Zhang Yuanqing picked up a black jade talisman, and a notification popped up in his vision:
[ Name: Dream-Entering Jade Talisman ]
[ Type: Consumable ]
[ Function: Dream Summoning ]
[ Description: A sub-item produced by the Nightmare Generator, capable of opening a dream channel connected to the main entity. ]
[ Note: One day, an indescribable being stumbled upon a manga called "X Dream Generator." Inspired, the Nightmare Generator came into existence. ]
A dream realm item... If I remember correctly, dream manipulation is a power of the Illusion Master class. Is Master Wuhen an Illusion Master? Zhang Yuanqing pocketed the talisman and turned to Xie Lingxi beside him. "Let's go."
He nodded to the glamorous woman at the elevator entrance. "Thank you for your trouble. We were never here today, and we know nothing about this hotel."
The woman scoffed. "You're quite sensible!"
She pressed the elevator's down button, escorting Zhang Yuanqing and Xie Lingxi back to the ground floor.
As they drove away, the Wuhen Hotel receded into the distance until it vanished from sight. Only then did Xie Lingxi's tense posture relax. "Brother Primordial, Master Wuhen must be a Sovereign Realm Illusion Master—his level is incredibly high."
She retrieved the black jade talisman and sighed.
"I wonder if I should use it when I'm in danger," Xie Lingxi mused.
Although Master Wuhen hadn't harmed them, his Evil Class still instilled a deep-seated fear.
"If it's a life-or-death situation, you'll have to use it," Zhang Yuanqing said. "After all, it can't be worse than dying."
Xie Lingxi nodded, her voice tinged with sadness. "When I was little, the elders always told me that Evil Class members were bloodstained criminals who deserved to be torn limb from limb. But I never considered that some who commit murder might be forced into it, that there might be reasons behind their actions. They're not born evil; they want redemption too."
Zhang Yuanqing suddenly thought of Ou Xiangrong, the Seductive Demon. As a child, Ou had endured brutal bullying at school, with no one to turn to. The trauma left deep psychological scars, twisting his mind and driving him down a path of no return.
If someone had reached out to him back then, perhaps the world would have been spared a vicious villain.
Ou Xiangrong deserved to die for his complete moral collapse and his descent into bloodthirsty savagery. But what about Ashamed Father, and other evildoers like him?
Zhang Yuanqing said slowly, "Evil Classes are humanity's own karmic fire. You can't change the world or human nature. Dwelling on it will only make you resent this world more."
Xie Lingxi looked visibly disappointed. Zhang Yuanqing's words were realistic but also felt powerless. She had hoped Brother Primordial would offer her some motivational "chicken soup," which she believed was most effective in moments like these, capable of soothing the turmoil in her heart.
Zhang Yuanqing shifted his tone. "We can't change the world, but we can change ourselves. Now that you understand the Evil Classes better, I trust you know how to properly deal with them. In the future, when you encounter Evildoers like Ashamed Father, try to offer help whenever possible."
Xie Lingxi flashed a sweet smile, then feigned girlish fragility, cooing:
"Brother Primordial is so amazing! Even though you're not much older than me, you're so decisive. Unlike me, who just feels sorry for them."
As Zhang Yuanqing gazed at the seemingly delicate girl, about to reply, the speaker in his waist pouch suddenly crackled with static. A deep, repetitive voice echoed through the car:
"Always acting like a weak, spineless coward... Always acting like a weak, spineless coward..."
The single line looped endlessly.
Xie Lingxi's face froze.
"Oh, that's the artifact we found in the Underground Parking Garage. It keeps making these random noises," Zhang Yuanqing said, barely suppressing a laugh.
Xie Lingxi: "..."
The Xie Family's car dropped him off at the Kangyang District Public Security Bureau's main gate. Xie Lingxi popped her head out of the car window and waved goodbye.
"Brother Primordial, I'll be in Songhai for the next few days. Come visit me if you have time!"
"Sure!" Zhang Yuanqing replied casually, waving back as he turned and entered the Public Security Bureau.
As he approached the Glass Building, he heard a cacophony of cheers and laughter, as boisterous as a party.
What's going on? Zhang Yuanqing wondered, entering the Glass Building. He found the office area deserted; the young women and middle-aged ladies had gathered in the lounge, surrounding Chief, Guan Ya, and Wang Tai.
The table was laden with cakes, delicacies, and drinks—a lavish spread. Everyone held glasses or nibbled on treats, their faces flushed with laughter and the atmosphere buzzing with excitement.
"Ah, our hero has arrived! Let's give him a round of applause!" Li Dongze called out, leading the applause.
Clap, clap, clap! Enthusiastic applause filled the room, the clerical staff beaming warmly.
A thought struck Zhang Yuanqing. He ventured, "Did the bonuses and Merit Points come through?"
Guan Ya nodded with a smile.
"Oh my god! Thank you, God! You heard my prayers! Yes, you definitely heard them!" Zhang Yuanqing's face lit up, his eyebrows dancing with joy.
Li Dongze: "..."
He tightened his grip on his cane, then released it, choosing to immerse himself in the party.
After the party ended, Zhang Yuanqing, his belly round from the feast, returned to the second floor and sprawled comfortably in his office chair. "Chief," he asked, "what's my bonus and Merit Points? Do you have a breakdown?"
Li Dongze glanced at Guan Ya, who opened her pink notebook and placed it before Zhang Yuanqing.
Zhang Yuanqing straightened up and leaned forward to read the screen:
[ Cleared She Ling Tunnel: D-Rank Merit, 50,000 bonus (individual reward). ]
[ Eliminated Ou Xiangrong: D-Rank Merit, 300,000 bonus (team reward). ]
[ Cleared Jinshui Amusement Park: B-Rank Merit, 500,000 bonus (individual reward). ]
The She Ling Tunnel was a Trial Spirit Realm for Nightwalkers. Its true value lay in securing future Nightwalker slots for the Five Elements Alliance and obtaining intelligence about the Mountain Goddess's impending revival.
However, since this intelligence was used to repay a favor, the Five Elements Alliance hadn't sold it for profit and thus received only D-Rank Merit.
The elimination of Ou Xiangrong was a team achievement. Of the 200,000 bonus, Zhang Yuanqing received 100,000, while the remaining 100,000 was split equally among the entire team, including clerical staff.
Li Dongze was overjoyed. Aside from the individuals who earned the Team Merit Points, he, as the Chief, stood to benefit the most.
The more Team Merit Points accumulated, the greater his chances of promotion to Captain.
This explained why Captains like Green Vine White Dragon were so envious of him. The more talented subordinates a Captain had, the greater their rewards. A gifted subordinate could practically guarantee a Captain's success.
The B-Rank Merit for clearing Jinshui Amusement Park was particularly impressive. Theoretically, B-Rank Merit Points represented the highest achievement an ordinary Official Walker could attain. Even Deacon Level Walkers coveted such rewards.
In essence, once Zhang Yuanqing advanced to Level 3 Nightwalker, his promotion to Captain Level was virtually assured.
Many Level 3 Official Walkers remained stuck as Elite Members, unable to advance due to a lack of Merit Points.
"Three Merit Points and a total bonus of 650,000 yuan! My god, I've never seen so much money in my life!" Zhang Yuanqing's heart pounded wildly.
Guan Ya, standing beside him, patted his shoulder and chuckled, "You ate too much at the party today. You're treating tomorrow night—I'm going to make you pay dearly."
Zhang Yuanqing shot her a sidelong glance. "Woman, who do you think you're talking to? How dare you address a millionaire worth 650,000 yuan in such a casual tone?"
"You're getting too cocky, kid," Guan Ya said through gritted teeth.
Li Dongze watched the scene with a smile. "Your Merit Points have been approved, and your clearance level has been raised. You can now access higher-level classified information. Check the database yourself later."
"Also, Centurion Fu approved your request to join the Black guard of Impermanence hunt this morning. You'll be working with Guan Ya and me from now on."
Centurion Fu approved? Zhang Yuanqing's heart leaped with joy.
Having a leader who appreciates you is truly a wonderful thing. It means most of your requests will be granted.
As he watched Li Dongze return to his office, Zhang Yuanqing patted his round belly and suddenly wondered if his new clearance level would allow him to access information about Master Wuhen.
Without hesitation, he opened the official database, logged in with the Primordial Heavenly Venerable's username and password, and typed "Master Wuhen" into the search bar.
Unlike his previous fruitless search, this time a result appeared:
[ ID: Wuhen of Bygone Days, Sovereign Realm Illusion Master, C-Rank Wanted Criminal. ]
[ Notes: This individual severely injured an elder of the Crimson Fire Gang. He is not bloodthirsty and harbors no strong hostility toward Official Organization personnel. If encountered, avoid provoking him; simply steer clear. ]
Sovereign Realm? Zhang Yuanqing's pupils constricted sharply.