This Taoist priest is so unprofessional!

Wang Xiaoer raised an eyebrow.

He didn't expect that the other party would arrange a "pledge of allegiance" for him so quickly.

"What mission?"

The chief did not answer directly. He turned around and walked back to the antique rosewood desk, sat down slowly, bent down, and took out a document wrapped in a kraft paper bag from the bottom drawer.

The document bag was thick, with two large, eye-catching red characters printed on it: "Top Secret".

He pushed the document in front of Wang Xiaoer.

"See for yourself."

Wang Xiaoer reached out and picked it up; it felt slightly heavy. He broke the seal and pulled out the document inside.

On the cover, a line of black Song typeface title immediately caught his eye.

Investigation Report on Counterfeit "Seven Star Life-Extending Lamp"

Seven-Star Life-Sustaining Lamp?

The image of the devoted Shu Han prime minister and the legend of his near-miss flashed through Wang Xiaoer's mind.

He opened the report.

The first page features several high-resolution color photographs. The main subject of the photographs is an antique-style bronze lamp with seven bowls arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper. The exquisite craftsmanship exudes a profound sense of history.

"Recently, this kind of thing has started to circulate among some wealthy people and high-ranking officials in Beijing, Shanghai, and our Jiangcheng."

The chief's voice rang out from the side, calm yet carrying a hint of coldness.

"It is touted as an antique ritual object that can 'extend life and prolong life,' and its price is outrageously high, yet countless people still flock to it."

Wang Xiaoer turned to the next page, his pupils contracting slightly.

It was a photograph of a forensic autopsy table, on which lay a shriveled, mummy-like corpse. The deceased's eyes were wide open, and his face was frozen in extreme terror and decay.

A caption is attached below the photo.

The deceased, Zhou Fuhai, a well-known local real estate developer, was 52 years old. He died suddenly in his study at home, and when he was found, all his vital essence and blood had been drained from his body.

"After the Zhenye Division intervened in the investigation, it was discovered that these so-called 'Seven Star Life-Extending Lamps' were not magical artifacts at all."

The chief of staff's voice turned cold.

"It is an extremely malevolent creation of evil magic. And what it burns is not lamp oil at all."

He paused for a moment, then spoke slowly and deliberately.

"It's the user's vitality and luck!"

Wang Xiaoer's fingertips lightly traced the face of the mummified corpse in the photo, his eyes sharpening.

"In the short term, those who light this lamp will feel an unprecedented sense of vitality, as if they are ten years younger, and will be successful in business and rise rapidly in their official careers."

"That's because it's overdrawing, burning through their life and fortune for the next few decades, compressing it into a concentrated burst within a few months to create a false prosperity."

"The price is that within three months, when the light goes out, the user will die suddenly, just like in the photo, with all their vital energy depleted."

The chief of staff picked up his teacup, and the lid struck the rim of the cup with a crisp sound.

"What's even more terrifying is that the life force and luck that were forcibly drained were not completely consumed."

"They will converge on the mastermind through some mysterious channel that we have not yet discovered."

Wang Xiaoer closed the file and put it back on the table.

He looked up at the chief of staff and asked, "What have you found out?"

"Following several clues, we discovered that the organization that manufactures and sells these evil lamps points to an ancient sect whose methods and ideologies have been sealed away in the archives for a long time."

The chief's gaze became incredibly profound. He stared at Wang Xiaoer and slowly uttered a name.

"The Life-Stealing Sect".

"Your mission," the commander looked at Wang Xiaoer, his eyes sharp as an eagle, "is to approach this trafficking network as a 'buyer with great fortune'."

"Find the mastermind behind this and uncover their true purpose in massively collecting life force and fortune."

"Qin Yueyao will act as your liaison officer, coordinating with all your actions from the outside."

The chief leaned forward slightly, and his eyes, which seemed to see through the ways of the world, revealed a ruthlessness beyond his years.

"These wealthy and high-ranking officials, whose minds were clouded by desire, deserve no regrets at death; it was their own choice."

"But what we're really worried about is that the Life Stealing Sect is gathering such a massive amount of life force and fortune because they're plotting something that could endanger the safety of the nation!"

The chief's voice was firm and resounding.

"And you, Wang Xiaoer, are burdened with the fortune of ten lifetimes. To the 'Life Stealing Sect,' an evil entity that feeds on fortune, you are like the most dazzling pearl in the night, a walking elixir of life."

"You are the perfect bait to lure out the big fish behind them."

Wang Xiaoer fell silent.

He finally understood why the Chief of Staff had treated him with such "courtesy".

It turns out that his luck had such strategic value in the eyes of the Night Guard.

Fishing Law Enforcement?

Isn't this exactly what he loves to do?

This task...

It's a perfect match for my major!

"What do I need to do?" Wang Xiaoer asked, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Seeing how quickly he got into character, the Chief of Staff nodded approvingly.

"It's very simple."

"You'll be playing the role of someone who has just inherited a huge fortune, is somewhat intelligent but not much, deeply believes in metaphysics and secret arts, and is searching everywhere for a way to prolong his grandfather's life."

The commander's lips curled into a playful smile.

"Simply put, he's a rich, foolish, and incredibly lucky 'sucker'."

Wang Xiaoer's expression was somewhat strange.

This character's positioning is truly... refreshing and unconventional.

"The middleman in this trafficking network has a nickname in the industry: 'Master Bao,'" the chief continued, explaining the situation. "This man is extremely cautious and rarely shows himself. However, according to our intelligence, he will be holding a small-scale private appraisal event at 'Jubaozhai,' the city's largest antique market, in a week."

"That's your entry point."

Wang Xiaoer nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Okay, I'll take it."

His answer was concise and to the point.

The chief leaned back in his chair with satisfaction, and the slightly tense atmosphere in the office eased.

He picked up his teacup, as if suddenly remembering something, and added a meaningful remark.

"By the way, to make you, this 'bait,' look more appetizing and realistic."

"The Night Town Division will give you some start-up capital."

After saying that, he pressed a communication button on the table.

"Yueyao, come in."

The wooden door to the office was pushed open, and Qin Yueyao's icy, pretty face appeared in the doorway.

Her gaze swept between the Chief of Staff and Wang Xiaoer, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry and confusion. She didn't understand what the Chief of Staff and this mysterious young man had been discussing inside.

"Chief." She bowed her head respectfully.

"From now on, Wang Xiaoer will be our special advisor to the Zhenye Division."

The first words spoken by the chief of staff made Qin Yueyao suddenly raise her head, her face filled with disbelief.

consultant?

Him? This jinx who brings bad luck wherever he goes?

"You couldn't find a suitable candidate for the 'Life Stealing Sect' case, right? He's the best candidate I've arranged for you." The chief ignored Qin Yueyao's shock and continued to issue orders.

"You know the plan. Now, take Advisor Wang to the logistics department to collect his equipment and operating funds."

Qin Yueyao's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but after meeting the commander's unquestionable gaze, she swallowed all her questions.

She took a deep breath, stood at attention, and answered in a cool, clear voice.

"yes!"

The chief of staff waved his hand, indicating that they could leave.

Wang Xiaoer stood up, smiled at the chief, and then followed Qin Yueyao out of the antique-style office.