Translator: CinderTL
From this perspective, the website's arrangement was quite humane. By clearly categorizing Supernatural events by level, it gave members a straightforward understanding of the challenges they would face.
Simply put, it was about knowing your limits.
Taking on a case beyond your capabilities meant you were on your own.
"The Threat Level represents the urgency of the Supernatural event, or rather, the degree of harm it poses to our world. It typically ranges from one to five stars," Huai Yi said, his spirits soaring after receiving the blank contract. He held nothing back with Jiang Cheng.
"For example, two Supernatural events both classified as A-Class might have Threat Levels of only one star."
"This is because, while the first event is difficult and highly dangerous to resolve, its trigger rate is extremely low. From the time it was discovered until now, only a handful of people have been caught up in it, and it's not very mobile, remaining confined to a small, fixed area."
"Therefore, based solely on its potential harm, its threat to the real world is only worth one star."
"On a side note," Huai Yi said, looking at Jiang Cheng and sighing, "such Supernatural events don't even require intervention. Simply sealing off the affected area would suffice."
"Normally, no one would take on a job like this unless they were a complete idiot," Huai Yi scoffed, clearly finding such people incomprehensible.
The information Huai Yi provided was crucial for Jiang Cheng's understanding of the website and the supernatural events. A rough outline had already begun to form in his mind.
The Supernatural Level represented the danger level for people like them, while the Threat Level represented the danger to the entire world.
He turned to Huai Yi, curious. "What's the highest-level Supernatural event you've ever handled?"
Huai Yi blushed slightly. "This one is actually the highest-level I've ever taken. Usually, I stick to D-level cases."
He gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath. "I don't know which bastard set the level this time. When I took the job, it was still D-level, but it quickly escalated to C-level. It leveled up!"
"I'm so grateful I met you, Brother Jiang. Otherwise, I definitely would have gotten myself killed in that mess," Huai Yi said, looking at Jiang Cheng with sincere gratitude.
Jiang Cheng agreed. If Huai Yi had been alone, the Ghost would have likely stolen his Qilin Arm.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Cheng spoke. "Pick a few C-level Supernatural events, and we'll decide on one from them."
"C-level?" Huai Yi's expression turned slightly unnatural. The Ghost Face Incident had left a deep impression on him, and ordinary D-level Supernatural events felt more reliable.
Jiang Cheng reassured him, "It won't just be the two of us. I'll bring a few others along. We'll be teaming up this time."
"Alright," Huai Yi said, opening his laptop and filtering for C-level Supernatural events that had occurred in Rong City and the surrounding areas.
His phone rang. Jiang Cheng glanced at the number before putting the phone to his ear and answering.
The caller was an elderly woman with a soft but authoritative voice. "Dr. Jiang, this is Xue Jinhua."
Jiang Cheng replied, "I'm listening."
"You injured my grandson. I'm willing to overlook this matter, considering the help you've provided me over the past few years and my acquaintance with Miss Lin."
"Get to the point," Jiang Cheng interrupted. "I'm a bit tired from hitting your grandson so hard earlier."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, but Xue Jinhua's voice soon returned. "Then I'll be direct. Pi Ruan is useless. Offending me for his sake is a bad business deal."
"You should know my abilities. I can introduce you to many business opportunities, and I have several close sisters who would get along well with you."
"Are they all like you?" Jiang Cheng chuckled. "No thanks. This isn't a garbage dump where I take in all sorts of trash."
"Jiang Cheng!" The woman on the other end gasped, clearly infuriated. "I'm doing this for Miss Lin's sake. Otherwise, who do you think you are to speak to me like that?"
"You don't need to do this for anyone's sake. This is my own business." Jiang Cheng glanced at the time displayed below his computer screen. "I'll give you two days to come to Pi Ruan's door and apologize. Make up for what you owe him. I don't have the outdated habit of respecting my elders. Don't wait until I come to your door and slap you senseless before you realize you're wrong."
"You won't live many more years. Don't make things difficult for yourself before you die," Jiang Cheng said with a sweet voice. "At your age, how can you still need me to teach you everything? Accumulate some good karma. Otherwise, when you're cremated, the power might go out, your children might fight over your inheritance and smash your urn, and a southeast wind might scatter your ashes."
"Alright, that's all for now," Jiang Cheng said before hanging up the phone.
He stayed at Huai Yi's place until evening before leaving. Unable to resist Huai Yi's persistent pleas, Jiang Cheng reluctantly drove off in Huai Yi's Mercedes-Benz Jeep.
Lin Wan'er was at the club, so Jiang Cheng went to check on her. He found several women in bathrobes chatting happily in a private room.
Jiang Cheng decided not to disturb them. After giving the manager a few instructions, he drove back to the Studio.
By then, it was completely dark. Neon lights flickered on along the streets. Jiang Cheng quickly ate a bowl of instant noodles, sat at his desk, turned on his computer, and began browsing the latest news.
Several new disappearances had been reported around Rong City. The families were frantic, posting missing person notices everywhere.
Unlike the previous cases, where people vanished in their sleep, many recent disappearances had occurred during the day. Some had disappeared on their way to work, vanished at subway stations, or gone to the restroom in shopping malls and never emerged. When someone went to check, the stalls were empty.
Surveillance footage also showed that after those people entered the mall, they never reappeared.
After a moment's thought, Jiang Cheng searched for the mall online.
According to a notice posted by the mall itself, it was temporarily closed for renovations.
This was clearly a cover story. The Night Watcher had intervened, shutting down the mall. Whether it would remain permanently closed or if personnel would be dispatched to handle the supernatural event, Jiang Cheng couldn't say.
He hoped it could be contained.
Closing his laptop, Jiang Cheng slowly closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
He had been overwhelmed with matters lately, leaving him exhausted. His own problems remained unresolved, and now Lin Wan'er had gotten into trouble.
He had been feeling cold in his hands and feet recently. Even drinking wolfberry tea from his thermos didn't help. The icy sensation seemed to originate from deep within his heart, or perhaps from the depths of his soul.
After splashing cold water on his face in the mirror, some of his fatigue subsided. Staring at his reflection, Jiang Cheng suddenly felt a strange sense of detachment.
It was as if something else was wearing his skin.
After splashing cold water on his face in front of the mirror, the fatigue subsided slightly. Staring at his reflection, Jiang Cheng suddenly felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.
It was as if something else was wearing his skin.
(End of the Chapter)
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