Chapter 564

At the Federation Capital Decision Hall, it was nine o'clock sharp.

After the doors of the Supreme Conference Hall closed, the reporters outside continued to clamor.

Not just reporters.

Whistleblowers, victims' families, local representatives, the head of the Public Security Bureau, and even several Anomalous who were frightened by the Purification Abyss Operation and had submitted resignation letters overnight all crowded outside the headquarters, at the Square.

Whistleblowers, victims' families, local representatives, the Public Security Bureau chief, and even several Anomalous who were frightened by the Purification Abyss Operation into submitting resignation letters overnight were all crowded outside the headquarters Square.

No one dared to cross the line.

Last night's video from Ning'an Road was still at the top of the hot search list.

A B-grade Anomalous was pressed into a police car by six ordinary patrol officers.

This scene was highly educational.

Lord Wei sat at the far end of the long table, with an untouched cup of tea beside him.

L's projection stood before the screen, speaking in a monotone.

"The public opinion curve has passed the critical point."

"Public support for the Special Management Bill stands at 87.3%."

"The opposition rate among the Anomalous is 62.9%."

Liang Wen leaned against the chair back, his left hand in a bandage, his right hand still scrolling through danmaku on his tablet.

He read a line.

"Brothers, the era of transcendence has ended; the legal version is now online."

Qin Zhixia glanced at him.

Liang Wen put down his tablet and coughed.

"I, the king, am merely observing public opinion."

Jiang Yuan sat up straight.

This meeting is more critical than a single S-Class Anomaly Domain.

Lord Wei looked up.

"Read it."

The secretary rose and opened the red folder.

"Federation Anomalous Special Management Law, Article One."

"Anyone possessing anomalous power, weird objects, weird symbiosis, or weird domains must register under their real name."

"Article Two: Anomalous enjoy citizen rights under the law while bearing equal legal obligations."

"Article Three: No Anomalous may evade criminal investigation by citing contributions to anomalous disasters, mission merits, family background, or ability level."

In the conference hall, someone lowered their head.

In the past, saying these words would have been laughed at.

Not anymore.

The secretary continued reading.

"Article Four: Those who seriously violate the law and resist arrest or flee are deemed high-risk uncontrolled sources."

"Grassroots public security bureaus, special police systems, and local branches of the Investigation Bureau have the authority to use Suppress Spook Bullets for forceful suppression."

"Article Five: After suppression, they shall be lawfully interrogated, detained, and tried."

"Article Six: No unit may create a private exemption list for Anomalous."

Upon reaching this point, someone in the conservative faction's seats could no longer sit still.

A white-haired advisor placed his hand on the table.

"Bureau Chief, that's well said, but execution is too difficult."

Lord Wei looked over.

The white-haired advisor steeled himself and continued.

"Anomalous are not ordinary criminals; the quality of local public security bureaus varies. If innocent personnel are harmed, or if tensions are exacerbated, who bears the consequences?"

Liang Wen raised his hand.

"I propose we first register the words "what if." They appear too often, suggesting bribery."

No one laughed.

Liang Wen chuckled for half a second, realized the mood didn't fit, and lowered his hand again.

Jiang Yuan spoke.

"I will bear it."

The white-haired advisor frowned.

"Captain Jiang, you cannot bear this."

Jiang Yuan looked at him.

"Then let the Investigation Bureau take responsibility."

Qin Zhixia continued.

"Grassroots misconduct need not be immediately punished."

"But if Anomalous kill someone and avoid prison, if this isn't corrected, it will only teach ordinary people to stay silent."

Su Ming sat in the corner, tapping his fingers on the table.

"When many people stay silent, Zhou Ping will appear again."

The conference hall fell silent.

The conference hall fell silent.

The name Zhou Ping now carries weight.

It's not because he killed many people.

It was because too many people saw in him the things they themselves dared not do.

Wei Gong lifted the tea and took a sip.

"Approved."

The white‑haired consultant still wanted to speak.

Wei Gong set the tea cup down.

"This isn't soliciting opinions."

"It's a notice."

10:30 a. m.

Simultaneous push across the entire network.

Red background, white lettering, stamped with the Federation's highest administrative seal.

The "Special Management Law for the Weird‑User" was officially promulgated.

The first batch of registration list was released to the public.

It includes active Weird‑Users of the Investigation Bureau, locally registered Weird‑Users, retired Weird‑Users, civilian adapters, and Weird Object holders.

Jiang Yuan appears on the first page.

Name: Jiang Yuan.

Codename: Shadow Lord.

Position: Federal Weird Investigation Bureau Action Unit Captain.

Supervision level: Highest.

Responsible unit: Federal Weird Investigation Bureau.

Someone asked online, "Is a S Ji like Jiang Yuan also registered?"

Five minutes later, Jiang Yuan's own account was updated.

Only one sentence.

"I'll submit first."

The comment section below broke down on the spot.

"Shadow Lord already submitted; why do some A Ji bigwigs still pretend to be gods over there?"

"Recommend nationwide rollout; anyone who doesn't submit clearly has something to hide."

"Brothers, from today Weird‑Users are also wage‑workers."

Qin Zhixia's registration information was subsequently made public.

Su Ming's was made public.

Liang Wen's was also made public.

Liang Wen manually added an entry after the remarks column.

"Abyss Walker, also known as Dark‑Blooded King."

The review never approved it.

L replied with four characters.

"Not accepted for inclusion."

Liang Wen posted a thirty‑second ellipsis in the group chat.

Jiang Yuan couldn't hold back and sent an emoji.

Qin Zhixia replied with two characters.

"Serves you right."

The Investigation Bureau, tense for far too long, exhaled a half‑breath within those two words.

But some people can't relax.

1:15 p. m.

South Harbor Underground Black Market.

The iron gate was welded shut from the inside.

Over thirty Weird‑Users gathered in a modified garage, with wine, guns, contaminated chemicals, and ledgers that hadn't been destroyed yet spread on the table.

Leading them was an A Ji, nicknamed "Tie Mian."

No one called out his real name.

In the past, a single sentence from him in South Harbor would make the local branch take a detour.

Now, within the first hour after the law's push, he received seven registration notices, three coordination messages, and two summons letters.

He crushed his phone.

"Registration?"

Tie Mian tossed the shattered screen onto the table.

"You want me to line up and write my fingerprint just like an ordinary person?"

Someone beside him cursed.

"Jiang Yuan and his crew are official dogs; of course they're willing to get chained."

"We're different."

"If we weren't guarding South Harbor, it would have been devoured by Hai Gui long ago."

Someone echoed.

"Right, what's a law anyway? When ordinary special police arrive, let them see the gold‑standard of an A Ji."

The words hung in the air.

A loudspeaker announcement came from outside.

"Nan'gang Public Security Department Special Police Unit."

"Personnel inside, listen up."

"Drop your weapons, disable Weird ability, clasp your heads with both hands, and exit in order."

The garage fell briefly silent.

Then curses erupted.

Tie Mian smashed the bottle onto the floor.

"Open the door."

When the rolling shutter rose half a meter, black vapour was forced out from inside.

Tie Mian stepped out, his face covered by half an iron Mask, his shoulders and back bulging, the Fierce Ghost inside him beginning to awaken.

Two rows of Special Police stood outside the door.

No Suppressors.

No Investigation Bureau Core Captain.

Only bulletproof shields, rifles, and red magazines.

Tie Mian smiled.

"Your leaders really dare to cut costs."

The Special Police Captain said nothing.

He glanced at his wrist terminal.

"Target refuses arrest."

"Execute suppression."

The muzzle lifted.

Tie Mian still wanted to utter a couple of formal words.

The first round of Suppress Spook Bullets had already pierced his chest, abdomen, and limbs.

Red markings spread.

The Fierce Ghost in Tie Mian's body just showed its head before being forced back down.

He lunged forward two steps, his knees giving way.

The Black Market Suppressors behind him were stunned.

This wasn't the script they had imagined.

A Ji strongman did not go on a killing spree.

Did not flip the block with a reverse move.

He lay on the ground, his hands still trembling, half of his Mask fallen off.

The Special Police Captain stepped forward and pressed the muzzle down.

"Sir."

"This operation has been logged into the enforcement recorder. If dissatisfied, you may file an appeal."

Second‑hand videos on the bullet‑screen platform spread rapidly.

The titles grew increasingly absurd.

"Nan'gang A Ji strongman refuses arrest, offline after three seconds."

"Not a buddy, the ordinary prison really gave him a bed?"

"Version answer, red magazine."

6 p. m., Nan'gang Detention Center, regular block.

Tie Mian, wearing prison garb, sat on the lower bunk.

A scammer on the upper bunk peeked at him.

"Bro, are you really A Ji?"

Tie Mian said nothing.

The scammer asked again.

"Then can you fly?"

Tie Mian looked up.

The scammer recoiled.

Two seconds later, a voice came from the upper bunk.

"Not being able to fly is fine; our block's Regulation says lights out at 10 p. m."

The neighboring bed burst out laughing.

Tie Mian closed his eyes.

He has never in his life endured this kind of humiliation.

But the ghost inside him is suppressed so tightly it cannot move.

He can only endure.

At the same time, Black Markets across regions were consecutively seized.

271 evaders.

On the spot, 267 were suppressed.

Four escaped; three hours later they were intercepted at a highway service area by a grassroots patrol team.

One C Ji Suppressor hid in the women's restroom and was reported by a cleaning aunt.

Hot comments across the entire network.

"Auntie is the real hidden boss."

"When a Yujui practitioner enters the women's restroom, even legislation can't stop his social death."

"Suggest adding a social death tier to the records."

Public security data began to change.

Nighttime alarm reports decreased.

Street robberies fell.

Trades in suspicious drugs declined.

The number of victims uploading old case materials is still rising.

Files that no one dared touch for years have been reopened.

Inside the Investigation Bureau, they are also queuing to file records.

Jiang Yuan finished signing his personal information and pressed his fingerprint.

L sat behind the registration desk, looked up at him.

"You can take the special passage."

Jiang Yuan shook his head.

"I'm in the regular line."

Behind him stood a new generation of Yujui practitioners, along with a few Qiu Ce Yuan students.

They were originally very nervous.

Seeing Jiang Yuan at the front, each straightened their backs.

When Qin Zhixia submitted the documents, the mechanical prosthetic arm jammed on the device twice.

The staff was drenched in sweat.

"Qin Team, sorry, the system hasn't updated prosthetic recognition."

Qin Zhixia removed the arm and placed it on the table.

"Then record the right hand first."

The staff moved their lips.

Liang Wen peeked from behind.

"Qin Team, you're awesome—dismantling gear on site, turning the registration desk into a copy mechanism."

Qin Zhixia didn't turn around.

"Your note was rejected again."

Liang Wen covered his chest.

"The law has hurt me too deeply."

Su Ming walked past, tossing the File into the window.

"Write two fewer nicknames and you can shave ten minutes off the check."

Liang Wen stared at him.

"People like you, who lack a sense of ceremony, will miss out on a lot of happiness."

Su Ming glanced at his hanging arm.

"Your happiness consumes a lot of medical resources."

Someone chuckled softly in the registration hall.

Jiang Yuan smiled slightly as well.

He looked at the new slogan on the hall wall.

Yujui practitioners are not gods.

Yujui practitioners are citizens.

Citizens are protected by law and also bound by it.

These few lines are very ordinary.

So ordinary that before a disaster no one would pay much attention.

But now it hangs in the center of the Investigation Bureau's main hall.

Jiang Yuan stared at it for a long time.

He recalled Zhou Ping standing in the live trial broadcast.

He remembered the Seven-Eyed Crown.

He recalled the moment Zhou Ping finally handed Zhou Ning to him, his fingers already turning gray yet still gripping tightly.

7 p. m.

Special‑grade ward.

Jiang Yuan bought a bouquet of flowers.

He browsed for a long time, finally choosing a mix of white and pale yellow.

The clerk asked if he wanted to write a card.

Jiang Yuan thought for a while and wrote four characters.

"Get well soon."

When he entered the ward, Zhou Ning was leaning against the headboard watching the news.

She still had a sickly pallor, and a monitoring band was on her wrist.

On the screen, Officer Tang's interview was playing.

The reporter asked him whether he was afraid when he fired.

The old patrol officer was silent for two seconds.

"Afraid."

"But he hurt someone."

"Wearing this outfit, I ought to go up."

Zhou Ning paused the news.

She saw Jiang Yuan and tried to sit up straight.

Jiang Yuan placed the flower on the bedside.

Zhou Ning looked at the bouquet.

"Thank you."

Jiang Yuan pulled a chair over and sat down.

Neither of them spoke immediately.

Outside the ward, city traffic had returned to order.

At the downstairs intersection, patrol officers were on duty.

Pedestrians crossed the zebra crossing, and a delivery bike stopped behind the stop line.

Further away, outside a mall, people queued to buy milk tea.

These scenes, if placed a few months ago, would already have been considered a luxury.

Zhou Ning lowered her head, and her fingers brushed the petals.

"My brother... will he see it?"

Jiang Yuan looked out the window.

"He will."

Zhou Ning did not ask further.

She resumed the paused news.

The scene cut to the Federation Headquarters press conference.

Wei Gong stood in front of the podium, announcing that the nationwide distribution of Suppress Spook Bullets to the grassroots had completed its first phase.

The camera swept over the neighborhood.

Someone queued to report to the police.

Someone submitted an old case.

Someone sent a child into school.

Jiang Yuan sat at the bedside, his fingers pressing the wrapping paper of the bouquet.

The paper was thin, and the pad of his finger could feel the crease.

After a while, he spoke in a low voice.

"Zhou Ping, did you see it?"

"We won."

"This world has become a human world again."

Zhou Ning turned her head aside.

She did not cry.

She only pulled the blanket up a little.

Jiang Yuan also said nothing further.

Some words are too light when spoken to the living, but heavy enough when spoken to the dead.

When dusk fell, all humanity was celebrating.

Someone raised a glass in the bar.

Someone clapped in the Public Security Department hall.

Online, ordinary people called the Suppress Spook Bullet a "Mortal Trigger."

The Qiu Ce Yuan Cafeteria even added chicken legs.

Liang Wen grabbed two, and Su Ming confiscated one on the spot.

The bustle covered many details.

For example, the private computer in the Qiu Ce Yuan infirmary lit up its screen without anyone touching it.

There was no alarm.

There was no pop‑up.

A top‑secret data stream labeled "Global Situation" automatically entered the local hard drive.

Three seconds later, the File auto‑decrypted.

Chu Che entered wearing a Doctor's Lab Coat, still holding an inspection form in his hand.

He saw the screen and was not surprised.

He simply lifted his hand to push his gold‑trimmed glasses.

Chu Che placed the inspection form on the table.

Someone outside the window was cheering.

He sat down, his slender fingers hovering beside the mouse.

A few seconds passed.

He gently clicked confirm.