The door of the office was silently pushed open.
Gao Jin walked in slowly.
His figure was exceptionally tall, and the black uniform of the Special Search Team he wore seemed like a layer of hard armor, outlining the contours of his muscles even more distinctly.
Zhou Liang and Ali quickly stepped aside to make way, respectfully lowering their heads in salute.
Then they swiftly exited the office, closing the door tightly.
Gao Jin didn’t glance at Xu Hao, he went straight to the opposite side of the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
The metal frame of the chair let out a groan of protest under his weight.
An invisible sense of oppression enveloped the entire office the moment he sat down.
"You asked to speak with me face to face, is there something you want to confess?"
Gao Jin clasped his hands on the table, his deep gaze finally settled on Xu Hao, cutting to the chase.
Unlike Zhou Liang and Ali’s straightforward threats, this high-ranking officer of the Special Search Team was like a silent volcano.
His expression seemed calm, yet inside, it seemed to store enough energy to consume everything.
Xu Hao subconsciously swallowed, his palms starting to sweat.
"Don’t be nervous, just follow my instructions."
Fang Cheng’s voice timely rang in Xu Hao’s mind, like a tranquilizer, instantly calming his panic.
"Now, first reply to him, say that you don’t know Cheng Jiashu, but you know White Owl."
"Uh, is it okay to say this?"
Xu Hao’s heart was a bit unsettled.
"It’s fine, just say it with confidence."
With Fang Cheng’s assurance, Xu Hao steadied himself, lifted his head, and met Gao Jin’s sharp gaze:
"Chief Gao, I really don’t know the celebrity Cheng Jiashu."
"However, if you’re looking for the man who wears the white Evil Ghost Mask, then I might know who that is."
Upon hearing this, Gao Jin’s eyes subtly shifted:
"Before the Noah Organization held the so-called Demon Hunting Operation meeting, I had no idea Cheng Jiashu was White Owl, I had only heard of some of his exploits."
Xu Hao, withstanding the pressure, organized his words carefully while receiving Fang Cheng’s "transmissions":
"Though I have met him a few times and exchanged a few words, each time he wore that white mask, concealing his face, who could guess his true identity."
"For whatever reason, he seemed quite fond of me and even helped me with some small troubles."
Gao Jin nodded slightly, his gaze carrying a scrutinizing look:
"Why would he be fond of you?"
"I have no idea, you’d have to ask him yourself."
Xu Hao shrugged: "Maybe... because I’m handsome?"
With Fang Cheng backing him up, his mentality gradually relaxed, even adopting a slightly habitual roguish air.
Gao Jin didn’t get angry, nor did he dwell on this question.
After a moment of contemplation, he asked again:
"If I were to ask you to contact him now, could you do it?"
"That’s not possible."
Xu Hao shook his head decisively, this answer didn’t need Fang Cheng’s guidance.
"That man appears and disappears unpredictably, I’ve never even known his full name or where he lives."
"Moreover, now that the Noah Organization is searching for him all over the world, he must be hiding very deeply, how would he easily tell me?"
His words were reasonable and fair.
Gao Jin couldn’t help but fall into contemplation:
"Is there really no way?"
"Chief Gao, with all due respect."
Xu Hao tilted his head, seeming to ponder for a long time before he mustered the courage to say:
"White Owl holds a grudge against the Noah Organization, and the Special Search Team, as an official body, also has the duty to combat criminals. He’s only killing those who deserve it, why do you insist on going after him?"
Gao Jin spoke slowly, his voice carrying a complex tone:
"On this matter, White Owl and I indeed share a common stance. That’s why I hope to contact him through you."
Xu Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He thought this Chief Gao was reasonable; it seemed he could bluff his way through today.
However, Fang Cheng keenly caught onto a detail.
Gao Jin said "I," not "we."
"Ah Hao, now start acting conflicted, show some hesitation."
Fang Cheng, after a brief thought, once again transmitted instructions through the Spiritual Link:
"Then tell him you have an untested special method that might allow you to reach White Owl, but you need him to agree to a condition first."
"Huh? How would I know how to contact White Owl?"
Xu Hao was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted.
Could it be that the boss knows how to contact that murderer?
Out of trust in Fang Cheng, he decided to follow through.
Thus, Xu Hao let out a deep sigh.
The struggle and hesitation in that sound instantly captured all of Gao Jin’s attention.
Under the other’s watchful gaze, Xu Hao began his performance.
He sometimes scratched his head, rubbed his face with his hands, his features nearly twisted into a knot,
the whole person seemed to be undergoing an inner conflict of epic proportions.
Finally, he let out another heavy sigh, his face full of a "take the plunge" tragedy.
Xu Hao cleared his throat, trying to make his expression look less insincere:
"I can understand your painstaking efforts to maintain East Capital’s social order and ensure the welfare of the citizens."
"But as much as I know White Owl, he’s rather reclusive, definitely unwilling to show up voluntarily, let alone establish direct contact with your organization."
Gao Jin’s brows furrowed slightly.
Before he could respond, Xu Hao seemed to have made a massive determination, abruptly slapped his thigh:
"How about this, I have a method I’ve never tried before that might... give you a chance to reach him."