Chapter 319: 319 Untitled

Why hasn't my Death Crow come to me yet?

Upon hearing the Red-haired Inspector's question, Li Ang's breath momentarily hitched.

The most likely answer to this question is my identity as a transmigrator—I'm not even a native of this world, so the Death Crow that announces the death of this world's Li Ang naturally wouldn't react.

Secondly, it could be my Companion Badge System; perhaps, like how the Toad of the Scale Gold Cult could never purchase me no matter how it activated its power, the Death Crow's ability to foretell death has also been blocked by the Badge System.

But whether it's my transmigrator identity or the existence of the Badge System, both are my greatest secrets—I absolutely cannot reveal them. So how should I answer this question?

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure…"

After a brief hesitation, seeing the Red-haired Inspector's face—serious but without hostility—Li Ang ultimately chose to answer "partially" truthfully:

"As for why the Death Crow hasn't come, I have a vague guess, but it involves some… uh… secrets of mine, so I'd rather not say. Is that okay?"

"…"

Is that okay… do you think it's okay?

After hearing Li Ang's answer, the Red-haired Inspector nearly laughed in anger.

According to what that crocodile just relayed, you're currently suspected of being an Old Land spy! You're very likely an Old Land infiltrator hiding inside the Cleanup Bureau, planning something sinister!

And though I haven't been very competent these past years, I'm still the Director of the Cleanup Bureau's Virgin Branch—a genuine high-ranking Cleanup Bureau official! Yet you offer no explanation at all, just say "I have secrets, I don't want to talk," and expect to brush me off?

"No!"

Scowling at Li Ang, the Red-haired Inspector snapped:

"Do you really think I'll unconditionally indulge you? That crocodile told me everything you said to the Goddess of Wealth. Do you know how serious this is?

According to Bureau regulations, just on the suspicion that you might be an Old Lander, I should arrest you right now, bind you up, and send you to Headquarters so the Divine-level Brain-Eating Demon can lick your brain!"

…

Huh… looks like I might get through this!

After the Red-haired Inspector firmly rejected his "unreasonable request," seeing her slightly irritated but lovely face, Li Ang didn't feel anxious—instead, he suddenly felt much more at ease.

If the Director truly suspected him, believed he might be plotting something, then given her style, she would've seized him immediately and used every possible method on him first.

But now, she not only gave him a chance to explain—even after he refused to explain—she still didn't move to arrest him. Instead, she scolded him for being reckless, threatened to bind him and send him to the Brain-Eating Demon. These actions proved the situation wasn't that dire.

And if I hadn't chosen to be partially truthful just now, but had tried to deceive her instead, I'd almost certainly have been exposed by a sober Director—and that would've made things far worse.

"If it's this serious… then maybe I'll tell you a little?"

Holding up a tiny finger, Li Ang probed:

"Director, you know my listed ability is to forcibly extract information from anomalous objects through touch—but actually, my ability is even more unusual…"

"…"

"…"

That's it?

After waiting a long time without further words, seeing Li Ang's "tiny bit" gesture, the Red-haired Inspector's face darkened.

So when you say "a little," you really mean just this teeny bit?!

"That… that's just one possible explanation…"

Seeing the Red-haired Inspector's expression grow even more hostile, Li Ang reluctantly added cautiously:

"Besides this, there's another possibility—my origins. I'm not Anna's real brother. It's because of that family photo…"

"So you're saying… since Li Ang Lyne shouldn't exist, there's no corresponding Death Crow?"

After Li Ang finished describing 【Warm Home】, the Red-haired Inspector frowned:

"But that's just your own speculation. Besides, the anomalous object's ability has changed—now we can't even test it. You're still essentially saying nothing."

"I've told you everything I can!"

After reluctantly offering two explanations without outright lying, Li Ang shrugged helplessly:

"I don't know why I don't have a Death Crow—these are just guesses. But I know for certain I'm not an Old Land infiltrator trying to sabotage the Cleanup Bureau. Those are all her wild guesses—I never admitted a single word of them."

"So, Director, if you believe me, pick one of these two to believe. If you don't believe me, bind me and send me to Headquarters for the Divine-level Brain-Eating Demon to lick my brain. Your choice."

"…"

My choice? What choice do I have?

You took such a huge risk—you even faced a True God directly—to rescue Emma, who was captured because of my mistake. How could I report you for baseless suspicions?

Besides, even if I truly had the heart to send you to the Brain-Eating Demon, Headquarters is now completely sealed off. Do you think I'll fly you seventy thousand kilometers to break in and torture you?

You little rascal! You're counting on me never doing that, and now you won't even pretend anymore!

Unable to help but glare at Li Ang, who had completely given up pretending, the Red-haired Inspector said coldly:

"Don't think you can brush this off so easily! I'm keeping this on record! And you'll write a thorough report on this cleanup operation!

However, since the relevant doubts haven't been cleared, forget the Old Lander claims—just write it as the Goddess of Wealth said… cough… write that the Lord of Dreaming Ambush attacked the Goddess of Wealth, and you barely escaped.

Also, detail the earlier events thoroughly, but don't write anything about what happened at the end.

You never saw the Lord of Dreaming—I'm afraid your account will be inaccurate and mislead the Headquarters reviewers. So finish your report quickly and bring it to me—I'll review it and help you fill in the details. Understood?"

Ah yes, yes, I definitely need someone to review it!

Realizing he had fully passed this test, Li Ang grinned and agreed enthusiastically, promising to write the operation report meticulously, leaving no detail unmentioned.

Watching his relaxed smile, the Red-haired Inspector, whose interrogation had failed, couldn't help but sneer, then asked with mild annoyance:

"For Emma's sake, I won't ask about your secrets. Just keep them in mind yourself.

Also, I heard from that crocodile that the Holy Spirit pendant crafted for you by Lord Taurus was destroyed by the Goddess of Wealth?"