ryethenovel Chapter 34 Editor-in-Chief Qin is still alive
Chapter 34 Editor-in-Chief Qin is still alive
"What do you mean?" Su Yan asked.
"Engineer Chen left some things behind." Liu Wei walked towards the bedroom and returned a moment later with a file folder. "Her true identity is not only that of a researcher, but also a specially appointed expert of the National Metaphysics Research Association. This research association is a semi-official organization responsible for investigating and researching paranormal phenomena. Although it is not publicly known, it has formal staffing and authority."
She opened the file bag, inside were several documents and a badge: "Engineer Chen anticipated that something might happen to her, so she prepared these in advance. Her expert certificate, her research association work permit, and... a blank investigation order, which only requires filling in the reason and signing to have formal investigation authority."
"But Engineer Chen is no longer here..." Li Shancheng said.
"The ID cards have photos, but most people in the research association use aliases and disguises." Liu Wei looked at Xu Qingqing. "Can your disguise skills turn me into Engineer Chen? Even for just a few hours?"
Xu Qingqing carefully examined Chen Ya's photo, then looked at Liu Wei: "The face shape is different, but that can be adjusted with runes. The problem is, can you imitate the voice, expression, professional knowledge...?"
"I've worked with Engineer Chen for three years, spending more than ten hours with her every day," Liu Wei said firmly. "I'm familiar with all her habits, her way of speaking, and her professional knowledge. If necessary, I can become her."
"It's too risky," Jiang Han objected. "What if we get caught..."
"If we do nothing, hundreds of people will die in two days," Liu Wei interrupted him. "And this is just the beginning. Once the Heavenly Gate opens, who knows what will happen? Elder Jiang, you know better than I do about the consequences of the Heavenly Gate opening in ancient records."
Jiang Han fell silent. Indeed, the ancient records state that the last opening of the Heavenly Gate (three thousand years ago) led to a "chaotic era" that lasted for a hundred years, with the rules of reality in turmoil, monsters running rampant, and human civilization on the verge of collapse.
"Even if you successfully disguise yourself, what can you do?" Su Yan asked.
"As an expert from the research association, I requested an inspection of the Shuanglong Bridge's 'cultural relic protection project,'" Liu Wei said. "I have a legitimate reason: I received an anonymous tip that the project might cause irreversible damage to the ancient bridge's structure. As an expert, I have the right to enter the site and request to inspect all construction plans and equipment."
"and then?"
"Then I need your cooperation." Liu Wei looked at the others. "After I enter the site, you need to create some 'abnormal phenomena'—energy fluctuations, paranormal events, anything will do—to give me a reason to demand a halt to the project and conduct a full investigation. This will at least buy time and disrupt their rhythm."
"Until when?" Li Shancheng asked.
"It will be delayed until the night of the full moon," Liu Wei said. "If the project is suspended, they will not be able to complete the final preparations of the altar on schedule. Even if it is forced to start, the effect will be greatly reduced."
Cheng Xu considered the technical feasibility of the plan: "I can remotely create energy anomalies and simulate the fluctuations of the array's core using specially made interference equipment. But it requires precise timing and location coordination."
"I can create chaos on the spot," Su Yan said. "The Fire Escape Technique is suitable for rapid movement and harassment. I can pretend to be an 'accidentally appearing cultivator' and attract their attention."
"Then I would have the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation, and even... tamper with key equipment," Liu Wei added.
"I'm in charge of support and evacuation," Xu Qingqing said. "I've developed multiple escape routes and prepared emergency tools."
Everyone looked at Li Shancheng and Jiang Han.
"What do I need to do?" Li Shancheng asked.
Jiang Han answered for him: "Shancheng, your mission is the most important, and also the most dangerous. While everyone else is focused on the task at hand, you need to infiltrate the core of the altar, find and destroy the control device. But that's definitely the most heavily guarded place."
"How do I get in?" Li Shancheng asked.
"Use your new ability." Jiang Han looked at him. "The Seven Star Harmony Technique can not only fuse forces, but also simulate the energy characteristics of any array eye. If you can perfectly simulate the energy of the Kan or Dui positions, you might be able to fool their detection system and make you look like 'one of us'."
Li Shancheng recalled his experience fighting Su Qing in the library basement. At that time, he did absorb the power of the Seven Star Measuring Ruler and convert it into his own energy. Theoretically, this conversion is reversible—he can simulate the characteristics of other array eyes with his own power.
"I need to practice," he said.
"We have two more days," Jiang Han nodded. "That's enough time for you to grasp the basics."
With the initial plan set, the next step is the intensive preparation work:
Xu Qingqing began to disguise Liu Wei, not only changing her facial features, but also implanting micro-rune patches under her skin to temporarily alter the energy fluctuations and match them with the features recorded by Chen Ya before her death.
Cheng Xu debugged the interference equipment, designed and manufactured a scheme to create energy anomalies, and continued to spread the abnormal data of Hanshan Technology through the information network.
Su Yan was familiar with the terrain around Shuanglong Bridge and planned harassment tactics and withdrawal routes.
Under Jiang Han's guidance, Li Shancheng underwent advanced training in the Seven Star Harmony Technique.
The training took place in a small room in the apartment. Jiang Han had Li Shancheng place the seven array eye stones around the room, and then tried to simulate the characteristics of each array eye with his own power.
The initial attempts all failed. The Wen Shu bloodline seemed to have some kind of "rejection," refusing to completely transform into other forms. But when Li Shancheng stopped forcing the change and instead "invited" the energy characteristics of other array points to join in, a change occurred.
He first tried to simulate the Kan position. He imagined himself as flowing water, the silence of the deep sea, and the resilience of Xuanwu. Gradually, the energy within his body began to change color—from the silvery-white of Wen Shu to the deep blue of the Kan position. Although not perfect, it was already seven or eight parts similar.
"Very good, resume now," Jiang Han instructed.
Li Shancheng relaxed his control, and the energy automatically turned back into Wen Shu's silvery-white color.
"Try leaving the position again."
Imagine the leaping flames, the splendor of the Vermilion Bird, and the passionate departure. The energy turns orange-red, carrying a warm heat.
Through repeated practice and transformations, by the evening of the second day, Li Shancheng was able to switch between the energy characteristics of the seven array eyes relatively smoothly. Although each transformation took a few seconds and could not be maintained for long, it was enough to cope with short-term disguise.
"You learn very quickly." Jiang Han rarely showed an approving expression. "Much faster than I was back then."
"Is it thanks to our bloodline?" Li Shancheng wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Not entirely." Jiang Han shook his head. "Bloodline provides potential, but what truly determines achievement is one's character. You possess a kind of... inclusiveness, the ability to accept different powers without losing yourself. This is the core spirit of the Seven Star Harmony Technique."
Just then, Li Shancheng suddenly felt a pang of heart palpitation. It didn't come from training, but from the direction of the earth's vein network—the Wen Shu array eye—coming from a strong distress signal.
"Wen Shu is in danger!" He stood up abruptly.
Almost simultaneously, everyone's phone received an anonymous message containing only two words:
"Help"
The sender's name appeared as a string of gibberish, but there was a special symbol at the end of the message—Editor Qin's personal mark.
"Editor-in-Chief Qin is still alive!" Xu Qingqing said excitedly.