Yang Xiao glanced toward Director Wu's office to make sure he wasn't coming out, then lowered his voice and continued, "Director Wu should've already explained the pill's unique properties. It could be a shortcut to longevity—or a poison that kills you on the spot. Back then, I only took half a pellet. Not only was the effect weaker, but it almost killed me. The pain after taking it was like having my bones scraped clean and my marrow washed."
He turned and looked at Yang Jun, whose expression also turned rigid, as if he too had been dragged back to the agony of taking the pill. Both fell silent for a moment. Then Yang Xiao exhaled sharply and went on, "Here's a little advice: hide this thing somewhere you can reach instantly. If you're unlucky enough to end up in a situation where death is certain either way—just take it. Worst case, it ends your pain quickly. Best case? You come back and end someone else's pain. Either way, you're not losing."
The sheer weight of everything I'd learned since this morning was overwhelming. I couldn't fully digest it all at once. Forcing a bitter smile, I looked at the two Yangs and said, "I'll take your advice. If I ever find myself with no way out, I'll take it. Hopefully, that day doesn't come too soon. But honestly... you two showing me this much care? Doesn't really fit your style."
They exchanged a glance. Yang Xiao took another look toward Wu Ren'e's office, then leaned in and whispered, "Director Wu doesn't count. You think it's just the two of us stuck here bored out of our minds? One more person means we at least get a tie-breaking vote if it ever comes to that."
Knowing Director Wu was just a few steps away made me feel uneasy the whole time. After exchanging a few more polite words with the Yangs, I finally dragged myself back to First Division. Along the way, all I could think about was where to stash that pill—someplace within easy reach, yet hidden from view.
When I returned, Po Jun was tidying up Hao Wenming's office. He didn't plan to move in, but he had to sort through and remove a number of files. I greeted him and offered to help, but he'd already sorted everything so meticulously that I couldn't really contribute. With nothing else to do, I went back to my own desk and resumed pondering where to hide the pill.
My clothes were out of the question. Then I laid out all my gear—pistol, short blade, baton—but each of those items had a strict check-in/out log. It wouldn't be appropriate to stash something that important in any of them. My eyes finally landed on a nearly transparent strand of silk.
It was the Spectral Thread I'd picked up in the Tomb of a Transcendent Beast. Originally, I had it wrapped around the hilt of my short blade for quick retrieval in battle, but the finger loop I'd tied back then was too awkward to find during a fight, so I'd eventually removed it. Now it looked like it might be useful again.
I tied the Spectral Thread in a crisscross pattern around the pill, then looped the other end around my wrist several times and tucked the pill securely against my arm. With my sleeve covering it, nothing was visible. If needed, I could simply flick my wrist to snap the pill into my hand. The thread would prevent it from flying off. Come summer, I could just wear a wristband over it to cover everything. I tested it several times and, finding no issues, finally felt reassured.
Before I knew it, it was lunchtime. There was still no word from Sun Fatty—likely because their meeting hadn't adjourned yet. I had no desire to get involved in that mess, and Po Jun was busy with the office. So I headed off to the cafeteria alone to pay tribute to my rumbling stomach.
Originally, Yinbai had been tied up near the cafeteria entrance, but one of the Yangs must've taken her somewhere. Instead, I ran into some familiar faces—Xiong Wanyi, Old Mo, and the ever-flashy Master Ximen. All three of them looked completely exhausted: disheveled, dark circles under their eyes, wobbling like they were about to collapse.
As I walked past them, not one of them noticed me.
I stopped and looked them up and down. "Hey, what happened to you guys? Don't tell me you really spent the night in a graveyard."
Ximen gave a huge yawn and glanced at me. "Lazi, you think we all get to enjoy the perks of tagging along with Sun Dasheng like you and Fatty? You two ran off to sleep last night—leaving us three poor souls out there. First half of the night, we were drinking; second half, freezing our butts off. That graveyard's a Yin Convergence Point. Couldn't just leave it. Fourth Division was short-handed, so we spent all night burying talisman paper. If the sun hadn't come up, making it too risky to be spotted, we'd still be out there."
By then, Xiong Wanyi had sobered up. He awkwardly came over and whispered in my ear, "Lazi, I totally blacked out last night. They said Sun Fatty and I had a falling out? I honestly can't remember. Can you tell me—were they just messing with me?"
I looked at Xiong, knowing he must be regretting it. I smirked inwardly and decided to scare him a bit more: "A falling out? What they said is mild. You really forgot? After drinking last night, you flipped the table and chased Sun Dasheng all over the yard. Right now, Deputy Director Sun is in Director Gao's office filing a little complaint about you."
Hearing that, Xiong's face instantly went pale as he muttered, "Seriously? Who hasn't gotten drunk before? Last time he got drunk, he grabbed my collar and forced me to drink. I didn't say anything then. Isn't that even now? No need to hold grudges."
I laughed heartily and patted Xiong on the shoulder. "I'm joking. You're seriously underestimating Deputy Director Sun. He's not that petty. He's in a meeting with Director Gao now—none of it's about you."
"Lazi, I'm not saying this, but what do you mean 'none of it's about me'?" Someone behind me sneered. No need to turn around—I already knew who it was. Even if he turned to ashes, I'd recognize him by the sheer pile of his bones.
I glanced back and saw Sun Fatty's grinning face flashing at me. One hand held Yinbai (turns out he'd gotten to her first and taken her), the other clutched a bag packed full of chicken drumsticks.
Seeing Sun Fatty, Xiong sheepishly nodded and greeted him. Deputy Director Sun chuckled and said, "Xiong, I gotta say, your tolerance isn't great. You got drunk on so little and started throwing a fit. Once we're done with the work in a couple of days, we'll go out drinking a few times. I'll personally help you build up your tolerance. Same halal place, and we'll bring Master Xiao along too. But this is on you—you're footing the bill."
Sun Fatty smoothly gave Xiong an out. Old Xiong couldn't have been happier, chuckling, "Of course it's on me. Just us few plus Consultant Xiao. If you're giving me face, we're all going."
Master Ximen laughed too, "Who's gonna fight me over the bill? Free food and drinks—who wouldn't go?"
With a few words like that, last night's fiasco was officially over.
Old Mo invited Sun Fatty into the cafeteria, but Deputy Director Sun couldn't leave just yet. Yinbai, held on the leash, was already impatient, making excited noises and staring at the full bag of chicken drumsticks, drooling nonstop.
Sun Fatty ignored whether I agreed or not, took me and Yinbai to the Bureau parking lot, found a quiet spot, and pulled chicken drumsticks out one by one, feeding Yinbai.
Watching her wolf down the food, you wouldn't believe she once carried herself with that haughty air in the Tomb of a Transcendent Beast.
I pulled out a cigarette and handed one to Sun Fatty. After lighting up and taking a drag, I looked at Yinbai and asked him, "Dasheng, how long has it been since she ate? Doesn't Wu Ren'e feed her?"
"Who told you Old Wu's not feeding her? Three meals a day, never missed one. Morning—radishes, noon—carrots, night—lettuce. Honestly, it's like feeding a rabbit. Yinbai could've lasted years eating nothing else, but she's tired of the vegetarian diet now. I'm just switching up her menu." With that, the bag in his hand was almost empty.
After feeding Yinbai all the chicken drumsticks, Sun Fatty wiped his hands with a tissue, then looked at me and said, "Lazi, I've gotta tell you something so you have some idea. In a couple of days, you might be coming with me to the U.S."
He flicked the stub of his cigarette away, paused, then continued, "You heard at Gao Fatty's office just now—the half of the Heavenly Principle Diagram is in Las Vegas. Jin Beihai is in touch with the seller. No joke, if the deal goes through, we're headed to the heart of capitalism to see just how depraved the Americans have become."
I looked at Sun Fatty in surprise. "You guys can go. Why drag me along? Dasheng, find a few people who speak foreign languages. They can help you curse people out if something goes wrong. If I go, I'll just be the one getting scolded."
Sun Fatty smiled and said, "Lazi, like I said before, when have I ever left you out of something like this?"
Later I learned that below Director Gao, these division heads (except Hugo) had been declared persona non grata by several countries—refused entry. The U.S. response was reportedly the strongest, saying they'd arrest these people the moment they set foot on American soil. No idea what kind of trouble they'd caused.
After tying Yinbai back at the main gate, Sun Fatty and I went to the cafeteria. Old Jin was still very warm and welcoming to Sun Fatty. My hangover hadn't eased, so I barely ate, while Sun Fatty ate like nothing was wrong.
Just as I was about to sneak off for a break, Sun Fatty's phone rang.
He said a few words, then hung up without explanation, quickly finishing off the remaining food on his plate. Once the dishes were empty, he burped and said to me, "Lazi, Director Gao wants us to hurry over to his office. The thing I mentioned earlier is probably settled."
Hearing this, I immediately stood up. "You said hurry, so what's the holdup?"
Sun Fatty waved dismissively. "I am done eating quickly, aren't I? Don't worry, Vegas isn't going anywhere."
In the end, I had to drag Sun Fatty away from the table and take him to Director Gao's office.
When we arrived, Wang Lu had just brought out some utensils, apparently this was how they had lunch in there. But why was Sun Fatty the only one strolling out so casually?
Seeing us walk back in, Gao Liang picked up a note and handed it to Sun Fatty. "Here's the address and contact number. When you get there, reach out. The seller hasn't given a final price yet—they're still consulting with some expert."
Gao paused, glanced at the silent Jin Beihai, then said to Sun Fatty, "No matter what price they ask, you accept it first. As long as it's what we want, I'll wire you the money."