Wu Dahai’s first move was unsurprising: with a dramatic flair, he ran his fingers through his drooping, broom-like hair, styling it into an upright, formidable shape without a touch of hairspray—truly, a man whose hands possessed an “ionic perm” touch.
He stepped over to the left side of the office, where a circular totem, two meters in diameter, adorned the floor, its design an abstract depiction of the twelve Chinese zodiac animals.
With a wave of his hand, he commanded, “Everyone, over here.”
Gao Yang, Qing Ling, Officer Huang, and White Rabbit gathered around him, standing within the totem’s circle.
With a sharp snap of his fingers, the totem transformed into a descending platform, rotating as it slowly sank. As it completed a full turn, it came to a halt in an underground chamber.
The group stepped off the platform, surveying their surroundings.
The chamber was a multi-sided ring-shaped structure, roughly 200 square meters, with walls and ceiling crafted from an imposing ivory-white stone.
Gao Yang counted twelve walls, each adorned with an abstract and solemn relief of the zodiac animals in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Rooster, Monkey, Dog, and Pig.
Beneath each relief was a metal table of both ancient and high-tech design, upon which lay various zodiac masks, each unique in style, design, age, and condition, encased in oxygen-free glass as though they were antique relics on display.
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Gao Yang stopped in front of the Rat relief, where three sealed glass cases held Rat masks, each labeled with its respective era.
The first mask was a cheap plastic rat mask, looking like a trinket from a street stall. Year: 1965-1980.
The second was a rubber rat mask, punk in design, though only the upper half remained, as the lower portion appeared to have been severed by a sharp weapon, dried dark red blood staining its surface. Year: 1983-1984.
The third mask was merely a collection of metal shards, warped and irreparable, likely melted by extreme heat, hinting it had once been a metal mask. Year: 1993-2010.
Not only Gao Yang, but Qing Ling and Officer Huang were also entranced by the other masks, circling the reliefs as if exploring a museum.
Gao Yang quickly made a round, observing that each relief displayed masks, from as few as one to as many as six. Only the Dragon’s relief held none.
“Curious, isn’t it? Why there’s no mask under the Dragon?” White Rabbit said, coming up behind Gao Yang as they both regarded the Dragon relief.
“Somewhat.”
“Our organization was founded 57 years ago; within three years, the twelve zodiacs were established. When a position becomes vacant, we recruit a suitable successor. Thus, for the most part, the twelve zodiacs remain twelve—a legacy, if you will.”
White Rabbit’s expression grew solemn, as if this subject demanded reverence. “Each member customizes their own zodiac mask. For clarity, from the second generation onwards, each title must include a distinguishing word. For example, the first generation Rat was simply ‘Rat’; the second, ‘Year Rat’; the third, ‘Shadow Rat’; and the fourth is Wu Dahai, with a lightning affinity, calling himself ‘Electric Rat.’”
Gao Yang immediately understood. “These masks… they belong to the departed predecessors.”