"Idiot, if you know what's good for you, hand over your wallet quickly."
"I'm talking to you, can't you hear?"
The goat-faced man was pushed around by the crowd, and finally got kicked hard to the ground.
Xu Xiaoyou took a glance at the tram schedule, estimating it was almost time to arrive at the station.
"That's enough."
Just as indignation and humiliation were about to crush the goat-faced man's shoulders, a girl's voice echoed.
"Bullying the weak, what kind of skill is that? Get lost, you're an eyesore, you bunch of useless trash."
He looked at the golden-haired girl emerging from the crowd with tears in his eyes, as though finding a savior. In his view, the girl was like an angel sent from heaven to save those in distress, glowing brightly.
No passenger dared to provoke the girl, only one tiger-faced passenger snarled at Xu Xiaoyou, but after catching a glimpse of the gun inadvertently revealed at her waist:
"Meow."
The passengers all obediently made way for her to pass.
Xu Xiaoyou helped the goat-faced man up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and spoke earnestly:
"In this city, with such a character, you'll be bullied everywhere you go, you need to change, got it?"
"Got it..." The goat-faced man nodded quickly, tears in his eyes, thanking the girl.
"Stand up straight! Your voice is so low, haven't you eaten?" Xu Xiaoyou sternly commanded.
"Got it!" The goat-faced man stood at attention and replied loudly.
Only then did the girl nod satisfactory, leaving him with a righteous back!
The tram pulled into the station, and as the goat-faced man stepped off, he felt warm inside until something hit him.
"Hey, where's my wallet?"
Beneath the vast terminal, the crowd flowed endlessly. Bright lights from the dome illuminated the space. At the sides of the rest area, numerous shops and restaurants lined the avenue, showcasing a variety of stores. Leisurely window-shoppers and hurried office workers passed by.
In front of a massive full-length ad board, Xu Xiaoyou leaned and watched, the screen flashing, upbeat music echoing in her ears.
She flipped through the goat-faced man's wallet, turned it upside down and shook it until only a few coins fell out, then she disdainfully tossed the wallet into a nearby trash can.
"Tsk, such a big guy, and no money at all?"
Xu Xiaoyou sighed dejectedly as she walked forward, not paying attention, and bumped into a figure's chest, falling to the ground.
"Huh?"
Xu Xiaoyou rubbed her aching nose, her brows furrowing, and as she looked up, a white silhouette filled her vision.
The girl before her wore a white uniform with lace-trimmed pure white gloves. A high black ponytail underlined her fair, long neck, accentuating her height of around one meter seventy. Her demeanor was poised and outstanding, with eyes bright as rubies, carrying a hint of doubt.
Seeing the girl carrying a mechanical power hammer on her back, towering above her, Xu Xiaoyou immediately became wary.
To openly carry such a weapon on the street, the other party could only be a Cleaner.
"Sorry, I didn't see you just now, are you okay?"
The girl blinked with a concerned expression and extended a hand to the fallen Xu Xiaoyou.
As Xu Xiaoyou grasped the hand and stood up, she jolted suddenly.
Looking along the arm, she noticed a distinctive Three Wings insignia on the girl's shoulder.
That was the 'Wing' badge of the Cleaner Association!
It represented the existence within the association dedicated to investigating and wrapping up cases related to Cleaners, individuals who instilled fear in countless Cleaners.
The association bestowed upon each Wing member supreme authority. During investigations, they not only had the prerogative to act first and report later, but even the jurisdictional institutions within the respective Nest City must unconditionally cooperate with them—from prohibiting restrictions on their freedom, to revealing case progress details, and even dossiers, etc...
These Wing Investigators are a rare few, able to navigate outside the rules of subordinate forces in any Nest City.
The gleam of the Supreme Bill prompted many ignorant intellectuals to propose reducing the power of Investigators, with conflict incidents arising from Investigators' violent enforcement every year, each incident shadowed by their cries to respect human rights.
They argue that strictly speaking, the existing ruling forces of those Nest Cities are not subordinate to the Cleaner Association, and that such behavior of imposing rules with a greater iron fist to oppress and constrain small and medium-sized forces is contemptible and inhumane.
Little do they know, the Supreme Bill they argue for is merely a set of rules established by a power greater and more influential than the Cleaner Association.
Most rulers of Nest Cities aren't foolish beyond redemption; they tacitly consent to and adhere to the rules set by the association. After all, they don't want to witness scenes of thousands of Cleaners coming to seek retribution.
Historically, opposition voices existed, but those voices became history.
Within the Investigators, the number of tiers corresponds to the number of wings.
The Three Wings signify that the other party is a Three Tier Cleaner.
She was unclear about exactly how strong a Three Tier Cleaner was.
But she could almost conclude that, even without relying on the suit, the person could walk sideways through this city.
Why would an investigator appear here?
Xu Xiaoyou recalled the events of yesterday, her heart instantly on alert.
It had been less than twenty-four hours since she killed those three First Tier Cleaners, and an investigator had already come knocking. She had never heard of the Wings having such efficiency.
Could it be a coincidence?
"Are you alright?" The girl's face showed even deeper concern, softly gathering in her bright eyes as she brushed the dust off Xu Xiaoyou's clothes.
In a daze, Xu Xiaoyou felt that the other person did not resemble a ruthless investigator, but rather a kind and considerate neighborly big sister.
At that moment, behind them at the station, two homeless men started fighting for some reason, their voices chaotic and loud.
"Sorry, I need to go over there." The girl said apologetically.
Xu Xiaoyou nodded, and just as she turned her head and quickened her pace with some unease, the girl's voice suddenly called out to her.
"Wait."
At that moment, Xu Xiaoyou felt her heartbeat slow down by half a beat.
"What's the matter?"
Seeing the other party suddenly walking quickly towards her, she forced herself to remain calm and did not act rashly.
"You've dropped your information card."
The girl jogged forward, smiling as she returned the information card to her.
"You're called... Xu Nian, right?"
As Xu Xiaoyou took the information card and tried to pull it back, she found it difficult to move.
Looking up, she met the girl's empty, dead eyes.
In the other person's eyes, she saw a chilling coldness that seeped into her bones.
"Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't have looked at your personal information." In a blink, the girl changed her expression, giggling, "That's quite an offensive thing to do, right? I was just being too careless."
With that, the girl turned and ran towards the chaos behind them without looking back. Xu Xiaoyou recalled the girl's earlier gaze and couldn't help but shiver. Without lingering, she also quickened her pace and left the place.
...
"Hit him! Hit the bastard! Aim hard for his chin!"
"Do you even know how to fight? Your fists are so weak, are you a little lamb?"
"Too weak, your fists are too weak!"
The two homeless men grappled, people around them waving their fists, cheering as if they themselves were entangled in battle, shaking their heads and sighing when they saw one get knocked down.
It was called a fight, but it was hardly different from kids squabbling—eye gouging, hair pulling, kicking in the groin, all done without dignity. Neither of the two homeless men was willing to let the other go, fighting standing up, then rolling and grappling on the ground, biting each other, like two ugly, dirty bugs entangled together.
Passersby avoided them as if they feared for their lives, and even the onlookers lost interest.
Just as the crowd was dispersing, ready to leave, it was suddenly pushed aside. A white figure pushed in, and those brushed by hadn't time to express their annoyance before being silenced by the mechanical Power Hammer on the girl's back.
"Investigator...?" Someone in the crowd's expression changed slightly.
"Scatter, scatter, let's go quickly."
"Go, go, go, don't ask, just leave here as soon as possible, don't get tangled up with that kind of lunatic, no Wing Investigator is normal..."
Seeing the crowd disperse, the two homeless men still entangled, the girl with a gloomy face tugged at her white gloves.
Boom—
A thunderous sound erupted, and people inside the station looked in horror toward the source.
They saw smoke swirling up beside the girl, her face lined with black streaks, her expression indiscernible. She slowly lowered her hand, the cracked wall beside her had a homeless man's head deeply embedded in it, the rest of his body hung lifelessly outside...
"Ah!" The remaining homeless man went mad with fear, struggling to crawl backward. In his murky pupils, the figure of the girl stepping forward was reflected.
Bai Youyou's eyes were nothing but cold tranquility.
"Disturbing public order cannot be forgiven."