Headquarters – Bureau of Strange Affairs – Main Command Hall
"Director Gu Nanchuan is hereby placed on indefinite medical leave due to long-term exposure to high-level spiritual strain. This decision is made by the Central Oversight Council."
The announcement was read in a monotone by a uniformed officer. Her expression was cold, her voice even colder.
The room fell into tense silence.
Lu Feng and Kaelin sat quietly in the back corner of the meeting hall.One glance between them was enough to confirm—this wasn't just a reassignment. It was a purge.
"Effective immediately," the announcer continued, "Director Lou Siquan of the Department of Oversight and Compliance is appointed as acting Bureau Director."
A man in a dark gray suit stepped forward.Late forties, sharp gaze, hands clasped neatly behind his back.
There was no soul chain on him.No spiritual signature.
Only a faint, silvery geometric badge on his lapel—the insignia of the Logic Mirror Division.
Lou Siquan smiled politely.A smile that didn't touch his eyes.
"Thank you for your service during these chaotic times," he said. "My mission is not to dismantle the Bureau—but to optimize it."
"Particularly—your use of soul-bond protocols."
He let the silence stretch before continuing:
"After recent analysis, we've confirmed that the pairing of Agents Lu Feng and Kaelin has produced combat results beyond predicted synergy ratios."
"Therefore, I propose a new initiative:The modularization and deployment of standardized emotional bond systems across the Bureau."
Murmurs erupted.
"You want to replicate soul-bonds?" Zhao Ting stood. "That's not how it works! These connections are emotional—organic—"
"Emotion can be simulated," Lou Siquan replied coolly."We've already run trials. Two agents with no personal history achieved a 98% resonance rate using empathic overlay mapping."
Kaelin's voice cut through the room like a blade:
"You're playing with fire."
"Soul-bonding isn't a tool. It's a commitment."
Lou Siquan smiled again.
"I'm not experimenting on you. I'm protecting you—as assets."
He turned to Lu Feng.
"You, in particular. Your spiritual structure allows you to enter the Gray Domain without degradation. You are a high-value anomaly."
"Which is why," he added smoothly, "you'll be fitted with a monitoring sigil before your next mission."
Lu Feng's expression darkened.
Kaelin stepped in front of him."If you touch him—"
Lou Siquan interrupted, voice sharp:
"Soul-bonding is dual-directional."
"If one party disobeys… the system automatically dissolves."
"Along with all memory-linked soul data."
The room went silent.
"You're threatening us," Lu Feng said flatly.
"No," Lou Siquan replied."I'm reminding you—you are no longer heroes. You are resources."
Later – Soul Synchronization Chamber
Lu Feng leaned against the wall.Kaelin stood by the window, arms crossed.
"You're going to reject the new protocol, aren't you?" she asked.
"What would you do if I didn't?"
"Follow you," she replied, "even if it meant disappearing."
"You're not afraid?"
"I am."
"Then why—"
"Because I'm more afraid of losing you to their systems than to the Domain."
Lu Feng laughed quietly.
"Then we do it your way."
"We'll cooperate—but on our terms."
He walked over and held her hand.
"Next time, we bring our own rules."