The system is four years ahead of schedule, but Weird is still a cub.

Li Xiang's eyes lit up instantly. He clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Brilliant! If headquarters admits that they already have this information, it would be tantamount to admitting that they have conducted taboo research that violates ethics. This would be an absolute scandal."

"If they stubbornly accept it as a new discovery in Rong City... then they'll only get a bunch of 'outdated' stuff, and at its core, it's still a mess report they themselves botched! Haha, either way, they'll be the ones suffering. Besides, this data does involve research on the supernatural and strange people, and it's definitely substantial enough to shut them up!"

Shen Ge's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile: "Let's do it this way. Lao Li, you're in charge of organizing and packaging, making sure the data is complete, logically clear, and looks like the result of our 'painstaking' research. Clean up the original markings of 'Institute Zero,' but retain the depth and complexity that 'classified research' should have. Minister Jiang, you'll assist in ensuring the report's professionalism and deceptiveness."

"understand!"

Li Xiang and Jiang Peiwen immediately sprang into action, their eyes gleaming with the excitement of "tricking" someone.

How could they not be excited if they could trick headquarters!

Shen Ge thought for a moment and added, "In addition, regarding the preliminary analysis report on last night's letter and the fusion sample, provide a version that is accurate but with key data obscured. In particular, leave the 'mind trapping' mechanism of the letter and the spatial deployment characteristics of the fusion entity only briefly, leaving enough suspense. Let them know that we have made progress, but the core... remains in our own hands."

"Don't worry, I'm a professional at forging... no, I mean professional organizing. Watch me!" Li Xiang patted his chest and assured him.

……

……

In the afternoon, at Fuzhou Airport.

A military transport plane bearing the insignia of the Special Operations Department headquarters landed under tight security.

The cabin door opened, and Chen Su was the first to step down the gangway. He was tall and straight, wearing a crisp black headquarters uniform, with a cold and stern expression that exuded authority.

Behind him were six men and women, all dressed in black combat uniforms. Each of them exuded a calm aura and had sharp eyes, clearly elites from headquarters who had been carefully selected.

The equipment cases they carried were all flashing with specially designed paranormal energy suppression devices, clearly intended to cope with the high paranormal energy environment of Rong City.

Deng Yuqi, along with Lin Yin, Cheng Shengnan, and several officials in charge of reception, were already waiting on the tarmac. She greeted them with a formulaic, impeccable official smile.

"Director Chen, you must be tired from your journey. Welcome to the headquarters task force for guiding our work in Rong City." Deng Yuqi extended her hand, her tone warm but maintaining a distance.

Chen Su reached out and shook hands with Deng Yuqi, his grip firm and steady: "Minister Deng, you're too kind. I wouldn't call it guidance; I'm here on behalf of headquarters, carrying their concerns and orders, to fight alongside our comrades in Rong City."

His sharp gaze swept over the people behind Deng Yuqi, lingering for a moment on Lin Yin's heavy exoskeleton and Cheng Shengnan's slightly tired but still capable face.

"This is Lin Yin, the captain of Action Team One and the chief of the Rong City Special Operations Department. She was one of the main commanders at the scene of the strange incident in the city center last night. This is Cheng Shengnan, the director of the Logistics and Intelligence Center, who is responsible for public opinion control and logistical support for this incident," Deng Yuqi introduced.

"Captain Lin, Director Cheng, thank you for your hard work. The headquarters briefing gave a very high evaluation of your handling last night." Chen Su nodded slightly, his tone revealing little emotion.

"It's my duty," Lin Yin said calmly.

Cheng Shengnan politely replied, "It's my duty."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Chen Su changed the subject and got straight to the point: "Minister Deng, the situation is urgent, so let's skip the formalities. The task force needs to get to work immediately. The primary task is to hear Captain Shen Ge's detailed report and to take full control of all the relevant intelligence and samples he has regarding the freak organization and the samples he brought back from Australia. Please make arrangements as soon as possible; we are ready to receive him."

Deng Yuqi's smile remained unchanged as she calmly replied, "Director Chen's decisiveness is admirable. Captain Shen Ge is currently handling a critical stage of an urgent tracking mission and is temporarily unable to leave."

"However, regarding the intelligence handover, Minister Li Xiang of the Research Department is ready. The task force can go to the research area first to receive the first phase of core research data that we have compiled. Captain Shen Ge will give you a detailed oral report to Director Chen as soon as possible during breaks in the mission."

"An emergency tracking mission?" A short-haired, capable female team member behind Chen Su frowned slightly, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible doubt. "Minister Deng, headquarters' order requires Captain Shen Ge to cooperate 'without reservation,' shouldn't that take precedence over his personal tracking operation?"

Deng Yuqi looked at the female team member, her smile fading slightly, but her tone remained calm: "Comrade, Rong City is currently on high alert. The leader of the 'Strange Man' organization and its core members are the highest threat targets."

"The tracking mission that Captain Shen Ge is responsible for is a top priority operation that I have authorized and that concerns the safety of Rong City and even the surrounding areas."

“Any interference could lead to the target escaping again and causing an even greater disaster. We understand the orders from headquarters, but we also ask the task force to understand the actual situation in Rong City.”

"I trust Director Chen will make his own judgment on which is more important." Deng Yuqi deliberately emphasized this sentence, her words carrying a hidden barb: she stressed the necessity and authority of Shen Ge's actions while simultaneously passing the buck to Chen Su.

Director Chen, are you prioritizing the overall situation and respecting local command authority, or are you trying to forcibly interrupt the highest priority task?

Chen Su gave Deng Yuqi a deep look, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, as if trying to pierce through her official smile. He could sense the toughness and impenetrability beneath the female minister's calm exterior.

Demanding an immediate meeting with Shen Ge would make headquarters appear inhumane and disruptive to frontline operations; backing down would mean losing some of the initiative.

“Minister Deng has a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the overall situation,” Chen Su finally spoke, his tone unreadable. “Then let’s proceed as you have arranged, and go to the research area first. Hopefully, the materials prepared by Minister Li Xiang will allow us to quickly grasp the key information and not delay subsequent joint operations. Also,”

He turned his gaze to Cheng Shengnan: "Please give our team a briefing later regarding the progress of the investigation into Panshi Security Company."

“Okay, Director Chen.” Cheng Shengnan nodded in agreement.

"Please follow me." Deng Yuqi stepped aside to lead the way, a cold smile playing on her lips: Want to see our trump card? First, try this "carefully prepared" appetizer.

The real contest has only just begun.

In the shadows of the distant tarmac, several barely perceptible, blood-red spiders were silently crawling across the ground, like invisible eyes and ears extended from Shen Ge.

The task force's every move was already under Xiaoqi's surveillance.

Deng Yuqi and her team led the task force to the parking lot. The convoy did not head towards the Special Operations Department, but instead turned towards Rongjiang Pavilion, the most prestigious official reception hotel in Rong City. "Director Chen and all the comrades have come from afar and must be tired from their journey. It is only right that we welcome them and give them a proper welcome," Deng Yuqi said with a beaming smile, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Although our Rongshi is not as prosperous as Beijing, this 'Rongjiang Banquet' is a local specialty. The ingredients are fresh and the flavor is unique. It's a good opportunity for you all to try it and also experience the local customs and culture of Rongshi. No matter how busy you are with work, you still have to eat."

Chen Su frowned almost imperceptibly. The short-haired female team member beside him, Zhao Lan, immediately spoke up: "Minister Deng, the mission is urgent. We hope to get into work mode as soon as possible. The welcome banquet can..."

“Hey, Comrade Zhao, you’re mistaken.” Deng Yuqi interrupted with a smile, her tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable force.

“Sharpening your axe won’t delay your work. You are all elites from headquarters, but the environment in Rong City is fraught with strange energy fluctuations. As newcomers, you need some time to adapt and adjust. A meal won’t cause any major delays. Moreover, Minister Li from the Research Department also needs some time to organize all the data to ensure the completeness and professionalism of the handover. We can’t let our comrades at headquarters see a bunch of messy documents, can we? That’s not how the Rong City Special Affairs Department treats its guests.”

Her words were impeccable, emphasizing the necessity of "adapting to the environment," silencing the other party with the excuse that "organizing the materials takes time," and finally attaching the grand compliment of "hospitality."

Chen Su's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the seemingly calm but actually turbulent streets of Rong City outside the car window. Finally, he said in a deep voice, "When in Rome, do as the host says. Then I'll have to trouble Minister Deng."

Inside the private room on the top floor of "Rongjiang Pavilion," the atmosphere seemed harmonious, but in reality, a subtle tension was brewing.

Deng Yuqi chatted and laughed, introducing the stories and characteristics of each dish, while Tu Doupi and Yang Yuxin were responsible for setting the mood and exchanging pleasantries with the other members of the task force.

Although Lin Yin was not good at socializing, she sat upright to the side, and the oppressive feeling brought by the heavy exoskeleton reminded the other party of their home advantage.

Chen Su maintained a polite smile and occasionally responded with a few words, but his mind was clearly not on the food.

Of the team members he brought, apart from Zhao Lan who was cautiously observing her surroundings, the others seemed somewhat distracted, clearly surprised and impatient with this unexpected "welcome banquet."

The meal, deliberately delayed by Deng Yuqi, lasted for nearly two hours.

During the event, Deng Yuqi avoided mentioning any sensitive information, focusing instead on topics such as romance, current affairs, and people's livelihoods.

Whenever Chen Su tried to steer the conversation toward last night's events or Shen Ge's whereabouts, Deng Yuqi always managed to deflect the topic with a few words, or brush it off with something like, "Minister Li will give a detailed report later" or "Captain Shen will come to report when his mission is over."

Clearly, Deng Yuqi is already very adept at handling such situations.

After a satisfying meal, Deng Yuqi, still seemingly wanting more, said, "It's almost time. I'm sure Minister Li's preparations are complete. Director Chen, would you please proceed to the Special Affairs Department?"

When the task force finally stepped into the underground research area of ​​the Special Affairs Department, Li Xiang was already waiting in the highest-level confidential conference room, with Jiang Peiwen, He Youwei and others standing next to him. In front of them were several heavy-looking metal briefcases with flashing encrypted indicator lights.

"Oh my, Director Chen, welcome, welcome! I've heard so much about you!" Li Xiang's assistant greeted him warmly, his expression as if he were meeting an old friend. He knew very well that Li Xiang was not good at handling such situations, and that he often "spoke the truth," so he took the initiative to step forward.

"All the data Captain Shen brought back from Australia is here. It's guaranteed to be the freshest, most comprehensive, and most in-depth first-hand research results. Our entire research department worked through the night to compile this, our eyes were bloodshot!" He patted the briefcase exaggeratedly, his tone full of "praise me!"

This man was named Zhou Quan. Although he was only Li Xiang's assistant, he was also the director of research. So it couldn't be said that he was "negligent" in receiving Chen Su.

Looking at the face that he couldn't even remember the name of, and the overly enthusiastic one, and at Li Xiang and Jiang Peiwen beside him with their professional smiles but calm eyes, Chen Su's doubts deepened.

Why is the Fuzhou Special Affairs Department so agreeable?
This is unreasonable!
"Thank you for your hard work."

Chen Su remained calm and then asked, "When will Captain Shen Ge arrive?"

“Captain Shen? As far as I know, he is still chasing the strange people of the Twelve Branches. Don’t worry, as soon as there is any progress on his mission, the department will immediately report to Director Chen.” Li Xiang chimed in, assuring Chen Su with certainty.

Then, Li Xiang changed the subject: "Director Chen, let's look at the documents first."

Li Xiang personally operated the device, connecting the briefcase to the secure terminal in the conference room. The huge screen began to scroll through a series of research reports with rigorous formats, detailed charts, and dense terminology.

The title is: "In-depth analysis of the physiological structure, energy characteristics and potential transformation mechanism of the bizarre humanoid creature in the deep sea (code name: Zero)".

The report was astonishingly detailed, from the initial sample collection to the ultrastructural analysis at the cellular level, the interpretation of energy spectral characteristics, the model of mental pollution transmission, and even a detailed record of the physiological abnormalities and psychological breakdowns during the "humanization" process... Its depth and breadth far exceeded Chen Su's expectations, and were even more detailed than some of the top-secret documents sealed in the headquarters' secret archives!
Zhao Lan and several other team members with data analysis equipment immediately surrounded them and began to quickly browse, compare, and verify.

Their expressions gradually changed from scrutiny to astonishment and disbelief.

"This...how is this possible?" Zhao Lan couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

"How did you obtain this level of live tissue sampling and invasive experimental data? This is completely against..."

Her words came to an abrupt halt as she realized she had almost let something slip.

Chen Su's expression also became extremely solemn.

He recognized many of the experimental data and analytical models in the report. This was the core of "Project Zero," which headquarters had secretly conducted back then.

Although some data and conclusions have been updated, the basic framework and key findings... are clearly the same thing.

Where did the Fukushima Special Policy Department get it from?
How could they possibly have such detailed knowledge?
Li Xiang approached with an "innocent" look: "Comrade Zhao? What's wrong? Is there a problem? This is a breakthrough achieved by all of us in the Rong City Special Policy Research Department, based on the valuable samples that Captain Shen Ge risked his life to bring back. We worked tirelessly day and night to achieve this! For the cause of humanity's fight against the supernatural, our Rong City Research Department has truly risked our lives!"

His tone was somber, he was almost in tears.

Chen Su felt a tightness in his chest; he realized that Deng Yuqi and Li Xiang were setting a trap for him! (End of Chapter)