Chapter 102: The House of Many Affairs

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Garrison Army Subdivision L.

Interrogation Room.

Fang Tang gazed at the interrogation room before him, feeling a surge of emotion.

He recalled the first time he came to the Garrison Army—he had sat right where the accused now sat.

Now, he stood in the observation room, separated by glass, watching the octopus named Octo sitting in the chair.

“There are so many shops in the Underworld, and just as many octopuses—why was only this one captured?”

Fang Tang voiced his doubt.

Su Mang explained, “That’s Octo’s avatar. No one knows exactly what its abilities are.”

Fang Tang suddenly understood—no wonder every Underworld shop he’d visited had the same octopus.

He blinked, concealing his reaction.

[Alright, alright, since my beloved lady has told you, and now you’re separated by the observation glass, I can share some information about the octopus. However… limited by your evolutionary level, I can only say what I am allowed to. Octopus—an Underworld creature.]

“…”

That was it?

“So you just said nothing at all?”

Fang Tang complained helplessly, rolling his eyes.

He ignored the eye and continued to observe the octopus inside the interrogation room.

Because it was only an avatar, the octopus was fearless—even interestedly examining the room and commenting on its conditions.

“Heh heh heh, this is my first time in the Garrison Army. Such a large establishment, and yet the interrogation room is so shabby. Where did all the taxes from Districts D, E, F, G, and H go? Did you pocket them?”

“This tea is truly awful. If you’re short on funds, you could always buy some from my shop. I’ll give you the best discount—how about five percent off?”

“Heh heh heh, gentlemen, don’t look so sour. I’m the one being interrogated—is there a need for you to be so upset?”

The two Garrison soldiers across from the octopus remained expressionless, diligently recording every word the octopus uttered.

Leng Shan pushed open the door and entered. The two soldiers immediately stood and saluted him. “Captain!”

Leng Shan nodded. “Has it confessed to anything?”

The soldier handed over the record. “Nothing but nonsense. Whatever we ask, it claims innocence.”

Leng Shan frowned. “Bring in the equipment from outside. Since it won’t talk, we’ll have to use other means.”

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“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers hurried out.

The octopus fixed its small, bean-like eyes on Leng Shan. “Captain Leng, using extrajudicial punishment is illegal.”

Leng Shan ignored the octopus, directing the soldiers as they wheeled in a sophisticated device, attaching various wires to the octopus.

“We previously captured an assassin who committed a series of crimes in DEF District. The reason he evaded capture for so long was his unique talent sequence—he could enter others’ dreams to kill. As the owner of an Underworld shop, you must be familiar with all sorts of talent sequences. You should know what I’m referring to.”

“You have the means to strip sequences; so do we. After extracting the assassin’s sequence, we asked the Technological Church to help us create this machine. I’ve named it ‘Drunken Dreamless Death.’”

As Leng Shan finished naming the machine, all preparations were complete.

He looked at the octopus. “You’re just an avatar—physical death means little to you. But your mental consciousness remains connected to the original body. I wonder if you can withstand this Drunken Dreamless Death?”

The octopus’s expression darkened, its body secreting copious slime as it stared coldly at Leng Shan.

“Heh heh heh, Captain Leng, impressive methods. If you truly intend to act against me, have you considered the consequences?”

Leng Shan was unmoved by the threat.

“The Garrison Army has fallen to this state because of you. Outsiders may not know, but everyone in the Garrison Army remembers this debt. Things are already this bad—could it possibly get any worse?”

The octopus narrowed its eyes, then suddenly laughed. “Heh heh heh, Captain Leng, why go so far? We’re all just trying to make a living. Isn’t this all about two women? My humble shop may be able to help you find them.”

“Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Octo.” Leng Shan switched off the machine and left the room.

Su Mang pulled Fang Tang aside and caught up with Leng Shan. “Captain Leng, you’re just letting that octopus go?”

“This is the best outcome,” Leng Shan replied coolly, turning to leave.

Su Mang clenched her teeth, while Fang Tang rubbed his nose. “Sister Su, there’s a lot at play here. Right now, finding Liu Xu and Xie Ling is the priority. Everything else can wait.”

Xu Lin approached and patted Fang Tang’s shoulder. “You don’t understand—Su Mang’s husband was one of the missing.”

“…”

Fang Tang’s face turned awkward, and he apologized, “I’m sorry.”

Su Mang sighed in defeat. “The dead can’t be brought back. Better to focus on saving the living. Where did the captain go?”

“No idea,” Xu Lin shook his head.

Ta Meng walked over with his phone. “The captain went to the Omniscient Agency.”

“If he’s turned to the Omniscient Agency to find people, Liu Xu and Xie Ling should be safe,” Su Mang muttered to herself, found a chair, crossed her long legs, pulled out a cigarette, and smoked quietly, her face heavy with worry.

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Fang Tang and Xu Lin exchanged glances. Xu Lin shrugged helplessly. “It’s inevitable.”

…

Cradle World, a certain region.

Unlike other brightly lit underworlds, here the dense black fog filled every corner.

A car drove up, feeling its way through the darkness until it came to a stop.

Liu Yiran got out, took a candle, and placed it on the hood.

“Well, if it isn’t Captain Liu herself. What brings you to see your big sister today?”

A teasing voice sounded, followed by the rolling of the thick mist. From the darkness emerged a tall figure.

As she approached the car, her appearance became clear—a woman with a gauzy veil, draped in an elegant floor-length evening gown that accentuated her curves. A white fox stole looped from her left arm, across her back, and around her right, adding an air of noble grace.

“I need help finding two people.”

“Captain Liu never comes to see me unless she needs something—so heartless,” the woman said with a resentful glance. “Who are they?”

“Work’s been busy, you know how it is. Explorers have endless assignments; I barely get a moment to myself,” Liu Yiran replied with a smile.

As she spoke, she handed over two photographs. “One is named Liu Xu, the other Xie Ling. Here are their photos.”

“Oh, these two young ladies are quite pretty. What’s this—fallen for someone new?”

The woman folded her arms, her gaze mocking. “You used to call me your sweetheart at moon-viewing parties. Now you’ve moved on—is it time to call me Lady Niu?”

Liu Yiran’s mouth twitched. “They’re recruits for my team—both have great potential and strength. I don’t want anything to happen to them…”

She explained the situation of Xie Ling and Liu Xu’s disappearance, then added, “Please find them quickly. I’d owe you one.”

“Alright, alright, I get it.” The woman waved dismissively, then looked Liu Yiran up and down. “You look the same, but you seem exhausted. Rough days lately?”

“It’s okay. A strong new team member just joined—if I train him well, he’ll take a lot off my plate,” Liu Yiran answered honestly.

The woman grew wary. “Man or woman?”

“Man,” Liu Yiran replied helplessly.

“Good.” The woman visibly relaxed, then shot Liu Yiran a threatening look. “Let me warn you—the widow on your team is off-limits. If you touch her…”

She made a scissor gesture, hummed twice, and melted back into the black mist.