Chapter 178 Entering the Lair
That night, Li Youcai sneaked out of the criminal investigation team. In the pitch-black night, he gratefully grasped Shen Zhenzhu's hand: "Thank you, Captain Shen. I'll definitely treat you to dinner later."
"Hurry up, don't let anyone see you." Shen Zhenzhu helped him into Brother Li's car, watched them leave, and then turned and went into Director Liu's office.
“This is the bribe money, and this is the report,” Shen Zhenzhu said, sitting opposite Director Liu. “I’ve already arranged for people to keep an eye on them, and I’ve also told Li Youcai not to cause any trouble lately.”
"What do you think about this?" Director Liu brewed a strong cup of tea. He had been personally following up on the progress of the "High Meeting" recently, sending out dozens of criminal investigation team members. Only Shen Zhenzhu and two other agents might have come into contact with the "High Meeting" personnel.
“I think it’s a further probing tactic, and also because they want to find something on me.” The excited and fanatical look on Shen Zhenzhu’s face was gone, and she said seriously, “I suspect they’re targeting me.”
Director Liu poured Chen Zhenzhu a cup of tea, a conversation that was both a discussion and an instruction: "I've talked with experts in foreign-related cases in the province about the core methods of overseas cults, which can be divided into five aspects. First, they control thought, glorifying obedience as spiritual practice. Second, they create a sense of dependence, making it impossible for believers to leave the internet. Third, they deprive people of their personal autonomy through rules and mechanisms such as life management, labor exploitation, sexual assault, and violence. Fourth, they construct closed areas and build kingdoms. Fifth, they extract wealth and plunder lives."
Shen Zhenzhu kept it in mind and thought for a moment before saying, "Teacher Fang is instilling cosmic energy courses, inventing many internal terms, and distorting universal values. From this point of view, she is engaging in thought control. In addition, asking me to help my 'family' and weave a social network is probably to create a sense of dependence. However, judging from the fact that she herself also takes 'cosmic energy pills,' she doesn't seem to know the secrets behind them. She should also be acting under someone else's instructions. There is likely a 'Gao Hui' behind her."
"I was just about to remind you that they have used the same methods to screen people in other provinces. Your judgment is correct. You have successfully caught the eye of the 'High-Level Meeting'."
Director Liu said, "Your identity in the criminal investigation team can help them avoid a lot of trouble. Li Youcai is just a test subject. First, they'll test your abilities, and second, they'll let you overstep your bounds to get leverage over you so that they can use it to blackmail you if you want to leave. This is the first time, and there will definitely be more later. Once you've helped them time and time again, it will be too late to pull back from the brink."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "I plan to remain still as long as the enemy doesn't move, and continue with the previous pace. I've already discussed it with Brother Aye; if I make any inappropriate moves, Team Four will monitor my movements."
“I trust you completely. Although you’re young, you have a lot of experience fighting crime. You’re determined, intelligent, and resourceful,” Director Liu said. “I’m entrusting this case to you. Remember to always put your safety first.”
"Yes, Director Liu, please rest assured."
"You've been working hard lately, and you still have other cases to handle. Don't overwork yourself."
"Director Liu, you should also try to drink less strong tea tonight." Shen Zhenzhu stood up with a smile, walked to the door, saluted Director Liu, and said, "Report complete."
"Let's go home."
After reporting to Director Liu, Shen Zhenzhu returned home late at night.
I didn't rush to sleep. I wrote down the five points that Director Liu mentioned and scribbled in my notebook. I was so sleepy that I finally went back to bed.
I felt it was dawn almost as soon as I closed my eyes.
I've been busy working for over a week, but haven't received any notification to "start class".
Shen Zhenzhu continued working as usual, occasionally meeting with the alien family members and the leopard-print youth she had met during "classes" to vent to each other.
At the invitation of the leopard-print youth, I also participated in other "miracle kung fu" courses, but none of them were as professional as Teacher Fang's deceptive claims.
In mid-June, Shen Zhenzhu suddenly received a pager message from Teacher Fang informing her of the new class location.
Shen Zhenzhu first reported to Director Liu, and then notified Lu Ye.
Wu Zhongguo was quite interested in the case, but unfortunately the leader of the "Qigong" organization he had joined absconded with the money, so he could not continue to follow up. He said regretfully, "Every time I went there, I would cry and howl with them, which was a strange way to relieve stress. It's a pity that they were so useless. It was only a little over three thousand yuan. Why did they have to run away?"
Chen Zhenzhu said with a smile, "My side is still the best; we need to use gold to nourish and maintain our health."
Wu Zhongguo also laughed and said, "If you're not ruthless, you can't stand firm. Otherwise, how can you develop well?"
"So it's gotten to the point where everyone's against it, huh?" Shen Zhenzhu called to Xiaobai, "Come on, let's go to class."
Xiao Bai took out his pager and said, "Looks like I've been eliminated by them. They didn't even send me any class information."
Shen Zhenzhu said optimistically, "Then you and Brother Qi can take on today's burglary case together. It's time to train your ability to handle cases independently."
Xiao Bai's initially dejected heart suddenly brightened: "Really?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Would I tease you? Do you have confidence?"
Xiao Bai stood at attention, his round face tense, and said, "Please rest assured, Captain Chen, we will definitely solve the case!"
Shen Zhenzhu waved her hand: "Alright, then I'm going to 'attend class'. I'll wait for your good news."
Ever since she was forced to donate a fifty-yuan bill during her first class and felt the pinch for a month, Shen Zhenzhu would bring a few five-yuan notes every time she went. Despite the disdain of Assistant Cui and her family, she would stuff them into the donation box without batting an eye, making them stand out conspicuously among the piles of gold and silver jewelry.
After Wu Zhongguo wailed with envy, Shen Zhenzhu leaned weakly against the wall and slowly...
On stage, Teacher Fang performed "energy healing" on the families who donated the most money. After the healing, she gave each person a "cosmic energy pill" and smiled kindly amidst their gratitude.
When no one was around, Assistant Cui walked up to Teacher Fang and said, "That Shen Zhenzhu only donated five yuan again this time. What does she think this place is? I've never seen such a stingy person."
Teacher Fang lowered her voice and said, "Being stingy is just being greedy. It's easier to control people when they have weaknesses. She'll do anything for money, and what we have in abundance is rich people."
Assistant Cui, understanding her meaning, was greatly surprised: "Could it be her?"
Teacher Fang nodded slightly: "It's an honor for her to be noticed by the president. I've been observing her for over a month. On the surface, she's a criminal investigation team leader, but in reality, she's a clueless, silly girl. I don't know how she got to this position."
Assistant Cui gave a lewd smile and said, "She's quite cute, but who knows how she got the job. You wouldn't guess she's so shrewd."
Teacher Fang said, "She observed everyone around her?"
Assistant Cui said, "I've observed that no one was following them, so it seems they participated secretly."
Teacher Fang said, "Hmm... The president needs help. We'll leave tonight. Don't give her a chance to prepare. Once we get there, she won't have a choice."
Assistant Cui said, "Understood, leave it to me."
The leopard-print-wearing youth has recently become quite close to Shen Zhenzhu. After class, they go to a roadside food stall for barbecue together.
"Every time a barbecue stall opens, it feels like summer is here." The leopard-print youth asked Chen Zhenzhu, pen in hand, "What would you like to eat?"
Chen Zhenzhu circled around the barbecue grill, and seeing that it was clean enough, she picked up two bottles of soda and opened them: "I want to eat lamb skewers, grilled corn cakes, and grilled clams."
The young man in leopard print ordered several barbecue dishes, as well as raw marinated shrimp, peanuts, and edamame: "It's my treat today, don't try to take it from me."
Shen Zhenzhu smiled and said, "Did you get into trouble? I took care of everything for Brother Li. Just let me know if you need anything."
"Hey, where would I get into trouble? I wouldn't even dare kill a chicken, let alone stab someone." The leopard-print youth was twenty-seven years old, but looked older than his age, with wrinkles all around his eyes. He had a long face and a square jaw, and his smile was quite sincere.
He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Some people say that you got this job through some 'unconventional' means. Anyway, think carefully before asking for your help, and don't take on too much."
Shen Zhenzhu sensed the sincerity in his words and nodded, saying, "I'm considering it."
The young man in leopard print inserted a straw into Chen Zhenzhu's drink and said apologetically, "I just wanted to ask you if your police station is still hiring?"
Chen Zhenzhu almost choked on her soda: "Huh?"
The young man in leopard print scratched his head and said, "I didn't say I'd go to the criminal investigation team. I was thinking that if the police dog unit or the mounted police unit needed to raise horses, I think I could do it. At least I can understand animal language and comprehend their needs."
"...This is really a good fit for you." Chen Zhenzhu put down her soda and said, "But these departments recruit people from relevant colleges. I don't really know if the general public needs them. I'll ask you about it later."
"Thank you so much." The young man in leopard print raised his soda bottle and bumped it with her, saying cheerfully, "If that doesn't work, any security guard who needs to walk dogs at the entrance of a residential complex will do too."
"Haha, okay, I got it."
“My dad always wants me to work at his company, saying that I can’t even compete with others when I go out begging for food. I really want to find a job to prove myself.”
"You're an only child, you'll have to take over the family sooner or later, won't you?"
"I'll take over sooner or later, and it's better to take over a little later than sooner." The leopard-print youth said while sucking on his straw, "People say I don't know how lucky I am, but who understands that every family has its own troubles?"
“That’s right.” The barbecue smelled delicious as it was served, and Chen Zhenzhu chatted with him casually while eating it.
Across from the barbecue stall, the uncle selling roasted sweet potatoes pulled his baseball cap down low and called out, "Roasted sweet potatoes on sale for half price!"
Shen Zhenzhu's lazy demeanor vanished instantly, and she glanced around warily.
A van happened to stop, its license plates obscured by mud. Assistant Cui opened the door and waved to Chen Zhenzhu: "Hey girl, come here for a second, I need to talk to you about something."
The young man in leopard print looked up and asked Chen Zhenzhu, "Why is Assistant Cui here to see you?"
"I'll go take a look." Chen Zhenzhu wiped her mouth and walked over.
Sitting in the van, Assistant Cui said hurriedly, "Teacher Fang's master has come down from the mountain to pass on his skills and magic to Teacher Fang and those with affinity. Teacher Fang gave you some pointers and specifically asked me to come and pick you up to go together."
Shen Zhenzhu excitedly asked, "Great! Where is it?"
"A beautiful place with mountains and water, you would never guess." Seeing that she agreed immediately, Assistant Cui moved over and said, "Come on, sit down and let's talk."
Standing outside the car, Chen Zhenzhu pointed to the barbecue stall and said, "My things are still over there."
Assistant Cui greeted the young man in leopard print, then whispered to Chen Zhenzhu, "Don't tell him, lest he get jealous of you. Hurry up and grab your things and come with me."
Shen Zhenzhu said, "Okay." She took two steps, then turned back and said, "Can I go to work tomorrow? I'll be penalized for being absent without leave."
Assistant Cui said urgently, "Just say you're not feeling well and need to take a week off. I'll have your family at the hospital give you a certificate."
Chen Zhenzhu said with a smile, "Assistant Cui is so thoughtful. I'll be right there."
An uncle selling roasted sweet potatoes walked into the barbecue stall with his roasted sweet potatoes and tried to sell the last of them. The young man in leopard print saw that he was old and pitiful, so he bought all the roasted sweet potatoes.
While she was looking for money, Chen Zhenzhu walked over to the leopard-print youth and said, "I'm going to a nice place with mountains and water to play for a few days. I'll ask you about it when I get back."
The leopard-print youth said dejectedly, "I joined even earlier than you, why don't I get such good opportunities? You should go and absorb more power, then teach me later."
“Okay.” Shen Zhenzhu agreed crisply, picked up her cloth bag and walked outside.
Assistant Cui pulled her into the car and tentatively asked, "What did you say to him?"
Shen Zhenzhu said, "I told him I wanted to pay the bill, but he refused."
The van started moving almost the instant Shen Zhenzhu got in. Assistant Cui said with a smile, "His family has plenty of money. If he wants to treat us, let him."
Not long after the van left, the uncle selling roasted sweet potatoes pushed his stall into the alley and pulled out a walkie-talkie: "The venomous snakes have been dispatched."
The waves were high on the ship.
The sea at night is unexpectedly turbulent and powerful. Huge waves sweep away shore creatures and drag them into the deep sea, while time is buried by countless rolling grains of sand.
Shen Zhenzhu, clutching her cloth bag, was pulled ashore by people on the bank. It was pitch black all around.
"Stay close." Assistant Cui handed Shen Zhenzhu a flashlight. In the fleeting light, Shen Zhenzhu saw a black hole badge pinned to her chest.
Wandering through the damp woods, even Chen Zhenzhu, who usually has a good sense of direction, gradually began to feel lost.
There were only her and Assistant Cui on the ship. The young man leading the group walked very fast, and Chen Zhenzhu followed behind, her steps uneven.
After a forced march of more than forty minutes, Assistant Cui, who had obviously been here many times before, was still panting heavily.
Suddenly, the end of the woods seemed to be bathed in daylight, where hundreds of believers were drinking and making merry, their expressions excited. Behind them were makeshift wooden huts, and up the steps between two rows of huts was a three-story building.
The walls of the three-story building were painted with a flag similar to that of the Little Days Country, except that the red circle had been replaced with a black one.
Countless flowers and fruits were piled up in the corner, and at that moment, someone was kneeling down at the foot of the wall, holding flowers and praying devoutly.
"Finally here. It always takes me forever." Assistant Cui wiped his sweat, walked to the outdoor table, picked up a glass of beer and drank it down in one gulp. Then someone handed Chen Zhenzhu a glass.
Chen Zhenzhu waved her hand, pointed to her face and said, "I'm allergic to alcohol, I can't drink it."
"Never mind then, no need to force me." The fat man who spoke was about fifty years old, and his slick gaze swept over Shen Zhenzhu.
He asked Assistant Cui, "Whose is it?"
Assistant Cui said, "He's new here, Teacher Fang, so show him some respect."
As she spoke, she took out a black hole badge from her pocket and stuffed it into Chen Zhenzhu's hand, then pulled Chen Zhenzhu to sit down: "Eat first, and I'll find you a place to stay after we finish eating."
Chen Zhenzhu ate her delicious food slowly and quietly, observing everything before her.
"Newcomer, put your things in my bag first." The older woman with braided hair reached out to lift the heavy pearl cloth bag.
Chen Zhenzhu grabbed her bag: "What are you doing?"
Assistant Cui said from the side, "The president's power will cause your mobile phone and pager to malfunction. This is to protect them for you, and you can have them when you leave."
Shen Zhenzhu let go of her hand and watched as the woman with the braided hair tied a knot in the handle of her cloth bag, saying, "Nobody really wants what you have."
The people around her laughed, but Chen Zhenzhu didn't feel embarrassed at all. She happily picked up the grilled fish and nibbled on it bit by bit.
It was like a continuous banquet here. No one knew how long these people had been here. After they finished eating, they sat in twos and threes in the open space, meditating and chanting.
People kept arriving by boat, and each person's belongings were taken away by the braided pigtails.
Aside from the simple cloth bag containing the sunken pearl, later arrivals brought carefully wrapped gifts, which they respectfully placed in the corner of the three-story building. Without exception, they all wore black hole badges.
This is an independent kingdom established by the leader of the "High Society".
Along the various paths, people carrying wooden sticks and stun guns walked back and forth. Occasionally, drunk men would casually pull women into the wooden huts in the open area, and the women didn't refuse; everyone was used to it.
On the north side of the open space stood a row of bungalows, with braided hair locking everyone's belongings inside. Next door was a busy kitchen, where weary middle-aged women in gray aprons carried plates back and forth listlessly.
They piled the dirty plates high together, and after they finished, they preferred to stand together chatting and laughing, but no one wanted to wash them. Only one middle-aged woman with short hair buried herself in the task of scrubbing.
"Your accommodations are all arranged. Come with me." The woman with the braided hair must be in charge here. She patted Chen Zhenzhu's shoulder and told her to follow.
Assistant Cui was drinking and chatting with the man next to him. He casually told Shen Zhenzhu, "Go ahead, we're all family, don't be afraid."
“Okay.” Shen Zhenzhu obediently followed behind the older sister with the braided hair toward the wooden house.
Passing by the kitchen, I saw someone throwing a dirty rag into a basin. Dirty water splashed onto the face of the short-haired woman. She wiped it with her sleeve and resignedly continued washing the dishes.
Upon noticing Chen Zhenzhu's gaze, the short-haired woman looked up and then quickly looked down again.
"Never mind her, you stay here." The woman with the braided hair led Chen Zhenzhu into the second row of wooden houses. There was no furniture inside, only a straw mat on the ground.
"You're not here to enjoy yourself. As a newcomer, you need to learn the rules here. This is the schedule, and you need to strictly follow it. You eat one meal a day. After the daytime schedule, there will be a meal service in the evening. After you've eaten, you can practice your skills and discuss your special abilities, but you can't move around freely. If you have any questions, you can come to me, but you'd better not cause me any trouble."
"What if you get hungry if you only eat one meal a day?"
"How could a real superhuman be hungry?"
"Oh." Shen Zhenzhu asked curiously, "Who are these people? I didn't know anything before I was brought here."
The woman with the braided pigtails said, "Either you have superpowers or a certain social status. In short, since you're here, treat us like family. It will only benefit you, not harm you. Always remember, once you set foot on this island, you're no longer an ordinary person. You'll understand the rest tomorrow. Don't go out tonight, go to sleep early."
"Yes." After she left, Shen Zhenzhu sat on the mat in a daze.
After a while, she opened the window, poked her head out, and called out, "Is there anyone in the family who can help me get a basin of water?"
Passersby stopped to look at the unfamiliar face, but no one was willing to lend a hand.
After waiting for a while, Chen Zhenzhu sheepishly shrank back, feeling extremely bored.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Shen Zhenzhu opened the door and saw the short-haired woman washing dishes carrying a basin of clean water. She silently placed it at the door, turned around, and left with a regretful expression.
"Thank you, elder sister." Shen Zhenzhu waved her hand from the threshold.
Back in the cabin, Chen Zhenzhu scooped up some water and pretended to wash her face. She smelled it and found no strange odor, so she rubbed her face and washed her hands. Then she found a rag and wiped the mat clean.
After finishing his work, he sat cross-legged on the mat, reciting the contents of "Teacher Fang Teaches You Divine Skills" while shaking his head.
After carrying it for over an hour, I knelt on the straw mat and prayed, "Please let me make a fortune! I don't want to be a detective and risk my life every day. Those corpses are too scary, I'm so afraid, boohoo. Teacher Fang, please save me, I'm going crazy if I keep going like this. Alien friends, please help me, I want to make more money to become a high-ranking official."
She got tired of babbling on and on, then sprawled out on the mat and fell asleep without a care in the world.
As dawn broke, two people tiptoed out of the wooden house next door, nodding to each other: "This girl is sleeping so soundly, is she alright?"
"What other problem could there be?"
"We still need to be careful; her identity is unusual."
"She thinks she can become a high-ranking official?"
......
Shen Zhenzhu was awakened by the sound of horns in the morning, and she jumped up.
People kept running out of the wooden houses from all directions, making Shen Zhenzhu think there was a tsunami.
She put on her shoes and ran outside, jostling and pushing the enthusiastic crowd until she finally managed to stand firm.
After waiting for more than half an hour, the legendary president finally arrived from the three-story building. Amidst the applause of nearly a hundred loyal believers, he reached out and pressed his hand down, saying, "We are all brothers and sisters of the universe. Today is the first day of the fifth round of my lectures. I am very pleased that none of the brothers and sisters gathered here have gotten separated."
The president was not tall, looked to be in his forties, had shoulder-length curly hair, sparse eyebrows, dark circles under his eyes, and sickly pale skin. He also had a goatee.
He sat on the platform erected overnight, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, enjoying the worship and adoration of the believers.
"My skills are profound, and my three-day lectures with my own abilities will produce extraordinary results. If there is thunder and lightning or the ground shakes, do not be afraid, I am here."
Another round of applause erupted, and everyone's eyes lit up with fervor.
"If you feel dizzy, don't panic. This is your body absorbing my power. After two days of adjustment, you will feel the joy that only advanced humans can experience."
The applause continued.
The president would pause after each speech to receive applause from the believers.
When the lecture began, Shen Zhenzhu noticed that everyone around her had an aluminum pot on their head.
"Why didn't you bring your information pot?" asked a very elegant woman next to Chen Zhenzhu, who was holding an aluminum pot on her head.
Shen Zhenzhu said, "I was in such a hurry that I forgot it at home. But I don't need the aluminum pot to receive the signal at Teacher Fang's place anymore."
"Teacher Fang's skill is far inferior to the Chairman's. Without the information pot to soften your power, the Chairman's powerful skill will make you bleed from all seven orifices."
Chen Zhenzhu was horrified: "What should we do?"
The older woman thought for a moment and called over a woman who was helping her: "Hey, go to my room and get the information pot I prepared for my son for her to use. The little girl doesn't know anything."
One of the women in the gray apron was being ordered to fetch the information dish.
The president then began his lecture, speaking in a language that was completely incomprehensible. The man in front of Chen Zhenzhu suddenly stood up, balancing an aluminum pot on his head and repeatedly pulling his hands to his chest, as if trying to gather all the invisible cosmic power into his embrace.
Seeing him do this, several people behind him also stood up, closing their eyes and gesturing wildly.
After bringing it over, the eldest sister personally placed it on Shen Zhenzhu's head: "Is it tight? It's a good pot that was custom-made by a master craftsman, the bottom of the pot is made of gold."
With the heavy information pot on her head, Chen Zhenzhu said gratefully, "Thank you, sister. I will definitely absorb the power of the chairman properly."
"Alright, stop talking, I need to practice my internal energy too." Sister Golden Pot nodded, sat cross-legged on the ground with her hands clasped together, and muttered incantations.
Shen Zhenzhu also used the same posture, half-closing her eyes to secretly observe everything in front of her.
The president's speech quickened, and the atmosphere grew increasingly chaotic. Some screamed, some cried, and some laughed maniacally. Nearly a hundred people danced wildly, howling and screaming.
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Author's note: See you tomorrow, there's a red envelope coming! [Let me see]
It's almost the end of the month! Anyone whose nutrient solution is about to expire, please send some! [Sprinkling flowers]
***
Director Liu quoted and modified "A General History of Buddhism" to warn against the five core methods of cults.
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