Chapter 59: Wanted Notice (Revised)

"When you need it, or find a suitable money‑laundering… cough, suitable investment channel, we can figure out a way to operate covertly inside it."

Bai Mu Yun finished speaking, then looked at Ying Duo with a hint of doubt.

"The person who arranged your identity didn't even explain these basic logistical details clearly?"

Indeed no NPC ever briefed him on that, but isn't Bai Mu Yun just introducing it?

In Ying Duo's eyes, Bai Mu Yun is already equated with the old village chief who answers questions in Xinshou Cun and the tutorial sprite for beginners.

He returned a calm gaze to Bai Mu Yun, his face saying, "Upper management is chaotic; what does it have to do with a rank‑and‑file employee like me?"

Bai Mu Yun understood the meaning in his eyes, felt a dull ache at his temple, and decided not to entangle Ying Duo over this issue any longer.

"When you forged your identity, the logistics staff should have accounted for your daily expenses in Tianmian City; your nominal 'parents' left a verifiable 'inheritance.'"

"This sum is enough to cover your basic life at the Academy and some extra costs, without raising suspicion."

Hearing that there is indeed a 'seed fund' available, Ying Duo finally nodded in satisfaction.

At least in the short term he won't have to worry about in‑game currency.

With the salary dispute temporarily settled, the mention of money seemed to jog Bai Mu Yun's memory, and his smug expression deepened.

"Oh, right."

Bai Mu Yun, as if recalling a trivial matter, grabbed a tablet nearby, tapped it a few times, and slid it onto the coffee table.

"Almost forgot to congratulate you—your first official mission, though a mess, did boost your 'notoriety' quite quickly."

As he moved, a concealed projector whirred to life, displaying a recently updated wanted notice.

On the left side of the notice is a slightly blurry but distinct surveillance screenshot—exactly his ordinary face after last night's disguise; the right side contains text information:

【Wanted Target】: Codename "Flame City Cannon"

【Danger Level】: A+ (extremely dangerous, squad capture recommended)

【Reward】: 750,000 (dead or alive)

【Issuing Authority】: Tianmian City Supervision Bureau

【Note】: Target suspected Co‑Absorption member, possesses extreme firepower and concealment ability; witnesses, do not act rashly, report immediately.

"Flame City Cannon"......

Ying Duo stared at the codename, recalled his own endless barrage of firepower last night, and thought the name... was rather realistic.

"Take a look." Bai Mu Yun tapped the coffee table with his fingertips, his glee unmistakable.

"Mr. Flame City Cannon, worth 750,000, made the Church's wanted list on his first mission; this 'record' is unique among Dome newcomers."

He seemed to think the wanted notice alone wasn't enough, so he raised his hand and fiddled with a small projection device in the private room.

A light screen unfurled on the wall, playing Tianmian City's morning news; the solemn news anchor reported in a clear, resonant tone:

"... we now report breaking news: early this morning, an unexplained massive structural collapse occurred beneath the abandoned industrial zone of District 10."

"Fortunately, the area had long been abandoned, and the Supervision Bureau issued a warning before the collapse, so no casualties were reported..."

The news footage switched, showing a devastated street and a distant view of the collapsed pit.

"... the Supervision Bureau, together with the Heresy Tribunal, issued an emergency wanted notice this morning."

The broadcast switched again, displaying the image from Ying Duo's wanted notice with the codename "Flame City Cannon," the reward amount enlarged and highlighted in red.

"Now a highly dangerous individual codenamed 'Flame City Cannon' is wanted; this person participated in last night's malicious incident. Citizens who spot any trace should stay away and notify law enforcement..."

Bai Mu Yun turned off the projection, and the private room fell silent.

He leisurely stared at Ying Duo, who simply watched the news calmly, then shifted his gaze back to Bai Mu Yun, offering no comment on the over‑the‑top codename.

"Oh." He uttered a single syllable.

Funny, he pulled an even more cringey codename last night.

Such a petty level of cringey codename......

Bai Mu Yun: "......"

Sometimes he really wishes he could pry open the kid's head to see its inner workings.

"What is Co‑Absorption?" Yang Yixie asked, having come across a fresh term out of curiosity.

"It's a special department of the Dome, hidden from the light, labeled a cult by the Church."

Bai Mu Yun replied offhand, but Ying Duo hardly qualifies as a Co‑Absorption member; the Church's suspicion stems only from his involvement in this operation.

"Looks like you're adapting well to your new 'identity'; although they haven't yet pinned down your true identity, the moniker 'Flame City Cannon' has already been logged by the Church."

Bai Mu Yun finally gave up seeking amusement in this matter and said, "Then, Mr. Flame City Cannon, let's get back on topic. Tell me about the spatial turbulence—where were you thrown? Why did it take so long to return to a safe point?"

Ying Duo answered succinctly:

"District 8. That redhead was near me, so I hid until dawn before coming back."

The explanation was reasonable.

Even if Ying Duo could match Chi Jin An blow for blow, causing a ruckus in the Slum would quickly draw the Supervision Bureau's forces.

Bai Mu Yun nodded, acknowledging his approach.

"Caution is appropriate, though your concealment technique leaves room for improvement," Bai Mu Yun said, his tone softening slightly.

"I applied for a three‑day leave for you from Mitra Academy, citing that during the forced interrogation by the Heresy Tribunal your mind was traumatized and you need time for psychological adjustment and recovery; the Academy has already approved it."

He set down his cup, leaned forward slightly, looking as if he were about to announce something important, yet his mind seemed a bit elsewhere.

"During these few days off we have a new mission; it requires us to investigate a person's whereabouts."

"Who?"

"The assassin sent by the Dome was supposed to cooperate with me on this mission, but he never showed up."

"No sign of him alive, no sign of his corpse; who knows his situation—betrayed? Or captured?"

Bai Mu Yun grew especially impatient, indifferent to the missing colleague's fate.

"Anyway, the Field Operations Department's people had an accident; they'll send someone else to investigate, so we just need to gather a bit of intel to get by."

They said to let them investigate, but as a result, they didn't even give him permission to view that person's file.

They don't even know what that person looks like—what's the point of investigating?

Anyway, this mission failed—partly because it came out of the blue, partly because the person assigned to carry it out was suddenly unavailable, and the higher-ups never intended to blame him.

Besides, compared to that clueless colleague in the Field Operations Department, his direct superior pays more attention to the abilities Ying Duo has shown.

He simply doesn't have the time to waste on the scheming and infighting between departments.

【Side mission completed: Draw fire】

【Reward obtained: EXP +300%, title earned: "Aggro that Ying Guang Lu" (Effect: When worn, it draws most enemies' hatred onto the wearer)】

【Level up to Lv. 14!】

【Level up to Lv. 15!】

【Level up to Lv. 16!】

【Current level: Lv. 16 (50.1%)】