Enforcer Manual
Chapter 523: Purple Wisteria_1

Chapter 523: Chapter 523: Purple Wisteria_1

After handing over the documents to Lu Xiang, Qi He seemed to suddenly remember something and took out a bracelet from his briefcase that looked like it was made for restraint. The bracelet was exquisitely crafted from white jade and even had fine textures carved on it; when laid on the table, it looked more like a piece of art.

The literary girl by his side changed her expression when she saw the bracelet.

It was as if some kind of conditioned reflex had been triggered, causing her to shrink back slightly, and from both her behavior and expression, one could see her aversion to the bracelet.

"The most widespread use of this kind of gas at present is in the development and research of Spiritual Energy,"

said Qi He, speaking casually, "This is the latest product developed by the company; it’s still in the experimental stage. Besides its basic restraining function, it can also effectively suppress Psychic Abilities."

Just from the carefully carved appearance of the bracelet, it was not hard to see its intended primary customer base.

As the United Government delved deeper into the research of Psychic Abilities, the mysterious and fear-inducing veil of Spirit Ability Users had been lifted. Over the past decade or so, a new hobby has quietly emerged among the large families and company executives.

Collecting Psychic Ability Users.

However, unrestricted Psychic Ability Users are dangerous. Therefore, under the research of relevant institutions, companies have produced corresponding Restraints for their buyers to better manage their pets or collectibles.

Once again, the facts proved that where there’s profit to be made, there will be a corporate presence.

"According to them, once the Restraints they produce are worn, if a Psychic Ability User uses their powers, the restraints will emit an electric shock. The pain and numbness will interrupt their consciousness, and their abilities will be forcibly stopped,"

Qi He began to explain the purpose of the restraints to the two of them.

Based on the research theory of "spiritual power and consciousness," he still remembered representing the Ragus Foundation in meetings with the researchers of the restraints. They had presented a detailed and complete theory, enough to allow him to talk incessantly for two hours in front of the foundation’s management.

Unlike the first generation of electric shock restraints, they had adjusted the shock intensity and pinpointed it according to the large data gathered from research on different Psychic Ability Users. They featured settings that could instantly knock a person unconscious, as well as lower settings for the daily management of pets and collectibles.

And these large data sets had to be built on countless research studies.

"Personally, I don’t support this behavior,"

said Qi He, glancing at the slightly trembling literary girl beside him, his gaze briefly flickered with fierceness, "This has nothing to do with humanitarianism, but Psychic Ability Users ’trained’ in this manner and with these theories will exhibit very clear side effects, such as difficulty concentrating when not using their abilities and slow reactions."

"This gas replaces the initial sensory experiments."

Lu Xiang quickly grasped the underlying principle.

In her school courses on Psychic Abilities, she had learned about these sensory experiments. To this day, a considerable number of scholars still firmly believe this to be the fastest way to develop Psychic Abilities.

But because of the policies issued by the Review Meeting, they had to abandon this straightforward approach.

Whereas the gases produced by Dream Manufacture could simulate nearly all emotions for the inhaler, thereby achieving the results researchers wished to see.

"In essence, it’s the same method; the only difference is that these gases leave no trace," Qi He said meaningfully, "No direct evidence will be found after the fact."

This characteristic was also why they were often used in interrogations and for political purposes.

If it were Lu Xiang personally conducting the investigation, they had no idea how long it would take to access secrets of this level.

Qi He, in the spirit of sincere communication, had prepared the materials for today’s conversation before heading to The Seventeenth Region.

At this point, he suddenly changed his usual demeanor and took back the bracelet.

He raised his voice, expounding, "Director Lu, I believe you’re well aware of the interests involved behind this matter. Considering the United Government, I trust you will make a wise decision."

The equivocal official-speak was just like the impression Qi He had given her from the start; you could never truly know what this man’s real intentions were.

"I still have some work to do next, after all, the Review Meeting has entrusted me with some additional tasks... You all need to carefully consider what I’ve just said."

"Then we shall take our leave for now."

...

Qi He sat in front of the conference table, watching as Lu Xiang and Song Lan left. Once their footsteps had faded into the distance, he turned his head and showed a gentle smile to the Literary Girl, reaching out to gently stroke her head.

The girl’s wariness and defenses lessened a little, and she compliantly leaned against Qi He’s shoulder, her breathing gradually steadied.

"Next, we have the issue with Angle Saffire."

Because of the "concerned citizen" and the luck he had demonstrated, the Review Meeting’s interest in this fugitive had increased. They were eager to have Angle brought back to The First Region for investigation and research.

He glanced at the notebook in the girl’s arms and said, "It’s just a pity that Angle and that enemy called ’justice’ are far too troublesome. Despite our best efforts to stop him, he still managed to escape to the ’outside’."

Of course, none of the above ever happened.

Since their arrival in the Seventeenth Region, they had never heard anything about Angle.

However, he seemed to have heard on the journey here that Angle was very interested in Dream Manufacture, and from related materials, he knew that Angle used to be quite an unruly Agent.

So unruly that even the Bureau of Unnatural Case Investigations hoped to be rid of such a nuisance, to the extent that when the students of the 111th batch graduated, realizing that Lu Xiang was likely to follow in Angle’s footsteps in the future, they decisively rejected Lu Xiang’s application and gave the slot to Hanna, who was second in line.

Having an extra troublemaker stirring things up is never a bad thing, and he was curious about how long Angle’s "Luck" could last.

After all, in the known entries about "Justice," those who were possessed by it often died particularly gruesome deaths.

A moment later, as if understanding something, the Literary Girl spread open her notebook on the conference table, seriously recorded the contents Qi He had just mentioned, and added today’s date to the back:

"January 7, 2167, fugitive Angle Saffire, left the Seventeenth Region."

...

Meanwhile, Lu Xiang and Song Lan had left the Ragus Foundation building and arrived on the street.

Judging from the proceedings, the meeting had just been a regular one. However, besides the materials, Qi He also subtly conveyed an important message to them.

Lu Xiang felt that this was probably the real purpose behind him showing them the bracelet—to have the manufacturer’s information recorded on the side of the delicate bracelet facing them.

Purple Wisteria.

She had heard of this company, a major corporation involved in research on Psychic Abilities. They also ran a school that recruited Newborns with potential for Psychic Abilities from cities under the United Government each year. They had emulated Morning Star, taking on all expenses for students during their school years, and even promised that each graduate would be employed by important sectors of the United Government every year.

A curious feeling erupted in Lu Xiang’s heart.

Was Qi He guiding them to investigate the Purple Wisteria Group?