Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Artificial Soul 17

“That’s the men’s restroom. You go in, and I’ll keep watch outside,” Kui Xin said.

Yu Liang didn’t hesitate and turned to enter the restroom, while Kui Xin moved to an inconspicuous corner, keeping his eyes on the exit.

“The signal from the tracker in that man is very faint. The tracker is shaped like a transparent sticker, making it hard to spot,” Augus said, “His overall appearance matches the informant’s description: about one eighty tall, slightly broad shoulders, medium build. He wears a nondescript black cloak and mask.”

In the black market, buyers dressed variously, but sellers wore the same uniform: black cloaks and masks.

“Is the informant reliable?” whispered Kui Xin, “Could the tracker be found?”

“Nobody can guarantee that the tracker cannot be detected,” said Augus, “Anything could happen during the mission; it all depends on your adaptability… Like now, the tracker signal suddenly disappeared. The suspect discovered the device.”

Disappeared?!

With suspicion, Kui Xin stared at the restroom door as a tall male in a suit walked out of it. To a casual observer, he seemed to be a buyer, not the man who had entered before. Two seconds later, another man, neatly dressed with a waiter-like posture, came out, adjusting his clothes and heading down the corridor to attend to guests.

These two people did not fit the suspect’s description.

Studying them for a moment, Kui Xin noted their paths but heard Augus report, “The restroom has been checked, five people inside. Two have gone out, three remaining. Captain Yu forced entry, checking the stalls.”

While Yu Liang ignored curses to open the restroom booths, pretending to accidentally open the door and quickly closing it again, no one matched the suspect’s description.

Yu Liang’s expression darkened, recognizing the problem. Without restraint, he produced a sleep spray, swiftly incapacitating the three remaining in the restroom.

“Captain Yu, I need to remind you, avoid extreme actions that harm innocents. Our guests are influential here. Escalation will complicate things,” Augus warned.

“I’m masked. Being masked, I am not an agent of the Investigation Bureau. My actions are unrelated,” Yu Liang lied, “I’m just a petty thief trying to make quick money. Dazing them allows me to rob them, the drug causes temporary amnesia, so they won’t remember. This minimizes impact. Augus, I have authority granted by a deputy minister. Don’t report this.”

“As you wish, Captain Yu,” Augus replied.

Yu Liang calmly took the wristwatch off a dazed man, pretending to rob him.

He lifted his mask to examine their faces and searched their bodies but found nothing.

Yu Liang pulled open the toilet tank, finding a rolled-up cloak and several bottles of red liquid hidden there, confirming it belonged to the suspect.

Leaving the restroom, he clenched his teeth saying, “He vanished. Either he can walk through walls or change shapes. A person can’t just disappear like that.”

“I got it,” Kui Xin said, “Two people went out. One headed west, the other south. I’m going west, you south.”

“If you see someone matching the suspect’s description, I’ll notify you,” Augus added, “Though, the suspect might change appearance again.”

Kui Xin and Yu Liang looked at each other and split up.

The waiter walked toward the western corridor. Soon, someone else approached her from ahead.

The waiters do not wear masks. Thus, Kui Xin saw immediately this person differed from the man who had just left the restroom.

As Kui Xin passed the waiter, the waiter bowed politely: “Are you looking for a specific gallery? I can lead you.”

“No… Have you seen a coworker come this way?” Kui Xin asked, “He’s of average build, short, slim, and walks upright. Perhaps you’ll recall him.”

“He’s likely back assisting guests at Auction Hall Three, anything I can help with?” the waiter responded courteously, “If he’s upset you, I apologize on his behalf.”

“Never mind.” Kui Xin observed the waiter’s demeanor, “Can you take me to Hall Three to find him?”

“Of course, delighted to help,” the waiter said.

Following the waiter to the Auction Hall entrance, she pointed inside where Kui Xin spotted a familiar waiter serving drinks to a guest.

“There he is. Need further assistance?” the waiter smiled formally.

“A facial match with seventy percent similarity,” Augus said, “Nose wider, slight difference in eye angle. Though similar, they aren’t the same.”

Two possibilities: first, the suspect disguised as the waiter, the real waiter slipped away. Second, the suspect directly replaced the waiter to avoid capture.

Kui Xin met no one, except her guide waiter. Seeing Kui Xin scrutinize the man, the waiter asked again, “Need anything more?”

Seconds later, Yu Liang reported progress.

“We found the suited man, not the target,” Yu Liang said calmly.

Kui Xin looked at the waiter and asked gently, “Can you lead me to Gallery One?”

“Sure, I’ll guide you there,” the waiter replied.

Back in the long corridor, the waiter led the way. Kui Xin’s eyes fixed on his neck.

No one was in the corridor. Guests filled the auction hall, waiters too busy serving. There was no escape but back the way they came.

Quietly trailing the waiter, Kui Xin sneaked up silently, locking the neck with her arm, immobilizing his vocal cords. Kicking his legs, she secured his motionless form.

Ten seconds later, the waiter stopped struggling, collapsing.

Choking! Learned during physical training. Using arm strength to lock the vulnerable area, causing momentary cerebral hypoxia.

The waiter crumpled, dragged to a corner by Kui Xin, studying his face.

In seconds, the face began to liquefy, the body expanding to become a common-faced man.

“It’s him. I got the target,” Kui Xin said into her communicator.

Yu Liang froze, “Not bad!”

“How did you know?” Augus asked, “There was nothing suspicious. He hadn’t acted nervously, even served you politely. What about his behavior raised your suspicions?”

“Intuition?” Kui Xin said, “It was just intuition.”

“That’s not very helpful,” Augus remarked, “I thought you’d focus more on the waiter in the auction hall.”

“Coincidence. Can’t get in there anytime soon, and that waiter isn’t coming out. This one seemed too normal. If I were the suspect, I would do the same to appear innocent,” Kui Xin reasoned, “Finding him isn’t a big deal. At least we rule out one suspect and move to others.”

“Lucky he is, saves time,” Augus added, “Mission was smooth, the suspect’s captured alive.”

Kui Xin’s fingers trembled.

She wasn’t keen on capturing alive. Changing appearances was invaluable.

However, under the circumstances, she was not threatened, and agents preferred live captures. She couldn’t execute him without reason nor provoke suspicion.

For now, sacrifices were necessary for stability.

A mere extraordinary ability. With many such individuals around, she could always find a suitable replacement later.

On arrival, Yu Liang sprayed the suspect with more sleep formula, ensuring continuous unconsciousness.

Together they moved him into the fire escape then the underground garage where an undercover companion waited.

After ten minutes of waiting, the colleague drove over covertly. The suspect slumped in the back seat. Kui Xin and Yu Liang returned to the Investigation Building.

“This mission wasn’t as dangerous as expected,” Kui Xin said, “This murky side, where everyone wears masks, shows non-ordinary people beneath. They look grand, actually involved in shady activities…”

“Yeah,” Yu Liang murmured, “That’s why we have to be cautious.”

“Not just those people, powerful interests behind them,” Yu Liang continued, “We’re tough within the city. Meet bigwigs, though, still must play it safe. Understandably, called lackeys.”

Investigation Bureau’s aim was protecting upper-class interests—Yu Liang’s true belief.

“Do you feel stifled?” Yu Liang asked casually.

Maintaining city peace partially aligned with justice. Many young hopefuls joined but grew corrupted.

“Why should I?” Kui Xin laughed, “Captain Yu, what drove you to join the bureau?”

“Safety benefits; decent wage?” Yu Liang answered.

“So did I.” Kui Xin stated flatly, “Paid what’s due, doing my part.”

Yu Liang looked sideways, “Young, cynical already. Your captain, Shu, is driven. His team too, you well…”

“Absolutely,” Kui Xin quipped, “Inspired by teamwork. No backing down unless they pay up.”

Yu Liang remarked, “Appreciate your attitude. Better if I’d have been as clear-headed.”

“Did you act blindly when younger?” Kui Xin teased.

“Indeed…” Yu Liang shrugged, “But not anymore.”

Days passed quickly.

Training day two, tasks easier than expected, hoping next few days would be similarly relaxed.

Returning home after work, Kui Xin packed up belongings under Silverface’s melancholic gaze before leaving without a backward glance.

Entering her staff accommodation, Augus voiced in her room.

“Each unit has an independent bathroom, laundry room downstairs. Few residents here, barely ten occupants,” Augus explained, “I assigned your room here.”

“What’s special about this place?” Kui Xin asked.

“Gaoyi He lives beside you,” Augus mentioned.

Kui Xin paused for a beat, “Oh.”

“Time to eliminate Lin Xinji. His whereabouts are known to me,” Augus announced.

“You kill him, I handle Gaoyi He,” Kui Xin bargained.

“Agreed, it’s settled,” Augus agreed.