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Chapter 287: The Shape of the World

Lin Qing naturally couldn’t reveal the power of the Dream Maker, so the plan on the surface was to bring Gua Gua into Zhang Zhiqui’s consciousness space, memorize the scent of the aroma in the corresponding environment, and then return to reality to determine the exact location of the prison.

Honglian had no objection to this; her only request was to participate in the capture mission with Wang Baihu.

"I am a member of the Execution Team, with experience dealing with Ability Users— you need my strength."

Lin Qing roughly knew she couldn’t dissuade the other party, so she agreed altogether.

After arranging to bring Gua Gua tomorrow, the two groups of people left sequentially, leaving Tian Zhenggang with a shocked face and You Chi with a keen interest in the meeting room.

"I’m saying... you guys really created something like in the movies?" he asked, rubbing his head.

"What are you referring to?"

"The consciousness space! Being able to see what’s deep in the criminal’s heart..."

"Hmm..." You Chi squinted and thought for a moment, "I guess so."

"My God! Why has no one ever mentioned this to the police department?" Tian Zhenggang seized You Chi’s shoulder, "Your brainwave technology... it’s everything any investigator dreams of having!"

You Chi gently smiled and subtly pushed his hand away, "The project is still in the experimental stage, and using it once is extremely costly, so Beitian Academy hasn’t made it public for now. Don’t worry, Officer Tian, once the technology matures, we’ll open it for police use."

Tian Zhenggang was momentarily stunned, then revealed a bitter smile, "Forget it... It’s better not to make it public."

You Chi was puzzled, "Why?"

"The potential applications for this are vast, what does Jiang City’s police department amount to?" He waved his hand, speaking with relief, "I guess when you do make it public, the first to contact you will surely be the military, and the project’s confidentiality level will likely be heightened. Others hoping to see it will find it difficult. It’s better to keep it at Beitian Academy; I occasionally might borrow it."

"That shouldn’t be a problem." You Chi agreed, "But there’s one thing I don’t understand, Officer Tian—earlier, when you heard the interrogation result, you thought the clue was impossible. How come you’re now willing to cooperate with their actions?"

"Ah, don’t tease me—me, huh..." Tian Zhenggang pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, then suddenly looked at You Chi.

"No worries, smoking is allowed here."

"Thanks." He lit the cigarette, took a deep puff, "Actually, even now, I don’t quite believe it. Who could? I didn’t even see the interrogation process, only saw the criminal lying asleep on the table for a while, and the high expert you invited claimed the aroma could be used as a clue, yet that person didn’t even show up."

You Chi nodded, expressing his understanding.

"However, they aren’t just giving a tip and disappearing; they’ve even called in Ability Users from the Dimensional Limit Mechanism... I’m just wondering, maybe it’s because I’m getting old."

"Officer Tian, you’re joking; aren’t you in your prime?"

"Forty, huh? The previous generation, using pen and paper to record information, not trusting DNA tests and SkyNet, those old officers were roughly replaced by us at that age." Tian Zhenggang said indifferently, "Last year when the Dimensional Limit Mechanism emerged, I was wondering how such absurd things could happen, but later several ability-related crime events broke out consecutively, and ultimately we had to rely on Ability Users to resolve them."

He paused, "Now seeing this group of young people being able to handle issues so well, I’m thinking, maybe the era of Ability Users has indeed arrived. Of course... you all aren’t bad either; being able to develop this consciousness-reading advanced equipment is remarkable. But compared to superpowers, technology apparently won’t be as significant as it was before."

You Chi remained silent, deeply agreeing with this point.

Medical technology cannot resolve diseases brought by abilities—if it weren’t for Chen Xuan’s assistance, the destruction caused by Zhang Zhiqui could rival a super flu outbreak.

Moreover, their technology isn’t even that advanced.

This so-called consciousness-reading brainwave apparatus was just a narrative required by Chen Xuan.

"However, I’m not ready to retire just yet." Tian Zhenggang chuckled, puffing out a smoke cloud, "Since there’s a chance to observe closely, I certainly have to accompany and cooperate with them... In a way, it’s also enriching myself."

...

"Honglian, are you sure we’re going behind the agency’s back doing this?"

On the way back, Wang Baihu held the steering wheel with furrowed brows and asked, "Last time, we could still say it was to test the enemy’s attitude—now that someone claiming to be the Masked Woman has come to us directly, not reporting to the organization will definitely be considered as betrayal by the Chief!"

Rebelling against the agency isn’t a trivial matter; at least it isn’t as simple as just quitting a regular company.

The agency has previously publicized several betrayal incidents, the traitors either died or remain imprisoned on some island in the Pacific.

Although Jiang City’s situation won’t allow the agency to act as recklessly as the North American branch, being targeted by a group of Ability Users is surely no easy experience.

"Why did we join the agency in the first place?" Honglian asked.

"Uh..." Wang Baihu scratched his head, "Because I awakened my ability. If I didn’t join the agency, I would be under their surveillance. Besides, they work on major tasks to keep the world running smoothly— I find this job suitable for me."

"What we endeavor to do now is the same—restricting the spread of abilities and maintaining world stability—it doesn’t go against the agency’s ideals. Moreover, if they hadn’t contacted us, wouldn’t we still investigate this case?"

"How could we not... We’ve been continuously investigating; it was just delayed by the incident at Five Rings Machinery Factory, which slowed our progress." Wang Baihu sighed, "I know what you’re trying to say—uncovering the true mastermind behind this case is our duty—even before making definitive progress, not reporting to the Chief might be acceptable, but—"

"Speak your mind." Honglian glared at him.

"I’m genuinely concerned more about your attitude towards those people rather than the case itself. Although the World Ability Center seems unbelievable, it’s not significantly related to us; the Wanderers are different... they genuinely see the agency as their adversary. You’re aware, the Jiang City branch is merely an appendage of the Dimensional Limit Mechanism; regardless of whether they launch an attack on the agency or the agency decides to crush them, the outcome will be the same."

Wang Baihu didn’t continue, but what he worried about was already apparent.

The Resistance from the Ability Users is bound to be wiped out by the Dimensional Limit Mechanism.

If they’re wrong, it wouldn’t be a big deal. At worst, Honglian will be labeled a traitor, living an anonymous life could continue.

But if they’re right, and the World Ability Center’s warning is correct, that would be truly deadly! Knowing Honglian well, as the team leader, she’d undoubtedly stand on the side of the righteous, even if the agency pardons her; she’d actively oppose them, transforming from a traitor to a rebel...

Suddenly, Wang Baihu was startled.

Wait, a rebel?

Isn’t that precisely the Masked Woman, the White-clothed Immortal, the Blood and Flesh Butcher?

He turned to look at Honglian, finding her calmly staring ahead, "You’ve noticed too? With Miss Lin’s understanding of the Dimensional Limit Mechanism, wouldn’t she realize how colossal an organization it is? Even so, they didn’t show any fear but instead actively sought opportunities. If these people aren’t fools, they must be warriors willing to sacrifice everything for their belief. Honestly... it’s hard for me to dislike such people."

The streetlights flanked the road, constantly retreating, with flickering light and shadows slipping across the windshield, akin to thoughts crossing Honglian’s mind. Although unsure where the road leads, she can clearly see the gleams flickering on her companion.

Wang Baihu suddenly understood why he paused.

Because the leader he approved of was also such a person...

"Then we’d better take some leave, lest we can’t make it to an emergency meeting." Wang Baihu said helplessly, "Fortunately, Captain Xiao is currently more concerned with World 112, often not seen in the office, so he probably won’t pay much attention to our movements."

Honglian was somewhat surprised and said, "You really only need to bring Gua Gua..."

"That won’t do, Gua Gua is shy, I must accompany." Wang Baihu interrupted her, "Besides, I would also like to know, what this world is truly like."