The Eldritch Files

"I know him. A dangerous person..."

This piece of information slightly surprised even Han Su. He suddenly realized. "Song Chushi?"

He had considered many possibilities, but he couldn’t think of anyone he knew who would warrant this kind of attention from Li Moxi, except for Song Chushi. Besides, during his conversation with Zhang Chiguo earlier, he had specifically mentioned this person.

Connecting the dots, how could Han Su not have figured it out?

The other mission Li Moxi had mentioned was Song Chushi, and Zhang Chiguo’s target was also him...

’It can’t be that all Four Heavenly Kings have their sights on him, can it?’

Li Moxi didn’t seem to expect him to guess. His gaze deepened slightly as he turned away. "You don’t have the clearance to ask that question."

But this reaction was enough for Han Su to confirm his suspicion.

He even had another sudden realization. Had Li Moxi brought them here to lure Song Chushi over?

The purpose was...

A quick thought was all it took to grasp the key point.

He had warned him that there would be a great battle here, which meant this would be anything but a friendly meeting.

’And they specifically chose this place instead of the Disaster Management Bureau base. Is it because they’re worried about too much collateral damage?’

’Whether it’s Bai Senmang or me, we’re both witnesses needed for the kidnapping investigation. But our other purpose is to ensure that if Song Chushi returns to Qinggang, he’ll definitely choose this place as his target? Am I the bait?’

All the clues fell into place. ’This must be a death trap set for Song Chushi.’

Song Chushi, the man who had pushed him out of his comfortable reality, was also someone who would stop at nothing to investigate the kidnapping case.

He still didn’t know why this ambush had been suddenly set for Song Chushi, or how these people were so certain he would return, but he had a very clear principle in his heart: Song Chushi could not be allowed to die here.

Although the Disaster Management Bureau’s investigation into the kidnapping was progressing, Song Chushi was the one who would definitely see it through to the end.

When it came to allies, Song Chushi was a true ally, more so than the Disaster Management Bureau.

’Should I find a way to warn him?’

The thought immediately sprang into Han Su’s mind. But just then, the female intelligence officer from Red Sea Studio, with her messy hair, walked up to him and said with a lazy smile, "Mr. Investigator, come with me. I’ll take you to your room!"

In keeping with the gloomy style of the abandoned laboratory complex, the room assigned to Han Su was also gray and dusty.

The ceiling was extremely low, creating an oppressive feeling.

The heavy iron door and small window made him feel as if he had been thrown into a prison cell.

Han Su couldn’t even complain, because Li Moxi and the staff under him were also living in similar rooms.

The door wasn’t locked, but no one dared to violate the rules of Red Sea Studio.

No one was allowed to enter or exit freely, or to wander around the base. Even the members of Red Sea Studio didn’t linger in the hallways.

After getting a brief understanding of the situation, Han Su’s heart sank.

This place seemed purpose-built to cut off all communication with the outside world.

The main gate outside had long been closed, and sophisticated surveillance measures were set up along the perimeter walls, making it impossible to enter or leave easily.

His phone had no signal. Perhaps only Li Moxi and the Red Sea Studio members had access to an encrypted network.

The entire base was like a tortoise shell.

Even meals were delivered directly to the rooms by staff, making it impossible for Han Su to observe anything during mealtimes.

Everything had happened so suddenly that he had no time to prepare.

’The message... can’t get it out...’

’If I risk leaving, the Red Sea Studio people are watching the entire base. There’s no chance!’

’...’

He analyzed the situation bit by bit, feeling a sense of helplessness. Li Moxi truly lived up to Zhang Chiguo’s assessment of him. This was the first time Han Su had been so thoroughly restricted; he hadn’t even felt this powerless when facing the Ancient Castle.

’So, did Li Moxi already know about my relationship with Song Chushi, and that’s why he made these sudden arrangements, giving me no time to react?’

’This Li Moxi guy is really something...’

His earlier guidance on training with Mysterious Power was genuine, and his desire to investigate the kidnapping case was also beyond doubt.

But when it came to executing another mission, he had no qualms about imprisoning him here to increase the probability of success and eliminate any potential variables.

Just like that, he had been rendered completely helpless.

Han Su didn’t stop thinking, but despite considering various tactics, he still couldn’t come up with a way to send a message.

Being here was equivalent to being in prison.

CLANG!

There was a knock on the iron door, and a food cart was pushed in by a fat cook with an expensive Cigar dangling from his lips. Han Su had no interest in him.

The dinner, however, was quite lavish.

Li Moxi was strict to the point of being harsh, but he was very willing to spend money to let his subordinates enjoy themselves. Everyone’s meal was terrifyingly sumptuous: several-pound tomahawk steaks, high-end red wine, and Cigars were piled into a large bucket and delivered to each person.

When he had first arrived, Han Su had tried to talk to this staff member, looking for an opportunity, but the man hadn’t reacted at all.

The members of Red Sea Studio, even the outermost staff like this, seemed exceptionally loyal to Li Moxi.

The accumulated frustration and suffocation of the past few days made him too lazy to even get up. He just lay on the small bed, arms crossed behind his head. Staring at the low ceiling for a long time, it seemed to grow larger and closer, until it threatened to swallow him whole.

The smell of the fat cook’s Cigar was making him drowsy. He even felt like cursing at him and telling him to put it out before delivering food next time.

’Wait...’

But just as Han Su, out of sheer boredom, was growing groggy and about to fall asleep, his heart suddenly lurched with alarm.

A certain intuition suddenly alerted him.

He was utterly exhausted, but his Spiritual Activity had already entered the Divine Forbidden Area, making it extraordinarily active. This jolt of alarm instantly activated it, like a shot of adrenaline to his brain. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he was instantly wide awake.

Realizing something was wrong, his Ghost Flame flared to life, repelling a certain power that was suppressing his mind.

He quietly opened his eyes.

...

"Tch..."

Watching Han Su’s eyes go vacant as he stared at the ceiling, then unconsciously close, the fat cook let out a snort of laughter.

He gave Han Su a lazy glance, took the Cigar from his mouth, and tossed it into the nearby ice bucket. Then, with his beady eyes, he quickly scanned the small room.

’That’s right, this is the guy I’m looking for. And that thing I’m interested in...’ The room was so small that, without any effort, he immediately noticed the black case.

His small eyes narrowed, and his chubby hand stealthily reached for the suitcase.

But just as his hand touched the suitcase, he suddenly saw another hand grab it.

The fat cook froze for a moment and turned his head.

He saw Han Su, who had clearly been put to sleep by hypnosis just moments ago, staring at him with wide, pleasantly surprised eyes.

"Huh?"

The fat cook was clearly startled. In an instant, a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

He knew how dangerous this place was. If this person made the slightest sound, he would be surrounded.

’To screw up such an easy job.’

In his urgency, he tried to snatch the suitcase and knock the guy out.

But unexpectedly, before he could react and strike, the guy on the bed suddenly raised a hand, bringing an index finger to his lips.

"Shhh..."

The fat man was stunned. ’I’m here to take your stuff, what the hell are you shushing me for?’

Before he could fully process it, he saw the man on the bed’s eyes curve into a smile. The suitcase, which he hadn’t even had a chance to touch properly, was suddenly shoved hard into his arms. A cold sensation washed over him.

He sensed something was wrong and immediately tried to push the suitcase away, but it was too late. A mechanical "TICK-TOCK," "TICK-TOCK" sound started up.

Amidst the "TICK-TOCK," their eyes remained locked.

Han Su clearly saw a moment of stupor in the fat cook’s eyes, followed by a look as if he’d seen a ghost.

His body seemed to deflate with a HISSING sound, his bloated, obese frame rapidly slimming down.

His clothes became baggy, and the fat on his face quickly receded, revealing a shocked and stunned face. Han Su met this stunned but familiar face with a smile and said, "Long time no see!"

"Long time no see..."

"...my ass!"

Meeting Han Su’s beaming face, the now-slim cook, after a moment of stupefaction, suddenly looked as if he’d seen a ghost. His face conveyed a sense of utter collapse, as if he’d been mentally trampled by a stampede. He scrambled backward, his voice trembling:

"What is happening? I was just here to grab something..."

"First of all, this isn’t what you’d call ’grabbing’..."

Han Su’s mood, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He tried to hold back his laughter as he said, "And second, who do you think sent you that email?"

Who could have expected this?

Although their expressions were different, Han Su was just as surprised as the other guy, even wanting to applaud the absurdity of it all.

An unexpected reunion, accomplished under such incredible circumstances?

Skinny, or rather, the Eldest Young Master of South City, Lu Neng.

This was the guy he had rescued from the Ancient Castle. He had tried to find him before but couldn’t, so he’d had to set up a small ploy to lure him out. But to be honest, it was just a long shot with no guarantee of success.

There was a chance he would show up, but a much greater chance he wouldn’t. He never imagined that not only would he appear, but he would also overcome numerous obstacles to appear under these circumstances...

’I thought his greatest skill was just sneaking up on me on some crowded street...’

Could it be that this guy’s guts, or perhaps his skills, were far greater than he had imagined?