A Good-for-Nothing

131. Second Thoughts (1)

Translator: DragonRider

The protective layers of enchantment shielding the Supernaturalism Management Bureau (SMB) was very staff-friendly. It not only simulated the four seasons but also precisely synchronized with the time of the world outside. In this place, there were daytime and night-time as well.

So when it was night, the building of the United Front Work Department was also ablaze with light.

At this time, in Li Zong’s office.

Zhen Daoyuan, as if specially coming here to offer answers to the questions in Li Zong’s mind, brought the surveillance video of He Zheng’s interview.

Li Zong watched it very carefully and paused it at the part where He Zheng made that remark – “We should act according to the actual circumstances and change when the circumstances change. It’s inadvisable to precipitously end our lives when there’s still a chance to save the situation.”

Zhen Daoyuan placed his hands on the surface of the desk supporting himself, his eyes level with Li Zong’s, and said in a tone as mild as usual, “Just like Elder Chen said, He Zheng’s aptitude is obvious to all of us. Moreover, if he joins SMB, Zhu family which is independent of SMB will be an even greater help to us.”

Li Zong’s brow corrugated in a slight frown.

“Director Zhen–”

“I know what you’re going to say,” Zhen Daoyuan interrupted him, a bland expression on his face. “Of course, Zhu family is just a collateral factor. The original reason why he wants to join SMB is not exactly what you said it was. If He Zheng does have the required skills, then I’d say it’s indeed about time we brought in some fresh blood. The first, the second and the third action groups are all in dire need of more men.”

Li Zong kept silent for a while.

“A man should be willing to sacrifice his life if that’s what his country needs. How could one flinch from facing up to danger to save his own skin?” Zhen Daoyuan let out a sigh.

Li Zong’s creased forehead briefly twitched and with that he kneaded his brows and exhaled deeply. “Sorry, Director Zhen. I was being selfish.”

Zhen Daoyuan clapped Li Zong on the shoulder. “It’s a very normal thing.”

He gazed at Li Zong for a few moments and suddenly said with gratification, “Li Zong, it’s been so many years since you joined SMB, and I can remember very few occasions when you let your personal feelings affect your work, which was why I was very surprised this time. It seems that previously when you insisted on marrying He Zheng… I didn’t stop you, and it was not necessarily a mistake.”

Li Zong made no response.

Zhen Daoyuan threw a glance at the clock on the wall and said, “I think I’ve kept you long enough. Go home and have some rest. You’re a married man now.”

“How’s Zhen Ni’s work going?”

Zhen Daoyuan’s relaxed face gradually went somewhat serious. He shook his head. “Although He Jin still draws breath, he’s as good as dead. His bodily functions are deteriorating very quick and it won’t be long before he kicks the bucket.”

Zhen Daoyuan reached out his hand and took a Qiankun Mirror from a back pocket. He ran his fingers across the brass mirror and a bed gradually emerged in it. Lying on the bed was a young man, his face ghastly white, emanating an inauspicious air of deadness. Also, his body was incomplete, missing an arm and both legs. The quilt was concave where the three limbs were supposed to be, which was a fairly scary sight.

He Jin had actually survived that explosion!

“On that day, Zhen Ni saved He Jin’s life with the Force of Rejuvenation with the intention to get some useful information from him, but currently, he could only lie in bed, unconscious, unable to speak. I had a psychic try communicating with him, but his soul’s fragmentary and nothing of value could be extracted from it.”

Zhen Daoyuan flipped his hand once again and the image on the brass mirror disappeared.

Li Zong bent his fingers and knocked at the desk. “What about the Necromantic Bell?”

Zhen Daoyuan shook his head. “His soul is too fragile to withstand the power of the Necromantic Bell. If I do that, his soul will be disembodied, putting him in even greater danger.”

“Those Demon’s Attendants are so diabolical…” A flicker of resignation crossed Zhen Daoyuan’s eyes. “We shouldn’t pin any hopes on He Jin, and we must collect intelligence as quick as possible and track down that Demon’s Attendant who showed up that day.”

Li Zong inclined his head. “Han Zhuo is on it. The current situation is very clear. That guy won’t be able to stay hidden for long.”

“Good. I’ll leave it up to you to use your discretion.” Zhen Daoyuan heaved a sigh. “Go back and get some rest. Your workload has been too heavy since Zhang Jingqiu left.”

“It’s my duty.” Li Zong gave a nod.

Zhen Daoyuan left the office first.

Li Zong didn’t rise from his seat. He put his hand onto the mouse and replayed the video of He Zheng’s interview. Judging from the firm look in the eyes of that man in the video, he was not pretending anything.

On that day, he said that he wanted to join SMB to prove himself, but now – though nobody knew when – he seemed to have changed his mind and was trying to join SMB simply because it was something he really wanted to do.

Li Zong stared unblinkingly at the computer screen. A golden light emanated from his double-pupiled eyes and eventually disappeared.

The third day after the interview, SMB released on its internal website the list of names of interviewees who had been given a pass.

He Zheng, whose husband was a high-ranking official of SMB, naturally didn’t have to check the list. No sooner had the list been released online than Zu Zhichong, who owed He Zheng a favor, sent the admission list to him via WeChat, which was very sensible of him, and the list was tailed by a big emoji meaning surprise.

At the same time, the admission list also bore the start time of the training. It would start in merely a week.

He Zheng thought that he had got in by the back door. But a person like him was totally okay with getting in by the back door. Naturally it wouldn’t occur to him that he actually had passed the interview completely unaided. Although on that day, his argument with Zhao Yidi in the examination room angered quick-tempered Zhao Yidi, it also had Tan Lubai and Zhen Daoyuan look at He Zheng with new eyes. Even if his relations with Li Zong had not been taken into consideration, his strength and performance would still have been more than enough to get him a pass.

But meanwhile, this was just a beginning. Passed the interview as he had, there was still training waiting for him, and after he passed the test at the end of the training, he would have to take a written examination. Only by passing all three of them could he officially become a probationary member of the Special Talents Training Program (STTP).