Chapter 419: Could There Still Be a Twist?

"Hehe, forget it—you're not the one I'm talking about, but as a new recruit, your mistake is understandable!"

After giving Li Ang a rather appreciative glance, the red-haired woman's stern expression softened slightly as she spoke kindly to reassure him:

"Li Ang, don't worry about the intelligence matter. You reported the infected immediately, handled that troublesome demon, and persuaded it to lead you to Emma."

Later, when Emma was trapped, you shot and killed the target in one shot, successfully rescuing her—and along with her, hundreds of others, preventing massive loss of vitality."

As a new recruit who's only been in the Cleanup Bureau for a few hours, you've done more than enough. As for the intelligence issue, it was just an unavoidable accident."

"No way! We at least earned some merit—how can you be so biased?!"

Before Li Ang could answer, the black goat, furious at this glaring double standard, blurted out:

"That shot was fired by him, wasn't it? I just helped judge the position—why is it an 'unavoidable accident' for him but I'm being sent to the kitchen to be stewed?!"

"Why stew you… don't you know what you did?"

The red-haired woman sneered:

"Don't think I don't know your plan! Li Ang didn't know Emma had immortality—do you think I didn't?"

"When Emma was in no danger, you could've let Li Ang bring you close to the hospital, then amplify the Shikong infected's malice from afar, driving him mad and forcing him out to capture him!"

"I just didn't think of it in the moment…"

"Don't tell me you forgot. When you were under my command, you always used this exact method—why suddenly forget now?"

Crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair, the red-haired woman fixed her gaze on the cowering black goat and sneered:

"You could've captured the target alive, yet you deliberately pushed Li Ang to shoot him dead—you've got something suspicious going on!"

"Speak up: do you want to absorb the target's sinful soul? Do you want to manipulate Li Ang into restoring your power? Or…"

"Are you colluding with the person behind him, fearing he might leak intel if captured, so you deliberately silenced him?"

"You're lying!"

Hearing the red-haired woman's deduction, the black goat, suspected of being a traitor, leapt to his feet.

"I didn't! You're just guessing! You have no proof!"

"The Cleanup Bureau isn't a court—when did we ever need proof?"

After another scoff, the red-haired woman suddenly frowned, studying the black goat with thoughtful eyes:

"Hmm… I admit, I was joking earlier—but now that I think about it, I've noticed more odd things."

"Everyone in the Bureau was deployed, yet I remained in the capital. Who would be this stupid to send someone to cause trouble just three streets away from me?"

"So unless someone was deliberately sent to die, there's only one explanation: the mastermind has a mole inside the Bureau—and knows I left the capital yesterday!"

Holy shit?!

Hearing the red-haired woman's logical deduction, Li Ang's eyes widened in shock as he stared at the black goat in his arms.

No one else was in the Bureau yesterday—besides you, who else knew the director had left the capital? You're the mole?!

"No… I didn't…"

Glancing at Li Ang's stunned expression, then at the red-haired woman, who had once again narrowed her eyes, the black goat shuddered, then puffed out his goat eyes and retorted angrily:

"I didn't leak any info! You can't frame me!"

"Really?"

The red-haired woman slowly rose, placing her hands on the desk and leaning forward with overwhelming pressure, speaking slowly and deliberately:

"Then how do you explain all these coincidences?"

"Fine, the incident happening right after I left is one thing—but yesterday, you could've captured him alive, yet you deliberately used Li Ang to kill him. How do you explain that?" "I already said it was an accident!"

The black goat snapped:

"I helped that kid kill the target on purpose—to get him used to blood! To… to get him used to it…"

"To get him used to solving problems through killing, to be gradually lured by you, lowering his moral boundaries bit by bit, slipping quietly into corruption… am I wrong?"

Seeing the black goat, caught in his own scheme, now sullenly silent, then glancing at Li Ang, who had just shuddered violently, the red-haired woman—who had moments ago been grim-faced—curled her lips into a smile, leaned back comfortably in her chair, and gently advised Li Ang:

"Li Ang, remember what you just heard. If you ever face a similar situation in future missions, recall today before you decide."

"I… I'll remember."

After a nervous glance at the black goat, Li Ang hesitated, then cupped the goat's head with both hands and placed it back on the red-haired woman's desk.

"This… please take it back."

Studying Li Ang's expression, the red-haired woman smiled:

"What? Afraid you can't control it?"

"Yeah…"

"It's fine. Keep it."

Deeply impressed by Li Ang's caution, the red-haired woman propped her chin on her left hand, idly twirling her crimson hair with her pale index finger, and smiled at him:

"Abnormal objects with their own will and desires are usually unsuitable for new recruits—but you kept your sanity under its influence, proving you at least have the right to hold it."

"Besides, Emma reported to me this morning: your soul-sight range is two kilometers. That proves your compatibility with it is exceptionally high. Combined with your cautious nature, I believe you're fully capable of holding it."

After stating her judgment, she rose from her chair, walked around the desk to where Li Ang still hesitated, gently took his hand, and placed the sulking goat's head into it.

"Keep it. Remember to stay rational—don't let it cloud your judgment or decisions. I believe you can."

"…."

Looking at the red-haired beauty before him, her face full of trust, her hand holding his, Li Ang felt his heartbeat quicken inexplicably. He instinctively turned his gaze away—but quickly forced himself to look back, nodding solemnly with serious resolve:

"I will!"

"Pfft… you'll do nothing of the sort!"

Lifting his eyelids slightly, the black goat, seething with rage, glanced at Li Ang's slightly reddened earlobes and sneered:

"Just being held by the hand and cooed at, and you're already dizzy? If she kissed you, would you die for her?"

"Hehe, I'm just stuck being a goat—damn it, if I were a gorgeous woman, you, this naive little virgin who gets flustered over anything, I'd have you wrapped around my finger in seconds… ugh… ugh! Let go! Even if you cover my mouth, I'm still saying it—you're just…"

(End of Chapter)