After the internet was disconnected, I connected to the magic world.

Three high-definition photos popped up on the projector: one was a wolf-shaped ornament with a third eye on its forehead and exposed fangs.

One is a turtle with its shell covered in sharp spikes, which looks much more ferocious than ordinary turtles.

"These are three samples we got back from a gold recycler. They are all 999 pure gold, hand-engraved, and very finely crafted."

Liu Cheng pointed to the photos and said, "These ornaments are all very strange in shape. You can't find any corresponding species of wild animals in reality."

On the contrary, it is highly similar to the descriptions of low-level monsters reported back by our field agents who were sent into Kyushu.

Besides these, he also sold small swords, daggers, and other weapon-shaped items, all in an antique style, unlike anything made with modern technology.

Li Rui's voice came through the video window of the Jiangnan branch; he was in charge of following up on this case.

"We checked the processing records of all legitimate gold sales channels, smelters, and gold shops."

There were no records of his purchases or of him having a craftsman process the gold; it was as if all that gold had appeared out of thin air in his hands.

A little over a month ago, he used the money from selling gold to buy a detached villa in the suburbs. He rarely goes out and spends most of his time at home.

"In other words, before we discovered the first players and learned of the existence of Kyushu, he already possessed physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people?"

"They might even have had contact with Kyushu long ago, and be able to retrieve what's inside?" Old Zhou from the action team asked, frowning.

"Yes." Li Rui nodded.

"The first batch of players only started appearing more than two months ago, and he rescued people more than three months ago."

Almost a month before the large-scale emergence of players, back when we hadn't even heard of the term "Nine Provinces."

The meeting room erupted in chaos.

"I think he's just a lucky early player, getting in a few months earlier than the first players we know of."

He had an opportunity in Kyushu, honed his skills, and even figured out how to smuggle things out.

Old Zhou spoke first, "To put it bluntly, they are just ordinary people who went ahead of the race. It's not that mysterious. Just bring them back and ask them a couple of questions, and you'll understand."

"Old Zhou, you're oversimplifying things," someone immediately retorted.

"All players enter the Nine Provinces with their consciousness but leave their bodies in reality. How could they possibly bring out tens of kilograms of gold?"

If ordinary players had this skill, gold would have depreciated in value long ago.

He's definitely not an ordinary player; he might even have created the entire Kyushu world himself.

"Get it out? You think this is child's play?" someone scoffed.

"To be able to connect the consciousness of tens of thousands of people at the same time and create a real world with mountains, rivers and living people, is this something that ordinary people can do?"

I suspect it might be an ancient deity reincarnated; such an existence is simply beyond our ability to contend with.

"What kind of reincarnation of gods and immortals? What era are we living in? People still believe in this stuff?"

The youngest head of the operations department tapped on the table. "He's most likely bound to the system."

They're the kind of people who are born with a cheat code, able to get whatever they want.

If he truly possesses such a system, let alone creating a vast land, he could easily destroy entire nations with a flick of his wrist. He's simply beyond our capabilities. If we rashly attempt to capture him, and in the event of angering him, who will bear the consequences?

Several factions argued vehemently, each sticking to their own version of events.

Some say that special police were immediately dispatched to surround the villa, arrest the suspects, and interrogate them.

Some said we absolutely shouldn't act rashly and should observe first, while others said we should send negotiation experts to make initial contact; neither side could convince the other.

Li Jianguo remained silent, tapping his fingertips on the table as he listened to the argument below, his brows furrowed deeply.

He had worked in the Special Investigations Department for thirty years and had seen all sorts of bizarre cases, but this one was truly unfathomable.

"Stop arguing."

He spoke, his voice not loud, but it instantly drowned out all other sounds, and the conference room fell silent immediately.

"There's no point in guessing. The person lives there; we can't keep guessing forever through surveillance cameras."

Li Jianguo stood up. "No matter if he's an early player, a mastermind, or some kind of deity or system holder, we have to meet him and talk face to face."

"What do you mean?" someone asked, taken aback.

"I'll come in person." Li Jianguo picked up his coat draped over the back of the chair.

"Just bring two field agents. The rest of you stay outside on standby. No one is allowed to make any moves without my orders."

"No, sir!" Old Zhou immediately stood up.

"It's too dangerous! We have no idea what he's capable of. What if something happens to you? We should be the ones going!"

"That's right, sir, you can't take that risk!"

"I'm the most suitable one to go." Li Jianguo waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"The world has changed now; Kyushu is the future of the entire world."

I'll go in person and talk with sincerity; at least I won't end up in a dead end.

"If the negotiations really break down, it's not too late for you to take action then."

Seeing his resolute attitude, no one tried to persuade him any further.

They all knew Li Jianguo's temper; once he made up his mind, he wouldn't change it.

...................................................

Li Jianguo, accompanied by two field staff, walked along the cement road to the iron gate of the villa.

The front door was closed, but there was a doorbell button on the side. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to press the doorbell.

Before my finger even touched the button, I heard a soft "click".

The tightly closed iron gate slowly slid open to both sides, revealing the small courtyard inside, where there wasn't a single person in sight.

Li Jianguo's hand froze in mid-air, his gaze sharpening. The two field agents behind him instantly tensed up, their hands reaching for their sidearms at their waists.

The yard was quiet and peaceful, with some ordinary roses planted there, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Li Jianguo paused for two seconds, withdrew his hand, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

Walking through the courtyard to the villa entrance, the wooden door was also ajar, leaving a crack.

Li Jianguo pushed open the door and walked in. As a veteran agent with thirty years of experience, he quickly scanned the entire living room the moment he entered:

The decor is simple and understated luxury, with fabric sofas, a wall-mounted TV, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a few apples on the coffee table. It's no different from the villas of ordinary wealthy people, without even a single strange ornament.

He took two more steps forward and saw the young man sitting behind the tea table.

Lin Ze was wearing a simple white T-shirt and gray casual pants, and was sitting in the main seat making tea.

Holding a white porcelain teacup in his hand, he looked up at the door with a calm expression, as if he had known all along that he was coming.

On the tea table facing him was an empty white porcelain cup filled with hot tea, with wisps of steam rising from it. It was clearly freshly poured and prepared especially for him.

Li Jianguo's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face. He forced a natural smile, took two steps forward, and said:

"You must be Mr. Lin?"

I am Li Jianguo. I am truly sorry to bother you with this visit. In truth, it is an honor for me, as I have long wanted to visit Mr. Lin.

Lin Ze looked up at him, a faint smile playing on his lips, and gestured to the spot opposite him:

"Commander Li, please have a seat. No need to be so polite. The tea is freshly brewed; I figured you should be here by now."

His voice was calm, revealing no emotion, yet it sent a chill down Li Jianguo's spine.

He knew who he was, and even predicted that he would come today.

Li Jianguo composed himself, walked over and sat down naturally. Two field agents stood two steps behind him, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily, their hands never leaving their waists.

"Mr. Lin, do you know me?" Li Jianguo smiled, picked up the teacup in front of him. It was warm to the touch, and the aroma of tea wafted over. It was a fine Longjing tea.

"Chief Li of the Special Investigations Department, who specializes in handling these strange cases, how could I not know him?"