Chapter 99

Shang Jianyao stood his ground and met Jiang Baimian's gaze:

"It could also be a misunderstanding. The cult's upper echelons have done nothing, and Wang Yafei's sudden death was purely coincidental."

Jiang Baimian immediately laughed:

"Not bad, you've found a third explanation."

After praising him, she changed the subject:

"In fact, I was also inclined towards this at first, thinking your cult's upper echelons wouldn't take such risks.

"But after careful consideration, I still believe they are highly suspicious."

Before Shang Jianyao could ask, she carefully said:

"Let's assume it was indeed a misunderstanding and a coincidence, and you are a member of the cult's upper echelons.

"When you learn that Ren Jie said Wang Yafei was a sinner and that the gods would punish sinners, and that Wang Yafei soon died suddenly, what would you think? What would you do?"

Shang Jianyao thought for a moment:

"I would think:

'So our cult is that powerful?

'The God of Fate is so omnipotent?

'I'm so awesome, to have joined such a powerful cult and even become part of the upper echelons?'

"...I shouldn't have asked you." Jiang Baimian raised her hand to her forehead.

After a moment's thought, she continued:

"If it really wasn't the cult that punished Wang Yafei, and they hadn't done similar things before, the upper echelons might indeed have such thoughts..."

Jiang Baimian then asked:

"After forming these perceptions, what other normal thoughts might they have?"

Without giving Shang Jianyao a chance to answer, she said to herself:

"On one hand, they might feel elated, thinking this incident could be used to demonstrate the God of Fate's omnipotence, to make believers more devout, more obedient, and more proactive in spreading the faith."

Shang Jianyao nodded, indicating that a normal upper echelon member would think this way.

Jiang Baimian continued:

"On the other hand, they might be a bit worried, thinking this incident is too coincidental, too sudden, and too shocking, and might scare some believers, leading them to react excessively or unnecessarily, such as reporting, committing suicide, or openly spreading the faith."

Shang Jianyao thought for a few seconds and nodded again.

Jiang Baimian sighed:

"Let's assume the cult's upper echelons are all mentally sound. After having these thoughts, what would they do?"

She didn't let Shang Jianyao speak, answering herself:

"Immediately instruct their 'Guiders' to convene another meeting, to reassure everyone while promoting the sanctity and power of the God of Fate, ensuring no accidents and guiding the situation positively.

"But now, a day has passed, and you still haven't received any news of a meeting. You must know that such urgent matters wouldn't be delayed; they would be resolved immediately."

Shang Jianyao responded with a "hmm":

"Maybe they are just stupid and didn't think of this."

"Indeed, that's a reason. We can't expect our enemies to always be smart, thorough, and error-free," Jiang Baimian smiled. "However, your cult has been developing within the company for years without any incidents, which shows the upper echelons aren't a bunch of pigs. Plus, Wang Yafei's death was too coincidental, so I now lean towards them being responsible, either as religious fanatics or with sufficient confidence."

"More likely the latter." Shang Jianyao seemed to have switched back to normal thinking.

"Right... or both," Jiang Baimian agreed. "Pure religious fanatics would have been discovered and arrested long ago."

She then looked at Shang Jianyao and warned:

"I suspect directly approaching the 'Order Supervision Department' might lead to unexpected outcomes. This could be the confidence of the cult's upper echelons, ensuring all betrayals fail.

"Don't rush to report or investigate. Wait a bit.

"Wait a few days, a week, until the cult's upper echelons believe the situation has calmed down, with no further waves, and they relax their guard, becoming less vigilant, then try to take action."

Shang Jianyao frowned:

"After a few days, all traces will be gone."

Especially the body, which would be quickly disposed of.

Jiang Baimian, who had clearly considered this, nodded:

"During this time, I will try to use my personal connections to get a look at the surveillance footage of the relevant floors."

She explained:

"You mentioned Wang Yafei died suddenly around nine o'clock, and today isn't a rest day. At that time, most residents on each floor would be in the 'Factory Area' or 'Inner Ecological Area,' at their workstations, making the 'Living Area' very quiet.

"In such a situation, if someone came to the floor where Wang Yafei worked as the 'Material Supply Market Manager,' they would be very noticeable, and the elevator cameras would faithfully record their presence.

"Few people wander around during working hours.

"Indeed, we should not only look at the footage of the incident floor but also the floors above and below. Awakened individuals' abilities can penetrate ceilings, as long as the straight-line distance is met."

This was something Shang Jianyao had mentioned before, and Qiao Chu's 'Charm' had fully demonstrated this.

Shang Jianyao shook his head:

"Abilities can penetrate obstacles, but the range diminishes.

"Moreover, it's impossible to determine the target, only to sense the presence and approximate number of people in a certain area."

In other words, if the Awakened individual tried to 'execute' Wang Yafei from the floor above or below, it would easily result in a misfire, failing to achieve the goal.

"True," Jiang Baimian pondered. "Wang Yafei would be alone in a specific place at a specific time, like his office. By timing and location, a perfect strike could be made... No, from becoming a sinner to his sudden death, only three hours passed. The Awakened individual couldn't have figured out his routine, even by asking around, it would be too late. Yes... we only need to look at the footage of the incident floor, and the times before and after, but to be cautious, we should check all three floors. After all, we can't directly equate your situation to the general characteristics of Awakened individuals."

Shang Jianyao suddenly asked:

"What if there's no such person?"

"Then the killer might also work on the incident floor, perhaps even within the 'Material Supply Market.' The probability is low, but we can't rule it out," Jiang Baimian pursed her lips. "We can check who was near the 'Material Supply Market' at the time and investigate the characteristics of the 'Material Supply Market' employees."

She then looked at Shang Jianyao and smiled:

"Aren't Awakened individuals supposed to gain three abilities at the cost of one? Since they pay a price, they must show some abnormalities.

"That's the clue."

Shang Jianyao nodded, then raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Baimian laughed:

"You figured it out?

"Using mental illness to hide cognitive leaps and abnormalities is a good strategy, but to the company, it's still an abnormality worth tracking and observing.

"You don't think the company's upper echelons don't have basic information on Awakened individuals, do you?

"You don't think the abnormalities of research project volunteers would be easily overlooked, do you?

"You don't think someone with moderate mental illness could join the 'Old Adjustment Team' and casually go to the surface, do you?

"The company wants to observe you in different environments to confirm if you have any issues, and I am the observer."

Seeing Shang Jianyao's expression becoming increasingly serious, Jiang Baimian sighed with a smile:

"Fortunately, I have a soft heart...

"Even though I don't know why you're hiding, you can hide if you want to."

Shang Jianyao was silent for a moment:

"It can be a surprise."

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly, steering the conversation back:

"Regarding Wang Yafei's death, let's follow what we discussed:

"You wait patiently for a while before reporting, and I will conduct some peripheral and technical investigations."

Shang Jianyao didn't argue, saying softly:

"Be careful."

Jiang Baimian smiled brightly:

"I'll definitely find other excuses and reasons; I'm not stupid."

She touched her metallic ear and teased:

"Almost didn't hear you!

"Next time, when you care about someone, remember to speak louder."

"Yes, Team Leader!" Shang Jianyao responded with vigor.

Jiang Baimian sighed, pointing to the books on the table:

"These are some old world materials. Take them and read them.

"From now on, mornings will be for reading materials and discussions, afternoons for training."

Shang Jianyao took the materials, found a spot, and began reading quietly.

Soon, Bai Chen and Long Yuehong also came to work overtime during the holiday.

...

By evening, after eating at the small cafeteria, Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong took the elevator back to the 495th floor.

As they approached the 'Activity Center,' they suddenly heard a commotion.

Without speaking, they quickly approached and saw two 'Order Supervisors' in black uniforms escorting a man past them.

The man's hands were cuffed behind his back, his face contorted, eyes wide and bloodshot.

Long Yuehong was startled:

"Mindless disease!"

Shang Jianyao recognized the man:

Shen Du.

A little further away, a child was being held tightly by his mother, crying loudly:

"Daddy, Daddy..."

PS: Third update, seeking monthly votes~ Tomorrow will also have three updates, the first at midnight.