BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 17 Gao Liang’s Message

When he saw the tall, thin man standing before him, Fatty Sun grinned.

Pointing at Che Qianzi beside him, he said:

“Chief Hao, let me introduce someone. This is my sworn brother, Che Qianzi. Brother, this is Hao Wenming, Director of the First Investigation Room. Back when Shen La and I first joined the Bureau, we worked under Chief Hao.”

We’ve only known each other for a few days. When have I ever heard you mention this Hao guy?

Still, since he was a director, he might be useful when it came time to investigate his origins. So Che Qianzi nodded politely as a greeting.

Hao Wenming paid little attention to the young Taoist. After nodding, he pulled Sun Desheng into a corner and lowered his voice.

“I already heard about what happened in Jiuhe. The whole thing felt suspicious from the start. Hao Zhengyi and I discussed it for a long time, but neither of us dared to get involved. Then I heard Ouyang Pianzuo couldn’t resist going. Later I found out you went too. Was it because of the Guangyuan Nether Mirror?”

“Chief Hao, you and Director Hao were right not to go.”

Sun Desheng glanced around to make sure nobody was nearby and quickly summarized everything that had happened before dawn.

Finally, he concluded:

“I’m already investigating. We should have answers in a day or two. If someone is really targeting the Bureau of Paranormal Investigations, then this won’t end with explanations and apologies. Even those below will have to give Director Wu an explanation.”

When he mentioned “Director Wu,” Sun deliberately dragged out the words, referring to the Sixth Investigation Room’s director, Wu Rendi.

Seeing that Sun Desheng already had a plan, Hao Wenming relaxed.

After exchanging a few polite words with Che Qianzi, he prepared to leave, but Sun stopped him.

“Chief Hao, wait a second. There’s something I’d like to ask. Before Chief Gao passed away, did he ever mention a Tai Zhen Taoist Temple in Liaodong? The temple master is an old Taoist named Kong Dalong. He also has a disciple…”

“Tai Zhen Temple? Kong Dalong…”

Hao Wenming thought for a moment before shaking his head.

“The boss didn’t tell me everything when he was alive. You’d be better off asking his secretary, Wang Lu. Back then, Director Gao entrusted almost all major and minor affairs to Sister Lu.”

Just as the words left Hao Wenming’s mouth, the Bureau’s front doors opened again.

A woman in her early thirties walked inside.

The three men exchanged glances.

Sun Desheng immediately laughed.

“Talk about coincidence. Chief Hao was just saying he missed one of the old Bureau veterans and had been thinking about Sister Lu. We mention you, and here you are. Back when the Bureau was reactivated, I even wanted to invite you—”

“Fatty, give me some peace, will you?”

The woman named Wang Lu smiled faintly.

Her gaze swept across Sun Desheng and Hao Wenming before finally settling on Che Qianzi.

“I heard from Human Resources that you’ve signed a new employment contract. A Taoist named Che Qianzi. So this must be Master Che Qianzi?”

“Sister Lu, you’re here for Che Qianzi? That’s right. This is my brother, Che Qianzi.”

Sun Desheng narrowed his eyes.

Although Wang Lu had left the Bureau, she had served as Director Gao’s secretary for many years. Learning about a new recruit wouldn’t be difficult for her.

But the fact that she had come directly after his return suggested something else.

She had come specifically because of Che Qianzi.

Unexpectedly, Wang Lu shook her head.

“I’m actually here for you.”

She took a small USB flash drive from her handbag and handed it to Sun Desheng.

“Take this. Watch it somewhere private. If there’s anything you still don’t understand afterward, call me.”

The topic had just shifted to Che Qianzi, only to suddenly turn back to Sun himself.

Yet Sun Desheng showed no surprise.

Grinning, he slipped the USB drive into his pocket.

Then he said:

“I heard you still aren’t married, Sister Lu. Chief Hao here is still single too. Why don’t the two of you make do together? Not to brag, but what’s a lifetime? Close your eyes and it’ll be over before you know it.”

The comment instantly made both Wang Lu and Hao Wenming blush.

Wang Lu laughed and scolded him halfheartedly before claiming she had business elsewhere and leaving the Bureau.

Since Hao Wenming was heading to the Second Investigation Room, Sun immediately pushed his “brother” toward him.

“Chief Hao, you’re going to the Second Room anyway. Do me a favor and take my brother over there to introduce him around. I’m going to challenge Secretary Yang. That guy’s getting more outrageous by the day. Time to knock him down a peg.”

Hao Wenming was easygoing.

Just as he had once guided Sun Desheng and Shen La when they first joined ten years ago, he now led the young Taoist toward the Second Investigation Room.

Only then did Sun return to the elevator and press the button for the top floor—his former office.

Although he was no longer the Bureau Director, he still kept the office key.

As long as he didn’t voluntarily surrender it, people like Yang Shuji wouldn’t dare pressure him.

After entering the office, Sun Desheng inserted the USB drive into the computer.

To his surprise, it contained only a single video file.

When he opened it, the long-deceased Gao Liang appeared on the screen.

He was seated behind his office desk, and a small tortoise shell rested on the tabletop before him.

“Fatty, if you’re watching this video, it means Che Qianzi has already arrived at the Bureau.”

Gao Liang lit a cigarette and took a drag before continuing.

“This kid is precious.

I instructed Wang Lu to pay special attention to him. As soon as Che Qianzi appeared at the Bureau, she was to give this video to you.

Now listen carefully.

No matter what method you use, keep Che Qianzi in the Bureau.

This person’s fate is tied to the Bureau’s survival.

You’ve always had plenty of clever ideas. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.

And there’s another important matter.

Remember this: do not deliberately investigate his origins.

When the time is right, you’ll naturally learn the truth.

If you learn too early, it will only bring trouble.

This child hasn’t had an easy life.

Once he’s here, don’t let anyone make things difficult for him.

And find a psychologist for him while you’re at it.

I’m worried.

Even though I haven’t been by his side all these years, I’ve always known what was happening around him.

His abilities are far too great.

But he entered this world far too young.

The world of demons, ghosts, monsters, and spirits isn’t something a child his age should have experienced.

I believe something is wrong inside his heart.

I can’t show myself directly, so future-you will have to deal with it.”

Just as Gao Liang seemed ready to say more, a knock sounded from somewhere off-camera.

With no choice, Director Gao stopped the recording.

The video ended there.

Sun Desheng stared silently at the dark screen.

He never expected Gao Liang, dead for so many years, to have left him such a message.

Memories surfaced of his first days in the Bureau, when Gao Liang had entrusted him with important responsibilities.

A wave of emotion washed over him.

Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the office.

Still lost in thought, Sun initially thought it was part of the video before realizing it was real.

He shouted:

“Who’s knocking like that? Yang Shuji’s office isn’t here!”

A voice answered from outside.

It belonged to Jia Yunxuan, an investigator from the Second Investigation Room.

“Great Sage! You’d better come take a look! Your brother is fighting Director Xiong, Director Ximen, and Director Mo in the Second Room. There’s blood everywhere!”

“What?!”

Sun Desheng jumped up.

“They actually dared lay hands on one of my people?”

The moment he heard Che Qianzi was fighting those three, he rushed out of the office.

While running, he shouted to Jia Yunxuan:

“Don’t follow me. Go to the Sixth Room! Director Wu, Shen La, Yang Xiao—any one of them! Bring somebody to break up the fight!”

Sun hurried toward the Second Investigation Room.

By the time he arrived, investigators were already sprawled all over the floor outside the doorway.

Every one of them had suffered broken bones and serious injuries.

They lay groaning in pain.

When Sun rushed inside, he found a shocking scene.

Che Qianzi had one hand wrapped around Mo’s throat and the other around Ximen Lian’s neck.

Under his foot lay Xiong Wanyi, completely motionless.

Apart from Che Qianzi himself, everyone else was covered in blood.

Hao Wenming, however, was unharmed.

He was gripping Che Qianzi tightly and repeatedly trying to calm him down.

“Don’t be impulsive. Calm down…

I saw everything.

You weren’t in the wrong.

They’ll be dealt with…”