Reminded of that, Lu Yunzhi suddenly recalled something.

Given the Gluttonous Harpy’s temperament, it was practically inevitable she’d come after Lu Yunzhi—who else was the sole surviving Hunter at the scene?

The Witch differed sharply from other eerie urban legends; this creature wasn’t bound by location. Her appearance at Tomorrow Apartments tonight might’ve been pure coincidence—a random hunt.

Hence, this was the core problem.

No location constraints meant once the Witch left Tomorrow Apartments, she could vanish anywhere. Hiding somewhere obscure would keep the Nightwatchers searching endlessly.

With total freedom of movement, revenge could strike at any moment.

Clang!

Lu Yunzhi accidentally knocked over the thermos on her desk—but thankfully, the lid was tightly sealed.

“Captain Li… th-th-then… what should I do?” Lu Yunzhi stammered, genuine panic flickering in her voice.

She could stay cautious—but what about her family?

Jiang Qianyu and Bai Dongqing had almost zero ability to defend themselves!

If the Witch came for them… wouldn’t they be doomed?

“Just stay alert. The Witch is badly injured—she won’t resurface soon. Watch for tails on your way home,” Captain Li said flatly. He sat back, sipped his tea, and cut off further talk. “Enough. Everyone share thoughts. HQ assigned us the Witch case—we must act.”

“So many dead. Six comrades sacrificed. This vengeance cannot wait.”

The meeting’s second half barely involved Lu Yunzhi.

Intentionally or not, everyone distanced themselves.

Wasn’t the footage clear enough?

Why did Liu Yongkang’s five arrive before Lu Yunzhi?

They were Nightwatchers!

Only a high-ranking Nightwatcher official could’ve ordered them to kill her.

Whoever it was—definitely untouchable.

Lu Yunzhi’s prior mistake was serious enough; this incident screamed a warning:

Stay close to Lu Yunzhi? Trouble follows.

Handling Liu’s team? Not their concern. Likely buried anyway. One video held little weight. Without Su Qing’s death and this mess, they’d never have seen it—someone would’ve blocked it.

After years as Nightwatchers, risking careers or lives over this? Not worth it.

Who was Lu Yunzhi to demand they trade futures for her justice?

No way.

And they knew: this failure wouldn’t stop *that person*. The next assassination attempt on Lu Yunzhi might already be scheduled.

Throughout the meeting, glances kept sliding toward Lu Yunzhi.

Her eyes were distant, lost in thought.

They assumed she feared for her life—and she *was* afraid.

But while they thought she dreaded her own death, Lu Yunzhi’s mind raced only for Jiang Qianyu and Bai Dongqing.

A sadistic, thrill-seeking Witch had targeted her wife and child—how could she not worry?

Her resolve was simple: hiding was temporary. To end the threat, she had to strike the source.

*I must grow stronger—fast. Kill the Witch. Or Xiao Yu and Dongqing are in danger.*

The meeting ended hastily past midnight, yielding no real plan.

They knew almost nothing about the Witch—not even prior sightings.

Crafting a solid strategy was tough.

It required a Grade A Hunter leading it. Sending Grade B Hunters alone? Suicide.

Lu Yunzhi returned to the office, heart heavy.

Silence hung thick. Everyone sat stiffly, no one speaking.

Squad One split into four sub-teams of five. Most were Class B Hunters; only two Grade A veterans stood out.

Her office housed Sub-teams One and Two—ten people total. Before this, relations were decent. With her four teammates included, everyone felt familiar.

Seated, Lu Yunzhi held a mission file: a Grade B+ task. Highly dangerous. A solo Grade B Hunter? Certain death. Only a full team stood a chance.

The Witch’s emergence sparked unprecedented dread.

Her wife and child waited at home. Retaliation terrified her.

Not just the Witch—the high-ranking official targeting her might strike them too.

After hesitation, she stood.

That single motion drew every eye in the room.

“Captain… didn’t you say we’d prepare for the haunted house mission? I…”

Chen Yujie cut her off, tossing the prep materials onto his desk without a glance.

“Lu Yunzhi. I’ve reassigned the haunted house mission to Squad Three.”

“Why?”

Her blurted question made Chen Yujie frown. “No reason. Xu Hao and I decided Sub-team Two isn’t fit for missions right now. Understood?”

Chen Yujie, early thirties, sported a chin tuft. First glance: weaselly. Longer look: an odd charm—fitting for a Grade B+ Psychic Mutation Hunter.

Xu Hao, seated across from Lu Yunzhi, was late twenties—young, only slightly older than her.

Eyes shifted to Xu Hao. Everyone knew he’d pursued Lu Yunzhi for over a year.

Would he side with her now?

Xu Hao stood, coughed awkwardly. “Yunzhi… we’re all drained. Remember Mr. Brown Bear’s mission last week? Quota’s met. Rest now. Haunted house can wait till next month.”

“You should rest too. Ambition’s good, but balance matters.”

“But we agreed for next week! Why wasn’t I consulted? Am I not part of Sub-team Two?” Lu Yunzhi scanned Xu Hao, then her two other teammates. Their quick nods revealed everything.

They feared Witch retaliation during joint missions.

They feared the Grade S Deputy Director’s gaze.

Cutting ties shifted danger solely onto her—freeing them.

“I see. No need for Squad Three. I’ll take the mission alone.” Lu Yunzhi snatched the file and turned away.

Xu Hao shot up. “Wait, Yunzhi!”