As a long list of names of the dead and missing was read out one by one, everyone’s expressions grew serious.
Liu Xuanjin asked, “Have we confirmed the exact location of the fusion point?”
Leader Liu nodded, tapping on “City C” marked on She Lang’s movements.
“The fusion point between the novel and reality is in the urban area of City C. According to data comparison and map surveys, a new antique street has appeared in the city that never existed before, and She Lang’s antique shop is located on this street. Further investigation found Zhang Chen’s name in the registration records of one of the shops on this antique street.”
Baozi scratched his head.
“Did these dead and missing people also suddenly appear there?”
Though the question was obvious, in the face of such a shocking death list, everyone needed further confirmation that the “anomalous event” threat remained within a controllable range.
Leader Liu nodded.
“Although all these people’s household registration information is intact, this is all a result of the first phase of the novel-reality fusion. It shows the novel gradually becoming part of reality. They are part of the ‘anomalous event.’ Their disappearances and deaths are plot points that had already concluded before the fusion began.”
Leader Liu glanced at the data.
“What we must do now is guide and intervene in the development of this anomalous event, seize the initiative, and minimize its impact on reality.”
No one objected to this oft-repeated core idea, though there was some lingering doubt.
“What exactly happened to these people? Why did so many of them die unexpectedly?”
“That’s why I called you all back,”
Leader Liu switched the data to the next page.
“According to autopsy reports and movement summaries, these people went to a certain remote mountainous area two months ago. Their traces there are still being collected. The only thing we know so far is that half a month after entering that place, they reappeared in a hospital in City X.”
He pointed to the related medical reports showing multiple wounds on their bodies, including blunt trauma, finger marks, knife wounds, and so on.
“The strangest part is that they were suspected of being infected by some kind of fungal virus, causing skin ulcerations. These are photos preserved in the hospital…”
The ulcerations on their skin were not severe but formed circular patches across their bodies.
At first glance, the distribution seemed random, but after some time, it became clear the patches formed a giant eye—some on their backs, others on their abdomens…
Leader Liu pointed to the photo of the patches on a person’s back.
“This individual was killed when a flowerpot was dropped from a tall residential building and hit his back a month ago. It was ruled an accidental death after investigation.”
The Hacker frowned deeply.
“The hospital received such special patients but never reported it? They even let them be discharged? And the police closed this strange death case as an ‘accident’?”
Liu Xuanjin reminded him, “That’s all part of the ‘plot’ under the novel’s framework. It’s normal that doctors and police don’t have much presence.”
After all, if those two professions had too much influence, the story of Legend of Stone Gambling wouldn’t have progressed.
Staring intently at the dense text on the file, he suddenly said, “So this anomalous event is supernatural? Were these people cursed?”
Canned Spirit jolted.
“Could they really be grave robbers?”
He turned his head toward Ji Ting, who was lost in thought, and waved his hand in front of his face.
“What are you thinking about? You’ve been silent for ages.”
Ji Ting came back to himself.
“I’m wondering whether Zhang Chen is alive or dead, what my relationship with him is, and why She Lang came to my coffee shop and left me that note.”
Baozi scratched his head.
“What else could it be? They must be brothers, right?”
Leader Liu said, “We’ve already checked Zhang Chen’s household registration. His parents are alive; he has no siblings or extended relatives, and no connection with Ji Ting’s social circle.”
“Parents alive?” the Sniper muttered, “It’s rare to have a protagonist with a normal family relationship in Ji Ting’s stories.”
Li Yishu asked, “Have you contacted Zhang Chen’s parents?”
Leader Liu replied, “They’ve been arranged to be contacted, but time is tight and there hasn’t been formal communication yet.”
From the time Leader Liu’s team confirmed the fusion point’s location to when they compiled this detailed information, their efficiency was enough to inspire awe in the vast national machinery.
It proved that as long as they wanted to dig deep, nothing could be hidden from the state apparatus.
The Hacker muttered, “Anyway, Zhang Chen isn’t an important figure. In these kinds of wish-fulfillment stories, protagonists’ parents appear less than side characters. I doubt they even know Zhang Chen is missing.”
Liu Xuanjin pushed up his glasses.
“More than that, I’m curious about the exact connection between Ji Ting and Zhang Chen. Based on previous cases, blood relations should be the simplest answer. Why is this time different?”
Leader Liu nodded.
“That’s one of our focus points. There’s too little known to pinpoint the key influencing factor. Judging from She Lang’s identity and the note he left, at least we can confirm he came seeking help.”
Leader Liu turned his gaze to Ji Ting, speaking kindly, “Do you have any experience with acting?”
Ji Ting, listening carefully, wondered if the topic had drifted too far.
Seeing his confusion, Leader Liu explained, “Since we can’t get more information quickly, we can try another method.”
“Don’t worry, our plan is comprehensive and won’t fail,” Leader Liu said, pulling a thick stack of files from under the table.
“You just need to learn some acting skills fast.”
Ji Ting was skeptical.
“Is this plan for real? Why do I need to learn acting?”
He flipped through the plan laid before him.
After a moment, he took a breath and asked Leader Liu, “Has the Leader approved this?”
Leader Liu nodded.
The Sniper leaned in to look at the documents and revealed a horrified expression.
“I thought when you talked about ‘seizing the initiative’ over the past few days, you meant actively dealing with the anomalous event, not literally taking control?”
Baozi leaned over to peek.
“What do you mean literally? What does the document say?”
Leader Liu spoke earnestly to the Tian Shu squad.
“The lack of transparent intelligence is mutual. We lack understanding of the anomalous event, and they are equally unaware of us. According to Liu Daming’s case, characters in unfinished novels lack sufficient awareness that ‘they live in a novel.’ In other words, She Lang has over a ninety percent chance of being unaware of the novel-reality fusion. In his mind, he’s just seeking your help because of a sudden emergency.”
“So, we really have the initiative.”
The curtains were drawn tightly; the room was pitch black, with only a distorted shadow visible on a chair—motionless.
This state lasted a long time until a knock sounded.
The person lying in bed sat up, silently walked to the door, and lowered their voice cautiously, “Who’s there?”
An unfamiliar voice answered, “The guest you invited has arrived.”
Unable to see the other’s expression in the darkness, after a subtle silence, the voice spoke again, “Who are you?”
“I’m a staff member here, you can call me Xiao Ding, employee number 1169. You can verify my identity through the switchboard…”
“No need.”
The door opened, and She Lang frowned as he sized up Xiao Ding.
“I remember you. There’s a photo and introduction of outstanding employees at the front desk.”
Out of professional habit, She Lang had paid attention to that photo and introduction when checking in.
Xiao Ding glanced at the lit room and closed curtains, politely averting his gaze.
“The guest you invited is in the tea room. Please follow me.”
Hotels rarely had tea rooms; usually, they had conference rooms or restaurant private rooms.
“However, I thought you might prefer the tea room’s environment, so I specially arranged to redecorate it.”
The man sitting in the main seat smiled faintly and signaled to Xiao Ding.
Xiao Ding closed the door behind him, leaving space for their conversation.
Though it seemed only two people were present, hundreds were watching and eavesdropping on their talk.
This strange sense of security stirred Ji Ting’s desire to perform.
After spending so much time with the Tian Shu squad, Ji Ting had almost forgotten he still had some expertise in other fields.
After all, writing was just one of Ji Ting’s many part-time jobs—and the least profitable. It didn’t reflect his true capabilities in other industries.
Ji Ting looked at She Lang.
“Are you feeling any better?”
She Lang looked at Ji Ting with some confusion at first.
After a few minutes, the confusion faded. He sighed in relief and plopped down into a chair.
“Finally reached you,” he said, downing the tea in his cup in one gulp, then pouring another cup from the teapot. “It seems Zhang Chen really means a lot to you.”
“That goes without saying. After all, he is…”
Ji Ting paused, leaving the rest to the imagination.
She Lang put down the teapot, looking back puzzled.
“Isn’t it said in the underworld that he’s your heir?”
“What kind of family is this, needing to specially train an heir?”
Ji Ting took a sip of tea to steady himself and said meaningfully, “You guys went a bit too far.”
She Lang looked troubled.
“I didn’t expect there really to be some tough guys there…”
He sighed, stood up, and cupped his fists toward Ji Ting.
“This time, I really have no other choice. I’m daring to trouble you, senior. Please, for Zhang Chen’s sake, help us out. The Four Families would be eternally grateful.”