NOVEL NEXT Chapter 833: Dispute
Thinking of the mysterious woman in black and the three Mothmen who kidnapped Luo Shiqi on their wedding day, Ye Shikai felt a bit terrified. If the HST project were really completed, Boss Xing would have thirty, three hundred, or even three thousand Mothmen, mass-producing these "Monster Armies." By then, no one could stop them, and Yanjing, even the entire Huaxia, would be in trouble.
Compared to that, the demon exorcist was just a mere serial killer. Moreover, everyone now believed he had been caught. As long as he didn't continue his crimes, being forgotten was just a matter of time.
Ye Shikai indeed wavered. Compared to the demon exorcist, he wanted to catch Boss Xing even more. It's likely the National Security Bureau thought the same. However, if they really wanted to cooperate with the demon exorcist, they must get Tianjing's approval.
"De, I can fully convey your words to the task force. I'm not the decision-maker. Whether they can agree with your suggestions, I can't guarantee," Ye Shikai said with a deep breath, his expression calm.
"Mr. Ye, thank you." De suddenly stood up and extended his right hand to Ye Shikai.
"It's what I should do," Ye Shikai also stood up and shook hands as a gesture of courtesy. "But whether it can truly be approved, I'm not confident."
"I can understand. Since I can convince you, I believe the National Security Bureau will carefully consider it."
"I've finished what I wanted to say. I'll take my leave first." De bowed and slowly turned around. Ye Shikai suddenly raised his hand. He didn't lower it until De completely left the café. This was the gesture agreed with Tianjing, a signal to apprehend if he lowered his hand.
Half a minute later.
"Are you mistaken, just letting him go like that?" Tianjing, with the Divine Weapon Special Group, hurried into the café and saw Ye Shikai leisurely sipping his coffee.
"Don't rush, I have some things to discuss with you," Ye Shikai said calmly. "Relax, everything's under control. Let's talk somewhere else."
.......................................
National Security Bureau, highest-level meeting room.
"You mean the demon exorcist wants to cooperate with us." Ye Shikai recounted the entire affair again. Opposite him, four people wore stunned expressions, none more so than Tianjing.
"Exactly."
"I object." Shen Wu pouted with displeasure. "We're the National Security Bureau, representing justice. How can we cooperate with a murderer?"
"I also disagree," Phoenix said gravely. Ye Shikai didn't directly refute them but swept his gaze over the remaining Jing Xie and Tianjing. They seemed deep in thought, pondering the issue.
Jing Xie, famous for his calmness, appeared somewhat dull, complementing the fiery-tempered Shen Wu. As for Tianjing, being the team leader, he seemed to have more profound considerations...
"Tianjing, what's your opinion?" Ye Shikai turned to look at Tianjing, while Shen Wu stared angrily, thinking Ye Shikai was ignoring her.
"Leader, what's there to consider?" Shen Wu was shocked and displeased, seeing Tianjing remain silent, assuming he was about to agree.
"I believe we should not cooperate with him." After hesitating for a long time, Tianjing finally uttered, though even saying it "mildly" revealed his hesitation.
"Tianjing, you are with the National Security Bureau. I hope you understand your mission," Ye Shikai said calmly.
"Ye, what nonsense are you talking about? Do you mean our mission is to collude with bad people?"
"Not collusion, but mutual exploitation, using outsiders' strength to help us," Ye Shikai directly retorted. "Do you only want to capture the demon exorcist?"
"But that's our task, isn't it?" Jing Xie asked.
"Arresting the demon exorcist is indeed our task, but now, we've identified someone more dangerous, and we know that if we don't immediately stop them, there'll be a catastrophe throughout Huaxia. Do you want to prevent it or not?" Ye Shikai spoke loudly, growing more agitated, eventually even shouting.
"If you're merely task-completing machines, then ignore my words. But I must tell you," Ye Shikai stood up, extended an arm, and pointed at everyone, eyes wide open, "if one day, Mothmen roam Yanjing City, I hope you won't regret it."
"Calm down, let's discuss this properly," Tianjing stepped forward to mediate, aware of the significance in Ye Shikai's words, grasping the "stake." Catching the demon exorcist might solve a case, but Boss Xing would still roam free. Moreover, the HST project's progress exceeded their expectations; mass production of Mothmen would absolutely be a disaster.
Shen Wu and Phoenix felt somewhat guilty and stopped arguing, for Ye Shikai indeed made valid points that they couldn't dispute.
"I... remain neutral," Shen Wu finally said through gritted teeth, minutes later.
"I think this needs to be reported to Director Jin."
"No problem," Ye Shikai nodded. It was a necessary procedure since Jin Li was the decision-maker for the National Security Bureau, not Tianjing.
"No need, I fully support it." Jin Li's voice came from the doorway, causing everyone to turn their heads.
"I overheard your argument from the door," Jin Li gestured for everyone to sit down with a wave.
"Considering everything, Mothmen are the greatest threat to Huaxia's security. If what the demon exorcist says is true, I believe it's worth trying," Jin Li stated firmly, reassuring everyone.
"Thank you for your support, Director Jin," Ye Shikai bowed deeply.
"Ye, you are correct. Our National Security Bureau needs to solve cases, but we can't be rigid. If the HST project behind Boss Xing has really advanced to such an extent, it can't be ignored."
"However... just in case, I hope the demon exorcist can come to the National Security Bureau personally," Jin Li changed the topic with a tone of concern, which Ye Shikai could understand.
"No problem, I'll call him right away." Ye Shikai took his phone without hesitation, while Shen Wu and the others were shocked. Would a murderer who just escaped dare to "enter the tiger's den" himself?
"Hello, where are you now? We would like to meet you now to discuss some details," Ye Shikai said straightforwardly.
"I'm right at the National Security Bureau entrance, come out and get me," came the reply.