The night was like ink, soaking into the rusty metal buildings. The unremarkable tin house at the end of the alley finally let out its last wisp of dim yellow light.

As the rusted door hinge emitted an ear-piercing creak, followers from all over filed out, their faces glowing with the unique, devout red sheen of believers, illuminated by the moonlight.

They tightened their tattered coats, dispersing silently into the city's vein-like alleys, like a school of silent fish.

No one noticed the five figures surveying this finale from high above.

To the left of Judicial Bureau Deputy Director Bode, his metal prosthetic eye glowed with a ghostly blue light, the chip in his skull marking the identity traits of each believer before his eyes.

In the shadows behind him, four captains of his security team lurked like beasts ready to pounce.

An Nishang has close confidants, and Bode equally has his own trusted aides.

The security team comprises five squads, with each captain personally selected by him.

The pupils of Snake Woman Erin were vertically slitted like a snake's, constantly contracting and expanding. A mini electromagnetic flying blade danced between Fang Jinpeng's fingers, the effeminate Liu San toyed with a neurotoxin injector, and the silent, equally imposing Black Andrew stood with crossed arms.

"Sir, why didn't we act immediately just now?" Erin questioned a bit puzzled, could it be these still didn't satisfy Bode's appetite?

"A long line is needed to catch a deep-sea whale." Liu San chimed in with a fawning smile, slender threads coiled around his fingertips, glinting sharply, "These fools don't yet know they've stepped into the trap set by our master. Erin, Fang Jinpeng, Liu San, Andrew must also acknowledge the master's resourcefulness, deliberately letting that missionary go, fishing with a long line to catch a big fish, uncovering more filthy bugs."

These Apocalypse Society fools are truly bold, even at this juncture, they don't forget to amass wealth."

"How does the brainwashing of this Apocalypse Society compare to that of cult sorcery? All the hard-earned money of a month handed over just like that. He gave it all, and they even returned him a bit, making him feel grateful, truly foolish."

"Ha, and also that woman selling her body, spreading her legs for some money, and handing it all over, what a terrifying organization." Andrew's voice was deep.

Bode said calmly, "Belief is the most terrifying thing, knowing how to exploit it in this damned apocalypse is even more terrifying.

Being ignorant, enduring suffering, and believing that the divine can deliver oneself from suffering, is the greatest illusion in the hearts of the underclass."

"Keep following, let's see who else these missionaries can contact..."

Liu San's voice was effeminate, like a strangled falsetto, "Following your wisdom, my lord..."

"Boom!" A deafening explosion shattered Liu San's flattery into pieces.

A pillar of fire soared into the sky, tearing a crimson gash in the night, while the hydraulic tubes in Bode's neck abruptly popped, the metal faceplate covering half his face glowing dark red under the intense heat radiation.

He whirled around, his alloy prosthetic eye emitting a terrifying red light, a roar escaping that not even an electronic synthesizer could fully filter: "Damn it! Who planted the explosives?!"

The four captains didn't take much time to think, turning into afterimages leaping down from the high-rise.

They've been baiting for so long, finally catching such a big fish, it can't die!

Erin's bionic spine twisted like a snake, iron-blue scales flickering in the firelight; Fang Jinpeng's electromagnetic flying blade sliced through falling concrete slabs, drawing a bright blue arc in the explosion's shockwave... all four had undergone cybernetic enhancements, their physical capabilities far beyond those of ordinary people.

Landing from a great height, unharmed.

When they dragged the charred remains of the missionary from the blaze, the book "Apocalypse" was scattering like gray butterflies.

Bode punched the rooftop water tank, the murky water twisting down his mechanical arm.

He swept his gaze through the darkness, searching for those who were obstructing him. Bode attempted to find the eyes watching him in the shadows, coming up empty-handed.

Seemingly remembering something, he suddenly shouted, "Bring back all those bugs! Now! Immediately!"

The big fish is dead, these small fry can't escape.

Perhaps from these small fry, we can pry more information.

In the blind spot of his vision, a figure hid inside the ventilation duct, silently putting away a mini detonator.

The sneer under the mask collided with Bode's distant roar in the night sky, like two poisoned blades clashing, sparking invisible fire.

If Bode were present here, he'd instantly recognize who it was, An Nishang's trusted aide, Kainan.

Kainan picked up a communicator, calling, "It's done on this end, move quickly on your side, don't leave them any clues... ha, with your intelligence network, Bode, how can you compare with the Director?"

...

His underlings went to execute his orders.

Bode's fists clenched tightly.

He vaguely knew who was messing with him.

An Nishang, damned woman.

Trying to trip him up, huh?

The Director's position, he was determined to get.

...

Luo Fei wrapped his thin work clothes more tightly around himself, traversing the dark alley, night winds tearing at his collar, seeping into his bones. He quickened his pace, the accumulated water producing a crisp, cracking sound beneath the rubber sole of his shoes.

The distant dim light pierced the darkness, like a rusty thumbtack lodged among the tin rooftops.

His wife opened the door, apron still spotted with fabric scraps.

She said nothing, first pulling a quilted coat from the bedside to envelop her husband, then took his grease-stained tool bag.

"The meal's still warm for you." She rubbed her hands to warmth, placing them on her husband's frozen cheeks. "Why so late coming home today?"

Do you want to soak your feet? I've heated some water?

Yesterday I saw a sore on your foot, I got some medicine. After you soak your feet, I'll apply it for you.

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