My Cell Prison-Chapter 1240 - 1239: Recruitment

Han Dong chose a hiding spot where he had previously been resting and recuperating.

The female zombie with a bun hairdo quickly returned there as well, her face a picture of panic, even the Clear Heart Talisman on her forehead had turned completely Dyed Black due to the surging Corpse Energy within her.

"Mr. Han, the people from the Secret Department have found us!

They must have checked ahead and found out you were here, they’ve completely sealed off the mansion... Even my father won’t be able to hold them off for long; it’s only a matter of time before they find you.

We must think about how to explain the removal of the ’Corpse Bug’, especially since there’s a major criminal among you."

"The Secret Department..."

Han Dong had heard of this term long before.

It was in the Oil Mill District.

Zhang Xiliang, when he first met, mistook Han Dong for an officer of the Secret Department due to the Space Secret Art that Han Dong had displayed.

It seems to be a department specializing in Secret Methods, with significant differences from the conventional Six Departments, and even more powerful.

"It seems the Secret Department should cater specifically to managing the ’Corpse Bug,’ which is why they could directly trace it to us... They must have a closer relationship with the Emperor.

Miss Ruo Ying, please prepare some paper and ink for me, as much as you have.

The people from the Secret Department will probably give Governor Wang some respect; we might have some time."

"Paper and ink?"

The female zombie, although not quite understanding, responded immediately.

A stack of rice paper, an ink slab, and several writing brushes.

Creak~

Five Tentacles stem from the back of Han Dong’s head, picking up the writing brushes and, along with his hands, begin to create at a lightning-fast speed on the paper.

The female zombie Ruo Ying watched from the side; although she recognized each character, when put together, she couldn’t understand it—she could only vaguely make out that what Han Dong wrote was a kind of manuscript resembling a research report.

Such a speed of creation was several times faster than others copying books, leaving the female zombie dazzled.

For Han Dong, academic writing was a basic skill; his mind stored a vast amount of knowledge and a basic framework for papers, all he needed was to combine the information with the framework to instantly produce a highly convincing research article.

...

Mansion Main Hall.

Governor Wang looked extremely upset.

The Sir Yan from the Secret Department who had arrived bore the Emperor’s decree, presumably because the removal of the Corpse Bugs from the minds of several high-ranking officials had attracted the attention of the ’internal’ imperial court.

Right when the search was about to begin.

Crack~ the wooden door in a first-floor compartment was pushed open.

Han Dong, engrossed in research, was holding a stack of rice paper, seemingly ready to meet someone.

Because he was too focused on the contents of the paper, it took him a while to notice the tense situation in the hall.

"Black gold official robe, insect pattern... Secret Department, you finally came!

I am the assistant of Dragon View Taoist Master Chen Xinying. Recently, while researching zombies, I accidentally discovered some ’drawbacks’ of the [Corpse Bug].

During the research, I inadvertently removed the Corpse Bug from the brain.

As we were in the barracks, involved with Governor Wang, Commander Feng Kui, Mr. Huang of the Bureau of Weaponry, and there was significant cooperation, in addition to researching Corpse Bugs, I’ve been bustling about in the deep Demon Region for the matter of repairing Governor Wang’s legs; I hadn’t had the chance to report this to the authorities.

I figured you would come down to reinstall the [Corpse Bug]."

Han Dong deliberately raised his voice so that everyone in the mansion could hear.

His companions hiding in different rooms all pretended to be normal and came out.

Taoist Master Chen Xinying glanced at the manuscript in Han Dong’s hand and immediately grasped the gist.

"Mr. Han, quickly show your research manuscript to Sir Yan."

"Yes."

Han Dong, with a very respectful demeanor, handed over the manuscript, which detailed the Faceless Skull’s comprehensive analysis of the "Corpse Bug" and improvements proposed by Han Dong based on his own understanding.

Secret Department Minister—Yan Bowen.

He was specifically in charge of manufacturing and managing the "Corpse Bug."

While reviewing the research report Han Dong submitted, the pupils beneath his wooden mask emitted an unusual sheen, almost prompting a gasp.

The value of the manuscript increased continuously as he read.

Not only did it record the ’defects’ already known by the Secret Department, but it also proposed measures to fix these defects from different perspectives, including some methods he had never thought of.

Minister Yan, containing his excitement, deliberately asked calmly, "Was this manuscript completed by Taoist Master Chen?"

Chen Xinying, completely unaware of the contents, hurriedly explained:

"No, over 90% of it was completed by this... friend of mine."

With that, all of the Secret Department Minister’s attention shifted to Han Dong.

Having originally held the emperor’s edict to thoroughly investigate the Corpse Bug incident, he no longer cared about what specifically had happened... Since everyone was here, they just needed to refit the "Corpse Bug."

What was more important was the young man who had created this research manuscript.

Minister Yan asked, "Han Dong, it seems you do not belong to any faction within the court?"

"Yes... I have always received great kindness from Taoist Master Chen.

Alone, I completed Pill Condensation with her providing materials and a training ground; afterward, I always followed her, assisting with some more troublesome matters."

"Would you be interested in accompanying me to the Secret Department?"

"I would have to ask Taoist Master Chen’s opinion."

Chen Xinying was utterly confused; she couldn’t comprehend how such a renowned Minister Yan could entirely overlook the current issues due to a research manuscript.

Looking around, the gathered group seemed somewhat problematic.

"I have no objections; Han Dong is just a friend, not a Corpse Servant."

"Alright, Han Dong will come with me to the Secret Department... The rest of you should return to the court promptly and refit the Corpse Bug."

"Yes!"

...

The incident happened suddenly.

But Han Dong decided to adapt and change his path.

Having experienced the Moon God Mountain, his ’main quest’ had become very clear—to obtain the qualifications to Face the Saint and meet the Tomb Lord.

Since Governor Wang was somewhat troubled, he decided to seize the current opportunity to visit the Secret Department and gain the qualification to Face the Saint through this channel.

He would reserve Governor Wang’s favor for when he returned to his status as the Ministry of War.

"Minister Yan, I am also good friends with Mr. Huang from the Ministry of Works, who will return to the Central Ministry of Works after a while; how about I go with him at that time?"

"The Secret Department is different from the other Six Departments, being a special department directly under the emperor.

The Secret Department requires each new recruit to undergo personal review by the emperor, and only those completely loyal to the court and the emperor may become Secret Officers... This manuscript is your stepping stone.

Thus, I must personally escort you there.

I suggest you finish your affairs quickly; I can wait here for you for ’one hour.’"

"Alright."

Hearing that he could meet the emperor earlier, Han Dong also had a look of anticipation.

Although such a meeting was not technically Facing the Saint but rather a form of qualifications review, as long as he could come into close contact with the emperor, Han Dong’s objective could be achieved.