Chapter 17: The Legion of Sophons

Chen Mo returned to the neighborhood, not daring to use the main entrance. Instead, he scaled the wall near the garbage station on the side without cameras, sticking closely to the wall and avoiding any area within the cameras’ view, until he reached the bottom of his building.

This was a government-subsidized housing complex comprising twenty blocks, provided free for families in poverty. Each unit was tiny, about forty square meters, with only the most basic renovations.

Not daring to go through the front door, where a camera was installed, Chen Mo grabbed onto a drainpipe and, moving with agility, quickly climbed up to the fifth floor, jumping through the window into his home.

Sweat soaked Chen Mo’s back—the process had been a heart-pounding thrill, his adrenaline surging.

He carefully closed the window and softly pushed open his sister’s door. A sliver of moonlight spilled through the gap, illuminating her face. Watching her sleep so soundly, Chen Mo smiled with satisfaction. Everything he’d done tonight had been worth it.

He returned to his room and took a cold shower. To save hot water, Chen Mo had been bathing in cold water since childhood. The icy water cut into his skin like knives, finally calming his overexcited mind. Though everything tonight had been worth it, he realized it had all been a rash impulse—if anyone had seen him or if he’d left any trace, the consequences could be dire. Next time, he resolved, he would act only after thorough planning.

After showering, Chen Mo didn’t want to think about anything else. He collapsed onto the hard wooden bed and, for the first time in five years, snored in his sleep.

...

“Brother! Brother! Wake up!”

Chen Mo felt his arm being shaken as he floated in a daze. He opened his eyes and sat up, finding his sister beside him, giggling.

“Haha, brother, you actually snored! It was so loud, just like a pig!” Ning Xuan was born optimistic and pure; their harsh life hadn’t changed her. Like a little angel, she always faced adversity with a radiant smile.

“Oh, Ning Xuan! You dare call your brother a pig? You’re done for!” Chen Mo reached out, tickling her at the waist.

That was Ning Xuan’s weak spot—she immediately went limp. “Good brother, I was wrong! You big bully, you’re picking on me!”

After their usual bout of sibling teasing, Chen Mo told Ning Xuan to wait at home by herself while he went out to buy breakfast.

After all, having killed three people last night, Chen Mo was still somewhat on edge—he needed to go out and gather information.

Ning Xuan pouted. “Brother, we’re almost out of money, right? Just buy me a big plain steamed bun for breakfast—that’s my favorite!”

Chen Mo gave her a mysterious smile. “You little imp, just wait. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

He left and headed to the breakfast shop at the complex entrance. The place was crowded with people. Chen Mo bought a bowl of soy milk and sipped it slowly, listening for news.

Most of the conversations around him revolved around the Evolution Sphere. Some people bragged about having evolved, others regretted not entering on the first day. Now, all the Evolution Spheres were under government control, and you had to win a lottery for a chance to enter—such a rip-off.

“What’s going on with Brother Long’s casino? I wanted to try my luck there today, but it had collapsed.”

An elderly man with white hair said this as he ate his fried dough stick.

Chen Mo’s heart leapt into his throat, and he listened intently.

“Serves him right! Good thing it’s gone! Those buildings were all dangerous, collapsing all the time. Was Brother Long crushed to death?”

The old man shook his head. “No one was found. I guess he took the money and ran.”

Hearing this, Chen Mo breathed a sigh of relief. At least they hadn’t found Liu Kunlong’s body, which meant he’d done a thorough job cleaning up.

Chen Mo bought soy milk, fried dough sticks, and soup dumplings for his sister, then went to the supermarket and stocked up on instant noodles, chips, and five big bottles of cola—two full bags in total.

The supermarket cashier recognized Chen Mo and expressed concern. “Xiao Mo, all this instant noodles, chips, and cola are junk food. Eating too much isn’t good for you. Try to cut back.”

Chen Mo forced a smile. “Thank you, Auntie. It’s just for New Year’s—I don’t eat it usually.”

Eh—

Watching Chen Mo walk away, the cashier paused, something suddenly coming to her, and her eyes grew misty.

Bang bang bang. There was a knock at the door.

Ning Xuan, dressed in a wizard’s robe, was admiring herself in the mirror.

“Coming! Coming! You big dummy, you never bring your keys.”

She opened the door to find her brother standing there, looking dejected and empty-handed.

Ning Xuan grinned. “What, all the steamed buns sold out? That’s fine, I’m not hungry at all—I’m on a diet!”

“You little imp, look what I’ve got!” Chen Mo bent down and lifted two large bags from the floor nearby.

Ning Xuan’s eyes widened comically. “Brother, brother, you—you haven’t been kept by some rich lady, have you...?”

“Bah! What are you thinking, you little rascal? This is your brother’s secret savings from odd jobs. Are you happy?”

Ning Xuan’s eyes filled with tears, on the verge of spilling over. “Not happy! You were working behind my back? You’re already working so hard…”

Chen Mo’s heart ached. He dropped the two bags of snacks and pulled his sister into a hug, stroking her hair. “Alright, alright, don’t cry. It wasn’t hard at all—your brother made this money easily.”

“Ah! My chips! My cola! You big meanie, how could you drop my treasures?” Ning Xuan hurried to pick up the bags, her face blossoming with joy.

“Wow, so many chips—tomato, barbecue, strawberry flavor; and cola—wow, and instant noodles too! I’m so happy, I’m really so happy!”

Ning Xuan exaggeratedly hugged the two big bags to her chest, not even caring to eat them yet, just enjoying the feeling of holding them.

Seeing his sister so happy, Chen Mo was filled with pride. At last, he could let his sister eat and drink as she pleased.

For the next few days, neither Chen Mo nor Ning Xuan left the apartment.

When they were hungry, they ate instant noodles or ordered takeout to be delivered to the door. Chen Mo had taken nearly ten thousand yuan from Liu Kunlong, so money was no longer a concern.

The most important thing now was safety. First, that black-clad officer Lin Feng was surely still looking for him; second, having just killed three people, it was not wise to wander around outside.

Beyond that, the top priority was keeping an eye on the news online.

Just as Chen Mo had expected, Evolution Spheres in every city across the country were now under protection; even in rural areas, the military was searching for and securing them.

Most evolvers had no choice but to compromise, registering their personal information at evolution centers and coming under official supervision.

Of course, there were also some radical evolvers who launched attacks online, declaring they would never compromise. Calling themselves the "ZhiZi Legion," they gathered in secret and headed deep into the mountains to search for Evolution Spheres.