Free Web NovelChapter 571: Chapter 497: Professor Cui
"Captain, why did you receive another Ghost Script?" Beibei asked with concern as they entered the elevator.
"I must be working too hard." Reflecting on the hardships he had faced along the way, Yang Xiao felt he was entitled to say that.
There was a time when he had made a living as a writer of supernatural scripts, but life is tough and one cannot always control one’s destiny in the world of martial arts.
"By the way, help me look up someone, a young monk named Wukong. He has attractive peach-blossom eyes, an ethereal demeanor, and a somewhat odd personality. I’ll send you his portrait later."
"Is this someone you encountered during your mission?" Beibei asked.
"Yes, there is also someone named Tu Jingzhe, but I only have the name, and only know that he is associated with Monk Wukong," Yang Xiao explained.
Just as he finished speaking, the elevator doors opened and several people quickly approached carrying a stretcher, "Wait, please wait a moment!"
Upon drawing closer, Yang Xiao was shocked to find Xi Menxiu laying on the stretcher rolling his eyes, frothing at the mouth, and his hands contorted like chicken claws occasionally twitching, looking very frightening.
"What happened here?" Yang Xiao was astonished.
"Captain?!"
Da Xiong came running from around the corner and started complaining to Yang Xiao about how just a moment ago, Director Nalan had questioned Professor Cui’s test results and subtly insinuated that his team members could not possibly be worse than those under Huang Guozhao of the City Center Official Residence. Professor Cui, who was stubborn and inflexible, got into a dispute with Director Nalan right there. Unable to convince each other, they decided to randomly pick someone to be tested again, and Xi Menxiu was chosen. This time the intensity of the test was increased, and he indeed couldn’t withstand it.
"This ... " Since it was Nalan Shuo’s decision, Yang Xiao couldn’t say much else, and could only look pityingly at Xi Menxiu, "Is he okay?" freewebnoveℓ.com
"No serious harm, he’ll be okay after a couple of injections and a few days’ rest. Professor Cui was measured in his approach." Da Xiong watched as the elevator doors closed.
Walking along the hallway, they came to a tightly closed door. Even through the door, they could hear voices arguing inside. Yang Xiao knocked on the door and seconds later, it suddenly opened revealing Nalan Shuo’s tense, serious face.
But the moment he saw Yang Xiao, Nalan Shuo’s previously grim gaze brightened, pulling Yang Xiao into the room and confidently addressing the person sitting on the sofa behind him, "Here he comes, here he comes, this is Captain Yang Xiao of the Lin’an Bureau, the one who killed the Evil Cultivator Venerable Granny Hong on the spot in the mall incident!"
"Yang Xiao, let me introduce you. This is Professor Cui, the Spirit Tester I often mention to you. Professor Cui is a very rare find," Nalan Shuo gave Yang Xiao a look that said he was relying on him.
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao immediately understood, showing a friendly and respectful expression to Professor Cui, "Professor Cui, hello. The Director often uses your example to educate us juniors. Meeting you today, indeed you present yourself as a man of profound qualities."
The thin, elderly man dressed in a black vintage cloth clothes and a gray coat, wearing thin-framed glasses and looking every bit the old scholar with an indifferent expression, turned his gaze toward Yang Xiao, "I’ve long heard that Director Nalan has a capable officer under his command. Seeing you today, you indeed have an impressive appearance, no wonder Mr. Yang never stops praising you."
"Mr. Yang is too kind. Last time, it was all thanks to Mr. Yang’s timely aid, Director Nalan’s strategic command, and the brothers risking their lives; I dare not take all the credit alone." Flattery was an armor that seldom failed, and this bit of flattery also eased the awkwardness between Director Nalan and Professor Cui. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Hearing this, Professor Cui nodded, "We can chat about the anecdotes another time. Today, I am here on behalf of the Provincial Office to inspect the readiness of the Rongcheng investigation teams. Captain Yang, if it’s convenient, let’s begin."
"Of course."
With Director Nalan leaving, the door closed, leaving only Professor Cui and Yang Xiao in the room. The area had been temporarily modified; the original desk had been portioned into two separate small spaces by several solid blue medical privacy curtains.
Following Professor Cui’s gesture, Yang Xiao walked into the space on the right, which contained a round leather swivel chair without a backrest and a desk with some unknown equipment, while Professor Cui entered the space on the left. A table was placed in front of them, with a curtain hanging down, dividing the table into two.
The curtain was clearly treated with a special technique; upon careful observation, it showed a mercurial flowing texture. Even through the curtain, he could hardly see the situation on the other side, providing excellent privacy.
"Captain Yang, later you will take out a Magic Artifact, any will do. Concentrate your spiritual power and channel it through your artifact into mine," Professor Cui said earnestly, "Remember, do not overexert yourself; just do your best."
"Understood."
Yang Xiao, now possessing many valuable items—Underworld Robe, Ghost Lantern, Human Bone Staff, Ghost Duster, Soul-Capturing Mirror, and even a Ghost Level kitchen knife, six items in total—lamented that most of them couldn’t be exposed. After some thought, he took out the Ghost Lantern.
Of all the artifacts, this one seemed the most legitimate.
Following Professor Cui’s instructions, he extended the Ghost Lantern, pressing it against his side of the blue curtain while Professor Cui also took out his artifact. The two artifacts touched through the curtain, "Begin," Professor Cui’s voice sounded deep.
Yang Xiao was quite skilled in controlling spiritual power. With a thought, his spiritual power flowed into the Ghost Lantern like water. In an instant, the flame within the lantern blazed fiercely, bathing the cramped space in an eerie green glow.
