Chapter 228: 227 The Classic Face-Slap

"It's not treason—the Twin Branch director's body contains the Aquarius director's brain."

Without directly asking Li Ang to answer, the Red-haired Director, who had already questioned him beforehand and understood the general reason, spoke up:

"To prevent the God-class Brain-Eating Demon from reading his memories, Aquarius replicated his own brain, then paired it with his original body, emotions, and a severed sliver of his soul, creating a flawless counterfeit."

The brain inside the counterfeit remains half-sealed at all times; Aquarius's true brain, hidden within the Twin Branch director's body, uses the soul fragment to simultaneously control both bodies. Only before and after memory extraction does the counterfeit's brain temporarily unseal."

"As for just now, he activated 【Time Gap】 to accelerate his own time, reclaimed the soul fragment, and then used an anomaly called 【Gate of the Other World】…"

"So that's how it is…"

After hearing the Red-haired Director's explanation and understanding why Aquarius was confident he could deceive memory extraction, the Clearance Director frowned:

"Even the brain can be swapped… Has the medical technology of the Krook Kingdom really advanced to this level?"

"We don't know."

The Red-haired Director shook his head:

"The Krook Kingdom is highly isolated; aside from purchasing minerals and energy, it has little external contact. Only those in the Twin Branch know what's happening there."

The Twin Branch… The Twin Branch director is Aquarius himself, or at least under his control—entirely untrustworthy now.

After slightly shaking his head, the Clearance Director was about to ask more, when a tall, thin man stood up and asked pointedly:

"Olivia, the person accelerated by 【Time Gap】 wasn't you, was it? Why are you relaying the details instead of letting that Level-3 Clearance Officer speak for himself?"

"Is there a problem?"

The Red-haired Director's fox-like eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at the man, her expression darkening:

"Edward! If you have something to say, say it outright—no need to beat around the bush!"

"I mean nothing by it, I'm just curious."

The tall, thin man raised an eyebrow:

"Everyone saw it—Aquarius wasn't the only one accelerated by 【Time Gap】; your own Level-3 Clearance Officer was too, and they were alone together for a long time.

So could you explain how this Level-3 Incident Handler, who only recently joined the Clearance Bureau, managed to survive so long under Aquarius's control without being eliminated?"

"I gave Li Ang his survival methods. As for the specifics, it's none of your concern."

Anticipating this reaction, the Red-haired Director shot back without hesitation.

"Besides, Li Ang was the first to notice Aquarius's deception. And when the interrogation hit a deadlock, he brought the key evidence that forced Aquarius to submit to memory extraction."

"If you suspect him of colluding with Aquarius, I suggest you start by slicing open your own skull and checking if your brain has rotted from stupidity!"

After the Red-haired Director finished, Bevili of the Lion Bureau stood up, glaring:

"Edward! Mind your own business and stop trying to stir up trouble at a time like this!"

"I'm only raising reasonable doubts—no need to react so violently."

The man named Edward, though embarrassed, didn't get angry. He waved his hand to show he meant no harm, then smiled and snapped his fingers.

As the snap echoed, Li Ang felt a slight swelling in his palm—a resin card depicting a scorpion pushing a dung ball had been mysteriously slipped into his hand.

"This is the Scorpion Branch's credential. Once stamped with my seal, you can join the Scorpion Branch directly, just like others who left the Virgin Branch."

After explaining its significance, the tall, thin man smiled as he watched Li Ang inspect the card:

"Young man, I have high hopes for you. If you, like those former Virgin Branch members, can't stand Olivia, take this and transfer to the Scorpion Branch—we welcome you.

I can't promise you much, but at least we have enough personnel; we don't force newcomers into dangerous work, or use them as bait to capture Aquarius…"

"What are you talking about?!"

Bevili snapped.

"We never used Li Ang as bait! The Twin Branch director *is* Aquarius—we didn't know that at the time! Li Ang facing him alone was purely accidental!"

"Oh? So you didn't know he'd be targeted by Aquarius next?"

Edward of the Scorpion Branch raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity:

"Then how odd. If you didn't foresee this, why did Olivia give him survival methods? Are powerful tools capable of surviving a Director's grasp really so common that you can hand them out freely?"

"You—"

"Why are you always so eager?"

The tall man smiled pleasantly:

"This matter involves the Watch Palace—I'm only raising reasonable doubts. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize to you."

…

This guy… Daring to show up and cause trouble now—he must be the Director's archenemy.

And from his tone, many who left the Virgin Branch probably went to the Scorpion Branch—there's clearly deep history between them?

Watching the man's two sarcastic remarks leave the Lion Bureau Director glaring, Li Ang simply pried open the resin card and glanced at the signature, then said thoughtfully:

"Edward Carson… That name sounds familiar…"

"Oh? You've heard of me?"

The tall man raised his brows, smiling as he replied:

"Your Director hates me—she wouldn't have mentioned my name. So… did you hear it from former Virgin Branch members?"

"No."

Li Ang shook his head:

"When 【Time Gap】 activated, Aquarius mentioned a list of people in the Clearance Bureau who colluded with him. I think I heard it then."

"…."

Caught off guard by Li Ang's words, the tall man's smile froze, then he snarled:

"Think before you speak! How could Aquarius possibly reveal something this critical to a Level-3 Clearance Officer? And he's a traitor—even if he did say it, it's worthless!"

"Normally, it's unlikely."

Li Ang nodded in agreement, then blinked and said:

"But he pulled out an item called the Truth Scale. He revealed several secrets himself, then used the item's power to force me to reveal corresponding secrets—in its effect, both he and I could only speak the truth."

"Then you—"

"I had no choice—I had to reveal many critical secrets, leaked information vital to the Virgin Branch, and I deeply apologize to our Director… but at least I got the traitor list."

After nodding apologetically to the Red-haired Director, whose lips had unconsciously curled upward, Li Ang turned back to the slightly uneasy tall man and said sincerely:

"Honestly, I can't guarantee you're a traitor, but the name rings a bell, and this involves the Watch Palace—why not go to that Brain-Eating Demon first and let it lick you twice? If you're innocent, I'll apologize to you."

"…."