CR CH78

Chapter 78: Points of Doubt

Since returning from the Federation Center, Ling Kongmiao seemed to have become extraordinarily busy.

Whether he was intentionally avoiding him or genuinely unable to free himself up—perhaps a bit of both—Jiang Tianji hadn’t seen him again since that day.

This gene carried a fatal defect: ability backlash.

If a Hunter went completely out of control upon awakening, the ability would devour the human portion of their being, turning them into a complete monster.

Ever since the first generation established the Hunters’ Association to be responsible for destroying completely feral companions, the first-generation Hunters gradually discovered the hidden dangers of their descendants’ defects in the later stages, beginning to put a stop to other modification experiments.

And “Beasts” was their collective term for modified humans. Nowadays, large batches of “Beasts” were appearing across both the Federation and the Empire. The Beast Tribe, because they prioritized bloodlines and possessed a unique faith, had managed to escape this calamity.

Beasts differed from Hunters; Beasts were not perfect modifications, amounting to “single-use” weapons. Their descendants would be deformed strains. Hunters placed marks upon them, carrying out destruction the moment any line was crossed.

These Beasts, the descendants of Hunters, and normal awakened individuals lived alongside one another, leaving the original order long since thrown into chaos.

Among the data, it was specially noted that the origin place of the “Beasts” was the Empire. In that case, the fact that certain families within the Federation had become bases for raising “Beasts” was quite intriguing.

Furthermore, the contents briefly mentioned that the sharp surge in mutants over these years—and how S-Rank mutants became missions for Special Assistance—was due to internal strife within the Hunters’ Association, with certain factions utilizing these mutants to dispose of specific people and matters.

“Everyone is so busy,” Jiang Tianji softly muttered to himself.

At this critical junction, it wasn’t hard to guess why Duan Shu had sought him out in his capacity as his father’s former subordinate.

Wen Kuan was a clue passed to him by Jiang Yan. As an S-Rank user guided into losing control, it was highly probable because the faction he belonged to was the opposing side of the current power-holders in the Hunters’ Association.

And his own situation mirrored Wen Kuan’s. As an already successfully awakened Hunter, he posed a far more troublesome existence than Wen Kuan. Had it not been for Ling Kongmiao during those previous two crises, he couldn’t think of a way he would have survived for the time being.

Jiang Yan was warning him to be wary of Ling Kongmiao. Jiang Tianji knew full well that if the man changed his stance halfway through, he himself would undoubtedly be in the greatest danger.

From the time he was brought to Z01 until now, he didn’t feel Ling Kongmiao possessed any deep, profound affection for him, yet at certain moments, the look in his eyes when he stared at him was always complex.

The scent of jasmine that constantly lingered at his side, and that photo of him fallen in the mud puddle were the proofs of his existence.

But back then, in what capacity did you come to my side?

As a playmate, or… a monitor?

The unresolvable doubts and interest in his heart drove Jiang Tianji to chase after the clues of that jasmine scent. Entangled deep within a complex net, closing his eyes and following his sense of smell actually allowed him to “see” more details.

Jiang Yan understood him too well. Jiang Tianji didn’t defend himself, because every word she spoke was the absolute truth. Yet even earlier back, he had been a child who felt completely satisfied whenever she patted his head.

When the world shattered into fragments, any single piece grasped in hand was a truth, yet there were tens of thousands of other fragments distinct from it.

Many people denied all remaining fragments the moment they picked up the first one; from that instant onward, everything around them was a illusion.

Rustle.

Jiang Tianji stood up, making a faint rustling sound. Having just finished a mission and returned to the dormitory to rest at this hour, Ji Yandong held a book, raising his eyes to look at him.

“You’ve been muttering about who-knows-what since just now.” Seeing him put on his jacket, Ji Yandong knit his brows. “Where are you going at this hour?”

The other two had already fallen into a deep sleep, their alternating snores nearly drowning out Ji Yandong’s lowered voice.

“Stalking someone.”

Seeing Ji Yandong about to press further, Jiang Tianji held up a finger in a “shh” gesture and strode straight out.

Ten minutes later, on the top floor of the Z01 Chief’s Building, Special Assistance team members squeezed together in front of the glass window, cracking sunflower seeds.

“He’s down there again today?” You Li rarely joined in on the chatter, snatching a handful of sunflower seeds from Tang Min’s hand. “Is the gossip you mentioned actually reliable?”

Tang Min teased: “If it weren’t reliable, could it make a workaholic like you set down your official duties to eat melon?”

“I also feel the Captain’s attitude is a bit subtle.” You Li glanced at the time. “It’s about that time; the Captain should be coming soon.”

Zhao Hengyi looked back and forth between them, spinning around in anxiety: “What gossip? Count me in, count me in!”

A cough from Wei Jiangming came from behind, but several of them were too immersed in the gossip to pay attention.

Ye, who rarely spoke, suddenly opened his mouth: “It’s raining.”

“He’s up. Looks like he’s about to leave.”

Just as You Li finished his real-time commentary, he saw Jiang Tianji unzipping his uniform, taking out an umbrella from his chest area to prop open.

“…”

“Why is his equipment so complete? Isn’t he tired having just finished a mission? With this drive… is there someone he likes in our building?”

As soon as Zhao Hengyi’s words fell, several eerie gazes swept over to chase him, while at the same time, an icy voice rang out.

“Very free?”

During a brief moment of suffocation, several people reacted swiftly, using their elite capabilities to teleport back to their respective posts and bury their heads in work.

Ling Kongmiao turned and walked into the office, the surrounding pressure around him reaching a new low.

“Has the Captain seemed very busy lately?” Tang Min asked in a quiet voice.

“Yeah, recently a new S-Rank complex appeared in the snow mountains at the border of Planet D-173, and the higher-ups intend to dump the mess onto Special Assistance.”

You Li also knit his brows upon speaking of this: “The danger coefficient of this new form isn’t particularly high, but its capabilities lean toward regeneration and endurance. It’s not something that can be resolved in a day or two; it requires a defensive garrison.”

“At a time like this, if they weren’t planning to dump it onto Team 1, they should be talking with Jiang Ziming.” Tang Min propped up his chin, curling his lip. “So impatient—starting before the Captain even got back.”

Irene, who had been sitting beside Wei Jiangming the whole time, seemed to suddenly think of something, standing up and walking toward the Chief’s Office.

Ling Kongmiao had just finished changing clothes, faintly knitting his brows as the door was pushed open.

“Knock on the door next time you enter.”

“Don’t act so distant. The only one who would stare at you while drooling is that kid downstairs.”

“…If you have business, speak.”

Irene acted as if she hadn’t heard, looking at Ling Kongmiao’s expressionless profile as she slowly strolled over to the window.

“You’re just going to let him wait down there?”

“Do you think he’s stupid?” Ling Kongmiao opened his device to send a message. “He only came after confirming the guidance schedule with Dr. He.”

“He hasn’t missed a day over the past few days either, checking in daily.”

“Checking in for ten minutes precisely slotted right into your rest breaks every day.” Ling Kongmiao flexed his fingers, not even raising his head. “Quite calculating.”

“Oho.” Irene’s tone took on an intriguing note: “Your handsome little guy just sneezed. He wouldn’t have caught a cold, would he? Even his tail is drooping.”

Ling Kongmiao gave a faint, half-smile: “The current thunderstorm environment is no different than a greenhouse to him. Have you ever seen a fish choke to death in water?”

As if proving his words, the young man who had just been drooping his head in the rain without any energy suddenly stood straight up, holding his device to reply to a message. At the same time, Ling Kongmiao’s device vibrated.

The tail behind Jiang Tianji perked up high, looking in quite a good mood as he strode right into the Chief’s Building.

Irene was filled with wonder: “…I stand corrected. My psychological counselor license should be handed over to you.”

“No need, leave yourself an exit route.”

“Pity.” Irene shook her head. “Originally, he looked like such a good kid.”

“Reign in your gloating expression.” Ling Kongmiao raised his eyelids. “If there’s nothing else, get out.”

Irene shrugged. As she pushed the door open, her footsteps paused and her lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing at all.

She walked out of the office in silence, lacking any smile on her face. Sensing her mood wasn’t quite right, Wei Jiangming poured a cup of hot water and handed it over.

“What’s wrong?”

Out of the corner of her eye, Irene caught sight of the elevator doors opening, the young man politely greeting the officers. She shook her head toward Wei Jiangming.

As a person of questionable identity whose stance was almost impossible to discern, Ling Kongmiao’s position was being watched by quite a few people.

Special Assistance was the top combat force; having the Chief’s position replaced by any faction could instantly turn the tide.

Just now, a question had suddenly arisen in Irene’s mind: Ling Kongmiao’s current identity in the Federation could no longer bring him any convenience, and might even bring about fatal disaster—so why hadn’t he left?

Others might not know, but Irene knew he wouldn’t possess just one or two identities.

“Then keeping Special Assistance from choosing a side—which faction’s intention is that?”

“It’s my intention.”

The previous conversation surfaced in her mind. Irene’s gaze moved alongside the young man until he completely entered the Chief’s Office, only then slowly withdrawing it.

Ling Kongmiao had pulled Special Assistance far too clean out of the mess—this was not a choice that left an exit route for himself.

What on earth does he want to do?

Leaning against Wei Jiangming, Irene let out a heavy sigh.

“Old Wei, I should have stayed at the tavern back then.”

“Irene, a shop that got visited by eight enemies within three days of opening—no one would dare go there.”

“Can’t you say something nice?”

“Mm… open for three days with a packed house, breaking things to bring peace—the boss has quite good popularity.”