Investigator Zheng did not respond to Wen Wen's conversation, but instead said, "I'd like to put aside how to proceed for now. I need to correct you, you should call me Investigator Zheng. Investigator Fu is another person, don't confuse us."
Wen Wen's expression was enlightened as he said, "So, you are the highest authority among the investigators of the Greater Hua Prefecture? I never expected someone of your stature to be paying attention to a small fry like me."
Investigator Zheng shook his head and said, "No, I am only the Deputy Investigator. The Chief Investigator is the ultimate authority."
"???"
Wen Wen tilted his head, his expression remarkably similar to a famous meme. If he were wearing Yan Xiu's mask, his face would undoubtedly bear a giant question mark.
He truly hadn't expected to encounter such a trivial issue during this serious moment. Thus, he said impatiently, "Just tell me your name directly, stop beating around the bush."
Investigator Zheng stroked his beard and said, "My name is Zheng Daqian."
"Alright, Zheng Daqian, what do you plan to do with me?" Wen Wen stared at the white-haired elder, his voice serious.
Originally, Wen Wen had intended to conceal his identity for as long as possible.
After all, having the identity of a Hunter allowed him many conveniences.
However, when he absorbed Bai Cang's energy and during his own advancement, the aura of the Containment Facility was inevitably leaked, undoubtedly linking him to the Cataclysm-level expert, 'Black Cross.'
Continuing to conceal it now would only lead to the other party reporting the information and then targeting him specifically.
Rather than waiting for them to be fully prepared before making a move, it was better to clarify the matter now and see what the Hunter Association's attitude towards him truly was.
If he was truly unacceptable, Wen Wen planned to defect from the Hunter Association, just like Bai Cang!
Violating the Hunter Association's contract incurred a significant penalty, but as long as the most crucial clauses were not breached, no punishment would be triggered. And even if punishment was triggered, as long as Wen Wen hid within the Containment Facility, he could evade it.
Wen Wen's current strength was no longer limited to the Cataclysm sequence. He had gained sufficient understanding of this world, possessed a not-weak force under his command, and no longer needed to rely on the Hunter Association.
The only reason he remained in the Association was because he did not dislike it.
"What I plan to do… that question has truly stumped me," Zheng Daqian found a tree root and sat down, looking at Wen Wen with a relaxed expression.
"I came here solely for observation and did not expect to be discovered by you, so I never even considered how to deal with you."
"However, I think you might as well pretend this never happened."
Wen Wen let out a cold snort and said, "Pretend it never happened, you say that so easily. Are you just waiting to capture me after you've made your preparations?"
Zheng Daqian rubbed his forehead, saying with some helplessness, "You seem too extreme. We won't just dissect you because of this. Do you think the Association would consider you an enemy just because you have a connection with a Cataclysm-level expert of unknown origin?"
"Wouldn't they?" Wen Wen retorted, thinking his actions surely made him appear disloyal.
Zheng Daqian chuckled and said, "If it were those sinister and bizarre Cataclysm-level beings, we would naturally consider you an enemy. But 'Black Cross' is currently on relatively friendly terms with the Association."
"Therefore, the closer your relationship with him, the less likely we are to act against you. We don't want to push a relatively friendly Cataclysm-level being into opposition."
Wen Wen's lips twitched, and he continued to stare at Zheng Daqian with dead fish eyes, clearly not believing his words. Anyone could say pleasantries, but many things were not that simple.
Seeing Wen Wen's unyielding demeanor, Zheng Daqian said with slight vexation, "Let me ask you, does your Hunter's contract have any clauses prohibiting interaction with other Cataclysm-level experts?"
Wen Wen paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You and I both know that clauses are just clauses. Bai Cang and others were not directly harming the Association's interests, yet they were deemed threats. I believe my threat level should be no less than his."
"What threat are you?" Zheng Daqian spat. "The Cataclysm-level expert behind you is indeed worthy of our attention, but you yourself… are actually not as important as you think."
"The Hunter Association's ideal is to maintain the stability of this world and expel monsters that threaten humanity. Under this ideal, we will unite all forces that can be united, rather than alienating those who are different."
"Do you know that among the current eight Condemners of the Association, three still only hold the title of Condemner, and the Association has difficulty even communicating with them!"
"Do you know that the Hunter Associations in the Greater Yin Hang Prefecture, Greater East Oil Prefecture, Greater Africa Prefecture, and other regions are actually other organizations operating entirely under the Association's banner!"
"Do you know what the Cataclysm-level experts have been fighting against?"
"Do you know… you don't know any of this!"
Every question from Zheng Daqian struck Wen Wen's heart. Some of these matters he had contemplated, but many were classified secrets he had never considered.
He had thought he understood more, but now it seemed he was far from it.
"The crises facing the real world are far more than what you see. The Inner World is also far more complex than you imagine."
"Legends, fairy tales, literary works, and all sorts of fabricated horrors in the real world can find their counterparts in the Inner World!"
"Those things you have seen, and even those you haven't thought of, are all coveting this world!"
After a moment of silence, Wen Wen asked, "These are all secrets, aren't they? Is it alright for you to tell me all this?"
"I don't want to tell you either," Zheng Daqian sighed. "But my intuition tells me that if I cannot convince you this time, it will be difficult to find you again."
"Even if I use force, you will surely be able to escape from me. Who knows how a mere junior who hasn't even reached the Upper Sequence can escape from my grasp, but my intuition has never been wrong, so I must make things clear with you here."
"The reason I came personally to observe you is because I want you to become a bridge between the Hunter Association and 'Black Cross.' We need his strength to overcome this difficult period."
Zheng Daqian looked into Wen Wen's eyes, his expression very sincere.
Wen Wen stood still for a long time, then said, "He will not obey your orders, nor will he appear before you."
Seeing Wen Wen's expression, Zheng Daqian knew that Wen Wen's resolve to leave was no longer so firm. He said with relief, "It's alright, we don't ask for much."