Let them offer their loyalty!

Chapter 75 Something's Off About This Satisfaction (7k For Follow-Up Reads!)

Qiu Tu certainly knew what he was applying for.

"Mist Index Book," "Intangible Distortion Sensor," "Void Dimension Surveyor," "Retrospective Locator"....

Despite the grandiose names of these Cataclysmic treasures, in reality... they were all standard-issue Cataclysmic treasures from the Sanctuary.

And the function of these Cataclysmic treasures was simple: they were to investigate clues for cases or traces of Catastrophe Power through various methods.

For example, the "Mist Index Book" could generate an unusual fog within a certain area, and this fog would reveal all traces of Catastrophe Power residue in the vicinity.

The "Intangible Distortion Sensor" was for sensing distortions generated by the intersection of the Boundless Heart Sea and the real world, which were typically caused by Cataclysmic abilities, allowing this Catalysmic treasure to analyze the level and type of Cataclysmic ability.

The other two Cataclysmic items had similar functions, differing only slightly in their manufacturing materials and subsidiary features.

Why did Qiu Tu know about these Cataclysmic treasures?

Simple, Qin Shuman had explained them to him the night before.

According to Qin Shuman, the standard-issue Cataclysmic treasures commonly used to investigate supernatural cases in the Sanctuary were these four types.

The Security Department brought two sets when they came down from the Sanctuary, but how many the Political Department had, she didn't know.

Her guess was: they definitely had some, but not all.

Therefore, when applying for materials, Qiu Tu simply wrote down all the treasures, intending to see how many he could get approved.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu regained his senses, looked toward Jia Shu, and replied, "Chief. I am aware. These are treasures used to investigate traces of Catastrophe Power."

Upon hearing this, Jia Shu put down his pen, crossed his hands beneath his chin, and looked at Qiu Tu with an exploratory gaze.

His eyes, narrow and profound behind his glasses, seemed as if they could see right through one's heart.

After staring for a full two seconds, his face suddenly brightened with a faint smile, and he said, "I remember telling you that as long as you close this case successfully, it would be sufficient."

"So... give me a reason?"

If Qiu Tu dared to test the waters with the application, he naturally had an excuse ready.

He looked at Jia Shu and answered earnestly, "Chief, if we're putting on an act, we should do it thoroughly. If it were an ordinary murder case, we could simply frame an offender and fabricate some evidence to close the case. But this is a major case that so many eyes in Xinjie City are watching."

"I'm aware of Cataclysmic abilities, Cataclysmic treasures. Surely those important figures can't be ignorant of them, can they?"

"If I just conducted a superficial investigation for a few days, without even using the treasures to detect traces of Cataclysm, and close the case as an ordinary murder, do you think they would believe it?"

"Wouldn't this approach be too slipshod?"

Seeing that Jia Shu's eyes showed contemplation, Qiu Tu continued, "Actually, it makes no difference to me. After all, I'm just a small figure."

"What I'm worried about is that if this matter is handled too carelessly, the Municipal Committee or the military might seize upon it."

"At that time, it could cause trouble for you and the Bureau Chief..."

Toward the end, Qiu Tu's voice grew fainter, almost inaudible....

The office slowly became quiet.

Jia Shu silently pondered....

After a moment, his face revealed a sardonic smile, then he picked up the pen and made a few changes to the document before saying, "You make a good point. Let's go with your plan."

After making the changes, Jia Shu signed the document and handed it to Qiu Tu.

Qiu Tu quickly stepped forward, took the document with both hands, then cast an imperceptible glance over it: Of the four Cataclysmic items, only the "Mist Index Book" was left, and it also noted the borrowing time: one week.

"By the way, Qiu Tu. Where did you learn so much about these Cataclysmic treasures?"

Just as Qiu Tu received the document and was slightly distracted, Jia Shu suddenly asked.

At the sound of his words, Qiu Tu's heart tightened, and he quickly gathered his wandering thoughts. Then he looked up at Jia Shu, smiled, and said, "From the Security Department. Last night, after I met with them, I learned about these treasures from their information."

He fabricated a lie, "Last night, following your directive, I explained to them the situation that both you and the Bureau Chief have strange abilities and seemed a bit abnormal. They indeed showed great interest."

"Then, under subtle prodding, they briefly explained Cataclysmic abilities and Cataclysmic items to me—largely consistent with the contents of the materials you had given me before."

"Because I come from an investigator background, I naturally grew curious and inquired about what to do if these supernatural powers were used by a murderer to commit crimes."

"They then introduced me to a few types of investigative Cataclysmic treasures commonly used by the Security Department."

"Today, when forming the investigative team, I thought of these Cataclysmic items, and also of the prospect of Catastrophe Power being used for murder. So I filed an application report to you."

Qiu Tu's story was watertight, hence Jia Shu nodded with a mocking smile, "I understand."

He said, "Then take this application to the logistics section for record-keeping. They'll have someone specifically unseal the Cataclysmic treasures upon receiving the application form."

"These Cataclysmic treasures are quite dangerous and shouldn't be easily dispersed, so they'll need to be picked up by me personally tomorrow."

"After I collect them, I'll have them delivered to you."

Hearing Jia Shu's words, Qiu Tu hastily said, "When the time comes, Minister, you can just call me, and I'll come to collect them."

Jia Shu looked at Qiu Tu with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Chief Qiu is still quite sensible."

After finishing his encouragement, he said, "Do well on the case. Don't disappoint me."

Qiu Tu promptly saluted, "Yes, Chief!"

After saluting, seeing that Jia Shu had lowered his head to continue reviewing documents, Qiu Tu also turned to leave the office.

However, having reached the door, Qiu Tu paused for a moment and then slowly stopped.

He turned around and asked a question, "Chief, I remember you mentioned that the outcome of this case needs to satisfy both the political and commercial sectors of Xinjie City."

"I have a question, if the outcome pleases some and displeases others, whose opinion should I prioritize?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's question, Jia Shu slowly raised his head. His eyes, narrow and deep behind his glasses, stared intently at Qiu Tu, and then he said indifferently, "Vice President Tian."

Hearing the answer Jia Shu gave, Qiu Tu nodded, "I understand, Chief."

Having said that, Qiu Tu no longer hesitated and pushed open the door, leaving the office...

But after he left, in the empty office, Jia Shu remained for a long time without looking down at the documents.

He gazed at the spot where Qiu Tu had just stood, a manic smile slowly forming on his face. His eyes suddenly turned red, the desire within seeming to be on the verge of bursting out uncontrollably.

In that moment, the space itself seemed to subtly tremble, as if something terrifying was about to happen.

Possibly sensing his own loss of control, Jia Shu took several deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his emotions. Then his tongue suddenly elongated, stretching out to lick his lips before he whispered, "Interesting... very interesting..."

"But there's no rush, no hurry at all. It's not often that you come across such an intriguing prey; you have to properly nurture it before devouring it when it's ripe..."

[Jia Shu: Suspicion-0, Satisfaction+5]

...

Stepping out of Jia Shu's office and seeing the "Satisfaction" prompt floating before his eyes, Qiu Tu paused momentarily, somewhat bewildered.

He recalled everything that had happened in Jia Shu's office.

It seemed... he hadn't felt that he had performed exceptionally well.

Why had Jia Shu's satisfaction with him suddenly increased by so much?

Could it be... because of accumulated efforts finally paying off?

He hadn't exposed any flaws, which had finally satisfied him?

But... that didn't seem right either. Shouldn't the suspicion have decreased a bit?

Qiu Tu found it a bit perplexing.

However, since he couldn't see the exact numbers for Jia Shu's suspicion or satisfaction, there was too little information to analyze, so he could only temporarily push these thoughts to the back of his mind.

After all, an increase in satisfaction was always a good thing. If he couldn't figure it out, then so be it.

It's not like Jia Shu's satisfaction was special, where the higher it was, the more dangerous, right?

With that in mind, Qiu Tu followed Jia Shu's instructions and went to the logistics department to submit the form once again.

This time, with Jia Shu's signature and notes on it, Chief Huang finally accepted the form, and his gaze towards Qiu Tu became friendlier.

Clearly, he was gradually starting to see Qiu Tu as one of their own.

Qiu Tu speculated that information related to Cataclysmic ability might be an implicit threshold.

To the middle management, natives who had obtained such information from the higher-ups were regarded as having gained trust and could be considered half-insiders.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu and Chief Huang once again set a time to meet over the weekend. After exchanging a few more casual words, Qiu Tu left the logistics department.

At noon, he ate lunch on the garden terrace on the 9th floor.

In the afternoon, all the formalities for the establishment of the investigation team were finally completed. The investigation team was officially established.

Possibly because of the stir Qiu Tu had caused at the Investigation Bureau today, the investigation team was very motivated.

So Qiu Tu didn't delay and took advantage of the momentum to start assigning tasks directly.

He looked around at the twenty or so people present and then said, "Liu Fuping, Song Qing."

"Present!" Hearing Qiu Tu's call, the two came forward.

Qiu Tu said, "You two go to the inspection department to get the case files."

"Yes!" The two female investigators accepted the command.

After arranging for those two, Qiu Tu turned to Chen Feng, "Chen Feng, Zhu Huoyan."

The two stepped forward, "Present!"

Qiu Tu said, "You two go to the morgue to handle the paperwork, request to review the autopsy records, and have them prepare a separate morgue. I may personally examine the deceased's body from this afternoon to tomorrow night."

Chen Feng and Zhu Huoyan saluted, "Yes!"

Next, Qiu Tu turned to Wang Xi, "Wang Xi, Ding Xiaoliu."

"Present!"

Qiu Tu said, "You two go to the Surveillance Department and apply to retrieve all surveillance videos related to the deceased from the past couple of days."

"Yes!"

Following that, Qiu Tu assigned all the tasks one by one. Only Cao Dabiao and a few other investigators remained in the conference room.

This made people like Cao Dabiao, who were eager to prove themselves, as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

So, after the other investigators had left according to their assignments, Cao Dabiao scurried up to Qiu Tu's side and, with a hopeful expression, asked, "Chief, what about me? What about me?"

Seeing his impatience, Qiu Tu smiled.

Then he said, "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you."

After that, he dropped the smile and quietly said, "Big Biao. The one I trust most is you." "That's why I have an arduous task for you."

Cao Dabiao's spirits lifted upon hearing this.

Qiu Tu put an arm around his neck and continued in a lowered voice, "I need you to investigate the movements of Vice President Tian and those transport merchants over the past three days."

"Figure out where they went, who they met, and what time they left."

"If you have connections, try to check the movements of their confidants as well."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Cao Dabiao was stunned at first. Then pointing at his own chubby face with his right index finger, his expression turned blank as he said, "Huh? Me? I'm supposed to investigate Vice President Tian and those big merchants?"

Qiu Tu clicked his tongue, "It's not just you."