Supreme Electromagnetic Tyrant

Chapter 19 Psychological Mind Games

Silence fell upon the office.

Yan Xiao wanted to retort that no matter how high one's talent, at the end of the day, a Primary Level Mutant was still weak. A genius who hasn't yet realized their potential is still vulnerable.

With his strength, a flick of his wrist was all he needed to kill Ji Xinghuo.

But there was a gap of three Ranks between them. If they were both Primary Level Mutants, then Ji Xinghuo needed only to lift his hand and shoot an arrow to kill him.

But it was the Rotating Magnetic Field!

Min Chongwu, the baldy, couldn't merge with it and so he didn't care, but as the Evil Wind Guest, the Rotating Magnetic Field was a perfect fit for him, capable of progressing to even more powerful Professional Templates.

Zhou Yishang turned off the surveillance recording and then asked, "How is the information gathering on Ji Zongbang going?"

"The Security Department's Song Fei has already sent over the materials," Yan Xiao replied, prepared. "Ji Zongbang is likely an alias. His father is a person from the Fusang Autonomous Province, his mother a second-generation descendant from the West Alliance. He entered 'Obsidian Security Company' six years ago and was stationed in Chang'an for long periods starting four years ago. The procedures and paperwork are all legal. It would have been difficult to uncover his true identity without someone reporting him."

"Have we located the source of the report?"

"No," Yan Xiao shook his head. "But based on the content of the report, the informer seems to know Ji Zongbang very well and yet was quickly noticed by him. Thus, before we could thoroughly investigate, he had already fled."

"Is there any issue with this Obsidian Security Company?"

"It's highly unlikely."

Yan Xiao answered smoothly, "Based on past experiences, the upper management of the company was also kept in the dark. However, I've still sent people to investigate and am filtering through individuals who have had contact with Ji Zongbang."

Min Chongwu suddenly interjected, "Didn't that report letter say that Ji Zongbang was trained by the United States and is involved in a huge conspiracy with many significant figures implicated?"

"Can't completely trust it," snorted Yan Xiao. "Use your brain."

Zhou Yishang, however, was very cautious. "Such a method of infiltration is indeed a common tactic of the American Federation. We can't take it lightly."

"Yes, Director Zhou," Yan Xiao lowered his head.

He dared to mock Min Chongwu for being brainless but was utterly respectful in front of Zhou Yishang.

Not only because Zhou Yishang was the Deputy Director of the Sword Bureau, but also because the other party was a powerful Legendary Mutant, a renowned figure in the global intelligence community.

Zhou Yishang pondered for a moment.

A few minutes later, he set the direction, "We must dig deep into Ji Zongbang's case, uncover those above and below him, confirm his mission, and ideally pinpoint the informer. I have a feeling that this case is anything but simple. However, for now, let's not make a big show of it. Focus on discreet investigations so as not to startle the snake."

Having finished speaking, he looked at Min Chongwu and then turned to Yan Xiao, "Yan Xiao, you will be in charge of this case."

"Yes."

Yan Xiao's spirits lifted as he stood up to accept the assignment.

Min Chongwu felt displeased inside, but with the Deputy Director having made his choice, he had no option but to obey.

At this point, Yan Xiao asked again, "Director Zhou, how should we handle Ji Xinghuo?"

Zhou Yishang seemed to have already had a plan in mind. "The Rotating Magnetic Field will be distributed according to the spoils of war principle. If you want it, go find Ji Xinghuo. If he is willing to sell or trade it with you, I won't interfere."

"But there's a problem with this person..."

Yan Xiao was not giving up. The value of the Rotating Magnetic Field was at least fifty to sixty million, and at auction, it could reach two to three hundred million. Where would he get that much money?

The only method was to intercept.

There were many questionable points about Ji Xinghuo. Given some time to exert his methods, he was sure to discover something, which he could use to coerce the other party into forfeiting his rights to the spoils of war.

"I know what you're thinking."

Zhou Yishang interrupted Yan Xiao directly, his expression suddenly became stern, and he sternly warned, "The Sword Bureau gives you the power to enforce the law, not for you to act irresponsibly and abuse your position for personal gain! I warn you, if within the next ten years, Ji Xinghuo were to die in an accident or encounter any issues, you will be the prime suspect. I hope there won't be a day when I personally have to send you on a spaceship to Mercury Prison."

Yan Xiao's face went pale at the stern scolding, bowing his head without daring to utter a word.

"Director Zhou is wise!"

Min Chongwu gave a thumbs-up, only to be glared back into his seat by Zhou Yishang.

"Alright, sit down, everyone," Zhou Yishang eased the atmosphere. "I'm planning to recruit Ji Xinghuo into the Sword Bureau, of course, after a few more rounds of background checks. What do you think?"

"I agree," was Min Chongwu's immediate response, clearly optimistic about Ji Xinghuo's potential. As he grows, he will undoubtedly become a sharp blade for the Sword Bureau!

Yan Xiao had a complex expression but could only nod in agreement, "I also agree."

Interrogation room.

Ji Xinghuo was giving a recorded statement. Two Swordsman from the Sword Bureau sat across the table, first letting him recount the events. After recording his account, they posed a few questions.

He answered truthfully.

Of course, he couldn't mention the existence of the Wanxiang Star Pupil, only that he happened to notice someone hiding under the bridge of the superconductive highway as he was entering the main entrance of the building. It was the Class A wanted felon who wanted to silence him, so he had no choice but to strike pre-emptively.

The two Swordsmen responsible for taking the statement had seen the surveillance video and were both shocked and somewhat skeptical of Ji Xinghuo's explanation.

The biggest doubt was, how did Ji Xinghuo manage to see Ji Zongbang?

A Super Shadow Blade, with Shadow Escape at the Third Level, might not even be detectable by a Hunter with "Eagle Eye," yet showed a flaw in front of a Primary Level Ranger.

This question also troubled Ji Xinghuo.

If he had a choice, he certainly wouldn't want to provoke a Class A wanted felon. With that ten million, he could have cultivated in peace and increased his strength.

He didn't want to draw attention, much less be exposed to an intelligence agency like the Sword Bureau.

But plans never keep up with change.

He had no choice at the time; it was either act or be killed.

"Intuition."

Ji Xinghuo's face showed full confidence, "Since I was young, I've had a kind of intuition. When danger approaches, a sense of alertness arises in my heart—very accurate!"

He stuck to his claim that it was intuition, which in any case, couldn't be tested.

If it had been the era before the Star Gate opened, such a claim would hardly convince anyone, but in an era with Mutants everywhere and superpowers flying all around, having such a nebulous intuition wasn't strange.

The two Swordsmen exchanged glances.

The interrogation room door opened, and Zhou Yishang, Min Chongwu, and Yan Xiao, three people, walked in.

"You guys can leave."

Zhou Yishang told the Swordsman to leave and sat down opposite Ji Xinghuo himself.

Min Chongwu and Yan Xiao stood by the side, and even though there was another chair, they still chose to stand.

Ji Xinghuo noticed this and realized the middle-aged man in front of him held a high position.

"I am Zhou Yishang, the deputy director of the Sword Bureau."

Zhou Yishang introduced himself.

His demeanor was very amiable, which, on the contrary, triggered Ji Xinghuo's vigilance. He appeared tense on the surface and stood up to say, "I have seen Deputy Director Zhou."

"Don't be nervous, please sit down," Zhou Yishang spoke straightforward, "The Sword Bureau has already reviewed the surveillance of the site and confirmed that Mr. Ji acted bravely without regard for his own safety. Not only is there no legal responsibility required from you, but there is also a sum of prize money."

Ji Xinghuo was relieved, "That's really great."

He truly relaxed a bit.

The Sword Bureau had surely seen something in the surveillance footage, yet they did not investigate it to the end. Although he didn't know the reason, it was certainly good news for him.

The systems of the Asia-Pacific Community were not perfect; while citizens' rights were protected, it couldn't be said to ensure absolute fairness, but overall, it was satisfying.

This was also from confidence in the leadership of the leader.

Ji Xinghuo might doubt the Asian Communist Government, but he would never doubt the leader, and the Sword Bureau was directly governed by the leader.

Even if the Sword Bureau was an intelligence agency responsible for doing the dirty work.

"However..."

Zhou Yishang deliberately left a cliffhanger.

Ji Xinghuo immediately followed up, "However, what is it, Deputy Director Zhou?"

Zhou Yishang took out a crystal and placed it on the table. Ji Xinghuo's eyes changed; it was the "Rotating Magnetic Field" Alien Species.

"With Mr. Ji's eyesight, you should have noticed that Ji Zongbang was seriously injured when you shot him, right?" Zhou Yishang said the word "eyesight" with a smile that was not quite a smile.

As expected...

Ji Xinghuo thought to himself that the Sword Bureau still caught the biggest doubt about him - why he could see Ji Zongbang in Shadow Escape. This was the biggest inconsistency.

He could only nod in agreement, "Yes."

Zhou Yishang continued to ask, "That is to say, you already knew before you killed Ji Zongbang, so does it still count as a solo kill?"

Ji Xinghuo fell silent.

The principle of war trophies regarding solo kills was based on the premise of unawareness.

But this aware or unaware did not have a very clear standard. Is it about being aware that the target has been attacked and injured by someone else, or knowing who the attacker is, or whether the opponent is nearby?

Even laws have loopholes and need to be revised several times with additional clauses.

Principles do not have these things.

Therefore, oftentimes, especially in the Star Realm, principles were difficult to enforce completely. In the end, it still came down to might makes right.

The stronger the force, the more right to decide!

Zhou Yishang glanced at Yan Xiao, "Ji Zongbang was a spy for the American Federation, exposed accidentally while undercover. The Sword Bureau sent people to capture him, and it was Yan Xiao who severely injured him, not only hitting him with a neurotoxin but also shattering his 'Star Gland'."

Ji Xinghuo's face revealed an epiphany.

No wonder Ji Zongbang's capabilities had decreased so much; it turned out his "Star Gland" was destroyed.

A "Star Gland" is a synthetic organ or foreign object implanted into a Mutant's body as they evolve from Advanced to Super Mutant.

The Star Gland can store, release, and condense Star Power, turning it from immeasurable to visible to the naked eye and has the function to adjust the body's endocrine and motor systems.

A Super Mutant without a Star Gland would not be much stronger than an Advanced Mutant.

"Yan Xiao destroyed Ji Zongbang's Star Gland, so Mr. Ji, you were able to kill Ji Zongbang. Do you agree with this point?" Zhou Yishang asked.

Ji Xinghuo looked directly at Zhou Yishang, who was close at hand, without a trace of fluctuation in his eyes.

Zhou Yishang still looked calm and easy-going.

Ji Xinghuo felt his heart sink, but as he glanced at Yan Xiao from the corner of his eye, an idea suddenly struck him.

Logically, Yan Xiao should have been the person most hopeful of getting the Alien Species, but upon hearing his conversation with Zhou Yishang, not a hint of joy could be seen on Yan Xiao's face, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Could it be that Zhou Yishang himself wanted the Rotating Magnetic Field?

No, that's not right.

If that was the case, Zhou Yishang would not let his "fault" slip by, and he wouldn't even need to show up in person. By having his subordinates take advantage of the situation and employ some tactics, he could rightfully snatch the Alien Species.

At least a Legendary Mutant, the deputy director of the Sword Bureau had access to resources beyond measure; Zhou Yishang would not find this challenging.

I understand now!

All of a sudden, Ji Xinghuo revealed a smile, "Regarding this, I am uninformed and do not agree."

"Then you and Yan Xiao might have to go to the arbitration court," Zhou Yishang's tone suggested coercion. The arbitration court was one of the official organizations of the Asia-Pacific Community, specifically responsible for arbitrating civil disputes, "The arbitration court might not support you. Do you want to lose this Alien Species?"

Ji Xinghuo remained unmoved, "Let's go to the arbitration court then. I stand by my point."

Zhou Yishang's expression stalled, Ji Xinghuo was so impervious, accurately grasping the bottom line of psychological tactics, rendering him helpless.

The two looked at each other for dozens of seconds in an awkward atmosphere.

It was Ji Xinghuo who finally broke the silence, giving the other side a way out, "Deputy Director Zhou, if you have any advice to give, please feel free to speak your mind."

Zhou Yishang signaled Min Chongwu with his eyes.

Min Chongwu came over and took out a document, placing it on the table and unfolding it in front of Ji Xinghuo.

"Young man, sign this contract, and the Alien Species will be returned to you," Zhou Yishang leaned back in his chair, with a genial smile on his face, exuding an air of assurance.