All around us, armed SWAT officers had us completely surrounded. The street was sealed off. Just minutes ago, as we brought Leo Lee downstairs to rendezvous with the Ghost Burial Squad, the police had already locked down the entire area.
Howard Lee led a few members of the Ghost Burial Squad, negotiating with a police officer. Their exchange sounded heated—the police were adamant about us handing over Leo Lee.
Leo Lee had already been placed in one of the Ghost Burial Squad’s vehicles, watched over directly by Lan Yin. Rachel Lan and I surveyed everything around us. They were just ordinary people—we couldn't tell whose orders they were following.
At that moment, the police surrounding us—especially those directly opposite—began to move aside. A man in a dark gray cloak, about forty years old with a crew cut, approached. As he walked over, many officers stepped out of his way.
Howard Lee looked at him with a puzzled expression. After a long moment, he finally went over to greet him.
"Director Wei." Howard Lee greeted him politely, and I saw several Ghost Burial Squad members also step forward to say hello.
"You kids—it's been a long time, hasn't it?" The man spoke with a calm, detached air, his gaze fixed in our direction.
Rachel Lan quietly told me that the man was Director Wei, an old acquaintance of Old Stone. She’d met him before—he used to be a police instructor, but now he was Director of the North District Public Security Bureau.
"Howard, hand that man over to us, will you? Do me this favor, alright?"
Director Wei spoke as he walked toward us. Howard Lee immediately blocked his path.
"The guy inside—we can't hand him over to you."
The other members of the Ghost Burial Squad also stood at attention, their expressions resolute. Director Wei just smiled.
"Alright, we all know each other—no need to make this so unpleasant. I'll go to the Ghost Burial Squad headquarters with you, and talk directly to that stubborn old man."
Director Wei walked up to us, glanced at Rachel Lan, then at me.
"Rachel, haven't seen you in a while—still as beautiful as ever. And this is?"
Director Wei looked at me with a puzzled expression. I met his gaze seriously.
"My name is Ethan Zhang."
Director Wei seemed to realize something, then smiled and, without another word, opened the car door. He waved to the surrounding police, and they began to disperse.
Leo Lee was in the back of the black van. We were heading back to Ghost Burial Squad headquarters. After Director Wei got in, he saw Lan Yin munching on sunflower seeds and greeted him briefly.
Rachel Lan and I got in the car. Howard Lee joined us, and the rest of the Ghost Burial Squad piled in too, preparing to escort us back to headquarters.
Lily Qian and Claire Zhang had already been taken by Miles Mao and Vivian Ouyang, while some trainees could only temporarily stay with the Ghost Burial Squad members still in the North District.
Howard, is that stubborn old man still as hard-headed as ever?
After the car started, Director Wei asked, and Howard Lee nodded. Rachel Lan was driving and smiled.
Given this situation, I think you should let it go.
Suddenly, Director Wei shifted the topic to the current incident. I turned to look at him.
Who exactly ordered you to bring Leo Lee back?
I asked bluntly.
Young man, I don't know. I just received orders from above—we have to bring Leo Lee back, that's all.
Director Wei spoke, and I looked at him seriously. He really seemed not to know who gave the order.
Director Wei didn't say much on the way, just chatted with Howard Lee about the past. I was excited—once we brought Leo Lee back, maybe we'd finally learn what the Immortality Society was really after.
Director Wei kept glancing at the back, watching Lan Yin with Leo Lee, and finally asked.
This one doesn't seem to be part of the Ghost Burial Squad—who is he?
Oh, I'm new here. My name is Lan Yin.
Lan Yin replied cheerfully, and I laughed.
At 6 o'clock, our seven vehicles arrived at the Ghost Burial Squad headquarters without any trouble. From a distance, I saw Justin Huang and Old Eccentric waiting at the entrance, surrounded by cigarette butts. After we went in, we carried Leo Lee out, and Justin Huang hoisted him onto his shoulder, smiling.
Great haul, Ethan. Well done.
I nodded. After Lan Yin came out, Old Eccentric walked over.
Mr. Lan, thank you. Later, could you keep an eye on that guy for us?
Alright, I got it.
Old Eccentric hurriedly thanked him, then saw Director Wei.