The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 639: Compliment

The barebone flat was planned for three bedrooms and two living spaces. It was all concrete walls and floor with no doors or windows, and there was no utility in place.

Two secondhand sofas claimed the living room, and a mattress was placed in each of the three bedrooms. Food that needn’t be stored frozen filled the kitchen, as well as drinking water and simple everyday necessities. Buckets of clean water and washing products were placed in the bathrooms.

Despite the sorry state of the place, it was the Nine Scions’ temporary base; it was one of their many bases, in fact.

Gao Yang took a nap on a sofa. After his parents’ passing, he had been unable to fall asleep on a bed. Only when lying on a sofa could he catch a moment of peace.

When he woke up, Can was sitting on the sofa across from him, tucking her legs in and lowering her head as she played a game on her phone. The brightness of her screen had been decreased to the minimum level, the soft glow illuminating her eyes and nose.

After the Nine Scions’ establishment, Can had quit HOK; it was to avoid getting tracked, but also to bid her past self farewell. Her days alternated between resting and training, and every once in a while, she went out on missions. What little free time she had, she filled by playing simple games.

Her favorite was Tetris. Her father often played with her when she was young.

She remembered from her childhood how good her father was. Every time she was close to losing the game, she would call out to her father, and her father, who was usually drawing in his studio, would run out to take the handheld console from her, helping her with the game.

It wouldn’t take long for him to erase most of the blocks filling the screen. Then he would return the console to her with a smile. “When are you gonna defeat Dad, Orange?”

“Just you wait!” Can pouted in defiance, but it never took long for her to flail around and call out for her father again. “Dad! Dad, hurry! I’m gonna lose...”

Now, Can was an adult, and she had mastered the game. The blocks fell one after another at increasing speed, the flurry of motions might as well be impossible to catch. The lines disappeared again and again. It was as if the screen would never get filled up.

Hong Xiaoxiao saw her playing once, and she praised her for her amazing skills.

Can merely smiled. Her dad was the amazing one. Unfortunately, he was already gone, and she would never get to defeat him in the game.

Terrible, those people we remember are. They remain unbeatable and distant, and we either miss them or resent them.

“Can,” Gao Yang called out in a soft, hoarse voice. “Have some rest in the rooms.”

Can lowered the phone. “Haha, it’s okay. I’m not tired.”

Gao Yang knew Can was watching over him. While this was a safe enough place, and every member of the Nine Scions was trustworthy, she still wanted to do something for her captain.

Gao Yang gave her a pointed look.

“Alright, I get it.” Can rose to her feet obediently and went into a bedroom.

On the mattress, Hong Xiaoxiao was sound asleep. Can lay down and dove under the warm blanket.

The girls had gotten on like a house on fire. Can snickered, “Take this... Nine Yin Skeleton Claw!”

“Hm...get your grabby hands away from me. They’re freezing...” Hong Xiaoxiao rolled around sleepily rather than getting mad. She easily fell back asleep.

...

It was Nine Frost, Wang Zikai, and Gray Bear’s turn to patrol the neighborhood tonight. Lithe Snake and Qing Ling had left for reconnaissance, leaving Gao Yang alone in the dark living room.

He sat on the sofa, entering his system.

[Access granted.]

[You have accumulated 979 Luck points.]

[Constitution: 441 Endurance: 441]

[Strength: 1108 Agility: 1862]

[Willpower: 2017 Charisma: 1517]

[Luck: 1777]

[Lv6 Teleportation]

[Lv6 Replicate]

[Lv6 Fire]

[Lv6 Double]

[Lv6 Psychic Armor]

[Lv4 Lie Detection]

[Lv5 Lucky]

...

Gao Yang exited his system, letting out a soft sigh.

The night he fled from Qilin’s counseling room, his Psychic Armor leveled up, meaning all his Talents save for Lie Detection and Lucky had hit level 6. His plan after that was to save up Luck points to comprehend new Talents.

Gao Yang had decided to go for Absolute Defense.

From a sentimental point of view, it was his father’s Talent, and he wanted the legacy containing his father’s will

From a rational point of view, Gao Yang had the Guard Rune Circuit and thus could push the Talent to level 8.

If he succeeded, he would be able to make good on his goal to protect those around him. Before a Talent could reach level 8, though, the threshold to reach level 7 must be overcome.

None of Gao Yang’s Talents had reached level 7.

Why? Is it because I haven’t come to a firm enough determination?

Or is it that protecting my family and friends and ensuring our survival isn’t all there is to it?

Gao Yang looked down at his hands and slowly balled them into fists.

A trace of confusion and uncertainty lingered in his heart. It felt like he had forgotten something important, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Whoosh. Lithe Snake jumped in through a windowless opening in the wall. Then Qing Ling flew in on her Tang Dao through another opening.

“How did it go?” Gao Yang asked.

“Nothing seems suspicious on the end of the Hundred Rivers Union,” said Lithe Snake.

“The Qilin Guild hasn’t made any noteworthy move, either,” said Qing Ling.

“Good work.” Gao Yang nodded at them.

“Snack time, bro!”

In disguise, Wang Zikai sauntered through the entryway of the unfinished flat with a bag of cola and fried chicken, followed by Gray Bear and Nine Frost—both were in disguise, too.

The three had finished patrolling.

“I’m not hungry. You should eat. I’m getting changed.”

Lithe Snake walked into the storage room. For patrol, he had to put on a wig and fix the scars on his face, putting on the uniform of the cleaning crew.

“Hoho, what a surprise that you’ve fallen to this sorry state in the absence of this Empress. Pitiful! Pathetic! Laughable!”

The familiar chuuni remark came from the balcony. Gao Yang looked over to see a slim girl in a sailor uniform, her back turned to them. She was holding a briefcase in one hand with her other hand on her waist. Although it was quite an unnatural posture, she was a little adorable like that.

“You’re back too.” Gao Yang smiled faintly, knowing that Nainai had succeeded with the mission. He had been worried about her the past few days, but she was more dependable than she seemed.

“Good job, Nainai!” Gray Bear was glad to see her. “You return sooner than I thought you would!”

“Ha, not even the three realms and six reincarnation paths may trap this Empress. The Walled City of Ten Dragons posed no obstacles.”

She turned around and threw the briefcase. Nine Frost caught it with ease before crouching down to open it. “The amount matches our order. Actually, there are additional Medicine C and resurrection pills.”

“Oh.” Wang Zikai raised an eyebrow. “Dr. Jia does know how to do business!”

“Hmph, under this Empress’ authority, his loyalty is guaranteed...” Nainai marched into the living room proudly, only to spot Qing Ling standing against a wall. Her cold gaze shut Nainai up.

“You did well.”

The aloof compliment was a surprise.