NOVPUBChapter 77: Chapter 76 Rush Over Overnight
Chapter 77 -76 Rush Over Overnight
“Are you out of your mind?” Cui Zhen’en looked at him as if he were an idiot. “If the Paradise game you’re talking about is the same one we encountered during the Janet investigation, then it’s just a VR game, right? Don’t forget, it was you who asked me to check if there was anything odd about those VR glasses. In fact, they’re just a normal gadget, except someone added a pinhole camera inside, they’re no different from what’s on the market!”
“That’s exactly what’s so unbelievable and incomprehensible,” Zhang Zhiyuan didn’t rush to retort, because he knew it was futile to argue if one hadn’t experienced it firsthand. “A pair of ordinary VR glasses gave me an entirely real experience, which only leaves two possibilities: one is that I’m lying, and the other is that Paradise actually has a way to send people to another world. So… do you think I’m lying?”
Cui Zhen’en opened her mouth, unable to decide which she believed more. Finally, she looked away in annoyance, “Damn it… I feel like an idiot right now.”
“Let’s just finish the task at hand.” Zhang Zhiyuan patted her shoulder, “Help me find out where this person last stayed.”
“Let me start up a comparison program first.” Cui Zhen’en sighed, “With so many files, I’m afraid it’s going to take hours.”
“I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”
“Anything but Americano,” she said while rapidly typing on the keyboard, “What does Director Gao think?”
“What?”
“About all this nonsense you’re spouting! Director Gao must know by now, right? What did he say to you?”
“He said it doesn’t matter whether he believes it or not, the key is to get evidence.” Zhang Zhiyuan selected coffee delivery and hit the order button, “And the person we’re looking for now, is the crucial piece of evidence.”
“Huh, sounds like something Old Gao would say.” Cui Zhen’en pushed the keyboard away, “Fine! Since you’re idle, come play a round with me for the first win.”
“Hey… what about the task you were entrusted with!” 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
“What era are we living in that we need someone to stare at the data to find it!” she proclaimed righteously, “Anyone who can’t write a program to let the machine do the work will eventually be eliminated by the times!”
“Are you sure the computer can locate this person?” Zhang Zhiyuan asked doubtfully.
“It doesn’t need to find! All I do is let it identify the filming locations and street names in the videos, then automatically locates the relevant position and compare it with the public security department’s database, forming a trail of the suspect’s movements. As long as he has a place to stay, we are bound to spot something in his tracks.” Cui Zhen’en explained with one of her rare moments of patience, “Look, his first recorded stop after getting off the ship is Jiang City International Airport, followed by the city subway to the high-speed railway station—these intermediate processes won’t be recorded by the big data center, but the local surveillance database will.”
“I see…” Zhang Zhiyuan looked enlightened.
“No, you didn’t know I could do this, and you asked me to do overtime for what?” Cui Zhen’en said incredulously, “Don’t tell me you just wanted an extra hand! To have me analyze by sight all night?”
Because you’re a trusted veteran, one of the few colleagues within the international police department that can be trusted… Zhang Zhiyuan thought to himself, but he didn’t think it appropriate to say outright, “I just figured you’re good with computers, having you help with this seemed like the right choice. And didn’t you want to play for the first win? I’m starting the game.”
“Just don’t call me to fix computers,” Cui Zhen’en decided to let him off the hook, “Add me as a friend first.”
At that moment, the computer suddenly started beeping.
“What’s the matter?”
“Weird… it’s already done?” Cui Zhen’en was slightly startled, and turned back to her desk, “The analysis comparison is complete.”
“But you just said… it would take hours.” Zhang Zhiyuan said in surprise.
“Yeah, typically that would be the case, but this time it seems to have gone exceptionally smoothly.” She pulled up the footprint map, pointing to the section with the most routes, “Look, he’s in Chu City right now, and there’s a very good chance he’s living in this neighborhood. The nearby cameras have also caught his activities.”
Zhang Zhiyuan abruptly leaned into the screen.
As Cui Zhen’en had said, facial recognition made it impossible for him to hide anywhere. Even if he wore a mask, cameras could identify him based on facial features, clothing style, and colors. These records weren’t targeting him alone; he was just one among the thousands being filmed, but should the need arise, computers could find the individual through data matching.
He took out his phone and dialed Gao Wei, “Chief Gao, the target has been found. Yes, yes! I understand. Alright… I will confirm it now.”
After hanging up, Cui Zhen’en grabbed his hand, “You’re going to catch him?”
“Chief Gao said he would help me contact the Chu City police, but we need to keep the person in our hands.”
“And then keep it all confidential, continuing to keep me in the dark?” Cui Zhen’en glared, “You’ve already dragged me into this.”
“You’re right because Chief Gao asked me to form my own team.” Zhang Zhiyuan didn’t beat around the bush but responded frankly.
“Don’t change the subject—” She suddenly paused, “Wait, a team?”
“Yes, you are the third member I’ve chosen.” Zhang Zhiyuan opened the flight booking app, “So, do you want to continue working overtime with me?”
Cui Zhen’en’s glaring eyes gradually narrowed into crescents, “I want to! Hurry up and buy the tickets!” However, after a moment, she asked again, “I’m the third, so who’s the second?”
“It’s Ning Jing from the infirmary. I can’t help it… I need someone to look after my body when I’m in that world.” Zhang Zhiyuan added another sentence, “However, she is only responsible for monitoring my vital signs and is not aware of the true nature of Paradise.”
“Then I am the real second member!” Cui Zhen’en’s tone suddenly turned cheerful, “So Team Zhang-Cui, let’s set off!”
…
When Shandela was called to the lord’s mansion, she saw Li Qiang Ola pacing back and forth in front of his desk. His pale face bore an unnatural blush – a sign of rage-induced flushing.
The moment she saw the Commander of the City of Defense, he slammed his fist on the table, “Do you know what happened last night!?”
“The fog tide,” Shandela answered calmly—though she was somewhat tired from a night of standing guard, she still managed to muster her energy, “The fog’s closest approach was less than half a mile from the Northeast Watchtower at its peak; by morning, the mist began to recede, and now it has moved back beyond the wheat fields.”
The outcome was fortunate.
Magnificent Castle had not suffered much impact, and since it happened at night, most of the residents stayed in their homes, preventing any significant trampling incidents. Of course, there would inevitably be missing persons reported afterward, and the emergency orders for boats she issued would cost heavily, but as a rare phenomenon that occurs once in decades, the outcome was very lucky.
“This is not some natural phenomenon, they have come!” The lord could not remain calm, shouting at Shandela, “Magnificent Castle is their next target!”
They…
Shandela knew who he meant.
She sighed softly, “But my lord, there is no evidence that the Hidden Mist Sect followers can drive the fog.”
As one of the most notorious heretical cults, Hidden Mist Sect has always been a hot topic across the Old and New Continents. This sect reveres mystery and mist, often only seen within the deep foggy areas. Rumors claim that they regard fog as divinities’ veil, and high-ranking cultists can even summon mist to destroy cities. The fall of the City of Defense is widely believed to be a “divine act” orchestrated by the Hidden Mist Sect, especially since the emergence of fog on the Old Continent was unprecedented.
