37: Investigator

It was only after the Office Staff spoke a few sentences that Han Yi understood his surprise.

The Bureau of Unusual Matters was an organization specifically established by the Da Xuan Dynasty to handle unusual events across the realm, such as You anomalies, You devouring people, and other such incidents. It had branches in every slightly larger city.

Since the Da Xuan Dynasty was the top Martial Dao power in the realm, within An Yan City, whether it was the Crimson Flame Sect, the Qianye Sect, the An Yan City Bureau of Unusual Matters, the Magistrate Wang Family, or the Military Registrar Huang Family, they were all part of the Da Xuan Dynasty. For example, the Sect Leader of the Crimson Flame Sect was also the Household Registrar of An Yan City.

These forces had to work together to handle all matters, big and small, within An Yan City. For instance, the Crimson Flame Sect, Qianye Sect, Huang Family, and Wang Family were responsible internally for various daily civilian affairs, maintaining public order, and ensuring the people lived and worked in peace within An Yan City.

The An Yan City Bureau of Unusual Matters, on the other hand, was external, specifically handling unusual events like You that occurred within the An Yan City area. The Bureau of Unusual Matters would not handle human-caused disasters like bandits or refugees.

It was the combined efforts of the internal and external forces within and outside An Yan City that protected the peace and prosperity of the people in this area.

Furthermore, within An Yan City, major forces like the Crimson Flame Sect and Qianye Sect, which had ranks, were often short-handed when maintaining their territories and handling matters daily.

Moreover, it was safer for Disciples of major forces to complete Sect missions and exchange items; they didn't need to go out and fight You, thus avoiding danger. Therefore, Disciples from these major forces were rarely seen at the Bureau of Unusual Matters.

The Martial Artists in this hall were mostly from small Sects within An Yan City, or even lone Martial Artists. Unlike Disciples of the Crimson Flame Sect like Han Yi, they lacked suitable weapons, Cultivation Techniques, and elixirs. At the Bureau of Unusual Matters, as long as they completed missions and accumulated enough merit, they could exchange for anything!

Han Yi now also understood why Pan Sheng, Li Feng, and others knew so little about You matters.

If explained using his previous life's theories, the Da Xuan Dynasty was like a large corporation. The Crimson Flame Sect and Qianye Sect were like different departments within one company, but the Bureau of Unusual Matters was another company under the corporation. Since each company was responsible for different matters, they naturally didn't pay much attention to each other's affairs.

"How about it? Do you want to join the Bureau of Unusual Matters and become a glorious Investigator?" the Office Staff asked with a smile.

"Investigator?" Han Yi keenly heard an unfamiliar term he hadn't heard before.

"In the Bureau of Unusual Matters, Martial Artists who handle unusual events are called Investigators. They are divided into three levels: White Jade, Green Jade, and Gold Jade."

Perhaps because it was getting late and there were fewer people in the hall, the Office Staff spoke leisurely and patiently, "An Investigator is someone who investigates anomalies and resolves minor issues."

"Fighting You is considered a minor issue?"

"Naturally, it's a minor issue. The 'Yin Qi worm' and 'Big-headed Monster' mentioned in the mission rewards just now are merely Yins that have mutated after being infected by Yin Qi," the Office Staff said with a smile. "They can't even be considered You at all."

Han Yi's thoughts turned, and an idea formed. "So, the 'Yin Qi worm' and 'Human-faced Giant Spider' I encountered before were just types of Yins..."

"Then how are true You dealt with?" Han Yi continued to ask.

"That's not something we can know," the Office Staff slightly cupped his hands upwards, showing respect. "You are naturally handled by Lords like the Mystic Armored Guard!"

Han Yi pondered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Are there any restrictions after becoming an Investigator?"

"There are no restrictions, but if you want to exchange for Treasure Items within the Bureau of Unusual Matters, you must accept missions and exchange using mission merit."

So, the Mystic Armored Guard are full-time members of the Bureau of Unusual Matters, while Investigators are like contract workers, no, they should be considered outsourced labor...

"That's all there is to say. How about it? Do you want to join the Bureau of Unusual Matters?" Perhaps impatient from being asked, the Office Staff asked again.

Han Yi hesitated for a while, but it seemed there were no downsides to becoming an Investigator. Furthermore, the System could absorb the so-called Yin Qi, and joining the Bureau of Unusual Matters would allow him to obtain more information...

"Okay, I'll join!"

The Office Staff took out a registration book. After Han Yi filled in some personal information, he took the book and turned back to the rear hall.

After a short while, he returned with a jade pendant and handed it to Han Yi.

The surface of the jade pendant was as white as jade, with fine texture, a round shape, and a warm feel like mutton-fat jade. A large character 'Investigate' was carved on it.

"This jade pendant? It's exactly the same as the one I picked up in the 'Human-faced Giant Spider' cave..." Han Yi's eyes flickered.

"White Jade Pendant. It records your personal information and merit, and can also withstand three attacks from Yins. Keep it safe; replacing it next time will cost a fee."

"Also, if you accumulate three Class B major merits or become a Connecting Vessels Stage Martial Master, you can upgrade to a Green Jade Pendant. The Green Jade Pendant has more powerful functions, and the benefits for becoming a Green Jade level Investigator will greatly increase."

"Right, I want to ask," Han Yi suddenly thought of something and abruptly asked, "After completing a mission, how does the Bureau of Unusual Matters confirm whether the mission has been resolved?"

"Or rather, how does the Bureau of Unusual Matters know that an unusual event has occurred?" Han Yi asked tentatively.

"First, someone witnesses it personally and reports it to the Bureau of Unusual Matters."

"Second,"

The Office Staff smiled without speaking, pointing to the top of the plaque on the pavilion.

"See that mirror? That's a branch of the Earth Rank High Grade Spirit Item 'Tianji Mirror'!"

"As long as the 'Tianji Mirror' is present, all Yin Qi fluctuations within several hundred li around An Yan City are crystal clear. There's no need to doubt the authenticity of the missions. Furthermore, the Investigators' jade pendants are produced by it, so you don't need to worry about your merit being embezzled."

"Isn't this a bit more Advanced than the so-called satellites and cameras of my previous life..."

I was so foolish, truly...

Initially, he had thought that the Dynasty in this world was merely a low-level Martial Dao Dynasty with cold weapons, just with a larger territory and stronger individual power.

Later, after encountering the so-called Yins like the 'Yin Qi worm' and 'Human-faced Giant Spider', his perspective began to change.

Now, he looked up at the 'Tianji Mirror' hanging above, then lowered his head to look at the White Jade Pendant in his hand.

Han Yi only felt as if something inside his heart had shattered into countless pieces with a 'crackling' sound. He knew that was his worldview.

In this world, the imperial court could suppress forces like the Crimson Flame Sect and make them obedient, could protect ordinary people from the attacks of You, and possessed artifacts like the 'Tianji Mirror' which sounded like something from a cultivation novel in his previous life...

Han Yi immediately changed his perspective.

"Also, Earth Rank High Grade, Spirit Item? What does that mean?" Han Yi's thoughts raced.

But looking at the Office Staff's expression... Han Yi had asked so many questions that he was already becoming impatient.

"Keep the White Jade Pendant safe and go accept a mission!" The Office Staff turned his head to look at Han Yi.

He saw a gentle smile on his face and pushed a cloth bag over.

The Office Staff quickly and discreetly accepted it. He weighed it in his hand, his expression softened, and his tone suddenly became gentle, "Is there anything else? Feel free to ask."

"May I ask about that Earth Rank High Grade Spirit Item?"

This time, there was not a trace of impatience on the Office Staff's face as he meticulously explained to Han Yi.

It turned out that martial arts Cultivation Techniques had levels, divided into Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow Ranks, with each Rank further divided into High, Middle, and Low Grades.

Weapons and armor were the same: Yellow Rank Treasure Items, Black Rank Dharma Items, Earth Rank Spirit Items, with each Rank also divided into three grades.

Above Earth Rank was only known as Heaven Rank, but the Office Staff did not know what it specifically entailed.

However, it was likely that Heaven Rank possessed power beyond ordinary imagination; perhaps summoning wind and rain, or overturning rivers and seas, were just minor matters!

You naturally also had corresponding Demonic Items, but when Han Yi asked for specifics, the Office Staff was vague, as he was also unclear about the classification of Demonic Items.

I wonder what grade that 'blood plum handkerchief' is and what its function is... Han Yi mused inwardly. On his System panel, the Demonic Item 'blood plum handkerchief' only had the word 'Purified' written next to it...

"Indeed, money makes the world go round; ten taels of silver weren't spent in vain!"

Having obtained so much information, Han Yi, holding the few books given to him by the Office Staff and with the White Jade Pendant hanging from his waist, returned to Qiuzhu Alley feeling satisfied.

"Oval in shape, with patterns on it, the color of obsidian, named Xuan Yin."

Is this thing a xuan yin stone?

Han Yi was playing with the stone he got from the Black Market stall.

"xuan yin stone, extremely rare. The deeper an Yin is infected by Yin Qi and the stronger it is, the more likely it is to produce a xuan yin stone within its body. Its value is extremely high."

The few booklets the Bureau of Unusual Matters gave Han Yi contained information about You and also indicated that they would buy back xuan yin stone at a high price.

"What does the Bureau of Unusual Matters need xuan yin stone for...?" Han Yi muttered to himself.

The System could absorb xuan yin stone, and he still wanted to find an opportunity to acquire some. Wouldn't this add another competitor...

【Discover absorbable Yin Qi, absorb?】

【Yes】

The familiar chill came again, but Han Yi, like a Stockholm Syndrome patient, had already fallen in love with this feeling!

Although his body instinctively shivered, seeing his essence value increase, he only had one feeling.

"Refreshing!"

【Essence Value】: 29

One xuan yin stone added ten points of essence value and one year of lifespan.

"So, does that mean the 'Human-faced Giant Spider' in the cave that day also produced a xuan yin stone within its body...?" Han Yi thought reflectively.

Unfortunately, the 'Human-faced Giant Spider' from that day had already been burned to mere remnants by his fire, and he didn't know if the xuan yin stone was also completely burned away. But he couldn't possibly go back to the cave to search.

Right, Han Yi remembered the diary and jade pendant he picked up that day.

He pondered for a long time, then silently stuffed the white jade pendant and diary into the deepest part of the cabinet, completely sealing them away.

Handing these things over to the Bureau of Unusual Matters might yield some rewards, but he couldn't explain how he killed the 'Human-faced Giant Spider'.

He was unwilling to take any risks that could potentially expose the System!

He was still too weak now, unless one day, his strength could reach the peak of the world.

The night was deep; let's rest first. Perhaps, tomorrow should be for improving strength.

Han Yi looked at the 29 points of essence value on the panel.

Late at night, the Li Residence.

Elder Li Chengfeng waved his hand, dismissing all the servants. A palm wind extinguished the oil lamp, and he got up and went to a study. After twisting a porcelain bottle a few times,

With a soft 'creak',

A secret chamber suddenly appeared, with several oil lamps lit inside.

Elder Li sat cross-legged on a futon in the middle of the secret chamber. He began to mutter to himself, seemingly conversing with someone.

"Given it to him..."

"He will go to the Black Rock Mountains..."

A few whispers could be faintly heard.

"Why not just attack directly?"

Suddenly, his face contorted, and his voice sharply rose, "What does revenge have to do with me? You and I both serve the Master, what right do you have to order me?"

At this moment, Elder Li's eyes were blood red, looking like a madman.