Forty-nine rules of the end times

Chapter 308 Intelligence and Investigation Team Established

"Martial law appears to have been lifted today."

In an abandoned building in Antu City, Shang Yuanzi watched the crowds walking on the street.

People started appearing on the streets in the morning, and there were far fewer security officers patrolling the streets, suggesting a possible policy shift by the Sakuragi authorities.

"Yes." Guan Tong, holding her phone, said, "'Martial law is officially lifted today,' the official announcement has been released."

"Isn't that strange?" Shangyuan Zi turned to look at him.

"It's possible that something was decided at the Human Alliance meeting," Guan Tong guessed. "Judging by the time, the interrogation of that guard should be completed by now. The research lab should give me an update within the next day or two."

Shang Yuanzi was silent for a moment: "I hope there will be news about her."

Guan Tong knew that "she" referred to Uehara Mitsumi.

Previously, in the underground prison, Uehara Yuki was very disappointed that she could not find her mother, and she suspected that the Misawa family might have other secret prisons.

"Wait a bit. Your mother's case is on the list of questions I gave to the Countermeasures Research Office. They'll let me know if there's any news."

"Ah."

Shangyuan Zi nodded.

At that moment, Suzuki came up from downstairs.

She is in slightly better condition now, and her physical injuries have healed somewhat with the help of tools, but the psychological trauma caused by torture and interrogation cannot be cured overnight.

"I contacted several colleagues from the police department, as well as my superiors," Suzuki said, holding up his phone.

Worried that Guan Tong might misunderstand, she added, "I didn't tell them where I am now, nor did I say I was with you. They all want me to get back to the station as soon as possible, saying they're looking for me."

“Stay with us for now,” Shang Yuanzi said. “If we go back now, they’ll definitely arrest you again.”

“She’s right. Once the investigation team is established, I will make you a member of it. It’s not too late to go back then.”

Guan Tong had previously agreed to Gao Liangwei's proposal for a "joint investigation team" during a video conference.

He thought it was indeed a good idea.

Because he was only able to investigate on his own and with Shangyuan Zi, he could only operate in the shadows.

If there is a "joint investigation team," the person in charge of this organization would be given the status of an "imperial envoy," which would make things different. They would be able to conduct investigations openly and legitimately, which would be more convenient and provide more channels for investigation.

"I will follow your arrangements."

Suzuki is now all alone. She knows she will be arrested if she returns to the police station, and even if her colleagues and superiors want to protect her, it won't work.

Now, being around Guan Tong and Shang Yuanzi, two dangerous individuals, actually makes her feel more at ease.

"Buzz."

Guan Tong's phone vibrated, and he picked it up to take a look.

"It's from the research lab."

The message informed him that the interrogation of the Divine Child's guards had ended, and combined with information gleaned from the imprisoned, the research lab had pieced together a rough outline of what the Divine Child, or rather the Misawa family, was doing.

The other party will inform Guan Tong of the specific details via video call.

Guan Tong agreed, and ten minutes later, the two parties connected via video.

Gao Liangwei wasn't there this time; only Zhang Minglu was in the research lab.

“The person in charge is busy with work and will not participate in this video conference,” Zhang Minglu said. “I will let you know about the relevant matters.”

"it is good."

"On your side……"

Zhang Minglu noticed that there was another person besides Guan Tong in the video, but did not immediately explain.

“She is Shang Yuanzi, so she is in the same boat and has the right to know about this matter.”

Suzuki had already gone downstairs quite early, while Uehara Yuki stayed behind. Just as Guan Tong had said, after experiencing all this, she had the right to know.

"Okay, as long as you can trust me."

Zhang Minglu paused for a moment before beginning to explain the situation.

"First, after interrogating the guard codenamed 'Xin,' the answer to your most pressing question is that Miko Mizawa Jun is indeed still alive."

Even though Guan Tong and Shang Yuanzi had some guesses about this, they were still very surprised to hear it with their own ears.

"...How did he survive?" Guan Tong asked, frowning.

He destroyed Misawa Jun's head back then, which couldn't be saved by healing items or abilities.

As for bringing the dead back to life? So far, no one in the world has ever heard of possessing such a heaven-defying item or ability.

“According to Xin’s confession, Yu Ze Jun is a monster.” Zhang Minglu said seriously, “His body is not a normal human body. He doesn’t have a human neck, chest, waist, or abdomen. Instead, he has heads.”

Guan Tong was taken aback upon hearing this.

Uehara Yukari, standing to the side, spoke up: "Orochi..."

Zhang Minglu nodded: "Yes. Xin said that Yu Zejun told him that he possesses the bloodline of a descendant of Orochi, which is why he has eight heads. Unless all eight heads are destroyed, he cannot be killed."

"It's actually like this..."

Guan Tong was speechless. He didn't have X-ray vision, so how could he know that Yu Zechun's head was under those thick clothes?

However, in hindsight—it was late at night, a time when everyone should be sleeping, and it was indeed unusual for Yuzawa Jun to be dressed so warmly in his own room, layer upon layer of clothing. But at that time, Guan Tong was only focused on instantly killing the person and wouldn't have paid attention to such details.

“So his ability is also related to bloodline. No wonder he came to me,” Shang Yuanzi said in a low voice.

“No, it’s not certain yet,” Zhang Minglu said. “We can’t completely trust what Xin says, because there’s a possibility that Yu Zechun is deceiving him.”

“That’s right.” Guan Tong nodded. “This person is extremely cold-blooded, only caring about himself. He’s even wary of his personal guards and won’t reveal his abilities without reservation. But no matter what, it’s certain that he’s still alive.”

"Yes. But your attack must have put him on high alert, which is why he deliberately released the news of 'the assassination of the Divine Child' from the official level in an attempt to lull you into a false sense of security."

Guan Tong and Shang Yuanzi exchanged a glance, both knowing that this meant Yu Zechun would definitely hide, making it difficult to find him again.

"Excuse me," said Uehara Yukari, "Does Shin know anything about Uehara Mitsumi?"

“We asked that question too.” Zhang Minglu’s tone was tinged with regret, and his eyes looked at Shang Yuanzi with pity. “He said that this person had already been sent to the ‘Snake Cave’ three months ago.”

"Snake Cave? What kind of place is that?" Shang Yuanzi asked hurriedly, the name giving her a bad feeling.

"It's a laboratory where gene mixing experiments are conducted. They call it the 'Snake Cave,' and its purpose is to create snake people controlled by Misawa Jun."

"According to Xin's confession, the experiment has made considerable progress. On the one hand, Mizawa Jun's blood cells are very special, and some humans will show a snake-like reaction after mixing with them. On the other hand, the Mizawa family has spent a lot of money to invite many people from all over the world who have gene-related mental abilities or tools to assist in the research."

"As for the ultimate purpose of the research, besides creating a large number of snake people as weapons of war, it seems that Jun Mizawa himself has other purposes. Xin doesn't know what they are, but he speculates that they are related to Jun Mizawa personally. Because Xin said that only Jun Mizawa can be involved in a few experiments, and no one else in the Mizawa family can interfere."

After Zhang Minglu finished speaking, he glanced at Uehara Yuki and said, "That Uehara Mitsumi is your relative, right? It's a pity."

It was sent to the lab months ago, so you can imagine what the consequences would be.

After a moment of silence, just as Guan Tong was about to speak, Shang Yuanzi asked, "Where is the laboratory?"

“Although Xin has revealed the location, I think it will be too late even if you rush there immediately,” Zhang Minglu said. “After the assassination or the discovery of the prison, the Yuze family will definitely move the laboratory elsewhere.”

“What if clues were left at the scene?” Shang Yuanzi looked at Zhang Minglu. “From this perspective, it’s worth investigating.”

“She’s right,” Guan Tong said.

Zhang Minglu nodded: "That's what we thought too. So I also suggested that the investigation team go there first."

"A joint investigation team has been established?"

Zhang Minglu shook his head: "There is no 'union'. Only our Beixing Society has set up an investigation team. The person in charge raised this matter at the Human Alliance meeting, but it was opposed... because all countries are currently preoccupied with the alien spores and have no energy to send people to deal with Yingqi's matter."

...That makes sense.

Guan Tong has been keeping track of the situation in the outside world these days. She knows that many people are affected by the spores, and that the parasitic stages are becoming increasingly dangerous.

Just because he can remain vigilant doesn't mean others can resist temptation.

Even Beixing couldn't control so many people being parasitized by spores, let alone other countries.

Zhang Minglu then added, "But you can rest assured that the person in charge, Gao, presented a great deal of evidence of crimes at the meeting. As a result, Yingqi's demand for 'the People's Alliance to issue a collective arrest warrant for you' will definitely not be achieved after this meeting."

Guan Tong nodded: "So, the investigation team only has people from Beixing. Then who should be on the team?"

"As the team leader, you can offer suggestions. However, I'd like to recommend two people to you, both of whom you know and are aware of your identity."

"Oh?"

Guan Tong thought to herself that the area was really small.

"Silver Fox and Chen Na".

Zhang Minglu didn't keep them in suspense and directly revealed the name.

"Speaking of which, Silver Fox was the first to realize your identity. Her skills are beyond question, as you know. As for Chen Na, since you're conducting an investigation, having her, with her excellent senses, can be of great help."

"The two of them, plus you and this Uehara Yukari, make a small investigation team. The Sakura Inori authorities must cooperate with you. Of course, the research lab will provide remote data analysis, intelligence gathering, and other support. What do you think?"

“I originally planned to have Dragon Soul and Snow White together. But the rules are about to end, and it’s impossible to predict how much harm the spore parasites will cause. We must have a powerful Ascendant in reserve… Moreover, Snow White immediately declined when she heard that we were going to investigate things related to snakes.”

Guan Tong remembered Bai Xuewu, the one who piloted the mecha and was a germaphobe.

Indeed, back on Grail Island, she had shown an extreme aversion to disgusting things, and it was precisely this that he used to dissuade her from vying for the Holy Grail.

"With Silver Fox and Chen Na's help, that's enough."

Chen Na's abilities are indeed very useful. As for Silver Fox... although she is powerful, Guan Tong felt that having her come was somewhat like "keeping an eye on him," but that didn't really matter.

Regardless, he was very grateful to the research lab for helping to receive the detainees, assist in interrogations, and gather intelligence.

Now, when Zhang Minglu mentions that the rules will end soon and the "spore parasite threat" is coming up, Guan Tong reciprocates.

"After the rules are finalized, I will not hesitate to lend a hand if needed."

Zhang Minglu smiled and said, "Of course. What we want to establish with you is this kind of mutually supportive and long-term cooperative relationship."

Having gone through all that has happened before, the Countermeasures Research Lab, now led by Gao Liangwei, has shifted its goal from "hoping to get Shadow to join the lab" to "establishing a long-term cooperative relationship with Shadow."

Rather than forcing a capable person who doesn't want to be managed to join, it's better to choose to cooperate with them. In this pragmatic way, both parties can benefit, which is a win-win situation.

"We will get the two of them to the border as soon as possible."

"Okay, I'll pick you up then."

After the video call ended, Guan Tong looked at Shang Yuanzi.

He wanted to say something comforting, but ultimately decided against it; after all, the other person wasn't a child anymore.

"The Spore Rules are about to end, and there will be some turmoil in various countries, including Sakura. Launching an investigation at this time will have both advantages and disadvantages, but we will get to the bottom of things no matter what."

(End of this chapter)