archfiend

Chapter 4: Venture Pharmaceuticals (1)

 Xu Yangyi stood up, pushed the door open, and left for outside. Chief Zheng immediately chased after him and questioned, “Young Xu… Young Xu! This case! How should this case be handled?! W-Why did they find me? I d-didn’t hear about this kind of precedent w-when I took up office!”

Presently, above all else, he didn’t want Xu Yangyi to depart. Recalling the scene that had just happened, his heart grew weary with trepidation. An invisible death god had cut across thousands of meters… and charged through the bulletproof glass from some place in the city, transforming everything into rubble!

Xu Yangyi narrowed his eyes, not answering the panicked chief. 

This was the Lighthouse Effect… Furthermore, it was unknown whether this demon had become bloated on its self-confidence or gone insane. It had actually dared to attack him.

A lighthouse illuminated people, and people could see it, as well. The moment he had arrived at City Hall, he and the demon had become each other's lighthouse. After two days, the beast finally couldn’t bear with it any longer and made the first move.

“I’ll be taking over this case. No one else is allowed to get involved.” His steps were nimble and firm as he walked ahead, and he didn’t respond. On the contrary, his manner of speech left no room for questions. Chief Zheng followed behind him, his appearance completely unlike a superior in relation to his subordinate. Instead, he was listening respectfully and bobbing his head up and down.

Xu Yangyi abruptly stopped in stride and looked at Chief Zheng deeply. “That includes you.”

“Sure!” Chief Zheng immediately responded, and his heart settled for the most part. In order to suppress these things, how much effort had the government dispensed? The money and energy expended was simply an astronomical figure! Behind every news story when the masses asked “why”... there were far too many hidden secrets that could not be spoken of.

“Second, organize a fire squad that you feel is absolutely reliable. In three days, I’ll start prepping for operations.”

“Not a problem.”

“Third, concerning the authorizations of the personnel dispatched to this case, no one else is allowed to interfere.”

“This…” Chief Zheng muttered to himself in hesitation. This was tantamount to skinning him of all of his power as the Public Security Bureau’s first-in-command in regards to this major case. Furthermore, it was evident that Xu Yangyi was telling him that he wanted to strip him of his privileges and also wanted him to make a promise from his own mouth!

“Is there a problem?” Xu Yangyi turned his head and looked at him.

“No… No problems!” Chief Zheng’s voice fluttered softly, yet it made his heart grow cold. Gritting his teeth, he immediately responded, “This case… I won’t lay a hand on it! The police and the military police are yours to command! If you still need the army… I shall coordinate it!”

If it wasn’t necessary, he was absolutely unwilling to personally broaden his knowledge of the M-Files’ contents, and what the truth of the matter was really like.

It was quiet. The only sound that remained was the crunch of Chief Zheng’s leather shoes pounding the floor. Throughout the whole journey, no words were exchanged. As the pair arrived at the entrance of the Public Security Bureau, Xu Yangyi raised his brows and said with reservation, “Chief Zheng, is there something else?”

Chief Zheng had continued to follow behind him.

“N-Nothing at all!” Chief Zheng blushed. From the bottom of his heart, he had believed this mysterious young man to still have some other request. What was up with this kid? Didn’t he know how to speak during times of peace? 

Xu Yangyi nodded. “Then, I’ll step out first.”

At this time, a voice suddenly echoed out from behind them. “Chief Zheng, wait a moment! Hold on!”

As Vice Captain Chen trod over to them, Xu Yangyi furrowed his brows and made to leave. Nonetheless, Vice Captain Chen had already yelled out, “Captain Xu, I’ll have to trouble you to wait, too!”

“Old Chen.” Facing Vice Captain Chen, Chief Zheng was finally relieved of much tension. As he conversed with Xu Yangyi moments ago, he had unwittingly put himself in a subservient position, simply uncaring that Xu Yangyi was in his early twenties. Based on age, Xu Yangyi should’ve still been a youth studying at university. 

That kind of pressure, a formless one, made him feel extremely restrained. It wasn’t until now that he recovered his prestige as the chief of city security.

“Has something happened?” He swept over Xu Yangyi coolly from the corner of his eye and promptly added, “If anything happens, you can inform Captain Xu first, since you’ll be reporting to him. It’ll be fine as long as you coordinate with him with to the best of your ability.”

Vice Captain Chen paused upon hearing these words. He nearly choked on his spit! Was this a fucking joke?!

You’re forcing a seasoned veteran like me to accompany this paratrooper!? This is a follow-up on a serial-killer case! Accompany your goddamn ass!

Why did he have to babysit Xu Yangyi? How was he supposed to accompany him? This pudgy-faced brat that had never seen a crime scene? Didn’t this place the entire unit under Xu Yangyi’s command? 

“Chief Zheng, this is about the case!” In violent fury, it was easy for a man to lose his rationality. With burning rage attacking his heart, Vice Captain Chen simply didn’t look at Xu Yangyi. Moreover, he hadn’t seen the meaningful look within Chief Zheng’s eyes. He gritted his teeth and said, “Am I not considered a senior of the police department? Old Zheng! You and I came out of the academy at the same time! How is this case going to be handled? Who’s responsible for it? Can’t you just tell me what the heck is going on?!”

Vice Captain Chen had looked on as the captain’s position failed to land within his grasp. He didn’t have Chief Zheng’s methods, but they were the same age. He had endured until his hair had grown white, only to see the dawn of a new captain. Yet before even waiting for him to fall into fantasy, this dream was suddenly killed off by a paratrooper’s descent! How could he not be angry? How could he not be furious? Anyone in the Disciplinary and Investigations Unit could tolerate this tone, but he wouldn’t put up with it anymore!

The corner of Xu Yangyi’s mouth slightly curled up. Rather than say these words for Chief Zheng to hear, it was better to make a deliberate display of things. 

You want to come down, take credit and look good, fine, no problems. But in any case, you can’t make me do something without just cause, right? How are the merits going to be divided, huh? Your credit-stealing ass waltzed right in now, and I wasn’t the one to get your position! You stacheless brat, what do you know about how to handle a case? I’ll let you supervise the case, and you’ll see a living ghost when you find the killer!

The major serial-killer case… It’s heard that a lot of importance is attached to it within the province, but with this opportunity, you, an emotionless paratrooper, get dropped down to carve up our flesh piece by piece?

Chief Zheng’s brows suddenly tightened. What madness! What foolish nonsense! A person of Heavens Law had been invited to come by the city! Nonetheless, Vice Captain Chen didn’t tighten his trap and was instead stirring up a ruckus! Wasn’t it enough of a mess already to resent him?!

These lines were like several staggering blows, leaving Chief Zheng’s head spinning. Meaningfully pulling on Vice Captain Chen’s hand, he laughed awkwardly, “Old Chen… we’re old friends. Food may be eaten indiscriminately, but words cannot be said carelessly…”

Fuck! Vice Captain Chen nearly cursed. His temperament was fiery to begin with, so upon hearing these words, he clenched his teeth angrily. What was up with today? What damned sickness did you catch?

Chief Zheng who he had knew well for many years had delivered some strange words to him! Was this to remind him… of Xu Yangyi’s great background?

Who was that bastard son of a bitch?!

Like so, a beautiful misunderstanding had come about. Chief Zheng simply didn’t dare to speak of this matter. This two-bit idiot Vice Captain Chen only knew that his expected position was out of his grasp and now he even had to obey the commands of a brat?

Not even mentioning what the outcome would be like, Chief Zheng had used these words to warn him! How was this something that he, as a senior in the department for decades, was able to continue enduring?!

“Old Zheng, what do you mean?” Choking on anger, Vice Captain Chen glared at the other, grinded down on his teeth, and said, “What? Even after so many years, you still don’t trust me? Two years ago, who handled the bank robbery? And then that last one from that year, who arrested those two killers on the run? Why? You’re letting that paratrooper be in charge? You kidding me?! He’s going to handle the case?!”

“I won’t stand for it.” 

He hadn’t expected that before he even finished speaking, the indifferent sound of Xu Yangyi’s laughter would flutter pass. Xu Yangyi seemed to be relaxed like he had just finished his afternoon tea.

These words angered Vice Captain Chen so much that his eyes turned somewhat white. I won’t… You should just fucking go!

“I won’t do it!” Vice Captain Chen sucked in deeply. “Chief Zheng! I apologize, I was a bit worried, but the entire province is following this case! Do you believe in him or do you believe in me?!” 

Chief Zheng’s face hung low. In his heart, he had already cursed the vice captain to death! He believed in Vice Captain Chen’s case-handling abilities, however, could he handle this case? Would he dare to? For him to let Vice Captain Chen handle this case would be equal to harming him!

This case… Hehe, I really still can’t believe in you!

However…

This couldn’t be said…

He had zero desire to imagine what the consequences would be like if every city’s M-Files and all the people involved were exposed.

“Chief Zheng, you have to say something!”

“Say something? Sure.” Chief Zheng let out laughter as cold as ice. Fine, if you can’t read between the lines, then it serves you right that someone airdropped you! Soon after, he looked at Vice Captain Chen and said loud and clear, enunciating every word, “I. Shall. Say. It. Once. More.”

“Captain Xu has full responsibility over this major case! Old Chen, you should do according to what he says! Otherwise, don’t blame me despite the many years of friendship between us!” He finished speaking and brushed his sleeve aside, taking his leave.

Vice Captain Chen was left in a total daze. It was completely out of his expectations that Chief Zheng would be so uncaring of the present situation! Moreover, he didn’t think the man would directly denounce him! Was this really his old acquaintance Chief Zheng?

“Good… Good!” Vice Captain Chen glared at Chief Zheng’s back for a brief moment, turning his head and leaving. “Who gives a fuck! I won’t do it!”

Chief Zheng simply didn’t pay attention to his threat and swaggered away without a second thought.

Vice Captain Chen smiled meaningfully at Xu Yangyi at his side, using his eyes as blades as if he could render unto Xu Yangyi a death of a thousand cuts.

The paratrooper didn’t speak… but surprisingly, the presence behind him had made the city chief of the Public Security Bureau to speak on his behalf! The higher-ups were making him listen to this brat’s commands?!

Was this the Central Committee’s three generations of officials? Capable of settling a city’s public opinion? 

I’ve worked at the Public Security Bureau for dozens of years, but I have to obey the commands of this recent graduate who doesn’t even a single hair on his upper lip? Mumbling and so on, the vice captain brushed past and left. The crook of Xu Yangyi’s mouth faintly raised upward. Don’t think he hadn’t heard Vice Captain Chen’s words clearly…

“Who the fuck is a bastard? Coming over here to fill the numbers, he doesn’t even know anything about how a stand-in should act! He’s just blindly going through the motions!”

Xu Yangyi leisurely sat down in his Audi and suddenly laughed. “That’s right, I don’t understand how to handle a case…” He popped open a drink and smiled in satisfaction. “However… my fist is good enough…” Smoke puffed through the roof of the car, and the vapors wound his eyes shut. “It looks like I’ll have to question some of the ‘locals’... I hope they’ll cooperate…”

In his eyes, the world’s balance in comparison to ordinary people was far more than just money. He could perceive things that an exceedingly great amount of normal people couldn’t. In that same vein, those things could sense him in the same manner.

Like a lighthouse on a dark night, the traveler saw the lighthouse, and the lighthouse illuminated the traveler.

“Smelling the fragrance of blood, I seek the temple of spiritual peace. A ruined scene, the specter of debauchery sings…” Xu Yangyi blasted the stereo of the car, and the compressed heart-shaking rhythm echoed out. He laughed, “Deliver Me…” [1]

One of the Three Great Forbidden Songs… truly matched his style. Followed by the ghost-like drifting of Deliver Me, he parked his car at the entrance of a building an hour later. The building was quite ordinary, extremely ordinary, that is if you neglected the enormous toad at the top of it.

1. This passage is pretty unique that the author does some of it in english. Unfortunately, while he does get some of it right, it looks like nonsense, so I had to fix it. Trying to actually find lyrics for these three forbidden songs on western internet is actually impossible apparently, since I can’t find it, but luckily, our Chinese counterparts have preserved it well on their internet. If you can read Chinese, look up 世界三大禁曲 on Baidu. On western internet, at best, you’ll be able to find out the names of these songs and perhaps a clip on youtube.