Once, I wanted to be a good person

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As he said this, he felt a bit melancholic, "I don't know if you did it on purpose or truly by accident."

"But it definitely brought us a lot of trouble."

"I did speak well of Han Kaiwei, trying to avoid his arrest. But it was no use." (Chapter 15)

"Later on, it must have been your behavior that aroused Bai Zhi and their suspicions."

"They suspected there was a mole in the Special Case Team."

"So they investigated me, Cui Xuemin, Wang Hao, among a few others."

As he said this, Director Pang shook his head again, "And then, there was the incident of Golden Fox killing Han Kaiwei..."

Fang Ze: ...

Then, Director Pang slowly recounted the rest of the events from his perspective to Fang Ze.

After hearing Director Pang's words, Fang Ze was able to resolve many of his doubts.

For example, why he always felt that Director Pang was very concerned about him.

For example, why it was such a headache for Director Pang when he reported Han Kaiwei. (Chapter 14)

Another example was why Director Pang would temporarily hand over command of the investigators to Cui Xuemin every time something happened. (Chapter 29)n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Moreover, from Director Pang, Fang Ze learned many things he had not known before.

For instance, on the night he escaped, Golden Fox thought highly of his own abilities and wanted to take advantage of the chaos to escape and personally capture him.

But Director Pang knew that Bai Zhi was no simple character, which is why he suggested that she thoroughly investigate the Special Case Team to prevent Golden Fox from escaping. (Chapter 46)

That saved both Golden Fox and Fang Ze.

For example, the night Fang Ze escaped, the killing of Cui Xuemin's roommate who tried to flee was actually because that investigator discovered some irregularities in Cui Xuemin. With no other option, Cui Xuemin killed the man early and then falsified the crime scene.

However, Director Pang thought this deception would not hold, so he used his Awakening Ability to control the corpse to flee, eventually forging the false appearance of an unsuccessful escape and self-destruction. (Chapter 46)

There were many other details and clues that Fang Ze, after hearing, matched with what he knew to find... they all corresponded.

However, correspondence was one thing. Whether the truth was really as Director Pang described was another matter.

Fang Ze didn't intend to doubt him.

Even Fang Ze felt that it was indeed possible that Director Pang had cleaned up after him in many instances.

But... if all these actions' [motives] were as Director Pang described,

then Director Pang was perhaps... too pure and faultless.

Fang Ze didn't want to assume the worst when speculating about someone's motives, but he instinctively felt that Director Pang wasn't that noble.

Thinking this, Fang Ze pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "So, Director, did you call me over just to tell me the true story of the whole affair?"

Director Pang looked at Fang Ze with a cheery smile, his round face full of sincerity, "Well, sort of, but not exactly."

He said, "I know you've lost your memory, or to put it another way, you're not the same person as before."

"But that's okay."

"The Rejuvenation Society is willing to unite every person with a noble ideal."

"I believe you've already found out that the Federation hid a huge secret back in the day. This secret is related to the true nature of the world and the birth of the Awakening Abilities and World's Laws."

"So, I would like to invite you to join our organization again."

Upon hearing Director Pang's words, Fang Ze was stunned for a moment, then he couldn't help asking, "So, if I join the Rejuvenation Society, what will I need to do afterward?"

Director Pang hesitated for a moment before gently uttering three words, "Flower Morning Festival..."

"Our last operation failed, and this time our target is the Flower Morning Festival."

"The Flower Morning Festival conceals a promotion path that has never been explored, and the Security Bureau has some leads already."

"We hope to share intelligence about this path."

As he spoke, he paused, then added, "During the time the Special Case Team has been investigating cases, I've also been looking into the mysterious organization that attacked you."

"But strangely, I can't find anything. Really can't find anything."

He showed a hint of doubt on his face, "So, I suspect that this organization is different from ours. It's not a civilian organization."

"Instead, it might be a Shadow Organization existing within government departments like the Security Bureau, Investigation Bureau, and Governing Hall."

"They may possess extremely terrifying powers and influence."

"And with the Flower Morning Festival being such a major event in Xida State every ten years, there's no way they wouldn't get involved."

"As long as they get involved, then they are likely to slip up."

"So, I also want you to help look into this organization's traces within the Security Bureau."

Hearing Director Pang's words, Fang Ze fell into deep thought.

Flower Morning Festival... again, the Flower Morning Festival...

It all seemed like a massive vortex, madly pulling everyone into it.

But what secret does the Flower Morning Festival truly hide?

What drives so many people to madness?

And that mysterious organization...

Fang Ze thought Director Pang made sense.

Daring to sell [Ming 28], a strategic resource of the region, responding swiftly to an incident with an Awakener squad ready to snipe, achieving a direct hit, and retreating without leaving any Traces.

Even a local snake like Director Pang couldn't find them.

Thus, this organization very likely is indeed a Shadow Organization lurking within various departments.

And thinking again about whether he joined the Security Bureau or the Rejuvenation Society, as long as he investigated these matters, it seemed like he was always on the opposition's side, Fang Ze felt a headache coming on.