Chapter 121: 111 Newcomer Pei Jinye, reporting for duty (asking for monthly votes, recommendations, and support)_1
After leaving the Governor’s office, Pei Jinye was taken away by a young, dark-skinned, muscular man.

“I’ve said everything that needs to be said, so I won’t waste words. Once you get to our Investigation Team, new recruits have to be psychologically prepared, but don’t be nervous, this isn’t the Military Department, it’s not that strict.” The young muscle man casually tossed a package into the back seat of a jeep.

Once inside the car, seated in the driver’s seat, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, which had only one left inside, and offered it to Pei Jinye who was sitting in the passenger seat, “Smoke?”

Pei Jinye shook his head in refusal.

The young muscle man nodded in understanding and didn’t seem to mind, just smiling and saying, “You’ll have to learn eventually. Our line of work typically comes with a lot of pressure, smoking helps relax.”

Without caring whether Pei Jinye was listening, the young muscle man started the jeep for warm-up, and under the humming vibrations, the vehicle stayed put, leaving both men in silence.

He took a fierce drag.

The young muscle man extinguished the last third of the cigarette butt with precision and flicked it into a trash can ten meters away.

The vehicle then started and left the city hall compound.

However, when they reached the street corner, he suddenly handed Pei Jinye a banknote, “Kid, help me buy a pack of cigarettes, just at this store, the twenty-buck Black Forest.”

Pei Jinye took the money and got out of the car.

The young muscle man watched him leave and then answered an incoming call, “Yes, I’ve picked up the person, heading back soon… But boss, didn’t we get a bit too many new recruits this year?”

A moment later he hung up the phone.

Just then, Pei Jinye was back with the cigarettes, “Here’s the change.”

The young muscle man waved his hand, “You keep the change.” He took the cigarettes, smelled them close to his nose, and confirmed, “That’s the one.”

Pei Jinye placed the change into the car’s compartment and didn’t keep it for himself.

Seeing him do this, the young muscle man didn’t say much more but asked, “Haven’t asked you yet, what should I call you?”

“Pei Jinye, and you, senior?” Pei Jinye looked over.

“Niu Fangbi. Just call me Brother Bi,” the young muscle man said with a smile, “What made you want to join our Investigation Team? Guys your age usually prefer to stay at the city hall for administrative work. Our line of work has a pretty high casualty rate.”

Pei Jinye casually said, “I’m just following orders.”

Hearing this, the young muscle man glanced over at him and then, smiling wryly, said no more and silently continued driving.

Along the way, he took two phone calls and stopped once to refuel…

They had set out at nine in the morning, and it wasn’t until close to eleven that they finally arrived at the base.

Who would have thought that a base could be hidden within this canyon?

“This area is controlled.” Seeing the expression on Pei Jinye’s face, Brother Bi mentioned with a smile, “Ordinarily, no one dares to come here carelessly; we passed at least three hidden sentries on our way over. An ordinary person would have been asked to leave just by entering.”

“It feels a bit like a military base,” Pei Jinye remarked, “I thought it would be more public like the Night Patrol Department.”

“There’s a research institute here, so the security level is a step higher. Come on, get out of the car, I’ll take you to get your equipment.” As Brother Bi was about to get out, he suddenly remembered something and asked, “By the way, have you ever practiced this?”

He gestured as if holding a handgun.

“No.” Pei Jinye answered succinctly and cautiously.

Of course he had.

But as Pei Jinye, the high school student, he was careful to answer as there was no trace of such an experience in his life.

The more secretive the organization, the closer its connection to the smart brain.

Seeing this, Brother Bi nodded, “It’s not a big problem. We’ll assign a coach to train you later. You’ll learn quickly.”

“Brother Bi, do even Transcendents need to master these weapons in combat?” Pei Jinye couldn’t help asking.

“Of course, they do,” Brother Bi laughed, “Not all Transcendents are from the Defense Factions. For fragile targets, we do what’s most efficient, especially since the missions we undertake could involve anything bizarre. Having extra self-preservation abilities isn’t bad. Learn as much as you can.”

Pei Jinye nodded.

He followed behind Brother Bi.

“Old Zhang in the logistics department is an old hand here. If you need anything, just find him. However, weapons of a more secret nature require the team leader’s permission. You’ll learn which weapons that applies to in due time,” Brother Bi explained.

As they entered the logistics department, Brother Bi knocked on the door, “Old Zhang, here for equipment.”

An old, balding man leisurely came out from the back room and pointed to one remaining briefcase on the cabinet, “Well, that’s probably the last one left for you.”

“They’re all here?” Brother Bi was a bit surprised, “I thought I was the first one.”

“Be careful on your way back. I saw your team leader’s face turning green,” Old Zhang cautioned in a low voice.

Brother Bi was stunned, “What happened?”

There was nothing out of the ordinary when he had called earlier.

“Not too sure,” Old Zhang shrugged, “I don’t handle your crap.”

Brother Bi found it strange.

Handing the silver briefcase to Pei Jinye, he signaled, “First, register your fingerprint. These are weapons Xing Tian prepared for you according to your situation. Later, if you find you’re lacking something, come find Old Zhang.”

Upon seeing the briefcase, memories of the assessment immediately surfaced in Pei Jinye’s mind.

The briefcase!

Fingerprint registration.

As the briefcase gave a “ding” sound, metallic liquid flowed rapidly along Pei Jinye’s palm and began to unfold.

“Choose the first-level mode, it’s the button number one next to your finger,” Brother Bi reminded him.

Pei Jinye pressed it.

The metallic liquid, initially about to become armor, retreated quickly, transforming into a display case for weaponry… The first layer had a black dagger, the second a communicator, the third night vision gear, and other equipment…

Looking over, Brother Bi said in bewilderment to Old Zhang, “Why isn’t there a gun included?”

Old Zhang adjusted his glasses, “What’s the name?”

“Pei Jinye,” Pei Jinye replied proactively.

Old Zhang clicked on the screen, “Which Jinye? The astonishing ‘Jin,’ or the competitive ‘Jin’?”

“The ‘Jin’ with the fire radical.”

On hearing this, Old Zhang couldn’t help but look up, “Quite the wild name.”

After entering the name, he suddenly realized and said, “It’s noted here that this young brother has had no experience with firearms, so no gun will be issued for now. He can apply for one after completing training.”

Brother Bi nodded, familiarizing Pei Jinye with the various pieces of equipment.

“Have you tried this kind of solo combat mech before?”

“A bit of experience with the older models.”

Hearing Pei Jinye’s reply, Brother Bi looked at him with some skepticism.

Older models?

How old?

He couldn’t possibly know that the older models of solo combat mechs in Pei Jinye’s memory were actually the first-generation products.

“Number one is exhibition mode, number two is combat mode, forming mech armor. Number three is emergency mode, which, once activated, can form a shield barrier capable of withstanding the impact of five hundred catties of explosives, and Xing Tian will also quickly locate your position. A mech body has only one chance… After use, it must return to the base for reset.”

Brother Bi introduced earnestly.

Pei Jinye activated the second number, combat mode, and could distinctly feel that it was more portable compared to the one Pei Zhan had.

“This is the Fourth Generation Mechanical Body. I heard the fifth generation is in the testing phase; I don’t know if we can switch to it in the next two years.” Brother Bi said with a laugh, watching Pei Jinye’s attempt to walk. “After activating combat mode, you can harness the power of the machinery to enhance your close-combat power a bit, after all, even the physical body of Transcendents who aren’t from the Physical Technique System isn’t stronger than machinery.”

“What if we encounter someone from the metal system?” Pei Jinye’s question choked Brother Bi.

“Then you activate number three. If you’re quick enough, you might save your life; if not, brothers can only come to collect your body.” Brother Bi shook his head and said, “The briefcase is portable; you can carry it with you, just in case. If you encounter a Transcendent from a special ability system, make a report first, and the higher-ups will arrange someone suitable… We are just an Investigation Team, if we can avoid fighting and killing, we do.”

“What do we usually do then?” Pei Jinye couldn’t help but ask curiously.

Brother Bi whispered, “The key lies in the word ‘investigate’… for example, if there’s a problem somewhere, we go to investigate, and we try to avoid combat… because the incidents we get involved in are basically inseparable from Transcendents. The report will be handed over to the higher-ups, and they will arrange for others to handle it, such as from the Night Patrol Department or Judgement Place. Of course, sometimes combat is inevitable…”

As they spoke.

Raucous shouts came from outside.

“Quick, find a doctor! Take them to the emergency room!”

Pei Jinye and Brother Bi both looked over to see three blood-covered men being brought down from a hovering car.

Brother Bi looked at Pei Jinye, “Sometimes the task itself is dangerous. You must be careful when you carry out tasks in the future. Preserving your life is the first rule, even if the criminal gets away it doesn’t matter, our main job is investigation.”

Old Zhang, on the side, was making urgent eye signals.

Brother Bi was still imparting his life-saving experience, until he suddenly felt a chill from behind and turned with a laugh, “Chief, when did you arrive?”

An expressionless middle-aged man in a tidy and clean uniform, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and with impeccably combed hair, spoke slowly, “Did I interrupt you?”

“Not at all.” Brother Bi quickly signaled to Pei Jinye, “This is our Investigation Team Two’s Chief, Chief Xie Zuxin.”

“Chief Xie, new recruit Pei Jinye, reporting in,” Pei Jinye said formally.

The middle-aged man smiled kindly at Pei Jinye, “Do a good job.”

“Yes, Chief Xie,” Pei Jinye replied with a clear gaze.

Xie Zuxin placed his briefcase on the table and gestured, “Old Zhang, repair this. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”

“Yes, Chief Xie,” Old Zhang quickly affirmed.

Xie Zuxin nodded, then turned to Brother Bi, “Finish up and bring the newcomer to the team for the gathering. We’re only waiting for you guys now.”

“Yes, Chief!” Brother Bi responded earnestly.

Once Xie Zuxin left, Brother Bi chuckled at Pei Jinye, “Switch off the mode and follow me to the gathering.”

Pei Jinye deactivated the mech mode, carrying the silver briefcase; indeed, it wasn’t heavy, almost just ten catties, which felt almost like a phone in his hand given his current strength.

Old Zhang handed Pei Jinye a form to sign his name, indicating he’d received the equipment.

After finishing this.

Pei Jinye hurried off with Brother Bi to the location for reporting to Team Two.

“Haha, you’re here too, Jinye.”

A flippant voice suddenly came from the corridor not far away.

Upon hearing this voice, Pei Jinye recognized the other person.

He looked up.

Gu Wutong flashed a grin, waving his hand with interest, “Which team are you in? I’m in Team Seven.”

“Team Two,” Pei Jinye indicated.

Brother Bi looked skeptically at Gu Wutong, “Kid, Team Seven isn’t here, you got the wrong place.”

“It’s fine, I’m just wandering around,” Gu Wutong said nonchalantly.

Brother Bi couldn’t help but pull a face.

Just wandering?

Not afraid of getting torn apart by Team Seven’s boss!

He whispered to Pei Jinye, “Let’s hurry on, this kid is definitely in for trouble later.”

Pei Jinye turned to Gu Wutong, who had jumped down from the second floor and was standing beside him, “By the way, when you have time, can you give me a hand?”

“You have a lot of free time?” Pei Jinye looked at him skeptically.

Gu Wutong suddenly pressed his communicator, and a woman’s voice came through: “Get back here now.”

Gu Wutong looked regretful, looking up at Pei Jinye, “Let’s arrange for a trial when you’re ready. Promise me that, okay?”

A gust of wind arose, and he vanished from the spot.

“Turns out it’s him.” Brother Bi seemed to recall Gu Wutong’s identity and shook his head, “This crazy kid actually agreed to join our Investigation Team.”

But he curiously looked at Pei Jinye, “You know him?”

“Not really, this is just the second time we’ve met.”

Brother Bi looked like he had more to say but decided to let it pass.