A look of surprise flashed across Manager Cheng's eyes. He could clearly tell that it was a magical weapon, which likely meant that the customer in front of him also possessed a magical weapon, or at least had handled one before. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to identify it so accurately.
"The customer has keen eyesight. Indeed, this contract contains the power of a trick device. However, please rest assured that this power is harmless; it is merely used to ensure the validity of the contract.
Once the assassination is successful, if you fail to pay the remaining balance within a month, the contract will burn, transforming into a strange aura that will wrap around your body, making it easier for us to collect the remaining balance.
Fang Xiu nodded and was about to sign when Cheng Manager's phone suddenly emitted a ding sound. He took out his phone to check, and then a system announcement sounded.
"You have a new assassination order. Please check it."
Cheng Manager glanced at it briefly, then apologized to Fang Xiu with a smile: "Sorry, sir, a new order has come in. Please continue."
Fang Xiu glanced at Cheng Manager, then wrote a "6" on the contract.
After finishing, he said nothing and turned to leave.
Cheng Manager rose respectfully, bowed slightly, and said, "Please take your time, sir. We look forward to your next visit."
After leaving the Black Rose Bar, Fang Xiu circled around outside several times and used his Blood Eyes to scan the area for a long time, confirming no one was following him before returning home.
He didn't mind spending two hundred spirit coins; after all, the money was free, and he could ask Yang Ming for more next time.
As long as he could eliminate Li Zhiwei, it would be worth it. Li Zhiwei, with his perception abilities, was essentially the eyes of the Light Club. By taking out the eyes, he might be able to stay safe for a while longer.
Fang Xiu had never been a passive person. Since he had already offended the Light Club, he might as well strike first. Why wait for them to come looking for revenge?
So he skipped the middleman and chose to take direct revenge.
As for why he hired a hitman, it was simple—it was inspiration he gained from reading novels in his previous life.
He had seen too many scenes where villains hired assassins to kill good people. He had always wondered, why could only villains hire hitmen? Why couldn't good people do the same?
With this mindset, upon learning about the black market, Fang Xiu immediately went there to hire a hitman, intending to kill the Light Club members first.
If he had enough money, he would have definitely hired someone to kill the Light Club president today.
Only then could he permanently seize the Bronze Candlestick.
As for whether the assassination would succeed, that didn't matter. Even if it didn't succeed, it would still cause trouble for the Light Club and delay their plans.
...
...
The next day, Fang Xiu reported to the Investigation Bureau.
As a new spirit master, he typically needed to undergo a series of trainings before being assigned tasks.
Notably, Zhao Hao had also arrived and, under Wang Dehai's arrangement, had successfully joined the Investigation Bureau.
The two began training together.
In the morning, there were theory classes with specialized instructors explaining the various characteristics of the supernatural, the 108 methods of dealing with the supernatural, and how to better control one's own spiritual energy.
In the afternoon, there were practical classes covering hot weapons, cold weapons, and close combat.
Although hot weapons are not very effective against the supernatural, it is still necessary to learn how to use them because sometimes the Investigation Bureau's enemies may not all be supernatural beings but could also be humans.
Thus, Fang Xiu and Zhao Hao trained for an entire week.
During this period, he also learned of Li Zhiwei's death through Investigation Bureau channels and paid the remaining balance.
On this day, in the Investigation Bureau director's office.
Wang Dehai and Yang Ming were conversing.
"This time, headquarters didn't choose to take Fang Xiu, but instead let him train in Green Vine City?" Yang Ming asked in surprise.
"That's right. Headquarters' reasoning is that Fang Xiu is currently only at the first stage, and his ability to foresee the future cannot be fully utilized. We'll wait until he reaches the second stage," Wang Dehai said solemnly.
This made Yang Ming slightly surprised: "Isn't that a good thing? Having Fang Xiu stay here can play a significant role. Why are you looking so gloomy?"
"Sigh." Wang Dehai sighed. "Do you think headquarters didn't want to send Fang Xiu because he can't be of much use right now?
Take Bai Qi's example—if it weren't for Fang Xiu, the Green Vine City Investigation Bureau would have lost a top-tier combatant. Is that 'can't be of much use'?"
Yang Ming seemed to have thought of something, and his expression grew solemn: "Director Wang, are you saying that headquarters doesn't want to transfer Fang Xiu because keeping him at headquarters is less safe than having him in Green Vine City?"
Wang Dehai nodded: "Exactly. The national situation is deteriorating, and headquarters is facing internal and external crises, with the situation unstable. Even internally, it's not safe, so they've chosen not to transfer Fang Xiu for now."
A flash of anger crossed Yang Ming's face: "It's true that strange incidents are becoming more frequent, and headquarters is bearing the greatest pressure. But at the same time, headquarters is also the strongest force, gathering the nation's top spirit masters. He should be the safest there. How can it be dangerous?"
Wang Dehai gave Yang Ming a meaningful look: "Sometimes, the enemy doesn't just come from the outside. With the current unstable situation, some people have started to harbor different intentions. Some companies, groups, and even families have secretly cultivated their own batch of spirit masters, and some have even colluded with foreign spirit master forces."
Slap!
Yang Ming slammed his fist on the table, furious: "The supernatural invasion is a global disaster. In the face of such a catastrophe, how dare anyone engage in such despicable deeds!?"
"Power struggles and greed have been constant throughout history," Wang Dehai sighed.
"Enough, don't get so worked up. The urgent task now is to strengthen ourselves and cultivate our own forces. How's the investigation into the Black Ace going?"
Yang Ming calmed down and said, "We've made some initial progress. The Black Ace is indeed linked to a massive organization called the Poker Club. The Poker Club is deeply entrenched and likely not affiliated with Green Vine City. Its roots are probably tied to the headquarters."
Wang Dehai pondered for a moment: "Continue investigating the Poker Card organization. By the way, how is Bai Qi's condition?"
"He has regained basic mobility, but he is currently unable to engage in combat."
"It seems his injuries were indeed severe. I had planned to wait until he recovered and send him to resolve the anomaly at Qing Shan Mental Hospital, but it seems we'll have to send someone else now."
Yang Ming was slightly surprised: "The Qing Shan Mental Hospital is only a C-class mysterious domain and shows no signs of spreading. Why the rush?"
"Hmph." Wang Dehai sneered: "The Bai Liu Academy is the affluent district of Green Vine City, home to wealthy families and prominent figures. The developers behind it are also well-known executives. These people naturally don't want their properties damaged, so they've united to pressure the Investigation Bureau to resolve the issue quickly." "
"These bastards are ignoring more dangerous paranormal incidents and instead fixating on the relatively minor Qing Shan Mental Hospital. One day, I'll settle the score with them."