INHA Chapter 12

Xu Dongyou, as a newcomer, had achieved widespread recognition within just two days of joining the Bureau.

Even agents assigned to remote mountainous areas received messages from friends in various branches, stating that a new recruit in one of the branch squads not only surpassed the required spiritual energy threshold but also completed the highest-level mission.

It is said that the Elders of the demon clan admired this newcomer greatly and secretly rewarded them with valuable items.

Hearing this made all the veterans who had been with the Bureau for over two years both envious and disheartened.

They had joined the Bureau for at least two years. Yet, their spiritual energy had not reached the required level. They hadn’t even qualified to enter the Sealing Array, let alone meet the Elders on the top floor.

But the newcomer had managed it and had even stayed on the top floor for nearly an hour.

‘Why didn’t such luck come my way?’

Some of the newcomers couldn’t help but think, mistakenly believing that they could achieve the same if given the chance.

A newcomer in a certain squad muttered while on a mission, “When my spiritual energy increases, I can also enter the Sealing Array.”

A veteran team member shook his head upon hearing this, “You newcomers really dare to dream. Haven’t you thought about why only newcomers with sufficient spiritual energy can enter?”

The newcomer immediately became curious, “Then please, tell us why.”

The veteran organized his thoughts and began recounting an event that shook all branches two years ago.

It is said that back then, there was a newcomer in a certain branch who didn’t meet the required spiritual energy level upon joining. After about a year, he finally reached the threshold. Excited, he couldn’t sleep all night and hurriedly reported to the squad captain the next day, declaring his intent to undertake the highest mission. However, he was informed by the upper management that he did not meet the conditions to enter the Sealing Array.

This person was quite stubborn and demanded an explanation from the higher-ups.

The incident caused quite a stir at the time.

Everyone else was also eager to know the reason, so at that time, the squad captain from the branch, the demons, and the head of the Department all stepped forward and provided an explanation that was so comprehensive that no one could refute it.

The head of the Department stated that after years of joint research between the human race, the demon race, and the Research Department, they concluded the reason why the ancient Zhulong could not be calmed.

It was discovered that those who encountered too many resentful spirits before their spiritual energy reached the required threshold carried an aura that was highly repulsive to Zhulong.

Based on previous records left by the demons, it is suspected that the appearance of resentful spirits is likely related to the source that drove the ancient Zhulong mad.

This explains why people whose spiritual energy meets the standards later in their careers often provoke Zhulong’s hostility upon entering the Sealing Array.

On the other hand, newcomers with high spiritual energy who have encountered resentful spirits only once or not at all are less likely to stimulate Zhulong, making it easier for them to approach the ancient being without causing it to go berserk.

This reasoning left everyone speechless, including the stubborn newcomer who had nothing else to say.

The newcomer became despondent, “My spiritual energy isn’t even at Level 1 yet. It will take a long, long time to reach the threshold. Does this mean I’ll never have a chance to enter?”

The ancient Zhulong.

This powerful and mysterious being always existed in legends. If he could see it with his own eyes even once, his life would be worth it.

The veteran team members sighed along with him.

***

Xu Dongyou hadn’t eaten since last night. Apart from drinking a bellyful of tea this morning, he was now starting to feel a bit hungry.

Tian Ze suggested, “Let’s go out to find a place to eat and take this chance to avoid these people.”

Xu Dongyou nodded.

The two found a quiet restaurant and ordered a few home-style dishes. The captain said, “By the way, the chief asked me to tell you that headquarters will be issuing a reward to you soon.”

Xu Dongyou put down his chopsticks, hesitated for a few seconds, and then softly said, “Captain, do all the people in the branches know about the demon clan?”

Although Elder Chen said that when his strength became stronger, it would be okay to reveal his demon clan identity then, he still felt uneasy about it.

Tian Ze, while wolfing down his food, said, “Almost everyone knows, maybe only the newcomers don’t know about the demon clan.”

Xu Dongyou hesitated for a moment and asked, “Aren’t you afraid that someone in the Bureau might leak it out?”

Tian Ze, completely unconcerned, said, “Even if someone blabbed and told ordinary people, do you think they would believe it?”

Xu Dongyou was stunned.

Tian Ze lowered his voice, “I don’t know if Elder Chen has told you about the demon clan, so I won’t say much. Anyway, you just need to know that if anyone tries to harm the demon clan, those above will unconditionally support the demon clan.”

Tian Ze’s words made Xu Dongyou fall into deep thought. Is it because of the sealing array…?

Immediately, an image of the ancient Zhulong’s blood-red eyes flashed in his mind, filled with madness and chaos. Chains wrapped around its massive body, confined within the sealing array, unable to leave.

When it goes mad, does it attack the array like it did yesterday? If no one had been able to get close to it before him, what did it live on?

After absentmindedly eating a few bites, Xu Dongyou couldn’t help but ask Tian Ze about this question.

Tian Ze replied, “No human has ever been able to enter the fourth array door before you. You’ve met our branch’s chief; he’s the only one who successfully entered the third array door.”

Xu Dongyou asked, “And then?”

Tian Ze sighed, “Although the human race’s fortune is flourishing, unlike the demon clan who can’t even enter the first array door, the chief still couldn’t withstand the pressure emitted by Zhulong and had to stop at the third array door. If he had forced his way in, Zhulong would probably have gone mad again.”

Xu Dongyou showed a surprised expression. Tian Ze understood immediately and scratched his head, puzzled, “I don’t know why you were able to enter. Logically, the demon clan, due to their bloodline, shouldn’t be able to resist Zhulong’s pressure. I asked the chief but he said he didn’t know either.”

Xu Dongyou silently noted this question to ask Elder Chen on the weekend.

“But if neither humans nor demons can get close to Zhulong, how has it survived all this time?”

Tian Ze replied, “Ancient mythical creatures won’t starve even if they don’t eat for thousands of years. Besides, it’s true that no one can get close to it. The higher-ups have always wanted to provide Zhulong with a better environment, hoping it would calm down its madness.”

Unexpectedly, humans were stopped at the third array door.

Xu Dongyou was about to suggest using machines to transport supplies but realized that if he could think of it, the organization surely had already considered it.

This indicated that the method was indeed unworkable.

Seeing Xu Dongyou still deep in thought, Tian Ze urged, “Hurry up and eat. If you don’t, I’ll finish everything.”

Xu Dongyou picked up his chopsticks and focused on eating, pushing aside all his chaotic thoughts.

As they were almost done eating, Tian Ze received a message from the chief. After glancing at the content, he told Xu Dongyou, “The chief just said you shouldn’t go to the Bureau for the next few days. Many people there are quite curious about you. Just go back to school and attend your classes for now.”

Xu Dongyou nodded, “Did the chief say anything else?”

Tian Ze said, “Yes, the chief said not to take on any tasks for the next few days. He will discuss this matter with Elder Chen. I guess it might be related to the sealing array.”

Tian Ze then explained why only newcomers could get close to the sealing array.

Xu Dongyou felt a bit worried but still nodded obediently to show he understood.

Actually, he was quite eager to continue saving the world.

Even though, in just these two short days, he had gone through experiences of realizing he was not human, then becoming a demon—experiences far from ordinary.

But he still very much wanted to save the world.

After finishing their meal, Xu Dongyou parted ways with Tian Ze on the roadside and returned to school.

First, he washed up and changed his clothes. Then, he saved the photo that Hou Mingjun had sent him, just in case.

Xu Dongyou finally lay down to rest properly. But after a while, he couldn’t help tossing and turning, remembering Elder Chen saying his demon form was very special.

He suddenly sat up straight.

His roommate was so startled he almost jumped up on the spot, “Dongyou, why are you so jumpy?”

Xu Dongyou quickly apologized and then hurried to the bathroom to message Tian Ze.

【Li Dong (8th Squad)】: Captain, can you recall the main features of my original form? I want to search online to find out what kind of bird species I am.

Xu Dongyou felt extremely awkward sending this message, but he was really curious about his bird species.

Small in size, the feathers seemed to be all white and looked a bit like a pigeon. But the call it made was different from a pigeon’s.

After several long minutes, Tian Ze finally replied.

【Tian Ze (4th Division, 8th Squad Leader)】: Actually, I secretly looked it up this morning. You should search for the Long-tailed Tit. But you have an extra tuft of hair on your head.

Xu Dongyou was puzzled, unable to imagine this scene. With a mix of apprehension and curiosity, he thanked Tian Ze and hurriedly took out his phone to search.

Immediately, several images appeared—birds resembling round dumplings, white and fluffy, tilting their heads at the camera.

Some of these “dumplings” were flapping their wings in a clumsy attempt to fly, looking silly and undeniably cute.

Xu Dongyou was stunned, holding his phone as his mind went blank for a long time.

Suddenly, his roommate knocked on the door from outside, “Dongyou, are you done in there? It’s my turn.”

Xu Dongyou stood up in a daze and opened the door.

His roommate instinctively glanced at Xu Dongyou’s phone screen and exclaimed, “What kind of bird is that? Why is it so cute?”

Xu Dongyou felt another pang of embarrassment and instinctively put away his phone.

His roommate, puzzled, entered the bathroom.

Xu Dongyou stood in place for a few more seconds before slowly and reluctantly taking out his phone again to carefully examine the pictures of the dumpling-like birds.

They were indeed very cute.

Xu Dongyou stiffened.

How could he have such thoughts?

He quickly put away his phone, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

Meanwhile, Tian Ze was very curious. He knew Xu Dongyou always thought he was human and couldn’t help but wonder how Xu Dongyou felt upon discovering his adorable appearance.

Tian Ze put himself in Xu Dongyou’s shoes. If he found out he wasn’t human, it wouldn’t be too bad.

The biggest advantage would be a longer lifespan.

However… being large and burly, if his demon form turned out to be overly cute and not intimidating at all, it might take a while to accept.

But Xu Dongyou was different.

His human form was already exceptionally beautiful, so he would likely accept his demon form quite well, maybe even be quite pleased with it.

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