Chapter 131: Zheng Pingchi

At the entrance to the Medrent District city highway, on the right side, stood a colossal statue towering twenty meters high. This was Medren himself, but depicted with a handsome face and wielding a steel sword, exuding an imposing aura.

Li Changqing sat in the car, gazing at the massive statue outside, which was almost a landmark of Medrent. As they entered Medrent, the car slowed down amid the bustling streets filled with vehicles. Even some rare sports cars from Nanlin City could be seen here.

"Let's head to the First Bureau first. We'll have someone from there arrange our accommodations," Hu Xiong said cheerfully as he drove. "This time, the First Bureau is mainly handling the fight against those monsters. We just need to help locate the incomplete monsters."

Li Changqing was somewhat surprised that the First Bureau was housed in an office skyscraper within the Medrent District. Situated in a bustling area with people coming and going, it looked no different from an ordinary corporate building.

Driving into the underground garage, two security guards in their twenties approached to check them. Though in security uniforms, their bearing was more like federal soldiers.

"Is this the First Bureau?" Li Changqing remarked. "This entire building already looks more prestigious than our orphanage."

Hu Xiong felt a pang of envy but explained, "The First Bureau handles the entire capital’s affairs. Three of the top thirty experts rotate shifts here. There are over two hundred combat personnel like us, all the elite."

"So many?" Li Changqing was amazed. Their own Thirty-Sixth Bureau, plus two smaller groups, barely numbered twenty.

After the initial surprise, he felt somewhat relieved. With such manpower, they wouldn’t need to intervene directly.

The car soon parked underground. A sharply dressed man in his thirties with gold-rimmed glasses stepped out of the elevator. Hearing that the Thirty-Sixth Bureau members had arrived, he had come specially to receive them.

The man approached with a broad smile and introduced himself: "Are you from the Thirty-Sixth Bureau? I’m Zheng Pingchi, leader of the First Bureau’s Seventh Group, assigned to cooperate with you."

"Hello, I’m Hu Xiong, leader of the Thirty-Sixth Bureau’s Third Group. This is Baichuan, Li Changqing, and Tang Xiaoyu."

Zheng Pingchi frowned slightly when he looked at Tang Xiaoyu but said nothing further.

"Please follow me," Zheng Pingchi said with a cheerful smile, though inwardly puzzled by the General Bureau’s decision. Usually, it was the First Bureau supporting others, but this time they had summoned the Thirty-Sixth Bureau for assistance. Moreover, the General Bureau had ordered Zheng’s Seventh Group to coordinate under them, meaning they must obey their instructions.

The First Bureau was home to the most elite members of the Paranormal Investigation Division. And now, they were cooperating with a team that included a female ghost.

He truly didn’t understand what the higher-ups were thinking.

Outwardly polite, he led them into a spacious elevator.

"You’ve arrived just in time," Zheng Pingchi said with a smile. "Our Seventh Group is currently discussing matters concerning the Shen Yan Monster Syndicate. Your guidance will be most welcome."

Hu Xiong could sense the underlying attitude but understood it was natural. Even he wasn’t sure how much help Li Changqing could provide.

They reached the twenty-seventh floor, which was unusually spacious, decorated simply and brightly.

Zheng Pingchi showed them around.

"These offices belong to the Seventh Group members."

"This is the lounge area — a place to have coffee and discuss cases."

"Oh, here is our Seventh Group’s achievements display," he said proudly.

"Our team has participated in handling five evil god resurrection incidents and assisted in seventeen monster king-level events."

Hearing this, Hu Xiong was visibly impressed. The First Bureau’s team was indeed formidable.

Noticing Hu Xiong’s astonishment, Zheng Pingchi inwardly chuckled, feeling their point was made. Hopefully, they now understood the reality of the situation.

Taking orders from these people? He wondered what the General Bureau was thinking.

"Please, right this way. This is our Seventh Group’s conference room. The members are already waiting inside."

Pushing open the door, Zheng Pingchi led the way. Li Changqing, Hu Xiong, Baichuan, and Tang Xiaoyu followed.

The conference room was spacious and bright, with over twenty people seated inside. Most appeared to be in their thirties, sitting casually.

Zheng Pingchi then spoke loudly, "Everyone, please welcome the experts from the Thirty-Sixth Bureau’s Third Group to guide our work!"

He led the applause, which was sparse and scattered.

"Please, experts, make yourselves comfortable," Zheng Pingchi said with a smile.

Hu Xiong took the lead, and the others sat casually by the window.

"They don’t seem very friendly toward us," Tang Xiaoyu whispered to Li Changqing.

Li Changqing smiled softly. "We came onto their turf and expect them to follow our orders. Anyone would feel uneasy. Let’s wait and see."

At this moment, Zheng Pingchi stood before a screen displaying extensive information on the Shen Yan Monster Syndicate.

"Our Seventh Group’s task is to locate the incomplete monsters within half a month. Once found, we can eliminate them all overnight," Zheng Pingchi said, holding a microphone as he quickly assumed the role of analyst.

"According to Shen Qingdai’s testimony, these two hundred incomplete monsters are scattered across Medrent District. Besides Shen Yan, only one person knows all their whereabouts."

"Zhang Xuner."

"This monster is responsible for these incomplete monsters."

"This is our only breakthrough."

"We’ve already located Zhang Xuner’s residence and can apprehend her anytime."

"Then, we’ll extract the locations from her."

Zheng Pingchi smiled as he looked at Li Changqing and the others. "Do you experts have any suggestions for the plan I’ve drafted?"

Li Changqing exchanged glances with the others. Hu Xiong spoke up, "What if Zhang Xuner refuses to talk?"

"Our advantage now is that Shen Yan hasn’t realized we’re going after him."

"If Zhang Xuner disappears and alerts him, releasing those monsters, all our efforts will be for nothing."

Zheng Pingchi nodded. "I’ve considered the possibility she might resist, but it’s slim. You haven’t witnessed the First Bureau’s interrogation methods. Few monsters can withstand them."