The Origin embodied the unification of order, not the unification of stupidity. Being a civil servant who followed the rules and being one who knew how to work around them were hardly mutually exclusive. It was just that Tong Shan’s methods were nowhere near as absurd as Ji Jue’s.

One always needed a backup plan. One didn’t have to achieve the best outcome, but one had to avoid the worst one at all costs.

The moment he realized the team had lost its escape route, he’d instinctively left a few markers on the fleeing enemies. At the time, all he’d hoped for was to follow their trail, see if there was a chance to lie low in Spring City, and perhaps uncover some clues about Madam Lou. 

He admitted that Ji Jue’s plan involved a fair amount of gambling, but he genuinely loved it.

“So,” he asked again, “any interest in joining the Security Bureau? Part-time works, too....