Chapter 169 : The Divine Tree of Flesh and Blood
Chapter 169: The Divine Tree of Flesh and Blood
“He—what’s his name, and what’s his relationship to you?”
Investigator Aries hadn’t expected Han Su to ask such an odd question. He merely glanced at him but didn’t respond.
He didn’t think Han Su had any understanding of this domain. Though this Star Investigator certainly drew attention, he had never truly been accepted by the investigator community. He couldn’t even recognize all the Disaster Management Bureau’s investigators—let alone those from the more mysterious esoteric factions.
Of course, not just Han Su—even Zhang Zhiguo behind him was likely unfamiliar with the esoteric factions.
After all, Zhang Zhiguo’s background determined he had never had dealings with them.
“No way!”
Seeing the other remain silent, Han Su stopped asking. Instead, beside him, Li Yiting suddenly burst into anger.
Usually the epitome of a refined and gentle middle-aged man, he now looked like veins might burst on his forehead: “While I am cooperating with the Disaster Management Bureau’s investigation, those materials belong to our Magic Box Corporation. What right do you have to promise them away?”
He had worked hard to bring those items back, even forsaking other benefits and investments just to deliver that batch of documents to Qinggang, to prove the kidnapping case’s existence—and now these people wanted to send them back without even a notice?
Then what had all his effort been for?
But faced with Li Yiting’s fury, Investigator Aries couldn’t even be bothered to glance at him. He simply sneered:
“You lot don’t even know what you’ve done!”
“The Disaster Management Bureau, the esoteric factions, and several ancient families have all signed a contract. There are strict regulations for handling every relic item.”
“This isn’t something a newcomer and a businessman like you can decide!”
“……”
Han Su slightly furrowed his brow.
He knew little about the esoteric factions and ancient nobles, so he didn’t understand what “regulations” the man was referring to.
But at this point, the Drunkard’s scheme was clear enough.
It was obvious that they also understood that submitting this data would impact the Drunkard’s promotion. But for some reason, they hadn’t destroyed it.
Now, their goal was to stall—as long as possible—so the data wouldn’t reach the Disaster Management Bureau too soon?
To that end, they were even willing to let Haidi City take the materials back.
Of course, even if they took it back, it wasn’t guaranteed they’d help conceal the data. But the back-and-forth would delay its exposure enough for them to manipulate something…
…Could it be that the Drunkard’s promotion was due to be approved within days?
Meanwhile, beside him, Li Yiting looked at the arrogance in Investigator Aries’ eyes and felt a growing sense of urgency: ‘Are those mysterious people interfering again?’
Having once built the Magic Box Corporation to such heights, he had, of course, noticed that deep in every city were people of extraordinary status. In fact, ten years ago, he had received an invitation—those people had approached him with pride.
But something had gone wrong at the time, and he had suffered a major setback. The invitation was never mentioned again.
Now it seemed clear: because he had never entered that circle, he remained entirely in the dark. And those very people now controlled relic item distribution.
The trouble was, both he and Xiao Han were in difficult positions now—and had no idea how to counter that circle.
Unless…
A ruthless glint flashed in Li Yiting’s eyes at the thought.
He glanced subconsciously at Han Su—only to see Han Su appearing to give up on the argument, turning instead to the bespectacled assistant beside him and asking, “Any findings?”
The Doctor slowly adjusted his glasses, his gaze withdrawing from the others as he said, “Though they’re kneeling in different places and vary in height and build, their pupils’ contractions and line of sight are all aligned.”
“In other words, they’re all looking at the same thing now.”
As he spoke, he turned his head slightly, continuing: “Something invisible to us normal folk—but real within their vision.”
He raised a hand, pointing forward, and said slowly, “I’m very curious—what exactly is it?”
Han Su nodded. “If we want to know what they’re seeing, we must undergo the same contamination they did.”
“Heh, you think I hadn’t considered that?”
Investigator Aries suddenly spoke at this moment: “Actively accepting contamination to gather intelligence is a standard tactic for us. But of course, such work is assigned only to D7. I’ve already submitted the request—D7 personnel are likely en route now.”
He said this while observing Han Su’s expression deliberately.
“D7, huh?”
Han Su nodded slightly—it made sense.
Contamination was an unavoidable risk in handling abnormal incidents.
But under normal conditions, one would avoid contamination at all costs—hence such tasks were for disposable assets.
D7s were just that—chosen disposable assets.
But then, if D7s could do it, why not him?
As someone who had undergone a Forbidden Operation, his mental dissection was far more reliable than that of an ordinary D7.
More importantly, even if he did encounter inescapable danger—he still had the Ghost Flame as a last resort.
Accepting contamination, enhancing Mental Activity, eliminating the source, neutralizing the threat—wasn’t this the best way to raise his Mental Activity?
…Could this be his opportunity to enter the Forbidden Zones of the Gods?
The more Han Su thought about it, the more tempted he became. But he also noticed Investigator Aries’ gaze—and felt puzzled: why was he looking at him like that?
“Ah…”
He suddenly understood—and his expression shifted subtly: “Why did they send D7 already?”
“You’re sure there’s no other solution to the current situation?”
“Who exactly are they sending?”
“……”
“Heh heh…”
Investigator Aries saw the look on his face and instantly relaxed, sneering inwardly: ‘Afraid now, are you?’
But outwardly, he looked even more arrogant and casually said, “I only requested D7 support. Who gets sent is the Bureau’s decision. What’s the matter? Weren’t you just criticizing me for slow progress, Butcher Investigator? Why the pale face now?”
“I’ve no issues with D7—fast or slow—it’s none of my concern.”
Han Su answered nonchalantly.
He thought to himself, Looks like Bowl-Cut Boy has completely won their trust…
Afraid his acting might give him away, Han Su turned and moved beside one of the Infected, speaking in a low voice: “But maybe—I can try?”
His expression turned solemn as he slowly placed a hand on the man’s shoulder.
This time, he didn’t recite a spell. Instead, he activated his Mental Activity, gradually infusing pure Spiritual Power into the infected person’s body.
This Spiritual Power, being pure and unresisted, instantly stirred the abnormal contamination within the infected. Han Su could feel something crawling along his spirit—racing into his brain.
In an instant, his eyes flushed red.
In his ears, eerie whispers suddenly echoed—countless voices murmuring, chanting.
It felt like, in the blink of an eye, he had arrived at some grand sacrificial ceremony.
His scalp tingled; a divine might seemed to descend upon his head.
Reflexively, his knees nearly buckled.
Something high and mysterious loomed before him—evoking primal fear—demanding worship, demanding total submission.
Han Su held onto a thread of his consciousness, slowly adapting to his reddening vision, raising his head stiffly.
He saw it—a crimson tree in the distance.
It wasn’t far—perhaps a few hundred meters away.
The tree was several dozen meters tall. Its trunk glowed a demonic red—like skinned muscle tissue twisted together.
But its crown bore massive, face-like leaves, gently swaying—weaving countless strands of spiritual resonance.
Between the leaves, Han Su saw flower buds beginning to sprout.
Just tiny buds—not yet blooming.
“What the hell is this thing?”
At that moment, Han Su had made his judgment. He suddenly stepped back and severed the contamination with his Mental Activity—preventing it from lingering in his spirit.
But within, he had his answer. The contamination was powerful—perhaps his plan would work—but it would require the Ghost Flame's support. It wasn’t time yet.
The Doctor couldn’t help stepping forward, asking quietly, “What did you see?”
Han Su shook his head. “The contamination is intense—I didn’t dare go deeper.”
The Doctor’s gaze turned disappointed, as though finding this investigator utterly useless…
Beside them, even Investigator Aries looked slightly stunned by Han Su’s attempt. But when he saw the result, his mood brightened again—his nostrils even flaring with pride:
‘Ha! The moment he heard D7 was coming, he got so scared he’d rather try the contamination himself?’
‘Too bad it’s pointless. Even I—with 61% Mental Activity—couldn’t handle it. How could he? This level of contamination—only D7s, boosted with enhancers, might stand a chance!’
‘……’
While Investigator Aries sneered inwardly, Li Yiting’s gaze grew even more solemn: ‘Xiao Han is in a passive position. In that case—perhaps I should…’
As each man fell into their own thoughts, a commotion suddenly erupted at the temporary containment center entrance. One of Investigator Aries’ assistants ran over, reporting nervously: “Sir—Doctor Rong from Haidi City has arrived!”
“Quick—bring him in!”
Upon hearing this, Investigator Aries’ expression turned solemn. He straightened his collar and hurried off with his cane to welcome the guest.
In the field, Li Yiting’s face changed slightly, while Han Su looked over curiously—only to see a young and arrogant face come into view.
Han Su immediately felt a subtle wave of relief: “It’s him…”C