Volume One, Chapter 42: Institute 509

After Jiang Chen left, several people appeared in the police station as if out of thin air, standing in Wu Wei’s office dressed in military uniforms, each with a different expression.

One of them, exasperated, said, “What’s he showing off for? So what if he’s reached the Vajra Realm at such a young age? All of us are about to break through to the Vajra Realm ourselves. Hmph.”

“Xue Qi, mind your manners. We’re comrades, fighting on the same front. Our goal is to recruit him; if we can’t make a deal, at least let’s act with honor. Don’t take that attitude,” said Fang Longcheng. He himself quite admired Jiang Chen. Take, for example, the time Jiang Chen single-handedly saved the city during the chemical plant explosion in Qingcheng—coincidentally, they were on assignment near the factory that day. If the explosion had happened, they would have been the first to sacrifice their lives.

Jiang Chen had saved them, invisibly and silently.

Xue Qi snorted, “Captain, I’ll listen to you. Otherwise, I’d be out there teaching him a lesson right now, knocking that arrogance out of him!”

Fang Longcheng stood ramrod straight, a look of regret on his face. “It’s a pity he can’t be used for the nation.”

Xu Congcong, who had been silent, shook her ponytail. “Captain, should we withdraw then?”

“Withdraw? No, absolutely not. Even without Jiang Chen’s help, we must complete our mission. The probability of encountering zombies is low, but we desperately need those mysterious materials. Before chaos descends, we need to collect as many types as possible,” Xue Qi said seriously.

“But we’re only four people, and Hei Long hasn’t said a word,” Xu Congcong said, patting the tall, thin boy beside them.

Fang Longcheng laughed, “With a name as fierce as Black Dragon, you still call him Little Black. Aren’t you afraid he’ll get mad?”

Xu Congcong jumped in front of Black Dragon, grinning. “Little Black, are you mad?”

Black Dragon was a full head taller than Xu Congcong. He shook his head and, rarely, uttered two words: “No.”

Xu Congcong, delighted to have his support, said, “See? Little Black never gets mad at me. He’s so good to me—he bought me taro grapes yesterday.”

Fang Longcheng nodded, “That’s good. We must have the zombie data. Even without outside help, we’ll handle it ourselves.”

As investigators of mysterious incidents at Institute 509, Fang Longcheng had been expanding his team covertly since being sent to Qingcheng. Now, they had only three official members, but the good news was that all three were close to reaching the mid-stage of the True Qi Realm, while Longcheng himself had reached the first stage of the Vajra Realm.

This time, they were confident they could handle the zombies.

“Even so, Captain, I suggest we find a few more people. I know someone,” Xue Qi proposed.

“You mean Chong Li? But I think her strength is about the same as Congcong’s.” Realizing his slip, Xue Qi quickly added, “Congcong is a tactical master—we only need one strategist in the team. What we need now is someone who can control the battlefield.”

Zombies, though monsters, weren’t truly part of the demon race; more often, they were simply ‘creatures.’ Their classification was quite different from that of cultivators.

Cultivators were divided into five realms: Breathing Realm, True Qi Realm, Vajra Realm, Formless Realm, and Earthly Immortal. No one had discovered realms beyond these five. Zombies, on the other hand, were categorized as White Zombie, Black Zombie, Hopping Zombie, Flying Zombie, Ba, and Demon—six types, each with varying strength.

White Zombies had no thought, moving purely by a breath of energy. Black Zombies possessed some cognition but had low intelligence. Hopping Zombies were like those in Uncle Ying’s films, though the movies exaggerated things; a real Hopping Zombie could leap a hundred meters high and had a certain level of intelligence.

Once they reached the Flying Zombie stage, they could soar through the air, their minds no different from ordinary people, able to hide among crowds undetected unless one’s cultivation was enough to discern them.

Ba and Demon were even stronger, but so far, there were no records or files on them.

Zombies were born at the Vajra Realm—their power from birth matched cultivators at the Vajra level.

Thus, for this mission, they were eager to enlist help to increase their chances.

Seeing everyone deep in thought, Xue Qi continued, “I’ve already reviewed Chong Li’s file. Maoshan priest, orthodox background. If we recruit her, we’ll not only learn some secrets, but don’t forget—Maoshan’s formations will give us a qualitative boost.”

Fang Longcheng still didn’t nod. “Let’s wait and see. Our current strength is sufficient for now.”

...

Jiang Chen had agreed to help Su Yike’s grandfather with his illness, so he accompanied her to the hospital. The hospital facilities were much better, and it was Jiang Chen who insisted on coming here.

Su Yike came straight to the ward after work. In the room, besides Su Yike and Su Chenglong, there were also Li Jing Shou and Chong Li.

They had come with Jiang Chen; after class, Jiang Chen had asked them to drop by.

Li Jing Shou stood to one side, observing the situation. Chong Li cautiously tugged at his sleeve, whispering, “Is this one also sister-in-law?”

Li Jing Shou rubbed his forehead. “Well... I think so.”

Su Yike was his elder sister, Jiang Chen his big brother. Li Jing Shou was now confused about how to address everyone. After some thought, he decided to stick to the original—say less, and there’d be fewer mistakes!

“Yike, you chat with Xiao Jiang for a bit. I’ll ask the doctor to help with the admission procedures,” Su Chenglong said.

Su Yike nodded, bashfully glancing at Jiang Chen. Jiang Chen noticed her awkwardness, sat down first, and signaled Li Jing Shou to greet her.

Li Jing Shou, quick-witted, said, “Hello, sister!”

When it was Chong Li’s turn, she anxiously kept signaling to Li Jing Shou, but he remained aloof, resolutely avoiding her gaze.

Chong Li gritted her teeth, “Hello, sister-in-law. Thank you for all your hard work.”

Jiang Chen, who was taking Su Chenglong’s pulse, was instantly petrified.

“Ah... you’re Chong Li, right? Nice to meet you.” Su Yike was bewildered herself. She was happy, but something felt off, though she couldn’t pinpoint what.

Chong Li was relieved she said the right thing, though everyone else looked at her strangely.

After a moment of happiness, Su Yike quietly asked, “Chong Li, I have a question for you. Please answer honestly.”

Chong Li hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Su Yike sat upright. “How many sister-in-laws have you called before me?”

Though her voice was soft, both Li Jing Shou and Jiang Chen heard it clearly. The two men exchanged glances; Li Jing Shou’s eyes were full of helplessness.

Today, he finally understood what a ‘field of carnage’ was, and what it meant for the capable to bear more.

Chong Li smiled, silently praying a hundred times for her master’s forgiveness. “Sister, I’ve only ever called you sister-in-law. I haven’t met anyone else.”