I! Cleaner!-Chapter 1196 - 1092: You Don’t Have to Cooperate with Me Now, But When That Person Arrives, Don’t Blame Me

The credibility of this intelligence is not high; the information inside may not be false, but it's certainly not the full story... Moreover, the attitude of the Sea Race is very problematic!

After covertly informing the Scorpio Director not to trust the intelligence in this booklet temporarily, and observing the brief hesitation of the Crown Mermaid across from him before the expected evasive remarks began, the Cancer Director sighed inwardly.

It really is a troublesome task... The two of them have been in the Tidal Realm for most of the day, yet the Flowing Vortex Ancestor continually excuses himself by claiming he is busy, refusing to meet with the two of us, only sending his wife to accompany us; their attitude towards the Clearing Bureau doesn't exactly qualify as friendly.

Although she supplies intelligence when requested and willingly leads us to observe the ice formation, appearing somewhat cooperative, she rejects allowing us contact with the primary eyewitness, evidently concealing something.

Moreover, though she had specially covered it up when taking us to see the underwater ice sheet before, traces of large-scale destruction were faintly visible.

It is likely that before we and the Scorpio Director arrived in the Tidal Realm, the Sea Race had broken through the ice sheet to investigate the sudden reason for the ice formation at the seabed, yet none of this was recorded in the intelligence she provided, indicating their reluctance to share findings with the Clearing Bureau.

"Given these circumstances, let's not disturb them any further."

After another attempt at probing and confirming no further intelligence could be obtained, the Cancer Director ceased wrangling with the Crown Mermaid and decisively rose to say goodbye, taking the Scorpio Director with him as they left the Silver Coral Palace.

Despite sensing that the Sea Race are concealing something deliberately, their superficial courtesy was intact; no matter how much is veiled behind the scenes, outwardly they cooperated significantly with our investigation, unless we force the issue, we are left with few options.

Moreover, we are currently in their territory, and the prowess of the Sea Race's Ancestor is not inferior to the Directors, making confrontation unfavorable to us; compelling interrogation is practically impossible... Alas...

Realizing this, it may have been wiser to have Aquarius come directly. With his current "reputation," even without direct confrontation, mere presence at the Tidal Realm's entrance could alarm the Sea Race enough to concede more information. Now, it appears investigation is solely our task.

Regretting not bringing Leon along, the Cancer Director, accompanied by the Scorpio Director, entered the waterway and completely exited the confines of the Silver Coral Palace, while the Crown Mermaid tasked with handling the visitors exhaled deeply, calling for an attendant and instructing:

"Those two individuals from the Clearing Bureau should be heading directly to dismantle the underwater ice sheet; continue keeping a watchful eye on them, and report immediately if any movement arises!"

"Understood!"

Upon receiving the Crown Mermaid's task, the mermaid attendant hesitated slightly, suggesting:

"Madam Camilla, given their status as Clearing Bureau Directors, they might be difficult to surveil without being detected..."

"No need to conceal."

Gesturing to indicate such efforts are unnecessary, the Crown Mermaid instructed:

"Clearing Bureau Directors aren't easy to deal with; even if you don't physically approach and only utilize sea creatures to observe from afar, they will likely notice, so since it cannot be hidden, there's no need to try, just follow them openly.

No matter where they proceed next, arrange personnel around them, take note of their every word and deed, agree to any requests they make, treating it as a form of accompanying. Ensure your manner of response is courteous, but when they dismiss you, insistently refuse to leave, understand?"

"Understood."

"Then get to it!"

The Crown Mermaid continued to emphasize:

"Aggregate all subsequent information concerning them here. Sort through the intelligence, isolate pertinent messages, and report to me every six hours with urgent matters communicated immediately!"

"Understood!"

"Hold on!"

Just as the mermaid attendant was ready to leave, noticing the intelligence files left by the two Directors on the table, the Crown Mermaid seemed to remember something, abruptly calling out, frowning:

"How is Andy's situation? Has Evangelin's whereabouts still not been extracted?"

"Well... no progress currently."

Hearing this, the mermaid attendant awkwardly replied:

"When Lady Evangelin departed, she destroyed anything that could pinpoint her location within the Cove, even driving her shell vessel to shatter all directional records of waterways; currently, only Lord Andy's [Heart of the Sea] can ascertain her position..."

"I know that!"

Discontentedly, the Crown Mermaid retorted:

"I asked how Andy's situation is because I want you to interrogate him! Extract Evangelin's whereabouts!"

"Well..."

The mermaid attendant's expression grew increasingly embarrassed, responding with slight resignation:

"You're aware, Lord Andy, as the bloodline of the previous Tidal Ancestor, cannot be subjected to harsh methods, yet he is unwaveringly devoted... uh... sincere to Lady Evangelin, resolutely refusing to divulgate her whereabouts..."

"..."

"..."

"Forget it..."

Recollecting Andy's impression whenever he sees his daughter, both admiring yet timid, the Crown Mermaid rubbed her forehead in frustration, saying:

"If you can't extract the information, don't bother trying further; if Evangelin is making full speed ahead, she may have reached the Food God and is on her way back... You may proceed!"

"Understood!"

"Oh, also, put away these booklets."

Pointing towards the intelligence files left on the table, instructing the attendant to take them away, the Crown Mermaid couldn't help but remind again:

"Ensure you vigilantly monitor those two humans... They left the intelligence booklets behind, indicating they noticed discrepancies and might be using this as a gesture of dissatisfaction with our Sea Race.

In the upcoming two to three days, they will attempt to break the impasse, perhaps independently dismantling the underwater ice sheet to inspect the initial site of icing; keep them under close surveillance!"

"Understood!"

Listening to the Crown Mermaid's instructions, the mermaid attendant bowed respectfully, then swiftly approached the table to retrieve the splayed open intelligence booklets.

And just as he closed the Cancer Director's intelligence booklet, the "X" shaped nail impression on the booklet's cover shivered slightly before vanishing instantly as if it had never existed.

"What's the word?"

Seeing the Cancer Director remove his index finger from his ear, the silvery mark at the fingertip dimming, the Scorpio Director promptly inquired:

"Did you catch anything? What exactly is the Sea Race hiding?"

"Didn't catch that."

Using effort to clean the nail crevices of his index finger, extracting two "ear-diggers" nested within, and slipping the squealing creatures into his abdomen via his navel into the stomach prison, the Cancer Director shook his head:

"After we departed, she merely instructed the attendant outside the door to intensify surveillance on us and didn't mention what the Sea Race might be concealing."

"Tch!"

Hearing this, the Scorpio Director couldn't help but feel utterly disappointed.

"Does this mean you didn't gain any useful information?"

"Managed to overhear some tidbits."

Recalling the dialogue captured via the nail mark, the Cancer Director mused:

"The reason why the Flowing Vortex Ancestor's wife prevented access to the sea demon who first discovered the anomaly is due to the named sea demon, Andy, being detained by her and the Ancestor for refusing to divulge someone else's whereabouts."

"Someone else's whereabouts? Whose? Is it linked to the seabed icing?"

"The Ancestor's daughter, as for its connection to seabed icing... possibly?"

The Cancer Director shrugged, then with ironic amusement added:

"But the significant part is Evangelin's whereabouts... Guess who she went to seek?"