Chapter 291: Still Too Naive

Chapter 291: Chapter 291: Still Too Naive

Feng Ling’s fists were clenched tight.

If she hadn’t been mentally prepared for this—and if she hadn’t been the one to authorize it in the first place—she really would have dragged this reporter named Sang Yin out for a beating.

’This is just too vicious!’

On one side, a helpless old person with no one to turn to, desperate for a Hunter’s help. On the other, a Hunter with time and money to spare, enjoying a high-end meal with her best friend. The stark contrast was practically engineered to stoke public outrage!

Feng Ling had to admit, she did want to make a big splash in the news, but Sang Yin’s performance had far exceeded her expectations!

Still feeling disgruntled, Feng Ling went to find Ye Zheng to vent about it.

Ye Zheng offered no comment, only giving her a sidelong glance, his eyes saying he was looking at a clown.

Feng Ling sighed and looked to the heavens. ’I’m still too pure for this world...’

...

Meanwhile, Sang Yin was working overtime at the office, rushing to finish her article. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, which seemed ready to shoot sparks.

Douzi, on his way out, passed by Sang Yin’s desk and glimpsed the bold title on her screen: *The Hunter Community’s Collective Blindness to Social Responsibility*.

The article discussed the entire Hunter community, but in reality, it all but called out Feng Ling by name for leaving someone to die.

Douzi hesitated. "Ms. Sang..."

"What is it?" Sang Yin asked, her eyes glued to the screen, fingers typing furiously.

Douzi whispered, "Ms. Sang... don’t you think, with what you’re doing... you’re kinda like making your bed on a bathroom floor? You’re not far from a crappy end."

"Spare me the bad puns. This is serious work," Sang Yin said without looking up.

"Sigh, you can’t just screw her over like this because she scared you into fainting last time," Douzi said, shaking his head. "This is a whole new level of savage. Ms. Sang, you should really back off. I’m seriously worried Feng Ling is going to get pissed and storm the office to settle the score."

"Are you done yet? Go, go, go, go..." Sang Yin snapped, turning to shoo him away. "Hurry up and go home! Don’t distract me from my work!"

"Alright, alright, I’m going. Ms. Sang, just... take it easy, okay?"

"I know, I know!"

Sang Yin sat back down at her computer, cracked her knuckles, and refocused her attention on the article before her.

She took a deep breath and continued to write, laying it on thick!

Hunters were an emerging and unique demographic. They possessed abilities similar to those of Inspectors, yet they were not bound by any corresponding laws or regulations. As a result, the public held them to a much higher standard of personal morality.

Sang Yin’s article tapped directly into this public sentiment, and by the next morning, it had shot to the top of the trending lists.

Ironically enough, it was placed right next to the headline: "Feng Ling Dines with Best Friend."

Major online influencers began to weigh in. Some argued that Hunters lacked proper oversight. Others claimed this was a case of moral blackmail. A third group believed that regardless of whether Feng Ling went to Jinnan City, she should have at least issued a statement; her complete silence came off as cold and arrogant.

The internet erupted in a firestorm of debate.

The arguments grew so heated that even Pei Xianjue couldn’t stand by any longer. She called during her lunch break to ask if Feng Ling needed her to intervene.

Pei Xianjue had vast PR resources at her disposal and far more experience than Feng Ling in handling public relations crises.

"No, it’s fine," Feng Ling said. "If they want to flame me, let them. I don’t care."

Pei Xianjue was indignant on her behalf. "Someone must be maliciously steering the narrative! Who would even think of asking a Hunter to investigate a dismemberment case? It’s absurd!"

Feng Ling nodded. "Tell me about it."

After hanging up with Pei Xianjue, Feng Ling called Sang Yin. "Can I go to Jinnan City now?"

"Wait a little longer," Sang Yin said calmly. "Wait until tomorrow morning. Post a message online, and then you can go to Jinnan City."

"Alright, thanks," Feng Ling said. "I’ll make good on my promise when I get back."

Hanging up the phone, Feng Ling let out a long sigh and couldn’t help but lament, ’Oh, Xing Guang, Xing Guang... I’m sacrificing so much for you.’

She looked up toward the second floor and started climbing the stairs, shouting, "Little Skeleton! Pack your bags! We’re leaving tomorrow!"

......

...

The next day, with all eyes on her, Feng Ling posted her second social media update: *What’s all the arguing about? Fine, I’m going to Jinnan to see what’s up.*

Then, ignoring the online reaction, she immediately booked plane tickets and a hotel for herself and Huangfu Miaomiao.

Considering how much attention this whole affair was getting, she knew her movements would be under intense scrutiny. Feng Ling decided they would travel separately.

She and Huangfu Miaomiao would fly to Jinnan first.

Li Qing and Ye Zheng, along with Cat Spider, Cat Owl, and some of the Little Thirds, would follow a day later by truck.

Su Yuqing, as usual, arranged for Cao Hongyi and Xu Yiming to handle the driving.

With all the arrangements in place, she could finally go and catch Xing Guang.

Feng Ling felt a surge of energy. Rubbing her hands together, she was filled with anticipation for the trip to Jinnan.

Even though they were splitting up, she wasn’t the least bit worried about the other group’s safety. With Ye Zheng around, most Alien Species would give them a wide berth.

Her only slight concern was Cat Spider.

After spinning its cocoon back in the Maze, Cat Spider had been holed up inside it for days. Feng Ling could sense that it was healing and would emerge very soon.

If it emerged and became unruly while she wasn’t there, Ye Zheng was probably the only one who could suppress it.

Honestly, Feng Ling was fine with her little critter getting beaten up by others if it misbehaved.

What she was afraid of was Ye Zheng losing his temper and starting a fight right there in the truck, regardless of the consequences, causing an accident.

To prevent this, Feng Ling had to run down to the underground parking garage, pat the large white silk cocoon, and earnestly plead, "You be good now. Wait another two days before coming out, you hear?"

Then she ran back up to the first floor to find Ye Zheng, patiently instructing him, "If an emergency comes up, you have to stop the truck *before* you make a move. Avoid a traffic accident at all costs."

With both sides properly briefed, Feng Ling grabbed her suitcase and got into Su Yuqing’s car with Huangfu Miaomiao. Su Yuqing herself was driving them to the airport.

As they drove off, Feng Ling was struck by a thought. ’I’m getting so naggy,’ she mused. ’I’m turning into a total mom.’

On the way, Su Yuqing drove and briefed Feng Ling on the situation at the Jingnan Inspector Branch.

"The person in charge over in Jingnan is Bai Lu. She had a younger sister, Bai Shuang. They were assigned to Jinnan City together, serving as Inspector Captain and Deputy Captain. A month ago, Bai Shuang died in the line of duty. Coincidentally, the perpetrator of the dismemberment case hasn’t struck again since her death. So, one theory is that the Alien Species Bai Shuang killed right before she died was the dismemberment killer. There’s just no hard evidence yet."

Feng Ling asked, "So there’s only one Inspector in Jinnan City now?"

Gripping the steering wheel, Su Yuqing slowly replied, "There was only one, originally. But a new batch of rookie Inspectors just came out of headquarters. I took a look at the deployment list before I left today. As of yesterday, two new Inspectors have just been assigned to the Jingnan Branch. Coincidentally, they’re also a pair of twin sisters."

"Twins, huh..." Feng Ling murmured. "You don’t see that every day."

"Mm. My guess is they’re hoping the two will work together more harmoniously. Perhaps seeing these twins will allow Bai Lu to project some of her feelings for her late sister onto them, helping them acclimate to the job more quickly," Su Yuqing analyzed.

Feng Ling tilted her head in thought. "...That logic seems a little flawed. Aren’t you guys worried the sight of them will just reopen old wounds for Bai Lu?"

Su Yuqing let out a melancholy sigh. "If it does, then we’ll just have to consider it a form of desensitization therapy."

Feng Ling didn’t know what to say to that.