Chapter 93 Unexpected Gains

After the meal, White-haired Liu promptly paid the bill, and the military students expressed their thanks once more. Just then, a notification sounded on Chen Gu’s secret Bureau of Mystic Security account. Chen Gu opened it and saw that a sum of money, three thousand Starshields, had been transferred into Liu Zhekang’s personal account. For a high school student, this is a huge amount, Chen Gu thought, immediately beginning to use his prototype’s hacking skills to trace it. Steve had previously helped Chen Gu check White-haired Liu’s account. It had frequently been receiving deposits lately, each amounting to several thousand Starshields. However, the remittances had been routed through some clandestine payment accounts on the interstellar network, making it impossible to identify the sender. So, Chen Gu used his special operative authority to monitor Liu Zhekang’s account. As soon as the money was transferred, Chen Gu made his move. The other party’s methods weren’t sophisticated. It seemed they had merely purchased some simple hacking software online and didn’t possess high-level hacking skills themselves. Consequently, Chen Gu found the remitter without much effort. After a few more simple operations, Chen Gu pulled up all the remitter’s information. When he saw the photo, he was momentarily stunned. He had seen this person before. It was the maintenance worker from the Xingxing Corporation’s new building! Chen Gu’s mind raced with questions. Why would he keep sending money to an ordinary high school student? The man’s name was Park Sanyi; he had a long, horse-like face and small eyes. Comparing his account with Liu Zhekang’s, it was clear that most of the funds Liu Zhekang had recently received were transferred from Park Sanyi. A long-lost illegitimate son? A bold idea suddenly sprang into Chen Gu’s mind. But after looking at Liu Zhekang’s eyes and face shape, he was sure that even if Liu Zhekang’s father was being cuckolded (wearing the proverbial ’green hat’), Park Sanyi definitely wasn’t the one responsible. Chen Gu compared the two accounts again and found two more remittances from another account. He attempted to trace them and discovered they used the same hacking software as Park Sanyi’s account. Chen Gu tracked them easily. After pulling up the account information, Chen Gu thought, Just as I suspected. The account owner was Julie Green—Mona’s daughter! The reason Chen Gu had tracked Park Sanyi at the building earlier was that when Park pushed open a door, his exposed wrist revealed faint marks on the inner skin. Although treated, Chen Gu’s superior senses allowed him to see clearly that the mark had originally been something like a tattoo, its pattern very likely a "radiant bow and arrow." Chen Gu remembered this as the mark of True Knowledge Sin. Now, all the clues had unexpectedly connected, linking two suspected True Knowledge Sin followers with an ordinary high school student. While Chen Gu was still pondering, the military students from Zhaolin Middle School had already exited the hotel. One of them suggested, "Brother Liu, shall we go play some games?" White-haired Liu, however, shook his head. "You guys go ahead. It’s on my tab. I’m going back to school to practice a bit more." The others chimed in with praises like, "Brother Liu is so hardworking, our role model!" and then went off to play games, their consciences clear. Chen Gu, with his bodyguards, discreetly followed Liu Zhekang. To their surprise, the young man actually returned to the school. Chen Gu and his team couldn’t enter. The bodyguards looked for a place to climb over the wall but, after circling the premises, found that Zhaolin Middle School’s security measures were surprisingly robust. Ultra-high-voltage plasma nets were installed around the entire school perimeter. They were set to their lowest power level—even so, anyone colliding with them would be charred black. Chen Gu pulled up Zhaolin Middle School’s records. One of the school’s board members owned a large-scale security equipment manufacturing plant. No wonder, Chen Gu thought. They’re just advertising their own products. Chen Gu considered for a moment, then decided to report the matter. This was no longer a personal issue; it involved a Bureau of Mystic Security mission. Marcus received Chen Gu’s call and, after hearing everything, exclaimed excitedly, "You’ve done well, kid! Discovering such a crucial clue... you’re truly the lucky star of our team!" "Stay put and don’t act rashly. Remember: safety first!" Chen Gu rolled his eyes. "I’ll report to the Director right away," Marcus added. Upon learning of the situation, Director Mei immediately requested satellite surveillance over Zhaolin Middle School. The satellite images were promptly accessed, and Marcus shared them with Chen Gu. Chen Gu saw Liu Zhekang, now in a tracksuit, jogging around the school grounds—presumably warming up. Soon, Chen Gu was pulled into a high-level video conference. Participants included Chen Jixian (an elder son of a prominent lineage), Director Marcel of the First Division, Director Mei of the Fifth Division, and Marcus. Director Mei asked, "Chen Gu, what is your assessment?" Chen Gu had some vague ideas, but they were mostly speculation unsupported by evidence. He didn’t voice them rashly, saying, "I can’t quite make it out; this whole thing is very strange." Marcel said, "For now, it seems True Knowledge Sin may be planning to attack Zhaolin Middle School, just like the ’Embrace of the True God’ tragedy three years ago." Chen Gu couldn’t resist asking, "What was the real purpose of the ’Embrace of the True God’ back then? Why did True Knowledge Sin orchestrate such a tragedy?" Marcel shrugged. "Who knows? The subsequent investigation didn’t lead to any definitive conclusion. It could have been to attract attention, or perhaps because they’re simply a bunch of lunatics." Chen Gu recalled Wei Jiangqi’s expression—that pitying look reserved for ’ignorant fools.’ True Knowledge Sin can’t be that simple, he mused. However, knowing his own words carried little weight, he didn’t dare question the First Division Director’s assessment based on such subjective judgments. Director Mei said, "I also agree that True Knowledge Sin is very likely targeting Zhaolin Middle School this time." As she spoke, she pulled up some files. "This is likely True Knowledge Sin’s retaliation against Wuzhaoyin City." "The last time they attacked the Second Prison, attempting to rescue the Prophet Wei Jiangqi, they were ultimately repelled, losing thirty-one fanatics. However, the Angel Envoy leading that operation, Shentu Tuo, escaped, though severely injured." "The security contractor for the Second Prison is one of Zhaolin Middle School’s board members." "True Knowledge Sin has ample reason to choose Zhaolin Middle School for their revenge." Chen Jixian had remained silent throughout. Only after his subordinates had all stated their views did he finally speak, slowly and deliberately, "Maintain close surveillance." "This operation... will be Director Mei’s responsibility." "Yes!" Director Mei accepted the assignment with delight. Marcel was visibly displeased, but since Director Mei’s team had discovered the clue, he couldn’t argue. Chen Gu remained on standby. Within twenty minutes, a large contingent from the operations team arrived. Steve came over to meet Chen Gu, a hint of admiration in his eyes as he thumped Chen Gu’s chest. "You’re quite something, kid, stumbling upon such a big fish!" Chen Gu grinned. "That’s also thanks to Brother Bai." Steve also grinned. "I was worried you were too young, might not handle things with the right discretion, and stir up trouble—heh. If you ever need anything in the future, just come to me." "Alright, I won’t hesitate to ask then."