BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 203 Black Water

You Que had once been an investigator in the Second Office. Later, after making a major mistake while handling a case, he had been transferred to clerical work.

Technically, he had been recruited before Sun Desheng left to conduct operations overseas. However, he had always been an inconspicuous figure. His abilities were average, and even when he worked in the Second Office, he was little more than a minor character. After becoming a desk worker, he faded even further into the background. Had he not been on duty tonight, it would have been unlikely for him to have any interaction with Che Qianzi.

Seeing the envy in You Que’s eyes, Che Qianzi suddenly remembered his own childhood, when he had no money in his pockets and could only watch other children eating snacks with longing. The expression on You Que’s face was exactly the same.

Feeling a sense of kinship, Che Qianzi said, “See something you like? Other than the gun, the knife, and the Dragon Whiskers, take whatever catches your eye. My treat. Don’t be shy. Put it all on my tab.”

You Que was stunned. After recovering, he glanced at Sun Desheng beside Che Qianzi. Seeing that Deputy Director Sun showed no reaction, he politely shook his head.

“Thanks, but I’ll stick with my own equipment. Such good gear would be wasted on me…”

At that moment, Sun Desheng spoke up.

“Little You, I remember now—I was the one who interviewed you back then. If I’m not mistaken, you were assigned to the Second Office. How did you end up doing clerical work?”

You Que forced a smile.

“It was around the time when Director Sun went to America. I was handling the Nightmare Incident at Xiyou Mountain with the Second Office. Something went wrong… Because of my mistake, one of the victims possessed by the nightmare developed a mental illness. Someone ended up jumping off a building and dying…”

“After that, I was transferred to clerical work, and I’ve stayed there ever since.”

Sun Desheng nodded.

“I’ve heard about that case. It would’ve been difficult for anyone to handle. You were just unlucky…”

He paused before continuing:

“Fine. If this mission goes smoothly, I’ll talk to Director Ren and Old Yang and have you transferred to the First Office.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Director Sun, but let’s forget about it.”

You Que sighed and continued:

“My clerical work suits me fine. Thanks to all of you, I even get to go out for a while this time. To tell you the truth, that incident hit me too hard. I haven’t been able to go into the field ever since. If Director Wu weren’t personally leading this mission, you couldn’t drag me here even if you beat me to death.”

Hearing the loneliness in You Que’s voice, Sun Desheng sighed as well.

Then he turned to the Fifth Office investigators.

“Prepare a set of Grade-A equipment for him. I’ll sign for it. I know what Grade-A equipment means. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.”

The investigator had wanted to object, but after hearing Sun Desheng’s order, he reluctantly brought out a Grade-A equipment set for You Que.

You Que was deeply grateful. Grade-A equipment was usually reserved for director-level investigators.

After collecting their gear, the group headed to a nearby military airport. They boarded a transport helicopter and flew toward Xiaomao Village.

Throughout the flight, Director Wu repeatedly tried to show goodwill toward Che Qianzi. However, the little Taoist remained unmoved, stubbornly refusing even to look in Wu Rendi’s direction.

Afraid that the father and son would start arguing again, everyone else on the helicopter remained silent. Nobody dared speak carelessly, fearing that a wrong word would provide an outlet for the two to vent their frustrations.

About half an hour later, the helicopter landed at the entrance to a village.

Soldiers wearing biochemical protective suits had already sealed off the area. Aside from disease specialists and biochemical experts, no one else was permitted to enter.

With security personnel from the Ministry accompanying him, Sun Desheng presented the necessary documents. After consulting with their superiors, the soldiers opened the passage and allowed the group into the village.

They even prepared professional protective suits for them, but the offer was politely declined.

Since he had already studied the maps thoroughly, You Que led everyone toward the site of the incident—the home of the village’s Women’s Affairs Director.

Seeing that none of them had taken any protective measures, Che Qianzi couldn’t help asking:

“We’re really just walking in like this? Didn’t they say there’s some skin-rotting infectious disease spreading here? Aren’t you afraid at all?”

Sun Desheng grinned.

“Brother, see those people wearing biohazard suits? The air here has already been tested repeatedly. If there were any problems, we’d have been informed long ago.”

However, while speaking, his eyes drifted toward Wu Rendi.

“The air is fine. There is no Dead Marsh Qi.”

Wu Rendi’s behavior today was highly unusual. He had actually taken the initiative to speak. Anyone could see that he was trying to please Che Qianzi.

Unfortunately, the little Taoist showed no appreciation whatsoever. He deliberately kept his distance from his father, almost as though he were avoiding a plague. Among the entire group, the distance between him and Director Wu was the greatest.

The scene of the incident wasn’t far away.

After walking for only three or four minutes, they arrived outside the heavily guarded rural courtyard.

By now, numerous experts in disease control and biochemistry had gathered there. Everyone was trying to determine the cause behind the black water and provide a scientific explanation.

Seeing so many unrelated people around, Sun Desheng cleared his throat.

“Everyone, this place has now been taken over by our Biochemical Research Institute. Please leave as soon as possible and don’t interfere with our scientific research.”

“Here’s the authorization document. Whoever is in charge, please come over and sign for it.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man emerged from among the crowd of people in protective suits.

He was the person in charge.

Looking at this group of outsiders, none of whom even wore protective gear, he frowned.

“What biochemical institute are you people from? Who’s your director? What right do you have to issue such an authorization? This is ridiculous…”

“Ignore them. Continue our work.”

Hearing the man’s words, Sun Desheng chuckled and walked over, handing him the document.

“Leader, you’ve misunderstood. The authorization wasn’t issued by our institute. Take a look at the seal and signature. This came directly from the central authorities. Please cooperate and evacuate the area.”

Only then did the middle-aged man carefully read the document.

Even so, he remained unwilling.

Reluctantly, he instructed the experts under him:

“They’re taking over. Pack up the equipment and leave as soon as possible.”

As he spoke, he ignored the outsiders completely. Pulling on rubber boots, he stepped into the courtyard flooded with black water and personally headed toward the camera that was recording the well.

No one had expected that something would happen right at that moment.

The instant the man reached the edge of the well, a figure suddenly shot out from inside.

In a flash, it knocked him to the ground.

Before anyone could react, the figure clamped the already lifeless middle-aged man in its jaws and plunged back into the well filled with black water.

By the time everyone realized what had happened and tried to give chase, the figure had completely vanished into the depths of the well.

Several disease experts rushed forward, intending to rescue their leader.

But just then, one of the newcomers—a white-haired man—shouted loudly: “Nobody goes down there! Whoever goes down dies!”

As he spoke, Wu Rendi had already appeared beside the well as though out of thin air.

After taking only a single glance into the shaft, he turned around and said to the members of the Polls Bureau:

“Come over here. I’ll explain what’s happening…”