Chapter 33: Amateur Surveillance

The white-haired boy’s ideals were grand.

Reality, however, was brutally harsh.

This time, although the two of them were technically on leave, they had actually slipped out behind their vice-captain’s back to act on their own.

Naturally, the bureau wouldn’t provide funding or manpower.

They had never dealt with this kind of situation before—lack of experience aside, they didn’t even have proper tools.

The white-haired boy was forced to browse an online shopping app.

He casually picked a small camera with “999+ monthly sales” and placed an order.

Although he noticed most reviews said people bought it to watch their pets…

That didn’t slow down his “decisive” efficiency at all.

“One camera isn’t enough,” he muttered.

“I need to buy a few more.”

The young man beside him was speechless.

He took a slow breath and looked up at him.

“Are you seriously planning to break the rules and monitor him?”

“If not monitor, at least we should investigate his house!” the boy snapped, his hair practically bristling with anger.

“You know what we’ve found—

That ghost-controller stole the captain’s face and is committing atrocities under his identity!”

“He even dares to post selfies online… doesn’t he just rely on the fact that he can change faces, so we can’t catch him?”

“The ghost-controller is arrogant, yes,” the young man said calmly.

“But the bureau’s rule is clear—we must not disturb ordinary people lightly.”

“What we’re doing now not only breaks regulations, it also goes against Captain Shu Qing’s teachings.”

“What’s the point of following rules…” the boy muttered.

“It’s been so long. Every day there are missions, people to save…”

“Even the bureau has stopped prioritizing the investigation of the ghost-controller.”

He choked slightly, then raised his voice again.

“And the Information Department already traced the ghost-controller’s social media!”

“They confirmed that anyone targeted by him online ends up dead!”

“So why is Si Qingxuan an exception?!”

“Looking at that face, how could the ghost-controller possibly resist?”

“Monitoring him isn’t just to confirm whether his identity has been replaced—

it’s also to protect him!”

“The ‘Prophet’ from the Yunjing headquarters sent a notice two days ago,” the young man said quietly, staring at his fingertips.

“‘The ghost-controller is already dead. No need to investigate further, or you’ll invite trouble.’”

The white-haired boy scoffed.

“He says dead, so he’s dead?”

“That’s the Prophet.”

“Every prediction he makes comes true.”

“People fight tooth and nail just to hear a few words from him.”

“If he personally sent a warning to our branch, we can’t ignore it.”

“…What’s so great about Yunjing?”

The boy turned away, his voice noticeably less spirited.

“He says don’t investigate, and we just obey? Ridiculous.”

In truth, what pushed him to personally monitor Si Qingxuan wasn’t just the irritating prophecy.

It was also the bureau’s attitude.

They had just found the ghost-controller’s social account—

And at the same time, the prophecy arrived.

The bureau abandoned a clear lead because of a single prediction.

That alone was infuriating.

But what angered him even more was—

When he asked Captain Chen to request an investigation into Si Qingxuan, the bureau rejected it outright.

Not only that, the vice-captain warned everyone:

“Stay away from Si Qingxuan. Don’t even touch him.”

The newly appointed captain, Shu Yan, had scoffed at that.

“Why?”

“Because he’s on the ‘Special List.’”

The vice-captain lit a cigarette, his expression obscured by smoke.

“Anyone on that list must be protected at all costs by the bureau.”

The white-haired boy knew about the “Special List.”

Anyone on it required extreme caution in any related case.

Direct surveillance like this would never be approved.

Those on the list included high-ranking officials, top experts, and families of recognized martyrs.

The bureau had an absolute duty to protect them.

As for tracking the ghost-controller—

The new captain was even more determined.

Because the deceased former captain, Shu Qing, was his own brother.

But even Shu Yan had no way around it.

…

The boy simply couldn’t understand how Si Qingxuan ended up on that list.

Aside from being extremely rich and good-looking—

What else qualified him?

At his age, he had little patience for rules he deemed unreasonable.

So when he couldn’t get support from the bureau,

He dragged along a colleague who was also on leave.

They got the address from the Information Department.

But when they arrived—

The building had already been demolished.

Even the foundation was gone.

There were no clues left.

So in the end, all leads pointed back to Si Qingxuan.

The boy was determined to uncover the truth.

He had even considered confronting Si Qingxuan directly.

But the ghost-controller could change appearances—

And was rumored to have teamed up with a powerful A-rank anomaly.

If they met head-on…

He wasn’t sure he could win.

“Anyway, I’m definitely watching him myself.” the boy muttered.

“If you don’t want to, go back. Leave me alone.”

The young man sighed.

“If I leave you alone, will you even manage?”

He pointed at the shopping app.

“You’re still buying cameras online? Delivery will take days.”

“I’m not that dumb! I chose same-city delivery!”

“…And you’re still a minor. How did you develop this online shopping habit?”

“I don’t even buy that much! Just some snacks—and you eat them too!”

They started bickering inside the car.

Unbeknownst to them—

On a nearby branch, a black crow watched silently.

Its eyes glowed like dark red gemstones.

They were planning to spy on Si Qingxuan—

But Si Qingxuan had been watching them the whole time.

Why didn’t he care about being followed?

Because he knew these two were amateurs.

Soon, the two got hungry.

The young man pulled out instant noodles from a backpack.

Both were seafood flavor.

He ate happily, while the boy looked disgusted.

The young man added a dozen quail eggs into his cup.

The boy instantly brightened up.

But he swallowed them whole—

Nearly choking in the process.

Si Qingxuan: “…”

These two were awakened individuals?

They didn’t look very smart.

“It’s too far. I can’t hear them clearly.” the system said.

“Can’t get too close. They’ll notice.”

Si Qingxuan leaned back on the sofa, casually browsing on his tablet.

“They want to monitor me? If they dare install devices in my home, I’ll give them credit.”

He reached for his coffee.

“…It’s a bit cold.”

His ability activated.

A ring of black distortion appeared around the cup.

In an instant, the coffee was restored to the perfect temperature.

“Talent: Time Reversal.”

This was the imprint he obtained from Ricardo Moranden.

Though weaker than the original, it could still rewind time within a limited range.

“Be satisfied,” the system said.

“Even the Ouroboros can’t rewind the entire world.”

“At least you didn’t have to sacrifice anything for this power.”

“It’s quite practical.”

“Indeed.” Si Qingxuan examined the cup.

“Now I have endless coffee.”

The system fell silent.

Sometimes, it truly didn’t understand him.

“Why so quiet?” Si Qingxuan asked casually.

“I’m staying alert. There are two unknown awakened individuals outside.”

“You were reckless in the illusion, but cautious in reality?”

“That’s different.”

“In illusions, humans tend to cooperate.”

“But in reality… awakened humans often turn on each other.”

“If they intend harm, I suggest striking first.”

“In your world, just spying on you would be enough to gouge their eyes out.”

…

That night, Si Qingxuan slept peacefully.

But in the dead of night—

A faint scraping sound came from outside the window.

He heard it.

But he didn’t open his eyes.

Outside the apartment wall—

A long white snake was struggling to climb upward.

Its scales gleamed faintly.

Every three meters it climbed, it slipped back one.

And in its mouth—

A bulky camera filled its jaws, blocking its vision.

Its red tongue flickered helplessly.

Its golden eyes stared at the towering building in despair.

For the first time, it envied creatures that could fly.

“Scrape—”

It slipped down another two centimeters.

Just as it turned its head toward a nearby balcony—

It froze.

Right in front of it—

A pair of large, glowing green eyes stared back.

“Meow!”

Help—!!! Why doesn’t this house have its balcony sealed?!

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