Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Artificial Soul 28

The fractured spatial mirror reflected the firelight, creating an incredibly beautiful scene.

Kui Xin couldn’t help but start thinking: Could Night Cicada’s spatial vortex break through Wei Zhi’s spatial imprisonment? Would high-level spatial abilities suppress lower-level ones?

Kui Xin’s “Investigative Eye” couldn’t see the specific effects of Night Cicada’s abilities, but he could clearly see those of Wei Zhi. Among the various extraordinary ability users she had encountered so far, A-ranked He Gaoyi’s situation was similar to that of Night Cicada; Kui Xin struggled to discern the effects of her abilities. As for S-ranked Wang Feichi, it was altogether different. Kui Xin could not even tell what his extraordinary ability was, let alone its name.

When facing extraordinarily capable individuals with much higher ranks than himself, the limitations and drawbacks of the Investigative Eye became apparent.

“Not bad,” Wang Feichi complimented Wei Zhi, “your command and understanding of your ability are quite mature.”

“You’re too kind,” Wei Zhi said, “it’s only B-ranked.”

If a B-ranked individual could cause such effects, what about A-ranked or S-ranked?

Sadly, Wei Zhi was growing older, and younger individuals tended to advance more easily in terms of extraordinary abilities. Wei Zhi had already reached her limit and was unlikely to achieve any further breakthroughs.

“Your reaction was quick,” Wang Feichi noted with interest, looking at Kui Xin, “you warned us as soon as you noticed the red lights before the explosion.”

“Because the projector’s light turned red, indicating danger,” Kui Xin explained, “I relied on my intuition and immediately sounded the alert. In critical situations, I prioritize my instinct over anything else.”

“Your instincts are also strong like mine,” Wang Feichi agreed.

Though his innate talent, “Absolute Prediction,” sounded mysterious, it was actually common among some ordinary people. Their intuition, however, wasn’t as accurate or sensitive as Kui Xin’s. The warning from Absolute Prediction was usually subtle and required careful attention. Since it existed without form, Kui Xin often missed it. It would only become clear and unmistakable when in mortal danger.

“Click clack.” Wang Feichi tapped his head, “looks like this ambush failed, didn’t capture anyone.”

Wei Zhi communicated with a superior via earphone and replied, “Minister Meng Jing advised us to withdraw temporarily, leaving some security officers to search the area.”

“Wonderful, let’s go then,” Wang Feichi said, “I only slept for five hours last night. Your department insisted on dragging me here in the middle of the night and then made us launch the raid. It yielded nothing.”

“Envisioning how clever our adversaries were,” Wei Zhi remarked.

“But there’s no excuse for incompetence,” Wang Feichi criticized bluntly, “what exactly have you been doing to manage Hei Hai City?”

Wei Zhi had no retort.

She was part of the mid-level management at the Investigation Bureau, with高层 leaders being Meng Jing and Lin Xinji. Both belonged to wealthy clans and joined the Bureau more to increase their authority and prestige rather than serve the interests of city management and law enforcement. If officials neglect their duties, naturally the Bureau wouldn’t improve either.

Observing Wang Feichi, Kui Xin noticed his expression beneath the helmet becoming increasingly subtle.

She felt Minister Meng Jing was in deep trouble.

The destruction of the docking port, the sinking of the Kraken, and the ineffectiveness of the Investigation Bureau called for accountability. This time Lin Xinji ended up taking the fall, while Meng Jing remained untouched.

The Meng family and Shu family used this event to establish connections; yet, after Kui Haidong’s death, the connection broke down permanently since the Meng family chose to observe without aiding Lin Xinji.

Now that the Kraken incident was behind them, the primary objective of the Investigation Bureau became eliminating Mechanized Dawn. They gathered forces only to find the facility deserted, a mockery of their efforts.

Empty victories are truly meaningless.

With the Kraken sunk, Lin Xinji took the blame. When another attempt to capture failed, who else would take responsibility?

Department heads didn’t suffice, and Wei Zhi hadn’t succeeded as minister yet, leaving Meng Jing as the main leader.

Meng Jing alone must bear the consequences.

“It’s probably akin to the butterfly effect,” thought Kui Xin.

One occurrence led to another. Without the Kraken incident, there would be no current actions by the Investigation Bureau, nor would the leadership undergo change.

Although the Bureau’s status was still precarious, Kui Xin’s role as a lowly security officer meant any issues weren’t her concern.

Primarily, she worried about Mechanized Dawn.

She had attended a meeting the previous evening. Now, they evacuated cleanly—something Kui Haidong mentioned days earlier regarding preparation. The meeting was merely a notice to core members.

Mechanized Dawn had long prepared for evacuation. Possibly, they had executed plans secretly during Kraken’s sinking. Kui Haidong had deceived both Kui Xin and core members until the end.

Just as the Investigation Bureau arrived and left, Wang Feichi boarded a helicopter, clearly frustrated.

The helicopter lifted off and returned to the Investigation Bureau. Mid-flight, Augus sent urgent news:

“There’s an emergency at the highway northwest of Hei Hai City,” he reported, “an aerial patrol drone is en route. It’s capturing images.”

A detailed picture was transmitted to Kui Xin’s vision, showing two familiar figures—one identified as Red and the other as Silverface. They were battling with another group.

“After analysis, the individual in silver mask has previously confronted our security team at the port,” Augus stated succinctly, “we believe him to be a member of Mechanized Dawn.”

“Huh?” Feichi perked up. “We got work?”

“We’ve received instructions from Minister Meng Jing to alter course, intercept the combat near the northwest outskirts, and arrest key members, bringing them back for interrogation,” Augus continued, “flight routes are being reprogrammed.”

“Weapons handling water,” Wei Zhi added, “Silverface incapacitated security officer Jiang Ming, likely assisted by a teammate with a transforming mechanical hand. His ability is estimated at B rank.”

“He’s dangerous,” Kui Xin concurred, “but the person next to him, I’ve never seen. Any information on him?”

“None currently available,” Augus confirmed.

“What about the opponents of Silverface?” asked Wang Feichi, puzzled. “Why fight here? On the highways?”

“Unable to verify identities,” Augus warned. “Everyone, stay alert.”

“The situation sure is interesting now,” Wang Feichi remarked.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t get so interesting,” Wei Zhi commented, “anything beyond our scope should be avoided.”

“I agree,” Kui Xin echoed.

“… Why are we under attack?” Silverface panted, twisting the last enemy’s head, eyes bewildered.

“It’s obvious, there’s a traitor,” Red rested on stacked bodies.

“A traitor?” Silverface questioned, “Wasn’t he already identified? Wasn’t Snake Python the traitor?”

Red rolled his eyes, dismissing the concern.

“How many attacked us, but the truck wheel broke?” asked Silverface.

“No way to fix it,” Red kicked open the cargo compartment door; inside was empty, “haven’t you noticed? We transported an empty cargo all along. They were just the advanced guard, few in number. Once they checked and found no cargo, they withdrew.”

“What?” Silverface frowned, “why would we transport an empty truck?”

“Too many questions!” Red scolded, kicking him, “don’t ask!”

“You curse and hit me, I’ll report to Lady Fortune,” Silverface complained.

“How soon have you been with her to report?” Red countered.

“As her subordinate now, not yours,” replied Silverface weakly.

“Report, then leave once the mission ends,” commanded Red.

“Alright, good riddance,” Silverface cheered.

Red glared.

This boy is hopeless.

“What now?” asked Silverface.

“Wait for Night Cicada to free us,” Red removed and inspected the communicator, “no signal from our escort. Maybe they’re being ambushed. Without Eden’s support, communication becomes troublesome…”

“Ahead we run, wait for inspection?” Silverface queried.

“Practically,” Red nodded, “grab a passing vehicle.”

“Look!” shouted Silverface, pointing skywards.

A helicopter approached in the distance. Its black dot grew larger, the whirring sound of the rotor approaching.

“Run!” Red screamed, spooked.