Chapter 8: Contact (Extra Chapter)
Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yuanqing tried to keep his voice calm:
"Officer Li, this is Zhang Yuanqing."
"Oh, it's you." The other side laughed, "What's the matter, calling me in the middle of the night?"
Zhang Yuanqing said in a deep voice, "I have some information to report. Actually, before Lei Yibing disappeared, he sent me a card."
"Why didn't you mention this before?"
There was no surprise in Li Dongze's tone.
Zhang Yuanqing hesitated slightly, then told the other party all his speculations about Brother Bing's disappearance case.
After a moment of silence, the other side chuckled:
"You're quite good at dramatizing things for yourself."
Guan Ya was right, Zhang Yuanqing was actually a very solitary person. A normal, optimistic, and positive college student wouldn't be so guarded.
"I'm sorry."
Zhang Yuanqing felt a bit embarrassed and immediately changed the subject, or rather, got to the point:
"I encountered some rather strange, difficult to understand things tonight. Um, do you understand what I mean?"
"It seems you've successfully emerged from the Spirit Realm," Li Dongze's voice carried a hint of satisfaction.
Yes, I just came out, almost died in there. Zhang Yuanqing felt relieved upon hearing this response.
The other party indeed knew about the Spirit Realm.
Li Dongze said, "Congratulations on becoming a Spirit Realm Walker, college student. That's what we call our kind. I'm also a Spirit Realm Walker, the difference is that I'm official, while you're wild."
Spirit Realm Walker... Zhang Yuanqing savored these words and asked:
"What is the Spirit Realm?"
He had too many questions seeking answers, so he started with the most basic one.
"I can't tell you now. If you want to know about the Spirit Realm, you'll have to make a choice," Li Dongze said solemnly.
"The official stance on the Spirit Realm is divided into two types: one is to absorb and cultivate, the other is to supervise and control. The former means joining us, becoming a member of the official Spirit Realm Walkers.
"The latter is to be a freelancer, just needing to register with us and promise not to use your abilities to violate rules and discipline, and we won't interfere. Of course, you also won't be able to receive any help from official sources."
Zhang Yuanqing said without hesitation, "I'm willing to join the organization, to shed blood and sacrifice for the country and the people."
Li Dongze laughed, "As expected of someone from a family of security officers, very aware."
Zhang Yuanqing couldn't tell if the other party was mocking or praising.
"Well then, get some rest early. I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow morning," Li Dongze said.
Huh? Not now? Zhang Yuanqing hesitated, "Tomorrow?"
"What else? What time is it now? If you want to shed blood and sacrifice for the organization, you'll have to wait until the organization is open for business."
He probably doesn't want to say it over the phone, afraid I might change my mind and get information for free? So he wants to wait until tomorrow to meet in person. Zhang Yuanqing could only say resignedly, "Alright."
After hanging up, he looked at his phone. The time showed 11 PM. The time flow in the Spirit Realm was the same as the outside world.
Having successfully contacted the official organization, Zhang Yuanqing felt greatly relieved. At this moment, the fatigue from struggling for survival in the Spirit Realm surged forth.
He lay on the bed, set the alarm, and as his eyelids grew heavier, he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning at 7:15, Zhang Yuanqing was startled awake by the alarm, almost suffering a cardiac arrest and dying on the spot.
He turned off the alarm while yawning continuously as he got out of bed.
Last night's sleep quality wasn't ideal. He had several nightmares, all related to ghosts and monsters, waking up in fright multiple times.
In the living room, his grandfather sat on the sofa watching the news. His hair was sparse and silver, his build tall and large, his wrinkled face stern and unsmiling.
His grandmother was clattering about in the kitchen making breakfast. At the edge of the long dining table, his aunt crouched on a chair playing with her phone, her cheeks puffed out like a cute hamster.
"Up so early?"
His aunt scrutinized her listless nephew and grumbled, "You look like you've overindulged. Did you do something naughty last night? I should go check your trash can."
Usually, Zhang Yuanqing would retort: Looking for food?
But now his mind was preoccupied with the Spirit Realm and meeting with the official organization, so he wasn't in the mood to banter with his aunt.
He sat down listlessly next to this woman, staring blankly as he waited for breakfast.
Soon, his grandmother came out carrying steaming rice porridge, fried dough sticks, boiled eggs, and a basket of meat buns.
Zhang Yuanqing took a sip of hot porridge to moisten his throat, then looked at his grandfather and probed:
"Grandpa, I remember that after the construction team disappeared in the Sheling Tunnel back then, the Security Bureau organized a search party, and you were in it..."
His grandfather grunted in affirmation, asking with some confusion, "That's all ancient history, why are you asking about this?"
"I saw this story online again yesterday. Do you know what happened to that worker who was found?"
Grandfather frowned and said, "I've forgotten. It's been so long, I can't remember."
"Wasn't he said to have disappeared again?" Grandmother chimed in from the side, quite interested in joining the discussion. "And it was a mysterious disappearance. This incident caused quite a panic in the police force back then. It wasn't until the leaders from the Police Headquarters came down personally to pacify everyone that it blew over."
"Was there such a thing?" Grandfather didn't admit it.
"Old Chen, are you getting senile in your old age? You told me about this yourself." Grandmother insisted.
Grandfather lowered his head to drink his porridge: "You should believe in science and not be so keen on these superstitions. You're becoming more and more gossipy as you get older."
He disappeared again after being found... Zhang Yuanqing's mood sank a bit as he took a sip of porridge.
Obviously, that survivor had entered the Spirit Realm again after 36 hours, and this time, he didn't make it out alive.
He had guessed correctly; the Mountain God Temple had an extremely high mortality rate. The second main quest was very, very dangerous.
To survive, relying on the official organization was the most correct decision.
After finishing breakfast and a quick wash-up, Zhang Yuanqing took the elevator down and waited for about ten minutes at the entrance of the residential complex.
A black business car slowly pulled up, and the electric door slid open automatically. Li Dongze sat on the white leather sofa, leaning on his cane with his legs together.
He was dressed the same as yesterday, in a black suit, black vest, and white shirt, with his oiled hair neatly combed back and a pair of delicate mustaches.
"Get in, college student."
Li Dongze smiled.
"Alright, Investigator," Zhang Yuanqing returned the smile.
After he got in, the black business car merged into the traffic, moving at a steady pace on the morning streets.
Li Dongze opened the car's refrigerator and asked, "What would you like to drink?"
"Cola!"
"Then you'll have to buy it yourself at the supermarket later." Li Dongze poured himself a glass of whiskey, dropped an ice ball into it, and leaned back in his chair, holding the drink casually:
"I'm taking you now to complete your employment procedures and give you some basic training. First, let me introduce myself. Li Dongze, Level 3 Spirit Realm Walker, Five Elements Alliance Songhai Branch, Second Squad Leader of Kangyang District, profession: Scout."
Scout? Are there other professions besides Night Patrol? Zhang Yuanqing put on a serious listening face.
Despite his curiosity, he didn't interrupt.
As a socially adept person, Zhang Yuanqing knew that randomly interrupting others was impolite. He wouldn't let himself lose points on these small matters.
Li Dongze took a sip of his drink and said, "Let me first tell you what the Spirit Realm is!"
Zhang Yuanqing immediately perked up.
PS: This is an extra chapter.
(End of Chapter)
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