Chapter 118: Dong Tianming

Hu Xiong said in a low voice, "Something went wrong in the Breeding Forest..."

He briefly recounted how a demon had gone berserk within the forest, leading the Investigation Bureau to dispatch NO.13 to neutralize it.

"The two of us did indeed encounter the Bi-Demon, but fortunately, that powerhouse appeared, subdued the creature, and rescued us," Lan Qiqi explained.

Hu Xiong’s face showed a trace of lingering emotion. "You two are quite lucky. The death toll from this rampage was not low."

The vehicle slowly returned to the small town as the sky turned dark.

Li Changqing, Lan Qiqi, and the others were directed by the Bureau’s staff to a canteen-like facility for dinner. Li Changqing devoured his meal ravenously, having survived on dry rations for three days in the Breeding Forest; he had been starving.

The atmosphere in the canteen was not cheerful, but rather heavy. Many of those who had emerged from the assessment had lost companions who failed to make it out of the forest.

Hu Xiong scanned the crowd and whispered, "Over a hundred went in, and only about forty returned. The mortality rate is far higher than usual."

"It must have been the work of the Bi-Demon," Sima Xi said, her brow furrowed. She let out a sigh of relief and added, "We were quite lucky; everyone we brought returned safely."

"Yes," Hu Xiong nodded.

After dinner, a staff member from the Investigation Bureau walked into the canteen and announced in a loud voice, "Those whose names I call, rise and follow me."

"Luo Dingxun."
"Huang Wuqian."
"Li Changqing."
"Lan Qiqi."
"..."

Li Changqing and Lan Qiqi stood up, noticing that only about twenty people in the room had been called. After the staff member finished reading, he walked outside, and those who had risen followed him.

Hu Xiong remarked, "You are being taken to see the Director-General to officially join the Investigation Bureau. Go ahead."

The group of twenty walked out of the canteen and followed the staff member to a grand, ancient-style building in the town. Li Changqing observed the structure with curiosity. It resembled the architecture of his past life; the hall was vast, supported by nine red-lacquered pillars, each two meters in diameter.

The floor was paved with bluestone bricks, and even in the heat of summer, one could feel a refreshing coolness upon entering. At the far end of the hall stood a middle-aged man with his hands behind his back.

Li Changqing and the others stood in a row before him. Li Changqing studied the man with interest. He wore the uniform of the Investigation Bureau, his face stern, his gaze sharp as he swept over everyone present.

"My name is Dong Tianming, and I am the head of the Investigation Bureau. First, congratulations on passing the assessment, obtaining your badges, and earning the qualification to officially join the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation."

"However, this is only the beginning. The demons in the Breeding Forest are ones we raised; dealing with them is much easier than facing those in the outside world. In the future, you will encounter demons and spirits that are far more powerful, terrifying, and cunning."

Among those present, people like Li Changqing, Lan Qiqi, and Luo Dingxun remained composed, but the genuine recruits felt their spirits sink. Although they had successfully slain demons in the forest, they were well aware of the creatures' lethality; many had only succeeded by forcibly suppressing their own terror.

Dong Tianming’s voice boomed as he looked at them. "You still have a choice. You may choose to withdraw from the combat units and become clerical staff or administrators within the Bureau. Or, you may choose to become true combatants and officially join the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation!"

No one spoke; they stood in silence.

"I... I choose to withdraw." A man in the crowd stepped forward, his face full of guilt. "It was only with my partner's help that I managed to slay that demon. If I had to face one alone, I couldn't do it. I truly couldn't."

Dong Tianming nodded slightly, saying nothing more. One needs self-awareness. Giving them another choice now was a way to help them understand themselves; forcing someone to face demons was no simple matter. Soon, six others stepped forward to withdraw.

Seeing this, Li Changqing finally understood why the number of combatants in the Bureau was always so low. But in such matters, a forced melon is never sweet. After they left, only seventeen people remained in the hall.

Dong Tianming seemed satisfied with this number. "Congratulations. From this day forward, you are official members of the Investigation Bureau."

The ceremony proceeded with the oath of allegiance. Li Changqing followed the crowd, and after the oath, he received a black, palm-sized ID card inscribed with the words "Bureau of Supernatural Investigation." It was accompanied by various other documents, such as federal police credentials and military officer identification.

These documents were officially registered to facilitate their work. After the ceremony concluded, Dong Tianming turned and left. Outside the hall, Hu Xiong and Sima Xi were waiting.

"Did you get your credentials?" Hu Xiong asked with a smile.

"Yes." Li Changqing took out his ID and gave it a flick.

Hu Xiong laughed. "Let's go. Get some good rest; we return to Nanlin tomorrow!"

"If you have time, come to the 36th Bureau to visit me," Lan Qiqi said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Li Changqing with a grin.

Li Changqing shook his head. "I might not have the time."

Lan Qiqi narrowed her eyes and smiled. "You will."

Amidst their casual chatter, they returned to their lodgings. Li Changqing lay down on his bed to rest. Back in his own room, Hu Xiong had just laid down to watch some television when he received a phone call. Upon hearing the message, his expression turned serious, and he stood up, saying, "I'm on my way."

In Lan Qiqi’s room, she pulled a night-ops suit from her luggage. Hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "If I don't act tonight, I'll never have another reason to come here."

Taking a deep breath, she changed into the suit, glanced at the dark sky outside, and slipped away into the night.

...

In the office of the Director-General of the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, Dong Tianming sat on a sofa, reading an ancient text. A knock sounded at the door.

"Director-General, did you call for me?"

The person who entered was none other than Hu Xiong. He felt puzzled; why would the Director-General suddenly want to see him? It was truly strange.

"Little Hu, sit down." Dong Tianming was cordial, setting aside his book and pouring Hu Xiong a cup of tea. "I’m just quite interested in this special recruit from your 36th Bureau, Li Changqing. I heard he obtained four badges this time, is that correct?"

So that was it. Hu Xiong smiled. "Li Changqing? He was a private investigator before this. He has a sharp mind, which is why I strongly recommended him for the Bureau."