Chapter 222: Miscalculation

The report was extremely brief, even sloppy, though the handwriting was neat, and the content was only a few lines: location confirmed, the anomaly source was four remnants of the Medicine King Secret Transmission (with a simple physical description), they have been subdued and confined on site, a simple altar and an unfinished secret medicine were found, no civilian casualties, no ghost response.

At the end were Huo Huo's signature and the Judge's seal, the seal paste was uneven.

Han Ya's gaze lingered a moment on the four characters "Medicine King Secret Transmission".

That indeed exceeded the initial estimate.

She also recalled the preliminary synchronized news from the Cloud Cavalry not long ago, which said that in a certain abandoned old house four unconscious members of the Medicine King Secret Transmission were found, all dazed, with no obvious external injuries but severe mental trauma, and one of them kept muttering "the blue fire fox" and "don't look at me".

(Blue fire fox…)

Han Ya understood in her heart.

It was "Tail", the troublesome Suiyang inside Huo Huo.

It seems this time it was thoroughly provoked, or rather, driven by Huo Huo's abnormal "hardness".

She gently placed the report back on the desk, leaned back against the chair, and crossed her hands in front of her.

On her cool, composed face, the usual stillness finally showed a slight ripple—her brows furrowed slightly, then quickly smoothed.

(Miscalculated.)

Her original plan was to use that low‑difficulty but truly frightening-to-Huo Huo small Task to test—or rather "educate"—this subordinate who always thought of escaping.

Either complete the Task to prove ability, or be scared back into honestly continuing work.

Either way, she had a follow‑up response plan.

But the development of events completely deviated from expectations.

Huo Huo not only completed the Task, but did so so… cleanly and decisively, even bordering on brutally direct.

Facing the Medicine King Secret Transmission, without seeking help or maneuvering, they stormed in directly, subdued them, left a report, and left.

This manner of action was a far cry from the Huo Huo of old, who used to be afraid of darkness if he stayed a moment longer in a corridor, and could be startled into jumping on the spot by a wandering spirit's shadow.

More importantly, her earlier resolute stance of "finish the Task and cut off immediately, unwilling to stay a second longer," and the action that gave her superior no chance to inquire or retain her…

(Not like her anymore.)

Han Ya calmly evaluated.

Is it the amplified influence of "Tail", temporarily overriding Huo Huo's own temperament?

Or perhaps… an extreme rebound after prolonged suppression?

Regardless of which, the situation became slightly more complicated.

But it's not entirely without benefit.

Han Ya's gaze swept over the simple report again.

The clues of the Medicine King Secret Transmission need deep digging; those four mentally traumatized members are the breakthrough.

Huo Huo… or rather "Tail"'s move this time counts as a pleasant surprise, at least cleanly sweeping away a potential hidden danger.

As for Huo Huo's resignation…

A hint of helplessness flashed in Han Ya's eyes.

She never truly intended to approve that resignation.

People of the Ten Kings Office, especially Judges, cannot just leave at will, especially when they carry such a special presence.

The very reason she sent Huo Huo on the Task already implied "letting her get some fresh air, calm down."

Being under the Ten Kings Office's suppressive environment for a long time, that string is stretched too tight, indeed prone to problems.

But now Huo Huo has run out on her own, clearly in the wrong state; forcing her back would likely be counterproductive, and might even provoke that unstable Suiyang.

(Needs observation.)

Han Ya reached a decision in her heart.

She opened a drawer of the desk, took out a standard simple jade token, flicked her fingertips swiftly, and found a contact noted as 【Unemployed Wanderer·Gui Naifen】.

Edit the information, send.

【Han Ya: There is something you need to pay attention to. Assist in observing a person, physical characteristics are as follows: Fox Tribe, female, height about… pale teal long hair, always wears black large sunglasses, has a conspicuous teal Tail. Currently should be active in Changletian or surrounding area. Monitor her movements, who she contacts, her mental state, and give me a brief daily report. Do not make direct contact, do not attract her attention.】

Almost the instant the message was sent, a reply came from that side.

【Gui Naifen:???】

【Gui Naifen: Lord Han Ya? You're looking for me? To observe someone? Why me? I'm just an ordinary street‑performer doing livestreams, a regular citizen! (??????)??】

Han Ya's expression remained unchanged, her fingertip tapped lightly.

【Han Ya: Ordinary? Last time, without permission, you slipped into a sealed ruin for a so‑called 'spirit‑hunting livestream,' causing three seal talismans to shift and attracting three water spirits to linger. Should I ask the Ten Kings Office's Soul‑catching Officer to recount the details with you?】

【Gui Naifen: …】

【Gui Naifen: (An emoticon of cold sweat streaming, hands clasped, frantically apologizing)}】

【Gui Naifen: Sorry, Lord Han Ya! I was wrong! I really didn't know it was sealed! The sign was blown down by the wind! I promise I won't dare again! You have great authority! (；′д｀)ゞ】

【Han Ya: This observation Task will count as your redemption. If you perform properly, not only will the previous incident not be pursued, but in the future, should suitable, non‑confidential and non‑dangerous 'anomalous events' arise, I may optionally provide some information for you to 'source material'.】

The other side was silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing the pros and cons between "being on the Ten Kings Office's radar" and "potentially gaining exclusive livestream material."

【Gui Naifen: (An emoticon of eyes shining, fist clenched, excited)}】

【Gui Naifen: Deal! Rest assured, Lord Han Ya! I guarantee to complete the Task! I'm professional at tail‑watching observation! I will definitely not be discovered! I've noted the target's features! I'll report any news to you immediately! (??????)??】

She set the jade token down, picked up the vermilion brush again, as if she had just dealt with an insignificant trivial matter.

Why not send someone from the Ten Kings Office?

The reason is simple: Judges and even clerks of the Ten Kings Office all carry, to varying degrees, a special aura imbued by long‑term dealings with life, death, and ghosts, or simply wear a gloomy, stern "no‑living‑person‑allowed" expression.

In a crowd they stand out too much, making it easy for the sensitive Huo Huo to notice.

Gui Naifen, on the other hand, is more inconspicuous and easier to approach for observation.

As for agreeing to Huo Huo's departure…

Han Ya glanced at the report pinned on the table, then glanced at the doorway.

(A short rest, that's fine.)

She refocused her attention on the unfinished files; the vermilion brush fell, marking the character "accurate" with an iron‑painted silver hook.

In the office, it once again fell into a silence filled only with the rustling of paper and the sand‑like sound of pen tips.

The streets of Changletian are forever bustling; human voices, the hum of Star Chariot engines, and vendors' cries intertwine into a vibrant background soundtrack.

The sunlight is far brighter than inside the Ten Kings Office, and the air carries the fresh sweet aroma of newly baked Mo Mo Roll and the crisp tea scent drifting from some unknown teahouse.

Huo Huo slipped both hands into their pockets, wandering without purpose.

The large sunglasses on the face blocked some overly bright sunlight and the gazes of onlookers, but also cast the world in a grayish hue.

She walked through the bustling general‑goods market, skirted the constantly shouting food stalls, and passed the tinkling doors of the Qiong Yu Pai Hall…

Her steps alternated between fast and slow, aimless.

(I'm free…)