novelraw Chapter 185: Pretending to be confused
Chapter 185: Pretending to be confused
Su Zhan's expression remained calm.
His free hand unhurriedly reached into the fluorescent jacket's inner pocket.
He retrieved an ancient-looking dark red badge.
At the center of the badge was a pattern of a Vermilion Bird spreading its wings as if about to take flight.
Su Zhan presented the badge to the other party: "Vermilion Bird Academy, Su Zhan, currently conducting the annual final combat assessment as stipulated by the academy. Assessment objective: individually eliminate three Aberrants of the same cultivation level as myself.
The mission has been completed. These three are the targets.
This mist event was triggered by their desperate last stand and has now been handled by me."
The other party's eyes instantly sharpened.
The several enforcement team members behind him also clearly showed expressions of surprise and heightened attention.
The leader stepped forward, carefully examined the authenticity of the badge, then looked at the three heads with distinctly Aberrant features. The stern expression on his face softened considerably, even carrying a hint of respect."So you're an Awakened from Vermilion Bird Academy."
The leader's tone became noticeably more polite: "My apologies. We did receive notification about the academy's assessment. Thank you for eliminating these major threats from Black City and resolving this crisis.
However, Student Su Zhan, this matter involves significant consequences after all - the destruction of an entire street block and civilian casualties... Procedurally, we still need to take a detailed statement from you for official records. We hope you can understand and cooperate."
"Understood."
Su Zhan put away his badge, adopting a cooperative attitude: "That's within your duties. I'll cooperate with the statement."
...
Interrogation room.
Su Zhan had lost count of how many times he'd been in places like this.
Previously with Doberman, Qin Bai, Vermilion Bird Academy, and...
Now it felt like returning here was like coming home.
However, the other party still showed considerable face to Su Zhan, or rather to Vermilion Bird Academy.
He wasn't made to sit on those cold interrogation room chairs.
Specifically referring to those special chairs designed for interrogation purposes.
Instead, they found him a sofa.
Allowing Su Zhan to sit comfortably while speaking freely.
Handcuffs or anything similar were completely out of the question.
There was even a cup of hot tea placed before him.
This was all they needed to do.
But Su Zhan had much more to consider.
Fabricating stories, telling lies - these required considerable technical skill.
Some people can't help but laugh when lying or making up stories - such people are typically incapable of playing dumb.
Su Zhan was different.
He was a master at playing dumb.
His mission objectives were already clear.
First was the Vermilion Bird Academy freshman year final assessment task.
Second was that he had also accepted the mission regarding the three Aberrants in Black City from the mission hall.
His purposes were already established.
They could effectively conceal his true intentions.
As for fabricating stories.
Su Zhan was a master among masters.
With this kind of thing, you can't make everything false - you need to mix half-truths with half-lies.
After explaining his purposes, he directly stated that the mist had arrived, and the two Aberrants acquainted with Wang Peng had come to eliminate witnesses. However, Su Zhan couldn't allow a potential threat like Wang Peng to remain near him in such circumstances, so he eliminated them personally.
After that, Su Zhan couldn't recklessly reveal himself, so he hid until long after the mist event had passed before finally locating their hiding spot. He then stealthily approached and defeated both opponents single-handedly.
The interrogator pondered for a moment before raising a question: "According to your account, when you finally pinpointed their exact location and successfully breached it to eliminate them... the other civilians on the street had already... all perished?"
"Correct. I very much wanted to rescue people, but under those circumstances, if I had exposed myself prematurely or recklessly engaged those monsters in the mist, there would only be one outcome..."
Su Zhan picked up the teacup, gently blowing on it: "That would be... me being surrounded by countless mist creatures, plus those two Aberrants lurking in the shadows waiting to ambush me when the opportunity arose.
Two fists are no match for four hands. I would have had no chance of survival, let alone completing the mission or rescuing anyone.
I had to first find the root of the problem and eliminate the summoner who could control the mist to fundamentally resolve the crisis. This was the only option.
I only regret... my movements weren't fast enough, that I couldn't find their hiding place sooner. Otherwise, perhaps fewer people would have died."
The interrogator listened carefully, slowly nodding: "Student Su Zhan, your judgment was completely correct and professional.
In such extreme environments, prioritizing the elimination of the threat source is the standard and most effective response strategy.
Blindly and impulsively attempting rescue would only needlessly sacrifice yourself.
You made the calmest and most responsible choice.
Black City authorities thank you for your decisive actions and efforts during the crisis. Please don't blame yourself excessively."
The recorder swiftly documented everything from the side.
Su Zhan slowly nodded, the look of sorrow still evident in his eyes.
As if he remained trapped in self-blame.
Sigh...
When circumstances are too difficult, having some acting skills for self-preservation is reasonable, right?
"Student Su Zhan, we completely understand your position and task priorities."
The interrogator said slowly: "However, since you accepted this mission, you must presumably know that these three Aberrants previously stole a rather important batch of goods from the black market. This batch of goods remains missing to this day."
Su Zhan nodded, indicating he was aware.
"You see, these three individuals, before they died... truly didn't reveal even the slightest clue about that batch of goods? Even accidentally mentioned locations, names, or any strange numbers?"
The interrogator continued: "Rest assured, as long as you provide effective clues that help us recover the goods, Black City authorities will definitely grant you substantial compensation.
Moreover, in the evaluation comments for this assessment, we will emphasize that you not only completed the elimination mission but also made significant contributions to recovering the stolen goods.
Vermilion Bird Academy would presumably lavish praise on such outstanding talent as yourself.
Su Zhan helplessly spread his hands: "I'm very clear about this point. If I had any clues, I would definitely report them immediately - it would only benefit me without any drawbacks. But the problem is, they truly said nothing.
From when I first captured Wang Peng, he stubbornly refused to talk, only begging for mercy to save his life.
Later when the mist descended, Skinny Monkey and Iron Wall immediately took action without another word, clearly determined to fight to the death.
These Aberrants from the Transcendence Society have mouths harder than each other. Trying to pry information from them is as difficult as climbing to heaven.
I would have liked to extract some information to earn merit too, but unfortunately, there was no opportunity."
The interrogator carefully examined Su Zhan's expression. Seeing the other party's forthright demeanor and definite tone that didn't seem feigned, he finally slowly nodded.
"Very well, in that case, we won't press further. You've worked hard this time, Student Su Zhan."
The other party stood up, extending a hand: "Thank you for your contributions to Black City. The procedures have been completed - you may leave now."
Su Zhan shook his hand.
The three bags containing the Aberrant heads were naturally left with the enforcement team, to be filed as mission proof and case evidence.
They certainly couldn't actually let Su Zhan carry these things back to Vermilion Bird Academy to complete his mission.
Carrying that on the road would undoubtedly terrify people.
The enforcement team issued Su Zhan a formally formatted document stamped with the Black City Enforcement Team's official seal.
It detailed the process and results of Su Zhan successfully eliminating three Transcendence Society Aberrants during this incident.
With this document as proof, he could return to the academy and smoothly pass this year's final combat assessment.
Su Zhan put away the proof document and walked out of the interrogation room.