Shang Jianyao stared unflinchingly at Jiang Baimian:
“It could also be a misunderstanding. Maybe the higher-ups of the cult haven't done anything, and Wang Yafei's sudden death was purely accidental.”
Jiang Baimian immediately laughed:
“Not bad, you've found a third explanation.”
After praising him, she changed the subject:
“I was actually leaning towards this just now, thinking that the higher-ups of your cult wouldn't be so reckless.
“But after careful consideration, I still think they are highly suspicious.”
Without waiting for Shang Jianyao to ask, she said thoughtfully:
“Let's assume it really was a misunderstanding and a coincidence, and that you are a high-ranking member of the cult.
“Then, when you know that Ren Jie said Wang Yafei was a sinner, that the gods would punish sinners, and that Wang Yafei died suddenly soon after, what would you think? What would you do?”
Shang Jianyao pondered for a moment:
“I would think:
“So our cult is so powerful?
“So the Controller of Fate is so powerful and versatile?
“So I'm so awesome that I joined such a powerful cult and even became a high-ranking member?”
“...I shouldn't have asked you.” Jiang Baimian raised her hand and rubbed her forehead.
She thought for a moment and then said:
“If it really wasn't the cult punishing Wang Yafei, and they haven't done anything similar before, then the higher-ups might really have similar thoughts...”
Jiang Baimian then asked:
“After developing these perceptions, what other relatively normal thoughts would they have?”
Without giving Shang Jianyao a chance to answer, she said to herself:
“On the one hand, wouldn't they be ecstatic, feeling that this matter could be used to illustrate the power of the Controller of Fate, to make believers more devout, more obedient, and more actively spread the faith?”
Shang Jianyao nodded, indicating that normal higher-ups should think that way.
Jiang Baimian continued:
“Then, on the other hand, would they be a little worried, feeling that this matter came too coincidentally, too suddenly, and too shockingly, and might scare some believers, causing them to make drastic and unnecessary reactions, such as reporting, such as suicide, such as starting to preach openly?”
Shang Jianyao thought seriously for a few seconds and nodded again.
Jiang Baimian breathed a sigh of relief:
“Let's assume that those cult leaders all have intact brains. After generating these two aspects of thought, what will they do next?”
She didn't let Shang Jianyao speak either, answering herself:
“Immediately have the 'Guides' under their command convene another gathering, to appease everyone while publicizing the sanctity and power of the Controller of Fate, striving to prevent accidents and guide things in a positive direction.
“And now, a day has passed, and you still haven't received news of the gathering. You should know that this kind of emergency will definitely not be delayed for so long and must be resolved as soon as possible.”
Shang Jianyao said "Mm":
“Maybe they're just stupid and didn't think of that.”
“That is indeed a reason. We can't expect the enemy to always be shrewd, thorough, and without mistakes.” Jiang Baimian smiled. "However, your cult has been able to develop within the company for so many years without any problems, which shows that those high-ranking members are not a bunch of pigs. In addition, Wang Yafei's death was too coincidental, so I am now more inclined to believe that they did it, either out of religious fanaticism or with sufficient confidence."
“It's more likely the latter.” Shang Jianyao seemed to switch back to a normal person's thinking.
“Mm... Or maybe both.” Jiang Baimian agreed. “Pure religious fanatics would definitely have been discovered and arrested long ago.”
She then looked at Shang Jianyao and instructed:
“I suspect that going directly to the people in the 'Order Supervision Department' may lead to accidents. This may be where the confidence of those cult leaders lies, to ensure that all betrayals will fail.
“Don't rush to report it, and don't rush to investigate. Wait a while.
“Wait a few days, wait a week, until the cult leaders feel that things have calmed down, that there are no ripples, and they have relaxed their vigilance. Then try to do something.”
Shang Jianyao frowned slightly:
“In a few more days, there will be no traces left.”
Especially the corpse, which will be disposed of quickly.
Jiang Baimian had obviously considered this issue and nodded slightly:
“During this time, I will try to use personal connections to find an opportunity to look at the surveillance footage of the corresponding floors.”
She casually explained:
“You said earlier that Wang Yafei died suddenly at around nine o'clock, and yesterday was not a holiday. At that time, most of the residents on each floor were in the 'Factory District' and 'Inner Ecology Zone', at their respective work positions, so the 'Living Area' must have been very deserted.
“In this case, if someone came to the floor where Wang Yafei was the 'Materials Supply Market Supervisor,' it would definitely be very conspicuous, and the surveillance at the elevator entrance would faithfully record his figure.
“There aren't many people wandering around during work hours.
“Mm, we need to look at the surveillance not only on the floor where the incident occurred but also on the two floors above and below. Awakened abilities should be able to be used through the ceiling, as long as the linear distance is sufficient.”
This was something Shang Jianyao had said before, and Qiao Chu's "Charm" fully demonstrated this.
Shang Jianyao shook his head:
“It can be used through obstacles, but there will be distance attenuation.
“Moreover, it's impossible to determine who the target is. You can only identify which places and positions within the corresponding range have people, and how many people there are roughly.”
In other words, if that Awakened tried to "execute" Wang Yafei through the ceiling on the floor above or below, it would easily cause accidental deaths and fail to achieve the goal.
“That's true.” Jiang Baimian thought, “Wang Yafei will be alone in a specific place at a specific time, for example, his office? In this way, by grasping the time and place, a perfect kill can be achieved... No, there were only three hours between him becoming a sinner and his sudden death. It would be impossible for that Awakened to figure out his activities, even if they asked people one by one, it would be too late. Mm... Just look at the surveillance on the floor where the incident occurred, to see who entered and who left before and after the event. No, let's look at three floors, it's better to be cautious. After all, we can't directly equate your situation with the commonalities of Awakened.”
Shang Jianyao suddenly asked:
“What if there's no similar person?”
“That means the killer may also work on the floor where the incident occurred, or even within the 'Materials Supply Market.' Although the probability is very low, it cannot be ruled out.” Jiang Baimian pursed her lips and said, "We can take a look at who approached the 'Materials Supply Market' at that time, and we can also investigate the characteristics of the employees of the 'Materials Supply Market'."
Speaking of this, she looked at Shang Jianyao and smiled slightly:
“Don't all Awakened exchange one price for three abilities? Since they have paid the price, they will definitely show some abnormalities.
“This is a clue.”
Shang Jianyao first nodded, and then moved his eyebrows.
Jiang Baimian immediately laughed:
“You've figured it out?
“Using mental illness to hide jumps in thinking and abnormalities is indeed a good method, but in the eyes of the company, this is also a kind of abnormality that is worth tracking and observing.
“You don't think that the company's higher-ups haven't even mastered the basic information of Awakened, do you?
“You don't think that the abnormalities of research project volunteers will be easily let go, do you?
“You don't think that a person with moderate mental abnormalities can join the 'Old Task Force' and go to the surface casually just by applying on their own, do you?
“The company definitely wants to put you in different environments to observe your situation and confirm whether you have any problems, and I am the observer.”
Seeing Shang Jianyao's expression becoming more and more solemn and serious, Jiang Baimian sighed with a smile:
“Fortunately, I'm soft-hearted...
“Although I don't know why you want to hide it, you can hide it if you want.”
Shang Jianyao was silent for a moment and said:
“Can be caught off guard.”
Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and turned the topic back:
“The Wang Yafei death incident will be handled as we just said:
“You wait patiently for a while before trying to report it, and I will take the opportunity to do some marginal and technical investigations.”
Shang Jianyao didn't refute and said in a low voice:
“Be careful.”
Jiang Baimian showed a bright smile:
“I will definitely find other excuses and reasons. I'm not stupid.”
As she spoke, she touched her metal cochlea and joked with a smile:
“I almost didn't hear clearly!
“Remember to speak louder when you care about others in the future.”
“Yes, Team Leader!” Shang Jianyao said with full vigor.
Jiang Baimian exhaled and pointed to the books on the table:
“This is some information from the Old World. You can take a look.
“In the future, we'll be reading materials and discussing in the morning, and training in the afternoon.”
Shang Jianyao took the information, found a place to sit down, and read it very quietly.
Before long, Bai Chen and Long Yuehong also took the initiative to work overtime during the holidays.
…………
In the evening, Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong, who had eaten dinner in the small cafeteria, took the elevator back to the 495th floor.
As they approached the “Activity Center,” they suddenly heard a burst of noise.
The two didn't speak and walked over quickly with tacit understanding, seeing two "Order Supervisors" in black uniforms supporting a person passing by in front of them.
The person's hands were cuffed behind his back, his face was extremely distorted, his eyes were wide open, very cloudy, and full of bloodshot.
Long Yuehong was startled:
“Heartless Disease!”
Shang Jianyao recognized the person:
Shen Du.
A little further away, a child was held tightly by his mother, crying loudly:
“Daddy, daddy...”
ps: Third update for monthly tickets ~ Tomorrow will be three updates as well, first update at midnight