Chapter Forty-Two: The Ruthless New Director

“What’s with this bureau chief? He called us here but won’t say a word.”

“Enough complaining. Look at those directors—they’re all sitting quietly, not daring to speak.” The speaker gestured toward Ren Zhonghao and Ji Ruyan’s side, noticing the directors had their heads lowered, silent.

Just as impatience began to simmer among those present, Fan Tianxing finally set down his mirror and glanced around with intrigue.

“Do you all think my hairstyle looks dashing? If you agree, raise your hand.”

His hairstyle hadn’t changed at all—it was simply a rakish side part.

Upon hearing his words, the directors who had witnessed his methods slowly raised their hands. The cadres below, though confused, followed suit and lifted their hands as well.

Yet a few squad leaders in the combat group voiced their dissatisfaction. “Is this what you called us here for? Do you realize how troublesome the anomalous creatures in Ling City are right now?”

“You’re young, sitting in a high position. Are you getting carried away?”

“Today’s young people truly lack a sense of propriety. I was training, thought something urgent had happened, and it’s just this?”

“…”

They were all squad leaders—B-class spiritual controllers or martial artists—and naturally unwilling to tolerate such nonsense. They immediately vented their displeasure.

“So you disagree with me?” Fan Tianxing arched an eyebrow and asked.

“Yes!” They nodded.

No sooner had they nodded than several overwhelming auras surged toward them, giving them no time to react, and they were killed instantly.

Blood splattered on the floor, searing into the eyes of everyone present. Shock and terror filled their hearts—the new bureau chief had killed without hesitation, and not just anyone, but the combat group leaders, key officers!

At this moment, Fan Tianxing’s voice rang out again. “Is there anyone left to oppose me?”

No one dared make a sound, fear gripping their hearts.

“Forgive me, I just came out of a psychiatric hospital. My methods are a bit extreme—I hope you can understand.” He looked upon their fearful faces with satisfaction; this was precisely the effect he desired.

Sixteen or seventeen years old, Fan Tianxing, psychiatric patient… These elements combined at once gave Ji Ruyan a sudden realization.

“You… You’re the young master from the Fan family in the capital!”

He recalled the Fan family’s young master who had been sent to the psychiatric hospital.

The Fan family of the capital was a colossus in China—a super ancient clan founded centuries ago, the most powerful and deep-rooted among the eight great families of the city.

Fan Tianxing had fallen seriously ill a year prior, constantly complaining of unbearable headaches. The family summoned the world’s top doctors and even Taoist priests, but none could cure him. Then, inexplicably, he recovered.

After that, he seemed utterly changed: silent and extreme in his actions, slaughtering servants for the slightest mistake, muttering daily about humanity’s safety and anomalous creatures.

In the end, he was sent to the psychiatric hospital, a scandal that caused quite a stir. No one expected he’d be released and appointed as chief of the Ling City Bureau of Anomalous Creature Investigation—surely the youngest chief in history.

Fu Chang had recognized him instantly because, as chief of the Bureau, he’d heard about the Fan family’s young master being released from the hospital and receiving national attention, so he’d learned a bit about him.

Noticing he’d been recognized, Fan Tianxing turned to Ji Ruyan. “Oh? It seems my reputation precedes me, hahahaha,” he laughed.

Ren Zhonghao seized the opportunity to flatter, smiling broadly, “Who hasn’t heard of Chief Fan’s illustrious name? Hahaha.”

In truth, he had never heard of Fan Tianxing.

“Oh? You’ve heard of me too?” Fan Tianxing was surprised—not at Ren Zhonghao recognizing him, but that his reputation could be described as ‘illustrious.’

“Yes, yes. I’ve long admired Chief Fan.” Ren Zhonghao continued to flatter, clueless as ever. After all, it was his only skill, and it was how he’d climbed to his position.

“Hmph, interesting. Then why don’t you tell me about myself?” Fan Tianxing arched his brow and asked.

“Uh…” Hearing the request, Ren Zhonghao was at a loss—he knew nothing, and found himself in a quandary.

Seeing his predicament, Fan Tianxing guessed the truth and asked, “You really haven’t heard of me, have you?”

“No, no, I just forgot,” Ren Zhonghao forced a smile.

Fan Tianxing saw through him at once and waved his hand. “Break one of his legs.”

His tone was calm, but the words were vicious.

At once, a few spiritual controllers behind him dragged Director Ren from his seat in full view of everyone, and moments later came anguished screams.

Fan Tianxing frowned impatiently at the noise and made a gesture for silence. One of the controllers took the hint and shoved a rag from the table into Ren Zhonghao’s mouth, silencing him completely.

With the room finally quiet, Fan Tianxing smiled again. “I loathe being contradicted, but I despise being lied to even more.”

At these words, everyone bowed their heads, barely daring to breathe for fear of attracting the madman’s attention.

“Tianjing City ended up like this under your management—I must admit, I’m surprised.” Fan Tianxing shook his head at them.

Still, no one replied, and he continued.

“Anomaly resurgence has only just begun, barely reaching twenty percent. Soon, anomalous creatures will grow more numerous and stronger—what do you plan to do?”

The crowd remained silent.

“At this stage, you’ve already lost a city in the central region. Impressive. You’ve left me no choice but to clean up your mess myself. Who can give me an overview of the incident?”

With no one speaking, he turned to Ji Ruyan. “You’ll explain.”

Ji Ruyan trembled, took a deep breath to steady herself, and produced a stack of documents, beginning her report. “It all started with a doll…”

When she reached the matter of Ruan Miao, Fan Tianxing’s expression grew serious. “Another anomalous creature capable of controlling humans? And it possesses intelligence? Its strength is unknown?”

Fan Tianxing was taken aback—this was the first time events had exceeded his expectations. In theory, all special anomalous creatures in China were under his control, yet somehow this unique entity had slipped through.

Ji Ruyan nodded. “Based on traces and aura inside the Tianjing City Bureau, we initially classified the doll as C-class. But now, it seems this was just another trick.”