The East Capital shrouded in night.
The entire city transformed into a dazzling sea of lights, countless high-rises standing among them.
Neon lights flicker, curtain walls brightly lit, reflecting the sky into a mysterious silver-gray.
The CBD area in the city center, the most bustling commercial locale.
A skyscraper has its lights extinguished long ago, like a black sword piercing the clouds.
At the top of the building, the huge "NOAH" emblem emits a cold white glow, overlooking the stream of vehicles below.
At the highest floor of the building, within an office of several hundred square meters.
No lights are on here, darkness permeates everything.
Only the city’s glow from outside outlines the silhouette of expensive furniture.
A burly figure stands silently before the giant floor-to-ceiling window.
He holds a thick cigar between his fingers, the scarlet tip flickers in the dark, smoke spiraling upward.
In the air, soothing jazz music flows, a vinyl record player spins tirelessly in the corner.
The heavy wooden door behind is gently pushed open.
Feet tread softly on the marble floor, the faint sound of footsteps approaches before stopping a few steps away.
The newcomer stands quietly, respectfully calls out:
Luo Lie stands at the window, without turning around.
Seemingly still immersed in the nighttime view and music in his ears.
After a long pause, he slowly speaks, voice low and magnetic.
"Coming over so late, is there something?"
Standing behind him is Zhuo Feng, head of the intelligence department at the East Capital Branch of the Noah Organization.
A trace of hesitation lingers on his face, seemingly deliberating his words.
"Minister, a bad news has just come in, regarding Noah Pharmaceutical..."
Luo Lie exhales a smoke ring, tone still steady:
Zhuo Feng takes a deep breath, reports:
"Around seven this evening, a bloody incident occurred at Building 78, Jiangbei Third Road.
"One of our organization’s high-ranking cadres and three peripheral members died tragically therein."
Upon hearing, Luo Lie’s eyes slightly narrow:
"Was the murderer the Special Search Team? They’ve already killed Scorpion, yet refuse to relent?"
Zhuo Feng shakes his head: "According to the logistics personnel’s account, they received an action call. Upon arriving on site, apart from four corpses, no trace of the assailant was found."
Pausing here, he adds:
"Only a blood-painted picture was found on the interior wall."
"Exactly like the mark left at Chen Rui and others’ death scene, a smiling demon face."
Luo Lie’s shoulders twitch, he finally turns around.
In the dark, the chiseled face reveals no expression.
"Smiling Demon? Couldn’t resist striking again? Who are the dead?"
"Yet to be fully confirmed."
Zhuo Feng nods and explains in detail:
"The identities of those three peripheral members have been ascertained, all are registered experimental subjects, injected with ’Pioneer’s Blood’ months ago, currently in initial observation phase."
"As for the cadre, we suspect he was Jia Liang, a Level Eight Official responsible for recruiting and monitoring experimental subjects."
Upon hearing, Luo Lie slightly stunned.
He’s familiar with the name Jia Liang.
One of the main overseers embedded in Noah Pharmaceutical by the organization.
Lately, to dodge the Special Search Team’s pursuit, he hid within this building.
Thus had met him a few times, exchanged some words.
Now, killed by the Smiling Demon?
This news truly surprises Luo Lie a bit.
Administratively speaking, Noah Pharmaceutical’s East Capital Branch and the Noah Organization’s East Capital Branch are equal units.
Yet its security has always been overseen by the East Capital Branch.
Especially those classified materials and experimental subjects, only experts within the organization handle them personally.
Usually, Jia Liang stationed inside the company, responsible for daily supervision and management.
While intelligence chief Zhuo Feng also oversees the overall security system of Noah Pharmaceutical in East Capital.
Recently, pressure from above mounts as countless eyes watch its every move.
At this critical juncture, the main overseer encounters trouble, even dying uncompletely.
Imagine the stir this news will cause within and outside the organization.
"Currently, the deceased’s identity isn’t completely verified, requires DNA comparison results."
Zhuo Feng continues explaining to Luo Lie:
"Because, upon discovery, the entire body muscles swelled, severely deformed physique, multiple fractures and injuries, head... even completely exploded, facial features can’t be discerned."
Pausing here, his tone slightly heavy:
"We suspect Jia Liang, forced during conflict with a powerful enemy, injected the new version of enhancement potion, still didn’t match that person’s power."
"Moreover, preliminarily autopsy report suggests his head likely punched to explode by someone in high speed."
Luo Lie hears this, eyes flicker.
He knows well, the new enhancement potion named "Pioneer’s Blood 2.0" Zhuo Feng refers to.
This potion can forcibly stimulate cellular potential.
Post-injection, subjects enter "Primary Deformation Stage", if endure muscle tear, osteophyte growth pain, stand chance entering more stable "Secondary Abnormal Stage."
During this phase, subjects’ bone and muscle become extraordinarily tough, defensive and recovery power multiply.