem."

"..."

So it's over then?

After hearing the red-haired director's words, Li Ang's heart sank halfway.

Even though he had the *Emma's Remnant Scripture* protecting him, he could only learn Emma's caution, not her immortality.

If he continued encountering anomalies at this frequency, no matter how careful he was, he'd eventually crash like today—facing endless anomalies.

Just today's lead pellet alone was deadly; if the man who shot him from three kilometers away had lifted his hand even slightly, it wouldn't have just shattered his scapula.

"Are you thinking about the man who shot you with a slingshot?"

Seeing Li Ang's wary expression, the red-haired director guessed his thoughts and offered reassurance:

"Don't worry—you're carrying my hair. My hair is extremely sensitive to the scent of death. If you're hit by a lethal attack, it will immediately intercept it. That man's ability may counter you, but it can still be circumvented."

"What if it's not instantly lethal—say, poison, a curse, or bleeding that kills me slowly?"

Knowing the general effect of *Blood of Annihilation*, Li Ang pondered and added cautiously:

"Or draining the air around me, forcibly teleporting me to the ocean floor or underground, or aging me without killing me outright.

Or abilities that don't harm the body but target the soul, mind, or will—these can all bypass *Blood of Annihilation*, right?"

"Yes..."

Watching Li Ang, in just an instant, propose seven or eight ways to bypass *Blood of Annihilation* and successfully kill "himself," the red-haired director clicked her tongue in disbelief, feeling as if she'd seen a plus version of Emma.

Honestly, while caution is good for cleanup agents, Li Ang seems to have been influenced by Emma too deeply...

"How about you stay at the Bureau for now?"

After a moment's thought, the red-haired director suggested:

"The two investigators have returned. If their investigation finds no issues, the sheep's heart will be sent back in a couple of days—you can then go to the Police Department's prison and take up the post of warden, overseeing the most heinous death row inmates."

"Though it's not as good as Emma's immortality, with a *Heart of Ambition*-level artifact protecting you, you should survive as long as you avoid some extreme anomalies."

That's right! There's still the sheep's heart!

Hearing the red-haired director's reminder, Li Ang perked up instantly—finally, a glimmer of light appeared in his once-dark future.

Though he didn't have Bobby Lane's habit of keeping his heart inside his body, under the Golden Badge *I Am the Demon*, he could still normally use the sheep's heart's substitution ability—so long as he didn't face extreme situations, he could survive until he grew truly strong.

Oh right—there's also the sheep's stomach!

Remembering another "sheep offal" artifact, eager to rapidly increase his power to counter his terrible luck, Li Ang immediately asked:

"Director! How's the Black Sheep's stomach doing? Can I apply for it too?"

"The stomach... that's not difficult, but it won't be as fast as the heart—you'll need to wait a bit longer."

After thinking for a moment, the red-haired director replied:

"The sheep's stomach came to us on its own, not from a mission seizure. But as an artifact submitted to our Bureau, after basic inspection, we still get priority application rights."

"According to the Central Bureau's application rules, you only need to submit one artifact of roughly equal level, or three lower-level artifacts, to claim it."

"Hmm... the sheep's stomach is worth about 8 Li Ang Points, but since it's part of a complete set, the exchange requirement is much higher—probably 10 Li Ang Points. Do you have any artifacts you can exchange?"

"I actually do!"

After reviewing his current inventory, Li Ang tapped his pocket mirror and commanded the pup to toss out the miniature bed, sealed with the *Under-Bed Ghost Hand*.

"This artifact is worth 8. Li Ang Points, plus the *Moment of Heartbeat* I seized today at 2. —should be enough to exchange... wait a moment."

Touching the red hair at his neck, Li Ang didn't hand over the items immediately. After hesitation, he said:

"Director, could I ask you a favor?"

"Hmm? What favor?"

"Well... lately I've been targeted by those rebels. I'm afraid they'll go after my family, so I'd like three strands of your hair—one for each of my younger siblings."

Before the red-haired director could answer, fearing refusal, Li Ang quickly added:

"I know *Blood of Annihilation* is a Class 013 artifact—extremely valuable even in small amounts, and it drains your power continuously, so I won't ask for it for free.

If you agree, I'll trade this *Under-Bed Ghost Hand*—worth 8. Li Ang Points—for those three strands. Is that acceptable?"

Trade the *Under-Bed Ghost Hand* for three strands of blood hair?

Hearing Li Ang's offer and seeing his earnest expression, the red-haired director instinctively blinked her fox-like eyes, then tapped her knuckles lightly on the desk, asking thoughtfully:

"If you trade the *Under-Bed Ghost Hand* for my hair, what will you use to get the sheep's stomach? Artifacts worth nearly 10 Li Ang Points aren't easy to find. Are you sure you want to make this exchange?"

"I'm sure."

Li Ang nodded seriously:

"Even if artifacts worth 10 Li Ang Points are hard to find, they still exist. For Anna's safety, I'm willing to make this trade."

So family matters more to you than everything else?

Staring into Li Ang's eyes and confirming he truly meant it, the red-haired director blinked, feeling a pang of bitterness in her chest—not just envy for those he cherished, but envy for him, for having someone to cherish.

How wonderful—whether you or Emma, you both still have family to rely on. As for me... I'm destined never to have such a thing... Hmm... Damn it! My mood was fine until you ruined it.

"Fine, I'll take it!"

Swallowing the words "No need to trade," she took the *Under-Bed Ghost Hand* and tossed it into the drawer, then glared at the smiling Li Ang and issued a deliberately hostile challenge:

"Want a drink?"

"Huh?"

"Drink with me today, and I'll give you thirty strands—not just three!"