148: Chapter 148 Doubt

Chu Xuan clearly remembered that in his last dream, after the test ended, Zhang Qiang said, "I'll take you to see the Captain."

This time in reality, perhaps because he was taking the test with Tang Zheng and the others, although there were some discrepancies in the details and dialogue during the testing process, they were generally similar to those in the dream.

Chu Xuan hadn't paid much attention to it at first.

Even when Zhang Qiang said in reality this time, "I'll take you to meet the other team members and another Deputy Captain," Chu Xuan only thought it was a change caused by the different context, naturally assuming the Captain was included among them.

But now, Zhang Qiang explicitly stated that he had no intention of taking them to see the Captain, because the Captain had gone to track down a Specter, and it was unclear exactly when he would return.

A discrepancy had appeared between the dream and reality!

What caused this?

Chu Xuan recalled carefully, as scenes of his vastly different behaviors in reality compared to the dream flashed through his mind like a rewinding film reel...

First, outside Yinshan Village.

Arranging for Qin Shaowu and Tang Zheng to go to Guomao Mansion, intercepting and killing Chen Yao outside the pedestrian street, and forcing Tao Jiajia and the others onto the eerie bus.

Next, arriving at Yinshan Village.

First, quickly killing Baldy, Old Wu, and the others, then shooting Tao Jiajia's group, while intentionally leaving Fox alive.

Then, refusing the "feast" and heading straight up the mountain; after entering Shouguo Temple, retrieving the Flower Cotton Jacket and the Copper Mirror, turning against the White-haired Village Chief and killing him, resulting in none of the newcomers on the mountain undergoing Spirit Washing, and all being saved...

Was it one of these actions, like the flap of a butterfly's wings, that led the Night Watchers' Captain to discover the two Specters that killed the Night Watchers?

Chu Xuan remained impassive and asked again, "Around what time did the Captain send the message saying he was going to track those two Specters? Did he find the traces of both Specters at the same time?"

"Around 4:30 AM."

Luo Xiaotian replied, "The Captain didn't specify if he sensed them at the same time. Anyway, since he went, he definitely won't return empty-handed. Don't worry, he should be back soon."

Chu Xuan nodded, a single image instantly freezing in his mind.

The White-haired Old Village Chief of Yinshan Village!

Chu Xuan remembered that the eerie bus arrived at Yinshan Village at 4:00 AM, and it was roughly half an hour later that the group arrived outside the Mahavira Hall.

And he had killed the Old Village Chief at approximately 4:30 AM...

Before this, Chu Xuan had already suspected the Old Village Chief's identity; he was extremely mysterious and seemed to be controlled by some entity.

The Night Watchers' Captain also sent out the message at that exact time and went to track the Specters.

Was that really the case?

Based on various previous judgments, especially the message [Future Tang Zheng] asked him to bring to Qin Qing.

—Don't be obsessed with seeking the truth; only by surviving is there hope.

Chu Xuan had originally thought the mole within the Night Watchers might be Han Cheng, because he hadn't reported Qin Qing's whereabouts in time, intentionally trying to get her killed.

Furthermore, before leaving the dormitory, Qin Qing had also said this—

"Our team has hunted the Night Demon many times, but it escaped every single time. I once suspected whether there was an internal problem, but since humans and Specters are naturally opposed, I didn't look into it deeply; it was just some doubt. But looking back now, it was indeed quite unusual..."

But in reality, Han Cheng was already dead before his scheduled meeting with Qin Qing, and it was precisely the Captain who discovered Han Cheng's body.

Was it a coincidence?

Before this, Chu Xuan would indeed have been more willing to think the best of people, but now, he no longer hesitated to speculate with the greatest malice.

Chu Xuan thought of the worst-case scenario...

Perhaps all along, it was because of the Captain's interference that the Night Demon had repeatedly escaped the Night Watchers' hunts.

This time, Han Cheng hadn't actually waited until the scheduled time of 3:30. Instead, after receiving Qin Qing's scheduled text message and finding he couldn't contact her, he immediately reported to the Captain just to be safe.

It turned out the Captain was the mole; he killed Han Cheng directly and staged the scene to look like Han Cheng had been devoured by a Specter.

So, was this Captain a human, a Specter, or perhaps a member of the Resurrection Society?

Chu Xuan didn't know.

He hoped his conjectures were wrong and that the mole was someone else. Otherwise, if the mole had become the big boss in charge, what was the point of even trying?

He might as well run away as soon as possible.

Though his mind was racing, only a minute or so had passed in reality. On the surface, Chu Xuan remained calm and composed, with very little emotional fluctuation.

After multiple confrontations with the Phantom Demon, along with the increase in his spirit attribute, self-regulation and control over his inner thoughts and facial expressions were now just basic skills.

He stopped thinking about these things, planning to ask [Future Tang Zheng] what the problem was when he entered the dream tonight.

If things were truly beyond saving, he would have to leave quickly. He had joined the Night Watchers only to hunt Specters more effectively; he had no interest in risking his life for the organization to purge internal threats or root out evil.

"Alright!"

Zhao Hongchan raised her hand, stopping the group's debate, and said, "It's about time. Let's officially start the meeting."

As she spoke, Zhao Hongchan held a remote control and turned on the surveillance cameras in the meeting room. Then, she coughed lightly and gave Zhang Qiang a look.

Zhang Qiang nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across everyone.

"The first item on the agenda... It seems everyone is very welcoming of these two newcomers. Therefore, I propose that we skip the training phase and directly make Chu Xuan and Tang Zheng official members to participate in Specter hunts. Does anyone have any objections?"

No one objected..

Zhang Qiang smiled and picked up two pre-prepared file folders from the conference table, taking out a stack of red-covered documents from each and handing them to Chu Xuan and Tang Zheng.

"You two take a quick look. If there are no issues, just sign your names."

Chu Xuan took and opened them, finding that they were similar to corporate employment notices and corresponding contract documents.

The difference was that they were interspersed with lengthy passages of text and images related to loyalty to the country and serving the people, along with various historical struggles, great achievements, and some oaths.

"Adhering to the principle of one core... establishing the core position..."

"Resolutely upholding... unified leadership..."

Chu Xuan understood that these were just formal procedures. He flipped through them casually and signed his name.

Tang Zheng also signed his name quickly.

Finally, they were handed to Zhang Qiang and Zhao Hongchan, who each signed their own names.

"The newcomer training is waived, but don't forget the necessary video learning. After the meeting, Luo Xiaotian will go over the details with you and take you to collect some newcomer benefits."

Zhang Qiang spoke solemnly, then continued to the next item:

"The second item is regarding the restructuring of the Haicheng Night Watchers and the establishment of the country's first pilot program. Everyone, please take a look at these documents first..."

As he spoke, someone stood up and distributed pre-printed official documents along with a small booklet to everyone.

Chu Xuan glanced at them and immediately realized that Zhang Qiang had already revealed the contents. It was simply the abolition of the Investigation Team and the creation of the "Inspector" position, which would be held by all members of the Night Watcher team.

Among them, the Night Watchers' Captain would serve as the Chief Inspector and be one of the leaders of the Bureau of Abnormal Human Management and Investigation, possessing the highest temporary command authority in Haicheng.

Although it said "one of," even Chu Xuan, who had no experience in officialdom, knew very well that in this situation, with absolute force, "one of" was actually "the only one."

There was too much room for manipulation.

The booklet described the specific duties and powers of the Inspectors in great detail, including regulations for disciplinary actions.

Particularly when handling Specter incidents, they could mobilize nearby military and police for assistance. Anyone who obstructed them would be deemed a traitor and could be executed on the spot, with only a detailed explanatory report required afterward.

It was equivalent to giving every Night Watcher an Imperial Sword, granting them the power to act first and report later.

Chu Xuan thought to himself, isn't this just a high-end version of the Jinyiwei with imperial authorization?