“Does the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu… turn a blind eye to all this?”
“That is exactly the most troublesome part.”
Morita Aoya took over the conversation, his expression grave as he pulled up another more sensitive internal document, his fingers sliding lightly across the holographic screen.
“Behind these emerging groups operating under the banner of ‘spiritual mutual aid,’ there are often big figures that the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu simply cannot afford to offend.”
On the holographic screen, light and shadow interlaced, revealing faces that were not unfamiliar to the public.
These were the “high-ranking figures” who frequently appeared on prime-time news, bowing kindly to the cameras, shaking hands warmly, and delivering stirring speeches from podiums.
Most of them held high positions, controlling the lifeblood of the city, and belonged to that massive and old Alliance.
“The big shots above need stable positions and high approval ratings, and these organizations possess extremely fanatical and highly obedient followers. This can be converted into the most direct and stable source of support.”
“In exchange, these high-ranking figures provide an invisible umbrella of protection for these organizations, obstructing in-depth investigations by relevant departments and even giving them favorable treatment in certain non-public policies. It is a… symbiotic relationship that is difficult to sever.”
Morita Aoya’s voice carried a hint of deep helplessness, as if he were stating an unalterable law of nature.
“Although the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu nominally possesses independent law enforcement power, their budget approvals and high-level personnel appointments are, in the end, held in the hands of these very people.”
“Asking them to investigate the sponsors of their direct superiors? That would be no different from cutting off their own lifeline.”
“So, even if they keenly notice the abnormal flow of Quiet Dream, they will choose selective blindness, or only dare to conduct some painless investigations on the periphery just to say they did something.”
The room fell into a brief and oppressive silence, the air seemingly thick with a stale, moldy scent.
Jiang Jian Yue stared at the sanctimonious smiles in the photos and whispered, “Disgusting.”
‘No wonder the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu could never find the Saints. Could they even try to find them? If they actually found something, what would they do? And because DRG’s previous investigation direction followed the Tokushu Jishou Taiou Honbu, we were led into a dead end.’
“Missy, what do you plan to do?”
Mark rubbed his hands together, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes.
“Does the Dark Crow Unit need to visit the residences of these high-ranking figures tonight for a ‘cordial and friendly’ heart-to-heart?”
Jiang Jian Yue shook her head slightly, her gaze deep.
To these people, physical elimination was not terrifying; it might even turn them into symbols.
What was truly terrifying was social death—watching the tower of prestige they had painstakingly built collapse in an instant.
She sat back in her large executive chair, crossing her hands under her chin.
After thinking for a moment, she began typing on the keyboard, the crisp clicking sounds echoing through the room.
“Get the Public Relations Department moving.”
“Compile all the detailed ingredient analysis reports we have on Quiet Dream, clinical cases of side effects, and the complete logistics chain evidence of this specialized incense flowing from the Chiba Factory to various Spiritual Centers. Create the most intuitive charts possible.”
“Then, use red lines to highlight which powerful figures these Spiritual Centers have financial dealings with, or any records of public endorsements.”
“Don’t wait for tonight. Send it now, immediately.”
Jiang Jian Yue turned the computer screen around, displaying a dense list of instructions.
“Send it to whom?”
“Everyone… all social media platforms on the entire web, anonymous forums, and every independent media outlet we can contact.”
“Activate DRG’s Information Guidance Department. I want the keywords ‘Deadly Poison Incense’ and ‘Power-Money Trade’ to hit the top of the real-time trending lists within one hour.”
Jiang Jian Yue, typing blindly, turned the screen back to confirm the instructions were correct before turning it away again, her movements fluid and seamless.
“But Missy, doing this is equivalent to declaring war on that massive group…”
Morita Aoya looked worried, his brow furrowed.
“With GSAC approaching, if we completely burn our bridges with the higher-ups…”
“Who said I was… burning bridges?”
The corners of Jiang Jian Yue’s mouth curled into a playful arc, feeling that Morita Aoya’s thinking was still too simple.
“I am… ‘cleaning house’ for them.”
That massive group was not a monolithic block.
One only needed to… precisely name a few of them, and other factions would naturally be happy to throw stones and use our blade to kill their rivals.
“The main purpose… is still to clear out the Saints.”
“First, remove these… umbrellas of protection. Then, there will be no obstacles for violent action.”
***
Half an hour later.
A heavy bombshell exploded across the internet.
Netizens who were still discussing Jiang Jian Yue were suddenly flooded with an investigation report so detailed it was hair-raising.
[Exclusive Revelation! The ‘Toxic Incense’ causing multiple Ability users to lose control is actually a sacred object worshipped by these ‘legal organizations’?]
[Ironclad Evidence! Multiple famous big shots endorsed groups involved in drugs multiple times, suspected of receiving massive bribes!]
[They are selling out the city’s future! Deep dive into the protection umbrellas behind the darkness!]
Accompanying these were shocking high-definition images—the twisted misery of Victims during withdrawal, the eerie assembly lines inside the Chiba Factory, and photos of big shots smiling warmly at gatherings.
The comment section exploded instantly:
“My god! There’s a ‘Light of Truth’ club right near my house! My mother often goes there to get free eggs!”
“I was wondering why there were so many Ability crimes lately. It turns out their minds were being controlled by this stuff! This is terrifying!”
“Are these people insane for money? They dare to take this kind of cash? Doesn’t their conscience hurt?”
“Why do we have to rely on an overseas company to expose this darkness?”
“Way to go, DRG! This is what a truly socially responsible company looks like! I’m a fan now!” — ID: DefinitelyNotAWaterArmy6657.
Driven by DRG’s information guidance offensive, the flames of anger quickly spread from the virtual network to the real world.
Countless protest calls were made to relevant departments demanding an explanation, causing the lines to paralyze.
In a certain building within the center of power, the situation had turned into complete chaos.
Several big shots who had been named had turned pale with rage.
They were frantically making calls to use their connections to suppress the heat, but the overseas media channels controlled by DRG were not something they could easily shut down.
Furthermore, media outlets controlled by opposing factions had keenly picked up the scent of blood.
Like sharks sensing gore, they swarmed in.
What made them even more desperate was that their allies began to kick them while they were down.
Not only did they not help, but they also secretly instructed media outlets to follow up on the reports, hoping to get a piece of the pie during this storm.
In normal times, the Liberal Democratic Party would certainly “fight within the walls but resist insults from outside”—but these were not normal times.
“It’s not enough.”
Jiang Jian Yue looked at the heat index jumping on the screen.
The red curve was shooting into the sky, but she felt the fire was still missing a spark.
She needed one last straw to break the camel’s back, a fuse that could ignite the emotions of the entire populace.
“Have that famous old case reopened for trial early.”
That old case.
It referred to the street tragedy that shocked the world several years ago—a former top high-ranking figure had fallen to a homemade gun while giving a speech on the street.
That young man with the tragic backstory.
His motive was not political; it was because his mother was obsessed with a certain money-grubbing cult, donating their entire family fortune, which led to a broken home and a destroyed life.
And the assassinated big shot had multiple times sent congratulatory videos to that cult, viewed as his endorsement.
That case had caused a massive rift and reflection in society.
On one hand was the condemnation of violence, and on the other was deep sympathy for the “victim of the second generation” group.
To avoid affecting stability, the trial of that case had been intentionally delayed, attempting to use time to fade the memory.
But now, Jiang Jian Yue was going to rip open that scabbed-over wound and rub a handful of salt into it.
At 3:00 PM.
Just as public opinion was at its peak, an even more explosive piece of news broke.
The defense legal team for that young man suddenly submitted a new list of key evidence to the court.
They applied to merge the trial with the “Toxic Incense Case” exposed by DRG or at least present it as major related evidence.
The reason: the emerging groups currently selling Quiet Dream had a shocking overlap in funding and personnel with the culprits who destroyed the young man’s family years ago.
Furthermore, they were being supported by the same group of interest circles.
“This is a systemic corruption network! It is a tumor growing on the body of society!”
the defense lawyer said righteously in front of the court, surrounded by countless cameras.
His voice trembled but remained firm.
“The tragedy of that year did not awaken the conscience of these big shots.”
“On the contrary, they have doubled down. Now, they are not only defrauding money but also using drugs to control our children!”
“If we do not cut this filthy chain of interest, a second or third tragic youth will continuously appear! Our society will never know peace!”
These words, like a heavy hammer, slammed into the most sensitive nerve of society.
The people who were originally just watching for entertainment instantly recalled that afternoon when the gunshot rang out.
That sense of shivering terror returned.
Fear, anger, disappointment… combined with the current economic downturn, various negative emotions intertwined to form the most violent shockwave against the current management.
The Alliance split completely.
To save themselves, those factions not involved in the case quickly distanced themselves from the implicated personnel, even publicly calling for a “thorough investigation to the end.”
As for the big shots involved, they were now like rats crossing the street, hated by everyone.
“This move is truly ruthless. It’s heart-piercing.”
Watching the tearful defense lawyer on the TV, Koji Hattori couldn’t help but sigh, a chill running down his spine.
Morita Aoya’s expression was calm as he said softly,
“Missy just took what everyone knew in their hearts but didn’t dare to speak aloud and placed it nakedly on the table.”
“The PR war is over. Next…”
Morita Aoya turned around, his gaze becoming sharp.
“It’s time to close the net.”
“In the name of the GSAC Security Committee, issue a Level 1 Alert.”
“Target: All exposed Spiritual Centers and suspicious strongholds.”
“Reason: Based on reliable intelligence, there is suspicion of hidden large-scale prohibited biochemical items.”
“Notify all members of the Dark Crow Unit to move out.”
“The people the formal procedures don’t dare to arrest, we will arrest. The mess others don’t dare to handle, we will handle.”
When DRG suspects you have weapons of mass destruction, you’d better actually have them.
***
Cuiyue stood in front of the apartment door, looking at the news on her Mobile Phone, swallowing hard to moisten her uncomfortable throat.
The incense in her Storage Space had not been thrown away yet, though certainly not for “use.”
It was because such dangerous goods needed to be handled centrally; they couldn’t just be tossed away in case some unlucky kid picked them up.
Cuiyue took a deep breath, praying no one was in the apartment before she inserted the Key into the lock.
Opening the door, she flashed straight into her room.
Or rather… the room that belonged to Sato Aoi.
After first clearing the accounts she had logged into and any previous files on the computer, Cuiyue turned her head.
She looked at the inconspicuous sandalwood box in the corner of the nightstand—the last of the incense in the house.
Her fingertips touched the cold surface of the box.
That strange, sweet fragrance seemed to seep through the cracks in the wood, stirring a hidden craving.
It was immediately suppressed by an even stronger sense of revulsion.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, she saw Uncle Sato standing at the door—he moved without making a sound!
“Cuiyue… you… you’re back.”
Cuiyue paused, saying nothing, only tightening her grip on the box.
Uncle Sato’s gaze fell on the sandalwood box.
He spoke with difficulty, “That incense… it’s all my fault!”
He suddenly lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.
“It’s all my fault! You wouldn’t have been tainted by this thing if not for me! I harmed you!”
“What are you talking about?”
Cuiyue tossed the box casually into her Storage Space.
“It’s clearly the mall’s fault for selling such dangerous things.”
Uncle Sato jerked his head up, his cloudy eyes filled with guilt.
“But… and then there was last night.”
Cuiyue interrupted him, her voice remaining casual.
“It was… nothing. This crappy apartment was always like this…”
She suddenly swallowed and did not continue.
“I’m leaving.”
Cuiyue brushed past him.
Standing at the Shinkai to change her shoes, she did not turn around, but her voice drifted back softly.
“Thank you.”
Uncle Sato knew that Cuiyue probably would not come back again.